Miscellaneous Missives

Picture Flinched from the Interweb Yesterday as soon as I walked in the building I LEARNED something that bothered me.  A colleague asked if I had heard that a judge had overruled the changing of Bde Maka Ska (lake, its Dakota name back to Lake Calhoun.  The name was originally change since Calhoun was a strong advocate of slavery.  I think this is a huge loss for Minneapolis.   It was also a crappy way to start an already exhausting Monday.  All is well, Monday's over.  Plus, this makes 30 of 30 days blogging in April about something I learned.  Thanks LH!! Did I also mention I completed #30daysofbiking? I biked all 30 days although some rides, like today's, were super short.

Today I finished reading Serving the Servant:  Remembering Kurt Cobain .  Although I knew a lot about his life, I LEARNED things that I never knew or forgot.  First, I didn't realize the majority of Nirvana's fans were female which makes sense since Cobain was a supporter of women or at least was against many sexist bands.  The other major thing I didn't know is that Cobain was a support of the LGBTQ community.  Finally, I didn't really know that Heart Shaped Box was written for/about his daughter. If you like Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, you should read it. 

Over - Under is something in betting.  I'm not sure exactly.  I feel like it's a bit of a prediction.  The weather people make predictions.  If I was a betting person, I'd rarely bet on their forecasts being accurate.  This morning I set my alarm for 5am, based on last night's forecast, to ride before the rain.  When I checked the forecast at 5am, it looked like I could sleep for another hour because the rain was coming at 8am.  My ride was a bit cold, but the trails were fairly empty.  Of course, I made sure I was home before 8am, so I would miss the rain.  I LEARNED that I could have slept in a bit more.  It's almost 8:30 and there's still no rain. Speaking of over/under, last night I asked a group of folks at happy hour if the toilet paper should go over or under.  It's something I never put much thought into until my dad's girlfriend was insistent it was over (makes sense), so now I make sure it's always over.  It's be...

During yesterday's ride I LEARNED that spring is showing itself in the trees.  It was glorious to see the green buds on the trees.  Although it was a bit windy, it was a glorious ride.  I also learned that I'm not sure I learned anything yesterday.  Maybe I'll learn a bit more today.  Trying to blog about something I learned every day in April is becoming a challenge, but at least I'm posting something every day even if it's frivolous.

It's that day of the year when I get out my pink fishnets and knock Chuck Taylor's for Day of Pink .  Yesterday I gave an introduction, and we talked a bit about bullying and the Day.  I was explaining that we don't celebrate our day on the actual day due to our crazy testing schedule. The students were interested enough to look up the actual day.  Thanks to them, I LEARNED the actual day is April 10th. 

My Screensaver  Wowakake Duhue You Have Strength Tohanjtu kinhan yacerya yacin cee Otehike Tokeca un taku owas tehika he? Wicoicage iyayayakapi Otankapi nakun Takomni was’agya unk’unpte Oyate istamnipi tawapi s’e magazu Wakpa etkiya Wotakuye we s’e Tawacin sutaya unk’unpte Makoce de unkitanhanpi Mni nagi taku ota wanyake Tohni takuda akiktunze sni Okodakiciye, asniic’iya po He wowasake mnni ihaha s’e Ohinnni sutaya naunzinpi kte You Have Strength Sometimes you want to cry… Life can be a struggle and you ask yourself Why?  Must I Deal with all this pain and hardship? As generations pass us by. And our elders continue to die. We must remain strong Rain falls like tears of our nations Runs steady into the rivers Like the blood of our relations Our spirits must remain strong and free For we will always be a part of this earth The spirit of the rivers has seen many things And never forgets the atroc...

I was afraid the duck wouldn't get into my biking picture, but I feel as though he wanted to help me out and made an appearance.  At the beginning of bike season this year, I LEARNED the importance of cleaning my chain since I needed to replace it.  When I returned from yesterday's ride in the rain, I took the time to clean my chain.  It's kind of a pain when one merely wants to get out of wet clothes, but I'm sure I won't regret it when I ride tomorrow. Only 8 days left in the LEARNING challenge and #30daysofbiking.  We've got this my friends.

