It's in there somewhere...

Day 66:

While at a store this evening that we hardly frequent, I was asked by the cashier if I was a club/card member. I wasn’t sure if I was but I gave her my cell number anyways just to check.

It didn’t work.

Eager to keep the five bucks she said I’d save I told her the Wife’s number.

It wasn’t that one either.

Then I tried our home phone number.
No such luck.

So either we weren’t members, or we used some other number to establish our membership.

As I was telling this patient person my various numbers I had a flash back…

When I was a young child my mother would take me to the store with here where she would often pay with a check. The routine required her to show her driver’s license to verify the checks belonged to her.

Well, just about every time my mother would have to resort to unpacking her entire purse, a purse who’s contents often contained random things (like this one time when she pulled out the TV remote that had been missing for four days) just to find her identification. Even as I type this I can recall the humiliation I would feel as the other customers in the line looked upon us with impatience.

And yet here I was this evening, unpacking my mental phone book as I rang off a bunch of numbers to this cashier before me.

Today I learned that somewhere, even if only deep within, and even though we swore when we were kids that we’d never end up being like our parents, that at the end of the day we are our parents’ child.

By the way, it turns out that we ARE members.

I found out when I tried the phone number of the first apartment we had when we were first married….how’s that for digging deep?!

Strange Messages

This is the second entry of the day because last night I forgot, again, to post after typing it out...so check out today's and "yesterday's" posts...



Day 65:

Remember when last month I called back a stranger who had dialed a wrong number when he left a message on my home voicemail?

Well, today I was that guy. I was dialing someone whose number ends with 6805, but I was dialing 6850. And as you might guess, I left a message on a stranger’s voicemail.

Today I learned to dial carefully…

I wonder if she’ll call back letting me know I have/had the wrong number

Patron-izing

Day 64:

On Thursday my students will be taking a quiz on the material from our Meso-America Unit. The information comes from Chapters 11 and 12. Chapter 13 is on the Renaissance and the book often turns itself to that section as I’m opening it each period.

Most people like of the art and artists when they think of the Renaissance, and that makes sense. But today as pages from Chapter 13 turned up when I opened the textbook I kept thinking about the patrons of the arts, the wealthy upper class members that financed the artists so they could produce their masterpieces.

A series of thoughts unfolded and I thought what it would have been like to have been such a figure. Imagine, being someone that saw the talent of a young Raphael or Michelangelo and letting them know that for the rest of their life their living expenses would be cared for so they that could produce their art. What a treat that must have been.

And then I thought how we play out the role of patron every time we purchase music, or go see movies, or buy someone’s art.

And then I thought about a video I saw the other day and wondered if this guy will one day have a patron the way Da Vinci did….




Isn't he rad?!

I’m not sure what I learned today, but I sure enjoyed thinking some thoughts.
Where have your thoughts taken you late?

Great Exercisations

Day 63:

When I came home today I had intended to spend a solid 45 minutes on the elliptical machine out in the garage. I had a couple of hours before I’d have to head to Crew and thought today would be a good day to reengage my exercise efforts. I had it all planned out; I'd elliptical to an episode of Heroes and then take a stab at my abs while catching up on The Daily Show (I love Netflix and Hulu).

Approximately 13 minutes into my session my phone rang with a request that I come in early – I finished out 20 minutes, but my cardio was cut short.

A similar thing happened to me the other day.

My Mrs.’s birthday was on the 12th, so while she was out with friends I spent the afternoon of the 11th grabbing some grub to make her breakfast in bed on the morning of her day. I went off to Crew that day before she got home and I wanted her to think nothing was up on my end, so I hid the grocery store goodies, along with the flowers I bought her, up in the rafters of our garage (yes, I put the flowers in water).

On my way to the 2nd shift I was pleased that I had accomplished my checklist between gigs, and especially glad I didn’t delay because now it meant I would not have to go to the store in the morning…or so I thought.

At 5:35 on the morning of her birthday, the Mrs. cough was back in full force. I felt so terrible for her; after all, it was her birthday. To top it off, we were out of cough syrup. So at around 6 am I was off to the store to grab some meds and on my way there I thought how funny it was that I had tried to get everything I needed done the day before so that I could avoid this very drive.

I do not share my going to the store for Mrs. on her birthday to establish a ‘woe was me’ situation. I’m simply sharing it in conjunction with how today’s great intention of exercise was suspended, I'm trying to point out how things don't always go as we want them to.

