leoxsanchez

[leoxsanchez]

Leo shrugged, "At least once Halloween is over it's not long until Thansgiving break and then the Christmas break. Although I do try to stop myself thinking like that because I often feel I'm wishing my life away, you know." Taking a break he fell serious for a moment, "You doing alright though?"

"Great, looking forward to it," Theo said with a grin, though he knew this was all hypothetical speak. At least that's what he was thinking at the moment. Then nodding, Theo remembered his kids on Halloween and how much fun it was. "Yeah, when the kids were younger it was much better. Now I just cramp their style." He shrugged before making a face at Leo's sentiment about the kids in school. "I can only imagine how insane it gets for ya'll."

[leoxsanchez]

"Ah I see, I feel the bigger blocks might be more stable when building ....but they could be trickier to pull out due to the length." Leo looked down at the block that was still in his hand, "Yeah, definitely keep your toes out of the way but it will also be a good test of our reaction speed."

"Well, do you think it's easier or harder to do with the big blocks?" they asked curious, stroking their chin. "I think just stay out of the way of the blocks so you don't end up with an injured foot or whatever."

[leoxsanchez]

"I don't think I've heard heard that saying but I can only imagine it gives people quite the dilemma. Do you want rain since it's good luck or to stay dry and enjoy the day?" Chuckling lightly at his own question Leo glanced up at the darkening sky which had no sign of any rain clouds. "I don't imagine I was one of the ones that got you. I have learned that it's not really my forte. I think I am much more accurate using a game controller than a paint gun." Shaking his head at the question Leo thought back, "Do you know I can't even recall seeing you. I was in the green team though if that narrows it down for you."

"I hope so," he agreed with a smile. "I know that they say that rain on your wedding day is good luck, but it also makes everything soggy and damp, and when you're getting married outside… I'm pretty sure that's the last thing that you want." If the fall weather could stay decent and nice, he was pretty sure both the bride and the groom would be pleased. "I did! Surprisingly did pretty well, too, even though some guys really got a few good licks in… were you one of them? Are we mortal enemies?"

[leoxsanchez]

Passing over the drink, Leo stepped towards Alec as he opened his own can. "How is it going? Did you take part in the paint balling?"

Alec stood back, waiting his turn to grab a drink when Leo turned back offering him a beer. Alec glanced at the can in the older man's hand, ensuring it was a beer he would enjoy before accepting it. "Yeah, I'll take one. Thank, man."

[leoxsanchez]

Starter for: Alec Jacobs @xalecjacobs

Where: Batchelor Party (12th October)

"Did you want one of these?" Leo asked holding out a beer can to the other man. He had just got himself another drink and assumed that was why the other was over here too.

[leoxsanchez]

"I seem to remember having a teacher visiting from England once who explained the rules of croquet to me and it was the most confusing game. So on that basis I would say that you did win because I doubt anyone really knows the correct way to win," Leo explained with a shrug as he drank some water. "Are you planning on joining in the paintballing later?"

It felt a little weird to be at Cage's bachelor party, he didn't know him super well, but he was also the uncle to his son, so he felt like he would show up and have a few drinks, hang around, see what kind of things they had planned. With a beer in hand he glanced over at the man who came up to him. "I mean I gave it a go but I'm not really sure if I was winning or not." It wasn't a sport he was all that familiar with, he was just trying to have a good time. "So it may have been me, or it may have been someone else." he laughed.

[leoxsanchez]

[leoxsanchez]

Leo chuckled, "Not at all, although given that I've had a few beers I don't know how steady my hand will be either." He began to stack the large pieces, turning in surprise at the question. "No, I don't think I have. Is there a different technique that I should know about?"

"Only if you don't mind me knocking everything down way too soon," Arturo answered with a laugh, putting down his drink when he sat across from where the jenga was. "Have you ever played the big one before?"

[leoxsanchez]

Leo was watching the fire, there was something almost hypnotic about it. So he took a moment longer to turn but when he saw who it was he nodded, "Yes, it's been the perfect day for it all round. Let's hope that the weather keeps being this agreeable for the actual wedding." He took a drink before continuing, "Did you participate in the paintballing?"

