Whew, this is the first post in three days! I have a lot of catching up to do.
Friday, I left for Bryan, Texas at the same time my parents were leaving for Kansas City, Missouri. I was riding the train downtown from my house and I had exactly two minutes to pack and getto the train station. I strode in greeted my mother, threw clothes in a bag, and strode out. (Note the use of the word strode. When I am in hurry I stride, rather than walk. I look like a man on a mission.) arrived at the train station with time to spare, which shocked me, and boarded the train. I promise that from now on, any time I wish to go downtown I shall ride the train. The train moves slowly but cuts such a direct path to all the major nerve centers in Dallas between my house in Lake Highlands and downtown Dallas that driving by car seems a little silly considering the cost in stress, gas, parking, and time. I arrived downtown less than a block away from the Greyhound station and had enough time before boarding my bus to stop at McDonalds to eat a heart disease burger. (YUM!)
The bus ride to Bryan was a disaster. Two bolts sheared off the bus before we arrived in Waco, Texas (Home of the Branch Davidians!). A bunch of college students (what a carefree designation, what I wouldn't give to be designated as such again) boarded the bus and sat with us for the next four hours at the bus station. I met a friendly girl from UT (University of Texas) named Shannon, whom I bought carrot cake for at a Dino's Diner in downtown Waco. Like all the girls I meet, she had a boyfriend. Which isn't her fault, she was nice enough. When we finally did get to Bryan she rushed off to ride into College Station with her friends without saying goodbye, probably so she could be present to kiss her boyfriend at the Aggies' traditional Midnight yell. Which was quite remarkable when you think about it - she made a nine to ten hour nookie run, or well it is possible it was chaste - with just the one kiss.
My friend picked me up in Bryan and we hung out for the next day, and he drove me back to Dallas Saturday night. I missed the performance by Martin Short and Tim Curry, but then who is Martin Short? I am fairly certain he is short, and I can name one movie (Innerspace) that he appeared in. Maybe I didn'tmis all that much.
Monday, I substituted for Bob Burns, at Florence Middle School in his science class. The students were relatively well behaved. The computer was borked though so no updates from school on Monday. Nothing especially remarkable happened that I can remember.
Today something remarkable happened today though. I taught a class with more than one white child in it. I realized it, after the fifth period. It wasn't a predominantly white class - I don't think that is possible in Dallas. Instead the kids were a charming rainbow of skin colors and nationalities. The class looked as if someone had interrupted a Benneton ad mid-shoot. The kids also thought I looked like the comedian Godfrey from the 7-Up commericals. Upon reflection, I realized I did - white shirt, tie, and blue green vest. (Godfrey must be a handsome brother!) Once again the children were amazed at my capcity for remembering their names - they told me that even the regular teachers needed two weeks to learn all the names. After school, the Nigerian teacher the next door down, whom all the kids feared and hated, gave me a short lesson on Nigerian geography. I gave him my business card. I consider us even.