Thursday, April 28, 2005
dee.
After Dee Brown had successfully stood up 2 middle schools in Champaign for appearances, he finally made it to my school today.
Last night, his "publicist" called my colleague who was originally in charge up setting this whole thing up with Dee. She told her that Dee had to take a test the day he didn't show up. My colleague said, "that's fine. I understand that. But he needs to call". The group of students who get to see Dee is a group that is taught to be responsible and make good decisions.
Ironic, eh?
Then Dee's publicist told her to please show Dee the "red carpet treatment". She then said, and he "MAY be a few minutes late. 8:30 is really early for these guys".
This kind of stuff makes me sick. This dude will be babied for the rest of his life. Everyone is going to suck up to him, he's going to make millions, and we have to give the red carpet treatment to this guy who is nothing more than a college student who can play basketball and has to get up and be somewhere by 8:30 in the morning.
Give me a freaking break.
Last night, his "publicist" called my colleague who was originally in charge up setting this whole thing up with Dee. She told her that Dee had to take a test the day he didn't show up. My colleague said, "that's fine. I understand that. But he needs to call". The group of students who get to see Dee is a group that is taught to be responsible and make good decisions.
Ironic, eh?
Then Dee's publicist told her to please show Dee the "red carpet treatment". She then said, and he "MAY be a few minutes late. 8:30 is really early for these guys".
This kind of stuff makes me sick. This dude will be babied for the rest of his life. Everyone is going to suck up to him, he's going to make millions, and we have to give the red carpet treatment to this guy who is nothing more than a college student who can play basketball and has to get up and be somewhere by 8:30 in the morning.
Give me a freaking break.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
music review
I am going to start writing some music reviews on here. Now, these will not all necessarily be new releases. And they will be on CD's that I already own, which mean that most likely I will think they are good. But, I will try to be balanced and throw one in here and there that I think aren't the greatest. I'm going to kick this off with a Jeremiah Classic.
Band: Guster
Album: Goldfly
Released: 1998
The first time I listened to Goldfly, I wasn't impressed. The songs seemed way too poppy and they weren't even catchy. However, "Demons" caught my attention from the beginning. The song is almost a ballad, but has a nice guitar duo part that catches you at the beginning and never lets you go. The more I listened to Goldfly, the more I fell for it, hook-line-and-sinker. Every song from Great Escape to Rocket ship could be radio hits on any other band's record. Each song boasts Guster's insane harmonies and percussion. What I really love about this album is that it's hard to figure out who is actually the lead singer in the band. Adam Gardner and Ryan Miller not only take leads in different songs, but will take different leads within the same song. The band consists of 3 members. Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworsel (born in Champaign). Brian is the percussionist who plays bongos, congas, djembes and cymbals--all with his hands. Brian and Ryan both play acoustic guitar. This set-up may sound like they would not be able to produce a full sound, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Guster can rock out with the best of them.
I have lent his album out to a number of friends of mine and EVERY single one who has borrowed it has gone out and bought one for themselves. Do your self a huge favor and do 2 things.
1. Take a shower. You stink.
2. Buy "Goldfly" by Guster.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you were to implant a chip in my brain that continuously plays this album, well, I'd be fine with that.
* * * * &1/2 stars. Out of 5 possible.
Band: Guster
Album: Goldfly
Released: 1998
The first time I listened to Goldfly, I wasn't impressed. The songs seemed way too poppy and they weren't even catchy. However, "Demons" caught my attention from the beginning. The song is almost a ballad, but has a nice guitar duo part that catches you at the beginning and never lets you go. The more I listened to Goldfly, the more I fell for it, hook-line-and-sinker. Every song from Great Escape to Rocket ship could be radio hits on any other band's record. Each song boasts Guster's insane harmonies and percussion. What I really love about this album is that it's hard to figure out who is actually the lead singer in the band. Adam Gardner and Ryan Miller not only take leads in different songs, but will take different leads within the same song. The band consists of 3 members. Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworsel (born in Champaign). Brian is the percussionist who plays bongos, congas, djembes and cymbals--all with his hands. Brian and Ryan both play acoustic guitar. This set-up may sound like they would not be able to produce a full sound, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Guster can rock out with the best of them.
