2009-10-14 - 5:08 p.m.
That makes me think of "Die Hard". I love that movie.

I'm tired and grouchy, though I should be quite pleased with myself. Softball season is over and I brought home no grading tonight (unlike the past two nights when I sat at the table after an early dinner and graded until I fell asleep). But I have been a grump all damn day. Poo.

I was doing fairly well, too, mood-wise, since I've finally gone back to the gym. What a joy that place is! I like feeling like my body is capable of doing more than pushing a pen across paper, punching little keys and hitting amazing pop flies (seriously. I knocked one over the fence two weeks ago).

But then the kids got to me today and by the time softball pictures rolled around after school (why do we take them after the season is over? No fucking clue), I was grouchy enough to not be all that quiet when I sniped to the other assistant coach about how glad I was that two players who couldn't attend a single practice or game the last two weeks could manage to be there for pictures. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the cold (it was 65 and sunny today, of course) or rain or snow. Stupid little idiots - I'm pretty sure they overhead me and I'm pretty glad they did. They sucked at softball anyway. I should have taken their jerseys from them when I had the chance.

Why else I am so grouchy? Oh, I don't know, maybe because I spend all day repeating myself and answering the same God damn questions for a bunch of ungrateful, annoying teenagers over and over.

Before class even starts:
Kid: Hi, Miss Ninja.
Me: Hi, student.
Kid: Are we going to have homework tonight?
Me: If you could wait just a minute, you would see me write on the board that you have to read chapters 35-37.
Kid: Oh, okay.

Beginning of class:
Me: Your homework assignment is to read chapters 35-37. I wrote it on the board for you.

Middle of class:
Me: Remember, you need to use your time wisely so you can start on your homework assignment, which is to read ch 35-37.

20 minutes later:
Annoying child: Hey, Miss Ninja, what do we have to read for tonight?
Me: 35-37

4 minutes later:
Different, yet just as annoying child: Hey, what's our homework?
Me: (through gritted teeth) Chapters 35-37

2 minutes later:
Obnoxious child: Hey, Ninja, do we have homework?
Me: Didn't you just hear me tell Billy*? Or when I said it twice earlier? Or could you read it on the board?
Child: No, but . . .
Me: 35-37, now get away before I throw this marker in your face.

Not even thirty seconds later:
Unfortunate child about to be maimed: Uh, Miss Ninja?
Me: Yes?
FCATBM: What was it we had to read again?
Me: (head implosion)

End of Class, as they are walking out:
Me: Remember to read 35-37 and have a good rest of the day!
Kid passing by: What? We have homework?!
Me: I'm going to run you over with my cart.
Kid: Geez, you're grouchy today, Miss Ninja.

No fucking shit, kid!