June 28, 2008

1. Today, comparison shopping for canvases for class.  I used paper on Friday, but it seems to soak up the paint quickly.  Went to all three of the art/craft stores that I frequent, and found the best price at Pearl.  It will be affordable, but the big question is, what will I do with these nine giant abstract paintings at the end of the summer?  Christmas presents anyone? Something to build a fort with?  I could paint over them and make big signs for various occasions.  We shall see.
2. Ten more sleeves to Stelmos’ today.  They sell fairly steadily.  I am going to try to get a supply set aside, so I can concentrate on so other things for a while.
3. Another huge noisy thunderstorm tonight.  AB and Ali and I were right under it as we took Ali to the train station for a trip home.  It was a little scary.
4. Chris, Melissa and Michael arrive for a visit tonight.
5. Pool time with AB today.  Always cool and refreshing.

June 27, 2008

1. I still struggle with eating out.  It is of course always fun to be with friends but the things I think I’ve been looking forward to end up not being as satisfying, I think, because I don’t just eat that, I add other stuff too.  Damn you fruit!  You’ve ruined me for other food.  I think I would have been fine with the hamburger last night, but should have passed on the onion rings.  On the plus side, I am at least not a member of the clean plate club anymore, so some small progress.
2. Today is painting class!  I’m al little nervous that I don’t know enough about the basics, you know, like how to use a brush, but I’ll try to watch other people and figure it out if there is no specific instruction.  Or I suppose I could ask…
3. This is the class description: All Levels Students develop a working knowledge of abstract painting and acrylic that challenges them to see and interpret in new ways. Color, line, movement, and form and taught through individual instruction and group discussion. Subjects include landscape, still life, and figure as well as non-representation. Model fees are extra. 
4. (Later) Class was really fun!  I really enjoyed the painting at first, when I was just trying to fill up the canvas.  She said we should try to paint fast at first, like a little kids, trying not to think about it too much.  It got harder when I began to think about it.  I’m going to try not to think so much next time.  It is very clear that I am not the stand out talent in the class, in fact, I am bringing up the rear, but I am going to try to just have fun, and not worry about being good.  Angry Crafts philosophy: Paint without fear!

June 26, 2008

1. The beach was great.  Perfect weather.  The water was too cold to go in much further than ankles, but that was ok.  We visited with a college friend of Paul’s.  I suppose 8 hours driving for four hours on the beach might not make sense to everyone, but I think it was a nice day trip.  The drive was very nice too, so that counts as far as quality entertainment points.
2. Three hour nap yesterday.  Awesome!  All of the sudden I have the major sleepies, maybe because all the action is finally over.
3. Bought my supplies for abstract painting, which starts tomorrow.  Brushes are expensive, but the nice man at Pearl directed me to the discontinued brushes, which are 50% off.  Hooray
4. Today I’ll go get my books for Sociology, and find out what the deal is on parking.
5. I had a scare that I had scheduled my class and the “summer workout of pain” on the same days only a half hour apart, but it is not so.  All is well. I mean, except for the part where I have to workout at 7:30 in the morning.

June 23, 2008

1. I’ve rbeen thinking the last few days, about very sad things, how devastating it must be to lose someone you love, especially early in life.  The sister of a girl at our school died.  She was only 13 and I just can’t imagine how it is even possible to function after something like that.  The teacher next door to me went to the funeral, and told me she hated it when people said “God wanted another angel.”  I agree with her.  I think that is just bad theology.  I mean, I know what people are trying to say, or rather the sentiment or sense of purpose that they are trying to convey, but it is a terrible phrase.  What does it imply for those who are left behind?  That God wants their suffering?  I believe that accidents and sickness happen.  God welcomes everyone who dies, and weeps with those who remain and mourn.  It is really terrifically sad that such a thing happened.  There is no action, no cliche that can make it anything other than tragic for those who must live with the loss.
2. Today I visited my doctor about the migraines. (The Ophthalmologist ruled out any retina problem on Friday.)  I have the chattiest doctor in the universe.  I’ve learned it is best to take the first appointment of the day, that way you don’t have to sit and wait while she chats with the patients before you.  I mean it is very informative and all, but she do ramble on.  In addition to explaining how the mirgraine is different from a regular headache, I learned about what happened in Tim Russert’s heart attack, how to sleep with a pillow a certain way, the value of a memory foam mattress, and why patients get bedsores.  Among other things.  But she is nice, and so far has not steered me wrong.
3. I am very glad I have insurance, since the prescription she gave me (along with a lengthy explanation of why they might not cover it and what I should do if they didn’t and by the way the insurance companies should only be staffed by doctors, who know understand the reasons for certain prescriptions and possible alternatives) cost 257 dollars!  They did cover it, thank goodness, and I hope I never have to use it!
4. Accomplishments: Vacation Day One: Required: Doctor and cleaning my room at school. For Fun: Movie, The Happening.  Bonus:  Sorted through and reloaded all my music on itunes that I needed to reload after the Great Hard Drive Crisis of 2007.
5. Tomorrow a day trip to the beach.  Hooray!

