Justin Pyfrom's Blog, page 2

Well, Hello Gray Head

Let me point out that gray hair runs in my family. Almost everybody on my mother’s side gets gray hair at an early age despite living a stress-free lifestyle. Notice that I said “stress-free”.  I used to live a stress-free life before going down the path of pedagogy. Don’t get me wrong. It is a well-rewarded path but – oh, my God – it sped up my graying process.

I always say that, when I do something, there’s a certain level of stress I’ve come to explain. When I became a writer, I accepted the stress that came with it. Same when I decided to become a teacher. Going back for my Master’s added on a lot more but, again, I accounted for it. However, when someone tries to add on what I didn’t ask for, things like that can make a person’s hair grayer than I care for.

It’s been happening every so often where I’m voluntold to do something in my free time. The cycle is the same. I’m voluntold to do something and I respond with a simple “No”. I used to explain myself until I realized that they (admin) would try to find counters. Stress meets hair. Now, I don’t explain myself. I say “No” and then I walk away. However, now, I have to deal with being called “unreasonable”, “disrespectful”, and “not a team player”. Sure, that part can be stressful but, alas, that falls under the category of “Expected Stress”.

Now, I’m adding doubling up on classes this semester as “Expected Stress”. The classes are a bit of a shock to me. I thought it was going to be easy but, like always, I’m finding myself putting my foot in my mouth. These teachers are a bit tougher and expect a lot more from me. Good…I do love a challenge.

Now! I must get back to work. Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. At the moment, I’m at 175, while still teaching three grades and taking two classes. I’m definitely going to reach 200 before the year ends.

I Need Rest…

I’m not feeling so hot. I’m feeling drained. It’s like I’m running on fumes. This rarely happens to me and it’s a little unsettling.  Luckily, I’m writing nearing the day’s end – on a Friday – so I can finally get some rest. Maybe I’m just exhausted. Either way, I’m going to keep this short so I can rest.

I’m taking two classes this semester, so my gray hair count will skyrocket. Luckily, this class is going to be fairly straightforward. Plus, I get to write another short story…which means I’m going to take a short story from my backlog and refine the hell out of it. I honestly can’t wait.

Additionally, I’m getting a little better with my Spanish. I listen to it a lot through Spanish TV and such so there’s that. Plus, the lessons are really becoming more fun for me. I can’t wait to start reading some stories. This is important as I have to take a test before I can teach in Spain. It will be my most important exam, and I’m here for it.

But for today…I need rest.

Now! I must get back to work. Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. At the moment, I’m at 173, but I am teaching three grades and studying…

2024 Reading Challenge (July-September)

For 2024, I’m doing something different. Instead of telling you every story I’ve read each month, I will tell you my top five favorites. It’s been a while since I did this so…I’m only to list the books and that’s it. I did complete my challenge and am still reading. Here’s my Top 10:

  

 

Just Keeping Busy Today

I’m typing from my office because we all have to work on Sunday because of the upcoming National Holiday.  It’s a Chinese thing. If the students are going on holiday, they have to “make up’ those days on the weekends.  So, here I am…trying to keep busy. It’s not bad, though. “Keeping busy” actually comes easy to me.

For one, my students are more than enough to keep me alert and busy. I don’t know about you, but teenagers really know how to test your patience and wit. I mean, seriously, those kids of mine are some of the most wittiest and sarcastic. I’m always proud of them for that.

Of course, I’m working on my stories, especially my final project (2025 book). The ideas keep coming and I can’t seem to pin them all down. Haha! However, this particular idea for school is safe and sound. I even have two books to help me research about boats. They are from my time in New Zealand. A nice couple who owned a marina bookstore helped me out with that. We also talked a lot about rugby and books.

Luckily, this week, we are only here for today and tomorrow and then we have a seven-day holiday.  A seven-day holiday that my students have well deserved.  Personally, I’m looking to get A LOT of writing done this week. That and a lot of gaming.

Now! I must get back to work. Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. At the moment, I’m at 163, but I am teaching three grades and studying…

First Week of Calvert 11 Done

This is my first year teaching eleventh-grade English, and I’m already doing well. English III has always been American Literature in the States. The best example of history affecting literature and vice versa. I made a promise to my students that I would be as objective as I possibly could.  It’s not as hard as I thought it would be, but the promise was still there, and my students appreciated that. Or, at least, I think they were. Again, they are teenagers, so it’s a toss-up. Now, for the debut week of school…

The first week of school was chaotic, but I’ve come to expect that from Limai. Late registrations, meeting new parents & students, altering schedules, and so many other things. That third part is mostly for my students because they really wanted to self-study for this year, and I’m always here for that. I’ve gotten accustomed to the chaos because it always balances itself out in the weeks to come.

