Hi, Kellie. Beautifully put, and point taken. I tried to contact you earlier this week, but the e-mail was bounced back, even though the address tallied, dot for dot, with the entry on my address list.
Well, things have certainly been happening here. On the fifth of February, Hadley School told me that I would have to pass an entrance assignment before I could be accepted as a student of Spanish. Knowing the post as we both do, you won't be surprised to learn that I received said assignment thirty-seven days later, that is, last Saturday, the 13th. It consisted of two parts: Part one, to answer six multi-choice questions about a passage to do with the founding of the Hadley School. Secondly, there were five subjects listed and I was asked to write about two hundred words on a subject of my choice. I chose: "Something that Happened to Me." It did, and here's what I wrote, just to make you grin. As a teacher, I would often lend my books to the children. One little boy, David, had borrowed a book which he said he would return the following week. After over a month had passed, and all requests for the book's return had been ignored, I decided to make an example of him in front of David's classmates. When the children had settled, I said that before the lesson could begin, I had something very important to say. I then launched into a diatribe against people who said one thing and did another. When I paused for breath in the middle of this oration, one of the children said, a little timidly: "Please, Mr. Taylor, David isn't in class today." Needless to say, we all dissolved into fits of laughter for the next few minutes. On Monday, the 15th, I had an e-mail from the School to say that I had got one hundred per cent, following, of course, in the footsteps of you know who. [smile.] Did you, by any chance, see my posting about the missing r in the French website? Roselle has rushed to the rescue, but I had a terrible job trying to explain it to them in an e-mail, as my knowledge of French computing terms is nil. When I wanted to say, for example, "Go into the Properties Menu", all I could think of was: "Go into the entrails of the computer." Again, I couldn't help smiling, but I hope the message got through somehow. I read your marvellous (British spelling) post to Charles about his dog, and straight away thought of mine, and the piece I wrote in her memory. She was a wonderful friend. As soon as I start Spanish, which should be before Christmas, 2010, I'll let you know. It's twenty-five past five in the morning, so I'll go, as I have to put the final touches to our renowned, celebrated, notorious, call-it-what-you-will, French grade two manual. When it's done, you'll be the first to be sent a copy, electronically, of course. Do you by any chance have details of blindetext as I lost them in the crash that involved your Metric Sayings. I tried searching on the Web, but got loads of incomprehensible German references. Right. You must be very busy, or have been inundated with e-mails, as I have not heard from you for quite a time. Presumably, you have negotiated chapter 12 of your French, and are well into your Brittany book. Anyway, I'm here if needed. Take care, and thank goodness it's only three days from spring. Warm regards, Jim Taylor.
