Busy Busy Busy

The last week has gone by so quickly. Amongst all the excitement of a teaching job there was a graduation party, and a birthday party. I am quickly learning that the first week of school is exhausting. It isn't entirely a bad thing, it is just a busy week. On another note one beautiful young lady tried out for the volleyball team and made it and a beautiful little lady will be moved to first grade instead of staying in kindergarten. What an exciting week!

Turning up

Well  . . . I think things are finally turning up. I had interview for a 5th teaching job on Monday, which I felt really good about it. When I got the call back I was a little saddened by not getting the position but the principal and vice principal liked me enough to find a way to hire me. It was kind of nice to know that they like me enough to make something work so that I could be a part of their team. The position isn't something I had originally seen myself doing but it is an adventure and I am going for it. So . . . the last couple days have been a whirlwind of human resources and trying to get classrooms ready. So exciting!

Movie, Movies, and Movies

Yesterday I took a break from my reading goal, worrying about whether or not I would get a job, and spent the day watching movies. I went old school and enjoyed a day of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, and Ginger. Sometimes there is nothing better than a classic.  Watching movies with such Iconic actors reminds you of why they are iconic, why they are the standard. A lot of classic stars carry an elegant nature that you don't see very often anymore.

On another note, I watched a more recent movie called The Red Baron, as you may have guessed, is it a movie based on the german flying ace from world war one. The movie focuses mostly on The Baron's military career as a pilot but you see a personal side to the man that is intriguing. I truly enjoyed the film and would't hesitate in recommending it. Yes the movie is based on historical information but because of the movies basis there is a lot of action that pulls in those that need more than a great story to stay interested in a film. The movie has a little bit of everything for everyone.

A little discouraged

I know that this is a difficult time for people to obtain jobs, especially in particular fields. I have been working as a substitute teacher for my local school district the last year and a half, graduated with my teaching degree in May of 2011. I currently have applications filed with three districts close to where I live, which allows me to send a letter of interest when I see an opening I would like to be considered for, and nothing. On several occasions I have been sent an e mail from a principal saying that they will be reviewing applications for a certain teaching position and if interested to let them know. I respond to the e mail stating my interest and then never hear. It has been the same on the few interviews I have been on, we like you, we think you are great, but then someone else gets offered the position. I know for the charter school I was lacking the Masters degree that they "preferred." Otherwise I am at a loss. There are quite a few teachers that request me as their go to for a substitute. After a long term substitute job in which I took on all the duties of a teacher, to include planning, I was told I would make a great teacher by many of my colleagues I had worked with during the time at this school, a couple of them even wrote me letters of recommendation, so why is it I can't manage to land a job? I know the job market is tough and that there are many teachers, especially ones who have several years of classroom experience out there, but how does one get long term classroom experience when they aren't even allowed out of the starting gate?

Hot August Nights, Cars, Cars, and more Cars

In Reno, Nevada, where I live it is that annual time of year. The time of year where we see the warmest days and the hottest cars. The streets are filled with the automobiles of the past. Model T's, Muscle cars,  and the long forgotten "boat." Hot August Nights is one of the few annual events held in the area that I make sure to attend every year. There is something about the smell of rubber after watching a drag race that causes your seat to rumble because of the purr from an engine. The music, the cars, the crowd, are reminiscent of days that have past an older generation by and a small glimpse of what that generation was for those of who missed out on the experience. The event brings generations together through a love of cars.

Right versus wrong and Apologies

Occasionally people will sit down to discuss things and it becomes a right versus wrong scenario because someone feels like there is only one way to see it, one person right and one person wrong. I had a discussion yesterday with a friend and the conversation quickly turned into right versus wrong and a tiredness of apologizing for things we don't even know we are apologizing for. It is funny how it can be drawn so black and white when it involves emotion and feeling. Sometimes there is gray area, sometimes there isn't always a right and wrong sometimes there are emotions, perceptions, and understandings. What kills me though is if people, me included, would just listen instead of focusing in on what small part of a conversation they focused on things would be much easier. I think . . . that sometimes the things we focus on also give us away, showing that we know what we are doing. 

As far as apologies go they should be only given if we truly mean them, otherwise they are empty. Everything doesn't need an apology, sometimes it just needs for someone to listen and acknowledge what part, no matter how large or small, they played in the events that occurred. 

