A Message from Jason's Dad

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Please listen to this song by Jason Crabb titled “Somebody Like Me“ and you will have a little understanding of what was going on in Jason’s head as he rode away from Provo, Utah a year ago.

Conversations with Jason

I feel like the person in this song…feeling like I have no hope. The news media has totally destroyed my life, my teaching career has ended , my integrity and honor gone. I’m guilty in the eyes of the world without even a trial. I guess I will know who my true friends are because everyone else will not be around.

This is how Jason felt when he rode away from Utah with his Dad and Mother Patsy just a little over a year ago. We only wished he understood the hundreds of family members and friends that believed in him and loved him and would never forsake him.

It has been a hard year dealing with the lost of a son; closing his estate and working with attorneys, but its finally ending. The Provo Police department has returned all of Jason’s personal items that were taken during the investigation and no incriminating evidence was found that could have convicted him of anything. Even with the many interviews conducted with former students and families nothing was found to convict or darken his name.

Jason told us that he was thankful that there were agents that protected children and watched out for their best interests. He only wished that when a teacher was being investigated, that teacher would not automatically lose his or her job. Jason had told us several times he did not hold anyone from the school district to blame and talked about the good times he had working at Amelia Earhart and all the good friends he had.

Anyone who knew Jason understood how important teaching was to him; standing up for the underdog and watching out for those who bullied. Sometimes it was very difficult with his migraines and the depression to get through the day, but all it took was for a old student to walk into his room and say, "Hi Mr. Z, do you remember me?"  Many of these old students would tell him how thankful they were to him for not giving up on them. These words would energize and lift Jason, help him with his depression and give him the encouragement to keep going forward.

Jason would want you to all to know that he is still teaching; just in a new place and he will see everyone again someday.

Please finish this by listening to “Walk on Water“, a song Jason just loved! One does not have to be perfect... just keep doing your best.

Please feel free to respond and let Jason and his parents know what his friends thought of him.

Turn off the TV and Get a Life Week

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Oh man, is it that time of year again already?

What is up with this? It seems that every time I turn around that dratted Teachinfourth is challenging us to be kind to others, leave comments on people’s blogs, or something else...but now he’s asking me to surrender TV? What’s this guy up to?

Yeah, I can almost hear some of your thoughts oozing through the computer screen.

Well, if you’ve been a follower of Adventures & Misadventures of Daily Living for the past few years then that above ad will look awfully familiar to you, and this challenge might be one you’ve already taken part in. You see, every year I challenge my class; I challenge them to turn off their TVs sets, video games, and all gaming systems along with abstaining from attending movies for one full week. In the place of these electronic diversions, I challenge them to spend more time with others: playing outside, reading, writing, and enjoying the company of their friends and families.

We call this the “Turn off the TV and Get a Life” challenge—an idea I picked up a long time ago from speaker, John Bytheway. This will be the 11th year of my class taking this challenge, and the great thing is that this has since spread to the entire fifth grade at my school.

However, what I’d like to know is if you’d like to take part in the challenge with us.

Would you do it?

Could you do it?

One full week devoid of video games, gaming apps, Youtube, movies, and all forms of television?

The challenge begins when you wake up on Friday the 20th and ends when you wake up on the following Friday exactly one week later.

Sounds kind of like torture, doesn’t it?

Now, I’ll be honest with you…there are a few day when I come home from school, beaten and tired – wanting nothing more than the brainless eye-candy of the tube, but for this week, no matter how badly I want to watch a movie, I won’t.

Those students at my school who are successful with this endeavor, we will celebrate their accomplishment on Friday next week with a par-tay. So, what IS the party? It will be afternoon fraught with board games, teamwork activities, and things one can do without the aid of a television or any type gaming system.

If you are successful, you are more than welcome to join our entire fifth grade at our celebration; whether it is with us physically in our classroom—or from afar in spirit.

So, now comes the really big question…will you do it?

I hope you’ll join us.

