Christmas Time

So, I opened up my class Christmas presents today. One of my students wrote a poem for me, and rolled it up as if it were a scroll. I will copy it here, for your enjoyment...

'Twas the Day Before Christmas Break...

'Twas the day before Christmas Break,
And all through the room,
Not a face showed unhappiness, not even some gloom.
For Mr. Estlund was their teacher, so funny and cool.
He was the best teacher they'd had, the best in the school.
Mr. Estlund at his desk, and us in our seat,
We'd just settled down, for a party no one could beat.
When out in the hall, there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from our seats to see what was the matter.
When what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But a man in a suit, standing so near.
"May I come to your party?" he asked with some zest,
"With Mr. Estlund as your teacher, it's always the best!"
"Yes!" We all cried, "Mr Estlund's one of a kind,
He teaches us well, he fills up our minds!"
So we partied together, a right happy bunch,
With cookies to eat and popcorn to munch.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Oh Captain, my Captain,
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

I really liked that. (c;

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and to all a peaceful and loving New Year!

Thanks for reading....

Tommy

Books...

I finished "I Know This Much is True." Wow. What an awesome book...there were so many themes and elements running through the whole book, it's going to take some time to process it. But, yeah...great book. I've started a new book. "America: A Narrative History" which was one of Bibi's text books for her history class last year. It just looked really good, so I'm reading it. (c;

Later!

Hump day

So, yeah, I was just kidding yesterday when I said that I was going to give you the answer to the trivia question. However, typing doesnt' quite express the appropriate tone that my voice (or, at least what I HOPE my voice) does. So, instead of being clever and amusing, I just looked forgetful. So the answer is...

Today is Wednesday. My class is having a Read-In. We are going to relax and enjoy ourselves while reading for pleasure. (I think it's absolutely crucial to instill a love of reading in my kids.) Then, this afternoon I'm taking my class to the local Humane Shelter to donate all kinds of stuff to the shelter, and to play with the puppies and...(ugh)...cats. Tonight some friends are having a Winter Solstice party, and Bibi and I are looking forward to that. Tomorrow is one big party, and I"m playing Santa Claus for the kids. Good times....good times.

Last night, to celebrate selling my house, Bibi and I went all out and had a REALLY nice dinner together. We just sat and chatted for a long time and enjoyed each other's company. It was great.

Home on Friday and Christmas with the family!!!

Hope things are going so well for everyone reading this...

(A: Toto.)

...Tommy

Trivia Answer...

Ok...here's the answer....

Trivia P.2

Anyone know what band performed the background music for "We Are the World?" (c;

Quickie

Ok, so for those of you who don't know, I do trivia with my students. It's a chance for them to get a comfortable looking up different pieces of information, often times very random, and fairly obscure. (I.e: What was Jane's last name in Tarzan? A: Porter; What animal were the Canary Islands named after? A: Dogs.)

Well, I have a legal pad full of REALLY good questions, and I've not been able to find it all year, and it was REALLy getting me down. I FOUND IT!!!!! WHoo HOO!!!!

Oh, and my new house is great. I accidently set my alarm for 6 PM instead of 6 AM, and woke up at 6:30, but was still able to get to school (without rushing!!!) by 7:10. Yeah!

All right...thanks for reading...

Tommy

"have a little help from my friends..."

All right, so last night the moving began. I had packed up about 10 boxes worth of my crap (not to mention thrown out about 5 garbage bags FULL of crap) and I got all that moved over to my new house. My friend Dan came over then to help me move. Well, I was out of boxes. God bless him, Dan...was not out of boxes. He had a plethora of boxes, of all sizes. So, while I helped Bibi jumpstart her car (love you babe!!!) Dan went to his house and got the boxes situated. Then, we spent about an hour and a half boxing up more of my crap, listening to the Who (greatest band EVER) and then hauled the stuff back into town. (I'm SO excited about not having to drive that drive anymore.)

So, to Dan...who is as strong as an ox and as anal as an OCD librarian, who understood the need to pack the books I HAVE read and the books I HAVEN'T read in different boxes. Thanks man. I owe you a beer. (Or two or three or...)

Peace out...

Thanks for reading...oh, wait! "I Know This Much is True" is AWESOME! I'm REALLY enjoying it. It's been a very interesting journey; the book discusses family, history, patterns in one's life, grief, blame, forgiveness, religion, spirituality (of course theres a difference) as well as a host of other things. One of the lines in the book, and, I just tried to find it, but I couldn't, so this is a paraphrase, says something to the effect of, "books reflect ourselves. Through reading, we are able to look at ourselves and see who we really are." Ah, that was horrible, but you get the idea.

Oh, and from www.bookcrossing.com: books change people....people change the world.

Ok, really...thanks for reading...
tommy

Good morning!

So, the weekend was fairly eventful. My friend Dave came into town, with the idea that he was going to help me move. However, the renob that was bidding on my house decided that he wanted me to lower my price by a LOT in order to cover EVERY single item on the inspection list. (For those of you who are unaware, the inspection USUALLY highlights SAFETY concerns, not cosmetic crap.) So, we needed to get something checked on over the weekend, so I was unable to move. Dave and I had a good time. Spent all of Saturday afternoon looking at teacher's magazine's for new lesson plans and new theories in the world of education. It was very cool. We also went out and got each other Christmas presents. I got him two Kanye West CD's (he's REALLY good!!) and he got me Season 2 of Arrested Development. (Which, by the way, is just one more piece of evidence that FOX is run by a bunch of constipated monkeys--why that show got cancelled, well, I'll NEVER understand.)

Anyway, so, yesterday when I left school I called my realitor to see what we should do. He told me that I should lower my price by a fraction of what the guy was asking, and if he didn't accept, then walk away. I told him that was totally fine by me.

He accepted. However, as is the case with this mental case, there is a catch. I've gotta be out by Friday at 4.

Any friends wanna help me move? (c; (I'm taking Friday off to do it!!!)

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

Almost the Weekend

Hey ya'll! Well, last night was a blast. I was Elvis for the Fifth Graders' Music Program, and it went really well. Bibi came to it, and that was really cool. Afterwards we hung out at her house and just enjoyed each other's company while sipping piping hot cocoa. Tonight I am Santa Claus for the neighbor/coworker's kids. That'll be fun. I'm very excited about it, and my friend Dave is coming into town for the weekend. Good times will be had by all. (Oh, I'm not moving this weekend. The guy who is bidding on my house is playing hardball and trying to screw me over. Rest assured, I'm standing strong.)

Ok...well, have a great weekend, and all of you who might have finals coming up...Good Luck! And, to all of you who, like me, are out of school....heh heh heh...we don't have finals anymore!!!! (c;

Love ya all...and thanks for reading....

