Day of the Pink Slip

Originally written, but never published, on March 15, 2011

When one is RIF’d where should your anger be channeled? The school district? The incompetent state lawmakers? Tenure? I completely understand a school district preparing for the worst. If the state budget mandates cuts, which may mean a lot less funding for a school districts, what are these districts supposed to do? When someone is RIF’d you don’t want to hear that the decision is solely based on seniority. No mention whatsoever of your job performance. Everything revolves around date of hire. Date of hire. Get that? Date of hire. Who would be happy at the union that protects the veteran teachers but not the newer ones? About forty teachers were pink slipped at my district including yours truly.

Run…

Nike App

I did it.

I ran 5 miles.

I ran 5 miles nonstop.

Keep in mind, the most I’ve ever run is 1 and a half miles before. But now? Now, I’ve even managed to impress myself. There was no cheating. The Nike App and my treadmill were out of sync by less than a tenth of a mile. The only thing unnatural about this run was the iPad playing old (new to me) episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm. What is it with me and finding awesome shows years after they’ve been relevant (e.g. Arrested Development, Freaks & Geeks)?

What are my future goals? The only real goal I have is to get healthy and not get diabetes. It seems like everyone in my family has Type 2. Down the line if I continue to build endurance perhaps, just perhaps, i’ll consider running a half marathon or something like that – just to cross it off my list of things to do.

Those Parents

We did it. We went to the movie theatre to catch a second playing of Argo. But we did it with SJ along for the ride. We were going to drop her off with my mum but they had plans. I know if I would’ve said we needed her to sit she would’ve cancelled her plans immediately. That is why when I called her I acted as though it was for something else. My parents rarely go out anymore. So when they make plans I’m not going to be the one that keeps them from going out.

Anyhow, we got ready, and SJ fell asleep. Knocked out. We got to the 3 o’clock showing and the theatre was quite empty. We figured we had scored. We had prepared. We brought her snacks, toys and food, in case she woke up. We doubted she would wake up because her afternoon naps are typically 2 to 3 hours long. Well, as soon as the previews started up I realized the sound was so much louder than I ever remember. The last preview had just finished when we heard the first whimper. Oops. We play white noise for her every night for her to fall asleep (ocean waves to be exact). It’s not like she’s not used to sound while sleeping. Our mistake. So, there was SJ crawling around the front of the theatre. SJ laughing. SJ looking at the other moviegoers. We made it about an hour through the film and I just couldn’t do it. I felt everyones’ eyes on me. My ears were on fire. We got up and left. It was only fair. So, yes, we now wear the badge of being “those parents.”

Smash, Smash, Smash!

I get it. I’m not an old geezer (well I guess I am somewhat now). I’m as guilty as the next person, sitting, staring at my phone instead of living live. I understand that aspect. What I don’t get is how much of a facade social media (i.e. Facebook, Instagram) can be for some. I don’t quite comprehend the extent social media plays a part in peoples’ real lives. I was reading some dumb article on how there are people that end friendships with people that have deleted them as Facebook friends. It seems far fetched but I believe it. I’ve gotten in trouble on several occasions for commenting certain things with family members, whether it’s comments of disapproval on profanity or the absurdity of their comments. I’ve even got busted for critiquing a selfie. I’m not trolling, I swear. I write to them the same way I speak to them live, in person. I guess interactions are magnified on social media. Do they carry more value than real live conversation? So, basically, you cannot talk to your relatives the same way you would in person. Hmph, this doesn’t seem right. I know sarcasm doesn’t translate very well on social media but shouldn’t you assume sarcasm when dealing with people you know? It’s as though we’re in high school all over again putting up fronts when convenient. Incomprensible.

Don’t Be Sheep. Think.

The American educator cannot afford to sit idly by and wait to be dictated to. It is time to cogently fight for not only our well-being as innovators and intellectuals, but for the well-being of our students and their futures as lifelong learners and achievers in our country’s economic and social future.

I implore you, don’t be sheep. Think.

via/Andrew Biros