Weekly update

Hey ya'll!

Well, it's been awhile, b/c we've had an unexpected vacation! On Wednesday, we knew that it was going to be messy over night, and it might get kind of slick. Well, Thursday I woke up and it was VERY icy, but I didn't think we would be let out of school, so I went ahead to school. After sitting in my classroom for a half an hour working, I decided to go down to the main commons area and chat with some fellow teachers; it was then that I found out school was cancelled. Unfortunately, many kids were already on their way/at school, so they had to turn around and go back. It was a very confusing an unfortunate situation.

We also found out Thursday night that school was cancelled for Friday. I had been subpeonoed for a child custody battle, and that was settled out of court, so that meant my Friday was completely free. (Oh, and we didn't have school yesterday, which added up to a five day weekend for yours truly. Whoo hoo!!! (c;)

Friday night I held a huge party for Bibi, as her 22nd birthday is tomorrow, and her sister and best friend were able to come into Kville for the weekend. That was fun--although, afterwards, when we went to Pancake City for grub-postparty--a college student called me sir. SIR! Can you believe the nerve?! Dammit--I'm NOT a SIR yet. Argh.

The rest of the weekend was relaxing and nice. Oh--since last I talked, I've read a few books. The Shroud of the Thwacker was amusing. It was kind of monotonous, but overall enjoyable. And, for the record--Sara!!!--I did not LOVE it. It was good, but not fantastic or anything. After that I read "the Pearl" by John Steinbeck. HOLY crap. WHAT an amazing book!!! (That one I did love!) Steinbeck--can he do anything wrong?! I submit that he cannot!! (Well, literary wise...I don't know what kind of a person he was or anything.)

Now I'm reading a book by David Halberstam. He's one of my favorite non-fiction authors. It's a book called "The Best and the Brightest", and it's a look at the Kennedy administration's involvment in the Vietnam situation. Basically, Halberstam takes a look at all of the people involved in the administration--how their strength's and weaknesses, their power--and lack therein--led to the inevitable quagmire that was Vietnam. I'm nuturing a growing interest in the politics of the early-to-mid 20th century, and the national attitude towards media, communism and politics in general is absolutely fascinating!

All right...have a great Tuesday! (c;

Thanks for reading...
tommy

v day

Imagine, if you will...a fifth grade classroom. On Valentine's Day. Every single student pumped so full of chocolate that they literally cannot control themselves. Noise, energy, excitment, confusion, joy, unnaturally high levels of endorphins running through their little bodies. Can I tell you how much I'm looking forward to after school today? Third graders running on cupcakes, cookies, sweetarts, and smarties. Ugh. I wanna brush my teeth just thinking about it....

tommy

Yesterday

So, yesterday something cool happened. I don't know if you remember, faithful reader, that at the start of the day, even before my students were in the room, I was prepared for a good day. I had listened to my 'good day' music, and was pumped.

Well, during the morning routine, I decided to tell my students that it was going to be a good day. I told them that it was entirely possible to wake up and just decide that the day was going to be a good one.

Jump to Social Studies. After our last test--which, in all honesty--SUCKED, I had really upped the effort in this chapter; we took the test yesterday, and we discussed it when everyone was done. I asked them what they had thought of it, and one student raised her hand and said, "well, some of the questions were kind of fun to answer....like, I knew a lot about the question, so I could really write a lot and that was fun." HOW COOL IS THAT?! I just smiled and said, "who remembers what I said at the start of the day? It's a good day!!!"

ok...that's all.

Tommy

Musical tastes...

I've been listening to some random collections of music lately...and here's what I've decided.

I like happy music. I like 'upbeat' music, melody-wise. Songs like Wonderful, by Everclear, Bittersweet Symphony by the Verve (I think?!), 100 years by Five for Fighting, Beautiful Day by U2, and of course, Baba O'Reilly by the Who. Songs that get you pumped, songs that have that unknow quality that just gets the old heart beating a bit faster, puts a smile on your face, and a bit of a strut in your step. I don't know what it is, exactly, about those songs...but man, those and a few others just get me going like NOTHING else. I'm ready to take on anything, to do my thang, as it were. I'm listening to Jack and Diane right now, waiting for the kids to come back to the room, and that's another one. (c;

It's gonna be a good day.

tommy

...

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love snow.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled Wednesday.

The Comfort of Strangers

All right...

So, going into reading this book, I knew it would be strange. It was described as a twisted and wholly disturbing little book. Well, the friend who recommended it usually has very good taste in books. We can almost always discuss at length nearly any topic, as we both read a lot, and we both read a very diverse selection of literature.

This time...oh, this time...