So, this year, I’m teaching Grades 9-11, and I have a new vigor with the ninth graders. They were already told that I was their teacher, and they were beyond excited. In fact, they were hoping that I was their teacher; they didn’t want anybody else. That shocked me. I don’t know…it just does. I know I’m just doing my job, but I didn’t think that I was becoming popular. My boss says that was always the case, but I didn’t actually believe him.

Speaking of the boss, I got a new one. I’m pissed that my best friend is done, but that’s to be expected when management realizes that they can’t bully you. I fear that I may be next. They knew I do not suffer for fools.  Well, all I have to do is last three more years, right? Anyway, the new guy is okay but a bit too much of a…how do I say it…people-pleaser. Hopefully, we   (foreign teachers) can bring that out of him. This year is, indeed, going to be quite a year.

Now! I must get back to work. Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. At the moment, I’m at 163, but I am teaching three grades and studying…

Quickly Back To Educational Reality

I have a lot to prepare for my students. Lesson plans. Loads of PPTs. Story-gathering. Worksheet creations. You get the gist, so I’ll be quick.

Let’s just get it out of the way now. New Zealand was amazing and I have the pictures to prove it. Haha! The people were so friendly and accommodating. The food was hearty and amazing. And the Maori were just as strong, sexy, and welcoming as I imagined. Plus, my first rugby game was a great success as it was as eye-opening as I was told. I need to read up on it so I can watch more games. Oh! I have a new tattoo. A tribunal panther tattoo on my chest. I would regale all my experiences, but I think it would be better if you go to my Instagram and see for yourself.

Now! I must get back to work. Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. Even though I’ve just completed my challenge for this year, I’m obviously not stopping. Right now, I’m at 157 and I start work soon so…

Hup…Two…Three…New Zealand!

Just one more week and I’ll be in another city. Another few cities, actually. I will have my assignments written and downloaded onto my tablet. I’m also making it a rule I’ll make for myself the most obvious—no working on holiday.  Well…of course, threaded discussion. Okay. Okay. An hour a day for my final course project but – other than that – NO REAL WORK!! Now, what will I be doing in Zealand?

Firstly, I want to do some hiking. I know the landscapes there are breathtaking, and I want to enjoy a few of them. I’m told that I need to make some thermals as the weather is reversed i.e. it’s theoretically fall over there.  That surprised the hell of me, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. However, I’m going to stick to the small free ones for the first half of the trip. Then, I’ll find the more lengthier ones later on.

Oh! And with the help of a good friend of mine, I’m going to see my first rugby match. Someone called the All-Black. Either way, I’m finally going to see a rugby match. Maybe I’ll even get to see a Haka. If I’m really lucky, I’ll get to shag one of them. I mean…statistically, one of them has to play for my team, right? A boy can dream.

Speaking of gay dreams, I’m going to check out K Road. I’m told that it’s not as big as the other villages I’ve been to. However, what they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. According to TravelGay and MisterAirBnB, I need to check out The Eagle Bar. I definitely want to see a drag show; it’s been a while since I’ve seen one.

Finally – and most importantly, I want to check out the museums regarding Maori life and culture. Talking to them would also be pretty cool, too. I’ve always wanted to meet up and exchange knowledge and life story. Geeky, I know, but what did you expect from a geek. Well, actually I prefer “nerd”.

Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. Even though I’ve just completed my challenge for this year, I’m obviously not stopping.

Ready…Set…Class – and New Zealand

So, right now, I have to edit all my short stories from my 2020 Short Story Project for my 2025 short story collection. I have to say…it has been a humbling experience to know that my stories were decent but needed much improvement. I have to thank experience and higher education for that. I’ve always been told that 20% of creative writing is taught while the other 80% is improved through experience. So? Why am I saying the obvious? Well…I’m back in school.

I didn’t drop out. It’s not like that. I had to take a break because all the classes I wanted were full and I chose to take a semester off. Now, I’m back in and my Academic Advisor – my actual Academic Advisor – told me that she can always get me into a class. So, I have three more semesters and five more classes before my final class. I was told I must write a novel for the class and just laughed. “Is that all?”

