A book challenge meme I've seen in several friends' posts: off the top of your head, list 15 books in no longer than 15 minutes that you've read & will always remember some part of.

In no particular order:
World War Z
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
Neverwhere
House of Leaves
100 Love Sonnets (Neruda)
The Thirteenth Tale
Ender’s Game
Gravity’s Rainbow
Charlotte’s Web
Star Hunt
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Sunshine
The Blind Assassin
Little Women
The Book of Jhereg

My caveat: I have not finished all of these.

TPQ

Saw a movie this weekend called "The Black Book" or perhaps simply "Black Book". It was subtitled in English. I think I liked it. Have any of you seen it? What did you think? I'm not sure if it was a bit over the top with the "twists" or not. Setting: Dutch (?) resistance during WWII.

TPQ

She was called Victoria, because she had beaten us in battle, seven hundred years before, and she was called Gloriana, because she was glorious, and she was called Queen, because the human mouth was not shaped to say her true name.


And if my heart would run from her or
flee from her, be gone from her,
She'd wrap it in a nest of stars and then
she'd take it on with her


"Lay off her," said May. Her dark hair was cropped short against her skull, and she wore sensible boots. She smoked a small brown cigarillo that smelled heavily of cloves. "She's sensitive."


The raven looked unimpressed. "Before you start cursing, and probably dragging peacefully dead and respectable ancestors back from their well-earned graves, just answer me one question." The voice of the bird was like stone striking against stone.



TPQ, still not reading what I'm supposed to be reading

.... my mind is clearer now.
At last all too well I can see where we all soon will be ....



Ah, random iPod music. You are my friend.
TPQ, passing through Tacoma



But every word you say today, gets twisted 'round some other way. And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied.

Mobile Broadband on Amtrak. So sexy.


If I lived a life of leisure with unending funds, I'd spend a significant portion of my time on trains measuring time by the world speeding past, reading novels, people-watching, and making sure that my food wasn't "train-food". Give me good cheese, fruit, crusty bread and something to drink and I'll be very, very happy.

Right now we are traveling slowly past a small creek, happy cows, the lightest of raindrops sliding enviously along my overlarge picture window, caressing my thoughts and my tired soul. I've seen a field of a dozen or so egrets, spaced out in the verdant mossy wetness and a bizarre, completely out of the way (and next to the RR tracks) half dozen, funky, small and mildly dilapidated houseboats (that make me wish I had one somewhere as a secret hide-out for my alter-ego/inner spy). Riding on the train, you get to see some places that offer a glimpse of the Pacific NW before people ground it to civilization under their thoughtless boot heels. It makes the constant sadness for the unraveling natural world slow, and it transports me to a place of peace and reflection.

What is it about train travel that comforts to such depths of my soul? Why spend immoral amounts of money on anti-depressants, anti-uplifters, anti-anxieties and anti-levelheaders? Just let me do this twice a week each month. Have I mentioned that the Portland train station is transporting in and of itself? Arched, cathedral like ceiling with wooden, double sided "pews" shiny and smooth from travelers coming and going, sleeping, waiting. The place evokes a reverence that I think others would mock if they knew that I'd like to install an old pipe organ and sing 'A Mighty Fortress'. Everyone turn to page 49 of your hymnals.

Last night, I delved into the beginning of a pile of books I'd narrowed my Spring Break reading down to, planning to give each 10 or so pages to tell me if they were next or not. I stayed awake for the first chapter of 'The Terror'. SO much better than I expected. Next, I nearly made it through the first short story in 'Fragile Things'. Yummmmm.

I spent the first 30 minutes of this train ride (mostly) reading a bit more of the last of the four YA novels I was assigned to read for our teacher version of the school's Battle of the Books (Minerva Clark Gets a Clue). On the train I enjoyed it more: I've been putting off finishing it for some time. If you're an adult reader of YA fiction, I give better than average rating to 'Alphabet of Dreams' and 'The Eyes of the Emperor'. Not the best ever, but solidly good. I'm putting off reading the pedagogical text I'm supposed to report back on after break. Don't wanna right now.
\
I feel like Seattle is holding its breath, or maybe that's me as I hurtle and rumble toward it at varying speeds. We're old friends. I'll get an embrace of gentle rain and visit a smattering of spots that I jealously claim belong to me.


