Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween
Got Milk
Yon helps himself to a glass of milk before heading off to the Special Olympic Halloween party. He really wantd to be John MaCain but there are no republicans allowed here! So he decided a cow would be fun...
Teaching and Learning
On Halloween day children in middle school are very peppy. Today I was the math lab teacher and I taught two 6th grade classes about Scientific Notation. Then I taught two 7th grade classes an algebra review. Finally I taught two 8th grade classes about Iteration and Recursion.
I looked pretty smart during the scientific notation and even knew why we would want to write numbers in that way. (All that astronomy to atoms stuff.) I was able to answer their questions with some sign of intelligence and I believe I even helped a couple of confused kids grasp the concepts.
The algebraic review also found me looking pretty bright. I quickly realized the packet would not fill the entire class period so I even threw a few stories in between to stretch out the lesson.
8th grade however found me not so smart. First I discovered that the kids wasted no time reading the info they just flipped to the back to work on the problems. This made the class end WAY too soon. For the second 8th grade class I had them read the information first and then flip to the problems.
Secondly I really had to read and reread what the heck the concepts were. Apparently these concepts are used to solve Tower of Hanoi type problems and figure out those stupid I mean important sequence things like 3,12,48,192... There is even a famous math sequence called the Fibonacci sequence. Who knew? I certainly did not. I took copies of their worksheets home to study them. You can teach an old dog new tricks. But math sure is hard!
My week started teaching Ancient Civ/World History with topics I knew and loved...Peasants, serfs and Early Man discoverers. Wednesday found me in the Resource room teaching 7th grade special needs kids ( not that I am privy to their Ed plans. How is that for odd?) go over verb forms, literature, and math, with an inclusion class in science.) Yesterday found me in 6th grade World Geography teaching a mapping exercise on the polar regions. (I had no idea the Antarctic was mountainous, did you?) Then today I was Miss Math Whiz.
I really have been enjoying substitute teaching but I come home sometimes and my head is spinning. Plus my overactive curiosity continues long after the lesson plan ends. Then I find myself on the Internet looking up factoids. Or as in the case of today, studying 8th grade worksheets and working out sequencing. (FYI Mt Vinson:
The 16,077 foot summit is the highest point on the continent of Antarctica.)
I looked pretty smart during the scientific notation and even knew why we would want to write numbers in that way. (All that astronomy to atoms stuff.) I was able to answer their questions with some sign of intelligence and I believe I even helped a couple of confused kids grasp the concepts.
The algebraic review also found me looking pretty bright. I quickly realized the packet would not fill the entire class period so I even threw a few stories in between to stretch out the lesson.
8th grade however found me not so smart. First I discovered that the kids wasted no time reading the info they just flipped to the back to work on the problems. This made the class end WAY too soon. For the second 8th grade class I had them read the information first and then flip to the problems.
Secondly I really had to read and reread what the heck the concepts were. Apparently these concepts are used to solve Tower of Hanoi type problems and figure out those stupid I mean important sequence things like 3,12,48,192... There is even a famous math sequence called the Fibonacci sequence. Who knew? I certainly did not. I took copies of their worksheets home to study them. You can teach an old dog new tricks. But math sure is hard!
My week started teaching Ancient Civ/World History with topics I knew and loved...Peasants, serfs and Early Man discoverers. Wednesday found me in the Resource room teaching 7th grade special needs kids ( not that I am privy to their Ed plans. How is that for odd?) go over verb forms, literature, and math, with an inclusion class in science.) Yesterday found me in 6th grade World Geography teaching a mapping exercise on the polar regions. (I had no idea the Antarctic was mountainous, did you?) Then today I was Miss Math Whiz.
I really have been enjoying substitute teaching but I come home sometimes and my head is spinning. Plus my overactive curiosity continues long after the lesson plan ends. Then I find myself on the Internet looking up factoids. Or as in the case of today, studying 8th grade worksheets and working out sequencing. (FYI Mt Vinson:
The 16,077 foot summit is the highest point on the continent of Antarctica.)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
I Love Verizon
I have been wondering how we keep in contact with the kids while in St Lucia. I have had nightmare visions of a 500$ phone bill so Jamie could tell me that Nikki took his couch cushion, Tim could complain that Yon slept too late, and Joe could tell me that EVERYONE was mean to him.
So.....I decided to be brave and call Verizon and ask them what people do when they go overseas on vacation. Brave because I HATE HATE HATE making grown up calls. I am not sure why I have such a phobia about this. But I would always rather speak to a person in person than via the telephone.
These business type calls however really make me nervous. So I was quite bold today when I put my call into Verizon. Now we all know I spent quite a bit of time trying to navigate the automated options before I could get to a real person. But once I did...
They were wonderful. First I found it it only costs 4$ a month to put overseas on my landline. Then it is 42cents per minute to call instead of about 4 dollars a minute. Plus when we get back from our trip I can call Verizon and remove the overseas option. Verizon told me that if the kids call us in our hotel room it is about 9 cents more a minute so not too bad at all.
I was then transfered over to the cellphone people who after talking with them (and finding out my cellphone will not even work in St Lucia) sent me to the Global phone people.
The upshot is, for 9$ shipping and handling, Verizon sends me a phone on Friday. I then call them and they transfer my cell phone number onto this special rented Global phone. While in the USA my regular cellphone rates apply. But once we go overseas the incoming or outgoing calls are 1.99 per minute. I can send a text for 50cents or recieve one for only 5cents.
The caveat is that it is 200 dollars if I lose or break the Global phone! Also I have to return it withinb 30 days.
Of course I am not planning to call the kids everyday or anything. I believe they are secretly looking forward to having us out of the house. Mostly though I want Julie to feel supported as she will be primary caregiver. Of course Tim is here and Mary promises to call the children each night and visit on the weekend. But Julie is the one hwo in addition to her VERY heavy school owrkload will have to referee he said she said, whose turn is it for the tv, etc etc etc.
Having Verizon help out with the phone aspects is a big deal! 8 days and counting...
So.....I decided to be brave and call Verizon and ask them what people do when they go overseas on vacation. Brave because I HATE HATE HATE making grown up calls. I am not sure why I have such a phobia about this. But I would always rather speak to a person in person than via the telephone.
These business type calls however really make me nervous. So I was quite bold today when I put my call into Verizon. Now we all know I spent quite a bit of time trying to navigate the automated options before I could get to a real person. But once I did...
They were wonderful. First I found it it only costs 4$ a month to put overseas on my landline. Then it is 42cents per minute to call instead of about 4 dollars a minute. Plus when we get back from our trip I can call Verizon and remove the overseas option. Verizon told me that if the kids call us in our hotel room it is about 9 cents more a minute so not too bad at all.
I was then transfered over to the cellphone people who after talking with them (and finding out my cellphone will not even work in St Lucia) sent me to the Global phone people.
The upshot is, for 9$ shipping and handling, Verizon sends me a phone on Friday. I then call them and they transfer my cell phone number onto this special rented Global phone. While in the USA my regular cellphone rates apply. But once we go overseas the incoming or outgoing calls are 1.99 per minute. I can send a text for 50cents or recieve one for only 5cents.
The caveat is that it is 200 dollars if I lose or break the Global phone! Also I have to return it withinb 30 days.
Of course I am not planning to call the kids everyday or anything. I believe they are secretly looking forward to having us out of the house. Mostly though I want Julie to feel supported as she will be primary caregiver. Of course Tim is here and Mary promises to call the children each night and visit on the weekend. But Julie is the one hwo in addition to her VERY heavy school owrkload will have to referee he said she said, whose turn is it for the tv, etc etc etc.
Having Verizon help out with the phone aspects is a big deal! 8 days and counting...
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Halloween party and 6th grade
It always amazes me when people say they HATE Halloween. I have such great memories of trick or treating, walking around the neighborhood late at night (maybe 8pm), and passing out candy. I loved the parties and costumes and everything except the scary or ghoulish stuff.
Then I married a man who introduced me to the sin of toilet papering houses and really the holiday just gets better and better. My Mary really took over the holiday as a High Holiday and spent weeks transforming our yard into a Halloween scary walk.
Then Corey began his annual Halloween party starting in the 6th grade. It eventually became the much talked about killer football game/ Halloween party and after they all came home from college last year and tore up my lawn I told him his annual party was retired! (This party was truly a great deal of fun with donuts on a string and silly games and great great boys!)
Tonight we allowed Joe to host his first annual Halloween party. I had forgotten how deafeningly loud 11 years old could be, and their overwhelming obsession with bathroom humor.
