School started yesterday. It was crazy. We've been putting together school schedules and enrolling students and teaching classes. I hate paperwork almost as much as I hate grading. Having people fill out forms and doing all this office work. Hopefully the computer guys will come up computer system to lessen the paperwork.
The first day I read over the syllabus and told them what I expected from them. Then we did an intro activity and people paired, shared, and introduced the other person. Classes were shorter so that we could do more paperwork, interviews, more paperwork, staff-to-student meetings, more paperwork, class scheduling, and finally more paperwork.
I'm using a textbook for my world cultures because it follows the content standards but I'm going to be adding more to it. While I have major problems with the text, it is good to have a guideline to follow. Last year I was talking over kids' heads, giving them text that was too hard. I wasn't prepared or structured or what. While I'm still not prepared or structured, I am at a higher state of not prepared or structured. This time I'm getting more basic. More skill building. I gotta teach basic skills like notetaking. Today in all my classes I read a speech by MLK to students about creating their own life's blueprint. Then I assigned homework where they wrote the meaning of the speech and what their life's blueprint is. And if they didn't have one to formulate one.
After that we talked about the globe, space, the mercator map, northern bias, the arno peters map, and then we started looking at how to read an atlas. I'm going to finish up on Thursday and ask questions of them. Tomorrow I'm going to be finishing up with that and doing a reading on oppression.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Sunday, August 28, 2005
School starts...
School starts tomorrow. I'm not ready. I still want it to be summer. I still want to have a vacation. Where did the summer go?
This trimester I'm gonna be teaching World Cultures I and II and Asian American studies. For the Wednesday classes I'm going to be teaching film analysis and Capoeira. I want to teach the film analysis class but I'm not so excited about the Capoeira class. I haven't done capoeira in a long time and I haven't wanted to do it. But I had to teach 2 things so that was a second thing that I could do that I didn't have to worry about knowing. I'm excited for this year because I'm going to have a CTM and I'm starting the year off in the beginning. It was really hard and crazy to come in at the end of the school year last year and start teaching immediately. Last week we were in school getting prepared for the new year and meeting with parents and doing major paperwork for incoming students. The system at the school is archaic to say the least. But right now the internet isn't working so we have no schoolwide network. So the computer situation at the school is nonexistent. But we'll get that fixed asap.
We got 3 new teachers this year and that will be interesting. Things could get pretty chaotic. My buddy Jeremy has no idea what he's gotten himself into. Hehe. Ah sweet schadenfreude. I'm still doing last second scrambling for stuff.
This trimester I'm gonna be teaching World Cultures I and II and Asian American studies. For the Wednesday classes I'm going to be teaching film analysis and Capoeira. I want to teach the film analysis class but I'm not so excited about the Capoeira class. I haven't done capoeira in a long time and I haven't wanted to do it. But I had to teach 2 things so that was a second thing that I could do that I didn't have to worry about knowing. I'm excited for this year because I'm going to have a CTM and I'm starting the year off in the beginning. It was really hard and crazy to come in at the end of the school year last year and start teaching immediately. Last week we were in school getting prepared for the new year and meeting with parents and doing major paperwork for incoming students. The system at the school is archaic to say the least. But right now the internet isn't working so we have no schoolwide network. So the computer situation at the school is nonexistent. But we'll get that fixed asap.
We got 3 new teachers this year and that will be interesting. Things could get pretty chaotic. My buddy Jeremy has no idea what he's gotten himself into. Hehe. Ah sweet schadenfreude. I'm still doing last second scrambling for stuff.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Wedding
So the week of the wedding was hectic to say the least. We had a lot of people in our small place and it was crazy. But I got a chance to really hang out with Allison's brother Aaron and that was cool. He's a cool guy and he came out to party. He was out here without his wife (she's pregnant) and daughter (hard to travel with) so he was down to have fun. It was pretty funny. He was saying shit like he wanted to see movies that little children weren't allowed to see.
