Miscellaneous Missives

These are truths:  1) I am not a robot.  2) I am not a rule follower. 3) I am a bit judgmental... no really! "First, let's start with, "Type the two words:"  Technically, it's a number and a word, not two words... judgment call.  Next, why should I have to prove that I am not a robot?  Do zombies have to prove that they are not zombies?  I don't think so.  Finally, since I am not a rule follower, I have lately started entering these codes without using the numbers in front.  Actually, I'm not really sure why I started doing it, but I realized they'll accept the code without my entering the number.  Seriously!  Try it!

Another head hangs lowly  Child is slowly taken  And if violence causes the silence  Who are we mistaking  But you see it's not me  It's not my family  In your head in your head  They are fighting  With their tanks and their bombs  And their bombs and their guns  In your head in your head they are crying [Chorus] In your head In your head Zombie zombie zombie ei ei  What's in your head  In your head. Zombie, zombie, zombie ei, ei, ei, oh do,do,do,do,do,do,do,do  Another mother's breaking heart is taking over the violence causes silence  We must be mistaken  It's the same old thing since 1916  In your head in your head  Their still fighting  With their tanks and their bombs  And their bombs and their guns  In your head in your head they are dying [Chorus] I picked Zombie because it's the only 'Z' song in my iTunes, but then I found the lyrics worth posting.  Today's church service...

"Where were you When everything was falling apart?" Perhaps, I'm exaggerating by saying, "Everything was [is] falling apart."  It's not falling apart, but my weekend is going to be spent grading papers and collecting baseline data for our PLC (Professional Learning Community).  I 'm not really a fan of grading papers, and I'm certainly not a fan of collecting data.  Do I want to make sure my students improve and know the material?  Of course.  Do I want to be up front and clear with my grading procedures?  Definitely.  Do I want to have to correct a pile of writing twice?  Nope.  The first time I graded the papers for a number grade for the grade book using the criteria I'd given the students.  This second time will be for baseline data.  Yes, I probably could have used the rubric that I'm using for baseline data the first time, but the assignment is merely and introductory writing assignment meant to get to know the students. ...

Thank you Coldplay for helping me come closer to finishing the alphabet.  Thank you Chris Martin for being beautiful although to be honest, I couldn't find a super attractive image online. After work today, I met with my "Sabbath" group.  Since last March (Lent season) we've been meeting once a month.  We are a small group of four women from different backgrounds who meet once a month to share spiritual readings, drink a glass of wine, and talk about life.  Our meeting place is The Marsh .  This afternoon we actually looked out over "the marsh".  It was as relaxed as I've been all week, and I guess this is part of the reason I look forward to this monthly meeting.  I guess this is the X... Tomorrow and the weekend starts the Y and Z.

Last week I was disappointed to quite disappointed that I was not able to make a dent in the three of four pounds I wanted to work off.  Even after eating carefully and working out, the scale didn't move.  This week I've tried something different.  I've eaten anything and everything I wanted including eating out the last two evening and indulging in a beer and dessert with each meal.  Tonight after having a danish with my sandwich, I even added a bag of mint M & Ms as I checked out at Walgreens.  My weigh in on Saturday probably won't be satisfactory, but I've had an enjoyable week.  It's not to say that I don't feel a bit guilty.  My plan is to alleve some of this guilt by getting up super early tomorrow and biking before work.  The alarm with "Wake Me Up," but the real challenge will actually be getting out of bed.  It may or may not happen, but the alarm will be set to "Wake Me Up."

Vertigo by U2 and Viva La Vida by Cold Play would have been better songs for 'V', but I wouldn't really have any commentary that fits today.  Tonight I get to listen to Edwidge Danticat at Talking Volumes , and I'm sure she'll be great.  This, however, doesn't help me post before I go out for the evening.  Vegas is also a weird choice since I've NEVER been to Vegas.   Today, however, we listened to Brave by Sara Bareilles as our journal activity, so Sara Bareilles was a good choice for 'V'.  Part of the activity was making a connection between the song and the book we're reading.  The classes did a great job and seemed to like both the song and video.  One of my classes started talking about the basic premises that the people in the video were all different like the poem we read on Monday.  Next, they connected it to the book.  Finally, they talked about the video itself and the dancing. One student suggested that they follow by doing...