All in all the party was a success. They played games like Don's famous Gargle game and of course donuts hung from the ceiling and bobbing for apples was reinvented in our stand up cooler after I could not find the big tin barrel. Look at the joy on these boys faces in the photos below. Truly priceless.
Then I married a man who introduced me to the sin of toilet papering houses and really the holiday just gets better and better. My Mary really took over the holiday as a High Holiday and spent weeks transforming our yard into a Halloween scary walk.
Then Corey began his annual Halloween party starting in the 6th grade. It eventually became the much talked about killer football game/ Halloween party and after they all came home from college last year and tore up my lawn I told him his annual party was retired! (This party was truly a great deal of fun with donuts on a string and silly games and great great boys!)
Tonight we allowed Joe to host his first annual Halloween party. I had forgotten how deafeningly loud 11 years old could be, and their overwhelming obsession with bathroom humor.
All in all the party was a success. They played games like Don's famous Gargle game and of course donuts hung from the ceiling and bobbing for apples was reinvented in our stand up cooler after I could not find the big tin barrel. Look at the joy on these boys faces in the photos below. Truly priceless.
Great kid Halloween website
http://familyfun.go.com/printables/games/printable/maze-mummy/maze-mummy.htmlWe are getting ready for 9, 6th grade boys, to come over for a Halloween Party. (Corey had it every year starting in 6th grade, but now the torch has been passed onto Joe.) I found this great site that offered cool suggestions.
I ran 9 miles
9 miles is a looooooong way. I did it, running the whole distance in 1 hour and 54 minutes. The last two miles my legs felt very heavy and weighted down and for the last half mile or so I swear I my feet would not lift up so much as shuffle along.
But I must've looked ok as no one pulled over to start resuscitation or anything! I really only had to "make" myself keep going the last mile and a half, otherwise my head was in a pretty good runner's space. But the illusive runner's high has still escaped me!
But I must've looked ok as no one pulled over to start resuscitation or anything! I really only had to "make" myself keep going the last mile and a half, otherwise my head was in a pretty good runner's space. But the illusive runner's high has still escaped me!
Friday, October 24, 2008
College Tours
Today was the day for a 9-11am tour of Brown University and a 1-4pm tour of Rhode Island School of Design. Julie wants to get into their Duel Enrollment program. She must first get accepted into Brown (she is applying Early Decision so all Brown stuff is due next Saturday.) Then she has to apply to RISD (their Early Action application is due Dec 15, otherwise it is a Feb deadline). If she gets into both schools (This Fall 500 kids applied and 40 were accepted by both colleges) she then has to try to get into the Duel program. To show you the challenge in that; out of the 500 from this year, narrowed to 40, only 18 were offered the Duel program of which 13 accepted. No problems!
We arrived good and early and I managed to find a metered parking spot in front of the Slater building where Mary was the RA. I ended up racing back and forth feeding that darn meter all day and STILL got a 25$ ticket as we ran late with the RISD tour!
It was a pleasant sensation to be back on campus. I felt a touch of nostalgia that brought a tear to my eye when we went into the Brown auditorium that houses the huge organ, where we celebrated a graduation Mass with Catholic graduates before Commencement with Mary.
But then as I came fully into the now empty auditorium I looked at my baby Julie. Her back was to the breathtaking stain glass windows that rose behind her and bathed her in muted Fall light. As she stood alone gazing up at the organ pipes I imagined the morning of her own college graduation. I knew I would flashback to this moment in my heart and memory.
After our campus tour and question and answer period we met up with Mary's best college friend Ali for lunch. Ali is in his second year of Med school, after doing his undergrad work there with Mary and then taking a year off to do research over in Iran. Their friend Xiaxio could not meet us as she is a 3rd year med school student and was on hospital rounds.
Ali got us into both the art buildings at Brown and the Egyptology department and even convinced Julie to speak to them there. She was quite bashful which caught me a little off guard, but it was kinda sweet.
The RISD tour was a hoot especially when they discussed their sports program. This extensive program includes midnight soccer and a bowling league. They do taunt opponents with the cutting "Hah ha you cannnnnnnt draw!" They almost never ever win any sports match.
Everyone was very impressed with the studio space available for student use and their program is both intensive and challenging. I really loved the RISD tour part when we got to see student artists at work or student projects adorning walls and galleries.
Just from looking around it is clear that Julie's artistic skills are competitive with other RISD students which was nice to see.
Brown is expecting an additional 5000 applicants this year (they have gotten around 20000 a year the last 4 years, of which they accept less that half of that, around 9000). But this year Brown is choosing to go with the Common App which they expect will really increase their applications.
It is hard to know what kind of chance she has. Of course she has the grades and talent. But Brown also looks for unusual kids who will bring a lot to their campus. They assume you are smart, they look deeply into what else you are. Also it was clear from RISD that she has the artistic chops for their program and I bet she will be the most intellectual artist they have ever had........
But a lot of talented dedicated kids apply.....trying to keep the process fun and stress free is not really a possible trick. Particularly because in addition to her applications, essays and portfolio pieces, she still has a senior course load of 4 APs, an Internship in art and 2 other honors classes.
We arrived good and early and I managed to find a metered parking spot in front of the Slater building where Mary was the RA. I ended up racing back and forth feeding that darn meter all day and STILL got a 25$ ticket as we ran late with the RISD tour!
It was a pleasant sensation to be back on campus. I felt a touch of nostalgia that brought a tear to my eye when we went into the Brown auditorium that houses the huge organ, where we celebrated a graduation Mass with Catholic graduates before Commencement with Mary.
But then as I came fully into the now empty auditorium I looked at my baby Julie. Her back was to the breathtaking stain glass windows that rose behind her and bathed her in muted Fall light. As she stood alone gazing up at the organ pipes I imagined the morning of her own college graduation. I knew I would flashback to this moment in my heart and memory.
After our campus tour and question and answer period we met up with Mary's best college friend Ali for lunch. Ali is in his second year of Med school, after doing his undergrad work there with Mary and then taking a year off to do research over in Iran. Their friend Xiaxio could not meet us as she is a 3rd year med school student and was on hospital rounds.
Ali got us into both the art buildings at Brown and the Egyptology department and even convinced Julie to speak to them there. She was quite bashful which caught me a little off guard, but it was kinda sweet.
The RISD tour was a hoot especially when they discussed their sports program. This extensive program includes midnight soccer and a bowling league. They do taunt opponents with the cutting "Hah ha you cannnnnnnt draw!" They almost never ever win any sports match.
Everyone was very impressed with the studio space available for student use and their program is both intensive and challenging. I really loved the RISD tour part when we got to see student artists at work or student projects adorning walls and galleries.
Just from looking around it is clear that Julie's artistic skills are competitive with other RISD students which was nice to see.
Brown is expecting an additional 5000 applicants this year (they have gotten around 20000 a year the last 4 years, of which they accept less that half of that, around 9000). But this year Brown is choosing to go with the Common App which they expect will really increase their applications.
It is hard to know what kind of chance she has. Of course she has the grades and talent. But Brown also looks for unusual kids who will bring a lot to their campus. They assume you are smart, they look deeply into what else you are. Also it was clear from RISD that she has the artistic chops for their program and I bet she will be the most intellectual artist they have ever had........
But a lot of talented dedicated kids apply.....trying to keep the process fun and stress free is not really a possible trick. Particularly because in addition to her applications, essays and portfolio pieces, she still has a senior course load of 4 APs, an Internship in art and 2 other honors classes.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
How Sweat Killed my Cellphone
So I am down another 3.4 pounds today, for a total of 66.8 I believe that has come off and stayed off. But apparently it has cost me one cellphone.
It seems that when I run with exercise clothes on (most of which do not contain pockets) I always clutch my cellphone in my little paw. I would switch it to the opposite hand every half mile or so but it always gave me confidence to carry it. First I brought it to keep track of time and in case I needed to call someone to come get me if I collapsed! Later I continued to carry it in case I get lost or one of the kids needed me.
But apparently my sweat rusted the port that you use to charge the phone with. Of course I can not get a new phone on my plan until April of 09. I did not have insurance because quite frankly by the time you pay that over the life of the phone you could buy a very fancy new one! Besides, it is my phone and I take very good care of it. Well except for the sweat part!
I tried to see if the Verizon guys at the mall kiosk could help but they said new phones are over 200$. They recommended I go home and go to Verizon online and switch my phone number to Tim's (which he never uses unless forced to and so it becomes the emergency kid one). I was overwhelmed by the thought of doing the phone switch myself, remember I am still in shell shock over college applications online!
