I saw this random post from a friend on Facebook depicting a story of how a teacher shared a video with the class and asked everyone to take notes. Then after some time the teacher accused a student who was taking notes of not taking notes. The student insisted he took notes but the teacher said he didn't. Other students tried to defend the student but were pushed back by the teacher. Eventually the teacher sent the student to the office.
The incident was supposed to be a lesson of not letting others tell you they didn't see what you saw with your own eyes.
The story made me think about an incident that happened to me when I was 8th grade. It started with me checking out a book about the Olympics. I don't remember why I checked it out but I noted that the book had lots of damage, including pages being unglued from its frame. There was a return basket in the library where books could be returned and I placed the book in the basket once my time to check it out was over.
So it was about a week later and the entire class was sent to the library for whatever reason. While I was sitting at a table with some other students, the librarian and my teacher came up to me and pulled me aside. They asked me why I damaged the library book. I told them that I did not damage the book but that it was messed up when I checked it out. They kept saying I was lying but I was adamant that I did not damage the book. In fact I was extra careful not wanting to damage it further.
By then other students were listening in on the exchange. It was back and forth with my teacher threatening to report the incident to my parents and I would have to stay after school. I remembered thinking I've never been in trouble where I had to stay after school or be reported to my parents. I didn't want my parents to have to come to the school and I didn't want detention so I relented that I did the damage even though I didn't. I knew I didn't and even said so to one of my friends at the time who asked afterwards. But it reminded how someone could bully a person enough to have them change their truth even though they know that's wrong.
Thinking about it years later, I wish I was strong enough to let the teacher tell my parents and stay after school. I know Papa especially would believe me if I said I didn't do something. I told myself that if I ever had kids, I would tell them to always stand up for their truth in school and have them reach out to me if they receive pushback. I would also encourage them to take up boxing or karate so they could defend themselves from bullies. Alas I never had any kids and it's not likely I'll have any in my remaining time on Earth. With the way the world is now, I'm actually glad not to have any. I can't imagine all the shit kids have to deal with today. Hell you don't even know if your kids will make it home from school without being shot at.
With the 2024 Presidential Election being less than a week away, I can't help but wonder what is the truth between what Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is. Donald Trump has said and done so many dumb things. Plus he's a convicted felon. Yet poll after poll keeps saying that the election is neck and neck. It's hard to believe that half of the folks who vote support Trump and his wacky sofa fucking running mate Vance. It makes me wonder if the polls really are true or if they're wanting to rile up both camps to get more votes. Is the media pulling the wool over everyone's eyes and making us see things that aren't there?
I am praying that Kamala wins. I just don't know if the country can survive another Trump presidency. Dom and I plan to early vote this weekend. I can't wait to see if the polling folks are the same and act like they did last time we went to vote. Whatever they do I'll be ready to cast my vote for Kamala. We'll know one way or the other next week.
In other news I ran into a former acquaintance that I wish I didn't see. I saw Jose standing at the corner of Wabash and Clark waiting to cross Wabash in downtown Chicago. Jose, henceforth known as Magic Mike, due to how our so-called friendship ended, was in workout clothes either I assume coming or going from the gym. I was leaving work and crossing from Clark towards his side of Wabash and was planning to cross at Wabash as well. But I quickly changed my direction when seeing him.
I have a feeling that Magic Mike saw me as well but he was pretending not to see me and I did the same. I kept walking down Clark and crossed over at Lake instead while trying not to fall or turn around.
It was more than 12 years ago that things ended between us (by his choice) but the memories of that moment in time came back like it was yesterday. I actually saw Magic Mike a few times on one of the social networking sites and the GPS had him being about 600 - 700 feet from me. So I knew he was in the downtown area. I can't say running into him was a complete shock. But still with the many streets of the city, I really didn't expect our paths to cross at all.
I hate to say it but Magic Mike actually looked great for being almost 70. But I know that brief paragraph in my life is over and won't be resurrected anytime soon. Here's hoping I don't run into him again.
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