Know alls.

There is always someone who knows better, isn't there. Sky News told me this morning that small children as young as four or five are to be tested to see how well they can solve "simple problems like writing their names, simple arithmetic and reading. The nursery school teacher said that this was not a bad thing. She would observe and evaluate while the little blighters were playing. Surely I am not alone in thinking this is a collosal intrusion into families. Why should small children have to be graded so early? Why do we have to find out who is a loser even before they start school. The"experts" just want even more control. They know so much more than parents how their children should be brought up. What is wrong with thousands of years of experience? I can see it now, little Billy starts school and the file says he merits two lessons a week special needs. These people sicken me and if they aren't able to tell us how to spend our money, what to eat or wear, they are now going to take child up-bringing from young parents. Why can't these do-gooders put their educational ambitions into schools where their work is needed, higher up?
Anyway, it is here in Norway already and just shows how things are going. But no-one talks about freedom any more. They won't until they haven't got it any more. Then it'll be too late anyway.
I have more respect for people who know what it means to have to knuckle under or get a rifle butt in the face. Tibetans know what freedom means, and so do people in Zimbabwe where another classic "I know what is good for you" leader is on his last legs after taking his formerly rich country to the cleaners. But there is little point in complaining. Being an old fashioned fuddy duudy who believes in good manners and using indicators in traffic, I am obviously so out of touch with modern times that I should be ignored.
Although, come to think of it, I am not being ignored at the moment at work anyway. I must admit to being treated with respect by colleagues and pupils alike. My new running-mate RLB is an excellent partner and our new class, 1STC looks promising too. I look forward to driving to Kongsberg in the mornings and teaching is fun. I even like to believe that the indians appreciate my teaching, and it is a long time since I have had that feeling.
Meeting Burkhard, Anders J, Anders S and Bård on board Mona Lisa was a pleasant experience last Monday and Burkhard had a small collection of beautiful models for me. Very much appreciated before my birthday, due in a couple of days. It was good to talk to people with a common love of ships and with knowledge of the subject. Bård was funny and entertaining, as usual, a talented actor as well, and it gave me a lot of pleasure to see Burkhard and Bård get on so well. Both experts in their fields and with a mutual respect many other people I know would do well to learn. And these are not people who want to tell anybody else how to run their businesses. I appreciated Burkhard's generosity to me, both in models and in words. He is a good friend indeed.
Now is the time to prepare for Monday's teaching, and in particular, meeting the kids who managed to miss out on Friday's lesson. Sean the Sheep is a good way of getting the smile back on their faces. Whether I am the best teacher they have had since washing up liquid was put on the market remains to be seen, but their remarks are of course appreciated as well. Even if they are part of a campaign to soften up my hard old walnut of a heart. One thing is certain, I don't no best. Definitely!