The kiosk guys would do it but charge me 20$. As I walked away it occurred to me that then I would still be paying 10$ a month for a phone line no one was using. All I wanted was a little new el-cheapo phone. It didn't have to be pretty, play music or games (although I would miss my Packman!) or be in any way fancy.
But the kiosk guys were busy so instead I wandered into Radio Shack, but could not find anything that said Verizon. (You all know I hate shopping except for the grocery store, the book store, and of course looking at the dogs in the pet store!)
Very discouraged I went over to Best Buy. Now I have never been big on the hard sell Best Buy in the past. Then a friend of Corey's started working there and when I needed Best Buy stuff I went to him. Well of course he was not there. But two wonderful employees, Andrew and Jen were. I spent over an hour with Jen (with advice from Andrew) as she tried to get one of the cheap but new prepay phones to work. Turns out they use to by pass something at Verizon to get that to work. But Verizon figured it out and they make money when people have to buy new phones before their contract runs out. What a racket Verizon has going, it made me so mad. This is the third time we have used Verizon for our cellphones and over all I am pleased. But they make you agree to a 2 year plan yet each time I swear the phone never quite makes it! The last two times we would baby our phone the last few months until it was time to renew. But there is no babying my poor phone with its rusted out port.
Eventually Jen gave up trying to by pass the Verizon system and she switched my phone number to Tim's and vice-versa. She did not even charge me for it! (Unlike the Verizon kiosk guys who charge 20$). She said if I could find a Verizon used cellphone online or from a friend she would gladly help get the Tim number on that.
I am definitely going to Best Buy when it is time to renew my phone. And I took an extra step of writing a big note about what a great employee she is and sent it to Best Buy. Donnie says everyone is worried about the economy so customer service has to be extra good. But I feel like she went above and beyond so if you have to do a Best Buy thing go to the one in Kingston and ask for Jen!
Anyway, that is the story of how sweat killed my cellphone. I know I have gained a lot from losing all the weight and getting into shape. Still it is sad to think it was at the expense of my pretty little Fire KM1.
It seems that when I run with exercise clothes on (most of which do not contain pockets) I always clutch my cellphone in my little paw. I would switch it to the opposite hand every half mile or so but it always gave me confidence to carry it. First I brought it to keep track of time and in case I needed to call someone to come get me if I collapsed! Later I continued to carry it in case I get lost or one of the kids needed me.
But apparently my sweat rusted the port that you use to charge the phone with. Of course I can not get a new phone on my plan until April of 09. I did not have insurance because quite frankly by the time you pay that over the life of the phone you could buy a very fancy new one! Besides, it is my phone and I take very good care of it. Well except for the sweat part!
I tried to see if the Verizon guys at the mall kiosk could help but they said new phones are over 200$. They recommended I go home and go to Verizon online and switch my phone number to Tim's (which he never uses unless forced to and so it becomes the emergency kid one). I was overwhelmed by the thought of doing the phone switch myself, remember I am still in shell shock over college applications online!
The kiosk guys would do it but charge me 20$. As I walked away it occurred to me that then I would still be paying 10$ a month for a phone line no one was using. All I wanted was a little new el-cheapo phone. It didn't have to be pretty, play music or games (although I would miss my Packman!) or be in any way fancy.
But the kiosk guys were busy so instead I wandered into Radio Shack, but could not find anything that said Verizon. (You all know I hate shopping except for the grocery store, the book store, and of course looking at the dogs in the pet store!)
Very discouraged I went over to Best Buy. Now I have never been big on the hard sell Best Buy in the past. Then a friend of Corey's started working there and when I needed Best Buy stuff I went to him. Well of course he was not there. But two wonderful employees, Andrew and Jen were. I spent over an hour with Jen (with advice from Andrew) as she tried to get one of the cheap but new prepay phones to work. Turns out they use to by pass something at Verizon to get that to work. But Verizon figured it out and they make money when people have to buy new phones before their contract runs out. What a racket Verizon has going, it made me so mad. This is the third time we have used Verizon for our cellphones and over all I am pleased. But they make you agree to a 2 year plan yet each time I swear the phone never quite makes it! The last two times we would baby our phone the last few months until it was time to renew. But there is no babying my poor phone with its rusted out port.
Eventually Jen gave up trying to by pass the Verizon system and she switched my phone number to Tim's and vice-versa. She did not even charge me for it! (Unlike the Verizon kiosk guys who charge 20$). She said if I could find a Verizon used cellphone online or from a friend she would gladly help get the Tim number on that.
I am definitely going to Best Buy when it is time to renew my phone. And I took an extra step of writing a big note about what a great employee she is and sent it to Best Buy. Donnie says everyone is worried about the economy so customer service has to be extra good. But I feel like she went above and beyond so if you have to do a Best Buy thing go to the one in Kingston and ask for Jen!
Anyway, that is the story of how sweat killed my cellphone. I know I have gained a lot from losing all the weight and getting into shape. Still it is sad to think it was at the expense of my pretty little Fire KM1.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Important News Flash
Elizabeth Peters has FINALLY written a new Vicky Bliss novel!!! Apparently she has had it out since August and I was not told! Oh the injustice. I will now have a heavenly book to read while Flying to St Lucia. If I can hold out two whole weeks before tearing into it!!! Oh is there any greater joy then your favorite author publishing another book!
Are we allowed to blog other people's articles?
This story made me laugh. I did not write it. I found it on the Internet. Let me stress it is written by a wonderful writer who I give full credit to. Plus I give credit to ABC on whose website I found it. So I hope they do not come after me for money. Because of course I have only 37.50$ in my checking account at this time. If I am committing a crime by posting this on my Blog please make mention of it in the comment section and I will try to uncommitt. Thank you.
Why Do We Communifake?
Up to 74 Percent of People 18-24 Admit Faking Calls
By KI MAE HEUSSNER
Oct. 17, 2008 —
Dominique Gonzales is a chronic communifaker.
"Absolutely, I communifake," the 27-year-old told ABCNews.com. "It's a little rude if you just ignore somebody. But if I see somebody at work who I want to avoid speaking with, I'll just take out my phone and pretend to be making a call."
If that sounds unusual to you, you might be in the minority.
According to new research from British mobile operator 3, the deceit is particularly used -- or abused -- by younger people. It found that 74 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 24 admit to communifaking.
But it is widespread among the general population with 42 percent of women and 32 percent of men conceding they fake phone calls.
The most common reason, the study says, is that it's something to do while waiting for friends. But using the phone to avoid speaking with someone is the second most popular reason for some more merciless communifakers.
It's All About 'Impression Management'
Patricia Wallace, a psychologist at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, is an expert on information technology and psychology and said that the phenomenon can be explained, in part, by "impression management."
"If you go to a pub and you're sitting by yourself, that says something. Rather than to be thought of as a loner or not desirable as company, you use your virtual connection to look like you're more desirable and involved and actively engaged with others," she said.
In addition to demonstrating connections to others, she said, pretending to be on the phone gives people the opportunity to show off the phone: a very powerful status symbol.
In some countries, particularly developing countries, Wallace said, people even purchase fake cell phones so that they have something flashy to fondle and wield in front of others.
In wealthier countries, like the United States and United Kingdom, the iPhone and designer devices from Prada and Armani serve the same status-establishing purpose.
In fact, Wallace said, studies have shown that men, in particular, display their cell phones to win over women, much like birds preen their feathers to attract mates.
It's Just Something to Do
Tim Olmeda, a 26-year-old reporter from Corpus Christi, Texas, told ABCNews.com that he's been guilty of communifaking since he purchased his cell phone four years ago.
"Usually it's kind of limited to when I'm sitting alone or when I'm waiting for someone. It feels kind of weird to sit there and not do anything," he said.
"I don't necessarily want to talk to people; I just don't want to be looking like I'm alone," he said.
Even when he's with a group of people but not feeling comfortable, he said his fingers will mosey on over to the keypad.
Aaron Stanley, 48, an independent filmmaker in Mesa, Ariz., said he's done it to escape the clutches of pushy salespeople.
Once, he said, at a Chevrolet dealership, the car salesman was so aggressive, Stanley activated his phone in his pocket so that he'd have an excuse to steal away.
"It was just a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. He was so pushy and I just wasn't in the mood to get into a fight with him," he said. Stanley made his phone indicate a call and told the salesman his wife was calling to report an emergency at home.
'It Smacks of Fear'
But, for some people, communifaking is a peculiar phenomenon that indicates insecurity."I think it's bizarre. It's just rather curious. The problem with the world is that we're not comfortable with one another," W.A. Tomlinson, a 53-year-old retiree from Coos Bay, Ore., told ABCNews.com.