It was really touching to have my friends come to the wedding. The day of the wedding was so much fun. One hitch was that our photographer got lost. We gave her directions but she got lost and didn't bring a map with her. She was calling me on my cell phone and I had no idea where she was. I had to hunt her location down on a map and then give her directions on how to get to the location. She arrived real close to the ceremony time, but she finally got there. Then during the festivities she ran out of batteries and we had to wait for her to charge her batteries. Backups?? No backup batteries? It was ridiculous. She wasn't the most professional but I guess we got what we paid for.
The ceremony started with my friend Jare walking down the aisle followed by my mom and step dad. Then I came down the stairs. I told people that when I come down they should cheer for me. But as I started to descend there wasn't any cheering. Then I raised up my hands and then my friend Katie let out a holler which was promptly followed by everyone else. I descended down the stairway to cheers and then I did a little gun shooting at people with my hands. I followed the gun shooting with hands clenched together in triumph on the left and right. Then I followed that with two handed shakas to everyone. I feel that this really set the tone for the whole wedding and everyone could be loose and have fun. Allison's parents then came down and then Allison came. She looked amazingly beautiful. Her hair, makeup, and dress were so beautiful. Everyone was blown away by how beautiful she looked. I was very happy to say the least.
My friend/officiant Jare administered the ceremony and said some really wonderful and touching things. Then I had my cousin Margaret read a poem by Rumi and then Allison's friend Geetha read from the Prophet by Gibran. Then I read something I had prepared to say to Allison and then she read what she wrote to me. Many of my friends seemed to get a chuckle out of my choice of wording in what I wrote. They thought it was funny that I used the word lexicon. They thought it was very me. After we read our stuff, then we did our vows. Jare read the vows and then we answered "I do" together. After that my friend Stacy brought up the rings and we put the rings on each other. Then Jare announced us and Allison and I kissed. From there it was pictures pictures pictures.
While we were taking pictures it was cocktail hour for everyone else. After we were done we had dinner. The food was good. Lots of times wedding food isn't so good, but I was pretty happy with the results. Then my buddy Stevie gave the first toast. Then Allison's friend John gave the next one and then Allison's dad gave the last one. Allison and I also went around doing the thanks for coming to everyone. After that we danced for a bit and then we cut the cake. Before we did the cake cutting allison changed into her chinese chi-pao. She was once again stunning in that. Most people weren't familiar with that type of dress so they were really taken aback by it. We cut the cake and I waited to see what Allison would do. She stuffed the cake in my face so I promptly returned the favor. I got it up her nose though, which was cool. The rest of the time we spent getting our pictures taken and dancing. My capoeira teacher played some music at the wedding and that was really cool. Unfortunately I wasn't able to see more of it cause we were taking pictures.
After the wedding we went to a local bar/restaurant/dance club to hang out. Unfortunately, it was Sunday and people weren't able to hang out for very long and drink very much. But we still had a great time.
It was really touching to have my friends come to the wedding. The day of the wedding was so much fun. One hitch was that our photographer got lost. We gave her directions but she got lost and didn't bring a map with her. She was calling me on my cell phone and I had no idea where she was. I had to hunt her location down on a map and then give her directions on how to get to the location. She arrived real close to the ceremony time, but she finally got there. Then during the festivities she ran out of batteries and we had to wait for her to charge her batteries. Backups?? No backup batteries? It was ridiculous. She wasn't the most professional but I guess we got what we paid for.
The ceremony started with my friend Jare walking down the aisle followed by my mom and step dad. Then I came down the stairs. I told people that when I come down they should cheer for me. But as I started to descend there wasn't any cheering. Then I raised up my hands and then my friend Katie let out a holler which was promptly followed by everyone else. I descended down the stairway to cheers and then I did a little gun shooting at people with my hands. I followed the gun shooting with hands clenched together in triumph on the left and right. Then I followed that with two handed shakas to everyone. I feel that this really set the tone for the whole wedding and everyone could be loose and have fun. Allison's parents then came down and then Allison came. She looked amazingly beautiful. Her hair, makeup, and dress were so beautiful. Everyone was blown away by how beautiful she looked. I was very happy to say the least.
