Category archives for Guest posts

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Some vacation that was

[Ed. note: republished with permission.]
 

First of all, my apologies for that train wreck of a post Avitable put up. My hair looked way better than that when I was in Vegas. Unfortunately, my hair is just about the only thing that worked out on that god forsaken trip. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.

First I got bumped to a later flight. Then something on the damn plane broke and we were stuck on the tarmac for three fucking hours. Fucking Jet Blue. Passenger's bill of rights, my ass. "Article I - After three hours, you get an extra packet of peanuts. Article II - Go fuck yourself."

After approximately 206 days of air travel nightmare, I finally arrived in Vegas only to find my luggage was on its way to Dayton. Nice. I was stuck with only my carry-on. I spent all that time picking two Do Me Now Prince outfits and they were both in Ohio. At least I brought the plastic and there's no shortage of places to shop in Vegas. But first I had to get to the hotel.

Outside the airport I managed to snag the dumbest taxi driver in history. The guy knew two words in English and kept repeating them constantly.

"Yeah, yeah, ok! Ok, yeah, ok!"

"I said TAKE ME TO THE RIO HOTEL!"

"Ok, yeah, yeah!"

At least he understood the word "stop," which I had to yell at him after we drove past everything in the city twice. I ended up taking a damn bus to the hotel.

I'm convinced I'm cursed or something. The hotel screwed up my reservation and I ended up in what was probably the smallest, shittiest room in the place. But at least it was clean and the bed was soft, which is all I really need for snaring His Hotness anyway.

The Rio has some great stores on the ground floor, so picking out a new outfit for the concert was pretty painless. But I'm pretty sure I shouldn't have listened to the sales clerk who told me I look good in this:

Image: Sasha Cohen milk ad

Of course, it might have been the vodka that convinced me that outfit was a good idea. In any case, once I bought it, I was stuck with it. And I was going to. Work. It! If I was going to be a pretty, pretty ice princess, I'd be a pretty, pretty ice princess… for Prince! I was going to make him mine. Or take my skate off and stab someone with it. Either or.

When finally the concert arrived, things started going the way I expected. Prince. Was. Incredible. He played all my favorite songs. I thought I was going to die when he played Purple Rain. And I would have been pretty happy with that. It was bliss. Pure bliss.

After the encore it was time for me to make my move. It was time for me to get the Hotness. I was prepared to do whatever I had to. I was ready to throw around Adam and The Fish as much as possible. I tightened the laces on my DMS and made my way to the backstage area.

You know, those security guards are really fucking tough. They wouldn't let me through no matter what I did. I showed Adam and The Fish to everyone who glanced in my direction. I even let Marilyn see a little sunlight. But NOOOOO. Those guards weren't having any of it. I was so desperate for The Hotness I started giving BJs to those fucking guys thinking eventually they'd let me in. Nope. Bastards. I was expecting the night to end with a belly full of Prince, not a belly full of 14 guys with names like Chuck.

But at least they gave me a t-shirt.

posted at 03/15/2007 01:14 am : Permalink
Categorized Guest posts : Tagged ,

Friday, August 18, 2006

A message from Layla Kayleigh

Visit Layla Kayleigh

First of all… let me apologize for being an "ass" because clearly I was jumping to conclusions and not reading the whole post correctly. I have no problem admitting when I am in the wrong… so here is my sorry for misreading the post…

I must admit though my reading skills are not up to par at 2:30 in the morning and its my bad for jumping to conclusions…

Fish my apologies to you also, because from my correspondence with you, you have been nothing less than a gentleman…

Now… moving on… The things I said where purely tongue in cheek, from the masturbation comment to being overweight… I am from London… us English people tend to have a dry, twisted and sarcastic sense of humor… if it came across as defensive, it was not supposed to.

Ms Kitten… I hope I can clarify a few things for you, and even though I am at the airport right now, waiting on my flight that is delayed, I hope my mind serves me a little better than the last time I wrote something like this…

 
The one thing that I find so utterly amusing about all this, is that I completely understand where you are coming from… I am just as equally in dismay by women that prance around like a bunch of Barbie dolls, completely oblivious to what is going on in the world…

These type of women would much rather read US weekly than The Economist, they would much rather go to a Hollywood nightclub and get impregnated by an athlete than watch Real Time with Bill Maher on a Friday night…
trust me, I know… I come across theses types of females every single day…
They think Condoleeza Rice is a pudding… and delicious…
But you know what? It doesn't make them bad people. They are who they are and even though I don't relate to it. I suppose they just don't know any better because if they did I am sure they wouldn't be so consumed with such petty things.

