raggdoll

Congratulations all around. 'twas a great weekend and really cool to sit and chat with ya. See ya next weekend. Save me a beer. :)

Dontcha have to post more to be a post whore?

Typical day as a writing instructor: 8:00- Arrive in a classroom filled with glassy-eyed teenagers who would rather be anywhere else other than where they are. Take roll. 8:01- Attempt to engage said teenagers in conversations about wonderful, interesting people while stressing the importance of communication, thought, and writing. 8:05- Give up, preach about reading that was assigned the previous night while realizing that no one has read said reading. Assign dreaded group work instead. 8:07- Give assignment for group work. 8:08- Stop giving assignment for group work to welcome late student. 8:09- Resume giving group assignment. 8:11- Encourage students to actually move themselves physically into groups. 8:13- Repeat instructions for group work to separate groups. 8:20- Walk around and speak with each group individually. 8:25- Welcome late student; tell student that he is welcome to stay, but will be counted absent for the day. 8:26- Listen patiently to student's explanation about apartment fire/dying lizard/oversleeping because aliens invaded and sucked his brain out the night before. 8:27- Quietly explain that the attendance policy is on the syllabus. Watch student huff away. 8:35- Begin discussion about group work. 8:36- Try to begin discussion again. Wait patiently at front of classroom while students speak in groups louder than I do. 8:37- Quietly and calmly threaten students with more homework than they will be able to complete in their entire lives. 8:37- Repeat discussion instructions to a very, very quiet classroom. 8:38- Discussion begins. 8:45- Remind students that class is not over for five more minutes and that anyone who leaves early will be counted absent. Watch students quit closing books and backpacks. Resume discussion 8:48- Remind students that the paper they have been assigned for the last month is due at the next class meeting. 8:49- Watch as panic ensues. 8:50- Dismiss class. 8:51- Become surrounded by swarming students who want to discuss paper assignment. 9:05- Return to office; beat head against wall. Repeat until 5 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Mix in department meetings, workshops, individual conferences, committee meetings, gradings, complaints, and general bitchiness from students at exam time of year. Shake well. Serve for 40 years. Pray for salvation. Realize it's all worth it when a student from a few years ago returns and thanks me.

I apologize for being very late to this thread, but mayhaps this will help someone in the future... Think about it, seriously,for a moment. Do you really want to be with someone who thinks that way? Ever? Even for a brief amount of time? I would hope not. Yes, I'm new here, but you're still special, much more special than anyone who thinks that* could possibly be. It hurts now. But I've learned--and this is my own experience talking--that thinking about those--be they men, women, friends, romantic interest, whatever-- who don't want to be in a relationship with me because it's not "worth it," simply because they didn't find me "worth it," is expending more energy than I have available, period. There are two things for you to remember, darling: 1. You are worth so much. 2. Any guy who cannot see how much you are worth is not worth you; do you really want to deal/date someone who doesn't see what you're worth? You're worth so much more than someone saying they "don't want to be with you," regardless of the reason. It has been a long night, and I'm not certain any of this is clear. Please, PM me if you ever need to, or any of the other ones who have made it clearer how much you're worth. And remember, you're worth so much more than any guy can ever articulate. *THAT in this case being that you're not worth

Raefordite just sent me a picture of One Good Looking Stud Muffin (tm) doing some spotting. Thank you, Kate. I'm printing it out so everytime I look at it, I'll smile. Coconut left safely yesterday morning with approximately 3 dozen chocolate chip cookies and 3 pounds of chicken fingers. Oh, and equipment. Tom, remember: We only talk about the ones who aren't here to defend themselves.

As with most guys, threats might work the best for this. Therefore, I'm making a huge batch of chocolate chip cookies tonight and will not give out a single one until your hint is acknowledged and understood. You've taught me well.

Coconut Monkey is leaving on an extended, government-sponsored vacation to another continent tomorrow morning. Anyone else want to post well-wishes, be-safes, request for souvenirs, or a general "neener-neener" at the fact you'll be jumping while he's "vacationing"? Be safe, Monkey. Keep your head up--or down, as the case may be.

