Solemnity and Levity

Well, it's awfully hard to find the words. I don't know where to start or what to talk about, and I certainly don't want to harp on things to gain credibility or to sell sensationalism. So, I'll keep it simple and move on. I have to smile and laugh, since that's how I cope, but I'll get the serious out, too, because I do, in fact, have that side as well. Frustration, fear, sadness, and every other emotion are running pretty high down here, since Blacksburg is close enough to have pretty extensive connections to students, faculty, staff, etc. I talked with each of my classes for a few minutes about how something like this feels, recalling my own feelings right after Columbine. I'm both extremely moved and severely put off by some of the things that have been said around campus over the last couple days since many comments have interspersed genuine feelings of empathy and emotion with asinine, even offensive jabs at this country and the American way of life (to put it broadly), and that doesn't even include the gun control issue. It's an ivory tower, and even now my love/hate relationship with it continues.

But, there's no need to rant as it never tends to help resolve anything. But Tuesday and today I couldn't help noticing the shadow this casts. It comes in various forms, like looking around campus at large groups of people. More frightening, though, is looking at the open door of my classroom (i always leave it open) and wondering, to myself suddenly and completely without warning or explanation, "Could I get there in time? Could I close and lock the door fast enough? There's no windows, where can my students go?" It's...odd.

So. Levity.

Looking at my blog it's really a study in white, bland, text on a page minimalism (the format, of course) juxtaposed with my compulsive obsession for inserting color photos in my entries. What does that even mean?

...okay, I'll admit, I haven't got the levity part right now. I'm sorry this is a downer, and next time I promise we'll be back to the lighter side. I hope everyone is well and my thoughts are with all of you.