Park Like an Idiot!

I thought that this was REALLY cool:

iParkLikeAnIdiot.com

A Proud Teacher

I was very excited this morning to get a visit from a former student. She is now a senior at AHS and I had heard all about her good news the day before. She came in to explain not to buy her new book. I said, "Of course I am going to buy it!" And she explained that she had a copy for me and that she put me in the acknowledgments to thank me. She probably didn't realize it, but I was pretty shook up by that. It really got to me to realize that such a talented and wonderful student thought to thank me for anything.

When I first heard that Cortnee had written a book of poetry and that it was being published I said, "Wow." But, then after considering this accomplishment I realized that anything Cortnee wishes to do is possible. She has incredible talents and tremendous passion.

I am really lucky to have had her as a student and even luckier to have her sister in my AVID class this year. What a great family!

Here are some quotes about Cortnee's new book, Fannin Street

"In her acclaimed collection of poetry, Cortnee Howard paints both vivid and etheral lyrical landscapes filled with parliament smoking strangers, dim-lit coffee shops and jails overrun with artists. Unafraid to digress into even the most wry and oblique of self-perceptions, Howard unites both the obscure and the ordinary with a sharp wit and gracious-yet pragmatic-use of metaphor. In many ways, Fannin Street succeeds where others do not, for it lends meaning in a sad-tragic world bristling with the ineffable and the significant. Howard possess a rare and disquieting brevity that is both subtle and sincere, composed and curious, provocative and profound. An impressive debut." -Robert Holt, The Seattle Review of Book

"A spare and deeply affecting collection of poetry. The quirky-solemn potrayal of both the extrordinary and the everyday make for a winning and irrepressible combination. Cortnee Howard is, by far, one of the genres most talented, emerging writers." -Maricia Metez, American Poetry Today

So impressive. And she is still just a senior in high school. It is stories like this one and students like Cortnee that make teaching so important to me. I can not wait to read her book of poetry!

View Cortnee's Website Here

Wonder if Aidan will ever try this?

Wonder if Aidan will ever try this?

MNF - Boredom

Wow, the Steelers-Dolphins game was not much fun to watch tonight. During commercials I Stumbled Upon this:

The cure for boredom

Fantasy Weekend

I sit here tonight rooting against... The New England Defense, Wes Welker, and Brian Westbrook. Every time that the Eagles score, I smile... as long as it's not Westbrook scoring. Every time the Pats score and it's not Welker, I smile.

Fantasy football is a wild thing.

Right now I am up in both of my leagues, but it is a narrow margin.

Fantasy football really adds an element to 'fandom.' A regular fan just is happy to see a "good game." And most fans right now are salivating at the possibility that the Eagles might upset the invincible Patriots. But, for me... I am smiling because Welker just dropped a pass on the 5 yard line. :)

It is agonizing when you don't have any players left and you are rooting against the other teams players. It's reminiscent of watching my Astros try close out the Cardinals in 2005 to go to the world series. You ride every pitch, hoping nothing happens. Same with Fantasy Football. I would be pleased if a snow storm broke out and blinded the field and no one scored again. Then I win!

Crazy game fantasy football. But I love it.

Both of the teams I am in started their seasons in last place after 4 weeks with the lowest scoring team in both leagues. Now I am scratching and clawing my way back. 2nd in one league and fighting for 3rd in the other. If I can just win both games this week I should make the playoffs.

The drama!

Email Communication "Skills"

This is funny & True!

Made me smile.

talking cats

This is too cool. But, then again... I am a cat person.

Even the Kitchen Sink

We went to Lowes today and bought a new kitchen faucet.

Interestingly enough it is called the "Forte" -- funny, huh? (get it Fordee/Forte) Find more info on it here: Kohler Forte

We are going to have it installed this week. I actually thought about installing it myself.. but with our double basin sink and disposal AND dishwasher lines... it would be messy for me. And, let's face it, I should not be doing anything like this. I can hardly tie my shoes correctly.

It will be great to have a new faucet for the kitchen, but we are not buying what we thought we would this winter. We were in the market for a new light in the dining room and possibly a new dish washer. But then BOOM! out goes the hot water heater and the sink faucet drip turned into the runs. So that's our bit of winter home improvement. I just hope things stop soon, this house is turning into a money pit!

For sure it cements in my mind that we are never moving! Why would I sell this house after sinking all this hard earned money into it? Fifteen years in a house and everything is breaking down. They don't build them like they used to.

Hot Water... no leaks

Our hot water heater is finally installed. I called Home Depot today and said, "I want a refund on the install and I want to go with my own installer." After about an hour on the phone I got my way.

Needless to say they did not have to work on my roof. :)

Now we need to get a new faucet for the sink. The little drip has turned into much worse and the faucet along with all the other appliances in this 15 year old home are going out on us. How come they don't make them like they used to?

Of course I will need someone to come out and install the faucet. I looked online today for hours checking out new faucets and trying to determine if I could install one on my own. Because we have such a big sink (that hangs so low and takes away space from underneath) and because we have a disposal... I just can't imagine doing it myself. Not to mention the fact that I am suffering from a bad back this month. Swapping out a faucet is not my cup of tea. Come to think of it, making a cup of tea is about as far as I can go towards doing work in the kitchen!

Anyway, it has been a stressful week with this water heater. One of the places I called today told me that they could not do the install today... but after hearing about the leaking that I have they cautioned me to not wait another minute and to get it done today. "Sorry we can't help you," is how he ended the conversation. But, he really did help me. It made me realize that I can not wait another day and that I needed to get the thing installed pronto.

Now we have hot water and a little less stress. Next... kitchen faucet. Arghhh. Will it ever end?

Bike Riding Video

Bike Riding in the Fall from fordee on Vimeo.

Happy Turkey Day!

Bike Riding in the Fall

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