More volleyball and wool socks

Started a new volleyball league last night. It's been a long time since I played 6's, especially with a full team. It's been even longer since I played on a a gym floor (note to self - need to dive less). That being said, last night was a lot of fun. It helped that we won all four games. This will be a good cross-training activity to give the short-twitchers a jump start and give me some speed back when I run.

I finally got some new running shoes. It's been three years since I bought my last pair, but I have to confess that I didn't really use them until this past January. Our local store closed down and I'm boycotting Dick's Sporting Goods, so I went on a search for another local running store. I found one, but it's 45 minutes away. If you are in the area, check them out. It's Elite Feet in Montoursville. They were very helpful, but I think I may have gotten the shoes a little too big. I'm not sure. The last pair was a little too snug, so it may just be a reaction to actually having some room in the toe box. I also wore my new socks, my first pair of wool running socks (Smart Wool to be specific). The guy at the store said I would be amazed at the difference between them and cotton socks. I have to agree, they did feel pretty good. The only problem is I only have one pair.

Today was the first full day of Autumn and we reached 84 degrees in my classroom. We got an email on Monday saying the AC would be off for the week. Anything above 75 and it gets difficult for anyone to concentrate in a classroom. We were spoiled up to this point. The new system put in over the summer (or fixed or whatever...it worked) kept the temperature in my room below 72, often below 70. It was really nice. Today, not so nice.

A new year, a new outlook

Tomorrow I'll be finishing my 3rd week of the new school year. By this time last year, I had pinpointed with laser-like accuracy who the major a******s were going to be (I take pride in an uncanny early detection system that seems to cut through a b******t facade faster than most others). So far, I am not detecting any. Sure, there are some squirrels and some who will be followed by a plethora of people in the south saying, "Bless their heart," but I don't think anyone is going to be be an enemy combatant. This year is looking good.

That's my initial reaction, but it could also be the fact that I'm playing with my new toys every day in the classroom. I got my smartboard (actually it's an Eno board), projector, and laptop - no more running Windows 98 at home anymore. Now I have a Mobi which is a handheld, portable, and wireless device that lets me control the Eno board from anywhere in the room! It is so cool and so much fun. I can stand right behind a talkative student and put notes on the board from there. I can stand in the back, write on the board, and watch what everyone is doing. They have their backs to me instead of the other way around! Even with new expectations placed on us including looming intercession from the state if test scores don't go up, I am having fun. I hope to carry this through the whole year.