WHO: Rafael & @leoxsanchez

WHERE: Newman Family Farm

WHEN: Bachelor Party (October 12, 2024)

Paintball had come and gone, Rafael was full of foods that he was sure that he wasn't going to touch again until the next summer, but there was something pretty lively about the fire burning on the Newman Family Farm, stepping closer with his beer in hand, bringing it up to his lips to take a long swig. "Pretty nice night for this kind of party, isn't it?" he asked the person next to him, smile on his face.

[leoxsanchez]

Starter for : Ari Dhringa @aridhingra

Where: Batchelor Party (12th October)

Leo was very content with a beer in one hand and a plate of food in the other as he found a place to sit down and relax for a moment. "Was it you I saw winning at croquet earlier?" he asked as he saw Ari nearby.

[leoxsanchez]

"You'll be the first name on my reference list should I change paths,"Leo agreed with a grin. "Halloween with small kids is definitely very different but I can absolutely see your teenagers not wanting to be restricted by Dad being around. Sadly I've reached the point where I just see it as some crazy days in school with kids either trying to terrify the younger ones, a mess of fake blood everywhere and kids on a sugar high for about a week. It's rather taken the shine off anything else."

"Glad to know you will," he said with a laugh, always thankful for an old friend. "I'd do the same for you. That is if you decide to climb the corporate ladder higher than being a principal." He joked, taking a swig from the bottle in front of him. "But thanks, I do appreciate it!" He said with a nod, looking around the bar. "I see, I used to enjoy it moreso when the kids were younger, but now as teenagers, they think they're too cool for dad," wincing he playfully frowned. "As for Creek Fest, it really is always a great time."

[leoxsanchez]

"I definitely get that worry. Sofia is still in elementary school but the rate she is growing and forming her own ideas and opinions freaks me out at times. However there is also something so wonderful about seeing her becoming her own person in small ways. I'm not sure I'll be saying that though in a few years when she is starting to talk about college and moving on." Leo laughed loudly at the karaoke suggestion, "I really don't think anyone wants that. I'll stick to being a good audience member for those talented individuals like this one." The singer finished and as the applause faded away Leo stood up, "However I think I'll take the chance to get some air while they are changing acts. I'll see you again soon."

"The idea of him leaving town is always in the back of my mind," Cage admitted, letting out a small breath. Maybe it would have been different if he, himself, had stayed, but knowing how fast he had jumped at the opportunity to leave Merrock, to travel, to try to do something different with his life, it made him nervous for what his son might choose to do, as well. "With Shawn, he knows he wants to play football in college, so I think having a friend around that has an idea in mind might make Colton make up his own mind, but we'll see. Plenty of time left." Or at least that was what he told himself whenever he got nervous and in his own head about how fast his son was growing up. "Probably not," he laughed, gesturing towards the performer, "I can carry a tune, but doing it in front of other people… not my cup of tea. What about you, not hitting up any karaoke nights at The Mirage any time soon, I take it?"

[leoxsanchez]

Starter for? Aturo Vasco @arturovasco

Where: Batchelor party (12th October)

Leo was wandering through the selection of games laid out at the party, chuckling to himself at activities he hadn't done in years. Spotting the giant jenga he picked up a piece and spotting the other man called over, "Do you fancy a game?"

[leoxsanchez]

[leoxsanchez]

Leo chuckled as he listened to Cage's description of Colton moving schools. "It's amazing how quickly they do adapt to each new step and it's wonderful to see but it doesn't get any easier for us parents. Before you know it you'll be discussing colleges and careers so I hope you appreciate and enjoy sophmore year." It was always somewhat comforting to hear that other parents had experienced that panic of wondering where the baby is when you are out and about but he had to agree that before you realised it the answer was that they were in school and not your responsibility for a chunk of the day. He had experienced a similar feeling when he left Ana and Sofia stayed with her mother but that one took a lot longer to get over. "Does this mean that we won't be getting you up for karaoke anytime soon?" Leo grinned as he took a drink. The singer started another, faster song and he drummed his fingers against the counter in time to the music.

