(Editor's Note: The following post is by request and reflects what happens when co-workers become friends. I asked Rudeseal/Hill if they would mind posting this email exchange.)
Dear Ferguson,
When I left to become a social studies specialist, I knew one of the things that I was going to miss the most would be the daily interactions with my Ferguson family. When your new job takes you away from people like Audrey Iverson and Jared Cole and Nancy Rushing and Kara Dennick and so many others, it feels like you are leaving home and moving away from your mom and brothers and sisters.
While I love all of my Ferguson family (not just those mentioned above), you guys have to know that leaving my cohort-in-crime Cam Hill was certainly one of the most difficult parts of my decision. It felt like leaving a really fun party way too early. All that to say, one of my jobs is to communicate with junior high department chairs around the district. Now that Cam is the Social Studies Department Chair, I've had more than a few occasions to email him.
It should come as no surprise to those of you who know me that being in this more formal, district-level position has been a bit of an adjustment. To cope with this, every time I've had to email Cam, I've been really over-the-top with the formalities. I wasn't sure how he'd take it, but Friday, he ran with it and the following is what transpired:
(P.S. I love you all so much and miss you a ton!)
(P.P.S. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Dillehay!)
Re: BINDER QUEST
From: Eric Rudeseal
To: Cam Hill
A request for extra resources...
Good morning Mr. Hill,
[A history teacher] at Young JH shared with me at our recent department chair meeting that they have lost a copy of their 8th grade Mini-Q Project binder... Ferguson has 3 of those binders for 8th grade, if I recall. I told her I would check with you about possibly donating your extra copy of the binder to their campus. They have four 8th grade history teachers and only one binder. It would be something that would have to be handled by the two of you and would not go through my office. If you're okay with doing this (and I'm not sure, but you may have to get Mr. Dunn's or Mr. Zahn's blessing), let me know and I'll have Leslie contact you with the details.
Deuces,
Eric Rudeseal
________________________________________________________________
From: Cam Hill
To: Eric Rudeseal
Re: A request for extra resources...
Dearest Mr. Rudeseal,
I am loathe to announce that, to the best of my considerable knowledge and acumen, I have only seen two copies of said binder. One was in the possession of Mr. Hyman. The other was in my classroom. I have no idea as to the location of the aforementioned third binder. I was wondering if you might be able to shed some light onto its most valuable whereabouts.
With warmest regards,
Cam Hill
________________________________________________________________
From: Eric Rudeseal
To: Cam Hill
Re: Re: A request for extra resources...
Good Master Hill,
I thank thee for thy expeditious answer. Perhaps thou wouldst purvey the historical resources repository, the location of which is room 305. Good Master Simpson hath at one time possessed a copy of it, if my memory doth not fail me. Alas, perhaps, it doth. I beseech thee, search out the repository henceforth. Faith, I shall be verily dismayed if my recollection is fallacious.
Godspeed,
Eric Rudeseal
________________________________________________________________
From: Cam Hill
To: Eric Rudeseal
Re: Re: Re: A request for extra resources...
Dear friend,
I hath, with all haste, dispatched courier to procure favor with our patronage. I hope to gain access, via our keymaster, to this veritable treasure trove of knowledge. I will call upon thee at my earliest convenience to confirm, or fearfully, to deny possession of this curious tome.
I bid thee, adieu.
Cam Hill, Esq.
________________________________________________________________
From: Cam Hill
To: Eric Rudeseal
Re: Re: Re: A request for extra resources...
Sire,
Rejoice! Our greatest hopes are confirmed. I hath gazed upon our prize. I am happy to report that we have found not only the third binder, but also a heretofore unknown-to-us fourth binder. By what twisted alchemy this has been achieved I cannot say, but all appear to be complete and in reasonably fine condition. I must admit, my gut was encompassed by pangs of doubt, but forsooth, my faith hath been restored.
I readily await your instruction as to the deliverance of the fruits of my labor.
I am, as always, humbly at your service.
Cam Hill
________________________________________________________________
From: Eric Rudeseal
To: Cam Hill
Re: Re: Re: Re: A request for extra resources...
God save you, Good Signor Hill!
Forsooth, thine accordance is well met, indeed. Alas, I had feared that thou mightest abrogate our correspondence. I am borne away with exuberance for the triumph of thine expedition. Anon, I shall hasten to send word to the historical magistrate of yonder Offspring Adolescence School and beseech her that she might send for thy prize with utmost urgency. Whether she doth fetch it from thine mansionry or, by means of a courier, thou doest deliver it to her mansionry, I know not. In truth, I pray that your noble deeds are neither maculated nor besmirched by knavery or malefaction. Would that it cost me my very life, I wouldst defend thine honor against the most Machiavellian plots.
I must confess, I know of no alchemy that would propagate duplications of this arcane artifact [fourth binder]. Truly, this conundrum may remain shrouded in perpetuum. Alas, I fear it may be part of some nefarious plot to conjure dark dragons from the underverse. You may think me a jackanapes for my suspicions, but I believe it to be far more fartuous to remain circumspect than to meet a gruesome fate out of nescience. I shall inquire of my liege what is to be done with this sorcerous document. Until then, tread henceforth with great caution, Signor Hill, and safeguard yon relic with the utmost care.
I bid thee farewell,
Eric Rudeseal
Eric Rudeseal
Social Studies Instructional Specialist
Enterprise Centre
690 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 110
(Editor's additional note: Should we all be so blessed.)