I stayed up until 12:30 (for a teacher--that's REALLY late) finishing this damn book. I was about half way into it when I went to bed, but it just kept getting odder and odder; and, in all honesty, it was a lot like a horrific traffic accident that starts out small. At first you kind of gawk because you're interested, and then you want to see where it's going and when it's done, you're left in a daze, completely unable to do anything other than mumble incoherently to yourself about the awful things you've just seen. Only, in book form.

Yeah.

Starting "The Shroud of the Thwacker" by Chris Elliot next. (Yes, THAT Chris Elliot.)

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

Monday Monday

Hey ya'll...

So, this weekend was kind of eventful. Friday night Bibi had sorority stuff, and my man Dave came into town. Hung out, went out, had good times, by all. Saturday we went to Java Co., read, relaxed, etc. Sat afternoon Dave decided to go back to KC, and I got ready for Bibi and my date. We were re-enacting our first date. That was awesome...we had a great time, had good food, watched "Garden State" (if you haven't seen it...I highly recommend it) and just relaxed and had a VERY pleasant evening.

Sunday, after we went to Java Co., we went back to Bibi's house and decided that we needed to investigate the stink that had been emanating from the back area of the house all week. After cleaning the area, Bibi was really concerned. (And, with good cause.) Finally, either Bibi or her housemate thought we should check out the basement/cellar. There is a trap door right in front of Bibi's room that leads to the basement. So, we opened it up, and I started down the steps. At which time Bibi said, is that water down there? then we noticed the smell was a lot stronger. Then we turned on the light. Then we all almost threw up. Eight and a half inches of poo-water was standing strong in her basement. We know it was eight and a half inches b/c yours truly measured that nasty-arse stuff.

With a ruler.

Oh, and someone drove their car into Ophelia Parrish yesterday, too.

Watched the SuperBowl at Il Spazio. The guys who own it were trying some new dishes, and we got to try them out. VERY good.

Then we watched Grey's Anatomy. VERY VERY VERY Good.

Now it's Monday! Woo Hoo!!!

Oh, and I finished The Prophet. Unbelievable. Probably one of the most impactful (is that a word?!) books I've ever read. It was fantastic...I'd recommend it whole-heartedly.

Now I'm reading The Comfort of Strangers as per a friend's suggestion. (Thanks Brad.)

thanks for reading...
Tommy

Serendipity, Fate, Hand of God...you know, good stuff

So, something very cool happened last night, after something not cool. Let me explain.

I got home from school, and went apartment shopping with Bibi. Then we had dinner, and she went to her sorority function, while I went home to read. Well, I went home to read, but decided to play Nintendo instead. (This factors in shortly.) My friend Dave called me, and he and I chatted...he and his wife are having a hard time, and he's coming up this weekend b/c she's moving out. We talked, and it was a good conversation.

I stopped playing my game, and decided to read a little bit. I went to get "America" but realized that I had left it at school, which has NEVER happened before. No biggie, a book from www.bookcrossing.com had arrived yesterday in the mail. I tried to read, but really couldn't concentrate. Bibi called me, and i went over to her place with my book. She noticed that I wasn't reading, and was really sad...I know that Bibi and I are not Dave and his wife; but seeing your best friend get divorced after 7 months of marriage makes you think about all the things that are out there that you can't possibly be prepared for, try as you might. Bibi was sitting on her bed trying to comfort me, and she saw the book. "The Prophet" by Kahil Gibran. She opened to the page I had read about 17 times--and not caught a single word--and started reading.

"And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you, believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden."

She looked up at me, and I looked at her, and we both smiled. Yeah, love is hard. It's going to be hard, and undoubtedly, there are going to be times of difficulty we can't prepare for. But we are choosing love, and we are choosing to follow love together.

Biblically speaking, a Prophet did not NECESSARILY read the future...a prophet was one who saw through the present to the reality of the situation. I have to thank Kahil Gibran. We still have prophets today.

Thanks for reading...

Tommy

Interesting thoughts...

After last night's State of the Union address, many interesting conversations have been had, I'm sure. One thing that I was pretty bothered by was the "obvious violation of freedom of speech" in the arrest of Cindy Sheehan. I thought it pretty horrible that she was removed from the gallery of the capitol for wearing an anti-Bush shirt, until I read this article on cnn.com...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/31/sheehan.arrest/index.html

Evidenly, it wasn't as cut and dry as I thought. Seems a congressman's wife was removed for wearing a shirt that said, "Support Our Troops." So, it wasn't just a case of Cindy Sheehan being gagged, and her freedom of speech being trampled...it was a bit more complicated than that...there are rules in the Capital that prohibit "demonstrations." Whether one agrees with that rule--the fact of the matter is IT IS a rule--and in this case, it was enforced in a non-discriminatory fashion.