Tommy

school dayze

So, things are winding up toward a screeching end of the semester. I'm moving this Saturday. Thursday night, the fifth grade is putting on their musical program (a review of the last five decades of music...guess who's playing Elvis?--I had to learn the words to Teddy Bear), and Friday night I'm playing Santa Claus for the kids of a few of my coworkers. That'll be fun...I did it last year, and it was a good time.

However, the coolest thing that's coming up in the next few weeks, as far as school, is my class Christmas party. Instead of having a gift exchange, we're going to raise donations for the local Humane Society. Then, the day before break, we take a field trip out to the Humane Society, and play with all the animals for a hour or so. It's a really cool way to focus on someone (or something) other than themselves this time of year, and besides, it's good for the animals, as well as the kids. (I think there were a couple of adoptions after last years trip.

Oh, and we have a small Christmas program the day before break, where we sing carols, and have a rolicking good time. Last year, during Frosty the Snowman, I dressed up in a Frosty costume and came out dancing and prancing around the gym. The kids LOVED it. Well, this year, the kids are learning a song, "Skateboarding Santa." So, yours truly is indeed going to be dressed as Santa...and I'm going to SKATEBOARD around the gym. Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully someone will be videotaping, so there will be documentation of the exact moment I break my head.

Oh, and as far as books? Still reading "I Know This Much is True", and so far it's GREAT. Really, really enjoying it. Oh...and it's snowing out...so it's absolutely beautiful.

Ok...well, have a great day...and thanks for reading.

One final note...I was asked where I'm moving to...well, lucky me...I'm moving to a house about four blocks from my coffee shop. (c; (You should see the contented smile on my face....)

Bye!

My House

So, Bibi and I have been discussing for a while our need to sell my house, so that we can have a 'home' together. So, I put my house on the market to see what kind of response I got. Well, today a guy accepted my asking price, and wants to close in two weeks. SO...that means, baring any unforseen complications, I could be moving next weekend. Whoa. So, obviously, I need a place that allows dogs, and I can afford. Well, my realitor is going to give me a REALLY good deal on a four bedroom, two bath, two story hard-wood floor rental for, what basically amounts to, what I'm paying now in my mortgage (which is rediculously low). I'm going today after meetings to see the house. Wow...I REALLy didn't expect this to happen quite so quickly. My head is SPiNiNg. Wow. So, anyway, that's all that.

Have a great weekend, and I'll keep ya posted...
thanks for reading...
Tommy

update

So, in response to the question of what book I was thinking about dropping; it was "The Majority Rules", by...oh, I don't know...some judge...Eugene? I don't know. Well, I finished it. The story was great, but the writing was subpar. The author MAY have been trying to use repetition for effect, but came across very poorly. It seemed like he was afraid that his audience might not follow, so, he beats you over the head with important "subtleties." (Unfortunately, subtlety was not his strong suit either!)

However, like I said, the story was good. All about case-rigging in the U.S. Court of Appeals, murder, intrigue, etc. Good story.

So, now I'm reading "I Know This Much is True" by Wally Lamb. So far, it's GREAT! I don't want to get too much into describing it yet, but it's really captivating so far.

Ok...well, tonight's my first Friday night not working at the Spaz that I'm in Kville, and I'm looking forward to it. Bibi finished her Senior Seminar class yesterday for one of her majors, and that went really well, so we're probably going to celebrate a bit. Good times.

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

Post Thanksgiving Slump

Hey ya'll! So, the title sounds kind of negative, but I'm really not. It just seems like I'm never ready for the onslaught of the holiday season, and this year is no different. It's too warm out, and I'm just not feeling Christmas-y....you know? Ok, maybe you don't. This was the first year that I was not with my family for Thanksgiving. I had a great time with Bibi's family, and it was really neat to experience the holiday with another family (let alone, my future family)...(sidebar: I majored in English and I just used the word "neat"?!?!)Anyway, I just don't feel like it's time yet, and I'd like to be my usual chipper self, so we'll see if that happens soon, all right?

Anyway, over the break I read a couple of books...I read another book by Christopher Moore, "Practical Demonkeeping". I tell you, if you haven't checked him out, he's amazing. "Lamb" is still my favorite, but all of his books are hilarious. Then I read "About a Boy" by Nick Hornby. I saw the movie a couple of years ago, and it really didn't impress me. Didn't much care for it at all, to be honest. However, this one came recommended, so I read it, and it was really good. VERY different from the movie, which probably made it enjoyable for me. The book alternates between narrators, first Will, the Hugh Grant character, and Marcus, the odd, quirky, yet strangely endearing 12 year old. Good story about how life REALLY is...not about how it should be.

I've now started a book that so far isn't very good, and i"m actually considering stopping, which RARELY happens. I'm going to give it a couple more chapters, but we may be cutting it short.

Ok, so highlights from the long weekend: (in no particular order)
1. Watching Harry Potter with Bibi and just LAUGHING hysterically, and just really, really enjoying myself.
2. Playing Texas Hold'Em with Bibi's family, and her 7 year old sister kicking everyone's butts!!!! (That girl is SMART!!!)
3. Playing Cranium and laughing hysterically. (There's nothing quite like trying to do an impression of Elvis in front of your future inlaws. (c;)
4. Kaya "attacking my friend Dave's mother's dog, Cassie," getting in to pull the two dogs apart, and realizing that Kaya couldn't hurt a fly, because SHE"S GOT NO TEETH!!!!
5. Putting up my Christmas tree, listening to Christmas CD's, while baking cookies with Bibi, and her whole house.
6. Realizing that I COULD survive a Thanksgiving without turkey. (Although, if anyone has any leftovers, I wouldn't mind helping you eat them!!!)

I'm sure there's more, but that's all I've got for now.

Oh, there is one other thing. Something odd struck me as we were driving home yesterday. Bibi was reading a Spanish novel for one of her classes, and I was driving. We were basically just driving with the radio on, and it was quiet. Now, I've always been one to sing loudly whenever I drive anywhere. And, it struck me that whenever I travel I always look in other people's cars, and observe them. I've always thought that I was having more fun as I was driving. I don't know, it just seemed like it was so boring, all the cars where people were not talking, or singing...I don't know.
Anyway, as Bibi and I were driving yesterday, in silence, I would glance over at her every once in a while. My heart was just filled with this sense of love...I know that love is NOT just a feeling, but at that time, I was filled with knowing how much I loved her...and that, regardless of how much fun I have had in solo drives while I sing, and talk to myself...there is NOTHING sweeter, at least nothing I've experienced, than being able to sit in my car with the woman I love, for three hours....just being able to be close to her, and watch her read her book...she looked SO beautiful, so peaceful sitting there. It was...I don't know...it was magnificent. Yeah...that's what it was.

