So, I've decided I'm making a change.
For those of you who don't know, I play music for my students whenever they are given time to work on assignments in class. I have a random assortment of CDs in my classroom that are mostly classical and some blues and jazz/be-bop songs. I'll play them for the kids, and I love the fact that they get a chance to hear some music that they MIGHT not otherwise be able to.
However, I was feeling this week like it wasn't enough. That, while it's great that they hear Mozart and that I've told them that studies have shown that listening to Mozart while working on math can improve standardized math scores, it still isn't enough...there is SO much great music out there.
So, here's my plan.
I have scheduled out one song per week from here on out for the rest of the year. At the end of the day, after all other work has been done, students will be given a chance to listen to, take in, and learn about one song that I have deemed "culturally significant." This week (and next, because I started out on Thursday) is Pachelbel's Canon in D. So, each day we listen to the song, the students are able to draw what the song reminds them of, they're able to journal on it, or just enjoy it. We're going to discuss voice and how music--whether it has words or not--can clearly and quite effectively express the author/composer's feelings and thoughts.
So, what does "culturally significant" mean? Well, just a few of the songs that I have selected are: Moonlight Sonata, All You Need is Love, You Can't Always Get What You Want, Rhapsody in Blue, New York New York, This Land is Your Land (the original, complete version, so that my class can see that it's really a protest song),
Now, for this year I believe I have all the songs picked out. But, I'm willing to reassess my choices and selections as I go. So, here's your job....
what songs, dear readers, do you think are culturally significant?
Discuss.
Tommy
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Live blogging the State of the Union Address....
If you watched the State of the Union, here are my thoughts, as the speech happened. If you didn't? Well, these are still my thoughts as the speech happened.
Man, they clap a lot.
First time in the history of America that a woman has sat among the three at the head of the auditorium.
Seems as if the Democrats are doing up the civility thing a bit much. Are they actually cheering?!
Standing ovation for Madame Speaker. That's neat.
I have to say....there is a great deal of happiness in that building.
It's almost like a Catholic mass! Sit, stand, sit, stand, shake hands, sit, stand, sit stand....etc.
It's always funny how whichever party is NOT in the majority cries foul against the other party in respect to their bipartisinship. (Sp?!)
Balance the budget? How...uh, exactly do you think we should do that? By continuing to pay for an outrageously expensive war, while eliminating the cost of education by creating a ridiculous plan for taking away the funds of schools that meet a near-impossible expectation?
Eliminating wasteful earmarks? Sounds VERY good. Good
I like how Pelosi did NOT clap at the allusion to vouchers, but she DID applaud at the part about providing failing students with extra help. It's REALLy funny seeing how different Cheney and Pelosi react.
Health Insurance:
I may be wrong...but I don't think that most people take the tax structure into account when considering whether they can afford health insurance.
Is it just me, or does Dick Cheney's inner monologue sound like Billy Bob Thornton from Sling Blade? "I don't reckon' I got no reason to kill no body....mmmmmm".
I do appreciate that Bush is making an effort to acknowledge the fact that this country does depend a great deal on the work (not mooching---WORK!!) of immigrants, legal or otherwise.
I forget who said this, it wasn't me, but John Kerry looks like one of the trees that throws apples at Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.
Nucular. (c;
Yay ethenol!!!
I think I've heard Obama speak on the topic of energy independence, and he's got some great ideas. Obama recognizes that our dependence on foreign sources of oil ARE a threat to our national security, not just a "tree-hugger" issue.
Did you see that?! Robin Williams was right!!! George Bush is actually Cheney's puppet!!! They DRANK WATER A THE SAME TIME!!!! Bush can't speak while Cheney is drinking!!!!
Am I the only one who had never heard about those terrorist plots that we thwarted? Geez, I thought I was doing a good job staying on top of the news....yeesh....
Every time Bush mentions Iran, I assume he's about to announce that we're going to war against them, too.
Not to open up a WHOLE can of worms....but, terrorists are terrorists not because they hate freedom, but because they hate what they perceive to be the grave offenses we have committed against them. It's a bit of a difference.
As I teach my kids, you need to explain to me what SPECIFICALLY what qualify as a "victory" in Iraq. I don't feel like you've gone into enough detail as far as achievable steps towards that all to vague goal of "victory". Need more evidence to support your claim.
Talking about the reallocation of Iraqi oil funds SOUNDS good, but the Iraqi oil infrastructure is so far gone and in such a state of disrepair, that it's going to take a great deal of Iraqi monetary investment to get to the point where Iraqi oil will provide the country with profits. Where does that initial money come from?
How are you going to increase the number of recruits in the military when you're getting us further bogged down in an increasingly unpopular war? Every time we send troops back for another tour of duty, people who would have volunteered for the armed forces have more reasons to doubt the benefits of that choice.
You should all check out Larry Brilliant's work in helping to eliminate Small Pox from the world. It's impressive. (Bush was talking about our work on AIDS/HIV, and malaria.
Dikembe Motumbo is nineteen feet tall.
Baby Einstein and America's Most Wanted, working side-by-side? I mean, yeah...it makes sense if you think about it, but that's like....Run DMC and Aerosmith doing a song together....
Damn! The Dems are in a RUSH to get out of there!!!!
All right...that's all.
What did you all think of the SOTU address?
Tommy
Man, they clap a lot.
First time in the history of America that a woman has sat among the three at the head of the auditorium.
Seems as if the Democrats are doing up the civility thing a bit much. Are they actually cheering?!
Standing ovation for Madame Speaker. That's neat.
I have to say....there is a great deal of happiness in that building.
It's almost like a Catholic mass! Sit, stand, sit, stand, shake hands, sit, stand, sit stand....etc.
