I'm feeling uninspired, and this doesn't really inspire me. I doubt any of this is new information to you anyway, so this post is short, sweet, and to the point. I'd rather be:
thrifting
reading
gaming
gardening
sleeping
Done.
I'm off for an all-day " practical seminar with a published author and life coach, featuring discussions and activities to help you plan for a prosperous, healthy, and happy future" at my alma mater. *sigh* I hope I can shake the cynical attitude before I get there!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Five Worst Teachers You’ve Ever Had
With more than twenty years of education, you would think this one would be pretty easy for me to answer. I have been pretty blessed with my teachers, though. For the most part, I angle for the "teacher's pet" spot, and that helps. I also am pretty good at ditching bad teachers early in the game. Pondering the question, I think the WORST teachers I've ever had include
my kindergarten teacher.
She was a Catholic nun and (rightfully) concerned that I did not accept my place. Among the sins I regularly committed were my preference for playing with boys instead of girls, tying my shoe with two "bunny ears" (because that's how my dad taught me to do it), and holding my pencil incorrectly (which still draws comments three decades later). I upset her enough that she recommended my parents hold me back another year. Thankfully, my parents were smarter than she was!
my geometry teacher
In second grade, I forgot what the homework was, so I simply did the first 20 pages in the workbook. Through eighth grade, I was ahead in math and completed algebra before high school. I don't know that my TEACHER was really bad at teaching; I think a lot of It wasn't until geometry that I began to hate math. I don't know that I can blame HER; my frustration was due to circumstances and NOT her teaching. Still, it wasn't until this class that I began to hate and dread math. Things that went wrong: I was used to a very small class in junior high, with a lot of focus on individual struggles; here, I was one of 30+ and lost in confusion. I was the ONLY freshman in a class of sophomores, and there was always a smattering of pennies on my desk. My mom had *promised* she would help me through geometry (one of her favorite maths), but she died in early November. *sigh* Math became a scapegoat for my inability to cope with the rest of my world being out of wack.
my European history teacher
You would think that an experienced teacher would realize that first period...or ANY period...for seniors would require a little bit of spark to keep students interested. This teacher didn't even try. I slept through most of this class and managed with Cs because she didn't care enough for me to be bothered with impressing her. *shrug* Bored students is a worse result than failing students, in my opinion.
my organic chemistry teacher
This is one of the teachers I chose to ditch after ONE day in class. *shakes head* The guy walked into an auditorium of students and, with a heavy Asian accent, launched into how important element number four was in organic chemistry. All of life as we know it is based on element number four. Did you know that we are beryillum-based??? *shakes head* The truly sad bit was that the periodic chart was hanging directly over his head. If he couldn't get THAT right, there was no way I was going to struggle through his accent on dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane!
my first sociology professor
Another of those teachers who I chose to drop after just one day in class. This time, it was his superior attitude rather than ineptitude. I can accept that you know more than I do about some things, but I expect you to be open to information or interpretation, even if it IS brought to you by a student. This guy made it very clear that his head was firmly lodged in his ass. *shrug* I found a much more interesting sociology teacher a semester or two later.
my kindergarten teacher.
She was a Catholic nun and (rightfully) concerned that I did not accept my place. Among the sins I regularly committed were my preference for playing with boys instead of girls, tying my shoe with two "bunny ears" (because that's how my dad taught me to do it), and holding my pencil incorrectly (which still draws comments three decades later). I upset her enough that she recommended my parents hold me back another year. Thankfully, my parents were smarter than she was!
my geometry teacher
In second grade, I forgot what the homework was, so I simply did the first 20 pages in the workbook. Through eighth grade, I was ahead in math and completed algebra before high school. I don't know that my TEACHER was really bad at teaching; I think a lot of It wasn't until geometry that I began to hate math. I don't know that I can blame HER; my frustration was due to circumstances and NOT her teaching. Still, it wasn't until this class that I began to hate and dread math. Things that went wrong: I was used to a very small class in junior high, with a lot of focus on individual struggles; here, I was one of 30+ and lost in confusion. I was the ONLY freshman in a class of sophomores, and there was always a smattering of pennies on my desk. My mom had *promised* she would help me through geometry (one of her favorite maths), but she died in early November. *sigh* Math became a scapegoat for my inability to cope with the rest of my world being out of wack.
my European history teacher
You would think that an experienced teacher would realize that first period...or ANY period...for seniors would require a little bit of spark to keep students interested. This teacher didn't even try. I slept through most of this class and managed with Cs because she didn't care enough for me to be bothered with impressing her. *shrug* Bored students is a worse result than failing students, in my opinion.
