Southwest
So I'm getting on my Southwest flight to Raleigh/Durham, and I'm thinking that it's pretty apparent I'm going to be sitting in the way back, probably stowing my carry-on several rows away from where I'm sitting, because, you know, for some reason, that's how it goes. Instead, an older gentleman in the 5th row smiles at me and asks if I'd like to take the middle seat open between him and this hot young blonde. Well hell yeah. So I'm climbing in, and he takes my bag and stows it for me without any hesitation, as if his job on this flight is to do this very thing. Why thank you so much! He says "no problem" and admits to "selecting" me for this seat, since the last time he got stuck with a rather large smelly individual. I laughed and told him how grateful I was for being "chosen." And then it ocurred to me that I don't know this old man who is balding and wearing sunglasses indoors. He might have selected this blonde to my left and me because he plans to make us a part of the mile high club whether we'd like it or not. But then he busts out some free coupons for a free hard drink and I think, ok, nevermind, I like this guy. But of course that makes no sense...
We don't talk for most of the ride because I can't resist watching Season Two of The Office on my nifty personal DVD player. But of course as we start the descent, he inquires on the No Child Left Behind Act. (He remembers our mini introduction convo...I do not)....so we have this 15 minute debate about the effectiveness (or non effectiveness, as I would argue), of this Act, and all the while I'm kicking myself for not saying a damn word about the conspiracies involved in his occupation in a pharmaceutical company. I just make the drugs, I don't sell them. That was his tagline. He's used to defending himself, why bother...
I couldn't get over the irony in my sitting there, next to a man who makes drugs for a living, while I'm on my way to visit the relatives of an ex boyfriend who died because of said drugs. I contemplated asking him what he thought about addiction and the nonchalant attitude doctors and drug companies seem to have about it, but then I glanced at the free beer in my hand, which otherwise would have been $5 without his generous coupon, and I thought, hm, just shut up.
So I let him lecture me about teaching to the students and letting students of higher abilities teach to students of lower abilities like he had happened upon some new, life-altering educational practices. I simply said, yes, we do that. Yes, we value that. It's called heterogenous grouping and differentiated instruction.
He was quiet, but he still wanted the last word. "You young teachers can do it."
I smiled. Not so much to be friendly or even to acknowledge the irony in our conversation. I think it was his perfectly round balding head. I finished my beer, thanked him for his generosity and simultaneously thanked God for the 5th row and my ability to keep my mouth shut.
But it was actually one of the most pleasant flights I've ever been on.
In other news,
I'm having an absolutely relaxing time here in North Carolina. It is truly my second home. This is my second family. I am entirely blessed!
I can't say that I'm homesick, but I am, perhaps, lovesick, and that's another issue entirely.
We don't talk for most of the ride because I can't resist watching Season Two of The Office on my nifty personal DVD player. But of course as we start the descent, he inquires on the No Child Left Behind Act. (He remembers our mini introduction convo...I do not)....so we have this 15 minute debate about the effectiveness (or non effectiveness, as I would argue), of this Act, and all the while I'm kicking myself for not saying a damn word about the conspiracies involved in his occupation in a pharmaceutical company. I just make the drugs, I don't sell them. That was his tagline. He's used to defending himself, why bother...
I couldn't get over the irony in my sitting there, next to a man who makes drugs for a living, while I'm on my way to visit the relatives of an ex boyfriend who died because of said drugs. I contemplated asking him what he thought about addiction and the nonchalant attitude doctors and drug companies seem to have about it, but then I glanced at the free beer in my hand, which otherwise would have been $5 without his generous coupon, and I thought, hm, just shut up.
So I let him lecture me about teaching to the students and letting students of higher abilities teach to students of lower abilities like he had happened upon some new, life-altering educational practices. I simply said, yes, we do that. Yes, we value that. It's called heterogenous grouping and differentiated instruction.
He was quiet, but he still wanted the last word. "You young teachers can do it."
I smiled. Not so much to be friendly or even to acknowledge the irony in our conversation. I think it was his perfectly round balding head. I finished my beer, thanked him for his generosity and simultaneously thanked God for the 5th row and my ability to keep my mouth shut.
But it was actually one of the most pleasant flights I've ever been on.
In other news,
I'm having an absolutely relaxing time here in North Carolina. It is truly my second home. This is my second family. I am entirely blessed!
I can't say that I'm homesick, but I am, perhaps, lovesick, and that's another issue entirely.