Last One?

Well, I'm cutting it close again; that's nothing new. And again I've had trouble coming up with something fitting for the day. I thought of end-of-year-ish ditties such as "It's the End of the World As We Know It" or even "1999," but I don't think so. Blah.

I think I'm just going to post another cool video that I use with my students for exploring text in depth and adding meaning through context. It's also just a cool video and song. And I guess it kind of fits a New year's resolution type theme as well. It's "What I've Done" by Linkin Park. I'll post a complete list of the videos in the next day or two. Maybe I'll write something different as well.

Like always, I invite comments, complaints, cupcakes, or any type of feedback.

Have a bodaciously radical 2012. (Yes, I really did just say that.)

Three-Play

In honor of BYU's three consecutive bowl wins (not really, but it fits), I am going to post the first three music videos I remember seeing in a house. When we went roller skating in first and second grades, they would lower an enormous screen and we would watch Michael Jackson, Madonna, The Oak Ridge Boys, and my personal favorites: Van Halen's "Jump" and Weird Al's "Eat It." However, I'm not going to post links to those beauties, although feel free to pursue them on your own.

My first exposure to music videos that I remember watching in a home--not in a public place--was MJ's "Thriller." My dad brought it home from the video store, along with the VCR, pizza, and root beer. It was awesome! Plus it gave my little brothers nightmares for weeks.

I was living in Vegas and my friend had MTV--not a chance in my house. The next two videos were Run DMC's "You Talk Too Much" and A-Ha's "Take On Me"--an eclectic mix, I know, but that's what I saw before we turned on the Atari. Enjoy a small shot of my music video history.

A Bit of Reflection

Today, for some unknown reason, I've been thinking about the Christmas of (I think it was) '93. I was delivering Christmas cards to friends on Christmas Eve. I stopped at the KFC where I used to work to say hey, but also to rustle up some grub, because one of the managers still gave me free food at the end of the night. The doors were locked at 6:00 that night for the holiday, but I was let in by a friend. Ana supplied the grub, Jason and Jason were mopping in the back, hustling to get out of there. A few new faces I didn't recognize milled about.

The snow flurries picked up a bit. I sat in a booth with Ana and one of the Jasons. I believe Becky was there or maybe Steph, too. Without warning somebody screamed. Before we could react, one of the newer employees came rushing into the dining area. The store had just been robbed! While I was eating my dinner!

To corroborate the commotion, the other Jason stumbled in from the back door, blood running down his face. To make a longer story shorter, we spent the next hour and a half answering police questions. I was late getting home. Mom was not happy.

A single of The Cure's "Lovesong" was stuck in my car's tape deck. Yes, I know it's a weird video. It's a weird story, too.

Yeah, I Know...

I got a little sidetracked by a beautiful woman and a hot date last night, and by the time I remembered I needed to post, it was today...dinnertime to be precise, so I "Apologize" to those few who may or may not have cared to check in.

Keepin' the Muppets Alive a Little Longer

I don't know what it is about Jim Henson's awesomeness, but I can't get the new muppet movie out of my mind. Even after unpackaging countless Barbies, Polly pockets, Strawberry Shortcake figures, Littel people play sets, videos, and helping construct a Lego Millennium Falcon, and seeing the lights on Temple Square, it's stuck in there.

So tonight's post refers back to that and my childhood (yes, again). Don't worry, though; I can't go too far back. It also connects a bit with previous encounters with Legos.

"We Built This City"

New Toys

I've been bust playing with new toys (mine and the kids') today, so here's a blast from my childhood...you know, the past. More on the technology later.

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.

Short and Simple

Have yourselves a merry little Christmas...or else!

Merry Muppet Christmas Eve!

So, following our annual tradition, we took our kids to a matinee before going to dinner (at the Brick Oven) and the nativity at Aunt Carol's house. And this year's feature happened to be the New Muppet Movie. So as you may have already guessed what's in my head, I'm sharing with you so you could get it stuck in yours. Merry Christmas! ("Mahna Mahna.")

