Miscellaneous Missives

I realize the picture says Monday, but I had some time today Lent starts on Wednesday, and I've been trying to decide on my Lenten practices.  I think part of my Lenten practice should be posting my gratitude list again because it will get me blogging.  It's been difficult to blog lately because I feel as though I'm in a bit of a funk.  April starts #30daysofbiking, maybe I'll wait for that... Rethink Church has their photo challenge again, but I'm not sure if I'm going to participate this year. One thing I did to prepare was by Coloring Lent:  An Adult Coloring Book for the Journey to Resurrection . As you can see, I colored my first picture today as I watched Fences.  Yes, it's the only Oscar movie I've watched, and yes, I did pay too much to watch it.  It was however a great movie and a good way to spend my afternoon. Basically, I'm going to color during Lent, and perhaps watch more movies.  Well, I'll be coloring for sure.  I like...

I'm not really sure how this conversation started, but it was early in the day.  Basically, a student annoyed me in some manner.  "You know students used to be able to hit kids.  I'm tougher than I look.  Perhaps we need to bring back corporal punishment," I stated to the student. Without much thought the same student I was talking to (the one I was threatening, in jest of course) replied, "Yeah, make America great again." Perhaps it goes without saying that I lost that round and could only utter, "Yeah, make America great again." Later in the day, as I was working with the homework soccer kids (only two of the ten had all As, Bs, and Cs.)  Two were working on an essay about abortion (pros and cons).  They were trying to figure out which side was pro-life.  Of course, I interjected that I thought everyone was pro-life.  Anyway, the conversation continued.  Both of these boys were "pro-life."  As they gave their information, I as...

The weather has been crazy.  Normally, I hate February, but this year I'm a fan (at least the last four days). Friday I went for a the first ride of 2017.  Standing water was a thing, but it was amazing to be biking outside and not in the gym.  As I rode a passed a cyclist who yelled, "Ice ahead."  There had been a few ice spots, but I was thankful for the warning.  Within a couple of seconds, another cyclist yelled (even louder), "Get off your bike."  I stopped my bike inches before the patch of ice.  In turn, I yelled at the cyclist coming my way as I inched across the ice. Saturday I decided to go east.  I'd seen pictures for the Franklin Street Bridge bike meter which counts cyclists, so I decided to make it my destination.  The weather was warmer, and the puddles were more vast.  Sunday was the same, but I added the Lake Street Bridge to my ride.  Being outside has been incredible. Today I looked at the weather...

I'm going to post soon about cycling in February, but it's messy and fun.  Last night I decided it was time to sit down and make my 2017 cycling playlist.  I've compiled a list of songs from my spin classes, the car radio, and a couple bike websites.  Today will be my first day riding with the new play list.  Of course, since the play list is over five hours long, I'll only hear a little over an hour of it. Highlights: Aerosmith x 2 The Cure x 3 Elle King X 3 Green Day x 2 INXS x 2 P!ink x 6 Prince x 3 The Replacements x 2 My favorites at this point: Alex Chilton by The Replacements Love Drunk by Boys Like Girls Close to Me by The Cure Mayhem by Imelda May Pretty in Pink by The Psychadelic Furs America's Sweetheart by Elle King

On Tuesday, I marched with 10,000+ (some said the official count was 15,000) to resist Trump's Muslim band.  It truly is amazing to see like minded people band together.  This morning I read that many (including Republicans) are also speaking out.  It made me feel like the protests and marches are actually helping (power to the people). Thursday we took a group of kids to Richardson Nature Center for snowshoeing and kicksledding.  It was my first time kicksledding.  When the naturalist saw me back with the second group, she asked if I had as much fun as I did with the first group.  I must have looked like a giant kid trying it the first time.  I guess I resist adulthood. I've changed the Friday deadline for two assignments until the weekend which means I'll spend the weekend grading.  Today's deadline is noon, so I thought I'd do a quick post.  I'm resisting spending too much time on FB and the news. 2017 = the year of resisting ...

I'm not saying workshop day is a waste of time.  Personally, I will admit to planning my doctor's appointment during today's "break out" sessions.  I made it back in time for the guest speaker, Dr. Muhammed Khalif.  He was interesting enough that I stayed for the lunch session even though I didn't have lunch.  The afternoon's session is based on Personal Growth Plan.  To be honest, I really tried to get my doctor's appointment during this session.  It's a complete waste of my time.  Which is amazing because I don't feel like I've done a good job blogging lately. Sooooo.... Let me share some artwork from the teacher in front of me.   It's really good, and it's fun to watch her draw. I'd also like you to see a meme that was sent to me in preparation for this meeting. Yep, most of today is a complete waste of my time.  In fact, the colleague next to me is counting the "ums" said by the presenter.  She...

I've been thinking of posting all week, but I don't have the words. Unfortunately, I'm sitting in a class with a bunch of educators who in my opinion should not be in the classroom (including one of the facilitators who started by saying most of our (Minnesota?) students were white.  What?!), so I am now officially trying to ignore the ignorance in the classroom.  Actually, some are intelligent, but two or three... Soooo... Let's start with the President's first couple of days...  No, I'm not ready for this discussion or for giving words to it. I'm having some weight issues.  Unfortunately, I'm complaining about it and not doing anything about it.  It's caused a series of meme sharing with a colleague. #1 came while I was on the treadmill on Tuesday. I found #2 and sent it back on Wednesday after spin class. #3 came almost instantly.  Now I need to find another one.  From the conversation happening now, I might have time. ...