My friend/officiant Jare administered the ceremony and said some really wonderful and touching things. Then I had my cousin Margaret read a poem by Rumi and then Allison's friend Geetha read from the Prophet by Gibran. Then I read something I had prepared to say to Allison and then she read what she wrote to me. Many of my friends seemed to get a chuckle out of my choice of wording in what I wrote. They thought it was funny that I used the word lexicon. They thought it was very me. After we read our stuff, then we did our vows. Jare read the vows and then we answered "I do" together. After that my friend Stacy brought up the rings and we put the rings on each other. Then Jare announced us and Allison and I kissed. From there it was pictures pictures pictures.
While we were taking pictures it was cocktail hour for everyone else. After we were done we had dinner. The food was good. Lots of times wedding food isn't so good, but I was pretty happy with the results. Then my buddy Stevie gave the first toast. Then Allison's friend John gave the next one and then Allison's dad gave the last one. Allison and I also went around doing the thanks for coming to everyone. After that we danced for a bit and then we cut the cake. Before we did the cake cutting allison changed into her chinese chi-pao. She was once again stunning in that. Most people weren't familiar with that type of dress so they were really taken aback by it. We cut the cake and I waited to see what Allison would do. She stuffed the cake in my face so I promptly returned the favor. I got it up her nose though, which was cool. The rest of the time we spent getting our pictures taken and dancing. My capoeira teacher played some music at the wedding and that was really cool. Unfortunately I wasn't able to see more of it cause we were taking pictures.
After the wedding we went to a local bar/restaurant/dance club to hang out. Unfortunately, it was Sunday and people weren't able to hang out for very long and drink very much. But we still had a great time.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Married and going on the honeymoon
It's happened. I'm a made man. Now I'm about to go on my honeymoon and will be back on Friday. So nothing till then. Peace
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Getting Married
Tomorrow is the big day. I'm getting married. Surreal. One of the coolest things about getting married... free shit. People just giving you a bunch of free shit. It's great. People buying you drinks and giving you gifts. We had a great time today. We had a picnic and we were just hanging out. Allison's friends are in town and I can tell she's really happy and excited about that.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Computer dumping ground
Jeremy and I cleared out the old computers from the computer lab and this huge pile in the basement janitor room. There was shit in this pile from the 1980s. Older than the fucking students. How crazy is that shit. It's ridiculous they just never got moved. 1980s technology just sitting around taking up space.
Before we did this, Jeremy and I went through every classroom and opened up cabinets looking for unused computers. They were everywhere. It was ridiculous, we kept finding old unused computers everywhere. The guy from otx-west brought in 14 computers and 19 monitors and his truck was 1/3 filled. When he left the thing was 4/5ths filled with shit. Ancient and heavy hp laserjet II stuff. There was a microfiche reader. There was a typewriter. Huge heavy back stressing monitors. Thank technology for smaller and lighter shit. Now we have computer systems in the school from the early to mid 1990s. As we move stuff in and figure out what we want for the computer system. Jeremy and I want to have all OTX-West computers in the school even in the computer lab. This way OTX-West would provide all the support for the computers and all the computers would be on the same page. Then buy flatscreen monitors for the computer lab to conserve space and make the computer lab more attractive. One big pain in the ass is that some of these old ass computers are literally bolted to the tables in the school. Nobody has the keys to open the locks. It's just a fucking mess. There isn't much organization at the school with some things.
With those computers moved now, we have freed up space to store extra books downstairs. That would clear up space in the classrooms. Also now I have a place to move spare desks. Before my class was too crowded. More desks than students. Now I'll be able to move desks downstairs into the basement. This will make my class feel a whole lot better. Space is important.
