| Category: General, Unfortunately Serious | 0 Comments
Rest in Peace.
Your soul is in a better place now.
The Lord has called you to his Kingdom,
Where you belong.
We are sorrowful here,
Yet we rejoice; for you are free from pain and worry
You will be missed, you will still be loved,
Rest in Peace.
(b. 19__ , d. 10/28/2005)
I will be wearing my funeral socks Tuesday, and when I make it through Thursday, I’ll have lots to post about.
| Category: General, Site-Based Management | 1 Comment
Mrs. Zigzag, better known as Sleeping Cat, is an English Teacher. By default, this makes her writing infinitely better than my second grade b.s. She’s now gotsa blog… read it, chuckle, and tell her she’s a good writer. She also blogs more than the rest of us because she’s still in the “Wow, I really love writing about stuff! Yeah, STUFF!” stage of blogging. Go read her stuff. (Click on Mrs. Zigzag over there ——>)
It’s better than mine. And by better I mean she does not suck.
| Category: General, Unfortunately Serious | 0 Comments
They don’t tell you when it’s coming.
They don’t even give you warning.
One day you’re sitting and chatting with a friend, and the next day they’re gone.
Where did they go?
They’ve moved on, out, or to another plane of existence.
And it may be happening again.
****
Tim was a good teacher. He’d come to it late, one of those people who decided to give teaching a shot after 20 years of managing crappy restaurants. 20 years of crappy restaurant food can do a lot of bad things to your body. He had diabetes, which started to affect his eyes. He never complained, and he was always ready to go. He’d decided that dealing with unmotivated 19 year olds day in and day out was no way to live a life. So Tim went back to school, and started teaching. He taught for two years. He was the first teacher at Dr. Howard to offer help, and he was always quick with a smile, and an email forward. Five years later, I still have some of his forwards.
During winter break of 2000, Tim and I went to dinner; my first time to Texas Roadhouse. He was a secret shopper, so he always gift certificates for restaurants. He paid for dinner. A few days later, Tim went in for surgery to have work done on his eyes. During the operation, he went into cardiac arrest. He never came out.
I didn’t get to know him as well as I would have liked. Even so, there are days that I miss him.
*****
Greg was another great person. It’s been over a year, and everyone that knew him still misses him. He was always so positive, so friendly, up for anything. He’d come out with us on some Thursday nights, and played poker whenever he could. He was fun, and fit into any group. Sometimes you read tributes and think, “Everyone always says nice things about people about them after they’re gone,” but with Greg, we knew it was true before he was gone. He was killed by a driver high on narcotics, driving a car that didn’t have any breaks. Greg was 23. Again, I was just starting to get to know him, and then he was gone.
****
And now.
We have a teacher at our school who has been sick for a few years. This year she was able to start the year back in the classroom, but we could tell that she wasn’t her “normal” self. By all accounts from the veteran teachers in the building, she is a tremendous asset. My few interactions with her have been positive. Everything she has gone through, and she wants to take the time to get to know me. The first time I met her was last year at the Holiday Party. She was wearing a wig, and was happy to strike up a conversation with me. A few months before this, we had raised $18,000 last year during a silent auction (in one night!) on her behalf, such is her popularity to the commmunity (not to mention a tribute to her as a teacher). This year she’s taken over the enrichment program, and has the students working and learning about tremendous things. Two weeks ago, she started a new treatment. She’s now sick again, and I fear (and because I can’t go into it on a public forum) that she is not doing well. I feel so much frustration because there’s nothing I can do. I pray, I talk with colleagues, but I feel like an outsider looking in. Again. I don’t know her well enough to call a friend, but I know that if we were given the chance, we would be.
Where does it leave us?
It leaves us hoping that she will come out of it…
It leaves us hoping that prayers make a difference…
It leaves us hoping that this time, I will get to know this person, who is an example of what a good person is, and that she will NOT become one of them.
Not yet. Not again.
| Category: General, School Daze | 0 Comments
One of my colleagues was interviewed by her daughter (a senior in high school) this week. One of the questions she asked was, (and I’m paraphrasing) “What’s the best part about your job, and what’s the worst part about your job?” My colleague later told me that she responded very quickly:
“The kids.”