Now if I can only get Mr. Wheeker to take this trip with me (how can he not appreciate the magic of train travel?!), life will be complete.

TPQ

Oh. Did I mention that after dropping me off, he came back 15 minutes later, parked and rushed in to deliver my iPod just as I was getting ready to board? His sexy, thoughtful, intelligent perfection is almost too much to bear. I'll carry the burden. Poor me.

Secret Smile, Semisonic

Nearly every weekend we take our sighthounds, Charlie (Greyhound) and Ferguson (Irish Wolfhound), out to a fully enclosed multi-soccer field so they can sprint and play to their hound-hearts' content. If you are not aware, sighthounds aren't the best off-lead in an urban environment. When they see something they want to chase, their other senses (like hearing) become selective at best. A huge field is the best, closest simulation to, say, Ireland a millennium ago, give or take. Today we went with two other Greyhound friends and their human pet. They had a lovely time.

( Photos behind the cut. )

And so did we.

TPQ

Date:	2009-03-21 22:16
Security:	Public
Mood:	contemplative
Music:	dogs crunching kibble

Some options of many:

Fierce Pajamas: An Anthology ...
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Clarke
The Host, Meyer
Between the Bridge and the River, Ferguson
As She Climbed Across the Table, Lethem
Me Talk Pretty One Day, Sedaris
The View from Saturday (you know who you are), Konigsburg
Arrows of the Queen, Lackey
Poison Study, Snyder
Body Double, Gerritsen
The Ghost Writer, Harwood
Watchmen
Zombie, Oates
Don't Get Too Comfortable: The Indignities ..., Rakoff
World War Z, Brooks
Jamie and Other Stories, Zimmer Bradley
The History of Love, Kraus
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life ..., Reichl
The Secret Scripture, Barry
The Collector of Hearts: New Tales ..., Oates
My Mistress's Sparrow is Dead: Great Love ..., Eugenides
Only Revolutions, Danielewski
The Terror, Simmons
The Thirteen Clocks, Thurber
The Time Traveler's Wife, Niffenegger
Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life, Martin
The Samurai's Garden, Tsukiyama
Special Topics in Calamity Physics, Pessl
Good Omens, Pratchett, Gaiman
Kitchen Confidential, Bourdain
American Gods, Gaiman
Silk, Kiernan
Icy Sparks, Rubio
Storm Front, Butcher
The Smoke Thief, Abe
Moon Passage, Lecompte
Coraline, Gaiman
The Know-It-All: One Man's ..., Jacobs
Endurance: Shackleton's ..., Lansing
Turning the Tables: The Insider's ..., Shaw
Mike Nelson's Mind over Matters, Nelson
The Red Tent, Diamant
Lamb..., Moore
Fool, Moore

Those in bold I have started and stopped at some point but want to finish. Bearing in mind that my goal for reading is pleasure and relaxation over break (as opposed to the challenge of something like Gravity's Rainbow), which do you suggest? Feel free to name more than one if you care to give input.

TPQ

Date:	2009-03-21 19:36
Security:	Public
Mood:	hopeful
Music:	4 snoozing hounds

My emotional-mental health needs it. Yet ... unstructured time and I do not get along well.

Experiment: Spring Break '09

I've scheduled my days so that I get out of the house to exercise the dogs in the mornings and to do something "away" in the afternoons. I've scheduled in time to read whatever I feel like reading, time to exercise, time to nap, time to do house projects and unit planning to prepare for the return from break. Hopefully the schedule is just open enough to make me feel "free" and sufficiently scaffolded that I don't free-fall and spend the whole break in bed overwhelmed by a list of "shoulds" and unable to think of anything pleasant enough to get me going.

