Mind Trap

I was at a party last night and people started talking about word games and logic problems. One couple started giving examples and I found that I did quite well, to the point of pulling myself out of the game and just listening. I tried to explain that I play Mind Trap with my students and it really helps with these types of questions.

Movie of the Day: Before Sunset. Very little action, lots of talking.

Blast From the Past

Next week is dress-up week at school and Tuesday is "Blast From the Past". I tried to get some clarification from the student council kids, but they just repeated the title.

This could be fun. Do I dress as:

a disco chick
someone going to a sock hop
a cave girl
anyone from Pride & Prejudice
a valley girl
a hippie
last year's fashion
someone out of Little House on the Prairie
a flapper?

The options are endless!

Movie of the Day: Blast From the Past. Gotta love Brennan Fraser.

Back In The Day

Me, back in the day. Do you like how only my pigtails are curly?

Movie of the Day: Curly Sue.

Mind Control

I had a chat with a friend last night (Hi!) and we came to the consensus that we both think too much. Now, I'm not talking about science or politics or how to save the world. I'm talking about relationships and life status and such. Things like: "why am I single?" or "what did he mean by that?".

These are not productive thoughts, in general, because very rarely am I going to come up with any sort of correct answer. Well, at least not without an excellent therapist in the room.

So, I (well, we) have decided to stop those thoughts in their tracks and go with the flow. (Quit laughing.). Controlling things is something I'm good at. Not controlling things will be an interesting challenge.

Movie of the Day: After the Wedding. Not romantic, really, but SUCH a good movie. Subtitled, so be literate.

Missing

Do you ever feel like there's something missing? Not your keys, but something significant and huge?

In Miss Potter, a character says something to the order of "thank goodness he found you. I didn't even know I was missing you until we met."

I feel like I'm missing something or someone and we haven't even met. It's this murky, "could someone turn on more lights in here" kind of feeling. It's a Friday night alone with a stack of papers you don't want to grade.

I could try to rally some people together, but that just seems like running in circles sometimes. Does that make any sense? I need to leap off this treadmill and find something new.

80's Revisited

I spent a good chunk of time last night thinking and listening to 80's music.

Top 5 Favorites, anyone?

Movie of the Day: Wedding Singer. Great 80's music.

New Laws I Like

Okay, it's just one law that I made up yesterday: when you are sick, you have to eat whatever you want. Ice cream? Sure. Popcorn? Sure. Cold pizza from Sunday? Sure. All's good.

I stayed home yesterday and slept. A lot. Then, when I could sleep no more (18 hours), I watched Ugly Betty DVDs. Yep, good deal.

Pretty much all that's left of the cold is a juicy, deep cough and a little snot. Not bad. Now we'll see what happens when I push myself (a.k.a. teach).

Movie of the Day: Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. America looking normal.

Vacation Time

Right about now, I could use a break. Yes, I know we just finished Day 8 of school, but I think that's a pretty good accomplishment-one that should be rewarded with a day off.

How would I spend my day off? I would sleep until noon. Then, who knows? Make some jewelry? Watch movies? Read? No homework.

Movie of the Day: Dream For an Insomniac. I woke up a couple times last night from my cold and thunder. Oy.

A Little Better

I woke up a couple times last night after some crazy dreams. However, I am feeling better this morning. Thanks for all of the concern. Now, to still pace myself enough to get through Open House at school tonight (which might run until 8). We'll see how that goes.

Movie of the Day: Life As a House.

Pace Yourself

I stayed home from church today with my cold. My throat hurt so bad, I could hardly swallow. I called my choir director and left a message that I was sick (she probably thought "Duh. Have you heard your voice?"). Then, I called another friend as back up.

I've gargled with warm salt water, taken some Advil and a shower (always helps) and now feel a bit better.

My task now is to pace myself so I don't wipe out by 2. I'm not good at relaxing. (Quit laughing!). Any way, I see too many things that I could put away, or clean, or craft. It's annoying.

Movie of the Day: Sick-O. I didn't see it, but one of my many nurse friends said it was awesome!

Picture Day Issues

Today is Picture Day. Well, the kiddies get their pictures taken in August when they get their schedules and stuff. However, today they can have retakes and the teachers have their pictures taken for the yearbook and staff badges. We also get a complimentary little pack of pictures, probably because they interrupt the whole day and they're bribing us to keep quiet about it.

Any way, the dilemma is what the heck to wear.

