Miscellaneous Missives

When I left school yesterday, I knew my weekend was going to be designated to school work. The weather has changed outside, and I am relieved to enjoy it this morning with a walk. Other than that my day has been full of correcting graduation standards and doing laundry. To make the correcting go a bit more quickly, I rented a movie. As of 3:30 pm, I have watched Mama Mia! and two episodes of Sex in the City and only have two of the five classes graded. I will admit I chose a movie that would not require thought, but I find my viewing to be a bit depressing. Although I realize both of these are meant to be "chick flicks," I find them a bit degrading to women. Are women really as pathetic as these show? Maybe I'm a bit full of myself, but I would like to think I'm more intelligent (and quite frankly fun) than the women in these shows. Maybe I'm merely wishing this to be true since my only excitement this weekend is school work and church.

This has been a long week. I've had a horrible headache that I can't seem to get rid of although I will admit looking at this article made me smile. The picture attached to the article was fun too. People who drive Hummers receive almost five times as many traffic tickets as the average driver, according to a new study. Quality Planning Corp., which helps insurance companies identify risk, surveyed data from 1.7 million drivers and found the Hummer H2 and H3 are the most frequently ticketed vehicles on the road, surpassing even the 565-horsepower Mercedes CLK 63 AMG. from http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/01/hummers-can-hid.html

One of the weird Facebook things is to post a note of 25 random facts about oneself. Today I posted the following list on my Facebook page. I realized that my life really isn't that interesting. OK, I guess I already knew this to be true. Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.... 1. I have a difficult time conserving water because I prefer to take two showers a day. 2. I voted for the first time (ever) for Jesse Ventura. BTW- I did learn my lesson about each vote counting... crap! 3. I have one tattoo. If my body wasn't so flabby or had the potential to get flabby, I would have more. 4. Although it's embarrassing, I watch General Hospital every day... taped without the commercials. 5. When I was in junior high, I became a Rams' fan to spite my mother. I am still a Rams' fan, but I don't talk to my mother. 6. I love to "belly up" to the bar... would rathe...

Most of the time my honors class drives me completely insane. I would love to say that they deserve the honors title, but the truth is they are not much more intelligent than the students in my other classes. Basically they can read better, but their writing is horrible. As far as their higher order thinking skills, I often question this. At the end of the quarter four left my honors class because they couldn't make the grade, so I moved five in who I believe can make the grade. Today was the first day with the new students, and I asked them to come in and create a bit of mischief in my classroom. While I waited in the hall, they did as I had asked. I used this opportunity to introduce the novel they are reading. Yesterday I gave them the quote, "The truth, the whole truth, and..." I asked them to complete it and think about it. Today's set up was to talk about the truth and perception. As I entered the classroom, I acted upset and asked students to write w...

Today President Obama (Don't you love the sound of that?) met with the House GOP (Grand Old Poop heads) before meeting with House Dems trying to reach out (you know that bipartisan stuff). Of course in true form at least two of the poop heads came out before his meeting against the stimulus package which Obama was touting. At least Obama is trying to change the way things work (or don't work) in the White House. Obama also said today that the United States should listen instead of merely dictating to the Middle East and the world. This will be a drastic change in United States politics. Honestly, I agree with the "listening to the world" stuff, but I shun the reaching across party lines. I realize this is small minded, but I don't see the poop heads trying to reciprocate. Besides, honestly I would have to admit I'm probably more liberal than President (yes President!) Obama. One thing is certain with this new leadership. It is about CHANGE! Tonight at...

Today was the 24th morning in January that has been below zero. We have also set another record that has something to do with days below freezing. I'm not sure of the records, but I think it's the fourth coldest January on record. Once I get cold, I can't seem to warm up. Somehow I have forgotten that I was actually able to escape to California and Washington DC. My concentration is focused on the coldness. Lighting candles to send warmth hasn't helped, so this weekend I bought fresh flowers. Tonight I am looking at the bright flowers and lit candles realizing it isn't working, so I am going to cover up with my wonderful purple throw and perhaps go to bed early. I am beginning to wonder if my headache may be more reflective of the weather than an illness.

Since I returned from DC, I have been fighting a cold. Yesterday it invaded my stomach and intensified its fight in my head. Today I have been napping and trying to get something (anything!) accomplished. The truth is that I don't feel well. I'm probably sick. Tomorrow is a workshop day at school. Although I should stay home and recuperate, it would be like the "boy who cried wolf." In reality, I tend to use workshop days as days to rejuvenate and frequently call in sick for at least part of the day. Truthfully, I hate workshop days. Sitting in meetings doesn't work well for me. Knowing all of this, I will attend workshop tomorrow and realize I should attend more when I actually feel well. Maybe it won't be as painful if I am not feeling well... less energy!

