At around 4:30 PM Mountain Standard Time, STK signed the paperwork to unload The Albatross. When we walked out of the Cherry Creek title office, I let out a WHOOP that echoed off of Nordstroms and caused many of the snotty Cherry Creek types to roll their eyes.* We celebrated our freedom with dinner at Gunther Toody's.
I had a most excellent mug of Kaladi Bros coffee this morning; a most excellent cranberry bagel complimented that most excellent mug of coffee. It was a most excellent morning. Tomorrow AM, I hope to get up early and go for a most excellent run in Washington Park before procuring another most excellent mug of coffee and bagel (I might get crazy and go for blueberry).
*When I lived in Denver proper, I used to get gothed out and walk through the Cherry Creek Mall just to watch the reactions of the shoppers. During one of my strolls through the mall, a security guard followed me into the bathroom and stood, watching, while I relieved myself.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Bleh
I had a really horrible mug of coffee at the end-of-year faculty meeting. The banana bread wasn't bad, though.
We're Colorado bound in less than an hour. Condo closing on Thursday. There will be much rejoicing when that whole affair is concluded. Time with Denver friends and family over the weekend. We'll be heading north to Loveland early next week to frolic with Northern Colorado friends and family. My 20th high school is reunion is a week from Saturday. Where has the time gone? We'll make our return to SMT on June 4th or 5th. If you're in the Colorado area and want to reach me, call my folks--they're in the book.
I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post, but I'll try to keep up. Have a safe Memorial Day, everyone.
We're Colorado bound in less than an hour. Condo closing on Thursday. There will be much rejoicing when that whole affair is concluded. Time with Denver friends and family over the weekend. We'll be heading north to Loveland early next week to frolic with Northern Colorado friends and family. My 20th high school is reunion is a week from Saturday. Where has the time gone? We'll make our return to SMT on June 4th or 5th. If you're in the Colorado area and want to reach me, call my folks--they're in the book.
I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post, but I'll try to keep up. Have a safe Memorial Day, everyone.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Fleeting Existence
When a lute is played, there is no previous store of playing that it comes from. When the music stops, it does not go anywhere else. It came into existence by way of the structure of the lute and the playing of the performer. When the playing ceases, the music goes out of existence.
In the same way all the components of being, both material and nonmaterial, come into existence, play their part, and pass away.
That which we call a person is the bringing together of components and their actions with each other. It is impossible to find a permanent self there. And yet there is a paradox. For there is a path to follow and there is walking to be done, and yet there is no walker. There are actions but there is no actor. The air moves but there is no wind. The idea of a specific self is a mistake. Existence is clarity and emptiness.
-Visuddhi Magga
In the same way all the components of being, both material and nonmaterial, come into existence, play their part, and pass away.
That which we call a person is the bringing together of components and their actions with each other. It is impossible to find a permanent self there. And yet there is a paradox. For there is a path to follow and there is walking to be done, and yet there is no walker. There are actions but there is no actor. The air moves but there is no wind. The idea of a specific self is a mistake. Existence is clarity and emptiness.
-Visuddhi Magga
Saturday, May 20, 2006
House Call
Friends and family are under strict orders not to call our house before 9 AM. As someone who has difficulties sleeping, it's not uncommon for me to stay up until 3 AM. I'm usually in bed reading by 2 or 2:30, but I can't seem to find my way to the Land of Zzzzz until a bit later. I'm not sure what that's about and I've given up trying to discover an answer. Now that TLO has arrived in our family, I rarely get to sleep beyond 7:30 but there are days when he allows us to sleep late. So, no phone calls before 9 AM.