School is starting soon and I'm excited for it. I'm completely unexcited for doing anything related to teaching credential stuff. This teaching credential process is a load of hooping jumping bullshit. But companies like ETS are making a fuckin fortune off of it. Most of the people coming up with the standards for the credentialling process have no teaching experience at all.
... Jeremy has been redoing my bike and I got a sneak preview. There is a new handlebar to change my center of gravity. Street tires so that I can get around faster. New crank, gears, and shifters. I'm going to have a much better bike for my purposes and I didn't have to spend any money on it. Then I'll be able to bike around more. Move away from car culture. Get more exercise. Get to places faster than walking and running with less effort. Great for the environment.
Before we did this, Jeremy and I went through every classroom and opened up cabinets looking for unused computers. They were everywhere. It was ridiculous, we kept finding old unused computers everywhere. The guy from otx-west brought in 14 computers and 19 monitors and his truck was 1/3 filled. When he left the thing was 4/5ths filled with shit. Ancient and heavy hp laserjet II stuff. There was a microfiche reader. There was a typewriter. Huge heavy back stressing monitors. Thank technology for smaller and lighter shit. Now we have computer systems in the school from the early to mid 1990s. As we move stuff in and figure out what we want for the computer system. Jeremy and I want to have all OTX-West computers in the school even in the computer lab. This way OTX-West would provide all the support for the computers and all the computers would be on the same page. Then buy flatscreen monitors for the computer lab to conserve space and make the computer lab more attractive. One big pain in the ass is that some of these old ass computers are literally bolted to the tables in the school. Nobody has the keys to open the locks. It's just a fucking mess. There isn't much organization at the school with some things.
With those computers moved now, we have freed up space to store extra books downstairs. That would clear up space in the classrooms. Also now I have a place to move spare desks. Before my class was too crowded. More desks than students. Now I'll be able to move desks downstairs into the basement. This will make my class feel a whole lot better. Space is important.
School is starting soon and I'm excited for it. I'm completely unexcited for doing anything related to teaching credential stuff. This teaching credential process is a load of hooping jumping bullshit. But companies like ETS are making a fuckin fortune off of it. Most of the people coming up with the standards for the credentialling process have no teaching experience at all.
... Jeremy has been redoing my bike and I got a sneak preview. There is a new handlebar to change my center of gravity. Street tires so that I can get around faster. New crank, gears, and shifters. I'm going to have a much better bike for my purposes and I didn't have to spend any money on it. Then I'll be able to bike around more. Move away from car culture. Get more exercise. Get to places faster than walking and running with less effort. Great for the environment.
I put that chart in from the Bureau of Labor statistics to show that the average workers wage have been falling since the the early 70s. Big Business has been fucking over workers and most people don't even realize it.
Anyways...it's happening. Tomorrow Allison's friends come over and we'll have 4 people sleeping in our place. There will be a big dinner... things are happening. My Auntie Judy came to my house and put Chinese characters for double happiness everywhere. The lady is a female version of my dad. You know when she's in the room. I didn't talk to her for more than 15 years or so cause of serious personality differences. But now we're kinda talking. There is always some underlying hostility, but that's typical of most of her interactions. She really stressed Allison out though. I told my cousin that she had to put a check on her as much as possible. Shit I'll ask her to leave if I have to.
I feel like I'm moving into a new chapter in my life. Marriage is so fucking adult. I've got to start marking different boxes on forms. It's totally not about me anymore and I got to start thinking about us. We'll talk about having kids and stuff. It's all very surreal for me. I see the direction that my life is heading in... and I'm happy about it. I'm ready for this marriage and I'll be ready for the wedding. There are still some wedding odds and ends that need to be done. But for the most part the shit is done and gonna happen.
Anyways...it's happening. Tomorrow Allison's friends come over and we'll have 4 people sleeping in our place. There will be a big dinner... things are happening. My Auntie Judy came to my house and put Chinese characters for double happiness everywhere. The lady is a female version of my dad. You know when she's in the room. I didn't talk to her for more than 15 years or so cause of serious personality differences. But now we're kinda talking. There is always some underlying hostility, but that's typical of most of her interactions. She really stressed Allison out though. I told my cousin that she had to put a check on her as much as possible. Shit I'll ask her to leave if I have to.
