The first request was for a piece having something to do with a pencil. Here it is, only lightly edited. Next up is grunion (!).
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I had heard about the new warden from one of the other prisoners. I prepared myself for the mind games in the two minute walk to the warden’s office. Maybe he’d threaten me with solitary. The guard opened the door and shoved me inside and I nearly tripped over the leg shackle.
(more…)
Don’t say I don’t listen to my readers.
Today was a nearly typical Sunday. The usual game of catch up as we attempt to cram all the weekend chores into one day. Shabbat is great but it’s like the calm before the storm. Anyway, we had our traditional pancake breakfast and after Shula’s nap Kim went to the gym and I hung out with Shula for a couple hours. I should write that Shula hung out on me. She doesn’t play by herself for extended periods (which I think is normal) and towards the end of Ema’s absence she starts to get a little clingy.
The rest of the afternoon was a blur of laundry and financial stuff. Fun, eh?
I just got home from a hockey game. We (team Creo) beat our playoff opponents 8-5 which gets us into the final this Thursday.
I also got published tonight. I spent some of the morning taking self portraits until I found one I liked for my article in the SIGCHI Bulletin. Nothing too exciting but at least it isn’t long. Mr. Brevity strikes again.
Arwen‘s recent post has got me thinking about blogging and writing. Why am I doing this? I’ve never been one to think about abstract things or even take a major role in a debate. Usually, I can see both sides of an argument and, unless it directly affects me, I don’t care to talk about it ad nauseam as some people seem willing and happy to do. This shouldn’t surprise you, since you won’t find much of that on this blog. You definitely aren’t surprised if you know me personally.
So, why *am* I doing this? Partly to document bits of my life before I totally forget them. Partly as a place to write about usability in some vain (in both senses of the word) attempt to sound like an expert. Partly to share these things with people I know and don’t. Partly to force myself to think more about issues.
I feel I’m getting lazy and not thinking about issues as much as reporting on my life. That’s getting a little boring and it’s time to spice things up.
I took a creative writing course over a year ago. It was awesome. I learned I was capable of writing some truly bizarre, fun, and inspiring pieces. I just had to set aside the time, brainstorm a bit, and something really neat would pop out.
So, what readers I have: Do this for me. Comment on this post with a **single** word. I will take that word, write something based upon it and post the result for all to see. I have created a new category “Writing” to mark this event. 
The worst thing about having a blog is that someone might read it.
The best thing about having a blog is that someone might read it.
Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
If you need to make a short trip in Vancouver, make sure you have a screwdriver and look for our VW Passat. It will get you where you want to go. Try not to use it too soon after the previous “borrower”, though, or it may be low on fuel.
The police have found our car again. And, again, it [wasn't too far from where it started](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=from%3A%20Main%20and%2030th%20Ave%2C%20Vancouver%2C%20BC%20to%3A%20700%20Kingsway%2C%20Vancouver%2C%20BC) and there’s only damage to the ignition. A little anti-climactic, isn’t it?
