I'm sorry I haven't been writing. I think about writing. I plan to write. Then other things happen instead. I have learned the following things recently:
* There is nothing quite as relaxing as an early evening meander around the property with the dogs dashing about me.
* I Heart Huckabees is an amusing and intriguing movie. You should watch it.
* The first half of Utterly Monkey is well written and enjoyable.
* Teaching 5th grade is MUCH easier the second time around, but it is still hard to leave school at a decent hour.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Overheard
These are some of the things I heard just today that encourage and inspire and drive me to be at school tomorrow. And tomorrow. And tomorrow.
"Mrs. H? I think I fully grasp this concept now."
"I hate my life."
"Mrs. H makes coming to school fun."
"He's itching all over, but we think it's a physical reaction to the stress he's been under."
"That was fun!"
"I got lost trying to solve this multiplication problem. Can you show me how to do it?"
"Can we have writing time EVERY day?"
"Is this a good book? Do you think I would like it?"
"Can I help you?"
"Oh! I know the answer to his question. I'll show him."
"Ungh. I forgot my binder at home again."
All this from or about kids I have known for roughly 10 days. I am already needed and loved and trusted. This is going to be a great year.
"Mrs. H? I think I fully grasp this concept now."
"I hate my life."
"Mrs. H makes coming to school fun."
"He's itching all over, but we think it's a physical reaction to the stress he's been under."
"That was fun!"
"I got lost trying to solve this multiplication problem. Can you show me how to do it?"
"Can we have writing time EVERY day?"
"Is this a good book? Do you think I would like it?"
"Can I help you?"
"Oh! I know the answer to his question. I'll show him."
"Ungh. I forgot my binder at home again."
All this from or about kids I have known for roughly 10 days. I am already needed and loved and trusted. This is going to be a great year.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Why Do People Inflict Pain On Others?
This is the question I was contemplating on one of my recent drives to school. Why do we inflict pain and how can I teach my students to avoid doing so as often as possible? This involves breaking the issue down to components that are simple enough to express to children. This is what I came up with...
There are 3 reasons or motivations that cause us to inflict pain on another.
1. Indifference
(the act of not caring)
What does it look like? Imagine you are walking across the playground. To your right, there are 3 fifth graders picking on a fourth grader. They have taken his basketball and are keeping it away from him while calling him names. You are so excited about getting in line at the handball court that you don't really notice it and walk right past.
What should you be asking yourself? "Am I paying attention?"
2. Good Intentions
(making things worse through a poorly thought out attempt to help)
What does it look like? Imagine that you meet someone who is very hungry. They have obviously not eaten in many days and if they don't eat soon they are going to die. The only food you have with you is a bag of peanuts. You kindly offer the stranger your peanuts. They refuse to eat them. Thinking that they must be disoriented and confused by the hunger, you force some peanuts down their throat. Suddenly, they have a severe allergic reaction and die.
What should you be asking yourself? "Do I have all the necessary informtion?"
3. Self-interest
(doing something to help yourself no matter how it affects another)
What does it look like? Imagine that you are grown up, driving to work. You know the rules (speed limits, stop lights, etc) and understand that they are there to reduce the risk to yourself and others. However, you are very late for a meeting, so you run a red light. You get through fine, but the car that had to stop for you gets hit from behind.
What should you be asking yourself? "How many people am I helping right now?"
There are 3 reasons or motivations that cause us to inflict pain on another.
1. Indifference
(the act of not caring)
What does it look like? Imagine you are walking across the playground. To your right, there are 3 fifth graders picking on a fourth grader. They have taken his basketball and are keeping it away from him while calling him names. You are so excited about getting in line at the handball court that you don't really notice it and walk right past.
What should you be asking yourself? "Am I paying attention?"
2. Good Intentions
(making things worse through a poorly thought out attempt to help)
What does it look like? Imagine that you meet someone who is very hungry. They have obviously not eaten in many days and if they don't eat soon they are going to die. The only food you have with you is a bag of peanuts. You kindly offer the stranger your peanuts. They refuse to eat them. Thinking that they must be disoriented and confused by the hunger, you force some peanuts down their throat. Suddenly, they have a severe allergic reaction and die.
What should you be asking yourself? "Do I have all the necessary informtion?"
3. Self-interest
(doing something to help yourself no matter how it affects another)
What does it look like? Imagine that you are grown up, driving to work. You know the rules (speed limits, stop lights, etc) and understand that they are there to reduce the risk to yourself and others. However, you are very late for a meeting, so you run a red light. You get through fine, but the car that had to stop for you gets hit from behind.
What should you be asking yourself? "How many people am I helping right now?"