This afternoon I was super excited because I had a coupon for Ulta.  Finally, I was going to get the new color I wanted from OPI, Peace, Love, and OPI .  Unfortunately, they didn't have it.  This saddened me.   I called my friend to see if her salon had a bottle left, but they didn't.  As I drove down Hennepin, I saw a little salon with an OPI sign in the window, so I did a U turn.  As I walked in the store, the guy behind the counter asked me how my day was going, I told him it would be great if he still had Peace, Love, and OPI.  "I have one bottle left,"  he replied.  AWESOME.  Another lady working in the salon asked if she could see it.  I held it in my hand while looking at her questioningly and thought, "U can't touch this." Today is also National Punctuation Day .

Today is not the greatest day.  It's not even close.  My last class of the day is honors, and I really am discouraged by my honors class.  Honestly, it's not merely this year but every year.  Maybe my expectations are too high.  I want my honors students to show more thought and perspective than my other students, and it rarely happens.  A few of my honors students are truly honors (at least what I think of as honors), but most of them are nice students with a propensity to be major suck ups.  While many teachers may think the nice, suck up student is amazing, I find them annoying to quite annoying.  For example, I don't need students walking into my classroom saying, "Hi."  Instead, I want them to walk in and be prepared to think and learn.  Don't start the class off by giving me an origami peace crane (yep this happened today).  Start the class of my looking at the board, seeing what you need, and preparing for class.  So f...

I love my Sunday morning routine, sleep in a bit, browse the intereweb,  get a mocha on the way to church, worship with wonderful individuals, and finally hit the gym all before noon.  Although I pack in a lot, it feels relaxed and joyful. I also love Sunday afternoons and evening, but only in the summer.  During the school year, I hate them.  Everything seems rush as I try to finish the weekend chores and the schoolwork I didn't complete on Saturday.  Sunday afternoons should be relaxed like Sunday mornings, but it doesn't seem to happen much during the school year.  Today is the autumnal equinox, yet another reminder that fall is here and school is in "full swing".  Now I will finish more morning routine, so I can complete everything I need done for tomorrow.

Today I went to Body Pump.  I would like to say I "Rocked that Body," but it was a less than stellar performance on my part.  The remainder of my day is being set aside for mundane tasks such as paying bills, grading papers, and other school stuff.  Unfortunately, I'm having a difficult time being task oriented, so I also took some time to put up some fall decorations (I wonder if I missed pumpkins at the farmers' market this morning.).

I had to go with a band for Q instead of a song since I have no songs in my iTunes library that start with Q.  Q also is the first letter of quit which I should have done after my first "tall" beer tonight at happy hour.  Actually, I should have quit after the next "short" beer.  I would be more lucid. Today we had the seventh grade picnic.  Due to the rain we had the students eat their bag lunches in the cafeteria before we walked to the park.   Thanks rain!  This meant less clean up on the way to the park and at the park.  It could have been the best seventh grade picnic ever.

"Hey... everybody loses it, Everybody wants to throw it all away sometimes And hey... yeah I know what you're going through Don't let it get the best of you, you'll make it out alive Ohh"   I figured "Purple Rain" would be a "no-brainer" for today's 'P' song until around lunch time.  As I was waiting to meet with my dyad partner, I went to talk to another teacher who put in her PDF (professional development) today for Boston (National Teachers of English Annual Convention).  She informed me that they had not received my PDF for Boston and were meeting somewhere in the district.  First, I freaked.  Next, I e-mailed someone on the PDF committee who is a teacher in our building.  When he did not respond, I tracked down his cell number.  Since he didn't answer, I freaked some more as I pulled up the district site to resubmit.  The district site was down which is great because "everybody loses it".  I tried to call again...

On a family vacation, I was listening to this song on my Sony Walkman (yep, I'm that old).  As we were making the horrible trip to Pennsylvanai (two days out, two days there, and two days back), I was singing Only the Good Die Young aloud.  When I sang the part about the Catholic girls starting much too late, my mother reached behind, grabbed my Walkman and tossed the cassette out the window.  It probably had as much to do with the lyrics as it did the long drive, but I remember it today.  My favorite Billy Joel song is Piano Man and with enough adult beverages, I can sing the entire song.   One is a popular 'O' song in my iTunes.  I have: One by U2 One by Metallica One by Mary J. Blige One by Alanis Morisette

This video is a bit creepy... just saying. It's fall and getting cold.  Last night I had to get up and grab two extra blankets for the bed.  Before I went to the gym tonight, I actually put on the flannel sheets.  Plus, it's raining (drizzling)... November Rain in September.  Although I'm not a fan of the weather (or the video), it made 'N' a bit easier.  Besides, Guns N' Roses has an 'N' in the middle.

