Glennalicious: School: Done.

June 28, 2003

School: Done.

I thought of writing something pithy for an end of the school year blog. I stared at the screen at random points this last weekend, unable to find anything pithy. I'm pithed off, honestly. I can say that the appetizers of anguish and turmoil followed by the entr'es of depression, exhaustion and failure were more than I had ordered, but that this year was great for muscle and mental growth. Must have been some vitamins in all that angst. Looking in the mirror, I see a face that has much more cynical eyes, some extra gray hairs, and a facial tic. Worse, I know that the thoughts behind the eyes are darker, less optimistic about the future for my kids, and saddened by the direction our country is going.

Any semblance of teaching twitched and died about three weeks back. Since then, I've seen the next generation of poker dealers develop in my classroom (their favorite game is Bullshit). I have to be grateful that the weather stayed cool until the very last day, because I hadn't realized that any instance of heat creates the need for water fights. We actually had to turn off the water faucets on Thursday because every wall, every door, and many teachers were soaking wet. Poor Ms. M. She is quite attractive, and she received gifts like Victoria's Secret shirts. Several horny young boys seized the opportunity to hose her down in their own juvenile version of a wet t-shirt contest. You know what they'll be going blind to this summer. Half the class was soaking wet, the other half was moaning about being dehydrated. We have no air conditioning except for the principal's office, so add hundreds of child sized BTU generators and you have a sauna.

I figured it could get bitchy at the final lunch the school held for the teachers, as there was a lot of resentment directed towards our outgoing principal. He has been essentially absent for the last six months as he was creating the funding and support of his new school. Good guy, but it is interesting to see how the goal sometimes eliminates the reason. There were some tacky comments, but most people fear the new tyrant assuming power. This new principal is so skeevy that over ten teachers are leaving. He has a serious history of intimidation and sexual misconduct. I'm ecstatic that I'm moving to the junior high upstairs. I'll be on the fourth floor, and the view of Manhattan is as good as any Park Slope loft.

It still hasn't dawned on me that I'm finished teaching for the summer. I went out last night with JD for coffee, dinner, and then beers. Every few minutes I experienced one of two cognitive dissonances: it was Friday night and I was being remarkably mild, or it was Thursday and I was being way too wild. It was a school night, for the sake of Pete! Speakinc of Pete, we ran into Peter at the bar G, where we had drinks and our Tarot cards read. I'm not into tarot readings, but when a man dressed as a Tiki god asks, what can you do? He forecast that I'm really stable, and that I need to take some greater risks soon. He also said I'll have to sacrifice something dear to me in order to achieve something I really want. He told me to play the field and that I should try something daring.

Of course, I saw the cards The Devil, The Hanged Man, and some other card with a guy being savaged in the crotch by a dog, but obviously I'm not an expert. If he interprets those cards as good change, we'll go with his interpretation.

This weekend I'm volunteering as a bartender at the Pier Dance on Sunday. I'm looking forward to the event, as I can do my favorite thing about bartending- observe a cultural event from a professional distance. Maybe I'll get some numbers when someone sees how magically I can pour a Guinness. With my luck, I'll meet someone who only drinks Coors Lite.

Posted by G at June 28, 2003 12:07 AM

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Comments

You're the math daddy.

I remember that fateful day your Uhaul pulled up in front of the loft. You, Bear and the coke machine. Who knew you would grow into the math daddy.

I hope you can squeeze in an hour or so to stop by today. Tea, snacks and bubbly.... Yum. Followed by a film about a neurotic immigrant whose surrounding are turning him into someone else entirely... (Hmm, sound familiar?)

Stephen

Posted by: Stephen Hinton at June 28, 2003 08:30 AM

congratulations on the end of school!!

Posted by: joao at June 28, 2003 02:50 PM

Just want to know what your costume guideline is for Sunday.

Posted by: James at June 28, 2003 10:16 PM