I'm off for the whirlwind

tour of the metro areas in a few hours...Austin, Dallas, Houston, and lastly, San Antonio. Love to everyone and of course, Merry Christmas. May peace be unto us all.
Jen

To Do

The academic life things that must be finished before the holiday ends:
1) Kathy Griffin Commentary-sent to Experiential Education
2) Co-Teaching Article-sent to NRC
3) 4304 Binder and syllabus
4) 5314 syllabus
5) Book Club Article-sent to technology
6) WebCT up

Jody's Brilliance: Part I

She says,"At one point I thought I might get my teaching credential. But then, I came to my senses."

So I ask, "Why do you think you wouldnt be a good teacher?" She says, "No patience, awkward around kids, hate flouresent lights, school lunches suck, I cant get up early, dont like having a schedule, hate anything regimented, dont like the sweaters with little embroidered critters on them, children are yucky... yeah, I prolly shouldnt do it."

I just love her.

Have you ever felt like this wasnt the life you were supposed to have? In that thought, is it you that thinks it isnt the right life, but it is or is it that in your freewill you created a life that you werent supposed to have? Or is it that you have exactly the life you are supposed to lead, and if it is a certain way, it is supposed to be that way? Is it all my fault?

THE GAME: Can you locate me in 1994?

Dumb Ass Days...

So, Im not so good at staying put for the end of the semester...You can't keep a good teacher down. So, after hearing about my "sickness" I stayed in bed Friday night, and Saturday...well, until I went to Austin for the Trail of Lights 5K with Jackie, David and her boys. Then, Sunday, was graduation. So, of course, I had to go to that. Then last night I worked on grades until about 3am because they were due at 9am but the MA students had their final due to me at midnight. Today I worked all day on these comprehensive binders (from 10-6pm). So, there is no rest for the weary. Who cares anyway if there is no couch? It feels so open and weird in the living room and I dont like it. Tomorrow's agenda includes getting a new license. Can you believe I didnt know until NRC 2 weeks ago that mine expired on my birthday? I only knew then because they asked about it at the airport. Im such a dumb ass sometimes. So, I simply have to go do that tomorrow, which is actually hard because I never can pass the eye test and have to get a note from my doctor and all sorts of goofy things.

Oh yes, the big news. Jody is outta the big house. Yep, you guys heard me. My best buddy, the one with 2 degrees from a premiere university, was held in custody for 3 days for assault and battery when she didnt really even do it. She says it is a horrible, inhuman place and that if she ever has to go back, give her the death penalty. Scary huh? Now, the trip to Vegas looks like it is off as they set her court date for Dec. 31st. I am so let down as I have been waiting to go see Bette there for over a year, much less the fact that it was to be on New Years Eve. I cannot tell you how low I am. No Bette, no real Christmas. Bummer.

I have "walking" pneumonia...

and have been in bed all day. I think that is a stupid title for a sickness. Ive had it for 3 weeks and duh, am walking...SOME of us have to work. Here is what the others do...

Facebook & Faces near Books

Facebook:
You know, I have decided I hate facebook. It is a voyeuristic place where one accepts pseduo-friends in order to peek in their window and see what they are doing now. I mean, seriously, I wasnt friends with some of these people when I was in High School. I knew OF them, they knew OF me, but it is just the fact that you want to see what is going on. I am not accepting applications for facebook friendship. Wanna be my friend? Come have lunch, dont send me a snowball, a candy cane, or any other dumb icon. Take me to see one.

Faces Near Books (People I Work With):
I hate playing games that you dont have to play. There is no reason to hurt others or stomp their psyche. A student said to me, "Dr. Wilson, I have this student that hits another kid and then says he is sorry. But he isnt really sorry, but he says he is." That is the tag line for work. The faces near books say they want to a) play together nicely, b)make the workplace have an enticing atmosphere, c) collaborate for the common good. They want the Preamble. BUT, what they do is run a race, playing as if only one can make it, one can win. They engage in the zero-sum game, as if there is only enough for one, that there will not be enough for everyone. Then, it seems as if they look back and are mad everyone else was running too...that they are "sorry" and wish us well. Fuck that. I want work friends. I need them. So, how does one have friends, not engage in the race yet know that some have creating a race. Still, I must exist in a workplace that feigns its "sorry."

