The biggest/littlest/sizeable hamlet/town/city in the western U.S.

I'm clearly in Reno.

There are no pigeons. Instead there are California Quail bobbing down the roads.

The heat is still on.

Tumbleweeds are not uncommon. There are some outside my house.

Locals insist 'Nevada' is pronounced 'Neh-va-duh', like 'Crab apple'.

I can bike to work across town. In 20 minutes.

Prairie style architecture? You betcha. Suburbia with 'western' influences'? Darn tootin'.

My students aren't all white.

My students have never been to NYC, Boston or DC.

Downtown = casinos.

Two blocks from work = prostitutes.

Six blocks from work = downtown.

* * *

In all seriousness, I am now living and teaching in Reno. It was quite a change and a hell of a move on short notice, but so far I'm liking it. The school is good, and almost all of my kids are good as well. I'm teaching world history, US history, and sociology. It's a blast. High school kids are great.

I'm now in my third week here. All of the above is true, and it's a pleasant change of scenery from Boston. Not that Boston is bad, mind, I just like to move around from time to time.

So here goes: real-life teaching. Hope I survive it.