It's always funny how whichever party is NOT in the majority cries foul against the other party in respect to their bipartisinship. (Sp?!)
Balance the budget? How...uh, exactly do you think we should do that? By continuing to pay for an outrageously expensive war, while eliminating the cost of education by creating a ridiculous plan for taking away the funds of schools that meet a near-impossible expectation?
Eliminating wasteful earmarks? Sounds VERY good. Good
I like how Pelosi did NOT clap at the allusion to vouchers, but she DID applaud at the part about providing failing students with extra help. It's REALLy funny seeing how different Cheney and Pelosi react.
Health Insurance:
I may be wrong...but I don't think that most people take the tax structure into account when considering whether they can afford health insurance.
Is it just me, or does Dick Cheney's inner monologue sound like Billy Bob Thornton from Sling Blade? "I don't reckon' I got no reason to kill no body....mmmmmm".
I do appreciate that Bush is making an effort to acknowledge the fact that this country does depend a great deal on the work (not mooching---WORK!!) of immigrants, legal or otherwise.
I forget who said this, it wasn't me, but John Kerry looks like one of the trees that throws apples at Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.
Nucular. (c;
Yay ethenol!!!
I think I've heard Obama speak on the topic of energy independence, and he's got some great ideas. Obama recognizes that our dependence on foreign sources of oil ARE a threat to our national security, not just a "tree-hugger" issue.
Did you see that?! Robin Williams was right!!! George Bush is actually Cheney's puppet!!! They DRANK WATER A THE SAME TIME!!!! Bush can't speak while Cheney is drinking!!!!
Am I the only one who had never heard about those terrorist plots that we thwarted? Geez, I thought I was doing a good job staying on top of the news....yeesh....
Every time Bush mentions Iran, I assume he's about to announce that we're going to war against them, too.
Not to open up a WHOLE can of worms....but, terrorists are terrorists not because they hate freedom, but because they hate what they perceive to be the grave offenses we have committed against them. It's a bit of a difference.
As I teach my kids, you need to explain to me what SPECIFICALLY what qualify as a "victory" in Iraq. I don't feel like you've gone into enough detail as far as achievable steps towards that all to vague goal of "victory". Need more evidence to support your claim.
Talking about the reallocation of Iraqi oil funds SOUNDS good, but the Iraqi oil infrastructure is so far gone and in such a state of disrepair, that it's going to take a great deal of Iraqi monetary investment to get to the point where Iraqi oil will provide the country with profits. Where does that initial money come from?
How are you going to increase the number of recruits in the military when you're getting us further bogged down in an increasingly unpopular war? Every time we send troops back for another tour of duty, people who would have volunteered for the armed forces have more reasons to doubt the benefits of that choice.
You should all check out Larry Brilliant's work in helping to eliminate Small Pox from the world. It's impressive. (Bush was talking about our work on AIDS/HIV, and malaria.
Dikembe Motumbo is nineteen feet tall.
Baby Einstein and America's Most Wanted, working side-by-side? I mean, yeah...it makes sense if you think about it, but that's like....Run DMC and Aerosmith doing a song together....
Damn! The Dems are in a RUSH to get out of there!!!!
All right...that's all.
What did you all think of the SOTU address?
Tommy
Sunday, January 21, 2007
120 Days of Joy....
Today was a special day....
In Bibi's tradition, the 120th day of pregnancy is the day that the soul of the baby becomes more solidly linked to the mother.
Today was that day.
We had friends and family in to town for a special meal and a reading from the Sikh scriptures. The day was not in honor of the baby; there are many days and special events for that. Today was in honor of Bibi and the special role that Bibi will fulfill as the mother of our child.
"we are all born of a woman...compassion is learned in the lap of the woman and...
that peace is not possible anywhere that woman is not honored and respected."
We came together as a group of friends and family, to embrace the sacred nature that a mother inherently possesses.
It was a special day.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tommy
In Bibi's tradition, the 120th day of pregnancy is the day that the soul of the baby becomes more solidly linked to the mother.
Today was that day.
We had friends and family in to town for a special meal and a reading from the Sikh scriptures. The day was not in honor of the baby; there are many days and special events for that. Today was in honor of Bibi and the special role that Bibi will fulfill as the mother of our child.
"we are all born of a woman...compassion is learned in the lap of the woman and...
that peace is not possible anywhere that woman is not honored and respected."
We came together as a group of friends and family, to embrace the sacred nature that a mother inherently possesses.
It was a special day.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tommy
Monday, January 15, 2007
Over the hills and through the woods...
Well, thank you Nconner and everyone else who read my blog today. We are safely back in Kville. The roads weren't TOO bad...but, well, it was a bit precarious at times.
My knuckles are still white.
We had no major trouble, although we did see someone do a 360 into the ditch.
Anywho.
Had a great time in KC, although our midwife was unable to meet us, which was too bad.
All right, I'm going to go massage my knuckles so that they can get some color back into them.
How was your weekend? Are you staying warm?
Thanks for stopping by....
Tommy
My knuckles are still white.
We had no major trouble, although we did see someone do a 360 into the ditch.
Anywho.
Had a great time in KC, although our midwife was unable to meet us, which was too bad.
All right, I'm going to go massage my knuckles so that they can get some color back into them.
How was your weekend? Are you staying warm?
Thanks for stopping by....
Tommy
A Request....
This is a request to everyone in Kirksville. Bibi and I are potentially stuck in KC. It's Monday, the roads are...well, not good. We're contemplating not coming back today, but I need a little input. How are the roads in KVille, how are the roads supposed to be....and, how likely is it that school is going to happen/not happen tomorrow?
All right....go go gadget bloggers.
