Over the Christmas holiday I was able to hang out with two high school buddies who are now life-long friends. It was a great time to be nostalgic and relive the good ol’ days—before the introduction of moral compasses, responsibilities, and obligations. It is remarkable how quickly we fell into circa 1991 personalities, roles, and behaviors (minus the pinch-rolled pants, acid-washed jeans, fluorescent t-shirts, and episodes of Saved by the Bell). It is equally remarkable how those memories and experiences can mean so much to us while at the same time be so under appreciated by our spouses.

Two weeks ago I wrote about the community that revolves around IBD. In the post, Star Wars Stamps, the concept of contributing and participating in the community, which can lead to a heightened sense of belonging, was highlighted. Just like my friends who encouraged me to return to the tenth grade (for laughs and to re-take Algebra II), readers of IBD have encouraged Paul and me (again to the disdain of our spouses) to continue with our actions and behavior.

If we had elected or appointed positions in the nerd herd, Kelly Farrell would rank high due to her willingness to support and share, and for her participation on IBD, along with many other personal reasons. I actually would have nominated her for the IBD Parliamentarian position (though not the highest ranking position but carries nerd-like qualities that can be unmatched) but that spot has already been reserved by an unnamed professor. Just in case you were wondering, Court Jester has already been taken by Paul.

The following pictures of interesting signs and the following comments were provided by Kelly:

On a guided hike at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Interpreter Steve Chyrchel welcomed the group to the historic Van Winkle Hollow area, not AN historic area, THE historic area, and besides, even if it weren’t THE area, it would just be A historic area. [Note from IBD Management: If the latter portion of that last comment makes no sense to you read this post on Paul’s Grammar Pet Peeves.]

So, at the trailhead is this marker, which Steve pointed out clearly communicates the following:

• go this way
• wheelchair accessible
• no bicycles
• no riding horses (and actually, no riding them backwards)
• no paper airplanes.

I saw this sign in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. I tend to be one of those purposefully far out parkers, one who doesn’t mind the extra walk. But, like most, I also enjoy the thrill of scoring a front parking space once from time to time.

However, I’ve never considered actually parking in the entrance. Designers have got to say what they mean and mean what they say.

Kelly, thank you for your participation, and thanks as well as the others who have provided support, encouragement and interpretive design fixes for us all. On our way home from visiting with my buddies, my wife counseled me on the reasons why it was good that I wasn’t that way all of the time or at all. Her key point was that she had worked too hard to change me. She may have removed my behavior from the early 90s, but she hasn’t removed the Right Said Fred from my iPod.