"No kidding," Cage laughed, shaking his head as he brought his beer up to his lips, taking a long swig. "I remember being scared shitless about how much of a change it was going to be for him, and he handled it like a champ. But he loves high school, especially this year, knowing that he's not the little fish anymore, being a sophomore and all." Being a freshman was always intimidating, no matter what kind of student someone was, so it was a good thing if they could step up in the world, so to speak. "Oh yeah, in the middle of checking out at the grocery store, you'll having that sudden, stabbing panic of 'shit, where are they?' before you realize that they're in the classroom. She seems to be, though. She's one of those kids that adapts super easily, so that's been a huge help." And it was nice for her to have a routine, given how busy things sometimes were for Cage and Cordelia. "See, but I can't play piano for shit," he laughed, shrugging his shoulders, "so you've got one up on me. I like to believe that I'm a world class singer… alone in the shower."

[leoxsanchez]

Leo was surprised by her reaction but he also wasn't going to argue with her. His role felt like it changed almost on a daily basis so it was hard to talk absolutes.

"I look forward to hearing from you soon," he smiled. "I'm glad you are so keen because we definitely need enthusiasic teachers. I'll let you go get your dinner and I will speak to you soon."

There was no way to have a complete vision of what was happening in the schools until she was fully immersed in them. She only had her own first-hand experience as a student and the things she had heard as she attended her courses at the college. She didn’t know how different the Merrock schools differed from the ones she had gone to back home but she liked to think some experiences were fairly universal. She supposed that at the end of the day, only time would tell what she ended up thinking. “I’m not delusional,” she said simply. “I mean, I know ever person has a person over them and I suppose that the Board of Education probably has the most decision making power but that doesn’t change the fact that on a day to day basis you’ve got some influence.”

That was why he was someone she trusted to help guide her in some way toward her future. Even if he definitely couldn’t make decisions for her, he could help be a sounding board and she was grateful for that. “Thank you,” she said simply collecting her phone back and pocketing it. “I will definitely be in contact and let you know what I decide sooner rather than later since I have to start getting some student teacher hours. Hopefully, I’ll land somewhere nice.”

[leoxsanchez]

Leo listened to her reasoning with a soft smile. It was encouraging to hear the passion in what she said but he knew there was a naiveity which most people had until they had been in the job for a few months and the reality of the situation was starting to weigh on them. Still it was one of these conclusions that everyone had to experience and reach for themselves and he certainly was not going to discourage her. He did find himself chuckling at her analysis of admin though and he shook his head, "I think you over estimate the decision making power I have although I agree it is definitely more than teachers do and I do my best to use that power to improve things for everyone involved as much as I can."

His brows rose in surprise as she thrust her phone towards him but he placed his pizza box down on the empty table next to him and took the phone. Typing in his details he handed the phone back with a smile, "There you go and I look forward to welcoming you in to the school soon. I can arrange a visit with a particular subject or if you would rather get a general feel I can arrange you to visit a few classes while you are there. Give it some thought and you can let me know."

“I suppose that some will outgrow that phase and others you couldn’t be disused from that opinion if every day was a pizza party and video kind of day,” she admitted. Zarah knew that most people were pretty firm in their opinion but there were always a small percentage of people who could be pulled to a different side. Those were the ones that she felt like teachers sought to find and break through to. She knew that dealing with people who were constantly negative could be daunting though and she supposed that it was easier to go with those who were going to more receptive. Teenagers sucked but pre-teens sucked even more.

“I think that it sort of changes which angle you’re going at everything from when you’re an admin versus a teacher,” she said with a nod. “I mean, politics and bureaucracy aren’t generally things people love in general. You only have so much power as teacher to get the people in power to make change but when you’re an admin, you sort of seem to have more influence.” She didn’t know that she ever really wanted to be someone with influence though. She only wanted attention from the people she wanted it from. She didn’t feel a need to go out of her way to put her neck out on the day to day. Managing herself and her situation was enough for her. She hoped he didn’t think she was truly to run him off, frankly if she didn’t have her food it wasn’t going to be cold. She just didn’t want to feel like she was putting him out in any sort of way. “I really do want to come,” she said grabbing her phone out of her pocket for a moment and extending it to him. “If you want to program your contact info, I can call or text or whatever is easier for you later to sort it out.”