For some reason I was thinking back to public school. Which years were tolerable and which years were hell?
Exactly one variable. Gym class.
In elementary school we had recess, which was only partial hell. The team leaders never chose me, and the teacher had to force them to take me on pain of detention.
Junior high was during the Kennedy Physical Fitness craze of ’61 to ’64, so it was all calisthenics and pure hell. Strictly military, with a drill instructor as teacher. We suited up, marched out to the field in the next block, did Official JFK calisthenics in unison, played football or baseball for a while, ran for a while, marched back in, showered, and suited down, all within one hour.
Hell continued in 10th grade. Gym class was finally optional in 11th grade, and I finally started to open up and appreciate school and people.
Then the first year of college made PE mandatory again, and I was in hell again.
Fuck you, JFK.
Polistra's Mill 