"It smacks of fear because it says I'm afraid. I'm afraid to stand on my own two feet," he said.
He also couldn't understand why people wouldn't play games or do something else with their phones.
However, he conceded that communifaking could be a function of the younger generation's dependence on technology and connectivity, as well as their familiarity with multitasking.
Armed with their PDAs, cell phones and portable computers, "now people are addicted to multitasking," he said. "If you're not doing something, there must be something wrong."
But other older Americans have more forgiving explanations for what they see as the behavior of a younger generation.
"I believe women who feel they may be threatened, fake a phone call to feel protected," Meredith Booker, 60, a retired firefighter in Sarasota, Fla., told ABCNews.com.
For example, he said, when he walks through parking lots populated with "seedy-looking" men, he's noticed that younger women will instantly pull their phones to their ears.
"It's more of a protection device for them," he said.
Indeed, Angela Serene, 23, from Debary, Fla., told ABCNews.com that one night at a gas station, when only one other car was there, she pretended to talk on the phone out of fear.
"The other person at the pump was a mysterious-looking older man, I'd say in his early 40s. So to avoid him talking to me, I pretended I was talking on my phone while pumping my gas," she said.
However, she said, embarrassment quickly followed fear when her phone started to ring.
"Of all the times for someone to call me, it had to be when I was faking it," she said. "The guy was looking at me like there was something wrong with me. It's funny now that I think about it, but then I felt like an idiot."
Regardless of why we do it, or whether or not we get caught, experts say it's not necessarily something to be embarrassed about.
In some situations -- for example, when women want to protect themselves -- it can be sensible. But in others, if someone is trying to primarily "look good" then it does suggest a high level of self-consciousness or lack of security in one's sense of self, Janet Schofield, a psychology professor at the University of Pittsburgh, told ABCNews.com.
"If it makes people feel more comfortable, there's nothing necessarily wrong with that," she said. "But the question is, why do you need to do it to feel comfortable?"
A Note to my Fellow Bloggers
Please look on the right side of my blog. You will notice that not only are your blogs listed as my favorites, but it also lists the last time you updated your blog! Take this is a daily reminder to write! That is all.
Have you Seen the Common Application?
This is an application that a number of colleges are using to "streamline " the college application process. Don't believe it for a minute. Go take a look at in
https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx
I have helped three older kids apply to undergrad colleges, one to graduate colleges, and if you recall I applied myself to finish my own degree 2 years ago.
The applications are confusing and online often makes them more unwieldy to look over and fill out than paper applications. Add to it applications that do not always save and supplemental applications requested by colleges that take the Common Ap, throw in FAFSA and tax returns and and and........ I am getting chest pains.
Julie has to write 5 different essays for her early application to her dream school. 5. This is in addition to her carrying a senior courseload of 5 AP courses. She spends at least 4 hours a day on homework, good Lord!
https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx
I have helped three older kids apply to undergrad colleges, one to graduate colleges, and if you recall I applied myself to finish my own degree 2 years ago.
The applications are confusing and online often makes them more unwieldy to look over and fill out than paper applications. Add to it applications that do not always save and supplemental applications requested by colleges that take the Common Ap, throw in FAFSA and tax returns and and and........ I am getting chest pains.
Julie has to write 5 different essays for her early application to her dream school. 5. This is in addition to her carrying a senior courseload of 5 AP courses. She spends at least 4 hours a day on homework, good Lord!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
25 mile bike ride thanks PJ honey
PJ has a neat bike trail up by his house, running alongside the Nashua river. So Friday morning he and I met up for our annual date and we decided to hit the trail. I had some trepidation as to whether or not I could keep up with him as I know in the past PJ has gone for week long bike trips.
Also, he has been watching the mean BBC woman who berates fatties about losing weight and he has dropped some weight himself so I wondered if I could keep up with him.
Turns out he had some worries about keeping up with me as he has not been on a bike in over a year!
Well we both managed the 25 mile ride on a lovely Fall day. We did stop at the Railside Trailside icecream store/Charlotte's Cozy Kitchen (I am not kidding that was the whole name of the place) for a healthy lunch. I did indulge in a small order of fries which was worth EVERY penny!
During our ride we discussed poliics, religion, kids, work,dating, and managed to solve most of the world's pressing problems: if only we had someone to listen to us. I really regretted letting Julie borrow my camera as the autumn leaves were stunning.
I worried that I would be achy as the last few miles were REAL hard work. But my body has felt great, even my bottom which rally killed after all those hours on the bike. I guess I must be in pretty good shape!
Also, he has been watching the mean BBC woman who berates fatties about losing weight and he has dropped some weight himself so I wondered if I could keep up with him.
Turns out he had some worries about keeping up with me as he has not been on a bike in over a year!
Well we both managed the 25 mile ride on a lovely Fall day. We did stop at the Railside Trailside icecream store/Charlotte's Cozy Kitchen (I am not kidding that was the whole name of the place) for a healthy lunch. I did indulge in a small order of fries which was worth EVERY penny!
During our ride we discussed poliics, religion, kids, work,dating, and managed to solve most of the world's pressing problems: if only we had someone to listen to us. I really regretted letting Julie borrow my camera as the autumn leaves were stunning.
I worried that I would be achy as the last few miles were REAL hard work. But my body has felt great, even my bottom which rally killed after all those hours on the bike. I guess I must be in pretty good shape!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Mrs Blauss, Mrs. Blauss...
Today I got to be a 7th and 8th grade science teacher and we learned about Gorillas in captivity who suffer heart disease. We also talked about Pluto and its demotion to a Dwarf planet and then promotion to a Plutoid.
Tomorrow I am a 6th grade World Geography teacher and we are going to work with atlases. It doesn't get any better for a geek like me. I now take home copies of the paperwork I pass out to the kids so I can learn more on my off time.
The only pressure I am truly under is what to wear each day. I do not have many "teachery" costumes, I mean clothes. If only I could wear my Red Sox hat and a pair of jeans. Oh ya and a t-shirt.
Tomorrow I am a 6th grade World Geography teacher and we are going to work with atlases. It doesn't get any better for a geek like me. I now take home copies of the paperwork I pass out to the kids so I can learn more on my off time.
The only pressure I am truly under is what to wear each day. I do not have many "teachery" costumes, I mean clothes. If only I could wear my Red Sox hat and a pair of jeans. Oh ya and a t-shirt.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Doctors and goldfish
Today Mary had to take the day off to fit in two different appointments, first with the dentist then with her doctors. All is good just the annual stuff. She had hoped that in between appointments we might meet up for lunch.
However her father could not meet up as he went into work early so he could leave early, grab dentist x-rays from Hanson and drive them into Boston where he was meeting Corey for another dentist appointment. We have decided to have Corey's work done at the Tufts Dental School because it is more convenient to Northeastern and significantly cheaper than a regular dentist. (It will still be a huge dent in our checkbook no matter how we look at it though!)
I was also unable to meet up with her as I had to schlep all the way to Weymouth for an allergy appointment for Jamie. (I left Carver, drove to Rochester to pick him up from school then headed to Weymouth, then back to Carver.)
At least I did not have to pay for Mary's gas or appointments! Jamie it turns out is allergic to dust and dustmites (it is a wonder he is not yet already dead with all the dust in our household.) We found out today he is also allergic to certain trees, fall weeds, and CATS. Yup cats! 3 of our 4 cats sleep comfortably in his room each night...
We will be getting him a medical alert bracelet for his Epi-pen required Bee allergy....
On days like this I am thinking how much easier having 2 kids would be. Donnie takes this thought one step further. Tonight I used the last of the goldfish food. This one jar of food set us back about 5$ and lasted us ten months. "Do you realize how simple and cheap our life would be if we had just stopped when we only had the damn goldfish?"
However her father could not meet up as he went into work early so he could leave early, grab dentist x-rays from Hanson and drive them into Boston where he was meeting Corey for another dentist appointment. We have decided to have Corey's work done at the Tufts Dental School because it is more convenient to Northeastern and significantly cheaper than a regular dentist. (It will still be a huge dent in our checkbook no matter how we look at it though!)
I was also unable to meet up with her as I had to schlep all the way to Weymouth for an allergy appointment for Jamie. (I left Carver, drove to Rochester to pick him up from school then headed to Weymouth, then back to Carver.)
At least I did not have to pay for Mary's gas or appointments! Jamie it turns out is allergic to dust and dustmites (it is a wonder he is not yet already dead with all the dust in our household.) We found out today he is also allergic to certain trees, fall weeds, and CATS. Yup cats! 3 of our 4 cats sleep comfortably in his room each night...