I feel like I'm moving into a new chapter in my life. Marriage is so fucking adult. I've got to start marking different boxes on forms. It's totally not about me anymore and I got to start thinking about us. We'll talk about having kids and stuff. It's all very surreal for me. I see the direction that my life is heading in... and I'm happy about it. I'm ready for this marriage and I'll be ready for the wedding. There are still some wedding odds and ends that need to be done. But for the most part the shit is done and gonna happen.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
seasonally adjusted total private average weekly earnings in 1982 dollars
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Ann |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 297.51 | 299.84 | 299.84 | 303.02 | 302.08 | 303.29 | 302.52 | 304.91 | 303.96 | 303.96 | 305.00 | 308.18 | |
| 1965 | 307.23 | 308.40 | 309.60 | 308.65 | 310.89 | 308.32 | 309.51 | 310.83 | 311.86 | 312.23 | 313.25 | 313.48 | |
| 1966 | 312.54 | 312.61 | 312.84 | 313.07 | 312.60 | 311.67 | 313.15 | 311.50 | 310.91 | 311.94 | 311.32 | 310.53 | |
| 1967 | 312.46 | 310.50 | 310.50 | 309.88 | 310.96 | 310.26 | 311.56 | 311.75 | 311.92 | 312.11 | 314.22 | 312.73 | |
| 1968 | 312.26 | 314.11 | 314.52 | 313.87 | 315.92 | 316.06 | 316.43 | 314.68 | 316.92 | 316.23 | 315.75 | 316.07 | |
| 1969 | 317.89 | 316.53 | 315.84 | 317.00 | 317.30 | 315.79 | 316.10 | 317.23 | 317.53 | 316.98 | 317.17 | 316.50 | |
| 1970 | 314.15 | 314.46 | 313.90 | 311.58 | 312.65 | 311.17 | 312.30 | 313.36 | 311.94 | 311.32 | 309.85 | 311.86 | |
| 1971 | 312.90 | 313.06 | 314.82 | 315.06 | 316.08 | 317.19 | 315.69 | 317.54 | 318.42 | 319.39 | 320.38 | 322.34 | |
| 1972 | 327.62 | 328.58 | 329.53 | 331.23 | 330.44 | 331.41 | 330.69 | 331.63 | 332.70 | 334.60 | 333.77 | 333.87 | |
| 1973 | 334.01 | 334.26 | 333.82 | 332.34 | 331.78 | 331.94 | 333.64 | 327.99 | 328.76 | 326.66 | 327.23 | 324.96 | |
| 1974 | 321.48 | 319.78 | 318.04 | 317.23 | 317.94 | 318.31 | 317.25 | 316.39 | 314.08 | 312.91 | 308.37 | 308.09 | |
| 1975 | 306.48 | 304.43 | 303.58 | 303.33 | 304.92 | 305.32 | 303.23 | 306.41 | 304.97 | 304.63 | 305.03 | 305.53 | |
| 1976 | 306.05 | 308.55 | 306.71 | 306.90 | 309.16 | 308.81 | 309.09 | 309.70 | 309.43 | 308.22 | 309.59 | 309.24 | |
| 1977 | 306.39 | 309.66 | 309.05 | 310.23 | 310.46 | 310.21 | 309.59 | 309.73 | 309.97 | 312.68 | 311.54 | 310.34 | |
| 1978 | 306.85 | 309.66 | 311.22 | 312.10 | 310.91 | 312.12 | 311.41 | 310.31 | 310.13 | 309.66 | 308.56 | 308.38 | |
| 1979 | 307.37 | 306.78 | 306.65 | 298.65 | 300.82 | 299.52 | 297.84 | 296.97 | 296.20 | 294.47 | 293.28 | 291.83 | |
| 1980 | 286.69 | 286.14 | 283.85 | 281.18 | 279.40 | 278.12 | 278.64 | 280.31 | 279.67 | 280.40 | 280.81 | 279.89 | |
| 1981 | 280.85 | 278.05 | 279.63 | 279.35 | 279.07 | 278.07 | 276.33 | 276.59 | 274.20 | 274.86 | 275.52 | 273.12 | |
| 1982 | 268.82 | 276.22 | 276.00 | 274.72 | 274.33 | 271.74 | 271.77 | 271.91 | 272.69 | 270.47 | 271.68 | 274.65 | |
