Why I have the most bad-ass life in the fuckin' world:):):)...

I was just thinking today...as I was teaching today...and after school...

That I have the best goddamned life in the fuckin' world, I think:):)...

There's this really hot teacher at school who I think has something of a crush on me:):):)...it's so funny:):)...she's got that sly, slutty look when I first meet her:):)...and now I think she's got something of crush...she's actually the teacher I'm most attracted to, at this point, I think...she's smart...and she's real...meaning she's herself...she's not all fake smiley teacher-like...nor is she's not all bitchy...a little...but she's getting a lot better...she's just kind of smart and real...and she's getting nicer the more time I spend with in her classroom:):)...

There is no life like being a teacher...and an intellectual...I respect a lot of other options...I respect the idea of being a police detective...or being in the military...or politics...or an economist or or investment banker...or theater or movies...or a million different options...and definitely of doing non-profit work...which is still a possibility in my future, given my policy interests:):)...

But there is no life I can imagine quite as meaningful...

As teaching...and scholarship...and doing good for the world...

No better life...period...no exceptions...

Leaving school early...and going through all the shit I've gone through...and working all the joe jobs I worked out of school...

Were all really good for me, I think...

There have been too many hassles involved with leaving early than I could ever count, really:):):)...

But so many advantages, too...

I have so much more perspective on financial fears, risks and opportunities, now, than most people I know, by far...

I am so goddamn appreciative of the market...and all the opportunities it offers me and everyone, really...

I have a lot more perspective on so many of the bitches and moans that people have, generally, in their workplaces...including and especially in schools...

And most important for this job...after spending so much time with so many adults who act so poorly...especially young adults:):)...

It is a real joy to work with even the most poorly behaving kids...who, generally, are far better behaved than so many of their adult counterparts...including some of my very good and very immature friends here in Lawrence:):):)...I can't say that my kids are better behaved than Brandi...she's pretty well behaved...though I'm realizing, upon reflection, that she has some maturity issues to work through, too, I think:):):)...

It's so sad when even the special ed kids are better behaved than your friends...but it's true:):):)...

Do you realize...that at the age of 32...I have more original ideas...I have more work in front of me...I have more to offer the world...than most people have in their entire lives?...

I am a serious bad-ass:):):)...

I have been seriously challenged by at least 5 kids, now, my first three days of school...and I am invariably winning their respect...

Why?...

Because I am a serious bad-ass, that's why...

And because I don't have conflict with them except when it's absolutely necessary...and when I do...they know I mean business...

And for all of my many, many doubters and heel-biters:):):)...

Eat my fuckin' dust:):):)...

I'm headed to Wichita:):)...have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone:):)...

Love,
Ben