Break Time

While in other parts of the country it appears that winter has struck, here in the little town where my parents live...not so much. I think it's about 55. More like spring than anything else. It rained all day yesterday, but it's nice and bright today.

Winter break has started for me, and I couldn't be more relieved. Although break didn't come before an amount of strange issues at work.

The first? Well, we were asked to go meet with the director of the D-home. I decided to go up and just share my view that it's a communication problem, but yet it’s a dictatorship down in the school wing.

Number 2. I was observed on the last day of classes. Yes I know, she can come to my classroom whenever she wants... BUT, to observe and give me an informal evaluation? Get real! I guess that's just her loving way to say," Happy Holidays, from your tyrant boss".

Number 3. Decided that I have nothing to lose and I might as well air out the dirty laundry before break. So I talked to the lead teacher (or the tyrant's puppet). I just acknowledged the issues that I was concerned with: slander, intimidation, prejudgment... and communication. The "lead teacher" went straight to the tyrant leader, of course. And on the last day of school (Thursday) I had an impromptu meeting with the tyrant and puppet. So I aired it all out. I told them everything that I was thinking. I was expecting some kind of support, and maybe an apology. I did get an apology for the way she spoke to me last week, but of course she was having a "bad day". The tyrant also lied straight to my face. I reminded her of the fact that she has had way too many discussions with me about past teacher indiscretions (if you know what I mean). And I told her I was offended and it was unnecessary to keep recalling that. She denied it, but I told her I wrote it down, and that I wouldn't bring it up if I weren't affected by it. So whatever. The puppet intervened and well, I just let it go. All it all, I thought I hung in there quite well. The whole meeting just made me realize what a crazy person she actually is. She even was twirling her hair and staring off into space as the meeting progressed. Is this an adult or a student?

Numero quatro. I confirmed a meeting with the tyrant's boss when I get back from break. I will bring my notes, my observations, and everything that I have experienced by being in the presence of the tyrant.

Everyday that I see her I can feel my blood boil. The less I see her, usually the better my day goes. I'm so happy that I'm not even on the school wing, and that I am out on the unit. One of the detention specialists even asked me if I was coming back next year. I said,” I haven't decided yet." And he said,” Well, I hope you do." That was nice to hear, but I don't think so, bro. One way or another I'm in KC or New York!

Ok, well, on to better things. I'm excited about the fact that I will be able to join the YMCA in PA. I really need an outlet with these crazy days just rolling in and out of my life. I miss running so much, and I was doing so well a month a go. Now I have to start over and it's getting cold. So I thought it might be a decent alternative. Oh well. It's good for the soul. That and cooking.

Started a painting last night. It's one of the mazes I've been doing lately. Not sure if I really like what I'm doing right now. I may wipe some of it out and start again.. I do that a lot. I'm a big under painter, I guess you could say. I start out with something on canvas and then usually I end up clearing it off and starting again. Then I keep the next one. I guess it's part of my process... if I have one.

In about a week and 1/2 I'll be out in KC to visit Amy and Travis! YEAH!!! So excited to look at the city again, and really think about it as the place I'm going to be living. I kind of hope so. I never ever thought in a million years I'd be trying to move to exactly in the middle of the country.

That's about all from here for a while. Hopefully I can post some artwork someday soon. That'd be good.

Happy Holidays...........and PEACE!