I have lent his album out to a number of friends of mine and EVERY single one who has borrowed it has gone out and bought one for themselves. Do your self a huge favor and do 2 things.
1. Take a shower. You stink.
2. Buy "Goldfly" by Guster.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you were to implant a chip in my brain that continuously plays this album, well, I'd be fine with that.
* * * * &1/2 stars. Out of 5 possible.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
this one's for the ladies...
okay ladies. I know many people come here and don't like reading about baseball. Well, this post is for anyone who doesn't care about baseball. Because for this one, all you have to do is give your opinion on something. Guys, you can chime in on this if you'd like.
Here's the deal.
Pick which one is more dreamy. You can either simply answer which one you think is better looking, or you can give explanations.
Let's forget about baseball for a second and focus on something even more superficial .
Looks!
So, let's put it to a vote. Is it "A" or "B"?
A.
or
B.
Here's the deal.
Pick which one is more dreamy. You can either simply answer which one you think is better looking, or you can give explanations.
Let's forget about baseball for a second and focus on something even more superficial .
Looks!
So, let's put it to a vote. Is it "A" or "B"?
A.
or
B.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
anything you can do, i can do better.
Carlos Zambrano was good last night.
Chris Carpenter was better today.
Yep. Those are still the Cardinals above you in the standings.
Chris Carpenter was better today.
Yep. Those are still the Cardinals above you in the standings.
Kortny and I are starting a new business. We are going to be wedding videographers, and also do commercial videography work for businesses, schools, and/or churches. We don't have a name yet, but don't worry, I won't ask for suggestions. This won't be one of those *help us think of a name* blogs. I will use this summer to start getting the business off it's cute little feet.
This summer is going be very nice for me, because I for the first time, don't have to go work for Dr. Jesek or something else with manual labor. I have found though, that when have a job that is manual labor, you yearn for a desk job, and when you have a desk job, you yearn for manual labor. Let me give you a run-through of some of my summer jobs I have had when I was in high school and college.
1. Russell's Cycle and Fitness
Russell's is a bike shop in Washington, Illinois that has been rated as one of the 10 best bike shops in the country. Russell's bought an old movie theater and made it into a bike shop. Huge, people. Huge. I worked sales and never actually worked on bikes. They just used me for my smile and winning persona.
2. The Main Hanger Restaurant
I was a bus boy and host here. The restaurant was actually pretty cool, because it was in the Airport and had windows looking out to the runway. My sister worked as a waitress there for a little while, and those customers had no idea what hit them when they got a whole bunch of Cox and Johnson serving them.
Whoa. That totally didn't sound right.
3. Velocity Cycle
This was a small little bike shop in Decatur that I worked at for a couple years while in high school. I actually got to get dirty and work on bikes. There were only 3 other employees here, and the atmosphere was so relaxed that one Saturday, Dave Burke came in at 9 am and left when we closed at 4. He just hung out. To this day, I am amazed that I worked in place where my buddy could just come in and talk for 7 hours. This is also the place where I chased a kid who was stealing a bike down the streets of Decatur.
I didn't catch him.
Dangit.
4. Mt. Zion cemetery
I know this may sound weird, but this is best job I ever had. I got paid good money for high school, and got to make my own hours. I worked with a buddy of mine and some other dude. Our job was to mow, weed-eat, and general upkeep of the cemetery. Our boss was some good ol' boy who we maybe saw once a week. The times we were not mowing, we held lawn mower tracker races, played king of the hill in the barn with power-washers, and cussed like sailors. This was the one period of my life where I cussed. And I mean cussed, people.
5. Dr. Jesek's *whatever*
Then, my final summer job through college was working for a dentist in town named Dr. Jesek. I didn't help with teeth cleaning or pulling files. What I did help with, though was mowing his lawn, mowing his office's lawn, waxing his horse trailer, washing his HUGE mobile home (I thought of it as my tour bus for when I was in a famous band), cleaning his pool, helping build his horse barn, painting his fence, and much more. As I told people, basically, I was his b*&%$ for 9 dollars and hour. The pinnacle of working for him was when I accidentally filled his diesel gas tractor with regular unleaded gas.
Nice work, Cox.
I think that's all my summer jobs. Now, days when I'm getting cussed out by 6th graders, I yearn for the chance to spray someone in the face with a power washer and get paid for it.
