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Blotches and Blots
In recent issues, including this one, the Author-IT software used to produce this newsletter has taken to converting perfectly good JPG files into GIFs, resulting in some rather bad-looking photos. Technically Write apologizes for the unpleasant shots. Author-IT promises that the glitch is fixed in the new release of their software. When we receive the upgrade, we'll regenerate the offending pages.
As to the "blot," the subject of my little contest, responses have been few and not even close to being correct. Not even my "look down, not up" clue helped. So now I'll reveal all, and save my prize for another competition, which is described elsewhere.
In my work area hangs a large poster entitled "Nightfall: Sunset in the Rockies." It is a composite of NASA photos of North America, taken from 180 miles altitude, showing what the continent would look like at sunset with a cloudless sky. With the eastern and central time zones already in darkness, the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex forms an m-shaped blot, with the black hole to the southwest of Dallas unmistakable as Grand Prairie.
Technical Writer, TECHNICAL WRITER
Some of you may be familiar with the Lennon/McCartney tune, Paperback Writer. If not, several websites can aquaint you with the words. One is Beatlelyrics.com. This project, which will last until we can't stand it anymore, will reward a lucky (and skillful) entrant with the elusive Barnes & Noble gift card.
Your task is to write parody lyrics to that tune, substituting "technical writer" for "paperback writer." Lyrics must conform exactly to the tune. Acceptable entries will be appended to the Technical Writer Tune page each month, attributed to the entrant. At some time I'll call a halt to entries and solicit readers as to their vote for the most clever entry.
This kind of project may have been done in the past, but it's a new century. So many new things to mock!
Submit entries to the editor, or to Doug Dow. Enter as many times as you like. Good luck!