I know you've received a lot of letters lately imploring you to continue your recent good work in the Pacific Northwest. But Snow, I think you deserve a few days off. No, seriously, take a few days. I'm not suggesting this just because I've been sledding in both a real sled and my car and found the first mildly more fun than the second. I'm not saying it just because you and I have had our disagreements in the past, some of them widely publicized by me via Facebook. I'm not even recommending this only because I'd really like to see my parents for Thanksgiving. I'm encouraging a break because you deserve one.You've worked hard to make freeways into parking lots and overturn septic tankers on nearby roads. (I can't imagine how much work that last one alone must have taken.0
And maybe you're not tired yet. I get it. But I hear there are other parts of the country that consider you a miracle and would be just delighted with a visit. Southern California, for instance, or Texas. You could even be daring and head to another country! All I'm saying is keep your options open. Don't feel obliged to stick to just one area because you've received such acclaim there. The only way to make a real name for yourself is to head off and see the world. We'll all be waiting for you when you come back--next year.
I just want what's best for you, Snow. And if that means we have to be parted for another 365 days, or maybe even longer, I'm willing to make that sacrifice.
Best wishes,
Tina
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Teddy Roosevelt is a Ninja
This is a little partial story I wrote for a kid at work. The prompt was "Write a biography." What my student should have said was, "Write an accurate biography." Enjoy.
Theodore Roosevelt was a president of the United States of America. What most people don't know about him is that he was also President of the International Association of Ninjas. Teddy, as he was known in the dojo, was an expert in hand to hand combat. In fact, most of the "animals" he killed while hunting were actually other ninjas. His public relations manager later disguised each fallen ninja as a bear or mountain lion so that no one would know about Teddy's ninja secret.
On a Spring day in May, Teddy Roosevelt rode his horse, Samurai, into the woods. He was thinking about the latest IAN meeting, and how his friend, Robert Hope, had talked about possibly learning to use swords.
"The future is in armed combat!" Robert had yelled at the group of ninjas. "The enemy will be armed, and we need to be ready."
"The enemy" Robert spoke of was a secret group of assassins called The Death Machine. The Death Machine wasn't really as secret as its members liked to think. Teddy knew The Death Machine met inside the Baltimore Community Center on the first Friday of every month.
Before Robert had ranted about swords, the IAN had debated about the best time to attack The Death Machine's headquarters. Andy Rockefeller thought they should attack on July 4th, Independence Day. He thought ridding the world of The Death Machine on that day would be appropriate. But most of the IAN thought The Death Machine would expect that, so they'd picked a random date, August 23rd, for the attack.
Teddy was pondering whether swords would be a good idea for the attack on The Death Machine when a heavy something hit him from the side and knocked him off of Samurai.
Teddy sprung up from the ground and yelled, "Haai-yah!" at his assailant.
No one was there. Teddy spun around, expecting to see a member of The Death machine holding throwing knives.
No one was there...
(To possibly be continued)
As you can see, adjectives (like accurate) are important.
Theodore Roosevelt was a president of the United States of America. What most people don't know about him is that he was also President of the International Association of Ninjas. Teddy, as he was known in the dojo, was an expert in hand to hand combat. In fact, most of the "animals" he killed while hunting were actually other ninjas. His public relations manager later disguised each fallen ninja as a bear or mountain lion so that no one would know about Teddy's ninja secret.
On a Spring day in May, Teddy Roosevelt rode his horse, Samurai, into the woods. He was thinking about the latest IAN meeting, and how his friend, Robert Hope, had talked about possibly learning to use swords.
"The future is in armed combat!" Robert had yelled at the group of ninjas. "The enemy will be armed, and we need to be ready."
"The enemy" Robert spoke of was a secret group of assassins called The Death Machine. The Death Machine wasn't really as secret as its members liked to think. Teddy knew The Death Machine met inside the Baltimore Community Center on the first Friday of every month.
Before Robert had ranted about swords, the IAN had debated about the best time to attack The Death Machine's headquarters. Andy Rockefeller thought they should attack on July 4th, Independence Day. He thought ridding the world of The Death Machine on that day would be appropriate. But most of the IAN thought The Death Machine would expect that, so they'd picked a random date, August 23rd, for the attack.
Teddy was pondering whether swords would be a good idea for the attack on The Death Machine when a heavy something hit him from the side and knocked him off of Samurai.
Teddy sprung up from the ground and yelled, "Haai-yah!" at his assailant.
No one was there. Teddy spun around, expecting to see a member of The Death machine holding throwing knives.
No one was there...
(To possibly be continued)
As you can see, adjectives (like accurate) are important.
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