Given all that, I wasn't all that surprised to receive a phone call this morning at 8:45 AM. It was our realtor. Yesterday afternoon, after having a local contractor poke, prod, and climb in and about Possibility v2.0 , we made an offer. Our realtor called early this morning to let us know the sellers accepted. While it wasn't an emergency, per se, I can live with a pre-9 AM good news phone call. Provided there isn't some major snafu in the sale of The Albatross (buyer loan is approved, they've already been measuring the condo for window treatments, and our realtor says the deal is 99.9% done) or in our financing (we're pre-approved and the bank assures me there won't be any problem), we should close on our new place June 19. Yikes. I was planning on a nice, relaxing summer. I'm guessing I'll probably be moving and doing a bit of landscaping.
We walked by the place this evening and took a few exterior pictures. Here's a shot looking SW.
One looking NW.
NE
Almost directly North.
We're excited about the new adventure, of course. I'm a little freaked out by the whole affair. As a friend recently reminded me, I once made a commitment to avoid any legal contracts starting with an "M"--I signed a marriage license a couple years back and I'm about to sign a mortgage. Ooops.
Given all that, I wasn't all that surprised to receive a phone call this morning at 8:45 AM. It was our realtor. Yesterday afternoon, after having a local contractor poke, prod, and climb in and about Possibility v2.0 , we made an offer. Our realtor called early this morning to let us know the sellers accepted. While it wasn't an emergency, per se, I can live with a pre-9 AM good news phone call. Provided there isn't some major snafu in the sale of The Albatross (buyer loan is approved, they've already been measuring the condo for window treatments, and our realtor says the deal is 99.9% done) or in our financing (we're pre-approved and the bank assures me there won't be any problem), we should close on our new place June 19. Yikes. I was planning on a nice, relaxing summer. I'm guessing I'll probably be moving and doing a bit of landscaping.
We walked by the place this evening and took a few exterior pictures. Here's a shot looking SW.
One looking NW.
NE
Almost directly North.
We're excited about the new adventure, of course. I'm a little freaked out by the whole affair. As a friend recently reminded me, I once made a commitment to avoid any legal contracts starting with an "M"--I signed a marriage license a couple years back and I'm about to sign a mortgage. Ooops.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Return of the The Feast From 20,000 Fathoms
Friday's Feast, May 19, 2006
Appetizer--What is the last thing you had to have repaired?
I had to replace the windshield wiper blades on the Civic. Does that count as repairing? I actually replaced the blades myself.
Soup--If someone gave you $2,000 with the stipulation that you had to spend half of it on yourself and give the rest to charity, where would you spend the $1,000 and which charity would receive your remaining $1,000?
$1000 would go to a new Honda scooter for scooting around town.
$1000 would go a local Buddhist monastery.
Salad--What is one of your favorite songs from the 1980s?
Arabian Knights--Siouxsie and the Banshees
Main Course--You enter a pet store. Which section do you go to first?
Small pets. I usually pic up foood for Oz, the bunny, then make my way to pick up necessities for the cats. I complete the circuit by cruising to the dog food area.
Dessert--On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how athletic are you?
7. I'm not very graceful but can hold my own on a long run. As my runner's knee flared up a few weeks back, I'm also putting a few miles on the exercise bike. Run one day, bike the next, then a day off.
Appetizer--What is the last thing you had to have repaired?
I had to replace the windshield wiper blades on the Civic. Does that count as repairing? I actually replaced the blades myself.
Soup--If someone gave you $2,000 with the stipulation that you had to spend half of it on yourself and give the rest to charity, where would you spend the $1,000 and which charity would receive your remaining $1,000?
$1000 would go to a new Honda scooter for scooting around town.
$1000 would go a local Buddhist monastery.
Salad--What is one of your favorite songs from the 1980s?
Arabian Knights--Siouxsie and the Banshees
Main Course--You enter a pet store. Which section do you go to first?
Small pets. I usually pic up foood for Oz, the bunny, then make my way to pick up necessities for the cats. I complete the circuit by cruising to the dog food area.
Dessert--On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how athletic are you?
7. I'm not very graceful but can hold my own on a long run. As my runner's knee flared up a few weeks back, I'm also putting a few miles on the exercise bike. Run one day, bike the next, then a day off.
