And so it begins . . .

You would think that heading into my 15th year of teaching, I would be calm, cool, collected and ready to go.

To quote Bugs Bunny: "He don't know me vewy well, do he?"

Well, at least I *am* ready to go.

I am a jangling bundle of nerves. I know what to expect. I know how to do this. But I am running a million things through my brain, and I should be in bed already.

Instead, I am trying to release a little energy by banging on the keyboard.

It was a great summer, but man did it fly by.

I tried to relax -- and work -- a bit today. Went to breakfast with a friend, did some work here, did laundry (or was that last night?), then went up to school. I was able to slip in a side door because the janitors were there waxing the floors, but about an hour later, they said I had to leave because they were locking up the building.

I went to a bookstore for coffee, then went and hung out in Harvard Square and brought a friend some chocolate while she was at work. I did a touch of final shopping -- a map of Great Britain and an Iraq map -- and also picked up the Dropkick Murphys newest album. "The Warrior's Code. (Dropkicks!)

Great stuff.

Came back and did more school things. Made my lunch and got my clothes laid out for tomorrow. I feel like such a little kid right now. I just know I am gonna have those school dreams where I cannot find my classroom (Sometimes, I am naked in these dreams, but no one notices except me. I would prefer these to the ones where the dogs are trying to eat me). [See, he's nervous and babbling].

Think good thoughts my way.