Cool Week

I don't have a lot of time for a blog entry tonight. This week has been my week to go to Rice U. and do World History Pre-AP training. Tonight I need to drum up a presentation for the night school that I teach for Accelerated Teaching Certification Program in Humble. I teach that Thursday night. Boy is that going to be a long day. At Rice from 7:30-4:30 and teach at Humble from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Ouch.

Anyway, it has been a fascinating week. First we have learned a lot of methods and strategies for my world history class all week. What I have been most excited about has been the number of things that have been echo'd from my AVID training a few weeks ago. Namely, Cornell Notes. It has just piggy backed what I learned in San Diego and I am really ready to start teaching the note taking method this fall.

I have met a lot of great and inspirational teachers at the training. You just feel like a sponge around those kind of folks because sharing ideas on how to get things across to kids is really a magical thing.

This week we have also decided to buy a new tv! Yep, finally launching ourselves head first into the HD craze. After researching for about a week and a half and going to show rooms and researching some more, this is what I decided on:

This Samsung Beauty!

Samsung 50" DLP Rear Projection HDTV (HL-T5087S)

This 50" 1080p DLP television delivers a stunning picture both today and tomorrow. With it's LED light engine, you get a vibrant, colorful image that will last the life of the set. And it is only 13.4" deep, with a slim, glossy bezel that puts the emphasis on the picture. It also delivers 1080p resolution to make the most of today's digital sources as well as tomorrow's.

The Basics
Display type: DLP rear projection
Screen resolution: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Contrast ratio: 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio

I could type for days about the reasons I chose this tv, but it was a bit of a compromise. I didn't go "bleeding edge" and top of the line with Plasma or LCD flatscreens. Instead I went with a DLP (or projection HD) that uses an LED light engine. That means I will not have to replace a bulb in the tv. Which to me was important. Those bulbs can go out at any time.

I'll probably order it online because there is a 36-month no-interest deal online with this TV. That will give us plenty of time to pay it off.

I am really excited about getting it in time for football season and being able to sit back and enjoy some games. Plus, all the great HD programing on TV anymore. Wow. I swear TV shows are just as good as the movies any more. Shows like 24, Lost, BSG, Rome... just doesn't get any better. Now it will be awesome in HD for me.

Well, I need to get to work on my presentation. It will be fun delivering it on Thursday night because I have also worked with this group back in June. They were a great bunch of people and very attentive with lots of questions. I hope that continues Thursday. I have a lot to share with them.

Simpson's Movie

This morning at 10 am we went to see the Simpson's Movie. It was very good. I loved the beginning where Homer basically says, "What are you people doing here? Why are you paying to watch something that is free on TV?" Loved it.

Aidan had a good time, too. I had to buy two bags of pop corn, little bugger!

The Kind of Move the Astros Have to Make

Wheeler Shipped to Rays for 3B Wigginton

Although I hate to see Dan Wheeler go - he is a tremendous competitor and I will always have great memories of our World Series season with him - this is the kind of move my Astros have to make. They trade a setup guy for a starting third baseman. They have to gamble and make some moves like this to set things up for next year. But, Wigginton has to turn out to be an everyday starter for this deal to be a winner for the Astros. At this point that is a big "IF".

Another Pic from Galveston

Norma reminded me that I forgot this picture. It's a good one. So I thought I would post it. :)

Aidan (Joe) Cool

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Galveston Dino Exhibit

Aidan loved it... can't you tell?
View LARGE Slideshow

Aidan grabbed the camera as I pressed the button to take a picture. So this is in essence a 'self portrait.'

He really had a great time dumping sand. It was almost as if he thought he could clean off the beach and dump things back into the ocean. Of course, it just kept washing back up on shore. But, he didn't seem to mind.




We really had a great time. We went out on the beach a couple of times. The hotel was great. Another successful Galveston 2 day trip.

Glass is 1/2 Full

In a week dominated by terrible news in sports (and I'm not going to even mention the stories - they are horrible), it was great to see two GREAT stories in Houston.

