Feeling Good

This song has been in my head for days now.... Written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd. Performed here by Muse.

Sing along with me? :)




Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Reeds driftin' on by
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River running free
You know how I feel
Blossom in the tree
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all out havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when the day is done
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me

Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Yeah freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me

And I'm feeling good

Yeah Baby!!!

Music is Inspiration

Music has the power to lift, to inspire, to enlighten, to move our bodies, hearts and minds. It's really hard to ignore it.

This music video has a powerful message that quickens your feet to move, run in fact! :) Enjoy!

Go is the New Stop

In everyday life, we are inundated with all the things we should stop. The voice is stern and judgementally harsh. Stop. Don't. Cease.

Well I say, GO!

Go on being your fabulous self.

Go out on a limb and be, do, try. Even when you think you can't.

Go into the spaces and breaths of the moment. Sit. Enjoy. Experience.

Go over the things that bothered you, and let them sit for tea, then let them go their way.

Go with your gut instinct. Accept her. She is wise and never second-guesses herself.

Go under the radar of other people's expectations and requirements. Release yourself from them.

Go along your merry way, and sing a happy tune.

Go where you have never gone before and take your captain's log with you!

And most importantly! Go on and Move! :)

And since it's Wednesday! That means it's Wishcasting time over at Jamie Ridler's Studios! Today Jamie asks,

What do you wish to share?

How fortuitous because I want to share the momentum of GO! :)

Yes, I Think You Can Dance!

Oh Sweetness!

Two more days of Summer School, and today is the last day of classes! I can't believe it's almost over! Have you ever gone into a haze of autopilot taking you through days and weeks to get to the other side? Well, that's almost over!

In two days, I will be able to recoup, regenerate, get things done that, and have some fun! Stay up late! Catch up on movies, and friends and LIFE!

So to celebrate and since this is Monday, I will share with you my favorite performances from this season's So You Think You Can Dance.

This piece (danced by Jeanine & Jason and choreographed by SYTYCD alum Travis Wall) gave me goosebumps!



This Hip Hop piece was choreographed by Shane Sparks, and was the best Hip Hop dance this season! Jason has since been eliminated leaving me to wonder who the heck is voting?




Happy a happy week everyone! :)

**These videos are property of FOX.

Don't Just Sit There!

Nine more days and my Vacation begins!

LORDIE!

This past weekend went by in a haze as I was mostly feeling under the weather and moderating my rest with other things I needed to do, like grocery shopping and laundry. I had the chills and a headache kept coming and going. I was expecting it to go into full-blown flu/cold, but I got no other symptoms. I guess I am just drained. So I napped a lot...

You have to re-energize somehow!

I had a delightful chat about Juicy Creative Life with Connie of Dirty Footprints Studio which you can listen to here !

It was absolutely lovely to talk to Connie. She is brimming with life and warmth and openness! I am so completely honored to have shared the unveiling of her new name and concept for her radio show and her blog! Connie rocks it like there has never been any rocking before! :)

I'm at summer school right now, and though I would love to hang in the lovely blogosphere, duty calls.

And in case you forgot, Monday is time to DANCE! Sing along with me..."do a deer..."

ENJOY!





I love the clapping at the end and that so many bystanders got into the act.
Have a great week everyone! :)

Skating by

It's Monday. I am so ready for a vacation. I have 17 more days until I can honor my own clock. Spend my days and nights without thought of the time or the day. I am a nocturnal being. I can stay up late every night. I love naps. Short bursts for refueling and then going again.

My weekends have been full with social gatherings which are awesome, yet also require an expenditure of energy.

I'm also working on two segments for a textbook series, and it's been harder for me than I thought because the people I'm writing for are extremely picky and demanding without being organized.

The decision to do summer school was one of necessity for me, and it's not as bad as I thought really, but there is so much energy one person can expend without getting depleted.

I am keeping my eye on the prize. The renovations to home and garden. Like a mantra, it will take me through these days, and take me to the other side of this tunnel.

And since it's Monday, it's time to boogie. Got roller skates? :)



How's that for energy? Have a great week everyone! :)

And the living is easy...

One thing I love about summer, is everything becomes more relaxed.
Stress melts away.
The weather is beautiful, even when it is raining.

I love it all!
Longer days.
Lovely breezes.
The sun.
The lush greenery and delicious scents of summer.
The patios.
The barbecues.
The back yard get-togethers.
Sitting on the porch in the evening.

