Miscellaneous Missives

Unfortunately, I did not watch last night's Democratic candidates' debate. I was suffering from day two of a headache caused by my forehead hitting the corner of the television hanging in my classroom (an incident which sent my not-so-nice students into fits of laughter). Besides the headache, I was also concerned that if I started watching I wouldn't stop and wouldn't be able to get up at 5:00am to visit the gym. I did, however, listen to Air America (progressive (liberal) radio) this morning and this afternoon. Once again I agree with Edwards who asked, "Will she be the person that brings about change?" He continued, "If you want the status quo, then it's Hillary." According to Daily Kos (also progressive (liberal)), most people agree that Edwards won the debate. "Poll Who do you think won the debate? Joe Biden 9% Hillary Clinton 16% Chris Dodd 9% John Edwards 34% Dennis Kucinich 8% Barack Obama 22% Bill Richardson 3%...

Tomorrow's Halloween, so I went to Tickle.com to see what my Halloween costume should be. This is actually a costume I've used when I was thinner. I probably still have the tail and ears somewhere. The Halloween Costume Generator My Result: Kitty Admit it, you've always wanted to lay back, look adorable, and let everyone else do the work. That's why your perfect Halloween costume is squishy, fuzzy, loveable little creature. You're cute and sweet, and you're sure to get all the attention this year, even after the party's over. Of course you've got a naughty streak as well, and have been known to show your claws from time to time, but you won't swipe unless you really need to. So show off that sweetness at all the parties in furry, footed pajamas and some ears. You're sure to find someone to give you a hug. Aww... Take this test >

I took 35W home today as always. For the majority of the drive, I was going two to five miles an hour. News helicopters were flying as I sat, talked on the phone, and took pictures. At one point I saw a sign that said 3 lanes closed merge right. Since it was a three lane section, I knew the sign must be wrong. It wasn't. The closed 35W going north (my direction) due to a bridge under construction that was sagging perhaps from too much asphalt. BTW-- How is it that these construction workers are helping the problem? If I had a stronger zoom, the helicopter would be larger. It really was close.

All week I've been contemplating a post about Paul Wellstone. October 25th was the fifth anniversary of his passing. Why didn't I post on the anniversary? What can you say about this great man that hasn't already been said? Today we celebrated All Saints Day (actually November 1) at church. We prayed for those who had passed this year. Although it has been five years, someone brought Wellstone's name to prayer as other names were mentioned. What is it about this man that left such a legacy? It was his actions. He was someone who fought for working Americans, the middle class and the impoverished class. Wellstone was a true hero, someone people could believe in. As the devastation in Iraq continues, many remember his speech and vote against going to war with Iraq, but Wellstone was more than that vote. A little over a year ago, I was able to visit the Wellstone memorial. I can't explain my emotions as I remember the man and the politician. My guess is I ...

This morning I had breakfast with a friend. When I told her of my Friday plans to educate the students in my class without giving them homework, she said I was being subversive. Friday was our magazine sale kick-off. Our school sells magazines, so they have money for activities such as field trips, team awards, etc. My seventh graders did this last year too, so when I realized I was giving up thirty minutes of my class instead of twenty, I decided that twenty was enough for my students. First I called the office to make sure we were to leave at 10:10 and not 10:20. Although I was sure it was 10:20 (leaving twenty minutes for the kick-off), it was indeed 10:10. I stated that our students had done this last year and only needed twenty minutes and asked to speak with the assistant principal (in charge of magazine kick-off) who wasn't available. At that point I decided to give my adolescent students a choice. They could go to the auditorium at 10:10 which would mean taking the...

My apartment had a peculiar smell for three days. Last night I decided to wash the rugs, floor, and walls in the bathroom and clean the cat box. I shook the rugs outside and left them as I took care of the other tasks. When everything else was done I took the rugs downstairs to the washer. Interestingly enough the same distinctive smell is downstairs near the apartments directly below mine. It's wasn't the cat box; it was the apartment beneath mine. Now what do I do? If it doesn't improve by Monday I will call the landlord. Although it didn't hurt to change the cat box and wash the rugs, I wouldn't have spent Friday night doing it if I had known the true origin of the stench.