Texans-sized gift makes mom a home owner

Grand Day All Around for Biggio
On the day he announces his retirement and just after a short video on the jumboscreen thanking the fans, Biggio hits a grand slam home run. Amazing.

Biggio Uses Astrosfans.mlblogs.com to Write and Open Letter Thanking the Fans of Houston

And for my wife, here is a video that you'll love:

Leaning 08BAMA

I have to say that I am leaning towards supporting and voting for Barack Obama. He is raising the most money. (Not that it matters, just remember what happened to Howard Dean) He is doing the best in the debates. (Not that it matters, just remember what happened to Al Gore v. W in debates in 2000) What I like more than any other thing about him (and there is a lot of other things to like) is that he is and WAS opposed to this war.

Nothing sums this up better than these two videos. The first is from the debate from this week. The second is a series of his comments showing his consistency. None of the other top Dems can say with conviction that they made the right decision on Iraq from the beginning. That means a lot to me as some having the kind of 'experience' and 'judgment' to be president.

2007:


2002:

Memories of a year ago

August 2006.

Tomorrow we'll make some new memories at the beach. :)

Aidan's Doctor Visit

Like I said in a previous post, Aidan's personality and verbal ability is skyrocketing. So are his reasoning skills.

This is a picture of Aidan at the doctor's office and his plan to keep the doctor from coming into the room. he pushed the chair in front of the door and sat in it. He was pretty proud of his smartness.

The doc did get in though. Aidan has strep throat. Which means that is probably what I have. I will probably get up early tomorrow and go into the doctor's office before we leave for Galveston and try to get my prescription filled - if I have it.

He is doing great though and is as normal as you can tell. I didn't think he needed to go to the doctor's office today - so I was wrong. Norma thought he did and she was right. Isn't that always how things work?

All Pro Football 2K8 - Texas T-Rex

These are pictures of my first created team in NFL2k8. The Texas T-Rex. Named after Aidan's favorite - dinos. Thought the uniforms were pretty sleek. I was going after a Texas Tech look combined with Astros colors. Brick Red, Black, and Sand.
LARGE Slideshow Here

Gold - (QB) Steve Young, (TE) Iron Mike Ditka

Silver - (WR) Charley Taylor, (CB) Lester Hayes, (SS) Dick Anderson

Bronze - (T) Joe Jacoby, (DE) Dexter Manley, (CB) Terry McDaniel, (HB) Barry Foster, (WR) Wesley Walker, (FS) Nolan Cromwell

It's been a nice team so far. Young really can run well. He's gotten me a lot of first downs on short yardage vs. man coverage. Ditka is a HORSE. He runs so well with the ball after catches. I went heavy on DBs with this team. I just want to keep the other team from lighting up the score board and give my squad a chance. If I could make a tweak, I might trade a DB or two for another lineman. But, still learning with this group. Have yet to use Anderson's play stealing ability. I will try that tomorrow.

Talking up a Storm

Aidan has really exploded with speech. He is talking like crazy now. Everyday more and more and in sentences. It is amazing to see him describe things, that we haven't described to him before.

Speaking of storms, we had a bit of a break in the rain here. But, it is thundering again and looks like more rain tonight. The rain has been really hard to describe. Texas Rain. I guess this is what it is like to live in Seattle. Except it's damn hot.

We are still going to try to go to Galveston on Tuesday/Wednesday for our annual journey to the beach. We are just keeping our fingers crossed for decent weather. We'll be staying at the Casa Del Mar at the Seawall. We stayed there 3 years ago before Aidan and loved it. Walk across the street and you are on the beach. Galveston is nice for a quick couple of day getaway. It's only about an hour drive down to the coast from Kingwood.

The "Seawall Cam" is located at Casa Del Mar where we are staying. You can check it out here: Seawall Cam
Note: it's much better during the day. :)
Note Galveston:
Galveston's prosperity was suddenly taken to a halt on September 8, 1900, when the deadliest natural disaster in United States history hit Galveston Island. A storm with winds over 120 miles per hour and tidal surge devastated the island and killed over 6,000 people. At the time of the 1900 storm, Galveston had a population of almost 38,000 and ranked fourth in the state. One-third of the city was completely destroyed.

