So I looked up an old buddy the other day, because I hadn't heard from him in forever, right? One of my old roomies from grad school. He was a pretty cool guy: funny, educated, well paid, liked to have fun. He was really good with technology, and had a lock on all the latest downloads: DVD's, XBoX games, software. You name it the kid had it, sometimes before they were released. I asked him at one point how he did it. I mean, can you imagine getting a peice of that action? But he would always dismiss my inquiry with some nonchalant smirky remark. The stingy bastard.

Anyways, about halfway through the second year of the program (at this point I was already living with She Who Would Become The Wife), he said his work schedule was changing and he'd be absent from class, but they'd still let him finish the degree. That was the last time I saw the kid.

I'd give him a phone call every now and then about going to get some drinks or play a par three or something; but I never got an answer. Eventually the phone number was disconnected. I mean, I never even saw the kid around town either.

So the other day I figured I'd see what I could dig up. Knowing he was affiliated with our graduate program and at least one other, as well as a multi-national employer and a highly regarded professional association; I assumed it's be easy enough to just google his full name. Wouldn't you know, that set of words yielded two full pages of hits - all about the same thing.

Something called Operation Site Down.

It seems my buddy's dowloading habits had gotten the attention of the United States Department of Justice, specifically an attorney out in Cali. He was indicted just before the spring semester started that year, and sentanced some weeks thereafter. To several months of house arrest and a fine that makes your average car loan look like a bar tab. His PC, laptop, cell phone, and all the copied product were confiscated.

I was surprised that it'd all turned out like that, but at the same time everything fit together: the timeline, the hundreds of bootlegs laying around the house. It's one of those things you hear about but never really see.

But I am really glad he never told me how to get in on it; because having a felony offense on your background check doesn't really put your resume on the top of the pile.