Who Are You?

Double lesson with a mouthy group of year 10s... They are not a BAD group of kids, they just don't want to shut their mouths for anything. So, after about an hour of trying to fight it, I gave in and joined the conversation. They were all working, not as hard or as focused as I would have liked, but it was work nonetheless.

It all started with a boy in the back singing, "Who are you? Oooo Ooo Ooo Ooo." They the question came, "Miss, do you know who The Who are?" Do I know The Who? Come On. I was raised on classic rock. My family's dial was permanently tunned to Knoxville's classic rock station and for many years it was the only radio station I knew. When we were young, my sister and I used to spend our afternoons in front of the stereo listening to Tommy and reading the lyrics from the back of the LP. I love The Who.

Of course, to a room full of 15 year-olds, that was the wrong thing to say. I am supposed to like Kayne West and the Pussycat Dolls. So, the conversation turned to, "What music do you listen to, Miss? What CDs do you own?" I went through my usual answers, the ones that received raised eyebrows and approving nods from my students last year. "I listen to all sorts of music: on my mp3 player right now I have Green Day, Foo Fighters, Stereophonics, Snowpatrol, Athlete and a bunch of US bands that you wouldn't know." To this group, it was like I said I liked Engelbert Humperdinck. Not that I really need approval from a bunch of 15 year-olds, but still, it's nice when they think you're kinda cool.

Then they started to ask about the US bands and somehow the conversation turned to seeing bands live... I don't think that southeastern music culture really translates well here. The towns are so small and London is the only place that seems to really draw shows. They asked, "Your parents let you out to see these bands?" Well, first I had to correct them and say that it was last year (or my last few years in Charlotte). And, although high school was so long ago, yes my parents did let me see shows. Of course we were heading to downtown Knoxville, not NYC or London, but still. I feel sorry that these kids are not able to experience the things that I so easily took for granted at 16. Then I remember that they are talking about Kayne West. Big shows occassionally made it to Knoxville but we were more interested in the local/regional bands. So, I can't feel too bad for kids that wouldn't really like the music anyway.

Cancelled Trains and No Buses

Sunday turned out to be quite an adventure. The flatmate and I got to the train station only to find out that they were doing service on the line, so we'd have to catch the replacement bus service to London. My second time on a double-decker bus in twenty-four hours. This ride was a bit better, probably because I was not full of alcohol. By the time we made it to London, though, we missed the walking tour, so we decided to check out the Arts Festival in Trafalgar Square then made our way to Camden Market. Tiina had never been. It truly is the best place for people watching. That, and you can basically find any type of ethnic food you could possibly want. Eventually, we started to feel a bit tired and decided to make our way home. Instead of taking the replacement bus service, we decided to take the train to Bexleyheath and then take the bus from there (30 minute train ride & 15 minute bus ride instead of 75 minute bus ride). Unfortunately, we had missed the last bus from Bexleyheath, so we decided to walk home. "I've done it before. It only takes about 15 or 20 minutes. Real easy," Tiina told me. I am afraid that her perception of time is a bit off. We walked for over an hour. I am glad I got the exercise, but it turned out to be a very long day. Good, but long.

Sunshine and 59 degrees F

My third week of school and I am already causing trouble. I guess you could consider this a good thing. At least I feel comfortable enough to voice my opinion. And my Head of Department is backing me, so it must not be too bad, right? In all actuality, it's really not bad. I just didn't like how a situation was handled and said that I thought someone was undermining my authority with a certain group of students. I said it to her, then I said it to my HOD and now the Head Master wants to bring it up in a meeting and use the situation as an example... Not the kind of attention I really want, but hey if it will keep the situation from happening again with other teachers then I am fine with it all. Although, I may try and talk to her ahead of time so that at least she's not in the dark about the subject at the meeting (thanks for the advice, K).

The flatmate and I went out last night in London. The pub was packed, the band was fun and we both had a good time. Kudos to an Irish band that can play "Devil Went Down to Georgia." :) The last train from Charing Cross left at 12:02 and we arrived just in time to see it taking off, so we caught the night bus home. Funny things, those night buses. First let me say that it is nice to be close enough to London that I can take a bus home for a mere £1.20. However, I live at the very end of the line, so sitting on a double-decker bus for an hour (and a half) as it speeds and stops every few feet does wonders for a stomach full of beer. Also, the bus was full of loud, intoxicated people eating all sorts of greasy-smelling food. An hour and a half later and we still had a 30 minute walk ahead of us. Long story short, although I am happy to have the night bus option, I don't think I want to make it my sole mode of transport on Saturday evenings. In the future, I think I will try a bit harder to catch the 12:02 train. It leaves me with a 30 minute ride and a 5 minute walk.

Today, the flatmate and I are heading back into London to take a walking tour of 'Little Venice.' Tiina found a brochure for The Original London Walks Company so we thought we'd check it out. There are plenty to choose from, but this one sounds nice.