Vacation Is Here!

So I haven't updated my blog since I got a death threat. Someone reminded me of that today, so I figured I ought to post, just to show I'm alive and kicking.

School went out with a bang/whimper. I'm not teaching chemistry next year - no one is. Long story. So I get to teach earth science, and I am ecstatic!! Well, I get to teach physical science, which I'm not so hot on, but I'm rushing through physics and chem to get to earth science!! Whoot!

The boys both passed - and have been doing homework every day since school ended. Both Mom and Dad are home, poor kids... I try to make it fun, though. Math exercises are rewarded with an hour of video games or TV. They got to pick the books they're reading. We go to the zoo or something and pick out the science we'll study there. They're learning state capitals this summer, with contests. The winner, daily, gets a sweet treat. They're quite competitive.

So, we're driving up to Harvey County today for the family reunionish party. Tom Tom took us on a back back road road that I haven't hit in probably 20 years years. It goes past this one kids' camp. Stinky says, "Mom, can we go to that camp?" I answer, "Sorry, kid, that's a Catholic camp." To which Moth replies, "I know all my capitals. Can I go to the capital camp?"

He's had a series of humorous mis-hearings this year. Athlete's foot has become trumpet foot in our house. Trumpet foot. You can't make that crap up. Probably should get his ears checked, but when the outcome is so funny... well... cheap entertainment wins.

I'm writing this update while they swim at the hotel pool. We stayed in the hotel in town, though we had been warned that it wasn't so good these days - got flooded out last winter. Our room is aces, free internet access... I'll stay here again, if it still exists. Totally worth it.

And now, I'm gonna go read a book. See ya. Wouldn't wanna be ya.

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The Devil, You Say!

I was watchin the boob tube last night - Nat Geo - and they had a program about "The Curse of the Devil"

The Tasmanian Devil.


First off (Johnny), did you know they REALLY sound like the TD from Bugs Bunny! And even kind of look like him! Check it out:


When they put the microphone on them, you could have knocked me down with a feather.

Now, it seems that there is some kind of TRANSMITTABLE (by ingestion!), FATAL CANCER (that is scary and really cool science) that is killing the devil.

The devil population has decreased by 90% (I think that's the number - though they say it's been decimated, which means down by 10%?). They kept saying they needed to find a way to "save the devil"

(I muttered that he had to be born again. There are my protestant roots for ya.)

In all, quite a cool program. The devil you know, or the devil you don't?
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Math Geeks: Holla!

for the few, the proud, those with a bad sense of humor.

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I'm just sayin...

In the Philadelphia School District, we have half-day training days once a month. These occur on Wednesdays and cause mass confusion. The kids are crazy, we have Monday twice, and the teachers spend just as much time with more creative planning, because the half day always throws off our schedules.

We were supposed to have one last Wednesday, but we had a big honking ice storm. 

We were supposed to have a big snow storm Monday, but it petered out. Yesterday, we were supposed to get flurries that didn't stick. We got eight inches.

Oh, we were supposed to have our February training day today. Snert.

God must like *something* about Philadelphia teachers. 

And because they announced the closure at 5:30, and I checked at 5, all my shoveling is done! Well, snow shoveling anyhow. I never truly stop shoveling, as those of you who know me can attest.

Happy snow day!

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(oh, and how often would you see post labels combining good science, religion, and teaching?)

Stayin' Alive...

So, I was listening to XPN yesterday (don't have XM in school) and the news block had the story that if you do CPR to Stayin' Alive, your chances of success are much higher. (And here, the music d.j. totally, totally brain farted. He said "Stayin' Alive, the famous song by the Beach Boys..." well, I guess they don't play disco, but still...)

It seems that the beat is just right, not to mention the message.

The writer of the linked article mentions, "For those of you less optimistic folks, Queen's classic, Another One Bites the Dust, also has the proper beat." Snicker.

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