It is Wednesday story day, and last week we left Andrew with the head of the municipal IT department. I think we were taken back with the IT manager being so full of himself. Well, I think our opinion doesn’t count if he is able to come up with a solution to the deleted file. I see Andrew and Larry are back in Larry’s office. We should go there to see what is going on.
“So you talked to the head of IT?”
“I did, and he is trying a unique approach to a solution to the deleted file problem.”
“Do tell.”
“He thinks there might be an old tape which was used as a backup. The big problem is if he finds the tape he will need to find a reader.”
“Any line on a reader.”
“Yeah, he thinks one of his suppliers might have a customer using a reader. If so we can use it and get the deleted file back in its original form.”
“Terrific. I do have a question though.”
“Yeah, shoot.”
“What do we have when we get the deleted file?”
“I’m betting my old notes will give us some forensic basis for determining how the heart was disintegrated. and maybe this will be a thread to the motive.”
“Can’t you just remember what you wrote?”
“You’re kidding, right? Tell me the last thing you wrote down on a piece of paper.”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if it was yesterday. Tell me the last thing you wrote. You know, pen or pencil in hand and a piece of paper.”
“Damn. I can’t remember.”
“You know why?”
“Not really.”
“It’s because when you write something down your brain knows it does not have to store that piece of information. So it remembers where you wrote it but not the content.”
“I get it. I remember making notes about another case but can’t tell you what I said.”
“There you go. So how can I remember what I wrote ten years ago?”
“Yeah, I see. So chasing after this deleted file is worth the time and effort.”
“I think so for sure.”
Then let’s hope the head of IT knows something about getting that tape to work.”
“He has to find it first.”
“Yeah, of course. I have faith.”
“I’m glad one of us does.”
If the head of IT can come up with a solution here, there will be no living with him.
Then again, who needs to live with him?
And I now understand why it is that when I jot down a note as per a story idea and then revisit it some time later . . I’m usually at a loss for what it meant! Thank you for that!
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Always ready to serve.
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Oh no, I’ve been writing things down, thinking the process of writing would help me remember. Bummer, now your story has become personal. 😀 Have a great day, John.
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That method still works for the conscious act of trying to learn or remember. For casual things (like a list for the store) once on paper no need to remember. 😀
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Added to that problem is the fact that, even if I find my hand-written note, the chances that I shall be able to decypher the scrawl are minimal!
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Yep, sounds like me. 🙂
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Me too.
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Ha haha. So true of me as well, Keith
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Writing things down helps me to remember for some reason, I think because I am rehashing the information another time or two as I write. I don’t find that true with typing at the keyboard though. I’d have to depend on IT as well.
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Science shows writing vs typing is better for remembering. In this case, think of a list for the store. Do you remember each item on the list when you get to the store or do you have to look at the list?
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That’s why I make a list – that’s IF I remember to write one AND take it with me!! lol
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And remember it is in your shirt pocket.:-D
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Ugh – SO THAT’S WHERE IT IS!!!!!
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Ha ha ha. Its been there for a week.
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Right you are.
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“It’s because when you write something down your brain knows it does not have to store that piece of information. So it remembers where you wrote it but not the content.” What? He’s messing with him. This is the opposite for me!
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I think Andrew is trying to make a point about remembering details. I think most people remember better when they write things down with the purpose of remembering. In this case think of making a list for the store. When you make the list do you remember each item or do you have to look at the list once you get into the store?
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I usually forget to take my list to the store! 😦
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🙂
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You can count on the IT guys (I’ve been saying that for 41 years). Judging from the number of times I say “I wrote this down, somewhere…” I’m thinking there might be some truth to the theory. I have to get better at remembering where I put my notes.
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Just don’t make a note as to where you put your notes.
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Can always ask for help on Craig’s List. 😜
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Ha ha ha. Good idea. 😀
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Can always hope on this occasion a little hope goes a long way.
Hugs
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I agree, David. Thank you.
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A good installment, John. These days I forget a lot of small things my brain tells me aren’t that important. I think it must be the opposite of a photographic memory. More and more seems disposable these days. The good thing is my memory rejects don’t clutter up beaches. 😀 — Suzanne
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Ha ha ha. Thank you, Suzanne. Your brian stuff is probably not clutter.
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Thanks for the excuse I’ll use when my wife gets on me for forgetting things… If I remember it.
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There you go. Always happy to serve.
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I love the observation about writing things down. I’m constantly jotting notes about things I want to remember. Have to leave the notes in a conspicuous place though. Otherwise I might forget the note, LOL!
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So true. Thaks, Mae.
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On good authority, I heard that Hymie Phartzengiggle was seen around the Municipal IT Department building! Hey, I’m just rrying to be helpful. I CAN HEAR your groans!!!
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I tried to keep them quiet. 😀 (The groans that is)
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Interesting theory about why our brain deletes information once we write it down. I have faith that the IT guy will recover the tape. But, will it be compromised as well? Guess we’ll have to wait to find out.
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I have faith in him too, Jan. We shall see.
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Ah faith… “taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase” sounds good until you’ve fallen down the stairs a few times. 😉
I’m still hanging on your every word, John. Hugs.
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THanks, Teagan. Loved the staircase analogy. Hugs
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It’s an MLK Jr. quote. I liked it a lot when I actually had more faith in things.
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I can fully understand that for sure.
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Such truth about notes…At least with grocery lists if I write it down I might be more likely to remember what I need at the store when I forget my list;) Cant wait to see what this tech finds!
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Thank you, Denise.
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My mind is like a steel trap – don’t need to write down anything. Also, I might be exaggerating just a tad.
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You are a fiction writer afer all. You have license.:-D
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I have faith! No recall of what I wrote down, but definitely faith.
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Good to have. Thanks, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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🙂
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Where’d that picture of me come from?! I’d give anything for an IT dept. Imagine me figuring it out – takes a while, for sure.
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Ha haha. Thank you, Audrey.
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