First day of school........ Well there are 15 new teachers replacing the mass exodus and firing last year.  Another three teachers were told the day before school started that they wouldn't be hired back.  Surprisingly I still have a job.  I celebrated by stopping off at a friend's house, bitching about the school and polishing off a nice chilled bottle of white.  It has been very hot and humid.  One needs to cool off somehow.  Fortunately there are still some wonderful people for me to play with.  One of my favorite is a Canadian gentleman of a certain age and certain persuasion who makes a killer trifle.  I'm going to a get-together at his place after school on Thursday.  He promises cocktails he learned to make in cooking classes in Venice this summer.  Should be fun as long as I can stay awake.  Am heading to bed now and it's only 8 pm.  Jet lag stinks.  I crashed big time today at school and found myself speaking in tongues.  Weird.  Leaving now.  xxoo me