Ok, that's all I got for now. Hope everyone had fun, and remembered to be thankful...

and I'm thankful for you all for reading...
Tommy

Thanksgiving

So, I've decided to follow Sara's lead and write a blog before Thanksgiving about all that I am thankful for. So, here goes...

Ahead of eveything...God.
1. Bibi. I love you! I am thankful for how much fun we have together (Taco Bell sauce packet fights, nicknames, and deep conversations about COUNTRY MUSIC?!). I'm thankful for our ability to be total dorks in front of each other. I'm thankful for the conversations we have, and the way that you just "get" me...you know? I love you babe!
2. My family. As I grow I realize how important my family is, and I feel like more of a doofus every day for not appreciating what I have.
3. I'm thankful for the fact that I'm one of the lucky few who actually LOVES his job...I don't just like it...I don't tolerate it...I LOVE it...even on the days when I'm tired and cranky...this is an unbelievable honor to be able to do this every day.
4. Good coffee.
5. Frank Sinatra.
6. Johnny Cash.
7. Books, books and more books. Or, more to the point, the fact that I'm able to read!
8. Kaya, my sweet dog.
9. The view out my front window.
10. Sunrises.
11. Sunsets. (in that order)
12. Quiet, autumnal days, sitting in the window seat of Java Co, with Bibi reading and sipping coffee.
13. Life, in general.
14. All of my friends.
15. All of my memories.

Thats all. Thanks for reading...
Tommy

Walk the Line

So, I saw the movie Walk the Line today. Wow. That is all I can say. First of all, Johnny Cash was amazing, and second of all, Joaquin Phoenix WAS Johnny Cash. I gotta be honest--before this movie? Didn't much care for the guy as an actor. However, the fact that he (and Reese Witherspoon, who was ALSO AMAZING) sang the songs, was unbelievable! Holy cow...just, absolutely amazing.

Also, I'm reading a book now called New Found Land, by Allan Wolf. It's a poetic re-vision of Lewis and Clark adventure. The story is told through fourteen different perspectives, in such an amazing way. Sacagawea, Lewis, Clark, York, as well as many others. The interesting thing about the book is that each character is a COMPLETE character...each person brings his or her own personalities and view points (Sacagawea's poetic spirituality, York's yearing for freedom after the trek, Lewis' dark and tormented struggle with depression, etc.) to the narration.

Also, Lewis' dog, Seaman, is the main narrator of the story. He is, as an animal, able to have certain insights that other character's can't have, and is the glue for the whole story. I'm almost four hundred pages into it (nearing the end) and I can't stop reading...this book is DEFINITELY one of the rare "WOW!!!" books that one is lucky to find.

Ok, that's all...

Thanks for reading!

Tommy

Funny stuff...

So, for the last six weeks, I've been using a Pilot Communication Arts text with my class, and right now (literally, as I type) my students are sharing their final projects. One of my kids made a Jeopardy Game over one of the books he read. He's playing it up, he's such a ham; he even had a commercial break, where he walked away from the front of the room, grabbed a drink, and then came back. Now he's having the students introduce themselves. Wow...this is fantastic.

Seriously, these guys are ALL cracking me up. (c; Wow.

(He's even imitating me in the front of the room!)

Here is a picture of Bibi and me at her sorority's formal last weekend. Yeah, we look hot. (c; That's my girl!

Questions O' The Day...

1. Anyone know what effect the water falls of the Fall Line had on the development of the Middle Colonies circ. 1600's?

2. What impact did the glaciers of the Ice Age had on the Middle Colonies?

My fifth graders know....do you?

(c;

Tommy

Occupational Hazards/Benefits...

Odd things that a fifth grade teacher has to/gets to do....

Tell a student to get "that thing out of your nose!"
Hold an eleven foot Burmese Python while my class squirms and giggles in awe.

Just to name a few. (c;

I realized today, that, partially due to schedule demands, and partially due to negligence on my part, I have not, as of yet, spent as much team-building time with my class as I have in the past two years. I believe that it's not indeed too late, and that it WILL be accomplished in the near future. In fact, I'm not doing another thing academically with my class (for the most part) until we come to a better understanding of what our class room can be like.

Fortunately, I have a theme already in place for my class that lends itself quite well to this concept. I have ships, boats, maps, and captains all over my room. (For those of you that don't know, I also allow my students to call me, "O Captain, My Captain" if they need my attention.) So, during our class meeting, we're going to be working on realizing that on this "jouney of discovery", we are in fact a crew...and every single person in the room--regardless of anything else, by virtue of the fact that they are IN this room--is a valued and needed member of our crew. I'm excited because, although it may sound cheesy to anyone that doesn't work with fifth graders, we're going to actually grow closer as a class and many of the behavioral problems will be eliminated due to the realization that, by God, every single person is important.

Ok...gotta get on that...
thanks for reading...
Tommy

funny stuff

So, we're studying the founding of New York and Philadelphia in Social Studies. We read one of Ben Franklin's quotes..."Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes it." I thought there was a connection to John Smith's quote, "If a man doesn't work, he shall not eat." So, I rephrased Franklin's quote, and asked them what it reminded them of. One of my students raised his hand really enthusiastically, so I assumed he knew what I was looking for. His response? "It reminds me of me!!"

I laughed out loud. (c;

More later...

Tommy

native American Day

Today is also Native American Day...we serve Buffalo meat, show the students NA games, hobbies, crafts, and tell traditional Native American stories. My classroom is the Ivory Soap animals room...each student in fifth grade comes through and carves an animal out of Ivory Soap...and, I gotta say, my shark is AWESOME. I've got my new hobby!!! Whoo hoo!! (Sorry Bibi, I know you're going to love the smell of Ivory permeating our home for the next 80 years. (c;)

Veteren's Day

Ok, so here is what I was thinking this morning...we had a Veteran come and speak to our class. He was really cool, and he explained the proper way to fold a flag, which was interesting. (Anyone out there know why we fold it into a triangle?)

Ok, so it sent my mind off to a bittersweet memory that stands out for some reason...

The summer after my freshman year in college, I worked in Alaska for a month(ish). I was in a fish camp, gutting salmon. I took six rolls of pictures, and I loved the entire time...it was definitely a fall from innocense, a wake up call, and a BIG growing experience. However, the flag in our camp still remains in my memory.

The flag flew over our camp cookhouse. It was this unbelievably ragged, weather-beaten flag...it looked almost war torn. I took this picture of the flag, against this dark ominous cloud in the background as it was whipping in the wind...it looked so much like a flag one might see during war time. I was in this camp over the fourth of July, and I think that may have actually been when I took the picture. I was SO proud of the picture, and couldn't wait to get it blown up. Here's where the bittersweet part comes in...I was using my brand new (for me) Alice Pack (army backpack) on the trip. There are three pockets on the back that are not entirely tight when closed...and somewhere between Eggegik, Alaska, and LaCrosse, Wisconsin, that one roll of film fell out of my backpack. So, either on a plane, in the hotel room in Anchorage, or on the train, there is a roll of film, with my picture. Ugh. )c:

Oh, well. At least I still have the picture in my mind, right? (c;

Have a great day...and thanks to ALL our veteran's and our service people serving today....God bless you all!

and, thanks for reading...