I went to Littlefield. We probably passed each other on the road.

It depends on which version you're wanting to emulate. They're usually half masks, though dependent upon the version, it's either an upper mask or a half side-mask. Here are two different representations: http://www.frankbeecostume.com/phanofopmas.html http://www.morbid.demon.co.uk/fr_index.html?/phantom-of-the-opera.html

The link is now fixed (in my post--can't edit others'). A thousand apologies.

A bump, for those who might have excited little ones awaiting Santa. http://www.noradsanta.org/english/index.html

Yes, it is about control. It's also about fear. We don't absolutely know what's going to happen to us after we take that last breath. We don't know where our loved ones are going, what, if anything, they will experience. Different religions have different theories, but until such time as there is a definitive answer, people will still mourn and be afraid for themselves and their loved ones. It's also a fear of change. As lawrocket said, it is selfishness. Humans are creatures of habit; we get into our comfort zones and are quite content. When someone close dies, though, everything is thrown into a tailspin. The world stops. If it's a long process involving sickness, there's the added stress of hospitals and doctors, a habit no one wants to endure. If it's unexpected, it's a quick change and the world will never revert back to what it was before, with little to no time to prepare. Some people can see it objectively; some people are emotional. Neither is wrong. Just my opinion on this Christmas Eve.

You're trying to corrupt me. I knew I liked you for a reason. Have a wonderful Christmas, too. See you soon, I hope.

We'll be there in a week (sans cannon, I hope). I'd be there sooner, but I have a strange feeling someone actually wants to be picked up from the airport. Some people.

I can understand. I'm good at my job, I like it ok (better at some times, less at others), love my kids, but I want to try other things, which is why I sent out my resume today. We'll see what happens. Green grass, other sides, and all that jazz.

If you've ever been rollerskating, you can ice skate. I've been skating since I was four or five and find ice skating to be a lot easier. It's very similar to inline skating, with the added bonus that if you fall, you instantly numb the spot. Ok, not really, but it isn't that difficult. Just approach it as you would any new sport--be careful but relaxed, keep your balance as you would with inline or roller blading, and don't do the windmill arm thingie if you feel like you're going to fall. Nine times out of ten, you'll fall anyway, but with arms flailing, you'll look like an out of place windmill tipping over on the ice. Have fun!

Thank you, everyone, for all of the replies. They really mean a lot to me. Obviously, this is really difficult on his mom, as this is her third child to die. It's almost a question of how much one person can take and I feel so awful for her right now. The school Brandon attended is having a memorial service next week, which i've just been informed I'm singing at. If anyone has any good ideas for a song (probably a cappella, I think), please let me know. The only songs I have in my head right now is Amazing Grace, which would work, but I'm more than willing to take suggestions. Thanks again, all.

Adding to what PhreeZone said, and in a more humanitarian sense, those in power sharing information concerning medical conditions with the public is a good way of spreading information about such conditions. I’d never even heard of uterine fibroids until a few years ago when a friend told me she had hers removed. Think of Betty Ford and the attention she gave to alcoholism and breast cancer; these are conditions that “normal” people also have but, until someone well-known admitted to suffering, “normal” people may have thought these conditions were abnormal or that they were suffering alone, that no help was available. Because of Condi Rice’s exposure, women who are suffering needlessly with “pelvic pressure or pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged menstruation, incontinence, leg and back pain and in some cases infertility” might have their doctors check them for these fibroids. If that’s the case, then such exposure is doing the public well.

http://scholar.google.com/ In other news, I'm officially a geek. But this is awesome and might be helpful to those who are studying, teaching, preparing for Jeopardy, etc. Enjoy.

Many prayers, hugs and vibes.