To prevent such a natural disaster from devastating the island in such magnitude again, the city built a seawall seven miles long and 17 feet high and began a tremendous grade raising project. Galveston's Seawall now extends 54,790 feet, one-third of Galveston's ocean front.

School of Distinction

This is pretty neat: AHS Given "School of Distinction" Award

Interesting.

We are lucky to teach at this school. Sometimes in the middle of the year when things are crazy you don't see it. But, you have to pinch yourself sometimes. The state of education as it is... we could easily be teaching in a 100 year building that is crumbling. We certainly are not.

Backyard Fun at Grandma Fran's House

This is from the last night we spent in PA and it's the last of my pictures from there. It was a lot of fun. I just love the picture of Aidan and Katie as the dog runs up to them. Also never get tired of watching Uncle Tim wrestle with Aidan. I just wish we lived closer.

See LARGE version of the slideshow

Fat Boy Slim - Weapon of Choice

This is easily one of my favorite pieces of media:


Needs more cowbell though. "Gotta have more cowbell."


I love Chris Walken... he's the man.

Em

One of the highlights of the trip to PA was meeting Emerson and seeing how much she has grown. She is my brother Terry's daughter. So cute.

I loved holding her. Made me wish we could have a daughter, too. But, Aidan was not so happy about it. He got mad and ran off into the other room and shut the door. Norma had been taking pictures and went after him to see this:

I have never seen him make such a face! He wasn't very happy. But, he did play well with Emerson the rest of the trip and didn't take it out on her or me. It was a momentary jealousy only. Thank goodness.

Pictures from Grandma Karen's House

This was the day this summer (2007) that we spent with my Mom. Aidan had a great time and at lunch that day he played in the playland at Chick-Fil-A for the very first time! Norma almost cried she was so excited, proud, and scared.

Click here for LARGE SLIDESHOW

Pictures from Aunt Katie's House

Click here to view LARGE SLIDESHOW


I am still playing catchup on our summer pictures from PA. These are of the afternoon at my sister Katie's house. It was a great time. Her husband Tim was an awesome cook. We had great food and lots of fun.

Unfortunately the rain interrupted Aidan's swim in the pool. Thunder was pretty loud. It was one of the neater moments in my life when he hugged me real, real hard and said, "Funder Daddy." It is in moments like that when the stars align and you realize your place in this huge world of ours. :)

Ratatouille

Went to see Ratatouille today with Aidan. He loved it. It is great to be able to take him to a movie and relax for a couple of hours. Thank goodness he loves popcorn!

The movie was first class. Exactly what you would expect from Disney-Pixar. Can they make a bad movie?

One negative note, most of the main character voices sounded like "Jerry Seinfeld goes to Paris." But, it was still funny.

"The Word" Victimcrit Colbert Report

This is brilliant.

Playing All-Pro Football 2K8

I have been real busy tonight playing my new Xbox360 football game: All-Pro Football 2K8. I am loving it. Great concept. Great game play. A lot of fun.

Creating your own team is neat. I made a team of all Steelers:

Gold - Lambert, Woodson
Silver - Lloyd, Dawson, Greenwood
Bronze - Green (TE), Hoge, Foster, Noll (LB), O'Donnell, Thigpen

Pretty neat to be able to change their uniform to match the Steelers. The name in the game is the Pittsburgh Ironmen. Neat stuff. I actually am pretty good running Barry Foster. The D is awesome with Greenwood on the line, Lloyd and Lambert at LB, and Woodson in the secondary. Sad thing is, Chuck Noll (the player, he played for the Browns, but coached the Steelers) doesn't get to play much because of the depth chart. I'll have to work on that.

Loving the game though. I have to relearn video football. I have been tainted these past couple of years with trying to convert to Madden. That's over. Thank God.

I saw this online tonight:

Definitely a sick part of the game. There is a team in the game called the "Slashers." If you put OJ on it... when he scores a TD he can do a celebration where he slashes across his throat. Not cool. IMHO they should have left OJ out.

Otherwise, I love what I see. I am forcing myself to go to bed now. Otherwise I might be up playing all night.

