Today was the best of days-


I must make mention of this before it slips my mind into the normal place we bury our good moments. Wednesday morning greeted me rudely as I cringed at the alarm clock and stammered into the shower, refusing to wake up properly until halfway to work. A thin layer of snow and ice blanked the landscape and the 27 degree temperature did not feel friendly to my bearded face.

The early work minutes ticked away quickly like usual, but when the kids showed up the halls were weirdly placid. The "pit" and the "guantlet," as they are termed, were empty of students well before the bell. I didn't even have to yell at anyone.

The classes were a little empty due to a field trip, though the halls between classes were obscenely loud as usual. However, my classes were mostly well behaved and calm. There was another fight among kids on my team, but it happened far away from my little corner, so it did not create any tension. Compliments dribbled in from colleagues concerning the work I have done for a committee I am chairing.

I got through eight stacks of papers. I taught my five classes. I lost my prep due to a parent meeting, I wrote a few detentions, I yelled at two classes, I helped out the other honors English teacher, I got positive feedback from an assistant principal.

At home my dinner was already cooked from yesterday, needing only warming up today. Maybe it is sad, but the sight of a pre-made salad in the fridge made me smile.

Tonight I'm meeting Dan for some beverage type and hopefully the Bulls game. And nothing really extraordinary happened at all. I have energy right now after work. It is gray and cold and ominous outside and I am listening to Cake.

This was a fabulous day.