We will be getting him a medical alert bracelet for his Epi-pen required Bee allergy....
On days like this I am thinking how much easier having 2 kids would be. Donnie takes this thought one step further. Tonight I used the last of the goldfish food. This one jar of food set us back about 5$ and lasted us ten months. "Do you realize how simple and cheap our life would be if we had just stopped when we only had the damn goldfish?"
Monday, October 13, 2008
Bomb scare continued...
(Previous blog):But then I had problems of my own when the gym teacher (who had a walkie talkie) pulled me aside and urgently whispered that the police wanted to speak to me up in my class room! WHATTTTTTTTT?????
As I made the long journey from back soccer field to the upper floor hallway of the middle school I tried to think what they wanted to ask. The math kids had left the room without any of their belongings but everything had seemed in order. I had even remembered to turn off the lights as I am energy conscious. Was it something I left behind? All I had in the room was my little lunch box and Corey's old band jacket. Dear God had he left something in the pocket or inseam that he shouldn't have? Or had one of my middle schoolers done something they were not suppose to?
But when I went into the math room it was empty of people. No cops, no administrators, nothing. What should I do? Having never been told that the Police wanted to speak to me (I have never even gotten a speeding ticket in my life!) I had little expereince to fall back on. So I stood rooted in the doorway, waiting.
Eventually one of the janitors walked by and I explained my dilemma. "Oh" he says, looking at me with great interest, "They are all in the french room." (I had subbed one class there first thing in the morning.)
Well I was really edgy now but since I was told to go to MY room, I was not budging. The janitor kindly went down the hall and told them and they then ushered me into the french room.
As soon as I stepped in one of the cops (VERY big!) sticks a photograph in front of me and says in that stern cop voice, "Do you recognize this handwriting?" The photo was of the boys bathroom door where an obscenity laced bomb threat had been carved in an unusual color ink.
I stared blankly at it trying to get my brain to function normally. Did they think I did it? Or one of my kids? Or ohhhhh maybe one of the school kids?
"I have had three different sets of kids already this morning," I replied with a mystified shrug. "Ah, I do have a copy of this whole classes' hand writing though."
I went over to the desk and the cop must've caught on that I was nervous in that wimpy good girl way. "You're Sue Blauss right?" he asks. "Yup I am the sub."
"Well we found a pen cover that matches the ink on the bathroom wall. The pen cap was on the floor in your classroom. We are just hoping you can help us."
We sorted through the piles of busy work the poor kids had been made to do. I tell the police I had collected papers from every individual kid so I know all the samples are there. The cops then ask who might've gone to the bathroom but again I am very little help. I know most've the kids by sight but not as many by names. Also since it was the 3rd class of the day, the kids who asked permission to go to the bathroom are numerous enough that I cannot place names and faces. No one acted fresh or naughty in anyway, no one gave a clue that they may have been up to no good.
I mention to the police that the classroom had been unlocked since just before homeroom. I had no idea how many classes had been in there or even if the door had remained open or shut.
The cop comments that the pen cover could have been kicked from the hallway into the room but that they wanted to check out anything they could. The police look annoyed but concerned. We as adults all know in our hearts that this was some obnoxious boy who did this and it is an empty threat. But still....what if it isn't?
I make my way out to the hallway as the kids all file back in to finish a test interrupted. The next day we have both a false alarm due to a faulty smoke detector and a brief medical lock down. Through out it all I cannot help but be impressed with the way the kids, educators, and emergency workers handle it all with efficiency and humor.
So my brush with the police was brief and I was of no help in the case. But let me tell you, my heart still pounds when I recall the words urgently whispered to me "The Carver police want to speak with you!"
As I made the long journey from back soccer field to the upper floor hallway of the middle school I tried to think what they wanted to ask. The math kids had left the room without any of their belongings but everything had seemed in order. I had even remembered to turn off the lights as I am energy conscious. Was it something I left behind? All I had in the room was my little lunch box and Corey's old band jacket. Dear God had he left something in the pocket or inseam that he shouldn't have? Or had one of my middle schoolers done something they were not suppose to?
But when I went into the math room it was empty of people. No cops, no administrators, nothing. What should I do? Having never been told that the Police wanted to speak to me (I have never even gotten a speeding ticket in my life!) I had little expereince to fall back on. So I stood rooted in the doorway, waiting.
Eventually one of the janitors walked by and I explained my dilemma. "Oh" he says, looking at me with great interest, "They are all in the french room." (I had subbed one class there first thing in the morning.)
Well I was really edgy now but since I was told to go to MY room, I was not budging. The janitor kindly went down the hall and told them and they then ushered me into the french room.
As soon as I stepped in one of the cops (VERY big!) sticks a photograph in front of me and says in that stern cop voice, "Do you recognize this handwriting?" The photo was of the boys bathroom door where an obscenity laced bomb threat had been carved in an unusual color ink.
I stared blankly at it trying to get my brain to function normally. Did they think I did it? Or one of my kids? Or ohhhhh maybe one of the school kids?
"I have had three different sets of kids already this morning," I replied with a mystified shrug. "Ah, I do have a copy of this whole classes' hand writing though."
I went over to the desk and the cop must've caught on that I was nervous in that wimpy good girl way. "You're Sue Blauss right?" he asks. "Yup I am the sub."
"Well we found a pen cover that matches the ink on the bathroom wall. The pen cap was on the floor in your classroom. We are just hoping you can help us."
We sorted through the piles of busy work the poor kids had been made to do. I tell the police I had collected papers from every individual kid so I know all the samples are there. The cops then ask who might've gone to the bathroom but again I am very little help. I know most've the kids by sight but not as many by names. Also since it was the 3rd class of the day, the kids who asked permission to go to the bathroom are numerous enough that I cannot place names and faces. No one acted fresh or naughty in anyway, no one gave a clue that they may have been up to no good.
I mention to the police that the classroom had been unlocked since just before homeroom. I had no idea how many classes had been in there or even if the door had remained open or shut.
The cop comments that the pen cover could have been kicked from the hallway into the room but that they wanted to check out anything they could. The police look annoyed but concerned. We as adults all know in our hearts that this was some obnoxious boy who did this and it is an empty threat. But still....what if it isn't?
I make my way out to the hallway as the kids all file back in to finish a test interrupted. The next day we have both a false alarm due to a faulty smoke detector and a brief medical lock down. Through out it all I cannot help but be impressed with the way the kids, educators, and emergency workers handle it all with efficiency and humor.
So my brush with the police was brief and I was of no help in the case. But let me tell you, my heart still pounds when I recall the words urgently whispered to me "The Carver police want to speak with you!"
Fall at Maquan Pond
We went for a final canoe ride around the pond and then pulled the boat from the water. The canoe will spend the winter up on racks while Donnie repairs the few small leaks. The water was glass clear and it was a very peaceful ride. Peaceful except for the fact that Mr. Wiggle, seated in the canoe's center could not remain still.
"Joe stop it. Why can't you just stay still? Why do you have to keep sliding over from one side of the canoe to the other, you are gonna end up tipping us. Why won't you just keep still?"
"Ah Dad, ADHD remember!"
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Running etc
I decided to see how fast I could run 3 miles today. I originally hoped to be able to track it with my heart rate monitor- times, heart rate, etc. I had misplaced the watch part of it about 2 months ago and had been running and cycling without it. In the course of cleaning my room however I found the missing piece and so...
Well for the first half mile I kept trying to adjust it to make it work. But I kept losing connection, courtesy of a bra that does not fit well anymore, sigh. You see, the monitor has a watch and also a strap that goes under your arm pits and keeps track of your heart. The strap has to fit snugly, just below the breasts. But it kept moving as I think it needs to be tightened. Then the stupid cheap bra kept sliding under the strap as I jogged along. So very annoying!
Finally at the half mile mark I gave up trying to make it work and just focused on seeing how fast I could go for the next mile. Turns out I could do that mile in 8.44! Well that was so amazing to me that I kept on pushing the second mile and did that in 9.45. Although I felt like I was going the same speed and really pushing it, this mile was a whole minute slower. Still it was under 1o minutes!
I continued to push myself for the last half mile for 3 miles under 30 minutes. I noticed however at the very end of my run I had no ability to push for a final burst of speed. I did feel like my heart and lungs could do it, but not my legs. Normally I can run the last 50 feet or so at a brisk sprint. But today I was clearly pushing myself to my muscle limit. It felt REALLY great, ah especially when I stopped ;>)
Later on today Don and I will fit in an hour of weight lifting as I have not been able to do much in the way of muscle building; except of course my thigh muscles which are looking quite Runnery!