We also had a very touching moment or two during the nativity, as put on by the kids. We finished, as always with "Silent Night." So today's two-fer should leave you pondering more than the jolly red-suited fat dudw who needs to shortly make an appearance.

Again, Merry Christmas.

Just Because

It seems that since Christmas Break started not too many people have been check out the video of the day. It's good to see that most of you have some semblance of a life. But anyway, I don;t really have a song that means anything today. There just wasn't too much music today apart from the Michael Buble Christmas I gave my wonderful wife and the slow, mushy romantic stuff at the wedding reception we went to this evening. Among all the running down of last, and I mean L.A.S.T. presents, the changing of the oil in dos coches, the registering of R2, the grading of papers (yes, still), carpeting and tiling a dollhouse, and other various running around, there wasn't a whole lot of music of note.

So, I'm just posting one of my favorite videos of the past few years. i mean, come on. When is a little Weezer not a good idea? So here's "Pork and Beans" for your holiday pleasure.

Now, for those who have stuck it out, I have a reward for you. I'm going to take some requests for the last week of the year. If you have a video that just has to be played (and it strikes my fancy at the time), I'll select it and give you credit. So there. Just be sure to read the small print. (if you can find it).

Color Shift

Well, if it's not going to be a white Christmas (no video), I'm more than willing to let Elvis take over the color scheme. Now, I'm not the biggest fan of the King, but for some reason (probably relating to my pops), it isn't a real Christmas without spinning "Blue Christmas" a time or two.

I actually ran through several songs as I finished my shopping for the season. Okay, I'm not technically done done, but I'm close enough to consider it a victory. And the best part is that Amy hasn't stumbled upon hers yet...and it's driving her crazy. This has been the best part of the holiday for me so far. Heh heh.

P.S. Come on, snow!

School's Out for Christmas

So it was another day of recycled "see you next year" jokes and corny holiday gifts, although some were quite delectable. I thought I'd celebrate by giving you a taste of some non-traditional Christmas music, my favorite being "Christmas Is" by Run DMC. Yep, we're kickin' it old school again, tinsel style. Unfortunately, there isn't video for this song, so I'm going to substitute it with Run DMC's other huuuuuuuge Christmas hit "Christmas in Hollis."

Word up.

Whoa! Hold the show. I just found a decent version of "Christmas Is," so it's another two-fer tonight. I should get an extra present from the big man for that. Plus, we're both phat, so we're like brothers or something, right?

Hit it, RUN.

A Little Sobering

Since I've had several conversations today with different people about all the crazy, horrible, unpredictable things that go on in people's lives, I thought I'd just post a little melancholy "Mad World." Notice that I specifically stayed away from the Idol performance.

See, I told you a video was coming.

Bring Me Poetry Revisited (Not a Video)

Those who are expecting a music video, please tune in later. This is a poem. However, I would probably handsomely reward anyone who turned it into a rock anthem. Or maybe a club remix with extra back beats. The possibilities are endless...for those who have spare time.

This week my students are working with figurative language, as well as looking at life through different points of view. So I decided to have them write a collection of "Bring Me" poems. I stole this idea from my good friend Andria when she presented at the CUWP Summer Institute 2009. She took them from Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge's book Poemcrazy. I've posted about this before back in October of 2009. If you are unfamiliar with my "Ode to My Dorito Crumbs," check it out. You might sense a running theme. But, anyway, here is today's "Bring Me" for your pleasure (cough cough):

“Plea to the Lonely Fruit Chew I Found This Morning”

Smooshed orange Starburst

lying in melted graying snow puddles,

protected from the yellow

bellowing monstrosities

but

trampled by the feet of exuberance,

Shake off

the rogue spruce needle

and the remnants

of dirt-caked soles,

and

Bring me the story

of your pocket escape,

of disappointment,

of the child

whose mouth you will

not tempt

during first period U.S. history

when texts and lectures and mouths

become dry.

Don't Stop Believing!