Today I learned that sometimes it doesn’t matter how hard we plan and prepare for something, (or in the case of the Birthday Bug, how hard we try to avoid some things) sometimes things just aren’t meant to be.

Today I also learned that this possible outcome should not mean we shouldn’t try.

Nutty News

Day 62:
We do not subscribe to a newspaper service. Nor do we have a cable TV account; I get the magazine “The Week”, but when it comes to staying current on current events, that’s about it. So on occasion I’ll turn to online outlets and these were three headlines that caught my attention (in this order) this evening:
“Reality show mom gives birth to 19th child”
“Facebook draws criticism for privacy changes”
“U.S. to pay 3.4 billion to settle Native American Suit” (you read that correctly - it says billion)

I have opinions about each story, but I’m really only interested in commenting on one right now.

I do not have a Facebook, so maybe I can’t relate to how this change would upset its users. But from where I stand, those with a digital book containing far more than their face in photos should not be up in arms over a privacy feature change that actually makes most of the information they uploaded to the web accessible to anyone.
And how’s that for irony?! This new ‘privacy’ feature actually requires you to opt to make your stuff private, and if you don't, then all your junk is out there free to flap in the world wide wind.

Today I learned another reason why I don’t yet have a facebook…but I think I’m thinking about starting a shinjournal (I heard that shinjournal is giving kneebinder some competition lately and it may even pass it up in popularity – what’s a guy that’s looking to connect with others, while really only being able to keep a digital distance, to do?).
And why the heck are the words wind and wind spelled the same?!

Today I learned that right now, at this very moment, I'm too tired to care about either.

But this is not to say that I'm too tired to care about other stuff. For example, I do hope that Josie Brooklyn grows up without being bullied by her niece, the one that happens to be a month older than she is....

Nike Town

Day 61:

Today I learned that approximately 80% of the Christmas trees sold throughout the US are supplied by the great state of Oregon.

Finite Matters

Day 60:

We’re 1/3rd of the way done…

Today I assigned double homework for my students. I didn’t feel too bad about it because they didn’t have any homework on Monday. However, as it turned out, I photo-copied the wrong assignment for them.

I caught my mistake late in the day.

This means most students will do homework that bears no relevance to what we’re learning.

I feel horrible about this.

Today I learned to pay attention to detail…

What did you learn today?

A Ducket in the Bucket

Day 59:

The Mrs. read an article recently about how much to tip the various people that provide us with a service of some sort. You know, the waiter, the cleaners, the person that cuts your hair, people like that. She told me that the author of the article wrote that people shouldn’t tip service providers for doing their job – that tips are for those that go above and beyond.

This conversation between the Mrs. and I came up while we were waiting for our food at The Habit.

Mrs. couldn’t recall what the article said about tipping cashiers, and we couldn’t tell if the high school girl behind the counter had provided us with ‘above and beyond’ service. Although we didn’t actually speak this to each other, I think we would both agree that if one day our daughter (the daughter that we don’t even yet have) is taking orders at a burger joint, we’d be happy to hear her happily share when she returns home from her shift that she earned some tips for giving her service with a smile.

And yes, although it was modest, we did give her a tip – and she seemed grateful.

Today I learned that generosity can come in any size or denomination.

What have you given to others lately?
How are you giving gratitude for the giving you’ve been gifted?

Teeth and Tomorrow

Day 58:
The superintendent of LAUSD is likely to push a budget through tomorrow that will cut teachers’ pay this year by four days. That same budget will either contain a 12% pay cut for teachers next year, or else, according to the superintendent, 8,000 employees will loose their job.

In all reality, it’ll probably a combination of both.

As one might expect, teachers throughout the LA area are angry, scared, and a whole host of other things.

I am such a teacher.

My household has already endured a budget crisis – a crisis that removed the Mrs. from her classroom. A crisis that has resulted in the Mrs. having to pick up numerous tutoring jobs because substituting everyday pays nowhere near what she earned as a full-time classroom teacher. A crisis that has resulted in me working as a seasonal sales associate at J.Crew…

Which is where today’s lesson was learned.

In speaking with a co-worker tonight I learned that he has a passion to pursue a career in dentistry. In the ten minutes or so that we talked about his plans, he shared his hopes of going back to school, of becoming a dentist, of providing for his loved ones, and of joining dental charity groups such as Homeless Not Toothless.

