The Heffernan Fold

We use a lot of big paper in Room 200.  When Thirdlanders turn their papers in to the basket, I ask them to fold the papers in fourths.  There's this one Thirdlander who just mangles the paper in a unique kind of squashing-rolling technique.  Yesterday I said to him, "Look, let's go over folding in fourths again.  I invented this useful tool when I was 22.  It's called the Heffernan Fold.  You fold the paper once in half and then in half again, making sure the corners are lined up as well as can be expected.  Voila.  Never forget the Heffernan Fold.  It's going to serve you well in so many sundry circumstances, for the rest of your life."  The Thirdlander smiled, but to be quite honest, I sensed he wasn't even really attending to the demonstration.  His eyes kept wandering around and his visage revealed a rushed mien.

I guess I did the best I could, but once again, I'm left with the eternal query of all amazing teachers everywhere, "Why can't I reach these kids?"

#TwinTuesday

This #twinTuesday focuses on composition.  Brilliantly, I might add. Notice the blackbird dish and colorful cloth in the background?  Avocado and wrench.  In a land all their own.

Today's going to be a tough one, but as usual I'm up to the challenge.  Life throws me an avocado.  I catch that avocado and smash it back full on into Life's face, using a handy wrench. No surprise there.

The Turkeys

I have a pretty good idea for the hand turkeys this year.  Not sure I can pull it off though.

Wait a minute.  Is this not the bragging challenge of 2015?  Let's regroup.

I have the best idea ever for the hand turkeys this year.  It's going to blow your freaking mind.

Thursday Creativity Share: The New James Bond Movie

Biggest Bragging Rights go to us this week.  Husbandman and I decided to stick it to the man and head to a movie on a Thursday afternoon at 4:45.  Who does that?  Come to find out, we do. We had the whole theater to ourselves so we talked during the show as much as we wanted.  Spectre is a creative film with some good blow ups and fun gadgets.  If you want to stick it to the man, you should see it on a week day afternoon instead of doing all the lesson planning and paper grading that you should do if you want to feel confident about your work situation.

#TwinTuesday

Brochure of one of the best state parks in the continental United States.  Four year old dental appointment reminder card that I was smart enough to keep in my car for just this occasion. This is the stuff of our lives people.  Undeniably the most trenchant pairing to date.

Finders Keepers: Independent Movie Review

Here we go.  A fascinating film review for your reading pleasure.  Finders Keepers is a documentary we saw last night.  I do like to brag, so I'm going to tell you that if you're smart like me you'll go see this film if you want to.
Lw:  Husbandman, please give us a scintillating synopsis.
Hm:  Guy loses a leg in a tragic plane crash. His life deteriorates.  He puts the leg along with his other belongings in a storage space.  When he falls behind on payments for the storage facility, a fast talking wannabe entrepreneur buys the contents of the storage space in auction.  He acquires the leg.  A legal battle ensues leading to redemption and unexpected heartache.
Lw:  Wasn't it gross when we saw the leg with the hideous toenails?
Hm:  Yes it was.
Lw:  Fist of 5?
Hm:  A solid 4.
Lw:  I'll give it a 5.  It's a truly great documentary about the ins and outs of limb ownership.

The Wonder

Tonight I'll be seeing Stevie Wonder.  I have tickets to the concert.  I'll be there with Husbandman and #1 Son.  Sorry to tell you that the concert is sold out so you probably won't be able to see Stevie Wonder with us.  Unless you were smart like we were and got tickets earlier.

There you go.  Some bragging about seeing Stevie Wonder to get your weekend started.

Thursday Creativity Share: Project Runway Finale

Tonight's the Project Runway FINALE. I have loved this season.  I want either Kelly or Ashley or maybe Edwin to win.  I'm so knowledgeable about fashion.  That's why I get this show.  Most people don't really understand what's going on.  But because I have a natural sense of style, I understand the subtle nuances of this creativity fest that I call Project Runway.  Everybody's been talking about my fashion forward runway ready boot.  Not everyone can pull off the boot, but I make it work.

Thursday Creativity Share:  Project Runway Finale.  A great show for great people.

The Bragging Challenge

We've had some requests for details about the Bragging Blogging Challenge.  Or as I like to sometimes call it, "BraggersUnite2015."

So here's all there is to it.  Every time you blog in November, you have to brag about something. Bragging's gotten a bad rap of late and it's time to take back the BRAG and use it for our own purposes.

Time for the Midweek Brag.

Firstly, I'm super pleased with myself for working for a school system that organizes a day of talks around race and gender equity issues.  I really enjoyed sitting with friends talking about race and gender and white privilege.  I'm the kind of cool cat who can get into this kind of chat.  That's just how I roll.

And here's another thing that's awesome for and about me.  Mitzker is taking me out to dinner at Tallent for my birthday this very night.  Come to find out, I ate at Tallent with the fam on Saturday night. Everyone knows Tallent is one of the best restaurants in the continental United States.  I'm so great for eating at Tallent.

Lastly, I forgot to tell you about this because I've been stuck in a humdrum humility rut for a few weeks, but I recently ran the New York Marathon and came in 3rd in my age group. Running the marathon was a completely enjoyable couple of hours for me.  The city looked great and so many people lined the course, holding signs of support for me.  I love NY and come to find out, NY loves me.  Why wouldn't they?

So, do you see how the bragging is obviously going to be the best way to blog us through November???  Hop on the BRAGBLOGChallenge.  Shake off that humble bumble suit you've been wearing and let your BRAG FLAG FLY!

#TwinTuesday

So we've got some framed art and a sort of energy bar thing.  When you look at it, you think, "Wow, I really did not expect that at all."  Right?

There's been some talk about bragging our way through November via the Brag Blog Challenge of 2015.  Here's some braggadocio coming your way, in the form of a bulleted list.

• I gave birth to a truly amazing person 25 years ago, this very day. She actually CAME OUT OF MY BODY!
• I have a son (#1) who just blew away a large crowd of peeps at his senior recital.  He was just outstanding.
• Today I tweeted more than anyone else at the Professional Development Presentation at the High School. I spent the entire 2 hours listening to Tyrone Howard tweeting like there's no tomorrow.

So, obviously, I'm the best.

The Foliage

The foliage puts me in such a good mood.  Sure the autumnal colors peaked last week, but there are still some pleasant trees hither thither and yon.

We packed up a picnic and sat near Ogle Lake yesterday.  20 Something was with us.  #1 was in a rehearsal, so we didn't see him until dinner time.

Today we had lunch out at the Scenic View.  Again, #1 Son wasn't with us, but we will see him tonight.  AT THE RECITAL!!!!

This recital is bringing back memories of childhood recitals of yore.  Frankly, I was a nervous wreck during these recitals of yore Why does my one child have to be in the performing business?  I can't handle it.  And why did my other child have to move far away?  Everyone knows I hate that.

We really love having the four of us in the same space at the same time, not performing, but just sitting about idly.   Why wouldn't we?