When I was 8 or 9, I wanted to be an assassin. I taught myself to walk silently on the balls of my feet everywhere I went, I learned to control my breathing and

When I was 8 or 9, I wanted to be an assassin. I taught myself to walk silently on the balls of my feet everywhere I went, I learned to control my breathing and steady my hands (I would practice by doing something like running to the barn and back, and then monitoring my ability to remain steady). I would stand motionless in places, and try to remain invisible, just out of sight (which drove my mother crazy when she couldn't find me). I became a very good shot with the rifle, less so with pistols, but still decent. When I turned 11 or so, my mother told me that I couldn't be an actual assassin because it's illegal. I became a librarian, so my devotion to moving silently has a purpose. I still enjoy seeing how close I can get to people before they notice I'm there.