Tommy
All right....go go gadget bloggers.
Tommy
Friday, January 12, 2007
Correction
Hey everyone....thought I'd clarify my last post.
Bibi and I are moving at the end of this school year. I am MOST DEFINITELY staying at my job through the end of the school year....I am NOT going to renig on my committment to my students or my school.
What I meant in my last posting was that we are going to try and find a place for Bibi and I to get so that SHE can move middle of May, and I"ll finish up the school year and THEN go down to be with her. So. There ya go.
Oh, and we didn't go to KC tonight b/c the roads were so bad. Hopefully we'll be able to go tomorrow.
So....it's just a quiet Friday night.
What are you up to?
Tommy
Bibi and I are moving at the end of this school year. I am MOST DEFINITELY staying at my job through the end of the school year....I am NOT going to renig on my committment to my students or my school.
What I meant in my last posting was that we are going to try and find a place for Bibi and I to get so that SHE can move middle of May, and I"ll finish up the school year and THEN go down to be with her. So. There ya go.
Oh, and we didn't go to KC tonight b/c the roads were so bad. Hopefully we'll be able to go tomorrow.
So....it's just a quiet Friday night.
What are you up to?
Tommy
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
So, I thought I might actually provide some details for ya'll.
Bibi is due June 19th. We're not finding out the sex until she gives birth, and we heard the heartbeat for the first time on November 30th, and it was the MOST amazing thing I've ever heard in my entire life. It was amazing....oh, I get chills still thinking about it. (c;
Bibi is beginning to show and she looks BEAUTIFUL.
In other news, we're going to Kansas City for an appointment with our midwife this weekend. We're going to have an at-home delivery, and our midwife is in Kansas City. (We're hoping to move just before the school year finishes up, so that we can have our new bundle of joy in KC.)
I'm not going to lie....it's frightening....it's scary and nerve-wracking. And, it's the most amazing thing I've ever thought about...and I can't wait. (c;
That's all. Oh, have you seen the commerical where the family is sitting around the dinner table and the dad asks if the two kids have picked "their five"? The teenaged daughter lists five of her friends, and the son, who is slightly younger says, "oh that's interesting...I picked those same five girls. Your friends are HOT." The daughter looks at her parents and says, "are you going to do anything about this?!" And, they dad's response is the GREATEST line in a commercial EVER:
"Maybe you should have uglier friends."
Cracks me up EVERY time I see it. Bibi, too.
Good times, good times.
All right, my New Year's Resolution is to be a good father.
What's yours?
Tommy
Bibi is due June 19th. We're not finding out the sex until she gives birth, and we heard the heartbeat for the first time on November 30th, and it was the MOST amazing thing I've ever heard in my entire life. It was amazing....oh, I get chills still thinking about it. (c;
Bibi is beginning to show and she looks BEAUTIFUL.
In other news, we're going to Kansas City for an appointment with our midwife this weekend. We're going to have an at-home delivery, and our midwife is in Kansas City. (We're hoping to move just before the school year finishes up, so that we can have our new bundle of joy in KC.)
I'm not going to lie....it's frightening....it's scary and nerve-wracking. And, it's the most amazing thing I've ever thought about...and I can't wait. (c;
That's all. Oh, have you seen the commerical where the family is sitting around the dinner table and the dad asks if the two kids have picked "their five"? The teenaged daughter lists five of her friends, and the son, who is slightly younger says, "oh that's interesting...I picked those same five girls. Your friends are HOT." The daughter looks at her parents and says, "are you going to do anything about this?!" And, they dad's response is the GREATEST line in a commercial EVER:
"Maybe you should have uglier friends."
Cracks me up EVERY time I see it. Bibi, too.
Good times, good times.
All right, my New Year's Resolution is to be a good father.
What's yours?
Tommy
Friday, January 05, 2007
I've got a secret....
Hey....guess what!
We're having a BABY!!!!!!
June 19th. (Ish.)
We can't WAIT!!!!
Thanks for stopping by!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tommy
We're having a BABY!!!!!!
June 19th. (Ish.)
We can't WAIT!!!!
Thanks for stopping by!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tommy
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Pleasant Valley Wednesday...
What's up, readers?
Well....it's been too long since my last post, and I wanted you all to know that I am indeed alive and kicking, and that things are going, for the most part, pretty well.
Christmas was nice.
New Year's Eve was great.
It's good to be back at school.
I have been reading, and most of the books have been really good. There was one that I didn't finish, and it was a difficult decision.
There is more to say, and it will be said soon....
Gee, that came off WAY more cryptic and dripping with meaning than I meant it to. Seriously, I just don't really feel like I have all that much to say. (I know, weird, isn't it?!)
Anyway. I hope you all had a wonderful time, filled with the spirit and sentiment of the season that has just come and gone.
God bless you all, and I hope the year starts out, and continues to be, a great one for you.
Thanks for stopping by, and check back for exciting updates! (c;
Tommy
Well....it's been too long since my last post, and I wanted you all to know that I am indeed alive and kicking, and that things are going, for the most part, pretty well.
Christmas was nice.
New Year's Eve was great.
It's good to be back at school.
I have been reading, and most of the books have been really good. There was one that I didn't finish, and it was a difficult decision.
There is more to say, and it will be said soon....
Gee, that came off WAY more cryptic and dripping with meaning than I meant it to. Seriously, I just don't really feel like I have all that much to say. (I know, weird, isn't it?!)
Anyway. I hope you all had a wonderful time, filled with the spirit and sentiment of the season that has just come and gone.
God bless you all, and I hope the year starts out, and continues to be, a great one for you.
Thanks for stopping by, and check back for exciting updates! (c;
Tommy
Monday, December 18, 2006
We need a little Christmas....now....
