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7| The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M ay 31,2018 theifp.ca You know, I sometimes forget how long I've been writing this column. I recently checked my files (around 2,000 col- umns) and realized I start- ed writing here December of 1990. It began with my Christmas column, and in January 1991 I was asked to continue, as Managing Ed- itor Hartley Coles was re- tiring and incoming Man- aging Editor Robin Inscoe asked me to take over his column space. Yup, 28 years, give or take, (with one medical leave for minor surgery and a few months of sab- batical when I 'retired' from the Independent & Free Press), I've been writ- ing this column pretty much every week. I do love what I do, and I enjoy having total strang- ers come up to me to ask about The Sidekick, Ham- ish the dog, McDuff and Fergus our two rams, not to mention the Mustang, the F150 and the L'il Red Rocket, and a host of other 'characters' who appear from time to time in this space. And when I do run into readers out and about, there is one question that seems to be the most often asked. 'How do you come up with ideas for your col- umn?' That's a tough question to answer, as there is no pat answer. I do however have a few ways to find inspiration or ideas. When I was on the IFP staff, column ideas basi- cally came to me - some ideas I picked up at events, perhaps something of in- terest that crossed my desk, or recognizing some- one who gave beyond the call of duty. Now that I'm not in the office, I still find things to write about. I've learned that first and foremost, I don't fret about my column. I usually sit down and write some sort of a lead - and if no good ideas come to mind within 15 minutes - I walk away. I've learned that the hu- man brain has a capacity to work in the background. I can sit on the veran- dah for a bit and watch the world go by, while my mind is sorting through what I've just written. I under- stand longtime Toronto Star columnist Gary Lau- tens used to kick back and read something totally un- related when he was 'blocked', allowing his brain to work in the back- ground. Another Toronto Star columnist, Joe Sling- er, said he read the sports section. One way or another, it's a simple distraction that allows our minds to pro- cess and organize thoughts in the deep re- cesses of our brains. And I can honestly say it works. I also keep a pen and paper nearby my bed, just in case an idea comes to me in the night. Writing it down is a must. Do you have any idea how many GREAT column ideas have been totally for- gotten by morning? Another thing I've learned is to not over ana- lyze my work. I can spend hours work- ing on what I could con- vince myself is a literary masterpiece, only to have no reaction or comments when it's published. Yet I can peck out some- thing that I've spent less than a half hour banging out on the laptop, and I re- ceive a pile of emails. You just never know. And finally, never try to second-guess your readers - it's impossible. I believe it was Gary Lautens who suggested the best analogy of writing col- umns. He was an avid base- ball fan, and suggested that writing a column was a bit like being the desig- nated hitter (DH) on a ma- jor league baseball team. Every time the DH walks out to the plate, he intends to hit a home run. But it just isn't going to happen every time. However, most impor- tantly, if you don't hit it outta the park this week.... Well, remember, there's always next week. - Ted Brown is a freelance writer for the IFP. He can be reached at tedbit@hot- mail.com. OPINION Basic Column Writing 101 - a 'sort of' how it's done If this column sucks, just wait till next week, pens Ted Brown TED BROWN Column THE WAY WE WERE A familiar Georgetown landmark since 1883, Berwick Hall was designed by Edward J. Lennox, who also designed Toronto's Old City Hall and Casa Loma. A good example of Queen Anne style architecture with a multi-pitched roofline, detailed brickwork and woodwork, it's associated with paper mill owner John R. Barber, and named after his mother's birthplace. The structure at 139 Main St. south is a listed cultural heritage property. EHS photo To the editor: We usually look at politi- cians when we hear of vote- rigging, but it seems that Elections Ontario's new on- line registration system is putting them in the frame as well. I went online, as advised by Elections Ontario, to check my family's registra- tions, fully expecting that all would be well as for cou- ple of decades we have al- ways received our registra- tion cards without fail. I was totally floored to find that my wife's registra- tion could not be found. I re- tried several times to be sure, and then got her to complete the online regis- tration process as there was no trace of her to be found. A couple of days ago the Voter Information Cards dropped into our mailbox: One for me, one for our son and two, yes two, for my wife. Both cards have the identical information on them, same name, same ad- dress, same electoral dis- trict and same polling sta- tion number. Only one thing differed, a discreet lit- tle 10-digit number (pre- sumably the roll number). If my wife was dishonest I suspect she could go and vote twice without being challenged. After all, every- thing would tally with her I.D. and the card is genuine. Clearly the computer system failed to find her original entry on the elec- toral roll and happily al- lowed her to make a dupli- cate entry. I wonder just how many others have had the same thing happen? Andy Turnham OPINION New computer system may make election-rigging easier l MORE ONLINE See all our published letters to the editor online at theifp.ca • Truck Accessories • Upholstery • Heavy Equipment Glass •Window Tinting 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1655 Wehandleall insurance work. We handle all insurance work. Separation & Divorce mediation accredited mediators georgetown, brampton, bolton, mississauga, orangeville flexible hourswww.pccs.ca 905-567-8858 1-866-506-pccs (7227) reduce cost & conflict divorce with dignitY and Keep Your moneY in Your pocKet! Furnace Air Conditioning Gaslines Boilers Water Heaters Radiant Heating 905-877-3100 proud local dealer of Canadian made products .ca