June 18, 2008

1. The Change of Command was great.  8AM!  I guess when you do things outside in Georgia, that is the way to beat the heat, but there was still one little soldier that passed out.  Chris gave a terrific speech, and even mentioned yours truly (my classic insights on endings and regrets, as written in this blog).  He went on to say far more important things about the troops, and I was really proud.  It is obvious from what his commander said about him that he did a great job there.  Well Done!  Now he can finally get some sleep!
2. I went early to the airport, because I was able to get a ride with Jim.  I would have got back 3 hours earlier, but the Thunderstorms in Arlington delayed that.  It was very productive, however; I found a great workspace in the airport and got a ton done on the video, and then continued to work on the video while we were waiting on the tarmac.  The whole thing was finally done by 1:20AM! 
3. 8th grade graduation was great.  A little praise for the kids, a little symbolism, the video, and nice party from the parents – Very good.  Earlier in the day, we had a pool party.   I tried to grade papers at that, but who are we kidding.
4. Another success was the teacher play this morning.  We actually had a script this year!  It was very well received, and the kids laughed and clapped alot.  The dance went well to, and the great thing is that so many teachers participated – some in the front doing the choreography, others in the “sway Line” in the back.  They were the ones that didn’t want to do the moves, but wanted to be team players.  So I assigned a “Sway Dance Captain” and she coordinated the sway group.  Very fun.  The only bad thing was we went first, and the very weak, of course crude, senior play followed us.  We all agreed that next year, we are going last, because we have a far better product.
5. Now I am not saying there is a exact link, but as soon as all this was over, and the kids left, the flashing light in my eye came back, and was followed by the worst headache I have ever had.  I thought I was going to throw up pass out and die.  It was so bad, after I struggled though my grades (and I mean struggled, some of those final averages may be pretty suspect.) I called Ali and she came and took me to the emergency room!  I was there for about 4 hours.  They took some blood, scanned my brain (I can report they didn’t find anything! Ba Dump bump) and the doctor said he thinks it was  an ocular migraine.  I have an appointment with an ophthalmologist tomorrow to rule out a retina problem.  Anyway, it was all very exciting.  And painful at times. The headache eased after about two hours.  Kudos to the great staff there at Arlington Hospital.  And my assistant principal came to visit!  That was very nice.  She called our principal as I was being wheeled out for the CT scan, and I told her to tell him that I blame the children for the whole thing!
6. I’ve been reading online that ocular migraines can be caused by stress and a changed in schedule.  Hmm…

June 15, 2008

1. Completely tired.  Finished the script.  Video still to go.  Will prepare remaining pictures and then to bed.  Big push tomorrow.
2. Because Jim is able to give me a ride to airport, I may be able to get an earlier flight.  That’s good; more time to work.  I hate to cut my time here short, but the crisis, she is imminent. In fact I am in her belly.
3. Still tired.  All of the sudden.  Wow.
4. 5 days until vacation.
5. Woo!

June 15, 2008

1. Up early (same time as always, but it is still early) to finish packing for my quick trip to Ft. Benning.
2. I am to meet Jim at the Airport, where he will have arrived before me, and have gotten a rental car.  I have the growing suspicion that he and I are coming into different airports, me into Atlanta him into Columbus, since the time he cited for his return seems to close to the event itself to enable him to get there in time if he has to fit in a two hour drive back to Atlanta. I’ll call after church to confirm.  I really hope it is Atlanta, otherwise I will have to take the shuttle, which is not bad, but adds even more time to the journey and the company will be better with Jim.
3. I am going to Ft. Benning to see Chris’s Change of Command.  I am really looking forward to hearing him speak, and to hear his commander, who I am sure, will say nice things about him.  It will be sad that this two years is over, but such is the army circle of life.  Two years ago we sat on the left side of the reviewing stand and watched him take command, not we will sit on the right and watch him give it up, while another proud family sits on the left and waits to begin their two years.
4. Very pleased that Jim is coming.  He and Chris were wee young lieutenants together in the 101st.  Chris brought Jim home for Christmas in 1989? 1990? since Jim’s parent’s lived in Thailand.  On that journey Jim met my best friend from high school, Katherine.  They eventually got married, as did another couple who met on that trip, or one not long after, Bill and Mary Ellen.  Jim is Michael’s godfather too.  It’s all very intriguing and linked over time and long distances as Army friends often are.  Anyway, it is great that he is coming!
5. Kevin is lying at my feet all snoozy and pleasant.
6. I am taking the computer on the trip with me to work on the video and script for the 8th grade graduation which have to be done by, oh, let’s see when is that…..TOMORROW!  Argh.  I am not taking any knitting or my ipod or even a book, because any spare minute has to be dedicated to that event.  Which is Tuesday.  Argh again.  At least I can count on an hour and a half on the plane each way.

