Plan

I'm planning for "anything" this morning. I'm off to church in the rain and the weather experts say the roads are going to freeze and travel will be incredibly dangerous. So, in addition to packing my homework for the afternoon, I'll also grab clothes for tomorrow in case I'm stranded somewhere along the day. Must be prepared.

I hope you all have lovely, safe plans for this evening and a fabulous new year ahead of you!

Movie of the Day: When Harry Met Sally. My favorite New Year's scene.

Peer Pressure

It snowed. Duluth is pretty again and I bowed to peer pressure to shovel yesterday afternoon. I was holed up in my livingroom, correcting tests, and noticed that three neighbor women were out shovelling or had been within the hour. My natural, lazy inclination is to put it off until nightfall, when my poor shovelling technique cannot be critiqued by the world. However, I didn't want to be the only one not shoveled out. So, I sucked it up, bundled up, and hit the icy, wavy terrain that is my driveway. My driveway is not on a hill, but it is in so much need of repair that there are dips and hills in it. The underlying ice helped move the snow, though, and gave me flashbacks to skating in elementary school. Ah, winter.

Movie of the Day: The Cutting Edge. They could really skate.

New Ideas, New Blogs

I'm looking for recommendations of new and exciting things out there. Maybe you stumbled on an awesome blog you'd like to suggest or a great cd, movie, or tv show? I'm in the mood to try something new.

Movie of the Day: The Good Shepard. Very interesting. Not a shoot 'em up CIA movie. It's almost 3 hours long, though, so hit the washroom beforehand!

Famous Duluthian

One of my childhood friends is famous, or at least getting there. He's an actor and landed a part on a Mobisode, which is a mini episode of a show that you can watch online or have downloaded to your Sprint phone. I've watched 6 so far and they're good! His name is Ryan McGivern and he graduated from Duluth Central.


The show is a spin off of the Fox show Bones called The Skeleton Crew. He plays one of three young scientists trying to solve a mystery while the regulars are out of town. He's the red-head, whose character's name slips my mind at the moment. He's quite cute. You can check it out here. Tell all of your friends and relatives!

Movie of the Day: The Bone Collector. Tee hee.

Swedish Rye

I'm half Swedish (the other half is Norwegian, so I'm quite stubborn). When I was growing up, my G'ma would make Swedish Rye Bread and everyone loved it. Except me. My mom would make it on occasion and get mad if anyone called it Grandma's bread. Now that my grandma has passed away (years ago), my mom and sister make it a couple times a year and I love it! I only wish I could tell my grandma.

Movie of the Day: High School Musical (tv movie). First half is pretty cheesy, but if you wait, it gets better.

Time to Goof Off

Well, the Christmas activities are pretty much complete and it's now time to find places for all of your gifts and think to the new year. What do you want to do next year that you could start planning now? What trips? What projects? Who do you want to reconnect with or introduce yourself to? What could you do to reduce physical, mental, or emotional clutter in your life?

A little light thinking for the 26th.

Movie of the Day: Simply Irresistible.

P.S. Happy Birthday, Caroline!

Cheer

Merry Christmas!!!

Quirky Christmas

I was just thinking about all of the holiday traditions that folks have and how we hold on to them so tightly (at least I do). What's funny is how quickly you can add something in. For instance, last year, my mom and I went to a vigil for the homeless on Christmas Eve. It was not a cold day, but after standing outside for 30 minutes (just 30 minutes!), I was chilled to the bone. We're going today and hoping to add to the crowd. New tradition.

Now, what to add this year? What quirky traditions do you have that aren't straight out of some Hallmark special?

Movie of the Day: Edward Scissorhands. They had some "unique" fun.

What?!?!?!!?

I woke up at 6:15 today, a full 2.75 hours before my alarm was set to go off. What the heck?!?! My guess is that the 23 hours that I slept on Wednesday may have caught up with me! So, I've been reading and dogpaddling online. Next, I'll probably watch some show I taped weeks ago and never got around to watching. If I'm really, really ambitious, I'll correct some quizzes. Thrilling, huh? I'm just usually not awake at this time on a Saturday without some major purpose (like going to the Cities for weddings or what not).

Movie of the Day: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Mark Ruffalo rocks!

Officially Free

Yesterday was the last day before break and I spent it at home, too afraid to get to work and be sick. Happily, though, I had a lot more energy than Wednesday and was able to get some chores done. Now, I'm a little gaunt, but feeling better.

When I'm home from school, I spend the day thinking about what's happening there. I look at the clock and figure out which class it is and what they're doing. When we all have days off, I never think of time that way. Odd.

Has anyone seen any movies that they would recommend?

Movie of the Day: Little Women. An awesome Christmas movie.

Winger, Sit Still

It was tough getting this photo, so I hope you enjoy it. He just wouldn't sit on that carpeted block or turn his head a little to the right. We also couldn't get the lenses out of his glasses (to stop the glare) so just imagine them. They're pink.

And now, may I present....... Winger!!!!








Movie of the Day: The Fisher King.

