Friday, May 30, 2008

RIP Harvey Korman

Harvey Korman, well known actor and comedian died today at the age of 81. I always loved watching him on the Carol Burnett show. May he rest in peace.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

My Favorite School

Yesterday I made a visit to the school where I did my first placement as a student teacher. It was so nice to walk through the halls there again.. I really love it there. It was like coming home. Many of the faculty were happy to see me, and greeted me with big hugs and smiles. Students too came up to me in the hallways, and some even gave me big hugs to welcome me back.

After stopping to talk with some of the faculty, I stopped back to visit my former cooperating teacher, who at the time, had students (my former students) staying after school for help. Since I was their teacher not too long ago, they suckered me into giving them extra help too.. and I'm not on the payroll! It was ok though, I love those kids, and it was nice to be useful.

My last state certification exam is this upcoming Saturday early in the morning. It is the Content Specialist Test (CST) which tests the soon to be teacher in material related to his or her subject field. In my case, Social Studies. It is by far the hardest exam, one that many people have to take more than once to pass. Social Studies in particular is rather difficult since I can be tested on anything from ancient Mesopotamia to the current Bush administration, as well as everything in between. God always helps me out, and my last two placements have been very helpful in re-introducing me to areas of Global Studies and US History I haven't studied in a very long time. Also, while visiting the high school I student taught at, one of the Economics teachers lent me a textbook to help me study for the Economics section... which is my biggest fear. I, like many new Social Studies teachers, feel that Economics should be part of the Math and or Business departments, not Social Studies. Our degrees are in History (and sometimes politics), not Economics and Business. Oh well.. I'll live.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Real men wear hats.


I generally don't make posts about my own personal fashion preferences, but as an observer of human behavior, I am always surprised when certain articles of clothing prompt positive reactions from people. So I thought I'd share.

For so many years I tried to fit in with other people, at least in terms of what I wore. I have horrible memories of being the kid in the hand me downs, and wanting so bad to fit in with whatever fashion was cool at the time. Even recently, within the past three years, I tried to revamp "my" style to be that of what I thought was popular around me. I failed miserably.

This year, a few pounds heavier, and a lot more weary from working my ass off all year, I have decided to say "the hell with it" and do what I like, and what I enjoy. I'm returning to the preppy button downs and the polos, and ditching the baseball cap which for so many years I despised. In fact, I have begun to don the fedora full time. Being "bald", hats serve a purpose for me year round other than just being fun to wear (and I admit I am a hat junkie), so I have purchased a few lids, and have worn them everywhere from work to the bars... and people have been surprising in their responses.

Strangers come up to me, of all ages, and compliment the lid I'm sporting that day. It's a bit odd, but still much appreciated. True, I stand out in a crowd, even though men wearing hats OTHER than baseball caps is on the rise, but I've learned that you have to live your life the way that suits you, your style, your beliefs, and your outlook. People respond better to you when you are yourself, clothing and all, and can back up your appearance with a genuine attitude to go along with it. I've played by other people's rules too often in the past, and I'm so tired of it. It's more fun to be yourself, and.. God forbid... be different. Let's face it, from my Buick, my pocket watch, and my signature lids, I'm eccentric through and through.... that works for me.

And the term is young fogey folks.. get it right!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

The Right to Marry

As many of you may or may not know, Ellen recently interviewed presidential hopeful, John McCain on her talk show. As she has announced, she will be getting "married" this upcoming summer, legally, now that California has allowed for same sex unions in that state. She address the topic of gay marriage with the Senator, and I believe does a wonderful job in articulating my beliefs, as well as countless other individuals on the topic.

I have been surprised by many people's opinions on the issue of gay marriage, especially from gay people with whom I have spoken to in my own area about this matter. Perhaps it is our jaded outlook on life and relationships in general that makes the notion of marriage seem trivial and not worth fighting for, or perhaps we as a society have devalued monogamous and committed relationships to the point that "marriage" seems outdated and irrelevant. Some of us however still hold true to the concept of one person loving one person, forsaking all others... "for as long as we both shall live."

My argument has been, and will continue to be, that if you don't believe in marriage, don't get married. I however, as a legal citizen of the United States should have that right, and that option if I so choose. If you want to "protect marriage", then I suggest you do as comedian Wanda Sykes suggests and, "outlaw divorce".

Ellen does a wonderful job equating gay marriage with women's and African American's suffrage movements, which basically was a fight for equal rights among those who were seen as different, even going so far as to use religious texts to justify legal and social separation and denial of rights. As Ellen says in this clip, which I have included in this post, this concept of a legal contact (but not full marriage and the social recognition that goes along with it) is like saying, "You can sit there, but just not there." It makes no sense.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

If only....



I have a new stud muffin wanna be husband. His name is Duff Goldman, star of the Food Network show, Ace of Cakes. I love watching this show, and chef Goldman is so damn hot!!! He's right up there with Michael Buble in my book. He's as yummy as the cakes he makes. :-)

Anyway, I just wanted to share my new television crush.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

I'm going to be an Uncle!!!!

My older brother Joe just called, telling me I am going to be an Uncle. Katie and Joe just found out today that Katie is pregnant. My parents just found out that they will be grandparents for the first time. I now feel old. Ha Ha! I told my sister in law I can't wait to have a niece or nephew around to spoil. Holidays will be so much more fun with a new baby around with all the wonder that comes with youth.

Monday, May 12, 2008

I Survived!

I have successfully completed my student teaching, and what I have been referring to as "teacher boot camp" is now at an end.

Wednesday of last week was my last day, and it was a wonderful feeling. I received top marks for my time there, and a glowing recommendation from my co-operating teacher. I'm very happy all that work is over, but I miss being in the classroom. While it's nice not to be doing so much work: lesson planning, grading and research, I miss the interaction. I look forward to doing it again someday... for money!

There was a completion ceremony at UB for all the student teachers who completed the program for initial certification (pending completion of state exams, of course). I was very proud to go and receive my certificate in front of my professors and colleagues. I just wish I had had family there to share it with. At one point in the ceremony, the family of the student teachers were asked to stand, and there was no one in the audience standing for me. My professors wanted to meet my parents, but they were out of town for the event. I was able to meet some of my gay colleagues partners... again, I felt a bit lonely and out of the loop.

Anyway, I'm thrilled it's over... and I have already begun looking back and saying "I don't know how I did it!"

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Sweet Daddy D

So politically incorrect.. I love it!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

ALMOST THERE!

This week I will be crossing the finish line. Wednesday is my last day of student teaching!!! I'm so excited. I'm eager to get it behind me and move on.

I have been disappointed that I have not managed to get any interviews for a position in the fall. I'm not too surprised since jobs in this area.. especially in Social Studies are hard to come by. I will just go ahead with working to complete my masters full time, and focus my efforts on getting a job for next year. Since I was SO bogged down with student teaching full time, working part time, and doing shit for UB, I will be able to get more done in terms of job hunting next year.

Tuesday I am going out to dinner with my group members from my student teaching seminars, and Wednesday, UB is having a "graduation" celebration for us. A small completion ceremony and a small reception afterwards. I'm a little bummed because my parents won't be there because they are in Disney World for the week. Also.. I won't even have my digital camera because they took it with them. Oh well.. still will be fun.