etainne 's Another Stunning Day

Finally! I got hired! (cross-post)

2009-08-16T16:31:00.000-07:00

Finally! i got hired!

My new job as an English Teacher for high school grades 9-12 started this past week with several days of inservice training. Yea!
Waking up at 6 am -- not so yea! but is part of the deal, soooo...
Did I ever in my wildest dreams think I would be a high school English teacher? Nope! I was figuring on science or social studies, but we take what we can get!

My students are in a charter school that services drop-out recovery. These students are going to be between ninth grade and twelfth with ages between 14 and 20. Some are students who dropped out to have a child, others are students who ,for whatever reason, dropped out because of their home situations. Still others are students who went the whole way through a regular high school, but failed the exit test and need support and guidance to finish and earn their diplomas. A few will be court ordered to attend.

I will be earning $7000 less than a first year regular ISD recruit, but that is not all. My hours will be longer by far than a regular ISD teacher too. Our school is open from 7:45 - 5:00 and on Saturday mornings for additional tutoring sessions. This all means more work for less money, but it means I can finish my certification, and help a bunch of students that really need the boost.

And now for something totally irrelevant- The Witcher RPG

2008-08-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

And now for something totally irrelevant- The Witcher RPG

The Witcher--- A Game for the Seriously Recluse

Yep, I have spent the whole summer engrossed in a game.
This is the first time that has happened for me.
The game is wonderful. The action is swift (tho, not on my machine)
There are plots and subplots--enough to keep anyone busy for 200+ hours.

The game has Sex, political intrigue, monsters, wacky religions, drugs, and plenty of mercantile
fun. The character earns money through fist fighting and poker, or through drinking contests.
It is expected that the main character will loot every house in order to finance his needs.
There are three options for the main quest, follow the left, the right , or remain neutral.
Each choice influences the remaining path of the game.

Does this not sound exactly like The rest of life?
Did I mention there is very little linear direction in the game. No one "tells" you what the next thing to do is. Just like life.

Oh, and the main character is such a good looking one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qlOE...qlOE1-0wA0

game players may want to double check that their system can handle this game, as it takes huge amounts of power and a fairly new system to run the game. My recommendation:
8/10 for execution
9/10 for story development
6/10 for technical geek factor
10/10 for forum support

overall a solid 9/10 for being a great game. It has won over 90 awards in the gaming / geek community. Worth checkin it out!
Thanks Luke!

cross post from efx2 that came back up yesterday

2008-07-19T09:32:00.001-07:00

Thank You Chica! Thank You Treasa!

For those who may have missed it, Chica has saved the day by getting this community back up. I really appreciate her work!

My sister Treasa stayed up all night last night making copies of both our blogs on both computers. She is a treasure!

soap box warning:
1. Now we will all be treated to the inevitable grumbling from those who just cannot graciously be thankful and who feel inclined to make petty jabs at those who may not have done all that they feel should have been done in this last crisis. This is a blog community- that means that people with a certain amount of narcissism feel entitled to complain about the world and let others know their minds on every subject (yes, I will admit that I have the narcissism problem to a certain degree as well) Let the mud start flying and don't forget to duck!
Party favors are on the table near the door for those who are deserting.

2. There is no such thing as a bug- free system. Every blog exists only as long as the system remains stable. Big does not mean stable. Notoriety does not guarantee stability. Look at the universe in it's natural state and you will see there is always a tendency for decay and chaos. Learn to live with it. This chaotic part of nature is a good thing. It has a cleansing quality that makes room for change and creates an appreciation for the beauty of what is now. It also creates regret and fear of loss. It depends on how one views the world, half full/half empty, blah, blah, blah. Perhaps what is needed is a Plan B- where we all learn to make back-ups so we can have continuity on other online blog sites.

3. Thanks for those who made the effort to keep us all in contact over the crisis over at Vox. That was a stroke of brilliance. It shows that many do care about others and that we have a strong community.

4. Has anyone who is complaining stopped to think that maybe there is a problem with the Big guy? Have we forgotten that there are fires, floods, natural disasters and minor but impactful problems in all of our lives? we have no way to know what is going on that Kieth cannot be reached. Let us hope that nothing unkind has happened to him or his family.

I am probably going to make sure I cross post from now on, but blogging isn't my main thing. My main thing is seeing what all of you all are thinking and doing. I am not jumping ship until the thing is completely undone by chaos. We will see what this chaotic event makes possible in the near future, I am sure.