So Close

I am at home today. Sick. I won't give details, in case you just had a meal. Luckily, it's not a horrible day to miss and I have a real sub who showed up. Now, I just have a couple more details to iron out (it is complicated being a responsible person). Then, I can go back to bed without setting my alarm to wake up and call someone at the appropriate time.

Yikes.

How are you?

Movie of the Day: Home Alone 3.

Quit Hogging

Has anyone ever said "Quit hogging the blankets" to you? Or maybe you've said it to someone else?

This Sunday (yes, Christmas Eve), you have a chance to quit hogging the blankets. Here's the promo:

"There is going to be a ‘No Place Called Home’ Christmas Vigil on Sun, Dec. 24

Many of us will be spending our holiday season with family and friends in a warm, safe and secure place. It’s a time for us to reflect on our many blessings – and yet, as we celebrate, many of our neighbors will not even have a warm roof over their heads.
The annual CHUM / Gabriel Project Christmas Eve Vigil in support of our homeless neighbors will be Sunday, December 24 at 1 PM (ending no later than 1:30 PM) at the Government Services Complex (411 W 1st St.) in downtown Duluth. We are asking you and your congregation to join us, showing concern and solidarity for people who lack homes and shelter this holiday season. "

So, look for a spare blanket, mittens, scarves (nice, clean) or hit the shops and join me downtown. Dress warmly. It's cold out there.

Movie of the Day: Anything Charlie Brown. Linus knows his blankets.

P.S. Litte Miss Sunshine comes out today on DVD. YIPEE!!!!!

Alone, No Longer

It was quite a weekend, my friends! My friends got married. I bought craft materials. I lost sleep. I went to the Aquarium and then Petco. Came home with a dependent (as Sara calls him). He's a Crowntail Betta fish. Shiny blue, green, and purple. Very pretty. His name is Winger. I have no idea where I got the name; it just kind of came to me. Now I have some one to say "Bye, Honey" and "Honey, I'm home!" Ha.

Movie of the Day: Big Fish.

P.S. T-4 and counting until Break. WOO HOO!!!!!

Pretty

Movie of the Day: West Side Story. She felt pretty.

Weird Sisters Unite

I had one of those idyllic childhoods where I had a group of friends in the neighborhood and we played every day. Our moms were friends. Our dads were kinda friends.

Most of the families have moved away now (and most parents have divorced, except mine). Tomorrow, however, we reunite for a wedding in the Cities. The youngest kid is walking down the aisle and we will all be there to celebrate and be weird.

Oddly, "The Weird Sisters" is a name for the moms, origin unknown to me. My friends and I call ourselves Weird Cousins. We laugh just as loudly as our moms laugh.

Tomorrow's going to be a blast!

Movie of the Day: White Christmas. Sisters.

Nice

I had a lovely "Small" day yesterday. No one got in trouble at school. I taught the lessons. I watched 4 kids serve detention and I went home. Oh, and I bought a ticket to France. Now I just need to get the school red tape figured out and I'm good to go. Yes, I found a mistake in my "Personal Days" number, so I'll have the opportunity to deal with that. Ah, fun.

Today's goal, aside from teaching, is to come up with a brilliant plan to help students pass the state math tests and find something wonderful to wear to a wedding this weekend. Lofty? Yep. We'll see how I do.

Now, has anyone else worked on a mission to bring some excitement into their world (see Monday)?

Movie of the Day: French Kiss. Tee hee.

Bon Jour!

It's official! I'm goin' to Paris!!!

Big Day

Actually, it's going to be a Small Day, which makes me more excited. No meetings. No tests. Just teach my 5 classes and guard two detentions and I'm home free. Whew. (Knock on wood).

I had a small victory with a kid yesterday, which always helps. We're at T - 7 until break (not counting the weekend). Yea!!!! I made a paper chain (white paper to symbolize snow, not Christmas colors).

Great quote from a kid: You know you're a nerd when you have to rush from your math meet to get to your band concert. (Math team + Band = Nerd).

Movie of the Day: Blue Sky.

Around and Around

I'm standing in one spot. Spinning. Everything, everyone is whirling by and I try to keep my balance. Getting..... dizzy..... must stop.....


Mission Updates (see Monday's post)?

Movie of the Day: Hanging Up. These ladies were spinning too.

Spark

Your mission for today is to create something interesting or inspire someone to create something interesting. It can be big, small, for you, for the world. It's up to you. Make it exciting and fun.

Report back tomorrow.

Movie of the Day: Mission (not so) Impossible 2. Dougray Scott. Bad guy, but a cutie.

Cool Prayer

Here's a cool prayer from the CHUM (Churches United in Ministry) Benefit Concert last night:

Days pass and the years vanish and we walk sightless among miracles. Lord, fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing. Let there be moments when your presence, like lightning, illumines the darkness in which we walk. Help us to see wherever we gaze that the bush burns, unconsumed. And we, clay touched by God, will reach out for holiness and exclaim in wonder how filled with awe is this place and we did not know it.

