Newspaper Bully

There was an article in the local paper today.  It was one of those opinion pieces by a regular local columnist.  I don’t usually read his column because I have a totally different viewpoint.  It’s pretty easy to tell he sits on the right side of the fence (as opposed to the left).

Earlier in the week I read about some local students going to the City Council meeting and asking for a ban on the sale of candy cigarettes.  They were basically saying that it targets kids for smoking.  The students were praised by the City Council members for bringing it to their attention and that’s about all I remember about it.

So today, this columnist twisted the argument around.  He misinterprets a statement made by one of the students.  He interprets her as saying that she’s a victim of the cigarette companies because she’s being targeted by the candy.  That’s a stretch.  He goes on to blow a bunch of smoke and act like he knows everything (like usual).

The part that really bothers me is that he names the student and treats her like she represents every kid.  I would be bothered by this anyway.  But the student he names is one of my math team kids and a student of mine.  She does not deserve to be the object of his rant.  She is a leader in the school, a great student, and very poised and mature.  I have no idea if she has read the article or knows anything about it.

This is probably something that deserves a response – letter to the editor – or something.  But whatever the case, this a-hole would always have the last word.  What would you do in this situation?

Idiot Proof

My recent road trip lead me to the motor city.   Actually, to Dearborn, the headquarters of Ford.  If you ever visit Dearborn, it’s pretty amazing to see the Ford campus.  The first time I visited, it reminded me of a college campus in its size. There is also the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village if you’re looking for something touristy to do…

Do you have any idea of what those engineers are doing when they are trying to ensure your safety?  I’ll admit that I’ve learned quite a bit over the years.  For instance, part of the reason why the fuel economy isn’t as good as we may like is because of the weight of the safety features.   But what about those safety features?

I was sitting in a new Flex.  By me sitting in the passenger seat, there was a sensor that was able to tell that I was over a particular weight.  Because of this, the passenger airbag was engaged.   If you are under the weight threshold, the airbag could be too powerful and therefore will not deploy.  Why is this technology necessary?

I don’t have any kids of my own.   But from what my friends and relatives tell me, it is illegal to have your child riding in the front seat.  Does the law stop people from putting their children in danger and letting them ride in front?  Nope.  In come the car companies…  Creative engineers now have to design safety systems that are idiot proof.

There has been a lot in the news lately about American car companies.  The media doesn’t paint a pretty picture of them.  But really.  If you know anyone working at one, you know that they’re working hard and doing more for less, just like the rest of us.  And they’re looking out for the idiots too.

Piece of Mind

Or is it Peace of Mind?

I’m sitting at my favorite garage. It’s a family run business and I love the fact that I have a place I can take my car and get it fixed and TRUST the mechanics.

My car has been having an issue for at least a year. Occasionally it thinks I’m trying to steal it. There’s an issue with the chip in the key. After awhile, things wear out and the car doesn’t recognize the key. Hence, it tries to prevent auto theft. The “Theft System” light starts blinking and I have to wait for the computer to re-set itself for 10 minutes. For those of you that are wondering what kind of car this is… ‘98 Malibu.

I’ve been able to deal with the occasional 10 minute set-back for quite awhile. But now it’s doing it way too often. I’ve put off getting it fixed because it’s at least a $500 fix. I don’t want to buy a new car until the fall, so I’m biting the bullet and getting it done. So instead of going somewhere nice and warm for spring break, I’ll be spending this nice chunk of change on my car and driving to Motown to see my sister and her family.

Even though it will cost me, I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Thick Skin

One really needs to develop a thick skin.  The need for it is much more apparent to me now than several years ago.   In our world of texting, email, social networking blogs and iPods, we have less authentic interaction with people.  We think we are interacting, but are we really?

We do not have the benefit of visual cues.  If we write something hurtful, we don’t have to deal with the fallout directly.  We are desensitized from our actions.  So does that make people behave more poorly?

To a certain degree I think it does.  The lack of true interaction and dialogue means that people don’t actually talk with each other.  How can you really learn of someone else’s opinion without the verbal and non verbal cues in a conversation?

I suppose this could be a long post.  But the reason I started writing was that I’ve witnessed lots of poor behavior lately.  And if you don’t have a thick skin, you could get pretty upset.  Lots of my students have no idea what this means.  They think that they have to respond to every comment and take everything personally.  You’ll go crazy if you do that!

Today I took my turn at a 4-way stop.  It was rightfully my turn.  But the passenger of another car obviously didn’t think so and flipped me off.   A few weeks ago, I turned onto the on-ramp of a highway.  The person turning right onto the same on-ramp had a yield sign.  Clearly, they don’t understand that that means that I have the right of way, not them.  I was also subjected to a flurry of hand signals.  It’s a good thing that I have a thick skin and don’t take things personally.

These instances, as well as some others, make me believe that one has to develop a thick skin.  People are going to make stupid comments when you are wrong and when you are right.  So no matter what the case may be, you need to be able to not let them get to you.  I guess it’s just another lesson in self-preservation that I get to teach to a few unsuspecting kids that think they’re going to learn some math.

Learn to Spell!

Today was the first day of the new semester.  Since we’re on a block schedule, that means that I got all new students.  I generally look on this as a good thing.  As with the beginning of the year, I get to learn the names of all the kids in my classes.  But before that happens, I have to learn how to pronounce them.