Tommy

work and stuff

So, here we are, on Thursday, just one more day til the weekend. Wow, the year is FLYING by! I've been having an interesting week...some things are post-able, and some aren't. Isn't that just the way? Anywho...I'm reading a really good book by one of my favorite authors. It's called Summer of '49, and it's by David Halberstam. He is a really prolific writer who covers such varied topics as, war, politics, advertising, history, culture, and quite often--sports. Now, those of you who know me even a little bit, know that I couldn't care less about things sports related. However, I had dinner with, and was able to have a fairly decent conversation with Halberstam, and I decided I'd give even his sports books a try. They're VERY interesting. Quite fascinating, really. Anyway, this book ('49) is about the rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. So far, really good.

As far as personally...well, things are good there, too. Planning a wedding, school, work, and all the rest of life sometimes gets a little hectic and stressful. As Bibi and I grow together, we find that--although it can be stressful and scary, after each bump or obstacle, we are closer than ever we were before...which, is nice. (Getting past/through things can be difficult, but a relationship IS work--we're both finding this a very challenging time, but it's so unbelievably worth it...she's amazing...I'm a good person, she's a good person...together...well, we're even better. It's wonderful. (c;

All right, enough of this gooey sh....ow of emotion. Later ya'll.

...and, thanks for reading...
Tommy

Hey ya'll!

All right, so...sorry for the vague-ness of my post yesterday, but rest assured (in case any of you were up all night pondering it) that all is well.

Anyway, something kind of cool just happened, and I wanted to post on it...one of the things I teach my students about is different strategies for studying vocabulary. I have been focusing on Cornell Notes (thanks Mr. Henderson!!) and flashcards. Well, today I was giving the students time in class to create either of these study tools for the present chapter. Two of my girls, immediately after I had the students start working, asked what they should do. I said, "well, you should work on the assignment I've given you." They both looked at each other, and then said, "but we did these last night!" They had ALREADY made the study tool, because they had found it useful!!! yeah!!!!!!!

Good feeling, good feeling. Oh, and I'll probably post more about yesterday's post later. (c;

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

reeling and grasping...

Sometimes, even though everything is amazing...if you actually sit back and count how many things are good, how many undeserved blessings are in your life (and it's staggering how many you have) one thing not going well, can make all the difference in the world. You're left trying desparately to find your direction, suddenly forced to question your direction, forced into a position you would normally give ANYTHING to avoid. Even with all the doubt...even when you're facing questions that are scary and disturbing, uncomfortable and harsh...underneath it all, in the cockle region of your heart....you know. And, knowing...IS a wonderful thing.

weekend update

Hey y'all! Well, it's Monday, and as usual, that means we just had a weekend.

Gotta say...I love my Bibi. (c;

We went to Kansas City, and registered. That was a lot of fun. Basically, just like making out a huge wishlist. How can that NOT be fun?! We also got our engagement pictures taken, and that was good, too. Saw my sister, and that was fun, and had some great Indian food on Saturday. Good times, good times.

I'm reading the Princess Bride, and it's SO good...if you haven't read it, go do yourself a favor, and find a copy. William Goldman's The Princess Bride. Don't be confused by the complete title...it's the "Good Parts" version you want. (It's also the ONLY version out there.) The movie the Princess Bride is fantastic, and the book--as is almost universally the case--is significantly better.

All right, more later...as always...thanks for reading...

Tommy

Joy/Luck

As I continue to read, I am struck through each vignette, how touching and profound this book is. Most recently, I was touched by the extent of a mother's love, and how, quite frequently, we as children are completely and totally unaware of this, as it is something that we cannot see. It is evidenced through sacrifices not seen by our eyes, choices made that effect us in ways we can never know, and prices paid that we can never understand. As I read, I am humbled, thankful, and awed.

Thank you, mom. I'll never know, but I thank you.

Love...and thanks for reading...

Tommy

coincidences and what not...

So, I'm reading The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan, as per suggested by my senior year English teacher, who remains one of my all time favorite teachers. She challenged us, inspired us, and, in all honesty, respected us, too. We just had a great time, while learning a WHOLE lot, too.

The book is really interesting. It's basically a very touching description of the relationships between mothers and daughters. The translational gap between the Chinese-native mothers, and their American born daughters, highlights the differneces that are inherently present between generations. Online, there was a question as to why there are so many "stories" used to make a point in this book. The obvious answer is that stories pave the way for expression when out-right declarations will fail, due to the implicit short-comings of human language. Stories paint pictures that a lecture won't. The truths in this story that--at first glance--might seem specific to the characters and relationships in this book, are actually a universal revelation on the way parents and children view each other, and communicate with each other. This book reminds me a great deal of the lessons I learned in reading "One True Thing", by Anna Quindlen. The entire book led up to the, rather profound notion that the way we view our parents is faulty. We see our parents, I see my parents in capture moments, like photographs, from my childhood. While these pictures are often times true, they are in no way the entire truth. My parents are whole beings, who led lives long before me, and who have experiences that I know nothing of. I'm given an almost completely inaccurate image of my parents because of the experiences I see as the whole.

Ok, so I don't know if this makes ANY sense at all, or if this is news to anyone else, but it really puts things into perspective for me to be reminded that there are so many sides to people, and that respecting, acknowleging, and trying to see those sides that might not be readily visable, are really important tasks.

Ok, that's all.

Oh, no wait...back to the title of this post...

I was reading the USA Today over some guys shoulder the other day, and I saw an article about Harriet Miers entitled, "Miers nomination suffered death by, 'a thousand cuts". It was notable because I had just read about the "death of a thousand cuts" in The Joy Luck Club. I love stuff like that.

Ok, thanks for reading...

Tommy

end of the line

So, I just finished Little Women last night. All I can say is, wow. Man alive. In all honesty, I've never read a book with such beautiful prose, such elegant story telling, and such a memorable finale.

It was interesting; I went through a change during the reading of this book. I made some many connections between the story and my life--the importance of making my home...scratch that, Bibi and my home a comfortable and welcoming place, a "home" instead of merely a house. Seeing Mr. March as a father, made me long for when I can be a father and take care of my own kids. Oh, and this was kind of funny; when people would see me reading this book, I would make up excuses for why I was reading it, I would explain that I was challenged to read it, that it was for my classroom. Tuesday night, I was reading it and someone chuckled and made somewhat of a snide comment about it (he was just being funny) and I started to explain why I was reading it. I stopped and looked at him. Then I simply said, "Hey...it's really good," and continued reading.

