My Kind of Teacher

At the website, "The Friendly Atheist", I found a great example of a great teacher, even if he is an athiest...did he mention he's friendly? Hemant Mehta is also a math teacher and this is what he found on one of the tests he was grading this week. The ol' Elephant Excuse. Pretty clever.

So, how does an educator of our youth respond to such a a feeble attempt at avoiding the question? Well, "If you're going to throw a Hail Mary Pachyderm on your final exam, you damn well best get your artwork correct." My admiration for this type of teacher is exponential!

It's Official

Without a doubt, my life has turned a corner. On this day, my oldest child got his driver's license, discussed dating, and turned 16 years old all on the same day. It was only after this had all taken place that I think that the message got through my thick skull. My biological purpose is almost complete and it's in this realization that I've come to understand that my life to a certain degree has become that of a spectator. I am now completely secondary to what is happening around me. It is no longer 'I got my driver's license', 'I got married', or 'I gave birth to a child'. It is now, 'My son got his driver's license', 'My son is in high school', or 'My son has a crush'.

So, I guess as I enter this new stage in my life I will have two choices. Either I can do it gracefully or I can do it kicking and screaming. I've never really been very graceful...

Bad Timing

Obama really needs to consider getting some new advisers. The day after the news about Tiger's affair broke we got the latest edition of Golf Digest with Obama and Tiger on the cover. Uhhh, kinda awkward. In turning to page 76 I read the subheading, 'What President Obama could learn from Tiger Woods-and vice versa.

Here's the run-down:

10 Things Obama Might Learn from Tiger

1.   The Quick Recovery
2.   The Cold Ferocity
3.   How to Step On Their Necks
4.   The Trouble With Compromise
5.   The Value of a Few 'Majors'
6.   Controlling the Message and Spending
7.   The Swing Change
8.   Clothes the Deal
9.   You've Got to Deliver
10. The Danger of Looking Ridiculous

10 Things Tiger Might Learn from Obama

1.   Lighten Up
2.   The Art of Grace
3.   Crush Your Foes, Not Your Fans
4.   Save Some for the Losers
5.   Dial It Back a Little
6.   Less Robot, More Warmth
7.   At Least Look Like You're Having Fun
8.   Sharing a Personal Moment
9.   A Trio of Essential Moves for Tiger (Dance move references)
10. Keep Your Day Job

The way I see it, I think both of these men have issues with the very things the magazine thinks of as their strengths. If you'd like an example just see #10 on Tigers. I think in light of recent events you understand how this is not as true as we'd like to think. Also, #7 on Obama's list is kind of funny when you think about how much fun Tiger was actually having. All in all these two are both suffering in the opinion polls. My advice? They need to both take a look at a different role-model. The one I'd recommend is John Daly. Now, that guy is real.

Buckle Up Buttercup!

I constantly see people driving around with dogs loose on their lap or in their car. I am assuming that they love their pets dearly, so dearly in fact, that they'd risk the animal's life and possibly the life of others in order to enjoy their pet, even while driving. Now, correct me if I'm wrong but there are laws requiring adults to secure not only their children, but themselves as well. Why would this not apply to people's pets? Thirty years ago an elderly neighbor was driving down the road when his little dog got down on the floor and got entwined in his feet. This caused him to slam his foot into the gas peddle and, then in turn, slam into our mailbox. Living in a rural part of town, we had cemented our mailbox deep into the ground so as a result, he really messed up his car. Now, if we or someone else had been walking alongside the road or checking our mail, it would have been a little bit more involved than replacing a mailbox and making a claim on his car insurance. People, it is not cute, it's not even a good idea...secure you're pet. So, even if your dog's name is not Buttercup...buckle up!

Do They Really Need One?

The first cell phones were not necessarily a convenience. They were not readily available to the public let alone children. Times have changed though. Super computers no longer need an entire room to function and cell phones no longer require you to use both hands to dial. Times they are a changing and fast! So, by the mere essence of this post, I am dating myself when I say that I do not understand why teens view cell phones as a right.