my organic chemistry teacher
This is one of the teachers I chose to ditch after ONE day in class. *shakes head* The guy walked into an auditorium of students and, with a heavy Asian accent, launched into how important element number four was in organic chemistry. All of life as we know it is based on element number four. Did you know that we are beryillum-based??? *shakes head* The truly sad bit was that the periodic chart was hanging directly over his head. If he couldn't get THAT right, there was no way I was going to struggle through his accent on dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane!
my first sociology professor
Another of those teachers who I chose to drop after just one day in class. This time, it was his superior attitude rather than ineptitude. I can accept that you know more than I do about some things, but I expect you to be open to information or interpretation, even if it IS brought to you by a student. This guy made it very clear that his head was firmly lodged in his ass. *shrug* I found a much more interesting sociology teacher a semester or two later.
Almost there...
Boy is on Spring Break, thus I am on double-duty. So far, we have made crafts at the library, turned the vacuum into a bubble-gun for a house-wide bubble fest, done a climbing club, and an all-day trip to the zoo...on top of my usual workouts and attempts at domestic charm! I'm pooped!
Last night was a pretty amazing treat, though. Hawk-Sir has been dreadfully sick, and Lady Tamin asked if we might be able to use their tickets to Hair. I had about 24-hours notice and I manage to find childcare! The show was just fantastic! Both Beloved and I were laughing and crying. Several of the vocalists were out of this world. The lighting was amazing. Add on that I *love* this show... I am sad that someone's ill fortune was involved, and grateful that I was able to see the production. As Lady Tamin said, the Universe works in mysterious ways.
I still have today's workout, meeting with the nutritionist, and grocery shop today, an all-day seminar at the University tomorrow, and the planetarium and train-pick up on Sunday. One more push, and I'll be able to have a quiet day on Monday...I think. Maybe I'll even get a "challenge" in! hahaha. 30 posts in 30 days in my life? HIL-AR-EEE-OUS!
Last night was a pretty amazing treat, though. Hawk-Sir has been dreadfully sick, and Lady Tamin asked if we might be able to use their tickets to Hair. I had about 24-hours notice and I manage to find childcare! The show was just fantastic! Both Beloved and I were laughing and crying. Several of the vocalists were out of this world. The lighting was amazing. Add on that I *love* this show... I am sad that someone's ill fortune was involved, and grateful that I was able to see the production. As Lady Tamin said, the Universe works in mysterious ways.
I still have today's workout, meeting with the nutritionist, and grocery shop today, an all-day seminar at the University tomorrow, and the planetarium and train-pick up on Sunday. One more push, and I'll be able to have a quiet day on Monday...I think. Maybe I'll even get a "challenge" in! hahaha. 30 posts in 30 days in my life? HIL-AR-EEE-OUS!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Five Movies You Quote Constantly
This is a funny one because I probably quote movies more than I am consciously aware of. A lot of the quotes end up in the pop-culture realm, though, and we all do it to some extent. Some of my favorites:
Princess Bride
"As you wish." "I do not think it means what you think it means." "Anyone who says differently is selling something." "Have fun storming the castle."
Star Wars
"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'." "Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?" "Let the wookiee win." "I find your lack of faith disturbing." "These aren’t the droids you’re looking for" "May the force be with you."
Austin Powers
A TERRIBLE movie...but I still quote it often enough...
"Oh behave!" "Do I make you horny, baby?" " I won't bite... hard."
The Terminator
"Come with me if you want to live." "There's no fate but what we make for ourselves." "Hasta la vista, baby."
Monty Python
"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries." "It's just a flesh wound." "I got better." "And after the spanking, the oral sex." "Ekki-Ekki-Ekki-Ekki-PTANG. Zoom-Boing. Z'nourrwringmm." "I'm not dead yet." "Look at the bones, man!" "Why do you think I have this outrageous accent?"
Princess Bride
"As you wish." "I do not think it means what you think it means." "Anyone who says differently is selling something." "Have fun storming the castle."
Star Wars
"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'." "Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?" "Let the wookiee win." "I find your lack of faith disturbing." "These aren’t the droids you’re looking for" "May the force be with you."
Austin Powers
A TERRIBLE movie...but I still quote it often enough...
"Oh behave!" "Do I make you horny, baby?" " I won't bite... hard."
The Terminator
"Come with me if you want to live." "There's no fate but what we make for ourselves." "Hasta la vista, baby."