Pop Culture Travel
This article offers some interesting thoughts about popular culture and the phenomenon of popular culture related travel. I've heard of people following the wine-tasting tour of the two companions from Sideways, of people visiting the Field of Dreams, and Lord of the Rings fans treking to New Zealand to visit the faux Shire. I've developed my own list of potential pop culture tours. My top five popular culture travel destinations include the following.
Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, Norway.
Devils Tower National Monument.
The Empire State Building*
Ferris Bueller's Chicago Tour.
1776 History Tour (historical sites of Philadelphia).
The location where Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring was filmed. The location of the lake battle in Hero would be a close second.
Smallville. Wait, I think I live there. Okay, wrong state but similar size and geography.
*I visited NYC several years ago and didn't manage to visit the Empire State Building. WTF?
Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, Norway.
Devils Tower National Monument.
The Empire State Building*
Ferris Bueller's Chicago Tour.
1776 History Tour (historical sites of Philadelphia).
The location where Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring was filmed. The location of the lake battle in Hero would be a close second.
Smallville. Wait, I think I live there. Okay, wrong state but similar size and geography.
*I visited NYC several years ago and didn't manage to visit the Empire State Building. WTF?
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
The Walls Have Ears
More will be revealed:
Watching. Always Watching.
This smacks of the various Sedition Acts the government has instituted from time to time. Are those acts still in force? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Regardless, I find it very disturbing that the government is cataloging phone numbers used by the press.
Perhaps it's time to revisit Robert M. La Follette's Free Speech in Wartime. It's an abridged version, but the only one I could locate quickly. I find the following passage poignant.
Rather, in time of war, the citizen must be more alert to the preservation of his right to control his Government. He must be most watchful of the encroachment of the military upon the civil power. He must beware of those precedents in support of arbitrary action by administration officials which, excused on the pleas of necessity in war time, become the fixed rule when the necessity has passed and normal conditions have been restored.
I suspect this phone number stuff is the tip of the iceberg. Is it time to start worrying about our rights?
Watching. Always Watching.
This smacks of the various Sedition Acts the government has instituted from time to time. Are those acts still in force? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Regardless, I find it very disturbing that the government is cataloging phone numbers used by the press.
Perhaps it's time to revisit Robert M. La Follette's Free Speech in Wartime. It's an abridged version, but the only one I could locate quickly. I find the following passage poignant.
Rather, in time of war, the citizen must be more alert to the preservation of his right to control his Government. He must be most watchful of the encroachment of the military upon the civil power. He must beware of those precedents in support of arbitrary action by administration officials which, excused on the pleas of necessity in war time, become the fixed rule when the necessity has passed and normal conditions have been restored.
I suspect this phone number stuff is the tip of the iceberg. Is it time to start worrying about our rights?
Possibilities v2.0
STK talked me into looking at a house she's been admiring for a couple months. From the outside it really isn't all that special and I always responded with a, "meh."
Today, she called our realtor and set up a showing. I, believing the place to be an average fixerupper, consented to go along for what I knew was going to be a waste of time. Was I ever wrong. The place is amazing! Built in 1878, the place has undergone substantial additions and remodelings over the years. The latest remodel occured with the last year. The house has three bedrooms (we're talking huge rooms--one of the bedrooms is 15x14), a tremendous kitchen (with an island), a formal dining room, living room, sitting room, four bathrooms (2 half baths; 2 full), and a 2 car attached garage. New paint (in colors STK loves), windows, full insulation, and carpet add to the attractiveness of the place. The only quirky part about the place is that the basement can only be entered from an exterior door. During one of the various remodels, a narrow stairway leading to the basement was sealed shut. Accessing the water heater, boiler, and water softener requires a quick jaunt outside (a walk that will be much colder in the middle of the winter).
