I Hate Being Sick

Well it only took 6 weeks, but I have my cold of the school year.  I figured that with there being so many more kids at my new school that I would have caught sooner than this.  Ten years of teaching has allowed me to build up a pretty immune system, but there’s no defending against the cold virus. 

I hate being sick the school year because, to be honest, it’s so much more work to get prepare for a substitute than it is to actually be in school.  I have to really under-the-weather to make myself take a sick day.  And when I do take it, I have a hard time resting because I’m worried about what is going on in my classroom.

Being sick is one of the small downsides of being a teacher.  With this cold, I don’t feel “sick enough” to take a sick day, but I’m still not feeling well.  All day I have “be on” and teach my kids and reign in that urge to just snap because I feel like crap. I am grateful for cold medicine, it does make life more bearable.

I’ve also discovered that when I’m not feeling well, that I’m more inclined to get into the mindset of “wanting to feel better so that I can exercise”.  This may sound crazy (and I have been told on occasion that I’m not playing with a full deck), but when I’m sick I want to go out walking or do something physical, yet when I’m feeling well, I don’t seem to have that same motivation.  It’s a mystery, wrapped in a riddle, wrapped in a conundrum. 

For the first time in a while, I stepped on the scale this morning.  I was happy to see that I’m at about 236.5 pounds.  At the beginning of the school year I was over 240 (242 at my heaviest… I think), so something good is going on.  I’m bringing my own lunch to school, I have to walk a lot more in my new building and I’m definitely more active during the school day.  It’s a start, now I need to start building on the work-related success. 

Cowboys & Indians....

Tonight the Washington Redskins play the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.  I thought I would highlight a couple of my favorite players, one a Cowboy and one a Redskin....

Jason Witten, Tight End, Dallas Cowboys

Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive Back, Washington Redskins

More Mike Napoli

A fellow blogger has a birthday coming up.  I thought I'd give him and early present....

It's a Quarter After One....

I've discovered that the hip new trend in music is what I'm now calling the "Drunk Booty Call Song".  Yes, that's right, "DBC" songs are all the rage, well at least the three of them that are popular.

It all started with a little song you might have heard.... "Need You Know" by Lady Antebellum.  I loved this song from the longing, first notes played on the piano.  It was interesting for me to learn that this song nearly didn't make the album, yet ended up being the BIGGEST song of 2009 & 2010.

In 2011 not one, but two DBC Songs have hit it big: Adele's "Someone Like You" and The Script's "Nothing".  Now for me, I prefer "Nothing" because it's a little more heartfelt.  "Someone Like You" is essentially Adele hitting up a guy that... SHE KNOWS IS MARRIED for a hookup.

Adele - "Someone Like You"

The Script - "Nothing"

Like I said, I'm a sucker for a good Drunk Booty Call Song.  Fortunately I've never been in the position to make one of them.  Has anyone had that experience?  Please feel free to share.

Wait, what?????

Ok, I have been seriously floored by the new Blogspot.  I love the fact that now when I log on I can actually see how many people have been looking at my blog.  Sure, the numbers are still in single digits, but it's nice to know that there are people out there who are reading what I have written.  Now, of course, I would love to have more readers and followers, but I'll take what I can get for now. :-)  The one thing I would really love (hint, hint) is for people to leave the occasional comment or two on what I've written.  I crave feedback!

Who knows, maybe one of these days I'll actually get over ten people looking at my blog on ONE DAY!!!  I'll have to have a party when I get my 1,000th view.

Oh the joys of the little things.  Teehee

Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Matter

So today the U.S. Military Policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" officially came to an end.  It's amazing to me to see stories of servicemen who are finally able to openly express who they are without fear of reprisal.

One story that I have been following that of AreYouSurprised, a gay airman who is stationed in Europe.  His youtube videos have been incredibly insightful and heartfelt.  Today he finally was able to show his face and came out to his father.  I could not be prouder that gay and lesbian servicemembers are able to just be themselves serve their country openly.

My Type Has Finally Been Figured Out...

