So, Mark is lending me his books for the Ham license test. Woohoo. He comes over to my office, and I have to ask him to close the door so I can show him my Morse code trainer (even though Morse is no longer required, I always wanted to get to 10wpm and if not now then when?). Morse code is not the kind of thing that other people like to listen to, so we close the door and I beep away.

Mark is duly impressed.

So, says I, why did *you* want your license?

Mark explains about the sailing and the need for a radio on the open seas. This is all very sensible.

I tell him that I want my license so that if there's a disaster, I'll be able to have a useful radio skill. And because I want the call sign that used to go with the house. And because it's one of those things I've meant to do since I was twelve.

We smile at each other.

All right, Mark admits, it's totally about the geek factor.

Yes. Yes indeed.