We'll see. And maybe (bounce) I can take AMTRAK up to Seattle to visit the best Jane in the world and have a personal outing. I love that trip on the train. Therapy will happen. And hair will be cut and arranged with much artistry. Toes must be painted and shorts will be worn. School will ... inevitably be visited; but only because and when I choose to do so.

TPQ

You Are An INFJ

The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener with almost infinite patience. You have complex feelings, and you take great care to express them. In love, you see relationships as an opportunity to connect and grow. You enjoy relationships when they are improving and changing. You can't stand stagnation. At work, you stay motivated and happy... as long as you are working toward a dream you support. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher. How you see yourself: Hardworking, ethical, and helpful When other people don't get you, they see you as: Manipulative, weak, and unstable

Weather in Oregon: I love spring in Oregon. Wind and rain. Yummy.

Awkward moment: Running into your (most excellent) therapist in the grocery store is far too much of a meta-moment. My brain still hurts.

Banal, yet still helpful epiphany: No need to be embarassed that books I read to escape the intensity of my "new" job -- which is trying to consume me in a disturbingly Danielewskian manner -- are not "classics". A pleasureful, pulp novel is a good escape. Most recently finished: Bone-Crossed by Patricia Briggs. Great series b/c of her fascinating, secondary characters and the multiple supers.

Wistful for: MUSHing (speaking of supers). Not for the time and silly rules. But for the people and the stories we created together.

Food worth trying: Starbucks' Artisan Breakfast Sandwich

Obscure Movie Recc: The Secret of Roan Inish

Educator Note: Barry Lane is my hero. Learning to teach writing. No. Not that, simply. Learning to teach writing WELL has been a huge undertaking this year.

OBSERVATION: I've noticed recently, and struggled with, different folks' purposes for LJ. And while I respect the choices people make, I have found that posting my own (note I'm referring to myself and not you -- if you're on my friends list, there is a reason why) daily ... how do you say? ... crap, will only contribute to the general crappiness of my day. Oh, don't you worry, my little dandelions. There WILL still be crap. It simply won't be the majority of my (admittedly sporadic) posts.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, wheeker sent to me...

Twelve puzzles drumming

Eleven canadians piping

Ten chickens a-leaping

Nine archetypes changeling

Eight saltines a-geo-caching

Seven blues a-napping

Six felts a-cooking

Five astro-o-o-onautical engineers

Four wonder falls

Three brandenburg concertos

Two game shows

...and a wilcox in a richard scarry.

Get your own Twelve Days:

Date:	2008-11-16 18:29
Security:	Public
Mood:	sleepy

I worked 6 hours at school on Saturday. Worked 5 hours today. Now I'm home, it's Sunday night, and I feel as though I should be doing all of these work-related tasks:

*study skills mini-lesson for tomorrow
*write Wednesday's test
*make a study guide for said test
*prepare Thursday and Friday's sub plans for while I'm at the district meetings
*grade journals x infinity
*grade homework
*plan expository 3 week mini-unit for team to teach in December
*make new seating charts
*dig out picture book collection to take in to work
*make a lunch for tomorrow


I don't wannnnnnna. I've worked enough already. I want to cuddle in with my puppy and read a book. A book for SCHOOL, but at least a book. Hmph. I dare just one ignorant soul to walk up to me and say that teacher's get paid for taking summers off and only work from 9 to 3.

Okay. Something good. Hmm. On NPR this morning I heard a new female singer whose music I want to look up. Mr. Wheeker is feeling better than he was earlier this weekend. The hounds got to run to their hearts' content today. We get to spend time with good friends on Thanksgiving. And the Monday after Turkey Day is the Dog Walk through the Holiday Lights at the Portland International Raceway. It looks possible that there won't be freezing rain this year for the first time in forever.

Resting time. Not going to feel guilty. But I may not be able to avoid doing some schoolish foo whilst cuddling in my eiderdown with my puppy.

