When I was working may way up through the Seattle Public School System, I was a walking paradox. I loved to write--but
hated to read. I think it has something to do with my short attention span, because I still feel the same way. Nothing puts
me to sleep faster than a good novel on my bedstand.
I was writing short stories (very short stories) when I was eleven, but I didn't do my first book report until the eighth
grade. I did it under protest by selecting a primer story (Tiny Tutak was the title, I think).
Very recently, I decided I wanted to write just for the enjoyment of writing. My attention span is still pretty short,
but it can stretch a bit when the topic interests me. A couple of years ago, I saw what I believe to be the finest animated
film ever made: Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi. As my job takes me to Japan very frequently, I got to see it in its
original form. It was later released in the US under the title, Spirited Away. Ever since then, I have had a
missionary zeal to spread the word about Studio Ghibli, the place where this and many more great animated films were
born.
