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August 30, 2007
Pocket Knives
I'm from the Southwest. I carry a Swiss Army knife. If you grew up the way I did, you just had one. My dad had a basic knife with a pearl handle, and he did everything from cleaning under his nails to cutting PVC pipe. When I left for Peace Corps, he bought me a really good pocket knife with just enough doodads, and I used it all the time. A few years ago, Derrick bought me a newer one, and again, I use it all the time.
Need a bottle opened? Done.
My friend Holly needed her car's diagnostic codes. I used the little pliers to strip the wires and fashion a link.
Cut open boxes? Done.
Perform an emergency tracheotomy? Get me a pen tube, and we're in business.
When you're a teacher, it is a bad thing to carry a knife. Apparently the public is worried that I'll go crazy, maybe use the pliers to hitch up a kid's low-hanging jeans. This summer has been such a wonderful vacation for me, I became accustomed to always carrying it. This morning, I remembered to remove it from my keychain. When I put it on the shelf, it was clear the summer was over and I'm back to work.
I know that tomorrow there will be an emergency requiring a screwdriver, a pair of tweezers, and a three inch blade.
Posted by G at August 30, 2007 09:41 PM
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Comments
I bought a Swiss Army knife years ago when I went on a sorta backpacking trip in Israel, and I too used to carry it everywhere. Once when I was at the law firm a fellow attorney asked if I had tweezers -- he thought he might have a splinter -- and when I said yes, he joked, "Oh, that's so girly!" He did register surprise when I pulled it out of my Swiss Army knife.
I don't have to go through our school's scanning, and was carrying it around till maybe a year ago, just 'cause it's so darn useful. Not sure why I stopped, but I have. The main times I've run into problems were when I was visiting a court -- either on business or as a civilian -- and oops, would forget I had it. I vaguely recall some of my students getting a kick out of their teacher having to check her knife during a court visit.
Posted by: Cohort 6 Fellow at August 30, 2007 10:43 PM
What are the screwdriver, a pair of tweezers, and a three inch blade for, MacGyver?
Posted by: Doug at August 31, 2007 01:35 AM
And don't forget the ability to open a can of beans in a week. :)
Posted by: God of Biscuits at August 31, 2007 06:58 AM
I used to carry a pocket knife all the time. I haven't in years. For all I know, it may violate my hospital's "no weapons" policy. Still, I know how useful they are. Plus, the huge Swiss Army knives are neat! :)
Posted by: Jess at August 31, 2007 07:35 PM
Bottle opener is always a crowd pleaser, especially when someone invariably shows up with a sixer of good beer and forgets the tops don't twist off. I lost my knife (buck) and haven't got around to replacing it.
Screwdriver, tweezers and 3 inch knife. Hmmm... Is G thinking of fashioning impromptu belts to hold up the drooping drawers of his students?
Posted by: Tony at August 31, 2007 08:46 PM
Were you a scout at any point?
Posted by: Randy McDonald at September 1, 2007 12:07 AM
Doug, there's going to a fashion emergency! Some unpopular girl's going to wear the same outfit as the most popular girl in school. G would rework the outfit - including some nuts and bolts from shop class - into a FABULOUS creation. All this under the nose of Mr Meany the evil assistant principal.
I stopped carrying a swiss army knife after losing two to airport security. (Although, in Canada, the security guards usually APOLOGIZE for taking them. The last one actually said "You're sure there's no one who can come and get it? There's a phone right over here and your flight doesn't leave for 40 minutes!")
Posted by: Jim (The Canuck One) at September 1, 2007 05:03 AM
Belated Happy 1st Day of School! I am trembling as the 1st day (Tuesday) approaches for me... I hope I can teach 3rd grade! The curriculum is pretty intense and it is literally timed down to 10 minutes! EEk!
Post some pics of classroom will you? I am going to do the same.
Good luck!!!
Posted by: TOS at September 2, 2007 12:21 PM
Did we ever talk about both being in the Peace Corps? If not, lets put it on the agenda for when we get together in the near future.
Posted by: patrick at September 5, 2007 09:37 AM