Even during a garbage strike.
Even if I am working summer school.
Nothing seems to get to me.

So when someone complains about the weather (you will find those any season), I smile and say, "It's not snowing. It's not dark at 4 pm."

I can open up all the windows and let summer into my home.
I can go out in flip flops.
No boots. No coat. No layers.

You gotta love it!

And you know what else there is to love?

Monday and Dancing!
And do I have a treat for you! Enjoy! :)



How adorable is he?
Shake it babies! :)

Dance Break

Hello Beautiful People!

I am surfacing from the whirlwind of life. It has been a busy week for me what with wrapping up the school year, getting ready for summer school (yes, you read that right, summer school) and enjoying some quality time outside with friends.

A department pool party filled with laughter.
Taking a long leisurely lunch on the last day with some friends and colleagues which involved a couple of Coronas! :)
Hanging out with my little man Tristan who fell asleep in my arms.
Unpacking the kitchen for friends who have moved into an amazing house with a HUGE back yard backing into a ravine. Sitting, chatting having some beer in the shade of the trees after working hard.
Sleeping in, reading, going for a walk and later for a burger and ice cream with my neighbor.

I could get used to this lifestyle.

Most importantly. It's Monday, and I don't have to go to work until Thursday! But my cup is half full so I will enjoy the break and recharge for a month of summer school that will pay for my renovations, and converting my garden from a jungle to a manageable oasis! :)

And since it's Monday... The tradition here at Reality Insanity, is to dance, and who better to dance with but the King of Dance and Pop?

May he rest in peace no matter what our opinion of him and his life is. I tend to leave judgement to higher powers, especially when I don't have any idea what the real facts are. So without further ado, in case you forgot how this man has entertained us throughout most of his sad life, and how he has influenced dance and music today... I give you Michael Jackson.

Big Guys Can Dance

This is my fifth day of my mini vacay and I'm slowly returning back to a human state :)
I have been taking time to relax, enjoy the days, congregate with friends and like minded.
Oh, and SLEEP! :)

I would like to take this time to catch up with you all, and to ♥ THANK YOU ♥ for all your amazing support, inspiring comments, and all-around kickassness! :)

In the meantime, it's Monday, and who said BIG guys can't dance? :) Enjoy!



Happy week everyone!

Wanna Play?

1. come play with me, 2. hoola hoops in as stack, 3. play, 4. Ayyy mista DJ., 5. colour chunks ii, 6. Birds on the wall, 7. playing the nine pins, 8. Palace Play Land, 9. Wanna play?

Did you know that Jamie Ridler is psychic? She must be because she did it again! She picked the perfect prompt for Wishcasting Wednesday! She asks:

Who or what do you wish to play with?

How did she know that today marks the end of three weeks of intense work hours for me? How did she know that after today, and for the next couple of weeks, I will be ready and willing to PLAY?

And what do I want to play?

I want to be a kid again and play games on a whim.
Tiddly winks and hoola hoops and rides!
I want to get my hands messy with art supplies and run with abandon in the field.
I want to learn how to hoop and hoop til I drop with exhilaration!

I want to make necklaces again like I used to and play with beads and stones and shells.

I want to get my fingers sticky with glue from making collages.

I want to make one huge playful MESS!

I want to get back to djing and play music to get people out of their seats and dance.

I want to play with color and fill my days with PLAYFUL JOY!

I want to play with everyone! My little friends and my big friends.
I want to fill the air with laughter of play.

I wish that every day is filled with the joy of pLaY!

When in Doubt. Dance!

Hi! My name is Genie, and work has kicked me in the butt! On Saturday, was I out partying with friends, enjoying the lovely patio weather? No. I was home, grading papers until 2 am. Yes, teachers have it easy. You don't know how often I have heard that.

Exams start today, so this week's schedule is a little off kilter, but I have exams to mark, grades to calculate and upload, department meetings to plan, and end-of-the-year wrap-up procedures. Not to mention a summer school course to plan, and another textbook to research and write.

I also have an appointment with my banking institution to consolidate my line of credit and mortgage and possibly negotiate at a lower interest. I have a cell phone company's ass to kick. A visa to cancel for a lower interest one. Pricing on handy men, doors and light fixtures. And other such engaging and highly amusing activities.

