The theme song ofr the TV show Cheers has a line that says "you want to go where everyone knows your name." And the song is right. We all like to go places where everyone knows our name; places where we have a little bit of local fame. But sometimes you can't go there. Or the place doesn't exist. The next best thing is to go when everyone notices you. Sure we all sometimes want to be alone or at least left alone but generally we want people to know we are there.

I visited the school I used to teach at today. It's been over three years since I taught there so the kids that were freshmen my last year all graduated last spring. The kids, with a few exceptions, don't know who I am. Some of the faculty don't either. It is amazing how many new faces I see in front of classrooms. But I get noticed. On one hand I get noticed because I am a stranger - at least to the students. I don't dress like a teacher (I left my tie at home and I was wearing jeans) and so I stand out. Plus of course the teachers who do know me great me warmly and a couple stop class to introduce me. That attracts some attention as well. So I cause a minor stir. I have to say it felt pretty good. And I think I needed it. We all need to be paid some attention to now and again.

Lately I've felt a bit ignored. A number of things I have done seem to have garnered no notice at all. Some comments I was pretty sure were posted to blogs elsewhere seem to have vanashed into the bit bucket. Some ideas I have put forward have recieved no comments - pro or con - at all. I could go on. And I work a good bit of my time in (physical) isolation. The phone calls, IMs and direct email help but it is not like people are actually there. So it's been a tough week for me emotionally. I needed to see people and to be seen by people. Today helped. And while I was at it I picked up a good recommendation for a C# textbook and discussed some other curriculum issues with some teachers so I don't feel like it was completely about me.

Being ignored (or just feeling like one is beign ignored) is a really horrible feeling. I think I need to go find some people and pay them some serious attention. If you know someone who needs some attention go give it to them. That increases the likelyhood that people will pay attention to you as well.