Issue 10

Another Medium, Another Issue

It’s a good thing that new, technically exciting ways of conveying information come along every so often — they inspire me to communicate when more mundane means are less appealing. The first issue of Sparks from the Smithy came about mostly because Dad gave me a desktop publishing package for Christmas. That kept me going for quite a while, but I honestly can’t imagine how I ground that thing out on a computer without a hard drive. I actually had to swap floppies to do different tasks, and even back in those more patient days, it was agonizingly slow. These days, I can’t stand to wait. Not for computers anyway.

So what would lure me to the World Wide Wait for my next publishing medium? Well, for one thing, it’s kind of cool. The other, slightly more persuasive factor is that I don’t have to consume my own work over the web. Before I leave this subject, an upcoming release of a major operating system (non-disclosure-ly vague) touts during installation, “Navigate your computer faster and easier — just like the Internet!” I… I just can’t quite find the words.

In any case, here’s the new technically hip publication, with even sexier layout than a floppy-based DTP can muster. I also hope to improve things by naming Shannon the Supreme Chief Editor and Master of the Universe. Maybe some flattery will persuade her to contribute to such a lowly, pitiful publication. Oh, and Ethan has been named Chief Keyboard Stomper. It’s not enough to just pound the keys, it’s his duty to climb up on the desk and march around on them. And put his grimy fingers on the monitor. And throw the mousemat on the floor. And the mouse. Maybe we’ll have to promote him to a position where he can have his own office.

Let us know what you think.

Nine Pound Turkey

It’s Thanksgiving, we’ve had our feast and cleaned it up too. It was an intimate holiday this year, with just our little triumvirate. Had any family of four dropped by, we probably could have managed to feed them too. But it was definitely the scaled-back version, and it was delectably refreshing to feast on only a half-day’s labor. Sure, we had “real” mashed potatoes and nearly-from-scratch rolls and lemon meringue pie, but we didn’t bother to dig out the china, or make enough food to feed China.

We all still managed to stay friends, too. Of course, there was a little of the surliness that has made us swear that we’ll be eating at Denny’s next year, but we made it through OK.

And here, just to harrass any 14.4 people out there, are a couple of shots of our forthwith to be eaten feast.

I’ll wrap up here so I can get this thing posted, and beat the competition to press (whoever that might be).

Love,

Eric James Smith, Ed.

Copyright � Eric Smith, 1989-1998, All rights reserved.