No unifying theme

For a short week, this one sure has been really long. Today, after second period (a little after 10am), I walked into the hall and was overwhelmed by the feeling that it HAD to be later than it was. Sadly, it was not and the day continued to drag on. Tomorrow is a half day, which is nice, but it also the day in which we cram into the conference room and spend the entire afternoon grading free response interim assessments (given every six weeks in language arts and math, interim assessments measure the progress of our students and give them practice with standardized tests before the big test in spring - meaning they include multiple choice and free response questions). I don't usually mind it (DATA! RUBRICS!), but given how tired I have been this week, I am a little nervous about the whole scenario. Must remember to bring a Diet Coke...

Yesterday, I was walking to the local coffee shop, crossing 7th Street, when this rather effeminate African American man came running (shuffling?) across the intersection crying "I am never running in $700 shoes again!" I held it in for a minute, but as soon as he was out of earshot, I burst out laughing. I mean, really! It was like something from a movie. Or a bad Saturday Night Live skit. ::sigh::

Today, I was in 7th period (like a large advisory or homeroom) with about 15 of our 25 boys (the rest were finishing interim assessments or in targeted tutorial) and they started talking about last weekend's football games. Mostly they were bemoaning the Ravens' loss, but they also discussed other games. I chimed in now and again, but it was only when I started talking about Hester's failed touchdown return in the 4th quarter of the Bears/Seahwks game that I realized it had grown nearly silent in the classroom. When I stuttered to a stop, almost half of the class was staring at me. I looked at my coteacher and he whispered, "Total admiration." I laughed out loud. How could I do anything else? My interests have definitely changed some since taking on a teaching load that includes primarily middle school boys. I think it's cool, but if I ever start to find loud, bodily noises amusing, please take me out back and beat me. And then make me read Chaucer or something.

Next Saturday (nine days from day), I am participating in my first (and possibly last) Polar Bear Plunge. Kara and Chris convinced me to do it, although it didn't take much more than an invitation on their part. It raises money for Special Olympics Maryland (a worthy cause) and the event swag (free food, a sweatshirt, etc) is pretty sweet. PLUS, hello! Talk about a story! Of course, it's been near 70 degrees most weekends this month and the day after I signed up, the temperature dropped into the 40s and is not expected to rebound from that anytime soon. Sweet.

Time to get going. I told you this would have no theme. Have a good weekend!