We're still alive here in Kirksville!
It's been a while since my last post, and I wanted to let everyone know what has been going on.
First of all, Time's Person of the Year was announced, and they decided that you are the person of the year. Yes. You. Well, no...not YOU, the person behind you. Yeah, you.
Confused? Haven't read the article, but apparently there's something about blogging, and webpages, and all that. Personally, I'm not convinced. I think computer's are just a fad. I mean seriously...if you think computers are here to stay, let me introduce you to my pet rock, Reggie. (c;
My Person of the Year? Hmm....I don't know. I think....well, it would have to be George W. Bush. The man is, I think, single handedly responsible for my increasingly Democrat-like views and positions, and for those of you who knew me in high school, that's no small feat right there. Close runners-up? Kim Jung Il and Mahmoud Amacrazyguy from Iran for giving the boogey man a run for his money, and the monster's in my closet a chance for a vacation while these two nuts run the business. Sheesh.
Books? Recently read Speaking with the Angel, by Nick Hornby. Interesting book....it's a collection of short stories by various authors, including Colin Firth, who, I didn't know was an author. Anyway, it's registered at www.bookcrossing.com, but I'm offering it to the first of my readers who wants. Only catch? Gotta pass it on. (c;
This weekend? Was great. Bibi's family came in to town for her graduation, and we all went out for dinner. Bibi and I made waffles the next day (Saturday) for her family and my mom and stepdad who also came down. Went to the ceremony, and then went out for Chinese food. (Yum!!!) Sunday was relaxing, Bibi and I played cards A LOT and finished up some chores around the house. Last night I "was" Santa Claus for some coworkers' kids. It was a LOT of fun.
And, today was good. We've got two and a half days of school left, and we're all VERY excited about the break. (c; Oh, and for an hour and 20 minutes tonight? On the line with iTunes tech support fixing a ridiculously easy problem, that took FOREVER to identify. The problem? Needed to update my version of iTunes. Awesome. (c;
All right....now, I'm going to veg out and read "Swamp Fox: The Life and Campaigns of General Francis Marion". Good times....
Oh, and if you need the method for getting ahold of an actual real life human being at iTunes? I'll let you in on the secret if you e-mail me...(c;
Til next time, faithful readers...
Adieu...and thanks for stopping by.
Tommy
It's been a while since my last post, and I wanted to let everyone know what has been going on.
First of all, Time's Person of the Year was announced, and they decided that you are the person of the year. Yes. You. Well, no...not YOU, the person behind you. Yeah, you.
Confused? Haven't read the article, but apparently there's something about blogging, and webpages, and all that. Personally, I'm not convinced. I think computer's are just a fad. I mean seriously...if you think computers are here to stay, let me introduce you to my pet rock, Reggie. (c;
My Person of the Year? Hmm....I don't know. I think....well, it would have to be George W. Bush. The man is, I think, single handedly responsible for my increasingly Democrat-like views and positions, and for those of you who knew me in high school, that's no small feat right there. Close runners-up? Kim Jung Il and Mahmoud Amacrazyguy from Iran for giving the boogey man a run for his money, and the monster's in my closet a chance for a vacation while these two nuts run the business. Sheesh.
Books? Recently read Speaking with the Angel, by Nick Hornby. Interesting book....it's a collection of short stories by various authors, including Colin Firth, who, I didn't know was an author. Anyway, it's registered at www.bookcrossing.com, but I'm offering it to the first of my readers who wants. Only catch? Gotta pass it on. (c;
This weekend? Was great. Bibi's family came in to town for her graduation, and we all went out for dinner. Bibi and I made waffles the next day (Saturday) for her family and my mom and stepdad who also came down. Went to the ceremony, and then went out for Chinese food. (Yum!!!) Sunday was relaxing, Bibi and I played cards A LOT and finished up some chores around the house. Last night I "was" Santa Claus for some coworkers' kids. It was a LOT of fun.
And, today was good. We've got two and a half days of school left, and we're all VERY excited about the break. (c; Oh, and for an hour and 20 minutes tonight? On the line with iTunes tech support fixing a ridiculously easy problem, that took FOREVER to identify. The problem? Needed to update my version of iTunes. Awesome. (c;
All right....now, I'm going to veg out and read "Swamp Fox: The Life and Campaigns of General Francis Marion". Good times....
Oh, and if you need the method for getting ahold of an actual real life human being at iTunes? I'll let you in on the secret if you e-mail me...(c;
Til next time, faithful readers...
Adieu...and thanks for stopping by.
Tommy
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
and the beat goes on....
So, I just finished reading the Iraq Study Group report that came out last week. It was a very interesting read. I started reading the day that it came out (Dec. 6) and read a little of what the press was saying about it as I went. I had really high hopes before it came out that maybe this would really turn things around, and that maybe, just maybe we would have a glimmer of peace.
Apparently, I'm naive. It was very disheartening that the Bush administration was dismissing it out of hand. Admittedly, the recommendations were a bit lofty; realistically speaking, a lot of the recommendations and suggestions seemed too dependent on the decisions and actions of countries like Syria and Iran, and that might be difficult. However, why the hell won't Bush TRY?! I mean, it seems pretty obvious that excluding the countries that border Iraq from the whole process might be setting us up to fail...and, it almost seems as if this administration is acting in a way that would be positioning us to be in Iraq indefinitely.
So, any thoughts from those of you who have read the report? (Or, anywho one hasn't read it?)
Bah.
Anyway, welcome to my new reader Brigit, and to everyone out there...read a book! (c;
And, I'm still compiling my thoughts on Person of the Year. So, stay tuned...
