The key sparks on the lock after the elevator ride—a small static charge that erupts and dissipates in the same breath. The light blue ball of lightning captures my attention every time.

I walked through Northwest today as the realtor showed the condo to prospective buyers. The sun shone down as I meandered through the blocks, listening to episodes of “Here Be Monsters” by Jeff Emtmann. I avoided staying on the same side of the street when confronted by Rasputin-looking figures that shuffled in place. I’d woken up feeling the quarter-key turn of the new year begging me to continue on in a positive fashion. To resemble the blue-white spark of the static energy that conjures at the door.

Idle consumption of time is a struggle that seems to inundate every facet of modern society. I don’t think I know many people who don’t at least sometimes complain about the attention economy that’s led to a constant barrage of dings, flashes, pings, pop-ups, and jolts in attempts to focus our meager concentration on a product.