Last week I received my teacher certification in the mail. It's a great feeling to know I am New York State certified, but I have no job to show for it. With each passing day I feel more and more out of the loop.
People keep asking if I'm subbing, but to be honest, I'm not eager. Substitutes, unless they are long term subs, aren't teachers... they are fill ins, or "babysitters" as I have heard them called. I'm not exactly thrilled about getting a phone call at 6am telling me I will be working out in some district, teaching anything from Phys Ed. to Science, and everything in between... and we all remember how substitutes get treated by students.
I can't sit in limbo forever, despite the fact I am working towards my masters. I have to get out there and get experience. I have decided that next year I will leave Walmart and the health insurance it provides, and if I don't have a teaching position, will indeed to the substitute gig. I miss being in a school and classroom, and am eager to return to it. I want to be doing my "big boy job"!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Favorite Hymn
I stumbled across this clip from one of my favorite movies. It is by far my favorite hymn, "O Sanctissima".. and being sung by my name sake (nickname that is), Bing Crosby.
Ahh... those were the days!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Happy Birthday Anne!
Saturday I met up with Anne and her large family to celebrate together her 80th Birthday. All her children and the majority of grandchild (and great-grandchildren) came in for the festivities. They all went out to dinner together, then I met them back at the house for cake and drinks.
Anne has such a wonderful family, and I have gotten to know and love all the people that make up that beautiful family tree. I am so honored to be included in events like these. I have often commented about my own family connections that by and large (in my case) seems to be a bunch of strangers who happen to be related. As for Anne.. she is someone whom I chose to be close to, and it has been a continual gift ever since.
Anne's actual Birthday was yesterday, and I couldn't let the day pass without another celebration. At the age of 80, there really isn't anything I could buy her, and there is little she needs. I decided to take her and her husband Vince out to dinner, then have them back here at the house for coffee and cake. We went out to the Grape Vine restaurant, and had a ball chatting over a nice meal. I enjoyed having them here at the house with my parents as we swapped stories over homemade pumpkin cheesecake with coffee and tea.
Some people give me funny looks when I tell them my closest and dearest friend is 80 years old, but they don't know Anne. She has friends that span the generations, and from the time we met, we just clicked, and our friendship has grown tremendously over the years. I often think of her as my soul-mate.. not in the sense of a spousal relationship, but in terms of another human being who understands me on an emotional and spiritual level that no one else has. I have known her for 11 years, and yet I can't remember life without her there. She has always been there for me, in the best and worst of times.. and I truly hope she can say the same about me. There is nothing I wouldn't do for her.
I have encountered few people with the genuine love, compassion and sincerity that Anne possesses. It was my honor to celebrate the anniversary of her birth, and I wish her many more years to come!
Anne has such a wonderful family, and I have gotten to know and love all the people that make up that beautiful family tree. I am so honored to be included in events like these. I have often commented about my own family connections that by and large (in my case) seems to be a bunch of strangers who happen to be related. As for Anne.. she is someone whom I chose to be close to, and it has been a continual gift ever since.
Anne's actual Birthday was yesterday, and I couldn't let the day pass without another celebration. At the age of 80, there really isn't anything I could buy her, and there is little she needs. I decided to take her and her husband Vince out to dinner, then have them back here at the house for coffee and cake. We went out to the Grape Vine restaurant, and had a ball chatting over a nice meal. I enjoyed having them here at the house with my parents as we swapped stories over homemade pumpkin cheesecake with coffee and tea.
Some people give me funny looks when I tell them my closest and dearest friend is 80 years old, but they don't know Anne. She has friends that span the generations, and from the time we met, we just clicked, and our friendship has grown tremendously over the years. I often think of her as my soul-mate.. not in the sense of a spousal relationship, but in terms of another human being who understands me on an emotional and spiritual level that no one else has. I have known her for 11 years, and yet I can't remember life without her there. She has always been there for me, in the best and worst of times.. and I truly hope she can say the same about me. There is nothing I wouldn't do for her.
I have encountered few people with the genuine love, compassion and sincerity that Anne possesses. It was my honor to celebrate the anniversary of her birth, and I wish her many more years to come!
Monday, September 8, 2008
DONATE!
As I have mentioned here before, a friend of mine is participating in a bike marathon to help raise money for Aids research. The marathon is known as "Breaking the Cycle". Jim has pledged to raise at least $3,500 to help in the effort to cure this horrible disease which has claimed the lives of so many people, crossing racial, ethnic, national and sexual borders.
His deadline is quickly approaching as the marathon is at the end of this month. I implore any and all of you out there in cyberland to make a donation to this very worthy cause. Simply click on the "donate" link below and make your donation. Ten dollars... twenty dollars... it all adds up. Please be as generous as you can, and help Jim break the cycle of aids!!
