The Daily News
1 Two students were hit by cars Friday in front of our school.
2 Both are okay, but with broken bones and trauma to the head.
3 One was a hit-and-run.
4 We have over 2500 students who arrive between 7 and 8:15 in the morning every single day.
5 Faculty members immediately became active in thinking of ways to stop this, including getting crossing guards, PTSA volunteers, and other means of creating safety.
6 I'm proud that they became proactive immediately.
7 Cars are simply not looking for students to pop out in front of them. Each day I am a tad terrified if I'm a little late, because the students don't always use crosswalks, in general. The parents drop them off in areas with signs that clearly say no stopping.
8 I pray for those kids who got hit. One was the brother of one of my own students. That hurts.
9 Sometimes the job can give a tremendous pause.
10 I didn't see the emails about this until yesterday.
11 My prayers go out to those students and to their families.
12 Moving On, Part the First: Is it just me or has driving become terrifying in the past few years?
13 I used to enjoy going for rides, but with all the texting and use of cell phones in the car, I'm finding myself really scared when I'm out on the roads.
14 I was particularly scared the other day when there were flood warnings.
15 The roads were pretty slick. I listened to KGO for traffic reports and it seemed that there was some sort of accident every five minutes.
16 Scary stuff. Big rigs going over. People spinning out. People changing lanes without signaling or looking. It's really frightening.
17 Moving on, Part the Second: I don't know about any of you, but has this been an exhausting couple of months?
18 It seemed that October took about twelve years off my life.
19 Long stretch.
20 November flew by in an instant.
21 How can the same basic amount of days and hours seem so dramatically different?
23 It has a lot to do with the holidays too. I do like them so.
24 Even yesterday felt like a holiday.
25 I got outta school and home within a half hour. I then threw a blanket over me and put on old movies.
26 I decided to take a break from all the stress of work and everything else. I caught up with all my grading, which is a minor miracle. I watched the original 1924 version of Captain January, with Baby Peggy as the Cap'n. Awesome silent.
27 Keeping up on the grading won't last, but I did enjoy taking a little time for myself.
28 December is already flying by.
29 I don't mind one bit.
30 I keep putting Christmas stuff out there. It's fun. My daughter Nicoley bought some candy cane lights that are really fun.
31 I even took a day off decorating, but that has been nice therapy, the entire Christmas thing.
32 I even got politically incorrect and played some Christmas carols while my students did some desk work, which I will be grading tonight.
33 I know we're technically not supposed to do that, but it just felt nice. I realize that some people are not into Christmas at all, and I do respect different beliefs.
34 But come on.
35 Tell that to the stores.
36 It's been a rather difficult year for me. I have spent many weekends visiting people in hospitals, and doing lots of praying.
37 I used to be a Christmas scrooge.
38 I have turned that one around a bit and have seen that I have blessings everywhere around me.
39 I am also wise beyond my years.
40 Not bad for an Old Brown Shoe.
41 I worry.
42 I worry about everything these days.
43 I also appreciate everything much more than I used to.
44 And I am thankful that I have so many beautiful people in my life.
45 I take nothing for granted anymore.
46 And I enjoy aging.
47 Thank you all for being in my life.
48 I love you all, everything.
49 Okay, I'm getting too sentimental. And that's a bit too ridiculous for me.
50 I think it's about time to say bye bye.
51 I hope you all have a wonderful day, and that you stay safe.
52 See you again.
53 Peace.
~H~
www.xanga.com/bharrington
Baby Peggy in the 1924 classic
Captain January.
23 It has a lot to do with the holidays too. I do like them so.24 Even yesterday felt like a holiday.25 I got outta school and home within a half hour. I then threw a blanket over me and put on old movies.26 I decided to take a break from all the stress of work and everything else. I caught up with all my grading, which is a minor miracle. I watched the original 1924 version of Captain January, with Baby Peggy as the Cap'n. Awesome silent.27 Keeping up on the grading won't last, but I did enjoy taking a little time for myself.28 December is already flying by.29 I don't mind one bit.30 I keep putting Christmas stuff out there. It's fun. My daughter Nicoley bought some candy cane lights that are really fun.31 I even took a day off decorating, but that has been nice therapy, the entire Christmas thing.32 I even got politically incorrect and played some Christmas carols while my students did some desk work, which I will be grading tonight.33 I know we're technically not supposed to do that, but it just felt nice. I realize that some people are not into Christmas at all, and I do respect different beliefs.34 But come on.35 Tell that to the stores.36 It's been a rather difficult year for me. I have spent many weekends visiting people in hospitals, and doing lots of praying.37 I used to be a Christmas scrooge.38 I have turned that one around a bit and have seen that I have blessings everywhere around me.39 I am also wise beyond my years.40 Not bad for an Old Brown Shoe.41 I worry.42 I worry about everything these days.43 I also appreciate everything much more than I used to.44 And I am thankful that I have so many beautiful people in my life.45 I take nothing for granted anymore.46 And I enjoy aging.47 Thank you all for being in my life.48 I love you all, everything.49 Okay, I'm getting too sentimental. And that's a bit too ridiculous for me.50 I think it's about time to say bye bye.51 I hope you all have a wonderful day, and that you stay safe.52 See you again.53 Peace.~H~
www.xanga.com/bharrington