June 13, 2008

1. How can it possibly be the last Friday?  I was shocked in a way I have never felt today to realize that this time next week I won’t have to go to work for two months.  It seemed sad in a way.
2. It was a very busy day, but I got all the pictures, gave all the tests, wrote my sub plans and helped make up the dance for the teacher play and taught it to the staff.
3. At some point during the dance rehearsal I wrenched my neck and it was really sore for some time.  I also had this weird flashing sort of bright spot wherever I looked for about 30 minutes.  It was extremely weird.  The hazards of the theater I guess.  It was also a really stressful day having to chase down (or chosing to rather, I didn’t have to do that, but I am weak) students who hadn’t turned things in,and telling someone will fail unless they pull some papers out of their behind.  So that kind of thing could cause some neck tension.
4. Our school building is also home to a program for seriously disabled students.  I stepped into the auditorium today to watch a little of their graduation.  They had three students graduating.  They are 22 I think and will go on to other programs to help them.  I think they age out of this program at 22.  It always makes me cry.  These guys work so hard, and they have really lovely and dedicated teachers and aides.  I love that they have the same setup as the regular high school graduations.  The Superintendent and other officials are there in their academic robes, and they march in to the old pomp and circumstance. It is very simple and good and important.
5. This is the new hot link on Cute overload.  A lion and her McCubersons.  So far all I have seen is that mom lion around! Get it?  LION around?!

June 11, 2008

1. It’s almost 7 pm and I am at school, waiting to go watch the Middle School Play.  I have been working on the end of year video, though not so much working as looking at the 60 gajillion pictures the science teacher took and wondering how I am going to fit them into 3 minutes of music.  I might have to do two vids, the year retrospective and then the happy fun time smiling children with the tender song make you cry video. (I really thought the science teacher was going to do this project, but I guess I was mistaken.  It’s ok though.)
2. And how am I going to get this all done before I leave for Ft. Benning on Sunday?  Well, that is a mystery.
3. School survey, end of year celebration, teacher play, tests, grades, and today we learned that they are painting our rooms this summer, so everything has to be cleared off the walls, and of course my enormous teetering piles of books and paper are going to need dealing with sooner rather than later.
4. I almost had a breakdown at lunch, but took a break and got a cool coffee drink and started making some headway through the pile o’ work.  Bit by bit all the papers are getting dispatched.
5. Is the stress driving me to eat?  Hand me that coffee cake and I will tell you all about it.

June 10, 2008

1. Picked up the sock I had been knitting months ago.  Only a half inch long.  Raggedy.  Went to it again at vestry tonight.  More rows, but still rough looking.  Knit stitches appear when I except to be purling and vice versa.  I will persevere instead of ripping back, as this is my first sock, and mistakes in sock one will perhaps inform the process for sock two, should I ever get that far.
2. Vestry tonight, school play tomorrow.
3. So much going on that I have written the next few days out minute by minute, as I used to do in college when things were getting hectic. When I get up, when I am in the car, what project to work on when, etc.
4. Today the kids had a bake sale and it was quite successful, they thought because they raised money for a yet to be determined charity, I because even the kids who were feuding with one another worked side by side. 
5. At one point I went from outside the gym, where the bake sale was happening, to inside the gym where there was a massive dodge ball game going on.  At least 40 kids participating; all boys, in a mad race back and forth across the gym.  Very exciting, and exciting to see most of our boys playing, even the ones who are not normally joiners.  I know dodge ball has fallen from favor in some places, but I have to say, this was a pretty awesome game!  The PE teacher would jump in from time to time to play too.
6. The kids have been great about doing their work without complaint.  There is always a contingent that thinks that once the tests are done that the work should be over.  To this I usually respond: “Do you see me here?  Because if you see me here, we are working.  Now, if you see me at the local coffee shop reading the paper, feel free to take the day off.”  But once we started going on this last unit, the got to it.  The mapping units are a rhythm they know and allow them independence and action within the room, so I think it is a good way to end.  Last year I did a big final project, and it was like to kill us all.
7. Today was a good day.