Literate Her, Literally

2011-12-31T15:52:00.000-08:00

I ran across this cool time lapse video of an artist drawing a picture of Emma Watson. I am endlessly fascinated by both time lapse images and all things Harry Potter. This makes me want to learn how to draw!

The Dan Band - "Ho, Ho, Ho"

2011-12-22T17:53:00.000-08:00

Wrong on so many levels, but funny nonetheless.

30 Days of Healthy Choices Challenge: Week One

2011-12-13T09:57:00.000-08:00

Do you ever notice that the more free time you have, the more time you waste? I am the poster child for wasted time. As my time off winds down, I am struck by the fact of how little I have accomplished in the previous six months (aside from gaining almost 40 pounds). Yikes! I could list excuses for days, but I won't. Anyone reading this, can, I am sure, relate to the way good intentions and resolutions so easily fall by the wayside while we are busy being lazy.

I am currently the heaviest I've ever been. My clothes don't fit and I feel like crap all the time--daily headaches, heartburn, stiff joints, and a total lack of energy or enthusiasm for anything that involves getting my quietly spreading ass out of bed. Enough is enough. For the next 30 days, I vow to make at least one healthy choice for my body and one for my mind every day. I hope this will hold me accountable, help me to embrace some new (or forgotten) healthy habits, and maybe even finish a couple of projects around the house. Because I'm great at starting stuff, but finishing, not so much.

Day One:

BODY: I put on my layers, clipped on my nano, and set out into the neighborhood for a 20 minute walk/run that was more walk than run. Hey, gotta start somewhere. I returned home for a breakfast of oatmeal, blueberries, and raspberries. Next up, a little multitasking. 30 minutes of stretching/yoga while I...

MIND: Listen to lesson 11 of Pimsleur Spanish, Level I. I've been stuck on this level for over a month and I am going to conquer it this week and move on. I'll also be playing Words with Friends throughout the day. Can I count that

Day Two:

BODY: Waking up with a pounding headache put a dent in my good intentions to start the day with exercise. That took a long time, didn't it. Though I had planned a bike ride to the grocery store for this morning, I took the car instead. Sigh. I returned home for a healthy and delicious breakfast of oatmeal and fresh berries and then took out the crock pot and whipped up some split pea soup. Smelling it cook all day did a bit to improve my mood. Headache notwithstanding, I spent the day doing the cleaning chores that I hate--cat boxes, bathrooms, and vacuuming. I took a short walk around the neighborhood and then packed and hauled around several boxes of books from my library. I am so counting that as weightlifting!

MIND: I did great on yesterday's Spanish lesson and finally moved on to to lesson 12. Quiero comprar muchas cosas y beber muchas cervezas.

Day Three:

BODY: Woke up feeling good, even though it was gray and wet outside. I slept in until it was actually light out (a bonus of being unemployed--not having to get up at the buttcrack of dark-thirty) and then headed out for another run/walk. Even though I am walking far more than I am running, I still want to call it running because that's my goal. I used an app called Runkeeper to track my route with GPS. My pace was disappointing. I went 1.3 miles, at an average speed of 15 minutes per mile. I have tried to start running several times, but I really don't like it. I need another physical challenge, like roller derby, that will let me learn something new and where there are other people around. I'll push myself if people are watching. I also started using another app, Waterlogged, to track my water intake. I like it because you can take a picture of your favorite water glasses or bottles. This is handy. I measured how much water fits into my usual glass and then I just tap on the picture every time I finish a glass of water. I'm sure that my headaches are related to dehydration.

When I returned from my, ahem, run, I rescrubbed the shower, as Bill didn't think I did a good enough job on it yesterday. That beyotch is as clean as it can get without stripping all the caulk out and starting fresh. I even used Bill's toothbrush to get into the corners. (Just kidding, Honey.) I used mine, as it was time for a new one anyway. All right, Mr. Marine, if it's not good enough this time, I guess you can just do it yourself!

MIND: I just finished listening to lesson 12 of my Spanish course. I did much better with it today than I did yesterday and will be moving on to the next lesson tomorrow. Puede comer a los cincos y media. I have a book called Spanish for Reading. I'm going to add that to my routine, as the Pimsleur audio is great for speaking fluidly and learning basic vocabulary, but offers nothing in terms of reading and writing.

Day Four:

BODY: We went to Bill's office Christmas party in the city (San Francisco) tonight. I ate very lightly all day so I would be able to enjoy the food and drinks without stressing too much. Even though I drank several glasses of excellent locally produced Pino Noir, I did manage to spend more time socializing than stuffing things in my mouth. We had to park five blocks away from the party and hike up a VERY steep hill that went almost straight up. I earned every bite of that delicious dinner!

MIND: Reviewed lesson 12 and moved on to lesson 13 in the Spanish program. I also spent an additional 30 minutes studying the reading book.

Day Five: I am hung over today from overindulging in some excellent Pino Noir last night. Today is for drinking lots of water and napping. I'll get back at it tomorrow. Climbing that hill last night was something of a wake-up call. I am seriously out of shape and need to step up my cardio efforts. I think I might even get my skates out.

Day Six: Uh, oh. I have fallen off the wagon. Even though I was up early doin' stuff today, none of it was especially challenging to either body or mind. I helped Bill cook and downloaded a ton of Christmas music. It took most of the day to get it all on the computer and tagged the way I like it. We recorded SNL last night and are watching it now. Laughter is good for the abs, right?

Day Seven:
Reading this over, I realized that this format is boring, mainly because my intention is to form some healthy habits. Writing about how I repeat the same activities every day is is good for holding myself accountable, but not so interesting to read. So, at the close of my first week, I am eating a healthy and low calorie breakfast and drinking eight glasses of water every day. I am finally making some forward progress with learning Spanish and reading some of the teaching books that have been languishing on my bookshelves for the last couple of years. I will continue to do these things; after Christmas is over, I will also make more of an effort to step up my workouts. Bill has promised to join me, which will be more motivating than trying to do it on my own. If anyone actually reads this and would like to comment, I'll be happy to add an update, but I won't be doing additional updates to the main post. (You're welcome!)

Room by Emma Donoghue VS Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

2011-12-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

Having just finished reading another disturbing novel based on a crime that seems to be happening more and more frequently, I felt the need to process the icky feelings brought up by these stories. Even though I can't really say that I enjoyed either of these books, they shine a light on a dark part of our society that begs our attention. These are books that I believe should be read, but I hesitate to recommend them to my friends.

The following are my reviews of Room and Living Dead Girl, two very different stories of girls who were abducted and imprisoned by men who used them for sex. Room is adult fiction and Living Dead Girl is young adult fiction. Anyone who thinks that YA literature isn't worthwhile for adults should consider what C.S. Lewis said about children's books: "A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest."

Room by Emma Donoghue

Unlike many other reviewers who seem to either love or hate this book, I find myself solidly in the middle of these two extremes. First of all, the subject is an icky one, ripped from an all-too-common lurid headline. A sicko kidnaps a young girl and imprisons her for years so that he can repeatedly rape and abuse her. Second, the story is narrated by Jack, a five year old boy whose entire life has been contained in Room, an 11' x 11' space he shares with Ma. Having a child narrate the story takes a bit of the edge off. Since Jack's mother protects him from the reality of her situation as best as she can, and he is very young, he doesn't understand that he and Ma are prisoners. The downside is that we don't get the whole story, simply because Jack can't tell us everything. I found Jack's voice extremely annoying at first, though he did grow on me as the novel progressed.

Ma has done her best to care for Jack and to provide a happy life for him, despite the limitations of their captivity. She keeps him busy during the daytime and at night puts him to sleep in Wardrobe, where "Old Nick" won't see him when he visits. It's hard to know what else to say in a review, as the story is definitely more powerful if allowed to unfold without spoilers. I'll just say that I was compelled to keep reading, even though the book is not perfect and the subject matter is disturbing.

