MSI Press Blog

  Lizzie’s academic efforts had always met with success. She started reading at two, and everything accelerated from there. By the time she reached elementary school, the teachers had no idea what to do with her except move her along. She skipped second grade. Then seventh. It was the only tool the schools had in those days—and perhaps even today—for a child who learned faster than the system could teach. Then came eighth grade. Or rather, it would have come, had she stayed in Arlington, Virginia. Instead, just as the school year began, twelve‑year‑old Lizzie boarded a plane with me for a months‑long research trip to Russia and Siberia. In Moscow she attended School No. 77, the school for the MosFilm studio kids—children who had grown up around directors, cameras, and expectations. They were bright, worldly, unimpressed by an American girl who read at college level. Lizzie, who had always been the standout, was suddenly just one more capable student in a room full of them. Then...

  In honor of Caturday, we are posting another except from How My Cat Made Me a Better Man , a Book of the Year finalist. Fear of Failure You're not perfect. You'll fail at many things, sometimes in mind-blowingly spectacular fashion. Don't let that stop you from going after your goals because if you don't make an effort, you've already failed. On one of Shelly's exciting trips down the hallway of my apartment building, she got confused. She'd gone up a flight of stairs, then walked to the apartment directly above mine, which looked exactly the same. She sat patiently in front of the door and waited for me to let her in. Of course, I didn't since it wasn't my apartment. Thankfully, my upstairs neighbor didn't open his door since it would've been awkward explaining why my cat and I were hanging out on his welcome mat. Shelly's sense of direction had failed her, but even though she couldn't successfully find her way home, she still enjo...