For only the second time in close to 4 years, I saw a movie in the theater. The first one was 'Dan in Real Life' and it was a waste of theater space. Today, however, I saw the new Transformers movie and it was awesome. I thought the first one was really good, but didn't have enough with the robots. This one made up for it and I have to say, Optimus Prime kicks ass! I won't say anything else; just go see it.
I decided a few days ago not to do summer tutoring. I had a list of six kids who needed 30 hours of math tutoring to avoid repeating the same grade next year. I decided on a reasonable rate to charge and started contacting parents to get it set up. The first number that had been given to the school was no longer in service. Somebody didn't really want the school contacting them. The second parent went off on a mini-rant saying that her child messed around all year long and would have to repeat 7th grade all over again. The third parent informed me that he already set it up with somebody else, but asked what I was charging. I told him and he proceeded to give me a hard time because the other tutor was charging less and why should he go with me when he could get the same hours for less money. I said that I was merely trying to provide a service. At that point, I decided that this was no longer worth my time and I've felt a little bit happier ever since.
Now if we could just get our daughter to do what the swim instructor asks...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Shenanigans!
Borders and their minion Waldenbooks have irked me. That's right - irked. I don't particularly like Waldenbooks in general because the selection is lousy. If I want them to order a book and have it sent to me, I'll go to Amazon and get a better price. The staff, in my experience, while nice and earnest, is not very knowledgeable of the books they stock. Perhaps it's the categorization system they use and all of the other miscellaneous places that books can be displayed, but they can never find anything. Last week I asked if they had a particular book. The woman helping me looked it up in the computer and told me that the computer told her that they might have it. What kind of system is that? What kind of inventory system gives book statuses as might be in stock? Do they have other statuses such as likely in stock, not likely but not impossible, or even probably, but I'm not going to tell you where? Well today, they pushed me over the edge. I get the weekly coupons from Borders which work at Waldenbooks. One of the coupons was worth $2 off of a fiction book. I took a book and the coupon to checkout and the lady at the counter said that I had a Fantasy book; the coupon is only good for fiction. I won't even go into how many responses went through my head in the next second. She seemed like a nice old lady, so I only said that fantasy is fiction. She said the book had to come from the fiction section. I'm giving Waldenbooks the benefit of the doubt here. I assume that they don't actually think that all of the sub-genres of fiction aren't actually fiction. I've read some pretty interesting stuff with a very strong leaning towards sci-fi and fantasy and I would be a bit worried if it weren't actually fiction - no matter how cool some of it is. Waldenbooks, you just continued to disappoint me, but Borders, you have taken a huge step back that took me close to five years to be willing to go back into one of your stores again. Granted, that was because you were half an hour closer than Barnes and Noble, but I say this to you now. I am looking forward to the Barnes and Noble opening locally in 2010.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Back in Action - Volleyball Style
Tonight is the first night of summer volleyball this year. I'm still not sure that doubles is my favorite, but I am sure that I prefer sand to grass. That aside, it's still fun because it's still volleyball. Each year we start off really strong, stumble into the playoffs in the upper-mid section or lower-high section of the standings. Then we knock off a higher level team, but can't get any farther. One thing I'm not looking forward to is tomorrow. The day after the first set of matches (we play 2 or three matches in a night). Two years ago I could barely move. Last year was better. I'm hoping that the weight loss and somewhat better conditioning will help, but those muscles that I just don't use outside of volleyball are going to be yelling at me tomorrow.
It feels so good to be out of school. I'm working the lazy out so that in a week or two I can get down to getting things done. Until then, I'm content to do very little. The one thing getting in the way of my sloth is the naming ceremony we have coming up next Saturday for our little guy. Keeping the house orderly with two kids, two cats, and a dog is not that easy. But it should be fun.
