As hard as I’ve tried to keep this blog “underground”—a little-known alternative savored by a discerning few—fame keeps chasing it down. As I narrated last week, BitterSweetLife narrowly missed becoming news “lite” for the local masses.
Fortunately, a quirk of timing saved this blog from a highly-publicized fate. Artistic license and absolute creativity remain my prerogative, free from the pressures of a large and demanding readership.
However, I didn’t dodge the bullet of notoriety entirely. I just redirected it. If you care to see what happened from my second-chance interview with the Kansas City Star’s Andrea Lorenz (Thanks, Andrea), check it out : My substitute teaching life is on display in all its dorky (and slightly misquoted) glory. The interview, of course, was better—but as a friend pointed out, isn’t it *always?*
At least I can rest easier now, knowing that BitterSweetLife will remain an underground phenomena, at least for the rest of the foreseeable future. Of course, the blog gets a token mention in the Star article, but how many people will be irresistibly drawn to explore the life of a substitute teacher? Exactly.
I feel the safe, warm blanket of obscurity wrapping me once again. But for a few seconds there, it was close.
I read the article in the STAR and I was irresistably drawn to look up this blog.
ReplyDeleteOf course I, like you, am also a substitute teacher so I HAD to read about your experience.
You are clearly that rare exception, Bryan. ;) And if you go to that much trouble to look up a fellow sub, I'll bet you're committed to your own work. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteIn case others wander by, looking for subbing stories, a quick way to find 'em is to enter "sub" or "substitute" or "subbing" in the search box, top of the page. A quick site search will pull up some good yarns.
I actually read your article in the KC Star and immediately looked at your blogspot. I'm a HS teacher and I am always interested in reading about what other teachers do each day :)
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks, Jennifer. As a real teacher, you’re displaying considerable humility to interest yourself in the life of a sub. I can only aspire to real teacherhood someday. :)
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, people like you and Bryan are refuting the point of this post. I may have to cave in to crass commercialism after all!