Tonight at Buffalo Wild Wings, my friend Pete and I were playing trivia and watching baseball.  The Indians and Rangers were on the big screen.  When Ranger's catcher Mike Napoli came up to bat a smile spread across my face.  Pete caught sight of this, of course, and started to laugh.  Pete, the gayest Straight guy I know, knows that I have a thing for baseball players, especially catchers.  Pete then says to me, "I think I've finally figured out your type.  You're basically attracted to guys who look like more athletic versions of you."  I started to think of the guys that I find attractive and realized, Pete has a point.

I've put up a few pictures of some of my favorite guys.  Anyone notice a pattern? So I have to wonder, does this make me narcissistic?  I'm really curious as to what other people think.

Mike Napoli, Texas Rangers

Kelly Shoppach, Tampa Bay Rays

Michael Cuddyer, Minnesota Twins

Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox

Oh and there is a football player that I guess I should mention as well.

Mike Alsott, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Oh yeah, and then there's me.... 

Oh Tuesday, you feel like Monday

As much as I love a 3-day weekend, I dread the fact that Tuesday will inevitably feel like a Monday.  Labor Day weekend was a lot of fun and I felt recharged for the 4-day school week.  Oh the best laid plans.  

Throughout the day I just kept feeling like I was sinking further under the water.  The kids weren't as focused as I would have liked, I'm feeling pressure from the special needs department to move away from what is working in my class.  By the end of the actual school day I was just exhausted and I still had my after-school club to supervise until 5.  Fortunately the club went well and for the most part the kids were engaged.  

I didn't get home until around 6 and all I wanted to do was crawl under a blanket and watch Bravo.  But I did something that I am really proud of myself for - I went running.  I promised myself of Sunday that I was going to run on Tuesday and while it took EVERYTHING I had to throw on my running clothes.  

The run helped me to clear my head and perk up my energy.  I ran further (took the same route as on Sunday) than I did on day 1, which made me feel really good.  I am planning on running on Thursday to complete week 1 of the Couch to 5 K program.  This isn't about anyone else now, it's simply about and FOR me.  

I Walk, I Run, I Blog

Yesterday was an interesting day.

At the beginning of the summer I began a 10-week fitness program that includes kickboxing, resistance band training and stretching.  It was an intense course that met every morning at 6:15 a.m.   I was really enjoying the class, but as the weeks went along my lower back was giving me problems and I also was twice struck by migraines DURING class.  It got to the point where I felt like I needed to see a doctor.  I went to a new chiropractor and was startled by what he found.  There was definitely some pinching going on in my lower back, but my neck was just a mess.  It was going to take some intensive treatments to get my spine back in shape, so I had to give up the fitness class.  :-(

But I have to say, the chiropractic treatments have WORKED!  Just recently I've felt little to no pain in my back and the adjustments that the doctor have done have gotten deeper and deeper into my spine.  I've been feeling much better.  So much so that yesterday I made the decision to go for a run.  Last year I had been doing the Couch To 5K program and I chose to go back to basics.

I must also admit that I had some inspiration for getting out there.  On Saturday a guy jogged by the house who, well, was just HAWT.  So, I was kinda hoping that if I went out an run I might pass him and get a closer look.  Yes, I know, I'm married.... but I'm not dead!

The weather couldn't have been better with the temperatures in the mid-60s and a nice breeze blowing.  I put on my running close, hooked up my ipod and hit the pavement.  For C25K Week 1, Day 1, it's a pretty easy run - jog 1 minute, then walk 1 minute.  The first 3 or 4 minute jogs were good, towards the end it was definitely a challenge, but I did it.  Running and walking combined I did about 2 miles.  I felt really good when I got home.  But alas, no sign of the guy who motivated me to get out there in the first place.... sigh.

Since it was the Sunday before Labor Day, the Iowa Cubs played a Sunday night game that was going to have fireworks afterwards.  My friend Pete organized a group of us to go down to Des Moines and see the game.  Following the game, our group planned on going over to a new restaurant called Zombie Burger.  It's a, you guessed it, zombie-themed burger joint.  The menu looks insanely good and I was excited to try one of the burgers and gourmet milkshakes.

