27 June 2008

Everyone else is doing it...

Seriously, everyone else (that counts) is better at blogging than me. I have to step this up. So, to make up for the fact all I ever post are surveys, a "real" blog.

Summer has been pretty 'eh' so far. In fact, I've even found myself doing stuff for school. I think I'm getting bored already, which is kinda scary. I mean, it isn't even the end of June. However, there have been a few fun things:

-I got my copy of Rock Band, discovered I suck at playing the drums, but have fun doing it even though my brother and parents find the whole concept bizarre.
-I'm reading like a fiend for the contest. So far, I'm in the neighborhood of 2,500 pages already. I must keep up this pace.
-I got to do an interview with Less Than Jake and my feature is up on www.revolt-media.com. There is at least one really fun quote in there, see if you can find it.
-Looks like Jon and I are heading to WI to his family's cottage for a few days. I hope I survive ;)
-Brian hosted a super-fun party on Monday and it was good to see everyone.
-I think we're doing the Indian dinner on July 5? If you're around and want naan, chicken tikka masala and other yummy Indian goodies, let me know...
-Kathleen told me about 826 Michigan which is this super-cool writing center in Ann Arbor (but they have them all over the country). We went to the volunteer orientation which took place in the Liberty Street Robot Supply and Repair shop (a front) and I really like the whole idea. I've volunteered to help with a few things there this summer which should be fun.

Bummers of the summer so far:
-I'm getting stir crazy
-The weather is gross and we lost power last night, but the good news was it was back on this morning.
-No jobs coming from the DFP. In fact, I haven't heard much from them since before school was over. Kinda a bummer since I have all this free time and I really want to get back to photographing live shows.

Meh, just kinda blah right now really. Maybe the summer will get better.

05 June 2008

Wow, two posts in two days!

So, big news. I had my end-of-the-year evaluation today. I thought it would just be with my VP, but my principal was there too. I wasn't exactly sure why, but it became pretty clear rather quickly. They asked me to be department head for next year. It wasn't exactly one of those things i could really say no to. I mean, I suppose I could have, but the options were either I do it, or my VP does it for another year. As I think he tends to kowtow to the parents, I guess I'd rather do it. Of course that may also be the end of my teaching career. I mean, I'm flattered that they asked me and want me to do it, it'll be nice to get a bit of a raise, but I'm also worried I'll be the scapegoat if next year is anything like this year is. Who knows. Worth a shot I guess. I'm excited but scared about it at the same time. However, now that I'm department head, a back to school tattoo is most definitely in order;)

In other news, three days of school left! Whoooooooooooooooooo! I'm looking forward to girly time on Wednesday and then the summer off. Maybe it's just as well that my job at plastics has fallen through this summer, I think next year will be nuts, so the time off may be necessary. I might also have a bit of a tutoring gig this summer for a little extra cash, so that may be ok.

There was an article in the A2 news about the Detroit Derby Girls. I've known about them for a while now and always thought it seemed kinda cool. Turns out, they're having tryouts in July and I'm thinking about giving it a go. Sure, I haven't roller skated in ages, but I figure skated for over 10 years and can at least do all the skills they're looking for on ice skates. Maybe roller skates aren't too different (I know a fair number of girls who went from competitive ice skating to competitive roller or the other way around with little difficulty). The tryouts aren't till July, so I have a little time to think about it. Doesn't it look fun though? www.detroitrollerderby.com.

Rock band comes out for the Wii on June 22. It's expensive, but I really, really want to get it. Maybe that's what this most recent freelancing check will go towards...and Jon said he'd go halvsies on it. Now, we'd just need to figure out how custody will work... ;)

Wow, two real blog posts in two days. What is the world coming to??

04 June 2008

Wow, it isn't a survey!

School is almost over!
And that means maybe I'll actually do "real" blog posts and not just surveys...

A few things:

1. There are only four more days of school, and only one of those is with students. I'm caught up in grading my exams (for once!) and have managed to already throw out a whole load of junk from my classroom. Yay me. I can't wait for school to be over for the year.

2. However, with school being over, we had to say goodbye to a few retirees. One of them, the Captain, I will miss tremendously. He was my chemistry and physics teacher when I went to FGR. He still scares me a bit, but I admire him tremendously. I mean, come on, if an ex-commander of a nuclear submarine isn't somewhat intimidating, who is?? It won't be the same without him. I may not remember much from chemistry or physics, but I'll never forget him.

3. I am, however, ready to be done with the politics and backbiting for a few months. I have my end-of-the-year evaluation tomorrow with my vice-principal/interm department head and I'm (as usual) a bit nervous. I hate these things. However, I'm hoping that we sign contracts and I can find out what my salary is for next year...I mean, if I'm here for another year, I hope to make a bit more.

4. With being at FGR for another year, I'm already considering what my back-to-school tattoo might be. No design or placement ideas yet, but I am 99% sure I'm going to do this.

5. I was hoping to be working this summer, but at the same time, the idea of having 2 months off has its attractiveness. Things I'd like to do this summer:
-more yoga or possibly try getting into running again
-read like a fiend and hopefully kick some ass at the summer reading contest
-see some more live music
-get more organized for next school year
-purchase and play too much rock band
-throw and do half the cooking for an Indian party (mmm, naan...)
-add to the family cookbook
-practice the guitar
-go to the cottage in WI with Jon
-do some SERIOUS cleaning
-freelance as much as I can

Yeah, the money of from extra work this summer would be nice, but I think I can keep myself occupied if I have to.

Four more days.



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