A friend of mine has a son who does not have a job, potential prospects for a job, nor any immediate plans to get one but he does have a cell phone. In fact, he has a very nice cell phone. So nice that in a room full of adults it was the fanciest one there. When asked how much his service costs per month, he very matter of fact stated that it was around $76! Okay, lets get this straight, for 12 months this comes to $912. Let's then consider that for a standard 2-year contract this will amount to $1824!! This is more than what my car is worth. Yet, for this teen it is not a luxury but a necessity and somehow he convinced his mother of this? I do admit that there are fewer and fewer payphones around but guess what? For every 10 people you ask, 8 of them are sure to have a cell phone!

The Collective Moan

History was written on Friday, November 20, 2009, when 20, 30, and 40 something women everywhere sighed a collective moan. The room was dark, sitting elbow to elbow, each anxiously anticipating the moment. Then the moment came. In wicked fast motion that seemed to make time stop, Jacob did it. He took off his shirt. He took off his shirt to care for Bella's bleeding forehead. With no thought of himself, he shed his t-shirt with only the intention of caring for her and in doing so he caused (most) women everywhere, regardless of age, to swoon.

I will deny a similar reaction on my part until the day I die. I was simply an observer at that point and took notice. There is something sorta creepy about the whole thing. Yes, Jacob is gorgeous and is an example of perfection in the male species but when you have a son that is the same age of that character... yeah, gross.

I Have To Ask...Yes Ma'am

At the library where I work, I am available at the information desk for most of my shift. Inevitably, people come up asking to use our computer lab. Great, no problem, certainly, BUT I have to ask if you are over 18 years of age. This is simple for the most part and very logical because our internet is not filtered and minors need the permission of their parents before going any further.

As a side note, we do not allow people to look at pornography or anything along those lines since it is a public place, and yes, I have had to ask a gentleman to leave for that reason. When he was asked to leave because of the content he was looking at (pornography involving young girls) he acted like he couldn't understand what the problem was. Did I mention that he is/was a substitute teacher at the local high school? Did I also mention that his privacy is protected by law? I believe it is protected under the 4th Amendment which covers the privacy of personal property and your use of the library is an extension of that.


Now, getting back to the point I was originally going to make. For people under the age of 18, they must have a parent signature before gaining access to our unfiltered internet. So, anytime their age is questionable, we have to ask for ID showing that they are over 18 yrs old.

Well, it is not normally an issue for me to ask people this question but I knew as soon as he spoke that he would be over 18 although he did not look over 18 and the reason for this was the language he used. He was one of those young men who are overly polite with the "Yes, ma'am" this and "Yes, ma'am" that...yep, military kid. The reason I am so uncomfortable with this particular scenario is that I have to ask this person, who has pledged to defend his country and her people, even to the death, if they are old enough to use an unfiltered internet. Do you see the 'wrongness' in this?

Perhaps I am overly sensitive to it right now because my oldest is about to turn 16 years old and I can not imagine putting him in a position where he would be expected to defend life and liberty. The world and its' wars are such a sad thing. When I think of George Bernard Shaw's famous quote, "Youth is wasted on the young." I have to disagree and think what a terrible thing it is that the youth of our young is wasted on the wars of their seniors.

I will also mention that I fully support our troops and pray for their safety but I have to agree with Ernest Hemingway when he said, "They wrote in the old days that it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country. But in modern war, there is nothing sweet nor fitting in your dying. You will die like a dog for no good reason."

Break Free!

Okay people, the weekend is almost here and it is my sincerest hope that you have a good book by your bed and a fun song on your ipod, stereo, or radio thingy. Then, I want you to remember that no matter how old and sold out to the man you get, don't ever forget to break loose and have some fun once in awhile. To prove my point, just watch the lady who decides not to participate. It's your choice; joy and happiness or boredom and annoyance.

How Do You Spell Dumb Ass?

