Jul 29
2005
Tony| Category: General |
Someone, somewhere asked me the other day about my favorite movie.
I had no answer. I like movies. So, here are five movies that I love, inspired by a rewatching of High Fidelity last night.
Top Five all-time favorite movies, without commenting on them (the hardest thing for me to do, let me tell you.) For the record, these are interchangeable in their numerical rankings, and subject to replacement anytime… on with the show:
1. High Fidelity
2. Toy Story
3. So I Married an Axe Murderer
4. Napoleon Dynamite
T-5. Fargo/The Rock
You want commentary? Not today; maybe someday I’ll get back to talking about why I love these movies. I also notice that I need to watch more “quality” movies, because if I told Roger Ebert these were my top five movies, he would probably ban me from his film fest. And take away my popcorn. However, it’s my right to like this crap, and it’s my website, so neener.
Obligatory question:
What are YOUR Top Five Movies of All Time?
Jul 28
2005
Tony| Category: General, Site-Based Management |
Because at some point, SOMEONE I don’t know might read this someday, I put up a terrible FAQ page. It’s so terrible, it’s only three questions long, thereby promoting the continuation of our nation’s rapidly shrinking attention span.
So here’s your opportunity, people. What are your questions? What do you think I should add to the FAQ? Kenny suggested that if I wanted people to comment more, I should have more questions. So, we’ll start with yours. Bring It, World. (”Oh, it’s already been brought-en…”)
Jul 28
2005
Tony| Category: General, Random |
We here at the Ebjournal once in a while run into thoughts that don’t really need elaborating, and are too lame to devote to full posts… so we throw them into one big post, called Random Thoughts by Me.
Away we go…
Rarely do you see anyone running over the geese that permeate the suburbs, yet I see more of their feces everywhere than any raccoon, skunk or deer. Couldn’t we kill two birds with one car?
I want to hate the White Sox, but they aren’t the White Sux. I want to hate the Cubs, and wait, it’s getting easier.
Does taking a deep sniff of your favorite drink before your first sip put you on the road to AA?
The word literate is used to refer to someone with the capacity to read and process written language. The term illiterate refers to someone who is unable to read. The new one for me, though, is aliterate; that is, someone who can read but chooses not to. They don’t like reading, or books, or magazines, or whatever. Interesting population. Are you one of them? (I don’t know where blogs fall into defining aliteracy)
Checking on the food votes: Potato, Bacon, and Cheese, you still hold the top spots. Strawberry , you are trailing slightly, because of your healthy benefits, followed by Steak.
Mushrooms, you’re still on the bottom.
Air-Conditioning, days 2 and 3: Yeah, air conditioning sucks in the car. So I’m not using it anymore. Could this have something to do with the fact that the high here in the western ‘burbs was 75 yesterday, and it’s only going up to 80 today? Yes, yes it does. But I’m still not running the air-conditioner.
“Wow, Ebjournal Guy, your new design is super sweet, and I really like how you have picked up you’re (sic) crappy blogging. Keep up the great work.”
– Comment by my imaginary commenters. People, read, comment, love me. It’s not like I’m doing this for myself. Or are I?–
I absolutely rock at Kids’ Week Jeopardy.
Sadly, even though I watched it last year and rocked it out HARD, the wee little kids are still faster than my play-at-home buzzer.
You’re gullible.
The school panic warnings are flashing even earlier this year. I guess this means that going to grad school, talking about your teaching experiences, and reflecting on changes you are going to make ONLY MAKE YOU CRAZIER IN THE LONG RUN.
If aspartame turns out to be bad for us, I’m going back to original formula Coca-Cola.
No, no I won’t. But friends, we have a serious caffeine problem.
The dryer may quite possibly be on the fritz. But, it happened after the unmentionables load, so I’m good for a week or two. 
Golf is the sum of its parts. My scores are consistently horrible, and even though I’m doing some things much, much better, (like hitting out of the tee box, and driving) the things I didn’t used to know about have fallen to crap. Someone teach me how to chip and putt, PLEASE. And if any of you find my lost pitching wedge stroke, please let me know. We used to hang and be cool. Now he’s so aloof.
This is why I miss Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
“BUFFY: Thank you guys so much. You’re like my … fairy godmother and Santa Claus and Q all wrapped up into one.
Riley looks confused.