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Apparently, I'm naive. It was very disheartening that the Bush administration was dismissing it out of hand. Admittedly, the recommendations were a bit lofty; realistically speaking, a lot of the recommendations and suggestions seemed too dependent on the decisions and actions of countries like Syria and Iran, and that might be difficult. However, why the hell won't Bush TRY?! I mean, it seems pretty obvious that excluding the countries that border Iraq from the whole process might be setting us up to fail...and, it almost seems as if this administration is acting in a way that would be positioning us to be in Iraq indefinitely.
So, any thoughts from those of you who have read the report? (Or, anywho one hasn't read it?)
Bah.
Anyway, welcome to my new reader Brigit, and to everyone out there...read a book! (c;
And, I'm still compiling my thoughts on Person of the Year. So, stay tuned...
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
As per request....
Tis the season, after all.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Gotta be honest…I love me some Egg Nog (and, believe it or not...Corndogs...don't ask.) But, there’s nothing quite like pumpkin/holiday spice coffee from Java Co….
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? When Santa used to come, he would leave the presents under the tree unwrapped. My parents would not let us go into the living room until they had gotten their coffee, had gotten the camera ready, and had seen what Santa had brought before we did.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I absolutely LOVE the larger colored lights…the kind that are a little bigger than a hersey’s kiss? Those are awesome….so good.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Every single year that I have been in
5. When do you put your decorations up? I’m currently working on legislation that would make it a capital offense to put up ANY decorations before Thanksgiving. In fact, I think it’s ludicrous to listen to Christmas music and put up decorations before the Sunday AFTER Thanksgiving, but that’s just me. However, once that Sunday comes…it’s officially ON.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Definitely sweet potatoes, although turkey is a CLOSE second. (There are few joys in life greater than a cold turkey sandwich the days/weeks after Christmas.)
7. Favorite
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What do you mean….? Oh, in fourth grade, my sister was in the Joffrey Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker, and she performed in
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We opened all our gifts on Christmas Eve, growing up, and we got Santa’s gifts on Christmas morning. We still open all our presents on Christmas Eve, except with two houses, we have Christmas Eve at my mom’s house, and then on Christmas Day we have “Christmas Eve” at my dad’s house. And, I think we’ve always gone youngest to oldest (woo hoo!!!), although I don’t remember for sure.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights first, then ornaments, then tinsel. Christmas music is a must, and cocoa and cookies are a necessity. It should be an all day (or at the very least afternoon) affair. And, you should take your time and enjoy the simple beauty of each decoration before putting it on the tree. Tinsel should be applied one strand at a time, and only after a few minutes are you allowed to get frustrated with that progress and begin throwing large handfuls of the stuff on the tree. (But, then, you need to straighten it, so that it looks somewhat even—you don’t want the tinsel to cause the tree to tip over!!) Oh, and you should put one strand of lights up the middle of the three, in order to make it look a bit fuller.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Absolutely love it. It’s great stuff.
12. Can you ice skate? I’m pretty sure. I mean, I’ve never tried, but how hard can it be? (c;
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My number one favorite? Yeah, right. However, I will list my top 3 favorites. My sister Amy gave me a book about me when we were in college. It was really sweet. I still have that (of course!!!) and love looking at it every now and then. There is a SWEET picture of her attacking me with a saw. I LOVED getting my letter jacket my freshman year in high school, although “Tommy” in cursive looks way too close to “Tammy”. And, my dad always got me the newest Calvin and Hobbes books whenever they would come out, and last year he gave me the complete collection of C&H. Awesome.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Remembering that God loves us. Plain and simple.
15. What is your favorite
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Table presents. See above.
17. What tops your tree? Saddest thing in the world…we had/have an amazing tree topper that is made of some kind of a light wood and it is of the archangel Michael and he is holding a harp. It’s beautiful, and delicate, and touching. And, as old as I am, so it’s in pieces.
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? I like helping other people, by allowing them the joy of giving, which in turn gives me the joy of giving AND receiving. (I’m selfish that way!!!) No, seriously…I do love giving, but I don’t feel like I’m good at thinking of gifts on my own….so, it’s only when I have some sudden brainstorm that makes me think like I’m on the right track that I feel good about giving.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I think anything Johnny Mathis is wonderful. However, The Christmas Song, performed by Nat King Cole has to be up there. (Manheim Steamroller, Tran-Siberian Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, etc. All great.) And, if you haven’t checked out the Maybe This Christmas Cd’s, please….do yourself a favor and go get ‘em today.
Thanks for reading....
Tommy
Monday, December 04, 2006
a proviso....
I wanted to clarify the previous post...I'm hoping to provoke a discussion of individuals on the global scale...so, when I said who should be "My Life's" Person of the Year I didn't mean Tommy Estlund's person of the year, I meant that I couldn't call it "Time's Person of the Year", so it had to be My Life's POTY. (Have I clarified in ANY way, or muddied the waters ever more so?) So, in other words, is it going to be George W, Obama, Madonna and her crazy adoptive ways, Britney going commando, Lance Bass proving that you can be attractive to millions of teenage girls and boys, or someone else?
You...be the judge. (c;
Thanks!
Tommy
You...be the judge. (c;
Thanks!
Tommy
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Happy December!!
Well, how are we all doing this evening? (Or...uh, morning...)
So...I have to admit to a mistake on my last (well, second to last) post. I was watching Dr. Phil (feel free to make fun of my choice of television viewing) and they were debating home schooling vs. public schooling. Dr. Phil, in his defense of teachers, claimed that teaching was a science. For some reason, that didn't sit well with me. My immediate reaction was that that was wrong...that teaching is more of an art....that there has to be a certain level of fluidity involved, and that science meant, in my initial visceral response, something too cut and dried, too cookie-cutter in nature.