Yes, I know that this didn't get posted by midnight; that's why it has the 20th instead of the 19th of December. So what? Get over it.

I want to start by saying that I am not a Glee follower (and I never will be), so to those who are too young to remember the non-Glee version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," this one is better, and involves less fake drama.

Now, for today's back story. Today we had our school's Christmas assembly, and yours truly had to play the fat man in the red suit. (I'm still convinced that I was asked due to my jolly personality and not my bowl full of jelly.) The final portion of the assembly involved students performing a 30-second talent in front of the student body (aptly named SFJHS Has Talent). I, dressed as St. Nick, sat at the judge's table sweating and making dumb comments (as seen on TV). Most performances were mediocre at best. One such was a girl who played the piano and sang a snippet of this song. It wasn't the best performance of the day, or even one of the "honorable" mentions. However, one smart-aleck comment I made has attached itself to my thoughts with tentacles, tow cables, bubble gum, and crazy glue.

In jest I said, "Don't you stop believing, because when you stop believing, you start getting socks and underwear for Christmas." Of course, I was playing the Santa bit and it got a good laugh. I was referring to believing in Santa Claus, but I'm not sure the audience got it. The chuckles probably came because I said "underwear." Before this bit Santa had been a little sullen as he had been pondering an earlier event, one that not everyone witnessed.

You see, in the second assembly, I had run up and down the aisles of the crowd throwing candy to the students, high-fiving them, ho-ho-hoing merrily along, and all that Kris Kringle stuff (just as I had done in the first one). But this time, two of the students started throwing the candy back at me (along with muttered Scrooge-esque insults). One doofus even decided it would be cool to pull off my itchy white beard and ruin the show for the other 600 onlookers. I just played it off, reattaching the nylon itchiness, unable to identify the perpetrator due to the bright spotlight shining in my eyes. And then on my way back to the stage, someone else yanked my hat from my head.

Sidenote: I was later told that the morons were dealt with. It's turds like these that give junior high punks their bad name (That, their nasty body odor, raging hormones, and gangly limbs.). There are at least three or four little boys whose names have shifted over to the naughty list.

But back to my point: most people love believing in something positive like Mr. Claus. The jolly old elf symbolizes and encapsulates what's good in the world--love, giving, caring, happiness (and Coca Cola and eating cookies and plumpness...). So why do some idiots feel it's their right to dash the hopes and good cheer of others? Because it's funny? We all know that it only takes one imbecile to wreck the party. So, all you haters, leave Santa alone.

It reminds me of another time when I was in Spain. I was walking down a street in Granada, caroling with a few companions, I in a Santa hat. And then a couple of punks zoomed by on a moto. The twerp in back snatched the cap from my head as he sped by, laughing and flipping obscene gestures. I was so mad that someone had chased away the holiday spirits and disturb my Christmassy mood that I punched a concrete retaining wall out of frustration--not something I normally recommend. All I wanted was to bask in the Christmas glow of the season. Not cool.

But I'm taking the symbolism further than Journey ever did in their love song, or this morning as I did with the Santa stuff. One of the most profound, motivational messages (ever) would be to never stop believin' in whatever or whoever it is you believe in. Lately, I've seen friends lose faith, lose face, lose jobs, lose their keys, lose their lunch, lose family members, and flat out lose hope. In this crazy mixed-up world, we all need to keep on believing that we can make it through another day. Believe that we are significant--to ourselves, to our friends, to our family, to our community, and to our Maker. Let's believe in each other, have a little faith in our fellow man (dare I say our politicians), and our world. Let's allow ourselves and others to be happy-truly happy; none of this fleeting nonsensical instant-gratification crap!

A passage of scripture comes to mind. I won't take the time to retype the whole thing, but I'll post the link to Mosiah 4: 6-12. The whole chapter is great, but these verses resonate in my soul tonight.

I know I've gone off and preached a little, but in the spirit of Christmas (on multiple levels), "Don't Stop Believin'!"

Bad Dad! Bad Dad!

