A couple of weeks ago I got a pop up ad to win something fun...a trip I think...and I did not read all of things and the next thing I know, I am signed up for Oprah's magazine. I tried immediately to cancel but it would not let me without an account number so it was the next day when I got it cancelled. I never received a bill or anything else so I thought we were a done deal. Then a couple of days ago, I got a February 2013 magazine. I think this is a bi-monthly magazine. And I am not a fan. This issue is about simplifying my life and finding more peace. I always find it totally amusing when Oprah talks about crap like this. The woman is RICH. Her life is simplified because she has lackeys at her beck and call to make it simple. Life is simple when you can sleep to noon every day and then have a cook bring you breakfast in bed. Life is peaceful at your 50,000 ft home in Hawaii. Whatever.
I actually used Coke rewards to subscribe one time a few years ago and after they sent me 3 back issues to cover the year with 3 new issues I was ticked off. Apparently they'd found a way to get rid of them. And then...Oprah puts HER picture on each and every cover. I guess a mirror is not enough. She probably has all of the covers framed so she can admire herself at every turn.
I don't really hate rich people or even Oprah but I obviously get way annoyed when people with endless means tell me how to run my life. And I resent companies who lure me in with sweepstakes only to push a magazine I didn't want. And I especially hate when they ignore my cancel requests because they can.
I'll have to keep you posted. Hopefully no additional magazine and way hope no bill because it will not be pleasant.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Interesting Statistic
Last week we had a workshop that featured an educator with impressive credentials talking about standardized testing and public vs private schools and teaching practical applications more in public schools. He sounded like our district is going to make some changes toward that but of course we'll see. He did make a point that our public education is maligned all over the world and shown to be lacking but he pointed out that we have "no child left behind" (another subject for another time) while other countries take their top students and leave the others to poverty. Good point. But he gave us one more statistic that stunned us: 70% of young adults between the ages of 18 & 23 would not qualify for the military!! Here are the reasons he cited:
1. Lack of high school diploma
2. Cannot pass a proficiency test. Basic lack of reading and math skills.
3. Obesity
4. Trouble with the law
4. Drug problems
When I was a kid, the military was the place kids in trouble went to get straightened out. Now it's necessary that they know how to work a computer and read a manual, among other things. 70 PERCENT!!
His other observation is that the general lack of proficiency will be reflected in the type of jobs the kids leaving school can get and will be reflected in our welfare system.
I'm not a teacher but I do work in a school and am stunned by the reading, writing and math skills of our elementary students. I am scared for our future, pure and simple. And I work in a lower performing school where our teachers can do their best but there is nothing going on at home to help. We do have parents who call for help because they care but don't have the education to help their kids with their homework and a circle begins.
I hope changes are on the horizon.
1. Lack of high school diploma
2. Cannot pass a proficiency test. Basic lack of reading and math skills.
3. Obesity
4. Trouble with the law
4. Drug problems
When I was a kid, the military was the place kids in trouble went to get straightened out. Now it's necessary that they know how to work a computer and read a manual, among other things. 70 PERCENT!!
His other observation is that the general lack of proficiency will be reflected in the type of jobs the kids leaving school can get and will be reflected in our welfare system.
I'm not a teacher but I do work in a school and am stunned by the reading, writing and math skills of our elementary students. I am scared for our future, pure and simple. And I work in a lower performing school where our teachers can do their best but there is nothing going on at home to help. We do have parents who call for help because they care but don't have the education to help their kids with their homework and a circle begins.
I hope changes are on the horizon.
Birds
This past week, the door of our Pre-K class--4 & 5 year olds--has made me smile every time I passed it. Apparently, they were given all of the same bird parts and left to their imagination when putting them together. The result is this:
This is perhaps a great argument for a few things:
1.The continuation of head start and pre-k programs. Most of these kids don't have this fun or stimulating stuff at home. At least not the kids that go to my school. Many come in with really low skills because they are treated like babies at home, even at 4 years old. Our teachers should not have to teach half the class how to use a spoon.
2. The need for art classes in school. And music. Not every kid will be Stephen Hawking. We need to encourage this creativity. No cookie cutter kids here!!
3. And that leads into standardizing every kid...you can't tell me that these little minds are all going to get great STAR test results. And, unfortunately, that is all that seems to matter.
I heart these kids.
This is perhaps a great argument for a few things:
1.The continuation of head start and pre-k programs. Most of these kids don't have this fun or stimulating stuff at home. At least not the kids that go to my school. Many come in with really low skills because they are treated like babies at home, even at 4 years old. Our teachers should not have to teach half the class how to use a spoon.