P.S. If you have any good ideas of what to do in lieu of television and electronic games for entertainment, let us know...you just might persuade someone else to take part. (*Remember that Blogging is READING and WRITING and Facebook is all about making connections with others...but not playing Farmville).

A Slice of the Journey...

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The challenge is pink.

The idea is to share your story.

The story about someone you loved.

For those of you who’ve weathered the past few years here at Adventures & Misadventures of Daily Living, you’ve heard the story…you lived it with me, back when it was a shattering of what was once reality.

To those of you, don’t expect you to relive it all over again.

Whether or not you choose to go any further, thanks for coming here in the first place. Thanks for those of you who were there years ago, and for those who are here still.

Thanks for keeping coming back…for whatever reason.

Post 1: Come What May
Post 2: Laughter
Post 3: Let it Be
Post 4: Diving In
Post 5: 100 Years
Post 6: Hide & Seek
Post 7: Lessons from an Empty Room
Post 8: The Long Fall
Post 9: I Just Wanted to be Sure
Post 10: Tributary
Post 11: Messages to Heaven
Post 12: Echoes
Post 13: November 26, 2009
Post 14: Out of the Ashes, Beauty Will Rise
Post 15: It's Been a Year
Post 16: Two Years, and I Write

Making Magic - The Blogger Challenge II

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Everybody loves comments. Everybody loves to see that somebody else has subscribed to his or her blog. Everybody loves to see that they’re being followed (in a totally non-creepy way via Blogger…not in real life by the mustached man driving in a windowless van claiming to have lost his puppy, and that he needs your help so that he can find it...or the man claiming that his real name is Willy Wonka and he has bagfuls of your favorite kind of candy if only you’ll climb into the back of his vehicle to get them).

It was about a year ago that I first challenged my readers to help everyone out there feel the magic of blogging and truly live a little piece of the dream. So, here’s the deal...

I would like to challenge you to do two things with the reading of this post...especially all of you secret lurkers. Heavens, I know that there are over 350 of you out there who subscribe via email, Google Reader, or carrier pigeon (no, I don’t know who you are, your secret identities are safe...I only am appraised of numbers); however you who are of a silent majority...I’m calling you out and asking you do do something totally and absolutely unprecedented up to this point...

I'm asking you to make a comment on this post, indicating that you’ve been here. Then I’m going to ask you to click over to at least three other blogs via the links in the comments, leaving a comment on a recent post on their sites as well.

Heaven knows we all love to find out that somebody else has read over what we’ve written, and appreciates us for doing it.

Let’s spread a little blogger magic this week, shall we?

By the way, if you’re one of the first few people to comment on this post, return in a few hours/days to check out a few others’ blogs as well…you never know, you just might find your newest favorite blogger—only you never knew that they existed up until now.

To help facilitate this magic moment, comment moderation has been temporarily suspended, probably until...oh, maybe Sunday?

Also, I’ll be visiting everyone’s blogs who leaves a comment to poke around a bit (unless your blog is set to private...you sneaky little devils).


P.S. For those of you who still haven’t reached a point in our relationship where you feel comfortable dropping your cloak of invisibility as of right now, that’s okay, too, Teachinfourth still loves ya...secret insecurities and all. Heck, I’ve got a ton of them myself; maybe one day I’ll blog about the non-creepy windowless van versions someday...

So, for some of you I hope to see you again, for others I hope to meet you for the first time this week.

Gettin' A Life...

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If you’ve followed this blog for a year or more, the ad above might look familiar…

You see, every year I challenge my class; I challenge them to turn off their TVs sets, video games, and all gaming systems along with abstaining from attending movies for one full week. In the place of these electronic diversions, I challenge them to spend more time with others: playing outside, reading, writing, and enjoying the company of their friends and families.

We call this the “Turn off the TV and Get a Life” challenge—an idea I picked up a few years ago from John Bytheway. This will be the 10th year of my class taking this challenge, and the great thing is this challenge has now spread to the entire fifth grade at my school.