Libraries

The long lost library. I am an avid Barnes and Noble lover, I admit it, but in the face of a down economy, and in general, it makes more financial sense to preview first. I found I would pick a book at Barnes and Noble based on the back cover or the flap. I would then bring the book home and get through the first few chapters and either do to the story or the way it was written, I couldn't bring myself to finish. A waste of money. The nice thing about the library is I can read first, or not read, and then decide if I would like to spend the money to make the book part of my permanent collection. As long as I remember to return the books to the library on time.

I have also decided that I am going to try and make it through a list of 200 books. The list is compiled of 100 best reads by a board from Random House and the other 100 books are best books determined by readers. Do to the availability of books I will not be able to go in order and I have decided to give myself one year. Some books I will be able to get through quicker than others do to various circumstances, but this is my goal. First book: Of Mice and Men.

Lost Light

My one day read was Lost Light by Michael Connelly. The book takes a look at our retired detective and a case he just can't let go of. This book was a little less predictable than the last one but given the events that occur through out the story you can tell where the close of the case is going. The last chapter throws you a little loop but helps close loose ends and allow the main character to finally feel settled. I would give this book three out of five books for the reasons I have mentions.

City of Bones

My latest read is City if Bones by Michael Connelly. In some ways the book was surprising and in other ways the book was repetitive. The book is based on the finding of 20 year old bones and a detectives journey to find out what happened. The story was easy to follow and characters well developed. I have to admit, I almost didn't read the last chapter thinking that what had occurred up to that point was truly the end of the story and the last chapter was one of those that was going to leave m feeling disappointed, because I had felt the story was truly over. As a I read the brief chapter it brought closure to the main character and an ending worthy of the story. I would give this book three and half bones out of five. Although it was a good read some of the repetitiveness left the story somewhat predictable.

NBC

As I am sure it has been mentioned across the internet, in circles around the water cooler, text messages, Facebook posts, tweets,  and phone calls the NBC coverage of the summer games has been disappointing. Most of us have either seen or heard the promo's and gaffs telling us in one form or another who received which medal for what competition before it has been aired in the United states but what about the events we aren't even hearing about? I understand that as a cooperation NBC is going to make decisions what games it thinks will draw in the most viewers and of course affect the bottom line. NBC has also set up an on line viewing website, but you have to be a member of a paid cable or satellite company. You can view four hours worth of videoing streaming as a non cable or satellite company member but once our four hours is up . . . With a week of the olympics left, some of the sports just beginning, and some starting to wind down how are those who are interested in something other than what NBC decides to show us going to see?

Friendship

Friendship is a funny thing. I read an article that mentions friends are around for certain parts of our lives when they are needed. Some friends come and go and some friends have those certain characteristics that make them lifers. I have been friends with a particular woman for six/seven years and we know practically everything about each other but I find myself wondering lately if our friendship time is up, that it is time for us to move on. I have had my fare share of friendships that ended for one reason or another but I am having a hard time letting this one go. We have been through quite a bit together and she is one of the few people that has been there no matter what through some nasty things but . . . she has also turned and walked a way from me on a few occasions. I am told that I am a loyalist, maybe too much. Without airing things all over the place we have both made mistakes, heck, last week I wasn't a big enough person to allow certain things to roll off my back and I walked out of her "open house." I thanked her for inviting us and then told her that we had to go. We haven't spoke since. I owe her an apology, I know that, and I will give it, but once the apology is said there will be an awkward silence between an explanation and acceptance. The hard thing about this is that somewhere between the explanation and conversation I will feel like I am turning my wheels, like I am not really being listened to and at some point we are going to this whole dance again. I am old enough to have learned to admit my hand in certain things but there isn't a mutual return. I am a firm believer in accepting people just as they are for who they are but with that said there is always room for acceptance of pet peeves, acknowledgement of our wrongs, and maybe an attempt to grow. I will get there.  

The Amazing Spider-Man

Having boys I have to admit I am a little super heroed (I know, it;s not really a word) out. For a second time in a week I am surprised at one of the newest super hero movies. The latest super man, I think, will divide people. There will be people attending the movie as loyal super man fans, those who are attending out of curiosity, and those who are going because someone else wants to go and they are being supportive. This is where the divide will begin. This Spider-Man does not follow the pre-designed plot created by the comic books. The creator of this Spider-Man took creative liberties to change a few things while still hanging on to some key ideas and concepts. The actors along with the a few changed elements make the story more human, and dare I say, even more relatable.  Andrew Garfield who plays Spider-Man is less awkward in his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man which allows for a more believable character. Emma Stone as always does a wonderful job as Gwen, you can definitely relate to those awkward high school moments and the right versus wrong. I would give this movie three out of five spiders.