~ Gates of Prayer, New Union Prayer Book, Central Conference of Rabbis.

Movie of the Day: Miracle. (Which I still need to see....)

To Be Continued

Okay, so I normally blog in the morning (like right now or at 5 AM). Today, I'm running late. So, check back later this afternoon and I'll try to come up with something witty in the meantime....

Dreams

The past two nights, I've had some crazy dreams. Well, they seemed real, but were upsetting. Do you ever find that you have to overcome dreams and tell yourself that you shouldn't be mad at someone for what they did in a dream? Then, wonder what the heck it meant, if anything?

I also think it's interesting that when I go to bed the next night, it's like a ghost of the dream the previous night is lingering over my pillow. I remember the dream even when I could not have recalled it an hour earlier.

Does anyone else experience any of this?

Movie of the Day: What Dreams May Come. Interesting. Beautiful. Sad.

Warped

The staff at school watched a motivational video on Wednesday. It was quite good so I thought I'd try to buy it on Amazon. The cost? $695. Yes, six hundred ninety-five dollars. I thought: Typo. I went to the official site and found the same price. The video is 22 minutes long!!! No wonder the guy is happy! Sheesh. No thanks. I could do a lot with that kind of money.

Then, last night I watched Water again. There are so many people who are poor in the world. How to balance such discrepancies?

Movie of the Day: Mission Impossible.

I Notice Details

Some details I've noticed as of late:

1) There is a car in my neighborhood (station wagon) that looks like a fox.
2) My sixth hour wears a lot of black.
3) The junk food is more expensive than the healthy stuff in our school vending machines.
4) The shaggy haircut for boys is going out of style.
5) My orange juice carton has Happy Feet characters on it but no mention of the movie.
6) My neighbor shovels in neat rows at 5 in the morning.


Movie of the Day: King Ralph.

Beat the Blahs

Yesterday I was driving down the freeway, thinking that it couldn't get any more gray, any more blah. The sky was gray. The road was gray and sloppy with snow. The sun was hiding.

Later, I remembered what a friend noticed last winter. The only one of our friends who wasn't feeling The Blahs was the one who consistently exercised. She was fine.

So, your challenge (and mine as well) is to find some exercise. Walk, shovel, climb something. Oh, and get some sleep, would ya?

Movie of the Day: Heavy Weights.

As Requested

Here is the sunrise over our lovely Lake Superior. I took this picture about 6 years ago from the Central High School parking lot. Last night's sunset was amazing: the sky was on fire with yellow, pink, and lavender. Not a bad way to end the day!

Movie of the Day: Before Sunrise. Tee Hee.

FLW

A couple years ago, I went to Taliesin West in Arizona. It's Frank Lloyd Wright's house and school for architects. He was very fond of the color red (Okay, probably obsessed.)

Any way, I bought a card in the giftshop and framed it for my home office:

Love is the virtue of the heart
Sincerity the virtue of the mind
Courage the virtue of the spirit
Decision the virtue of the will.

The Organic Commandment, 1940

Here is my favorite picture from the trip. It's an outdoor lamp. We were allowed to take pictures if we didn't use them for financial gain. This little scan doesn't do it justice.

Movie of the Day: Water. AMAZING!!!! You must rent it. If you are reading this in India, I'm sorry that it's been banned there. It's an important movie.

A Survey

1) Do you like eggnog?

2) Do you send Christmas cards?

3) Do you prefer a real tree or an artificial one?

4) Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or both?

5) If you could eliminate one Christmas tradition, what would it be and why?


Movie of the Day: Touching the Void. Mountaineers who were insane (my opinion) and nearly died because of it.

Goats and Waterbuffalo

A couple days ago, my Algebra 2 students were asking me to explain a probability question that they saw in an episode of Numb3rs. It involved goats. They kept asking about goats and I kept thinking about The Heifer Project instead of Numb3rs.

The Heifer Project is an organization that donates animals to families in Third World countries to use as a source of income and food. It's pretty awesome. My club at school toyed with buying a Waterbuffalo a couple years ago, so I kept thinking about that.

I'll probably be buying a large animal this holiday season. (No, I won't get to meet it or the people who will receive it. It's anonymous and a logistical nightmare.)

If you are interested, the website is www.heifer.org

Movie of the Day: Dr. Dolittle.

Ouch

I've been talking about changing my routine or switching things up a bit to spark some life into my hamster wheel (oops, I mean day). So, yesterday, I didn't have any diet Coke. None. My only caffeine was from an ice cappucino at 5:30 AM. I survived the day (though tired), but now I am paying for it. My head feels like it's in a vice. Crushing. Crushing.

I also had a massage yesterday and will attribute some of the pain to that. I'm typically one big ball of stressed muscles, so she likes to dig in to get rid of them. Ouch.

However, with the calendar saying FRIDAY!!!! and lots of fun planned for the weekend, I think I'll be okay. (Well, after I stop at Dunn Bros......).

Movie of the Day: 28 Days. Addictions can suck.