Seven of us made it to the game and had a blast.  The Iowa Cubs won 2-1 and a good time was had.  Then it was time to make the trek to Zombie Burger.  We decided to walk as it was only about a mile away from the stadium.  The night air was cool and there was a spring in our step.  It was an experience walking along the river, right under the fireworks as they were being fired-off.

After 20 minutes of power walking, we make it to Zombie Burger only to discover.... they are closed.  There was a note on the door stating that the restaurant was going to be closed on Sunday and Monday for the holiday.  UGH!!!!  Now all of us had been looking at the Zombie Burger website checking out the menu.  Upon a second look, waaaaaay down at the bottom of the site, in tiny 6-point font, there was a message that said they were going to be closed.  Our group was none-too-pleased.  We walked back to the Court Avenue section of Des Moines to see what we could find to eat there.  Of course, nothing was open as it was a Sunday night around 10:30.  After all the walking around, I'm pretty sure I added about 2 miles to my walk/run total.

We ended up driving back to Ankeny and dining at a Village Inn.  The food was fine, but my friend Rezza described the situation as -- when you are looking forward to having the most amazing Porterhouse steak and then you end up with a hot dog, even if it's the most amazing hot dog ever, you're gonna be disappointed.

Our group laughed a lot over the course of the night and today my legs are S-O-R-E.  But I've realized that this extra weight that I have is not going to go away on it's own.  C25K Week 1, Day 2 --- Tomorrow!

Fall Has Arrived!

Well, okay, maybe not arrived, but certainly given notice that it is coming.  Last night a front moved through, bringing a lot of much needed rain, and brought the temperatures DOWN!  It was so nice to be able to leave the windows open last night and letting the cool (if not chilly) breeze blow through the house.

Fall is my favorite season.  Don't get me wrong, I like summer.  Heck, I get three months off during the summer, so there's a lot to like about it but, it's HOT!  There's the heat, the humidity, the sweating, the stickiness, etc.  Again, don't get me wrong, I do love watching guys run by the house, shirtless, and glistening with sweat, but it's still summer.

Fall arrives and it's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulder.  The air is lighter, cooler and crisper.  You can keep the windows open at night and enjoy the breeze.  The leaves on the trees change into the most beautiful colors.  School is starting back up again and it's nice to be back on a regular schedule each day.  The fall also reminds me of those things that I remember from growing up: high school & college football, the Pensacola Interstate Fair, and St. Anne's Roundup.  I feel like fall is the time of year that I breathe easiest.

A Great Tribute

http://news.yahoo.com/unexpected-legacy-left-by-hero-of-flight-93.html

This is a short video about the legacy of Mark Bingham, one of the heroes of United Flight 93.  It's inspiring what his mother and friends have done to honor his legacy.

With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 only a week away, this is a wonderful story of how tragedy has been turned into a celebration of life and community.

Just A Kiss

I have to say that I love this song!  The video brings back memories of a favorite movie of mine, "Before Sunrise".  The movie about two people who meet on a train and spend an evening in Vienna.  It's one beautiful conversation and I can watch it over and over.  What I love most about the movie is that instead of relying upon cheesy plot gimicks, it's simply two people who have a connection, walking the streets of Vienna, talking, laughing, and learning.  If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.

I'm back

Well it has been quite a while since my last post.  Thought it might be a good time to get back into the game and begin blogging again.

My big news has been --- I got a job. :-)  The day after the school year ended at my old school, I interviewed for a math position at a much larger school much closer to home.  By the end of the day, I had the job.  That's practically unheard of in the education field.  Usually the principal needs to contact references, along with some hemming and hawing.  But evidently I was the perfect candidate for the job and I accepted immediately.  The new position amounts to nearly a 50% increase in pay, not to mention the money that I will save in gas from just not having to commute 35 miles each way to my old school.

The first few weeks of the new job have been great.  I've really enjoyed my new students and  the faculty and staff have been incredibly friendly and helpful.  I miss the family that I had at my old school, but this is an opportunity I wouldn't have even applied for had I not been laid off, so I guess the old axiom is really true - every dark cloud does have a silver lining.

I need to go over my 40 for 40 goals and see just where I am on those.  I know that I've done a few of them, but not nearly as many as I would have liked.

More blogging tomorrow!