Final Installments for Lady Visine

2007-12-17T15:52:00.000-08:00

Final Installments for Lady Visine

Her true love died at 3:25 pm central today. She gave her permission to update you all last night. She wants all of you to know that she has felt the effect of all of us holding her in our hearts and that it has helped quite a lot.

Last night, he was showing signs that the end was about to come. His breath was ragged or raspy and some signs of dehydration were there. She decided to follow his wishes and not let the nurses do anything that would involve tubes and wires. She has been by his side for the last day and a half and was able to keep her promise to be near when the end came.

Last night, when I was on the phone he was clear of mind enough to wave a hello, so she was thankful for that. He slipped quietly in the afternoon today. She is sort of still in shock and is having to coordinate the final arrangements. She will go home tonight. She is selectively taking phone calls, but don't be surprised if the line is busy.

She thanks everyone for all of their support.

BTW: The Entlebrucher Sunnerhund (the dogs they bred for the last 10 years or so) were just yesterday accepted into the AKC as a working dog/ miscellaneous group dog. This is something that her husband had been working for and he was coherent enough to know about it before his demise. He will be getting the credit in the dog journals for this monumental achievement. His dream was to see the Entlies at the Westminster Dog show, and now they can go! Good Job!

Other posts are at my other blog site about this subject.

October is Breast Cancer Month!

2007-10-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Month!

Ok, So everyone knows someone who is female, right?
Did you know that Breast Cancer can affect men as well?
There is a button on Patty's blog that goes to a site that gives screening to women based on need and the number of clicks

go click it!!!

We really need to support efforts to evade one of the top killers of women.
do it every day, you're online anyway, like brushing your teeth or eating, or breathing. It's that important.

Things I get ticked off about

2007-09-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

1. missing one little > in the code that makes the whole thing stupid
2. working 6 hours to make a pretty thing in PSP and then not saving the darn thing
3. having teachers and parents falsely accuse my son, without going through a proper interrogation of the matter
4. reading really dry text books about curriculum building blah!
5. waking up two hours too early when I could have had a good night's sleep for a change

now I realize that in the greater scheme of things, none of these are permanent disasters, but good grief! I really hate being inconvenienced.

wow! what a week!

2007-09-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

1. Lady Visine>>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

2. I substituted in a class while I had a horrific cold. They needed me, honest! I just hope they gave it to me and not the other way around.

3. etainne@ efx2blogs is up, sort of. It used all of my free time on Wednesday, and then I accidentally reset something and lost all of the stuff I had... Ack... shoot!

4. I have to wonder about my loved ones. One is haveing a problem w/ her hubby, My grandmother needed a pacemaker upgrade. Can't really go see her since I have a cold.

5. Treasa has been really busy working on updating blogs and such. She is amazing.

6. Son of mine is being sneaky about his schoolwork. I cannot tell what his homework is or anything.

7. Thanks PD for everything! Thanks to Chica and others too!

8. Does anyone really have a favorite inexpensive lunch that I can take on campus for when the cafeteria food is inedible? Taking suggestions... I eat meat, no mayo, no cheese, veggies and pasta or fruit or grains are all ok.

jokes 2 go had another one I like

2007-09-16T22:24:00.000-07:00

Dihydrogen Monoxide: The Invisible Killer


Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide!

Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless,

tasteless,and kills uncounted thousands of

people every year.

Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation

of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not

end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes

severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can

include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly

a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte

imbalance. For those who have become dependent,

DHMO withdrawal means certain death.


Dihydrogen monoxide:

1. is also know as hydric acid, and is the

major component  of acid rain
2. contributes to the "greenhouse effect"
3. may cause severe burns
4. contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape
5. accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals
6. may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness

of automobile brakes
7. has been found in excised tumors of terminal

cancer patients

CONTAMINATION IS REACHING EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS!

Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been found

in almost every stream,lake and reservoir in America

today. But the pollution is global, and the
contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice.

DHMO has caused millions of dollars in property damage

in the Midwest, and recently California.

Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:

- as an industrial solvent and coolant
- in nuclear power plants
- in the production of styrofoam
- as a fire retardant
- in many forms of cruel animal research
- in the distribution of pesticides; even after washing,

produce remains contaminated by this chemical
- as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products

Companies dump waste DHMO into rivers and the ocean, and

nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is

still legal. The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we

cannot afford to ignore it any longer!

THE HORROR MUST BE STOPPED!