Tonight I discovered that I had been slacking in my role as a father. My children had been deprived of one of the great iconic features in the world of childhood, puppetry, and good old family fun. They had never seen The Muppet Movie. Ever. And so, as repentance, I post the last few minutes of the movie, including the song, "The Rainbow Connection."

By the way, the title of this post should be read in Animal's voice.

I can't relive my childhood without the Muppets, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, or even Labyrinth. Jim Henson is/was the man! Even though they haven't been the same since he passed on , they still rock!

Anybody who loves the Muppets, holla!

Just Ignore This One

Don't ask me why my two youngest girls decided to latch onto this song. Amy says it's because some little dance group performed a routine at a school talent show. Whatever the reason, this blast from the past has resurfaced in my house through a variety of a cappella renditions accompanied by ever changing and evolving dance routines. So, George Michael and Wham! still have what it takes with "Last Christmas," huh? Whatever. Just move along. This isn't the video you're looking for.

Who You Tryin' to Get Crazy wit, Ese?

Don'cha know I'm loco? After tonight with my brothers' three kids and my five all simultaneously pinging off the walls, I have very few brain cells left. I love them to death, but man when they get together the decibel level skyrockets, especially after they get punchy! Wow. I thought about doing a "crazy" theme, but Seal didn't feel right, Gnarls Barkley wasn't cutting it, and there is no way in heaven, earth, or hell that Britney Spears was ever going to make it onto my countdown. Aerosmith almost made it, but I had to go with Cypress Hill, because I really have gone "Insane in the Brain!"

I remember a long ago watching MTV late one night, excited that this video was on after a series of garbage, only to have it interrupted by Beavis and Butthead rocking out to it, trying to tap on the screen and stage dive off their couch. What a commentary on my generation. I'm not even going to post a link to those icons. You'll have to find them yourself, fartknocker.

For My Girls

I heard this on the radio on my way into work this morning and haven't been able to get my girls out of my head. That's not a bad thing. "Heaven" isn't too far away.

(See also Live's "Heaven.") Aren't two-fers great?

Idioms or Idiots?

Toady I attempted to share idioms with my 7th graders, pointing out specifically how over time they become cliche, especially those that use similes or metaphors. Yes, it's a very geeky English teacher thing to do. So what? So what'cha what'cha want? Hardly any of them recognized the sayings I shared. On average, they admitted to hearing about 8 out of the 35. Idiots!

The students had to fill in the blank after the start of each idiom. For example:

31. crying like a ________________________. The answer is obviously "baby."

One section specifically dealt with food idioms. The idiom that stuck in my mind was "cool as ________________." Most kids filled in "ice." My answer was "a cucumber." And I could not shake Mike D, Ad Rock, and MCA's "cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce" line from their wicked awesome hit "So What Cha Want?" So, yeah. That's the story behind today's video.

A mad shout out goes to Ms. Zergal's Advanced Communications class ('94). This is the song I really wanted to use.

On a More Serious Note

Today's choice came quickly, unlike several previous posts. In my 7th grade classes, we are discussing the issue of homelessness as a precursor to reading Jerry Spinelli's Maniac Magee. A few years ago my lovely wife put together a PowerPoint presentation of still photos and statistics regarding the homeless and synchronized it to "Another Day in Paradise" by Phil Collins. We then watched a 60 Minutes report and discussed how poverty and homelessness affects kids and members of our own communities. Tying it in to the school's Penny Wars fundraiser--our Sub for Santa project this year was perfect.

Watching the video(s) helps put things into perspective this holiday season.

If you would like to see the Ppt., email me or leave a comment, and I'll send it to you.
If you'd like to help out the school's fundraiser to assist kids that attend this school (and their families), and frankly it hasn't gone well this year, likewise let me know.

Kickin' It Old School

Well, I had a pretty hard time coming up with a song that has summarized or encapsulated today. I couldn't even salvage a memorable moment...so I decided to share some comfort music. This is taking it back to '92 when I came back to the U.S. of A. and I started really getting into music.

