April 19, 2004
#73 :: Wooden Index File
This is an artifact from my time as an old-school newspaper reporter. It held index cards on which I had written the names, numbers, titles and affiliations of hundreds of sources, contacts, friends and chance acquaintances. The deck of 3x5 cards was blackened with thumb-dirt and furry-soft at the edges from constant consultation - how many times did I pull the Simi Valley City Council's card? How many times did I search for Rocketdyne's flack, my buddy Alan's cell phone number, the mailing address of the Ventura County Courthouse for yet another Freedom of Information Act request? Like a fool, I think I threw them out when I went digital. The box of varnished, tongue-and-grooved maple is as solid and venerable-looking today as it was the day I bought it at an antiques store 19 years ago. It closes with an authoritative *clack*.