The Dating Results Show!

So. In our last broadcast, we gave our viewers at home the chance to weigh in on whether or not to tell Mr. Apology (who stood me up) where to step off. In a crushing display of solidarity, telling him to step off (or just not responding) wins! The final tally was 9-4, which I think is one of the most responses to an LJ post I've had ever! If my goal is attention mongering, I should do this more often. ;)

As much as it pains me to give up a shot at a nice dinner out, I think I must go along with the group mandate. The American judge was all about the free dinner, but the Brit and the Russian judges find no reason to assume that his conduct isn't part of a larger pattern. If I'd met him before it would be different, but given that this was supposed to be the first date... well, neither of us owe anyone anything. If we screw up, so be it, and we live with the consequences. He might very well be a great guy who just doesn't think about things like that, but I've had a "great" guy who didn't think about things like that for 15 years. I've done my time and I deserve better, even from those who might only fall into "passing fling" territory (and that's a hard thing to believe, let me tell you -- My given inclination is just to say "okay" and go along if it isn't deemed to be a permanent situation. That's not a good response, but it's one that feels comfortable for me, backed up by force of habit. Not really acceptable, though).

So the email was sent (sorry, couldn't just not respond -- it would drive me crazy) and life goes on. Thank you all for your participation, and join us next week to see our heroine's next exciting adventure! :)

My son, the author.

Last night, the Powerful Writers program held a reading at the Richard Hugo House, a non-profit liberal arts organization here in Seattle. Powerful Writers is a program that works with five area schools. They go in and teach writing a couple of times a week. The kids write their own stories, then make them into a book that they illustrate as well. Alisdair got chosen to read his story, "Angel," before a crowd of at least 50 people (they didn't have nearly enough cookies at the reception, and it was the largest turnout for one of these yet -- and was up there for a Hugo House function as a whole).

To celebrate Alisdair's achievement, I will post his story here. It should be noted that it's better if you hear him read it, as he's a very involved public speaker, but that's okay. :)*

“Angel”

by Alisdair Lyons

Graham Hill, 3^rd grade

I found Angel, my old cat, at the apartments my old friends, Terrice and April, used to live in. First my mom saw her and then my dad saw her and I don’t know who saw her next between Terrice and April.

And then I took Angel to my mom’s house. I both wanted to play with Angel but I also wanted to play video games. I decided to play with Angel first. I was happy to finally have a pet.

A few days later I began loving Angel. Angel was as white as snow with nothing in it and she was lucky but, why did she run away? And where did she live? Did her old owners treat her badly? We may never know and it doesn’t matter now because my mom is allergic and my dad wasn’t ready to have Angel.

So we had to sell Angel. I was SO sad that I could yell NOOO! at the top of my lungs or cry swimming pools.

I miss Angel. But she’s in good hands and that’s in the past. I wish I could see her again.

About the Author:

Hi! I’m Alisdair! I was 9 when I wrote this book. My favorite color is blue. I like mac-and-cheese. I loved writing this book! Bye-Bye!

*Note: We did NOT SELL the cat. We found the cat a good home through the humane society. Geez. :)