"Freedom's just another word for 'nothing left to lose..." I'm not sure when, how, and/or why I heard of Janis Joplin, but I am a fan of this song even though I don't like many of her songs.  One of my other choices today was "A Murder of One" by the Counting Crows, but more deaths in the news because of a rogue shooter, I thought it might be too much.  Besides, I was certain to quite certain that no one wanted to read my rant about gun laws (or lack of gun laws). http:// cmsimg.desmoinesregister.com/ apps/pbcsi.dll/ bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=D2&Date=201 30915&Category=NEWS09&ArtNo=30 9150801&Ref=PH&Item=1&Maxw=620 &Maxh=465&q=90 Yesterday I hung out with these guys in God's Country.  It was an Iowa event hosted by Tom and Ruth Harkin.  Senator Harkin gave his support to Bruce Braley hoping Braley will be able to take his seat when he retires.   Julian Castro and his brother , Joaquin, were both present...

I think this is a fitting song for today since I'm on my way to the Harkin Steak Fry.  Once again this year I am going to attempt to take pictures and put together an Animoto video.  My car is adorned with peace signs although I don't think VP Biden will be in the parking lot looking at the back of my car.  Although I still love Joe, I'm really excited about listening to San Antonio mayor Julian Castro.  What if America followed a black president with a Latino president?  How much would that freak out the right wing crazies???  No, I don't think he's running, but Obama spoke at the Harkin Steak Fry before he shared his intention to run... just saying.  Enough of this, it's time to leave for my afternoon with those liberals... gotta love it.  It was also wartime last night.  It's going to be a long football season for the 'Clones, BTW- Notable 'L' songs: Leave Me Along (I'm Lonely) by P!nk Leave by Matchbox Twenty Let's Go Crazy...

Step back, gonna come at you fast I'm drivin' out of control, I'm gettin' ready to crash Won't stop shakin' up what I can... Some days I'm a super bitch Up to my old tricks but it won't last forever Next day I'm your super girl Out to save the world and it keeps gettin better Perhaps these words fit.  Today I definitely feel like a super girl.  It's 10:00, and I've already worked out, met a friend for breakfast, and showered.  Life is a bit "out of control" today in a good way.  In less than an hour I'll hang out with another dear friend before I ready myself for tonight's Iowa State/ Iowa game.  It's a big deal here in God's Country, and I'll admit I'm a bit nervous about the outcome.  I'm also not pleased that I will be watching it with someone who plans to cheer for the wrong team.  Since we're going to Des Moines together tomorrow, I hope I still like her.  My guess is I'll put up with...

Jaded by Aerosmith is an awesome song.  When I looked at my 'J' songs, I had several that I wanted to use:   Just Breathe by Pearl Jam, Jump by Kriss Kross, Janie's got a Gun by Aerosmith, Jealousy by Natalie Merchant, Just a Dream by Nelly, Just a Gir l by No Doubt...  I decided to use Jaded because sometimes I think I have become jaded. http://intrasport.biz/files/2012/10/JackTrice.jpg Yesterday, my dad took me out for pizza and we discussed tomorrow's Iowa State/Iowa game (Go 'Clone).  We talked about how Iowa State was going to wear throw back jersey's for tomorrow's game.  The jersey's are to honor/remember J ack Trice.  The story is amazing, and both of us had tears as we read about him online especially the letter he wrote before the game that caused his death. Letter:   My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life: The honor of my race, family & self is at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things....

Since I can't find an acceptable video for one of my favorite Prince songs, I would Die 4 U , I'm settling for another Prince video, I Could Never Take the Place of your Man .  Both songs start with 'I', so I'm still OK.  As anyone who reads this blog periodically knows, I love Prince.  Watching this video made me want to watch Purple Rain again, well, kinda but not really... I also stand for Iowa, God's Country.  Tomorrow evening I will leave for Iowa.  Saturday evening I will watch the Iowa State/Iowa game.  Hopefully, Iowa State will kick ass, but I'm already a bit nervous about the game.  Although God's Country doesn't officially start with an I, Iowa does. One would think I would realize that I am old when many of the songs I'm choosing, like today's two songs, come from the 80s.  Today I had an unfortunate reminder of my age.  Basically, I was supposed to fill out a form for my PLC, but I put the form in someone else's mailb...