Huh.

Reading "America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction" by John Stewart. REALLY funny stuff. (I got it for Christmas a year ago, and my pile of books JUST got down to where I'm reading it now.)

Good stuff...oh, and I feel kind of cool. Evidently my description of "For the Time Being" was pretty persuasive, as a friend has requested to borrow it. I feel cool! I was able to convince someone to read something based on this site!!! whoo hoo!

Oh, and a coworker gave me her Life Soundtrack today. Great stuff!!!

thanks!!

(for reading....)
Tommy

Another Quote...

Here is another quote from "For the Time Being" that I thought was awesome....


"Ecstasy, I think, is a soul's response to the waves holiness makes as it nears."

Think about it.

Oh, and grey dress shirt, grey slacks. Yeah, totally dropped the ball on getting dressed today. Yikes.

tommy

Color Blindness

I don't think I match today.

For the Time Being

I just finished "For the Time Being". Wow. I don't know really what else to say, but I'll try...

This book is about the human experience, the things that connect us all, on every level. The book uses two major metaphors to compare the sum of humanity; an ocean, and a desert. Within these two concepts, we see that life is contradiction. Life is nothing--if not a paradoxial conundrum. We see this in everything we do...we are utterly and entirely alone in the world, and yet we are intricately and inherently linked to all human beings who have ever lived. We are utterly unique and individual, but this makes us absolutely the same as everyone else. God is in everyone, and therefore we all share a little of the Divine Spark with everyone else.

We are carving through the present like a canoe carves through the wake of a wave. We are granules of sand, battered thoughout the world, carved by wind, moved though different situations and experiences. We are standing on history...literally. Our world is built upon the vastness of history, as time, soil, and sand buries all things. All of humanities successes, pains, tragedies and triumphs are inside ourselves.

At least, that's what I got out of it.

Tommy

Weekend Update Monday

Hey ya'll! So, this weekend was good. I went to Kansas City Friday night, and it was a fun time. Went out to a couple of different establishments, and my friend and I enjoyed ourselves, immensely. Good times were had by all. Drove back Saturday and Bibi and her roommate, her roommate's boyfriend and I all made vegetarian lasagna. It was AWESOME!!! (Thanks for the cookbook Sarah, it's AWESOME!!!!)

Yesterday went to Java Co, and that was fun. Bibi had some work to do, and finished my book. Yeah, I think the process of me officially becoming a dork has been finalized. I read a History TEXTbook for FUN. Who DOES that?! Ugh. I remember making fun of a guy I went to high school with, because he read math books for fun...so, you know, at least I'm not that bad. Um...yet.

Now I'm reading this REALLY interesting book called "For the Time Being". Now, as some of you know, I don't read the backs of books, so I go into them completely unbiased. So, I'm not positive yet what the book is about, but so far its very intriguing. Here's a quote I found amusing...

"There are 1,198,500,000 people alive now in China. To get a feel for what this means, simply take yourself--in all your singularity, importance, complexity, and love--and multiply by 1,198,500,000. See? Nothing to it."

As for the rest of the book? Well, what I'm getting out of it is an interesting cross-section of different global time periods, as told by an isolated viewer...a "traveler" if you will. This traveler is observing, watching, and painting a vivid description of what our world looks like. It's almost like the connection between the three different women in "The Hours". It's about the mundane, the spectacular, the everyday common place, and the extraordinary, and how these things are all connected.

It's interesting.

Oh, Bibi and I are really excited...this Saturday marks the first anniversary of our 1st date, and we're going to reenact it. We're going to Java Co, and then we're going to walk around the square, and then we're going to watch Garden State. Good times!!

Thanks for reading ya'll...
Tommy

update

So, I decided that I was going to do my own 7 Wonders of Kirksville, and I'm presently working on that. If I get enough time I'll post that this afternoon, otherwise, it might be Monday. I'm heading off to KC after school today. It'll be the first time I've left town without Bibi since last Spring Break. I know we'll be fine, but it'll be weird. (c; Ok, well, I've got to take the class to lunch, and then I'm going to go eat outside, because it's 50 degrees, and sunny. Man...gotta take advantage of that, don't ya? Lata ya'll....

Thanks for reading....

Oh, I'm on the final stretch of the American History book...I just reached the Clinton years; I think I have about 33 pages left. Whoo hoo!

tommy

Seven Wonders...