2. The need for art classes in school. And music. Not every kid will be Stephen Hawking. We need to encourage this creativity. No cookie cutter kids here!!
3. And that leads into standardizing every kid...you can't tell me that these little minds are all going to get great STAR test results. And, unfortunately, that is all that seems to matter.
I heart these kids.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Cute Laundry Room
I'm getting ready to paint mine, over spring break. I am trying to find the perfect color but I'm not there yet. But I found this on Pinterest and it is the cutest idea I have seen although I am not as talented as the person who did this and mine would never look this good. But, even as 1 person, I lose a sock a week.
I take no credit for any of this. It looks like Tami Montgomery is the genius here!!
I take no credit for any of this. It looks like Tami Montgomery is the genius here!!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Going for the ball
At least twice a week, we have a kid brought in to our nurse from the gym with a bump or bruise or scratch and the explanation is almost always that they ran into another kid, the wall or the floor "going for the ball". 99% it's a boy but we do get a couple of girls. It's a competitive nature that I think is inherent in boys. They play hard. The want the ball and go for it. I'm not saying girls are not competitive but we are more cerebral about it.
I tell this because there is a 22 year old named Robert Griffin III, or RG3 as they call him. He won the Heisman Trophy last year for Baylor University, is a pretty good quarterback and from all accounts, a pretty good guy. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins and had a pretty good year. He had a knee injury a couple of weeks ago, then injured it again early in the game last Sunday and even then allowed to continue to play. He played with heart. And he went down hard and ugly. His knee gave out in an extremely ugly way. And his coach, Mike Shanahan is getting grief from all sides for not pulling him. The Redskins were behind and it would take a miracle to win the game. But for some reason, Shanahan let him play on. I know RG3 wanted to play. He's competitive. He would never be the guy who would not play because his leg hurts. He wanted the ball. But even though he's 22, he's still the boy who wants the ball. And he is playing for a veteran coach who should not have let him go on. The Redskins were not going to win this game. Shanahan knew it. We all knew it. And his decision to let him play could cost him career or leave him with a permanent injury. What the heck?
I know with guys football is king but too many football players play with injuries and we are just now seeing the consequences. Players from the past have filed a class action suit against the league for injuries. Heads, arms, legs. They can't think, they can't walk. And still we have to wonder if the league or coaches care. Winning at all costs? Are you a winner Shanahan? Nope.
I tell this because there is a 22 year old named Robert Griffin III, or RG3 as they call him. He won the Heisman Trophy last year for Baylor University, is a pretty good quarterback and from all accounts, a pretty good guy. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins and had a pretty good year. He had a knee injury a couple of weeks ago, then injured it again early in the game last Sunday and even then allowed to continue to play. He played with heart. And he went down hard and ugly. His knee gave out in an extremely ugly way. And his coach, Mike Shanahan is getting grief from all sides for not pulling him. The Redskins were behind and it would take a miracle to win the game. But for some reason, Shanahan let him play on. I know RG3 wanted to play. He's competitive. He would never be the guy who would not play because his leg hurts. He wanted the ball. But even though he's 22, he's still the boy who wants the ball. And he is playing for a veteran coach who should not have let him go on. The Redskins were not going to win this game. Shanahan knew it. We all knew it. And his decision to let him play could cost him career or leave him with a permanent injury. What the heck?
I know with guys football is king but too many football players play with injuries and we are just now seeing the consequences. Players from the past have filed a class action suit against the league for injuries. Heads, arms, legs. They can't think, they can't walk. And still we have to wonder if the league or coaches care. Winning at all costs? Are you a winner Shanahan? Nope.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Buddy Holly Center
I headed to Tech today to see if I could take some pictured of the old Southwest Conference circle before they dismantled it and alas, I was too late. The last time I was at Tech taking pictures, I got a picture of the Red Raider but did not think about taking pictures of the the other mascots. And then I read in the paper that they had to destroy--er dismantle--it to but up some research building of some kind. I took some other Tech pictures today but am not sure I like them, so I'm not posting them yet. So...
I actually headed to the Buddy Holly Center since I'd never been there. They have a display about Buddy's life in Texas and a small movie about him. And a gift shop, of course. And a museum with weird wood things. The truth is, there is not much there. I watched the movie until the much hated Maria Elena started talking about her great love. Then I had to go barf. Ok, I just had to go.
The Center is in an old train depot which later became a restaurant, oddly called The Depot. So this sign is a tribute to the past.
Across the street is the 'Buddy and Maria Elena Park' or some ca-ca like that. We like Buddy, we hate Maria Elena if you have not yet figured that out. Basically his family is lucky they can still use their own name without paying the bitch royalties...but I digress. Behind Buddy is the West Texas Walk of Fame.