BUFFY: Q from Bond, not Star Trek.
Xander nods. “ (found the transcriptions here.
So funny, so many levels. What, you don’t get it? Tools.
It’s go time. Wish me luck.
Jul 26
2005
Tony| Category: General, Sports and Wine |
Two quick updates, longer post coming later…
A) With all the updates going on here at the Ebjournal, you may need to resubscribe your RSS feed, because, well, mine wasn’t working, so I had to fix it too. (Which also means it’s possible I’m the only one reading this, as usual. )
B) Anti-Air-Conditioning Week, Day 1 results:
I did not use the air conditioner in the car yesterday. That made everything loud, because the windows were down, and the radio was up. I did not melt. I did not get heat stroke. I survived. Woot. However, it is really hard to talk on the cell phone with the windows down, travelling at 70 mph. I mean 55.
C) (Okay three updates): Sushi is good, running for your life while lightning crashes down around you bad. TLEMK and I made a sushi run last night, and we made back into our apt. after running back (and y’all know I don’t run). Monsoon season erupted approximately 30 seconds later. I discovered that I can run, only if the Lord is hurling thunderbolts at me, and if I take off my sandals.
Off to class…
Jul 25
2005
Tony| Category: General |
Dear America,
Do creature comforts make us weak? Are we reduced to snivelling, complaining patsies who can’t take the heat, so we stay in the kitchen?
I feel lucky, blessed, and fortunate, my gentle readers. I have an apartment with an air-conditioner that mercilessly fights any sort of heat wave that El Ni~no and urban sprawl can throw at it. It works early and often, is efficient, and never complains that I don’t take it out enough. ( The water heater whines all the time.) Ultimately, I love my air conditioning because it keeps TLEMK happy. And that is important.
BUT
For unknown reasons, I find myself growing resentful of the air conditioner, and air conditioning in general. Sure, it’s nice after I’ve been working out (ha!) or doing landscaping (I live in an apartment now), or when the wind blows outside, and it actually feels HOTTER (that would be thanks to our heat index of 107 yesterday), but lately, I feel like air conditioning is making me weak. I’ve worked in warehouse jobs where I had to wear pants, and there wasn’t air conditioning. And you know what? I adjusted. There were fans, and open doors, and things were alright. I drank a lot of water, and it was fine. I’m pretty sure there are whole countries that think it is a monumental waste of money. I see people from other countries walking around in long sleeves, and long pants. They don’t seem to be terribly inconvenienced. Most construction workers and landscapers work in long pants in the sun all day. They drink water, and they survive. Most recently, I was sitting on a porch at a family reunion this weekend, and it was about 92 out, with a nice breeze. I was very comfortable, and happy to be outside.
Maybe I’m crazy, or my brain is too cold to realize that without the A/C, I would be a complaining mess. The silly little debate in my head moves on. So, to test myself, this week, in my car, I will go without air-conditioning. Maybe I’ll even wear jeans, as a reminder of my Ford Taurus driving days.
Not today though, it’s too hot.
Jul 21
2005
Tony| Category: General, Entertainment Tonight |
MuggleNet’s Transcript of their sit-down with JK Rowling
I swear this is the last post of the evening. I’m going to bed. Really.
Jul 20
2005
Tony| Category: General |
Alright, updating is working. I’m a dork, and can’t find the sidebar menu to update to dropdown for the themes… but I will get there.
Oh, I added some spammy filter stuff, so make sure you answer the question correctly!
Jul 20
2005
Tony| Category: General, Techie, not Geekie |
Okay, I’m going to do it… I’ll be updating to WP 1.5, mostly because I made it through another class (nothing like 5 hours of homework last night to leave you twiddling your thumbs tonight), so wish me luck. I’ll see you on the other side
Jul 20
2005
Tony| Category: General, Entertainment Tonight |
What do we want for dinner?
So funny. So true. We’re so lazy. I put Potatoes. Everything else came up fairly accurate.
Jul 19
2005
Tony| Category: General |
Now I understand why Kenny wants to set up a work blog; I’m thinking about setting up a grad school blog. Otherwise, people will get completely bored of what I have to say (more than usual, too!) because all I will talk about is what I’m learning in grad school. Either that, or their heads will spin, and not in the good too-many Jack-and-Coke way.
Without further ado, let the boredom commence!