I share part of his story with you because as he shared some of it with me it helped me to put into perspective the bigness and balance of life.

Here I am feeling gypped and jaded about the educational arena and the negativity it will once again yield over my life; meanwhile, right in front of me is a guy who’s eager with excitement to pursue his promising, positive future.

Needless to say, the contrast is stark and was nearly deafening.

While realizing the polarity of our positions I became inspired by his optimism - I became refreshed by his reality to come.

Today I learned that all is not dark.

We are in possession of the Fun-Keys

Day 57:


Today I decided that whatever yesterday was, it would remain there.

We are not required to be the byproduct of our circumstances. We have the freedom to choose. To choose how to respond – to choose who will respond.

Today I learned to turn funky-town into a city that I will only visit on the rarest of occasions.

What metaphorical towns are you staying away from?

Gumption

Day 56:

Today has been a weird mental day.

Somewhere along the line it seems like I’ve lost motivation…to do anything.
I’ve completed tasks today, sure. But I have not done so because I’ve been motivated to do so, I’ve just done them.

Even now, I’m lacking the desire to toss out these thoughts.

I guess if I were to sum it up, well, it’s like I’m mentally detached…like I’ve lost interest. Rereading what I’ve put down sounds depressing, which is strange because I do not feel sad. In fact, I’m not sure that I’m feeling anything about this state, but I do know I’m lacking the desire to think, produce, or inspire.

This is not the me I know.

A former student commented to me today that I was more ‘fun’ last year. I’m not entirely sure what she meant, yet I can’t help but agree.

Where am I?

Today I’m learning that I need to learn how to motivate myself.

I hope tomorrow I learn that today was nothing more than a temporary funk.

Dashboard Confessional

Day 55:

The Mrs. asserts that I am incapable of existing in quiet. This stems from the fact that I do not, ever, engage in an activity without some sort of background noise, whether it be music, talk radio, or something of the sort. She claims I am afraid of being alone with my thoughts.
As you might imagine, I deny all accusations.
These were a few of my thoughts on the way home from picking up dinner at Trader Joe’s…
-Man, I’m tired. I can’t imagine how weary the wife must be after a day of subbing AND giving 3 tutoring sessions.
-I thought it wasn’t supposed to rain until this weekend…then why the cloudy sky today? Wait, remember, and enjoy the natural environment.
-I can’t believe today was her (my student teacher’s) last day. Did I do my best to prepare her? Who am I to carry a title of Master Teacher? This is only my 6th year. I can do better. I can be better.
-Then why not?
-I entered this profession eager to make a difference. I aimed to become a professional. I do not want to leave, but am preparing to depart per the state of the district and state’s financial situation. (I am angry over the mismanagement and incompetence, but know that at the end of the day, I can really do nothing but respond for the sake of my family.)
-I wonder what lies beyond the river bend.
-Hmmm, Thousand Oaks high school appears to have a sporting event tonight. I wonder what it is…
-I wonder what time I’ll make it to bed tonight.
-I wonder why a lot of things….

And most of the time it is to music. But I must admit…
I wonder why…

Today I learned that I think louder than I thought I did...and that even when I try, I cannot smother it.

What thoughts are motivating your learning?

Rapid Fire

Day 54:
In no particular order, these are the lessons from today…

-While covering for a PE teacher during my conference period, one of the other PE teachers and I were chatting for a minute. During this brief conversation, he commented at how beautiful the day was. In doing so, he simply gestured to the hills above our campus and said, “Just look at that.”
Today I learned to make time to enjoy my natural environment.

-While leaving the gas station, I paused before pulling out to let another driver through. I technically had the right-of-way, but I thought this was yet another simple opportunity to spread kindness. Before the beneficiary realized I was allowing him to pull out ahead of me, I was getting honked at by someone behind me; I held my ground and let the pick-up driver go first.
Today I learned most people probably only appreciate random kindness when it benefits them.

-While waiting in line at the DMV, I wondered if the appointment I had made back in October would matter at all – by the length of the line I had some solid suspicions.
Today I learned, after being able to leave within 15 minutes, that making appointments at the DMV really pays off.

-While hanging Christmas lights ‘round my garage this evening my neighbor came out and gave me some company. While that personal project became a two-man mission, the Mrs. walked his dog, Maya.
Today I learned that living in community is Good.

What have you learned today?