The · Pagan · Pontificator

The two days I worked this week at my new position were both enjoyable and  interesting at the same time.

Not only am I back from the dead, I am back teaching in Brooklyn, and I am a much happier camper for it.

All summer, when I wasn’t WoWing or generally goofing off, I pounded pavement, sent out resumes, determined to get a job as a teacher in NYC.

And after a small bite in June, and absolutely nothing all summer, I started to get worried. And, as of Monday night, I was resolved with the fact that I was going to eat crow and go back to teach another year in NJ. Tuesday morning, I got up at my usual crazy-ass time, took the train to Penn Station, and stopped there.

I couldn’t believe that there was no teaching job for me in the Big Apple.

So, instead of going to work via NJ Transit, I played hooky and took the 2 Train to the upper recesses of The Bronx, where I pounded more pavement, hoping for the best. Something worked out. I landed an interview later that afternoon in a middle school. I went to the interview, answered the questions earnestly and honestly, and was asked to return the next morning (Wednesday morning) to teach a model lesson.

On the way to teaching said model lesson—playing hooky a second day—I got a message offering another interview in a small alternative high school in Brooklyn: the AP wanted me to come in that very afternoon.

I arrived at the middle school at 8 a.m., waited for an hour and a half until the registration nightmare that occupies the first few days of every elementary and middle school in the City subsided, and taught my lesson.

At 1 p.m. that afternoon the middle school principal called me and offered me the Bronx job. I asked for him to please wait a few hours until I interview at the other school.

I went to the second interview that day, and waited an hour until the principal figured out and distributed the Metrocards to the students. I went in for the interview, answered the questions earnestly and honestly, and, after admitting the fact that I had a pending job offer, I was granted a second job offer.

I took the job in Brooklyn, since it was exactly where I wanted to be.

Peace.

That's what it was, folks.

After spending time in an inordinate amount of time in triage and the emergency rrom of one of the worst hospitals in the free world, the doctor diagnosed nothing life threatening.

So I only need ot take it easy and drink lots of fluids.

Peace.

I've played several games at Origins. I'll list and rate them appropriately.

swollen ankles and feet
lethargy
body aches
disorientation
harsh headaches
mood swings
loss of appetite...

I've been experiencing above symptoms, some starting a few days ago, all apparent presently.

I am still At Origins, and without the use of a cell phone (left charger at home, I think), and am seriously desiring the end of s

Folks,

There are aren't many times that I can mix pleasure with my profession, but at  Origins 2007, where workshops such as "Why Games are Important in the Classroom" and "Using Dice In the Classroom" I do just that.

Also, I'll be trying out some new game titles, games that I know I do not play at The Gamer's Gambit.

Streetcar, Conquest of Pangea, Venus Needs Men, Dodge City, to name a few.

I'll be giving updates all through out the week.

Peace.

Folks,

(I apologize for not posting yesterday: I was having too much fun at kalkail's gaming store!)

Again recall the comment I made concerning my first interview; you know, when I thought I would be going on a slew of them until I found that right job?

Well, onto the good things that happened yesterday...

I got up bright and early yesrterday morning, and worried--worried--that I'd not make it there on time. Since it has been taking me an hour and a half to commute to my present job, I thought that this would take about at least an hour. Well, that's what HopStop said.

I got there in less than 40 minutes, about 10 minutes early.

And just like Wednesday, the folks were running a little late.

The lesson I presented I planned about 4:30 that morning--the FSA Gathering Wrap-meeting kept my attention for all of Wednesday night. I figured, since I was teaching an 8th Grade class, I'd expose the students to some valuable test-taking strategies: I taught simple hints on how to successfully compose a Regents-style English-Language Arts essay.

The students took to the lesson. And, wouldn't you know, the entire English department from the school was in the classroom observing me. The usual teacher to student ratio was a little off.

After the lesson, the principal and two other teachers met with me. I was wearing a gamer's t-shirt under my dress shirt (laundry issues and all) and the principal made a comment about it, which led into an impromptu conversation about gaming. She then gave me the best compliment I've heard in years: "From talking with you yesterday and seeing you this morning, it's obvious Mr. sonofhephaestus, you're a teacher."

Wow, it's nice not to know I wasn't faxing in a lesson, which is pretty much what I was doing this ENTIRE school year.

She also told me how much she wanted to hire me, but she needed to complete the process--there were other teachers she needed to see. She said she'd contact me either way by Tuesday.

Needless to say, I want this job. Aside from the fact that it would be an 8th Grade teaching job, the school itself--which is sponsored by the College Board--is a 6 to 12 academy, which means, if all goes well, I can go on to teach upperclassmen anyway.

And it's in NYC.

And it's only a 40 minute commute from home.

If I don't get the job, there will be other opportunities. Again, it was really nice to know that what I did mattered.

Peace.

I must be a pro at interviewing, because I do it so damned much.
I have an interview later today at a school in NYC. I hope I get it; yet something tells me that I need to attend a few interviews in order to get my chops up to speed.

I do not obsessively worry about employment in the NYCBOE--yet I am not cocky. I have signed on for another year at my present NJ school, yet I will quickly resign as soon as an offer from NYC  appears officially.

And tomorrow I plan on footing it to a few local schools, to connect a face with a resume, in the hopes that such a process will aslo get me closer to a coveted NYC job.