Gandhi
We recently watched the movie Gandhi, and I continue to be amazed at his empathy, self-control, and influence. It is one thing to hold a hunger strike in an attempt to stop fighting. This is something anyone could do, given enough inner strength and motivation. It is something much more amazing to be so beloved and respected that both sides of a battle will lay down their arms in order to convince you to eat. If I were to go on a hunger strike over the war in Iraq, a small handful of people would mourn me, another (slightly larger) handful would mock me mercilessly, and a great majority of the people in my city, country, and world would never even know it was happening. The influence he had, and the humility with which he had it, are mind-boggleing.
And on a slightly different topic:
It inspires me to no end to know that Gandhi was an unknown, "bumbling lawyer" until his 30's. I still have time.
And on a slightly different topic:
It inspires me to no end to know that Gandhi was an unknown, "bumbling lawyer" until his 30's. I still have time.
A.N.T.
This morning, for no reason at all, an ant bit me on the foot right where my second and third toes come together. That spot has been on a slow burn all day long. Ugh. I have learned some new things from this fun adventure, however...
1. Ants, bees, and hornets are all of the order hymenoptera.
2. Ants, like all hymenoptera, sting rather than biting.
3. Ants will grab on with their mandibles and spin their butt around, stinging you repeatedly in a circular pattern.
4. Ant stings can cause an anaphylactic reaction in humans, occasionally leading to death.
5. Benedryll can help counteract a mild reaction to ant stings.
6. We are currently out of Benedryll.
Fortunately, all but the last were learned through internet research, rather than personal experience.
1. Ants, bees, and hornets are all of the order hymenoptera.
2. Ants, like all hymenoptera, sting rather than biting.
3. Ants will grab on with their mandibles and spin their butt around, stinging you repeatedly in a circular pattern.
4. Ant stings can cause an anaphylactic reaction in humans, occasionally leading to death.
5. Benedryll can help counteract a mild reaction to ant stings.
6. We are currently out of Benedryll.
Fortunately, all but the last were learned through internet research, rather than personal experience.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
School Daze
I have been quite busy cleaning and organizing and arranging and planning and decorating in my classroom lately. The kids come back on Monday and it almost looks like I will be ready for them. Whoot!
Good News
Ollie went to the vet to have a large lump checked out. It is a reaction to his recent vaccines that will go away on its own. No problem. Whew. Now I don't have to feel bad for calling him "Lumpy" for the past 2 weeks.
Morning Rant
I recently received a forwarded e-mail about the problems teachers face when teaching illegal immigrants (a hot topic here in California). The article talked about wasted money, graffiti, teenage pregnancy, and feelings of entitlement in Title 1 schools with large Hispanic populations. While I don't disagree that these things are happening, I can say with certainty that Title 1 schools aren't the only ones wasting money, and Hispanic students aren't the only ones being disrespectful, getting pregnant, and feeling entitled. The tone of the entire article bothered me, but it wasn't until I reached the following paragraph that I started yelling:
I don't know that I could come up with a more racist paragraph if I tried. "We would accept them if they were more like us. Especially if they weren't lazy, stupid, and immoral." Ugh.
The part that really gets me steamed is how the author accuses Hispanics of not valuing education. I live in a upper middle class district. I would estimate that on any given year my classroom is 20% Hispanic (along with 15% Asian, 10% Native American, and <5% African American). My students aren't dealing with an inner city environment, and they are elementary aged, but even with those difference my experiences don't fit with what this author has stated at all.
To say that Hispanics as a culture don't value education is flat-out bullshit. This is like saying that Jews like money and Italians are all connected to the mob. It's a stereotype, designed to spread fear and distrust. From my experiences, the value of education has less to do with culture and more to do with the parent's own experiences with education as a child. Many times, I have had a conference for a Hispanic student, during which a father who is working three jobs to make ends meet tells me that he has changed his shift hours so he can be home to help a wayward son with homework or motivation.
Although I have dealt with that pre-teen sense of entitlement in many of my 5th graders, it is not limited to any one culture. Most parents work hard to give their kids a better childhood than the one they had growing up. Unfortunately, after several generations of this, we are no longer sheilding our youngsters from famine and factory work, but instead excusing them from having to do simple chores or practice basic courtesy. This isn't a cultural thing...it's a generational thing.
While I don't have to deal with the teenaged pregnancy issue at my level (yet...shudder), I know this is not a cultural thing either. In my opinion, the rise in teenaged pregnancy stems from low self-esteem, lack of sex education, boredom among teens, a shifting of influential power from families to peers, a decreasing of responsibility, and the effects of sexual repression.
Finally, assimilation is for the Borg. The sheer variety of languages, foods, traditions, and beliefs found in our borders SHOULD give us one of the richest, most experienced countries in the world. Instead, we give in to our fear of the unknown and refuse to accept anyone who isn't just like us or willing to become just like us.
