2ndclepunkbuddha

Many are talking about the World Series games going on right now, as you will see in your local newspapers, blogs, websites, and Facebook postings.  I don't put anyone down for that.  It's all in good fun, just like my election comments during the debates.  Ha ha ha ...  But whenever I think of sports (which is few and far between), I tend to think of my high school years.  It was just an example of what life would be like later on.  If only I knew that way back when. Although I could probably write a library about my (or anyone's) high school experiences, at some point, I was in the mood to do something athletic.  I'm not sure what brought this on, it was something that I don't really approach these days save for the general workouts that one is forced to keep their weight down with after a certain point.  I didn't want to be, never would I be consider "A Jock".  Mostly because most guys I encountered at the time (and still do) were very o...

There has been a decline in civility in the world, this is hardly a revelation.  Also, one never ceases to be amazed at how others do not have accountability for their actions.  Practicum turned into a horror story because of the constant whining and mouths of the tweens around me.  One day, one of the repeat offenders said to "Get out of my face, I'm talking to the real teacher here!"  That was the straw that broke the camel's back with me.  With that I went and wrote him up at the office, a step above detention.  Then, my mentor took him out of class and gave him a good scolding over it.  She said he had really hurt her feelings, that was a very rude thing to say, and when I got back he was going to apologize to me.  His reaction?  A close mouthed smile, looking away.  Then, they told me they didn't want me back after that day.  I was not building positive relationships with the kids. This is why the world is so screwed up....

I've been fighting many urges lately.  Most of them have to do with the discipline problems I am encountering in the Enrichment class.  This is a class for the 7th graders who do not participate in certain activities (band or choir), this class was created as more or less a babysitting session for those not in either.  While I am in favor of a study hall or just letting them read or write or do homework for other classes, the higher ups are instructed to not allow such behaviors and actually DO something.  To say that this is a challenge is an understatement.  Keeping nearly thirty kids under control is truly slave labor, and as I'm not being paid to do this, I am truly a slave.  A small percentage of those in this class are unruly and whiny, the others are passive enough or apathetic about it.  It is that small percent, however, who is always the problem.  They hate being there, they hate don't want to do anything, and perhaps the worst of the wo...

There is a boy in my life now.  He's much younger than me, shorter than me, and very needy.  This is a 7th grade boy, age 12, who I will call Bob.  Bob was a pest when I met him.  He refused to cooperate with anyone or anything, was always faining injury or excuses as to why he couldn't do something, and was always running down to the office for some foolish reason or another.  At first he made me angry, what a bad attitude, I thought.  But once I learned a few things about him, I saw him in a new light. Over the summer, Bob's father murdered his mother then killed himself.  He was sent to live with Granny, Granny died of a heart attack a few weeks later.  Then he was sent to live with an older brother, and the older brother died of a drug overdose in August.  Now he's living with a sister, most likely being shuffled from foster home to foster home.  He was sleeping in class the other day, because he was out until 2 in the morning on a...

It has roughly been a month since the assignment began with the 7th grade in Practicum.  If you have not read the Facebook updates, needless to say, it's been dramatic.  Not as dramatic as the city school is, but it is considered to be an urban experience.  And I would have to agree.  Kids in this age group are notorious for mood swings, temper tantrums, and excessive tears.  But that's not news.  In fact, it's not much unlike working in an office where one has to put up with the screaming, fighting, and temper tantrums.  The only difference is that when one was actually in the 7th grade, you could somehow make yourself disappear or meld into the woodwork.  In an office you are being ripped and torn apart and told what an idiot you are.  Fortunately for me, I have had those experiences first and experienced the horror story of it, and learned to keep my mouth shut and learn the fine art of conversation.  When one is chatting with a cowor...

I reached a decision today, one that may affect another.  However, I have taken a new stance in life now and have since decided for the better.  Mental health concerns are for the best, and yes it is rather self centered, but when is it that we are completely altruistic?  It gets you in trouble no matter what you may think.  Women in general are taught to give and give, not think of themselves and do no matter what to make others happy.  At some point, we realize that's a load of bullshit.  We are not weak and we are not going to let others chip away at one's self esteem.  This decision is probably the most asshole decision one can make in the world today (and in order to do so we somehow end up sharing it on the Internet somehow), that is to unfriend someone on Facebook.  That is what I have done.  I had a past with this person, he broke it off about 7 months ago, and I saw him a few more times after that.  A few times it was to retur...

I was given my assignment for Practicum, a middle school in Northeast Ohio (whose name and location I will not reveal because I AIN'T CRAZY!).  A language arts class with 7th graders.  It's been rather stressful, but I did not expect this to be easy.  One cannot expect 7th graders to be easy, as their hormones are raging and their brains are still developing and their synaptic pruning processes are still going on (or whatever they told us in adolescent psych).  But still, when I was asked as to why it is that I wanted to be with this age group, I think it was because I am concerned about their emotional growth as well as their academic.  This is where we begin as adults, because it was where I began as an adult.  Challenging?  Of course it is.  But, if you don't want to accept certain challenges in life, then you may as well just give up completely.  I cannot help but think of a very depressing conversation I had with someone years ago who wa...