Yesterday, I learned more about the history of reading education than I’ve learned in my previous 27 years of existence.
Here are some articles that I read yesterday:
Here This one talks about what kind of research we should be looking at for reading interventions.
This one here is the summary report from the National Reading Panel. It’s really long, and became the basis for the No Child Left Behind act.
And this one is the most interesting, because it’s written by member of the National Reading Panel. I also read her minority report last night– very interesting stuff.
It’s truly a miracle that we can read, considering the Reading Wars that have been going on for the last thirty years.
Enough for now. Read the articles, or skip them. Your choice. Back to reading my research articles.
Jul 17
2005
Tony| Category: General, School Daze |
NCTE - Reading
This is a VERY basic overview/review of reading, and the kinds of things that I focus on/need to focus more on in my own classroom. Okay article; it didn’t wow me or surprise me. Like I said, a review.
Jul 17
2005
Tony| Category: General, Entertainment Tonight |
Remember when Dennis Miller was instantly funny, and you didn’t have to look up his jokes, and laugh ten minutes later?
This was a C-U weekend. We hadn’t been back in awhile, so it was good to see the old stomping grounds. Plus, it was summer, so campus was empty. We got into town Friday night, and promptly headed to El Toro, the best Mexican restaurant in East Central Illinois (there are more Mexican restaurants than you think…) They have tasty maragaritas and fajitas.
We sloshed over to the Pages for All Ages midnight book party release of the newest Harry Potter book. There were easily two hundred people there, and most of them were teenagers and adults. The over/under for former students at my old school I knew was 6, but I only saw 2 that I recognized. Kenny dressed up like a blond Harry Potter, complete with scar. You can see him here. The Zs met us there, just to keep us company in line (Hi Beth!). There was a countdown, and by 12:30, I was agitated, but I had my copy in my hands (TLEMK and I had to buy two copies because we couldn’t share) I read from about 12:45 til 4:00 am, went to sleep, got up at 8:30, and finished by 9:45. (that’s 4 and a half hours) I know that seems short, but it’s an easy read, and I really loved reading it. I will not make any comments on the book right now, except to say that I’m ready for Book 7.
After breakfast with the Zeiders, Kenny and I played cribbage (we played four games, and we tied 2-2), and then we got ready for the wedding(s). My old roommate Steph got married, and V’s friend Karin was also getting married the same day. So we split up for the ceremonies, and met back up for the reception, which included Marc becoming a firefighter, a terrible table manager (serve the women first, please, and next time, try not forget that we exist and then drop the late food on the floor) and way too much Motown music for me (and I LIKE Motown). Steph and Steve picked the same song we danced to, so that was a little awkward for me and the misses. We danced in the corner where no one was watching while the couple danced. (For those of you that don’t know, or don’t remember, Ben Folds The Luckiest was our song. Still is.
Our group of friends has become a pseudo-professional drinking society. It was open bar, top-shelf liquor. We owed it to our hosts to get their money’s worth. And so the eight or so of us tried our hardest, but in the end, there was still liquor left.
After sleeping in, we had big breakfast. Drove back, pretended to help Jerry put in the new furnace and condenser, had more food @ Sweet Tomatoes for Brandon’s birthday, and now here we are, gentle readers. Procrastinating; I should be reading my online articles for class tomorrow. I’ll link them for you to read in a bit, so you can get a taste of what the easy part of grad school is like.
Great weekend. I just can’t afford this rock-and-roll lifestyle, and neither can my love handles.
Also, welcome AJ to the blogroll. He reads my blog enough that he deserves to be on mine. Hi, AJ, this is Tony!
Jul 17
2005
Tony| Category: General |
Probably the best phrase invented by TLEMK , “Of COURSE that just happened!” is the more creative way of expressing Murphy’s Law (anything that can go wrong, will.) For us, “Of course that just happened” comes about whenever we’re trying to get something done, or are in a hurry to get somewhere… it applies a lot, we’ve found out in the last few weeks since we’ve started saying it.
