The Gathering

Tonight was the first Gathering.  It sounds like something out of a si-fi book.  Like some other world is going to come in and take over and it kinda did.  The world of a classroom.  There I was, uh late by like 1 minute.  That is another story. Okay I was telling a friend that she is doing the right thing when her kid was losing it for 3 hours.  Anyway. I walked in late the first night.  Great first impression.  I sit in the back.  Of course.  They are singing a song.  I hate to sing.  And then someone tells me I have to get a name tag.  Duh, I'm Genie.  No one else is Genie.  You ever met anyone else named Genie?  I hate wearing one.  But I get it and put it on and I smile.
Then Bro Ricks tells us to take 2 minutes to write down a 1 minute introduction of ourselves.  I just kinda sit there.  I don't need any time to write anything down.  I don't even need time to think about it.  It just comes out of my mouth.  I am a girl who can talk.  That is bad.  I need a filter.  My turn comes I take my minute.  It is good.
This class is a cross section of society.  It has the typical people that ask a lot of questions that were in the homework.  A few smart computer guys (yahoo!)  Some quiet people and some talkers in the back.  Just guess which one I am?
So they say they are going to pass around a sign up sheet for people to sign up to be the lead student.  We all have to take our turn starting next week.  I think, "man, I want next week so I can get it done."  Then I think, "that is just plain stupid."  I am in the back.  Towards the end of the sign up.  When I get it there are three spots left and like the heavens open up on it the spot right at the top is open and before I know it my hand is writing my name...right there...on the line for next week.  And it is in pen!
So besides feeling like I am going off to collaborate on some si-fi book next week I will be facilitating the lesson.  I will be the lead student.