Right now, I have a Screenwriting Fundamental class for this semester, which starts tomorrow. I can’t wait. Since I want to create an Audible Drama, I want to pay special attention to this class. I already know how to write scripts (Thank you, Screenwriting for Dummies), but I want to fine-tune it – just like my Fiction Fundamental class. And – just like my Fiction Fundamental class – I will have to get some of the assignments done before I leave for New Zealand. Nothing too crazy as I already have some short stories that I can turn into mini scripts.

The idea is to make sure that I only have discussions to do while on holiday. Just three posts on the thread, turn in assignments that have already been done, and just chillax. Yeah…this is going to be smooth sailing. Wait! I better knock on wood for that one.

Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. For this year, my goal is 150, and I have four books left (97%). I’m willing to bet that I’ll finish this challenge while on my way to New Zealand.

2024 Reading Challenge (June)

For 2024, I’m doing something different. Instead of telling you every story I’ve read each month, I will tell you my top five favorites. So! While I have read eighteen books for June, here are my Top 5 favorites.

The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu

Believe it or not, I found this story through a Google search. I came across this story while trying to understand magical realism better. This story made me cry, and I don’t know how many stories have affected me. The idea of a mother losing her son to the social acceptance of society really tugged at my heartstrings.

 

Girl by Jamaica Kincaid

So, I read this flash fiction through one of my earlier graduate classes. I think it was an Intro to Storytelling or something of the sort. Anyway, it was the rhythm of the story that enthralled me. It had such a flow to it that I found myself reading it so many times. Along with that, I just loved the fact that it was so candid and, yet, so relatable to a girl of any race from any generation.

 

Bloodhound by Thomas Page McBee

Science fiction has always been – and will forever be – my first love. But the LGBTQ sub-genre has been something that the literature world has been sorely lacking so it’s always nice to see a little nugget. I figured that I – a cis gay man – enjoyed this action story, then I can imagine that thousands of trans men and women felt powerful after listening to it.

 

To See the Invisible Man by Robert Silverberg

It’s the Twilight Zone’s episode of the same name that got me to this gem of a short story. I kinda already knew that the Twilight Zone got some of its inspiration from short stories, but this was the first time that I actually found one, read it, and enjoyed it thoroughly. The idea that “being cold/anti-social” can be a crime is something to really ponder about.  I’m going to have to find the other ones.

 

Bluebeard by Jim Clemente

I do a guilty pleasure for true crime and Jim Clemente has become one of my favorite true-crime writers. I’ve already read his installment regarding the Golden State Killer and the DC Sniper. Now, I got to learn about Walter Andrew, LA’s first known serial killer. I also liked how it was dramatized as just hearing one person talk about the whole would have turned me off.

The End of Another Year of Teaching

Year 3 of my time as a big boy teacher has come to an end and I must say that I have learned so much. This is no surprise as I have been warned this would be the case. “Teachers are learning just as they are teaching.” It’s why teachers are labeled philosophers.  God knows I’m feeling it every day. I’m always learning something new and figuring out the best way to teach it to the next flow of students.

For example, this was the first year that I taught magical realism. Hell, I didn’t even know what constitutes magical realism so I had to do quite a bit of research to even get a grasp on it. Now, not only do I understand it, I feel compelled to not only read more books of the genre, but I also want to try my hand at writing it. There’s a certain magic (no pun, intended) to this genre that I want to make sure that everybody appreciates.

I also learned the origins of science fiction. Well, the Victorian origin of it, anyway. The process. The acclaim. The delicate line that was being toed. Everything about my favorite genre was presented to me in a whole new light. It gave me a greater appreciation for it. Finally, it gave me an increase in vigor to write more SF short stories. Again, writing an SF series will take up too much time, especially with my LGBTQ Crimeverse.

Finally,  I finally got to put my newly acquired knowledge of the Modernism Movement to good use. But it was more than that. I got to properly show them the effect that literature and history have on each other. I got to show them that there was – and is – no one way to write a compelling story. I think they enjoyed the stream-of-consciousness storyline. I wonder if I can get them to write some of it…maybe next year.

Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads) on my web page’s right side. Also, I love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and Fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2024. For this year, my goal is 150, and I’m already at 129 (86%). Given that I’m in school and teaching English, I will blast through this challenge.