Monty Python
"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries." "It's just a flesh wound." "I got better." "And after the spanking, the oral sex." "Ekki-Ekki-Ekki-Ekki-PTANG. Zoom-Boing. Z'nourrwringmm." "I'm not dead yet." "Look at the bones, man!" "Why do you think I have this outrageous accent?"
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Five Most Annoying Celebrities
hmmm...yet another challenge that I don't know quite how to answer. I simply don't pay much attention to celebrities, in part because I find them all a little annoying. Maybe I can answer with the traits that grate on my nerves.
Money
Probably my number one irritation with an celebrity starts with money. Even those who dole out to charities and causes do so AFTER they have their own luxuries and comforts taken care of. I suppose they can't live "normal" lives because of fans and paparazzi, but the extreme and outlandish lifestyles of the rich and famous are a little sickening to me.
Entitlements
Have you ever had to cater to a celebrity's expectations? I have. No, it wasn't someone top-rung and I am glad it wasn't! The specifications ranged from the brand name of bottled water, the exact number and type of apples, and the temperature of the auditorium. It was a headache and hard to provide for in the small college town I was in. Someone ended up driving 20 miles to a bigger supermarket to find the apples. Also, an empty auditorium heats up when you put 500 bodies in it. oiy! I'm sure that such things only increase with the level of celebrity.
Trendiness
Like, oh my God! Can you believe how yesterday those flare jeans are? How can you bare to be in public in such an out-of-date pair of shoes? Seriously, neon green is the new black! Gag me with a spoon already! I totally accept that I am not trying to be a fashion statement, and that a lot of my wardrobe IS from yesterday's hip style. However, the fads that are set by the rich and famous are all too often expensive. Not everyone can afford to keep up, and it annoys me that the expectation is that I care.
Careless spending
Birthdays, weddings, holidays...any and all of these come with ridiculous and careless spending. It annoys me every single time I see the tabloid stories about the $5000 cake for a 2 year old, the $100,000 leggings and bra pair, the $23,000 per week vacations. These kinds of people have absolutely no concept of what a dollar is worth.
Elitism
*chuckles* I got in trouble a few times in my corporate career because I would approach people with the attitude that, just like me, they put on their pants one leg at a time. Maybe they have someone holding the pants for them, but I just don't believe that people should be treated differently based on wealth or looks or abilities. I had to look her up, but Susan Boyle is one example...Why are we all so surprised? Because she's not pretty? Because she's not young? The fact of the matter is that if you don't look the elite part, there is an automatic dismissal of your potential. How annoying is that?!?
Money
Probably my number one irritation with an celebrity starts with money. Even those who dole out to charities and causes do so AFTER they have their own luxuries and comforts taken care of. I suppose they can't live "normal" lives because of fans and paparazzi, but the extreme and outlandish lifestyles of the rich and famous are a little sickening to me.
Entitlements
Have you ever had to cater to a celebrity's expectations? I have. No, it wasn't someone top-rung and I am glad it wasn't! The specifications ranged from the brand name of bottled water, the exact number and type of apples, and the temperature of the auditorium. It was a headache and hard to provide for in the small college town I was in. Someone ended up driving 20 miles to a bigger supermarket to find the apples. Also, an empty auditorium heats up when you put 500 bodies in it. oiy! I'm sure that such things only increase with the level of celebrity.
Trendiness
Like, oh my God! Can you believe how yesterday those flare jeans are? How can you bare to be in public in such an out-of-date pair of shoes? Seriously, neon green is the new black! Gag me with a spoon already! I totally accept that I am not trying to be a fashion statement, and that a lot of my wardrobe IS from yesterday's hip style. However, the fads that are set by the rich and famous are all too often expensive. Not everyone can afford to keep up, and it annoys me that the expectation is that I care.
Careless spending
Birthdays, weddings, holidays...any and all of these come with ridiculous and careless spending. It annoys me every single time I see the tabloid stories about the $5000 cake for a 2 year old, the $100,000 leggings and bra pair, the $23,000 per week vacations. These kinds of people have absolutely no concept of what a dollar is worth.
Elitism
*chuckles* I got in trouble a few times in my corporate career because I would approach people with the attitude that, just like me, they put on their pants one leg at a time. Maybe they have someone holding the pants for them, but I just don't believe that people should be treated differently based on wealth or looks or abilities. I had to look her up, but Susan Boyle is one example...Why are we all so surprised? Because she's not pretty? Because she's not young? The fact of the matter is that if you don't look the elite part, there is an automatic dismissal of your potential. How annoying is that?!?
