Unexpected
I also had one of the teachers frequently occurring here this week: batshit mental and therefore lots of fun. He was known as "Mad Mac", since his name was McNeff. The trick in his lessons was to set him off on one of his insane, absurdist stories, which could easily last the entire 40 minutes, and would mean no work and no homework either!

I remember one story, because it was told to me after I'd correctly answered a difficult question. Apparently I was going to receive a cream horn (careful now) which would be personally delivered to me by elephant, which would fly by hot air balloon from darkest Bolivia, and... well, you get the idea.

One term he simply disappeared. I think we all understood that "taking early retirement" was a euphemism for "politely asked to leave before his dribbling insanity required the use of a straight-jacket", and we were sad but not at all surprised to see the end of Mad Mac.

So, as I say, standard fare for this week's replies. But, recently I was trying to research my old school (which has long-since been bulldozered) and I came across an "old boys" site. To my amazement, Mr McNeff used to be headmaster, some time before I was there. And, apparently, he was a much-loved head, popular with both the boys and the staff -- our school's Dumbledore, in fact.

I'm still boggling to this day.
(moon monkey is busy making memories worth repressing, Mon 21 Mar 2011, 11:11, Reply)