I admit, this seems strange. But you have to understand, I've had this trusty old alarm clock since I was a small child. It's a piece of history in more ways than one.I've told this story a couple of times already. It's amazing I can come up with a third version of it. :) This clock, made by the legendary Fairchild Semiconductor, has been a part of my life for about as long as I can remember. My mom bought it in either 1976 or 1977. At some point, it became my clock. It's been in more or less continual service since it was bought.Until I walked into Jaden's room to wake him up Tuesday morning. I had given the clock to him so he could see what time it was from his bed. It was sitting there showing 12:00 like it's showing in the picture. It only does that when the power goes out. I tried setting the clock. No dice. It wouldn't budge. It was emitting an usual humming sound. Something went wrong.After the kids went to bed, I opened it up and looked inside. I couldn't see what's wrong with it, and I don't think it's worth trying to fix. Maybe for sentimental reasons, but I've got enough other things that I actually know how to do to keep me busy. Electronics repair was never one of my strong suits.30 years of faithful service is probably more than anyone expected thisalarm clock to last. It was looking ugly in it's old age, and evenfalling apart somewhat. But it was mine, damn it, and it worked.Even though it makes me sad to do so, and it's probably a collector's item--even broken--the clock that has been the one constant fixture in my life to date is now in the trash. That clock has a lot of personal history associated with it. Throwing away the clock is a symbolic gesture towards putting history where it belongs--in the past.Goodbye, old friend. I will miss you.