Just a few minutes before it was expected to lift off, NASA delayed the shuttle launch yet again. Thunderstorms in the area made it too dangerous to send the spacecraft up. I had headed down to the beach with my new video camera in hand, seeing thunderhead clouds and hearing distant thunder. I remember thinking that Cape Canaveral was too far away for me to hear thunder there, and that maybe there wouldn't be lightning at the launch site. Then, as I was waiting to cross Ocean Drive, a woman rolled down the window of her car and told me that the launch had been scrubbed.
I was disappointed. After all, there are only eight shuttle launches left, and they don't usually happen when I'm available to see.
An amazing number of people apparently had the same idea I did. I usually walk pretty much alone to the beach, particularly at this time of day, yet this evening there was a constant parade of cars and people walking that way.
When I got home, I stopped to close a couple more of my new shutters. I've got the two back bedrooms done, now the den. There's a busy day tomorrow, and I want to have the house closed up before I go. I'll leave by the garage door. I kind of wanted to turn off the power to the garage door, but I'm going to need to get in that way when I get back. It will be very dark, probably close to ten o'clock, when I get back, and I don't want to have to deal with the shutters just to get into the house. Garage it is. Another decision made.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
It's already started...
After three years out of the classroom, I had forgotten how teaching TAKES OVER YOUR MIND. I'm not there yet--and I don't even really know what my assignment will be. Eighth grade language arts, I think, but it could be another grade. I'm pretty sure it won't be French. And I know it won't be technology because the state doesn't think I know enough about that to be certifed. But I digress.
So I'm constantly thinking about what I can do to make class interesting, how I can engage students, how I will set up a well-managed classroom, how I will create a no-excuses everybody is kind to one another learning environment, what I will do when...
See? I'm six weeks out, and I can't stop thinking about it. It's always in the background, no matter what else I'm doing. Everything is instantly related to my teacher-self, the kids, the classroom, the learning, the technology.
I had so totally forgotten about that. But it's back.
So I'm constantly thinking about what I can do to make class interesting, how I can engage students, how I will set up a well-managed classroom, how I will create a no-excuses everybody is kind to one another learning environment, what I will do when...
See? I'm six weeks out, and I can't stop thinking about it. It's always in the background, no matter what else I'm doing. Everything is instantly related to my teacher-self, the kids, the classroom, the learning, the technology.
I had so totally forgotten about that. But it's back.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Excuse me, but...
Enough, already, about Michael Jackson! He was a talented musician, granted, and, I think it fair to say, an extremely troubled man. In recognition of his humanity, I did not wish him ill fortune. He's gone. Too bad, really.
So stop with the intensive coverage! He was not a head of state. "The latest on the death of Michael Jackson" is the same thing we all heard last night. He's still dead. I'm sorry, but whatever is learned about the circumstances can wait for the next scheduled newscast.
When will news organizations learn that the best that can be said of this wall-to- wall coverage of any celebrity's death is that it's repetitive and boring. There's only so much that can be said, and very few people we need to hear say it. Quit! Enough! Say good night, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox, ABC, MSNBC, and all the rest.
So stop with the intensive coverage! He was not a head of state. "The latest on the death of Michael Jackson" is the same thing we all heard last night. He's still dead. I'm sorry, but whatever is learned about the circumstances can wait for the next scheduled newscast.
When will news organizations learn that the best that can be said of this wall-to- wall coverage of any celebrity's death is that it's repetitive and boring. There's only so much that can be said, and very few people we need to hear say it. Quit! Enough! Say good night, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox, ABC, MSNBC, and all the rest.
Monday, June 22, 2009
What are they thinking?
I'm already tired of the endless picking at healthcare reform. Can't they just get it done already?
The latest buzz is that--big surprise--it's going to cost money, $1.6 trillion dollars over 10 years.
Of course that sounds like a lot. Any recurring expense over 10 years sounds like way more than it seems on a year-by-year basis. Unless my math is wrong, the annual number is more like $160 billion. Now that's way over my budget, but Congress spends that much before lunch.
So why are we letting "them" (whoever they are) scare the bejesus out of everybody by talking in the trillions of dollars and tens of years. And eveybody knows that ten-year predictions are inaccurate because so much changes in such a long timespan.
And while I'm at it, I've got another bone to pick with the way this is being discussed. How come nobody's talking about the boost to the economy when people get healthier because they can go to the doctor when they're sick instead of waiting until they're really sick.
They're all happy to tell us the latest statistic about what the common cold or poison ivy or the flu costs business every year, but they can't add better health into the health care discussion?
I don't get it.
The latest buzz is that--big surprise--it's going to cost money, $1.6 trillion dollars over 10 years.
Of course that sounds like a lot. Any recurring expense over 10 years sounds like way more than it seems on a year-by-year basis. Unless my math is wrong, the annual number is more like $160 billion. Now that's way over my budget, but Congress spends that much before lunch.
So why are we letting "them" (whoever they are) scare the bejesus out of everybody by talking in the trillions of dollars and tens of years. And eveybody knows that ten-year predictions are inaccurate because so much changes in such a long timespan.
And while I'm at it, I've got another bone to pick with the way this is being discussed. How come nobody's talking about the boost to the economy when people get healthier because they can go to the doctor when they're sick instead of waiting until they're really sick.
They're all happy to tell us the latest statistic about what the common cold or poison ivy or the flu costs business every year, but they can't add better health into the health care discussion?
I don't get it.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Here comes Monday
I don't care what the scientists say. There are time warps. Take for example the mysterious loss of five minutes between checking the clock in the kitchen and getting into the car in the attached garage on the other side of the wall. How can I leave the kitchen at 7:40 and switch on the ignition to find it magically 7:45. I swear, I don't dawdle a bit--really!
Similarly, I get home from work on Friday evening, pleased with the two whole days I have before I have to go back to work on Monday morning. No matter whether I bustle around or lounge around, it doesn't matter; those two days are gone in a blink. Poof! It's time to drag my sorry self out of bed, put on my smile, and head off to work. It's just not fair.
Not that I don't like my job. I really do...I'd just like a bit more leisure time. Is that too much to ask?
On another topic, I realized somewhere around noon that if she were still living, today would be my mother's 88th birthday. I still miss her.
Similarly, I get home from work on Friday evening, pleased with the two whole days I have before I have to go back to work on Monday morning. No matter whether I bustle around or lounge around, it doesn't matter; those two days are gone in a blink. Poof! It's time to drag my sorry self out of bed, put on my smile, and head off to work. It's just not fair.
Not that I don't like my job. I really do...I'd just like a bit more leisure time. Is that too much to ask?
On another topic, I realized somewhere around noon that if she were still living, today would be my mother's 88th birthday. I still miss her.
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