why_i_do_it cr0wl at least once a season a student comes along that totally defines why i want to teach children to ski. (and endure below zero windchill) today was that day. it's something about the attitude, ability, confidence, personality, and blow-away charm that all combine to form a beautiful mosaic of innocent wonder. morgan was seven, wore two long braids under her helmet and goggles, and it was just the two of us for two hours under bright blue skies, a perfect thirty degrees, and velveteen snow. she urged me with a bravery i rarely see to challenge her on some steep slopes. i told her if she did it i'd move her up to C5, the highest level in our school which totally pumped her. placing the magic necklace around her neck for power made her eyes sparkle, but unfortunately, she fell after the first turn. "can i still be a C5?" she pleaded, picking herself up. i could see she was breathing hard and there was a slight fear in her voice she tried to hide with all her enthusiasm. (this was the hill that adult level races are performed on!) "you're already a C5 for even attempting it," i told her and that seemed to be all it took for the rest of the steepness she followed me turn for turn, all the way to the bottom. and then after a chairlift ride with an incisive conversation, she did the steep hill beside it. i was thrilled and proud and stoked and crazy happy for her and couldn't help but shower her with praise. i hugged her in congratulations. she was beaming brighter than the sun that was making our cheeks red. "my life is so good!" she said. that's why i do it. 090304 ... unhinged john came in with new notes today. in alto clef, for viola. he wants to write a song for bass (his brother plays) and i talked him into writing one for cello too. his viola song didn't have a name so i tried to prod him to name it. he said 'maybe it will be more popular if it doesn't have a name' and i couldn't argue with that. 090304 ... unhinged doesn't seem to matter at all 090314 what's it to you? who go blather from