However, what I’d like to know is if you’d like to take part in the challenge with us.

Would you do it?

Could you do it?

One full week devoid of video games, movies, and all forms of television…

Now, I’ll be honest with you…there are a few day when I come home from school, beaten and tired – wanting nothing more than the brainless eye-candy of the tube, but for this week, no matter how badly I want to watch a movie, I won’t.

Those students at my school who are successful with this endeavor, we will celebrate their accomplishment on Friday next week with a par-tay. So, what IS the party? It will be afternoon fraught with board games, teamwork activities, and things one can do without the aid of a television or any type gaming system.

If you are successful, you are more than welcome to join our entire fifth grade at our celebration; whether it is with us physically in our classroom—or from afar in spirit.

So, now comes the big question…will you do it?

The Single's Awareness Day Challenge

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Valentine’s Day for me as a child always seemed to be fraught with bright cards with cartoon characters emblazoned upon them, packages of sugar-encrusted candy, boxes decorated with tissue paper and glitter, and the revelation of secret crushes amongst friends

Funny how things don’t really seem to change - well, except for maybe the glitter…and the candy tastes better.

It seems to be that for some, Valentines Day is a continuation of this selfsame holiday with little to no variation. While for others it has transformed into a day of veritable gloom and depression - of inward loathing, self-disappointment, and longing for a special someone that never seems to arrive.

While I cannot do anything for those in the latter category to make their Valentine wishes come true, there is something that I – that each of us - can do…whether or not we have a special someone to share the day with.

Do you remember last year? Do you remember the challenge I issued to my class? Do you remember the challenge I asked of you? Do you remember how you were able to change the lives of the people around you? Often complete strangers?

Excellent. (But if you don’t remember, you can read about it here).

Media of the Week - Famous Failures

Pin It There are times in life when I feel that the odds are stacked against me. I find myself questioning my own self worth. There are moments when I feel that life is out to get me and think it would be so much easier to throw in the towel, sit around in my pajamas, and eat peanut butter straight from the jar.

It is in these times that I remind myself that tomorrow is always another day. The failures and shortcomings of one day are not a precursor of those yet to come. A new beginning can always be greeted with the sunrise, no matter how terrible the previous day was.

Our lives are meant to be lived - not only the good, but also the bad. And do you know what? Sometimes it’s the hard things that help us to truly enjoy and appreciate all of those things around us that are indeed...good.

Making Magic - The Blogger Challenge

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Everybody loves comments. Everybody loves to see that somebody else has subscribed to his or her blog. Everybody loves to see that they’re being followed (in a totally non-creepy way via Blogger…not in real life by the mustached man driving in a windowless van).

So, to help us all feel the magic and live the dream, here’s the deal.

I would like to challenge you to do two things. Firstly, make a comment on this post, indicating that you’ve been here. Then secondly, click over to two others’ sites via the link on their comments, leaving a comment on their site as well.

Heaven knows we all love to find out that somebody else is reading over what we’ve written, and appreciates us for doing it.

Let’s spread a little blogger magic this week, shall we?

By the way, if you’re the first few people to comment on this post, return in a few hours/days to check out a few others’ blogs as well…you never know, you just might find your newest favorite blogger—only you never knew that they existed up until now.

Two, Please...

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Macy’s grocery store has wonderful soft-serve ice cream.

Really.

The great thing is, it is unbelievably cheap for what they give you; $ .84 for a medium which is about 4 inches over the cone.

Like I said, it’s a deal.

I started doing something awhile back that I wanted to share. I share this not as a way of boasting. Please don’t think that I’m boasting, because I’m not. I’m sharing this with you as a challenge.

Whenever I go to Macey's, I always purchase one or two medium cones. The gal behind the counter will then inquire, “What flavor would you like?”

“Nothing for now,” I respond.

