I know it's been an unforgivably long time since I've written anything here. When I was home in San Francisco in July and August it was really sweet of everyone who told me that they'd been reading and why hadn't I posted in such a long time.

I guess it feels a little indulgent to talk about my day to day life all the time. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm extremely interesting, but you all know that already, so it's really not necessary for me to reinforce that fact on a daily basis. So, from now on, I would like to use this space, not exclusively, but mainly, to write about what is of most interest to me right now. That is the education work that I've been doing for the past few years.

The opportunities that I had in Madagascar pretty much cemented the fact that I will work as an educator in some capacity for the rest of my life. While I know that the work of a teacher is extremely valuable, I also know that it is not always exciting, it is seldom glamorous, it is often an emotional roller coaster and it's sometimes truly scary (like that time a kid brought a knife to school).

I question my decision to be a teacher on a daily basis. I end some days thinking to myself that I absolutely do not want to be a teacher and that I must get out as quickly and quietly as possible. I, at one point, very seriously considered quitting teaching and going to clown college. I know that people talk about clown college as a joke, but I actually was going to do it. Because of my unique body type I think I would have made quite an effective clown. But, sadly I found out that Clown College closed down in 1997. Eff you Ringling Brothers.

So anyway, I want to use my Livejournal to remind myself what makes me want to be a teacher and not someone who makes money. Also maybe to talk about some of the shit that has caused the American school system to go so far off course and how I'm going to solve all of it.

So, these are Jackson Bloom's lofty and boring goals for now. Let's see how long it takes me to abandon them completely and start talking about Kim Kardasshian*. I'm giving it about 2 to 3 weeks.


*Let's clarify here: I'm completely allowed to talk about Kim Kardasshian, just a little less than I may have in the past.