A really strange day . . .

1. This afternoon included errands, but it was a very odd series of events that saw me sitting in traffic -- or standing in line at the post office, the grocery store and the coffee shop for more time than it actually took to accomplish the errands. That, and of course another series a great thunderstorms m aking life, well . . . wet.

2. I got whacked in the head (figuratively) out of nowhere today by someone I never expected it from. Still trying to puzzle through that one.

3. Got another one of those cool notes this week. Now remember, I am his History teacher not his English teacher:

Dear Mr. Toscano;

Thank you for guiding me through my years at Peabody High. I was a bad freshman and did not care about anything. But you did not give up on me. You helped me through my bad times and change my work study.
By my Junior year I was a changed man. I was behaving in school and not getting in trouble. I have always looked up to you. I will miss you and hope to see you again in years to come.

Your friend,

Name of student

evilnicola: It was O'D.

4. I am breaking in a few set of National Honor Society students, and I am sharing words of wisdom with them -- some words from Pavel of Calontir and others from Crash Davis of Bull Durham fame.

A. Some people are waiting out there to criticize you. They hold you to a higher standard because you are in NHS. Do not let them use NHS as a club to beat you with.

B. In a similar vein -- about being polite and above-board at all times: "Think classy, you'll be classy.."

They are a great bunch of kids. It's gonna be a hoot.

5. Just great: What looks to be a bad NASCAR movie is on the way -- Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. And you know just how bad NASCAR movies can get. (Yes, there was a good one – “Days of Thunder.”

6. Believe it or not, I am watching the World Cup.