So, I started a new book with my class yesterday...it's called the Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs. It's about this kid who wants to go see the 7 wonders of the world, and his dad convinces him to look for the wonders around him. He lives in a small town in Missouri (ahem...) and he doesn't think that it's possible. I decided to scrap my lesson during English, and have my kids come up with their own lists of the Wonders of Kirksville. So, I read through them today...and, man. I was so impressed. Some of the kids talked about the woods behind their houses, where they were able to go and be by themselves and watch the stars. One of the kids said the ditch in front of his house, because he and his brother would build forts there. About half mentioned their parents as a wonder. Man. It was just really special to see.

So, to conclude the project, we're going to make a class presentation of the Seven Wonders of Kirksville, and put up our projects around the school...good times, good times.

Thanks for reading...

Tommy

Better

Hey ya'll! How we doing this morning? Good? Glad to hear it!

Well, I'm much better now. Nothing like a night of relaxing and spending time with friends and loved ones to make things appear better....my rebound time for devastating news is apparently one day, cuz man I feel good. I'm going to KC this weekend to hang with one of my best friends, have some good times in the KC, you know.

All right. Hope you're all doing well. I've got the song "you say it best, when you say nothing at all" going through my head; it's from the Mellowing Out with JNo soundtrack. Good stuff, JNo. Good stuff.

Had some time to read last night, and I got up to about the middle of LBJ's presidency. Good stuff. Although, it struck me as odd...if you were to ask me about the most important president in the last hundred years, I would automatically think Kennedy. I don't know why that is, but it seems like everyone I know that is somewhat older than me always thinks back to that time as the pinnacle of life in these United States. I think the bookspent half a page on his entire tenure. (No, I exaggerate...it was three quarters of a page.) But seriously, put in context of the entire period of time from Reconstruction up to the Second Bush Presidency, Kennedy was just one small part of the whole. Maybe this is all no-brainer stuff to you guys, but it was noteworthy to me. So. There. (c;

So, drop me a line and let me know how your Thursday is going.

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

...

For those few who didnt' get linked to Bibi and my engagement pictures...here's the 4-1-1.

www.collages.net
Username: estlund
Password: 10799

Enjoy!

and now back to your regularly scheduled blog...

I'm stumped. Something is going on with a friend of mine, and it's really affected me emotionally. I mean, I care a great deal about this friend, so it shouldn't be a surprise that this turn-of-events should do something to me, but man! I just can't believe it...I wish I could be more specific, but, well, can't.

Man, this sucks.

Tommy

New Info

Just passing this along...I'm not usually one for boycotting stores. In all honesty, I don't much care for the argument against WalMart. Corporatization of the business world doesn't bother me all that much. However, health does.

So.

Read if you wish...

http://www.babymilkaction.org/pages/boycott.html

Thanks www.jenorama.com for the info.

And, as always...thanks for reading...

Tommy

American History

So, during college, having attended the prestigious Truman State University, one of the favored past times of my fellow students was telling tales of woe about our university's namesake. In other words, Truman was a horrible, racist, white man. He embodied all that was wrong about our country's history. Etc., etc., etc.

In my reading tonight, my book made a really good point. People change. Duh, right? And, people do what they learn. For crying out loud, Truman was born and raised in RURAL Missouri! I mean, we still have rampant racism today, and we're talking 60 some odd years after the fact!!! Truman was born and raised to believe that both blacks and whites wanted--and benefited--from segregation. Truman hosted a delegation on race issues who gave him graphic depictions of happenings in the south, and these descriptions appalled him. He then created a permanent civil rights commission to investigate abuses. He also made it illegal to discriminate in hiring federal employees, and later it was Truman that issued an executive order to end segregation in the armed forces. (Although the army dragged it's feet for a few years.)

My point? People can change. Truman was raised to be racist. He learned to change his perceptions and expand his view of the world. He was able to accept when he was wrong (whether or not he admitted it to others is neither he nor there) and make changes to remedy the situation. I dig that. Moving forward. Making changes....improving the way one relates to people in this world. That's a great ideal...don't you think?

That's honestly what I love about reading. To some people reading is simply an escape...a way to leave the worries of their hectic lives. And, for those people, that's awesome! In the past few years, I've found that most of the books--kids books, fiction, non-fiction--have profoundly affected the way I view my life, and my relationships. I've read SO many books that have made me reasses the way I see my family, that it would be pointless to begin naming them. But, because this is my site, I will anyway: One True Thing, The Red Tent, The Princess Bride, Little Women, The Joy-Luck Club, etc.

Little Women made me sell my house. When Meg got married and moved into her knew house, I realized the importance of having our first home be "our first home." That's why I sold my house...so that Bibi and I could have a chance to make OUR home...well, OUR home.

