Thoughts upon waking (after hitting snooze eight or nine times):

1. Patriot's Day. It's a state holiday for Massachusetts, Maine, and (I think) New Hampshire. There's actually something to it, but I always thought we had a holiday today because of...

2. The Boston Marathon. Starting at noon, runners from around the world will run toward the city, ignoring the easy public transport available around here. No, I don't run. The non-running friends and relatives will crowd into the city, hemmed in by snow fencing and taking up space on the T, which I need to ride today to get to...

3. The dentist. I have to get my temporary crowns replaced with permanent crowns at 1:00 pm, regardless of other work I have to do, such as...

4. The last Rhetorical Theory assignment. It's due on Thursday. Here's the part I'm struggling with:

Play the role of a communication consultant to any of several types of clients:

1. A candidate -- you may assign yourself as a speechwriter or advertising producer to a candidate for future office, or you may imagine that you worked for a candidate in a past election. You must choose a candidate who was/will be faced with significant rhetorical challenges. (emphasis mine)

2. A for-profit company -- you may assign yourself as an advertising or public relations specialist to a company that sells goods or services. Choose a company that faces significant rhetorical challenges. (emphasis mine)

3. A non-profit organization -- you may assign yourself as a public relations or promotion specialist to an advocacy group, civic organization, health care provider, etc. Choose an organization with significant rhetorical challenges. (emphasis mine)

That's the hard part. The assignment itself asks for a two-page analysis of the problem (and so on) and a tactical sample (brochure, speech, political ad, etc.), neither of which should be too difficult if I can pick a damn client.

The only really feasible idea I have so far is to use the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). At least I'd know what I'm talking about. I could produce a direct-mail piece with a picture of a homeless man and copy reading something like: You see a street crazy. We see someone's son. Needs work, but this puppy is due on Thursday, so I have to work fast.

Can I go back to sleep for a few hours?