That’s the brook trout, folks. An appropriate name for a new blog by a fisherman/high school science teacher who used to work for the state Department of Fish and Game.
Currently operating under the alias ‘Vandalhooch’, the author of this new blog is a frightfully intelligent individual. Did you ever have a kid in your high school science classes who would:
- sleep through most of class
- wake up to the noise of the teacher asking a question of said napper
- answer the question correctly
- return to napping
without missing a beat? I witnessed such a feat from Vandalhooch as I sat behind him in Chemistry class. I would feel damn near unarmed in a battle of wits with him.
I look forward to some good stuff from his blog.
(giggling) Vandalhooch may be surprised to know that this anecdote is one I have related several times over the years to various people when discussing intelligent personages. Except my version happens in another class than chemistry, it was a math of some ilk. Calculus, I think?? Damn, I agree about the ‘unarmed’ part. And you thought you were the only person that ever made me feel that way…
Comment by Erica — 2006.07.30 @ 9:19
The class definitely was taught by Mrs. Sanderson, but it couldn’t have been calculus. We took that as seniors, after Vandalhooch had gone off to be a BMOC in Moscow; hence, my recollection of the the event occuring in chemistry.
I didn’t realize you thought you were unarmed; insufficiently armed, perhaps. Anyway, either thought on your part was/is sorely mistaken.
Comment by Matt — 2006.07.30 @ 10:35
Wow, all these backhanded compliments floating out there in cyberspace. Warm, fuzzy, and appreciated.
Comment by Erica — 2006.07.30 @ 23:14
it was Trig.
Comment by david — 2006.07.31 @ 8:47
Once again, wouldn’t the ‘hooch have already taken trig? He is a year older than us after all.
Comment by Matt — 2006.07.31 @ 9:02
The funny thing about those memories is that I now see them from the other side. Being a teacher now, I’m not sure how all of my teachers could be so patient. I should apologize to all of them because I can see now how impolite my behavior was.
I have had several of my own students attempt to sleep in class; however, none of them have been doing well enough in class to survive (academically) the attempt.
BTW – it would almost certainly have to have been Chemistry although I did do the same thing in other classes.
Comment by vandalhooch — 2006.08.01 @ 14:08
Matt wins again. Dammit!! And Chad, if I didn’t like ya so much, I’d hate ya, ya smart bastard.
Comment by Erica — 2006.08.02 @ 8:46
I’m late on this comment board, but I have to add my two cents.
1.) I’m in the same graduating class as Vandalhooch and I can tell you from years of experience that he drowsed through most of his classes. My recollection centers on a Bordelon class. Was V.H. asleep? Yes. did Emoor wake him with a question? Yes. Did V.H. answer it correctly? Of course.
2.) Like V.H., I too see things from the other side. While V.H. was the brains of our class (or one of them), I was the volunteer ass-clown. I have NO idea how my teachers EVER put up with me. I dread nothing more than the smart ass on the front (or back) row.
Comment by Bookman32 — 2006.08.15 @ 23:04
The answer is simple, bookman32: the school board forbade the use of capital punishment.
Comment by Matt — 2006.08.16 @ 13:27