This summer is going be very nice for me, because I for the first time, don't have to go work for Dr. Jesek or something else with manual labor. I have found though, that when have a job that is manual labor, you yearn for a desk job, and when you have a desk job, you yearn for manual labor. Let me give you a run-through of some of my summer jobs I have had when I was in high school and college.
1. Russell's Cycle and Fitness
Russell's is a bike shop in Washington, Illinois that has been rated as one of the 10 best bike shops in the country. Russell's bought an old movie theater and made it into a bike shop. Huge, people. Huge. I worked sales and never actually worked on bikes. They just used me for my smile and winning persona.
2. The Main Hanger Restaurant
I was a bus boy and host here. The restaurant was actually pretty cool, because it was in the Airport and had windows looking out to the runway. My sister worked as a waitress there for a little while, and those customers had no idea what hit them when they got a whole bunch of Cox and Johnson serving them.
Whoa. That totally didn't sound right.
3. Velocity Cycle
This was a small little bike shop in Decatur that I worked at for a couple years while in high school. I actually got to get dirty and work on bikes. There were only 3 other employees here, and the atmosphere was so relaxed that one Saturday, Dave Burke came in at 9 am and left when we closed at 4. He just hung out. To this day, I am amazed that I worked in place where my buddy could just come in and talk for 7 hours. This is also the place where I chased a kid who was stealing a bike down the streets of Decatur.
I didn't catch him.
Dangit.
4. Mt. Zion cemetery
I know this may sound weird, but this is best job I ever had. I got paid good money for high school, and got to make my own hours. I worked with a buddy of mine and some other dude. Our job was to mow, weed-eat, and general upkeep of the cemetery. Our boss was some good ol' boy who we maybe saw once a week. The times we were not mowing, we held lawn mower tracker races, played king of the hill in the barn with power-washers, and cussed like sailors. This was the one period of my life where I cussed. And I mean cussed, people.
5. Dr. Jesek's *whatever*
Then, my final summer job through college was working for a dentist in town named Dr. Jesek. I didn't help with teeth cleaning or pulling files. What I did help with, though was mowing his lawn, mowing his office's lawn, waxing his horse trailer, washing his HUGE mobile home (I thought of it as my tour bus for when I was in a famous band), cleaning his pool, helping build his horse barn, painting his fence, and much more. As I told people, basically, I was his b*&%$ for 9 dollars and hour. The pinnacle of working for him was when I accidentally filled his diesel gas tractor with regular unleaded gas.
Nice work, Cox.
I think that's all my summer jobs. Now, days when I'm getting cussed out by 6th graders, I yearn for the chance to spray someone in the face with a power washer and get paid for it.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Cubsessories
Just in time for the Cubs/Cards series tonight...
We are all familiar with the "Successoires" pictures where they show some beautiful scene with some motivational advice beneath it.
Well, here are the new...
Cubsessories
And a personal favorite...
We are all familiar with the "Successoires" pictures where they show some beautiful scene with some motivational advice beneath it.
Well, here are the new...
Cubsessories
And a personal favorite...
Monday, April 18, 2005
c'mon, blue!
The Cardinals won yesterday. Oops. There I go again. Talking about the past. See, the Cardinals can actually beat the Brewers in 9 innings.
Adam and I had a debate yesterday about which is mathematically harder to do. Become a major league umpire or a major league baseball player. I won't tell you which side I favored, and I am trusting Adam will do the same. I have a feeling that because this is my blog, if I were to give my thoughts, then people would automatically disagree.
See, here at My Turn, we are open for discussion. We try not to oppress our views on you, the faithful reader.
So, which is harder to do?
Become a major league umpire or player?
Hmmmmm....
Adam and I had a debate yesterday about which is mathematically harder to do. Become a major league umpire or a major league baseball player. I won't tell you which side I favored, and I am trusting Adam will do the same. I have a feeling that because this is my blog, if I were to give my thoughts, then people would automatically disagree.
See, here at My Turn, we are open for discussion. We try not to oppress our views on you, the faithful reader.
So, which is harder to do?
Become a major league umpire or player?
Hmmmmm....