Heartbreaker , Hit Me with your Best Shot , Hell is for Children ... These all start with 'H' and are all by Pat Benetar.  Being a child of the 80s, I spent a lot of time listening to Pat Benetar (cassette) and shooting baskets in the driveway.  I'd listen to one Pat Benetar cassette after another.  Since I've spent hours listening to her music, I've memorized most (if not all).  A couple of years ago, Pat Benetar wrote a memoir, Between a Heart and a Rock Place .  A friend from my Pat Benetar days actually owns a bookstore and gave me a copy.  When I started reading the memoir, I added more Pat Benetar songs (from CD which I purchased when the cassettes wore out) to my iTunes and started listening again.  Although this was short lived, it was fun working out to her songs. Today in class we were talking about attributes of a good listener.  I was admitting that I sometimes have a difficult time listening when I'm sitting in meetings that are a...

Grrrr.... It seems my 'G' songs are not solid and/or super inviting.  I settled with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road because I think Elton John is a great musician.  It's not my favorite Elton John song, but it's good and starts with a 'G'. The President will speak in five minutes and thirty-nine seconds, and I'm fairly certain I still won't agree with him.  On Sunday, I will be in God's Country at the Harkin Steak Fry.  Joe Biden will also be there along with Julian Castro (San Antonio Mayor).  I have placed multiple peace sign magnets on my car in preparation.  It's always been my dream to drink a beer with Biden.  With the current talk about war, I'm having a difficult time thinking I'd want to sit down with Biden or Obama.  When did things get so messed up.  Grrrr....

I realize that I'm only at 'F', and I've already used two P!nk songs.  Perhaps, I'll try to refrain from using another, but my 'F' songs are not fenomenal (phenomenal).  Besides, Funhouse is somewhat fitting for today.  This morning my computer was super slow.  Since it's a bit old, I backed it up as I readied for school.  My house is not FUN when my computer is slow.  My iPad was also slow, but it, too, is old.  Blogging tonight was proving impossible, so I decided to call Comcast.  Calling Comcast is also not FUN.  Since the call time was longer than fifteen minutes, the animated lady reset my modem while I was waiting which actually took care of my problem.  Maybe I should have called this morning. machine to right of garage My house is also FUN due to the tearing out of the parking lot at our complex.  Destruction started today.  When I pulled into the parking lot, heavy equipment surrounded my condo and garage. ...

As I was sitting in church, I thought Every Breath You Take by The Police (Sting) was going to be my song.  Breath is important in the service I attend.  When I returned home from church, the first thing I did was turn on ESPN and Sunday NFL Countdown .  This afternoon I will play golf and finish in time for the late games.  Both the Packers and the Rams play late games, so I'll be thrilled to watch either game.  Although the first week of regular season marks fall and a new year of school, I LOVE football.  It's "even better than the real thing," whatever the real thing happens to be.  Next week the Cyclones will take on the Hawkeyes, and I will breathe in my prayer that the Cyclones kick ass.  Of course the misguided Hawkeye fans will be praying the same thing on the other side, but they probably don't have the power of breath.  Football season is upon us, and once again I will spend most of my Saturday and Sunday watching football whic...

When P!nk first sang this song, I thought it was wonderful.  I disagreed with President Bush on may policies especially his wars.  Later when Obama was elected, she came up with another Obama version. I think it's time for another Dear Mr. President, Obama, version.  Talks about going to war with Syria upset me.  As readers know, I've written everyone I can think to write.  Today at the Farmers' Market a woman gave me a handout about a peaceful demonstration about the war in Syria.  War in Syria... saying it even sounds wrong.  As I chatted briefly with the lady, I told her she had my support, but I wouldn't be able to make the demonstration.  I literally had goosebumps on my legs as I talked to her.  It is sooooo upsetting that I really don't have the words to express my disgust and disappointment.  Of course what is happening to the people of Syria is appalling, but I firmly believe that bombing Syria is NOT the answer.  "Wh...

