When the fallen leaves get stuck in your flip-flops…

It’s about time for closed-toed shoes. But I can’t bring myself to stow the sandals. I just can’t fathom the proximity of fall. And I know it’s all about the strike—my internal clock’s gone all screwy. Nonetheless, I do support my teachers. And I think by this point I’ve proven it—what with speeches, visits, and even a half hour walk down the picket line with frau this morning. That was actually very cool and exciting. The best times I’ve had during the strike have been while I was hanging out with my teachers. What can I say? I’m a humongous freaking nerd. That’s cool with me, though. Tons of teachers were quite happy to see me on the lines, and hear what I talked about last night. Part of me would like to claim that “it’s all about impressing the right people” and this was some kind of tactic to ensure I get straight A’s this year. But the teachers aren’t like that…and neither am I. I’m doing it because these are people who I sincerely respect, people who really do deserve better. And—okay, I’ll admit it—getting the star treatment for the past few days has been pretty damn nice. It’s sweet to see people return the respect and appreciation I give them. Watch for my picture on saea.info…

Honestly, I’m not sure if I feel 100% about that picture. It seems like the kind of thing that’s gonna get my ass kicked in school—by someone like Holloway or Allem or one of the other dumbass jocks who keeps calling ME a dumbass for supporting the teachers (I talked about that in my speech too) on the ‘SAHS Students Against the Strike’ wall. That’s actually why I haven’t written in so long—all of my writing powers have been uber-focused on spreading the facts on this strike and trying to get people to stop spreading the rumors and propaganda they get from the school board and their pets—the local news media, who are alarmingly anti-teacher.

Of course, Soudertonians have done what Americans always do—believe everything they hear and read. I talked about that when I spoke in front of the board last night…

“I can’t speak for everyone, but I know in MY education, I’ve picked up a thing or two about getting all the facts. About avoiding distortion and propaganda, which has gotten increasingly difficult recently.”

It got me applause, but I had to wonder—who was applauding? Pro-board or Pro-teacher? Or both? I don’t know how anyone pro-board could’ve applauded—the teachers haven’t even had a chance to spread the facts, let alone any distorted version of the truth. The other thing that got me applause was my acknowledgement of the lack of maturity among students, parents, the board, and [okay, fine] teachers. Now, this got the whole room clapping—even a few whoops and whistles. Hypocrites. The loud people were the ones I was trying to address—when Judy Whitmire was booed off that lectern, I knew we were in for one hell of a night. You should’ve heard it! Parents shouting interruptions to the speakers, other people responding “Shut up!” I was like wow…second grade much? It was embarrassing, so embarrassing, and of course it was all over the news…sometimes this little close minded town just drives me crazy.

That’s probably why I hopped the train into center city today—to escape, if only for an afternoon, into a place a little more cultured, a little more open-minded….okay, maybe I’m over-romanticizing here. I’m headed to 30th street, then Ellen will pick me up and take me back to Havertown so we can talk about wonderful Ghanaian things of awesomeness. Wow. In the words of that Jon Stewart correspondent, “Could you be a little more generic?” Sorry. We’re covering a lot of stuff, and working on plans for the club at the high school. It’s gonna be good. I’ll get to show her my video and stuff—hopefully it’ll help to remove the bitter taste that Annie left...either way, I’m happy to be headed downtown, and happy to see my Ellen once again…and Leah and Tim and Isaac, too! Yes, for the moment, life is good, even if the end of summer is rapidly approaching—exactly how rapidly, I don’t know.

Well, kiddles…what to listen to during this rainy train ride? Were getting into the very interesting/frightening part of the line (From Glenside to the city) where there’s all these dilapidated, boarded-up graffitied buildings around, and I need a soundtrack. I think I’ve wrung Coldplay dry…perhaps some Sia…

[[Currently listening to: Breathe Me by Sia, aka one of the saddest songs ever]]