YES, DEAR. YOU WERE RIGHT....

I sometimes only half-listen to the news, and that's when I get in trouble.

With the recent passing of Congressman John Lewis, I thought I had heard his body would lie in state at the Georgia State Capitol Rotunda for a ceremony and then be moved to the Capital Rotunda in Washington on Wednesday.

When my wife told me tRump would not go to pay his respects to Lewis, I was stunned. "Of course, he will. He has to! He won't go to Georgia, but when Lewis's body is back in Washington, of course he will. As president, he has to."

"He's already in Washington lying in state," she pointed out, and, sure enough, there it was on the news.

It took a moment to process. When I did a little checking, tRump did say, "I won't be going, no."

Traditionally, presidents let past disagreements go when someone in opposition passes on. Class dictates doing the right thing and putting the past aside. There is a Latin saying: "De mortuis nil nisi bonum" - speak no ill of the dead. Obama spoke at John McCain's funeral. On the other hand, despite being the sitting president, tRump was not even invited to McCain's funeral. Ouch.

On yet another hand, in 2017, Lewis did refuse to attend tRump's inauguration saying that tRump wasn't a "legitimate president."

Anyhow, tRump really did say he wouldn't go to pay his respects.

Yes, dear. You were right. I was wrong.

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

Throughout my teaching years, I often offered a "Quick Write" at the beginning of the class - just something to get the creative juices flowing.

One year, my daily topic coincidentally turned out to be THE prompt that that year's standardized test asked (I don't think anyone noticed, however).

Anyhow, one writing prompt I offered somewhere along the way was "What's on your mind today?" Unfortunately, the students told me, and, in many cases, it was disturbing. Many (most) of my students were honest with me because they trusted me. 

At the start of each school year, I told students there were three things I had to tell someone if they told me: if they were planning to hurt someone, if they were planning to hurt themselves, or if they were being abused in any way, shape, or form, and if they supported the Yankees (just kidding about that fourth one [there really were only three]). 

They shared personal details of things students shouldn't have to carry with them. I spoke to the guidance counselor once over concern for a certain student, and she said it's amazing that s/he even makes it to school. The burdens were huge for some of them.

I was known for my 'stories' during class - something I was reminded of or wanted to share (just between us, every story supported the school's Mission Statement). I wanted the students to know I was human and made mistakes along the way. I wanted them to learn from my own errors along the way.

We teachers did what we could when we could and still hope we made a difference. I often told students their real education began when they graduated and walked out the door for the last time.

That's one reason I spend too much time on Facebook - to see how they are doing. I do see the good, the bad, and the ugly.

That said, is there anything you would like to see offered here? Any topic you'd like to hear about? Please let me know.

JOBS I HAVE KNOWN!

Many years ago, my dear,  now-departed mother suggested I write a book called Jobs I Have Known. 

While I didn't always have to, I pretty much always worked. I loved the people contact and learning new things (and the spending money)! Those all were what made a job great! That and being there for and helping others.

Among the jobs I still remember: door-to-door greeting card sales, bowling pin setter, drug store worker and soda-jerk (no comments, please), taxi driver, political volunteer, bus boy security guard, movie theatre usher, interviewer, motorcycle salesman, bouncer, car salesman, server, personalized advertising specialty sales, substance abuse prevention presenter, Tupperware dealer, radio DJ - WPNH), Fuller Brush man, and teacher. I can't remember any others now), but there once was a list of about 30 different jobs.

I can proudly say I was never let go from a job except one (car sales) because of a declining consumer market (about 30 years ago). I did leave a few as life circumstances changed. I did quit one that required me to walk a neighborhood, carry around a 16mm projector, talk my way into someone's apartment, and show ads while asking people if they remember them from the previous night's television. Ugh!

Anyhow, that was then, and this is now. I am retired and enjoying doing virtually nothing.

And yet, in the greatest economy ever, here I am again casually having to look for another job. It's a lot tougher when one is older.

"UNCLE DIRTY"

When I was more social, I used to be the 'life of the party' - always the wit, the king of the one liners - most of which were (and are) absolutely inappropriate (those few people who are in my inner circle today have probably heard some). 

I learned quickly to keep my mouth shut when I began teaching. One wrong comment was followed by a phone call to the school, and it was a trip to the principal's office. I always thought I was funny, but in a conservative environment, discretion was the better part of valor. I ended up with thirty-one years of holding things in.

There was a time when I thought I could make it as a stand-up comedian. I would call myself "Uncle Dirty," but there already was one, and I wouldn't want to get sued ala the Lady Antebellum versus Lady A controversy. 

Back in the old days, nothing was off limits - nothing! Race, religion, sex, you name it. If a joke was funny, it was funny and a just joke, and while I could completely understand that concept, others couldn't. Today, there are a few people who hear and endure my comments. When I hear a 'trigger word,' my wife (and gradually my daughter) knows what's coming. She's heard many of the jokes over and over again. The worst part is when we meet someone new who has never heard my witticisms before, the jokes just emerge; they push their way out unsummoned.

Interestingly to me, if you ran into me and asked me to tell a joke, I probably couldn't pull one out, but when I hear the right trigger word, there the joke is. 