It does does feel terrific to be home on a Saturday and not be groggy from might shift work. I have cleaned, and run, and parented, and even snuck out for a bite to eat and a Borders run with Reenie.
Tonight is Homecoming and tomorrow Joe and I have a 3-4 hour bike adventure planned on the Cape so it is definitely a funfilled weekend. Now if only someone would come along and clean my bedroom for me...
Well for the first half mile I kept trying to adjust it to make it work. But I kept losing connection, courtesy of a bra that does not fit well anymore, sigh. You see, the monitor has a watch and also a strap that goes under your arm pits and keeps track of your heart. The strap has to fit snugly, just below the breasts. But it kept moving as I think it needs to be tightened. Then the stupid cheap bra kept sliding under the strap as I jogged along. So very annoying!
Finally at the half mile mark I gave up trying to make it work and just focused on seeing how fast I could go for the next mile. Turns out I could do that mile in 8.44! Well that was so amazing to me that I kept on pushing the second mile and did that in 9.45. Although I felt like I was going the same speed and really pushing it, this mile was a whole minute slower. Still it was under 1o minutes!
I continued to push myself for the last half mile for 3 miles under 30 minutes. I noticed however at the very end of my run I had no ability to push for a final burst of speed. I did feel like my heart and lungs could do it, but not my legs. Normally I can run the last 50 feet or so at a brisk sprint. But today I was clearly pushing myself to my muscle limit. It felt REALLY great, ah especially when I stopped ;>)
Later on today Don and I will fit in an hour of weight lifting as I have not been able to do much in the way of muscle building; except of course my thigh muscles which are looking quite Runnery!
It does does feel terrific to be home on a Saturday and not be groggy from might shift work. I have cleaned, and run, and parented, and even snuck out for a bite to eat and a Borders run with Reenie.
Tonight is Homecoming and tomorrow Joe and I have a 3-4 hour bike adventure planned on the Cape so it is definitely a funfilled weekend. Now if only someone would come along and clean my bedroom for me...
Friday, October 10, 2008
Dinner with the Queen
It is not often we get to celebrate just one individual child. Especially when you are kid number 4, most of your life is part of the crowd. So tonight was fun to celebrate Julie. First was the pep rally. Then Don and I treated her to dinner, followed by the homecoming football game. The whole court gets to ride around the field at half time in convertibles and then mingle with the crowd. It was a fun evening and nice to show off our Jubee. Donnie idd catch osem of the cars on video so hopefully he will post that on his blog. I will try ot sneak into the high school gym tomorrow night to take some snapshots of their decorations ffor the Dance.
Homecoming Game
I am not sure I even watched any plays on the field. But it was great fun catching up with everyone. Here Rose and Princess Kristen pose with the homecoming Queen.
Carver Homecoming Pep Rally
Well the football players were adorable. I mean very rugged, manly, and pumped. The cheerleaders were VERY athletic and strong and beautiful. As for school spirit well it was in abundance from both students and staff. It was especially nice to see considering the week they had which included a bomb scare, two fire alarms (one this morning) and a medical lock down a half an hour BEFORE the pep rally got underway.I was thrilled to be able to sub today and get to watch my Jubee be crowned.
Julie is Homecoming Queen
According to a number of kids and teachers, she won by a land slide. One of the cheerleaders made sure to tell me today that they ALL voted for her! Inner beauty triumphs in a class full of wonderful kids. Even many members of the junior class were sad because she is beloved by them and they wanted to vote but it is a senior only privilege.
In typical modest Julie fashion she was stunned by the thunderous applause during her court walk and even more amazed by her victory. She is giddy at the thought of wearing the sash around all day and she loves her Queen pin (Although she also gets to keep the Tiara.)
She wore flat dancing slippers (as she was taller than all the boys in the court save one!) with her Oriental Dress, chopsticks arranged in her bun. Such a lovely experience for a lovely girl.
Bomb scares at school
Yesterday we spent almost two hours outside the school during a bomb scare. The kids had been in the middle of taking a math test and they were quick and orderly in their haste to leave it behind! After an hour however they were wishing to be back in testing as bomb scares are tedious.
I had been feeling badly for them as really how can you behave if you are a 14 year old boy with nothing to do but poke your friends, stand around, and occasionally "table top" an unsuspecting buddy? You do remember table topping? That is when you crouch on all fours behind a friend while another buddy pushes that friend and boom ass over tea kettle they go!
But then I had problems of my own when the gym teacher (who had a walkie talkie) pulled me aside and urgently whispered that the police wanted to speak to me up in my class room! WHATTTTTTTTT?????\
As I made the long journey from back soccer field to the upper floor hallway of the middle school I tried to think what they wanted to ask. The math kids had left the room without any of their belongings but everything had seemed in order. I had even remembered to turn off the lights as I am energy conscious. Was it something I left behind? All I had in the room was my little lunch box and Corey's old band jacket. Dear God had he left something in the pocket or inseam that he shouldn't have? Or had one of my middle schoolers done something they were not suppose to?
To be continued, I have to go teach Senior Anatomy now...
I had been feeling badly for them as really how can you behave if you are a 14 year old boy with nothing to do but poke your friends, stand around, and occasionally "table top" an unsuspecting buddy? You do remember table topping? That is when you crouch on all fours behind a friend while another buddy pushes that friend and boom ass over tea kettle they go!
But then I had problems of my own when the gym teacher (who had a walkie talkie) pulled me aside and urgently whispered that the police wanted to speak to me up in my class room! WHATTTTTTTTT?????\
As I made the long journey from back soccer field to the upper floor hallway of the middle school I tried to think what they wanted to ask. The math kids had left the room without any of their belongings but everything had seemed in order. I had even remembered to turn off the lights as I am energy conscious. Was it something I left behind? All I had in the room was my little lunch box and Corey's old band jacket. Dear God had he left something in the pocket or inseam that he shouldn't have? Or had one of my middle schoolers done something they were not suppose to?
To be continued, I have to go teach Senior Anatomy now...
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Moving On
Friday night as I got ready for the night shift at the Detox I commented to Donnie that I felt sad to be leaving. It was to be the second to the last night for me there, after working that shift in that place for 7 years and two months.
Don said "Well that is not unexpected, you never handle change well. You always feel sad when it is time to move on."
That remark certainly got my attention as I consider myself to be a pretty flexible person, quite open to change. But then I realized what he was referring to were the emotions that go along with various changes. Since Don lives most of his life in a rather neutral emotional state he is always caught of guard by the fury of my emotions. If they are negative ones (like anger or sadness) he believes them to be exhausting or toooooo much. Interesting enough he views the positive emotions (like great joy or ecstasy) as also exhausting (!) but he would much rather be around (or take credit for) those states.
But I do not think having mixed emotions about moving on to the next stage to be' not handling things well'. For example, I was thrilled when my babies took their first steps. But I cried too at the thought of them moving out of infancy and into toddler hood so quickly.
So it is with working at the Detox. I spent over 7 years in a job I Deeply loved (OK deeply loved for 6 years, the last year was more ambiguous.) The decision to leave that job was not easy to make. I am not sure if it ever is. I do know I spent the last year exploring other options both within and without the company.
Some of my reflections have to remain unwritten, after all I do want a full time job within the Addiction field, no point in cutting off my nose to spite my face! Let me just say that had we been able to come to a more just wage I would still be at the Detox.
We have made a family decision that I substitute teach while actively looking for a Research job. This is certainly a great opportunity to help out the school and make a salary that is decent enough especially when you consider it will not require big gas expense!
Then there is that whole, sleeping when most people sleep and being awake like regular folks. This aspect of the job change still feels stunning to me. The very thought of spending every night in my own bed, and having weekends not spent desperately trying to catch up on sleep...
Yet, there is a certain intimacy on the night shift when you work so closely with a couple of people in the dark hours of the night. We dealt with clients in terrible crisis and pain at the lowest point of their lives. We did this always with great skill and compassion. But there were many hours of down time, between crisis, when we slogged through the tangle of paperwork, sharing a desk, office supplies and many many laughs. I will dearly miss that.
I am not sure there are many jobs where you get to know someone so well, and not nec. at their best! Being tired and dealing with people in pain does not nec. bring out the best in people. But it certainly was a very HONEST place. I treasured that.