This nearly always brings a look of confusion from the lady on duty unless unless she’d been working on a time I’d come before and remembers me. I then go on to explain:

“I’d like you to save these cones until somebody comes along who looks like they really need one. I'd like you to give one to them and say, ‘somebody bought you an ice cream cone because it looks like you needed it’ and then let them pick the flavor they'd like.”

This always brings a smile from the lady on duty and something to the effect of, “Now that is sooooooo cool!”

I do this not to boast, I do it not to brag, but in regard to a challenge...(don't you just hate this blog? I'm always asking you to do something). The next time you're in line at a drive-thru, at the counter at a restaurant, or wherever else, buy a little pick-me-up for somebody else.

It only costs me eighty-four cents to make someone else’s day.

Isn’t a stranger’s day worth 84 cents?

Yeah, that’s what I thought too.

Image stolen from: http://posterous.com/ - Mostly because I was too lazy to go and take one myself...

Throwing down the Gauntlet...

Pin It Will you take the challenge?

Every year I challenge my class; I challenge them to turn off their TVs sets, video games, and all gaming systems along with abstaining from attending movies - oh yes, and YouTube videos as well. In the place of these things I challenge them to spend more time with their families, playing outside, reading, writing, and enjoying the company of their friends.

I call this the “Turn off the TV and Get a Life” challenge—an idea I picked up a few years ago from John Bytheway. This will be the 9th year of my class taking this challenge, and I’d like to know if you’d take part in it with us. It'll start from the time you get up on Monday the 9th for one week from that moment.

Would you do it? Could you do it?

I'll be honest…there are a few days when I come home from school, beaten and tired and want nothing more than to pop in a movie or an episode of The Office, but for this week - no matter how badly I want to watch a program - I won’t.

Those students who are successful with this endeavor will celebrate their accomplishment on Tuesday, November 17th with a pajama day and afternoon party. So, what IS the party? Well, I call it, “Saturday Morning Cartoons.”

Remember the days before cable television when one of the only times cartoons were even on were Saturday mornings? Remember getting up at the crack of dawn so you didn’t miss a single one?

Yeah, so do I.

The kids, like I said before, are permitted to wear pajamas, bring pillows and blankets, and are allowed to bring their favorite box of sugar-encrusted cereal to share.

If you are successful, you are more than welcome to join my class and me in our celebration, whether it be with us physically in our classroom—or from afar in spirit.

Print the poster above if you'd like, challenge your friends, take it on, see if you really can do it. I will make you a promise if you do...this will be one week you'll never forget.

So, will you do it?

100% Natural Beauty Challenge

Pin It A friend of mine threw the challenge down via her blog the other day to take a photo of yourself right as you get up, another one of what you look like after getting out of the shower, and then a final shot after you’ve put on your makeup.

Well, this would be a bit of a difficulty for me, but I decided to take her up on this particular dare as she’s been taking me up on the challenge that I recently threw down…besides, she double-dog dared. Who in their right mind can refuse a double-dog dare?

Yeah, my thoughts exactly.

Just so as I’d remember, when I went to bed last night I set my camera down on the table so I would remember to take a photo of what I looked like first thing in the morning—it’s not always the prettiest, but remember: she dared, therefore, I did it.

When I awoke—face creased and pillow-wrinkled—I stumbled toward the bathroom and saw the camera. Once I did, I remembered the challenge and grumblingly snapped the picture, not even caring how the image turned out; however, after taking a hot shower, the ‘monster’ inside (and outside) of me just seemed to melt away with the rushing of water and down the drain. It wasn’t but a few minutes before I found a transformation taking place—I was rapidly becoming who it is that I usually am on a daily basis.

Well, pre-shaved version of course...

Next came the most (insert favorite adjective here) _____________ part…

Whilst I'm not usually an avid makeup wearer, I decided to throw off all inhibitions and go for it—I went all out and now I have to ask the masses:

What do you think? Is Maybelline really my thing?

I dare you...

Pin It I have a friend. No really, I do. She is doing this amazing thing…for the next while, she is going to leave a comment on every blog that she reads.

