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Keelan Introduction

Hi, I stumbled here while trying to track down some firmware for an old piece of network hardware that I want to reverse engineer. Creative writing and RPGs? Alright. I've never been able to get into RPGs, and that's not why I'm here. Creative writing is something I enjoy. Is creative non-fiction a thing? I think if it is, that is my genre…

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The Screwdriver

In my toolbox is a screwdriver with a translucent orange plastic handle. I know from memory it's a Sandvik, No. 1 Philips head, even though the markings have been long lost to age. It's special to me because it represents two moments in time in my life, one is a pleasant memory of the innocence of childhood, the other a pivotal moment in my life.

The First Moment

My brother is a few years older than I am. When we were both not-quite-yet-teenagers, we came across an old set of lawn mower wheels. It was soon decided that we needed to make ourselves a go-kart, powered by gravity and hills. We spent a weekend toiling away, hand-sawing scraps of lumber left over from a recent home renovation project. We fashioned a seat from a pice of white styrofoam, and the kart was steered by using a rope like a horse's reigns. In a departure from our usual tree fort construction method, we used screws instead of nails. Drywall screws, to be specific, all driven by hand using my dad's Sandvik, No. 1 Philips head screwdriver.

The go-kart was an abject failure. While it rolled and steered, its rolling was unwilling, and its steering was unpredictable. But its biggest downfall was the screws. Drywall screws are hardened, and break rather than bend. The go-kart didn't survive its maiden voyage.

Recently, I asked my brother about his favourite childhood memories, and the go-kart was one of the first out of his mouth.

The Second Moment

I moved out of my childhood home rather abruptly. It wasn't out of malice, it was just how things went. I moved out shortly after I had turned 19, and as the youngest of 4 kids, I think my parents hoped I would stay just a little bit longer. While deciding which childhood trinkets to bring with me and which to leave behind, I went into my dad's workshop, found that orange screwdriver, and slipped it into my pocket. It's been with me ever since, in the top drawer of the toolbox where I keep my best tools.

Whenever I use that Sanvik screwdriver with the translucent orange plastic handle, I am inevitably brought back think back to those two moments in my life. A moment in the depths of childhood, and a moment that marks the day that my childhood officially ended.

I tell my daughter the story of the go-kart, and of the screwdriver. I don't have any expectations of her to carry on my weird tradition, but I hope that she can have some of those moments in her childhood where she can think back to a memory where time stands still, if only for a moment. And I know that one day she's going to be packing up her stuff too, and I know for me that for me that will me a moment where time stands still too.

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Okay, I need to stop there, I apparently have work I'm supposed to do.

Introduction Keelan

Thank you for taking the time to join and post a message, this means you are serious and says a lot about your character. I hope you find friends in the community and become involved over time. Since you are new to this Community please permit me to share a few links that you may find helpful:

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Keelan Introduction Sharing Member & Introductions

Hi Keelan. That is quite an introduction. However, I have some disappointing news. The firmware links are no longer available because they pointed to software that is not being hosted anymore.