Uh Oh

Her: Mom? You like bands?
Me: Yes.
Her: I like bands. You like rock n' roll bands?
Me: Yes, A LOT, why? What kinds of bands? Kid rock n' roll bands?
Her: No! Grown up rock n' roll bands with guitars!
Me: Do you talk about music with your friends at school? Or in Mr. B's class?
Her: No. I just love rock n' roll bands. Not like the stuff from the library in my kids section... like, REAL bands.
Me: OK, well the library cds we get are real bands.
Her: They are?
Me: Kind of - they're real bands who make kid versions of their songs. Would you like me to pick out some rock n' roll cds of mine that are appropriate for you?
Her: YES!!! (Wide eyed.)

There must be something going on in that little brain. Last week she was obsessed with my Bob Marley cds. Good grief. Isn't she a little young for this? I guess I started with some glam rock Bowie when I was 6ish (I also loved Muskrat Love!). She's not even interested in ear-bleeding Disney soundtracks, thank goodness. I guess she really is part me. Look out, Daddy!

Rainy day in the past

I should be doing homework now. Do people in Alaska catch colds as often as people in the midwest do? How about in Hawaii?

Can't remember which camera I used for these. Maybe the old Olympus, which is a totally underrated camera. Has a live LCD that rocks. A rainy day. A funny kid. She makes life good.

7 weeks left

Some days are better than others. It's taken nearly 3 weeks but, today, I'm not so shocked by what happens in my classroom. Most interesting potential discussion bombs of the day...

Kid 1: Why do you have more than 2 earrings?
Me: Ummm. Same reason why you only have 2?

Kid 2: Are you Christian? Are you Christian? HUh? Are YOU??? Are you Christian?
Me: Ummm. Not exactly.
Kid 2: Oh so you're Jewish??
Me: Nope.
Kid 2: So you're NOTHING? Wow. Why don't you get yourself a pair of Uggs like us?

Kid 3: What are you ordering for yourself at the McDonald's party tomorrow?
Me: Coffee.
Kid 3: Coffee??? Son of a bitch!
Me: Hahahahaha (oops). That was inappropriate. You're losing a point.

Late summer in Chicago...

All Around Fripple Town

That's the name of my kiddo's favorite video game. Here are some photos from around my Fripple Town. I like the Jesus sticker machine in the Mexican laundromat.

Yikes, Part II

Today I got the full story of two of the 6th graders I've been teaching and got to see their disaster-on-legs parents. As they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

And now here's a nice little marbleized and sparkly geode.

Day 11

It's day 11 of working. Three of us teachers for just six kids. Working with these kids is a lot like working in day care, which is something I never ever ever aspired to do. Eight weeks left and counting.


Like puppets (not the political kind) as much as I do? http://www.puppetbike.com

So long ice, uh, blobs

It was nice while it lasted.

New Year

To me, time is just another weird invention. I think about it all too much. It's obvious Faulkner was pretty concerned with timelessness and time. I am a chronic clock watcher and prefer to forget it when I'm not working.

A good thing about New Year's Eve is that people get sappy and start recalling the past. It's also great to spend an extra day off together. I was archiving some old photos and ran across these.

A fun day at the farm


A campfire with Ben's family - Robert blabbing and Glen lurking


Back yard drawings


Harley dude on I-88