Sombody wasn't thinking...

Read this one:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/12/packaging_prote_1.php

Then voice your opinion here:

http://www.petitiononline.com/PKGREG/petition.html

It's never the same....

In some ways I feel like I've gone full circle. I'm back in the same neighbourhood, I'm back at the same school.

But it's all different. A lot has happened since last time.

I'm some times a little caught off guard by everything. There's more traffic than I remember. But it is nice to have a more than one place to drink Guinness.

As for the school, well, even if nothing had changed, it would still be different. Since this time I'm sitting in the front. The job is going great. The group I'm working with have been really helpful. Plenty of advice, and suggestions. All in all, very welcoming. I've been spending my time getting my classes all together to start teaching in January. I've got a bunch done, but there is still more to do, and I've been warned that it never ends.

I've had a chance to meet a few of the students that I will be leading astray/instructing. Just like any group of people, there are some that really get it, and will do well. There are others that should consider a career as a telemarketer. Just as any Beaver Leader can answer, guess who's names I know already?

It's good to be at the airport, and away from the main campus. At least for me, it keeps a little normalcy to what I'm used to. I need the airport noise while I work. A comfort thing I guess. I don't think I'm ready to handle "Campus Life" just yet. The few times I've had to go to the main campus, I find myself filled with the urge to run away yelling and screaming. Too many important people just waiting to tell you that they are important.

Or then again, maybe this place is the same as it was before? Maybe I did change over the last few years?

First day at school

Armed with a load of well wishes, some fair-well cards, and a truck full of stuff, I left Whitecourt on Sunday and headed south to Calgary. It's time to open the new chapter in my life. I started today, and already I can see that working as an instructor is going to be a big change. This is a completely new career. Sure, I'll be talking about fixing helicopters, but my job is going to be something totally different. It appears that the first person to do any learning in this adventure is going to be me. How does the organization work, how do I get things done, and where the hell is the washroom?

Not to mention the fact that I'm going to need to get used to the idea of living in the city again. Already after my first day of commuting in rush-hour traffic, I can see that a bus pass is going to be money well spent. Sure, it may take a little longer, but the stress level will off set that. Besides, in the warmer (and less slushy) months I'll be pedaling again.

I won't have any full time teaching duties till January. I don't know if I'll get thrown into a class or two, just to see how things go. I've been given enough to do that the next month will be full even without doing any teaching.

It's interesting to think, that after spending so many years sitting in a class room, thinking the guy standing there in front of the class is an idiot, that I'm about to stand in front of a bunch of students.

So that may make me an idiot in the eyes of some young student, but I'll be an idiot with 8 weeks vacation.