hi, hater(s).

It's uncanny the shit people come up with and the things they'll believe, 1) without considering the source and 2) somehow completely ignoring their own preexisting biases. That's some fucking talent. If you've never had more than a handful of conversations with someone, suffice it to say you don't KNOW them and probably shouldn't make judgments about their character, especially all out in the open like that. Way to show your ass.

I don't know how many times I can reiterate how completely untroubled I am by other people's negative opinions of me, particularly the opinions that are altogether unfounded--or in this case, founded in some resentful bullshit. I am comfortable with myself. I'm proud of my accomplishments and well aware of my shortcomings. And I don't have these letters tattooed between my fingers for nothing. The only person that ever gets me down on myself is me. Never the collective You. Trust.

Was pissed. Now I'm amused. Anyway.

I completely forgot about the four-way tie in putt putt last night; 57's all around! So much fun.

Hung out in my classroom today and space planned. Went to the dollar store and Wally World for some bargain-priced provisions. I found the coolest kids paper-making kit for $5.00 at Wal-Mart. I'll probably go back and get a couple more. Going again tomorrow. Lesson planning tonight. I am unbelievably excited about this schoolyear. Third year is a charm!

An hour on the phone? So weird. Like I'm 16 again. Maybe Chattanooga together next week???? And an invite to MS around my birthday/Thanksgiving. I am a happy girl.

I can't decide what to have for dinner. All I can think about right now is orange juice.

a life less plagued.

I fuckin' hate ebay. With a passion.

My friends and family, on the other hand . . .

Champ loved his birthday present. I was so excited.

Both shows were amazing. Waffle House after Tigers Jaw. Blake and I ordered pizza and caught up on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon last night. Spent the day together today; Soul Veg, Pirate's Cove with Geoff and Brian, Chappelle's Show. Sweetest boy.

Visited Mom and Dad Sunday. Pa Bernie and Bernice were in town. He's not doing well. But I'm not nearly as close to him as I was to Grandma Dottie. Not by a long shot. Frankly, I harbor some resentment towards him. Too little, too late type shit. Anyway.

Bought an XXL Coca-Cola shirt for $9.00 at Target yesterday. Cut it up and sewed it into a tank top. I like it a lot.

Working in my classroom tomorrow, I think. Dollar Store, here I come.

Tiiired.

i have california gurls stuck in my head.

I caught myself smiling while I was mending a pair of shorts today.

Things are back to normal. I am happy.

Busy weekend coming up. And the school building opens Monday. I imagine I'll be in my classroom a few days next week.

Working on Champ's birthday present and cleaning house.

fin.

Seriously considering abandoning this blog.

Heartbroken.

Fuck Donald Wakeford.

english.

Busy couple of weeks. Finished camp with the little kids. We had a beach party with popsicles and watermelon. I never realize how much we actually get done until it's all up on the last day. They did a goood jooobbb.

Spent the weekend with this handsome thing. Woke up to the second picture Saturday morning. Could not stop laughing.


Dropped Davey off at Kevin's Monday morning and headed for Chattanooga. Mama was at the house, too. I've been up there almost every week since they moved and my mom always puts me to work. Went shopping and hung this in their kitchen. Everyone liked it a lot. Watched one of the prettiest sunsets I've ever seen on the back porch with Mama the night I got there, too. And the train whistles never get old.

Came home today. Drove straight to Blake's. We stayed in and watched the first season of 30 Rock.

Things are going surprisingly well. I told him the other day that if he hadn't come along when he did, I'd be a lot worse off over my grandmother. He may be the sweetest, most genuine person I've ever met. But he's a smart ass, too. And he doesn't mind that I like time to myself. He's a good boy.

Getting excited about school starting. A month from Friday. Fielded some ignorant--albeit typical--questions from a family friend about my students and where I teach earlier today. "I mean, are they talented? Are they good at art? I can't think of a single black artist!"

"That's funny. I teach my students about lots of African and African-American artists. I like giving them something to relate to." What I really wanted to say was more like, "Just because your sheltered white ass has ignored black art and artists for the last 50 years doesn't mean they don't exist, you fucking idiot." Ugh. I could've named ten prominent artists of color--women included--off the top of my head.

Anyway. I have a bunch of new lessons in mind that I'll probably start writing up over the next few weeks.

Fuck. I almost forgot: we didn't make AYP this year. I won't get into that now; else I'd be writing/ranting for days. There may be a chance to pull it off once we get our summer retest scores in. Here's hoping . . .

Also, I am pleased that Roy Barnes took the Democratic primary. But now he's in for a hard fight. Pleased that turncoat Kathy Cox is out of office at the end of this term, too. Possibly the worst State School Superintendent in Georgia history.

I imagine I should go to sleep. Crossing my fingers no one comes knocking on my door in the middle of the night.