Trouble with a Capital "T," and That Rhymes With "P," and That Stands For...

Pool!

A week from Monday, I will be done with my finals and will begin my summer vacation. I should be chomping at the bit to finish all of my projects, papers, and readings. I should be running myself ragged with all-nighters, late nighters, and No Doze. I should be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, thereby committing myself to working without cease until the last grade is posted and my potential 4.0 GPA semester is in the books.

I should be...but that would make too much sense. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my current favorite delay tactic:

Straight Pool
Rack 'em up! Play straight pool against others wherever they are.

Something tells me old Harold Hill was spot-on...

My Love - Hate Relationship With Gwen Stefani

In recent years, Gwen has helped bring show tunes back to the masses:





But then she had to change this:



into this:





Gwen, Gwen, Gwen...I love ya, but why did you have to jack around with Rodgers and Hammerstein? More to the point, why did you have to jack around with 'The Lonely Goatherd?" I mean, I love 'Fiddler,' but Topol can hold his own. The poor marionettes hardly saw it coming!!

Am I Missing Something Here? Part II

A couple of days ago, I saw something that made me laugh rather heartily. As I think about it more, however, I am completely befuddled by it. I can't seem to come to terms with it, so I figured that I would just shoot it out into cyberspace and see if I got a reaction.

I saw a man wearing a camoflage sweatshirt and a large, black cowboy hat with silver accents.

I readily admit that I am overthinking this. And contrary to popular opinion, I do have a life and many other things going on in it. Still, I thrive on these sorts of things...it's like a puzzle or something.

What gets me is this: camoflage purports to make one blend in. A cowboy hat, worn in a city setting, tends to make one stand out. Was this just his way of playing hard to get?

I don't know...it was lost on me.

Curing a Case of the "Mondays"

It has been a L-O-N-G day, my friends. I thought there was no better way to round out a full day than with a good laugh.

Let's face it...some days you are Lumbergh, and some days you are Milton.

Cheers!

Am I Missing Something Here? Part I

I was behind a Ford Focus today on the way back from school. As I got closer to said vehicle, I realized that the owner had not one, not two, but FOUR of those ribbon magnets on the back of his/her car. Immediately, my mind started wondering many stupid things: would those magnets hold together a rusting car? Could those magnets ever have enough collective force to, say, demagnetize a credit card in the vehicle? Could magnets of that ilk lessen my need for a really good auto detailing this Spring?

My mind reeled, which was not good. Don't get me wrong...I am all for mental stimulation. Analyzing things to the Nth degree is my forte. BUT, I was driving my Elantra down the highway in 30 mph wind that was causing white caps on mud puddles. My car was being pushed around like a little nerd at recess. My mind needed to be on the road. Instead, I was transfixed by car magnets.

Although this message will likely give off this vibe, I am not vain, nor am I a mean-spirited person. I am all for magnets, although I would never care to put one on my car. I am all for showing support to various causes and organizations. The appeal of some things in this world, though, totally escapes me. Having enough car magnets (good cause or no) to cover up the tail end of my vehicle is one of them.

Nerd Alert!

I admit it...I am an English nerd. I love to read books with symbolism that is so deep that it gives you a migraine to figure it out. I take pride in having a large vocabulary and knowing how to use it. I am bothered by errors in spelling and mechanics on television and in print media quite often. Shakespeare does not frighten me. I am an English nerd.

Having said that, this song has always been a bit of a thorn in my side. I like it, but it isn't altogether correct. There is so much more to my favorite literary device than:



I had my junior English kids tear this song apart yesterday...and a fight ensued! That usually wouldn't be a good thing, but these kids are pretty quiet when it comes to English class and turn-of-the-century American literature (Kate Chopin, in this case). The fight stemmed from the individual interpretations of the song and the scenarios in it. It was eventually decided that all of Alanis' scenarios could be ironic, given more specific details as to the surrounding events. Some were outright ironic, while others were just instances of very bad luck.

Now, I fully admit that I did not re-invent the wheel with this activity. I am sure that English teachers the world over have had issues with this song over the past decade. But it worked. It got my kids to really debate and care about something literary. Needless to say, it was a rewarding way to cap off my two week pre-student teaching unit with the kids.

Oh, and I'm curious: irony or bad luck...what do you think?

'Cinderella' Gone Wild!

His Royal Highness, Prince Christopher, Cinderella


Today I had the ultimate joy of accompanying about a dozen teenagers to the costume and prop house of the local theatre guild. Actually, it was a joy...the kids really got into the experience and took ownership of their roles. I NEVER thought my guys would be bigger divas than the girls...but they really had some fun. They were all creative, courteous, and really worked together. I think this day together helped ease our burn-out going into month three of rehearsals.

I had hoped to get more shots, but I was too busy running around answering everyone's questions and dishing out my opinion. After awhile, I told 'em all I was changing my name.

Suffice it to say, I am now being called Thomas. Yeah, I don't get it, either...but I seem to be responding to it. I am so whipped.

Notes From the "Underground"

"You want me to put on a costume?!"

"Um, do I look like I'm 7?"

"Ms. Shafer, I am not singing in front of the class."

Such positive (cough, cough) comments could be heard this morning as the Jr. English class I am teaching for two weeks climbed off the bus and onto the property of Woodlawn Farm, a stop on the Underground Railroad. Determined to make this a useful and enjoyable experience (and understanding how embarrassing these sorts of tasks can be for a 16 or 17 year old in a group of his/her peers), I smirked and told them to give it a shot.

Hand to God, they were hooked within five minutes. When portraying runaway slaves, they tussled over costumes to look the part. One girl stood in front of the class with the historical interpreter and sang a spiritual. The group whittled soap, snuck through the darkness, and Red Rovered like there was no tomorrow.

Education is already proving to be a challenging field; I never quite know what I will encounter when I walk in the classroom. But I do know this -- I can never underestimate these kids and what they will do. It seems like when I keep an open mind, they keep an open mind. I know I taught them something today, and it feels really good.

It also felt really good to be seven again!!