Really.

Not meaning that she necessarily agrees with what the blogger has said, but she is planning on making her presence known. I won’t parrot everything she said because that would be redundantly redundant, and let’s be honest, you could just go here and read all about it.

So, here’s what I plan to do.

If I come to your blog for the next two weeks or so, every time I read a post of yours, I will make a comment.

Really.

Every.time.I.read.

I promise.

Would you do the same? For each post that you read? Wherever it is? No matter whose blog?

Why would I ask this? Well, let’s be honest, there are moments and times when we do really wonder whether or not somebody is really out there and really reading what it is that we are writing. Like Gerb said, everybody loves a comment, and nobody has ever gotten upset that somebody left a comment on their blog (unless of course the comment was rude, upsetting, or one which insults all we hold near and dear).

So, just to let you know…if I visit you, you’ll know it.

I hope that you’ll do the same.

I triple dog dare you...

The space between

Pin It There is a space.

A place where asphalt meets concrete; you’ve seen this space before I’m sure. Oftentimes, this is the area where new life tries to push forth, eager shoots feeling their way toward the sunlight from narrow crevices in the tarmac jungles of the city.

Each day I pass by the assorted weeds sprouting through the narrow cracks without so much as a second glance—after all, they’re simply weeds: Dandelion shoots, grass tendrils, and wild morning glory; all growing noxiously through the fissure—soon to feel the sweltering heat of the sun as the summer moves in with its searing temperatures. Some of them will survive the intense heat while others will simply expire, leaving behind lifeless remains to be blown away by the wind.

As I passed on one particular morning, I happened to notice something different growing there—it was a sapling; the small seedling of a Locust with its miniature twig-like branches reaching upward to the sunlight, nestled in amongst the weeds.

I passed over this small plant and went about my day, but it was on my mind; in fact, for the next few days I thought about it—and looked at it every time I passed. I knew it would die where it was. After all, it was growing in a zone where it would be cut down, run down, stepped on, or crushed. At such a young size I knew that I could probably pull it up; its chances were much better with my doing this than leaving it to fend for itself in a position of such precariousness where the inevitable result would be fatality.

I waited a few days, until after we’d had a rainstorm. On my way out to my car I paused to examine this small plant. I took it firmly by the stem—one day to be the trunk—and gently pulled.

The roots held determinedly to the packed earth in the fracture where asphalt and cement united together. I didn’t relent, but instead kept steady pressure; suddenly I felt the plant come way quickly. However, that’s when I noticed that I’d snapped the taproot.

I was worried that I’d killed it.

I brought it home and put it in a container of water in the sunny kitchen windowsill and checked it each day. At first there was no change; then it began to look sickly. A few of the little twigs wilted, browned, and fell away.

I was now positive that I’d destroyed it.

I had to remind myself that it was doomed where it was growing—it would only have been a matter of time before a school bus or other vehicle would have crushed it—there was a much greater possibility that it would survive with what I’d done.

I would wait.

After a few weeks, I saw that it was starting to sprout new shoots; tiny roots were also starting to emerge from the whitish base.

It was starting to adapt.

It was going to make it.

After a few more days it the roots were much longer, and even more branches had begun to develop.

It was healthy.

It had survived.

The day of grandeur came two days ago when I took my small friend out to a place away from oncoming cars and the feet of small children; to a place where it will have plenty of room to grow.

I planted it in the rich, warm soil.

It now has wide-open spaces, far away from that small crack where it once found itself; forced to grow—and before summer’s end—would die.

I think of the times in my own life when I am content to let myself survive day to day in a small crack in the ground; a place where life does not thrive and will one day be doused. Sometimes, it takes a lot of courage to move yourself from this little chink in the asphalt to the wide open space where the fields of possibility become yours. At times this move may hurt, old branches may wither away, but new branches will eventually grow to take their place.

Let us not be content with the space between.

