Still not writing much. The end of the year is a rough time; right now we’re knee deep in CST examinations, which borks the whole week. The one bright spot in that is that I can use today to catch up on my grading while the students are testing for three hours, then I can try to write during the testing the rest of the week–while I’m giving assignments, there is nothing this week I really need to grade; it’s just “Did they do this? Yes? 10 points. No? 0 points. Next!”
My brother seems to have worked out a deal with the State of Oregon that will end this whole stupid saga. It may delay his return to California; we’ll see. My hope is that he moves his family closer; but he has to make the choice that is right for his family.
My mental energies are returning to normal; hopefully this means I’ll get some time and ability back on the writing front. I still want to finish this book before the end of summer. I can’t see a real reason not to.
On the weight loss front, it’s going well. I’ve lost 30 lbs since I began in March. 84 more to go before I’m at “ideal.” If my rate of loss holds up, that will make me return to normal food right about August. The trick then will be not to pack on weight again; hopefully the stuff I’m learning about what makes a reasonable meal sticks with me for the most part. But if not, I’ll do what my wife does. “Hey, I’ve gained five pounds this week. Time to cut back on stuff.” “Hey, I’ve LOST ten pounds I can’t afford to lose. Let’s have a cheese plate!”*
I’m hoping I get 11th and/or 12th grade next year. I live in a slight fear that they’ll give me 10th grade and I’ll have all the same students. I’d love to have 12th; those are the kids I had as 9th graders, and I’d love to be their last HS English teacher as well as their first. Plus most of them get along with me fairly well.
Ok, time to get on those essays so I can write my own stuff later.
*Mostly I’m being facetious there