Vision Board
I have often mentioned that I am entering into a stage of re-inventing myself. I have looked at school programs and put out resumes, but with little success in finding a path. In a conversation with Beloved yesterday, he said it succinctly. "You have done a wonderful job of bringing them past their infancy on toddler ages. The proof is in how well adjusted and adventurous they are. Now it's time to move on. Time to rediscover your calling. It isn't in being a stay-at-home mom to small children."
This morning, I landed on Christine Kane's web page and downloaded her Complete Guide to Vision Boards
It is an interesting idea. Back in college, our ceramics teacher had us do vision board kinds of projects so we would have ideas for what we wanted to create in class. Unfortunately, this is the sort of thing that makes my neat-freak tic...mismatch images, imperfect cuts, clutter. Oiy. Still...maybe it is time to pull out the scissors and paste and try out a vision board for my life.
The power behind the project is that it focuses on the WHAT, without pushing the HOW. Taking the time to draw it out – vision board it – makes the WHAT indelible in the mind. The theory continues.
I definitely feel like one of the cynics that Christine mentions in the intro. It can't be so simple, or everyone would be doing it. But everyone isn't doing it, and a lot of them are pretty unhappy in life.
It can't hurt...it will cost me a couple of bucks for poster board and some time going through magazines that I'm not going to keep anyway (of snagged from freecycle). So...okay...
The kids and I are going out this afternoon, and there's a Dollar Store nearby. I guess we'll make a side trip. Here's hoping!
Most people never pause long enough to ask themselves what they want. They just let life happen to them. I think this is because most people don’t believe they can really create their own happiness, or their own wealth, or their own anything! ~ Christine Kane
This morning, I landed on Christine Kane's web page and downloaded her Complete Guide to Vision Boards
It is an interesting idea. Back in college, our ceramics teacher had us do vision board kinds of projects so we would have ideas for what we wanted to create in class. Unfortunately, this is the sort of thing that makes my neat-freak tic...mismatch images, imperfect cuts, clutter. Oiy. Still...maybe it is time to pull out the scissors and paste and try out a vision board for my life.
The power behind the project is that it focuses on the WHAT, without pushing the HOW. Taking the time to draw it out – vision board it – makes the WHAT indelible in the mind. The theory continues.
When you surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live or vacation, your life changes to match those images and those desires. Your attention is that powerful.
I figured that if they didn’t work, the worst thing that could happen would be me feeling stupid. So be it. But if they did work, the best thing that could happen is me feeling happier. It felt like a pretty good risk to take.
I definitely feel like one of the cynics that Christine mentions in the intro. It can't be so simple, or everyone would be doing it. But everyone isn't doing it, and a lot of them are pretty unhappy in life.
It can't hurt...it will cost me a couple of bucks for poster board and some time going through magazines that I'm not going to keep anyway (of snagged from freecycle). So...okay...
The kids and I are going out this afternoon, and there's a Dollar Store nearby. I guess we'll make a side trip. Here's hoping!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Spring break struggles
Bah. Humbug. That's about what I have to say about Boy being on spring break. Unfortunately, it's only mid-afternoon on Monday. It's gunna be a looooong break. :(
Part of it is my own. Insomnia hit hard last night, and despite the pharmaceutical, it was after 2am when I finally got to sleep. That automatically sets me up for a tough day. I don't know if I should talk to my doctor about increasing the dosage or not, but sleep has been becoming more of an issue the last month or so.
I managed to cut about 1/2 my weight "gain" from last week, although I still have some edema going on. I think that my glutton-free choices brought more sodium than I am used to, and I'm relieved to be DONE with that bit of insanity. I had my first wheat at lunch, so we'll see.
The temperature went from low 80s all last week to mid-50s overnight. We've pulled out the sweatshirts and turned the heat back on. *wry smile* Spring in Chicago is ever the roller coaster!
*sigh* a whole lot of venting. I wish I could just go take a nap. Oh well...duty calls.
Part of it is my own. Insomnia hit hard last night, and despite the pharmaceutical, it was after 2am when I finally got to sleep. That automatically sets me up for a tough day. I don't know if I should talk to my doctor about increasing the dosage or not, but sleep has been becoming more of an issue the last month or so.
I managed to cut about 1/2 my weight "gain" from last week, although I still have some edema going on. I think that my glutton-free choices brought more sodium than I am used to, and I'm relieved to be DONE with that bit of insanity. I had my first wheat at lunch, so we'll see.
The temperature went from low 80s all last week to mid-50s overnight. We've pulled out the sweatshirts and turned the heat back on. *wry smile* Spring in Chicago is ever the roller coaster!
*sigh* a whole lot of venting. I wish I could just go take a nap. Oh well...duty calls.
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