Local random
Interesting discussion in one of the online graphics forums yesterday. Somebody asked "how long do you typically spend at the computer between breaks?" The answers were varied, but almost everyone distinguished between "inside the zone" versus "outside the zone". When inside, time disappears, and we often spend 8 or 10 hours without noticing it. Outside, maybe half an hour between pauses for coffee and stretching.

I suppose the "zone" has always been understood by creative people, but it wasn't a topic of conversation nor even a commonly understood concept when I was young. Marks a positive change. 50 years ago, only a small number of Americans had jobs that allowed them to reach the zone.

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Immediately after Kaiser Karlton of the 9th Reich announced his edict of forced atheism yesterday, a spokeswoman for the Spokane public schools made her way to each of the local TV stations, and declared in firm language that Spokane kids will continue giving the Pledge in its complete form. She clearly wasn't happy doing this, but the school system clearly understands its taxpayers.

This is the first case I've ever seen of a local government unit rebelling against Fed authority in the CORRECT direction! When I get jaded about the virtues of democracy, I need to remember this.

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Truly strange dream this morning. I was working for my old engineer boss at Penn State. Instead of developing acoustical pollution control systems, we were collaborating with G. Gordon Liddy to develop new and nasty weapons for special-ops commandos. I was working on an improved ear-chopper, for use in cultures where losing an ear is a mark of shame.

Where in the hell did that come from???? I never [consciously] think about the details of commando fighting, except to be deeply thankful that we have men who are willing and able to do it. When younger, my Walter Mitty fantasies were about inventing, not fighting.
  ¶ 8:51 AM