It’s time for Friday Fictioneers, a weekly writers’ community that attempts to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt.
Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for her dedication and to Ted Strutz for this week’s photo. All are welcome to give this prompt a try. It’s a lot of fun. Here are instructions.
Genre: Sci-Fi/Humor (100 words)
Smooth Operator
The weightless package marked “fragile” arrived via express mail to Roy’s shaking, greedy hands. He extricated the metallic-grey object from hugging foam cylinders.
“It’s just like a regular monitor,” Meredith said, shrugging.
“Where’s the switch?” Roy glided his fingers along the wireless, smooth frame. “Anything?”
“Maybe there’s a remote.” The empty box contained only an invoice.
Roy pawed the screen, soothing it, begging for it to turn itself on. He nearly flung it across the room before Meredith shouted, “Easy!”
In defeat, Roy gave the screen a swift knock. The screen beamed and blinked.
“Welcome, Roy,” a cheerful voice announced.
*************************
Apparently, you can already knock on your screen to login on a Mac. Soon, computers will come to us with our profiles already uploaded. They’ll know our families, our favorite songs, what we eat. etc. Well, I guess they already know all that stuff, don’t they?
Here’s a VIDEO demonstrating the Knock login on the Mac, if you’re interested.
Just click HERE for more stories from the Friday Fictioneers.
AmyReeseWrites 
I swear, my computer is already smarter than me. So soon, I figure it will BE me. No good can come of this.
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I know the feeling, Trent. My computer could easily take over my life. Oh gee, it already has…!
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Yeah my devices rule me. I’m addicted to them. Can’t get enough. Crike, I’m on one now! Some of my friends in the world (like you) are simply static images on a screen! What if you’re not real? What if you’re a computer construct? Or some really gross eight hundred pound shut-in (I’m not denigrating shut-ins, though)? What if I’m not real???
And back to my screen…
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Ha ha! Oh my gawd! Please tell you’re real, Trenty!!! I know it is wild. Already, we question how real we are out here. How long, before we just really aren’t, before as you say, we’re constructs. I wish I wasn’t addicted, but I am. Help me!!!
And now…back to my screen…
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The future sounds creepy. 🙂
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It usually seems creepy to me, Adam. I always console myself thinking all the really weird stuff will happen after I’m gone, but who knows. Things are changing faster all the time.
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Yes, they are.
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This post was both flash fiction and a news story for me, Amy. I was completely unaware about Apple’s knock login. Like Roy, I am too dense for this latest innovation. I cannot fully grasp why it’s necessary, even though I glanced through the explanation after watching the demo video. Thanks for embedding that link!
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I was too, V, until I came across an article that had this new technology in it. Isn’t it wild?! And what a goofy video! I can’t grasp why it’s necessary either except that it’s possible. Sure, glad to do it!
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Obviously, from that guy’s bushy beard, it’s target audience is hipsters. Not us … But I suppose we could wear Yosemite Sam-style mustaches to feel like we’re in the in crowd and knock everything in our paths left, right and center.
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Right! Ha ha. But I don’t have a Yosemite Sam-style mustache. Oh, well! I guess I can’t do the knock. This video is strange to me anyway. The way he knocks but it doesn’t show him knocking. Whoa, now that is cool, huh?
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Or, as my friend, Milton would say, “That’s so stupid, it’s cool.” Or, he might just end the statement with “That’s so stupid.” If today were April 1, I would think this knock was a prank.
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Now, you must show Milton. Yeah, do it, do it! It doesn’t seem real. And what about privacy? Identity theft? Huh, huh?
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Or, what if you just keep your computer at home? Is this some gimmick I should use when I bring someone over to my apartment to get them to sleep with me? I thought alcohol and low lighting was supposed to serve that purpose.
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Well, how could a potential love interest not be impressed with this? He’ll think you’re a magician, V. Now you’re thinking outside the box!
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You mean “she’ll” think I’m a magician. Good to know! But as long as my 8-year-old MacBook is still chugging, the only knocking I’ll be doing is the usual ripping into whatever irks me at the moment, like pretentious ads starring hipsters with Civil War era facial hair.
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Ha! Oh, pardon me. I didn’t know. Whatever your preference, V. Very good. 🙂 Just don’t hurt yourself. Perhaps some soothing chamomile would help? Please tell me Milton says….
