"Isn't it interesting to have our lives so controlled by the least reliable appliance in the house?"
Thread drift, taking this back to music:

The ways of man are passing strange:
He buys his freedom and he counts his change,
Then he lets the wind his days arrange,
And he calls the tide his master.

Thanks for all your efforts, Max; no idea what we would do without you; suppose that is why folks are dismayed when the 'Cat is not there for them. I think it is great that we are so worldwide that no matter what the time of day, someone is on!