I am not offended by your post, because what I love about this country called America is that there is a thing called "Freedom of Speech" and without it, our existence would not be the same…

I am not going to lie though… I was a little disappointed that you thought you had me all summed up… its a shame that there is a backlash toward women that embrace their sexuality, and yet still have something intelligent to say…

It seems in our society, you either have to be Paris Hilton or Hilary Clinton… unfortunately for all the people that want to put me in a box I am neither one nor the other… there is a grey area.

You made quite a lot of assumptions about me, most of which where not true. Its funny, I have big lips, and you assumed I have had them injected, which I haven't. I have had 2 surgeries in my life, my tonsils taken out and my boobs put in. But at the end of the day that's my personal life, and it really has nothing to do with any one else, however I am an open person and I don't mind being an open book for the most part.

The only thing that I felt like I had to defend was when you brought up my past and the fact that I have lived on my own since the age of 12…
that to me was a very personal attack…
You said that explains a lot… and you are right it does explain a lot about my character and who I have become…

I am not sure how you have been raised, but I was estranged from my parents from a very young age, that left me with two options… to become a product of my circumstance and environment or to fight for something better for myself…

I have been busting my ass since the age of 12, holding down 3 jobs and going to school… all at the same time… I have had to be my own support system and nothing has EVER been handed to me on a silver platter… I have NEVER been the type of woman that has fluttered my eye lashes and gotten my own way… in fact quite the opposite, I was the book worm, with the train tracks and the frizzy hair…

I opened up about my past in interviews, because I thought it would inspire people that have had humble beginnings to strive for something bigger and better… I never thought I would have gotten judged and attacked because I didn't have anyone to look after me, and because I raised myself instead of opting to be put in the foster care system, or becoming a "street" kid.

Honestly I laugh at the end of each segment I do, because for some reason it tickles me to say "You've Been Fed."
No matter how much I try and do it with a straight face, it doesn't seem to work… besides I am a very happy person, I love to smile, and I love to laugh… it doesn't make me a "ditz" and even though my mother probably dropped me on my head a few times… I am pretty sure I don't have any brain damage…at least that's what the neurologist said, the last time I checked, although he did mention I may be a little manic. (;

You know we live in this vicious horrible cycle, because people that are labeled "beautiful" by society tend to go through their whole lives, not having to lift a finger and getting by just by being pretty, these people tend to look down on people that aren't conventionally attractive or known to be popular…
On the other hand, people that aren't walking on catwalks or winning popularity contests seem to have resentment to the "Beautiful" people and assume they must be dumb or stupid…

In the end, it's all a load of bollocks and everyone ends up losing out, because we misjudge people all the time… and potentially lose out in getting to know a wonderful person because we summed them up based on their exterior looks or personal beliefs… and this judgment, ultimately on a bigger scale leads to wars and conflicts…

Yes I have been in MAXIM, I have big boobs, and yes I giggle and have a laugh… but on the other hand what I look like on the outside, or what I do for a living doesn't define who I am… anyone that has a conversation with me for a few minutes knows that I actually may just have half a brain… it's only half, but hey, it's better than nothing right?

As a woman, I understand your concerns… I bitch about this stuff every day.
I wonder why 14 year old girls idolize women like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton when they don't even know who Donald Rumsfeld is, or more importantly they don't even care!

It disappoints me, that people try and put me in a box… because as my friend says "Layla is a walking Oxymoron" sometimes I like to show a little cleavage, hit the club and go out with the girls… other days I like to watch CSPAN, read my Newsweek and have a debate with a stranger in the coffee shop about the conflict in the middle east or about Raul Castro possibly taking control of Cuba if his brother dies…

You said you are a waitress right? And someone mentioned that you are very attractive as I am sure you are… and from your posts I can tell you are clearly an articulate woman… however I am sure you have bigger plans for yourself and your future… yet when you are serving some random dude coffee in the morning, I am sure he doesn't think "Wow, this woman is so intelligent and smart" his thoughts are probably "nice ass" or "I wish this dumb waitress would get me my damn coffee."

Now these are all assumptions, and I am sure there are exceptions to the rule, however what I am really trying to say is, that we assume things about people every day, without knowing who they really are or what they are really about…
I have had many trials and tribulations in my life, and I would safely say I am the last thing from shallow or hollow… yet in 3 minutes of watching me on TV and reading a couple of articles about me, in your mind… you had me all figured out.

