An Apology and A Gift Card

A confiscated note!

Dear [girl],
I am sorry that I wasn't there for you when I was your boyfriend. I hope your having fun with your new boy friend. He must be really nice. Here is a $15 best buy gift card you can use it to buy you a phone. The one right across the street from Northgate sells them for $9.09.
Hope your happy. Sorry for my mistakes.
Your friend, or non-friend
[boy]


I received some ardent apologies from a past relationship of my own this week. But no gift cards, so you have to wonder how heartfelt it really was. Just saying.

Is there anything more demoralizing for a 36 year old woman than when her love life echos the 8th graders...

Sigh.

The answer is yes.

This is more demoralizing: I have an deep, deep affection for Carley Rae Jensen's song "Call Me Maybe". Fact.

Earlier this week I was driving to work and my CD was skipping around (I ruin CDs; NEVER loan me one of yours) so I switched to radio power and had to pump it UP because Carley Rae's sweet, sweet vocals were on the airways.

The first time I endured this song I rolled my eyes a little more than I'm willing to admit now that I'm a mega fan. But soon after hearing it, America's darlings on the U.S. Olympic swim team made a video, I fell in love with it, and it all went downhill from there. Now I'm hooked. I love it so bad. I love it so, so bad.

Is there a more adorable girl on this planet than Missy Franklin [minute 1:36]? There really isn't.

Also this:

And finally this:

You're* welcome.


I promise I'm not an 8th grader contrary to all offered evidence.


*evidence that supports my claim of not being an 8th grader: I know the correct usage of your/you're.

Just One More

Oh internet, I love you. Let's be BFFs 4ever. LOL.
_

Cape Alava

I'm pretty wimpy. I've never been that interested in developing athletic prowess or even adequate upper body strength. I am, to be pithy, an easy target for zombies.

But once in a while I find myself in an entirely self-inflicted physically grueling situation. One where stamina and indefatigability are requirements for survival. I try to be graceful at such times but it's never a complete success and I tend to dip a little too far into the whiney-pants end of the spectrum. This summer I found myself in exactly such a mess and I made it out alive. High five!

I went backpacking out at Cape Alava on the northern Washington coast in the Olympic National Park.  My pack was ridiculously heavy. Why does anyone need that much stuff for two nights? I didn’t even haul a tent, which turned out to be an important detail . . .

But the experience was incredible. I’m glad I did it and look how pretty the campsite was.

Where Are All the Notes?

Dear loyal blog reader,

Have you wondered what ever happened to me posting confiscated student notes? Don't worry, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to start posting more soon. Last year I was teaching honors classes and the thing about honors students is they are smart (translate to sneaky). Either that or they aren't very interested in advancing their social agenda. Either way, I didn't find any discarded notes lying about and I rarely saw a kiddo writing a note. I usually at least warn them before taking their notes, a practice for which I apologize to you, dear blog reader. This school year, which starts in just a week (!), promises to be a better haul. I am only teaching 2 honors classes, the other three are just regular 8th grade science classes. Eighth grader's notes are usually better anyway, let's be honest. More drama and angst.

I will try to show at least one super boring science video during September and lurk in the back waiting for some good stuff to come rolling in. Videos are great for note collecting because the kids try to counter extreme disinterest with socializing.

Until then, consider rereading some of your favorites from the past.

Confiscated Notes

Dating and Fashion Advice

do u want 2 d8 me?

Dream

Last night I had a dream that I was drumming on a drum kit and I was confused because no matter how hard I pounded on the drum I couldn't hear it. Then the thought occurred to me that I must be in space. So I looked around me and I was in space. If only.

And this, because it's Friday. Enjoy.