Hooray for December 2004

I was going through my old file drawer and trying to make everything look like it’s in some semblance of order (this is the first time in my life I’ve bothered to do this - it occurred to me that sooner or later I would need some sort of file storage system), when I found something vexing.

An envelope very carefully (and clearly, and multiple times) dated December 4, 2004. It’s addressed to me, sealed and stamped, and from myself.

The only thing on it that suggests something out of the ordinary is the little “TMA” after my name in the part that addresses the envelope to me.

I remember doing this. I remember coming up with a really really good idea, and, not wanting to bother with patent lawyers, etc, I decided to describe the idea fully, and then mail it to myself so that should I ever need to prove in court that the idea was mine (first), I could brandish the sealed and dated envelope, striking fear into the hearts of those that dared copy me.

The problem is that I can’t remember what my great idea was. So now I’m faced with a difficult decision - do I open the envelope, thus ruining my brilliant plan, but possibly revealing to me my own former brilliance (which I would then, of course, use to get ridiculously rich)? or do I leave well enough alone, just in case someone does think of it, at which point I will have my proof?

I do not know.