There are other things, too...books that make you see humor where you didn't before...books that make you see tragedy where you didn't before...books that make you see....where you couldn't before. All of these things? They're gifts from God. Whether your book is just an escape or a life-altering experience...God is in the pages of the books we read...He gives us the ability to take away from a book that which we are able to.

Yeah.

Thanks for reading...

Weekend Update--

Hey ya'll! Had a good weekend. Actually, it was pretty great. We were supposed to have a Trivia Night for the school district, but it was cancelled due to inclement weather. So, Bibi and I ordered in Chinese food, and had a nice RELAXING night. It was good. Woke up Saturday and we went to Java Co for a while. That was good. Hung out with friends. Saturday evening we had some of Bibi's roommates' sorority sisters over to my house for an improptu shindig, which was fun. Then a bunch of us went out to a pub here in town (Bibi and I walked!!!) and hung out. Afterwards, we went back to my house and had some more people over.

So, here's why that all was noteworthy. One of Bibi's friends had a friend with him. Now, Bibi and I are very gracious hosts (I'd like to think) and this guy walks in and just IMMEDIATELY exudes haughty disrespect and condescending rudeness. Case in point? He walks in, I introduce myself to Bibi's friend, and then I say, "hey, I"m Tommy. What's up, man? What's your name dude?" And he looks at me, shakes his head, and says, "my names not of consequence" and then smiles this damn self-satisfied smile. Then, he proceeds to mock and insult with subtlty. He was just really unpleasant, and he was mean to Bibi to boot! (Now, I would have no problem asking him to leave, or just saying something to him about the behavior, but Bibi is one tough lady, and she told him. It was cool. (c;)

Yesterday was Java Co, then laundry, and I read all day. Oh, Grey's Anatomy was good.

So, as I've said, I'm reading this history book, and I'm really enjoying it. Yesterday I read the chapters leading from the Depression up to, and including World War II. Earlier in the year I read one of Bibi's books from another class, called Ghost Soldiers, about a real-life prison break during WWII. Now, reading about the entire war, has again put that into context. Ghost Soldier's focused--as you would imagine--on the soldiers in the prison camp, and the US administration's response to their plight. Very little time, if any, was spent on what was going on in Europe, or other parts of the Pacific Theatre. So, reading the chapters yesterday kind of put into a different perspective the decisions that US leaders had to make. It's kind of neat to read the two books close together. It's kind of like when you look at a map? Sometimes you see the whole state/country, and there's an enclosed portion that is then brought out and focused on in detail. So, reading this history book now, I get to see the bigger picture, and having read Ghost Soldiers, I was able to read about the fight that a relatively small group of men went through. Good times.

Ok. I've gotten one reader's life soundtrack. Listened to it alot over the weekend and the end of last week. So, what are you all waiting for? Get burning!!! (Um...CD's that is...don't burn anything else....)

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

update

Hey ya'll....just wanted to let you guys know, if you're trying to get a hold of me...every school within a two hour radius...EXCEPT Kville has dismissed, due to ice. So, I'm stuck at school, and we're getting slammed. Plus, my e-mail is down, and so I'm getting alert messages that people are sending me messages, but I'm not able to actually read the e-mails. ugh. So. there we go. oh, and Trivia Night tonight was cancelled, so I have unscheduled time on my hands. (Veiled Sports Night reference.)

Nerd Quotient

Just took my nerd quotient quiz....I got a ten. Out of a hundred. I am SO not a nerd. IN YOUR FACE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL!!!! (c;

Just kidding.

Nerd Quotient

1 comment:

Real-Life Simpson's References...

So, I just finished up with my American Revolution Unit with my class. To cap things off, as kind of a fun little summary, we watch an edited-for-television version of the Mel Gibson movie, "The Patriot". Great movie, right? And, thankfully, TBS made most of the really bloody sequences look like mud, and most of the language is cut out. (There are a few damn and hells, but nothing too disconcerting.) Now, I ALWAYS explain that this is a movie about war, that in times of war, adults may--at times--resort to using language inappropriate for school, and that, if someone is getting shot right next to you, it would seem silly if the film had Mel Gibson saying something like, "Golly. That's unfortunate."

So, it's never been a problem. Well, I got a call yesterday that one of my parent's do not want their child to watch the movie. No problem. None at all; of course I"m going to respect their wished, and that's absolutely fine. However, a line from the Simpson's just popped into my head on the way back to my classroom. When Mrs. Krabapple is showing "Fluffy Bunny's Guide to Sex", Ishmael and Shadrach are excused from the room at their parents wishes. Mrs. Krabapple says, "You two may go out into the hall and pray for our souls."

