August 31, 2007

One week down, 35 to go! That's right, the school year is 36 weeks long. 18 weeks per semester. But if things continue at this rate, I won't mind it at all, I could teach it for 52 weeks and it wouldn't bother me one bit. So far, I have a great bunch of kids. Not one bit of trouble, yet. We'll see next week once they start to feel more comfortable if they try to push a little more. I did notice that in one of my honors classes I have a students who failed social studies last year. I found that strange how a student can fail a class and then get recommended to the honors level of the next class. When I discovered this today I planned on emailing his guidance counselor in order to get him into the correct class so that he doesn't get in over his head and fail when he could be in a class more his level and pass. But I decided to wait until the results of today's test. Lo! and behold he got only one question wrong. So I figure, what the heck, maybe he will do just fine in the honors class.

Joe kinda dared me to blog about this today, I am feeling kinda snarky (thanks for the word Rebecca) tonight, so I will. Hi Joe, I know you are reading! Here is his email:

The stupidest quote I have ever heard a presidential candidate make:

"I'm going to be honest with you -- I don't know a lot about Cuba's healthcare system," John Edwards, D-N.C., said at an event in Oskaloosa, Iowa. "Is it a government-run system?" - Aug 17, 2007

Thank GOD he is actually from South Carolina... I still can't believe my home state elected this no show as Senator for 6 years. I am actually glad he didn't show up for work... and you think Bush is stupid? That is freaking moronic...

“Doctor Moore, Doctor Michael Moore, please assist Senator John Edwards with his talking points, STAT!”

Just thought you would find this eye opening and funny!

Hope you are having a great day!

OK, now I am no big supporter or fan of John Edwards, I have never seen a Michael Moore movie (some people will surprised to hear that), and I too am no expert on the healthcare system of Cuba. In fact, my initial reaction to Cuba having a healthcare system is "and where do they have the money for that?" I mean seriously, they can't possibly sell enough cigars in order to pay for the entire country to have healthcare. But, I guess if you factor in the rent the US pays for its base in Guantanamo, then maybe. But before I go any further, I want to clear a couple of things up:

1) Nobody can compare to George Bush when it comes to stupidity. He had trouble with the word "mud" during his speech this week on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
2) As far as no shows are concerned, Bush is #1 on that list. Has he actually reported to duty to the air national guard yet? Wasn't he on vacation more during his first year of the "Presidency" than any other (and his first year's vacations were cut short by 9/11)? You know, maybe we all would be a little better off if he stayed on vacation (with his brain, where ever that may be).

Today's Headline:

Embattled Sen. Craig to Resign: Report (Reuters)
Where do we go from here? Hard to say, did he do it? Good question. What about this alleged entrapment? If it was entrapment then he was doing something he should have been doing, even if he was coerced into it by a law enforcement agent. So where does that get us? Oh yeah, another politician prone to hypocrisy. This conservative republican has voted against measures to expand homosexuals rights. And he was entrapped into a homosexual act. I can't be sure, but does this qualify as "waffling"? "Flip-flopping"? It seems that democrats and liberals aren't the only ones who can be accused of changing their mind. (We know Bush hasn't changed his mind for two reasons: 1) he is too stubborn, 2) you need a mind in order to change it)

Good night, and good luck.

August 30, 2007

Another good day at school today. Everything went smoothly, but of course it is really too early to tell how the semester will go. I am going to assume that it will go well considering I don't seem to have any "class clowns" who seek undue attention and distract the classes. I am, however, not looking forward to next week. I am supposed to have a student I had first semester last year and if my memory serves me, he came in a week late last year too. Which means, he will arrive into an EOC course and be a week behind when he can't afford to be. On top of that, he is the kind of student that can change the complexion of a class because of his charisma and attitude. And when I mean change the complexion of the class, I mean for the worse because he generally has a negative attitude. But we'll see. Many scenarios may play out, he may never show up and have transferred to another school, he may show up but choose to take the course seriously, he may show up and be his same self from last year. Any of these are possible.

