I have a friend who, when things get completely out of pocket, tells her middle school drama kids that if they get to the end of the task, she'll teach them a mime trick.

My junior high history and Latin teacher had been a missionary in Africa, and for a reward, she'd speak Zulu to us. Zulu is full of click consonants, and we thought it was hysterical.

I love that, Ginger. I remember in junior high, we had one substitute who was completely ineffectual, but so sweet we loved her anyway. I mean, we still played the most horrid tricks, but we weren't as mean about it, and she seemed oblivious to them anyway. She was a retired teacher, who used to tell us about her days teaching in a one-room schoolhouse. Apparently, they shut down the school when she retired (they bussed the kids to a new, bigger school), and gave the building to her. So. Very. Cute. I wonder if it was really true or if she was playing with us as much as we were with her. Anyway, we calmed right down when she started telling us "olden days" stories.

Pop tarts:

My employer uses an online application system. I just answered the minimum qualifications questions (2) and it has so far been trying to load the next screen for over ten minutes. And I have to go to work. Argh!

eta: I gave up and went back to start from scratch. Now, the system won't open at all. I wonder if they're doing unscheduled maintenance, or some crap like that. I guess I'll do this at work, or at the very least after my shower. Crap.

I have been up for nearly four hours already. All your gronk are belong to me.

Damn! I think Upstairs!Neighbor is moving out! I'm all sad. He was a good upstair's neighbor!

Mal is too cute! Raq is too hott!

libkitty, I received the books yesterday. A thank you is heading your way! You rock!

Joss' post made me teary as well. What a unique individual he is.

Gloom, are there any parameters for types of books you're looking for or want to avoid?

Moved from press: Connie, I don't think we want anything that glorifies violence or gangs. Those subjects are okay, just not something that says, "Yay blood!" For the record, the kids I've been in contact with love poetry, graphic novels, horror, and "books about gangbanging." They always ask for the Tupac poetry book.

ETA: Books we are looking for are on the Amazon list. Most of these are requested by the kids themselves.

I'll check over the Amazon list.

Hee, I love pictures of my DH in his funny hat! What I really remember about that game is you and I, Sox, and how horrified we were to see our cousin D stand next to your Dad in the exact same stance his father and our fathers adopt whenever they get together. Yikes.

GC, I have forwarded your Press post to my old book club in CA.

Sorry about the loss of upstairs neighbor, vw. Upstairs neighbors who walk softly are hard to find.

::tosses Sean a pillow::

I just glanced over the Amazon list, and I don't think the demographics of my library match those of the modern teenager with a complicated life. But the Judy Blume books amuse me, because I remember when Blume was not considered safe or proper for kids to be reading.