One of my favorite bands, The Meters, titled their last album New Directions. The cover shows afro-ed sillouttes backlit by a giant traffic-direction arrow. Ironically, the release of this album marked the brake up of the band; scattered and feuding, wondering what might-have-been.
Today, I'm reporting a spilt.
I am glad to report my family and I are doing quite well. We live in the best city I have ever lived, Bellingham, WA. My son is leaving developmental milestones in the dust and a true joy to be around. My wife is happy with her teaching a research at a local university. I am continuing to lose weight (albeit slowly) and playing music. Our relationship as a married couple grows around our child, as well as in its own right.
This is also an exciting time to be in our country. You can find more of that discussion on someone else's blog.
February marks the first break in my career as a full-time educator. For most of the last 7 1/2 years, I have been employed (or sought to be employed) as a teacher. Generally, I enjoy teaching. Once or twice a year I poopoo the career. I say I'm not happy...I'd rather be cooking, or playing music, or going back to school for something completely different. Then, I get a breakthrough from a student or recognized by colleagues which causes me to fall off the wagon and rededicate myself to teaching.
Not this time. Since moving here, my efforts to teach leave much to be desired. I really loved tutoring adults in a GED program at the local junior college, but the money was short. I couldn't get the cheese up. There came a point when we looked at our budget and realized we could pay for daycare like we'd been for the last 3 months, or pay back our student loans.
Goddamn Sallie Mae. Actually, I could kiss her. Well, maybe not. I dunno.
February 1st marks the day I become a fulltime stay-at-home parent. I must say that I am looking forward to the opportunity of shaping a young mind (half of which contains my DNA). I'll keep you posted.
When I Watch
15 years ago
