Corey was on the verge of causing a rebellion. He couldn’t simply tell the assembled programmers to engage in the common industry exercise to root out vulnerabilities “Capture the Flag”. He was constitutionally unable to be so direct. No, he had to call it Concentration Transmit False. In the first place, there was no need for initials. And if he must, why not the traditional NATO phonetic alphabet? “Nowhere is such usage required,” he would say if challenged.
Fred knew better than to do so. But he was not above a snipe. “Dude,” he shook his head. “Waffles Taxidermist Flibbertigibbet?”
From a civilization, a billion years ago, a spindly digit had pressed the transmit command key, sending the formula over the thousand thousand light-years in hopes of escaping extinction. It came through as terrific noise, but Dr. Lexie had purged away the signal's false echoes. At long last, the data was collated and the chemistry was almost right. She worked into the night to build her brilliant alien visitor from the stars. The concentration was difficult to achieve, but not impossible if she cut corners. Finally, there it was, a product of an imperfect rendering. Not brilliant, but stupid, actually.
Good one, Gerard! You captured the tension between hope and reality very well. Thank you for reminding us about the fallibility of even the smartest among us.
Ha! Love it! It reminds me of how we (especially children) mishear and misunderstand words and phrases. When my daughter was little, she thought the line was “one horse, soap, and say,” instead of the actual words “one horse open sleigh.” Years later, she asked us what it meant because it made no sense.
Wow! What a wonderful exploration of nature's power and the emotions it inspires! “I feel the rolling thunderous beckoning,” really drew me right into a world full of sound and sensation.
Powerful, Colin! That opening line really draws you into the story. Also, thank you for reminding us that the fight against HIV is ongoing and for highlighting how long medical progress can take.
Packs a punch as always
Thanks Scott!
I As In Initials
Corey was on the verge of causing a rebellion. He couldn’t simply tell the assembled programmers to engage in the common industry exercise to root out vulnerabilities “Capture the Flag”. He was constitutionally unable to be so direct. No, he had to call it Concentration Transmit False. In the first place, there was no need for initials. And if he must, why not the traditional NATO phonetic alphabet? “Nowhere is such usage required,” he would say if challenged.
Fred knew better than to do so. But he was not above a snipe. “Dude,” he shook his head. “Waffles Taxidermist Flibbertigibbet?”
I remember that office culture and the silliness of corporate speak. Waffles Taxidermist Flibbertigibbet, indeed!
Me too (trying to forget)!!
Title: Lost in Translation
From a civilization, a billion years ago, a spindly digit had pressed the transmit command key, sending the formula over the thousand thousand light-years in hopes of escaping extinction. It came through as terrific noise, but Dr. Lexie had purged away the signal's false echoes. At long last, the data was collated and the chemistry was almost right. She worked into the night to build her brilliant alien visitor from the stars. The concentration was difficult to achieve, but not impossible if she cut corners. Finally, there it was, a product of an imperfect rendering. Not brilliant, but stupid, actually.
Good one, Gerard! You captured the tension between hope and reality very well. Thank you for reminding us about the fallibility of even the smartest among us.
Thanks, Caro!
Following The Pattern
“There’s no concentration needed,” thought Clem “A true false test is easy peasy.”
When the test ended Clem packed up and walked to the door where his girlfriend waited. “How did it go?” she asked.
“No problem. I followed the pattern and finished early.”
Judy frowned a bit, trying to not transmit her dismay at how wrong his statement was. “Pattern?” she inquired.
“Yeah. You know, the pattern. Ronnie has it figured out. His brother is a psych major at the University.
“Not a psych major. A psycho. He’s locked up.”
“I think I’m going to be sick,” Clem said.
Ha! Love it! It reminds me of how we (especially children) mishear and misunderstand words and phrases. When my daughter was little, she thought the line was “one horse, soap, and say,” instead of the actual words “one horse open sleigh.” Years later, she asked us what it meant because it made no sense.
A Beckoning
I feel the rolling thunderous beckoning, from afar.
It rumbles travel through the earth,
Radiating, vibrating, resonating, a portent of transformation.
What is indicated, shall I anticipate a proviso with the coming onslaught?
The tinge of the atmosphere has gone from bright day to impending tempest.
Sensing the shift, I inhale the thick aroma of petrichor,
Peaking the suspense, priming the palette of desire.
My thirst is yearning for a deluge of experience.
The rain starts softly, building slowly, sweeping along as I soak in the damp.
I catch a glimpse of the lightning, it strikes close, bursting into flames.
Wow! What a wonderful exploration of nature's power and the emotions it inspires! “I feel the rolling thunderous beckoning,” really drew me right into a world full of sound and sensation.
Pray For Change
============
‘So it was a false result? That’s what you’re telling me?’
‘I’m afraid so Mister Smith.’
‘So… my partner… could I transmit…?’
His voice trailed off.
‘I strongly recommend he gets tested, yes.’
He felt sick. What would his parents say? How could he break this to Steve?
He tried to focus on what the doctor was saying but concentration was beyond him. His head was still swimming when the doctor spoke again.
‘There are amazing advances in medicine every day! Who knows, maybe next year is when we’re able to say that 1985 was the year we cured HIV.’
Powerful, Colin! That opening line really draws you into the story. Also, thank you for reminding us that the fight against HIV is ongoing and for highlighting how long medical progress can take.
Thank you so much. Loving seeing this concept alive again after so long away from it.