Saturday 17 January 2004

Once upon a time in Wisconsin, people would greet me with, "How's it going?" Never one to give an ordinary answer, I used to reply, "I'm in good health and good spirits, thank you."

For well over the past year, I wasn't in good spirits and rarely answered that way. "How's it going?" My response was in a deadpan tone... "Typical," usually said with the hint of a smile on my face. Or, "Average." Either usually got a laugh. Another reply was, "Same circus, different clowns." After the laughter, if anyone pressed further to ask why I'd said Average or Typical (usually people who didn't know me well), I'd explain that if you have a great day every day, average or typical is wonderful. Most were bright enough to figure if you have a lousy day every day, average or typical sucks. I was non-committal to those who'd asked.

Neil, one of my Harrah's coworkers at APAC, was smart enough to point out (even before I realized it myself) that on days I said Average I was depressed, and on those I'd said Typical I was depressed and pissed off. He also knew the hint of a smile was always for show... always a hint and never a real smile.

This week, every single time anyone greeted me with, "How's it going?" my reply was the truth... I'm in good health and good spirits, thank you.

While walking about Menasha today I realized that this week was the first full week I've been in a good mood since the first week of the school year in Holmen in September, 2002. That week the Goddesses gave me a new tie, and all of my students were excited at the thought that Jones finally found a woman and was going to start a family. 'Nuff said about that.

A good mood every day for a full week... imagine!

School is going remarkably well. I've been going through the University of Cambridge accreditation standards and found that for my students to pass tenth grade exams, they'll need to know material covered at HHS in the courses of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus. Needless to say, getting my eighth graders through Algebra I this year has become imperative... and they seem up to the challenge. Jody and Beth have noticed my efforts and seem well-pleased with my work.

After a supper tonight of comfort food (I cooked pork chops, a mess of turnip greens, and some biscuits), I went to HDC to send email to my former students, marking the one-year anniversary of my dismissal from Holmen with news of my new teaching job. (I wrote Renee and Matt about accepting the position before Christmas, but haven't sent anything to any of the rest in ages. There's only so much bad news to share before people get sick of hearing it.) Good news from me was a nice change of pace for them, I'm sure... as it must be for you reading here.

What can I say? I'm in good health and good spirits!