8th grader wandered into my room. I know he's a basketball player, so I ask him what position he plays. "Are you a center? You're so tall." He is pleased as punch that I called him tall. He confirmed he's the center and strolled off to wherever he came from.

Working in a middle school has completely destroyed any fear of jump-scares. Like nothing can rattle me. Granted, things can annoy me, but that's totes different.

And the cry rang across the classroom on this, the last day before fall break: MS. G IS DOING A BLOOKET!!!

Kiddo from last year walked in and said "Ms. G? I'm prayin' for you." I just said thanks. I need all the help I can get.

Kid asked me today if lava is real.

Sometimes you show the trailer for 1979's Alien to help explain sound waves in a vacuum.

"Ms. G? What does "why" mean?" Me: brain locks up ,stammering noises made, reboot commences

7:58am and the 7th graders are playing "Hot Potato" in my classroom. I need more coffee.

happy sunday, remember that you are completely expendable to your employer and that when you die they will forget you ever existed within weeks and easily replace you

Like, I am now running a girl gamer group at lunch? And we're listening to my music? This is amazing.

My 1st hour class was asked to create a logo.

Balloons are the secret to world peace. We just need to bat them around and laugh together.

May all who observe have an easy fast and a sweet new year.

Spent the day teaching kids how to use a cordless drill. Not a big deal maybe, but I want them to see themselves using power tools and being competent problem-solvers. I was only ever allowed to fetch things and hold doors open when my dad, a carpenter, had a project. It always bothered me.

I have a Cubs Superfan in my 5th hour class. He waved me over and said "Ms. G! My dad has shown me the way of our ancestors!" He pulled out a transistor radio and a wired earbud and smiled at me. Reader, I guffawed.

Two girls begged and begged and begged to come to my room for lunch. They're sitting on the floor, eating pizza, and playing Uno. Like, okay my dudes. As long as you're happy and quiet, I guess.

My Cubs shirt has vanished into the house’s black hole, so I stole one of my husband’s shirts. #FlyTheW

I think the lab went well today. I'm too exhausted to know what happened.

Sudden overwhelming sensory memory of the smell of the very pink hand soap my elementary/junior high used. Don't know where it came from, but now I can't smell anything else. Just pink soap.

Fall flowers from my yard.

District IT guy just sent me a rude-ass response, so buckle up because I have 30 years of working-in-IT-rage to unload.

Okay, up next.... training on sexual harassment. My dudes, I am 54 years old. I know damned good and well what sexual harassment looks like.

N.E.V.E.R.

Absolutely no one in my lefty neighborhood reacted to the asshole across the street who put up RIP signs for Kirk and the Ukrainian woman who was stabbed (no clue why she was dragged into this). Asshole neighbor now seems to be grumpily taking the signs down. Fuckin’ loser.

Doing my mandatory sexual/domestic violence training. It is brutal and fuck Epstein and his gross clients. Release the damn files

One of the deals we make for a *somewhat* civilized society is that we all try to tamp down our worst lizard-brain, oppositional defiance disorder instincts. But our fascist government has broken that bargain so hard that it’s time for everyone else to summon their sleeping FUCK YOU MAKE ME powers!

Middle kid decided to bike home from the university down the street with his friend from a hoity-toity suburb. Without a heads-up. On a Saturday morning. When I’m still slurping iced coffee and wearing PJs. And we clean the house Saturday afternoon. My apologies to the friend for the trauma.

Apparently the university down the street is hosting something called Game Day today. I can already hear the marching band going.

Public Enemy X Jimmy Kimmel Live #JimmyKimmel #FightThePower

"Ms. G! It's Picture Day. Do we have to really do any work today? We're all stressin' out!" lulz.

Kid asked me if I wanted to know the future. I said sure (since I’m reasonably sure I’m not trapped in the plot of Dune). Was delighted when she pulled out a cootie catcher. My fortune was “Someone will tell you you look cute today.” Kiddo said “Ms. G! You look cute today!” ❤️

Dave Matthews has the opportunity to do the funniest thing.

ILLINOIS!!! Show up and show out at the Broadview ICE facility tomorrow morning. Join us in peacefully protesting for our neighbors. The pressure is mounting — let’s get this inhumane facility shut down. 1930 Beach Street. 7-9 AM.

32nd day of school. There are now 8 balls on the roof outside my window. Stay tuned for updates.

A kid had brought in the shed from her pet snake to give me. Another kid just saw it and asked if I wanted his snake shed. I said of course! He ran to his locker and came back with it! I asked him what kind of snake he had. He shrugged and said "I just found it in my yard." I love him.

Ah. A nice grey day so the morning classes are subdued. I know I'll miss the sun in the winter, but it's good to have them calm for once. #SolarPoweredSeventhGraders

Please never ask me how many times I’ve watched this. Let’s just agree to never discuss it. But i love this song and the dance is just amazing.

Kid today asked if she could switch to my science class. Unless there is a very good reason, there is no switching. Rather than explain all this, I just tell ‘em they missed the trade deadline.

Wearing a free shirt one of my kids got on a college tour. We didn’t like the school, but the shirt is really nice! My family is scandalized, but I’m like Hey! Free shirt!

Help me help public media! $1 per sticker sold goes to NPR & PBS! #npr #pbs www.harebraineddesign.com/collections/...

pfft this rapture could’ve been an email

I am prepared for the raptor I have my camera and binoculars at the ready

I know antifa isn't a real organization because I don't get 40 texts a week from them asking for donations.

Hats off to the person standing by the library with a sign criticizing the felon in the White House. I hope my horn honks and wave brought you some energy.

Happy Refusal to Memorialize a Hateful Shithead Day to all who celebrate!

Hey friends at @cc-indivisible.bsky.social , is anyone coming up with a list of local advertisers on Sinclair stations? I just watch streamers and don’t have a way to watch local stations over the air. But am still happy to boycott any local businesses supporting Sinclair.

In Tagalog, an equivalent phrase to "Jesus take the wheel" (for leaving things to fate) is "leave it all to Batman" (Bahala na si Batman)

Cancelling Disney+ this weekend. We would have done it a few days ago but ugh. The work week is too tiring.

💯

Had a good day with the precious angel babies of 7th grade.