I realize that I'm old, but sometimes I am completely offended by lyrics. Awhile ago I heard Crank Dat by Soulja Boy and turned off the radio because I was offended. Not too long after the muting of the radio, students at school started singing it (too much). Although I explained it was not appropriate for school and wouldn't be sung in my room, they are still singing it in the halls. Misogyny seems to be rampant in music more than ever. Maybe I'm reading to much in the lyrics , but don't you think "Watch me super soak dat (ooohhh)" is too talking about something other than a large squirt gun. What about "And if we get to fighting then I'm cockin on ya bitch?" Isn't this more than two guys fighting? Seriously. Is it me, or is this inappropriate? I realize he is promoting his song/video as a dance, but really?

My keyboard at school is white. It tends to get disgustingly dirty. A couple weeks ago a student was staying after school with me doing odd jobs for detention. When she was done, she asked if there was anything else I wanted. I asked her to take my keyboard to the media center to get something with which to clean it. I specifically told her she was to get supplies from the media center, but she was to clean it herself. Tonight she stopped by again to see if there was anything I needed. After I replied no, she said, "What about your keyboard?" "It's fine but thanks," I answered. She looked at my keyboard and said, "Are you sure?" I sent her with my keyboard to the media center. A few minutes later I watch her walk by my room with four keyboards. She has gathered keyboards from the teachers on our team who were still in their rooms. When she had been gone for awhile, a fellow teacher came in a bit panicked. "Did she take the keyboards home...

Last year before I got my tattoo I tried to give blood since I knew I couldn't give for a year after getting the tattoo. It seems as though 50% of the time when I go to give blood, my iron level is too low. To complicate the process, I have to drink water all day long, so it doesn't take too long to give my pint. Today I went early for my appointment. I was pleased that the nurse took my iron reading before asking me the one million questions. My iron was the lowest possible number to give, but it was adequate for today. I guess eating pasta with spinach two nights in a row and one night with meat helped!

I'll start by admitting this is either really pessimistic or realistic. Am I the only one that thinks comparing the fires in Southern California to Hurricane Katrina is absurd? Am I the only one that thinks the socioeconomic status of the people in Southern California is helping them with more resources than the people of New Orleans (and other southern communities)? I don't think we necessarily learned from Katrina, but I do think that "money talks."

I meet a student around the corner from the top of the stairs. He is out of breath. M- Were you running? S- I have asthma. M- Do I believe that? S- No. M- Please stop running. In reality, this is an ingenious excuse. I wish I was more spontaneous with my excuses.

Saturday evening the idiot light for tire pressure appeared on my dashboard. Dad checked the pressure Saturday night, added a few pounds of air, and checked the pressure again Sunday morning before I left. Over the evening it went down two pounds. Today I took the car to the Toyota dealership to get the leak fixed. $145 dollars later I have three tires cleaned out (nails, staples, etc.) and one new tire. At lunch I asked for donations (zero dollars donated). A colleague asked why I needed a new tire. When I told him the hole was too close to the sidewall, he said I could get someone to fix it. This is my problem with car ownership. I would rather spend more money to feel safe rather than saving money. Maybe it's crazy to get a new tire, but I have no skills changing tires. $145 is worth not standing on the side of the road making a call to AAA.

Dad and I spent some time on the lake. We saw a large quantity of mud hens (coot) which look black but are actually grey. Growing up in Iowa we played Duck, Duck, Grey Duck. It must have been Duck, Duck, Mud Hen. In Minnesota it's called Duck, Duck, Goose. I have a picture of Duck, Duck, Goose. The weather was fantastic and the lake was awesome as usual.

We took advantage of being in Iowa and drove an hour to see Hillary. The pomp and circumstance was overwhelming. She sells t-shirts and buttons. A 20' X 50' flag adorns one wall of the auditorium and people are placed behind her to "be in the shot." After seeing Edwards, it was disheartening. My feelings changed when Hillary began to speak. She really is an intelligent woman although I still don't know that I trust her. I still lean towards Obama and Edwards, yet I would have no problem voting for Hillary. Here are quotes I enjoyed: "Era of cowboy diplomacy is over." "Iraq is the most acute problem because we see the casualties every day but not our only problem." "We want to be an innovation nation, again." She talked about how finding new energy sources would solve problems with security, enviroment, and economy!!!!

Dad's auction went well. He was happy to get rid of his plumbing and heating tools, etc. I was entertained with people watching!

Today I took Dad's four wheeler to take pictures of the vibrant trees on his farm. It was the only way to get close to the trees although we can see them from the house. Since it has rained for a week here, things are muddy. Dad and I have been cleaning the garage, getting ready for his plumbing, heating, and sheet metal auction, and hanging curtains. Dad also posted to his blog today. Tomorrow I will take pictures at the auction and maybe of Hillary. If the auction goers (whatever they're called) are similar to the man that stopped by this evening, we're in for some real entertainment. Our plan is to drive an hour to see Hillary Clinton when it's over. It will be an interesting day!

