David Lowery is speaking to me...

Everything seems to be up in the air at this time.

Robbie Fulks gets it

I don't like the "wise" voice in songwriting. I don't like the voice of experience and wisdom that a lot of people go for—and it bugs me, that self-romanticizing "I've been everywhere, listen and learn from me" shtick. I've tried to avoid it, but in doing so, I've come up with plenty of slight songs about cars or Susanna Hoffs or whatever.

http://www.avclub.com/content/node/23403

Reminiscing...

I've only ever been fired from one job.

A few years ago, I was fired from what was supposed to be a long-term substitute teaching position. After just a week on the job, I was called in to meet with the Assistant Principal. It takes a special kind of asshole to be an Assistant Principal, and I still can't imagine what kind of person would ever aspire to such ends. Anyway, here's how I remember it:

"Mr. Sloan, we've had a few complaints about your classroom."

This was news to me.

"Really?"

"Things have gotten a little loud in there."

"According to whom?"

"I don't want to get into all that. But this is a learning environment."

Obviously, another teacher had complained. But the implication was that learning only takes place when students are quiet and passive. Who believes that? Probably some shushing librarian. Stupid librarians. I didn't even know who it was and I was already pissed.

"Well," I responded, "learning isn't always a quiet activity...we're interactive, the kids and I...I like discussion. There's more to this than just keeping kids quiet."

"For you, there really isn't."

"Oh?"

I was becoming a bit worried about where this was going.

"So, umm...I can try and tone things down..."

"Well, I'm afraid that's not all...today a student dropped a textbook out of your window."

This was completely true. I had thought it was kind of funny. I had to suppress my own amusement.

"I'm sorry about that. I know it wasn't appropriate."

"Well, we run a safe place - for learning - here. Things like that don't generally happen."

He was careful to emphasize safe - as if I didn't know what the word meant. His tone was painfully condescending; he was talking to me like a student. As an assistant principal, I could all but assume that was how he talked to everbody. No wonder this guy was single.

And I happened to know that things like that did, in fact, happen at this school. Frequently.

"Well, no, it shouldn't have happened, but I'm a sub. You know how kids are with subs."

"We have to know that you have control of the classroom."

"I think I do."

"We've had some complaints...from students and parents."

"Wait...parents? Who told you this?"

He wouldn't say. But now I was visibly upset.

"With all due respect...other than the book, all you know is what people have told you. You haven't even been in my classroom. I think I do a decent job. I'm here until 5 every night working on lesson plans -"

"I know," he interrupted. "but we just can't take any chances right now."

These seemed to be vague...threats?

"I think I'm teaching them as much as can be expected, given the circumstances."

"Probably...but we don't need this right now. You're a sub...all you need to do is get them to shut up."

And there it was. I was shaking, because I wanted to scream at this guy...but I knew I couldn't.

"We need a drill sergeant."

"It would seem, yeah..."

"Can you be a prick, Sloan ? We need a prick."

"You're asking me to be a...prick?"

"Look, Ms. [NAME WITHHELD] is coming back next month. You don't need to teach them. We just can't have any problems."

"Hey, if the book is that big a deal..."

"It might be...it might not be. We can't afford to find out. We can't afford a situation."

"A situation??"

Fucking seriously.

"You seem like a good enough teacher," he said "but that's not what we're looking for."

I was already cynical about secondary education, but my mind was fucking blown. This was a school. And they didn't want...a teacher?

I looked right at him. "I'm consistently amazed at the lack of intellectual curiosity in the schools."

He looked at me quizzically.

"What's wrong with you?"

So I don't do that anymore.