I joined the night shift with one other friend already working there. Hopefully I leave that place with two more friends to add to my list. But we shall see. So many adult friendships are based on commonality, we have kids on the same ball team, we go to the same gym, we work together. Will these friendships survive distance and so few things in common? I am not sure and that does make me sad. I really grew to love a couple of these people.
As for the daily tasks of the job requirements and our clients (7 years ago they were patients, then they mutated into clients as a more politically correct phrase. I usually called them my opiate boys and my drunks!) to my very last day I never tired of the job and people.
Our clients always humbled me with their courage to face their lives and try to heal. Some sadly did not make it. I am not sure that when 64 year old Ron finally died of drink after a 50 love affair with the bottle that he had many mourners. But we all cried. We grew to feel a great affection for this caring man who loved life but loved booze more.
We always scanned the court reports for mention of our favorite clients to see if maybe the law could force them to get the help they so desperately needed. Some like Dee Dee or Katie started out as clients and later became coworkers as they made their way into a sober life. THAT was VERY rewarding.
So Sunday night I put my stethoscope around my neck for the last time and headed into Gosnold. The ladies threw me a party and I ate mostly healthy things (I believe apple crisp should be considered WW food, it is made form apples and oats correct?)
I did wear a VERY slinky dress to work and my Tiara and my drunks REALLY appreciated it. OK perhaps what they really liked was I let them stay up late to listen to the Red Sox game, but they admired my runners legs too!
I finished an admission and counseled a young woman to stay away from the opiate boys and mention to her counselor her worries about going home so early in her Recovery. I did all the paperwork for the last time and said goodbye to the day shift.
I came home with a few presents from my coworkers, including a bikini which I happily modeled for them (modestly not being something I suffer overly with). I promised to stop in and touch base after Donnie and I return from our St Lucia vacation.
Then I drove over the Bourne bridge (I will not miss that!) and off into the sunrise. (OK I know it is poetical but really the sunrise was behind me!)
Don said "Well that is not unexpected, you never handle change well. You always feel sad when it is time to move on."
That remark certainly got my attention as I consider myself to be a pretty flexible person, quite open to change. But then I realized what he was referring to were the emotions that go along with various changes. Since Don lives most of his life in a rather neutral emotional state he is always caught of guard by the fury of my emotions. If they are negative ones (like anger or sadness) he believes them to be exhausting or toooooo much. Interesting enough he views the positive emotions (like great joy or ecstasy) as also exhausting (!) but he would much rather be around (or take credit for) those states.
But I do not think having mixed emotions about moving on to the next stage to be' not handling things well'. For example, I was thrilled when my babies took their first steps. But I cried too at the thought of them moving out of infancy and into toddler hood so quickly.
So it is with working at the Detox. I spent over 7 years in a job I Deeply loved (OK deeply loved for 6 years, the last year was more ambiguous.) The decision to leave that job was not easy to make. I am not sure if it ever is. I do know I spent the last year exploring other options both within and without the company.
Some of my reflections have to remain unwritten, after all I do want a full time job within the Addiction field, no point in cutting off my nose to spite my face! Let me just say that had we been able to come to a more just wage I would still be at the Detox.
We have made a family decision that I substitute teach while actively looking for a Research job. This is certainly a great opportunity to help out the school and make a salary that is decent enough especially when you consider it will not require big gas expense!
Then there is that whole, sleeping when most people sleep and being awake like regular folks. This aspect of the job change still feels stunning to me. The very thought of spending every night in my own bed, and having weekends not spent desperately trying to catch up on sleep...
Yet, there is a certain intimacy on the night shift when you work so closely with a couple of people in the dark hours of the night. We dealt with clients in terrible crisis and pain at the lowest point of their lives. We did this always with great skill and compassion. But there were many hours of down time, between crisis, when we slogged through the tangle of paperwork, sharing a desk, office supplies and many many laughs. I will dearly miss that.
I am not sure there are many jobs where you get to know someone so well, and not nec. at their best! Being tired and dealing with people in pain does not nec. bring out the best in people. But it certainly was a very HONEST place. I treasured that.
I joined the night shift with one other friend already working there. Hopefully I leave that place with two more friends to add to my list. But we shall see. So many adult friendships are based on commonality, we have kids on the same ball team, we go to the same gym, we work together. Will these friendships survive distance and so few things in common? I am not sure and that does make me sad. I really grew to love a couple of these people.
As for the daily tasks of the job requirements and our clients (7 years ago they were patients, then they mutated into clients as a more politically correct phrase. I usually called them my opiate boys and my drunks!) to my very last day I never tired of the job and people.
Our clients always humbled me with their courage to face their lives and try to heal. Some sadly did not make it. I am not sure that when 64 year old Ron finally died of drink after a 50 love affair with the bottle that he had many mourners. But we all cried. We grew to feel a great affection for this caring man who loved life but loved booze more.
We always scanned the court reports for mention of our favorite clients to see if maybe the law could force them to get the help they so desperately needed. Some like Dee Dee or Katie started out as clients and later became coworkers as they made their way into a sober life. THAT was VERY rewarding.
So Sunday night I put my stethoscope around my neck for the last time and headed into Gosnold. The ladies threw me a party and I ate mostly healthy things (I believe apple crisp should be considered WW food, it is made form apples and oats correct?)
I did wear a VERY slinky dress to work and my Tiara and my drunks REALLY appreciated it. OK perhaps what they really liked was I let them stay up late to listen to the Red Sox game, but they admired my runners legs too!
I finished an admission and counseled a young woman to stay away from the opiate boys and mention to her counselor her worries about going home so early in her Recovery. I did all the paperwork for the last time and said goodbye to the day shift.
I came home with a few presents from my coworkers, including a bikini which I happily modeled for them (modestly not being something I suffer overly with). I promised to stop in and touch base after Donnie and I return from our St Lucia vacation.
Then I drove over the Bourne bridge (I will not miss that!) and off into the sunrise. (OK I know it is poetical but really the sunrise was behind me!)
Monday, October 06, 2008
Topsfield Fair and changes
Sunday was fair four of my return to the bunny showing world. Don and I spent the day sans children at the Topsfield Fair (in practice for our big honeymoon week when the kids will have to fend for themselves for 8 days instead of just one!) As far as I know kids were fine and at least they did not call us a handful of times while we were there!
This fair is always a crowded uncomfortable rabbit showing day but as it is the last fair of the season most of the regular cast of characters show up. It is an Open show only and so I have rarely had the kids attend. (In rabbit world there are Open and Youth shows and although anyone can enter an Open show it is difficult for a kid's rabbit to compete fairly with an adult. Mary, who had a line of Hollands that were quite competitive with the adults of her day, was a notable exception.)
Originally the Fair show was held on the Saturday with the Fryeburg show the following day and Mary and I would attend both, camping up in North Conway in between. One year, when Nikki was 4 we brought her along. This was just a couple of weeks after 9-11. Security was at an all time high and when we arrived at the gates, that early morning we were greeted with gun toting security guards who insisted on searching our car before allowing us to drive up to the bunny barn to unload.
Now our little car was packed to the top with camping equipment, bunny travel cages, and food for 3 for the weekend. As one guard leaned over to peak in the back of the car, a flurry or furtive movement caused him to leap back, hand to his holster. Nikki popped up from beneath a pile of blankets and pillows.
"Look,' I confided to the head guard," I know you are just trying to do your job and I do not mean to give you a hard time. But if you search this car, the tent and air mattresses may pop out and self inflate and I will never get all this stuff back in. We are rabbit raisers, not terrorists honest. Our only weapons are a nail cutter for the bunnies and two knives, one for peanut butter, one for jelly."
With a laugh he waved us through. The next day in Maine however some little martinet guarding Fryburg was not so generous and insisted on searching our car, making us get out. When he tried to charge us admission I hit the roof, and the gas and told him he could chase me to the barn if he thought he was getting a red cent from me!
Anyway the security was much more relaxed this year and we unloaded the buns without a problem.
I had a ball exploring the other animal barns and had a nice cozy chat with a 4H family who raise Tunis (red faced) sheep. Donnie got a Giant size eclair, a home style breakfast, and a corn chowder bread bowl. I satisfied myself with a small box of popcorn and a garlic bread bowl for lunch that had pasta and a meatball in it.
My buns did ok, there were 81 Netherland Dwarves competing that day so competition was brisk. Mostly it was just great spending the day catching up with old bunny friends, teasing the judges, and seeing other people's stock. I was really thrilled when a friend asked me to check out her three Blue Netherlands and rank them for her. I did, as did my friend Randy (we agreed on placement, strong points, and weak points of each bun.) It was fun critiquing the rabbits and although I have a long way to go to get my stock back up to the regional competition it felt good to be on top of my game!
