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Write it down. No, really; your memory is not that good.
I have notebooks by the shelf-load and, when away from the house, usually have at least one with me. Often I have my iPad Air with me, too. That has Scrivener installed and a natty keyboard.
Today, I took a mid-morning break and wandered down to my local Nero (other coffee shops are available). While supping my large hot beverage of choice — and this morning it was a hot chocolate — and reading my latest LRB, I had a great idea for a post.
The ‘great’ may be an exaggeration but we’ll never know.
For most of my adult life, I have taken to heart the notion of writing things down. I know from experience that memory is fickle, especially as I get older. Actually, as I get older, it is less fickle and more straightforwardly short. Hence the notebooks and iPad.
So I immediately put down the LRB and picked up my notebook and jotted some reminders of the idea.
Like hell I did. The old mind game started straight away: “that’s such a good idea, it will be easy to remember”.
Come this afternoon, when I found time to start on the post, there was nothing.
The idea sat there on the memory equivalent of the tip of my tongue. I waited. I relaxed. It didn’t come.
Once again, I am betrayed by my inability to follow my own rules of engagement with my own brain.
Sorry. This is what you get instead.