Before even leaving the place, we asked our realtor to check on average utility costs for the last couple years. He checked and called back with a reasonable number--a little less than what we paid in our current place over the winter. Since we liked the place so much, we're having a local contractor give the place an informal inspection on Thursday afternoon. If everything checks out, we'll probably make an offer over the weekend.
Today, she called our realtor and set up a showing. I, believing the place to be an average fixerupper, consented to go along for what I knew was going to be a waste of time. Was I ever wrong. The place is amazing! Built in 1878, the place has undergone substantial additions and remodelings over the years. The latest remodel occured with the last year. The house has three bedrooms (we're talking huge rooms--one of the bedrooms is 15x14), a tremendous kitchen (with an island), a formal dining room, living room, sitting room, four bathrooms (2 half baths; 2 full), and a 2 car attached garage. New paint (in colors STK loves), windows, full insulation, and carpet add to the attractiveness of the place. The only quirky part about the place is that the basement can only be entered from an exterior door. During one of the various remodels, a narrow stairway leading to the basement was sealed shut. Accessing the water heater, boiler, and water softener requires a quick jaunt outside (a walk that will be much colder in the middle of the winter).
Before even leaving the place, we asked our realtor to check on average utility costs for the last couple years. He checked and called back with a reasonable number--a little less than what we paid in our current place over the winter. Since we liked the place so much, we're having a local contractor give the place an informal inspection on Thursday afternoon. If everything checks out, we'll probably make an offer over the weekend.
Bits & Pieces
WTF are television executives thinking? Must everything be about the almighty dollar? There are rumblings that Everwood will not make the transition from the WB to the CW (the combined UPN/WB network that premieres this fall). Everwood is one of the few programs out there that actually deals with serious issues in complex ways; there are no easy answers for the characters on this program. They make tons of mistakes (don't we all), but eventually get where they're going and manage to learn a few life lessons along the way. It's also one of the few programs that treats seniors in high school for what they are: young adults. With the way that Smallville has le sucked this year, Everwood is the only remaining major network program we watch on a regular basis . . . and it looks like it's getting the axe. Figures.
The President is sending 6,000 troops to secure our borders from those dastardly Mexican immigrants. With the NSA collecting phone records, the continuing effort to bring democracy to Iraq, and National Guard troops protecting us from southern marauders, I feel safer slipping into my bed at night. A few weeks ago I thought V for Vendetta was a bit over-the-top; today, not so much.
I must have one of these shirts. In black, of course. While you're at that particular site, you should listen to MP3s by Hank Piece, Merrick Foundation, and Farmers Almanac. That's my cousin singing and playing guitar. He's a rock star!
One section of final exams/grades completed. Two sections to go. I'm hoping to be finished with final grades by Wednesday night.
The President is sending 6,000 troops to secure our borders from those dastardly Mexican immigrants. With the NSA collecting phone records, the continuing effort to bring democracy to Iraq, and National Guard troops protecting us from southern marauders, I feel safer slipping into my bed at night. A few weeks ago I thought V for Vendetta was a bit over-the-top; today, not so much.
I must have one of these shirts. In black, of course. While you're at that particular site, you should listen to MP3s by Hank Piece, Merrick Foundation, and Farmers Almanac. That's my cousin singing and playing guitar. He's a rock star!
One section of final exams/grades completed. Two sections to go. I'm hoping to be finished with final grades by Wednesday night.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Possibilities
With STK's recent employment news and the pending sale of The Albatross, we've started looking at potential permanent housing prospects. Unlike the overinflated market of Colorado, the local market is extremely reasonable. While there are a number of older homes we really like that are on the market, each needs some kind of significant modification. One needs new floors as a result of cats with poor litter training and another needs insulation from top to bottom (and all the appliances replaced). Each of these older homes has a great deal of character and would be a wonderful place to establish roots . . . at the cost of a mortgage + $20,000. We're just not keen on spending all that time and energy to make a place liveable.
