Wade Bradford’s Blog

Attention Santa:

As per your request, we have been carefully monitoring the Bradfords throughout the year. You instructed that we elves observe this family in order to decide once and for all whether the Bradfords are naughty or nice.

In January of 2009, the Bradfords were off to a benevolent beginning, visiting relatives in Washington state. And throughout the months, The Bradfords have been pleased to receive visitors from Washington, Alaska, and Canada. Later on in the year, they traveled to the Grand Canyon with their friend Joel (associate of the Turkey Fairy and known Santa-supporter). As a test, one of our Elf Agents hid their luggage. We were very pleased that the Bradford parents refrained from using profanity during the whole ordeal. At the canyon, the children were well behaved; they hardly ever scared their parents half-to-death by stepping too close to the edge. Cheri (the mother) took beautiful photographs. Wade (the father) barely refrained from launching paper airplanes into the canyon.

Aside from a few trips, it seems the Bradford have been busy with work, home improvement, and home schooling. After dealing with a leaky pipe, Cheri single-handedly installed hardwood floor in their living room while Wade feebly stared at an upside-down page of IKEA instructions. (One Naughty Point for Mr. Bradford.)

Mackenzie and Emily have been very active in sports. This year they have played Soccer, Track, and Basketball. (Not all at once.) They have also been very creative, taking art and singing classes. The Elf Agents were happy to observe the girls in a theater workshop where they performed “Just So Stories” with their friends, Dylan and Fiona. And Santa, you will be especially pleased to note that Mackenzie and Emily appeared in the play, “A Miracle on 34th Street.” (Wade was also in that show – but since he “stage-kissed” someone that wasn’t Cheri he deserves another Naughty Point.)

Overall, they seem like a very happy, loving family.

Santa, to sum up our report, we recommend that Mackenzie, Emily and Cheri be placed on the “Nice List.” Wade, on the other hand, failed to write a Christmas letter this year. That’s three strikes! Bump him to the “Naughty List!”

Respectfully,

The Elf Agents of the North Pole

This is hands down my favorite George Bernard Shaw play. Have I read every Shavian play? No — but I’ve read a lot of them, thanks to a terrific course taught by Gale Larson back in my CSUN days.

If you are one of my students, you might be interested in some links to some of the articles I’ve written about this “comedy and philosophy” — I’ll be posting this on my School Blog too — but I thought I’d share it on my regular blog.

Overview of Act One

Character Analysis of Jack Tanner

Themes of Man and Superman