Free Form Friday: Don’t call it a comeback

Once again, it’s my turn to do Free Form Friday – where the mundane becomes fascinating and the outrageous suddenly seems normal. As always, folks could ask me anything they wanted, from the personal to the professional to the philosophical and anything else they could think of.

I can’t claim to have expert answers on anything, but I’ll do my best, and will profess ignorance when applicable.

So, on with the show!

If you could go back in time and tell your younger self something to look out for in life, what would you tell yourself? - via email

Honestly? I would tell myself never – ever – to get married. And some key things to remember about future events that would make me a rich Mister Falcon.

Given a choice between brunettes, blondes, and redheads – which do you prefer? - via DM in Twitter

As much as I love blondes, there really isn’t anything better than a ginger.

So… this whole Charlie Sheen thing. What do you think? - via email

This is Charlie Sheen’s world. We’re just living in it.

His appeal is that, while most post-college- age guys must reign in their ids and demure to society’s expectations to advance rung by rung up the soul-crushing ladder of corporate mediocrity, Sheen has reached the ultimate apex of manhood eternal: doing whatever he wants and speaking the complete truth, consequences be damned.

This is not because I want to overdose on narcotics, terrorize hookers in an obliterated hotel room, and sleep with ten women per night. (Okay, that last one sounds pretty damn good).

We all feel incredible pressure to deny our selfish drives, to moderate our controversial opinions, and to base our choices upon the feelings and reactions of others. These good manners allow society to persist, allow us to coexist with one another, yet force individuals to disappear within themselves, to disappear within each other, to be forgotten by the Sands of Time. The man who can discard these civilized hindrances, however, and unleash his pure id – despite the risks to life, limb, and dignity – becomes a legend. And that’s how you conquer death, which is the manliest accomplishment of all.

As a teacher, what is your take on the Wisconsin thing – and teaching in general? - one of my 9th graders

Yes, I am a fat cat teacher. I suckle the teat of the state.

To start out – I will say that all in all, their pay is better than what mine is, and that is irregardless of the fact that my health care is “free” in Denmark (paid for by a tax rate of 63%).

But Scott Walker, would you kindly explain exactly how collective bargaining is a fiscal issue? It  really hasn’t been explained just exactly how or why allowing a union to bargain collectively will cost so much money or so many jobs.  Am I missing something? And as I understand it – you yourself don’t even have a college education and make about $100,000 a year. So how are people with 4 to 8 year degrees overpaid?

But anyway…

In order to be an effective teacher, you need to realize that the time you are at work – really must be spent with the kids. This means that creating lesson plans and grading assignments will probably take place on “your own time.” Further, to truly relate to your students you will probably be involved in their activities – attending sporting activities and school plays, sponsoring a club or a class, or going on trips with your students for various reasons.

As a modern teacher, I need to wear many hats. I’m an educator, coach, activity sponsor, nurse, career advisor, parent, friend, and innovator. And I will be the first to admit that there are certain students I would like to take out behind the school and throttle, so a healthy dose of patience and self-control is important.

I work 50 hours a week or more. I have a summer vacation that lasts one month.

But you know what? For all the bitching, I love it.

What is the one thing you have always wanted to do? - via email

Honestly? I have always wanted to travel into space. Whether this means as a member of a shuttle team or on a manned flight to Mars – I would jump at any chance given, regardless of what I would have to sacrifice to do so.

And lastly -

Cast the Geekcentricity Movie! – via Twitter

According to some web application – this is who we all look like. So I figure it’s good enough for a movie.

That’s it for this time, folks – it has been a blast.