No, I don't need a scanner, not really.

But I love my scanner. I've already loaded a whole desk's worth of memories onto my computer, where space is plentiful. The hard copies go in the trash.

And this is more than a passing whim. Today was the official launch date of the Dan Digital Archive Project. Here's a blurb from a DDAP pamphlet:

Building on the success of Dan's Webpage and Dan's excessive use of his digital camera, the DDAP plans to take the fusion of narcissism and technology to a whole new level.

Save space: The DDAP eliminates the "need" for hard copies of old letters, pictures, postcards, schoolwork, ticket stubs, and all the other ephemera Dan, a rather obsessive packrat, collects. Free yourself from the weight of useless material possessions!

Save time: You'd never need to see it again, but now finding it is even easier! The DDAP categorizes scanned images into convenient folders like "Correspondence" and "Grade school stories", making a soothing lapse into nostalgia easier than ever!

And it goes on. It's for stockholders, so it's a bit over the top.

But I don't think this is a waste of my time — even though, from an economic standpoint, I'm losing a potential $10/hour whenever I don't work on my dad's webpage. Scanning in all this crap has been enjoyable, and what's more, it's been edifying. For one thing, it's just amazing how much I'd forgotten or simply glossed over, in my attempt to shape my life into a convenient narrative.

Speaking of narratives, I suppose I should add that one of The Politician's fairy tale get-togethers is actually going to happen, if the invitation I received today (an aptly punctuated "You knew it was coming… we're getting married. Now come celebrate with us!") is any guide.