If you're of a certain age, you probably remember this oft-recycled '70s sitcom plot:

Much-loved series star, Jack/Jackie, who has to be away from the office/house for some extended period, frets that the whole business/family structure is going to come crashing down in his/her absence -- an idea that's turned on its head after the first commercial break, when he/she checks in from the road and makes the unsettling discovery that everything at work/home is ... wonderful. Even worse, the reason things are going so well is that his/her stand-in has turned out to be an ideal substitute. Outstanding in every way. Suddenly, the much-loved Jack/Jackie feels, well, not very much loved. Touching hilarity ensues, as heart-strings are tugged and lessons learned.

I don't know what made me think of that on this muggy Sunday morning in old Charleston. Gen X nostalgia, I guess. Because, when I sat down to write this post, the thrust was supposed to be quite different, really. Mostly, I was just planning to inquire after a fellow denizen of the blogosphere....

So, uh, Josh, how's that vacation going?

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