We're Famous, Uh Yay?

I don't usually get into detail about where we live other than Indiana. Since the town where Jim and I teach is all over the news today, I feel like I need to say something.

The excitement was palpable in school today because the President was in town. While he wasn't at our school, we did turn to our local channels and watch the live feed.

Our little town is hurting right now. Unemployment has tripled in the last year from below 5% to over 15%. The county is at 15.3%, but the actual city is at 17%.

I have a very strong interest in seeing what happens to education funding and local stimulus expenditures. People are leaving town to find work. The migrant community has already dwindled. My department is an elective, and I am the one with lowest seniority. If our numbers drop too much, it's a very real possibility that there will be some layoffs. I've been quite worried about having a job next year. I was recently reassured with some news, but I'd be naive to think there wasn't still a chance.

Even though their parents are unemployed and suffering, teenagers still live in their own little bubble. I've tried explaining to them that when they hit the workforce in a year or two that they are going to be competing with their parents, and everyone else, for the few jobs in the area. They aren't worried. They're still planning to

win the lottery
be drafted by the NBA
get a full-ride scholarship (though neither their grades nor their athletic skills support this)
marry rich
record a best-selling rap

And yes, these are actual answers I've been given.

May You Live in Interesting Times

I know that is supposed to be a curse. And I get it. I've come to the point in my life that when something unusual happens, it's usually not good. I like my routine; I like the status quo on many things, but I also like to see progress.

I know many people are unhappy with the results of this election. I truly hope that everyone can come together and work to make our country an even better place. It's been fascinating watching this election cycle in an urban high school. This is only my second presidential election as a teacher. The last one didn't compare at all to this one in regards to capturing the attention of teenagers.

My students have been engaged. They watched the debates. They went to rallies. They asked questions. They volunteered as poll workers.

Yesterday, we held a mock election here. All 2nd period classes were assigned a state, and all staff were assigned to one state. As the government classes tabulated results throughout the day, the results appeared on a map that was viewed over the classroom TVs. Each state was colored red or blue as their electoral votes were calculated. By the last period, all states were colored in. I'm sure it will come as no surprise that Obama won the mock election. I was surprised that the only state here to go red was Georgia. This school is in a very red county and in a state that had not voted for a Democratic candidate in 44 years.

As you can imagine, we have some very happy students here today. We also have some very unhappy students. Just like the rest of the country.

For those of you celebrating, congratulations! For those of you mourning, take this bright note with you. The younger generation is engaged, active, and involved, and that can only be a good thing.

Just Vote

I don't care who you vote for. Okay, I'm lying. I do care. But the important thing is that you get out there and vote.

My motto is that if you don't vote, you can't complain.

And don't forget...Starbucks and Krispy Kreme are giving away coffee and donuts to those who vote. Go visit them for the details.

I'm Taking the Leap

I've joined NaBloPoMo. November is National Blog Posting Month. To join all you have to do is sign up and commit to posting every day this month. I have absolutely no idea what I'll talk about it, but I'll try.


Visit NaBloPoMo

For the most part I've avoided political talk here. I did dip my toe in here a time or two. This video was one I thought worth sharing. The best part? It's non-partisan.

Did you watch all three debates? Did you feel like you were watching the same one over and over? You were!

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

Okay, I'm having embedding issues. I'll keep working on it. In the meantime, here's the link.

P.S.

Guess what I did today?

I voted! We still had to stand in line, but it's nothing compared to the craziness that's going to happen on the 4th.

Our polling place is on a road that is under construction. We always get there at 6:30 am, and there is always a line of people. We usually get in and out pretty quickly because our district has the shorter line of the two at the polling place. It's a small church whose parking lot fills very quickly and people start parking on the very busy, very dark two lane road...the one that is currently under construction. The lines are even worse in the afternoon. In my opinion, all of this will pale in comparison to this year. I think the voter turnout around here will be huge.

I base this opinion on my students. I've never seen so many students paying attention. My seniors are making their plans to vote. The rest are talking to their parents about voting. The town where I teach recently made a national newspaper who declared it the hardest hit town in the current economy. New numbers just came out in our state that this county has the highest unemployment percentage and had the highest increase for the month of September. Families are hurting, and they want change.

A Funny Clip To Start The Weekend

Put your politics aside and just enjoy the video. You have to be of a certain age to appreciate this clip.

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Confession

To show how shallow I can be, I am a little upset that tonight's debate is taking place at the same time as the season finale on Project Runway.

That One?

I've deliberately not gone political on this blog. The first reason was because it took me a long time to decide who I was going to vote for this election.

The main reason is because I believe in the old saying about avoiding politics, religion, and sex. You rarely change anyone's mind, and you just annoy the heck out of them.

I believe it is our responsibility to research the issues and choose our candidate regardless of party affiliation.

More importantly, I believe it is our responsibility to vote.

You don't vote; you don't complain. That's my motto.

When I became a teacher in an urban school, I became more aware of racism in our society.

When I chose the path of international adoption, I studied more about racism in our society.

When my family became a multi-racial family, I became aware of "soft" racism.

When I heard "that one" last night, it rubbed me wrong. In my head, I heard "you people" and "uppity" in the subtext.

Am I wrong?