Every two months, my coworkers and I have to go to “professional development” seminars. It’s mandated by the state, in order to maintain our state license. There is one today. I’ve done this enough times to know exactly what to do: bring some crossword puzzles, an ear bud to listen to music secretly while the speaker is speaking, and basically get ready to zone out for six hours.

I look at it as kind of a mental vacation, because I sure as hell am not going to learn anything useful.