Maybe I could be a Somali pirate?

Hmm, today was definitely a "Why do you keep talking" day. In fact, they said that...a few times. That, and other wonderfully edifying statements all designed to make me go away. It's a wonder why anyone teaches at all. How many times would you drag a donkey uphill before you just leave him behind? Damn, I started this blog to make myself stay positive, to say things in such a way that I would appreciate the little things that do make the job satisfying. I did have sort of moment of clarity amidst the drunken miasma that was my afternoon class today...I was trying to make a point about Jared Diamond's theory on geographic determinism--I friggin love that book, Guns, Germs, and Steel--and stressing the association between domesticated animals and skilled workers in the society. Anyway, there were several side-conversations goin on: one group was talking in spanish, who knows what they were saying but it seemed to have their attention, another group was having a competition to see who could draw the state of Texas the most times while going over football memories--pre-probation and daily drug use apparently, a couple more had their heads down, obviously lost in thought about Diamond's theory. But, as the thought-smoke cleared and I gathered myself together to finish my point, I looked out into the battlefield and discovered 3 sets of eyes on me, inquisitive and thoughtful eyes! I heard the others less and less, inane chatter fading like the effect of my coffee this late in the day. Those 3 kiddos saved me.