Rule # 1: When you are teaching in a classroom for more than a week, OWN IT! I'm subbing for 2 weeks or more in a second grade class.

The first few days I'll admit I trying to blend in with the teacher's structure and organization model, but with the teacher's podium too being too small, papers on the floor, overhead projector not usable, no space for student workstations ... NOT working for my style. Executive decision yesterday? Reboot the classroom structure to meet my needs.

I cleaned up the piles of paper on the floor and moved around desks so that the class is more fluid during transition times and the classroom is structured with better usable space.

I set a check in structure so I don't have to take roll.

I created a lacking positive reinforcement behavior plan using LOUD clanking marbles to sound off students that are doing well and are contributing to a reward at the end of the week (if 50 marbles are in the jar at the end of the week, reward!!) WHOLE CLASS REWARD.

I defined consequences so that students may take ownership of actions.

I created my own lesson plans that best suited my expectations, and offered the support so that students will succeed.

I offered an positive incentive individual behavior plan so that students can evaluate and correct their own behavior choices.

I created my own lesson plans (do this only if the teacher allows deviation from their plan!!!).

One week down, and things are finally rolling along smoothly ... now that I OWN the class. (Just don't forget to put things back :))

Music speaks. Who cares if the lyrics are accessible, bonus if they are. It's the sound, the emotion that bleeds. I've thought recently about art and the permanence of paint or charcoal ... meanwhile music bleeds it paints across cultures, instantly accessible, instantly creating a memory, soon to be forgotten, soon to be a memory painted in the mind. Water of the soul.

My runs have been pretty good, I'm happy there. Now the scary part - swimming.

I haven't swum in at least a month AHH! Getting back into the pool, or bay is both pain and humiliation. I will suck and be disappointed with myself, not to mention getting back into the speedo, which is okay if I'm swimming regularly, sure, it's the uniform. After time off it becomes less a uniform but a pretentious bit of lycra mocking me with it's promise of speed undelivered, fun times.

Doesn't help that in 2 weeks I need to be ocean ready for the Seal Beach lifeguard tryouts ... which I WILL be ready for. Today, it's overwhelming ... next week, it's a challenge to be destroyed.

Spilling coffee on your pressed shirt just before work,
knocking over your favorite mug full of coffee, all over the floor,
running out of coins for the dryer leaving only wet clothes,
unnoticed pile of sh*t from the neighbors dog under your shoe,
your favorite pen betraying you bleeding all over your shirt pocket,
last minute print job for directions and the printer says Fu*k you I'm sleeping in,

your co-worker buys you another cup of coffee, with a cap and a smile,
cleaning up coffee on the floor and finding 75 cents you never knew you had,
remembering the 75 cents found can dry your clothes,
the sh*t smell pales to your own feet stench (new socks),
the importance of suit jackets,
knowing that the destination waits for you...