sufficient

Saturday the 14th

There was this horror movie I really like when I was a kid called "Saturday the 14th." I use the word 'horror' loosely- it was super-cheesy, which is right about the level of horror that I can handle, even now. The gist of the movie was that even the day after Friday the 13th is terrible and scary and all those superstitious things. I'm not superstitious, but yesterday was unusually terrible.

My students are entering an essay contest sponsored by the Optimist Club whose topic is "My Future is Bright Because..." (As an aside, it wasn't until Monday when a student asked if there was a club for pessimists that I realized the Optimist Club is actually a club comprised of those who view the proverbial glass as half full. Yes, I am blond.) It was pulling teeth to get them to brainstorm some ideas why their futures are bright. Mind you, these are gifted, highly talented in many realms kids. Once we got past their cynicism toward high school and false modesty, it seemed as if we were going somewhere. Until I saw 2 students on the verge of tears. Two of my brightest kids (who granted, do have rough home lives) could not come up with a single thing that made their own future bright for any specific reason beyond the general ones we had listed. Many of my other students continued to struggle to come up with reasons too. I was completely baffled that these kids were brought to tears over this. It really shook me up that they could have such low self-esteem and true understanding of their potential.

That was first period. They are also reroofing our building as most of the rooms on the third floor have at some point flooded this year. So, third period, they start working on the section of the roof directly above my room. Three people working, banging, while I try to engage a group of low achieving, struggling readers in a science fiction short story they care nothing about. Everytime someone starts to read, they start to bang. At last, I threw up my hands and told them to find something to do until the bell rings.

So that class ends and I go to find our tech guy because my father has offered to give me a computer to use for Yearbook because they are rolling out the computers from his office. I need to know if I can get it networked so that I can have it to use instead of the 8+ year old, virus-ridden, constantly spontaneously freezing up or restarting computers I presently have. He tells me no, its not possible. I am being given a functioning computer which would allow me to integrate the technology I am told to integrate into my teaching while the computers I have do not allow this, but I will not be able to use it. Yeah, that makes good sense. I was on the verge of tears I was so frustrated. I go into the workroom, sit down to eat lunch, and break the table as I sit down. Great.

During my planning, last period of the day, I begin to set up my electronic gradebook for second semester. Its finished, I've entered all the grades I have given so far this semester and... the power goes out. I have no idea whether or not they are recoverable because they power outage blew the network connection. Grrr...

The day did wind up on a nice note as I ate dinner at Cafe Alsace on the Decatur Square with Kate. Conversation with Kate is always refreshing and thought provoking. And we had some REALLY good food. Had we not stuffed ourselves on the first 3 courses and opted out on dessert, it could've been a four course meal. We had a cheese platter to start with, a splendid variety of French cheeses. I found a new favorite cheese- santonris, I believe it is called. I am going to trek to the farmer's market to see if I can find some. It was smooth and creamy, with the perfect amount of sharpness. Yum!

posted by CP @ 9:55 AM 2 thoughts