Reasons for Optimism

  As I was writing the post I had planned for today about delusions of grandeur among many teachers, it suddenly occurred to me that the tone of this blog has been fairly pessimistic and critical since it started X weeks ago. I do not consider myself a negative person, and most of my criticism, I believe, is well-founded. However, I do not consider myself a pessimist, so I thought this week, I'd talk about some good things in the world at present.

For example, though some naysayers have decried recent democratic uprisings in various Middle Eastern countries as potentially dangerous to U.S. interests, I find it remarkable that so many people oppressed by autocrats for such a long time are managing to fight for their freedom, though it may cost them their lives. At the time of this writing, the AP has reported that the half of Libya that is no longer under Moammar Gadhafi's control has already set up an interim government. That's pretty amazing, I think you'll agree.

  In my scholastic life, I am working harder and having more expected of me than ever before. On the other hand, every Tuesday and Thursday I work with a second grader at an elementary school on literacy activities, the end of which always consists of a joke. Part of the reason I came to the College of Education was that, unlike some other majors, it was clear that they appreciated an active sense of humor. And now, I get to bring back all my best jokes from my youth, jokes that I still incidentally find laughter-inducing. For some members of my cohort, I am the go-to guy for good jokes or joke evaluation. A recent gem: Why did the orange go to the doctor? He wasn't peeling well! Seriously, in how many other majors would my childish sense of humor be an asset?

Though I am critical of many things and people, I still live in the best country in the world. I eat fairly well, I am healthy, my family is healthy, I am happy most of the time, I have two fine jobs, a mind that keeps me amused and questioning, and am living through an exciting and eventful time in history that in almost no way directly affects me. I've got a great life.


Plus, I've got a mustache.