Did my first subbing gig on Friday. It was just a half-day, with a planning period at Ellice's school. It was actually fun. I know this isn't the same as teaching full-time, but at least I know I can be comfortable with this age group of kids for a few hours. To make things easier, I was subbing for the collaboration teacher in 6th grade, so there was a 'primary' instructor in each classroom. The teachers were all very supportive and I helped. I think the teacher I worked for was just glad to get a sub for 1/2 a day. It was good way to get a taste of what I'm going to be doing.

Also Friday, we saw Terry Brooks at Joseph Beth's in Lexington. For those of you who are fantasy challenged, he has written many novels in the genre, including the Shannara books and the Landover series. I asked him a question (after his teaser about his latest book) about how long it took to get his first book written and published. His answers were heartening as it was easy for him to get published but took 7 years to get it written. Cool! I have a five-year window left so the pressure is lessened. Also of note: when he signed Ellice's copy of Wishsong of Shannara, he was fascinated by her name and asked how it was pronounced, setting it aside. He said, "You never know where it might turn up!" She was thrilled, and I was for her.

Saturday we went to Ren festival and had a great time. Exhausting but fun. Ellice had to wrangle with the guy she works for a bit to get paid, but she got it and we got to blow it that day (which was the plan). She got a cool leather pouch, a new belt to replace the one she lost to me, and a baldric. She also bought me a cool sword that is somwhat similar (if a little shorter--on the order of 3 1/2-4 feet without the runes) than Aragorn's sword from the film. Very cool; It complements my outfit well. I actually had several people come up to me thinking I worked there, which is a huge compliment to Ellice's hard work.

Boy, being unemployed sure is a lot of work. To sum up, I've spent most of my hiatus coughing and focusing on breathing. You all heard about my last health challenge by now, and you'll be pleased to hear that my last trip to the doc seems to have ironed that bit out for the most part. My lungs seem fine (treated at least) and the problem was an episode of 'cough syncope', which is merely coughing till you pass out. The cause is most likely my throat is so raw from the prolonged illness in August that everything sets me off. The way to treat it is stop the cough long enough for the throat to heal. Some extra strength cough syrup seems to be doing the trick.

The paperwork for subbing is being pushed, so we're still waiting on that.

I am the new 6th and 7th grade coach for Ellice's school, and that is proving challenging as it's all on my shoulders for setting up the practices and working things out. It seems that few really know what is going on with the thing, and no one else really wants to get involved. Fortunately, I will be getting assistance from one teacher, but so far its been difficult coordinating with her.