After some reflection, and considering that I currently have a stomach ache and chest pains, I have come to the conclusion that the two things I hate doing the most in the entire world are applying for jobs and asking for letters of recommendation. I learned tonight during class that, to continue with the program, we must get two letters of recommendation or character reference stating that we are worthy of pursuing a career in the exhalted profession of teaching, and recommending we be allowed to participate in the student teaching program.

Hence the stomach ache.

Apparently these are just the first of many such letters we will be required to solicit.

Hence the chest pains.

Teaching is not about the students. It's not even about "standards" and "no child left behind." It's about "playing the game," schmoozing the right way with the right people, socializing, and being chummy.

I know more about banana slugs than I know about getting along with the kind of people I am going to have to get along with.

(I ended the preceding sentence with a preposition. Poor form, I know, but it does remind me of a joke. I think, however, I'll save the joke for later. Right now I'm too busy wallowing in self-pity.)

Goodnight.