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Milton and I are both birds of a lavender feather, Amy. I live in a padded cell. I’m sure I’ll be safe.
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Okay…I think I’ll be able to sleep tonight.
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With as much as technology has changed in the last twenty years, it’s exciting–and a bit scary–to imagine what things will be like in another twenty.
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Exactly, Carrie. I think about that all the time. I can’t even begin to know. My kids already think above and beyond what I am capable at their tender ages. I think a lot of good things are in store for science, hopefully. But with that…the scary.
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Do you know the story about Pres. Eisenhower. Reportedly, When Ike was introduced in the 1950’s to this giant Univac computer that was in some US Army Silo he was told he could ask the computer any question. He asked “Is there a God?” The answer: “Now there is”.
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I don’t know that story. Now I’m curious. I’ll look it up! Now that is…ooh, a bit creepy. Was that it’s programmed answer? And what a question to ask?! I bet he had no idea what he was in for? We probably don’t either.
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I heard it years ago I suppose from a news commentator. Eisenhower may not have been one of our great presidents, but he was no schlemiel.
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It’s always interesting to learn about the very beginnings of computers. Even now, it seems like such a long time ago! Thanks for the story.
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The only problem I see is that, someday, it will get so easy that it will be just that easy to hack. There is already so much breaking into computers now that I do more work preventing that at times than I do things productively on it.
Just a thought.
Scott
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I totally agree with you, and it’s already here really. Not quite like my story. But, I see potential problems with this Knock App. What’s to stop some passerby from gaining access to an account if all they have to do is knock on the screen? This seems to only make it all the more easier. Thanks for comments, Scott.
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I only watched the ad once on your site, but it seemed that the knocking was “fake” and what you really had to do was call on the phone. Check it again. However, still spooks me.
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Oh, I think it’s a real knock! Now, I’m going to have to try it on my iPhone. On the ad, it does appear to be “fake.” Yes! It’s strange.
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Amy, this is great. It reminds me of the scene from Zoolander, where they’re pawing at the computer, trying to get the information inside. 🙂 Luckily for him he stumbled across the on switch before he destroyed his new toy. 🙂
-David
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That’s funny. I saw that movie, and now I want to go back to watch that part! Thank you, David. I know I have had that feeling of just wanting something to switch on. Have you? It’s beyond frustrating.
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Yeah, I know that feeling, and I understand his wanting to kick it across the room. Technology can be super frustrating when it doesn’t work right.
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it’s true even on a car that won’t start. knock on the engine and it will wake up. just make sure it’s hard enough to make sure you mean business. 😀
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Right, Plaridel. Just a good kick will do it. I know it works on vending machines. And sometimes TVs, back in the old days. 🙂
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We need more gadgets,
or do we? I guess everyone
is either twiddling with an
iphone-6 or chuckling away
on a laptop, PC, tablet or
some other form of wickedness 🙂
The truth is we are smitten
with technology and there is
no letting up in the market.
Okay I will finish this one here
and maybe power up my Playstation,
I have cars to pinch and villains to
shoot, ahhh the awesomeness of
the 21st century, tomorrow we will
be chatting to our personal robotic
pals and flying shopping trollies to
the supermarket, or Mars 🙂 lol
Have a great start to your Friday Amy 🙂
Andro xxx
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I don’t think there will be any let up! It will change and evolve. Who knows what it will be twenty years from now. I could never imagine what we have now could have existed when I was a kid.
Have fun pinching off villains! Our personal robots are next. I think you’re quite right about that. Flying shopping trollies. Wow! That sounds exciting. Grocery shopping will be so much fun.
Have a great Friday and weekend. Thanks, Andro! xoxo
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The day my new computer arrives knowing more about me than I do is the day I go off the grid 🙂
Great story!
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I’m with you. That would be pretty creepy. Thanks, Ali!
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We’ve already had movies where computers sound like Scarlett Johansson and people fall in love with them. What does the voice sound like that says “Hello, Roy?” Maybe I’ll get me one of them too! No doubt about it, we’re moving fast from the dreams of the post to a brave new world!
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Did you see that movie, “Her”? I heard it was really good. I still haven’t seen it. Who wouldn’t fall in love with Scarlett Johansson’s voice? I think you would be able to program whatever voice you like, Perry, even Scarlett Johansson’s. The brave new world will be here before we know it. Thanks!