Ain't life grand? For a grand?

But no matter! Today is Monday and you know what that means?

Time to Dance!



Some of you may have seen this, but it's great viewing every single time! It would make a great workout routine! :)

Happy week everyone!

Hoops & Barbeques & Dreamboards, oh MY!

(click to enlarge)

Et Voila! My dreamboard for the Honey or Strawberry or Lovers Full Moon!

I made it at the effervescent and ever-inspiring Jamie Ridler's first Full Moon Dreamboard Circle yesterday! To say it was fun and deeply enlightening is an understatement! I got to meet, for the first time, some of my blogging friends and I was thrilled to see how absolutely wonderful they are in person, as they are online! I will write more on this when I have more time (?) this week.

I am in the process of studying my dream board, as I put it together intuitively. I grabbed images that I was drawn to, then put it together. I added the card I drew from the deck Jamie provided and kindly allowed us to keep. GOALS. How fortuitous is that? I added the advice on the back which I thought was particularly potent for me. Set a goal... and release the outcome. The second part is particularly important for me. Releasing expectation and worry. Just letting the wish and goal float up into the Universe. This dream board has a lot in it that makes my heart sing.

I welcome your thoughts. What do you see?

If you want to participate in the full moon dreamboard experience just go here!

This weekend, I was a bad girl! I finally sat down to do some of the work that has been piling up like Mount Kilimanjaro on Sunday night, after a nice dinner of (you guessed it!) sushi with my goddess daughter and my friend who also participated in the dream board circle.

On Saturday, I popped in to visit the ever talented and light-generating Danette who was hosting a hoop sale for the amazing and hoopalicious Allison. We hooped. Well they did. I managed to keep the hoop up for 15 seconds! We hung and chatted on Danette's porch and took in the beautiful spring morning.

Then I went to a barbecue, and dragged myself home late that night with enough energy to shower and plunge into bed.

Oh well! Life is meant to be lived, not graded. :)

And since it's Monday, you know what that means?

TIME TO DANCE!



YEAH BABY! :)

Happy Dance Monday

I emerge from the pile of work long enough to dance.
Music and dancing keep me sane.

I share them with you! :)



Aren't these kids fantastic? Dancing in an empty subway station! So happy :)
Did you dance when you watched the video like I did?

Thank you so much for your concern and support, advice and caring.
It means a lot to me :)
Reading your comments makes me happy.

I am taking things one step at a time. I am trying to steadily go through all the things that need to get done. And I have learned not to stress over things that don't. I am only human after all :)

I took some time this weekend to cuddle my new favorite person, Tristan. Holding his tiny, warm, sleeping body rejuvenates my own. Filling my nose with his lovely baby scent is better than any vitamin shot! :) Thank goodness for babies :)

Hope your Monday is wonderful and sets a fantastic tone to your week :)

See you on the other side :)

Baby Boy

This weekend, a new little person came into the world.
My friend gave birth to an absolutely gorgeous little baby boy, Tristan.
He is perfect. :) I will have pictures at some point, but suffice it to say, he stole my heart the moment I got him in my arms.

And it's Monday, so it's time for a little dance. This video and song are very silly, but infectious.

Dancing yet? :)

I have very little time this morning because I will be running a week-long Photoshop unit; and I will be doing it at a school that is stingy with equipment.

Here is what's on the menu this week:

A Postcard.

An Ad.

A Book Jacket.

I made these three samples last night and will be showing students a step by step on how to recreate them, then give them a chance to make their own. This will be a fun week for all of us.

I have so much to do this week and my grading is piling up. Since all three classes are working on their final projects (only 3 weeks of classes left! YAY!), I hope to get some time during the day to put a dent on my marking load before I get more to grade.

Most employees work from sun to sun, but a teacher's work is never done! And I'm considering summer school... Does anyone have a straight jacket? :)

I Like that Victoria

YES! Day off! Woooo!! And it's Music Monday!

Let's start this day on the right footing! With this video of a BBC Radio1 Live Lounge cover of Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" by Asher Roth. These guys are fun and talented "chaps". Crank it and get ready to shake your booty shaker.




Got your groove on? Yeah baby!

There is nothing like a day off to energize the spirit and restore the mind. I feel like a new person today. I took this weekend at my own pace, and it has brought sharply into focus how much I love my own pace. Stress? What stress? :)

I did kind of get lost, and and uncharacteristically forgot an important social engagement; but my friends, being the amazing people that they are, forgave my situational senility.