| 1983 | 276.54 | 275.53 | 276.30 | 276.23 | 277.29 | 277.43 | 277.98 | 275.63 | 277.91 | 280.38 | 279.39 | 279.45 | |
| 1984 | 279.53 | 280.26 | 280.00 | 281.60 | 279.67 | 280.47 | 280.47 | 277.33 | 278.14 | 275.72 | 277.15 | 278.73 | |
| 1985 | 276.37 | 275.27 | 276.01 | 275.89 | 275.71 | 276.23 | 275.18 | 275.88 | 276.32 | 274.77 | 274.48 | 275.59 | |
| 1986 | 274.78 | 274.87 | 276.90 | 277.35 | 277.96 | 276.23 | 275.75 | 276.92 | 275.14 | 275.51 | 276.80 | 275.58 | |
| 1987 | 274.98 | 276.27 | 274.09 | 273.20 | 274.18 | 272.22 | 271.81 | 274.00 | 271.80 | 272.54 | 273.32 | 271.58 | |
| 1988 | 271.19 | 271.52 | 269.85 | 270.72 | 271.26 | 270.65 | 270.72 | 268.34 | 268.65 | 270.74 | 269.09 | 269.55 | |
| 1989 | 270.42 | 268.83 | 267.88 | 267.89 | 264.53 | 264.99 | 266.29 | 266.55 | 266.23 | 268.36 | 265.77 | 265.30 | |
| 1990 | 264.41 | 264.21 | 265.02 | 264.17 | 264.29 | 264.96 | 263.51 | 260.90 | 259.98 | 258.20 | 258.69 | 258.44 | |
| 1991 | 257.68 | 258.18 | 257.54 | 257.97 | 257.77 | 258.95 | 259.07 | 258.75 | 258.75 | 259.38 | 258.00 | 257.99 | |
| 1992 | 257.81 | 257.99 | 257.98 | 259.43 | 258.61 | 257.43 | 257.93 | 258.35 | 258.38 | 257.45 | 257.39 | 257.33 | |
| 1993 | 258.32 | 258.02 | 257.33 | 258.88 | 258.13 | 258.01 | 259.06 | 258.30 | 259.35 | 258.58 | 258.93 | 259.10 | |
| 1994 | 259.39 | 258.46 | 260.20 | 260.54 | 260.48 | 259.90 | 260.31 | 258.75 | 258.17 | 259.89 | 259.43 | 259.60 | |
| 1995 | 259.15 | 258.84 | 258.79 | 257.47 | 256.67 | 257.81 | 258.53 | 258.46 | 258.80 | 259.02 | 259.29 | 258.31 | |
| 1996 | 255.06 | 258.78 | 258.23 | 257.96 | 258.49 | 260.22 | 259.40 | 259.94 | 260.74 | 260.36 | 260.62 | 260.82 | |
| 1997 | 260.43 | 262.11 | 263.17 | 264.20 | 264.50 | 263.88 | 265.12 | 266.73 | 266.55 | 266.93 | 268.43 | 269.07 | |
| 1998 | 269.58 | 270.80 | 271.07 | 271.75 | 271.76 | 271.06 | 271.78 | 273.12 | 272.78 | 273.54 | 273.84 | 273.80 | |
| 1999 | 273.59 | 274.37 | 274.24 | 274.42 | 275.12 | 275.73 | 275.61 | 275.61 | 275.36 | 275.28 | 275.36 | 275.36 | |
| 2000 | 275.72 | 275.60 | 273.89 | 276.20 | 275.51 | 274.75 | 274.95 | 275.05 | 274.49 | 276.15 | 275.85 | 274.39 | |
| 2001 | 274.64 | 274.10 | 275.71 | 274.74 | 273.97 | 274.42 | 275.56 | 275.51 | 274.23 | 274.86 | 277.08 | 278.30 | |
| 2002 | 277.83 | 278.12 | 277.60 | 277.42 | 278.16 | 278.98 | 278.44 | 279.09 | 279.56 | 279.20 | 279.30 | 280.10 | |
| 2003 | 279.18 | 278.01 | 277.34 | 276.52 | 278.37 | 278.61 | 279.06 | 278.04 | 277.30 | 278.75 | 280.91 | 278.65 | |
| 2004 | 279.50 | 279.00 | 277.38 | 277.66 | 277.44 | 275.42 | 277.45 | 278.01 | 278.93 | 277.89 | 276.52 | 277.19 | |
| 2005 | 277.78 | 276.95 | 276.08 | 275.92 | 275.90 | 276.59(p) | | | |
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Raiders jersey
