downside of sunshine

Today is a bright,hot, sunshiney day. When you are a teacher- here is the downside of sunshine. Where I live in Michigan we have more than our share of overcast, cold, clammy days. We moan and groan and hope for a few days of sunshine, but when we get one, we are a little shocked! We forget that the heat makes us sweat, and burns our skin. We forget that the sunshine blinds us, and forces us to wear sunglasses that slide down the sweat on our noses! We forget that our white, hairy, vein covered, chubby legs and arms have to come out of hibernation- and we are humiliated to discover how the long winter has further deteriorated our bodies. The sunshine unmasks our decline. We forgot to check on our toenails, elbows, and heels all winter... and now we are in a state of shock at the repair work ahead. We will have to spend more than a few days buffing, waxing, polishing, and starving! Most of all we forget the affect sunshine has on our population of school children. The students who are in a state of hormonal flux emit an odor that is sufficating when they have been heated by recess and restuffed into airless rooms. We have to breath in their dirt and sweat and stringy oily hair because there is no other air to breath in these Michigan classrooms that are made for cold weather only. We have no airconditioning, and our far too few windows are not for letting air in, they are for keeping cold and blowing snow out. We huddle together with our students over our books, papers, and general learning. We try not to rub against their sweat glazed, sticky skin. We are aware that trickles of sweat make their way down our own backs, and we watch the clock slowly ticking off the minutes until summer break. Sunshine isn't all it's cracked up to be!

Heartbreaking Suffering in Haiti

In disaster, along side the heartwarming stories of strength and depth of character, there are always stories of unimaginable suffering,and the pain is driven deeper by those who trod on the weak. This earthquake in Haiti has shaken the world. In the core of the human spirit there is a shameful seed of ugliness beyond belief, and it can drive anyone to suprisingly selfish acts against strangers, and worse, against friends and family who are already suffering. It is shocking to see greed, selfishness, and cruelty at the expense of those who are already in shambles. Relief is on it's way from many countries around the world; but in the meantime, callous hearts are steep in corruption, looting, and heartbreaking cruelty. It is a sad sight. This aspect of mankind remains on the downside of life.

Pessimism and cynicism

2 blogs, 2 ideas... An experiment to explore the upside and the downside of life. This blog seeks to find out what it is like to look at life expecting the worst, expecting disappointment, and expecting to be sad and hurt. What causes bitterness? Is it loss of hope, is it a practiced art? Is it an accumulated affect of constantly licking wounds, complaining, and general glumness? Does misery really love company? Will I have more friends if I am living on the downside? Does the squeaky wheel get the grease? Will I accomplish more if I complain and complain loudly? I'm wondering? For the second half of my life which side will be the best side to live on? The upside or the downside? I have until my 50th birthday to decide.