I've been thinking of a recent e-mail I received about my trip to the inauguration. "Did you have any brushes with fame?" a friend asked. In my response I mentioned passing Glenn Close on the street and watching Mellencamp's sound check. The truth is I had multiple brushes with fame. Maybe it's not fame as much as greatness. To me the inauguration wasn't only about Barack Obama; it was about the people. It's the sobbing lady that said now her son can have a bigger dream then merely being a professional basketball or football player. It was the incredible people working at the Newseum that remained friendly throughout large crowds. It was the gentleman on the Metro that helped people although he seemed frustrated that he wasn't going to get to work on time. It was the people who used Barack Obama's words from his speech to help calm the crowd. It was the ladies who helped protect L and O from being trampled. It was the two million people ...

Before I left for DC, I spent most of the day making sure things were ready to go for a positive award for some of our students. Since I was going to be gone during the beginning of the week, I e-mailed the list of names and the invitation to my co-chair. He had e-mailed saying he would be willing to help. This from a man who I needed to remind to prepare for the last meeting. I guess I should have known better. When I returned on Thursday, I stopped by the office to see if everything was ready for the pizza party. The secretaries reassured me that all they needed to do was get the names for the invitations. Needless to say, I freaked since I had already e-mailed the names (highlighted in red) to my co-chair. Everything else had already been taken care of before I left (by me). It amazed me that this simple task was not completed. Of course I took care of things only to be seven minutes late to my "naughtiest" class. When I finally arrived to my class, I was shocke...

I returned to school today after my amazing inaugural weekend. The students had followed my tweets and watched the inauguration on television. Although I answered some questions, I told them I would show pictures and talk about the weekend on Tuesday (workshop day on Monday) after they finished their final tomorrow. Of course many asked if I cried and wanted to know where I was standing. These questions were easy. My colleagues had more difficult questions or maybe I wanted to give more articulate answers. I am having problems applying words to my experience. It seems too emotional for words. There are many stories and many people. There is the message of hope and the message of sacrifice. There is the history and the future. Although I think some of the story is told in my pictures, much of the story is in the emotions, mine and those whom I met on the journey.

Inaugural weekend was long and incredible weekend-- walking around DC and listening to the sound checks for Sunday's concert, visiting the Holocaust Museum and Newseum, visiting the monuments, enjoying Sunday's concert and of course the inauguration. All of this was made possible by my dear friend S who was kind enough to let me stay with her and her family. They were quite hospitable. I did little all weekend and everything, including my commemorative Obama Metro pass was taken care of for me. Plus I made a new friend with the family dog. Today I am relaxing and remembering the weekend. They even said I could come back to see the tourist sites I wasn't able to see because of all the tourist (like me).

We left for the metro early this morning. It wasn't too crowded when we got on, but... As we continued, the train in front of us stopped and had to unload because someone obviously tried to get in as the doors were closing and caused door problems. Our train was packed. Next they said our stop was closed, and we would have to go to the next stop. This caused great conversation, searching of maps, and a bit of panic. When they later announced our stop had opened one could feel the release of stress. The crowd was amazing. Chants of Obama started in the metro and continued on The Mall. We were lucky enough to be between the Washington Monument and Capitol, but it was crowded. It sounds like it couldn't be heard on television, but Bush was booed and serenaded with a rendition of "Goodbye, goodbye, hey heeey, gooodbye." I think these videos will best show where I was standing. My favorite video is the video of people serenading W. What the videos don't show...

Today my plan was to visit Arlington National Cemetery. The bus lines were crazy. Although I have no idea, I'm guessing there were at least 100 buses. More buses than ever seen at Arlington according to the visitor center guy. This also meant a crazy number of people at the tomb of the unknown soldier which meant some people were unable to hold their silence (asked for aloud and with signage by the Arlington National Cemetery people). Although I have mixed reaction to the changing of the guard, if one is going to witness this event, I would think they could observe the silence. The trip to Arlington National Cemetery also brought up something I hadn't thought prior to my conversation with S. The conversation was about cremation vs. burial. I have always been a strong believer of cremation. My thought was my body didn't need to take up space in the ground. S brought up the other side of the equation which is having more space for cemeteries with trees is better for ...

When asked what my favorite part of today, I answered, "The incorporation of history and current events." Of course the music was fabulous, but the speakers and references to history made it more "Presidential." If there is a CD of the performance, I will certainly purchase it. The crowd was enormous. Tuesday should be interesting! You can tell the pictures of the Obamas and Bidens are from the jumbotron. The pictures of the crowd and Lincoln Memorial are mine!