Have a slow and relaxing Sunday evening, everyone.

TPQ

So I'm rolling this idea around in my head and asking for any ideas you might have to add to my brainstorming. I want to do a poetry unit this year. I'd like to do a daily/weekly/somethingly poetry intro/experience for the kids before the unit. Maybe each week until the unit, not sure yet. But I'd like to introduce it through song lyrics, preferably not all songs they already know. Give them the lyrics, discuss the meaning/s and use of language, then after all that, play the song and discuss interpretation and personal meaning.

Some songs off the top of my head that are rolling around in the (very early stage) brainstorm are:

Sting - Windmills of Your Mind
NIN - Up Above It
Eagles - Hotel California
Counting Crows - Big Yellow Taxi
Sister Hazel - Change Your Mind
Black Eyed Peas - Where is the Love
John Mayer - Waiting on the World to Change


Clarification: This is not a post to have you tell me why NOT to use a song or anyone else. It's just a first step in the process. One possible sub-goal might be songs that get them thinking about their own efficacy in the world.

Suggestions?

TPQ

Date:	2008-11-15 21:26
Security:	Public
Mood:	tired

1. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names... or father's & mother's)
Rae Malcolm

2. NASCAR NAME: (first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Delmer Harold

3. STAR WARS NAME: (the first 2 letters of your last name, first 4 letters of your first name)
Meheid

4.DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Orange Hound

5. SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you live)
Christina Hillsboro

6. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite alcoholic drink, optionally add "THE" to the beginning)
Yellow Bellini

7. FLY NAME: (first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Heas

8. GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie):
Spumoni PB

9. ROCK STAR NAME: (current pet's name, current street name)
Ferguson 52

10. PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on)
Hamlet Kimberly

Date:	2008-11-14 19:58
Security:	Public
Mood:	amused

In class today, grading a "scavenger hunt" sheet from a publication comparing the platforms of Obama and McCain, one of the topics was the 700-mile fence apparently being built on the U.S.-Mexico border. Students were asked to write what they think the purpose of this fence is and whether they thought it would be successful. One student conjecture was drug related. The teacher asked for clarification. Student clarified. Teacher replied with "...yadda yadda drugs. I'd take that." As an acceptable answer. Half the class started giggling. It took me a handful of seconds to realize what I'd said.

Amusing moment.

Thank goodness it's the weekend. Now I can go into work and get the other 20 hours of my week of work done.

Happy Friday.

TPQ

I often start class by doing something that knocks the daily-grind mindset out of them. Sometimes I'll speak in Whale (a la Finding Nemo) or I'll start describing them in ways they aren't accustomed to (today they "bemused me" ... and discussion ensued). Today their journal exercise was to think of five questions they would want to ask teachers, turning the tables, as it were. For attendance, one of their options was to share one of their questions, with individualized praise going to particularly creative questions. They always have options for answering attendance. This is something I put into practice after attending a workshop where I learned some ungodly low percentage of students ever were spoken to even once throughout the day by any adult (teacher or parent). Starting class, while they're writing by giving them a chance to share something from a menu of two or three options (one of which is succinct for those who don't care to be loquacious or in the spotlight) gives them a chance to speak and to be heard every day. It also seems to be a useful part of the community building I strive so hard to do in my classes. Being safe to risk, to have ideas and test theories -- it's not so common at this age as one would hope.

Anyhow, I often end up beginning class by giving the class a collective name.
"My Fine Young Scholars"
"My precious naked mole-rats"
"The prestigious prodigies of such&such Middle School"
and so on ...

Last year's highlight was a day I hadn't thought of anything but was in the midst of beginning the "My ..." I had to think of a several-worded animal quickly. "... red-breasted Boobies" came out of my mouth. You don't often see 8th graders agape. They always have a caustic, sarcastic, unfiltered or random comment. It was photo-worthy, really. Of course, then I spent several minutes convincing them that that was indeed a bird. Just as Lake Titicaca is a Peruvian waterform and so on.