Thank you!
DONATE HERE!
His deadline is quickly approaching as the marathon is at the end of this month. I implore any and all of you out there in cyberland to make a donation to this very worthy cause. Simply click on the "donate" link below and make your donation. Ten dollars... twenty dollars... it all adds up. Please be as generous as you can, and help Jim break the cycle of aids!!
Thank you!
DONATE HERE!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Classic Leading Man Test
Your result for The Classic Leading Man Test...
Cary Grant
You are the epitome of charm and style, the smooth operator who steals the show with your sophisticated wit, quiet confidence and flirty sense of humor. You are able to catch any woman you want just by flashing that disarming smile, even if you're flashing it at a kindly aunt or engaging child at the time. When you walk into a room, women are instantly intrigued and even the men are impressed, but you're too nice a guy to steal anyone else's girl...unless the guy deserves it. You're stylish, yes, but you can also be a little bit nutty. However, you're primarily seen as dashing, suave and romantic. Your co-stars include Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly, stylish women with a sense of fun.
Find out what kind of classic dame you'd make by taking the
Classic Dames Test.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
September
I'm so happy that September is finally here. This means that the final days of summer are coming to an end, and Fall is just around the corner. For those of you not from around here, fall in WNY usually means two weeks of awesome cool-crisp weather before the snow comes.
Already signs of the impending change in seasons are being seen. The stores have their Halloween decorations and accessories out on display, which no longer seems to far away to be overly rushing the season. I would argue against buying candy with the intent of saving it for Trick-or-Treaters, I doubt any of us have that kind of will power.
I for one am looking forward to swapping the dreaded shorts for a jacket, and the straw hat for the felt ones. Being able to walk outdoors and not melt into a puddle of sweat is a great feeling!
Even tonight, as I settle down to do some reading for class, I am reminded of the gradual season change as it gets darker sooner, and the lamps get switched on earlier. Even as I struck a match to light a candle in my sitting room, the smell of the match reminded me of the excitement of fall.
I have always believed that one of the many charms of living in the Buffalo area is our seasons. By the time I have grown tired of one, it is time for another to begin.
Already signs of the impending change in seasons are being seen. The stores have their Halloween decorations and accessories out on display, which no longer seems to far away to be overly rushing the season. I would argue against buying candy with the intent of saving it for Trick-or-Treaters, I doubt any of us have that kind of will power.
I for one am looking forward to swapping the dreaded shorts for a jacket, and the straw hat for the felt ones. Being able to walk outdoors and not melt into a puddle of sweat is a great feeling!
Even tonight, as I settle down to do some reading for class, I am reminded of the gradual season change as it gets darker sooner, and the lamps get switched on earlier. Even as I struck a match to light a candle in my sitting room, the smell of the match reminded me of the excitement of fall.
I have always believed that one of the many charms of living in the Buffalo area is our seasons. By the time I have grown tired of one, it is time for another to begin.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Work stories
This has been an interesting week at Wally World. First, one of our people greeters, who is in her mid to late 70's, got seriously hurt on the job... again. You wouldn't think it, but being a people greeter is a high risk profession. The store was very short staffed, and a new guy who didn't know what he was doing was sent to go bring carts into the store. He used the electronic cart machine.... the incorrect way. He lost control of the long line of shopping carts, which rammed into the 70-some-year old Gerrie. She was sent to the hospital with a broken foot.
That same day, a customer returned one of those plastic kiddie pools... one which of course they had used the entire summer... but Wally World takes anything back. Anywhoo... what makes this instance so different is what was on the pool that was accepted back for return. It had.. well... poop on it. Yes.. that's right... poop! I have no idea who authorized its return.. but there it was... poop and all. The worst part of the story was when one of the managers was asked to help throw it down the trash compacter... he had no idea what the pool had on it, and as he lifted it into the machine..... yup, you guessed it.... all over him!!! I would have quit.
It's an interesting place to work, and you can't make shit (excuse the pun) like this up!
That same day, a customer returned one of those plastic kiddie pools... one which of course they had used the entire summer... but Wally World takes anything back. Anywhoo... what makes this instance so different is what was on the pool that was accepted back for return. It had.. well... poop on it. Yes.. that's right... poop! I have no idea who authorized its return.. but there it was... poop and all. The worst part of the story was when one of the managers was asked to help throw it down the trash compacter... he had no idea what the pool had on it, and as he lifted it into the machine..... yup, you guessed it.... all over him!!! I would have quit.
It's an interesting place to work, and you can't make shit (excuse the pun) like this up!
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