Did you watch it???? Yes, I was at the concert! They turned people away, but the celebrities were amazing. I am posting this from the inaugural committee because I would never be able to remember everything. Many (you can tell) of these pictures were taken from the jumbotron we were below. from http://www.pic2009.org/blog/entry/liveblogging_the_inaugural_welcome_event/ 1:59pm, Sam: Welcome to our liveblog of the We Are One event at the Lincoln Memorial. Jon Bon Jovi, Bettye LaVette, and Pete Seeger added to musical lineup. Jack Black, Steve Carell, Rosario Dawson, Tom Hanks, Samuel L. Jackson, Ashley Judd, Laura Linney, George Lopez, Kal Penn, Marisa Tomei, Forest Whitaker, and Tiger Woods have been added to the lineup of readers. These new additions will join Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Tayl...

We're getting ready for a party!!! Tomorrow is the concert (We Are One: Opening Inaugural Ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial). Today as I was walking the mall, I was able to stop and listen to John Cougar Mellencamp warm up. He's singing Pink Houses (cuz they told me, when I was younger Boy, you're gonna be president). Listening to him practice this line brought tears to my eyes. Man am I a softy! Although it was cold, there was an energy that filled the mall. People are "fired up." The preparations are amazing. Jumbotron screens are going up. Porta Potties are in place. The Pepsi trucks are lining up. Security is walking around. Even with all of the excitement and anticipation, people are super polite and friendly. BTW- I also visited the Newseum, Holocaust Musuem, and many monuments. I did take pictures, but I think you can find similar pictures on the web. My preparation pictures tell more of the story. May I also add my accommodations are incr...

I'm certain that my flight will be delayed. How do I know this? Let me recap the day (as of 1:56). First I didn't get gas last night even though the "fill me" light came on. At 7:00 this morning I knew I needed to get gas if I wanted to get to school without running out of gas. To clarify, I didn't want to go to school since only teachers, not kids, needed to show, but I didn't want to run out of gas either. As I pulled into the first gas station to fill up with gas, I learned a little lesson. Gas pumps don't work the best at -22º. This led me to another gas station where the pumps worked better although I still had some difficulties, I did get gas. Second on my way home, I realized I didn't know the location of my cell phone, so I drove back to school. After searching for my phone at home, I drove back to school. I searched my room, and every other room I had been in, and repeatedly tried calling my phone. Since I had searched every place ...

Tomorrow I fly to Washington DC. After talking to my dear friend S today, I decided it might be a good idea to get boots. I don't have boots, and it seems like we could be spending hours, upon hours, standing outside in the cold (20s/low 30s). The first thing I did was call my omniscient friend J and asked where I could buy boots. She also supplied directions to the nearest REI to my laser appointment in White Bear Lake. When I arrived at REI, I realized there was ONE pair of boots in my size... ONE. My choices were limited, so I bought the pair. Maybe it won't be as cold as I think, and maybe I'll be able to return them when I return. Ninety dollars seems like a lot of money to pay for boots. One Hundred and Ninety dollars, the original price, seems insane. Who knows, maybe it's a good thing to have boots since I live in Minneapolis.

Imagine my confusion when I had an envelope in my mailbox labeled "Office of the Governor of Alaska." It reminded me of my NRA mailing. Of course I opened it to see what insanity was inside. Unfortunately it was only an invitation to send in for a free Alaska travel guide. Fortunately, it was signed Sarah Palin and of course used her "folksy" language. "This isn't some skimpy brochure..." it stated. She really is working this!

Because I need to plan computer lab times at school, I am trying to plan research for the month of February. This isn't difficult since I am merely coming up with an outline. While I am making plans, I am watching Keith Olbermann. I love Keith Olbermann. The last commercial was this commercial with John McEnroe. I love John McEnroe.

Today has been crazy. I have no fluid thoughts only smatterings. 1) George Bush is an idiot. Did you hear him talk about Katrina today? 2) I am addicted to the internet. Today I took a small invite and decided to get internet for my phone. To my surprise it is only $15 a month. Although I've been thinking about adding the internet to my phone since I bought my new phone, I was worried about the cost. Oh, let's be honest. The main reason I haven't had internet on my phone because I think it will be dangerous. Since I already text as I drive (illegal, I know), I am afraid I will try to search the internet too. Wish me luck! 3) This week is crazy. I have some meeting or event every night. Today I had two meetings and both were canceled! Woo Hoo! This has allowed me more time to play with the internet on my phone and of course geek on my computer. 4) Did I mention I leave for Washington DC on Friday? I am hoping that I will be able to see a jumbotron. Admittedly ...