Ok. That was a HUGE setup for VERY little pay off. I'm sorry. That was really funny in my head, and I've seen here...ONLY in my head. (c;

GET CRACKING ON YOUR ASSIGNMENT AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!! (c;

thanks for reading...
Tommy

Update...

I've already received one Life Soundtrack (thanks JNo!!!). Keep 'em coming people!!!!

I'm also reading (still) "America: A Narrative History". It's REALLY good...it's a bit long (it is a text book) but ultimately, I found it very captivating. It's interesting to me, seeing how historical events fit in together. I've found that I don't really have a sound context for understanding events in the last hundred years (embarrassingly enough!!) but it's been very exciting to see things put together. I've found reading about some of the movements (socialist, social darwinism) fascinating, and the "unknown presidents" have been very interesting.

My friend over at www.jenorama.com loaned me a book, which I'm looking forward to reading, just as soon as this one is done.

This past weekend was awesome. Had game night Friday night ( I LOVE CATCHPHRASE!!!), went to a trivia competition on Saturday (yikes;) and made the MOST delicious meal on Sunday with Bibi. We had SUCH a great time cooking together. We put on my Beatles CD's, and made Choley (no clue on the spelling.) It was awesome.

All right...thanks for reading...

Tommy

Assignment America

Ok. So, in honor of the discussion had at Karaoke last night, and in the spirit of musical appreciation every where, I have an assignment, a mission if you will, for anyone who cares to accept the challenge.

I want your life sound track. However you take that phrase, "life soundtrack" that's what I want. Just send me a comment and I'll send you my address, and you send the CD of your life on to me. (I LOVE hearing what other people are affected by, and music is SUCH a personal thing, that I think this'll really give me an insight into what people are like.) So. There you go.

GET TO WORK!!!!! (c;

Thanks for reading...

Tommy

Seriously...

I ask for people to tell me their driving songs, and the only response I get is from some person in Portland, who I've never met, and certainly had no idea read my blog. (Thanks Stace!) What the crap?! C'mon people! What's your favorite driving song? Show me a little love!!!!

Tommy

Thanks Kirby

So, tonight after school, Bibi and I were planning on making dinner together. I was all excited, because we were having Frito Pie. When I called her to ask what all I need to get at the store, she told me that she was enjoying a "vacuum demonstration." I chuckled, and said, "ok." And thought it'd be over by the time I got there. Ha. Those @#$%er's stayed for like 19 hours. Ok, it was more like 3, but when they said it'd take 30 minutes tops, that's just regoldarndiculous.

I felt really smug though, because it was the least original presentation EVER. It was SO text book bad-movie-cliche dime-story cheesy salesmanship, that it was literally laughable. I had to leave the room every five minutes so as to not insult the saleman. It was just plain bad. They tried to ingratiate themselves to me, like I was the man of the house (it was Bibi's house) and they were acting all buddy buddy. Finally the guy was like, "you know what? I'm gonna take $1100 off the price, and give it to you for $29 a month." I'm like, "all right...I tell you what...you give me a phone number to call you, and if we can get that price, we'll talk it over and call you in a couple of days." There was a tense moment when all three of the salesmen (yeah, it was a "team effort") were waiting for the boss' word, and he said, "well, I'm not supposed to do that...but, for you...ok". They left, and Bibi looked at me. I looked at her. We threw the number away. ANYTHING to get the guys outta here.

Damn. That's ALL I'm saying. So, to all those people out there making money off selling things door-to-door? NO! At least don't make it look like a bad Lifetime movie, ok? Sheesh.

Thanks for letting me vent...
Tommy

moodiness

So, unfortunately, sometimes I can be moody. Duh, right? No big surprise there. The thing that I don't like about my moodiness, is that sometimes--entirely unintentionally--it can leak into my job. If I'm having a bad day, or I'm just tired, or I'm just not in a great mood, sometimes the little things the student can do, that normally would be absolutely fine, and would not provoke any kind of negative reaction from me, cause me to be very irate and short with them. I feel really bad about it. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not like I yell at my class, (I find it a very ineffective method of discipline) and I'm never mean to them....but I just get short-tempered and a bit snappy. Ugh. I guess today's just one of those days. I think I'll pop some Hendrix into the CD player on the drive home. Either that or the Who. Yeah. The Seeker. Loud. Maybe I'll drive a little out of the way just so's I can play the whole song. Hmmm.....

blah.

Thanks for reading....

tommy

De-Lurking Week

Ok. So, nothing is really going on. The weekend was great...very relaxing, and it was in the 50's and sunny here, so I was outside and enjoying that...walked Kaya both days, went for a really long drive on Saturday blasting the Who and Hendrix the whole way. There's just something about driving 80, through nothing but empty fields while listening to Pete Townshend sing...