A perfect example of “Of course that just happened…”:
On Saturday, before all the wedding madness (next post) V had to go to Wal-Mart to pick up something or other. She’s quick, because we’re under time constraints, and promptly proceeds to the Express check-out line. You know, the one with a never-enforced 10 item limit? Here, let’s switch to first person so you can understand the rage of my lovely wife…
“So I get to the express line, and there’s this lady with waaaaay more than 10 items in the line. I was totally annoyed with her, so I counted the items. (Me: How many did she have?) 21. I counted. But I was patient, until I realized that she apparently had NEVER used a debit card before because she couldn’t figure out how to work it. So that was another three minutes. She finally gets it all signed and looks down at her cart and says, ‘Oops, I forgot to get my cat food… it was on the bottom of the cart.’ So now the lady has to get her 22nd item, the cat food out, and as she puts it on the conveyor belt, it tore and broke, and there was cat food everywhere. Of COURSE that just happened is what I thought in my head. But then, THEN, the checker says ‘No problem, we’ll get you another bag’ and then can’t figure out how to use the %%$$#! walkie-talkie to get someone to bring another bag of cat food, which is item number 23! The guy finally comes with the cat food, and the lady HAS TO FIGURE OUT THE DEBIT CARD AGAIN, like its a Riddle of the Ancients. It’s not Rubik’s Cube, let’s go. Finally after seriously, 9 minutes, and 23 items, she’s done. I pay for my one, ONE (1!) item, and bolt for the door. Then the same lady is in my way walking back to my car, and all I have been thinking in my head for the last five minutes is OF COURSE THAT JUST HAPPENED.”
And that’s why it’s the best phrase, because it keeps you from gnawing out your eyeballs.
Jul 15
2005
Tony| Category: General |
IF you decide you want to share spoilers for Harry Pottery Barn Part the Sixth with me, you will in fact turn me into the Hulk’s slightly flabby, slightly less raging mad step-brother, the Mass.
I do NOT want to know anything about the book, thank you very much, Daily Show, MSNBC, Today Show, etc., etc. Consider yourselves warned, gentle readers.
Jul 14
2005
Tony| Category: General, School Daze |
I try to know things.
Really people, I try to know things. Many people in my class did not know what a blog was. But I did, because I try to know things. But even I thought I had a good grasp on proper typing/word processing rules.
I thought wrong.
My first problem is that I, along with my classmates, assumed that word processing was the same thing as typing. You know, where you indent. And then you put two spaces between a . and the beginning of the next sentence.
According to my teacher, if you are word processing, you don’t indent. There is also only one space after a period, or any other piece of punctuation.
I had never heard this, and actually felt guilty about my lack of paragraphing hear at the Ebjournal.
It wouldn’t bother me so much, except now I’m going to have to ask every single teacher I have for the next year and a half if I should be indenting my paragraphs, because none of my college-educated, Word-wielding classmates had ever heard that, much less been told it’s the proper form, so how am I supposed to know what my professors require without looking like a total dumbass. Really, here’s the scenario:
Me: “Uh, Professor McKnowsalot? Do you want us to indent our paragraphs when we’re word processing on mulitple intelligences?”
Prof: “You are dumb. You should know the answer to that. You are teaching children? How do you even have a job?”
Me: “But, I was told, and I just don’t know…”
Prof: “Of course you indent!”
Me: (twitching and frothing)
(Scene repeats in various forms at every new class I have)
These are the stresses I don’t need to face as I get ready to read billions of pages for my classes. AND, what do I teach to my kids? They still need to write paragraphs. Such a dilemma. Thoughts, comments?
I’M LEARNING SO MUCH IN GRAD SCHOOL! {/snark}
Jul 14
2005
Tony| Category: General, Techie, not Geekie, Entertainment Tonight |
General Reasoning behind getting DirecTV:
1) Channels are supposed to be of a better quality.
2) Basic packages include a little more.
3) “NFL Sunday Tiiicket…”
4) It was cheaper than Comcast.
But oh, trixie Comcast. They know me too well, and know that I have been less than pleased with DirecTV and it’s inability to change channels because of the TiVo. TiVo has also missed a few recordings because it changed to the wrong channel (i.e. 26 instead of 206). We also realized that I’m never actually around for “NFL Sunday Tiiicket…”. So wily Comcast has been sending me flyers, taunting me with service, trying to make me come to the dark side, the return to exorbitant cable prices.
This last one is too good for greedy me to refuse:
Digital Cable Package (Silver, I believe)
HBO
60-Hour DVR (why do I need two? WHY NOT?!)
Monthly cost for the first year: $39.99. Even with taxes and made-up fees, it should be about the same price for my two-room DirecTV. So I called. And switched. And they were happy to have my business.
