Since I've been teaching, I've been called a lot of things ranging from "effing awesome*" to "effing douchebag" and everything in between. Over the years, I've learned to take it all in stride because both ends of the spectrum are fast fleeting. What one of my students called me last week, though, threw me for a loop:
Athlete
"You know...because you run a lot. You're like, an athlete."
Um, excuse me? I consider myself to be a lot of things, but "athlete" has never been one of them. I thought about it. Hell, I even looked up the definition:
ATH-leet (n)- Any one trained to contend in exercises requiring great physical agility and strength; one who has great activity and strength; a champion.
OK, I'm about 2/3 of that definition. I train to contend. Contend in what, per se, is debatable, but I do have great activity. I am NOT a champion. Well, at least not in the "go stand on the podium, here's your medal" sort of champion. Regardless, I'm going to go with the label of "athlete" from here on out. Now, what do they do? How do they act? Do I need to develop a swagger? Should I wear sweats and running shoes to work? Maybe I should wear my Oakleys indoors. Wow, this being an athlete thing is wayy hard. I think I liked it better when I was an effing douchebag.
By the way, the aforementioned student now has a permanent "A" in my class.
Editor's Note - Of course I construct this post before my running has waved "bye bye" to me. If I'm lucky, I'll get one run in this week, hopefully on Saturday. That in and of itself could be an adventure. Don't worry...I'm still calling myself an athlete.
Editor's Note 2 - This week's SSTIFY entry needs to be reader-driven. I've got one that's been in my head, but I'm always willing to take suggestions. Email me. I'll link to your blog and everything!
*seriously, I've heard "effin' awesome". I'm sure of it.
Summer Blogging
2 hours ago
8 comments:
" I think I liked it better when I was an effing douchebag.
"
Don't worry Raz, you're still an effing douchebag to me.
Lol at Vanilla. Someone told me I was an athlete once too. I was very confused.
I think a pimp limp is now in order. You'll make one fine douchebag of an athlete...fo sho.
On the bright side, a douchebag can also wear sweats to work...
Your student is an effing suck-up, but any guy who can run that burrito race surely qualifies as an athlete of some kind so I say embrace it.
SSTIFY - Have at it. I am not running this weekend so whatever you try to get repeating in my brain will be quickly killed off by alcohol.
I've never been told that I'm "effing awesome" but I do have a little tamale by my name in ratemyprofessor.com. That means I'm HAWT!
I'm with Jess. I laughed at Vanilla....errr Ian's? post too.
I have a post scheduled for Saturday that mentions SSYFSJIOSDFIJFS (or whatever that acronym is.) Makes me pee a little in my pants just thinking about it. I'll give you a hint: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDOYN-6gdRE
Being called both awesome and a dbag is sort of like burnt fish sticks that are still ice cold in the middle. Neither one fits. Has anyone called you an effing ass clown before?
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