Brorost

Cloud Computing "You ready?" "Yeah, Dobe," I replied. "Start it up." The portable generator chugged hollowly for a moment before finally rumbling into life, a brief green flicker from the computer bank announcing its success. A curl of exhaust issued forth, and to my nose seemed to fill the whole office block with its petroleum stench. Even this, however, was nothing compared to the sensation that accompanied it; subtle, but far more potent. The computer had not been switched on for some time, and a number of scheduled tasks had accumulated. In my mind's eye, I perceived them, though the screen lay cracked and broken on the floor: toppled

When I was young, I knew a girl. She was so warm and bright, so I asked her that question that all children must answer. 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' Her eyes lit up with joy and she jumped with excitement. 'A dancer! No, an astronaut! Wait, President! A scientist! I'll be famous and in movies! My name will be everywhere!' She listed so many more until she finally just smiled and looked at me with eyes filled with child-like wonder. 'I could be anything I wanted.' Years and years later, I saw the same girl again but her eyes no longer lit up with wonder. I asked her, 'What did you end up being?' She