School Story:
My favorite memory is not from high school, but rather from Kindergarten. I was in Teresa Ross's class. Anywho, during our bathroom breaks, the boys had a contest to see who's "squirt gun" could shoot highest on the wall, not in the urinal, but beside it. Well apparently, Jason Mosley and Kevin Miller, (I think Ernesto James was involved too.) either didn't realize it was just a game or I made higher marks than them or what, but they told on me to Mrs Teresa. She was quick to ask me what happened in the bathroom. Boy was I proud to show her what I did ! I know she was holding my hand so I wouldn't get away, but I was also holding her hand, pulling her to the boys room to show her what I did! Once we got to the wall urinals, I reached as high as I possibly could reach to show her my accomplishments.
I never received a "congratulations" or a pat on the back or anything from her which would let me know I did a good job. So once we got back to the room, I was told to stay outside. I was thinking this is when I'll get my surprise. I sure 'nuff was surprised when she came out with a wooden paddle!! I knew what those were used for!! My anticipation to receive a prize instantly turned into a great deal of concern for the back seat of my pants!
Right then, I knew I had to think fast in order to diffuse the situation or at least minimize the consequences in which I was about to receive. But I knew I was caught. There was no where to go. I had to take one for the team. When I say team, I mean me. All I could was to man up to what I had done, knowing I had done nothing wrong. After all, it was just a game. So as soon as I got that first lick, the water works came on. I tried my best to make her think she was killing me. This was my way of decreasing the thrust she was putting on that wooden paddle towards my backside. I think it worked, because the ensuing licks were not nearly as severe as the first.
The moral of the story... over the years faces change and names do not... unless you're Muslim. If Jason Mosley or Kevin Miller ever confront you with a "squirt pistol" duel, politely decline and continue with your own business.
K-G: Other than the story you just read, here are some other memories. Some of these may be odd, but just bear with me. I have no idea why I remember some of this stuff.
Jimmy Gilespie made these retarded sounds during nap time in Mrs Ross's class. The reason he never shut up is because Chris Dunlap and I insisted that he do it again, and again and again....
Ernesto brought some chop sticks to lunch a time or two.
1st: I believe this is the year Bradley Ogden landed on my head while we were playing football in the parking lot in front of the school.
2nd: In Mrs. Robinson's Class, we learned how to read aloud more fluidly, by not pausing after each word we read. I remember Kelly Knoll being really smart all through school and 2nd grade was no exception. She was the fastest reader in the whole class! I dont know if Kelly remembers having any competition in speed reading, but I sure tried my best to be as good a reader as she was.
Chad Petty and I tussled with Ryan Fisher, Harley, Chris Gatewood (i think) and a few other boys on the "big playground" to see who could own the rights to "big baby" the tire during recess.
This is also the year I got a tooth knocked out by a small, but hard tire that other boys were rolling down the hill. It was probably Ryan showing me who the boss really was of "big baby". Nah... I really think Dustin Arant was the one who ran over me with the tire.
Chris Dunlap and I were accused of being twins a number of times this year.
3rd: We started this year with our teacher being Mrs Wonderful Sherry Hatchel, but we finished the year with the Evil Mrs Bells. I really think she hated children. I do! In order for her to have a negative impact on as many children as she could, she had to become a teacher... or atleast a sub.
This is the year we were taught to show tolerence for people that are not the same as we are. I didn't catch on to this new concept very fast. I tried to prove my point by making fun of someone whom I will not exploit. I learned this new "tolerance" thing pretty quickly once he twisted my hand behind my back. I learned something else from this guy... pain increses learning!!!
4th: I was in Mrs. Parham's class, a truely great lady. This is the year I learned to stay at least 2-3 rows back away from the music teacher Mrs. Eaton. Otherwise you may get sprayed upon as she instructed us on how to sing.
I remember Jon Montgomery having some favorite words to discribe something disgusting. "Sickney" and "Grody". He also explained to me why his last name was wayyy cooler than mine. It's obvious because his last name is also the name of a city in Alabama and he couldn't think of any town on the globe that was named Doster. I couldn't refute his logic on this one. Jon also took advantage of some of us unlearned children as we were taught about our taste buds. He brought some green persimmons to class in order to "assist" the class in showing us where our bitter taste buds were. Thanks, Jon. That's one lesson I haven't forgotten.
Another lesson we learned about is how the pupil dialates and contracts. The teacher told us we were going to look at the pupil of our partner and observe it as the lights flicked on and off. BTW, the boys HAD to choose a girl for this project. I could've chosen my girlfriend, Amanda Patterson for the project, but that would be Wayyy to weird to look at my girlfriend's eyes. lol So I chose her friend Kristi Skeen. Thanks for being a cool partner Kristi. :)
I also remember Jese Burrough's first day to the class. Mrs Parham wanted her to introduce herself to the class. What's a person to do when you're asked to let everyong know who you are? You tell them your full name. It was funny because at the time, it seemed like she had 5 or 6 names. Mrs Parham was trying to catch all of her names so she made her repeat it over and over until she had a handle on it. I really think she has a pretty name.
I remember watching the Challenger ( I could be off on the name) space shuttle exploding on tv in class the day it happened.