Friday, April 15, 2005
*****Nephew Showcase # 3*****
Allright. The final one is here. Gabriel Johnson is Free's younger bro. Gabe is the artistic one of the group. He plays the meanest air guitar you've ever seen. He even air plugs the guitar into the amp, air messes with his effects pedals, air puts on the guitar, air turns it up, and finally plays air guitar.
----------
Stats
Name: Gabriel Christian Johnson
Age: 4
Hometown: Springfield, IL
Parents: Mike and Beth Johnson
Hobbies: Music, drawing, riding bikes
Favorite color: clear
Favorite car: 1996 Pontiac Grand am
Favorite food: crackers
Strength(s): Getting others involved, air guitar, singing
Weakness(es): Can't lift over 150 lbs
----------
One week, when I was playing guitar at church, Gabe was on stage with me while we were setting up. I gave him one of my pics, because he always loves to have a pic with him. About 15 minutes later, he was off the stage accross the big room where we were playing. He was playing with Free. I got all my stuff set up, and so I started to tune my guitar. When Gabe heard the guitar through the amp, he instantly turned around to face me and had that "oh my gosh, the world is about to end" look about him. He started running as fast as he could to the stage holding the pic high up in the air, yelling as loud as he could..."Miah! Miah! You fogat yo picc!!!!! Yo piiiiic!!!!!!!!"
Precious.
----------
Stats
Name: Gabriel Christian Johnson
Age: 4
Hometown: Springfield, IL
Parents: Mike and Beth Johnson
Hobbies: Music, drawing, riding bikes
Favorite color: clear
Favorite car: 1996 Pontiac Grand am
Favorite food: crackers
Strength(s): Getting others involved, air guitar, singing
Weakness(es): Can't lift over 150 lbs
----------
One week, when I was playing guitar at church, Gabe was on stage with me while we were setting up. I gave him one of my pics, because he always loves to have a pic with him. About 15 minutes later, he was off the stage accross the big room where we were playing. He was playing with Free. I got all my stuff set up, and so I started to tune my guitar. When Gabe heard the guitar through the amp, he instantly turned around to face me and had that "oh my gosh, the world is about to end" look about him. He started running as fast as he could to the stage holding the pic high up in the air, yelling as loud as he could..."Miah! Miah! You fogat yo picc!!!!! Yo piiiiic!!!!!!!!"
Precious.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
*****Nephew Showcase #2*****
Today's nephew showcase will focus on Free Johnson. Free lives in Springfield and studies at Owen Marsh Elementary School. He has many lady suitors, but at this time, Free is not "accepting applications". It is rumored that he wants to focus on his studies and athletic career before he even thinks about girls.
---------
Stats
Name: Free Christian Johnson
Hometown: Springfield, IL
Age: 7
Parents: Beth and Micheal Johnson
Hobbies: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey, golf
Favorite color: Cardinal Red
Favorite car: the Kia Rio Cinco
Favorite food: Hot wings (made by Mike Johnson)
Strength(s): Baseball (hitting), his laugh, and silky smooth hair
Weakness(es): Struggles with advanced trig
---------
Free is one of the best big brothers this side of the Mississippi. He always looks out for his younger brother (who will be featured soon) and loves hanging out with him. Free is the oldest of my nephews, and thus, my first experience as an uncle. My experience with Free made me want to be an uncle some more.
I remember one time when Free was over in Decatur, and John and I decided just how wrowled up we could get him. So, we started yelling, jumping, shoving, and we did indeed get Free so wound up, that he started jumping up and down on the couch because he had no other way of releasing ALL this energy.
#1 Perk of being an Uncle - Get the nephews all wound up...and get to walk away.
---------
Stats
Name: Free Christian Johnson
Hometown: Springfield, IL
Age: 7
Parents: Beth and Micheal Johnson
Hobbies: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey, golf
Favorite color: Cardinal Red
Favorite car: the Kia Rio Cinco
Favorite food: Hot wings (made by Mike Johnson)
Strength(s): Baseball (hitting), his laugh, and silky smooth hair
Weakness(es): Struggles with advanced trig
---------
Free is one of the best big brothers this side of the Mississippi. He always looks out for his younger brother (who will be featured soon) and loves hanging out with him. Free is the oldest of my nephews, and thus, my first experience as an uncle. My experience with Free made me want to be an uncle some more.
