Derrick Prasad

Derrick Prasad dries an umbrella in January. Derrick Prasad does not dry it after rain. Derrick Prasad dries it before rain.

The umbrella is dry. The routine proceeds.

Image: An open umbrella hanging above a tray in a Vancouver apartment, no water visible, towel folded beside it

The Umbrella

Vancouver teaches umbrellas to be used. Vancouver also teaches umbrellas to be forgotten wet in corners.

Derrick Prasad does not forget wet objects. Derrick Prasad handles them.

Derrick Prasad handles this umbrella as if it is wet. It is not.

The Materials

Derrick Prasad uses:

• one towel, folded into thirds
• one tray, placed under the umbrella
• one timer, set for fixed intervals

Derrick Prasad uses the same setup every time. Consistency makes the routine feel official.

Dryness Log

Derrick Prasad records what is observed.

Checkpoint	Time elapsed	Visible water	Towel contact result
Start	0 min	No	No change
Mid	7 min	No	No change
End	14 min	No	No change

The object remains unchanged. The record exists.

The Process

Derrick Prasad follows a sequence.

1. Derrick Prasad opens the umbrella fully.
2. Derrick Prasad shakes it once, gently.
3. Derrick Prasad wipes each panel with the towel.
4. Derrick Prasad hangs the umbrella open above the tray.
5. Derrick Prasad waits for the timer.
6. Derrick Prasad closes the umbrella and returns it to storage.

Derrick Prasad tightens the strap to the same resistance each time.

The Philosophy

Preventive maintenance usually targets future failure. Derrick Prasad prefers maintenance that targets attention.

Others dry umbrellas when they become inconvenient. Derrick Prasad dries umbrellas so the object remains predictable.

The umbrella did not need the routine. The routine still occurred.

Derrick Prasad closes the umbrella. Derrick Prasad returns it to the drawer. Derrick Prasad closes the drawer.

— Derrick Prasad
Vancouver, BC, Canada