Damn I hate being the responsible one, it really pisses me off. I have a dilemma every Monday evening, I can be the grown-up, the responsible one in charge of broadening my students minds fulfilling my job as an educator. Or I can blow off the students who roll in a few minutes late for class so I can sneak away early and head to a newfound and really great ballet class.
I give my students options. I figure they are smart and mature enough by now to make choices and live with what comes of them. The option is simple, they don’t have to come to every class as long as they stay on top of their obligations and turn their projects in when they are due, and attend lectures when scheduled. It seems to work well for all involved. There are days in which nobody will show, and then days when everyone is here.
Today for example I had several who came early to meet with me. Nothing out of the ordinary, issues with projects, problems with some of the equipment. Anyway, they came and went, satisfied customers one and all. I figure I’d wait around to see if anyone would show, fingers crossed that they wouldn’t. Excited, I was about to pack it in, hit the lights and bolt downtown for class when Kangaroo Jack (I’m not good with names, so when I can’t remember one I make one up, he’s Australian so it was that or Crocodile Dundee) strolls in. Damn, I’ve got to be fucking responsible and not blow him off, his last project tanked and really needs help.
With one eye on the clock I help Kangaroo Jack out knowing just how long it takes me to get downtown. And wouldn’t you know it, it him just long enough for me not to be able to get to class. Oh well, I needed the night off after all, my legs are dead thanks to the last few weeks of racing. I think beer and maybe some ice-cream might be in my future, since I’m a “grown-up” I can eat whatever I want. At least I’ve got that going for me.