Mercer and I went to a Carolina Mudcats baseball game tonight. He got free tickets in general admission. There aren't any bad seat in Five County Stadium out in Zebulon. Which is, even by Raleigh standards, red neck! Now, I don't mean this the wrong way, but to make a joke in the style of Jeff Foxworthy, "you might be a red neck if, you can not successfully keep up with the beat to 'We Will Rock You' by Queen." I mean seriously, how white do you have to be to mess that one up? Mercer and I also decided on a new Man Law today: "No man shall be allowed to wear a 'muscle T' unless they actually have muscles." It is a real simple concept, no muscles, no muscle T. End of story.

Today's Headlines:

Iceman Death Theory Shot Down
A student of mine informed me that they Iceman that was found in the Alps in 1991 now has a new theory into his death. This wouldn't sound like news except that we were talking about the Iceman yesterday and today an article is released that helps to support my argument - that history can change. That is to say, what we know about the past may change as new information is discovered. Originally it was believed that the Iceman died of natural causes, exposure to severe weather while trying to cross the Alps. Then, about a decade later, forensics showed that the Iceman was subject to some violence before he died and that his death was caused by an arrow would that struck him from behind, narrowly missing his heart. A new theory claims that although the Iceman suffered an arrow wound that would likely have proven fatal, it was not the actual cause of death, but instead was a head trauma caused by a fall after sustaining the injury.

August 29, 2007

I want to thank the few of you who read my blog each day. If you are not already doing so, subscribe. You can do so either by email or as rss feed. Use the links on the left to set it up.

Well, it has been two years since hurricane Katrina. And what have we seen? Inefficiency and waste. For all the billions of dollars that have been spent on the victims, much of it is caught up in red tape due to the private firm in Virginia that is handling the direction of these funds to the victims. I wouldn't be surprised if this firm wasn't somehow owned or run by a buddy of good ol' GWBush.

Three days down of this school year so far. I can already tell in one of my classes who will be the success stories, and who will repeat. We had a quiz today on a small amount of information that we went over in class, did a match and meet activity as well. In fact, right before the quiz began, I asked the questions that would be on the quiz. In other words, the students had to try and fail or be half asleep when the quiz was taken in order to fail. And lo! and behold, I had a few who BOMBED! I don't understand. But all in all it seems that this will be a good semester. The students all seem really nice so that is a treat. Now if I can keep my big mouth shut so I don't get into any trouble with the principal, everything should go well.

I am changing my philosophy this year, well, at least this semester. In the past I was more dedicated to the students and then I considered the curriculum. This year, I want to turn my focus to the curriculum first and the students second. I don't mean that I will neglect the needs of the students, but instead, I want to get excited about the curriculum more than the students. In that way I won't be as disappointed since I know what to expect from the curriculum, whereas on any given day, what I get from the students varies immensely. We'll see how that will go. If I find it not working, then I will turn my priorities back around.

Today's Headlines:

Porn Star and Pastor Go Head-to-Head (Redandblack.com)

OK, my opinion is not at all relevant here. So what I am going to comment on is not the porn industry but the pastor. If we read the news closely enough, and sometimes not all that closely, we will see the hypocritical nature of some of the men of the cloth. How often do we hear about church and evangelical leaders preaching against something and then we find out that they are doing it themselves? You know, things like alcohol, gambling, pedophilia, prostitution. I will not be surprised if this pastor is soon found out to be addicted to porn and own an extensive library in his closet. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if were told that he distributed porn to young boys in his congregation.

Revelers Paint Spanish Town Red in Giant Tomato Fight (USA Today)

When was the last time that you were actually allowed to throw food at someone? Every time I have heard of a food fight, someone always got into some sort of trouble. But not today in Bunol, Spain. The annual tradition of a food fight had the city in the grips of an all out tomato war! Sounds like fun to me. I may need to get my passport for next years battle.