Here's how I spell dumb ass; parents who take their sick, infected children to every public spot they possibly can before they lose their effectiveness as an infective agent of swine flu or the more politically correct, H1N1.

Today in the news there have been stories everywhere about parents actually hosting "pox parties" for the swine flu. Now, if you're not familiar with what pox parties are, they're actually an interesting bit of history.

Of course, experts are discouraging parents from participating in such "foolishness". I must concur, you really don't need to organize a party to accomplish infection. Just go to your local Safeway, don't wipe down the cart, and encourage your children to lick their hands. Very simple really.

My recommendation during this time of madness is to curl up with a good book or two. Here are some that won't really help take your mind off this "pandemic" but they are interesting nonetheless.

Going Tribal

This morning we took a "field trip" to go see a matinee of Where the Wild Things Are. We all enjoyed it and towards the end as I was double pumping my fists because I had made it through without shedding any tears, they slammed me with a one-two punch. Ouch! But so touching...mom's are a sucker for this kind of thing. So, as I thought about how I would share this movie I thought it would be fun to play word association (I do take the liberty of using two words occasionally). Here we go!

Intro = Little Turd!
Max = Adorable
Behavior = Therapy
Cracks = Double Recracker
Chicken = Prothsesis
Bob = Terry
Billy Goat = Hilarious/Gay?
Location = Gorgeous
Carol = What?
Music = Fun

So there you have it. I hope it stirs your interest and you consider checking it out. I will mention that the movie moves along smoothly on a superficial level but also supports a 'heavier' underlying storyline that the parents will pick up on. There are definitely intense scenes of potential peril for our little actor, a dog, and the monsters but I will assume that they had green screens and stunt men. I just had to take lots of deep breaths with wide eyes and enjoyed the movie on both levels.

What Is Happening to Our Country?

Stupid Human Trick

It's not really a trick they perform but there are some that claim Americans are getting dumber by the minute and when I drive, I would have to agree. There is one thing that drives me nuts and that is when loving pet owners drive and operate a car with an animal, usually a small dog, on their lap. More specifically, right in their crotch. Come on! There are laws that require adults to not only buckle up but to secure stray children as well. Why would this not apply to animals?

I think if dogs were the ones driving the car they'd secure us. Sometimes animals are smarter and more compassionate than humans. If you don't agree then check out this video and pictures below.

Prophetic Cartoon

Imagine Americans signing away their freedoms...not us, we're too smart for that. Or are we?

Only One Way to Say It!

If I had been there, I would have stood up and cheered for this real American too. Someone who still believes in his or her God given rights to not only stand up and be heard but to stand up for what's right. There are more of us out there than some might think. Basically, there is only one way to say it, this guy kicks ASS!

Tommy Thompson Trail Burns

On the way to work yesterday I saw a huge plume of smoke out past Bayview. Sadly, come to find out it was the Tommy Thompson trestle where my family and I enjoyed a beautiful summer walk/ride this past summer. Hopefully the damage is not too extensive and it can be repaired sooner than later. God only knows how it was started. 
Below is a picture from better days...

Anacortes Afternoon

Our family recently checked out the Tommy Thompson Trail in Anacortes and had a great time. Beautiful weather and a nice trail made for a lovely afternoon. Despite Steve injuring a toe prior to going, we made the approximately 6 mile trek by both walking and longboarding. It was a lot of fun!

Skagit County Fair 2009

The boys and I went to the fair this year with their Grandpa Don. Hubby had to work so we made a go of it. The fair sucked. I apologize for the graphic descriptor but it is an accurate one, especially when you compare it to our experiences at the Lynden Fair (awesome!). Despite the sucking of this fair, we still had a good time. We got to see  a band called Fortune 500, had a good elephant ear, and of course, Elvis!

Love Does Rule

lenny kravitz - let love rule
Uploaded by aquarius3. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Looks Like It Might Make You Think

There is a new movie trailer that looked very intriguing.

Gotta Like It

Saw a bumper sticker the other day that I really enjoyed.