As a society we are so quick to want to see the worst in people, instead of the best…instead of thinking "wow this girl is really happy" you chose to think
"What the F%$… is this chick laughing about? what a ditz"
I am not here to tell you how to think, or how to live your life… and I have never met you, yet I am compelled to take moments out of my life to reply to your very presumptuous blog…

You are right, I shouldn't care… but this isn't me caring about just what you say… it's not even about that… because I know who I am and where my flaws lie… I have lived with myself for 23 years, I think I know myself better than anybody…
However… if you saw me in the street and said these things to my face, I would defend myself… I am a fighter and a survivor… and always will be…

The reason I said you were ignorant, was because just in the way we judge people based on their skin color, religion or class, you judged me based on my looks…
and you know what? if you want to find or see the worst in someone… you will… as you did in me.

I am a young woman, and I don't have it all figured out… in fact the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know…
I am not going to apologize for who I am, because in my heart I have only good intentions, and I wear my heart on my sleeve…
When I go on television… I am not putting on an act like a lot of people… I am being myself… which makes me completely vulnerable… because I am being judged on who I am, and what people perceive me to be but that's ok… because I am always the real me, and that's all I can be…

I hope you realize, that there are woman out there like yourself, that are intelligent, smart and articulate but may express themselves differently than you do whether it be in the way they dress, the career paths they choose or even what they may find to be funny

I wish you nothing but continued success and I look forward to reading any future blogs you may write. It has been a pleasure, and I thank you for opening my eyes and for challenging me to take a look at things a little bit closer and deeper.

Best Wishes.

posted at 08/18/2006 08:38 am : Permalink
Categorized Geekery, Guest posts, Music, movies, books, TV : Tagged

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Ode to The Fish

Jenna

Oh Fish he is a fish
A green guy with a sign
A copout of a picture
By sheer lack of design

I was hooked when I read of the FIB
Of Lazy-Eyed Nottie and Lazy Roomie
I waited for Fish to finally confess
That he nailed that stupid fat Indian mess

Of course no confession did I ever hear
He maintained his position of staying way clear
One day I read of a strange adopted sister
What did you say?? You nailed Nottie… Mister?

Yes Ann Coulter tossed his salad he says
And Married Man taught of the Dirty Sanchez
Fish's blogs are a trip in all of their forms
With all his haikus and comments in swarms

Fish says he's never received his own ode
So here is an Ode to a guy named fish…

posted at 08/13/2006 10:31 am : Permalink
Categorized Guest posts, Haiku and poetry : Tagged

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Order Up

Hot Coffee Girl

Being a writer is easy.

Being a good writer is hard.

It seems to me that a good number of people who read blogs also have one of their own. The manner in which we tell our stories is as varied as the stories themselves. Some are topic specific, like political blogs. Some are a testing ground for Bigger Things. Some are a way to simply keep in touch with friends who are not living next door. But the act of hitting that "Publish Post" button puts the words and thoughts and ideas out there, for the entire world to see. We spill our guts out on to that digital table to be picked at, feasted on, or passed up for more suitable fare.

As writers, we search our souls for it. That really great line that people quote for weeks, months to come. That turn of the phrase that makes you weep with its beauty. That intangible something that makes the reader go, "Damn. I never thought of it that way before!"

A good friend of mine said that, "Art is doing something with the world around you that others wouldn't have thought to do." He was right. Every story is essentially the same. What we choose to do with it is what sets us apart. When you invite someone to sit at your psyche's table, you are compelled, to varying extents, to make sure that the offering is Good and True and Right. Although you may understand that not every dish will appeal to every diner, you make sure what you are serving up is at least palatable to you.

This is in praise of all of the writers that are brave enough to fry up my daily reading… and to all of the readers who are kind enough to get their daily bread from those folks.

And to The Fish… for letting me cook in his kitchen. Truly a leap of culinary linguistic faith.

posted at 08/12/2006 07:59 am : Permalink
Categorized General, Guest posts : Tagged

Friday, August 11, 2006

Trading Up

Jade

I have this paranoia* that my hubby is going to trade up for a younger, prettier, thinner, sexier, barbie doll lookin' kind of wife one of these days. Of course, that train of thought is not quite unfounded, as we found out when the husband-stealing-trollop incident occurred. That wasn't the first incident, however, the others happened while we were merely screwing… erm… dating.

