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Show Ten O'Clock Whistle by David Fleisher From purely a weather standpoint, this week has turned out to very promising. Park City not only received a good amount of snow, but more is predicted in the days ahead. Things are looking up for the ski season. I visited the Resort when it was snowing very hard one day this week and saw something very interesting. While the flakes fell from the heavens, more flakes were falling from the snowmaking machine. For people who like snow, this scene was nothing less than euphoric. Can you imagine? Heaven snow and machine snow was falling at the same time. It was a beautiful sight. The Resort is making sure they have enough of the white stuff to open, and they have every ' right to take the necessary measures to insure a good ski season. But even as much as I like snow, you have to admit that making it, while it's being NATURALLY made, is almost a bit much to take. I spoke to the snowmaking machine the day it was snowing from above. "Why are they making me work? It's already snowing up there. Why do I have to snow?" the machine asked. "Be patient," I said, "When we get enough snow, you won't be used quite as much. The Resort has to make sure there is enough snow to ski on this year. Remember last season?" "But I wasn't here last season," the machine responded, adding, "You can't blame me for something I didn't do." "A lot of storms have been predicted in the days ahead," I said. "Well, I'm sick of competing with natural snow," the machine answered. "People appreciate you. Don't you realize that?" I said. . "But do they respect me?" the machine asked. "Of course they do," I answered. "I do a lot of work out here!" the machine screamed. "Do all you snowmaking machines demand this much attention?" I asked. "It's no fun sitting out here in the frezzing cold, blowing snow all over the place," he said. "And I can't stand that natural stuff falling on my head all the time. It's intimidating." "By the way, how did you learn to talk?" Tasked. "Let's not get off the subject," he said quickly. "It feels weird talking to a snowmaking machine," I replied. "If you think that feels weird, you should try sitting out in the freezing cold, blowing fake snow all over the place," he said.. "Actually, you're quite articulate," I said. "Flattery will get you nowhere," he said. "You're doing a good job. Keep up the good work," I told him. "Well, get out of here and let me make my snow in peace. And by the way, I expect a raise if it continues to snow. I don't like snow falling on top of me. It makes me feel useless. So go tell somebody to give me a raise. Tell them it's for psychological reasons. I'm over-worked." "You're a very strange machine," I said. "Stop bothering me," he said, "you're interrupting my concentration." As I walked slowly away, I turned around and saw the machine throwing snow everywhere. I figured he was releasing his frustration on the mountain. Suddenly, I heard the Ten O'Clock Whistle. |
