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Last December I wrote of Walter Miller. At the end of that story, I said I'd keep reading his story as long as he kept writing and posting it on the internet. Well, he is still writing, and I am still reading it, but he has changed his address.
I have gone through and changed the links contained in that story, but I want to preserve the original for reference purposes, so here, below, is the updated story, changed only to reflect his new digital home.
NOTE: Please be sure to use your browser's "back" button to return to this page from the links contained herein. I will be pointing to selected parts of a collection of stories; they are quite humorous and easy to get caught up in, but please try to restrain yourself so as to complete this guided tour. I do however, recommend and encourage that you go back later to read these stories in their entirety.
His name is Walter Miller, and I've been keeping up to date with his life ever since I found his page from an article in TIME Magazine. There's not much that makes me laugh out loud while reading but Walter's got a way of telling a sob story that will bring tears of laughter, not of sadness, to your eyes. His spelling took a little getting used to; you should hear how the synthesizer pronounces some of his words, but now it only adds to the uniqueness of his style.
His main sours of fodder for his writings is his Grandfather, whom we just call Grandfather. Although Walter is supposed to be Grandfather's caretaker, it doesn't seem as though a caretaker is needed. Grandfather is recovering and should be able to take care of himself, but then what would Walter have to write about? And who would Grandfather torment? At least they keep each other company watching Star Trek and measuring hairs. Walter even wrote a special Christmas poem for his Grandfather.
Last summer, when Gramps decided to go off on his own, I think that Walter really missed the old fart. It's hard to tell how much of what Walter writes is true. I know he exaggerates; he admits that, but I think that there must be a thread of truth in there somewhere -- Who could make this stuff up? Yet with all of the attention he has gotten, there are some who still think this is some writer's fabrication; all however seem to agree that its funny.
The rest of Walter's family was surprised to find out what he was writing, and even more so that his page was getting so many hits. They didn't like it, and they told him so in no uncertain terms. He was glad to get back to Texas, and his Grandfather after spending some time with his parents. After spending some time with Walter's brother, I think that Grandfather was glad to have Walter back as well. It's a good thing Grandfather's girlfriend came for a visit, or Walter may not have had enough to complain about.
While there are those who attempt to analyze, classify, and compare him in some attempt to explain how he does it, and why it works. I am resigned to just read it, without analysis. Who cares why it works, it just does -- It's just plain funny.
The bottom line is; I am going to keep on reading about Walter's life with, or without his grandfather, for as long as he keeps posting it on his page. I am not alone in rooting for him, and we want him to succeed. I am waiting for Walter's book to come out, and will then start my search for an e-text version. Keep plugging away at it Walter, you've got a gift.
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