I've finally decided on the Raiders' jersey that I want. It's gonna be the Robert Gallery jersey. Everything starts with the line. Robert Gallery is most likely going to be a Raider till he retires. And the man is young and has a long life ahead of him. So it won't be a situation where I get a jersey and a guy retires or goes to another team. I think the guys on the line are the unsung heros of football. Everyone gets the WR, QB, or CB or what, but few people think about the linemen. Without the linemen nothing happens. For a long time I contemplated getting a Tim Brown jersey cause he was the Raiders to me. But he was also up there in age and was close to retiring. Plus jersey's are expensive. I'm not one to plop down a lot of money on clothing and so I wanted to make sure that I wanted the one that I got. So after the wedding when school starts up again and I'm into the rhythm of paying back wedding debt then I'll get the jersey. By then football will be in full swing. Go Raiders!
Less than a week
Less than a week until I am married. Allison's parents get into town tomorrow. Things are going to start happening really fast now. It's going to be a whirlwind. From here on it's going to be more and more people coming in and everything else is on hold.
I just secured the funding for 19 computers to be put into my school and I want to be there to help put it in and figure all that stuff out. But I'm not sure when all that will happen. When my friends get in from out of town I'll want to see them. And since I'm not working right now I'll find some time or something.
We finished writing our wedding ceremony but we're going to talk it over with our friend/officiant Jare tomorrow and rework it a little. I still have to write what I want to say to Allison. I've been thinking about it for a long time but I just haven't put it into words and I need to do that. It's just really hard to say the things that I want to say to her in a short time. I also want it to be really good and memorable. There are so many angles that I want to come from but I realize that I have to narrow things down and focus on a few. If I don't then I will get incredibly long winded and bore the shit out of everyone there. I mean I've been to weddings before and when the ceremony is short and sweet it's nice.
Allison asked me why I haven't incorporated my religion into the ceremony. That got me thinking. The temple that I am closest to doesn't got the right vibe for me. I liked the atmosphere at the temple in Denmark and in the south bay. I try to follow the regulative principles and I read the text and chant but I don't really attend a temple. So while I try to follow the practices of my religion I'm not a very good adherent with respect to the community. Heck I'm not a very good devotee period.
At one time I was thinking about having the ceremony in the temple, but we are not vegetarians and so the temple would not permit it. I understand and respect that but I was bummed. While I love many of the lessons and teachings of my religion I am not a traditionalist. I like the fact that Allison and I created our own ceremony. I like the fact that these are vows that we are saying to each other. Frankly I have a problem with the patriarchy within my religion and its religious texts. I don't like patriarchy. However, I recognize there are still many important things I can learn and gain through practicing my religion.
