I have spent a lot of time, and I have eaten a lot of crap to get to where I am today.

Recently viewed “The Strike” episode (season 9, episode 10; Broadcast date: December 18, 1997) in which Elaine says “I have spent a lot of time, and I have eaten a lot of crap to get to where I am today. And I am NOT throwing it all away now” about her quest for the Atomic Sub card.

Of course, I too have eaten a lot of crap, I will share with you my latest cravings that I have turned into ruts:
PB & J.  The only mixing I like is when Gma makes it, otherwise we’re talking Creamy Jiff buttered on one side first, then Smuckers (pref: Sugar Free) Red Raspberry Preserves on the second side of some nice whole wheat bread
Tomato soup and the occassional cheese sandwich.  I don’t say grilled cheese because I was without a stove for the longest time due to remodelling.  If I had a sandwich, I toasted the bread and then put one and one half slices of cheese between the toast, wrapped it in one paper towel and put it in the microwave for 15 seconds.  Not the same, so I haven’t had as many sandwiches as bowls of soup.  For the soup I have a favorite: Campbell’s Select Italian Tomato with Basil & Garlic.  The red peppers were okay, I would like to try the Butternut Squash, but can’t take a chance right now….I am simply addicted…..I purchased 4 boxes at the store today.
I am actually mixing up the cereals: Special K’s Red Berries and Strawberry Delight Frosted MiniWheats.  Before I moved back in with DH I was drinking Silk’s Vanilla Light Soy milk, just regular skim milk now.
My last compulsion that I am currently phasing out is buttered toast.  I would purchase the heaviest whoel grain bread known to man, the brand actually varied based upon availability, and butter the hell out of it.  I tried some light honey butter for a bit, but I kept returning to the heavy stuff.  Well, at least I am over that particular craving.

Thursday Thirteen – - – Scenes from Hoosiers that I Love……

1. Coach stops the school from calling for Jimmy when the original team takes the floor.
2. Jimmy says he’ll only play if the coach stays.
3. Coach gets kicked out intentionally to give the assistant (drunk) coach ‘Shooter’/Dennis Hopper a chance to win the game, and the team does win.
4. Right before the team executes ‘The Picket Fence” the drunk coach makes the joke not to “get caught watching the paint dry.”
5. When Ollie makes the free throws to take the team to state.
6. When ‘Shooter’/Dennis Hopper and his son make up in the hospital where he is drying out.
7. The converted church van that takes the team to state.
8. THE BEST MOMENT: when the team enters the
   Indianapolis stadium and measures the court – I cry every time.
9. SECOND BEST: When the player calls out “
   Hickory” as they exit the floor measuring scene.
10. Right before the game a player says “Let’s win this one for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here” and after the prayer, coach says: “I love you guys.”
11. At the last time out the players are not happy with the play called & Jimmy says “I’ll make it” and the coach says okay and changes the play.
12. ‘Shooter’/Dennis Hopper jumping up and down on his hospital bed after the team wins.
13. The last scene where you are looking at the team picture and you hear the coach’s words: “I love you guys.”

Soul Formation

Did I mention that in my classroom, and apparently every classroom in the building is a framed, color, patriotic picture that says “In God We Trust” and goes on to tell when it was added to The Pledge. *sigh*  I told my husband & several of my old co-workers that I would show up & actively try not to run my mouth / swear right off the bat…….. ARGH…..then why is that in my public school classroom?!?

Curriculum planning today anyhow, as we were going through the standards one of the other teachers started talking about “Soul Formation.”  What the Heck?  I mean how much can a public school teacher be expected to take?  Again, I was trying to keep my mouth shut & eyes and ears open … I couldn’t wait to see what this was about! 

 She was saying “Soil Formation” and that ladies and gentlemen is something I am comfortable teaching.

Empty Classroom Syndrome

Every classroom I have every left I always leave saying outloud “I love this place.”  Because all I can see when I look around is the students that I have loved in that room.  All the real change that has happened over the year(s) there….

So is it any surprise that when I saw my classroom for the first time I was shocked that I didn’t love it yet?  After all, I haven’t taught any children in there, I haven’t fallen in love with my subject yet.  Whiel I am sure there will be success, I can’t believe how clinical and empty and dead it looks in there right now.

*sigh*

Will Bush Veto Research?

Know anyone with diabetes, cancer, alzheimer’s, parkinson’s?  You might care about this….

Left over embryos are used for research, although Bush stopped further funding in 2001 when he took office.  While adults can offer stem cells also, from bone marrow or their babies umbilical cords, scientists do not know which path will lead to possible break throughs.  Although Karl Rove says adults stem cells offer more promise, gee, do I believe Rove or the scientific community????

Mrs. Reagan is lobbying for the research based on President Reagan’s failed fight with a disease that could eventually be prevented by reseach.  Frist is supporting it as a doctor.  Lugar & McCain are even supporting it…..and Bush is going to veto it?!?  I don’t want his pulpit dictating the path of scientific research in my country.

Isn’t this happening anyway? Stem cells are being harvested in private circles and used for private sector research.  Instead of reiterating they will not spend money on the research, why not establish procedures for the practices that are already taking place?  I guess that might not grab you the hardcore voters……

Top Thirteen Phrases from TV – T13

1. Get Out! (as she pushes you) Elaine, Seinfeld

2. Giddy up! Kramer, Seinfeld

3. (any of) Lennie Briscoe’s wise cracks, Law & Order

4. “Who is this?” Jerry asks when his friends call him in a manic state, Seinfeld

5. Master of my/your domain, Seinfeld

6. “…we need to fit a square peg in a round hole.”  Gene Krantz, Apollo 13 (may I recommend his book Failure is not an Option - excellent read!)

7. “ProLife?  You ever notice how some people’s concern for life stops at birth?  They want those babies to come out & then they don’t give a damn what happens to them” Anita VanBuren (S. Empatha Merkerson) Law & Order’s Progeny episode from 1995.

8. “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” The Princess Bride, 1987.  Sometimes varied by the DH with, “My name is Hector Juan Montoya…”  …no one knows why he says that……

9. “Heeeyy” The Fonze, before he jumped the shark.

10. “…the jimmy leg” Kramer,Seinfeld

11. “Hello Newman” Jerry “Hello Jerry” Newman

12. “It’s not a lie if you believe it.” George, Seinfeld

13. “Am I? Or am I so sane that you just blew your mind?!”
“It’s impossible!”
“Is it? Or is it so possible that your head is spinning like a top?!”
“It can’t be.”
“Can it? Or is your entire world just crashing down all around you?”
“Alright, that’s enough.”
“Yaaaaaaahhh!!!”
- Jerry and Kramer, in “The Stall”

Is Your Boss from Hell?

Not that my boss (and I am between bosses now…) could ever be considered from Hell……

However as a promotion for the movie, The Devil Wears Prada, this link will help you illustrate what YOUR boss from Hell looks like.

Post your link so I know who not to accept a job from…… 

Is it Cold in this Country, or is it just me?

http://www.radicalruss.net/bushmap/ You must watch this and know that the approval ratings start in 2004 and go through June of this year.

Google Analytics Invitation Requested…

I would like an invitation to Google’s Analytics if you have one available….thanks!

Dis/Advantage of a Small Town

Advantage of living in a small town:  The local hardware store lets you take the coupling home to try it and trusts you to return to pay for it or return it.

Disadvantage of living in a small town: Your husband’s uncle dates your mom…..