In the 5 years that I have known and loved this man, he has owned no less than 10 different cars. He's never satisfied with anything that he has, constantly looking for that 'something' that is going to be bigger, prettier, faster, fancier, leaner, meaner or just plain better. His constant urge to 'upgrade' feeds my paranoia to no end. It's not just with cars either, although the machine that he drives seems to be his biggest obsession, for the most part. In his eyes, it's all about showing up the Jones', not just keeping up with them. I, not being a materialistic person, go insane when his obsession gets out of control and can not understand why it is that he can't find happiness in what he has and is constantly seeking that which he has not.

Why the constant need to trade up? In your eyes, do I have reason to be paranoid, or is this just another case of 'boys being boys'? If you're a woman, would this cause you to be paranoid about being traded up, too? Maybe I'm just crazy, but it does tend to make me a tad insecure and that fact alone makes me crazy. Generally, I am NOT an insecure person. Yet, I can't help but wonder if someday I will find myself being tossed aside for the newer, shinier model with fewer kilometers and bigger… *ahem*… airbags.

So, while The Fish is on a much deserved vacation, feed my ego and tell me things like "nobody would ever want to trade you in Jade" and then I'll go about my business all happy and stuff. Or, just don't say anything at all, and tell Fish when he gets back what a horrible guest poster I was and that I used his blog as one would use a shrink's couch. I just thought I'd throw out some food for thought and see what Fish's highly intelligent, extremely honest, and fabulously wonderful readers would have to say. I do take everything to heart, so just remember that and you won't make me cry. I will cry, you know, and then I'll find your blogs to stalk at a later date when I've time to do so.

*Paranoia
par-a-noi-a

n. A psychotic disorder characterized by delusions of persecution with or without grandeur, often strenuously defended with apparent logic and reason.

n. Extreme, irrational distrust of others.

posted at 08/11/2006 10:05 am : Permalink
Categorized General, Guest posts : Tagged ,

Thursday, August 10, 2006

I Used Up All My Creativity On The Post…

Amy

Wow, I almost feel a little naughty sitting here in The Fish's "backroom." I've never guest posted for anyone before and I have the overwhelming feeling to make sure I "clean up" and put everything back in it's place before I leave.

I have to be honest, the second Fish asked me to guest post (a HUGE freaking honor to me, honestly, and sincerely) - I froze up like a deer in the headlights. Writer's block set in, my throat closed, my normally agile fingers cramped up and became nearly arthritic frozen above the keyboard.

*ack* What to write about… come on… Fish is depending on you… WRITE SOMETHING!!!!!

Then the word came from the boss himself (Fish, not God, although, in Fish's blog, I suppose he is God)… I wasn't allowed to post porn or discuss illegal downloads. He had to stay cool with his host.

So now all I can think about is a post on illegally downloading porn. AND… I don't even know how to do THAT!!!!

My biggest concern is that the readers of this blog are used to far better content than I am capable of providing. Then l remembered the recent "Spiderman" pics that Fish came up with. The sad fact is that you people (and when I say YOU, I am including myself) are easily amused and will read almost anything… or at least look at almost anything.

Of course, you have to take into consideration that Fish pulled the old, "curiosity killed the cat" on all of us. He put a link there and essentially dared us to look at some balding, overweight man, with his testies painted blue. I'll never be able to gouge that image from my mind's eye. It's there permanently, waiting in the shadows. In the middle of my dreams when I am knee-deep in a heavy make-out session with Sean Connery or Harrison Ford…

BOO!!! MIDDLE AGE MELT-DOWN SPIDER MAN!!!

Sean *gone* - oh sure, he could finish off that fatass Auric Goldfinger (James Bond reference) but one look at the psuedo Spiderman and he is outta there.

Harrison Ford - while terrorists, the Third Reich, and a bald freako who can pull your heart out of your chest, were no big thing, apparently one quick glimpse at a set of blue balls and a middle-age paunch and he vanishes faster than the Klondikes in my freezer.

So, now instead of being intimidated and worried about doing a "good job" for Fish while he's on vacation - I'm actually a little miffed. Fish has ruined my fantasy life completely and let me tell you, in my fantasies - I'M HOT. So you know how miffed I am that it's all over now? Pretty miffed.

Damn Fish.

Damn "Spiderman."