In discussing it was co-workers and in response to my readers, I have to acknowledge that teaching necessarily has to be a mixture of both art and science...that neither one alone will produce the desired results. The scientific aspect of teaching involves research based teaching methods; understanding that there are different types of learners, following and keeping up-to-date on brain research and the current political trends. The artistic aspect of education is exactly what I was focusing on initially--that teachers need to be constantly making adjustments for student needs, that teachers need to be aware of teachable moments and the moods and needs of each student and the class as a whole. (As one coworker put it, it's a lot like architecture....that without both a scientific, or analytical component, and the artistic component, you won't be meeting ALL of the needs of your students. I agree with that.)
Anyhow...that's all with that.
Went to KC for a wedding this weekend. Had a good time...really enjoyed myself. Watched an interesting movie..."Junebug." When we first finished watching the movie we all thought that it really wasn't very good at all...but then we started talking it over, and discussing what we thought the 'point' was, and we realized that there were a lot of different levels to the movie, and...most importantly...it did not have a "hollywood" ending, which left us feeling somewhat unsatisfied, but in reality added to it's worth as a movie.
And, finally, I've been reading a lot, and hearing a lot about Time magazine's Person of the Year declaration. I wanted to open up that question to you all, my hearty readers. So....who do you think should be My Life's Person of the Year?
(And, keep in mind...it doesn't HAVE to be a "good" person--Hitler was Time Magazine's person of the year in 1939...)
So....with that query I leave you....enjoy!
And, as always, thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
So...I have to admit to a mistake on my last (well, second to last) post. I was watching Dr. Phil (feel free to make fun of my choice of television viewing) and they were debating home schooling vs. public schooling. Dr. Phil, in his defense of teachers, claimed that teaching was a science. For some reason, that didn't sit well with me. My immediate reaction was that that was wrong...that teaching is more of an art....that there has to be a certain level of fluidity involved, and that science meant, in my initial visceral response, something too cut and dried, too cookie-cutter in nature.
In discussing it was co-workers and in response to my readers, I have to acknowledge that teaching necessarily has to be a mixture of both art and science...that neither one alone will produce the desired results. The scientific aspect of teaching involves research based teaching methods; understanding that there are different types of learners, following and keeping up-to-date on brain research and the current political trends. The artistic aspect of education is exactly what I was focusing on initially--that teachers need to be constantly making adjustments for student needs, that teachers need to be aware of teachable moments and the moods and needs of each student and the class as a whole. (As one coworker put it, it's a lot like architecture....that without both a scientific, or analytical component, and the artistic component, you won't be meeting ALL of the needs of your students. I agree with that.)
Anyhow...that's all with that.
Went to KC for a wedding this weekend. Had a good time...really enjoyed myself. Watched an interesting movie..."Junebug." When we first finished watching the movie we all thought that it really wasn't very good at all...but then we started talking it over, and discussing what we thought the 'point' was, and we realized that there were a lot of different levels to the movie, and...most importantly...it did not have a "hollywood" ending, which left us feeling somewhat unsatisfied, but in reality added to it's worth as a movie.
And, finally, I've been reading a lot, and hearing a lot about Time magazine's Person of the Year declaration. I wanted to open up that question to you all, my hearty readers. So....who do you think should be My Life's Person of the Year?
(And, keep in mind...it doesn't HAVE to be a "good" person--Hitler was Time Magazine's person of the year in 1939...)
So....with that query I leave you....enjoy!
And, as always, thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Thursday, November 30, 2006
"Now is the time of collection
Now is the season undone
Now is the winter of my discontent
Made glorious summer
By your sun "
Jeffrey Foucault--Sunrise in the Rearview
I know I have written about this guy like twenty times, but he's really good. I was listening to him tonight, and this verse really got me....it's amazing when you know someone who can do this for you. Someone who--regardless of what all is going on around you--can make it all seem ok.
I gotta be honest...I thank God every day for Bibi...she is my summer sun.
Thank you Bibi.
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Now is the season undone
Now is the winter of my discontent
Made glorious summer
By your sun "
Jeffrey Foucault--Sunrise in the Rearview
I know I have written about this guy like twenty times, but he's really good. I was listening to him tonight, and this verse really got me....it's amazing when you know someone who can do this for you. Someone who--regardless of what all is going on around you--can make it all seem ok.
I gotta be honest...I thank God every day for Bibi...she is my summer sun.
Thank you Bibi.
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Sunday, November 26, 2006
It's beginning to look...well, you know.
Greetings loyal readers...
I apologize, once again for the delay in my posting. It's been a while. First...the update.
In the last week we got ready for Thanksgiving and the kids were very good. Nothing of note there.
Bibi and I went to Kansas City for the holiday, and had a fantastic time. Hung out with her family, most of my family, were able to relax a great deal, and just had an unbelievably restful time.
Saw an interesting movie about quantum physics..."What the (Bleep!) Do We Know?". Put forth some very interesting questions that Q.P's brings to mind. Had some really interesting discussions throughout the film as well. Not for everyone, but interesting, none the less.
I finished "Go Down, Moses" a few days ago. Wow. Really a phenomenal book...very thought provoking and worthwhile read. I appreciated the help of Spark's Notes in getting my started, but enjoyed even more the ability to break free from that tool. (Remember kids, there's nothin' wrong with using Spark's or Cliff's notes as an aid, but the really don't act as a substitution for the real thing!!!)