Man. Just amazing.

Anyway, I'm reading The Joy Luck Club now. I'm only about 40 pages into it, but it's great so far. My favorite teacher in high school challenged all the guys in the class to read it, and now...only ten years later, I'm finally doing it. (c; Better REALLY late than never, right? Anyway, more later!

If anyone reading this doesn't already know about www.bookcrossing.com you should definitely go check it out. Good times will be had by all! (c;

Later, and...thanks for reading...

Tommy

beautiful

Just read this paragraph...how beautiful!

"The June roses over the porch were awake bright and early on that morning, rejoicing with all their hearts in the cloudless sunshine, like friendly little neighbors, as they were. Quite flushed with excitement were their ruddy faces, as they swung in the wind, whispering to one another what they had seen; for some peeped in at the dining-room windows, where the feast was spread, some climed up to nod and smile at the sisters as they dressed the bride, others waved a welcome to those who came and went on various errands in garden, porch and hall, and all, from the rosiest full-blown flower to the palest baby-bud, offered their tribute of beauty and fragrance to the gentle mistress who had loved and tended them so long."

What a beatiful description of the morning of Meg's wedding. Hmm. Very nice, indeed.

Little Women

Hello all!

I am back today, and it's going swimmingly. Today is probably one of the longest days of my school year, but the fruits of the day will be splendid. We have conferences until 8:00 this evening, and then my old friend and roommate Tim will be in town for a few days of debauchery and good old fashioned fun. Good times will be had by all, to be sure.

I went to a conference yesterday that was amazing. Absolutely amazing. Learned a lot, and I"m REALLY looking forward to putting into practice what I learned.

So, on with the topic at hand...

Little Women is still amazing...it's been such an interesting journey of a book. The prose and style have drawn me into a time that I am very much unaccustomed to. To be able to experience the joys, the triumphs, the pains and trials of the March girls has been somewhat of a priviledge. I've taken true delight in traveling through the story with the girls as they resolve to be more loving, more kind, more sisterly, and more appreciative of all the blessings they are given. And, actually, it's been an interesting correlation with "Of Mice and Men". Lennie and George simply want a small piece of land to call their own, to be independent and free. Joy, Meg, Beth and Amy want little more, albeit varyingly through the story. Both stories have impressed upon me the undeniable fact that I am a truly blessed individual. I have SO much to be thankful for, and often times I lose sight of those things; it is, indeed, a blessing unto itself to have the realization brought to my attention.

The most interesting point for me thus far in the adventure, has been experiencing Jo's earnest desire to foil Meg's engagement to Mr. Brookes. Her intentions, her motivations behind this are truly unique to her time period, and they are utterly foreign to me. Meg is 17 years old, and she is far too young to be thinking about boys, according to Jo. However, it doesn't immediately occur to me that Brookes will not simply be asking Meg out for pizza--the engagement (a THREE YEAR ENGAGEMENT!!!!??!?!?) is quite abrupt.

The joy in this book is seeing how the tale unfolds in such elegant and beautiful prose. The sisters are so dear and loving, and yet, genuine in the picturesque qualities. (Wow, so I never thought that those would all go together, but Alcott has done an amazing job.) Ok, so I'm going to stop gushing, and I'm going to get back to the story...

Thanks for reading...

Tommy

lucky

Due to the public nature of this blog, I can't be more specific with this post, but something really cool just happened. I have a student who wasn't able to have treats for his or her birthday recently, and I went out and got treats for this particular student to share with the class. The look on this student's face when they s/he saw the treats was absolutely amazing. I feel SO unbelievably lucky that I get to make a difference in someone's life. I've got, right now, what an old friend used to call a "spiritual grin" on my face. I'm not smiling on the outside, (because I didn't want him/her to know that I got the treats) but I'm definitely glowing with humility and thankfulness. (c;

Thanks for reading...

Tommy

evaluation

ok, quick note...I just got evaluated by my principal (It's a requirement for the first 5 years) and as she left she pulled me aside and told me "every year I'm more impressed." Whoo hoo!!!!! Happy me.

Ok, thanks. (c;

Tommy

and on we go...

You all everybody...

Welcome back! Here we are in another week. I finished Robinson Crusoe last week...unfortunately, it just took too long. I don't have much to say about it, as it was too long for me to spend on one book. Finished a Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle last week as well. It was good. It wasn't great...it seemed to me she was trying a little too hard to copy the beauty and meaning behind C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. It seemed forced and a little unnatural. Having said that, it still was a decent story.

I'm reading "Little Women" now, as per requested. (As I said earlier, I will read books recommended by you all!) I have to say, after a brief period of discomfort at reading such a blatant "chick read", I've been REALLY impressed. It's absolutely beautifully written. It's a little like reading poetry in prose form. Without trying to sound too cliche' it's really quite mind-catching.

A couple of other notes...my mom called yesterday and we chatted for a bit. (Hi mom!) Backstory first: My senior year in high school a friend of mine was in horrible accident. He and his brother and a mutual friend of theirs had just gotten off work at the local hy-vee. The friend was driving his car, and the two brothers were sitting on the back of the car, being driven--very carefully--to their car. Both of the brothers fell off. My friend died. His younger brother lived. It was a horribly sensless accident, and it was a very painful experience for everyone who knew all involved.

Well, my mom told me yesterday that the younger brother died in a motorcyle accident this weekend. Almost nine years exactly after his brother died. So...to the Henson brothers. You will both be missed.

Thanks for reading.
Tommy

testing

I can't seem to get my blog to come up...so, I'm testing this to see if it works...

da da da

I'm sick today. ughs. I feel like poo. And, frustratingly enough, I STILL haven't finished Robinson Crusoe. Ughs X 2. I might take tomorrow as a sick day. (Cough, cough...groan.) I hate to do that though, cuz it's SO much work. Ah, I don't know.

On the plus side, Bibi and I did find a photographer this weekend. Yeah! we're looking at honeymoon spots now. more later....

update

Hey to both of my avid readers....

Sorry I've been so lax in my updates, but Robinson Crusoe is taking a little longer than I thought it would to finish. Things have been crazy. School is going well, but we had midquarters last week, so I needed to spend some more time on that. Bibi and I have been trying to work out who our photographer is going to be, and we're driving to Columbia MO to meet with one this Saturday. It's been hard...it's a lot of money, and while we both REALLY want pictures, but MAN! It's a lot of money, that's all I'm saying. (c;

The play, Of Mice and Men, is also rather time-consuming. It's been awesome, and it's going to be a GREAT show, but it's really taken over my life after school is out.

Anyway, I will update more later, and I"ll be seeing you!