Oh, look Strawberry Cheesecake Klondikes…

posted at 08/10/2006 09:12 am : Permalink
Categorized General, Guest posts : Tagged

Wednesday, August 9, 2006

5oft Queenie

Marilyn's Shampoo

so here i am in fish-land:
after much consideration i have decided to give these (albeit newly decorated) blog-walls a much needed splash of art, culture and giant genitalia…

last night i went to see the ron mueck exhibition at the national gallery of scotland and i have to say it left me speechless (well, almost!)

i have always been strangely drawn to hyper-realist sculpture such as those by duane hanson but what really set's mueck apart is his use of scale. non of his pieces are life size - some huge, some tiny, some just disconcertingly not quite life size. they are, however breathtakingly realistic from the hugest eyelashes to the tiniest toenail. being in a room with these sculptures is a head-fuck of the highest order. it makes you feel like you can't remember whether you ate the cake or drank the bottle.

the craftsmanship involved in his work is mind-boggling, a process that takes months and months of work - each hair, for example, is inserted manually into the silicone skin….

when standing next to the giant pieces you can't help worrying that the are going to lash out and grab you, the tiny ones might bite or snarl - all seem like they could move at any moment. the sculptures weren't the only ones in the room with goose-bumps.

this was definitely one of, if not the best exhibitions i've ever seen. if you are in edinburgh or get a chance to see any of mueck's pieces 'in the flesh' then please do - they are incredible, beautiful, nightmarish and like nothing you will ever see again.

well, there we go… that's me done!

posted at 08/09/2006 08:54 am : Permalink
Categorized General, Guest posts, Photo foolishness : Tagged

Tuesday, August 8, 2006

STOP THE DITZY BRITISH MENACE!

kittenspawn

As many of you may already know, I'm a "wannabe geek." Therefore I spend (well, SPENT) a great deal of free time watching TechTV, now G4.

One of my favorite shows was "Attack of the Show" a daily live show where Sarah Lane and some guy (Adam Pareira, who warrants his own angry post) told me all about the little things that were REALLY important around the world of The Internet, Comics, Movies, Random Facts and Pop Culture.

One day, this past winter, AOTS when into reruns. Well, they were actually "Best of" Shows. I was saddened, yet excited, for what great new things were being cooking up for me.

Upon AOTS's return, I found NO Sarah Lane telling me my daily dose of news on "The Feed," but a perky British Blow-up Doll named…

LAYLA KAYLEIGH!

There she stood, with her tiny size 0 body and collagen injected lips, mocking me.

I watched, my mouth agape.

"I must be a joke," I assured myself. "A contest winner, or some thing like that. Sarah's on vacation. Yes, that must be it."

But, no. The next day, there she was. Her chipper little head, telling me the things I DID want to hear, but some how all I got was "blah blah, hee hee, I'm so cute and British, don't I make you want to go throw up that pizza you just ate, than bash your head in with a tire iron just to get my incessant babble out of your brain?"

To as insult to injury, her FREAKIN' HUGE eyes dart around, clearly reading a prompter, proving to me she has no REAL Interest in what she is telling me.

And finally, EVERY time, she utters the little "sign off", she erupts into giggles for no explainable reason.

WHY!?!

Did someone tickle you? Are you Manic? Do you have Brain Damage?

Because really, "You've just been Fed." Isn't that funny.

As I looking into the new "Host" I discovered a few shocking, nay, upsetting facts.

  1. Layla Kayleigh is a regular on MAXIM Radio. Yes, that Radio Station for dudes who read Maxim. Now, I cannot find audio clips of LK In this show, but I can only imagine.

  2. LK "opted to raise herself from the age of 12 on, rather than worry Mom." 12! That, somehow, explains everything.

  3. LK was FIRED from Al Gore's Current TV when she "modeled" for Maxim. Then she has the nerve to be "upset" about it. "I felt it was a double standard," she stated to Maxim. "I am the voice of women who can be sexy, smart and intelligent while posing in lingerie." Sure, as long as you can read it from a screen.

  4. Her MySpace handle is "angel eyes layla." Who DOES that!?! Oh, Yeah, Layla Kayleigh.

  5. She is featured in something called a "spank bank." 'nuff said.

I could go on, but any Goggle search will bring up these items for your viewing displeasure. The above are just a few of my "favorites"

In conclusion, I am making a desperate plea to G4, which has descended a downward spiral of fast cars, hot women, and general trash TV, with maybe, if I'm lucky, a bit of actual information thrown in. This is of course, only if the hours of "titty, titty, ass, ass, titty, expensive car, STAR TREK!" hasn't numbed my brain to death.

Put an End to Layla Kayleigh.

She is the UK's answer to Paris Hilton. Talentless and endlessly rewarded because she has a pretty face, among other parts of her body.

But who am I to judge?

Oh, yeah, a REAL working woman who can still pay my bills without prancing around in my "nightwear".

