I didn’t get to write anything on Wednesday this week, which isn’t unusual. Wednesday tends to be my busiest day of the week so I don’t really get anything extracurricular done, but that’s okay, we all have days like that in our lives. Anyway, here is my answer to Tuesday’s question of:

Who is your most memorable teacher? The one who inspired you, kept you going, helped you learn? The one who has made a lasting impact on your life?

I think I have a few. I couldn’t think of one teacher from elementary school or high school that had any kind of lasting effect on me, but I had a middle school teacher who did. Mr. Malone, my eighth grade English teacher, was not only a good guy, but I think he had an impact on me. It wasn’t so much what he taught, but he seemed to give us the freedom to think and do things. He was the first teacher I can remember who pushed me a little in writing, making me think, and use my imagination more in my writing. I think that kind of started me on the road that I still follow today. I could also say that we always had a lot of fun in his class, which was also the first time I can remember that happening.

Another teacher who had an effect on me was a professor I had when I spent one year at community college. Sam Draper wasn’t a particularly friendly guy or even a really nice guy, but he was a good teacher. He taught a freshman English class I was taking and he was the first teacher to not only teach me about some of the rules of writing, but also encouraged me to express myself more in my writing. He was also the person who helped to convince me that I should major in English in college. he told me I had a good grasp of literature and expressed my ideas well in writing and I should explore that. For that, I thank him, wherever he may be now.

Lastly, Peter Lyons was a professor I had when I was working on my Master’s degree. He wasn’t only a professor though; he also gave me a chance to work in the Writing Center and Western Connecticut where I was able to work directly with students to help them with their writing. I only took one class with him as the teacher, but I enjoyed it and he taught me a lot about self-examination of myself and my writing and how I should include more of myself in my writing. The opportunities he gave me and the lessons I learned from him, not just about writing and teaching but life in general, have helped me immensely. I am sure he had many students through the years who might tell him the same thing, and I know he retired a few years back, but I did get a chance to thank him before I left WestConn many years ago for all that he had helped me with.

Okay, so that’s covered now, ao we can get on with today’s question. Thanks to everyone who answered Tuesday’s question, including Boomer Esiason. I was trying to come up with something a little different for today’s question, so let’s try this:

What’s your guilty pleasure? Now I don’t mean in a racy, sexual way (although if that’s where you want to go with it, go ahead). I was thinking more along the lines of is there a television show, movie, or song that a lot of people consider bad or silly, but when you hear it or see it you have to watch, listen to it or sing along? Now come on, we all have this, whether we want to admit it to anyone (or even ourselves). Did you secretly enjoy watching “Saved By The Bell” or singing along to the “Macarena?” Let’s hear it and see what you are willing to admit to. I only have a couple of hundred followers between Facebook, Twitter and my blogs, so not that many people will see it anyway :). Don’t be shy! Give an answer and I will post my answer tomorrow.

By the way, if you ever have a question of your own that you think would be fun or thought provoking to get people talking and writing, please send it along. You can leave a comment here, send me one on Twitter or on Facebook, or send me an email at IguanaFlats@msn.com. I am open to any and all suggestions and input. That’s it for now. I have a lot of writing I want to do today, some fun and some work related, so I have to get to it (or maybe I have to go and watch “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, who knows?). Don’t forget to do something creative today!