The trauma is that I just got a zit last night. It's tiny. Honest. It's right at the top of my lip and it's about the size of a pin head. Cover up and lipstick are my only hope. I'm not big into popping zits.

Gross, huh?

Now, back to what to wear. I'm wearing jeans today. There is no discussion on that. It'll be the first day that I haven't worn a skirt or capris. No ankle-showing for this teacher today. It also means my Chacos are staying home.

Any way, what color? I have a lovely blue shirt, but I don't really like blue shirts with jeans. Hmmmm.... I could change clothes after the picture.... might be too much work. I don't know. Such a conundrum.

Movie of the Day: Picture Perfect.

Better

A winter or two ago, my covenant group at church was talking about how we all felt depressed or blue- well all of us except R. She also seemed to be the only one who was getting any exercise. Correlation?

So, to get myself out of the funk, I have started getting up at 4:45 and walking a mile on my treadmill (takes me 20 minutes). It's helping! Woo Hoo!

Movie of the Day: Grease. Track really saved Danny.

Funky Winkerbean

I'm saving the paper for my mom while she's on vacation and mainly what she cares about is the comic Funky Winkerbean. Things HAPPEN in this strip. It's not as soap-opera-esque as some, but serious issues are addressed.

For instance, Lisa Moore is dying of cancer. Any day now, she will say her good-byes and we will mourn. She's found the son she put up for adoption. She's gone to Congress to plead for more funding to fight cancer. She's had closure.

Sadly, I feel like there are Congress members who actually connect more to a fictional cartoon character than to real, live victims of this terrible disease.

Movie of the Day: My Life. So sad.

Big Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the Primary Election Day in Duluth. There are 12 people running for Mayor. It will be narrowed down to two after tomorrow! The candidates have been pushing really hard for this win. Some are playing nicely and others are acting like the playground bully.

I will be voting for Don Ness. He has integrity, 8 years experience on the City Council and cares deeply for Duluth and its progress.

Movie of the Day: Things To Do.

Funk

I seem to be in a funk as of late. I'm looking for ways to crawl out of it. Any suggestions?

Movie of the Day: Bobby. Saw it last night. Might be part of the funk. Excellent, though sad, movie.

Above is a picture from France's version of Ugly Betty: Ugly Lisa. She looks funk-y too.

I Survived!

Well, it was an interesting day in Lake Wobegon. Ha. Actually, it was a pretty calm first day (knock on wood). Huge classes. Not enough desks. Or books. But, overall, decent. I think I'm going to have some pretty smart kids (not all, but at least some).

I did come home and take an hour and a half nap. If that tells you how much energy I expended today.

Is it nerdy to go to bed at 9? Ha ha.

Movie of the Day: School Ties. Vintage Brendan Fraser.

Nap While You Can

I got my Back to School haircut today. Megan was running a little behind, so I had some time to bond with the couch. It was cushy and leather and very, very comfortable. I decided to fore go the magazines (not just because of the germs, either) and catch a little shut-eye. It was so nice. I didn't actually fall asleep. I'm too anxious for that. The last time I fell asleep in public was on the bus home from Minneapolis (aka Paris Trip) last February. That was after 30 hours of awakeness. Any way, I digress.

Now, I am going to sleep. In the privacy of my own home.

Movie of the Day: Sleepless in Seattle. Or Duluth.

Here We Are

I started back at school/work today. We had meetings all day off-campus. Tomorrow, we have time to work in our rooms, fight for the copy machine (50 people on one machine), and be totally ready for kids on Thursday. Should be good.

Today, during one of the meetings, a colleague pronounced the word "student" as "studont." I started to think of it as "studon't". Then, I decided that I want "studo's" instead of "studon'ts" this year.

We shall see.....

I was hoping to watch She's the Man tonight, but have run out of time. Maybe tomorrow...

Caffeine

I'm addicted to caffeine. I was at a training for work and we talked about addiction. The trainer didn't talk about caffeine, but I know that the signs work for it. It's just a legal drug.

Sadly, with energy drinks EVERYWHERE, my students are getting addicted to it too.

Yesterday, I only had one can of pop (diet cherry Coke). Now, my head is splitting!!!! I'm hoping it gets better. I'll probably have one can today too. I need to research how to give up caffeine without causing harm to anything or anyone. Eek.

Movie of the Day: Anything by Jane Austen. My sister, mother, and I are going to have a 5-hour Pride and Prejudice Fest today. Woo Hoo!!!