I remember one time when Free was over in Decatur, and John and I decided just how wrowled up we could get him. So, we started yelling, jumping, shoving, and we did indeed get Free so wound up, that he started jumping up and down on the couch because he had no other way of releasing ALL this energy.
#1 Perk of being an Uncle - Get the nephews all wound up...and get to walk away.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
*****Nephew Showcase*****
Over the next three days, I will be showcasing each of my three nephews. In no particular order. They will not be in any order from favorite to least favorite, or least favorite to favorite. I will not tell who my favorite is.
Today's nephew is Gavin Cox.
---------
Stats
Name: Gavin Cox
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Age: 11 months
Parents: Josh & Amanda Cox
Hobby: Messin' around
Favorite Color: Not yet determined (but responds very well to green)
Favorite Car: Fast
Favorite food: Not water
Favorite sport: Ice Hockey
Strength(s): Smiling, general TCB (taking care of business)
Weakness(es): Excessive drooling
---------
I have to say that I do not see Gavin NEAR as much as I...
A. should
B. would like to
Gavin probebly smiles more than any baby I have ever seen. I remember one night when we are all leaving to go home, our family was standing around in the doorway. Gavin literally looked at every single person (about 10 of us) and smiled at them. I'm talkin, looking at you in the eye, waiting till you smile back, kind of smile. I am a firm believer that 99% of all babies look alike, and therefore are not especially cute. I am not impressed by babies. I realize that at 11 months, you are just leaving the baby stage, but Gavin was/is one incredibly cute baby/toddler.
And I'm not being biased, either.
I give you exhibit "A"...
Today's nephew is Gavin Cox.
---------
Stats
Name: Gavin Cox
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Age: 11 months
Parents: Josh & Amanda Cox
Hobby: Messin' around
Favorite Color: Not yet determined (but responds very well to green)
Favorite Car: Fast
Favorite food: Not water
Favorite sport: Ice Hockey
Strength(s): Smiling, general TCB (taking care of business)
Weakness(es): Excessive drooling
---------
I have to say that I do not see Gavin NEAR as much as I...
A. should
B. would like to
Gavin probebly smiles more than any baby I have ever seen. I remember one night when we are all leaving to go home, our family was standing around in the doorway. Gavin literally looked at every single person (about 10 of us) and smiled at them. I'm talkin, looking at you in the eye, waiting till you smile back, kind of smile. I am a firm believer that 99% of all babies look alike, and therefore are not especially cute. I am not impressed by babies. I realize that at 11 months, you are just leaving the baby stage, but Gavin was/is one incredibly cute baby/toddler.
And I'm not being biased, either.
I give you exhibit "A"...
Sunday, April 10, 2005
ohhh...not so fast
My friend, Tim has a really cute website where he talks about the Baby Bears. In is recent entry, he quoted The News-Gazette as for the top 10 reasons the Cardinals won't win it all. The News-Gazette...the next best thing for a Cubs 1st place prediction next to Vine Line. I'll give you the top ten, and then give you the My Turn take on them. Ours will be in ().
Top Ten Reasons the Cardinals Won't Win It All:
1. Matt Morris' shoulder (Morris' rehab start in Minors, 6 IP, 2 runs. Mark Prior in minor league rehab start: 6 innings, 7 runs)
2. Tony LaRussa's brain (how many World Championships and Pennants has Dusy Baker won?)
3. Scott Rolen's knee (Sure didn't stop him from hitting the game winning home run off of Roger Clemens in game 7)
4. Albert Pujols' heel (How many games has he missed because of this? None.)
5. Reggie Sanders' age (Heck yeah, but he still hits better than DuBois)
6. Larry Walker's back (Cards only need his bat in the playoffs)
7. Mark Grudzielanek's glove (that's weird. He's better than what we had last year. You'd think that'd help us)
8. Jason Isringhausen's hip (Sure didn't hurt his 47 saves last year)
9. David Eckstein's height (height?!?! is this basketball?)
10. Chris Carpenter's elbow (Oh,, you must have meant to say Chris Carpenter's 15 Wins and 3.46 ERA)
So, now 17 reasons why the Cubs will disapiont their fans again this year. Maybe some of them can read these reasons and stop blaming their wives, curses, and Bartman.