I totally agree. When it comes down to it, the paperwork, the hoops, the politics, and the cliques take backstage to what we’re here for: teaching kids how to learn, and giving them tools to make them life-long learners, while somehow managing to make it fun. I delight in it, and I am depressed by it. You give so much, get so much back, but the transfer of energies in between leaves you drained. I am fortunate enough to have teacher friends, and be married to an awesome teacher, so they understand the give-and-take that is the every day, grind-it-out, soul-cleansing experience that is teaching.
I see that Soapbox Tony is getting revved up, so I’ll cut him off right here with this anecdote, before he spends too much time on journalling today.
Yesterday, one of my students asked me the classic: “Do you know how to spell excellent? You do? Spell it.” To which I ingeniously replied, “I, t. That joke’s been around since I was in second grade.” Another second grader, with a smirk on her face (because she knew she was about to throw a zinger) said, “Wow, that joke must be REALLY old!” I was so proud of her for being that comfortable with me.
I love this job. Too bad I’m so old already that I’ll probably have to retire in three years.
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Ladies and gentlemen,
In the spirit of celebrating everything from ‘You tied your shoe! Buckeye!’ to ‘You said your /s/ sound right today, have a piece of candy!’, we here at the Ebjournal would like to take this 102nd post to celebrate the 100th post/page of the current incarnation of the site.
*AHEM*
I couldn’t have done it without the following people:
Me.
Stuck.
TLEMK, for laughing at my lame attempts at humor.
Everyone else who claims to read this malarky.
Me again.
| Category: General, EAT | 3 Comments
After seven weeks of ups and downs, after today’s “official” weigh-in, I am 45% towards my (first) goal. I have won the weigh-ins for the the last two, and all I have to say is this: I may miss wings and cheese fries, but I feel better about myself. I also like the fact that I’m not beating myself up over it too much– I make my workout schedule at the beginning of the week, and I stick to it.
Do I want to roll around in a pile of cheese fries? Yes, yes I do. Preferrably White Horse Cheese Fries, with Ranch in a Bottle.
I’m a little bit naughty everyday. I have something to keep me on feeling like I can eat like a human. Some startling statistics:
I have not eaten McDonald’s, or any other fast food (save Subway and Jimmy John’s; I had a salad at Portillo’s, A SALAD!) since Labor Day.
TLEMK and I are eating in. We’re cooking a lot, and I feel full at home. This is also saving money, and not wasting the food in the fridge.
I’ve brought my lunch to school everyday, and eaten it, except for the day we went to Portillo’s (for muthatruckin’ SALAD!!)
Now, camping was a setback, and I haven’t had time to workout this week as much as I’ve wanted. But, I still managed to get in three workouts, including today’s workout and 12 holes of golf (Walking. For the record, I still suck at golf.) This week will be a challenge as well (two meetings and grad school) but I’m getting into a routine. I will keep at it. I hope that I make it by Thanksgiving, because the holiday season is going to be an extra challenge. Thanks for letting me talk, Internet. I promise to return to funny soon.
(What if I’ve already peaked as funny? What if this is as funny as I get? 
The horror, the horror.)
Goodnight.
| Category: General, Entertainment Tonight | 0 Comments
As Belle already mentioned, Great America during Fright Fest is certainly a challenge in all aspects. Don’t get me wrong, I mean, 3 rides in 7.5 hours is great and all , but I have a season pass so it didn’t bother me as much as it would, say, someone who had to walk up and buy tickets. And wait in the line for tickets! And then wait in the line to get into the park! And, then, if you’re the XX, the line for the bathroom!
Only then, friends, can you then get in line and wait for three hours for Superman. Please don’t innundate me with comments that I don’t have to wait in the line, but when you expect two hours, and suddenly you’re committed, it’s hard to walk out of line, knowing that you’re going to have to wait in another line for at least as long as you’ve been waiting in this current line.
Whew. It makes me tired just thinking about it.