August 28, 2007

The Republicans are up to it again. I have received another email asking me for financial support in order to prevent democrats from winning seats in Congress. The entire email is about what democrats have said and done. And despite the plea for money, I can't find any where in the message something that the republicans have said. Both parties are asking me to not support the other but have yet give me a good reason to support them.

Dear Matthew,

The Democrat leadership believes failure by our troops in Iraq -- the
central front in the War on Terror -- is essential for them to win elections in
2008...

...and that any positive sign of progress in Iraq is simply a "problem"
for them.
Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, driven by polls and
politics, declared "This war is lost," even before the President's new strategy
began. Reid also has bragged, "We're going to pick up Senate seats as a
result of this war."

And Democrat House Majority Whip James Clyburn said that a positive
report in September from General Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker
would be "a real big problem for us (Democrats)." Meaning the Democrats' desire
for an arbitrary troop withdrawal -- and their party's 2008 electoral fortunes
-- would be in jeopardy if our troops succeed.

Matthew, America's national security should not be kicked around like a
political football. Republicans believe winning the War on Terror is vital
to our country's national security. The RNC needs your help to get this
message past the liberal media filter and directly to voters.
They need to know about the Democrats' "surrender and defeat"
politics.

Please click here to make a secure online contribution of $1,000, $500,
$100, $50 or $25 to help spread the word about the Democrats' political rhetoric
and defeatist agenda.
It is unconscionable that Democrat leaders are hoping
for our troops to fail so their party can gain a political advantage. And
it is unacceptable that the leading Democrat presidential contenders, Hillary
Clinton and Barack Obama, both claim to support our troops yet voted against
providing them with the resources to sustain their mission and keep them
safe.

Your urgent online contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or $25 to the
RNC today will help get the facts about the Democrats' true defeatist agenda and
their efforts to put politics above the War on Terror past the liberal media
filter.
Our President and our Party are counting on your help. Thank
you.

Best wishes,
Robert M. "Mike" Duncan
Chairman, Republican National Committee

(hyperlinks deleted)

They even thought that I might be more likely to sympathize if they personalized it by including my name twice. As if I would believe that this was a personal message sent only to me and no one else. As if my support, mine alone, will make the difference. The problem with the republican party over the last 8 years is that it has become more and more transparent assuming that the electorate is becoming increasingly dumb.

Today's Headline:

Bonds' Record-Breaking Homerun Ball Set for Auction

As it turns out, Matt Murphy, the owner of Barry Bonds' record breaking homerun ball would have only been responsible for paying tax on the baseball itself. Any hypothetical value of the ball will not affect the amount of tax that would have to be paid on the ball. Essentially, Murphy would have to pay an amount of tax that reflects the value of this ball as a gift from Barry Bonds. Since the ball costs about $9, he would have to pay tax on that amount. The problem with keeping the ball had to do with the security of owning the ball. In order to secure the ball in his apartment would cost far too much considering the ball would most likely be a target for burglary. Since he has chosen to auction the record breaking baseball, Murphy will have to pay tax on the profit he earns from its sale.

August 27, 2007

What a long day! I stayed up pretty late last night reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (which I finished this evening!), until almost 1am. I was up at 5am, breakfast ate dressed and waiting for my ride by 6am. The day didn't seem long at all, although my voice was pretty tired at the end of it all, but not nearly as tired as my feet - I haven't stood up that long since school let out in June. The classes seem nice so far. I tried a new Icebreaker activity with the Honors World History classes, it got them moving around and talking with their new classmates. My Civics & Economics class did not have an opportunity to do an Icebreaker activity yet because they are my homeroom so I had more to go over with them. All the classes had homework on the first day, nothing major, but enough to let them know that I am serious about what I do. It probably shouldn't take any student more than 15-20 minutes to complete tonight's homework.