I am a crazy deleter, and I typically only have two or three tabs open on my computer.  Recently, my phone battery has been draining quickly, so I took it to the Genius Bar on Saturday.  I also am someone who always quits apps after using, so I was shocked to learn that closing the browser doesn't keep the tabs from using your battery.  For some reason, I figured closing the app closed my tabs.  When the tech helping me opened my browser, I had literally hundreds of tabs open.  I went in Saturday, and although I'm not sure it's solved my problem, I LEARNED to shut the tabs.

Three Years Ago Today is the anniversary of Prince's death.  I rode my bike with Prince's playlist.  It was pretty amazing.  Unfortunately, I forgot my water bottle.  I LEARNED that I really need to stay hydrated on my rides. 

Yesterday I was talking to someone on the phone, and they brought up that some people have the tradition of planting potatoes on Good Friday.  This didn't make any sense since Good Friday is a different date (as is Easter of course) every year.  She said she knew several people that did this.  As I was talking to her I googled it and found a Farmers' Almanac article .  I LEARNED that this is a real thing although it still seems crazy.

I Just Hope I Can Sleep by Dorothea Lasky I hope I can sleep and forget your name I just hope that we drift apart I hope that you stop writing me, like before I hope you discount the things I believe in I hope that you don’t even consider them I hope that the rainbows go back and forth And you don’t stop them for me And that I am in the midst of the tangled rainbow And you aren’t even thinking of me I hope that when the land completely lit by rainbows Is my new home you forget to ask me for my address I hope that when the light shines on me I don’t look like anything or anyone You think that you know I hope that when you spot me in a field of honey You keep on walking, walking past the honey And drown yourself in a body of water No I hope that there is a body of water Which makes sense to you An ocean of your own making   “I Just Hope I Can Sleep,” from  ROME  by Dorothea Lasky. Copyright © 2016 by Dorothea Lasky. Used by permission of W. W. Norton & Company, Inc....

Today is Poem in Your Pocket day.  Yesterday I reminded all students that they were to write a poem (one they found, one of their own, one they knew...) on the sheet of paper I gave them, so they could have it in their pocket today.  I LEARNED something interesting and frustrating this year.  Students were googling images to find poems even though we've shared some great poems this year.  After watching a couple do this, I suggested they go to poetryfoundation.org or at the very least search without using images.  I'm not sure that they listened, but we'll share our poems today.  My hope is that some have found some good poems, and some will share their own.

First day riding in shorts.  The spots on my legs remind me to wear sunscreen. When I was at spin class last Thursday morning (snow day), the instructor talked about the importance of cadence.  She was talking about the perfect cadence for cycling without grinding it.  I tend to grind to go faster instead of paying attention to my cadence.  Yesterday I lowered my gears and increased my cadence.  I LEARNED that I actually rode faster.  It might have been the incredible weather and lack of wind, but it felt good. 

I bought a cheap pair of airpods on line although I'm certain they're not actual Apple Airpods becasue I wanted to be like the cool kids.  Since every middle school seems to have a pair to hide behind their hair, I thought I'd buy a pair.  My reasoning was a bit more rational.  Instead of having my earbuds in while biking, I thought using one airpod would be safer.  When I bought them, I couldn't get the pair to sync together (for when not riding).  Yesterday I even brought them in for my advisory girls to help me.  Even the young teens couldn't get them to work.  It really doesn't matter because most of the time I'll only be using one.  The main problem is that I've ridden with the one twice.  It doesn't stay charged for the entire ride even a short 15 mile ride.  What's my point?  Cheaper isn't always better.  I've LEARNED to do some research before spending my money especially when it looks like a real bargain.

I got a new bike light that releases the opposite of my current bike light.  I fought with it for 15 minutes before a friend showed up at my house.  She released it in a minute.  Although she struggled, she didn't struggle like I did.  My mind was set that there was only one way to release it.  It was so obvious, but my finger had already fought too hard.  I guess I LEARNED to think it through first.