Out here in the fields
I fight for my meals
I get my back into my living
I don't need to fight
To prove I'm right
I don't need to be forgiven
Don't cry
Don't raise your eye
It's only teenage wasteland
Sally ,take my hand
Travel south crossland
Put out the fire
Don't look past my shoulder
The exodus is here
The happy ones are near
Let's get together
Before we get much older
Teenage wasteland
It's only teenage wasteland
Teenage wasteland
Oh, oh
Teenage wasteland
They're all wasted!


I don't know why, but this is my driving song.

What's yours? And, just in case you wanted to answer, but don't usually post comments, this is national "de-Lurking" week...which means that people all over are leaving comments on the blogs they visit, instead of just reading and leaving. So, again...what's your "driving song"?

thanks for reading...and commenting....

Tommy

Fun at Work...

An actual sign, as seen in my school:

"The teacher work room will be closed today from 12-3. Sorry for any disconvenience."

Wow. I'm so proud of my workplace.

something interesting

From "Tying Rocks to Clouds"...

Question: Why is there suffering?

Answer: "...There is suffering partly because we have evolved as human beings, as sensitive people. If we didn't care, there wouldnt be suffering. There would be death, illness, broken bones. There'd be murders, car accidents, earthquakes, and plane crashes, but there wouldn't be suffering; there would just be things happening. Since we want the world to be good and we want life to be satisfying and pleasant, we're hurt and outraged when bad things happen...To rid the world of suffering, people would have to learn not to care that their parents die. I'd have to be able to shrug off the death of my father...That kind of suffering is the price we pay for being humanly committed and for running the risk of love." (Rabbi Harold Kushner).

Interesting.

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

School House Rocks

Due to a scheduling situation, I have a bit of time with my kids this morning. So, we're watching School House Rocks. I got a DVD over Christmas with the entire collection of cartoons and songs from the program. Right now we're watching No More Kings, but my favorite is coming up; "I'm Just a Bill". Man, this is awesome! Have a great day!

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

Home-Town Pride

So, it's interesting to me the fact that people often times have more pride for their home when they don't live there anymore. Most people from Iowa, or Cedar Rapids LOVE Iowa and Cedar Rapids, when they don't spend their every waking moment there. I don't know; I know I'm not breakin' any ground with this observation, but it's just funny to me.

Case in point? As I'm teaching the Revolutionary War, I love talking to my class about Francis Marion, A.K.A. "the Swamp Fox." He was a good country boy farmer who led the Patriots against the British down near New Orleans. Now, this has nothing to do with Cedar Rapids, right? Well, wrong. Marion, the little suburb of CR was named for the Swamp Fox. He's my favorite "character" in the whole deal. I mean, Washington was cool, Marguis de Lafayette was a great leader, and Baron Von Steuben was "peppery" and his men loved him. All of these guys are great; but the man who really stands out to me? Francis Marion. He was just a farmer. Francis Marion was a farmer from South Carolina. Unschooled, unsophisticated, but when the king sent his army to terrorize the colonists, who wanted nothing more glamorous than their birthright, Marion and a hundred other farmers stood up to the British Empire with a bunch of crappy rifles and their farm implements. He's an inspiration.

Anywho...that's all I got. Thanks for reading...

Tommy

Tying Rocks to Clouds

Hey there sports fans! It's a G-R-R-R-R-R-R-E-A-T day!!!!!

Man, I just love these first days back....the whole newness that covers everything...no one's been acting out inappropriately, no one's turned anything in late (or not at all), everyone's rested and fresh for the day...oh, man I JUST LOVE IT!!!! (c;

This morning, during Social Studies, the lesson ended with a semi-cryptic sentence, "back in Europe, the French were overjoyed at the loss suffered by their old enemy, the British." (Battle of Saratoga, Revolutionary War.) So, I asked my kids, to see if they could make the connection, why the French were happy. Half the class put their hands up in the air, one quite enthusiastically. So, I called on him, and he said, "Well, just before Ponitiac's Rebellion, the French lost almost all of their land holding's in North America, thanks to the British win during the French and Indian War. The Treaty of Paris set up the new boundaries, which showed all of the land the French lost." A fifth grader knows that! We talked about that back in the beginning of December, and they still remember!!! whoo hoo!!!

