dreamwindow The World We Live In and Life In General

Hm. Not even a week since my last post, and yet so much has happened. The semester is coming to a close, and with it a ton of scurrying and stress, but also a sense of closure. Like most things in life, I guess, it didn't play out the way it was supposed to. The whole reason I took the job became moot on my very first day. Nearly every student in all of my classes quickly grew to hate me, or at least were very hostile. That quickly changed to grudging admiration, as they realized that I was strict, but they were actually learning things. Now the past few weeks it's been exclamations that I'm one of the best teachers they've ever had, and begging me to teach whatever they have to take next. There's a real sense of accomplishment there, but also the realization that if I stay on I'll have to go through it all again, starting from square one, with every new class.
Wednesday I leave for Baltimore. I've never been there, but I've been through various parts of Maryland and to D.C. a few times. What I recall was beautiful. I've heard nothing but good things about the city itself, but I have a dislike of cities in general that I can never seem to shake. And the Institute's right smack dab downtown, so if I do get the job I'll probably be stuck in some tiny apartment surrounded by miles of concrete. But, I'm really excited about the opportunity. And I think it's coming along at the perfect time.
Saturday night I polished off a bottle of cheap rum in a matter of a couple of hours all by myself. Well, I think Greg may have had a small glass, but still. I took it as yet another wakeup call. Surprisingly I woke up at 10 Sunday morning and felt perfectly fine. I just made sure to drink a lot of water all day. I really felt I deserved a raging all day hangover, but apparently not.
There's been a good deal more dragon slaying as of late. Lots of helping old friends get through things, too. What is it people always say? Those that can't do teach? Maybe that's true of life in general. People that know me so well, my inexperience and failures at nearly every meaningful relationship, are turning to me first for advice, or just consolation. And are happy with the results.
Mike told me years ago he always pictured me as a priest. I think he may have been on to something. Or maybe Martin Gore hit the nail on the head

And I will go down on my knees
When I see beauty
There's no doubt
I'm one of the devout

But it's my duty
I'm a missionary