There's another place, one that doesn't have nearly the character of the other two, but is reasonably priced. The place recently went through a major remodel and everything, I mean everything, was replaced or redone. From appliances, to bathroom tile, insulation (full attic and wall), to Central Air, to the wiring, everything has been replaced within the last five years. Three bedrooms, two full baths, an insulated garage, a decent yard, and an awesome location (10 minute walk from school; 15 minutes from downtown; 2 minutes from my regular running path) make the place incredibly attractive. One of the bedrooms would become a guest room and there's a loft like area that would serve well as a home office. We don't love the exterior (vinyl siding that can't be painted) and we'd need to strip some wallpaper and do some painting inside (all tasks within our ability), but that would be the extent of the work. Here's a pic:
We made an extrememly low offer a few weeks back and got a feel for where the price is likely to fall. It's well within our budget, even moreso now that STK has a position starting in the Fall. The sellers weren't thrilled about our "The CO Condo Must Sell" contingency and wanted a very flexible agreement that would essentially allow them to back out at almost any moment. We decided that wasn't for us and backed off the deal. Today, the realtor with whom we were working called and asked if we'd be interested in reopening negotiations on the place. The sellers apparently haven't found any other takers and would like to move the place by June 15. As STK stated earlier, "The ball is in our court."
There's another place, one that doesn't have nearly the character of the other two, but is reasonably priced. The place recently went through a major remodel and everything, I mean everything, was replaced or redone. From appliances, to bathroom tile, insulation (full attic and wall), to Central Air, to the wiring, everything has been replaced within the last five years. Three bedrooms, two full baths, an insulated garage, a decent yard, and an awesome location (10 minute walk from school; 15 minutes from downtown; 2 minutes from my regular running path) make the place incredibly attractive. One of the bedrooms would become a guest room and there's a loft like area that would serve well as a home office. We don't love the exterior (vinyl siding that can't be painted) and we'd need to strip some wallpaper and do some painting inside (all tasks within our ability), but that would be the extent of the work. Here's a pic:
We made an extrememly low offer a few weeks back and got a feel for where the price is likely to fall. It's well within our budget, even moreso now that STK has a position starting in the Fall. The sellers weren't thrilled about our "The CO Condo Must Sell" contingency and wanted a very flexible agreement that would essentially allow them to back out at almost any moment. We decided that wasn't for us and backed off the deal. Today, the realtor with whom we were working called and asked if we'd be interested in reopening negotiations on the place. The sellers apparently haven't found any other takers and would like to move the place by June 15. As STK stated earlier, "The ball is in our court."
Friday, May 12, 2006
Feastivus
Friday's Feast Ninety-Three
Appetizer--What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Pistachio Almond Fudge.
Soup--What are 3 things you would like to put in a time capsule?
My dissertation, my latest AA medallion (#13 on June 2), and a picture of STK, TLO, and myself.
Salad--Name something you are 100% sure of.
I am 100% sure that I am still learning.
Main Course--What is something you do to calm yourself when you're stressed or upset?
A long run does wonders.
Dessert--If you could receive an invitation to any important event, what would you like it to be?
The Skywalker Ranch holiday party.
Appetizer--What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Pistachio Almond Fudge.
Soup--What are 3 things you would like to put in a time capsule?
My dissertation, my latest AA medallion (#13 on June 2), and a picture of STK, TLO, and myself.
Salad--Name something you are 100% sure of.
I am 100% sure that I am still learning.
Main Course--What is something you do to calm yourself when you're stressed or upset?
A long run does wonders.
Dessert--If you could receive an invitation to any important event, what would you like it to be?
The Skywalker Ranch holiday party.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Recommends
I was going to write something really profound on my blog tonight and now I can't remember what I was going to write. Really profound, eh? I guess I'll go with a couple quick movie suggestions. Both films slipped beneath the mainstream radar. Nevertheless, I found them entertaining.
Danny Deckchair.
Saved!.
Enjoy.
Danny Deckchair.
Saved!.