Just a Thought.

posted at 08/08/2006 11:02 am : Permalink
Categorized Geekery, Guest posts, Music, movies, books, TV : Tagged

Monday, August 7, 2006

Musical Monday

Stephanie

When The Fish asked me to do a guest post for him, I immediately started having palpitations. The pressure! The pressure! Would I be able to come up with something to blog about that would be pertinent, relevant, funny?

But then he assured me there was no pressure, and suggested I bring my Musical Mondays to his blog.

Whew. I can do that.

My choice of song for today stems from real life. In fact, I can say with much certainty, we've probably all had this thought run through our heads at one time or another. As it's also one of my boysies favorite songs, I'm gonna figure Fish's boy probably likes it too.

Without further ado, If I had a Million Dollars - Barenaked Ladies.

Enjoy!

posted at 08/07/2006 08:12 am : Permalink
Categorized Guest posts, Music, movies, books, TV : Tagged

Sunday, August 6, 2006

Not a micro-manager?

Laura

Right.

I work in an elementary school and we got a new principal in January. At first things went. . . well, not smoothly but at least not real bad. I should have known he was just waiting for people to be lulled into a sense of calm.

Since I don't want to keep referring to him as "the new principal" I'm going to call him W.

One of the first things that W told the staff at my school was that he was not a micro-manager. He put that claim to rest with me at least shortly after it was made.

I am what is called support staff. I'm a teacher and I provide assistance to other teachers at the school who have special education students or just have students that need extra help. We have another teacher that helps with students with behavior problems at our school. I'll call her K.

Just a couple of months after W arrived he started telling K and I how to do our jobs. Now, neither K nor I are new to what we do. We both have a lot of experience working with the needs of special education students and working with teachers. Apparently, though, W knew better than we could possibly understand.

Now, W is not a brand new principal. He's been a principal before. However, he is brand new to being a principal for an elementary school. Previously he has only been a principal for a middle school. What W doesn't understand is that elementary schools and their students just don't tick the same way middle schools do.

Even though W told me I would be a part of the process to work out how the students would receive services this year, my advice was never sought. I tried multiple times to set up an appointment to meet with him to discuss my concerns and he either canceled the meeting outright or didn't show up that day or left early.Fast-forward to Monday.

Teachers in my county returned to school Monday to get ready for students who will start next week. Monday W confirmed my suspicion that I had been cut out of the loop in regards to how the school was going to work with the special education students at our school.

I was finally able to have a meeting with him to discuss my concerns that we did not have enough special education teachers for our Autistic students or for our Specific Learning Disabilities students. In regards to the Autistic students I was told that the need that we have right now, might be addressed in about 3 weeks. Might be. As for any other concerns I might have regarding any other special education students, well he told me he was "working that out with the teachers."

First off, the "teachers" are new to this field and don't have the knowledge to provide any input into any decisions being made. And from talking to the "teachers" they're being told what they will be doing and it is changing on a daily basis. School starts on Monday, August 7th and none of the special education teachers are sure what they are supposed to be doing this year.

W made it very clear to me that my expertise and input in how special education students are served at my school is not wanted. My feeling is that he would be very happy with me if all I did this year was push papers around and keep parents off his back. As far as providing advice and/or guidance to any teachers at my school, he's made it clear that he feels that his plan will solve all needs and if they don't the teachers should bring their concerns for specific students to him or the assistant principal.

Any and all decisions about how students will be taught, how behavior issues will be addressed, etc. have been made by W. He has made it very clear that federal and state regulations regarding special education students mean nothing to him. W told one of my special education teachers that there was no such thing as an Individual Education Plan. It doesn't matter that federal law says all special education students must have one and that their services must be provided as laid out in the plan.

There is only one way I'll be able to get through this school year. That is by smiling, saying "yes sir" and documenting everything that he tells me to do or not to do. I've already told most of the special education teachers to do the same thing. Unfortunately we have a couple that I can't trust not to go back to either W or the assistant principal and cause problems.

I do know that I won't be able to continue to work at this school next year with this particular principal. As much as I love the staff and want to help the students, if my hands are tied and I have to sit by and watch students not get the help they need then I just won't be able to stay.

The school year hasn't started and there are already people, myself included, who don't expect to be at my school for the 2007-2008 school year. It's too bad that one arrogant ass has managed to not micro-manage the school so much in such a short time that he's already destroyed the joy and satisfaction that several excellent educators felt helping students at my school.

posted at 08/06/2006 09:38 am : Permalink
Categorized At work, Guest posts : Tagged ,

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