Ok, here's something that's been bugging me for a while now. Pennsylvania is becoming more and more smoke-free. I am very happy about that. But the thing that I've been noticing is the way in which employees of food-related establishments smoke. It's becoming more and more obvious. A couple years ago I was in the Lycoming mall and we ate at the pizza/Italian place there. I looked back and saw a guy smoking in the kitchen. That kitchen was not very hidden and he didn't seem to be trying to hide it at all. On top of that, I noticed that he was the same person who took our order and he had on something that designated him as the employee of the month. Suffice to say that I never have or will eat there again. The grocery stores around here have tables for their employees to take breaks on in front of the store. No problem there, but guess what these employees are doing on those tables in front of the store near the entrances. You got it - smoking! It gives me a deep feeling of disgust when I see the person who was cutting my lunch meat or bagging my groceries sucking on a cigarette. I've watched them as they go back into the store, and often they go right back to their stations without even washing their hands. These people are handling my foodstuffs? I don't know why smokers feel that they are entitled to do whatever they want. Aren't they getting the message that (slowly) society is realizing how disgusting that habit is and how dangerous it is for other people? Can you imagine telling your boss that you need to take a break to satisfy some drug habit other than tobacco? Then tell the boss that you are going to do this in front of the store where all of the customers can see (and partially participate in) your activity. At least I can go into most restaurants in the state and not have to worry about inhaling smoke that came from inside somebody else's body entering mine. It's a start.
Game 7 Friday. Go Red Wings!
It feels so good to be out of school. I'm working the lazy out so that in a week or two I can get down to getting things done. Until then, I'm content to do very little. The one thing getting in the way of my sloth is the naming ceremony we have coming up next Saturday for our little guy. Keeping the house orderly with two kids, two cats, and a dog is not that easy. But it should be fun.
Ok, here's something that's been bugging me for a while now. Pennsylvania is becoming more and more smoke-free. I am very happy about that. But the thing that I've been noticing is the way in which employees of food-related establishments smoke. It's becoming more and more obvious. A couple years ago I was in the Lycoming mall and we ate at the pizza/Italian place there. I looked back and saw a guy smoking in the kitchen. That kitchen was not very hidden and he didn't seem to be trying to hide it at all. On top of that, I noticed that he was the same person who took our order and he had on something that designated him as the employee of the month. Suffice to say that I never have or will eat there again. The grocery stores around here have tables for their employees to take breaks on in front of the store. No problem there, but guess what these employees are doing on those tables in front of the store near the entrances. You got it - smoking! It gives me a deep feeling of disgust when I see the person who was cutting my lunch meat or bagging my groceries sucking on a cigarette. I've watched them as they go back into the store, and often they go right back to their stations without even washing their hands. These people are handling my foodstuffs? I don't know why smokers feel that they are entitled to do whatever they want. Aren't they getting the message that (slowly) society is realizing how disgusting that habit is and how dangerous it is for other people? Can you imagine telling your boss that you need to take a break to satisfy some drug habit other than tobacco? Then tell the boss that you are going to do this in front of the store where all of the customers can see (and partially participate in) your activity. At least I can go into most restaurants in the state and not have to worry about inhaling smoke that came from inside somebody else's body entering mine. It's a start.
Game 7 Friday. Go Red Wings!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
It's finally over
The hardest year I've had teaching is finally over. The kids left the building at noon on Friday and didn't look back. I'm taking time this summer to revise the way I teach. My classroom is getting a Classrooms For the Future makeover this summer and it's the perfect opportunity to put new life into my courses. I'm getting a Prometheus Board (similar in function to Smart board), projector, and laptop. I'm still holding out hope for a document camera, but we'll see what happens. The laptop also means that I'll have a computer to use at home that runs an OS newer than Windows 98!
Here at home, I'm a little ashamed to say it, but I think we are getting a gas grill. Actually, I'm more than a little ashamed. It's not even grilling. It's really just an upside down gas broiler. But in life, compromises must be made. If I want to continue cooking outdoors, I need to reduce the time commitment that using charcoal requires. Once the kids are older, things may change.
