I was working on a post about the intellectual wantings of high school students today. I was. But then the bell rang for lunch and I went to close the door….
It won’t close. The door will not close. It’s lunch. They’re out there, I can hear them, sometimes see one or two or three walk by, because the door is open. The only thing I can possibly liken this to is being inside a roofless shack in the middle of a snow storm. I have tried to close the door, others have tried to close door. It is as stuck on the metal poll outside as the faces of the two acne skinned students who are in my direct line of vision are stuck to each other across the hall.
I didn’t realize how important the door is. When the door is closed I don’t have to worry about the endless barrage of curious faces walking by. What do they think they’re going to see in here? Right there! A student just waltzed in looking for his regular teacher! This would never happen if the door was closed, and my unwelcome environment was intact. There’s another substitute next door and I can hear him. His door is closed, he’s in his own world for half an hour, the bastard! He’s listening to music and probably dancing naked in his solitary bliss. He just went directly from Weezer to Dragonforce. Either his ipod only has Guitar Hero songs on it, or it’s on shuffle. Or both. Anyway, I hate him.
Wait. Maybe there are perks. The lights go off in the classes automatically when there’s not enough movement. I am in the corner and the sensor cannot see me, even when I wave my arms around or toss I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings across the room in an effort to simulate a human being. When the door is closed someone could come in and find the vampire in the corner hissing and baring her fangs. With the door open at least I don’t have to worry about that. In fact, what do I do in here that I need the utmost privacy for anyway? I just want to block them out, but why? What are a few curious faces going to hurt – oh god, the bell, and now my prep period. An hour of open door purgatory! What are my options? Kill myself trying or call the custodian.
I’ll see you guys on the other side.