Top 17 reasons the Cubs will dissapoint again.
17. Jeromy Burnitz's strikeouts
16. Corey Patterson's "potential"
15. Carlos Zambrano's head.
14. Mark Prior's Achilles tendon
13. Kerry Wood's shoulder
12. Mark Prior's elbow
11. Kerry Wood's right triceps
10. Dusty Baker's arm bands (does he realize that he doesn't need those to manage?)
9. Michael Barrett's mouth
8. Carlos Zambrano's temper
7. Nomar Garciapara's Achilles tendon
6. Nomar Garciapara's groin injury
5. Nomar Garciapara's wrist
4. Mike Remlinger's age
3. Latroy Hawkin's pitching abilities
2. Joe Borowski's hopes
1. They have two brand new announcers to place their blame on
Game on!
Top Ten Reasons the Cardinals Won't Win It All:
1. Matt Morris' shoulder (Morris' rehab start in Minors, 6 IP, 2 runs. Mark Prior in minor league rehab start: 6 innings, 7 runs)
2. Tony LaRussa's brain (how many World Championships and Pennants has Dusy Baker won?)
3. Scott Rolen's knee (Sure didn't stop him from hitting the game winning home run off of Roger Clemens in game 7)
4. Albert Pujols' heel (How many games has he missed because of this? None.)
5. Reggie Sanders' age (Heck yeah, but he still hits better than DuBois)
6. Larry Walker's back (Cards only need his bat in the playoffs)
7. Mark Grudzielanek's glove (that's weird. He's better than what we had last year. You'd think that'd help us)
8. Jason Isringhausen's hip (Sure didn't hurt his 47 saves last year)
9. David Eckstein's height (height?!?! is this basketball?)
10. Chris Carpenter's elbow (Oh,, you must have meant to say Chris Carpenter's 15 Wins and 3.46 ERA)
So, now 17 reasons why the Cubs will disapiont their fans again this year. Maybe some of them can read these reasons and stop blaming their wives, curses, and Bartman.
Top 17 reasons the Cubs will dissapoint again.
17. Jeromy Burnitz's strikeouts
16. Corey Patterson's "potential"
15. Carlos Zambrano's head.
14. Mark Prior's Achilles tendon
13. Kerry Wood's shoulder
12. Mark Prior's elbow
11. Kerry Wood's right triceps
10. Dusty Baker's arm bands (does he realize that he doesn't need those to manage?)
9. Michael Barrett's mouth
8. Carlos Zambrano's temper
7. Nomar Garciapara's Achilles tendon
6. Nomar Garciapara's groin injury
5. Nomar Garciapara's wrist
4. Mike Remlinger's age
3. Latroy Hawkin's pitching abilities
2. Joe Borowski's hopes
1. They have two brand new announcers to place their blame on
Game on!
Friday, April 08, 2005
johnny 5 is alive!
Here's the 5th caption contest. This week's prize is just in time for the summer. A pair of My Turn Isotoner gloves. That's two gloves with M on the thumb, Y on the pointer, T on the middle, U on the ring, and RN on the pinky fingers. These are dope.
Here's this weeks picture...
Here's this weeks picture...
Thursday, April 07, 2005
what did you just say??
These past couple of days have really been an eye opener to me. As many or all of you know, I work in a city middle school. I often quote kids on the playground, or kids saying things about my wife and whether or not I do indeed own a *playa card*.
I do own one, by the way.
Probebly the biggest suprise of my first year in teaching would be the absolute disrespect kids have for anyone who is older than them. I know this is sounding old, but when I was this age, I thought that anyone older than me was the coolest. I always loved it whenever my older siblings would bring home a friend, and I would be all nervous and trying to be cool around them. It seems that now, kids don't give a rip about anyone older than them. There is no respect. There is no realization of the fact that these people have been through more, know more, and deserve decent conversation.
Let me give you a small sample of some things I have heard from students at my school to me JUST this week. And no, none of these are students in special ed.
"Shut up"
"Okay, liar."
"ooooooh. just wait unit I see you out in County Market somewhere"
"Don't talk to me"
"Shut up"
"Shut the #$%@ up"
Unbelievable.
I do own one, by the way.