I'll be honest.  Even if no one else joins this challenge, I think I'm "all in".  Although my posts may not be super interesting to others, I'm having fun looking at my music.  As I was thinking about 'C', I couldn't help but think COUNTING CROWS.  The Counting Crows are one of my favorites.  Many people don't agree with me, but I love them.  My intent was to decide which Counting Crows song I would use, but first, I started looking at songs that started with 'C'.  Some good songs popped up, but I was still set on Counting Crows until I came to Creep by Radiohead.  This is an awesome song, and I felt as though I had already blogged about Creep .  Yep, I talked about my love for the song and Prince in 2008.   I also mentioned it in 2011 for another alphabet challenge. The first week of school is officially done, and no kids creep me out although a former student showed up during the Open House that does give me (and most others) ...

Yep, I'm b ounding from 'A' to 'B' in order to perhaps get every letter of the alphabet in by the end of September.  Take a minute and check out the 'B' songs in your iTunes.  My top picks would have to be by Beautiful Day (U2), Blister in the Sun (Violent Femmes), and  Breaking the Girl (Red Hot Chili Peppers).  I, however, decided to concentrate on Breathe.  My guess is this was a "one hit wonder" if it was a hit.  For some reason, I really like this song and can sing all of the words when it comes on the radio (seldom).  Although I'm not really sure why I like it, I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I do really like it.  Besides, lately I need to breathe, and ironically, I've had difficulties sleeping and seem to be awake around 2AM.

Pronto has decided to start another alphabet challenge, and I'm going to play along.  Instead of talking about the a ching in my quads after Tuesday's workout and more a ggravation with tonight's workout, I decided to look at my iTunes list for 'A'.  After all, I find it impossible to workout out without music.  Instead of choosing workout 'A' songs, I went for a wesome 'A' songs.  My first pick was " A live" by Pearl Jam until I scrolled down to " A mazing" by A erosmith. I ♥ Aerosmith. Listen and let me know what you think of my song choice.  Maybe I'll do posts about songs for my alphabet list.  Maybe I'll have a b etter idea for 'B'.  Did you see what I did there?  Pronto would say, "That's good blogging."

On my way to book club tonight, I sent a text to my dyad partner.  "Yep... I lack a life... Thinking about school... Let's knock out first week of skin tomorrow during dyad... Meet in my room after 3rd class." At the exact same time, my dyad partner was texting me a link we had talked about during the day with a follow-up text stating we could us it the next week or later in the year.  When she realizes we are texting at the same time, she texts, "LOL did we just text each other about school AT THE SAME TIME?" My reply was simple and honest, " Yes... We're losers!!"  I think I'm going to really like working with her this year.

Holy shit!  BTW- I tried to look up the origin of holy shit, but I couldn't find it.  Holy shit seems like an oxymoron... right?!  Anyway, holy shit, can you believe it's already September?  Tomorrow will be the first day of school with students.  Football season has officially started.  Fall is here, and a new work out mix is needed.  The July/August workout mix was fun, fast, and furious.  September's mix is well... Well, I'm always a bit nervous about the new play list.  It takes at least a week to know what I officially think. *Clarity (featuring Foxes) by Zedd *Safe and Sound by Capital Cities *Counting Stars by OneRepublic *I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick *Fame by Irene Cara *Hard to Breathe by The Black Crowes *Love and Memories by O.A.R. *1901 by Phoenix *Everytime We Touch by Cascada *Take Back the Night by Justin Timberlake *You Make Me Feel (featuring Sabi) by Cobra Starship *Roadhouse Blues by The Doors *Rene...

Saturday morning, before meeting a friend at the farmers' market, I weighed myself.  Even though I had worked out every single day and kept my net calories a day to 1200 (if I ate 1500 and exercised burning 300 the total was 1200... net?), I still gained a pound.  In my frustrations, I started yesterday morning out with a monster cookie and homemade caramels (who needs to merely buy fruits and veggies at the market?).  I continued with Mint M & Ms.  If you have not tried them, stop reading this silly post, purchase a pack, and eat them immediately... go, now!  I also ate the entire bag of spicy and sweet nuts I bought at the market.  In addition, I ate some food that would not be considered in the sweets (steak, tater puffs, cucumbers... you know...).  Today I continued the trend by having a mocha for breakfast. Plus, a sandwich and salad from Panera.  If the scale wants to mess with me, I'll eat what I want for this entire weekend.  M...