Yesterday, I presented to the education majors about technology.  I started out talking about the current educational books I was reading and added in Back and Forth by LH .  The instructor of the course also said great things about the book.  As I started talking to the class, I LEARNED that university students are much calmer than 7th graders.  I feel as though the presentation went well.  Students asked great questions about use of technology in the classroom and dutifully clicked on the links/websites/apps I suggested.  Although it was easier than teaching 7th graders, I wasn't sure what they were thinking.  Seventh graders have no problem expressing their feelings.  I feel that university students should have the same enthusiasm even though it often looks a bit crazy in class.  The instructor, my former colleague, said they did actually learned and was thankful for my presentation.  It made me wonder if teaching high school is a ...

When it comes to technology, I'm the kid that can't put her phone down.  It's sad, but I'm sure I have addiction problems. Yesterday, however, I learned where my technology use was of help.  A last minute text came as testing was finishing up.  A former colleague asked if I'd be willing to help her teach a class to new teachers at Hamline today about my technology use in the classroom.  When I LEARNED of this opportunity, I was actually excited. I updated an old presentation , and viola, I'm ready to present today.  Let's hope the students aren't merely looking at their phones as I present. 

My day started fairly amazing.  When the first alarm rang, I only hit snooze once,, and I didn't wait for the second alarm to sound.  I went out and rode my bike through some slushy, snowy roads, and returned home to finish my workout.  While I was trying to ride through the slush, I LEARNED a lesson.  The first time I was riding up at a slight (very slight) incline through some slush, I slowed down out of fear.  I rode a bit and retraced my path.  The second time, I kept riding which worked out much better.  Even though the day started out fairly grand, I'm still bummed.  I took a break between biking and core to post today's pictures to Instagram (miscmissives) when I realized it was not Friday, the 13th as I had thought.  Today's only the 12th.  Bummer! #30daysofbiking will bet my ready because... in 99 days, I will begin RAGBRAI, the bike ride across Iowa.  In 20, days, I will begin BRR (Bloody Rectum Ride), 200 miles in tw...

April's snow storm brought a snow day to the folks in the Minneapolis area today.  Yesterday I warned students that if school was cancelled today, they would need to finish their car metaphor on their own.  I hope they LEARNED from the last snow day because no more class time will be allotted. Since the weather is crappy for #30daysofbiking, I drove across town to get a spin class in this am and even did and upper body kettlebell workout when I returned home. Later, in the day, I'll do the obligatory ride outside to keep my streak alive, but this weather really sucks.  Perhaps it's time for a nap.

American Sonnet for My Past and Future Assassin [“You don’t seem to want it, but you wanted it”] by Terrance Hayes You don’t seem to want it, but you wanted it. You don’t seem to want it, but you won’t admit it. You don’t seem to want admittance. You don’t seem to want admission. You don’t seem to want it, but you haunt it. You don’t seem too haunted, but you haunted. You don’t seem to get it, but you got it. You don’t seem to care, but you care. You don’t seem to buy it, but you sell it. You don’t seem to want it, but you wanted it. You don’t seem to prey, but you prey, You don’t seem to pray but you full of prayers, You don’t seem to want it, but you wanted it. You don’t seem too haunted, but you haunted. Yesterday I finished reading My Sister, The Serial Killer .  It was a crazy read.  At the end of the novel, I looked at my friend who loaned it to me and said, "What...."  I LEARNED that we both had the same idea about the ending, but that there c...

Growing up around lakes, one of my favorite things is the dark, blue ice before the ice leaves the lake.  I tried to capture it on my ride today.  Today was a dark, blue ice day.  At school a colleague and I were in the middle of two fights within an hour.  I LEARNED (well, I probably already knew) that I work with some of the most kind, tough, and caring individuals.  My ability to teach in this building is due to their support. 

