Viva!

When I graduated from college, the world lay at my feet. I had a car that ran well, a head full of big ideas and absolutely no debt. Pretty good, right? What I did not have was a job, but how hard could it be to find a teaching job, right? After a lot of interviews and a couple of job fairs and I had a few very interesting nibbles from prospective employers.

One principal from Round Valley, Arizona told me that he had seen a vision that my destiny was at his school... marrying one of his single male teachers... Next!

San Bernardino County School District offered a different vision--one of me teaching drama in an inner city high school. My brother-in-law (a tough guy from Rialto--when was the last big Rialto race riot?) put the nix on that. Next!

I also had an offer to teach composition and advise on the school newspaper in my home town... at my almamater....

All hail to Central High! A Song of Praise to thee we sing... C-E-N-T-R-A-L
Central Indians, hats off to thee-ee-ee!

I was terrorized by the idea of being on faculty with Mrs. McDowell, my former world lit. teacher. She gave me a 2 out of 10 in mechanics on a masterpieces I orchestrated during my e.e. cummings phase. Next!

Next, next, next! I was running out of options. As a friend of mine frequently tells it, I "was not allowed back in the state of Wyoming..." so I had to think outside of the box.

What about Fabulous Las Vegas and the fastest growing school district in the nation? Did people actually live in Vegas? I had known some people in college who claimed it, but I had seen no actual proof. Still, the city had a four year university, tons of teaching jobs, and a significantly deeper dating pool than Round Valley. I could do it for a year or two of fun and frolic.

In August it will be 8 fabulous years. Where has the time gone? I guess it doesn't really matter. At a critical point in my life I choose the road more often traveled in a RV or trailer, and that has made all the difference. Just keep the good times rolling. Viva La Vegas!