With all due respect, and while I may or may not agree with what constitutes an "unnecessary" war, politicizing the fact that we should appreciate our soldiers removes the focus from the troops, the ones who deserve our support the most, and negates the good work they do. We may not agree with the politics. We may not agree with the reasoning or lack thereof the government demonstrates when sending troops to specific locations. However, in order to appreciate--truly appreciate--our men and women who are willing to risk their lives for all of our freedoms, we must see them as individuals who are doing their jobs, individuals who have joined the military for whatever reason, be it for school, for career, or simply because they thought they could and should do something for their country, and not as a means to a political end. "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." Theodore Roosevelt (Paris Sorbonne,1910) And . . . "It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag" Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC Simply saying how much I appreciate what they do doesn't seem enough, but it's the very least we can do.

Thank you. The university he attended will be awarding him his degree posthumously. I guess that's something.

I just found out that my young cousin, Brandon, was killed early yesterday morning in a car accident. He was 23. I'm writing this here because I just found out, am a bit upset, and am stuck at work. I first met Brandon when I was a junior in high school; he sat and watched while his mom helped me get ready for the prom. That little, shy, gawky kid who wouldn't talk to me when he was so young became a wonderful young man who was a senior in college, scheduled to graduate next month. The last time I saw him, he and I talked about school and what he wanted to do with his life. He talked about going further in his education, of doing things with his life. I'm so saddened by this right now. He was only 23, and had so much ahead of him. And now, because of being young and stupid for one minute, he's gone, a life wasted. He doesn't even get the chance to learn from his mistake. I'm sorry I'm rambling. Brandon was a good kid, just a few years younger than me, a kid who could have taken the wrong road but didn't. He was making a good name for himself, in college, at work. And now, all I have are the memories of us joking around, of him being there for me when I needed him this past summer, of him being an all-around good kid who did well for himself. Rest in peace, Brandon. I love you.

This reminded me of one of my favorite quotes: "If you don't risk anything you risk even more" (Erica Jong). Can you explain it to them in terms of the "risk of not taking a risk," or, if this is better wording, "what are the risks of -not- doing something?" Everything is a risk; we sometimes only focus on the abnormally dangerous as hazardous, but everything has a consequence. There's a risk with riding a bicycle, but not many see this as dangerous (example, my brother broke his jaw riding his ten-speed). There's a risk in not doing something, as well. We don't learn, we don't grow, we don't discover what we're capable of. And in terms of the direct quote you cited, if we don't take action, if we completely isolate ourselves from others, no one can hurt us, but no one can love us, either. No one can ever learn anything about us; we're safe from being emotionally hurt, though we're also "safe" from being emotionally fulfilled. Maybe that helps some?

I wrote this almost a year ago; it still holds true to me today. To the men and women of our military, I have but two words. Thank you. This is not a question of respecting our government. This is not a question of respecting the decisions, the choices, made by those in high command, those who will never experience the atrocities of war, those who will never risk their own lives. This is acknowledgement that men and women have fought for our country in the past and will continue to do so in the future, for as long as humanity will exist. This is acknowledgement that men and women have given their lives, literally and figuratively, for what they consider to be sacrifice-worthy, most without complaints, most without asking for acknowledgement or accolades, and were happy to have the opportunity to do so. This is acknowledgment that men and women are currently fighting in a war, are risking their own lives, leaving their families, friends, and loved ones, and doing their job, a job which ultimately is extremely risky and involves the ultimate sacrifice. They are placing their lives on the line for me. For you. For everyone. A soldier doesn't fight for his country, his government, his family. He fights for those beside him. He fights to save their lives just as he fights to save his own. I can't help but continuously think of all of these people and the many sacrifices they are making. They're making sacrifices of their families. Their friends. Most importantly, themselves. And yet . . . they're risking their lives because it's their job and, ultimately, their beliefs that this is where they can (and do) do the most good. I wish I could send a message to all of the troops, overseas and at home, and tell them all thank you. I wish I could let them know that their sacrifices are not in vain; they will never be forgotten. May we learn from our past mistakes. May we always be thankful. May we never forget. Happy Veteran's Day. And thank you, for my freedom.