Imperfect knowledge.
Imperfect truths.
Imperfect understanding.
It was a perfect mess.
Chips
You ever think, wouldn’t it be cool if they could chip our minds so that they can be found and recovered when we lose them?
Book Find
Don’t you love it when you go into a book store, especially a used book store, for a specific book, and go right to the location and find it on the shelf within seconds of beginning to look?
Sweet feeling. Today’s target was The Darwin Elevator by Jason Bough. A friend recommended it as a fast, enjoyable read.
That Old Chestnut
Fun fact! Did you know that the expression, “That old chestnut,” originated with with Henry Chestnut? Henry was a pharmacist who liked telling comical tales about the way things were in his grandparents’ era, often exaggerating facts to absurd lengths. People in his town often passed on his stories, and the response on hearing them was often, “That old Chestnut,” usually with laughter. Eventually, Henry’s stories were published in a weekly column called, “That old Chestnut.”
The things you can learn on the Intertubes, right?
Drum Roll
Do you ever seem to wait literally forever (right, no hyperbole or exaggeration here) for something like pizza or an ATM delivering your cash, so you begin a drum roll, because it seems apropos?
No? Is it just me, then? Are you implying that I’m impatient?
The Plague
When it was almost one, I thought the thoughts would soon be done.
Then it was past two, and there were still a few.
When the clock showed three, I got up to pee.
Then, at four, I peed some more.
Seeing five, I fought to close my eyes.
Then it was six, and there was no fix.
When I saw seven, I mourned the dawn,
and realized at eight, I was going to be late.
I hit the road before nine with a tired head,
now it’s ten, and I want my bed.
At eleven, I stole a nap in my ride,
which did nothing for my back, neck, or side.
Dragging myself back in at twelve with sunken eyes,
I sucked down coffee just to feel alive.
At one, I splashed my face.
At two, I realized I had three more hours of this place.
Striking three, the coffee made me pee.
But at four, I drank some more.
Then it was finally five, and I’d somehow survived.
Home at six, I got ready for a party mix.
Seven found me with my friends, ready to go.
When it was eight, we got some food on a plate.
Then at nine, we paid the dime.
Ten found me at a club, having fun.
By two, I was heading home, tired and happy, but wishing it was one.
At three, I laid down in bed,
and then the thoughts returned,
plaguing my head.
The Destination
You try the high road,
but you struggle with the reach.
So you slip into the low road,
but suffer in the stench.
So you look for the middle,
striving to be comfortable and well,
but every time you read the news,
you feel like we’re on the road to hell.
Good Day
Ever get out there walking and feel the air and a sharp wind, and, giving anxious glances toward the sky, think, oh, no, I’m not dressed right? But then the sun clears its throat and heat finds you. Songs start streaming in your mind, powering you into a faster pace. Busy people and singing birds fill the background, and the air acquires a sweet freshness, and you think, this right here, right now, this is a good day.
Salazin – Four
Mouth agape, I stared at Salazin, looking for a sense of humor. He had one but it didn’t seem present at this time.
“What did you say?” I said.
“I said your ship will be ten miles long.”
“Miles.”
“Yes.”
“Ten miles.”
“Yes, ten miles.” Looking serious, Salazin picked up his beer and watched me.
He didn’t drink much alcohol. I never saw him actually finish beer. I always thought he pretended to drink to put me at ease.
Well, not always. At first, I thought he drank like I did. About a week into our friendship, I began to realize that he didn’t.
“Ten miles long?” I said. The words began to gain substance. “Ten miles long?” I was searching for references. I ran two miles a day. This ship would be five times as long as my daily run. “How wide will it be?”
“One half of a mile wide.”
While that sounded more acceptable, it still seemed unbelievable. A half a mile wide would be an impressive length. Ten miles…ten miles was fucking unbelievable.
Ten miles by half a mile. The ship would be long and narrow. “The engines for this,” I said.
Salazin watched me.
“They have to be enormous,” I said.
“No.” Salazin shook his head. “I told you. <TK> has developed new technology.”
Yes, he’d mentioned her before. “Right, I remember. You always said you would introduce me to her.”
“Yes, and I will. Her travel has been delayed.”
Her travel has been delayed. That statement seemed innocuous back then. Now it seemed like it was heavy with weight. Back then, I thought, airlines, flights, cancellations, weather. Now, thinking, her travel has been delayed, I think, from where?
From what planet?
By what means?
The Obsession
Don’t you hate it when you’re out somewhere, and discover that you have something stuck between your teeth? It becomes an immediate obsession for your tongue while all you do is think is, how can I discreetly get this out? Meanwhile, you fight with the urge to just do something and get the frigging piece removed.
Michael Seidel, writer 