The Smidgen

Okay peeps, huddle up. I have some news to report on the diss. I've been trying to figure out a way to analyze a 40 page chapter I wrote about the revision work I did with CaseStudyKid. I started analyzing this chapter last summer. And I've struggled valiantly. When I wasn't just ignoring the whole thing. But this week I had a good idea and I think it might work. A smidgen of progress. I'll take it.

The Applications

This week is the week I work on applications for kids to get into the accelerated program at middle school. You would not believe how many emails I've gotten this week. You just wouldn't. It's a pain in the butt because the rules are stricter now and not too many kids get in. District Deciders claim that the program was too watered down when more kids were allowed to take challenging classes, but I know that's not true. Since they tightened up the program, only allowing a measly amount of kids in to the fast track, the middle school is now offering "accelerated" foreign language classes. I think District Deciders think this lame move will calm down all those parents whose kids aren't allowed to take harder classes even though they really want to. How dumb. I have to approve everyone's eligibility for accelerated foreign language classes because I'm their language arts teacher. I'm signing with an OK for everyone. Someone at the compound asked me what criteria I'm using to make my decision. I said, tartly, "Their desire to take an accelerated class is the only criteria I need." The whole thing's annoying.

The Pages

Last night Teen Daughter brought me along to her volunteer gig at Pages to Prisoners. It's my kind of volunteering. I don't interact with anyone at all. I read letters from prisoners requesting books. I walk around collecting any books that look remotely similar to the request. I write a letter to the prisoner telling him about the books I've chosen, adding a few cheery sentiments at the endbit. Then I pack the books up for mailing and start again. The only frustrating thing about the gig is that the book selection is not that great. There's a bookstore right next to the Pages to Prisoners project so it was tempting to just go next door and buy books for the incarcerated readers. But Teen Daughter said that we should just stick with the program. We'll probably do it again soon. If you have any books you don't need, consider donating to Pages to Prisoners. It will make my job a lot easier.

The Sofas

I took a day off work yesterday with the intention of grading papers and getting the report cards done. Instead I worked a bit on the diss, went out to lunch with some pals, and took myself to a photography exhibit. The photos all came from the Kinsey institute so they held artistic representations of penises, vaginas, and human beings in varying stages of rapture. I wondered why humans aren't naked more frequently as I viewed the photos. But maybe they are and I just don't know. After the field trip to the SOFA gallery, I fell asleep on my own sofa at home. The report cards still aren't done. I suppose I could try to work on them tomorrow.

The Diss

Good news. I worked on the diss three mornings this week. I'm working on being more optimistic about the project. I'm reading a book about creativity. This week I'm supposed to work on optimism and surrounding myself with encouraging folks. If you feel like encouraging me, go for it. If you're too busy right now, that's okay. I'll probably quit working on it pretty soon anyway.
This fish lives at our doctor's office.

The Return

I'm not too sad about the end of vacation because I figure I will always want more days no matter how many I'm given. It's human nature. And 2 weeks is really more than most people get. But I don't feel too sorry for people with lesser vacations, because I read an article about Americans not using all their vacation days. We get the least amount and people aren't even using all their days. These antislackers are basically paying money to their employers so they can work more. Come on people, if you get a week, take a week. That's common sense.

The Taunts

I've read so many complaints about Saddam's murder. Some guys taunted him. And someone else took video. I wish more people would complain about how sickening the death penalty is. It's hard for me to believe that people who endorse hanging have such high standards for how to do it. I doubt Saddam was thinking, as the noose was tightened around his neck, "Gee, that mockery's really hurting my feelings." They've arrested the guys who mocked Saddam. So maybe the mockers will be hanged respectfully. Show them how to do it right.

The Diamond

Our trip to the southland was terrific and now we have a few days at home before the whirlwind of 07 begins anew. I had a few momentary lapses into negative thinking today as I considered grading some papers. Doing a little each day would be a good idea. But working during vacation isn't fun, so I'm going to stick with the movie a day regimen. I have a facial and a massage scheduled too. Plus a haircut. Blood Diamond is terrific.