This is one of those "pass it on" e-mails I've received twice in the last couple of days. It's like the Campbell's soup website where one picks their favorite team and the money goes to... I guess it's worth clicking on the site. The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on 'donating a mammogram' for free. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors /advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate mammogram in exchange for advertising. Here's the web site (http://www.thebreastcancersite.com)! Pass it along to people you know.

Yesterday I was e-mailing a friend whom I planned to meet during my visit to Iowa. My plan was to drive to Iowa yesterday evening. She mentioned that she and her daughter were going to a neighboring town to see Edwards (stumping for the Iowa caucus vote) that afternoon. I e-mailed back to find out when and where. Minutes later I was on the road. Dad and I met J and her daughter and listened to Edwards. The Iowa Caucus is amazing because the presidential candidates go to small venues across the state stumping prior to the caucus. Our event held probably 150 people and was free. It's a close look at the candidate. Edwards was honest and real with his answers. The disappointment for me was the person who introduced Edwards. It was "Cooter" from the Dukes of Hazzard television show. "Cooter" aka Ben Jones, former (or present??) congressman from Georgia had the small town appeal, but I found him offensive. He mentioned Dukes of Hazzard was a "family...

Before I received the official workshop day information, I was talking to a group of students and compared workshop day to in school suspension (ISS). After getting the workshop information, I realized it was worse than ISS. I will not be in ISS today because I am home sick. Am I super sick? NO. Did the doctor tell me to take a couple of days off on Monday? Yes. Did I call in sick? Yes. My four day weekend has become a five day weekend. Today my plan was to buy a new pair of boots, but I really think I'll sleep and pack my car. This evening I will drive to Iowa for the weekend. Do I feel guilty about calling in sick when in reality I could have made it through the day? Did I mention the day was on brain based learning? I have already listened to the presenter do his 1 1/2 hours on brain based learning... no need for a refresher course!

Tonight I left conferences fifteen minutes early; I was tired and ready for bed. Since today was the longest I had been awake since Friday, the day was a bit daunting. Conferences are always intense. I typically find out information that keeps me from sleeping. Today I heard from a mom who threatened to beat her child, so he would end up in foster care. She also let me know that the sister was in foster care. For obvious reasons I didn't ask for details. Tonight I watched a mom cry because she is worried about her son. When he was younger he had severe depression and was on medication. I'm not sure that she meant to share the information, but she is extremely concerned about her son and his being in a new school. My illness seems microscopic in comparison.

I'm home sick although I've already been to school to remind my advisory of conferences tonight which I will be attending. Arghh! My doctor's appointment is set for 10:00, and I am feeling crappy. Because I promised I'd have updated grades for conferences tonight, I just finished entering scores. Instead of lying down for 30 minutes, I decided to check e-mail and my blogs. Today is Blog Action Day . I actually clicked on to the site to see about this green movement. It looks like I can do the following things to help: 1) Post on your blog relating to the environment on Blog Action Day. 2) Donate your day’s earnings to an environmental charity. 3) Promote Blog Action Day around the web. I don't have the energy for number one and number two is not going to happen, so I am doing number 3!

Next weekend is the national observance of Children's Sabbath . In preparation today in church we were given a paper hand with the name of a child to pray for this week. We were instructed to put this little hand someplace as a reminder. My little hand has the name of a girl whom I know nothing about. How can I pray for someone I don't know? It's easy. I will pray for health, safety, happiness, education, spirituality, and for those adults in her life. These prayers will reach out to this child, and serve as a reminder we need to pray for the children all over the world and close to home.

I am often fascinated by Condi. Although I admittedly did not read this entire article from the BBC, the subtitle left me with little to say (or too much). "US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has voiced concern about Russia's direction by saying too much power is concentrated within the Kremlin." Afterall Condi does remember the system of "checks and balances" the United States had before W. I started humming, "and isn't it ironic" which Alanis Morissette sang a decade ago "Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out, Helping you out." I think the 2008 election will have a way of helping Condi and W OUT!

