Miscellaneous Missives

As I was helping students in class with their writing and the writing process, a troublesome young man was being disruptive. I sent him to the "think table." He asked me how long he needed to sit at the table. Later I had this conversation with another student who was sitting close to me. Student: That's a hyperbole. Me: What? Student: A hyperbole. Me: What did I say? Student: You told him he may sit at the table for six hours. Me: Yes, that's is a hyperbole. At least one student learned about figurative language.

It's official once again. My brother is the smart one in the family. Today he received a call from the PhD program of his choice with the offer of a free ride and additional funds. I am sooooo excited for him and a little sad for myself. Part of me really wanted him to hear from the UofM program first. My own selfishness wanted him and the little hamburger lady to move to Minneapolis even though they will be happier in Cali. He may be the intelligent one, but I'm still good for comic relief. Congrats 'lil bro!!!

Today I sat through a meeting and made crabby comments, put my head in my hands, sighed loudly, and gave evil looks. Basically I was disrespectful. Typically I don't have a problem with people who can't do their job until their incompetence makes my job difficult. Of the five people present at this meeting, no one knew about an assessment we were supposed to be giving. Instead of realizing no one knew, so there was a breakdown in communication somewhere, the leader of the meeting continued talking as though we should have known. Obviously we should have known, but we aren't slackers. Since no one knew, perhaps the leader should have taken some initiative to make changes in the current policies. Instead of admitting some of the blame, she continued to get on my last nerve.

Last week I received a forwarded e-mail that I actually opened. Typically I don't open let alone look at forwarded e-mails, but this is one I was glad I opened. It made me laugh and cry. OK that's BS. I will admit it is quite realistic and funny. When I received the e-mail, I forwarded it to several friends. As I was cleaning out my e-mail today, I couldn't quite put it in the trash even though putting e-mails in the trash is one of my favorite things to do! Instead of merely deleting it I also copied and pasted it below. I would also like to report that I probably won't be able to use it with my current administration. We tend to hear stories about how the view looks different depeding on where you're at and quotes such as "we're all in this together." I thankfully couldn't find a place for those in the following little game. BTW if you're not in education, this may not be funny! Please help spread the word . . . Subject: How to St...

As usual on Saturday morning, I checked the outside temperature when I awoke. Knowing it was going to get colder as the day progressed, I dressed for the twenty degree weather and headed for the lake. I didn't prepare for the windchill. By the time I got around the lake to Caribou, my face was frozen and my legs were even a bit cold. Today there was no need to remove the flap on my gloves to expose my fingers. It's a great thing the Caribou boy had my hot cocoa ready for me! As I grabbed for my hot cocoa I noticed some tulips with the look of spring in Lunds. How could I not purchase these spring beauties when the wind was so wicked? The sun and tulips glow in my apartment as the wind whips across the windows. Was it truly forty degrees yesterday?

When it comes to anything dealing with money or figures, I am clueless. Why did I decide to do my taxes by myself this year? Last year at this time my mother wanted little to do with me. Typically she does my taxes. Last year she tried to get Dad to do it, but since she always took care of my taxes in the past, I, for some reason, wanted her to do the taxes. She finally did do my taxes. This summer when I was trying to get financing for a condo, I realized that she didn't bother giving me a copy of last year's taxes. This year I asked Dad to do my taxes, and he agreed. While I was in Office Max today, I picked up a copy of Turbo Tax Deluxe to give Dad. As I was driving home, I decided I needed to do this myself. Since I don't yet own the condo, I knew they would be easy. All year I have been collecting my receipts, etc. During Dr. Phil and Oprah I sat down with my box and totaled the receipts. Next I downloaded Turbo Tax and started to answer the questions. Act...

In the bag of Butterfinger hearts I bought each heart has a Trivial Pursuit Q & A inside the wrapper. I found irony in the following: Q. What filmaker sighed "My parents stayed together for 40 years but that was out of spite."? A. Woody Allen Does anyone else get the irony? Remember my parents are going through a divorce (not as amicable as some might believe) after being married for 40+ years.