Enjoy.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Consequences
Dangerous consequences will follow when politicians and rulers forget moral principles. Whether we believe in God or karma, ethics is the foundation of every religion.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Buy this car to drive to work; Drive to work to pay for this car
At approximately 12:30 PM, STK was offered the K-6 art teacher position at a kind-of-local school district. She accepted the position. Provided everything goes okay with state licensing and the school board, STK will return to the teaching fold in August.
Nice work STK. You're one of the best art teachers out there and it obviously shows. You go on one interview and get a job. For the baseball fans out there, that's what you call batting 1.000.
Nice work STK. You're one of the best art teachers out there and it obviously shows. You go on one interview and get a job. For the baseball fans out there, that's what you call batting 1.000.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Reboot & Retool
By this time next week, another semester of classroom time will be complete. Yes, I'll still have finals to give, but the majority of my work for the semester will be done. This hasn't been an easy semester by any stretch. Teaching a new course is extremely time consuming; teaching two new courses is doubly so. Still, I weathered the storm and I'm mostly intact.
Generally, I consider myself an excellent teacher. I know my material, I'm prepared for class each and every day, I provide a good mix of lecture/discussion/artifact analysis, and I'd like to think I'm entertaining. Most of the time. One of the new classes I'm teaching landed with a resounding "thud." About half way through the semester, I could feel myself and my students getting bored, bored, bored with the format. Unfortunately, as the syllabus and related work had already been assigned, there wasn't a lot I could do. The course turned into lecture, lecture, lecture, and more lecture. Boring. Boring. Boring. It's boring for the students and it's boring for me. There's nothing worse than a boring class.
I take my teaching very seriously. When a class doesn't go well, I think about it. A lot. All the time, actually. I don't ever want to be the professor about whom students say, "Ugh. Avoid that guy. Boring." So, I had a chat with my students today, took responsibility for the boring end to the semester, threw out some ideas for retooling the course, and solicited suggestions. In the course of about 5-10 minutes, we came up with some excellent ideas for making the course more interactive and scintillating. When I unveil the revamped version of the course next spring, I think the students will be pleasantly surprised. One of the major changes will be the amount of teaching done by the students themselves. Each day, for about 10 minutes or so, pairs of students will be responsible for setting up the context for the following lecture/discussion. I'll still prepare as if the students weren't teaching the class--you never know when students will simply drop the ball and put together a terrible presentation/discussion. The students also asked that we do more in class analyses. No problem there, either. I like hearing what students think about material I've perused dozens of times. I'm generally suprised by how many things my students see that I've somehow missed.
A fizzled course becomes an opportunity to learn and grow as a teacher. That can't be all bad, I think. That doesn't help the students who struggled through the class with me, but future classes should benefit from the experience.
Generally, I consider myself an excellent teacher. I know my material, I'm prepared for class each and every day, I provide a good mix of lecture/discussion/artifact analysis, and I'd like to think I'm entertaining. Most of the time. One of the new classes I'm teaching landed with a resounding "thud." About half way through the semester, I could feel myself and my students getting bored, bored, bored with the format. Unfortunately, as the syllabus and related work had already been assigned, there wasn't a lot I could do. The course turned into lecture, lecture, lecture, and more lecture. Boring. Boring. Boring. It's boring for the students and it's boring for me. There's nothing worse than a boring class.
I take my teaching very seriously. When a class doesn't go well, I think about it. A lot. All the time, actually. I don't ever want to be the professor about whom students say, "Ugh. Avoid that guy. Boring." So, I had a chat with my students today, took responsibility for the boring end to the semester, threw out some ideas for retooling the course, and solicited suggestions. In the course of about 5-10 minutes, we came up with some excellent ideas for making the course more interactive and scintillating. When I unveil the revamped version of the course next spring, I think the students will be pleasantly surprised. One of the major changes will be the amount of teaching done by the students themselves. Each day, for about 10 minutes or so, pairs of students will be responsible for setting up the context for the following lecture/discussion. I'll still prepare as if the students weren't teaching the class--you never know when students will simply drop the ball and put together a terrible presentation/discussion. The students also asked that we do more in class analyses. No problem there, either. I like hearing what students think about material I've perused dozens of times. I'm generally suprised by how many things my students see that I've somehow missed.