I actually headed to the Buddy Holly Center since I'd never been there. They have a display about Buddy's life in Texas and a small movie about him. And a gift shop, of course. And a museum with weird wood things. The truth is, there is not much there. I watched the movie until the much hated Maria Elena started talking about her great love. Then I had to go barf. Ok, I just had to go.
 |
| Just inside the Buddy Holly Center |
The Center is in an old train depot which later became a restaurant, oddly called The Depot. So this sign is a tribute to the past.
 |
| Railroad Crossing |
 |
| Buddy Holly & the Walk of Fame |
 |
| It's me!! |
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Lincoln~~Spoilers
Today I went to see Lincoln and left wanting to see it again to see what I missed and just to see the performances again.
Daniel Day-Lewis played Abraham Lincoln, newly elected for his 2nd term and 4 years into an ugly Civil War. He is a man of conscience who wants an amendment to the Constitution outlawing slavery before the war ends. He has already given the Emancipation Proclamation but worries it will not hold up if there is no amendment. He has a timeline to get this done..certainly before the war ends and the southern states are recognized again. Surely an amendment then would be defeated. And he thinks his chances for passage are better with lame duck congressmen who have nothing to be accountable for in their districts. His Secretary of State William Seward (the ever stellar David Strathairn) hires a team of what would now be lobbyists to secure votes. He allows a Republican leader to go to Virginia to discuss peace with the rebels (Hal Holbrook) but again, needs the war to go on to get the amendment passed. There is the ethical question,
how to decide which is better: To let the war end and freedom for the slaves be delayed for God knows how long or let the war continue longer with soldiers dying and freeing the slaves now. It's a tough choice and one of Lincoln's advisers tells him he has aged terribly over the last year. It has to be a decision that tears a man apart and ages him quickly. We all know the history but the debates and politics are amazing to watch anyway. At the vote, the Speaker of the House wants to vote and the clerk says it's allowed but unusual. The Speaker replies that this is not usual. It's history.
Tommy Lee Jones is amazing as Thaddeus Stevens, a Republican congressman, who stands by Lincoln's side for not entirely unselfish reasons. Sally Field is Mary Todd Lincoln, a protective mother and wife, not as popular as her husband and whose grief has taken her to some dark places. Her problems wear on her husband too.
As he normally does, Stephen Spielberg takes a story and runs with it, getting the best performances out of his actors and writers. I don't know who will win awards but Sally Field should be at least nominated along side Anne Hatheway, the front runner for Supporting Actress. They won't allow the former Flying Nun to win a 3rd Oscar after winning everyone she was ever nominated for, bu I think she deserves it.
Daniel Day-Lewis played Abraham Lincoln, newly elected for his 2nd term and 4 years into an ugly Civil War. He is a man of conscience who wants an amendment to the Constitution outlawing slavery before the war ends. He has already given the Emancipation Proclamation but worries it will not hold up if there is no amendment. He has a timeline to get this done..certainly before the war ends and the southern states are recognized again. Surely an amendment then would be defeated. And he thinks his chances for passage are better with lame duck congressmen who have nothing to be accountable for in their districts. His Secretary of State William Seward (the ever stellar David Strathairn) hires a team of what would now be lobbyists to secure votes. He allows a Republican leader to go to Virginia to discuss peace with the rebels (Hal Holbrook) but again, needs the war to go on to get the amendment passed. There is the ethical question,
how to decide which is better: To let the war end and freedom for the slaves be delayed for God knows how long or let the war continue longer with soldiers dying and freeing the slaves now. It's a tough choice and one of Lincoln's advisers tells him he has aged terribly over the last year. It has to be a decision that tears a man apart and ages him quickly. We all know the history but the debates and politics are amazing to watch anyway. At the vote, the Speaker of the House wants to vote and the clerk says it's allowed but unusual. The Speaker replies that this is not usual. It's history.
Tommy Lee Jones is amazing as Thaddeus Stevens, a Republican congressman, who stands by Lincoln's side for not entirely unselfish reasons. Sally Field is Mary Todd Lincoln, a protective mother and wife, not as popular as her husband and whose grief has taken her to some dark places. Her problems wear on her husband too.
As he normally does, Stephen Spielberg takes a story and runs with it, getting the best performances out of his actors and writers. I don't know who will win awards but Sally Field should be at least nominated along side Anne Hatheway, the front runner for Supporting Actress. They won't allow the former Flying Nun to win a 3rd Oscar after winning everyone she was ever nominated for, bu I think she deserves it.
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