My review: THREE STARS

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

"Alice" was abducted by Ray when she was 10 years old. Now 15, she has been his captive for five years. She has been repeatedly brutalized by Ray--raped, starved, threatened, and beaten physically and emotionally until she is nothing but an empty shell, a living dead girl that nobody sees or hears. She knows it's only a matter of time before Ray kills her and finds a new "Alice." But instead, he comes up with a new plan. He wants her to find a new girl for him and then help him train her.

This is not a happy story. It is horrifying and will haunt you long after you turn the final page. For mature readers only.

My review: FIVE STARS

In the end, though these stories are based on a similar premise, Living Dead Girl is the one that grabbed me by the throat and kept me riveted from the first line to the last. The language is spare and beautiful. Room, for me, simply didn't execute as well. It did eventually draw me in, but felt more gimmicky and lacked the haunting beauty that so enthralled me in Living Dead Girl.

God Doesn't Believe in Rick Perry

2011-12-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

Rick Perry's most recent campaign video is so heinous that I at first thought it was some kind of sick joke.

Thankfully, America is still a country based on religious freedom. That means every citizen has the right to believe (or to not believe) in whatever higher power they like. It does NOT mean that they have the right to shove those beliefs down the throats of others who hold different beliefs. Being free to practice YOUR religion must include the right for others to practice THEIRS.

It amazes me that the GOP candidates spend so much time talking about smaller, less invasive government when it comes to regulating corporations, taxing people who make more money every year than most of the world could spend in a lifetime, and protecting our food supply and our environment. However, when it comes to infringing on personal freedoms, they are all about being up in everybody's business. Can anyone explain how this makes one bit of sense?

It seems to me that keeping religion out of government is critical to maintaining both freedom of religion and freedom from religion. While a theocratic government might seem like a fine idea to some, believers would do well to consider history (anyone remember the Inquisition?), or even to take a look at the horrors that still occur under the repressive religious regimes in the Middle East. For an example, check out this article about a young Afghan woman who was raped. When she reported the rape, she was found guilty of a "moral crime" and put in prison (where she later gave birth to a daughter as a result of the violation). Sadly, this is not unusual in places where religious leaders make and enforce the laws. It is hard for me to imagine that even the most rabid Christian fundamentalists REALLY want to live in this type of society.

To end on a lighter note, take a look at this version of Rick Perry's hate ad, much improved by the satire of Second City. "Rick Perry may believe in God. But, judging by his poll numbers, God doesn't believe in Rick Perry."

Amen.

Free Speech Matters to Me

2011-12-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

What a treat to run across this video that features several of my favorite authors of young adult literature (and several more who have been added to my TBR list) talking about why free speech matters. All of these authors have had books challenged and/or banned. Highlights of the video (for me) include Jacqueline Woodson's comment about teaching kids to write well before encouraging them to try to silence others, John Green getting bleeped, Heather Brewer's librarian story, and Lev Grossman and Nina LaCour talking about our need to confront ideas that are difficult or that we disagree with. And my hero, Chris Crutcher. ALL of his books have been banned somewhere.

As an avid reader and teacher, I am passionate about the power of books to open up whole new worlds.

When I was a kid, my mom took me to the library every few weeks and I would check out a huge pile of books. She was sometimes skeptical about my ability to read so many books, but never once stopped me from reading something that caught my interest. Back in the dark ages when I was a teenager, there wasn't the huge selection of YA literature that there is today. Even as an elementary and middle school student, I read mainly adult fiction; children's books were too easy and there weren't many other choices.

My first experience with censorship involved Forever by Judy Blume when I was in the sixth grade. I remember hearing that this book I had never heard of was banned at my middle school. Anyone caught with it would be in SERIOUS TROUBLE. I was a good student, a teacher's pet kind of kid, and a voracious reader. The idea that someone could stop me from reading anything I wanted to read was a huge shock. The ban awoke a little passive-aggressive monster in me and I immediately went to the public library, checked out the offending book, covered it in brown paper from a grocery store bag...and took it to school. I read that book cover to cover in a few hours, and then read it again, giggling with my friends over the "good parts."

One could argue that, at 11 years old, I was too young for that particular book. Perhaps I was. But I read it and I survived. Giggling about "Ralph" did not make me sexually active. I didn't start smoking or doing drugs. I continued to be (mostly) respectful to my parents and teachers. I still cared about my grades. At the time, I found the book more funny and gross than titillating. Had it not for the school-wide ban, I doubt I would have even picked up Forever. At that time, I was much more interested in fantasy (thank you, J.R.R. Tolkien for being awesome). Thanks to the book banners, I discovered a wonderful book that might otherwise have escaped my notice and developed a lifelong fascination with books and authors who aren't afraid to tackle controversial topics.

A few years later, in ninth grade, I ran across a copy of The French Lieutenant's Woman in my school library. I tried to check it out and the librarian wouldn't let me have it. I was floored. Then I went home and saw the book on our bookshelf at home. So, of course I took it to school and showed it to my friends. I was quite a little snot about it, smack-talking about the situation, when my friends suddenly got very quiet. I turned around, only to find myself face to face with the evil librarian. I looked her right in the eye and said, "Luckily, my mom had this at home, so I can read it anyway." It was out of character for me, but I took that act of censorship as a personal offense. I did apologize to the librarian later, but I found it unfair that she was not asked to apologize to me.

People who want to protect their children from ideas in books may be well-meaning, but in the long-run, they do much more harm than good. Sooner or later, children grow up and are expected to navigate through a world that is often brutal and cruel and filled with difficult choices. If we never allow our children to explore difficult or uncomfortable ideas in books, we seriously impair their ability to make good choices about their own lives. How can our children be expected to make mature decisions when they can't even be trusted to make choices about what to read? Keeping your own child from reading a particular book is one thing, but banning a book and taking that choice away from EVERYONE'S children is simply wrong.

Especially in our internet saturated world, where we can find anything, from porn to dirty bomb recipes, censoring books seems kind of pointless. Instead of trying to take books off of library shelves and out of our children's hands, we should be encouraging them to read as much as they can, and then having open and honest conversations with them. This is how they will clarify their own ideas about the world and the kind of adults they aspire to be. This is how they learn to think critically and to make the decisions that they will be called upon to make when they are in charge of running the world, when THEY are responsible for US.

"This is America. We have the freedom to read here. We have the freedom to think here....Freedom of speech matters to me. And it should matter to you, too." --Laurie Halse Anderson

Don't Nibble on My Gingerbread House

2011-12-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

After hearing a friend lament abut the horrors of gingerbread home construction in the company of her children, I happened to see a kit in the grocery store the other day. I don't have any children to "help" me, I'm reasonably creative and educated, and I've got a lot of time on my hands at the moment. So I bought one. How hard can it really be? Ha, ha. You know what's coming next, of course. What is the saying? Oh, I know, "Pride goeth before a fall." Right.

So here is my rant/review/how-to guide for those among you brave enough to tackle a similar project. Or those of you who just need a good laugh at someone else's expense.

First, the kit.

I purchased a kit made by Orbit Cookies & Kwik Build for about $15 at my local Safeway. Everything needed was included in the kit, though I am positive that whoever made the model in the photo did not do it only using the one frosting bag included in the kit. I'm pretty sure it's not even possible to create the same level of detail without different-sized pastry tips for the frosting. Or maybe I simply suck at this stuff. Anyway...

Step one: Lay out cookie pieces.

The instructions on the box were laid out step-by-step and were easy to follow, but I did hit one snag right away that made this project extremely difficult. Several of the pieces were broken. I glued them together with the frosting, with limited success, as you will see.

Step two: Prepare the base by filling the openings with frosting.

Notice my LOVELY patch job.

Step three: Begin assembly by squirting a thick line of frosting on the vertical sides of the front and back house pieces. Frosting goes on the back, FYI.

As you can see, the roof pieces were both broken diagonally right down the middle. Shown here is the first patch, which probably would have been successful had I waited longer before attempting to attach to roof. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Step four: Insert front and (one) side panel into the frosting-filled slot in the base. Easy. No, really, it was easy.

Step five: Insert the other side piece, making sure it lines up against the icing on the front piece. Then, slide the back piece into place and squoosh everything together.

Again, easy.

Step six: Squirt frosting all around the top edges to prepare for the roof.

Now, here comes a hard part.

Step seven: Squirt frosting along the straight edge of one roof piece. Pick up both pieces AT THE SAME TIME and squoosh them into place, forming a peaked roof.

I think this might be difficult even with both pieces unbroken. Of course, my frosting glue didn't hold while I struggled to ease the roof into place and my house appears to have just survived a hurricane or a very large tree falling on it.

Step seven and a half: Remove roof pieces, scrape off extra frosting and reglue broken pieces with more frosting. Stand there and hold them for several minutes. (Swearing might happen at this point, if it hasn't before. A few choice words made me feel better, even if it did nothing to hold the roof together.) Let the pieces sit for at least thirty minutes before attempting further construction. Just walk away. Trust me.

Step eight: Repeat step seven with your (hopefully) solid roof pieces. Once the roof is in place, leave the house alone for at least thirty minutes before decorating.

It looks like crap, but no cave-ins, so we're making progress.

On to the decorating. This is where this kit fell short, in my opinion. There were no directions included about how to decorate and only one bag of frosting. I don't know about you, but I have never used fondant before and had no idea what to do with it. Thankfully, Auntie Internet gave me some tips.

I started by warming the fondant for 10 seconds in the microwave to soften it. Then I rolled it out into a very thin layer with a rolling pin. I cut out the door and window shapes, pictured below.

I dotted just enough frosting on the back of the door to hold it in place while I piped frosting around the edges. This was extra challenging, as the frosting was cooling and the hole at the tip of the frosting bag was too large for delicate work.

Adding the windows was even more frustrating, as the frosting kept sticking to itself, especially on the perpendicular lines inside the window.

The perfectionist in me was screaming, "Throw the whole effing thing out!" at this point. And any hopes I had entertained about a new career as a pastry chef were pretty much dashed.

Luckily, decorating the rest was pretty easy (mostly because I completely gave up on trying to make my house look like the one on box). I had some left over frosting in the fridge, so I used that to cover up the roof, with all its shattered glory. The rest was more or less glopping frosting around and squishing the candy bits into it. With my lack of control over the frosting, I skipped the finer details and kind of did my own thing. Here's the final result of several hours of effort.

Voila!

Upon reflection, I realize that it is very hard for me to follow the advice that I am constantly giving my students: Stretch out of your comfort zone, be unafraid of trying new things, and don't beat yourself up if you make a mistake or things don't turn out quite as planned. In the end, this gingerbread house is quite like me--colorful, a bit random, and messy around the edges. And, no, I won't be working for that Ace of Cakes guy anytime soon (ever!), but I tried something well out of my comfort zone and it turned out, in the words of my loving husband, "Not that bad."

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

2011-11-28T18:12:00.000-08:00

Oh, goody! Another book to shuffle up to the top of my TBR pile. Sherman Alexie's award-winning novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, has just been banned by a school district in Georgia.

Here is a quote from an article about the incident that really gets to the heart of why banning books is not only misguided, but also potentially harmful.

"The idea that what is inside a book -- offensive language, sexual references, thematic material, violence, witchcraft, etc. -- should determine its availability to students is a direct challenge to freedom of choice and educational mission.

Discussion of sensitive or weighty topics in a school setting can promote intellectual growth and maturity. Banning a book, conversely, can deprive students of the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the world." Read the full article here

Parents certainly have the right to limit their own children's access to materials that they find offensive or otherwise inappropriate. But making that decision for EVERYONE'S children is simply wrong. Rather than banning books, perhaps it would be smarter to read along with our children and then TALK ABOUT the ideas. What a great opportunity to clarify the moral values that we want to pass along to our children! It's called a teachable moment, folks. Use it.

Review to follow. Feel free to add yours, too.

Adventures in Fruit, Part 2

2011-11-21T21:05:00.000-08:00

Another fruit that is in season right now is the mythical pomegranate. Fans of Hades, Demeter, and Persephone will remember that the reason we have six months of winter is because of the six pomegranate seeds that Persephone ate after being kidnapped by Hades and held captive in the underworld. Her mother, Demeter, managed to bring her home, but because of those tricky pomegranate seeds, Persephone must return to the underworld to live with Hades for six months out of every year. While Persephone languishes in the underworld, Demeter misses her daughter. And while Demeter mourns, the land dies. When Persephone returns to her mother, Demeter rejoices and the land blooms. It sure is lucky for us that Persephone didn't like pomegranates as much as I do or we'd have winter all year.

As delicious as the pomegranate tastes, it is not the easiest fruit to peel and eat. And it makes a big mess. Follow the steps below to eat a pomegranate, but whatever you do, be sure to wear dark-colored clothing or an apron because the juice is likely to spray exactly where you don't want it.

This is a pomegranate. For best results, look for a deep red colored fruit that is not too squishy:

Step one:

Cut off the top of the pomegranate.

Step two:

Score the peel so the fruit can be divided into quarters. Try not to cut into the seeds. Pull the fruit apart with your hands.

Step three:

I've seen some instructions that say you have to soak the fruit, but I simply put a colander in the sink and direct the seeds into it as they come out of the peel. This is very messy however you do it. Take a section of the pomegranate and pull the peel side toward you while pushing the seed side toward the colander. Some seeds will pop right out; others you'll need to kind of ease out. Use the pads of you fingers or thumb. If you use your fingernails, the juice squirts out EVERYWHERE.

Repeat this process with each section. When all the seeds are separated, the peel looks like this:

Step four:

Clean up your mess! Discard this stuff.

Run water over the seeds in the colander, shake it around, and pick out any white bits you missed. Rinse out the sink (notice how the juice gets all over). If you do this like I do, you'll also be wiping down random juice splatters from the counters, walls, floor, and miniblinds. If you wear glasses, chances are you'll need to rinse them, too, especially the first time.

Enjoy!

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

2011-11-20T17:20:00.000-08:00

Wow. This is amazing book had me enthralled from the very first sentence. The writing is beautiful and the different perspectives of each character ( Laura, Henry, Jamie, Ronsel, Hap, and Florence) dovetail neatly together in this meticulously crafted story.

The book opens with the digging of a grave. Then we meet the characters. Laura, a teacher resigned to spinsterhood, who marries steady, dependable Henry, mainly because he's the only man who ever asked. Henry isn't a bad guy, but he's not very aware of his wife's needs. He buys a farm in Mississippi and springs it on Laura. Not pleased, city-born and raised Laura dubs the farm "Mudbound." Despite the fact that Henry's crotchety father comes to live with them, Laura makes peace with her lot in life, only occasionally letting herself acknowledge her wish for something more.

Hap is one of the sharecroppers who lives and works on Henry's farm. His wife, Florence, is a midwife. Both are strong, hardworking people who have struggled to make a better life for themselves and their children.

The real heart of the story, however, revolves around the friendship of two soldiers recently returned to Mississippi after WWII. Both are heroes tortured by their memories of the war; both feel like strangers in the place they once called home. Jamie is Henry's charismatic younger brother. He deals with his demons by drinking. Ronsel is the son of Hap and Florence. A gifted student, he was the first in his family to learn to read. He served in the 761st Black Panther Battalion, the only colored tank unit in the US army. It is especially difficult for him to get a taste of being treated like a human being, only to return to his "boy" status when he comes home.

Hauntingly beautiful and tragic. A must read.

Adventures in Fruit

2011-11-15T15:26:00.000-08:00

The theme of this week has been "Adventures in Fruit." After having a positive, if messy, experience with a pomegranate, (and because the berries I normally love are out of season and not looking especially delicious right now) I decided to sample a few unfamiliar fruits this week. Well, two, actually. That is, I daresay, quite enough fruit adventure when it involves watching You Tube videos to figure out how to peel and eat said fruit.

Fruit number one was a persimmon. The preparation was quick and easy, but the gustatory experience was, shall we say, less than optimum. YUCK! I know now that I had a hachiya persimmon, which tastes bitter and leaves your mouth feeling "furry" if you eat it before it's ripe. Which I, unfortunately, did. I may try one again sometime, but not soon.

Understandably, the huge, impressive looking pomelos sat on the counter for several days while my taste buds and my sense of adventure recovered from the persimmon fiasco. Today was the day to peel the pomelos. They are about twice the size of a grapefruit and the taste is similar, although milder. Normally, I have to add sugar to enjoy grapefruit; these I could eat with no added sugar. The pith is quite spongy and pillowy. I found the texture entrancing and spent more time than I'd like to admit poking at it. If you've got kids, I can pretty much guarantee that they'll want to touch the peels. The verdict is: time-consuming and somewhat messy to peel (though not nearly as messy as a pomegranate), but delicious.

The following pictures will show how to peel a pomelo:

Step One:

Cut off the top and score all the way around so that the peel can be divided into quarters.

Step Two:

Sort of like peeling a grapefruit--slide fingers between the fruit and the peel on each quarter until you've got something that resembles a blooming flower. Then, and this is crucial, be sure to stop and take a picture.

Step Three:

Remove fruit from the peel.

Step Four:

This is the messy and time-consuming part of the process. Divide into sections as you would a grapefruit or an orange. Peel off the white stuff. Toss the large pile of pith and peel that's left over.

Step Five:

Voila!

For me, the downside of being (mostly) unemployed is mainly about the whole having no money thing, and also the isolation that comes from living in a new city AND having no job, and thus no co-workers and potential friendships. Surprisingly, though, to a person who has not gone for more than a couple of weeks between jobs since around 1984, this time off has been a blessing. I'm not gonna lie--I've had some truly epics naps and my fair share of pajama days. But I'm also refining my career focus and developing some skills that will help me be a better teacher. Between naps, I'm making serious progress through my tottering TBR pile (including all those teaching books that I buy but never find time to read while I'm actually teaching), studying Spanish, and finding out without a doubt that I make a much better teacher than a housewife. My part-time tutoring jobs are letting me keep a toe in the water until I can get back in the classroom. And I miss teaching, most days, anyway. But I'm also learning to appreciate the freedom to do the things that require a little extra time. Like peeling a pomelo.

Alliterative Haiku by Calvin

2011-11-14T20:00:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it's an indication of deep levels of immaturity, but I (truly, madly, deeply) love Calvin and Hobbes. Calvin is such a perfect combination of endearing and annoying, and a little too smart and imaginative to have an easy life ahead of him.

I have never been able to pick a favorite strip, but I am partial to the snowmen series. I found this page where the comics inspired some real-life snowman mayhem based on Calvin's outdoor antics. Hilarious.

What could be better than homicidal snowmen and snow shark attacks? Well, how about this Calvin and Hobbes haiku that shows some love to the letter t. What's not to love about a meeting of the minds that includes Calvin, haiku, and alliteration? Enjoy.

Sarah Kay and an inspiring TED Talk on spoken word poetry

2011-11-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

I'm busily stockpiling resources to enrich my teaching once I'm back in the classroom again. This TED Talk by Sarah Kay starts with her poem "B." The poem itself is marvelous and very much what I try to pass on to my students. She goes on to talk about her empowering early experiences at New York City's Bowery Poetry Club and her work with Project V.O.I.C.E. She ends with the performance of another poem, "Hiroshima." Inspiring!

RIP Jamey Rodemeyer

2011-10-17T16:23:00.000-07:00

Yet another gay teenager has taken his own life after being mercilessly bullied by classmates. We all know that being a teenager is difficult. How many of us can imagine how much more difficult it is to be an LGBT teenager, isolated and at the mercy of the cruel and ignorant?

In many ways, Jamey was lucky. His parents loved him and he could rely on his close friends to accept and care for him. He wasn't completely alone and marginalized as are so many teens coming to terms with their sexual identities. Nonetheless, he is dead.

The fact is, we are born the way we are born. Why should someone have to suffer and die because of who they love? I believe that the world needs more love, whatever form that love takes. I dare you to look into Jamey Rodemeyer's face and listen to his words of love and encouragement in his "It Gets Better" video and to remain unmoved.

Jamey Rodemeyer

Here are some links for more information and support:

GLSEN
It Gets Better Project
The Trevor Project

For Those With Vaginas

2011-10-14T21:44:00.000-07:00

As the economy stagnates, the GOP continues its assault on women's heath. The GOP-controlled House refuses to even bring the jobs bill up for debate because it is too busy proposing legislation that will make it legal for hospitals to refuse to perform abortions.

Of course, this goes hand in hand with ridiculously ineffective abstinence-only sex education and attempts to restrict access to birth control. It is my personal opinion that sometimes abortions are necessary and that women, along with their families and their doctors, should have the freedom to choose for themselves. Abortion is a personal, moral decision, not a legal one. If you don't believe in abortion, DON'T HAVE ONE! Rather than spending so much time and energy on sneaky ways to make abortions unavailable, perhaps we should focus that energy on educating people who are (or will be) sexually active to make informed decisions about their personal health and safety. While it's true that the only way to be 100% safe from unplanned pregnancy and STI's is to not engage in sexual activity, that is just not a realistic solution for a large majority of people. If so many Catholic priests can't keep it in their pants, what hope is there for your average horny teenager?

I'm including a couple of videos that address this issue and have inspired me to get involved in some political activism to advocate for women's sexual health. The first video is from the Rachel Maddow Show and features several congresswomen and men speaking out against the GOP's attack on women. The second video is from Second City and is a satirical response to GOP plans to cut funding for Planned Parenthood. "Vagina havers: Does your sexual partner support vaginas? If not, tell him how he can go get f@*ked. Alone."

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Angry Management by Chris Crutcher, challenged in South Carolina

2011-08-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

I just ran across a story about the most recent attempt to ban a book written by one of my favorite YA authors, Chris Crutcher.

The challenge to Angry Management comes from a parent in South Carolina, who, after reading 24 pages, decided that the book was unfit for his 14 year old son (and every child in the Kershaw County School District) because of "language." The parent, Douglas Berry, used Facebook to harangue the district's superintendent to remove the book from the summer reading list, as well as from the district's library shelves. The book seems to have been removed, perhaps pending a resolution, and then replaced once a committee was able to meet and discuss the challenge. It bothers me that that the district, at least initially, caved in so willingly and put the needs of one vocal complainer above the needs of everyone else.

As much as I do not agree with Mr. Berry, we live in a country where he has every right to not like this book, read this book, or buy this book. The school's summer reading list had at least 39 other books for his son to choose from. Surely, at least one of those would have been appropriate summer reading. He also is well within his rights to forbid his son from reading this book. Although I suspect that his son, along with many people who had never heard of Angry Management or Chris Crutcher before, has already read it, if only to find out what all of the fuss is about. It's certainly been moved to the top of my TBR pile.

The following is an excerpt from the letter that Chris Crutcher wrote to the students of Kershaw County in response to the challenge:

"Listen, if you pick up a copy of Angry Management and read the first twenty-four pages, as Douglas Berry says he did, and you don’t like it, put it down. The right to read also includes the right not to read. But remember it’s your right, not anyone else’s. If your education doesn’t challenge you, doesn’t take you out of your comfort zone and even scare you a little, you are being cheated."

So here's my suggestion. Go buy or borrow a copy of this book, read it, and start a conversation. Challenge ignorance and think for yourself.

Lucy's New Blog

2011-08-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

Apparently, my cat is blogging now, too. I suppose there are worse things she could be doing when I'm not looking.

Turning Classic Literature into Artwork

2011-06-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

Now a thousand words (and more) can MAKE a picture. Postertext.com uses the words from classic literature to create posters that represent each book. So far, choices are limited, but what a great idea!

Now Wuthering Heights (and other books) can grace your walls. Check out the link to see all of the available posters:

Wuthering Heights poster | Book posters for reading enthusiasts - Postertext

Sometimes Lazy = Good

2011-06-14T19:52:00.000-07:00

You know how some days, even when the to-do list is piling up to the ceiling, you just want to spend a whole day checking nothing off of the list? Well, today is one of those days for me. A hard workout, paired with several hours of gardening (sans sunscreen--oops) left me feeling sore and sunburned. Time to enjoy a day of doing a whole lot of nothing with my new friend, Bruno Mars. Ahhh...

Roller Derby in a mainstream music video

2011-06-14T19:50:00.000-07:00

Check out this music video by Halestorm, "It's Not You," featuring roller derby. Love it!

Taylor Mali on "What Teachers Make"

2011-06-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

It's not a great time to be a teacher. I get so fed up with people who see education as a second rate profession and who assume that, because they went to school once upon a time, they understand what it's like to be a teacher. I make a goddamn difference. What do YOU make?

"Miracle Workers" by Taylor Mali

2011-06-14T19:38:00.000-07:00

Taylor Mali, teacher and poet, talks about giving students what they need before they know they need it. Funny and though-provoking at the same time.

Derby Art by Maggie Gosselar

2011-06-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

This is a drawing done by Maggie Gosselar, one of the newest skaters with the Rock River Rollers. Though I've never been a rockstar skater, I certainly enjoy feeling like one!

Maggie's drawing is based on this picture:

Nanowrimo 2010

2010-11-01T20:41:00.001-07:00

To anyone who has ever dreamed of being a novelist, November is a month to remember. Crazy people around the world (kids and adults) will shirk many of their normal responsibilities for the sole purpose of writing an entire novel in a mere 30 days. If this sounds like fun to you, head over to www.nanowrimo.org to find out more. Sign up, lock your inner editor in the closet, and let your imagination fly free.

Pay more with Payless

2010-08-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

I just posted this review elsewhere, and since this company really pissed me off, am, of course, spreading it around as much as possible. We're leaving for another week in Vegas this evening, and will NOT be renting from Payless.

Here is the text of the review:

Pay more with Payless

We recently had a negative experience with this company while vacationing in Las Vegas, NV. At first, everything went smoothly. We got a reasonable price quote ($148 for a week rental of a small car). Check-in went quickly and the rep was friendly. The car was nothing fancy, but was adequate for our needs.

However, it was when we returned the car that the true character of this company was revealed. We checked the car in and noticed that we had been charged THREE TIMES the original quote. While I realize that taxes and other charges are added to the original quote, we were dismayed at the extent of the extra charges. We went from a quote of $148 to a reality of $598.

We asked the young man who checked in our car about the charges and he directed us to customer service. Though we had declined the daily insurance (we have our own, plus the coverage through American Express), it had been added to our bill anyway. My husband was pretty upset and argued the charges with the clerk. She called a supervisor, who eventually showed up, glanced at our bill for a couple of seconds, and told us that we had already been charged and, further, that the extra charges, "are your own fault because you didn't read the contract carefully enough."

Payless employees were friendly and helpful until we actually needed some help. When a problem arose, all thought of customer service went right out the window, unless of course, YOUR idea of customer service is, "Bend over a little further so we can REALLY service you."

We are disputing the charge with our credit card and will NEVER do business with this company again.

Target Women: Yogurt

2010-07-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

Another funny clip from Sarah Haskins. "Yogurt is the official food of women."

Roller Derby - How to Skate Sideways

2010-07-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

Another skill I am dying to learn to do--skating sideways. I've seen other skaters do it and of course they all make it look easy. First, I need to figure out how to get my body to stand this way OFF skates! Learning new skills is one of my biggest motivators to keep attending practice every week.

Roller Derby - How to do a leg whip

2010-07-02T16:37:00.000-07:00

Ah...the leg whip. This is the skill I am currently determined to master. Perhaps not all that practical during a close bout, but certainly a crowd pleaser. Bonnie D. Stroir of the San Diego Derby Dolls (one of my many derby idols) demonstrates proper form.

Cleaning: Target Women

2010-07-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

Target Women was a show featuring Sarah Haskins satirizing the way advertisers manipulate us to buy stuff. This is one of my favorite clips from the segment about how cleaning gets equated with romance and/or sex. This is the quote that made me laugh so hard I snorted: "Now, remember, if you're giving your bathtub spout a hand job, it doesn't add to your number."

BP Spills Coffee

2010-06-11T07:26:00.000-07:00

I ran across this video during my morning internet surf. The BP oil spill is a tragic disaster that will have far-reaching consequences for the environment and everyone and everything in it. Like any effective piece of satire, this is extremely funny, but also makes you think about a serious issue. As you're laughing, and maybe crying, think about the greedy profits-first mentality that allowed this to happen. THEN think about how our own actions contributed and what we can do to help fix it. For example, I've heard a lot of outraged people talking about boycotting BP, which punishes local business owners and really does nothing to BP itself. Getting your gas from a different place (Exxon, perhaps...remember them?) changes nothing. Riding your bike to work (or otherwise reducing your gasoline consumption), demanding renewable energy, using less plastic--these are things everyone can do that MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

So, join me in laughing at the pure idiocy of the corporate mentality and then add a few environmentally friendly habits to your own life.

Geek Humor: Librarians Go Gaga

2010-06-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

Who better to make a parody of a Lady Gaga song than a bunch of librarians? I found this hilarious!

Check out this great MSN Video: Librarians Go Gaga

SNL - Golden Girls Remix

2010-06-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

Tonight some skaters from another league joined our practice, partly to see what we're all about and partly to help us improve what we are already doing. It's always a blast to skate with new people because you learn so much and it just injects practice with a shot of energy.

I wanted to post a video of the new fall we practiced, the figure four, but, alas, no videos are available yet. Apparently, the fall we have been calling a baseball slide is actually called something else and the figure four fall is what WFTDA considers a baseball slide.

Confusing? Oh, yeah. But it's something new to practice and I think everyone had a pretty good start by the time we moved on to whips. We also got some solid technique tips and I'll be adding whips to our practice plan more regularly now that I have a better understanding of how to do them effectively. Tried a belt whip for the first time tonight and couldn't believe how much faster I was able to go.

Plan B for tonight's post...

In case you missed Betty White on SNL a few weeks ago, take a look at this tribute to The Golden Girls. Make sure you watch to the end, because it really gets good when Betty starts to thrash.

Cheerios Roller Derby TV Commercial

2010-06-08T20:38:00.000-07:00

I realize that not everyone is excited about roller derby becoming part of the mainstream, but this commercial, with it's taste of derby on a non-practice night, cheered me up.

Roller Derby Explained

2010-06-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

I just love this animated video, created by the Gem City Rollergirls, that clearly explains the basics of roller derby. Check it out.

"I Can! I Have! I Will! I Am!" by Bunnie Low-Browski

2010-05-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

I just read an inspiring article in the Spring 2010 issue of USARS Magazine. Derby girl Bunnie Low-Browski writes about the transformation many of us experience after derby gets its hooks in us. That same increase in self-confidence that has worked its way into my own life as I have come to not only embrace my inner bad-ass, but also to let her out to play in the non-derby aspects of my life.

The first quote that caught my eye was this: "Who is this sporty revolutionary you've become?....She smells like sweat and she isn't apologizing for her matted hair....Before we know it, roller derby has changed us, blossomed us into tall and proud battalions." I saw my first derby bout and knew I had to be a part of it. I was a dedicated couch potato with absolutely no skating ability who joined a local league as a fresh meat skater, wobbling around, shaky as a newborn lamb and scared to death of falling down. After a year and a half of working hard learning how to skate, but still sitting on the sidelines, I finally made it onto the bout roster. I wasn't the best or most aggressive skater, and I fell down A LOT. But every time I got back up, I got a little more of that "I Can! I Have! I Will! I Am!" that Bunnie talks about.

Bunnie goes on to say that the way to keep this growth coming and to move from whiner to warrior is to practice positive thinking. Just as we improve our physical endurance, strength, and agility by spending time working out, on skates and off, we also need to exercise the parts of our brains that keep us motivated and positive. Not only should we be, but we ARE "...stronger and smarter than those thoughts that try to cripple us."

So, the next time you start to hear those voices in your head that tell you you're not strong enough, smart enough, good enough--WHATEVER--shut them up by taking Bunnie's advice: "You have to be your own number one biggest fan and you have to do it now and every day." If you fall, get back up; revel in the kind of inner strength and confidence that only comes when you struggle past your limits and discover that "I Can! I Have! I Will! I Am!"

Zombie Haiku: Good Poetry for Your...Brains by Ryan Mecum

2010-05-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

The story of an average guy who keeps a journal of his poetry intended to celebrate the beauty around him. Before long, though, his journal is about his zombie "life"--told in haiku. I'm using some examples to teach my students about haiku. And all I have to do to get their undivided attention is to say, "Oh, this next one is gross. Cover your ears if that will make you uncomfortable." Who says poetry has to be about rainbows and butterflies?

A few of my favorites:

little old ladies
speed away in their wheelchairs,
frightened meals on wheels.

Biting into heads
is much harder than it looks.
His skull is feisty.

I lap around blocks.
The city, an empty plate,
has been licked clean.

Her tongue can't form words,
although it's still wiggling
when it's in my hand.

I need to slow down.
It's hard, when eating fingers,
to tell whose hand's whose.

Zombie fans will eat this one up.

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

2009-01-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

I don't usually post book reviews here, but this beautiful and heartbreaking book is one that everyone should know about.

Set in the fictional town of Bayonne, Louisiana in the late 1940s. Two African American men, proundly different, are both struggling to be men in a racist society.

Uneducated Jefferson witnesses the murder of a white storekeeper during a robbery. The perpetrators are also killed, and Jefferson is put on trial for murder. In Jefferson's defense, his lawyer says not that Jefferson is innocent, but that killing him would be like slaughtering a hog. The all white jury is not swayed by this argument and sentences him to death in the electric chair.

Jefferson's godmother, who raised him, asks a black school teacher, Grant Wiggins, to visit Jefferson in jail and help him to face his death with dignity.

Grant longs to leave the South and is unwilling to take his task seriously. He really doesn't believe it will make a difference. After all, though he is well-educated, he still feels bound and limited by the same racist attitudes that resulted in Jefferson's conviction and death sentence. Eventually, however, the two men form a bond that transforms them both.

Heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. A MUST READ.

The picture's so real...

2008-11-13T19:48:00.000-08:00

it fools the cat. She keeps trying to make friends with the people on the screen.

My new library

2008-11-12T18:29:00.001-08:00

Most people have a to-be-read pile; I have a to-be-read room. Up until this past weekend, it looked like this:

After much shifting of boxes and several hours of banging and pounding, it looked like this:

Finally, after several more hours of hefting and sorting, I have a library. Didn't go Dewey, but the books are alphabetized so I can find stuff. As I was sorting, I only found one book that I mistakenly bought twice. And it's by one of my favorite authors, so that's okay.

This is my new haven:

Lots of books and a cozy room to read them in--bliss.

Concession / Victory Speeches

2008-11-04T20:30:00.000-08:00

I just watched John McCain's concession speech, and I have to say I like him better now than at any other time during the campaign. His speech was gracious and I appreciated the way he pledged his support for our new president and urged his supporters to do the same. Our country is in the midst of a difficult time right now and we do need to find ways to work together to solve some big problems. Kudos to McCain.

Though I was exhausted and ready to crawl into bed, I had to stay up to watch Obama's victory speech. For the first time in many years, I am proud of my country's choice of a leader. Barack may not be perfect, but I believe he is the best choice for our country at this moment in history. Obama's speech left me feeling inspired. Yes, we have lots of problems to solve. This is our time to make a difference. "Yes we can."

Analogy of the day

2008-10-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

"And a woman voting for McCain and Palin is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders."

Ashley Judd

Takin' hits and takin' names

2008-09-26T20:32:00.000-07:00

Well, sorta. Taking hits and not falling...much.

Right at the start of my first full season of roller derby, I am still not entirely sure whether I want to stay with the newbies or get out there with the big girls. So last night at practice, several of the returning skaters, dying to practice hitting, got out on the track. I was left on the edge of our makeshift track, watching the skilled skaters move onto the track and the newer skaters head to the outside. I looked longingly at the safety of the far end of the rink and then thought, "Am I a woman? Hell yes I am!" And braced myself for the carnage to come.

So today, though I have no bruises to show for all the pain and suffering, I see a visit to the chiropractor in my very near future. Thanks a bunch, Bombadee. Derby love to you too.

Why you should never talk politics at a party...

2008-09-20T22:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am making a serious effort to stay informed on issues to be better prepared for the presidental elections this year. In addition to standard news sources, I have been reading blogs.

The problem I am having is that people are downright rude and political discussions turn into profanity-laden screaming matches. Now, I enjoy profanity as much as the next bad-ass rollergirl, but not when it is used to cover up the fact that a person has nothing intelligent to contribute to a discussion.

Obviously, tempers are bound to flare when people are discussing deeply held personal beliefs. And, truthfully, I enjoy reading the dissenting opinions--when those opinions are stated clearly and backed up with sound facts. I have learned much in my life from people with whom I have disagreed. Even if my opinion isn't guaranteed to fundamentally change after one of these discussions, listening to a well-reasoned argument always gets me thinking and examining my own beliefs. And that's a good thing.

Unfortunately, it seems to me that everyone is so entrenched in their own fundamental "rightness" that they can't even hear anyone but themselves. For example, an author I admire posted a video clip about Palin's campaign to eliminate wild wolves and bears from Alaska. There were a few intelligent comments on the blog, but most were abusive, misspelled, ALL CAPS, and/or just plain ignorant. And this was on both sides of the issue.

Argh!

Not sure whether to laugh or scream...

2008-09-15T19:11:00.001-07:00

It's the two little furry yahoos running rampant through my house right now.

We adopted two kittens from a wonderful no-kill cat shelter last year (Touched by a Paw). They are friendly and lots of fun, but they have one very strange quirk: they LOVE enclosed spaces of all kinds. They hang out in the laundry basket and are especially happy if there are a few dirty socks cushioning the bottom. But their favorite hangout is a toss-up between either my sock drawer or my underwear drawer. Now, it would be bad enough if they simply curled up and took a nap in there, but they burrow--and they are not small.

So, I come home from a looooong day at work to find that the two creatures had been partying like rockstars in my bedroom. My dresser drawers gaped wide open, the contents strewn from wall to wall. It looked like a lingerie bomb had gone off, tossing undies and derby socks everywhere. When I started reorganizing, it became apparent that my little darlings had attempted to squeeze their not-so-svelte bodies out the back of the sock drawer. I have no idea if they succeeded, though I doubt it. They had, however, managed to push several socks out that way. As I took out the drawer and dug around the back of my dresser, cursing a blue streak, Ally and Lucy sat a few feet away, watching.

And I swear, they were smiling.

Just say no to Palin!

2008-09-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

As much as I would LOVE to see the United States progress to a point where a woman running the White House could be a reality, I am personally and politically insulted about the Republican party’s assumption that women will support a candidate who has nothing to offer except that she has a vagina.

Palin is against all the things that I personally believe make this country a place I want to live. She does not believe that women should have control over their own bodies or that we should educate our daughters so that they can make informed choices about their health and sexuality. She thinks global warning is a myth and believes that everyone should own a gun. As an English teacher with a love of controversial books, I find her views on book banning appalling.

As far as the “experience” McCain so glowingly talks about—organizing the soccer carpool and being the mayor of some Podunk town with a smaller population than my high school does NOT make her qualified to lead the nation.

I keep waiting for the McCain camp to call a press conference and say, "Just kidding, folks. Our real choice for VP is..."

Cancer sucks

2008-09-06T20:58:00.000-07:00

My father-in-law died of lung cancer today. Even though we knew he couldn't last much longer, it still came as more of a shock than we thought it would. The saddest thing is how little either of us really knew him. On our last visit, which was last year, he had just found out that his cancer had come back (even after having a lung removed). Bill planned on trying to talk about some of their unresolved issues, but his dad's life was already so sad that Bill couldn't bring himself to bring them up. The few times that Bill actually picked up the phone, his dad didn't want to have any serious conversations. So, no closure.

Bill is a mess and he's all alone in a hotel room halfway across the country right now. I hope he gets some sleep tonight because he has to wrap up his job and start the long drive home tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I will have to figure out what we'll do about the funeral and book our flight to California.

School ready to go, part 1

2008-08-31T09:37:00.000-07:00

School starts on Tuesday in our new school. Within a few short weeks, we've made amazing progress in setting up our learning environment and I am PROUD of our accomplishments so far. This was last year's classroom, literally a "one-room schoolhouse." It went from this:

to this (our cafeteria / gym / math room:
Our science lab went from this:
to this (the floor is still not done, so we decided to wait on moving in the big storage cabinets):

Check out the view from my office

2008-08-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

My classroom is shaping up, though I still have tons to do before kids show up on Tuesday. My desk is on the yet-to-be-organized list, but my books are all at home on their shiny new shelves. Whenever I start to feel too stressed, I can sit back in my comfy office chair and peruse my mighty empire of books. Ahhh...

The actual classroom remains "under construction," but we're getting there. I'll go in tomorrow to (hopefully) finish setting up the physical space. Then I can spend the rest of the long weekend writing curriculum. FUN.

Proud to be a woman today

2008-08-26T20:36:00.000-07:00

Smart, dynamic women; fantastic speeches.

Some of my favorite quotes from Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton:

I loved what Michelle said about "the belief that the world as it is just won't do-- that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be."

And that "America should be a place where you can make it if you try."

Michelle Obama delivered a positive, uplifting message which was just what I needed after a hard day. I would've actually settled for a foot massage, but, hey, a political speech is the next best thing, right?

During Hillary's speech, I was reminded why I like her so much. That woman is so smart and a such powerful presence on stage. Definitely a bit stiffer than Michelle, but formidable (and I do mean that in a bad-ass, derby love way). Can't really see Michelle playing roller derby, but I bet Hillary could knock some bitches down.

The "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits" line cracked me up, but my husband didn't get the joke.

When Hillary said, "My mother was born before women had the right to vote; My daughter was able to vote for her mother--for President," I almost burst into tears. While I'm still blaming the patriarchy for the fact that the US is STILL not ready for a female president, I have to admit that we've made some amazing progress.

And now, thanks to Hillary daring to go where no woman has gone before, there are "18 million cracks in the glass ceiling."

Join the fight against Leukemia and Breast Cancer

2008-08-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Support your Stateline Roller Derby Divas as we join the fight against Leukemia and Breast Cancer.

The Divas will be walking in Light the Night to raise money for leukemia research on September 18. The walk starts at Davis Park in Rockford, IL. Registration begins at 5:30 pm and we start the walk at 7 pm. Walk with us and become an honorary Diva or make an online donation. You can make your donation at: http://www.active.com/donate/ltnChicag/2378_LiterateHer

We will also be participating in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on October 25. This walk starts at Martin Park in Loves Park, IL. Registration begins at 8 am and we start the walk at 9 am. Walk with us, buy a t-shirt, or make an online donation (or all do all of the above and experience some sincere derby love). Visit my fundraising page to help save endangered boobies everywhere: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TRC/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY09Illinois?pg=peditor&fr_id=11688&px=7733185

My New School

2008-08-22T19:04:00.001-07:00

Construction is ALMOST DONE on our school expansion. Last year, our charter school was literally a "one-room schoolhouse." That original room, pictured here crammed with all our junk, will be used as an all-purpose room. Gym in the morning, lunchroom at noon, and whatever is needed in the afternoon.

At the far end of our all-purpose room is the kitchen where lunch will be served. It was a storage area last year.

We hope our new science lab area will be done by next week. Let's all cross our fingers...

Here is the long view of our very large classroom that will hold about 40 students in grades 9-12. We moved in the furniture all day and I was too exhausted to even think about taking more photos. Maybe tomorrow when I go in to set up my office...

It doesn't look nearly so big with 40 workstations set up.

Close-up of the same room. My office is the door on the left, Scott's is in the middle, and the short hallway on the right leads to an extra classroom where we can take small groups of kids for seminar time, presentations, or whatever. I managed to squeeze a ginormous desk and four bookcases into my office. Now I just need a spot for the file cabinets...

More Roller Derby Basics

2008-08-17T14:02:00.001-07:00

Can't get enough of roller derby basics? Check out this article from HowStuffWorks for a short tutorial on bouting, rules, etc.

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/roller-derby.htm

Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track by Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan

2008-08-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Roller derby is back, but very different from the banked track derby that many people remember from the 70's. The reimagination of derby as a flat track, skater-run sport started with a single league in Texas in 2003. Today, there are leagues of smart, strong women all over the country ready and willing to step into their skates and knock a bitch down.

Melicious traces the fascinating history of flat track roller derby, starting with the founding of the Texas Rollergirls in 2003, and continuing through the Dust Devil National Championship in 2006. Quotes, stories, and profiles from real rollergirls, in addition to fast-paced derby action, make this a book that will be almost impossible for skaters or fans of derby to put down.

Melicious describes her immediate enchantment with the sport after seeing a bout and her subsequent trip to the rink for her first practice. I could relate because I had the same reaction. Even though I hadn't been on skates since middle school (a loooong time ago), my local team has welcomed me and is patiently teaching me how to hold my own on eight wheels.

I highly recommend this book to skaters of all levels. Melicious combines a detailed history of this exciting sport with stories from skaters that explain exactly why so many women are willing to pay money for the privilege of working so hard and risking injury in order to participate. Humorous and informative.

2008-08-16T16:30:00.001-07:00

Not sure you understand the basics of women's flat track roller derby? Check out this animated video posted on YouTube by the Gem City Rollergirls, featuring music by Uncle Leon and the Alibis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T8izdlc-dY

Great stuff!

My favorite song from Les Miserables

2008-08-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

Rereading Les Mis got me thinking about how much I enjoyed the musical when I saw it in London back in 1991. I haven't listened to the soundtrack recently, but even hearing a few bars of my favorite songs starts the waterworks...

Who Am I? (Jean Valjean) Another man is arrested in Valjean's place and he struggles with whether to admit his true identity or to let the other man take his place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PXZ1nLiUZo

Come to Me (Fantine/Jean Valjean) Fantine's death scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxPpMRK2jrk

Master of the House (the Thénardiers) A bit of comic relief with the thoroughly disgusting innkeeper and his wife: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFPsEwV38Q0&feature=related

The Confrontation (Jean Valjean/Javert) Valjean begging for time to save Fantine's daughter while Javert insists on following the letter of the law: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYCPHHPXTmk&feature=related

A Little Fall of Rain (Marius/Eponine) Eponine's death scene. I weep every time I hear this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ptdGPt9wt4

Bring Him Home (Jean Valjean) Valjean rescues Marius and prays that he will live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrX_WT9LGzo

I wish they'd sell the musical on DVD. As much as I'd love to go back to London to see the show again, I don't see that happening any time soon. And the movie versions just don't do it for me....sigh...

Irritated by a Book

2008-08-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

I really hate reading fiction and being smacked in the face with an author's agenda. Sheesh, that crap should be saved for non-fiction. At least you know the kind of drivel you'll be getting from Ann Coulter or Jerry Falwell.

When you're on vacation in Las Vegas...

2008-08-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

As a former resident of Las Vegas, I have a tip for those of you planning a visit. If you're planning to get drunk and stupid, you need to know that following traffic laws might save your life.

If you ignore traffic laws and cross against the lights, you stand a very good chance of being hit by a car. And no, holding up your 3' tall drink as you stumble in the path of fast-moving traffic won't make motorists feel your drunken vibe. In fact, it just might piss them off enough that they will run you down. And guess what else? If you are crossing where there is no crosswalk or crossing against the light, the motorist who runs you over won't even get a ticket.

My husband and I just spent a week in Vegas for RollerCon and I could not believe the way tourists just wandered out into traffic. Often, everyone would be waiting and then one dumbass would decide to go in spite of the don't walk signal. This would inspire a group of others to follow, despite the fact that two lanes of traffic were heading towards them.

Believe me, coming home in a body bag will totally be a vacation buzz kill, so just wait for the walk symbol.

More Las Vegas food highlights

2008-08-04T21:15:00.001-07:00

Janie and I got new haircuts for the Black and Blue Ball on Friday and then stopped at Firefly, our favorite tapas restaurant, for lunch. We started with the crunchy bread and almond butter and a couple of mojitos. I like the sangria better, so I switched to that for the meal. We ordered a big bowl of salad and a big bowl of pasta. We tried to get Bill to come over and join us, but he was busy taking a nap. Smart man--it was a late night!

Our last stop of note was my all-time favorite restaurant in Vegas, The Roadrunner. Unfortunately, the blender was broken, so I was unable to order my usual, a mango margarita. I only pouted briefly. Ron and Janie joined us. Ron had the buffalo meatloaf, Janie had the Dr. Pepper tacos (very juicy and delicious), Bill tried the brisket (underwhelming, though the smashed potatoes rocked), and I stuck with an old favorite, the smoked turkey and avocado wrap.

We stayed at Paris and tried a couple of restaurants there when we couldn't face traffic. The food was excellent, but pricey. I highly recommend getting away from the Strip on your next trip and venturing out to where the locals eat. Just don't act like an annoying tourist!

Las Vegas food highlights

2008-08-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about Las Vegas is the wide variety of restaurants. I'm not a big-city kind of girl, but I love eating out and appreciate good food. I planned to do a daily food blog live from Vegas, as there are so many wonderful eateries, but Internet access was sporadic and my free time surprisingly limited. It was a hectic week, but we did make time to get away from the Strip and revisit some of our favorite restaurants.

Our first stop (directly from the airport) was Memphis BBQ. No need to look at the menu--it was brisket sandwiches and apple blossom tea for both of us.

Next up was our favorite breakfast place, The Original Pancake House. Portions are GINORMOUS, so it is a good idea to share with a friend. Unfortunately, Bill likes meat and I prefer veggies, so he never wants to split anything. He had a basic egg and sausage breakfast and I had an incredible baked omelet with lotsa veggies. And fluffy buttermilk pancakes and fresh-squeezed OJ. Then we had to go take a nap and digest a while...

The other Divas in town for RollerCon joined us for dinner at Sammi’s Woodfire Pizza. I had, you guessed it, a grilled veggie pizza. Yummy!

More to follow...

Oh shit!

2008-07-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

Not what you want to hear as your hair stylist takes the foil out of your hair after a highlighting job. Sigh...such is my life.

Ah, well, it's fixed and I have a bouncy new haircut to enjoy in Vegas. RollerCon is going to ROCK!

Books and music go together like...

2008-07-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

Spent the day skimming through my music collection looking for songs that would be good motivation to skate to. Of course, being a pretty typical woman, I couldn't merely do that and move on.

Instead, I got sidetracked once I noticed a song by Kate Bush called Wuthering Heights that I haven't listened to for some time. The song shares a title with a book by Emily Bronte. I stopped to listen to it and to think about how much I love the book. Then I thought it might be fun to look for other music in my collection with literary references.

Meanwhile, my original playlist is half finished...

This is what I've come up with so far. Can anyone add to my list?

Anthem by Rush
Basket Case by Green Day
Clocks by Coldplay
Cloudbusting by Kate Bush
Daddy by Jewel
Don Quixote by Gordon Lightfoot
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica
Frankenstein by Edgar Winter
Ghost World by Aimee Mann
Goldrush Brides by 10,000 Maniacs
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Guinnevere Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Hey, Jack Kerouac by 10,000 Maniacs
Home at Last by Steely Dan
I Am the Walrus by The Beatles
Kid Charlemagne by Steely Dan
Leaving Las Vegas Sheryl Crow
Misty Mountain Hop by Led Zeppelin
Mock Turtle's Song by Steely Dan
Moby Dick by Led Zeppelin
Nutshell by Alice in Chains
Orestes by A Perfect Circle
Prince of Tides by Jimmy Buffett
Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
Rivendell by Rush
Romeo And Juliet by Dire Straits
Sensual World by Kate Bush
Sister Moon by Sting
Sleep To Dream by Fiona Apple
Tales of Brave Ulysses by Cream
Tangled Up In Blue by Bob Dylan
The Barricades of Heaven by Jackson Browne
The Battle of Evermore by Led Zeppelin
The End by The Doors
The Ground Beneath Her Feet by U2
Tom Sawyer by Rush
Troy by Sinead O'connor
Virginia Woolf by The Indigo Girls
White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane
Who Wrote Holden Caulfield? by Green Day
Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush

Learning to fly

2008-07-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

I've been roller skating outside on the bike path all week, getting ready for RollerCon. Skating outside is much harder than it looks and I feel like I'm creeping along, sweating my ass off, but never really getting anywhere.

Disheartened at my lack of progress, I headed over to the Diva's home rink, The Skatin' Station, for a bit of Friday night fun. It wasn't too crowded, which was nice. I was the only adult on skates and several kids looked amused as I strapped on my pads and adjusted my newly stretched skates (aaaaah, bliss...).

Big difference from the bike path! That feeling of zipping around the rink like a cold beer on a hot day is addictive. I almost felt like a jammer as I weaved in and out around the slower skaters. Granted, nobody was trying to block me or knock me down, but for someone who could barely stand up on skates a few months ago, this was an incredibly empowering feeling.

Since the rink wasn't crowded, I eventually started to practice falls in the corners. After one extremely smooth right knee 180 (yeah, I was proud) I stopped to adjust my laces. A young girl skated over to me, very concerned, and our conversation went like this:

Girl: "Are you okay?"
Me: "I'm fine. Believe it or not, I fell on purpose. I'm just tightening my laces while I'm down here."
Girl: "Oh." She thought a moment and then added, "Why would you fall on purpose?"
Me: I was thinking, "Ah, Grasshopper, good question. And why would you put on a pair of roller skates and dare a whole posse of tough bitches to try to knock you down? And why would you get back up and do it all over again? Because it's the most fun you can have without breaking the law, that's why!" But what I said was, "Because the more you fall down, the more opportunities you have to get back up." Pearls of wisdom, I tell you, pearls of wisdom.
Girl: "Um, okay." And she skated away, but watched me for the rest of the night and applauded every time I did a fall.

I am such a rock star.

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

2008-07-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

Eighteen people respond to an offer to live in complete seclusion for three months in order to complete the novel they have always wanted to write. The writer's retreat turns out to be a sinister experiment that unlocks the participants' baser natures and reveals them in all their horrifying inhumanity.

Their host shuts off the power and heat, and leaves them with an empty pantry. Then he waits to see what will happen. No one actually writes anything, but each participant does share their personal stories--each one more disgusting and disturbing than the last. For example, one story involves a teenaged boy who decides to masturbate at the bottom of the pool. Soon, he is stuck to the filter and his intestines are being sucked into it. Another story is set in a police station where the officers have sex with the anatomically correct dolls which the social worker uses to help children talk about being abused. The phrase indescribably gross comes to mind, but Palahniuk does describe the scene, in vivid detail.

Instead of actually writing, each "writer" envisions the made-for-TV movie that will result when the story behind the writer's retreat is sold. Each person plays little tricks on the others to make their situation more horrifying (so it will play better on TV). The revelation of the real reason for the writer's reatreat made me gasp and then made me think. So, even though this book was over-the-top gross, both in sexual and gore-factor descriptions, I can't stop thinking about it. I recommend anything that inspires thought, but beware if you are squeamish or easily offended.