I didn’t see the sign that Belle mentioned about telling people to stay away, but since we got there at 3:00, and they were out of regular parking (we parked on the street, behind the Eagle… another one of the rides we actually WENT on) I can totally believe it said “Stay Away.”
It’s a shame, because Fright Fest is really neat. The people that wander around is scary costumes do a great job of sneaking up on unsuspecting teenage girls, and scaring the bejesus out of them. Of course, I’m not mentioning the fact that the three ladies I was with were pretty much scared the entire time, looking over their shoulder for the next Buffy-esques vampire to come lurking. The make-up looks like it took hours, and the drama-queen wannabes do a terrific job of staying in character. And when it gets dark, even burly men like me are keeping an eye out. However, I had nothing to worry about, because there were so many people in the crowds that the people dressed up were hard to find, and certainly not looking for me to scare.
Anyway, Great America on Fright Fest on a beautiful fall afternoon; not so great. Maybe a Friday or a Sunday would be better. I know that I’ll wait ’til next year to find out.
| Category: General, Entertainment Tonight, Exploring | 0 Comments
Lord, three days makes for great relaxation.
This is not a funny ebjournal entry. It is designed to preserve memories. Maybe I’ll be funny next week, but probably I’ll only succeed in making you chuckle, or groan.
This weekend, several buddies, family members, and assorted hangers-on joined TLEMK and I at Kettle Moraine’s Ottawa Lake Campground, near Eagle, WI.
For three nights, we sat around a campfire. I learned how to chop wood with a hatchet (Thanks, Waj, for the technique pointers), I learned that hiking is fun, and I learned that Catchphrase (the game) can net you a visit from park rangers.
After loading the car up Thursday night, we left promptly afterschool on Friday, and got to endure the lovely traffic of Rand Road at rush hour. 2 hours later we pulled into our campsite. The Jo’s were already there, setting up their tent. As the night wore on, the WAJ’s, Mr. McCurtis, the Snow lady, Kenny, and Stuck rolled in. Highlights included sitting at the fire, drinking around the fire, and getting takeout from the Coyote Canyon because we didn’t stop on the way up. Good times. The temperature dropped to at least 37 degrees F, and Kenny’s car warned us that conditions might be icy. After donning approimately 3.1415759 layers of clothing, and my Bears cap, I felt almost ready to take on the night. We chitchatted until about midnight, and then went to shiver in our tents. Mmm, tent camping. Between the bedroll, sleeping bag, comforter, and SmartWool(tm) socks, it really wasn’t that bad.
Saturday brought a long day o’ fun.
We started the day off we tasty McCurtis specials, and hot chocolate. (A McCurtis is an English muffin, buttered, with bacon (buttered), sausage patty (also buttered), egg (cooked in bacon grease) and topped off with cheese from the USA. The key to the McCurtis is in the delivery. Once it comes off the camp stove, and is assembled, it’s handed to you in a paper plate, which is folded. It makes a big diffeence, that’s for sure. You then have to wait for at five minutes, or deal with the Burning Effect of the Sauasage Patty.)
After breakfast, we headed for the trails. We did a little over five miles over different types of terrain. I agree with Kenny, in that we went a little too fast, not because I’m out of shape, but that I missed a lot of the scenery. AND I’m out of shape. We stopped for a picnic about halfway through, and then came back on the Ice Age trail. It was a great walk. Stuck will be posting pictures soon, right Stuck?
The Jo’s left, and the Zigzags and the Tylers showed up, along with Dev and Christie.
At this point, we started foraging for dead wood to add to the fire. Since we found big chunks of trees, we got to chop wood. Having never chopped wood, I must say gentle readers, that I am not a natural. In fact, I suck at it. But with a little help from my friends, I sucked less.
Saturday afternoon and evening consisted of chili, beer, hot dogs, whiskey, whiskey, and wait for it, whiskey. We also played Catchphrase, a game similar to Taboo (crossed with Hot Potato), where people yell things out, and then pass the catchphrase frisbee to the other team. After 40 minutes of raucous playing, a park ranger, younger than ANY of us, came in and chided us for “being able to hear you halfway across the campsite”. This I believe because it was quite possibly the quietest campground ever, and sound carried very well. So then we continued to stare at the campfire, and drink.