In summation:
I agree that there are problems with our educational system, our society, and our world, but I refuse to lay the blame of those problems at the feet of one group. No amount of anger or hatred is going to change things. We need to work together if we hope to tackle these issues.
There are many hardworking Hispanic/American citizens that contribute to our country and many that I consider my true friends. We should encourage and accept those Hispanics who have done it the right and legal way. It does, however, have everything to do with culture. A third-world culture that does not value education, that accepts children getting pregnant and dropping out of school by 15 and that refuses to assimilate...
I don't know that I could come up with a more racist paragraph if I tried. "We would accept them if they were more like us. Especially if they weren't lazy, stupid, and immoral." Ugh.
The part that really gets me steamed is how the author accuses Hispanics of not valuing education. I live in a upper middle class district. I would estimate that on any given year my classroom is 20% Hispanic (along with 15% Asian, 10% Native American, and <5% African American). My students aren't dealing with an inner city environment, and they are elementary aged, but even with those difference my experiences don't fit with what this author has stated at all.
To say that Hispanics as a culture don't value education is flat-out bullshit. This is like saying that Jews like money and Italians are all connected to the mob. It's a stereotype, designed to spread fear and distrust. From my experiences, the value of education has less to do with culture and more to do with the parent's own experiences with education as a child. Many times, I have had a conference for a Hispanic student, during which a father who is working three jobs to make ends meet tells me that he has changed his shift hours so he can be home to help a wayward son with homework or motivation.
Although I have dealt with that pre-teen sense of entitlement in many of my 5th graders, it is not limited to any one culture. Most parents work hard to give their kids a better childhood than the one they had growing up. Unfortunately, after several generations of this, we are no longer sheilding our youngsters from famine and factory work, but instead excusing them from having to do simple chores or practice basic courtesy. This isn't a cultural thing...it's a generational thing.
While I don't have to deal with the teenaged pregnancy issue at my level (yet...shudder), I know this is not a cultural thing either. In my opinion, the rise in teenaged pregnancy stems from low self-esteem, lack of sex education, boredom among teens, a shifting of influential power from families to peers, a decreasing of responsibility, and the effects of sexual repression.
Finally, assimilation is for the Borg. The sheer variety of languages, foods, traditions, and beliefs found in our borders SHOULD give us one of the richest, most experienced countries in the world. Instead, we give in to our fear of the unknown and refuse to accept anyone who isn't just like us or willing to become just like us.
In summation:
I agree that there are problems with our educational system, our society, and our world, but I refuse to lay the blame of those problems at the feet of one group. No amount of anger or hatred is going to change things. We need to work together if we hope to tackle these issues.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Drat
My recent blood tests indicate that my cholestoral is still climbing*. Just before the kidney donation, it checked in at just below the 200 mark. Then 6 months later, it was just above the 200 mark. Now it's up to 247. Not good.
Internet research indicates that diet and exercise are recommended in treating high cholesterol. A healthy diet should included plenty of fruits and veggies, lots of whole grains, and legumes. Check. Dairy products should be low-fat and egg consumption limited. Check. Limit intake of high fat meats. Check. Reduce amount of butter and sugar ingested. Um...
Okay. So the first step is cutting back on butter and candy. I can do that.
Further research identifies 4 foods that can help lower LDLs ("bad" cholesterol) or raise HDLs ("good" cholesterol). Step two - work them into my diet more often:
Oats - No problem. I'll start having oatmeal for breakfast before school. Or granola. I'll have to make it myself though, cause it's rediculously expensive at the store.
Soy - Since becoming vegetarian, we have made soy a staple in our diets. We eat soy regularly and in many forms.
Nuts - Walnuts, almonds, hazlenuts, and peanuts are great for your heart AND full of protein. Yay! Brazil nuts, macadamias, and cashews (my favorites) are also full of fat, so easy on those guys.
Fish - Hmm. If the other stuff doesn't work, Mikey and I may have to have a talk about this. I am all for eating fish, but at this point it is not included in our vegetarian diet. Salmon and tuna are both chock full of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your heart.
Now that the diet is revamped, it's time to look at exercise. I currently do...nothing. Not NOTHING exactly, but very, VERY little. How can I increase the exercise in my day? Come August 7th I will be heading back to the classroom. The two weeks of preparation should get me started, and having the kids back on the 21st will really increase my activity level. But that obviously isn't enough, because this problem was evident before my summer slacking started. I see two choices:
1. The Gym - This is expensive. I would need something in Temecula, where I could fit it in before or after school, so Mikey wouldn't be there with me. On the plus side, I could find somewhere that had classes. I have always wanted to do an aerobics or biking class. Do I trust myself to stay dedicated for the length of the whole contract? I dunno.
