wow...

i swear i didn't forget about my blog. i've just been so busy, i can barely breathe... and it sucks! but, no worries... there is light at the end of the tunnel!

in the meantime, a new post... one thing i've become extremely aware of these days, is how completely clueless some people are... clueless to the world... allowing completely retarded things to come out of their mouth. A few examples from my students:

A student... a senior... asked me the other day why "artistic" had so many meanings. "What do you mean?" I asked. "You know, as in artsy and like those kids who have problems."

While discussing a line from poetry, which read "though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass..." A student asks, "Ms. D, isn't that a sweetener?"

While debating in a student congress, a bill to build a border wall between the US and Mexico, a student makes the comment, "like the Jews."


SERIOUSLY?!?!? Remind me again why I have this job??

West Virginia! Wild and Wonderful...

I went snow skiing this weekend in West Virginia! And, what a great time! Catching up with old friends... spending time in the mountains... playing in the snow... but, looking no where near as fabulous as this woman while skiing.


Skiing is hard! And, after 10 minutes I was ready to kick off my skis and meet up with my friends a few hours later at the lodge bar. And, I should go ahead an apologize for all the f-bombs dropped around tiny ears. Sorry, parents, of all the little kids skiing last weekend in West Virginia... apologies for my unfortunate potty-mouth, but in my defense, I was experiencing both stress and anger.


I did, however, get some schooling from some wonderful teachers. Enter my friends / saints for the weekend:

Thanks their support... and tolerance!... I turned out to be a pretty okay skier. Even managing to fly, almost literally, down an intermediate slope by the end of my second day. And, I love skiing now... love it! Can't wait to go again. I need to remember to plan a massage appointment immediately upon my return to town, but the adventures were well worth all the sore muscle pains in the week that followed.

Note to self... live a little... travel... don't be scared to try new things... and, when playing "circle of death" stay away from the liquor drinks!

Radio...

Upstate South Carolina has a tiny claim to fame tucked away in Anderson... Radio, the permanent mascot and team-supporter of TL Hanna High School (and the leading role for Cuba Gooding, Jr. circa 2004). Radio's story is a touching one, and everyone within the TL Hanna school community sees to accept and respect this man.

Today, I thought of Radio as I was preparing for a weekend, school activity. I have the grand pleasure (sarcasm!) of escorting a group of students to TL Hanna High School this Saturday for a speech and debate competition. And, today as I was preparing paperwork and such, thinking of Radio... a kid made a joke.

ME: You know, Hanna is the real-life setting for the movie Radio.

KID: Oh, Miss D, I bet by now they call him iPod.

Um... snuggies?

I'm sorry, but what is this? And, better question... why the heck are they so popular?

Upon seeing my first snuggie commercial, I thought these things were a crazy joke... one of those ridiculous infomercials advertising junk that nobody really buys, which will someday end up in one of those "As Seen on TV" stores.

But, this thing keeps popping up, and worst... it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. I heard on the Today Show this morning that the snuggie has grossed millions. In addition to folks racing to acquire a snuggie, comedians are adding it into their jokes and bits. While I am in agreement with this thing being funny and the root of a good joke, I am not okay with this thing becoming anything close to popular culture... heaven forbid people start wearing them in public.

Wait... I think they already have!

No matter the warmth, people... this is a blanket... with sleeves... that makes you look like you're wearing a tent. Put down the snuggie... and go back to the sleevless blankets. Because, you look ridiculous... and, not in a good way!

Jack Bauer...

I LOVE 24... love it... am convinced this is one of the best shows of all time! I am constantly on the edge of my seat... constantly waiting for what's coming next, wanting to see who's going to die or what terrorist attack is about to happen next on American soil (totally scared about how all of this could really happen in our world today)... all while some love story lingers between Jack and his interest of the season (enter new cute FBI agent he's won over to the side of CTU). But, the most amazing thing about 24, is what this man can accomplish in a day.

In ONE day, he manages to capture terrorists, fall in love, save the country, converse with the leaders of the free world... and the list goes on. Not to mention that he looks quite good doing it... can't we all admit Kiefer's gotten better with age?

As I sit here, taking a break from grading papers, realizing I never stopped moving today yet wondering what exactly I accomplished... my mind floats to Jack.

And, how I need just a little something of what that man's got. So, my Monday TV addiction is now justified... time management skill development.