I was sorry to miss that special birthday event, but I purposely avoided others.

This weekend, I did a lot of soul-searching. I have reached a point in my life, where I won't do anything I can, not to be alone. In fact, I prefer being alone if the alternative means compromising myself.

I had the opportunity to see that in events that transpired over the weekend. Here is what I learned in avoiding those situations:

1. I don't want to constantly put myself in situations that make me feel awkward, uncomfortable, or an odd numbered wheel.

A friend and her husband invited some mutual friends to dinner. The only requirement for that invitation is that they be part of a couple. That's cool. I get the whole strength in numbers, let's pair up and get together thing. It's all good.

The problem with that scenario was, that I didn't know this was happening, until I met up with them to go to a movie later. I got to a packed theater, to find the couples all had settled down in pods of two leaving me to find a seat by myself. In other words, I went to the movies by myself.

Which is cool. I like going to the movies alone. But not when I am supposed to be going with friends. After the movie, (Star Trek - a second time for me, and I loved it AGAIN!), we convened in the lobby to discuss. As I stood there, amidst the couples grafted to each other, I started to feel like a ghost limb. So when I was asked to go to theirs for dessert, I politely declined.

Instead, I drove home with the music cranked up, and watched Benjamin Button. I was happy to be in my own company. I made pop corn and had some Fresca, and happily watched yet another awesome movie. I didn't once feel like a lesser person because there wasn't a man sitting next to me on the sofa.

2. I don't want to be pressured into impromptu therapy sessions disguised as socializing.

You think you are going over there for dinner, drinks, games or a movie but really what you're doing is consenting to dissection. What awaits is painful hours of being subjected to denigrating comments, and non-stop drivel.

If someone is in pain and needs a shoulder, I'm there. If they are overwhelmed and need help, I will volunteer. If they are lonely and feeling lost, I will take some goodies and visit them. If I know that's what I'm doing, I will do so voluntarily.

But what I won't do is get ambushed by soul suckers with their need to constantly analyze and be analyzed in a vortex trying to ingest me. No thanks. I would rather be alone than in their company. It's not they are evil; it's that they have confused friendship with patient-doctor sessions which I don't do.

3. I will no longer allow myself to be taken down by people who constantly break dates without calling or even acknowledging that they have done so.

I had made plans with a friend on Friday, and she not only did not show up, she didn't call. I called her to see if she was okay, on both her phones, and there was no answer, and she did not return my call. I would have worried except, when I was checking my email, I saw her little "friend" icon light up on my Yahoo email page. That and the fact that she has done this many times before. She makes plans and then doesn't follow through, and when I call, she doesn't pick up her phone. I've seen her ignore calls.

But I wasn't angry like I used to get. I shrugged off her self-absorption and went to visit another friend for tea and Ghost Whisperer.

When she did call two days later, I was in the shower. She left a message wanting to know if I wanted to hang out. No mention of Friday. It was as if she hadn't stood me up. I haven't returned her call. What's to talk about? I have been through this cycle before.

So I came to this freeing and final conclusion:

I have better things to do with my time. Like meet with friends who know how to value me as I value them. Who are there for me, as I am there for them. Who like me for who I am, as I like them for who they are.

And those are the people I want to spend time with. Otherwise, I am perfectly happy in my own company.

This engendered the following painting I made in PS, entitled, Venus Rising.

(click to enlarge)

I'm still dancing. I'm happy. It's Victoria Day. I have some gardening to do with an awesome friend. Life is good! :)

Music Makes the World

(click to enlarge images)

These are my entries for Mother Henna's Artist Collaboration: Hero and Shadow. I decided on an urban setting for both these panels, drawing the light and dark aspects for each respectively.

There seems to not be enough hours in the day for me. This weekend was very busy, and I found myself not knowing which activity to choose. I double-booked myself, and that hardly ever happens.

The theme of this weekend was music. It started on Friday with Jamie's Virtual Dance party which I took to class with me. There is nothing more hilarious than asking a bunch of awkward and self-conscious teens to dance in class. Some of them did with gusto, others stood about, not knowing what to do with the situation. One kid tried to video tape me and I put a nix to that quickly. I do not want to see myself on You Tube. LOL! They all had smiles on their faces after the dance sessions, some no doubt inspired by the thought, "Ms. C has lost it!" haha

I took the dancing to the streets so to speak on Saturday, as I found myself dancing through the grocery store aisles. I couldn't help it! The music was fantastic! I got some smiles and some odd stares, but did I care? No?

