Dispatch From the Land of New Normal
a creative writing edition (#15)
This is paywalled, so housekeeping first.
This is the fifteenth edition of a creative writing feature for paid subscribers, who are also able to comment on this post (and most posts). If you would like a paid subscription but can’t afford it, send an email to hollymathnerd at gmail dot com and I’ll hook you up with a free year.
Lots of pictures in this one, so your email client may not handle it well. You can also read it at the Substack website.
Context: since I started this feature, I usually put weird or interesting (or potentially interesting, anyway) little stories here. It feels like the “creative writing” construct frees me from needing to do a proper introduction, thesis, supporting point, supporting point, conclusion, etc., structure.
This is a little story about new normal, having a minor crisis, asking for the help of a good friend, digital dependence—unavoidable in this case—and where it’s taking us.
Obituary for A Pair of Hearing Aids
A pair of oticon hearing aids died on Tuesday, February 14.
Right died first, issuing a spectacular death rattle. Eight long, plaintive beeps that came out like distorted wails were followed by silence.
Four hours and forty minutes later, Left decided he could not live without his companion and tried to commit suicide. Life support, in the form of a quick battery change, left him barely breathing. Within an hour, he was gone, too.
Their deaths were notable primarily for how long they outlived their normal expectancy. Five years is a respectably long life for hearing aids, but I took exceptionally good care of Right and Left, and they lived to be almost seven.
They served well; may they rest in peace.
This is the story of my adventure—and what I’ve learned—since their deaths.