So, I'm reading this new book (I took a break in the middle of Bibi's text book) called "Tying Rocks to Clouds". It's basically the transcript of one man's interviews with spiritual and intellectual leaders throughout the world. It's really interesting getting all the different perspectives in one concise format. It's been pretty readable, and surprisingly funny. Plus, it's a friend of mines, he's a college professor, and it's got all of his notes. (c;

It's interesting to note the similarity and connectivity present in all of the answers so far. It's also interesting to see the "intellectuals" separate themselves from the "spiritual" leaders.

It reminds me of the conversations my old roommate Brad and I used to have, when he was taking a class on William Blake. We would debate the merits of Faith vs. Reason. I don't know....it seems to me that we are such a "reasonable" people, that we rely so wholeheartedly on our reasoning abilities, that there has to be a flaw there. Now, don't get me wrong....I'm a fan of logical action and thought as much as the next person....but how many times have you argued with someone and thought that their argument was tragically weak logically speaking? However, they probably thought you were being daft, too! I guess I just have a healthy distrust at the human mind's ability to figure EVERYTHING out based on reason alone.

For me, Faith has always been more interesting. Faith isn't believing the firemen will catch you when you jump; Faith is you falling through the air towards the net. I think Faith's attraction to me is the fact that it is what God calls for. Ok, this is a cheesy example, but go with me. In Elf, the Will Ferrel movie? Buddy's brother asks Santa why he can't just show himself to everyone so that they'll all believe in him. Santa tells him that that isn't what believing is all about. Faith, to carry this on, isn't just a belief, but the way you act based on your faith. God wants us to believe in God not because there is irrefutable evidence obvious to all. God wants us to believe in God because we have Faith in God and God's promises. Faith is so much harder and yet, SO much more fullfilling.

The beautiful thing about Faith? God tells us that, if we want Faith....God will give it to us. God will GIVE us that amazing thing that God wants from us.

Reason is great. Reason is useful. Reason is a wonderful part of who we are as a people. But Faith? Faith is a gift from God.

I'll take Faith ANY day.

Thanks for reading....(hope I didn't get too preachy....)

Tommy

Long time no post

So, here is is for those of you who have been eagerly awaiting a new post....

Well, a lot has happened in the past week. School was great on the 21st. School got out, and I left to do many errands before I left for the holiday. Bibi and I hung out and watched Scrubs. (She got me Season 2 on DVD...it ROCKS!) We got up Friday morning and I ran some more errands. We got a little bit of late start heading out of town, but it was very relaxing, and it was awesome just being able to do all that with Bibi.

We got home and hung out with my Mom, Step-dad, and sister. It was nice. My dog is now officially a bully, after taking off part of my sister's dog's ear. (sorry amy!)

We went out to dinner with my dad at a great Italian place and that was nice. We woke up Christmas Eve Morn and had a relaxing day, although it was determined that I am no longer able to wrap presents. Ever. (c;

Christmas Eve we had dinner, opened presents and had an over all great time. Went to mass, and it was really surreal being back at the old church. They've done MASSIVE renovations, and it was like being in a totally different church. (Lesson learned from freshman Philosophy class: You can go home again, as long as you realize that home is a place you've never been before.) After mass we came home to find that my sister's dog had eaten an ENTIRE PECAN PIE! (Have your choice of movie quotes to make that funny: "Would you like to partake in my pe-can pie?" or "You...you ate an entire pecan pie? I'm not even angry...I'm impressed!")

Woke up Sunday morning and my sisters and I helped clean up a little and then we went to our dad's where we played a never-ending game of Trivial Pursuit. Then, I went out and rented a copy of "the Never-Ending Story" (Atreyu!!!!!). Good times.

Christmas Day Eve was great, got tons of great stuff, great times with family and Bibi. (My new family!)

Monday Bibi and I went on the Never-Ending shopping trip, which was fun. Had dinner with my (ok, pay attenion here...) Mom, Sister, Step-dad, Step-brother, Step-neices, step-brother's girlfriend, and her two sons. Good times.

Then, went out for a beer with my friend Chuck. It was GREAT seeing him, and had a great conversation.

Tuesday morning had coffee with my old r0ommie brad. He was great as ever...had a nice chat. Left town and got back into Kville.

Where I promptly fell ill with a temp of 103.2. I felt like I was DYING. Bibi nursed my for the duration, and I'm on the mend with a stuffy nose (damn dry weather) a massive cold sore and a nose that looks like I got pummled my goldengloves boxing champ.

New Year's Eve was nice and relaxing. Bibi and I put together a puzzle (you try doing it colorblind ya jackasses!!!!) and made Cranberry Salsa. We got the first couple of episodes of Soprano's on DVD and rang in the new year quiet-like. It was nice. (c;

All right...oh, and for those of you who never found the answer to the trivia question like 15 posts ago? It was Toto. (c;

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

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