The Writer's Life 1/15 - Circus of Life

From Yahoo Odd News, edited by yours truly: A Pennsylvania high school is apologizing after students were assigned the following math homework problem: "Angelou was sexually abused by her mother's ___ at age 8, which shaped her career choices and motivation for writing." The students were required to use a formula before deciding whether the answer was boyfriend, brother or father. The assignment was "downloaded from a website that allows teachers around the world to share educational resources." Officials said steps have been taken to make sure it never happens again.

From The Spokesman-Review in Oregon, edited by YT: A man is getting his home back after the tiny structure was stolen from an eastern Oregon truck stop in December. He was moving the 95-square-foot house from Seattle to Las Vegas and stopped because of bad weather. He unhitched and returned when the skies cleared. The custom-built home was eventually found about a half mile away. Tires and a door were missing, but the rest was salvageable. Here's a pic:

Eight years ago Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger wowed the world when he ditched the jet he was piloting, which had been struck by birds, in the Hudson River in Manhattan, saving everyone on board with the deft maneuver. Since then, NYC airport crews have killed 70,000 birds, shooting or trapping them. Despite those efforts, incidents have increased. Officials are unsure whether the rise is due simply to closer monitoring or if the fine feathered friends are behaving in a Hitchcockian way.. Animal rights activists are not pleased. (NY Post, in my own words.I made up the Hitchcock part.)

The world is constantly evolving, often mercilessly. Even institutions with long track records are threatened by changes in society. Case in point, after 146 years Ringling Brothers is shutting down. Higher costs, lower revenue due to dwindling attendance, and constant fights with animal rights activists are three of the reasons cited. (NY Post, in my own words.) There will have to be an alternative venue to the phrase "ran away to join the circus."

It was a gorgeous day to sell books. My thanks to the middle age woman who bought the Ultimate Jazz CD I recently burned, and the young one who purchased four works of non-fiction. Both showed up in the last 15 minutes, saving what would have been a frustrating session.

Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

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