2. Walking - Cheap and flexible. Mikey might join me. I might also be able to join my pals at school who walk during lunch. I have tried this before and it isn't exciting enough to motivate me after a long day at school. It's too easy to put it off until the next day. Or week. Or month.
I'll have to keep thinking about that one. At least now I have a game plan. When I go in to see the doctor again (they are requesting a follow-up) I won't sound like a total putz.
*In the "Good News" column...my sodium continues to be lower than normal. Yay me.
Internet research indicates that diet and exercise are recommended in treating high cholesterol. A healthy diet should included plenty of fruits and veggies, lots of whole grains, and legumes. Check. Dairy products should be low-fat and egg consumption limited. Check. Limit intake of high fat meats. Check. Reduce amount of butter and sugar ingested. Um...
Okay. So the first step is cutting back on butter and candy. I can do that.
Further research identifies 4 foods that can help lower LDLs ("bad" cholesterol) or raise HDLs ("good" cholesterol). Step two - work them into my diet more often:
Oats - No problem. I'll start having oatmeal for breakfast before school. Or granola. I'll have to make it myself though, cause it's rediculously expensive at the store.
Soy - Since becoming vegetarian, we have made soy a staple in our diets. We eat soy regularly and in many forms.
Nuts - Walnuts, almonds, hazlenuts, and peanuts are great for your heart AND full of protein. Yay! Brazil nuts, macadamias, and cashews (my favorites) are also full of fat, so easy on those guys.
Fish - Hmm. If the other stuff doesn't work, Mikey and I may have to have a talk about this. I am all for eating fish, but at this point it is not included in our vegetarian diet. Salmon and tuna are both chock full of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your heart.
Now that the diet is revamped, it's time to look at exercise. I currently do...nothing. Not NOTHING exactly, but very, VERY little. How can I increase the exercise in my day? Come August 7th I will be heading back to the classroom. The two weeks of preparation should get me started, and having the kids back on the 21st will really increase my activity level. But that obviously isn't enough, because this problem was evident before my summer slacking started. I see two choices:
1. The Gym - This is expensive. I would need something in Temecula, where I could fit it in before or after school, so Mikey wouldn't be there with me. On the plus side, I could find somewhere that had classes. I have always wanted to do an aerobics or biking class. Do I trust myself to stay dedicated for the length of the whole contract? I dunno.
2. Walking - Cheap and flexible. Mikey might join me. I might also be able to join my pals at school who walk during lunch. I have tried this before and it isn't exciting enough to motivate me after a long day at school. It's too easy to put it off until the next day. Or week. Or month.
I'll have to keep thinking about that one. At least now I have a game plan. When I go in to see the doctor again (they are requesting a follow-up) I won't sound like a total putz.
*In the "Good News" column...my sodium continues to be lower than normal. Yay me.
In Preparation
My neck is feeling somewhat better, thanks for asking. :) Mikey knew I was feeling back to my normal self when he realized that I was vacuuming then entire house. Why? No, not because we have company coming. (Good guess, though.) We are going on a trip. We will be away from our house for more than 24 hours and so the fates decree that I must clean every nook and crany of our humble abode. There is nothing worse than coming home from a trip only to find clutter and disruption. Okay, so there ARE worse things, but this ranks right up there, don't you think? Anyway, since we will be leaving soon, I am cleaning, packing, and generally getting ready for travel. The cats have yet to figure out what is happening, but as soon as I get out the suitcase, they will start begging us to stay. Poor things. I'm off to clean out the fridge...
Monday, July 31, 2006
Clerks II
Yes, I saw it.
Yes, I laughed my fool head off.
Yes, I am mortified that you will think badly of me for doing so.
This is not a movie for the faint of heart, although it did have a very strong, important message (forget about what you are "supposed" to do and do what makes you happy). Mr. Kevin Smith is taking his own advice and doing what he likes, which seems to be making sophmoric jokes at a witty, rapid-fire pace. Fortunately, I am a fan of rapid-fire, sophmoric humor. If you liked Jay, Silent Bob, and their raunchy, politically inappropriate friends in Clerks, you will enjoy this second peek into their slacker lives. Oh, and there were plenty of those disturbingly gross, yet oddly realistic conversational gambits that Kevin Smith is so good at writing.
Yes, I laughed my fool head off.
Yes, I am mortified that you will think badly of me for doing so.