As I already mentioned, I finished the 7th, and final, installment of the Harry Potter series. I enjoyed it thoroughly! I won't tell you about it, in case you are planning to read it. All I will say is that it was a real roller coaster ride, at the end of which, I feel satisfied. I am pretty amazed, I read all 7 books this summer. I finished the last one a day later than I wanted, which is still pretty good, if you ask me.

Today's Headlines:



Gonzales Announces His Resignation

The Bush administration is cronyism at its finest, if cronyism is something that can be considered "fine." I can only assume that Gonzales has left now because he has sufficiently hurt the justice system that it will be difficult to gain back some of the liberties that have been lost. In his announcement, Gonzales stated that he fought to protect civil liberties, I find that a statement that will be difficult to prove. But, despite his ineptitude for the job, Bush continued to stand by his "man" Alberto Gonzales, who has been a favorite of the "President" since he was governor of Texas. No one should be surprised at this. Bush is too stupid to recognize when he makes a mistake, and too arrogant to admit to it when it is pointed out to him. I would call Bush obstinate, but that would imply that he knows what he is doing. Instead, I call him ignorant. A man not suited for the job he was "elected" to do. For more read:

All the President's Flunkies: Why Bush Stands by His Incompetents. (Slate.com)

August 26, 2007

Well, here we go, back to the Sunday routine. Hopefully I will be smarter this year and stay far enough ahead where my Sundays won't be totally depressing. After going to breakfast with Rae, Jeff, Charlotte, and Jack Evan and I went to K-Mart and bought him a pair of goggles for the pool. Actually, it is more of a snorkel mask. Unfortunately he didn't want to even put them on to adjust the size. Looks like we wasted another five dollars on trying to get Evan to better experience the pool. While Michelle and Evan were at the pool, I managed to get a bit of school work done for this upcoming week (the Sunday routine). I feel comfortable with my preparedness for this coming week, but there are a few things I would like to have in place before the students come tomorrow, but it won't happen. I will get it done this week for next.

We all went to Peter and Katie's house for dinner. It has been a while since we went to my brother's house and visited for a while. It is nice. Nothing earth shattering, but a nice visit nonetheless.

Today's Headlines:

Vick's $22 Million Bonus in Jeopardy

Look, Michael Vick is an exciting player to watch. It is no surprise that the Falcons have sold out the Georgia Dome for several seasons now and that the Falcons number "7" jersey has been a top seller. But all that now comes to an end as this gives the Falcons a reason to release Vick and get back some $22 million in signing bonus paid to Vick from his ridiculous $130 million contract. The next question is will Vick ever play in the NFL again?

August 25, 2007

Today was a pretty long day. Yesterday was pretty long too. Friday I got a ride to work from a co-worker because, as I said on Thursday, the Ford is in the shop (again). That wasn't bad, but I just hate to feel like I'm imposing on someone else. What is more, the Ford isn't done and will not be until Monday, so I will need to bum a ride on Monday, the first regular day of school - as if I don't have enough anxiety over that!

Today we went to Evan's soccer game. Bless his heart, for as much as he says he wants to be an athlete and play soccer, Evan is not really motivated, especially when it is hot. So this morning, there were many times when the ball passed right by him and he didn't even care, he watched it roll by, even the time he would have a had a clear shot on goal. I may have to spend a little more time with him, or continue to entertain this idea that he wants to play soccer until he decides he has had enough.

The middle of the day was rather boring. I remain unmotivated to much of anything. In fact, I had to find an excuse (that I can no longer remember) to blog this evening. We did, however, decide to go to Frankie's for games and dinner. We were there from 5:30 until 10:45 playing all manner of video games, some were for tickets and prizes, we rode the go-carts and we played laser tag. We had a blast. Evan, who at first did not want to ride the go-carts decided that it was the most fun he had all day. At first he wanted to make sure we went slow, but we never did. He screamed and shouted the entire drive how awesome the ride was and that he wanted to ride it again and again. I was glad for that. Laser tag was another success, Evan and I have played together three times, and all three times we won. He likes that, even though he only scored 15 points.