Kendallisms

It’s another week of teaching, and I am stuck in front of my laptop trying to avoid marking anything. It is Saturday night, and I still think that I am taking a chance by avoiding all the grading I have ahead of me. But some things cannot wait. I am dealing with the stress of the college and the request that I add more to a schedule that simply cannot take it. My mind needs to clear itself of a lot of detritus and this is the best way I can think of, besides the guitar and the promise to learn how to draw. All that can wait. This has to come out.

1) My weird way of responding to students who have questions in class:

“Sir, I have a question.”

“I have an answer.”

I often wonder if people appreciate just how spontaneous that little humorous response is. Most students always laugh when I do respond that way. And I have never denied them the chance to get a real answer. Should patent it, perhaps.

2) My reading habits:

I am a complete and total devotee of the bookboxes in my city. In fact, I have found more of them, and I am really trying to drop off more of the tomes I have collected so that I can feel as if I am giving more than I am taking. But that is quite rare. Even tonight, on the way home from a little grocery shopping, I have found at least three books that I am stunned to see tossed out (I am guessing that students at the local schools are giving up work as a new semester begins and they have to restock their bookcases and shelves). Keep them coming! I know that there are worse addictions out there, and I can take the near-daily fix of reading.

3) The weekly runs:

I did go for a run this morning, and then got wiped out with fatigue when was at home reflecting on what I wanted to do with the rest of the day. My age is playing a role, but I think that I am just very bad at planning my exercise routines around my other habits. If I had not taken that run, I might have been bored enough to actually start grading work for the Monday class. Instead, I worried about my health. So…selfish?

4) The lack of interest in relationships:

Well, that is a heavy title, but it must be said. And it may be also connected with my age. As you get older, folks, relationships become harder to come by if you have not established them with friends and lovers. I have had close relationships end just because the school year ended, or the lease expired, or…they just had to move on. I was never one of those people who thought that having a large group of friends was important (to be honest, I am honestly baffled that so many of us have the urge to give up our time to others just because we feel lonely). I am not saying that I never feel loneliness, but I can always see that there is a cost when you become involved with others. Is it worth it? Not for me to say. I just think that this is a skill I just have not developed, and never will.

5) My diet:

I have been eating healthier and much more carefully than before. I have decided to follow a rule that I read about online to avoid all meals three hours before going to bed. I know that some people go as far as four hours, but I am not a masochist. Food is a pleasure no one should deny themselves, and people enjoy eating later than usual in this city. But there has to be some self control that applies if I continue to go for those runs and want to avoid falling apart on the track. Need to be careful here.

6) My guitar:

I found a book of manuscript paper and decided to try and actually write out the music in my head. I have chords, keys, time signatures and rhythms in mind, but I need to work on the notes themselves. That may be the reason why I put it back up on my shelf: I want to add more skills to what I already know about the guitar. And yes, I know that many musicians cannot read any sheet music. I understand this completely. But I want to have that advantage as I get back to strumming. Wish me luck.

7) My writing:

It was Stephen King’s birthday this past weekend, and I have his writing routine on my mind. He gets out six clean pages every day (explains all the books). I have already discussed my routine, but I think that my weaknesses are more interesting. I have never written that much in one sitting unless I was really going at a project, or I had something due at school. I often wonder how long it would take me to write a book, or even just a brief novella. Some of my favourite books are slim and easy to get through (Candide, The Fall, The Fire Next Time, etc.) What can I say?

8) My love of lists:

Hey, that should be pretty obvious, right...?

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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.

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