I went to a friend's on Saturday night because she was feeling down, and we wound up dancing in her living room. There is nothing like shaking your booty to forget a broken heart.

My heart filled with emotion on Sunday night, when I went to a friend's recital. She played like an angel. Her performance brought tears to my eyes and goosebumps all over. My soul danced.

Happiness is such a nebulous thing. Yet, so easy to attain. A little Kool and the Gang, some James Brown, a tossing of Prince, and a coating of Liszt. Mhm. Music makes the world go round. :)

The incredibly talented Arty Em will be interviewing me tonight at 7 pm Eastern here on blogtalk radio. If you have some time. Swing by. I might be dancing. :)

Just Dance!

Most of you have seen this T-Mobile video, but it's the perfect video for today's celebrations!

Jamie Ridler's 4th Annual Shyne Like a Virtual Star Dance Party is here!

And I'm dancing baby! Dancing like there is no tomorrow. I put my favorite tunes on this morning and danced for 15 minutes! In my pajamas and without a care in the world. 5:30 am? So? I am wired and ready to greet the whole world.

I'm getting all my classes to dance for 5 minutes today! (Total 15)

To This!



There is nothing like music and dancing to fill me with joy. No matter how sad, or depressed, or tired or defeated I feel, my feet move, my hips sway, and my booty shakes. Before I know it there is a huge smile on my face.

Dance with us? Come on! You know you wanna! You really wanna! :)

Oh! And the wonderful Arty EM will be interviewing me on Monday on Blogtalk Radio! I will be posting the time here and on Twitter. Whoop! :)

I see you dancing :)

Standing Proud

This picture, to me, epitomizes hope and achievement. These are the finalists of So You Think You Can Dance-Canada. I have always loved dance- watching and experiencing it. I am fully aware that, if my life had taken a different course, I would have been a dancer. This is one reason I celebrate this show.

Another major reason is, it reinforces pride in being Canadian. Unfortunately, I don't see a lot of pride fostered for our country. We practically have to force students to stand quiet during the National Anthem at school. When confronted, at least half will say, very ignorantly, "It's not my country." (And this almost always said by someone born here.) I always reply, "I don't care which country you call your own. You stand at attention and respect for any country's National Anthem, much less the one that at the very least provides you with a free education!" Grrr @ ignorance!

Canadian sports and athletes are well supported by the general public, but most Canadian television shows, arts and movies are not. They snub their noses at them, like they are inferior to those of our neighbours south.

This show, has engendered a following and pride in being Canadian that few others have. We Canucks like to make fun of ourselves, but rarely do I hear anyone say "I am proud to be Canadian!" I have heard it on this show many times.

It also highlights the incredible versatility and talent in our country. Niko is a contemporary dancer; Miles is a popper; Allie is a ballerina; and Natalli is a Latin dancer. They represent the vast flavour and potential of this country that is so often unsung. So, I had to take a minute and say... YAY CANADA! :)

Now, for today's card.

So far, I have been designing the cards with "positive" meanings. Then, like a lightning bolt, realization came. All the cards are positive. With happiness we are rewarded, with challenge we learn. There is nothing negative here. So, when the, up to now, dreaded Tower card asked to be introduced, I experienced a twinge of trepidation. The card's images gently wiped all that away.

In upheaval, new ideas arise. In sorrow, humanity is expressed. From the rubble, new ideas are born. There is always someone to catch our fall. There is always a hand to steady us. Support will rally. New beginnings will unfold. A new dawn opens up, as we soar away from our troubles.

And here it is - The Tower. Today's card.

In relevance to my life, the meeting with all the staff went incredibly well. Attendance was historic for that school. The audience was rapt. I might even venture to say, we impressed them.

The avalanche is beginning. We are usurping those who sit secure in their tower, oppressing us.

In the ensuing upheaval, a new, more benevolent rule will arise. Peace will come upon the land, and we will be free to go about the business that we are there to do - inspiring, educating, leading, and helping shape our country's and the world's future. Allowing young minds to form their own opinions, strengthened by knowledge, empowered by their own creativity, cognizant of the infinite potential that they own.