My in-laws gave me Pudd'nhead Wilson as a present for a Sikh holiday, and I've already finished it. Gotta love Mark Twain's willingness to throw human weaknesses in our faces, you know? (c;
So, know a couple of thoughts...I don't feel like it's Christmas "time" yet. Not at all. In fact, I usually spend the Sunday after Thanksgiving decorating, listening to Christmas tunes, and eating sugar cookies and hot cocoa. I honestly didn't feel like it was really Thanksgiving yet, and I can't help but feel that it's not Christmas-time yet. I've only listened to a couple of Christmas songs, and that was somewhat half-hearted....I'm just not ready for it yet. Anyone else feel the same?
And, finally a question.
Is education a "science" or is education an "art"?
What do you all think?
Thanks for stopping by...and I promise to blog sooner than I did this time...
Tommy
I apologize, once again for the delay in my posting. It's been a while. First...the update.
In the last week we got ready for Thanksgiving and the kids were very good. Nothing of note there.
Bibi and I went to Kansas City for the holiday, and had a fantastic time. Hung out with her family, most of my family, were able to relax a great deal, and just had an unbelievably restful time.
Saw an interesting movie about quantum physics..."What the (Bleep!) Do We Know?". Put forth some very interesting questions that Q.P's brings to mind. Had some really interesting discussions throughout the film as well. Not for everyone, but interesting, none the less.
I finished "Go Down, Moses" a few days ago. Wow. Really a phenomenal book...very thought provoking and worthwhile read. I appreciated the help of Spark's Notes in getting my started, but enjoyed even more the ability to break free from that tool. (Remember kids, there's nothin' wrong with using Spark's or Cliff's notes as an aid, but the really don't act as a substitution for the real thing!!!)
My in-laws gave me Pudd'nhead Wilson as a present for a Sikh holiday, and I've already finished it. Gotta love Mark Twain's willingness to throw human weaknesses in our faces, you know? (c;
So, know a couple of thoughts...I don't feel like it's Christmas "time" yet. Not at all. In fact, I usually spend the Sunday after Thanksgiving decorating, listening to Christmas tunes, and eating sugar cookies and hot cocoa. I honestly didn't feel like it was really Thanksgiving yet, and I can't help but feel that it's not Christmas-time yet. I've only listened to a couple of Christmas songs, and that was somewhat half-hearted....I'm just not ready for it yet. Anyone else feel the same?
And, finally a question.
Is education a "science" or is education an "art"?
What do you all think?
Thanks for stopping by...and I promise to blog sooner than I did this time...
Tommy
Monday, November 13, 2006
This Week in Books...
All right, all right...apparently my lapse in posting has made at least one of you irate enough to post a reponse. So....here ya go.
So, the election. Were you pleased? I have to say....it was interesting. In cruising around the blogosphere I noticed something, specifically relating to the amendment issue in Missouri. (For stem cell research.) Those people against the initiative were shocked and horrified by the fact that it passed. I believe the quote was, "what is America coming to?!" The people who were FOR the initiative were shocked and horrified by the fact that it was so close to NOT passing. And, in all honesty, the fact that there seemed to be some over-riding misconception about the passing of this bill was disconcerting as well. And, I believe the exact quote was, "What is America coming to?!"
I am hoping that things improve. I hope that Democrats can take the ball and run with it...in a positive direction. I hope that Robert Gates, Rumsfeld's replacement can make heads or tails of this snafu in Iraq. I hope that we can bring our troops safely and leave Iraq with some semblance of order and a future that is brighter than the present. I hope that Democrats don't become drunk with power and totally screw things up Matt Foley-style.
Anywho. On the literary front, I've got a few recommendations. I don't remember if I blogged about Things in Ditches, (I'm too lazy to look back and find out) but it's worth mentioning twice if I did. It's by Jimmy Olsen, and it's fantastic.
Most recently I read The Road by Cormac Mccarthy. It's what The Stand (Stephen King) would have been had Hemingway written it and it had been ordained by God. AMAZING. Wow. I don't want to say anything more but...wow. It is A-MAZING. Ok. That's all.
And, finally, now I'm reading Go Down, Moses, by William Faulkner. I have to say, it's the first time I've ever used Sparks Notes online to help me understand a damn book, and it's been VERY helpful, so far.
Ok. And, finally, the 2008 presidential campaign has officially begun. For those of you who haven't heard, Tom Vilsack of Iowa and Rudi Guiliani have both thrown their proverbial hats into the ring. So....who is going to make it to the heated campaigning and who is going to go down in a fury of flames and controversy?
All right....you all have an unbelievably great night...and we'll talk soon.
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
So, the election. Were you pleased? I have to say....it was interesting. In cruising around the blogosphere I noticed something, specifically relating to the amendment issue in Missouri. (For stem cell research.) Those people against the initiative were shocked and horrified by the fact that it passed. I believe the quote was, "what is America coming to?!" The people who were FOR the initiative were shocked and horrified by the fact that it was so close to NOT passing. And, in all honesty, the fact that there seemed to be some over-riding misconception about the passing of this bill was disconcerting as well. And, I believe the exact quote was, "What is America coming to?!"
I am hoping that things improve. I hope that Democrats can take the ball and run with it...in a positive direction. I hope that Robert Gates, Rumsfeld's replacement can make heads or tails of this snafu in Iraq. I hope that we can bring our troops safely and leave Iraq with some semblance of order and a future that is brighter than the present. I hope that Democrats don't become drunk with power and totally screw things up Matt Foley-style.
Anywho. On the literary front, I've got a few recommendations. I don't remember if I blogged about Things in Ditches, (I'm too lazy to look back and find out) but it's worth mentioning twice if I did. It's by Jimmy Olsen, and it's fantastic.