I Want to Believe

X-Files Movie For Summer 2008. Awesome!

July 14, 2007 - At the TCA (Television Critics Association) press tour today, David Duchovny was in attendance to promote his new Showtime series Californication. During the event he was asked about the often speculated about second X-Files movie. Duchovny said that it was indeed going forward, and added that "Gillian [Anderson] is onboard."

That is great news. Love X-Files!

The Game is Back - Tomorrow!

Old Town San Diego

I would have taken more pictures with my cell phone if I had realized just how nice a job it was doing. Sure the pictures aren't perfect, but it would have been nice to take more. This picture was taken by my AVID elective teacher partner Janet. She thought it would be funny to send to Norma. Everyone knows I don't drink, so me with a margarita in my hand is pretty funny. Joe, one of our science teachers that was there, said, "Just type in 'Anything for AVID.'" Cracked me up. Norma wrote back a one word response: "BullSh*t!!!"

She knew.

Old Town San Diego was where the picture was taken from. We were at a 'hole in the wall' Mexican place that had terrible service, but good food. Their rolled tacos and enchiladas were GREAT. We had a nice time because the five of us just sat and talked and talked and talked. It sure is fun watching other people drink and not feeling bad in the morning!

Afterwards we walked around Old Town and bought some things. I got Aidan two Mexican toys. They are hand made wooden toys. He liked them, but they did not score as high as a dino would have! Still, I thought it would be neat to get him something different. I also got Norma a neat Angel that had a cool inscription on it that she would like.

Old Town has a very old west feel to it. Kind of 'Cowboy meets Mexico' theme. According to the website: Old Town San Diego is nestled in heart of San Diego, with over 150 restaurants, shops, and historical sites. Old Town, the Birthplace of California, is just a short walk from the San Diego Trolley Transit Center and a short drive from most San Diego destinations. Whenever we return to San Diego (my plan is when Aidan is 5 or 6) I'd love to spend a couple of days there.

The earliest indications of people living in San Diego date back 9,000 years. They called themselves Kumeyaay. When the Spaniards arrived, they used the word Diegueño to identify the Indians associated with the Mission. In 1542 explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo reported that the native indians, “were good natured and an attractive people.” With the arrival of the Spanish settlements in 1769, many Kumeyaay retreated to the hills.

The FOUNDING of CALIFORNIA

Old Town San Diego is considered the "birthplace" of California. San Diego is the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement in California. It was here in 1769, that Father Junipero Serra came to establish the very first mission in a chain of 21 missions that were to be the cornerstone of California’s colonization. Father Serra’s mission and Presidio were built on a hillside overlooking what is currently known as Old Town San Diego. At the base of the hill in 1820’s, a small Mexican community of adobe buildings was formed and by 1835 had attained the status of El Pueblo de San Diego. In 1846, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant and a Marine Lieutenant, raised the American flag in the Old Town San Diego Plaza.

In 1968, the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation established Old Town State Historic Park to preserve the rich heritage that characterized San Diego during the 1821 to 1872 period. The park includes a main plaza, exhibits, museums and living history demonstrations.

Historic buildings include La Casa de Estudillo, La Casa de Bandini, La Casa de Altamirno Pedrorena and the Mason Street School, San Diego’s first one room schoolhouse. Just up the hill from Old Town San Diego Historic State Park, you’ll find Heritage Park where several of San Diego’s most notable Victorian homes have been relocated and authentically restored to their original splendor. Just a short walk down San Diego Avenue is the Whaley House, an officially designated haunted house, the Little Adobe Chapel on Conde Street, the first Church in Old Town San Diego and El Campo Santo on San Diego Avenue, a 1850 Catholic Cemetery.

Very interesting historical stuff. There is even a Ghost Town exhibit at night that we just missed. It closed just as we walked up on it. This is probably my last post about fun San Diego, but I thought I would add a little about the places we went to the blog. Just in case anyone finds themselves heading to San Diego and wants to learn about great places to go. I really enjoyed myself.

With the non-stop rain of Houston this summer, I sure do miss the weather!

