Category Archives: Short Stories

A bit of short form writing

Short Story Contest 2020

A local paper (The Camarillo Acorn) hosts an annual short story contest, so I figured I’d take a swing at it. The following is based on a feeling I’ve had somewhat frequently when out in the street. Or looking at … Continue reading

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Writing Exercise

Ooh. Who’s that?That doesn’t look fun. We’re friends right? We’re all staying here. We’re just hangin.No, they want a fight. I can take ’em. Let’s go!But it’s so uncomfortable out there. Don’t you want to be here where it’s warm … Continue reading

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Starship Log: 022

Nerved out on exterior duty today. Something about EP-61, the dark all around, and the weightlessness triggered my dive-abort reflex. Came out of it in a few seconds, but had to call it in and get help gathering all the … Continue reading

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Roadside Emergency

I’m riding my motorcycle, having just pulled away from the stop light. The day is cool and overcast, and the clouds are bright in the creases, as if lit by a day-long lightning bolt. The gentle hills to either side rustle … Continue reading

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Speculative Delusions

I think about how to use the things at hand. It’s kind of like this but for tools and equipment. It happens with skills as well, but much more rarely. My psyche is more focused on possessions than personal powers. … Continue reading

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Cascading Failure: Lumber Edition

Sometimes things just seem to “go wrong”. My suspicion is that this is a result of putting off solving problems until they build up and overflow into non-related areas. Here’s an example from today. I need to shoot in a … Continue reading

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Thinking for Fun and Profit

Some like to sweat. Some run for fun. They like to run in the hot hot sun. I do not like to work this way. If I must run, I’ll run away. Instead I like to learn and think. I … Continue reading

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The Void (In a Box)

I was in the clean room doing some tests. Everyone is in white gowns. The place feels like a science lab. My ears hum with the ubiquitous noise of the air handlers. The place tastes like plastic, and smells the … Continue reading

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Stories and programming

Over at shamusyoung.com, someone left a comment that it would be cool to write a program in the form of a story. This is both easier and more difficult than it sounds.

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Empathy

What are the reasonable bounds of empathy? Should we feel sorrow when we take apart a broken machine? What about killing a slug, or a butterfly? How do you feel about separating a mother from her children? What if it … Continue reading

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