The Crow

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“And the crow makes wing to the rooky wood…” ~ William Shakespeare, Macbeth.

Evening is overtaking the day.

I sit on a comfortable chair out on my deck, enjoying the last rays of sunlight as they ebb away over the mountains beyond the lake.

The last sounds of park patrons diminish, along with the calls of night birds.

All is becoming steadily quiet. All is calm.

I find myself reflecting on my drive home from work this afternoon, passing through the farmishly-rural neighborhoods around which I work. As I drove, I couldn’t help but notice two crows circling overhead.

They were barely flapping their wings as they soared gracefully over the landscape below them.

I’d never really visualized crows as being the most striking of birds; I’d always considered them being downright unsightly.

I’d never want to be a crow...

A hawk is what I’d envision myself returning to existence as—that is if I subscribed to the belief in reincarnation—but by no means a crow.

As I gazed at these two birds gliding over the air currents, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

These were crows

They were not the most beautiful or majestic of birds.

They were not the most striking

But they could fly

No matter what they looked like on the outside, they had within them the capacity to take to the air, and leave the earth far below them; they enjoyed the glories their wings afforded them, just as any other bird

It was at this moment that I felt envious of these crows.

As I gazed at them, I began to wonder…how often did I imagine myself as a crow? How often did I see myself as a being of little splendor; a person with so little to offer the world around me?

Yet, we have so much potential within us…more than we are aware of.

For some reason, we often only ‘see’ ourselves as how we believe others view us…how we are perceived. This is simply not the case. We have unlimited, untapped promise. We simply need to spread our wings and take it.

As I drove home, the crows were on my mind the entire way.

Oh, to be a crow.

I need a hero

Pin It There are times in my life when I’m ready to give up.

I look at the obstacles before me, and I think that they are too much for me to handle.

There’s simply no way I could do it all on my own.

Then, along comes someone who is an inspiration. A person who’s either already overcome the odds, or is currently doing it.

It’s people like this which inspire me. Their example encourages me to pick myself up off the ground. Though I know I will probably fall again, it is these examples which keep me believing that I can overcome and succeed.

Some of these people are around me; I see them day to day. I count on them, yet they have no idea of the impact they make on my life; little life-saving moments in time. And there are others…those who do not know me. They’ve never heard of my little blog, and chances are—never will they do so. Some of them inspire me to be my best, to get up when I fall, and to believe in that power we all have inside.

May Nick Santonastasso’s story inspire you, like he does for me.

Will you do it?

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Will you take the challenge?

Every year I challenge my class. I challenge them to turn off their TVs sets, video games, and all gaming systems along with abstaining from attending movies. In the place of these things I challenge them to spend more time with their families, playing outside, reading, writing, and enjoying the company of their friends.

We call this the “Turn off the TV and Get a Life” challenge—an idea I picked up a few years ago from John Bytheway. This will be the 8th year of my class taking this challenge, and I’d like to know if you’d take part in it with us.

Could you do it?

I will be honest…there are a few day when I come home from school, beaten and tired and want nothing more than the brainless eye-candy of the tube, but for this week, no matter how badly I want to watch a program, I won’t.

Those students who are successful with this endeavor will celebrate their accomplishment on Tuesday, November 25th with a pajama day and afternoon party. What IS the party? Well, I call it, “Saturday Morning Cartoons.”

Remember the days before cable television when one of the only times cartoons were even on was Saturday morning? Remember getting up at the crack of dawn so you didn’t miss a single one?

So do I.

The kids, like I said before, are permitted to wear pajamas, bring pillows and blankets, and are to bring their favorite box of cereal to share.

If you are successful, you are more than welcome to join my class and me in our celebration. Whether it be with us physically in our classroom—or from afar in spirit.

So, will you do it?

Going the distance

Pin It We all travel distances for the things which have value to us. Sometimes those distances are great, and at other times, they are as short as the walk to the refrigerator.