Sunday was lazy day at the camp. We sat, ate way too much, read, and basically enjoyed the weather, the fire, and the eating. Did I mention the snacks? So tasty.
All in all, a terrific weekend. Sitting and letting go of school, and grad school was a wonderful way to recharge for the push that is October, November, and December. I need to post pictures… someday.
Now, time to get back to work. Talk to you all soon!
| Category: General, School Daze | 3 Comments
WARNING:
The following story is NOT for people who are disgusted by potty humor. So, again, you have been warned.
Yesterday, as I was attempting to teach a lesson on phonics, and making connections in your schema, one of my fine young gentlemen got up and headed for the door. Unperturbed, because students are allowed to use the restroom as necessary, I paid him no heed.
Oh, the heed I should have paid. He made it to the back table, where the linoleum starts, and then, because I wasn’t watching, all I heard was splash. You know, the throwing-out-the-last-bit-of-water-out-of-the-bucket-splash.
Of COURSE that just happened.
And then I know. We’ve got a puker. I did not panic. I said, “It’s okay, _____. Are you done? Go to the bathroom and make sure.” He got two more steps, but because he is in many ways smarter than me, took a detour for the garbage can. Not even the recycling can, which was taller, and closer, but the garbage can. Now THAT’S presence of mind, let me tell you. A few more throat spasms and spit, and I told him to head to the bathroom to rinse off (he’s wearing it now, too. 
) I move to the phone by my desk (one of those “perks“– having a phone in the classroom) and call the office. All I have to say, LITERALLY, was “Clean up in Aisle Five.” She responded, “Okay, we’ll send Mr. Steve down.” People, that’s service. In case you’re wondering, no, I do not have a stomach of steel, but the thought of me throwing up because I saw my little cherub doing it would have ruined my chances with this class for the rest of the year. And bless them, the kids did not break out in a riot. They did not start yelling out “Gross, ewww, cool!” or anything like that. They stayed focused. So maybe they are starting to come around.
Then the smell hit them, and they had to plug their noses, and I had to attempt to teach the lesson to keep their minds off of the Jackson Pollack on my linoleum. I open the window, and now that fall’s arrived, and it’s 9:30am, it’s cold. So, I can’t win. Mr. Steve arrives a few minutes later, and starts the cleanup process. Because of bodily fluid regulations, it’s a very involved process. First comes the bleach and mop, then the lysol disinfectant for the chairs and counter the path of destruction laid waste to, and the finally, the vacuum. Not the regular, but the full-blown, shampooing, industrial jet-engine cleaner. We share a grin, and I tell him, “Go ahead. Ladies and gentlemen, can you ignore Mr. Steve?”
YEEEEEEESSSSS.
“Ok, then pay no attention to the shrieking you are about to hear.” And then it was loud for the next ten minutes as we went through the first chunk-sucking process, then the shampooing, then the rinsing. The kids tried hard, but for some reason, THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. Could it have been:
a) The trauma of seeing a well-liked classmate turn into a volcano, spewing volatile chunks everywhere?
b) The aftermath stench? (A little like over-cooked Cheetos)
c) The freezing toes and shivering arms from opening the windows to combat b)?
OR
d) The DC-10 of a vacuum landing in the back of our room?
So, I was a little frustrated, and since Lucky Me! it was new material and a new concept, I had to go over it again. Eventually, we got back on track, and the students did fine, but it was definitely touch-and-go for a minute there.
And then, I kid you not, we got to go take a standardized test in the computer lab. For forty-five minutes. (In case you’re wondering, that’s a long time for your average 7.4 year old.) The students had never taken this particular test. I’m guessing their mindset wasn’t especially locked-in, but I digress.
So THAT, ladies and gentle peeps, was my Friday.
Again, though, props to most of those kids for sticking through that. Most adults would have been throwing a hissy fit. The cherubs won me over a lot with their performance.
When I need more material, I’ll tell you an even worse potty humor story. Stay tuned!
