Quick comment on Daniel’s comment about keeping promises – I’m not convinced they would have taken her if she hadn’t kept her promise – she wouldn’t have been worthy.

On a more general note, Steve, I like how you’ve started volunteering little tidbits about how you found each story. That’s interesting to me.

And yes, Dray, Anna’s voice was PERFECT for this part. Good job, Anna.

Anybody with me on this one?

The last sentence almost redeems it… but not quite.

To Sushma- the aliens were uninteresting because they weren’t the point- just a thinly veiled plot device to help the narrator realize that the people around her were interesting.

And, before anyone admonishes me about not understanding or whatever, I WAS that kid back in my teenage years. I was that kid up until pretty recently, and I’m 32. I just don’t need to be hit over the head with it, is all.

So, a solid “meh” from me on the story. Anna’s reading was well done.

Keep ‘em coming, and I’ll keep listening.

Off to download Snow Crash- Steve, ya finally talked me into it!

Also, I loved the quote for this week. It touched me.

I should have loved that story, I really wanted to- anyone who hated high school should.

I liked Anna’s reading though, it was very expressive, though it took a little getting used to at first.

Now, I’m off to Pseudopod to play catch-up over there!

I could really relate to the story since I was the geeky kid in school that loved to read. While elementary school wasn’t really cliquish, I would cut off both legs before I would repeat high school. So the alienation (no pun intended) experienced by the main character really hit home.

On the other hand, it also shows that you couldn’t possibly imagine what things others are thinking, especially those you think you could never have anything in common with. People can be very good at hiding their true feelings or what they really think.

And, cheers to Anna, who did an amazing job voicing the story. She even sounded like a 12 year old would! So Steve, let her out of the closet more often. Just take a break and play with the kid, or something.

Just kidding. I LOVE YOU, MAN!

Escape Pod: Why I Cry While Doing The Dishes

As for the story, good message about reaching out to your fellows and sharing your hopes and dreams. If you keep them to yourself then no one will ever help you achieve them.

A little more worrying from the Young Adult point of view is the other message: ‘keep your promises and you may miss out on what you desire most of all.’ When the aliens flew off without her, the first thing that sprung to my mind was: “that’s what you get for doing the right thing. And it sucks!” However I also felt that the character (and I) would try and keep out next promise despite the disappointment.

But still be within reach of Anna Eley’s wonderful voice.

One of the BEST outtros you’ve done, Steve. Kudos, O podcasting master.

As I was walking the 12 blocks to work the story wrapped and for the last sentience I laughed, then started crying and couldn’t stop until the promo.

Now, as I am surrounded by a family, clan, and lovers of my choosing inside me is still the twelve year old boy sitting alone on the playground with a Bruce Coville book, dreaming of leaving. And beliving no one would miss me.