Although the talk about Gore running for president has amplified with his Nobel Peace Prize, I am glad that Gore continues to stay out of the campaign. I do think Gore would make a fine president, but I think he is doing more good with his environmental efforts. A poll on msnbc.com today was a bit surprising and frustrating. Fifty-nine percent of the people polled thought Al Gore should run for president. This is not surprising or even frustrating considering the Nobel Peace Prize announcement. When 54% percent said they would vote for Gore if he ran for president is not surprising or frustrating. The surprising and frustrating part is that of the remaining percentage, Hillary received 9.7%; the next highest percent was 24% for "none of the above." This is disconcerting unless those 24% are Republicans.

The aforementioned parent left me a message in which she at one point in a sentence used the word sh-- (referring to me or my ability). This is not OK. First she questions my professionalism and teaching ability; then she swears on a message listing my many faults. After listening to the message this morning, I went to talk to the assistant principal (AP) who has been dealing with her. Remember I am not the only teacher with whom she has had issue, but her list of complaints about me seems to be growing daily. The latest is that I refuse to let her daughter see the nurse when she has a migraine. Anyway, I mention my disgust with the message and explain that I am done trying to communicate with her. At this point my AP tells me that my job is "customer service" and that I need to get along with her because it's early in the school year. I try to explain that if her daughter would follow the rules and turn in assignments on time, there would be no problem. He also ...

Today I received an e-mail from a parent stating in the future she would no longer communicate with me. Her communications would only be with the principal and vice principal (actually the assistant principal in my building). She is upset because her daughter is missing a fifteen point assignment (out of 241 total points). This is an assignment from the first week of school. Since her daughter is not following team standards in turning in this assignment, I have already sent the woman five e-mails and left at least one voice mail. She is the same lady who told another teacher on my team that our team late work policy was "retarded." Yes, she actually used the word retarded in her conversation. This is a portion of her e-mail: "...Kids should not have to be put through what *** has been put through just to turn in there homework... Now I understand why Destiny is so frustrated! Your job is teach not to set these kids up to fail." I think she meant their (sho...

A colleague and I were both feeling ill last week. We joked about who would get to call the sub first. Since I had students staying after school, I decided I should "bite the bullet" and not call a sub. For the past week I have been feeling yucky. Although I take my temperature, I do not have a fever. I'm just weak and have cold/flu type symptoms. This morning my head was "killing me," and I felt as though I would throw up during my 7am meeting. As the day went on I became less nauseous yet still didn't feel well. The colleague who was feeling ill talked to me in the hall this afternoon and admitted he was still not feeling well. For some reason this made me feel better because I was beginning to think I was going crazy since I have been feeling yucky for a week.

This afternoon as I was going to the staff meeting, an irate parent walked into my classroom angry because I said his son needed to work on his writing to stay in honors language arts. After he exploded, and I figured out the basis of his tirade, I explained that I was talking about writing (sentence structure, paragraphs, coherent thought, etc.) not penmanship. He calmed as I explained several nuances to his son's participation in honors, and he explained his frustration with his son being put in honors without his notification. Later in the conversation (It did become a conversation.), I mentioned it would have been helpful if I would have been given some of this background information at the beginning of the year. "Don't take this personally," he started. Why is it that anytime someone starts with this line I know to take it personally? "Don't take this personally, but I think of teachers as tools," he stated. The American Heritage dictionary has...

This morning's church service proved hysterical for me and for a little girl whom I always watch. When she walked in without her ruby red shoes or her new boots, I knew her morning at already been difficult. After being in church a few minutes, she became hysterical, and her mother had to take her out. As soon as I saw her footwear this morning, I knew it was going to be a difficult service for her. I became hysterical during the final song. It was actually an old hymn, "Bringing in the Sheaves." We never really sing the old fashioned hymns in this service, and I found the title comical. When the pianist and guitarist started playing, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Literally, I was laughing out loud. Several times I tried to stop, but I couldn't. For some reason I don't think this song is meant to be sang with guitar and piano. Obviously, it is meant to be played with a slow, heavy organ. Has it ever been played in another manner? Certainly no...

Since I thought my last post (I Miss Iowa) was too long and people had given up reading, I decided a Part II was important. It is, after all, the Part II that truly started my missing Iowa. The presidential candidates are "stumping"(what does that word mean? taking out tree stumps? J- hee hee) in Iowa again this weekend. Barack Obama is in New Hampton, a small town which I think I've actually driven through in the middle of Iowa. Although I never remember Iowa being liberal or remember the candidates coming through with such prowess, I miss it. Maybe I don't remember because I honestly didn't vote until I was in Minnesota which had as much to do with my maturity as it did with Minnesota. Before you gasp, I didn't vote because I a) wasn't informed and b) didn't think my vote counted. This really doesn't seem so stupid after the last presidential election now does it??? Anyway, Barack Obama is in Iowa and some freaky fanatic from Denver (the ...