This is not a movie for the faint of heart, although it did have a very strong, important message (forget about what you are "supposed" to do and do what makes you happy). Mr. Kevin Smith is taking his own advice and doing what he likes, which seems to be making sophmoric jokes at a witty, rapid-fire pace. Fortunately, I am a fan of rapid-fire, sophmoric humor. If you liked Jay, Silent Bob, and their raunchy, politically inappropriate friends in Clerks, you will enjoy this second peek into their slacker lives. Oh, and there were plenty of those disturbingly gross, yet oddly realistic conversational gambits that Kevin Smith is so good at writing.
Irony
So, it finally cooled off and I was able to sleep really well last night. So well, in fact, that I slept a kink into my neck that makes it impossible for me to turn my head more than 45 degrees in any direction. It has actually loosened some since I got up, but not enough for my taste. I just hope that it clears up completely before I have to get on a plane. No fun travelling with a sore spine.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Losing Sleep
Could it be...
the squeeky fan?
the noisy cat?
the intolerable heat?
the late afternoon naps?
the iced tea?
the snoring?
the impending school year?
Ugh.
the squeeky fan?
the noisy cat?
the intolerable heat?
the late afternoon naps?
the iced tea?
the snoring?
the impending school year?
Ugh.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
The Good Ones
Dad's comment got me thinking about the different authors I read and enjoy (so much better than thinking about those I DON'T enjoy), so I decided to make a list (I am also studiously avoiding work on my master's class):
Character Authors
- These folks create characters you will either love or hate with a passion. You laugh at their foolishness, cry over their losses, or shake with anger at their inhumanity. These characters remain in your mind always.
Stephen King
I know there are those of you who would consider him brain candy, but you must admit he has a talent for bringing his characters, even the incidental ones, to life.
Barbara Kingsolver
I just finished rereading The Poisonwood Bible, and even the second time through I suffered right along with those girls and their mother.
Amy Tan
She gets you right into the minds of the women in her stories. I especially enjoy feeling as though I am gaining an understanding of a culture I know little about when I read her books.
Jodi Picoult
I add her to the list because of My Sisters Keeper. While dissecting the issues of a young girl defined by the sacrifices she makes to keep her sister alive, Picoult manages to put us inside each of the family members equally.
Poetic Prose
- These writers can turn a phrase with the best of them. You don't so much read the descriptions as fall right into them. They provide full-color and surround sound in such a way that you often don't even realize they're doing it.
Margaret Atwood
I just lent my friend my copy of The Blind Assassin, telling her to pay extra attention to the beautiful language contained therein. Several times, I paused my reading just to enjoy a particularly enthusiastic metaphor or apt simile.
Khaled Hossseini
His story, The Kite Runner, puts you in Afghanistan as revolution tears it apart. His descriptions, like Amy Tan's characters, give you insight to a culture many fear, but few understand.
Ursula Hegi
Although I initially thought she would be one of those pompous writers of my previous post, I am glad I gave her a chance. Her descriptions in Stones From the River of life in Germany, both before and during the rise of Hitler, are quite haunting. She has a tendency to drift from topic to topic, but it seems appropriate for the narrative style of the main character.
...
That seems to be all I can think of at the moment. Perhaps another day I will discuss my favorite "brain candy"...or humorous books...or young adult books. There are so many good books to read out there! Please share your thoughts, either on the books I have mentioned or the ones I should have mentioned in these categories.
Character Authors
- These folks create characters you will either love or hate with a passion. You laugh at their foolishness, cry over their losses, or shake with anger at their inhumanity. These characters remain in your mind always.
Stephen King
I know there are those of you who would consider him brain candy, but you must admit he has a talent for bringing his characters, even the incidental ones, to life.
Barbara Kingsolver
I just finished rereading The Poisonwood Bible, and even the second time through I suffered right along with those girls and their mother.
Amy Tan
She gets you right into the minds of the women in her stories. I especially enjoy feeling as though I am gaining an understanding of a culture I know little about when I read her books.
Jodi Picoult
I add her to the list because of My Sisters Keeper. While dissecting the issues of a young girl defined by the sacrifices she makes to keep her sister alive, Picoult manages to put us inside each of the family members equally.
Poetic Prose
- These writers can turn a phrase with the best of them. You don't so much read the descriptions as fall right into them. They provide full-color and surround sound in such a way that you often don't even realize they're doing it.
Margaret Atwood
I just lent my friend my copy of The Blind Assassin, telling her to pay extra attention to the beautiful language contained therein. Several times, I paused my reading just to enjoy a particularly enthusiastic metaphor or apt simile.
Khaled Hossseini
His story, The Kite Runner, puts you in Afghanistan as revolution tears it apart. His descriptions, like Amy Tan's characters, give you insight to a culture many fear, but few understand.
Ursula Hegi
Although I initially thought she would be one of those pompous writers of my previous post, I am glad I gave her a chance. Her descriptions in Stones From the River of life in Germany, both before and during the rise of Hitler, are quite haunting. She has a tendency to drift from topic to topic, but it seems appropriate for the narrative style of the main character.