Here at home, I'm a little ashamed to say it, but I think we are getting a gas grill. Actually, I'm more than a little ashamed. It's not even grilling. It's really just an upside down gas broiler. But in life, compromises must be made. If I want to continue cooking outdoors, I need to reduce the time commitment that using charcoal requires. Once the kids are older, things may change.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Ambushing the Ambusher
I just got a call from the NRA. I'm pretty ambivalent about gun control. I don't think it's a conspiracy to ensure that the American populace cannot protect itself against a totalitarian regime emerging from our present or future leaders and I have a reasonable understanding of what the spirit of the 2nd amendment most likely was. That said, I just had one of the most fun 14 minutes on a phone that I've ever had, and I hate talking on the phone. I just finished giving a test to three of my classes that included basic methodology for surveys. Keep this in mind. The call started off asking me to listen to somebody from the NRA giving a "reasonable" description of some new gun control legislation that is going through the channels. After hearing a thinly disguised rant, someone comes on to ask me the survey. The guy asks, "Do you trust congress to protect your 2nd amendment right?" I answered that I do and was met by a long pause, followed by an incredulous, "You do? You trust congress to protect your rights?" I repeated my answer and the guy started thanking me for taking the survey and was about to hang up when I decided to have some fun.
I mentioned how difficult it would be to actually take away the 2nd amendment right because of the long arduous process it takes to change/repeal an amendment. He very slowly agreed. I then asked if he was in favor of the system that requires that we license drivers so they know the rules associated with operating a motor vehicle. He said he did. I then asked if it made sense to him that we require this for people operating cars, but not for people operating machines that are meant to kill. He said that he guessed not. At this point (I think I was channeling Socrates...where's my hemlock?), I asked him what about the bill the NRA was opposed to. No response. At various times I had to say, "Hello?" He would always say that he was there, I would repeat my question, and he often sat silently again and we'd repeat the whole process. At no point could he come up with something specific that the NRA was opposed to in the bill. I tried to explain that I didn't see what they were opposed to from the information given and that I'd like to know more if I was missing something. I figured he would jump at the chance to proselytize me, but I was met with silence.
At this point, I decided to give him a break (heh heh heh) and I asked about the methodology of the survey. I asked if people ever answered in the affirmative after listening to the spiel. He said people didn't trust the government. I replied that was because the sample they were getting was self-selected, voluntary. People who agree with the position already are going to sit through the minute mini-rant to voice their opinion, but people who didn't wouldn't want to waste their time listening to a prerecorded message, so the sample of the population was biased. On top of that, the question itself was biased. Asking if you trusted congress to protect your rights is a biased question. It suggests that you answer, "No." All of these points were followed by even more silence. I then asked what the NRA was going to do with this "data" they were collecting. When he finally answered, instead of just being silent, he said they just wanted to know.
This is when a very loud, intermittent beep began and he said he had another call coming in. I reminded him that he called me, but he said they were still taking calls. I again, because I do want to be well-informed, asked what exactly the NRA was opposed to in the bill. After another beep, he thanked me for participating in the survey and hung up.
That was fun.
I mentioned how difficult it would be to actually take away the 2nd amendment right because of the long arduous process it takes to change/repeal an amendment. He very slowly agreed. I then asked if he was in favor of the system that requires that we license drivers so they know the rules associated with operating a motor vehicle. He said he did. I then asked if it made sense to him that we require this for people operating cars, but not for people operating machines that are meant to kill. He said that he guessed not. At this point (I think I was channeling Socrates...where's my hemlock?), I asked him what about the bill the NRA was opposed to. No response. At various times I had to say, "Hello?" He would always say that he was there, I would repeat my question, and he often sat silently again and we'd repeat the whole process. At no point could he come up with something specific that the NRA was opposed to in the bill. I tried to explain that I didn't see what they were opposed to from the information given and that I'd like to know more if I was missing something. I figured he would jump at the chance to proselytize me, but I was met with silence.
