..........as I get closer to the end of my career,

I get less and less caring about many situations. I guess it is a form of giving-up; which, as many of you know, is not a part of my character at all. I hate the foul breath of defeat more than you can possibly imagine; but, I am realizing that there are many things in this life and my career that I can't do anything about. One of those things is student dependability. In working with an activity like marching band, there will always be after school rehearsals and performances. We really are only as strong as the weakest link in this performance medium - the kid who doesn't show up! Let me give you an example from our last Monday night drum practice. I had a bass drummer who didn't show up for the rehearsal. She left class early on the same day to go on a scheduled field trip. Our rehearsal is 6:00 - 8:00 PM every Monday night. For this rehearsal, I hire a percussion specialist to come in at work at a cost of $50/rehearsal (grad student from ASU). So, this kid doesn't show for rehearsal. I ask all the other kids in the drumline if they know where she is. They all respond that she had told them that she wouldn't be there for the rehearsal. Everyone knew but me - red flag! She didn't want me to know. She cam in this morning with a long story about what went wrong. Her story involved a propane explosion up on Pond Mountain, and their wasn't cell phone service up there. How did all the other kids know about her absence before she left school? Was the propane explosion an act of terrorism against the good mountain folk of Ashe County? In the end, I listened to her story, gave her the blank "I could care less" stare; and allowed her to slink away in the shame of her lie. I can't do anything about this scenario. It's taken me 27 years to realize it; but, now I know. She is one of many, who will continue to lie to me during the course of the season, and I have decided not to give them the satisfaction of understanding (it would be false, even if I did act like I cared). Sadly, I'm a results man, and the end result will be the judge of me and my work in the community. I'm not that caring teacher you see on Boston Public, or see in the "touchy-feely" segment of the evening news. I want results, I work for results, and damn the obstacles to success! I will not spend my whole life worrying about all my students and their problems. I'm not even going to worry so much about the outcome of it all anymore. I'm just here to present the material, define it, and push on with the performances my public demands. If the performances are good, they we'll all revel in the accomplishment. If we perform poorly, then I'll just be glad the paycheck comes in on time for the work given.