I have one request for the world in general.  It’s not that hard…  Really.  Learn to spell!  If you’re going to name your kid after a country or a continent, spell it like it is.  And if you name your kid some wacky name and I mis-pronounce it?  Not my fault!    You are the one that can’t spell and has disregarded all rules of the language.  Names from other countries I have no issue with at all.  But when you make something up, you’re setting your kid up to have some issues.   You better prepare them for the mispronunciation game for the future, because it’s going to happen.

When I first started teaching I had a kid named Shan.  He pronounced it Shane.  Clearly, a mis-spelling.  I have another one that sounds like the (former) country, Taiwan.  It’s definitely not spelled that way.  There’s another with the name of that far off continent in the east.  I would have thought to say it like the name Sasha with how it’s spelled.  Don’t even get me started with all of the apostrophes!  Yikes!

Hopefully I’ll get through the semester without stepping on anyone’s toes.  God help me if I ever call one Zany – like it’s spelled.

It’s a small world after all.

I will admit that I am a Facebook user.  At first I got on it so I could keep in touch with people I’ve met on my travels.  I have friends in London, Japan, New Zealand, etc.  My list of friends started off pretty small.  After awhile, my brother and sister climbed on board as well as several of my cousins.  A few of my colleagues at school are on it and friends from past jobs.  What I find most interesting is when former students find me.

I am not friends with any current students.  That’s a line I’m just not going to cross.  But I have had some find me that go back quite a ways.  It is fun to reconnect and find out that they’ve turned into responsible adults that are doing well.

One of my former students just started student teaching two weeks ago.  I saw her last fall when she invited me to the alumni volleyball game.  It was great to see her after several years and catch up.  Recently I’ve been talking with her via Facebook to find out about the student teaching.

In a past life – prior to teaching, I worked at a payroll company.  Some of my friends from that job are on Facebook.  To make a long story short, I just figured out that one of my friends from that job has a daughter that is in the class of my former student.  Am I old enough for this to happen?  Apparently.

I think my former student will make a great teacher.  It’s just kind of fun to think that one of my other friends will get to witness it and enjoy it with her daughter.

Pop-Tastic!

My blogger friend DKZody nominated me for the Pop-Tastic blog award.  Thank you DKZ.

Here are the  Rules & Regs for the bling:

1. When you receive The Award, please post it on your blog, linking back to the person who gave it to you.
2. In addition, please link to This Post, which explains the origins of The Award.
3. Please visit Veggie Mom’s Post , which explains the origins of The Award, and Sign Mr. Linky, so she’ll be able to keep a record of all whose Blogs are Pop-tastic! Feel free to leave a comment, too!!
4. Pass The Award along to SIX Bloggy Friends, whose creativity merits inclusion in this circle. Link to their blogs in your Awards Post, and notify them that they’ve received The Award.

I have a slight problem.  I haven’t been reading and commenting on many blogs other than DKZody’s.  I just added Mr. K and Continuous Everywhere But Differentiable Nowhere to my blogroll.  But I haven’t commented enough (or at all) so this would be coming from way out of the blue.  Plus, DKZody already has Mr. K in her six nominations.  The other blogs listed on my blogroll are ones that I read, but I don’t comment often.  I guess I’m a lurker on those other ones.  Plus, some are political and some are more technical medical blogs that for some reason interest me.

So as in all chain type letters, awards, etc. I am the one person who isn’t following the rules.  I need to read and comment more before I can pass this on.  I really appreciate the award, but I’m kind of a weak link in the chain.

“You look tired.”

Translation: You look like crap.

I hate it when people say “you look tired.”  Maybe I’m just not one of those people that is bouncing off the walls all the time.  Maybe I’m just in a mellow mood.  Maybe I’m catching a cold.  Whatever the case may be, I don’t want you to tell me that I look tired.  It’s not a compliment.

I was just at the grocery store getting deli meat and the gal behind the counter says to me, “you look about as tired as I feel.”  I suppose things could be worse… I don’t have anyone anyone asking me when I’m due.

Glasses rookie

Well, I finally got them.  A few months ago I had an eye exam.  I got a prescription but delayed getting glasses until now.  I can get along fine without glasses.  But I figure, since I have a prescription, I’ll try them out and see how it goes.  I tried them out for a little while this afternoon.  It was weird.  I’ve never worn glasses.    This is going to take some getting used to.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I’m having trouble finding time to write. That’s probably a good thing. I’m filling up my weeks with activity. My latest one is a drawing class. I’ve always wanted to learn to draw. My first class was on Monday.

So what did I learn to draw? Geometric shapes. As someone who has taught Geometry, this isn’t much of a stretch. I’ve been teaching students how to draw geometric shapes for years. But the new thing in the drawing class was paying attention to the shadows and different aspects of shading. It was cool to try out the different pencils and charcoal. The class meets for three more weeks. It will be interesting to see the progression.

Tuesday is my day for belly dancing again. It’s the same class I took last spring. But I think I can say that I didn’t master the moves. And I think it’s a good way to get some alternative exercise and use muscles that I normally don’t.

Wednesday I’m back to yoga. I had my first yoga class this past Wednesday. One gal said to me, “I haven’t come in from my day in two months.” I believe I could say the same thing. I mainly do yoga for the stress relief and stretching it provides. I’ve been doing it for about 3 years. I try to do some at home, but for some reason, it’s practically impossible to get similar results to a class. My instructor had been in Africa for 2 months. So we were all glad to have her back.

I guess that in between these regularly scheduled events, I’m fitting in my schoolwork and more fun. I’m sure that this coming week will provide me with some material to write about. It’s Homecoming.