Way back when my junior year of high school started, I kept a record of my song of the day. I kept it for a whole year, complete with a top ten list, songs of the month, and a bunch of other geeky air play, dance request, CDs sold (I worked at Camelot music) stats. This was my song.

This is dedicated to the DORKS! Keepin' it real, or at least real enough.

Jump Around, yo!

"Just Breathe"

I'm not sure why this has stuck with me today. Sometimes we all need to pause and breathe and appreciate the fact we we have breath in us. It's the small and simple things in life that really make all the hustle and bustle (to use a Christmas cliche) worth it. Tonight I challenge everyone to take a few moments to just breathe. Spend a few moments to write down the blessings in your life. And don't be generic; be specific. For example, you can't just say that you are thankful for your family. Rather share something like I am thankful that my four-year-old still buries her face in my chest when she's tired. and her blond hairs stick to my shirt and remind me of her when I find them later. That's what I'm talking about.

(See also Pearl Jam's "Black.")

P.S. It takes more than both hands and feet to count the ones I love.

At Least It's Not Rick Astley!

So, when I took Zac to get a haircut this afternoon, this song came on the radio. It also played in the next two stores we went two. Plus, these two doofuses' faces appeared everywhere in advertisements. And now I can't stop shufflin'. It just gets in your bones or something. Darn it! Here's to the most annoying, addicting song of the year. You're right up there with the Macarena.

These morons kinda remind me of some people I knew back in high school I'm not giving any clues as to which people I'm thinking of, but some of you will get it without even thinking twice.

I'm Done!

"Hallelujah!" Christmas and symbolism. 'Nuff said.

Maybe now I'll be able to post something worth reading in the near future...or not.

Funeral for Fall '11

Well, as this semester passes away, and all the memories fade into oblivion, I call upon the powers of Boyz II Men to put it to bed. And in a somewhat facetious, somewhat sarcastic (with a hint of bittersweet) tone, I am not really sad to see it die. I repeat that I have acquired vast amounts of knowledge, but most of it has been internal. Despite the procrastination and falling behind, I've grown.

I don't want to draw out the sappiness, even though it is halfhearted; but regardless of the fact that this song meant more in 9th grade than it does now, it still fits for today. Just one more final reflection to endure. Maybe I'll kill it off tonight...with a large cleaver. Or maybe I'll just bash it with my fists. Wow, I'm violent tonight!

"It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" in more ways than one. But tomorrow, I'll be a new man...with a new set of pressures and stresses. Yippee!

The Count Goes On

One more paper down! Only one more to revise. One more class. Just think, I could have used Metallia's "One" to tie the theme together today. However, you get a little more '80s backlash as I'm stuck in a time capsule. For me and for Major Tom, the count goes on!

Europe Anyone?

Time for a trip back to the '80s to get set for "The Final Countdown." I know I still have quite a way to go in my Ed.D. program, but I am counting down this semester. Two more papers, one final, one more class. It all ends Thursday night!

It's been a tough semester, and even though I've learned more than my professors probably think, I can't wait until it's over. I'm ramping things up tonight to give it a good go tomorrow, as I take the day off to finish off my written assignments. Wish me luck, 'cause I'm gonna need as much as I can get.

And even if you don't care about my philosophical development or my stress levels or anything else, you can't hate on Europe.

Hmmm...maybe a trip is in order....

Addendum

Sorry about the pity party lately. I'm not dying, per se; although some of my students wouldn't really mind if I just never came back. So there will be some disappointment.

No, really, I'm okay. Tonight, in class (of all places) my ideas and schedules and assignments all started to fall into places. So, as I wandered home this evening, I threw in one of my all-time favorite think bands, Toad the Wet Sprocket. There's a B-side that I first heard on the single "Fall Down" called "All Right." Yes, this is back when I still purchased cassette singles to DJ with at parties and dances, but that's a different saga.

I know that everything will work out. The end of the semester is Thursday. It's in sight. Plus, I just have to finish up two papers and a written final. No big deal. I eat finals for lunch, although they usually give me indigestion. Then again, that's what you work through on the weekends, right?

