A Leap Over the Tape

I set up my very first obstacle course across the desk using whatever stationery couldn't run away. The final hurdle was a hefty roll of green masking tape, sitting right in front of a warm sunbeam. I backed up a few steps, clicked both knee joints into an athletic crouch, and bolted. At the launch point, I pushed off with everything my little plastic sneakers had—and soared! Well, sort of. My toe clipped the cardboard inner ring, sending me sliding belly-first across a slippery sheet of tracing paper like a hockey puck. I ended up sprawled right under the warm window glass, laughing so hard my elbows were clicking. Form: questionable. Distance: legendary.