Today, "My precious Chickadees" got a journal-stopping response as well. First trimester 7th graders are so YOUNG. And so fun to tip into the realm of the curious yet unknown. I really love my kids.

Enough said. (I have no idea if these entries are interesting. Just trying to post each day to try to get back into the swing.)

Tomorrow's Friday. Is the second hand slowing down?

TPQ

Ate lunch today. Missed breakfast though.

Bought hummus tonight, and pita. Will take both and some yogurt to work tomorrow.

After 14 years at my Middle School, this past spring, W. and the insanity flowing from politicians to try to "score" education and educators decided that my certification to teach grades 1-8 was insufficient. That I was "not highly qualified" to teach 7th and 8th graders. The ignorant, oversimplifiers in power will be the downfall of us all.

The story is much more convoluted than that, and it is the major reason I stopped posting. There was nothing good to say. I was demoralized. I was disenchanted. I may have issues with my self-esteem, but if there is one thing I know, it is this: I am a master teacher. I am extraordinarily good at what I do, connecting with early adolescents, bringing authenticity and humor and nexus to learning that makes kids laugh and share and look bemusedly at the clock when class is over to wonder where the time went.

I ended up being moved to Elementary -- a change I was ready to relish and take on. My first two years of teaching were at the Elementary level and I was ready (after a terrible few years with a ... truly inadequate at best administrator) for a transition in my life. The bomb dropped and then I adjusted. I adjusted to leaving my family at a school that had been home since 1994. And just when I was leaping off the cliff with a smile on my face, they removed the ocean below. Only rocks. Back to Middle School. But a different Middle School.

There was an interminable period of mediation. At this point, I dropped the usual diminutive I'll-do-what-I'm-asked and pressed for rationale.

The story ends and begins with me at a new Middle School with a team I enjoy immensely and an administrative team which seems to at least be competent. Perhaps more. Too soon to say. The staff as a group are positive, they are innovative, they are collaborative. It's been more than I could have asked for, but not without its downfalls (the furniture and key situation may be another post's fodder).

I'm inventing a new curriculum that combines Social Studies and Language Arts into one block. Hence I lose 10+ years of curriculum creation because a majority of the time is spent on Reading and Writing. But I can do this. It's re-creating the wheel every single day, it's working two or three jobs at once, it's exhausting. But I'm happy. I'm thankful for many, many good things.

And there you have today's anti-minutia post.

Wishing you all well.
TPQ

Date:	2008-11-11 14:40
Security:	Public
Mood:	exhausted

It's been a bit of forever since I've posted-posted and I think the weight of the time and the unwritten is making it more and more difficult to post. So this is my gateway post (like marijuana, not the computer). I'll post little bits of things rather than a doctoral summation of the past year+ over the next few weeks and see how it feels.

Today's post? Lunch.
I can't seem to get myself to eat lunch. The hectic nature of a new school, new curriculum, new everything along with my current medication make the idea of eating at lunchtime not quite, but almost nauseating. Of course, then I crash, blood-sugar-wise but give everything I have left to teaching my afternoon blocks and school ends ... and there is something hanging limply over my chair in my classroom. Oh right. That's ME! So my plan is to put together small, easily prepared mini-lunches that are easy to get down and easily grabbed in the morning. This week will be either rotisserie chicken salad, crackers, and yogurt (not all in one bite), or the same with hummus instead of the ch. salad. Anyone have short but sweet lunch ideas that don't involve energy bars or shakes? I tried microwave meals... enh. I need something a tad more ... fresh.

Fascinating post.

Currently reading: A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula Le Guin (technically a reread -- perhaps a tale to follow, next post)

Note of the day: Irish Wolfhounds are brilliant and snuggly.

TPQ

Date:	2008-10-22 22:53
Security:	Public
Mood:	exhausted

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Balanced, Secure, and Realistic.

20 Impressionist, 4 Islamic, 7 Ukiyo-e, -19 Cubist, -8 Abstract and -8 Renaissance!

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy