Day 11: Fat Face

Today for the first time, I discovered an app called Fat Face, via my students in 6th period.  You take a picture, then the application modifies your photo to make you look like you have gained a considerable amount of weight.  It was super funny.  There was also "face in a hole."  My students are way more up-to-date than I am. 

Day 10: Survivor: An Entire Season

I have officially watched an entire season of Survivor: The Outback, courtesy of YouTube.  It was awesome with no commercial interruptions, no waiting until next week to see what happened.  It was interesting to see that the people who started the game with one focus in mind, ended the game with another focus.  I think it would be an interesting experience.  Even though it doesn't seem like it is too long to be "stranded" with 16 strangers, it really does take a toll on those who participate.  Sitting from the warm comfort of my living room, I think I could make it on Survivor.  There are some "old folks" who make it pretty far.

Day 9: Pork Enchiladas

Yummy!  Though not really a big thing, I had pork enchiladas made by my hubby.  They were delicious!  Also, War and Peace is still coming along.  It actually really is a good book.

Day 8: Look Up an Old Friend

Thanks to the internet, it seems that finding your old friends is easier than ever.  As I was blogging about my college professor yesterday, I fondly remember my college friend, Teresa Rapkin.  She was the coolest friend I made at college.  She was always so generous with anything that she had.  I had an electric typewriter, but she had a Kaypro computer, which she allowed me to use anytime I needed to.  We both went to Italy as part of our Minor Studies in Italian.  She took me to parties, introduced me to people.  I even went to her parents' house in Venice, which was the biggest house I had ever been in.  I remember having a drink of Uzzo at her mom and dad's and eating a huge Italian dinner.  Terri was always so put together, nicely tanned, and most of the time, wore a skirt, which was really different for college girls in my era.  She usually drove us around, too, as my 1974 Ford Maverick didn't hold a candle to her new red Nissan stick shift.  We really lost touch after college, so I hope she remembers me.  I found her resume on the internet and sent her an email. 

Day 7: Thank You to a Former Teacher

I have let too many moments go by in my life without thanking someone, later regretting the lack of words.  Today I wrote a letter to a former teacher who inspired me.  I've had many "bad" teacher experiences, some which have indelibly marked my life with words that I will never forget.  Words spoken to my mother in a phone conversation. "She'll never make anything of herself."  I remember that my mother cried.  For some reason, this particular high school teacher was on a mission to accuse me of cheating and lack of effort.  I couldn't possibly have written that poem.  This essay is copied!  From where?  I don't know...but there is no way she could write this!  I guess it may have taken a teacher like that to lead me down the path that I eventually took, which was into creative writing.  The trouble was that I never really believed I was any good at it.  Until college and my professor...Rick.  He let us call him by his first name, which to me was the coolest thing ever.  He did not like to be addressed as "Doctor," or "Professor," which is probably why I can't remember his last name.  I remember receiving my first paper back from him,  the margins  filled with comments. I initially thought that I had done something terribly wrong. I took my paper and headed back to my apartment, afraid to read what was written.  Back in the safety of my apartment,  I first noticed the grade at the top of the paper, which was an "A."  It was the first "A" I had ever received in an English class.Then, I began to read the comments...I don't think that there was one negative remark, and if there was, it was stated in such a way that it just sounded positive. At the end, there was a comment that read like a letter from your best friend.  It took up more room than my entire paper.  From that point on, I began to take more risks in my writing, and the more I risked, the greater the reward.  Sometimes Rick would even use my paper as an example in the class, which always made me feel like I had won the lottery.  Many of our classes were not even held in the classroom.  Some were at the local pub or Rick's house, out on the lawn, or at the Poetry Cafe.  I'm sure that I was not the only one who flourished under Rick's guidance.  He actually didn't treat me better or differently.  So, today, I wrote a long overdue "thank you" letter to Rick.  (Now, if only I remember his last name, I will mail it!  I checked the FSU website and he no longer works there).

Day 6: Message in a Bottle

I have always wanted to find a message in a bottle.  I envision a message filled with some passionate note or one packed with infinite wisdom.  Alas, I have not yet come across such a treasure. Tonight, I decided to toss my own note into the Atlantic.  In a way, I kind of hope no one will find it, so that the thoughts remain just that...thoughts.  On the other hand, if someone finds it, what will he or she think?  It's out of my hands now, sharing a ride with the right whales and dolphins.  Hopefully, it won't wash up on the shore tomorrow at the exact spot I threw it in. 

Day 5: A Shot of Tequila

Probably may not sound believable to some, but I have never had a shot of liquor.  Tonight, for the first time, under the direction of my husband (apparently, he may have partaken of a shot or two in his younger years),I had a shot of tequila, accompanied by salt and a lemon (we had no lime).  It wasn't as bad as I anticipated.  I thought I might puke up a lung, but alas, I am now fairly relaxed and prepared to grade some papers!  Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of mine.

Day 4: War and Peace

I know many people say they have read War and Peace, but I would guess that some of them probably haven't.  Perhaps because it appears to be 348 chapters long. Perhaps because you may find yourself rereading sentences for comprehension.  Today, for the first time, I have decided to read the classic.After the first chapter, I have to admit, it kept my interest.  The Prince and Anna had quite an interesting conversation about marrying off the Prince's son.  Mainly, it sounds like, Anatole spends too much money.  Kids!  Sheesh!  Have they changed?  I will have to investigate how much 40 thousand rubles was back then.  I figure if I read a chapter every day, by the end of this experiment, I will have read the book. There are quite a number of names with the letter "V" in odd places.  That just adds to the fun along with the 348 chapters.  As my students would say, "This book is freakin' long."

Day 3: Social Contract

In an effort to create order from chaos, and avoid the whack-a-mole teacher act (stop that!  quit it!  don't do that!  shhhhh!),  today, for the first time ever, I initiated social contracts in my classes.  In essence, we decided how we would like to treat one another, put it down on paper and signed it.  It was a living nightmare getting through the process, but there was a glimmer of light at the end of each class when I saw my students "checking" their classmates who were violating the social contract.  By asking four simple questions, we came up with an individual plan for each class (How do you want to be treated by your teacher?  How do you want to be treated by others in the class?  How do you think your teacher would like to be treated?  How do you think we should treat one another in conflict?).  I am hoping that this new concept will bring an environment which breeds self-restraint and student-directed correction.  Keeping my fingers crossed!  We'll thank the Flippen Group if this works out!

Day 2: The Sports Page

If the Seminoles, Dolphins or Braves are in the headlines, I would probably read some of the story.  Traditionally, I just skip through the Sports section in search of something more interesting, like the obituaries or what kind of paint is on sale at Home Depot.  Today I have read, for the first time, the entire Sports section.  I have to admit that I learned something.  First of all, people in sports have names like "Tank" and "Dalton" and "Jimbo."  Apparently, that helps, so if you want your kid to be a sport's star, perhaps a name that sounds like he/she could mow down a lineman would be of assistance.  Maybe just add an "O" to an ordinary name.  If only I would have gone by Karen-o, perhaps I would have been a better tennis player.  There are quite a few headlines that have a life/death quality to them..."uphill battle,""continues comeback," and "Manuel, not Ponder, Saves 'Noles."  We all have been there when the game is on the line and truly, it does seem like a life or death situation.  Damn "wide right."  Damn Joe Montana beating Marino in the Superbowl.  Whatever.  There are a few things in the Sports section that nobody in the south really cares about.  Hockey, for instance.  Thank God it is not the season right now, as I would have had to have read more useless crap. One other thing that I never noticed before that there is a ginormous list of injured people from various teams.  Seem to be quite a few people collecting paychecks from the sidelines.  Nowhere else, but sports!  Gotta love it (or hate it).

Day 1: My First New Thing

As the new year approached, we were all pondering an evening of the dreaded "Resolution."  This year will be different.  I'm going to be skinny (now that would be different!).  I will have more fun and work less. The usual.  My friend Rachel and I decided to take a cue from an online student of mine and challenge one another to "Try Something New Every Day."  So, here's day one.  My first new thing is to write a blog.  Rachel is planting Boston Lettuce.