A colleague of mine from my present school--a retired NYC teacher, himself--told me not to worry: that at teh very least I'd be offered a job some time this summer; perhaps the last week in August.

So on to job-hunting.

To occupy myself while I wait, I have writing, astragalomancy, reading, and redecorating to do.

Send the good juju, if you will.

Peace.

Firstly, thanks go out to those who offered feedback solely on my world description alone. Now, we all know that descriptions of a world are far different than stories taking place in it. I mean, Communist Russia is a setting, but hardly the seeds of a story.

Here of course, is a story. It might take you some time to read it, but I believe the gist of the world I created is all here.

Enjoy. And again, be as critical as humanly (or inhumanly) possible.

Folks,

Here, in a nutshell, is an explanation of the world I created for my speculative fiction series/short pieces/ spin-offs/etc.

Would any of you be interested in reading some of the (various) fiction pieces I am in the process of writing?

Shortly I will be involved in a writers' group again, but I feel that I could use some feedback on what I'm actually doing.

If I did post something--say, a piece of a short story I am currently working on--would folks read it and comment when they feel it is needed? And most of all, be harshly critical if you need to; please pull no punches.

Mostly, the types of comments I am looking for include:

1) World rules that make sense--in speculative fiction, it is important that the rules of the world (say, vampires can live forever) are illustrated. I am looking for that here.

2) Character motivations that make sense--in all fiction, characters and their personalities/agendas must be believable.

3) Seamless plot structure--does the plot include gaping holes or does it for the most part work?

These guidelines (I think) are simple enough.

I'll post something shortly; and, if you havde the time, tell me what you think.

Peace.

p.s. in the following post, I will explain exactly--or cut and paste from my notes--the current writing project I am composing.

It was great meeting --and matching lj handles with  actual people--this weekend.

catpaw67; castalusoria; citabria; discoiris; dragonflycai; fairerhiannon; fuzzy1313; glenmarshall; gwisteria; jmochagrrl; kennyfiddler; kmusser;; monotreme; njfuneralman; oldsma; padmaclynne; pagandelight; paganpilgrim; persipone; puckmls; sabrinamari; dr_pretentious; serbrew; siobhra; sleepymaggie; wylddelirium;

blacktyrtle it was great working parking and shopping with you--I'm positive you'll look great in that skirt

travelingtim thanks for thinking of me when you were approached about that puppy pile--perhaps I should hang more with you at Festival, but I bet I've said that before.

lindalee thanks for feeding me and hanging with me. You will receive personal astragalomanical updates!

yoga_matt thanks for doing some great meals!!!

hypatia42 gods, do you rock! Enough said...But I'll say it again: Gods, do you rock!

seedmoon Brother, once a year is not enough--we must bond more often. I'll be calling you soon.

This weekend charged batteries in more ways than I can imagine.

And I'll try not to be a lame-ass friend; I'll make efforts to keep in touch.

Peace.

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When I spoke with Sister P yesterday, she told me that Mom had come hom from teh hospital last Tuesday, and that she seems to be doing well.
 
Thanks for all of your help and support.

Peace.

They doctors are unsure exactly of what is wrong with my mother.
But my family is falling apart...

About 8 a.m. this morning I received a text from my sister stating
that my mother is back in the hospital. She fell again, about 2:30 am
Wednesday morning. She is undergoing a series of tests, yet my sisters
and some of her doctors believe that she is regressing, or perhaps worse.

I don't think I can make it to OC on Friday, yet I will desperately
try to make it to IC on Saturday. Gods know that I can use some Ritual
in my life.

Any spare good energy and juju you can pass along will be greatly
appreciated.

Peace.

Folks,

This is a really funny post...just behold and giggle.

http://littera-abactor.livejournal.com/7748.html

Friends,

I am incurably proud to announce the grand opening of my partner's store:

The Gamer's Gambit
26-13 Broadway
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

201-796-7377

http://www.gamersgambitonline.com/index.html

If you're ever in the area--or truly believe that private small businesses still have a chance against corporate monsters--please stop by and show your support.

Peace.

Here are my scores:

sonofhephaestus
BROOKLYN, NY 11232

Test:  ENGLISH
Status:  Pass
Total Score:  241
Minimum Passing Score:  220

Nothing else needs to be said, except...

WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That’s pretty much what I’ve been doing this year when it comes to work.

Mom's been out of the hospital for about a week and a half, now. And it seems as if things aren't getting any better.

Last night, Sister T called me with an update: Mom's physical therapist visited the house near the end of last week, finding the house smelling like excrement and urine--from the neglected cats and dogs, I'm sure--and my mother not being able--or willing to use the commode or the toilet. She was in diapers, complaining that she had had diarrhea, and had a hard time getting out of bed. The Physical Therapist also said that she suspects that Mom is regressing, and thta she truly believed taht Mom keft teh Rehabilitation Center far too early.

The thing is, if she goes back to the hospital now, her health insurance will not cover her. Most likely my SIster P, with power of attorney, would have to go in, kick Wonder Bitch and Duper Boy out, and put the house up for sale in order to pay for Mom's care.

Needless to say, I am not looking forward to the next few weeks, months, what-may-have-you, however long it take for this shit to sort itself out. I am VERY thankful that tow of my sisters--who are local to my mother--are taking charge of her care and well-being, despite the fact that they have busy lives themselves.

Anyway, that's teh Mom Update.

Peace