A fizzled course becomes an opportunity to learn and grow as a teacher. That can't be all bad, I think. That doesn't help the students who struggled through the class with me, but future classes should benefit from the experience.
Feast!
Friday's Feast, May 05, 2006
Appetizer--From which country(s) are some (or all) of your ancestors?
UK, Germany, Native America
Soup--How would you describe your sneeze?
Howard Deanish. Eaaaarrrrgggghhhh.
Salad--What is the last thing you cleaned?
Dinner plates. I rinsed them and popped them in the dishwasher.
Main Course--Who made the strongest first impression on you?
My wife. The first time I saw her dancing, it stopped me in my tracks. I crushed on her from afar for several years. How I wish I had approached her that first night. It all worked out in the end, but we both would have avoided a lot of grief had I screwed up the courage to talk to her.
Dessert--Name one thing you want to accomplish in your lifetime.
You know, I'm pretty darn pleased with all the things I've accomplished to this point. As far as I'm concerned, everything else is bonus material.
Appetizer--From which country(s) are some (or all) of your ancestors?
UK, Germany, Native America
Soup--How would you describe your sneeze?
Howard Deanish. Eaaaarrrrgggghhhh.
Salad--What is the last thing you cleaned?
Dinner plates. I rinsed them and popped them in the dishwasher.
Main Course--Who made the strongest first impression on you?
My wife. The first time I saw her dancing, it stopped me in my tracks. I crushed on her from afar for several years. How I wish I had approached her that first night. It all worked out in the end, but we both would have avoided a lot of grief had I screwed up the courage to talk to her.
Dessert--Name one thing you want to accomplish in your lifetime.
You know, I'm pretty darn pleased with all the things I've accomplished to this point. As far as I'm concerned, everything else is bonus material.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
More Odds and Ends
In preparation for the official sendoff of The Albatross, we needed to do a handful of minor repairs. That's difficult to do when you're 900+ miles away from the former residence in question. Thankfully, we have the most excellent friends on the planet. Or is that in the solar system? Maybe even the entire galaxy? A quick shout out to J & C and they jumped on the job. We called the Handy Boys Sunday evening and asked if they'd take a look at the minor repairs. Two days later, the repairs are complete. We owe them. Big time.
STK reports that her Monday interview went as well as it could have possibly gone. She had no problem with any of the posed questions and feels like she connected with all three interviewers. She also reports that everyone at the school exudes Midwest "nice". The district is interviewing additional candidates over the next couple days and should make a decision by the end of the week. According the Prinicipal, STK should hear something, one way or the other, by the end of the upcoming weekend.
I checked my upcoming final exam schedule earlier tonight. Small Midwest College has an odd testing schedule: Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I've taught at five different schools and this is the only one where I've encountered Saturday testing. As luck would have it, all three of my final exams fall on Saturday. If I put my nose to the grindstone, I should have all tests graded and final grades calculated by Tuesday, May 16. Wouldn't that be nice?
STK reports that her Monday interview went as well as it could have possibly gone. She had no problem with any of the posed questions and feels like she connected with all three interviewers. She also reports that everyone at the school exudes Midwest "nice". The district is interviewing additional candidates over the next couple days and should make a decision by the end of the week. According the Prinicipal, STK should hear something, one way or the other, by the end of the upcoming weekend.
I checked my upcoming final exam schedule earlier tonight. Small Midwest College has an odd testing schedule: Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I've taught at five different schools and this is the only one where I've encountered Saturday testing. As luck would have it, all three of my final exams fall on Saturday. If I put my nose to the grindstone, I should have all tests graded and final grades calculated by Tuesday, May 16. Wouldn't that be nice?
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