November 24, 2009
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I worked well into the evening last night, determined to finish off my grades. Grades are the midterms and finals of teachers, if you could relate.
AnywayZ
I spent eight hours after school finishing everything up, and at exactly 11 p.m.
I conquered.
I walked outside and looked to the Santa Cruz Mountains from my post at the Chill.
I looked and saw a Cheshire Moon.
The Daily News
1 To be sure, it was absolutely perfectly timed.
2 For three or four weeks now I've battled so many things, and one of the biggest is ALWAYS the grade deadline.
3 For three weeks I've spent every weekend grading papers and keeping after all of that, and it STILL always kicks my happy ass every time it comes around.
4 But last night I worked beyond what my limits were, exhausted, but focused and resolved, as though life itself depended on my leaving at 11 p.m. and looking to the night sky.
5 I conquered triumphantly, and wandered into the rather balmy darkness of the night.
6 When I looked out and saw that smile, I returned one of my own smiles in kind. Only the moon understood my past three weeks, or month, or whatever.
7 I now am free, at least for a few weeks. I have absolutely NO idea what I'm going to throw at my students tomorrow.
8 Part of the reason I fall so far behind every now and again is that I try to put my efforts into the actual lessons, where I can animate, move, twist, wink, and land great lines rather than walking in each day exhausted and unable to deliver because I've been doing paperwork.
9 So I pace the paperwork, move it to weekends, and try to stay as lively and ready each day. Working out helps, because let's face it: when you are in front of people on a daily basis, the better shape you're in, the more animated and alive you can become.
10 When I was a bit more overweight, I hid behind a podium and clutched the thing for dear life.
11 Now that I'm in a little better shape, I can move, pace, stop, give snap turns prowl at will, which works to keep the students much more engaged.
12 And NOW I've read everything they've written, and even though it's a LOT of work, the students do know when you've done your homework.
13 Ah, just talking a bit of shop here because I'm feelin' me oats tonight!
14 Bottom line is I just did the equivalent of four midterms. As Wolcott told me that a friend told her, I didn't even have time to poop.
15 M'bad.
16 One thing the DN has always respected is the avoidance of potty humor.
17 That one made me laugh though.
18 Moving on: I had to move on, as it is important to know exactly when to reverse field and to take the high road.
19 Mmmm. Smells clean around this computer, like a whisp of shampoo.
20 It's great to see that on Thanksgiving night, they'll be playing the Paul McCartney concert from NYC. At a weak moment in Starbucks, I bought the DVD, which is actually a double CD and DVD all for $16. I thought it the deal of the century, and darned if I'm not right on that one. Great tunes from a goodly, friendly chap who has been through it all.
21 Sometimes, man.
22 Anyway, I always think of Paul as an old mate, a goodly chum from the town of Always.
23 The music is simply immortal at this point in my life. I played it the other night, and had a completely lovely, rockin' night.
24 Give it a look. Paul looks good, and sounds good. And the songs are eternally a part of me.
25 It's called Good Evening New York City and it really is a whole lotta fun.
26 It doesn't have "Blackbird" on it, which to me is a bit of a disappointment, as I've been trying to land that tune on the guitar.
27 But it has enough fo entertain the many more.
28 Well, that's about it for today. Jimmy Kimmel is talking about Heidi Klum, but I ain't feelin' it.
29 I do need to figure out a nice plan for tomorrow. The last time this happened, I wound up improvising one of the best lessons ever! So I'm not too worried.
30 Aight then, go into today with all the love and stuff you can bring. It's the day before the day before Thanksgiving. Can't wait! Yesterday I called Dad, and he TOTALLY kept food down all day.
31 Miracles.
32 Open your arms. They happen.
33 I hope a miracle happens for you today.
34 Peace.
~H~
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