Talk Wordy to Me Tuesday

In eighth grade I had to write a paper on an animal. I chose Sea Otters. I remember thinking the material was so dry - black and white. Otters eat this. Otters do that. Boring. I struggled with the introduction for so long because I wanted it to have some meaning. I stumbled across the 1990 issue of National Geographic - they had a big story on the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. This was the opening quote from the article (which, is still emblazoned in my memory almost 20 years later):

"In the beginning, when the supertanker Exxon Valdez gutted herself on Bligh Reef and vomited 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska's exquisite Prince William Sound, it seemed truly like the ending of a world." -- National Geographic, 1990

That was the quote that started my love affair with words. It captured the essence of something horrific and profoundly lasting. That quote gave a voice to the oil spill. It breathed life into Prince William Sound. The words juxtaposed the serene beauty of the Sound with the intensity of the oil spill. It was raw and powerful (and later was the reason why I refused to by Exxon gas when I got my first car). It became my introduction for an otherwise lifeless paper. That's when I realized the power of words. 20 years later, scores of books and quotes later, it's still the best thing I've ever read. It opened up a lifelong love of words for me.

Talk wordy to me!

xoxo

Photograph by Natalie Fobes, National Geographic

R.I.P. Microwave Cooker

Dear Microwave Rice Cooker,

First, let me say that I am deeply disappointed. I'm disappointed in how badly you performed last week. In a sentence, it was appalling at best. You completely gave up on me. Granted, I did exhaust you and tax your ability to keep up the good fight. But seriously?! Melting is a little extreme, don't you think? Just because I accidentally cooked my rice at 25 minutes on full power instead of 50% power doesn't mean you need to have a mental breakdown on me. You left me with black rice and burnt gooey plastic. You are no better than a child! My apartment now smells like burnt plastic (possibly permanently) and I fear that every time I use my microwave toxic plastic chemicals are leaching into my food!!

All that being said, thank you for you faithful and undying service. You have provided me with years of rice-cooking ease and enjoyment. Perhaps one day you will be able to withstand my abuse!

Love,
Rice-Cooking Goddess No More