SO, to apologize for my whining, you get a dose of Toad. It's "All Right." There is no official video for this song. This is a decent version with a semi-decent picture as a background. Breathe and enjoy. Just don't start a coughing fit. It would ruin the mood.

Help!

That pretty much sums up my experience today. My co-teacher called in sick this morning. I forgot my video clips. A mountain of late work finally came in. And I have two papers to finish before Thursday.

So, simply put, The Beatles get today's nod for my song/video of the day. I was actually quite surprised at the quality of this recording. Hope you enjoy it because I'm seriously in need of it. Anybody have a few extra days lying around? I'd take hours if you've got 'em.

Notice it's not Chrstmassy.

P.S. This is five days in a row now. But just watch. The minute I stop babbling and playing videos and try sharing something important is the day everyone will forget this blog even existed.

Humility

So, I was all set to post a video that kind of summed up my spiritual Sunday. Yeah, I'm gonna get a little preachy on you. Bear with me. I had a few humbling experiences at church and at home--the kind that help you refocus and all. So big, bad me was going to post a video of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing Hymn #130 "Be Thou Humble" because it was exactly what I wanted. However, there is no good video out there unless you want to watch an entire session of General Conference. Not a bad idea, but you can do that on your own time. The link above is to the lyrics and an mp3 of the hymn, though.

So, learning yet another lesson in humility tonight, I decided to post the Christmas Message from the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which also touched me this evening. This link is actual to a set-up menu where you can choose the language and the medium you wish to use. There are also some other really cool videos you could link to by going back to the lds.org homepage. And because I'm such a moron, you'll have to forward the video to about 56:00 of the 2 hour deal to get the right starting spot. Sorry.

Yes, I know it's another Christmas one, but what do you expect this time of year? Anybody wanna help me finish off this piece of humble pie?

Rise and Shout!

In honor of my Alma Mater's accomplishments today: dismantling the Oregon Ducks in basketball and trashing the Rainbow Warriors of Hawaii in football. I just couldn't help myself. Plus, this is what I did instead of reading my research like I should have. Oh, yeah, I was also the slave driver, making five kids clean the house while their mother finished up the Christmas shopping.

Rah! Rah! Rah, Rah, Rah! Go Cougars!

Will we see some red cougars of a different breed later this month?

Liar, Liar (Mentiroso)!

No my pants are not on fire. Sure, I said not to expect any Christmas stuff in my video posts. However, I had a great online interchange with some companeros from my time in Spain. The discussion revolved around food, but, well, this one is for you guys: "Los Peces en el Rio." I do warn you, however, that I couldn't find an awesome gitano (gypsy) version with a video, so I picked this one. It's sort of a sick, wannabe Disney Channelesque take with a teeny-bopper twist. Watch/listen at your own risk.

That said, who can think of anything more Christmassy than watching drinking fish?To explain, it was either that or a version of Ernie's "Rubber Ducky" song. Kent and I covered it with lyrics describing our favorite pollo asado (roasted chicken) eatery located in the small town of Andujar: Super Pollo!

So, Christmas or Sesame Street? It was a hard decision today. Don;t judge me too harshly. If you are kind, I might make a tortilla espanola for you. Maybe. If you are patient, I might dig up the lyrics to the Super Pollo song, too, and post the Ernie video later.

P.S. If anyone does find a good gitano rendition, please let me know ASAP.

P.S. If anyone can teach me how to include the tildes, etc. when I write in Espanish, I would appreciate that as well.

P.P.S. Anybody know where I can get some good chorizo (besides Spain)?

P.P.P.S. Oh, heck. Here's the "Rubber Ducky" video. Consider it a two-fer tonight.