The American government has refused to ban the production

and distribution chemical due to its "importance to the

economic health of this nation". In fact, the navy and other

military organizations are onducting experiments with DHMO,

and designing multi-billion dollar devices to control and

utilize it during warfare situations. Hundreds of
military research facilities receive tons of it through

a highly sophisticated underground distribution network.

 Many store large quantities for later use.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

Act NOW to prevent further contamination!

Jokes 2 go offers this:

2007-09-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

    New Chemical Element Discovered
     
   
The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered
by investigators at a major U.S. research university.
The element, tentatively named administratium, has no
protons or electrons and thus has an atomic
number of 0. However, it does have one neutron,
 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and
111 assistant vice neutrons, which gives it an atomic
mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by
a force that involves the continuous exchange of
meson-like particles called morons.

Since it has no electrons, administratium is inert.
However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes
every reaction it comes in contact with.  According to
the discoverers, a minute amount of administratium
causes one reaction to take over four days to complete
when it would have normally occurred in less than a second.

Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately
three years, at which time it does not decay, but instead
undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons,
vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places.
Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually
increases after each reorganization.

Research at other laboratories indicates that administratium
occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate
at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations,
and universities. It can usually be found in the newest, best
appointed, and best maintained buildings.

Scientists point out that administratium is known to be toxic
at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive
reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being
made to determine how administratium can be controlled to prevent
 irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising.


Oh yea! definitely lots of this underfoot!

Through the eyes of the Moomin: Resuming Reading And Writing

2007-09-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

Through the eyes of the Moomin: Resuming Reading And Writing

Friday was a bugger!

2007-09-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

After I had just posted about how well my son was handling all of the commotion this year, I received letters from his teacher(ominous music in the background)
I was in no mood to put up with the complaints of a teacher who still uses methods from the 13th century. I wrote him a letter. wanna see it?

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you because I have noticed a disturbing trend in my son's reported behavior in your class . I have received three notes in the last week that indicate that my son's behavior is not ideal in your class . This raises concerns for me, which is, I am sure, the intent.

My fundamental question is- what is the main objective of these letters ? To be more specific , what is your objective in class ? What are your long-term goals regarding my son and the other children ? What would you like these children to be long after they have left your class?

I, as a parent , am hoping that my son will become happy , caring , responsible , curious, and creative , and a lifelong learner . I want him to become a critical thinker with capable skills and not just someone who can answer standardized tests . In no way, shape, or form , do I want him to become someone who blindly obeys authority without question; who is compliant and docile . If that were the case , he could go to work for McDonald's now . I envision greater things for my son.

As I see it, it is up to both of us to create an ability in him to see how he is affecting others and give him alternative choices in his behaviors. I have raised him by giving him logical reasons for conformity. I try not to ask of him that he just “be seated, and refrain from talking” without having him examine how his behavior is radiating to the rest of the group. He does not respond well to controlling behaviors from authority, as you may have noticed. When given the opportunity, the motivations for his actions are usually altruistic, although lately, he has begun to be punitive as well. I am concerned that compliance and obedience are the main objective instead of moral and intrinsic motivations.

How can we hope for his behavior to become internalized if he is under the impression that he is in a no-win situation? How motivated would any of us be if we felt that way? I feel that the more we suppress his ability to see the way his actions are affecting others- the more we “manage” his behavior for him- the less he will be able to develop a moral sophistication that allows him to genuinely care about other people and make the correct decisions that come from thinking for himself. As for his “talking back” behavior, this is how I have related to him his whole life. He is asking for the logic behind the request, or offering a reason that he cannot comply with the request at that time. This may be because he has a specific need that is unfulfilled. This is your opportunity to help him re-examine his thought process and his conclusions. I have found that when he is given the specific reason(s) for a given behavior, he becomes compliant on his own. It becomes his idea and, internally, he has good reasons for the compliance.

What are you asking of him? Do you want a person who asks questions and seeks to find the answers? Do you want a person who makes responsible decisions? Do you want someone who helps others and has a sense of obligation towards society? Is the main goal limited to “sit quietly, don’t fool around, and get the work done?”