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

robinson crusoe

I'm in the midst of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe. I have to say, it's been a unexpected treat thus far. I went into the book knowing nothing except that it was about a guy that was shipwrecked. However, the deeper, underlying themes are so strong and interesting, that it really makes the idea of being isolated and alone--literally--something that anyone can relate to.

Crusoe's struggles, superficially, are with how to survive, as a basically middle-class guy stuck in a confounding situation. He is struggling moreso, mentally with the knowledge that he disobeyed his father's advice, which predicted--with uncanny specificity--Crusoe's present dilmena. Our hero's father proclaimed that the greatest joy in life--indeed, the only true path to contentment--lay in always choosing the middle ground, the simple life. And, if Crusoe insisted on living life adventureously, it would lead only to strife, conflict, torment and being isolated from everyone around him, so that there would be no one to help him.

Crusoe is also struggling with the existence, and nature, of God. He is English, and as the English do in the early 1700's, he calls on God quite frequently. However, it is more of an exclamation, not an earnest and sincere statement. And, these phrases, ("Dear Lord, help me in my dire circumstances...etc") are only when Crusoe feels that his problems are too great for his own abilities. He is quite frank and honest in his lack of consistancy...he acknowledges that as soon as the present troubles are gone, so is his desire to rely on God.

It is only when he starts to realize his true isolation--and, coincidently, when he starts to read his Bible--that Crusoe recognizes that his "prayers" have been nothing more than curses and empty words. Crusoe goes through a slow yet constant change to realizing his need for God's intervention.

To close, I wanted to mention one of the most powerful passages in this book so far. Defoe has Crusoe proclaiming, "that whenever they come to a true sense of things, they will find deliverance from sin a much greater blessing than deliverance from affliction." In other words, Crusoe is coming to the conclusion that he need not even pray for deliverance from his private "holy land" because God has done so much for him already." However, shortly after this passage, in what is a surprisingly honest confession, Defoe allows Crusoe to admit that it would be completely rediculous to not continue wanting that release. That, even though forgiveness of sins is an unparalled blessing, so would be getting off the island!

All right, more later!

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

Robinson Crusoe

Started Robinson Crusoe a couple of days ago...it's a good one so far, and it's way different than I thought it would be. (But, since I really didn't know anything about it to begin with--other than it has something to do with a guy who gets shipwrecked on an island--that's not surprising.)

Ok, well, more later!

thanks for reading...
Tommy

done and done...and I mean done!

All right all you crazy book lovers...I'm finally done with Wuthering Heights. And, I just have to say...hey! It was pretty good!

I've been struggling this morning with whether or not my posts will give away the ending to books in my review. Well, I haven't decided yet, but for this one I'm going to. (So, if you don't want to know the ending of a book that was written like 900 years ago, STOP READING!!!!)

All right, so, all along I was upset at the use of the term romance in connection to this book. It seemed to me that the negativity and cruelty exhibited throughout the book by quite a few characters, and the lack of a real emotional connection between characters that are supposedly in "love", just didn't warrant the use of such a label. Heathcliff was obsessed,to be sure, but was Catherine really the focus of his obsession? Or, was that intense desire more closely directed at what Catherine stood for? Wealth, family, class and a life full of possibility? The obsession was, it seemed to me, more about Catherine having been born into a family that kept her, as opposed to Heathcliff, who was born...well, who knows anything about H's family?

Catherine did not seem to be worthy of Heathcliff's affections, regardless of where those affections were focused. Catherine was a very inconstant person. She stood for nothing throughout the entire book. She's basically the poster child for adultery. She gave of herself to two men, and then when both men confront each other (as would most likely happen) she feels as if they are being unreasonable. C'mon!!! For crying outloud, she's married to one guy, and stringing Heathcliff along and she gets all weepy-eyed and hysterical when they want her to be a bit more decisive.

However, moving through time, (almost twenty-some years) we see that all of Heathcliff's attempts to spoil and sully everyone that stood between he and Catherine, are for naught. Ha! Catherine's daughter and Haverston fall in LOVE!!!! Yeah!!!!!

All right, 'nuf about that. I start Robinson Crusoe today. I'm looking forward to it!

Later, and thanks for reading...
Tommy

...

So, I'm still reading Wuthering Heights, and it's actually turning out to be quite good. Still, I have no idea why it's categorized as a great romance, but it's a great book, none the less. It's interesting to consider the lengths one will go to in order to receive recompense for wrongs one feels have been committed. Admittedly, Heathcliff has suffered a great deal, from being an unwanted "gypsy-child" to being tormented by Catherine's brother almost his entire life. This book is a very poignant example of the Biblical concept of reaping the payment for the father's sins onto the child. Yikes! I'm about fifty pages from the end, so I'll be able to conclude my thoughts on this book shortly.

a new tack...

So, I've been struggling with the whole idea of what I can possibly write about in my blog, because work is out for legal reasons, and well, I just don't lead that exciting of a life outside of work. However!!! I do have a bit of a nasty habit of reading every single thing that I can get my hands on....SO, I think this blog will become something of a venue for me to expound on all of the books that I read. cool! I'm happy, and if that doesn't suit you, (my two readers) than too bad.

About a week ago, I read Prozac Nation. It was interesting. I wouldn't say that I liked it, but it definitely kept me involved. (Angrily muttering to myself is involved, isnt' it?) Honestly, it was very frustrating because I couldn't relate to the main character. All she saw was pain and personal attacks, and all I saw was her friends and loved ones reaching out and trying to help, and then just reaching their breaking point. But then, I think that that's kind of the point...because, after all, I'm not depressed...therefore, I can't possibly relate to someone who's entire outlook is colored by a disease as debilitating as depression. It also made me think about my objections to Tom "crazy as a loon" Cruise. I REALLY don't agree with his psychotic rantings. Mental illnesses ARE real. However, I'm kind of riding the fence between Cruise and the conclusion of Prozac Nation. You see, I think (and I know I'm going WAY out on a limb here) that we, as a nation, are grossly over-medicated. For people who really and trully have a mental illness, I say go for it. However, I think that there needs to be a substantial difference between feeling blue and feeling like the entire world is one giant tidal wave of pain that is coming in from all sides like a mental "perfect storm."

Ok. 'Nuff about that book.

Right now I'm reading "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte, as per recommendation by Matt. Now, admittedly, I'm only about half way through it, but I don't get why it's one of the world's great love stories....Catherine and Heathcliff are not characters to be imitated. For crying out loud!!! He's a raving, vengeful lunatic man, and she's a spoilled, self-centered, selfish witch!!! The passages that are often quoted as being indicative of the depth of emotion between H. and C. and rarely given a context. H. is usually making those broad, beautiful declarations in FRONT OF HIS WIFE, who, incidentely ISN"T Catherine!!!!