New December Challenge

So, inspired by my last post, which just happened to be yesterday (Yes, I know it's hard to believe that I've posted two days in a row, but shut up and let me finish), and my relaxation technique today, I thought up a new challenge for this December. Those of you who are still disappointed in last December's posting are probably going to be disappointed again, but hear me out. Last year, as penance for not posting in the month of November, I wrote each day about something for which I was thankful. (Notice my old school sentence that ends not with a preposition.)

This year, I'm going to post a music video every day that reflects my general mood or some important aspect of my comings and goings. No, it's not going to be Christmas themed either. Bah! Humbug! That's not to say that I won't post anything Christmasy once or twice, but don't expect it.

So today's number is a reaction to yesterday's "Loser" post. In an effort to shake off this stigma which was brought about by mucho estress of doctoral work and no sleep from dealing with a little sick dude, I popped in a Bob Marley CD for my drive to class to relax, and it worked. Sure "Three Little Birds" also reminded me of Will Smith in I Am Legend, but it helped take the edge off this afternoon.

So, there. Enjoy. Mock. Whatever.

P.S. For those who are link-challenged, click on the name of the song. Yes, this hint is for you.

P.P.S. Today, I'm also endorsing Lay's Kettle Cooked Creamy Mediterranean Herb chips. They remind me of some patatas fritas I had in Spain, but I don't remember what they are called. All my Andalusian friends, help a fella out, will ya?


P.P.P.S. I know the video is cheesy, but non-cheese isn't a requirement for this blog. Not being cute is. (Anybody know how to do an emoticon that sticks its tongue out at you?)

"I'm a Driver, I'm a Winner...

Things are gonna change, I can feel it." These words from Beck (1993) kind of some up the last month or so for me. With all the craziness in my overstressed life, I often feel like a loser because I'm not catching up too quickly. That being said, I'm not going to throw myself in front of a bus or anything drastic like that. I'll just keep plodding along. And one day, I'll catch up.

To exemplify my losership, I attempted the NaNoWriMo challenge at the outset of the month. It started out fairly well. However, life and lots and lots of research reading and writing got in the way. I only wrote 10,911 words out of the 50,000 required. What a loser! That's only an average of 364 words per day. That's just over one page per day. What a schmuck! Right? Of course not.

Here's how I'm still a winner: If I calculate everything that I have written for my novel and my doctoral work, I estimated this morning that I'm up to about 38,000 words. If I consider everything else I have written in the course of my 1 1/2 jobs, I take it up to 49,000. If you count my blogs, FB, email, and other correspondence, any any other garbage I may have scribbled over the past month, I beat the 50,000 word count quite a while ago.

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner Point #2: If I could have written instead have read over 1000 pages of research in the past four weeks, I believe I could have easily made my daily word count. On the two days when I actually had the time available to work on my novel, I achieved my goals quite handily.

So, you see, no soy un perdedor, Beck. I've actually accomplished quite a few impressive things this month. I've just taken to heart the advice of John Perry's article: "How to Procrastinate and Still Get Things Done." I might adopt this as my mantra. Not really, but it's fun to think about.

And believe me, this novel will be finished this school year. I'm going to try it again next semester when I'm only taking one class and will have a student teacher. "And my time is a piece of wax fallin' on a termite, who's chokin' on the splinters."

Yep. I'm a Slacker...Sort Of.

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything on here, but it's also been a long time since anyone read this either, so nanny-nanny-boo-boo! No one even tried writing a zombie haiku for me. That's okay. The contest here had much higher quality than the year before even though not quite as many students participated. Maybe they were too bust fleeing from the undead hordes to stop and encapsulate their experiences in seventeen syllables.

Lately, I have also been "writing" research papers.

Enough said about that. The project that I am currently enjoying and stressing over and falling behind in is my first ever attempt at the NaNoWriMo challenge. I'm trying to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. I'm having my 9th graders honors classes do it as well, although I let them set their own goals. I must say that for the most part I have been impressed with this group. Nobody transferred out. Then again, I kind of broadsided them with the project only a few weeks before we actually started the typing.

Anyway, if any of you have any suggestions for complicating a sixteen-year-old boy's high school social life, I'd love to hear from you.