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I would have flung it across the room. Oh how I long for printed instructions. I suppose the monitor knew who Roy was from all the information he had to provide when ordering. Didn’t it? You leave just enough doubt for the paranoid amongst us 🙂
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I would have little patience in this situation, too. I get frustrated when I can’t find the “On/Off” button. I imagine all the instructions are online. 🙂 It’s funny…lately I’ve been struggling with simply being referred to a link instead of actual communication with people. You have trouble, just refer to this link. It’s becoming the norm.
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Very interesting, Amy. Not sure I want to knock on my iPhone all the time, anyway! It harkens back to the “Clapper!”
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Right! It’s wireless just the clapper. I can’t imagine knocking on my iPhone either. I stay logged into apps for a while, but I guess it’s better if you aren’t. I guess I break all the rules! Thanks for your comments, Cathy.
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Everyone else has sad it all. Great take on an odd picture, Amy
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Thanks, Alicia. It is odd, I agree.
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I need to have an on/off button, Amy… I somehow don’t trust contact-less technology. That said, knocking a screen to switch it is hardly contact-less, thinking about it…
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I think there’s definitely contact, Tom. Just different. I think I might miss the switch. How would you know it’s ever off?
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Exactly! 😉
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Ah! It’s another iWant product then. Nice take on the prompt and thanks for the explanatory video too.
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Ha! An iWant product. That’s pretty funny. My i product needs to be replaced and now iWant or should I say iNeed. Thanks and you’re welcome.
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They will have the retina scan, fingerprint DNA, and they will boss you around for not giving them enough juice from the poweroutlet…
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No one is scanning my retina, Bjorn. It’s not happening. It seems like they won’t be needing a power outlet. They’ll get power from…within.
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That is creepy. But the technology we have now would have been creepy to me 45 years ago!
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That’s so true, PJ. We would never guess what we already have. I shudder to think what will be. Deep breaths. I will be positive.
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One of my clients recently got me a new oversized monitor for photoshopping their photos. It took me twenty minutes to figure out how to turn it on. You kind of just wave at it. It’s like magic.
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Do you know what freaks me out? My iTouch. I was walking through Times Square and my iTouch was on shuffle. First it played On Broadway by The Drifters, then Bummed Out City by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros and THEN it played New York, New York by Ryan Adams. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Do you know how many songs are in my iTouch?! What are the odds? Fantastic.
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Wow, that is bizarre! Are you sure that wasn’t a playlist? I think they do have a mind of their own sometimes. Baahahaaha! Your iTouch is trying to tell you something.
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It wasn’t a playlist, although that’s not a bad idea. It really freaked me out. No kidding.
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But it was a good, worthwhile freakout, right?
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Sort of. Not really.
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Oh, well…at least you had music. 🙂
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Great bit of storytelling, I felt a subtle chill at the end, the machines are taking over 😉
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Thank you, Helen. Hopefully, they won’t. 🙂
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Dear Amy,
Suddenly I’m put in mind of HAL 9000 saying, “Affirmative, Dave. I read you.” Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, now you spooked me. Thank you, Rochelle.
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Yikes! That seems more scary than innovative. What if you leave your bluetooth on and walk away? Someone else could “knock” into your computer. Nice little story, Amy!
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Exactly, Maddie. What about privacy, etc. and identity theft? I’m sure they’ve sorted all that stuff out, right? Thank you!
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I can’t help but wonder if the device was manufactured by Cyberdyne Systems… Nice take on the photo prompt!
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Sounds like it’s right up Cyberdyne’s alley. I wouldn’t put it past them. Thanks so much, Sonya.
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i don’t want that. i don’t want computers arriving with all of my “info” on them already. i can’t imagine it ever happening. but if it does – i blame YOU for predicting it. nyah!
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Well, you know, there’s always a bit of truth to fiction, but it’s not MY fault!! I don’t want it either, just to be clear. That would be freaky.
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your fault. 😉
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isn’t 😉
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is :p
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I certainly know how it feels to want to fling an electrical gadget against the wall. I had no idea a person could knock their Mac monitor on these days.