Now I get to watch Deadwood, Sopranos, and Six Feet Under. I’m a little tingly. (I *think* it includes HBO On-Demand, but I’m not sure yet)
My TiVo will be so happy, I get picture-in-picture back, and cable in the spare bedroom. I will also have two DVRs, so I will never have to choose between Lost or Smallville again. Not that it was hard. Lost rocks!
So not only is next Thursday my sister Ory’s Sweet 16th birthday, it’s also Back-To-Cable Day.
It had better not suck.
Jul 14
2005
Tony| Category: General |
Things to write about later today…
1) Weekend plans
2) The Cable Battle Heats Up
3) Word Processing vs. Typing
4) Ebjournal goes political?!
Sorry, needed to write this down.
Jul 11
2005
Tony| Category: General |
Oh, were this post about Marc Harmon and the campy 80’s movie… (favorite quote: “C, C, C, C, C, C, C…”)
Today I started summer school. First up, Intro to Technology (EDU 517) It’s odd seeing a 500 level class with me in it. Quick class, where I get to brush up on Keynote and Power Point.
Next week, we start more literacy stuff. (Very technical, “stuff”.) More on it as I go through it. My cohorts are nice, and once again, I am the solitary XY representative. Hopefully they’ll see past my snarkiness and too much talking to see that I really want to do well, and have fun. This week is hard, because I really don’t want to talk to much, even though I love technology, (hope the song is in your head) and since it’s an intro course, it’s really hard. Thankfully, my teacher is really cool, and knows LOTS of stuff about teaching and technology, so hopefully I won’t annoy her. It’s weird to feel like a student again… I’m sure I’ll get used to it again.
Holy not-conveying-what-I’m-trying-to-say.
I’ll try again: I think I’m nervous about grad school. I get to write a thesis, defend it, and hopefully learn a lot, without looking like a know-it-all dork. Think a very fat Hermione.
And with THAT particular image, good night.
Jul 11
2005
Tony| Category: General, Exploring |
Yes, it’s been too long since I’ve updated, but at least I update (see: Josh, Waj).
We just got back yesterday from the Smoky Mountains, and hiding from redneck heaven. The smoky mountains are on the southeast border of Tennessee and the northwest border of North Carolina.
To give you an idea of the town, put this picture in your head:
Cross Branson, MO, with The Wisconsin Dells. Throw in a pinch of Wall Drug, and then cram it all together. Sounds great, right?
No, it should not sound great at all. It was scary. It took us an hour to drive 9 miles (that’s 9 mph for those of you playing at home) because of the touristy traffic.
But, gentle readers, this is not a sad story. Nay, we are here for good news! Our cabin was wonderful. It was up in the foothills of Pigeon Forge, TN, and nary a toothless person was to be found. In fact, it was nice and quiet. You can see pictures of the cabin here to give you an idea of the splendor in which we dwelled for three glorious nights. After the 11-plus hour drive on Thursday, we settled in to the hot tub for some R and R. On Friday we went to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and toured Cades Cove. It’s meant to be an auto tour, so we drove the 11 mile loop of the Cove and saw all the buildings. We grilled steaks on Friday night, and ate and drank ourselves silly. More hotubbing ensued, under the stars. We woke Saturday, and eventually headed back to the park. This time we went on two separate short hikes. I have to say that TLEMK was very stalwart on these hikes, not complaining once, even though she had a giant bruise and abrasion on her knee from falling down three stairs while we were packing. Laurel Falls was beautiful– Rich, you really should go on it. No bears, but we saw lots of deer. Overall. a wonderful experience. The park was very busy, but most of the people were very nice. (There is something to be said for Southern hospitality.) We can’t wait to go back… now I want to know which park we’re going to next. This entry really doesn’t do it justice. Suffice to say, we had a wonderful, romantic, rejuvenating time.
Jul 11
2005
Tony| Category: General, Techie, not Geekie |
You may or may not have noticed… I’ve added some categories over there—> A quick description:
Bookworm: It’s summer, so I’m getting caught up on my fun reading, pending the start of summer school classes that actually require texts.
Cinephile: Movies I’ve recently seen that warrant mentioning.
In the Queue: Books on deck for me to read soon.
Now Playing: CD’s in the heavy rotation.
Enjoy a further peek into my boring life.