La Jolla California

My favorite spot that we visited in the evenings during AVID San Diego Summer Institute was La Jolla. It was really incredible. La Jolla "By the Sea"

We ate at a place called Georges at the Cove. It was great food and a greater view up on the deck. I read a review of it and it has been called one of the best 10 restaurants in America. No doubt I can understand why.

After watching the sun set we returned to the restaurants and took in a place called Jose's Courtroom for some drinks. Of course, I had chips and salsa and water... woo! But, everyone else had a good time on some Margaritas.

La Jolla is definitely a place that I will return to one day on vacation with Norma and Aidan.

from their website: "Fine dining restaurants perched atop La Jolla's jagged cliffs. Boutique-lined streets, gemmed with art, gifts, and other shopping destinations. Indulgent soft sand beaches, with year-round vacation sunshine and the Pacific Ocean's watercolor sunsets. From the village to the cove, La Jolla truly is the jewel of Southern California."

The seals were great down on the beach. I bought Norma and myself nice tie dyed t'shirts where the proceeds went to saving the habitat of the ocean front.

We were in La Jolla for about




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Back & Avid-ized

I am back in Houston. And I am AVID-ized. The San Diego trip was INCREDIBLE. I'll write more later this weekend. I am absolutely exhausted right now. Plus, I want to go to the avidonline site and be sure my username and password works. I can't wait to get started on building my AVID classroom. I am a lucky person to have found this amazing group of people to work with. As an AVID Elective teacher with experience told me during the seminar, "AVID doesn't only change your student's lives... it will change yours." Another said, "The very best part of my educational career has centered around the impact my AVID class has had on my students. The relationships you build with those kids will be intense."

Can't wait!

Heading to San Diego

I am really sick.
But, I am going to California this afternoon. Hopefully this thing will clear up with some fresh San Diego air (do they have fresh air?).

Really looking forward to learning more about AVID.

Really hating thing thought of being away from Aidan and Norma. :( I am really, really sad about it.

Probably won't blog while I'm going. So see you in a week.

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Live Earth

I am sick.
Feeling terrible.
Fever.
Sore throat.
Headache.
Aghhhh.

I could not sleep, so I watched what I had recorded on TiVo of Live Earth on the Sundance Channel. Wow. Great music and a tremendous set of concerts all around the world. Watching Metallica right now do "Nothing Else Matters." It is amazing how these songs take on a different meaning when played in front of a backdrop of screens showing pollution, elephants, polar bears, and the signs of global warming.

What is kind of neat about these concerts is that the bands have been added so late in the game that you really have no idea what is coming next.

Also saw great performances by Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers. Wow, Wembley stadium looks awesome. MSN announced that more people watched LiveEarth online than any concert in history. That's pretty cool.

I missed this, but wish I hadn't... drummer Roger Taylor of Queen, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters started the London show with "Drums Heard Round the World!"

Great stuff. and a great cause.

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Return to JC - 15 years later

Slideshow in Full Screen


It's been 15 years since I graduated from college. Doesn't seem possible that it's been that long. This was our return to campus. We missed my reunion by a few weeks, but it was nice to walk the campus and see everything that has been improved since we have left.

Small college. Juniata College is according to the website:

Founded in 1876, Juniata is an independent, co-educational college of liberal arts and sciences. Located in the scenic mountains of central Pennsylvania, the beautiful 110-acre main campus is supplemented by the 315-acre Baker-Henry Nature Preserve and Baker Peace Chapel. In addition, a 365-acre Environmental Studies Field Station on nearby Raystown Lake provides one of the most distinctive opportunities in environmental science in the nation.

The College has a strong reputation for excellent academics, personal attention, and state-of-the-art technological resources. Juniata students enjoy small classes, a challenging, flexible curriculum, collaborative student-faculty relationships, countless chances to learn by doing, and a lively campus offering lots to do and great new friends.

Enrollment is just shy of 1500. Tuition/Room & Board is $35,220 a year. Ouch. I loved Juniata, but I could never pay that much on my own. I had a lot of help with money from sports, need grants and financial aid.

A really special place to go to school. The best thing I got from JC was my wife though. :)

Wedding Pictures

We have been trying to adjust to live back in Kingwood and in Texas. It has been a strange adjustment and has taken a few days. First, the time change is different. We have had a lot stranger sleeping patterns and have in general slept a ton. This morning Aidan woke up at 10:30! He's never done that before. But, he has been sick a little and woke up with a fever last night. So that explains some of it. (He is feeling a lot better... having cereal and cheetos is proof)

We also are adjusting to life without a bunch of people and family around. Life for us is pretty quiet at home. We don't get visitors very often. We just don't know that many people down here and don't have a ton of family. It's nice. But, it is also sad when you get used to seeing everyone over two weeks.

My sister Katie (not the one that got married, that was Aimee) sent us some pictures that her husband took during the wedding. That's probably our biggest regret with the wedding is not getting a picture of Aidan and I in our tuxes. That stunk. We should have done that right away. But, we forgot. Maybe someday (way, way down the road) we'll both be in tuxes again for a wedding? - like his!


Aimee wasn't sure if he would carry the ring bearer's pillow. But, he loved it. I told him it was like a football and he got a kick out of that. For a two year old, he sure did a GREAT job!
Me, Aimee, and Terry, Jr. The brother's giving away the bride. It was truly an honor to do so. I will never have the chance to do that again. I was very lucky to ever have the experience. Norma and I will probably never have another child, so the odds of us ever having a girl are VERY slim. So it was neat to experience this. Not to mention what an honor it was to stand in for my father.

The beautiful bride and her handsome husband. They are somewhere tanning on a beach in the Bahamas this week. Good for them. They deserve it.

Home Sweet Home

We are home. Everything on the flight home went great. Aidan has had his bath and is in bed. We are very relieved. :)

I have never seen Aidan as giddy as when we were landing and he was pointing out the window saying, "Home! Home! Home!" Neat to see. Made it even sweeter to come back to Kingwood.

It was a wonderful trip... but it's true what they say, "There is no place like... home."

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Tux Boy

Finally, a few pictures of the boy in his tux. I didn't get a single picture of me. And none of me with Aidan... which really stinks. But, he was super cute all by himself.

These pictures were at the reception, when his white shirt came un-tucked from running around like a crazy boy. The video will be a lot of fun to look at when we get home.

Home. That's where we are heading tomorrow. Can not wait. It has been a GREAT trip. But, we are all ready to head back to beautiful Kingwood, TX. It will be nice to see the kitties.
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Puppet Show

This sure did look like a puppet show. But, it was Ada and Aidan on Pappy's front porch in Huntingdon, PA. Norma and her sister were holding them up from behind and making sure they didn't fall. Very cute!

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Playground Pictures

Why Norma Won't Vote for Romney in 2008!

This is something I found on Eclectablog. Amazing really that someone could be so stupid.

Romney's Cruel Canine Vacation - TIMEThe incident: dog excrement found on the roof and windows of the Romney station wagon. How it got there: Romney strapped a dog carrier — with the family dog Seamus, an Irish Setter, in it — to the roof of the family station wagon for a twelve hour drive from Boston to Ontario, which the family apparently completed, despite Seamus's rather visceral protest.

Massachusetts's animal cruelty laws specifically prohibit anyone from carrying an animal "in or upon a vehicle, or otherwise, in an unnecessarily cruel or inhuman manner or in a way and manner which might endanger the animal carried thereon." An officer for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals responded to a description of the situation saying "it's definitely something I'd want to check out." The officer, Nadia Branca, declined to give a definitive opinion on whether Romney broke the law but did note that it's against state law to have a dog in an open bed of a pick-up truck, and "if the dog was being carried in a way that endangers it, that would be illegal." And while it appears that the statute of limitations has probably passed, Stacey Wolf, attorney and legislative director for the ASPCA, said "even if it turns out to not be against the law at the time, in the district, we'd hope that people would use common sense...Any manner of transporting a dog that places the animal in serious danger is something that we'd think is inappropriate...I can't speak to the accuracy of the case, but it raises concerns about the judgment used in this particular situation."

What a jerk!