So, there. That's why I haven't posted lately. I'm a slacker.

P.S. I also didn't celebrate the National Day on Writing. Some idiot thought it was a good idea to have Fall Break on that day. So happy belated Day on Writing. You should all go celebrate or join me in my NaNoWriMo endeavor.

Zombies Reborn!

For our wordplay activity today, I introduced zombie haiku. I also figured that I hadn't posted anything for a while. Happy October!

chewing with your mouth

open will reveal someone

else’s inner self

Zombie counts digits

for his haiku syllables

and ends up snacking

escaping zombies

requires keeping your head

quite literally

Hard Reading Lesson

I had an experience in sixth grade that I believe both helped and hindered my reading abilities and interests. I had an amazing teacher; her name was Mrs. Saiki, and I had her for both social studies and reading. She was a short, loud Hawaiian, who loved to express her opinion. Her voice was mesmerizing to the point that she could get a slug excited about taking a salt shower, and she did that for me in social studies, awakening a sense of wonder for world civilizations and mythology. She was the one who taught me how to research and how to write my name in hieroglyphics. She was the one who exposed me to a shelf in the library that I had never dared to explore before: the award winners.

Granted, no right-minded ten year old boy would ever go to that shelf and self-select a book. Now this was in the mid-eighties, and all the award-winners up to that point (at least in my experience) involved mushy relationship stuff, death and sadness stuff, or even worse—both stuff. But Mrs. Saiki made us read Newberys and leaf through Caldecotts all year long, different ones each week, no repeats aloud. So I had to say goodbye to my classic monster movie and animal nonfiction picks. No more comic books or miscellaneous sports trivia that had been the clutter on my bedroom dresser. I had to read (and be tested on) books that were “good for me.” And because of that, and for the next few years, reading was not fun any more. It was more like taking vitamins or eating my spinach—good for me, but not something I looked forward to.

Sure, I gained new insights and knowledge and my eyes were opened to a different perspective on the world, but from that point until perhaps about tenth grade, reading in school became a chore. In fact, I only recall two books with John Newbery stickers that were thrust upon me that year that I even remember the basic story line: John Fleischman’s The Whipping Boy, that year’s winner (1987), which Mrs. Saiki read aloud to us, and The High King, which was the first book I stayed up all night to read, but that’s a different story; not to mention the fact that it wasn’t on the list of ones approved to read, Plus I didn’t find it at the school library.

Perhaps that heinous reading task planted a seed in me because to this date I have read most of the winners and honor books since that point in my life. In fact, I have searched them out since I graduated from college to unearth the ones I missed. And believe it or not, I find more and more gems. True, they are still not my favorites on the whole, but they still have value, and perhaps that’s what Mrs. Saiki was trying to teach us. They get a sticker for a reason, and it’s not always because the dog kicks the bucket. I see the connection between them and other classics I was forced to trudge through in high school and college courses. Human nature, interpersonal relationships, changing perspectives, making connections, growing up—they’re all important in the grand scheme of things, but they’re not always the most exciting. And such is life.

This year, I required my soon-to-be honors 9^th graders read five classics from a list of 116 over the summer. When school resumed we had several class discussions in which we did not discuss the books themselves, but rather questioned the value of reading and studying the classics. What is a classic? Who determines which books achieve classic status? We listed pros and cons of delving into their pages. Students brainstormed characteristics of the titles they were supposed to have read. And as our lists expanded then became more refined, I had them write me a persuasive paper about whether or not students should study classics in school. They also have to propose a “new” classic and defend their reasoning. The papers are due next Friday, and I’m intrigued to see if these students have more insight to life than I did as a sixth grader. And whether or not my mind was possessed by a short little Hawaiian woman for a year is yet to be determined. I hope so; because somebody needs to give this world more hope and promise than I ever could. Sometimes you have to wade through a few years of turmoil and trudge through the ash and darkness (Thank you, Mr. McCarthy.) in order to see the true light that lies within the connection between the pages and your miniscule place in the universe.