tedium

I haven't posted in awhile, probably because nothing is going on. Well, nothing worth writing about, anyway. I teach during the day. I grade, am on duty, and clean at night. I don't get enough sleep. It's sometimes cold out and always windy.
This past week, my life seems to have been consumed by dress code enforcement. If you have never had to confront teenagers about dress code violations, count yourself one of the lucky ones. The trouble with a dress code is that when kids don't follow it, they're technically breaking a rule, but it's such a minor rule and yet simultaneously such a public one that the confrontation almost inevitably becomes awkward and hostile. I can't count how many times this week I have said, "I don't care if you can pull your skirt down to your knees; I care that it stays there," or, "If it rides up when you walk, maybe it's not the best choice." I've been the target of yelling, eye rolling, stomping feet, and teenage sarcasm all week, and thanks to word of mouth, I've become somewhat of public enemy number one. It's certainly far from being a big problem, but it's a little defeating nonetheless.
So, in the meantime, as I trudge through the rest of February, this is keeping me happy: