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!