Odd sensation reacquainting myself with old bunny pals while thinking how at night I was ending my job at the Detox. Sometimes you know when it is time to go and other times it can be hard to decide. I was not ready to stop the bunny raising. The memories of road trips with Mary before she went off to college and her adult life are so precious I want that chance with Julie too.
I am enjoying trying to revitalize my bunny stock. It is fun trying to become competitive with my buns again, catching up with other breeders and all the other incidentals of rabbit raising.
But it is time to leave my job of 7 years. Time to sleep in my own bed after all those years on 11-7. Time to challenge myself in new ways.
Bunnies are a fun place to relive and create anew. The career part of my life needs to be reinvented however, it is time to say goodbye and walk through new doors and face new challenges.
This fair is always a crowded uncomfortable rabbit showing day but as it is the last fair of the season most of the regular cast of characters show up. It is an Open show only and so I have rarely had the kids attend. (In rabbit world there are Open and Youth shows and although anyone can enter an Open show it is difficult for a kid's rabbit to compete fairly with an adult. Mary, who had a line of Hollands that were quite competitive with the adults of her day, was a notable exception.)
Originally the Fair show was held on the Saturday with the Fryeburg show the following day and Mary and I would attend both, camping up in North Conway in between. One year, when Nikki was 4 we brought her along. This was just a couple of weeks after 9-11. Security was at an all time high and when we arrived at the gates, that early morning we were greeted with gun toting security guards who insisted on searching our car before allowing us to drive up to the bunny barn to unload.
Now our little car was packed to the top with camping equipment, bunny travel cages, and food for 3 for the weekend. As one guard leaned over to peak in the back of the car, a flurry or furtive movement caused him to leap back, hand to his holster. Nikki popped up from beneath a pile of blankets and pillows.
"Look,' I confided to the head guard," I know you are just trying to do your job and I do not mean to give you a hard time. But if you search this car, the tent and air mattresses may pop out and self inflate and I will never get all this stuff back in. We are rabbit raisers, not terrorists honest. Our only weapons are a nail cutter for the bunnies and two knives, one for peanut butter, one for jelly."
With a laugh he waved us through. The next day in Maine however some little martinet guarding Fryburg was not so generous and insisted on searching our car, making us get out. When he tried to charge us admission I hit the roof, and the gas and told him he could chase me to the barn if he thought he was getting a red cent from me!
Anyway the security was much more relaxed this year and we unloaded the buns without a problem.
I had a ball exploring the other animal barns and had a nice cozy chat with a 4H family who raise Tunis (red faced) sheep. Donnie got a Giant size eclair, a home style breakfast, and a corn chowder bread bowl. I satisfied myself with a small box of popcorn and a garlic bread bowl for lunch that had pasta and a meatball in it.
My buns did ok, there were 81 Netherland Dwarves competing that day so competition was brisk. Mostly it was just great spending the day catching up with old bunny friends, teasing the judges, and seeing other people's stock. I was really thrilled when a friend asked me to check out her three Blue Netherlands and rank them for her. I did, as did my friend Randy (we agreed on placement, strong points, and weak points of each bun.) It was fun critiquing the rabbits and although I have a long way to go to get my stock back up to the regional competition it felt good to be on top of my game!
Odd sensation reacquainting myself with old bunny pals while thinking how at night I was ending my job at the Detox. Sometimes you know when it is time to go and other times it can be hard to decide. I was not ready to stop the bunny raising. The memories of road trips with Mary before she went off to college and her adult life are so precious I want that chance with Julie too.
I am enjoying trying to revitalize my bunny stock. It is fun trying to become competitive with my buns again, catching up with other breeders and all the other incidentals of rabbit raising.
But it is time to leave my job of 7 years. Time to sleep in my own bed after all those years on 11-7. Time to challenge myself in new ways.
Bunnies are a fun place to relive and create anew. The career part of my life needs to be reinvented however, it is time to say goodbye and walk through new doors and face new challenges.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Joy in the Vineyard of the Lord
Tonight at the 5 o'clock Mass I was trying to perk up and focus on the readings and sermon. Not an easy task while still groggy from lack of sleep. In addition the little kids were making all sorts of body noises, wriggling about, and being otherwise annoying. Then Julie spotted a little black cricket wandering about on the floor in front of the altar.
The cricket pretty much distracted us for most of Mass although I do know we are suppose to work joyfully in the vineyard of the Lord. Father had a wonderful thought provoking sermon prepared and how he was able to give it while Blausses wiggled and giggled and wormed and squirmed I do not know.
Then for reasons beyond all adult understanding Nikki and Jamie got into a giggling fit which they were barely able to control. This giggle fest then infected the poor altar girl who could not maintain eye contact with any of us. Joe meanwhile noticed his pants were on backwards and he spent a great deal of time twisting and turning trying to see if he could put them on frontwards without taking them off. (He could not.)
BTW we sit in the 3rd row which for Catholics is the front row, in full view of the congregation. Donnie of course is off working today not that he is ever help during these pew scuffles as he never is aware of them so intent on prayer is he.
As we processed up to receive communion 6 foot Julie suddenly dropped to her knees startling the poor Communion Minister. She neatly scooped up the cricket then tried to figure out how to receive Holy Communion with a cricket gently held in her cupped hands. That accomplished she set it free outside. I desperately wished to be freed with said cricket!
God may have wanted us to be joyful in the vineyard of the Lord, but notice He had a foster father sit with His child Jesus in temple.
The cricket pretty much distracted us for most of Mass although I do know we are suppose to work joyfully in the vineyard of the Lord. Father had a wonderful thought provoking sermon prepared and how he was able to give it while Blausses wiggled and giggled and wormed and squirmed I do not know.
Then for reasons beyond all adult understanding Nikki and Jamie got into a giggling fit which they were barely able to control. This giggle fest then infected the poor altar girl who could not maintain eye contact with any of us. Joe meanwhile noticed his pants were on backwards and he spent a great deal of time twisting and turning trying to see if he could put them on frontwards without taking them off. (He could not.)
BTW we sit in the 3rd row which for Catholics is the front row, in full view of the congregation. Donnie of course is off working today not that he is ever help during these pew scuffles as he never is aware of them so intent on prayer is he.
As we processed up to receive communion 6 foot Julie suddenly dropped to her knees startling the poor Communion Minister. She neatly scooped up the cricket then tried to figure out how to receive Holy Communion with a cricket gently held in her cupped hands. That accomplished she set it free outside. I desperately wished to be freed with said cricket!
God may have wanted us to be joyful in the vineyard of the Lord, but notice He had a foster father sit with His child Jesus in temple.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Julie- Homecoming Princess
At Senior breakfast this morning they announced the court for next Friday's Homecoming game, and Julie is one of 5 Princesses! During next Friday's pep rally (held during school the afternoon of the big game, then the dance itself is the next night in the school gym!)
Julie was quite caught off guard by her honor of Princess although like most girls (especially those whose Mommas wear a Tiara) she always assumed she was a princess. She and one of her girlfriends had already planned to attend the dance together and now I believe another girl has joined them. It is so nice that you do not have to do these fun things like Prom and Homecoming with a date. At 6 feet tall Julie still towers over most of the senior class. Her kindness, brains, and sunny personality already mark her as a Queen of Hearts!
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Pedaling the backroads of Carver, and they are ALL back roads.
As I was pedaling along I saw a lot of wild life. The most unexpected was a turkey that tried to chase/mate my Schwinn along France street. The saddest but most fascinating was my up close view of a fisher cat. At least I am pretty sure it was one. He was dead along Holmes street poor thing, having gotten run over. He was huge, black and white and much much bigger than a weasel. I was going to take his picture to show you all but his demise was rather gruesome.
I also rode by horse farms and an Alpaca/Llama farm when I got lost. The horses ignored me but the Alpacas and Llamas were very curious.
I had a lot on my mind this morning and it took quite a while before the repetition of exercising began to relieve my inner turmoil. I know worry is an useless emotion. Nevertheless.... And why do I put something off when I know that only makes it worse? Why not just bite the bullet and get it over with?
I wonder why some things come so easily to some people and other things are so much more difficult? Also, why can we act like mature adults in most of our interactions, yet some things we approach like frightened children?
Fall in New England
More and more bogs are being flooded and for a brief time the sun came out bathing the bogs and trees in a glorious golden light. I apparently did not capture the full beauty while taking pictures however as I must've had my digital camera on the wrong setting. In my defense though, I was pedaling 18 miles today and managed to get lost but eventaully foudn my way home.
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