Dear Ferguson,
When I left to become a social studies specialist, I knew one of the things that I was going to miss the most would be the daily interactions with my Ferguson family. When your new job takes you away from people like Audrey Iverson and Jared Cole and Nancy Rushing and Kara Dennick and so many others, it feels like you are leaving home and moving away from your mom and brothers and sisters.
While I love all of my Ferguson family (not just those mentioned above), you guys have to know that leaving my cohort-in-crime Cam Hill was certainly one of the most difficult parts of my decision. It felt like leaving a really fun party way too early. All that to say, one of my jobs is to communicate with junior high department chairs around the district. Now that Cam is the Social Studies Department Chair, I've had more than a few occasions to email him.
It should come as no surprise to those of you who know me that being in this more formal, district-level position has been a bit of an adjustment. To cope with this, every time I've had to email Cam, I've been really over-the-top with the formalities. I wasn't sure how he'd take it, but Friday, he ran with it and the following is what transpired:
(P.S. I love you all so much and miss you a ton!)
(P.P.S. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Dillehay!)
Re: BINDER QUEST
From: Eric Rudeseal
To: Cam Hill
A request for extra resources...
Good morning Mr. Hill,
[A history teacher] at Young JH shared with me at our recent department chair meeting that they have lost a copy of their 8th grade Mini-Q Project binder... Ferguson has 3 of those binders for 8th grade, if I recall. I told her I would check with you about possibly donating your extra copy of the binder to their campus. They have four 8th grade history teachers and only one binder. It would be something that would have to be handled by the two of you and would not go through my office. If you're okay with doing this (and I'm not sure, but you may have to get Mr. Dunn's or Mr. Zahn's blessing), let me know and I'll have Leslie contact you with the details.
Deuces,
Eric Rudeseal
________________________________________________________________
From: Cam Hill
To: Eric Rudeseal
Re: A request for extra resources...
Dearest Mr. Rudeseal,
I am loathe to announce that, to the best of my considerable knowledge and acumen, I have only seen two copies of said binder. One was in the possession of Mr. Hyman. The other was in my classroom. I have no idea as to the location of the aforementioned third binder. I was wondering if you might be able to shed some light onto its most valuable whereabouts.
With warmest regards,
Cam Hill
________________________________________________________________
From: Eric Rudeseal
To: Cam Hill
Re: Re: A request for extra resources...
Good Master Hill,
I thank thee for thy expeditious answer. Perhaps thou wouldst purvey the historical resources repository, the location of which is room 305. Good Master Simpson hath at one time possessed a copy of it, if my memory doth not fail me. Alas, perhaps, it doth. I beseech thee, search out the repository henceforth. Faith, I shall be verily dismayed if my recollection is fallacious.
Godspeed,
Eric Rudeseal
________________________________________________________________
From: Cam Hill
To: Eric Rudeseal
Re: Re: Re: A request for extra resources...
Dear friend,
I hath, with all haste, dispatched courier to procure favor with our patronage. I hope to gain access, via our keymaster, to this veritable treasure trove of knowledge. I will call upon thee at my earliest convenience to confirm, or fearfully, to deny possession of this curious tome.
I bid thee, adieu.
Cam Hill, Esq.
________________________________________________________________
From: Cam Hill
To: Eric Rudeseal
Re: Re: Re: A request for extra resources...
Sire,
Rejoice! Our greatest hopes are confirmed. I hath gazed upon our prize. I am happy to report that we have found not only the third binder, but also a heretofore unknown-to-us fourth binder. By what twisted alchemy this has been achieved I cannot say, but all appear to be complete and in reasonably fine condition. I must admit, my gut was encompassed by pangs of doubt, but forsooth, my faith hath been restored.
I readily await your instruction as to the deliverance of the fruits of my labor.
I am, as always, humbly at your service.
Cam Hill
________________________________________________________________
From: Eric Rudeseal
To: Cam Hill
Re: Re: Re: Re: A request for extra resources...
God save you, Good Signor Hill!
Forsooth, thine accordance is well met, indeed. Alas, I had feared that thou mightest abrogate our correspondence. I am borne away with exuberance for the triumph of thine expedition. Anon, I shall hasten to send word to the historical magistrate of yonder Offspring Adolescence School and beseech her that she might send for thy prize with utmost urgency. Whether she doth fetch it from thine mansionry or, by means of a courier, thou doest deliver it to her mansionry, I know not. In truth, I pray that your noble deeds are neither maculated nor besmirched by knavery or malefaction. Would that it cost me my very life, I wouldst defend thine honor against the most Machiavellian plots.
I must confess, I know of no alchemy that would propagate duplications of this arcane artifact [fourth binder]. Truly, this conundrum may remain shrouded in perpetuum. Alas, I fear it may be part of some nefarious plot to conjure dark dragons from the underverse. You may think me a jackanapes for my suspicions, but I believe it to be far more fartuous to remain circumspect than to meet a gruesome fate out of nescience. I shall inquire of my liege what is to be done with this sorcerous document. Until then, tread henceforth with great caution, Signor Hill, and safeguard yon relic with the utmost care.
I bid thee farewell,
Eric Rudeseal
Eric Rudeseal
Social Studies Instructional Specialist
Enterprise Centre
690 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 110
(Editor's additional note: Should we all be so blessed.)