Today as I am perplexed at my anguish of 85º and sunny (maybe because it's October 6th and I'm not working out), I am also feeling homesick for Iowa. It's sad to say, but it's not necessarily homesick for family. I'm homesick for the wonderful things Iowa has to offer. One example would be the men and boys in Iowa. You don't find the big, strong, and beautiful guys Iowa has to offer in Minneapolis. Another important aspect Iowa has to offer that is somehow missed in Minnesota (land of ten thousand lakes none as beautiful as Lake Okoboji) is the concept of multiple college conferences. Today Texas and Oklahoma are playing. I was going to watch the game and work on school stuff. One can't do this in Minnesota because they somehow have the inability to show anything that is not Big 10. Although I will consider watching Iowa get massacred as a replacement, it's really not the same. For those Minnesotans reading this blog thinking that this seems str...

Obviously, it has little to do with my inability to work out on a regular basis.

After reading Omnivore's Dilemma and Animal Vegetable Miracle , I have decided to be more aware of what I eat. I started by purchasing more organic foods. Recently I've decided to buy the majority of my groceries at the Coop. Buying more locally grown foods is also something on which I am focusing. On a recent trip to The Wedge , I noticed my receipt gives a percentage of local food purchased. After giving it some thought I e-mailed with a couple of questions: 1) How did they get the percentage? 2) What is considered "local?" Today I receive the explanation: First, he explained that the percentage is a monetary percentage not a percentage of items. Next, he explained the "local" definition. "since some shoppers are very strict about their definitions (some say within 50 miles of home). But we decided to go with a broad definition since (a) we live in the Upper Midwest and our food sources are, by the necessity of winter, sprawled out much f...

As I was trying once again to avoid Lake Street, I noticed this spray painted message on 26th and Hennepin. I'm a little surprised I didn't see it before. The pictures isn't quite clear since it's difficult to take a picture while driving, but the top of the railing says, "Forgive Yourself." If it was my fence, I might add Forgive Others to the bottom railing.

On my way home from school today I thought it would be great to make a photo essay of my trip home. Although I didn't think of it immediately, I did have wonderful ideas. First I would take a picture of a Portland Avenue sign. Today I decided to take Portland figuring 494, 62, and 35W would be a mess in the rain. Next I was going to take a picture of the heavy rain and my wipers. My cell phone would be the next picture followed by the bumper of the car in front of me. I would then add a picture of my bag dumped on the floor of the backseat as a result of checking messages on my phone, almost hitting the car in front of me, and using my anti-lock brakes. Of course my bag was dumped on the floor of my car, so I couldn't retrieve my phone from under the mess.

As I was talking to a friend this evening, she mentioned she was taking a quiz about the candidates. Her friend had taken the quiz and was surprised by his results. I am a bit surprised by some, but for the most part I agree. Here are my results: Kucinich 45 This is no surprise. Although I agree with him on most issues, I don't think he'll get elected. I've always felt this way (even during the last election). Edwards 43 Again, this is no surprise. Lately I have begun to think he might be the best to get elected. Dodd 43 Really? I've always thought he was a bit of a flake. Clinton and Obama 36 Yes, I would actually love to see either get elected (first black or first woman) although Hillary kind of bugs me, and I don't really have a reason. Richardson 36 I used to think he was a flake until I watched him at Harkin's (Iowa congressman) Steak Fry (C-Span). I will admit that at first I was a bit nervous when my results came back, and I saw the elephant. ...

I've been sick and tired for the last several days. Yesterday I finally took my temperature; it was normal. Today I thought about calling in sick. Since I didn't have sub plans, I decided to "tough it out." During school I set up an appointment for acupuncture. Leaving school I was greeted by someone who said, "Go home." After I explained that I was on my way to acupuncture, he said, "Good, get out of her." This was followed by another person who exclaimed, "I hear acupuncture is good for weight loss." Really? Good for weight loss? Was this a hint? As the chiropractor came in to see me, I was blowing my nose. He entered the room laughing at me. "I thought we took care of your sinuses last week." Obviously NOT! Maybe I'm overly sensitive because I don't feel well, but those encounters weren't necessarily endearing.