Last night I LEARNED about this week's upcoming forecast.  It's actually unacceptable.  The amount of snow keeps changing, but I've heard 6" to 16".  As soon as I learned of this crazy forecast, I asked my friend if I could use her husband's bike with studded tires.  Some may remember that I had to use it last year also.  Obviously, this is not information I wanted to learn.  At least today was in the 60s for today's ride. 

Before I went to bed last night, I checked Weather.com to figure out the best time to ride this morning since rain has been forecasted or most of the day.  At 6:00 am I woke to my alarm because it was to be the ideal time.  Did I mention that I also awoke to rain?  At one point my phone app said it was clear as I could hear the rain.  I LEARNED that looking outside is the best way to check the weather.

I listened to season one of Serial and was immediately caught up in the story.  Season two was average to below average which is why I had no plans on listening to season three.  I actually LEARNED about season three from one of the most intelligent/level headed people I know.  She kept asking me if I had listened to it.  Finally I broke down and listened to the first episode.  It's brilliant shows a lot about our judicial system.  As soon as I finished the first episode, I started the second episode.  Currently, I'm listening to the third episode.  I think one needs space in between the episodes to let it all sink in.  You should LEARN from me and start listening.

still riding in my "work clothes" On Tuesday a group of friends called a get together after work.  I said it was dependent on the weather since I was riding every day in April.  If it's nice outside, I really need to go home and bike, but the forecast looks miserable.  When the final call came to decide who was going to participate in the outing,  I did a check of weather.com and decided to go.  When I returned home, it was feels like 34º and the wind was 20mph.  Instead of doing a ride of miles,  I did a ride of laps around my condo complex.  It's all good.  Riding every day in April merely means getting on the bike.  I've LEARNED that "playing the game" is sometimes the best policy.  Besides, we had a lot of good conversation.  #stillriding #still learning.

I'm beginning to figure out (learn) what layers I need each day for biking depending on the weather (temperature, precipitation, wind...).  Yesterday I was certain I was ready after looking at weather.com and thinking back to the past two days rides.  My route was even chosen after looking at the wind direction.  The one thing I learned on my ride which I didn't take into consideration before riding was that riding around the lakes (still fairly iced over) is colder.  Learning often comes from struggling.  If I choose the lakes as part of my route in the future, I have learned to take the ice into consideration. 

Yesterday was the first day of testing season.  We have 3 sessions this week and more to come as spring continues.  Typically, a couple of colleagues and I compare steps as we "actively monitor."  For me it means walking in a circle around my room while I read.  I started reading Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver yesterday.  I also read it throughout the day since students are writing their research essays and don't need much guidance.  Anyway, back to walking, I was concerned about my new tattoo rubbing against my jeans, so I taped a napkin to cover it... brilliant!  I was really pleased with my idea and my walking. Plus, 5,000 steps in 1.5 hours walking around my room seems pretty good. Perhaps I'm ready for another day.

I'm posting this a bit late, but I wanted to share this experience.  On Sunday a few of us went to The Somali Museum of Minnesota.  Our guide seemed to be a a high school young adult. She was really knowledgeable about the artifacts in museum.  One of the most interesting conversations we had with this young lady was around the topic of covering.  According to our guide, originally girls would have braids in Somalia; they wouldn't be covered until they were married.  The change came with religious groups, but it hasn't always been this way.  This young lady was not covered, and she said it was a choice of her family.  When she goes back to visit Somalia, she does cover.  We had planned on eating at Quruxlow Restaurant after visiting the museum.  As we finished our visit, we asked if it was the best option for true Somali food.  The people in the office assured us it was.  As I was struggling with the steak, I asked if they t...

Today is the first day of April.  April is a fine month to start new habits because it has 30 days.  It's also the beginning of #30daysofbiking, so one of my habits will be riding (hopefully outside) every day.  If one visits this site, they will know my blogging has been subpar (at best) lately.  Thanks to LH at A Little Leeway , I'm going to try to blog every day in April.  I'm not sure what my topic will be or if it will be random posts, but today is the first day of this habit.  Maybe I'll merely tell a story of my day or my biking.  Who knows!