...
That seems to be all I can think of at the moment. Perhaps another day I will discuss my favorite "brain candy"...or humorous books...or young adult books. There are so many good books to read out there! Please share your thoughts, either on the books I have mentioned or the ones I should have mentioned in these categories.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Get Over Yourself!
I like books that make you think.
Granted, I spend most of my time reading the exact opposite - courtroom dramas, cereal boxes, murder mysteries (the kind that spell everything out for you at the end so there's no reason to try to solve it yourself), trashy science fiction and/or romance. Despite my love of the books I call "brain candy", I have been known to pick up a higher class of literature from time to time. I can appreciate the poetry of good prose - the well-turned phrase, the meaningful dialogue, the lesson to be learned. It just doesn't happen very often.
Why? If I enjoy thought provoking writing, why don't I partake of it more often? Simply this - it is too hard to tell the good stuff from the bad. With brain candy, you know what you are getting from word one. It's just the opposite with the meaningful stuff. There are too many authors out there who have deep and meaningful thoughts but absolutely no talent with which to express them. And of course, these people compensate by trying to be deeper and meaningfuller...er...more meaningful. They use too many flowery phrases, spend too much time telling us what things look like, and basically just sound stuck up.
I find that these same authors have trouble expressing human interaction in a realistic way. It is as though their own awkwardness and fear around people is generalized out to everyone in the world. All conversations become stilted and everyone is full of suffering and angst. I know that everyone feels that way now and again, but do we really need 372 pages of non-stop teenaged, goth-wanna-be drama? I mean, really. I don't need to spend 3 pages reading about how the character really felt about the color of the sheets on the bed. It isn't moving the story along and, frankly, I don't care.
There are plenty of writers who can use figurative language and adjectives in ways that pull you deep into the story. There are lots of authors who can create characters that you truly care about. These people have a talent that I envy and enjoy. The trouble is that the old saying "you can't tell a book by its cover" is so very, very true. It could be extended to say "you can't tell a book by its cover, the blurb on the inside of the jacket, or what your friends told you". Many a time, I have picked up a well-reviewed, attractive book with an interesting premise only to find that it is pompous, drivel by an author who just likes to read their own writing. I'm sure your experiences are quite interesting and you have important things to say to the general public, but if you can't do it without putting me to sleep in the middle of the day or making me feel as though you are lecturing from the front of the classroom, at least have the courtesy to put a little mark on the spine...perhaps a capital T for Talentless?
My rant comes from having recently read a book called "Accidents". While it could have been a beautiful study of the interactions between children and parents at different stages in life, instead I spent the whole time wondering why all the characters weren't just drugged at put into a mental hospital. It was so obvious that each and every one of them needed therapy. It makes me worry for the mental stability of the author if the only human interactions she knows are those of anger, betrayal, frustration, disappointment, and fear. Ugh.
Granted, I spend most of my time reading the exact opposite - courtroom dramas, cereal boxes, murder mysteries (the kind that spell everything out for you at the end so there's no reason to try to solve it yourself), trashy science fiction and/or romance. Despite my love of the books I call "brain candy", I have been known to pick up a higher class of literature from time to time. I can appreciate the poetry of good prose - the well-turned phrase, the meaningful dialogue, the lesson to be learned. It just doesn't happen very often.
Why? If I enjoy thought provoking writing, why don't I partake of it more often? Simply this - it is too hard to tell the good stuff from the bad. With brain candy, you know what you are getting from word one. It's just the opposite with the meaningful stuff. There are too many authors out there who have deep and meaningful thoughts but absolutely no talent with which to express them. And of course, these people compensate by trying to be deeper and meaningfuller...er...more meaningful. They use too many flowery phrases, spend too much time telling us what things look like, and basically just sound stuck up.
I find that these same authors have trouble expressing human interaction in a realistic way. It is as though their own awkwardness and fear around people is generalized out to everyone in the world. All conversations become stilted and everyone is full of suffering and angst. I know that everyone feels that way now and again, but do we really need 372 pages of non-stop teenaged, goth-wanna-be drama? I mean, really. I don't need to spend 3 pages reading about how the character really felt about the color of the sheets on the bed. It isn't moving the story along and, frankly, I don't care.
