Algebra Angst

Please understand that I have been known to misuse superlatives, so some of you are going to roll your eyes when I say this, but here's the truth. Math is my favorite.

I am not even kidding you.

Four of the six classes I'm teaching this year are 8th grade Algebra and they're all freaking out about it. But here's the thing kids, freaking out doesn't help. What we all need a little more of is geeking out. If everyone would just do a bit more of that, we could survive.

Ahhhhhhhhhh, GEEK OUT!

(You really have to sing this ala "Le Freak" to feel the correct intensity of that statement.)

But why is Math my favorite you ask? Besides the obvious answer of it's awesome?! Here's why: Math is like a little puzzle. And let me put in a little disclaimer: I have a degree in Geology and not Astronomy because I didn't want to take so much math . . . *sigh* we all make mistakes in college. But just because I once ran from the fight does not mean I'll let you. So buckle down, here we go:

Suppose you're sitting in class and your teacher says you can use Algebra in real life and you think to yourself: "ummm . . . my teacher is crazy". Well?

And then she throws this at you:

Maggie’s brother is three years younger than twice her age. The sum of their ages is 24. Write and solve an equation to find out how old Maggie is?

And then you think: Holy Smokes! Why does she have to make everything so complicated? Just look at Maggie's birth certificate!

Yeah, if you indentify with the above story, you might be suffering from Algebra Angst.

If you saw the above problem and thought: "Finally! My math teacher promised this would happen someday. I was just blog stalking and now, what a treat, some math I can really sink my teeth into! I've been ready for this moment--let me at it!" Then you might be crazy.

Welcome to your dream world crazies.

Black Keys, Black Eye

Dude. I totally ran smack into a door while getting ready for a concert on Saturday night. Ouch.

The concert was incredible which made the throbbing pain in my face bearable.

I iced my eyebrow with a pint of ice cream, which just made me want to eat ice cream. Eating ice cream, unfortunately, doesn't help with the swelling so by the end of the night I had a pretty little goose egg right above my left eye. Which I found kind of fascinating and kept touching.

Also I cut my hair. It's short and kind of adorable.

All in all, an eventful weekend.

do u want 2 d8 me?

So, school started 1.5 weeks ago. I miss sleeping in until 11. I miss riding my bike around in the sunshine. I miss the money I'm now spending on gas for my killer commute. But I like my classes, the kids are pretty awesome, The Black Keys are rocking out inside my car stereo, and the notes have started flooding in. So my world's going to be ok.

This note, which we will be featuring today, was discovered after the kids were gone for the day, just laying on the floor by the garbage can/rubbish bin (for my Aussie and Kiwi readers).

Get comfortable.

It's awesome.

As always, NO changes to spelling or punctuation except to maintain privacy or decency.

Dear, [Girl's name]

Hey I wanted to see if you can give me a chance cuz we couldn't date last year we had no time and [dang] you look so fine today everybodies saying we would be a cute couple so I wanted to see if u wanted to test the waters with me i'm not even playing around I like you I've changed since last year I'm not a player like I used to be if I really like someone I won't date them just to get something I've changed I'll never go back to the same person I was. Just let me show you I can prove to you that I can be a good boyfriend I now I'm your best friend but I wan't to be more than just your friend. I can be a good boyfriend trust me. Just let me know if you want to date.

P.S I hope we can finish wat we started.

unsigned

Ok kids, what we have here is a mystery. Why was this precious declaration of amorous devotion lying on the floor next to the garbage can?

Did [Girl's name] receive the note and this is her response? Maybe they aren't best friends after all? Or she was appalled, understandably, by his grasp of punctuation usage in the English language? I mean seriously, who wants a boyfriend that puts the comma after dear, instead of your name, therefore negating it being used as an adjective to describe how they feel about you?! Honestly guys, get a clue!

Did the note sender chicken out, never send it to [Girl's name], and throw it away in disgust?

Was a jealous third party entrusted with the sacred task of delivering the note to [Girl's name] and, overcome with the green-eyed monster, thwarted true love's course?

And the greatest mystery of all: why after 108 words did he suddenly decide to throw in a period?

I heart rocks

My little geologist heart has been geeking out all week as I've been driving across the western United States on the fieldtrip of my dreams.

From here:

To here:

It's been a great time so far. Good company and the new Arcade Fire album make it even better.

Everlasting Light

I know I've whined about my commute before so I won't get into that again. But now that it's summer vacation (YEE HAW) I find that I miss the 2 hours I spent everyday rocking out to music (mostly the black keys). Luckily we have a super sweet sound system in our living room. But I don't want to spend all summer in the living room . . .

So I'm planning a road trip. And here's my question: What is your favorite road trip music?

And I want everyone to answer.