A couple days ago I played around with a photo my friend John Cooper had posted in his galleries: http://www.pbase.com/johncrossphotography/image/130789111 He reminded me that I had actually seen the subject of his photo when we had a very cool meet up in Putney and the surroundings. I went back to my photos and looked for the tree. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of the tree (for reasons unknown since it is so well appreciated). I did, however, take a photo of the cool marker on the wall. Unfortunately, John appears to be suffering from Time Compression Syndrome (TCS). Our meet up was in 2009 not 2008. As our fellow agents well know, TCS is a hazard of duty we accept without reservation when first admitted to the Academy. It manifests itself in many forms. For some, past history can be significantly distorted. You know, stretch or compressed in some manner. That is known amongst us agents as the JVD anomaly. There is also the Notner anomaly which manifests itself by blocking out any memories which do not include a sandstone background. Then, of course, there is the Toronto two step anomaly which causes the victim to become schizophrenic in certain cases with an overwhelming desire to escape to warmer climates, similar to the Wolverine variety of same. Then, of course, there is the Lone Star version which completely blots out time when the agent isn't traveling away from home or spending time in front of the barbecue drinking beer.
As you can see TCS is a disease which has devastating results on the victims, but interestingly, each particular manifestation has its own peculiar side effects. It tends to make the agent better capable to deal with their surroundings. It is an adaptive thing. I personally believe it is the body's own natural defense to the constant bombardment of Bernoulli waves which are just a natural result of being an agent. That is aggravated, of course, buy the occasional firing of the coronal discharge thrusters which as so necessary to our profession. The upshot of all this is that the agent, upon reaching the age of retirement (which is going to go up, you know), has developed natural qualities which serve to soften the blow of leaving the active force and settling down to a lifestyle more in line with the average human being.
Settling down is a problem for most humans, but not for the agents, especially in this part of the galaxy. The years of torment by TCS leads to a natural yearning for activities particularly suited to the individual agent. For that I am always thankful that the Federation gave me this opportunity, which of course it didn't because that admission would be a severe breach of security and would jeopardize my future activities. So at risk of further compromising of my position, I have to stop writing now. Remember the words of Roseanne Rosanadana, "Never Mind."
PPS What year is it now ? are you not using the Shepheardes calender, have you lost your Time/space/continuum instruction book.
Oh dear, oh dear oh dear.
Agent Cross, I think you already said too much. To be more specific about my claim would itself be saying too much. But I do have permission to say that the tree---as depicted by Agent Cooper---is beautiful and warrants being photographed, regardless of the year.