Is it brilliance or a sickness? I am thinking the latter. There is a condition. As described in Wikipedia: Witzelsucht (from the German witzeln, meaning to joke or wisecrack, and sucht, meaning addiction or yearning) is a set of rare neurological symptoms characterized by a tendency to make puns or tell inappropriate jokes or pointless stories in socially inappropriate situations. A less common symptom is hypersexuality, the tendency to make sexual comments at inappropriate times or situations. Patients do not understand that their behavior is abnormal, therefore are nonresponsive to others' reactions. The disorder remains named in accordance with its reviewed definition by German neurologist Hermann Oppenheim; its first description as the less focused "Moria" (stupidity), by German neurologist Moritz Jastrowitz, was in 1888. Due to similarity of symptoms of the disorder to the mannerisms of Batman's arch-rival Joker; it is sometimes known as 'The Joker Syndrome'

Speaking of Joker: Batman and Joker were in a lunatic asylum... And one night, one night they decide they don't like living in an asylum any more; nope. They decide they're going to escape! So they get up onto the roof, and there, just across a narrow gap, they see the rooftops of the town, stretching away in the moonlight... stretching away to freedom. Now, Batman, he jumps right across with no problem. But the Joker did not dare make the leap. Y'see, he's afraid of falling. So then, Batman has an idea... He says 'Hey! I have my flashlight with me! I'll shine it across the gap between the buildings. You can walk along the beam and join me!' But the second guy just shakes his head. He says... He says 'Wh-what do you think I am? Crazy? You'd turn it off when I was half way across!

Sorry.

I LIKED IT HERE!

I think too much!

As I regularly skim news sites (both real and fake), I start to think about how the country was (or at least how I thought it was) way back when I was growing up. I have the benefit of hindsight, a still functioning brain, and am able to look at things with both eyes open. I have learned a lot as the years flew by. 

I grew up in a Liberal environment, so I was a Liberal. When I moved to NH, I was immersed in a Conservative world, and gradually moved to either side of the middle, embracing philosophies from both sides. Today, some 41 years later, I still see good on both sides. 

Cutting to the chase, while I was watching the news, I started thinking about a song my class sang in junior high school. The world was a lot different then (around 60 years ago), and while some advances along the way have been are miraculous, others changes aren't advances at all. I often feel like I am back in the 1950's.

The song is called "I Like it Here," and we sang it regularly. It describes the world I thought I lived in. Today, I am not so sure anymore. See what you think.

"I Like it Here"

I like the United States of America.

I like the way we all live without fear.

I like to vote for my choice, speak my mind, raise my voice,

Yes, I like it here.

I like the United States of America.

I am thankful each day of the year.

For I can do as I please, 'cause I'm free as the breeze,

Yes I like it here.

I like to climb to the top of the mountain so high,

Lift my head to the sky,

And say how grateful am I

For the way that I'm working and helping and giving

And doing the things I hold dear.

Yes, I like it, I like it, I like it here.

I'LL TAKE JEOPARDY FOR $2,000...

Tonight, the Ever-Lovely Miss Kim and I hunkered down and watched the very first 1984 episode of 'Jeopardy' featuring George Alexander Trebek (aka Alex). Aside from some technological changes, the game is almost unchanged from what we see today.

The questions were easier than we see these days (IMHO), but again, there have been an additional 36 years of knowledge, news, movies, etc., etc. Alex commented more, and the less-sharp editing left more answers than usual untouched.

As a couple, we have pretty much watched regularly through our years together (coming up on 27 [WOW!]). Even while we were dating, we'd spend time on the phone (sometimes hours)  watching the show (it was easier than trying to find something to say).  

Trivia time: the first tune the Ever-Effervescent Miss Jessica ever hummed was the 'Jeopardy' theme song.

When we watch, we take turns kicking each other butts. I always get beat up when the category 'THINGS KIM KNOWS' shows up. It's a fun half hour for us to show off our knowledge and be reminded of how much we don't know. 

Anyhow, the answer is: WHO HAS THE BEST, MOST BEAUTIFUL BRAIN EVER? IT'S BETTER THAN ANY OTHER BRAIN IN HISTORY... IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

The question?

MORE RANDOM STUDENT SNAPSHOTS

Throughout my teaching years, there have been many moments (good and bad) with my students I will never forget. Here are a few:

(1) A student of mine had been given an ongoing hard time by another student. When things finally played out, a fight ensued. My student had been pushed and pushed (documented) and finally responded. When I asked my class what had happened, they told me when my guy was done, the other student's face looked like raw hamburger! Karma.

(2) One student came to me with her sister and asked if they could talk to me. I said, "Sure." She told me her sister was being sexually abused by a family member. We talked about it and decided the three of us should go to the principal. They said they were scared and asked if I would go with them. I agreed, but let them know I couldn't go into the meeting because of confidentially issues. Like numerous similar other situations, I never found out what happened. I still wonder.

(3) A student came into class one day looking pretty beat up. I asked what happened, and he matter-of-factly said, "Oh, nothing. I got in a fight with my father." I asked, "You mean a fight fight?" He said Yes. Just another day in paradise.

(4) When reading and talking about The Diary of Anne Frank, one student commented, "It's really too bad Hitler didn't have the time to finish what he started." From a kid who probably still wants a straight, white, Christian, male-dominated America.

(5) In another class reading the same book, the introductory lesson was a three-part sheet asking (a) What you know about Jewish people, (b) What you think you know, and (c) What you want to know. I learned from a couple of students that Jews are ugly, they have big noses, it's part of their religion to sleep with their daughters, and they're all rich. Really?

(6) Some students had an over-the-top hatred of gay people. Trying to more personalize the issue, I remember asking him what he'd do if he found out his brother was gay. His answer came quickly: "I'd kill him." (I did find out that many of the most vocal anti-gays were, in fact, gay and had to cover it up.)

(7) Finally, to end on a more positive note, after a great discussion (I have no idea what it was about), one student told me, "Wow! You really understand us - it's like you are one of us!"