SF Signal: 9/06 UPDATE: My New Year's Resolution

9/06 UPDATE: My New Year's Resolution

This is the September 2006 update of my New Year's Resolution to (almost) read a short story a day. I met my goal this month. Yay me.

QUICK STATS:
   STARTING SF-POINTS^©: 338
   SF-POINTS^© EARNED THIS MONTH: 38 (QUOTA: 30)
   YEAR-TO-DATE SF-POINTS^©: 376 (YTD QUOTA: 273)

PREVIOUS MONTHS: Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July August

DATE READ	YEAR WRITTEN	STORY	AUTHOR	SOURCE	RATING	TYPE	POINTS	YTD POINTS
09/01/06	2001	"Ms Midshipwoman Harrington"	David Weber	The Space Opera Renaissance edited by David G. Hartwell & Kathryn Cramer		NA	4	342
09/02/06	2002	"Ring Rats"	R. Garcia y Robertson			NA	4	346
09/05/06	2002	"The Death of Captain Future"	Allen Steele			NA	4	350
09/08/06	1995	"A Worm in the Well"	Gregory Benford			NV	2	352
09/08/06	1993	"Fools Errand"	Sarah Zettel			SS	1	353
09/09/06	1990	"The Shobies' Story"	Ursula K. Le Guin			NV	2	355
09/09/06	1994	"The Remoras"	Robert Reed			NV	2	357
09/10/06	2003	"The Great Game"	Stephen Baxter			SS	1	358
09/10/06	1998	"Grist"	Tony Daniel			NA	4	362
09/10/06	2002	"Lost Sorceress of the Silent Citadel"	Michael Moorcock			NV	2	364
09/11/06	1997	"Space Opera"	Michael Kandel			SS	1	365
09/12/06	1998	"Aurora in Four Voices"	Catherine Asaro			NV	2	367
09/12/06	2000	"Bear Trap"	Charles Stross			NV	2	369
09/13/06	1995	"Recording Angel"	Paul J. McAuley			NV	2	371
09/13/06	2000	"The Movements of Her Eyes"	Scott Westerfeld			NV	2	373
09/14/06	1997	"Guest Law"	John C. Wright			NV	2	375
09/18/06	1995	"Teleabsence"	Michael A. Burstein	Wondrous Beginnings edited by Stephen H. Silver and Martin H. Greenberg		SS	1	376

KEY:VI=Vignette (.25 points), SS=Short Story (1 point), NV=Novelette (2 points), NA=Novella (4 points)

NOTE: Click the Source link to see the associated review. Miscellaneous reviews follow

"Teleabsence" by Michael A. Burstein [1995 short story]

Source: Wondrous Beginnings edited by Stephen H. Silver and Martin H. Greenberg (2003)
Synopsis: An underprivileged black kid named Tony acquires a pair of virtual reality spex that allows him to attend a more prestigious school as Andrew, the white boy who owns the spex.
Review: This 1995 story, the first of Burstein's to be published, is the companion piece (and basis) of his 2005 Hugo-nominated short story "Telepresence". (Read the review.) Both stories use the interesting backdrop of education affected by technology, but the spotlight is on the human interest story. Tony's a decent kid who simply wants a better education but is prevented from doing so for economic reasons. His VR teacher, Ms. Ellis, is sympathetic to his plight and tries to help. By focusing on the characters instead of the technology, the story floats in poignancy, holding its head above the soapy waters with another positive message about diversity and, this time, generosity as well. The ending, while not surprising, leaves you with a good feeling.
Note: Nominated for the 1996 Hugo; Winner of the 1996 AnLab and 1996 SF Chronicle Awards.