If my next laptop comes loaded with my personal info, I certainly hope it won’t keep showing me different kinds of coconut oil ads:( I looked at coconut oil – on Amazon – ONCE and keep getting ads for it.
Ellespeth
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I didn’t know about the Mac and iPhone Knock app until just a day before the prompt. It was fresh on mind.
Ha ha! I know what you mean about those ads. If you look at them just once, they haunt you forever! Maybe they’ll start showing you island vacation packages. That wouldn’t be so bad to look at, although a bit depressing if you couldn’t go. Thanks, Ellespeth.
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Realistically futuristic, at least as far ass I am concerned. Now i guess I should check out your links and catch up to the future.
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Maybe a little too realistic. The technology is probably already there, right? It’s just a matter of when and what. Enjoy the video! 😉
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Dear Amy, I think you are right – technology will surpass anything we can now imagine. I find this so disturbing but I feel sure it will exist one day! Look how far we have come since the beginning the pc. It should be an interesting time. Nan 🙂
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Right you are, Nan. Look at where technology has gone in such a short period of time. The speed at which things happen is only going to increase. Thanks for comments, Nan. 🙂
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Thanks for the story, Amy! I have an iMac and don’t even know that. Kind of cool and eye catching and selling feature I suppose. But why? I can just press a button instead of a knock with less effort I think.
Lily
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Thanks for reading, Lily! Yes, “why” is the question. It would seem to create more problems than anything. I suppose it’s because it can be done? I guess the only good thing about a knock is that you can probably knock anywhere on your screen. But, ouch, if it doesn’t work. That might hurt your knuckles, knocking it over and over. 🙂
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Wasn’t sure where you were going, but then I had to laugh at the end.
Off topic …(respectfully, no answer required) …. Do you live in one of these wine regions: Amador/Sierra Foothills or Lodi?
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Oh good, Frank. I was trying to be humorous. 🙂
I live less than an hour away from all those places, Frank. So, yes! Why do you ask?
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Last night our church wine group focused on Lodi … in November was Amador/Sierra Foothills … and I knew you were around there somewhere.
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Cool! They’re all really pretty areas. I especially like the Sierra Foothills, but Amador comes a very close second. Lots of very pretty wineries, too. Can you believe I still haven’t made it over to Napa? That’s not too far away, either.
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Sure… just what I need. Intimacy with my computer.
No thank you. i like my private life, private – and my intimacy with those human.
Randy
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We humans have to stick together. How intimate can you be with a computer? Gee, I don’t want to know the answer to that one. Thanks, Randy!
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We ordered an iMac two years ago at Christmas. When I opened the box, there were no instructions for set-up. It was one of those figure-it-out-as-you-go situations. Connie and I experienced a substantial learning curve going from PC to Mac, but I don’t think I’m ready for the “knock, knock, who’s there?” version just yet.
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Oh, no! Tell me it isn’t so. The lack of instructions is convenient here, but I didn’t think too far from the truth. I’m sorry you had to experience that. My feeling is that lately since everything is online, there are less instructions. Everyone just says, “go to this link!” It’s frustrating, isn’t it? I’m with you. And, what happens if the knock doesn’t work?
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Great story Amy and I learnt something too. Technology has invaded our lives in so many subtle ways, that I wonder if we would ever know when it was too late.
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That is a brilliant point, Dee. I bet many are not thinking about it, and if they are, what can they do? We all seem to need it now, whether we like it or not! It’s creeping up on us, isn’t it?
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I liked your story, Amy. I was wondering how you knew my kiln was a silver-grey color. When I got to the end and read Mac I got it. Then I went into the back room and knocked on my silent silver iMac… nothing. Went back to my (silver) MacBook and watched the video. Thanks for this info, Amy.
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I didn’t know it was a kiln until I read a few stories…As for the Knock, yeah you need the App, Ted. Because, you know, there’s an App for everything, isn’t there? Thank you for the interesting photo that inspired so many good reads!
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Humorous story, Amy. I’ve often felt like throwing my laptop across the room, not to get it to turn on, but to get it to “move” once it’s turned on. It “freezes” on me. I get this message across the top of the screen that says, “Not responding.” As if I need to be told. 😦 Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne. Technology is progress, but not without a lot of headaches. We should all have throw your laptop across the room day. Maybe that would make us all feel better. 🙂
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