However, again, it's provoking an emotional response, which, i guess is the point, and it does keep me reading. All right, more later. Oh, if there are any recommendations that people have, I almost always read what my friends/complete strangers suggest. (c;

More later!

the weekend

Well, this weekend was the big meet'n'greet between bibi's family and mine. And, well, for those of you who know about my particular feelings as regards to family--it should come as a major shock to know that it went SO well!!!! It was awesome! We had a great time, and it was very relaxed and a lot of fun. (c; Great time was had by all. So, there we go.

price of rice...

Hey ya'll. (Ya'll bein' Tim, cuz evidently--he's the only one who reads this.) What can I say...a fellow teacher made the comment yesterday--in seeing the devastation in the south--that there can be some interesting--albeit horrific conclusions made about our culture. In Southeast Asia, after the tsunami hit, there wasn't this kind of lawless depravity occurring. What does is say about us as a people, when instead of pulling together, we fight, bicker, rape, steal, and cheat? We argue, spout, proclaim, and blame. Mother Theresea, who was a Catholic very much connected to a people from an entirely different background (Hindi) once said of the American people...that ours was a much worse illness--that of being unwanted. Interesting I think.

School

Hey ya'll! I'm back...say, does anyone read this at all? Send me an e-mail or make a comment to let me know...ok? I have to decide whether or not to continue posting (once in a blue moon.)

semi-annual update

Hey...um, so if anyone does read this...I got engaged on July 4th. (c; Drop me a line if you happen to stumble on this page. (c;

Had a Ball

Hey ya'll. (Unfortunate rhyme.)

This weekend was great. The girl that I am seeing came with me to the "Hospice Gala", which was a formal event in town. (I know, I know...I didn't think that there were formal events in town, either, but I learned otherwise.)

Saturday night a bunch of people went out, and that was fun. A friend, who is usually very rough and not mindfull of social norms and accepted levels of behavior become--in his inebriated state--quite open about his feelings towards those around him. He basically just opened up about how important our friendship was, and other miscilaneous (sp?) things. Fun times.

Last night the girl bought me dinner, (which was AWESOME!) and then she came over to my house and we watched Love Actually (GREAT movie) and just relaxed together. She studied, I read, it was a good time.

All right...we're counting down to spring break now...just four and a half more days! (c;

Whoo hoo!!!!!!!

tommy

I'm SO tired...

I was out really late last night. I'm tired. Ugh.

history

So, today was cool...my class has been watching the Steve Fossett flight intently for the past two days, and today was got to see him land. It was neat. I compare it to Lindbergh landing after flying the first transatlantic flight oh-so-long ago.

Actually, I'm still bitter about the Challenger. You see, when I was in school, when the Challenger exploded, my class wasn't watching. I mean, c'mon! That's history in the making!!!! If it had gone well, it would have been an amazing thing for a first grader like me to see! And, my class was the only one not watching...I just think that there are more important things than sticking to a strict curriculum REGARDLESS of whatever else may be going on. So, there. My justification for watching CNN for an hour and a half with my fifth graders. (c;

Ok. Well, going to see Caberat tonigh, which will be fun. Then, I'm going to a "gala" tomorrow, which will be cool. B, the girl I've been seeing, has a new dress, and I"m going to get all dressed up...it'll be good times. (c;

All right. Well, have a great day!

Tommy

Writing

Well, today has gone well so far. We had an assembly about summer school, and that was kind of exciting. I'm looking forward to it. I love teaching, and summer school is somewhat of a "no pressure" teaching situation, plus, it's great money. (c;

I got to start writing today. I've had an idea for a story that I thought sounded really interesting, and I've been putting off starting on it; but today, I just said, "what the heck" and began. I decided I had a feeling for one scene in my mind, and I just started there. I don't want to say too much about it, but I've got that first scene kind of well sketched out now. I need to spend some time brainstorming and defining where I want to go...most of what I've written prior to this has been essayish vignettes about my view on different things. This is really different...I have to define the story, and see how it's going to play out. Also, my character, well, we have some definite similarities, but it's not autobiographical, so that's kind of new.

Anyway, that's cool. Oh, and I'm going to a ball this weekend with the girl I've started dating. (c; Fun, fun!

More later! (Look at this, two days in a row! One more and I'm on a streak!)

Tommy

One-a-month

Hey ya'll! So, I got word that there are some of you (whoever you are) that actually do read this. Well, for those of you who do...what the heck for?! (c;

All right, here is an update.

School is going well. My students are good, and we're making progress. I've had to deal with a couple of issues, but it's gone well so far. We have Spring Break in two weeks, which will be nice. Well, I guess what is nice is that I'm not that anxious for Spring Break, which means that it will just be a nice break, instead of something that I desparately need, you know?

Work at Il Spazio is going well, too. The club is fun, and both places are great places to hang out at.

Bookcrossing is going well as well. (Man, I lead a charmed life, don't I?) I've gotten a few other people involved, and that's great. (If you don't know what bookcrossing.com is, visit the website! (c:)

I've started seeing a really cool girl. We're still in that new, somewhat awkward phase, but she's really cool, and it's great just hanging out with her. We went out of town this weekend together, and it was just really comfortable. We talked the whole way, both there and back, but we don't HAVE to talk--there aren't any uncomfortable silences, just comfortable ones. A week ago, we just hung out while she was studying for one of her classes (she's at Truman) and I read a book. So, yeah, that's really nice.

Anywho, besides that, not much is going on. I've got a busy week, but it should be fun. We'll see if I stay on top of this thing now, right?!

Have a great day...

Weekend

Hey! Well, it was a great weekend. I worked Friday night and that went well. I decided to go home after work instead of going out, and man, what a nice change! I was in bed--and ASLEEP!--by ten o'clock. I don't think that's happened on a Friday night since I came to Kirksville. Saturday I spent the day at the coffee shop and read, and then worked again. A bunch of people went out after work, and that was fun.

Oh, this may come as a shock for some of you (I have NO clue who reads this) but I have been a smoker for the past 4 years. Well, I have been without a cigarette since New Year's Day! Whoo hoo!

Ok, later!

Tommy

Weekend

Hey ya'll! Well, I am done for the week. Well, kind of. I have work tonight, which should be fine. I'm kind of tired. This week really took it out of me; which, you know, it shouldn't have, because we haven't had a full week yet.

Today was good. We're reviewing for a test that I'm going togive on Tuesday, and one of the classes really seems to get it, while the other one doesn't...at all. So, we'll have to work on that Monday.

All right, well, this is short, but then...so am I.

Tommy

sorry!

So, yeah, leave it to something like a blog to show you just how boring your life REALLY is. So, for all of you who are keeping up with me by reading this...I apologize. Man, I need to get out there and do more...STUFF!