There are plenty of writers who can use figurative language and adjectives in ways that pull you deep into the story. There are lots of authors who can create characters that you truly care about. These people have a talent that I envy and enjoy. The trouble is that the old saying "you can't tell a book by its cover" is so very, very true. It could be extended to say "you can't tell a book by its cover, the blurb on the inside of the jacket, or what your friends told you". Many a time, I have picked up a well-reviewed, attractive book with an interesting premise only to find that it is pompous, drivel by an author who just likes to read their own writing. I'm sure your experiences are quite interesting and you have important things to say to the general public, but if you can't do it without putting me to sleep in the middle of the day or making me feel as though you are lecturing from the front of the classroom, at least have the courtesy to put a little mark on the spine...perhaps a capital T for Talentless?
My rant comes from having recently read a book called "Accidents". While it could have been a beautiful study of the interactions between children and parents at different stages in life, instead I spent the whole time wondering why all the characters weren't just drugged at put into a mental hospital. It was so obvious that each and every one of them needed therapy. It makes me worry for the mental stability of the author if the only human interactions she knows are those of anger, betrayal, frustration, disappointment, and fear. Ugh.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Energy Sapping Heat
85 F at 7 am. 107 F at 4 pm.
I needed a nap shortly after breakfast. Mikey napped this afternoon. The animals slept all day long. The electric company conked out on us for a few seconds as well. This heat is just sucking the energy right out of all of us.
I needed a nap shortly after breakfast. Mikey napped this afternoon. The animals slept all day long. The electric company conked out on us for a few seconds as well. This heat is just sucking the energy right out of all of us.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Good Dogs!
My puppies have been getting their full allotment of cookies these days for their excellent outside behavior. It seems that the zapping they got going over the fence that last time took the joy out of the jumping. We have settled into a nice little routine that involves an hour or so of "free play" after they show my they remember how to "sit" and "down" and walk nicely without pulling at the leash. They do all their tricks for me and then I unhook the leash and release them. You should see those puppies run! :) They wander all over the property, chasing whatever moves and having a good time. Occasionally, they will come back to check in with me (I encourage this by rewarding them with cookies when they do it - sometimes after doing a trick, sometimes not). When it's time to go in, they follow me back to the kennel and voluntarily go in (granted I am putting down food as they do it, but still...) and that is that. This is good. Very good.
Cute side-note:
Mia likes to hop up in the chair next to me while I am reading after she's done running around. She just jumps up there and keeps me company for awhile. It's adorable.
Gross side-note:
Trooper caught a frog this evening and spend most of the hour playing with it despite the fact that it tasted bad enough to make him do funny, spitty things with his mouth.
Cute side-note:
Mia likes to hop up in the chair next to me while I am reading after she's done running around. She just jumps up there and keeps me company for awhile. It's adorable.
Gross side-note:
Trooper caught a frog this evening and spend most of the hour playing with it despite the fact that it tasted bad enough to make him do funny, spitty things with his mouth.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Clear as Smoke
I should clarify to my beloved family and friends that I am not in any danger from the big fires that you are hearing about in the news. They are far enough away that I can only see the smoke way off on the horizon at night when it makes the sun glow a beautiful (but worrisome) red. The fire I mentioned yesterday was a small one, probably brush fire or some such, that was soon extinguished by the local fire department. I am sorry if I was unclear and causing worry of any kind.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Too Close
Today, at about 12:50 pm, a neighbor called us to make sure we were aware of the fire burning just 1/2 mile from our front door. After thanking her (as we were completely unaware until her call) we looked out the window to see a giant plume of black smoke rising into the air just to the south of us. Since the wind was blowing in a northerly direction, we decided it was time to practice the fire evacuation plan we had come up with not too long ago. Within the hour the wind had changed direction and the black plume of smoke had turned into a pale gray plume of steam and ash. Thank goodness for firefighters.
I don't know about the rest of you, but my fear of fire is deeply instinctual. I knew that this fire was far enough away that it probably wouldn't affect me. I knew that we had the important things* safely packed and ready for a quick flight, should the need arise. But no amount of certainty could stop the surge of adrenaline I felt when I actually saw flames reaching over the bushes. Yes, they were 1/2 a mile away, but they were red and they were hungry and I was scared.
As humans, we depend on fire in many forms. It propels our vehicles. It cooks our food, heats our homes and dries our clothes. Controlled fire does good things for me every day, but all it takes is the thought of an uncontrolled fire to send the primitive bits of my brain into a panic. DANGER! FIRE BAD! RUN AWAY!
Fire is like that one weird looking homeless guy who walks around muttering to himself all the time. He's never hurt anyone, has even been known to lend a hand when needed, but the minute he starts getting too loud or agitated, everyone is sure he's going to do something dangerous. You know what I mean? It's hard to trust fire no matter how helpful/friendly/harmless it's has been in the past.
Today's adventure was mostly harmless(to us - I hope to everyone else as well), but that doesn't mean that I will feel any less frightened the next time fire decides to take a jaunt through my neighborhood. You just never know when it's going to turn on you.
