Sleeping with the lights on

I am not very fond of horror movies. I know they aren't real, filled with cheap scares, and most often "not that scary" to most people, but I will always have nightmares and night terrors after watching one. This information aside, Thad got the movie Woman in Black from the library and as it was due, we had to watch it. I sat silently next to him on the couch, making up reasons to leave the living room such as ooh, it looks like d'Artagnan needs to go to the bathroom. Hmmm, I should take your dishes to the sink. I think I should really catch up with a words with friends play. Yet, I still look at the screen at the wrong parts. They foreshadow the horror with music and yet, I fall for it. So here it comes again, another night where I keep the covers tight over my face, feel my heart racing with every sound, and turn the bathroom light on when I "see something." I don't know why I put myself through it!

This probably stems from the fact that I watched Pet Semetary  when I was around 6 (thanks to my baby sitter) and didn't sleep for years. Now I can watch movies from that era and laugh, but that one will forever terrify me. Then, I watched one scene from The Exorcist probably around 10. Even worse idea. I love the idea of ghosts and paranormal research ( sightings are a story for another time), but the posession idea leaves my knucles white and my heart racing. I blame this on the Catholic priest at an event we had to go to for CCD called "Going Nuts for Jesus."  A priest there did a dissertation on Ouija boards and possession and the reality of them. Did not help my fear of the things that go bump in the night.

On the bright side, school is going well. I was a bit worried about teaching  middle school. While the subject area isn't my forte, I find their energy contagious and that they are quite willing to try anything. I was especially excited to see many of the young men in class so willing to be volunteers for our discussion of the communication cycle. In fact, 4 boys today asked to share a skit they created in their basement to Ice Ice Baby. I shall for ever be impressed with 7th grade boys willingness to be embarassed and dance in front of everyone. I hope they keep that willingness.