There are a few things that I'm unable to commit to memory; for some reason certain details won't stick. I never know the difference between soft and hard woods, what distinguishes a dove from a pigeon, or whether to use the word 'compliment' or 'complement.' Every few months I will run an Internet search and discover that softwoods are actually hard, a compliment is a flattering remark, and doves and pigeons are in fact the same animal. My memory functions as a sieve for certain ideas or events; and I have no idea how to turn it off. In two weeks’ time I will probably write a story about distinguishing llamas from alpacas, how tornadoes differ from hurricanes, and whether 'a while' and 'awhile' serve different linguistic functions.