Probably the Strangest Post I've Typed

Not because of content, mind you...just the way it feels to type it.

Back in '95 a day before Windows 95 was released, I bought a new-fangled MS Natural Keyboard. It set me back a pretty penny, as I recall--I want to say it was $80+, but I might have only been $50+. Still, a ridiculous price for a keyboard--if it wasn't for the ergonomic shape, etc.--and it was worth every penny, saved me a lot. That's been my desktop keyboard since then. For a short time in '99, when my desktop was out of commission, I even took it to work.

But it was showing it's age, far too many food/beverage stains, keys I could no longer read, that years-out-of-date cream color...besides, it was 13 years old for cryin' out loud! So a few months ago, I started looking around for a replacement. But I was picky--it's not like I needed a new one. And I'd paid so much for the last one, and a million other excuses that seem really silly, but I couldn't bring myself to replace it. I swear, I wasn't getting sentimental about a keyboard.

'Til this weekend, when TLomL bought me a new keyboard. It's ergonomically curved, but not a split keyboard. Very nice. But it's very different. This new guy has thinner, lighter keys--more laptop like; a space bar that's a little too lightweight (and loose)--for reasons I'm sure Freud could have a hay-day with, I pound spacebars, so this is something I notice. I'm not complaining, I've just observed a few differences a lot in the few hours it's been since I plugged it into my USB port. It even has the non-QWERTY keys to navigate websites, pull up programs, control my volume and whatnot. Welcome to the late-90's, eh?

Writing for many of us is a tactile experience--which is why some still use manual typewriters, or insist on a certain type of notepad and pen, or whatever. I've typed I don't know how many stories, papers, essays, articles, sermons, lessons, emails, blogposts, website codes, and 1 novel on that old one. Sure, I've had 2 laptops, and have used other people's computers--but the overwhelming bulk of my composing had been on the desktop. Particularly when I had to think a lot about what I was writing--the feel of the keys, the way I hold my hands and whatnot, helped get me into "that place" where the words would come.

This very minor transition (in one sense) is going take a lot of getting used to. Who knows what new habits I'll pick up with this thing (maybe stop abusing spacebars).