Probebly the biggest suprise of my first year in teaching would be the absolute disrespect kids have for anyone who is older than them. I know this is sounding old, but when I was this age, I thought that anyone older than me was the coolest. I always loved it whenever my older siblings would bring home a friend, and I would be all nervous and trying to be cool around them. It seems that now, kids don't give a rip about anyone older than them. There is no respect. There is no realization of the fact that these people have been through more, know more, and deserve decent conversation.
Let me give you a small sample of some things I have heard from students at my school to me JUST this week. And no, none of these are students in special ed.
"Shut up"
"Okay, liar."
"ooooooh. just wait unit I see you out in County Market somewhere"
"Don't talk to me"
"Shut up"
"Shut the #$%@ up"
Unbelievable.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Monday, April 04, 2005
wierdest morning ever.
On Monday mornings, Adam, Matt, and I get together at 6 for our *accountability* group. We call it a *Life Transformation Group* or, LTG for all the kids out there. We talk about life, our walk with Jesus, and we usually don't hold any punches when it comes to calling each other out. We meet at Aunt Sonya's Restaurant, and the only people there besides us are a group of 6 or so old farmers. Our waiter every morning is Michael, and he always has three glasses of water on the same table every morning when we walk in. We are at the point now, where Matt and I say we'll have *the usual*. For some reason, Adam never was that cool, and never ordered the same thing.
So, this week, I drive up to The Sonya, and the parking lot is packed. Hmm. This is weird. Its 5:55 and The Sonya is packed. They don't open 'till 6. A few possibilities went through my head.
1. People in Champaign have gotten REALLY excited about the game tonight and every one wanted a little local flavor, so they went to The Sonya.
2. The hotel right by had a lot of people there over night, so they parked here.
3. People are throwing me a surprise birthday party 5 months and 9 days early.
That's until I saw, through the windows, the U of I pep band and cheerleaders. Then, my friend Matt, pointed out that not only was there a full pep band and cheerleading squad in INSIDE the restaurant, but he showed me the 2 Channel 2 CBS news from Chicago vans that were there. We went in, and Michael greeted us as normal. We didn't get to sit at our table, and there was not water sitting there. So, as we started transforming each other’s lives. I started saying, "You know guys, I've really been struggling with--" when the U of I pep band started playing their fight song.
In a restaurant.
At 6:10 in the morning.
Now, I'm a former band nerd. Even in college. But, I draw the line at 6 am on Monday morning, in a small, now over-crowded cafe.
So there we were. In a small cafe restaurant at 6 am on Monday morning. With about 25 pep band members, 15 cheerleaders, a news reporter, and her crew. And us.
To make matters worse, when Michael came to our table he told us that they would be coming back to the reporter every 10 minutes.
Every 10 minutes?!?!!? What the heck?!!?
The band would play a song, and the cheerleaders would cheer. Every 10 minutes. After one cheer/song thingy, one of the cheerleaders kinda yelled, "Beer!". I suppose this was to be a funny college thing, but not one other cheerleader did it along with her. Maybe they didn't because they, I don't know, knew they were on TV. So, this girl yell beer, but halfway through the word realizes she is the only one. So her voice cracks and goes down to about half the original volume.
See, I've always said that nothing positive comes out of beer.
So, this would happen every 10 minutes. Traffic report from Champaign. Turns out, Susan Carlson is the traffic reporter for the CBS. Now, it's funny, but I didn't see monitors where she saw the traffic in Chicago. So, I don't know how she knew that Wacker drive had a 3 car accident on it.
So, you're telling me that some dude in Chicago was telling some lady in Champaign who was telling people in Chicago what the traffic was?
Efficient.
Loud.
Annoying.
By far, the wierdest Monday morning of my life.
So, this week, I drive up to The Sonya, and the parking lot is packed. Hmm. This is weird. Its 5:55 and The Sonya is packed. They don't open 'till 6. A few possibilities went through my head.
1. People in Champaign have gotten REALLY excited about the game tonight and every one wanted a little local flavor, so they went to The Sonya.
