The Daily News

1  I set my foot down and now I am officially retired, and loving it. My students showered me with cards and gifts, and my last class gave me a card signed by nearly everyone in the room. It stopped me. All the love and wonder caught me up. Thanks to every person around for all the support over the years. I'm finely free, and all I could think about was the love. It really is all you need. Oh, and chocolate. 

2  This is the last DN of the year, even though I really haven't even turned in my keys yet. Thursday was about emotion and my students being classy; yesterday was saying good-bye to colleagues and putting my grade book together.

3  For whatever reason it was immensely stressful. At one point my mouse broke down and I had to rely on right-clicking on my MacPro. The deadline was 4 p.m. OR ELSE.

4  I'm not sure as to OR ELSE what. 

5  Fortunately my good friend Gwen straightened me out and I was merrily on my way. 

6  Got it done with twenty minz to spare!

7  Boxing stuff up was just as unemotional except when I'd find another "Thank You" card, or when someone would come in. 

8  It was an endless display of love and support from everyone. 

9   I couldn't leave. I cleared out every cabinet in the room and STILL had a mess. At around 6 I locked the door, packed a bunch of crap in my car and forced myself to get home and to return Monday. 

10  That's how it usually happens, and right now, usually is a comfortable word.

11  Moving On, Part One: The other day I was in Save Mart (I think!) and saw a baseball cap, brown and tan that said, "San Jose CA" on it.

12  Sight unseen.

13  I bought it because I'm not going to forget San Jose, or my home. 

14  I'm probably going to wear it Monday, when I go back to my classroom for the last time, clean up, and do what I always do, which is to write Hamlet's last words on the board.

15  Here are Hamlet's last words:

The Rest is Silence

16  Every year I have written those words on my day of departure.

17  I will give a look around the room, sigh, and do a last-episode-of-Friends look, and lights out.

18  Curtain.

19  

20  So dramatic.

21   As for the DN, it shall resume on August 10 or 11, when school starts. The only difference is it might be a noon delivery!

22  And it will probably have items like this:

______________________________________________

1  Started to take out the lawn mower but put my Batman comic book over my face and dozed off. 

2  Went into the yard and watched a couple of party birds, which my daughter Caitlin assures me chirp all night long.

3  Nightingales. 

4  Go well with Batman.

5   Thinking of walking the path to the gym and reading the paper. 

6   Nah. I can do that two times later today...

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23  And on and on. Anon anon.

24  So fear not. 

25

26   I know you were worried sick.

27   I be back.

The REAL Capn' Jack Sparrow

28  Moving On, Part Two: My fellow Truckee River Capn' Jeff and I are meeting at the new house Tuesday. 

25  He is the REAL Jack Sparrow. 

26  I be Capn' Numb Skully, and we plunder the Truckee looking for doubloons and and parrrrrrrrrtyin,' and usin' soakers to knock tuna sandwiches out of the hands of babes. 

27  And then usin' words like 'tis.

28

29  So I ain't goin' out in style. I be comin' in in style.

30  'Tis the only way tuh parrrrrrrty!

31   With that I be off. I'll hang all sorts of nonsense up on Facebook, so watch for me. And I'll travel the high seas, 'til me doubloons run out. 

32  So see you again. 

33  This ship has launched, but I be back.

34   Have a GREAT summer, and I'll stay in close touch online. 

35  So long.

36  Don't really gottago, but I will end this year's DN with one word: 

37  Peace, maties. Oh wait. That's two words. Now four words. Now ten words...

38   Oh bother. See you again.

39    Peace.

~H~