So, you might be wondering what qualifies as important in the event of a fire here at Quail Corner? This is our list, in order of importance.
1. Pets and Cars
2. Mike's computer, containing all he needs to keep his business up and running
3. "Vital Papers" file - birth and marriage certs, teaching license, passports, etc.
4. My school files (this one isn't usually on the list, but I have all my 5th grade stuff here and I have worked my tail off to get it organized. I'm NOT losing it now!)
5. Some quickly grabbed clothing and toiletries
Beyond this is the stuff that you want to save, but that you could manage without. This afternoon I looked around at all the "stuff" we own and wondered what of it I would remember if it were to suddenly disappear. How could I possibly replace the things that I have been collecting for almost 30 years? So many of my memories are tied to the things I own. That cd reminds me of the summer between my junior and senior years in high school. Will I still remember all the details if I lose it? That ratty, old T-shirt was purchased in Russia. That game kept me entertained while I recovered from my donation surgery. Those bowls were given to us for our wedding. That picture from my daddy, the book that so often lent me courage while I was in college, those Pyrex bowls my sister sent one Christmas...
None of it is vital, but all of it is important. I am an amalgamation of my thoughts and memories. Without my things will I still have the same thoughts and memories? Without my thoughts and memories, will I still be the same person? I hope I never have to find out.
I don't know about the rest of you, but my fear of fire is deeply instinctual. I knew that this fire was far enough away that it probably wouldn't affect me. I knew that we had the important things* safely packed and ready for a quick flight, should the need arise. But no amount of certainty could stop the surge of adrenaline I felt when I actually saw flames reaching over the bushes. Yes, they were 1/2 a mile away, but they were red and they were hungry and I was scared.
As humans, we depend on fire in many forms. It propels our vehicles. It cooks our food, heats our homes and dries our clothes. Controlled fire does good things for me every day, but all it takes is the thought of an uncontrolled fire to send the primitive bits of my brain into a panic. DANGER! FIRE BAD! RUN AWAY!
Fire is like that one weird looking homeless guy who walks around muttering to himself all the time. He's never hurt anyone, has even been known to lend a hand when needed, but the minute he starts getting too loud or agitated, everyone is sure he's going to do something dangerous. You know what I mean? It's hard to trust fire no matter how helpful/friendly/harmless it's has been in the past.
Today's adventure was mostly harmless(to us - I hope to everyone else as well), but that doesn't mean that I will feel any less frightened the next time fire decides to take a jaunt through my neighborhood. You just never know when it's going to turn on you.
So, you might be wondering what qualifies as important in the event of a fire here at Quail Corner? This is our list, in order of importance.
1. Pets and Cars
2. Mike's computer, containing all he needs to keep his business up and running
3. "Vital Papers" file - birth and marriage certs, teaching license, passports, etc.
4. My school files (this one isn't usually on the list, but I have all my 5th grade stuff here and I have worked my tail off to get it organized. I'm NOT losing it now!)
5. Some quickly grabbed clothing and toiletries
Beyond this is the stuff that you want to save, but that you could manage without. This afternoon I looked around at all the "stuff" we own and wondered what of it I would remember if it were to suddenly disappear. How could I possibly replace the things that I have been collecting for almost 30 years? So many of my memories are tied to the things I own. That cd reminds me of the summer between my junior and senior years in high school. Will I still remember all the details if I lose it? That ratty, old T-shirt was purchased in Russia. That game kept me entertained while I recovered from my donation surgery. Those bowls were given to us for our wedding. That picture from my daddy, the book that so often lent me courage while I was in college, those Pyrex bowls my sister sent one Christmas...
None of it is vital, but all of it is important. I am an amalgamation of my thoughts and memories. Without my things will I still have the same thoughts and memories? Without my thoughts and memories, will I still be the same person? I hope I never have to find out.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Inheritance
A friend of mine is caught between two family members. They had a falling out of some kind (the details are lost behind a curtain of bitter silence) over an inheritance some time ago. These two family members are both caring and kind and very concerned that the problems between them might repeat themselves later, causing similar problems between my friend and her siblings. Consequently, they are making sure that all belongings are clearly marked for the day when the siblings will have to go through the process of dividing up someone else's belongings - a difficult task no matter when it is done. The only problem is that this pre-planning, combined with the lack of communication between loved ones, is giving my friend a whole new bundle of goodies to inherit. Silence, anger, and sorrow are being packed up right along with that old waffle iron and the 16 sets of pillowcases. Although she doesn't mention it much, I know that my friend worries about the day when reconciliation is no longer an option and the material things are all that are left. Because when it comes right down to it, it's not the cookbooks and tool kits and knick-knacks that are important. It's the memories that are attached to them that make them worth inheriting.
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