This Breaking News Just In: Former Ugandan Dictator Idi Amin Is Still Dead

I'm sure you've heard by now that Idi Amin has died. I just wanted to share a vivid memory about him. Actually, it's not about him so much as a childhood impression related to him.

In fifth grade (um...1979?), we were playing charades in Mari Draughn's language arts class. A girl named Lisa (I think, or it might have been Tina--if I didn't have to dig for it, I'd get my yearbook and find out for sure) was up for our team. She indicated "sounds like", and kept making this weird kind of ugly face, baring her teeth, and putting her hands up as though they were claws. We totally got off on the wrong track, thinking she was trying to be some sort of monster or animal, and we didn't guess that one. Turns out she was trying to mime being "mean", as in A-min. Yeah, a strange subject for a game of charades in fifth grade. I went to private school.

Anyway, that's what I immediately thought of when I saw Idi Amin had died. I have a lot of weird childhood memories. Someday I'll tell you about my impressions of Watergate.

ntodd  ¶ 4:05 PM