Good Day Dragons,

The business of standardized testing is still going strong.  It is very much a recession proof business, because no matter what happens to the economy, parents always want to do right by their kids.  Some people also see a bad economy as a reason to go back to school.  

George, as you know I have been fighting a very rare form of arthritis for a long time now.  I had to decide a long time ago that I was not going to let it keep me down.  I wake up every day in excruciating pain, which does not go away.  When I finally pass out at the end of the day, is the only time that I have any kind of relief.  So I can certainly empathize with what you are going through.  One benefit of my current job is that it keeps my mind on the students and the tests, and off the pain.  I seem to be able to mentally compartmentalize a lot of things now, so I try to ignore it as long as possible every day. 

Nelson, I enjoyed the pictures on Face-book of your children.  They must have one drop dead gorgeous Mom, because I think we all know they didn't get those good looks from you !!!  Hey JK!  Glad to hear you came through the surgery and things are looking up.

Andy, I'm proud and happy for you that you got your children off to college.  Way to go!!!   I hope for their sake that they don't get stuck with some wacko professor who thinks he or she needs to infect them with some radical way of thinking about life or this country.   But I'm sure that between you and Connie you've prepared them well for that kind of nonsense. 

Everyone else, I'll have to single you out on a subsequent post, need to get back to my student and his test.  Until next time,

Semper FI!

Otto

P.S.  Don't forget to vote!!!  Once again, our country is depending on us to do the right thing!