I used to be a teacher.

Thanks for the nice words. You can spit cheese-itz or whatever on me anytime!

Sally

"Both faith and fear are the belief in things not seen." S. Franz

John - HearseMan from Harvard
Just wanted to thank you for visiting - you story is swell too.

Lord man - that must have been something getting that many points!

Howdy from Harvard

That's a nice story, Mr. B. I assume you've a lot more of the got more of the same. Hope you can find a less stressful place in radio.

Best,
Lee

Check me out: http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1246

Hi Jim,
Just caught your kind comment about my limerick and my entry. Many thanks. Naturally, I had to reciprocate. I just came home from volunteer lunch-monitor duty at my son's school, and your story was just what I needed to de-stress! Nice job. By the way, I can only imagine what kind of comments a teacher with the last name of "Barfuss" must have to put up with!
Judy Stanton

Funny stuff: a real slice o' life, and I enjoyed it!

to listen to the entire thing, and it was a cliff hanger.
And yeah, eachers are made from a special cloth...I tired it for two years. I never could measure up to my best teachers, and then the whacky parents that DO want to fight for the honor of their dishonorable brats...it was all too much.

Thanks for sharing!
All best to you...
"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities."
---Maya Angelou

Any story about unintentional spitting works for me! Funny stuff. And thanks for checking out my entry as well. Break a leg!

Jim,
You are truly entertaining! Your command of language and your ability to twist words and phrases around with wit and flair is truly masterful. Your voice is so unique and engaging...BUT, with a name like "Barf"uss, you are getting nowhere near my rice krispies, without a doubt!

Vicki Flaugher
creator of http://www.SmartWomanGuides.com
Are YOU too sexy for the bus? Listen in:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/509

Jim as with all great teachers you had my attention from the start. Great story, great voice and yes I was watching out for my bowl of cereal while listening to you.Best wishes.

Your story rings SOOO true to those of us in education...and your vocal style is very smooth. Keep up the fight!

Speechguy

I can't believe I've entered!
Speechguy says, "Please listen, vote and comment. Thanks."

http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/840

Great Story!

My mom was a 4th grade teacher for 20 years... a virtual celebrity in our town... in fact, I once avoided being beaten up in my early 20's in a bar by one of her former students. He towered over me by about 2 feet and 80 pounds and said, "You're lucky I liked your mom so much."

Moral of the story? God Bless Teachers.

http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/2057

The most difficult thing to pull off is the one-sided phone call. You were magnificent!

Stars to you!!!

*n*

PS: http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/2125#comment-18155

"The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about" - Oscar Wilde

Overseas. Iran. Thailand. Saudi Arabia. China. Japan. Indonesia. I have learned the word for beer in so many languages.

Funny stuff Jim. I can't imagine what other stories you must have.

On wings of cheese . . .

Great story and perfect radio voice and delivery! We need a lot more of this kind of funny and insightful radio. Bravo!

very funny and rather important!

Welcome to HipHop U!
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/8590

It's something we all have in common - we've been students and we've had teachers, too.
One of my friends is a teacher. I keep telling her there's a book in all those untold stories. Like the puker at graduation who caused her row to mutiny.
You nailed this one, Jim. Great delivey. Wonderful one-sided telephone conversation. You're better than the pros.
Geez, pets get radio shows, doctors get radio shows, sad, depressed, lonely people do, too. It's time for the teachers to have their say.
You're one of my favorites.
Theresa

If I got a call like that, I'd probably bust a gut so bad that the teacher would think I was nuts.

Very, very funny Jim. Best of luck in the contest!

Are you no longer a teacher? Do they have a zero-tolerance policy concerning spitting?

No. Really. HA!

I laughed, several times! I love your voice and your emotion and integrity shows through. Thanks for your comments on my piece. It was quite a challenge deciding on whether or not to be funny, serious, direct or sarcastic.
I appreciate your time and submission. Good luck.

Rebecca

Whatever you vividly imagine, earnestly desire and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass.

You are riddled with talent. I loved every second of your entry. More! Bring it on!

Jim, your energy and enthusiasm are almost too big for radio - I would love to SEE you on television. Considering the fact that you had to contend with a telephone handset to record your piece, it says something that you are virtually busting out of my speakers with no production support whatsoever. You are perhaps one of the most deserving folks I've heard who should move onto Round Two - you have given this your all and it shows. I would have loved to have had you spit in either of my daughter's snacks as their teacher at school. You really know how to share!

-- Linda

Visit me in my House by the Sea:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/1432
http://blog.syracuse.com/communitycritics/linda_lowen/

Jim,
The story was classic. And your voice really made me think of the old time radio classics podcast I listen to. You have that great sound which makes me smile.

Good luck. And thanks for your comments on my entry.

Jennie
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/3708

I'd listen :)
---
Shameless Promotion -
My Entry

You can tell a story! Five stars for you. Tips encouraged. http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6076

I could listen to you for a long time.

Hey, you dig John Prine? Dig this.

http://www.publicradioquest.com/user/2321

As a current public school art teacher, I am always tripping over, bumping into, burning (with hot glue, by ACCIDENT) and sometimes knocking over (not on purpose, I SWEAR!) my students. I can totally relate and would love to hear more! Good Luck!
Ceramisister

Thank you for making me laugh out loud!
Good luck out there!
Hannah

Listen to "Welcome to Kidville" http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/2111 and check out "The Day My Mother's Head Exploded" on http://www.prx.org/