An Open Letter to Philip Greenspun
To Philip Greenspun: I had this great idea that I was going to be inspired to write ‘the letter’ to you after going to yesterday’s Air Show on the lake. Instead, it ended in disaster but maybe, that makes the metaphor more powerful, even with the crashing and the sinking that helicopter did. For I dare say one Generous Alphabet letter is like an airplane, maybe better!
I don’t know much about planes, Philip Greenspun, that is more Simon’s expertise, but I do know the metaphor: To Fly. Flight, when you physically fly alone, just you and the motor whirling and the big big sky. . . well, I would think a magnanimity rushes through you at the speed of you rushing through it. Flight by letter? Well, Philip Greenspun, that’s something else.
If you bought a ‘P’ or a ‘G,’ Oh! the flights you’ll see. No fancy tricks, just gliding, floating on that open empty space. How? Hmm…well, the how is up to you. Because, as I wrote to Richard Branson, a letter can take you as far as you want to go, it can be made into anything you want it to be. The Generous Alphabet seeks someone daring enough to take one letter, subsequently the whole shebang, for the first flight. By Jove! Philip Greenspun, I think it should be you!
I was also thinking if you can’t find any similarity between letters and airplanes, maybe something more literal could be in order. For instance, you could buy a letter for your favorite plane—like a ‘B’ for Biplane—or a letter for a part of plane—like ‘P’ for propeller—with of course, the link going to you! Mama mia! the places to go!
= = = = =
Dear Mr. Greenspun,
You are an inspiration to me as some of your passions approach mine so closely:
Travel. Photography. Aviation. Internet.
Judging by your shoes, I assume you play basketball as well? Or perhaps they are very comfortable? Ah! The way of thinking of la bella figura is getting to me!
You seem to be one who lets loose and lives life the way you want without compromises. And what a life! Teaching, taking photographs and flying yourself about in your voyages. Photo.net is special to me as it is where I first found Mike Johnston’s writing, which I continue to read with pleasure. I love your Software Engineering for Internet Applications course, and I enjoy reading your flying articles.
You are a modern-day Superhero for Peace—much better than Captain America and all those nationalistic bozos of yesteryear, especially as you are real!
At this time I can only putter along in my imaginary Macchi Castoldi M.C.721, that is, until you swoop down and save the day by investing in a letter and boosting my chances of helping worthy causes and staying aloft. Am I too bold to ask? Better than remaining silent, I say!
Thank you very much for reading.
Un baccione!
— Simon
1 The last remaining real M.C.72 is in the Museo storico dell’Aeronautica Militare di Vigna di Valle here by the lake where the terrible airshow accident mentioned by Amber happened.
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
← Fridays in Bracciano (F.I.B.)
→ Are Photographers Really a Threat?