What is it that drives us to travel across town, spending countless dollars—as well as minutes—for something like Café Rio…to see the newest Harry Potter movie…or to get the latest novel we’ve been waiting for?

It is because that in it, we find value. It is important to us.

I left school today, fully intending to go straight home, but as I was driving, I noticed two boys who were inline skating down the sidewalk in the opposite direction I was traveling. I at once recognized them both as students from my old school.


I gave a little honk of my horn, wondering what they were doing so far from home. As I continued to drive I noticed the waving hands of these two boys behind me, urging me to stop. I pulled to the curb and both boys skated up to my car.

“Hey, guys.” I said with a smile. “What are you up to?”

Chase (not his real name) looked back at me with a grin. “We were rollerblading to your new school to visit you.”

As the words came from Chase’s mouth, I found myself at a loss for words. These two boys were skating across town just to come by and say hello…and to tell me that they missed me at the old school.

After grilling them to make sure that they’d told their parents what they were up to, I sat down on the curb and talked with these boys for nearly an hour. They told me of their adventures of summer, and the teachers they now have this year. They also told me that they missed me.

I have to be honest. There are a lot of people I really do miss at my old school. Leaving was a hard thing, but it was time for me to move on…

After a while, I realized that it was time for me to go. I’d planned to be home long before this, and these boys needed to be heading home as well. However, the investment of time was worth it in the end for me. I bade the boys a cheery farewell; as I watched them heading the distance back toward their home, I couldn’t help but smile.

We all are willing to travel for that which has worth to us.

This post is not only for these two boys, but for all of those who travel this distance each and every day.

I am thankful to be worth the effort.

Writing update - There's a lot to do

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Whoa…

I just read over a BUNCH of information about becoming a published author, and there is a LOT more to it than I originally thought!

Author Rick Walton said: “If people really knew how much work it takes to be a successful writer, most people would never start.”

I must say that I am inclined to agree. Now, does this mean that I am giving up? Of course not! However, does it mean that I still have a lot to do?

Yes.

I guess you could say that I am feeling a bit overwhelmed tonight, and wondering if it will ever really happen…if it does, great. If it doesn’t, it hasn’t happened yet, and I am still alive, right?

I think that I would be able to continually to survive this as well.

No more tonight…but thanks for reading.

All 8 of you.

What to do, what to do…

Pin It As I was readying myself to compose a blog this evening complete with tales of adventure and intrigue, I decided first to check my email. As usual, there are the various and sundry forwarded items which, at best, get a quick glance before being dumped into the “trash” bin, the letters from friends letting me know that Saturday just won’t work out for them, but they hope the event is a success nonetheless, and emails from a student or two begging for more time for their literature responses.

As I was answering these varied emails, I noticed that I had one from Chase.” Perhaps you remember this boy…he was the student who threw down the gauntlet over a month ago and challenged me to wear a button-up shirt and tie each day at school. Well, he sent me an email with the subject line of: shirt and tie.

The email read thus:

Mr. Z,

It's your dream come true. It's Christmas, only the presents are all yours. I, “Chase,” am calling off the bet. Well really my parents made me stop, but all the same DON'T WEAR A SUIT OR TIE.

As I read over this email I have to admit, I felt two contrasting emotions at the same time. One emotion, relief, was cheering at the top of it’s lungs at the prospect of not having to be stuffed into those uncomfortable clothes each and every day. The other emotion, disappointment, hung it’s head and patted me on the back, “Well, it’s over now.” It seemed to say. “When you walk into the classroom tomorrow you’ll be the only one dressed up from now on.”

I guess I didn’t realize just how accustomed I’d become to Chase dressing up each day. A part of me is really going to miss that. So now comes the question:

Do I stop wearing the tie each day, just because Chase will not be doing it any longer? OR should I keep on “dressing up” each day, despite the fact that the challenge has been rescinded? I find myself at a loss this evening, caught between professionalism and comfort. Which of these two paths would be the better to follow?

What to do, what to do?