I always try to keep abreast of current events. Like most parents, I never really get a chance to sit down until about 8:30 p.m., which is too late to catch the 6 o’clock news and too long to wait until the 10 o’clock news.

In today’s day and time, it would have been a lot easier to sit down to CNN to get my daily dose of woe, but I decided to venture into the world of cyber news. Why wait to see the footage when I can read about it as soon as someone can sit down to a keyboard and give us the scoop?

While surfing the net, what to my wondrous eyes should appear? Not a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, but something for me that could equal Christmas in July, a small instant message box with the magic words, “You’re an instant winner.”

News? Who cares about the news? This is news. I won something. Me, who never, ever wins anything, had actually won something. Visions of new computers, MP3 players, digital cameras or even, dare I might say, money fill my head as I eagerly open the window to my dreams.

Bronze bodies lay on the white sand in front of an emerald ocean. “You have won a four day/three night Caribbean cruise” flashes brightly against a sun kissed sky. (Not quite what I had in mind, but who’s complaining?) “Call 1-800-555-5555 in the next four minutes to claim your prize. Confirmation number: 555555.”

Now, you and I both know by clicking through to that link will open up a world of computer viruses and strange (and sometimes gross) pop-up ads, but still – I let my mind wander.

If I pretended enough, I could almost hear the waves gently lapping against the shell-scattered shore while the ocean breezes carries the smell of coconut oil to my nose.

Even though, I didn’t get to leave shore in a huge ship, I would like to thank Mr. Computer man for this opportunity. He allowed me to have a mini-vacation, even though it was only in my mind.

I am hopeful that one day – and in the not too distant future – I will find myself on the white sand beaches of Destin, soaking up some sun. Even if it’s only for an afternoon.