All right, so it's been a week, and in that time VERY little has happened. An old friend sent me a new CD, which is great, and I LOVED it. It's of a band from Philadelphia that is really good, and I had the opportunity to hang out with last summer.

I've been hanging out with friends lately, but we've not done anything to exciting. I've been reading a lot lately (but that's not new). Oh, just a heads up, if you've not been to the website www.bookcrossing.com, you really should. It's awesome.

I did some thinking over the past couple of days, and I've decided not to go on my roadtrip this summer. I really don't have the money, and it would be really irresponsible of me (darn it!) so I'm going to post pone it. My check book and my dog will thank me, I'm sure.

It's funny how quickly things can change...yesterday was fantastic, I woke up and came to school all smiles, and had just an amazing day. Today, well, it started the same, but right before school, I found out that one of my kids had been making racial comments to another student...I know I live in the middle of rural America, and that should unfortunately not be that surprising, but it really was! This is a good kid, and it really just killed me to know that he had been doing it. However, I really didn't have to come down to hard on him, as he really didn't know what he was saying...so I just explained, in no uncertain terms, what it was he was ACTUALLY saying, and he felt really bad, so hopefully, the problem is solved. Ugh.

Well, hopefully more later, and I'll try not to wait over a week next time! (c;

Tommy

Snow/Ice Day

Whoo hoo! Another snow day! (In case you can't pick up on the sarcasm that I intended, trust me--it was there.) I REALLY don't want to make up any more school days! Ugh!

Ok, so last time we met, it was Monday morning. Monday was a great day--students were fantastic, and we got a lot accomplished. Monday after school I went home and relaxed, watched some tv, and read. Then, I got a very welcome surprise...an old friend, one who is very special to me, called out of the blue. We chatted for over an hour about all kinds of topics, and it was just very pleasant. She is someone that I can talk to about almost anything, and our conversations range from the mundane (which you just can't beat sometimes) to the deeply intellectual, spiritual or otherwise stimulating topics. It was just a really excellent way to end the day.

Yesterday morning I woke up and found that school was cancelled. I went to the coffee shop, hung out, read, and relaxed. Then a couple of friends came over and we went to Il Spazio for lunch. There I ran into an ex girlfriend. That was interesting.

You see, she's the first girl that I thought about marrying. We "courted" actually, and it was a really good relationship, and probably the second most pleasant break-up ever. However, she's married now, and she is expecting her first child. Don't get me wrong...I'm happy for her...it's just hard sometimes. I'm 26, which in Kirksville means that you're old. REALLY old. I'm older than most of the med students for crying out loud. So, to see someone that I almost married, living the family life, happily married and moving onto parenthood, well, it can be difficult.

Went to karaoke last night and saw Flight of the Phoenix. Class is going well today.

Anywho...more later. God bless ya'll...

Tommy

Monday Morning

Hello all! I know it sounds silly, but man I love Monday mornings. A new week, a fresh start, a brimming cup of steaming coffee. Mmm....coffee. My weekend was good, too! I worked Friday night, and that was fun. We were not busy, so I got cut fairly early, and then I was able to read for a bit before I had dinner. I'm reading "A Man in Full" by Tom Wolf. It's ok...he's a bit circumloquatious, but it is an interesting story.

Anyway, so I met up with some friends after work and we decided to go to 'Toons, which is Kirksville's version of a dance club. There was about fifteen people there, but it was still pretty good.

I woke up Saturday and rushed to make my appointment to get my car worked on. I then spent the morning reading and planning my next road trip, which will be this summer. (It's going to make last year's trip look like an afternoon drive--needless to say, I'm looking forward to it!) I worked again Saturday night, and then decided to give the movie, Napolean Dynomite, another chance. It's starting to grow on me. It's not great, but it's growing.

Yesterday I did a little grocery shopping, and finished watching the series "Freaks and Geeks". Man, great show, just great. I've now started watching the episodes with commentary. (Oh, watched Resevoir Dogs last night too--intense!!)

All right, I'm going to get ready for the morning....have a great day everyone!

Tommy

Friday

Hey ya'll! Well, winter has officially struck in the midwest. We came back from Christmas Break on Tuesday, and Wednesday and Thursday were called off due to inclement weather. We came back today, which was almost silly, but the kids have been fantastic.

So, over the last few days I've been reading, relaxing, and watching a lot of DVD's. I got the Series Freaks and Geeks for Christmas, and I'm watching that. It was a fantastic show. I also got the fifth season of the Simpson's, and that's been great, too. I rented Napolean Dynomite last night, and I gotta be honest, I really don't see what all the fuss was about. It was ok, but not this masterpiece that everyone says it was.

So, yesterday, at the coffee shop, i finally worked up the nerve to ask this girl that I've been chatting with there out on a date. Well, it was movie scene-esque. She got up to leave, waived good-bye to me, I paused...took a deep breathe and ran outside after her. I called to her, "Hey, so-and-so..."...she turned, I smiled, and said, "hey, what are you doing for dinner tonight?" She smiled and said, "I"m going home to my boyfriend." And I, the quick wit that I am, responded, "Hey, have fun with that."

Ugh.

Well, more later! I'm working at the restaurant this weekend, and I'm getting my car worked on tomorrow. As I look around my classroom right now, it really is good to be back. I LOVE this job...it's awesome.

Peace out!

Oh the weather outside...

Well, the talk of the ville is the impending snowstorm that has everyone thrown for a loop. I don't get it...so, it snows a bit. Big deal. However, school will MOST likely be cancelled tomorrow, as we're the only school in a one and a half hour radius that hasn't cancelled yet. yeah! School was fantastic today...the kids were awesome. We discussed the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre and the Boston Celtics. Well, not the last one, but it was still good. Started reading Maniac MaGee, which is a fantastic book. Man, I've just had a great day!

More tomorrow! (Maybe!)

Break is Over

Hey ya'll. Wow...it's been too long, eh? Well, too much has happened, and not enough of it is noteworthy, so we'll just sum up the break, instead of giving you the play by play.

Let's see....break started almost two weeks ago, and I got hit by a deer on my way home. No biggie, but it's the second time for my car. Stupid deer. Went home, hung out with friends, spent time with the fam, and then came back to Kville. Good times. Got lots of cool stuff, and enjoyed being with friends and family. New Year's was good, although I got waylaid in CR because of a freak ice storm. Although, in all honesty, it was pretty funny watching people slide all over the place.

This morning, I woke up nice and early, thermosed my coffee, made my lunch, and when I went outside, I foudn that Kville had received the long end of an ice storm as well. I made it about half way up the walkway to my car, when I, quite humorously, slid all the way down. It took me about five tries to realize that I should walk on the grass. (Yeah, that's right...I'm a genius.)

All right. Well, I've got grade cards to work on. I'll try to write more frequently.

God bless, and have a great start to 2005.

Tommy