At this point, I decided to give him a break (heh heh heh) and I asked about the methodology of the survey. I asked if people ever answered in the affirmative after listening to the spiel. He said people didn't trust the government. I replied that was because the sample they were getting was self-selected, voluntary. People who agree with the position already are going to sit through the minute mini-rant to voice their opinion, but people who didn't wouldn't want to waste their time listening to a prerecorded message, so the sample of the population was biased. On top of that, the question itself was biased. Asking if you trusted congress to protect your rights is a biased question. It suggests that you answer, "No." All of these points were followed by even more silence. I then asked what the NRA was going to do with this "data" they were collecting. When he finally answered, instead of just being silent, he said they just wanted to know.
This is when a very loud, intermittent beep began and he said he had another call coming in. I reminded him that he called me, but he said they were still taking calls. I again, because I do want to be well-informed, asked what exactly the NRA was opposed to in the bill. After another beep, he thanked me for participating in the survey and hung up.
That was fun.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Red Wings Rising
They had me worried after games 2 and 3, but after the last two games, I'm feeling good about Detroit. So far, after 9 games, I've seen one, last Sunday's loss in triple overtime. These games need to get on a station I can get (stupid cable company putting VS on digital only tier). Anyway, hopefully the Wings will put the Ducks away Tuesday and move on to the conference finals!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Sick Day
I'm home today. I am not sick, but my daughter is. After a weekend of bad coughing and one day home from daycare, the doctor diagnosed her with an ear infection and bronchitis. Yesterday was an epic battle of wills. You see, my daughter does not like medicine. It's not necessarily the taste, because she doesn't even know what it tastes like. It seems to be more the concept of medicine to which she is resistant. I called home during lunch to hear her screaming for me to give her the medicine instead of mommy. I know how this game goes. As soon as I get home, she doesn't want me to give her the medicine anymore. She's too clever for a three-year-old and I'm getting afraid of the teenage years already. I got home and she still hadn't taken her medicine. I came home with many different bribes (nutty bars, chocolate milk, donuts). Bribes don't really work because she has such a strong will that she is willing to forgo these treats to make her point. Reverse psychology doesn't work either. She is a master at managing cognitive dissonance. She has no problem stating one desire and then denying its very existence with her next breath, as long as it makes her point. The key to dealing with her is somehow working out what we want to end up as her idea. She eventually started saying that she wanted the medicine in bed in a cup. I said we couldn't do that. Then she really started to want it, so I said we could try it. We put the medicine in a sippy cup, took her upstairs, and she drank it.
As she was throwing a fit this morning because we wouldn't let her drink chocolate milk in an open cup next to the computer, she started screaming that she wanted more medicine. She definitely keeps us on her toes.
Today is a well-timed break. My students are driving me crazy. I cannot believe how mean they are. There is absolutely no empathy whatsoever. I would not want to be on an island with them. It would end up like Lord of the Flies or Battle Royale (which is an awesome book by the way). I know it's the end of the year, but the trends I've been seeing, just in the last three years are not promising. Of course there are some great kids, but even the best can resist only so long. Some of the elements in my classes are so toxic that they infect everybody. 20 days left!
As she was throwing a fit this morning because we wouldn't let her drink chocolate milk in an open cup next to the computer, she started screaming that she wanted more medicine. She definitely keeps us on her toes.
Today is a well-timed break. My students are driving me crazy. I cannot believe how mean they are. There is absolutely no empathy whatsoever. I would not want to be on an island with them. It would end up like Lord of the Flies or Battle Royale (which is an awesome book by the way). I know it's the end of the year, but the trends I've been seeing, just in the last three years are not promising. Of course there are some great kids, but even the best can resist only so long. Some of the elements in my classes are so toxic that they infect everybody. 20 days left!
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