2. The hotel right by had a lot of people there over night, so they parked here.
3. People are throwing me a surprise birthday party 5 months and 9 days early.
That's until I saw, through the windows, the U of I pep band and cheerleaders. Then, my friend Matt, pointed out that not only was there a full pep band and cheerleading squad in INSIDE the restaurant, but he showed me the 2 Channel 2 CBS news from Chicago vans that were there. We went in, and Michael greeted us as normal. We didn't get to sit at our table, and there was not water sitting there. So, as we started transforming each other’s lives. I started saying, "You know guys, I've really been struggling with--" when the U of I pep band started playing their fight song.
In a restaurant.
At 6:10 in the morning.
Now, I'm a former band nerd. Even in college. But, I draw the line at 6 am on Monday morning, in a small, now over-crowded cafe.
So there we were. In a small cafe restaurant at 6 am on Monday morning. With about 25 pep band members, 15 cheerleaders, a news reporter, and her crew. And us.
To make matters worse, when Michael came to our table he told us that they would be coming back to the reporter every 10 minutes.
Every 10 minutes?!?!!? What the heck?!!?
The band would play a song, and the cheerleaders would cheer. Every 10 minutes. After one cheer/song thingy, one of the cheerleaders kinda yelled, "Beer!". I suppose this was to be a funny college thing, but not one other cheerleader did it along with her. Maybe they didn't because they, I don't know, knew they were on TV. So, this girl yell beer, but halfway through the word realizes she is the only one. So her voice cracks and goes down to about half the original volume.
See, I've always said that nothing positive comes out of beer.
So, this would happen every 10 minutes. Traffic report from Champaign. Turns out, Susan Carlson is the traffic reporter for the CBS. Now, it's funny, but I didn't see monitors where she saw the traffic in Chicago. So, I don't know how she knew that Wacker drive had a 3 car accident on it.
So, you're telling me that some dude in Chicago was telling some lady in Champaign who was telling people in Chicago what the traffic was?
Efficient.
Loud.
Annoying.
By far, the wierdest Monday morning of my life.
Friday, April 01, 2005
caption contest. 4
This week's prize is a My Turn lawn chair. It's green, and is made of the stretchy long plastic rope-type stuff.
And isn't it fitting that this is the 4th caption contest on the 4th month with the Final 4 this weekend?
That's cause My Turn is the epicenter of the universe, people. Let's not forget that.
So, let's have at it, kiddos...
And isn't it fitting that this is the 4th caption contest on the 4th month with the Final 4 this weekend?
That's cause My Turn is the epicenter of the universe, people. Let's not forget that.
So, let's have at it, kiddos...
serious post #3
Last night was rough. We and most of you have been praying and praying hard for Kortny's job. To some this might not seem like a big deal. Not all know how hard it is to get an Elementary teaching job. Over 175 applicants apply for the average job out there. The school we were waiting to hear from didn't offer her the job.
So, last night I was really questioning God's faithfulness in a lot of this. I mean, when so many people are praying, how come we don't see results? I know the answer. It's because God has his plan, and it's going to work out better than we can even think about right now. That we must learn patience. That God's timing is not our timing. But to be honest, that didn't really help last night and through this morning. I mean, how can we move do Champaign for His calling and ministry, trusting he will take care of this, and it not happen? These are all things I was thinking about at 2:30 in the morning.
1 Corinthians 15:58: "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
But it seems that when one door closes, another opens. Today, by 9 am, God has allready been working. We can see Him doing His thang. Some other doors are opening. Not huge. But definately some signs of hope.
Psalm 30:5
"Though the sorrow, may last through the night, the joy comes in the morning"
Getting over-optimistic?
Trying not to.
Will Satan win?
Not a chance.
So, last night I was really questioning God's faithfulness in a lot of this. I mean, when so many people are praying, how come we don't see results? I know the answer. It's because God has his plan, and it's going to work out better than we can even think about right now. That we must learn patience. That God's timing is not our timing. But to be honest, that didn't really help last night and through this morning. I mean, how can we move do Champaign for His calling and ministry, trusting he will take care of this, and it not happen? These are all things I was thinking about at 2:30 in the morning.
1 Corinthians 15:58: "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
But it seems that when one door closes, another opens. Today, by 9 am, God has allready been working. We can see Him doing His thang. Some other doors are opening. Not huge. But definately some signs of hope.
Psalm 30:5
"Though the sorrow, may last through the night, the joy comes in the morning"
Getting over-optimistic?
Trying not to.
Will Satan win?
Not a chance.
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