If it is the latter, I am sorry to bother you and I will instruct him about the reasons for that expediency. (and then I signed it)

So I gave one to the teacher, and to cover my hinney I gave one to the vice principal. The first one skimmed it but did not really read it. I was so offended. The second one read it and now has a plan of action that involves all of the teachers in the fifth grade. The complaining teacher said that ALL of the other teachers were having the same problems with my son. Well I know he's no angel and I know that he will never "sit down, shut up, and do his work" willingly. But i also know that when he is treated with respect and given the choice he can be as good as gold. He has good reason, based on empirical evidence, to mistrust teachers. Many of them in this town are terrible, and he knows it. His problem is that he has not yet earned to cover his distaste and do what needs to be done. This sounds awful, but he's pretty stuck up about people doing their job the best they can.He doesn't see that some people aren't as good as others even when they do their best. It's not just teachers, it's waitresses and post ofc workers, and Wal-mart employees, and grocery store clerks- and anyone who could obviously have done a better job, but didn't.

we'll see what happens

teaching is gonna make me broke!

2007-09-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

My wonderful mother handed me 5 or 6 linen smocks- floor length. they are wonderful because they are dressy enough and yet, i can wear them without nylons which i loath with a passion.
But what footwear and such should I use? no problem... knee highs and oxfords( penny loafers?)
but my usual socks are the anklets...
Darn! gotta go shopping!

I went to the outlet store and bought every shade of dressy trouser socks that I could find, and on the other side of the aisle...( pause for dramatic effect)

Pashmina shawls $10 each one gold, one pink
cashmere poncho/ shawls $12 each one rust, one white/chocolate argyle

on a brighter note, I have a slim chance at a five bedroom, 2 bath house for rent of $475! Can you believe it? The old man landlord's son owns the house and needs to go to California permanently. He wants a good tenant in it and he knows we need the space! Whoo-hoo!

Strange day!

2007-09-13T21:26:00.001-07:00

follow-up:

ok... Day three as a substitute and it went much better!

The morning class is full of cut-ups, But I told them that they had such and such assignment and joked with them about the letter the regular teacher left. ( about the ones that were specifically labeled as trouble) . I suggested a plan of attack for the assignment, and let them pair up if they kept the conversation to a minimum( the school requires silent classrooms-- Go figure how they're supposed to understand anything if they never talk about it, why not just hire the prison guards and be done with it?) I had only to remind them to be less loud two times in 90 minutes. No real hassles.
The next period was the BD kids that have remedial English. One kid refused to be reasonable, so he was escorted away. I feel really bad, because I later found paperwork that showed he had just got back from the alternative school. His behavior was effecting the rest, but I wish he could see his other options.
The next class was GT kids. I was a GT kid, My son's a GT kid. I get all of the nuances. I know the drawbacks, too. GT's need tools for effective learning just like ADHD kids do.They can get stuck in one spot.This class was as good as it gets. We connected. Absolutely no problems - work got done in about 40 minutes and we "socialized" quietly the rest of the class.
Now came the famous last class of the day: It was way better than the Monday was. There was one girl who wanted to start a fight, but she was talked out of it before it got out of hand.For this class I stole the "what are you doing?- what are you supposed to be doing..." thing from Covey's book. It works like a charm. they give you their best stupid grin and get back to work after minor grumbling. Great! I can live with minor grumbling. It lets them feel like working is their idea and like they wanted to do it anyway.. Also Great!

Not so great-- the last class didn't turn in much of the work. I guess they need some more time to finish? Or they are are just tired of the BS assignments by the end of the day. I've seen the work they are given. It's like toast compared to red velvet cake. Yes, you'll survive on it, but it isn't any fun to eat.

workin workin workin

2007-09-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

Between the classes and the Mom job and the pizza job and the substitute teaching, I seem to be meeting myself at the door!(LOL)

I have a steady date with a Spec.Ed. class at one school and a GT class at another school. These teachers are going through "development" and they need to be out twice a week. I think they are alternative certification candidates. Yesterday, at the elementary school, I had four teachers ask for my phone number. That is how they request a sub around here, by putting the phone number in the automated call system. That means that in that school, they like how I do things. It feels pretty good. Sounds like I will become their Pet Substitute, and that doesn't hurt my feelings. I really like that school.

My son is being pretty good about the whole thing. His new system for being organized is working pretty good. He seems to be more organized, though his motivation to DO the homework is still if-ey.fifth grade may be a good year. Let's all hope.

Turns out that the man who made me take only two classes may have known what he was talking about. I cannot imagine what another two classes would have been like. There's hardly enough time for the two I have. But I'm determined to get it all done.

what's going on with all of you?
Leave links so I can come see you...
bye, gotta go to work, again!(LOL)

well isn't this wonderful?

2007-09-11T16:22:00.000-07:00

Bummer! I never did back up the old blog. Maybe we can get something back eventually.

I have so much to yack about, too!

I have been substituting in the local schools and I wanted to share the experiences. Oh well maybe later.

I am off to find you guys...