At the beginning of each church service, people go to the middle of the congregation (set in a circle) and receive blessing for birthdays, anniversaries, life changes, etc. When I told a couple people from my congregation about my upcoming trip to the inauguration, they told me I needed to take a blessing with me. I replied, "Haven't you noticed I've never gone up for anything, even a birthday?" After some conversation, I said that I would go up the Sunday before I left and get a blessing to take with me. Today I stood in the middle of the congregation and received my blessing. I will admit there was an excitement in the room. In fact, it was difficult for me to talk with those I wanted during the time of greeting because many wanted to share in my story. One lady told me to dress warm because it was cold when her dad went to Truman's inauguration. It was obviously something her dad had talked about and remembered. This was more than a message of staying w...

This morning, in the -7º windchill, I went outside to check the zoom on my camera. I think I'll be happy with my new camera. Both photographs are taken from the same spot. The top picture was taken this afternoon with the sun reflecting off the ice although it is not the same spot as the other two.

I took pictures of a rabbit outside my dad's door from the same place with my new camera and the old camera. With both pictures I zoomed in as much as I could. Can you notice a difference?

Today I played more with my new camera. Nalo wasn't as receptive and photogenic as I would have liked. As soon as she realized I was recording, she wanted to be near me.

Yesterday morning in one of my classes I told a group of boys that I didn't want to hear the word Florida anymore than I wanted to hear the 's' words (suck, shit, shut up...). On the day of the OU-Florida game, there were the OU fans and Florida fans. Plus the larger contingency of those who knew nothing about the game yet quickly took a side. Today I walked to lunch with a young man who had rooted for OU (good, smart kid). He informed me that next year he thought he would once again root for OU or Texas. "You can never go wrong with a Big XII team," I replied enthusiastically. He continued with, "Maybe Ohio State." At this I informed him NEVER to go with the Big X. As he listened intently, I was reminded why I love teaching.

Today I picked up my new camera. Unfortunately it was dark outside, so I didn't get a good chance to use it outside. I'll be able to play with it more this weekend (which starts tomorrow!).

Today I used a couple stanzas from Billy Collins' poem "Snow Day." One line states "The dog will porpoise through the drifts." Most students were lost by the line because they didn't know porpoise. After explaining it was similar to a dolphin (I don't know maybe it is a dolphin.), I asked them to imagine the scene. At that point I remembered this video my dad had showed me over winter break. It was perfect!

I will admit some of this might be a bit prejudiced or inappropriate, but it is funny!!

It is amazing how easily people sue or say they're going to sue, sometimes merely in jest. With the recount finished Franken is ahead 225 votes. Coleman plans on filing a lawsuit within 24 hours. Former Vikings player, Carl Eller, is suing the police after they arrested him for DWI. He claims they used excessive force when arresting him last April. Is he only realizing now that they used excessive force? Note this is not Eller's first DWI arrest. This morning I was rolling the computer cart into the elevator as two ladies, one with a walker, were walking out. I exclaimed that I didn't expect them to come off and almost ran into them. The lady with the walk asked if she thought she could sue the company although I'm not sure what company she was talking about. She continued to say that she could claim she didn't have the walk prior to me running into her. Although this was merely small talk, it amazed me that it was the first thing to come to her mind. Today ...

Today is Epiphany Sunday although Epiphany is actually January 6th. In the Christian church Epiphany celebrates the magi bringing gifts to baby Jesus. They came together in community. Epiphany is also an awakening and understanding. Instead of trying to go alone, the magi followed the light together without really understanding what was ahead of them. As we begin 2009, I hope that we work together in community and are awakened to the possibilities, dreams, and hopes. May 2009 bring peace, hope, economic freedom, intelligence, an epiphany for all...

Today is grey, outside and inside. My mood is a bit reflective in the weather. Instead of rejoicing in two more days, I am lamenting the end of my glorious two week vacation. Although my vacation has been everything I had hoped (family, friends, reading, relaxing, and very little school work), I still would like to prolong its luxury. The Counting Crows have a song with the line, "But I'm sure there's something in a shade of grey, Something in between..." Maybe today is my shade of grey in between vacation and reality.

Today, the last weekday of my vacation, I watched Oprah. It may have been a rerun, but it featured Charice who has been singing since she was four. She's amazing.

I received this e-mail a month (or longer) ago from a friend. It's been sitting in my inbox because I like to look at it periodically and giggle. Now that it's finally 2009 I wanted to share it in celebration of the new year. One sunny day in January, 2009 an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue , where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the U.S. Marine standing guard and said, “I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.” The Marine looked at the man and said, “Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here.” The old man said, “Okay,” and walked away. The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, “I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.” The Marine again told the man, “Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here.” The man thanked him and, again, just walked away. The third day, the same man approached the Whi...