Blessed be :)

Random

Sometimes, random thoughts pop in my mind, and I must express them.

I'm watching So You Think You Can Dance. Anything that has to do with dance has my attention immediately. The added component of this show is the "reality". Well, the television reality. I watch the auditions because of the dance, the illuminating moments of success and the message that you can transcend anything if you have the right attitude. I have to commend some of these dancers. Some have such a WILL to make it, that it inspires me to get off my ass and do some crunches while watching.

Then there are the moments of infamy that they choose to air, and I am disappointed. Why is it entertaining to watch someone make a total fool of him/herself and then be humiliated on top of it? Seriously, there isn't enough therapy in the world to heal some people. There aren't enough words to describe the disgust I feel in watching the judges tear them to shreds.

I'm so frustrated sometimes. So many thoughts speed throughout my synapses, popping in and popping away.

Why do I think so much? Maybe they should make a show called So You Think You Can Think? or maybe So You Think? I would so be in there!

Work has become so frustrating. Today, one of my students who has not been doing very much in class when he has been there ( half the time), declared today that he was doing nothing because, and I quote, "This class is shit."

I sent him out. He needed to be out of my sight.

In the school where I work the motto is, you send a student out, you get called into the VP's office and grilled about all the accusations the student has made against you. That doesn't bother me because I know I am a good teacher and I do all in my power to empower my students to do the best they can do. Even if I have to drag them over the threshold of ignorance into the light of original thought.

So, I was prepared for this interview with the VP and the student. I was told that I had said to the student that he had no chance of passing. I smiled and said, "I was expecting that. What he failed to tell you was that I said, he had no chance of passing if he didn't do the work." Logical, no? You would think.

Then the VP asked me if I got his previous marks. (He had transfered half way through the semester to my class.) I said that I hadn't. I had told him it was his responsibility to tell his previous teacher that he needed his marks. The VP replied, in FRONT of the student, that it was NOT his responsibility to get the marks. "He can easily change them."

Ok. Let's break this down.

I attempted to teach the student a lesson in responsibility and accountability in asking him to get the marks. It was his choice to come to this class, because in his words "it is easier". That signalled to me someone who had no interest in getting a credit let alone learning anything, so I decided I was going to ask this of him. I was testing his resolve.

I got cut down for my efforts. My professional credibility was negated in that one moment, but I remained calm.

What the VP taught him is that he is not accountable and not reliable since he can so "easily" change the marks. Huh? Would I not then have noticed? Would I not have checked with my colleague?

Ironically, later in the discussion, said VP asked the student if he indeed went to his former teacher to ask for the marks. He hadn't. Hmm.

Whatever. I know I did the right thing and have been acting in the best interests of the student.

The VP then finds out that he has been skipping classes right left and center when I mentioned his 14 absences from my class. Good thing they keep on top of that sort of thing...

The whole exercise earned him 21 detentions. Will he learn anything from them? I have no idea. I know I learned that I can remain professional and calm in the face of insult. I learned that my intentions are well-placed, and my vision clear whereas the administrator in question is basking in her position of authority. It's hard to think clearly way up there. Lack of oxygen, I think.

I wonder. Do other people get so disrespected on a daily basis at work? Do they get put in a position where they are taken down a peg for doing their job?

I'm stumped. I thought it was an educator's job to take advantage of all the teachable moments and opportunities to help their wards to grow in independent thought and knowledge? Instead, bureaucracy is the oil that makes this educational machine run. It has made asses of us. The kind we sit on and the kind we ride.

So You Think You Can Teach? Apparently any bozo can as long as he/she follows the rules:

1. Assume the worst and get the worst.
2. Take down anyone who thinks outside the box.
3. Get it in writing.
4. Fuck it up as long as you dress it up and take it out to dinner.
5. Do not attempt to prevent damage just be really good at damage control.

Whatever. I'm disgusted again.

There is nothing worse than bad leaders. Unorganized, without a vision, without common sense, without an original thought in their heads. These people know the rules, but have never questioned them. They demand respect but do not give it. They have the compassion of a chainsaw, and the vision of a bucket of used engine oil.

I teach critical thinking, and I'm thinking the situation is critical.

So maybe wearing a ridiculous outfit and falling on your face on television is not the worst thing that can happen to a person. This too, I will transcend.