Most recently I read The Road by Cormac Mccarthy. It's what The Stand (Stephen King) would have been had Hemingway written it and it had been ordained by God. AMAZING. Wow. I don't want to say anything more but...wow. It is A-MAZING. Ok. That's all.
And, finally, now I'm reading Go Down, Moses, by William Faulkner. I have to say, it's the first time I've ever used Sparks Notes online to help me understand a damn book, and it's been VERY helpful, so far.
Ok. And, finally, the 2008 presidential campaign has officially begun. For those of you who haven't heard, Tom Vilsack of Iowa and Rudi Guiliani have both thrown their proverbial hats into the ring. So....who is going to make it to the heated campaigning and who is going to go down in a fury of flames and controversy?
All right....you all have an unbelievably great night...and we'll talk soon.
Thanks for stopping by...
Tommy
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Get your @ss out there and VOTE!!!!
I gotta say...I know that I am lucky...I am fully aware. I don't think that I need anyone to point that out. However, today was just one more piece...and, it fit.
I've been excited about this election for weeks. The electoral process really pumps me up...even with it's numerous flaws. Anyway. When I got up this morning I left even earlier so that I could vote before school. I felt such a feeling of awe leaving the polling place, as I realized that I was standing on the shoulders of giants, participating in this....privilege...this wonderful right....this responsibility. So, it was awesome when Bibi called me at school and told me that she was really bothered by the fact that she hadn't gotten her absentee ballot, nor had she registered here in Kville. So, she was driving to KC in order to be able to exercise her right. How amazing is my wife? There are people who can't even drive across town...heck, even some who won't cross the street to vote...won't bother to look up the issues, find out about the ballot measures or who is running. Not my wife....she'll drive three hours one in order to vote. (I love my wife!!!)
Thanks for reading....
Tommy
I've been excited about this election for weeks. The electoral process really pumps me up...even with it's numerous flaws. Anyway. When I got up this morning I left even earlier so that I could vote before school. I felt such a feeling of awe leaving the polling place, as I realized that I was standing on the shoulders of giants, participating in this....privilege...this wonderful right....this responsibility. So, it was awesome when Bibi called me at school and told me that she was really bothered by the fact that she hadn't gotten her absentee ballot, nor had she registered here in Kville. So, she was driving to KC in order to be able to exercise her right. How amazing is my wife? There are people who can't even drive across town...heck, even some who won't cross the street to vote...won't bother to look up the issues, find out about the ballot measures or who is running. Not my wife....she'll drive three hours one in order to vote. (I love my wife!!!)
Thanks for reading....
Tommy
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Adagio for Strings
Warning: This post contains adult situations and descriptions...viewer discretion is advised.
This morning, as I was walking Leo, listening to my iPod, I had a very...hmm....how to describe it.....captivating experience.
One of the podcasts I was listening to was describing the importance of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. (If, for some reason, you are unfamiliar with it, please...do yourself a favor, and go listen to it....you shant be dissappointed.) Anway, at one point the commentators stopped discussing the piece in order to let the true musical meaning come out. At just that point, I came upon an elderly couple out in front of a fraternity house. What struck me was the vividness of their blue hats. These shockingly bright blue hats perched upon knotted, dirty grey hair. Their wrinkled faces deeply involved in their tasks. The dirty sweatshirts they wore under their blackened coats were tattered and stained. They wore matching black rubber orthopedic shoes and there was a gap of exposed skin between their too-small sweatpants and the tops of their shoes. They barely looked up at me as I walked by them, they were too intent as they looked through the dumpster, digging with bare hands through empty bottles, used condoms and last weeks discarded pizza boxes.
What struck me though, was the smile on the woman's face as I said hello. She looked at me, and her lips parted showing her toothless gums and her face lit up. The man, white facial hair patchy at best simply nodded....a minimum of a grin all that he allowed. As I passed they both went back to the task at hand.
All of this took no more than 45 seconds, and all the while Barber's Adagio lingered in my ears. I'm going to close this post with a line from a Johnny Cash song...it seems sadly appropriate now:
"And there's nothin' short of dyin'
That's half as lonesome as the sound
Of a sleepin' city sidewalk
And Sunday mornin' comin' down"
Carry on my brother.
Carry on.
Tommy
This morning, as I was walking Leo, listening to my iPod, I had a very...hmm....how to describe it.....captivating experience.
One of the podcasts I was listening to was describing the importance of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. (If, for some reason, you are unfamiliar with it, please...do yourself a favor, and go listen to it....you shant be dissappointed.) Anway, at one point the commentators stopped discussing the piece in order to let the true musical meaning come out. At just that point, I came upon an elderly couple out in front of a fraternity house. What struck me was the vividness of their blue hats. These shockingly bright blue hats perched upon knotted, dirty grey hair. Their wrinkled faces deeply involved in their tasks. The dirty sweatshirts they wore under their blackened coats were tattered and stained. They wore matching black rubber orthopedic shoes and there was a gap of exposed skin between their too-small sweatpants and the tops of their shoes. They barely looked up at me as I walked by them, they were too intent as they looked through the dumpster, digging with bare hands through empty bottles, used condoms and last weeks discarded pizza boxes.
What struck me though, was the smile on the woman's face as I said hello. She looked at me, and her lips parted showing her toothless gums and her face lit up. The man, white facial hair patchy at best simply nodded....a minimum of a grin all that he allowed. As I passed they both went back to the task at hand.
All of this took no more than 45 seconds, and all the while Barber's Adagio lingered in my ears. I'm going to close this post with a line from a Johnny Cash song...it seems sadly appropriate now:
"And there's nothin' short of dyin'
That's half as lonesome as the sound
Of a sleepin' city sidewalk
And Sunday mornin' comin' down"
Carry on my brother.
Carry on.
Tommy
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