Did you just say 'gimp' mask?

Me: Okay class, I need you to tell me what costumes you would wear to a costume party?
Student 1: Pirate
Student 2: MasterChief from Halo
Student 3: Gimp mask
Me: What? No! No! You would not wear that.

For the love of the flying spaghetti monster why does a 13 year old student know about gimp masks? I found myself shocked and feeling a little more naive than I'm used to. It's those rose coloured glasses that I keep forgetting to take off because I swear, when I was that age, I didn't know diddly squat. I had a basic understanding of sex but, at thirteen, it wasn't something that I obsessed over. Actually, I didn't even think about it since there were far too many other things to be thinking about. Plus I was a nerd and, quite possibly, one of the most awkward people ever. (I'm still rather awkward as the following exchange may prove)

Student: Miss, you are just like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory.
Me: I am? *Quirk's eyebrow*
Student: Yeah but with better social skills.
Me: Heh yay.

Obviously, I am still at a loss to fully understand a lot of social situations. So much, in fact, that I've been thinking of getting a tag made that says 'I am socially awkward, if I look confused please inform me of the proper social protocol.'
I often find myself standing in a bar or pub, waiting for friends and feeling as if someone will turn and point at me before telling me that I am not allowed to be in there. Or, I'll arrive early somewhere and I'm never sure if I go in and wait or if I shall wait in my car and then I'm stuck. But that's just one of my many quirks. It's nothing that I'm ashamed of and, like I tell my students, if you can't laugh at yourself...well, you know what I mean.

Anyway, it's the weekend, and the sun is out. This means I'll probably be inside all day. So I will wrap it up here since I have washing to do and lessons to plan.

Peace and pancakes.

One Week Down...

 I survived my first week as a high school teacher. I didn't cry or scream. I didn't bang my head against a wall (although there were a couple of moments where I thought I was going too.) I managed not to blush or look embarrassed while watching awkward scenes in American History X* so it may be that my maturity level is a little higher than I thought.

So, in an attempt to disprove that last thought I give you Dean (Jensen Ackles) lip synching 'Eye of the Tiger' by Survivor, because who doesn't need a little eye candy while winding down from a long week at work.

Anyway, it's Friday over here and, even though there are freaking lambs crying out near the shed, I have a load of work to do and I have no alcohol nearby I am relatively content. If I am quite honest I haven't felt content in a long time but this is due to many reasons, most of which I won't get into because you don't read my blog to hear me moan about my health and lack of a life...well maybe the second one because who doesn't like making fun of the person with no social life on a Friday night.**

And now I'm thinking of things that would make this post so awesome that your eyes pop out of their sockets in amazement at my rapier sharp wit and my ability to recite Coleridge's Christabel or Keat's Ode to a Grecian Urn. Or maybe you're more into slam poetry in which case I'd have you watch this:

I showed this to my junior classes and their looks ranged from mild interest to utter confusion. I am determined to introduce all my students to so many different forms of literature whether they like it or not and if one, just one, student comes up to me in a years time or ten years time and tells me that I changed their view on writing, reading and all things literature based...well...that's all I feel you can ask for in being a teacher.

And, on that note, I'm going to wander around my house and pretend to clean and maybe, just maybe, I'll be daring and have a nice cup of coffee late in the evening even though I know it will keep me up all night and I might even throw in a piece of caramel slice...(I know you're all jealous of my daring...)

*It's the film that our seniors are watching though they have the empathy of a turnip. 
**Unless playing Just Dance 2 on the Wii by yourself counts as a social life...it doesn't...balls. It's probably a good thing that I have no alcohol near by then, isn't it.