Hollah Daze

I havent blogged in awhile so I guess I better get you all caught up. I am sitting on an airplane to Austin from Orlando where I was attending (and presenting) at NRC (National Reading Conference). It was a strange conference this year as the hotel called for everyone to be out in these buildings, far away from the general area, and seemingly separated from each other…they called it “resort style.” What it meant though was that I didn’t see those that I normally do. I saw some, missed others, and had a general productive time. I am thinking now of all the pieces of writing I need to get done, to work on, to begin the arduous process of publishing somewhere.
1. My Dissertation, 2. Kathy Griffin Commentary, 3. Co-Teaching Commentary, 3. BookClub Article, 4. Professor Identity Piece, 5. My DeSoto BookClub piece, 6. Romanian Piece, 7. Co-Teaching Article, 8. Blogging Article, 9. Dowli’s Story, and 10. Learning to Read the Academy: What I have learned Article…there are more, I know. But sheesh, I don’t even like to write, much less be judged on its effectiveness! But, I digress.
I spent Thanksgiving with Loretta, eating yummy foods prepared by my personal chef. It was scrumptious. For the holidays, I am sticking around my house as much as possible. Im going to try to catch up on my work and enjoy some quiet time with my animals. As of now, Diane is coming to San Antonio on the 19th and I will head to Dallas on the 21st. I will stay there till Christmas Eve and then come back down to Austin. Ill spend Christmas with Loretta I suppose and then head home to SA where I will be until December 29th when I head to Las Vegas to see the Divine Miss M at Caesar’s Palace. Loretta, Jody, and Karen are all coming too. I just can’t wait! I want money from all my friends to buy stuff at the Bette shop there. I just know it will be expensive. Contributions can be sent directly to me: cash, checks and money orders accepted.
Zoey is growing up. She is cute as a button, sleeps on my bed, loves shoes like her mom (although I don’t normally eat them), and adores the cat. Carmencita hates Zoey, loves food, and purrs like a motorboat. Mouser dog is a tired little pupper, sleeps a lot, but has the most soulful and loving eyes. She is my baby dog. You all will see them this year on my Christmas card.
So, hidey ho neighbors, I am still around!

Thanks-giving

Thanks to my car, which seems to keep on ticking, I am now the owner of a new couch. Oh yes, a new, fabulous mocha (notice I didnt say brown for the mere fancy effect) will be coming to my house in about 2 weeks. As of now, I am on my rug with a lawn chair (thanks to Sherry). The animals are confused, especially Cita who has taken over my bed because of th lack of a couch back. I should have waited to sell my old Craigslist couch so as to have one. I put it on Craigslist (to dust we will return) and in a couple hours it was sold. I felt compelled to give it to this youngster who so wanted it. I gave in and sold him the chair too. I am so malleable. So, Thank you God I finally found a couch I liked.

Now, I am getting over Strep Throat which has turned into a rampant couching coldy mess. Ive been in bed all weekend. Actually, I cant believe the weekend is over as I think I have been awake for only a few hours at a time. Back to the grind, I guess.

Semester #5 of Professorhood is winding down. I have grading to do and things to read, but I am more worried about all these damn conferences to go to. What ever got into me to send so many in? I think I was so scared that my writing wouldnt get in that I over did it. I leave for Orlando on Tuesday Dec. 1.

As for the holiday, I will be writing for NRC and driving to Dallas after Turkey Day. Loretta is cooking, which means I will probably gain 3 pounds. Luckily I am smart and have been dieting for a week to lose 3 to balance it out. I will then go on Friday to Dallas to see my family. It is a good time as my grandpa's 95th birthday is on Dec. 3. I think it is 95. I guess when you get that up there they all run together! I just cant do another yelling, lack of family loving holiday. Im too old. I quit.

I am an American, I am.

I am out at a school, waiting for my last observation, readying myself for the race to the airport for a flight at 1. I have been thinking about the possibility for change that is upon us as Barak Obama takes office...A friend of mine, whom I was texting last night during the speeches, thinks Obama is nothing but rhetoric. Ive been pondering her thoughts this morning. As I entered the school and the Pledge of Allegiance was being blasted overhead, I was, for the first time since beginning to vote, proud of our country. I have felt so disconnected and negative towards our country for such a long time. Now, I dont want to move to Canada (although if Palin came on board I might of had to) and I do think that the United States is a good place to be. However, since I have been teaching (which is not much longer than I have been voting), I merely stood at the Pledge, not said it, not placed my hand over my heart. Stood. My kids would ask me about it each year and I said, "When you get older and are a voting member of our country, you too can choose to say it." The end. They never really thought anything about it, I think mostly because there are a lot of things that adults dont do that we make our children do. But for me, it was more than that; it was my personal statement about how uninspiring our country is, how the lack of leadership does not establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, or even promote the general welfare. That is to say nothing about securing the blessings of liberty to those children whose eyes I looked into everyday. It was my riot, my rage against the machine. I have high hopes for Mr. Obama, but I also feel that if, in the minimum, I get inspiration, speeches reminiscent of Martin Luther King, and a country I can be proud to be apart of, it will have been more than I have gotten since my birth here in the land that I want to love. So, for the first time since I became an active member of The United States of America, All Hail the Chief!

Prayer for MY newly elected President

May you always remember those who chose you to serve, and in their serving, may you help us, lead us, and defend us. Let there be light!

Dear Mr. President

Wouldn't it be grand to have a president that took this song and answered each of the questions? As our new president takes over the United State of America, my thoughts to him are 3. #1: Don't forget who you want to be, #2: Don't forget to walk next to those below you, and 3: Never stop working to better the world. It is what we expect and want from you, your best. Good Luck tomorrow, President Obama, good luck.

Zoey says, "Ruurrr...gurrr..."

Howl-oween

This weekend is Halloween and although I was supposed to dress as Bette and have a fabulous costume to inspire the divine, instead I spent the weekend with Logan, the sweetest boy in the world. We chased dogs, threw rocks, handed out 10 bags of candy, and ate pancakes two mornings in a row. I wish I had gotten to spend time with his mom, but it didn't seem to be working out that way. Still, what a joy to hug that boy! The most worn costume this year was a "fairy" for girls (better than Britney Spears!) and for boys, "Spiderman" or a "pirate." My boy was Black Spiderman, which is according to Logan is, "totally not regular red Piderman."