I just secured the funding for 19 computers to be put into my school and I want to be there to help put it in and figure all that stuff out. But I'm not sure when all that will happen. When my friends get in from out of town I'll want to see them. And since I'm not working right now I'll find some time or something.
We finished writing our wedding ceremony but we're going to talk it over with our friend/officiant Jare tomorrow and rework it a little. I still have to write what I want to say to Allison. I've been thinking about it for a long time but I just haven't put it into words and I need to do that. It's just really hard to say the things that I want to say to her in a short time. I also want it to be really good and memorable. There are so many angles that I want to come from but I realize that I have to narrow things down and focus on a few. If I don't then I will get incredibly long winded and bore the shit out of everyone there. I mean I've been to weddings before and when the ceremony is short and sweet it's nice.
Allison asked me why I haven't incorporated my religion into the ceremony. That got me thinking. The temple that I am closest to doesn't got the right vibe for me. I liked the atmosphere at the temple in Denmark and in the south bay. I try to follow the regulative principles and I read the text and chant but I don't really attend a temple. So while I try to follow the practices of my religion I'm not a very good adherent with respect to the community. Heck I'm not a very good devotee period.
At one time I was thinking about having the ceremony in the temple, but we are not vegetarians and so the temple would not permit it. I understand and respect that but I was bummed. While I love many of the lessons and teachings of my religion I am not a traditionalist. I like the fact that Allison and I created our own ceremony. I like the fact that these are vows that we are saying to each other. Frankly I have a problem with the patriarchy within my religion and its religious texts. I don't like patriarchy. However, I recognize there are still many important things I can learn and gain through practicing my religion.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Looking for your face
From the beginning of my life
I have been looking for your face,
but today I have seen it.
Today I have seen the charm,
the beauty, the unfathomable grace
of the face that I was looking for.
Today I have found you,
and those who laughed
and scorned me yesterday
are sorry that they were not looking
as I did.
I am bewildered by the magnificence
of your beauty,
and wish to see you with a hundred eyes.
My heart has burned with passion
and has searched forever for this wondrous beauty
that I now behold.
I am ashamed to call this love human,
and afraid of God to call it divine.
Your fragrant breath,
like the morning breeze,
has come to the stillness of the garden.
You have breathed new life into me.
I have become your sunshine,
and also your shadow.
My soul is screaming in ecstasy.
Every fiber of my being is in love with you.
Your effulgence has lit a fire in my heart,
and you have made radiant for me
the earth and sky.
My arrow of love
has arrived at the target.
I am in the house of mercy,
and my heart is a place of prayer.
-Rumi
I have been looking for your face,
but today I have seen it.
Today I have seen the charm,
the beauty, the unfathomable grace
of the face that I was looking for.
Today I have found you,
and those who laughed
and scorned me yesterday
are sorry that they were not looking
as I did.
I am bewildered by the magnificence
of your beauty,
and wish to see you with a hundred eyes.
My heart has burned with passion
and has searched forever for this wondrous beauty
that I now behold.
I am ashamed to call this love human,
and afraid of God to call it divine.
Your fragrant breath,
like the morning breeze,
has come to the stillness of the garden.
You have breathed new life into me.
I have become your sunshine,
and also your shadow.
My soul is screaming in ecstasy.
Every fiber of my being is in love with you.
Your effulgence has lit a fire in my heart,
and you have made radiant for me
the earth and sky.
My arrow of love
has arrived at the target.
I am in the house of mercy,
and my heart is a place of prayer.
-Rumi
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Darth Rove
I just saw the movie "Bush's Brain" about Karl Rove. Amazing. I am in absolute awe of Karl Rove. The man is a genius. An evil genius to be exact, but a genius nonetheless. The man just wins elections. The tactics he uses are fucked up, but he gets the job done. Rove made GWB presidential. Rove was able to nullify the military record of John McCain, Max Cleland, and John Kerry as a political asset. It was truly amazing to watch someone so good at what they do. I have an idea of doing a lesson around this movie, where I dress up as darth vader... well get the mask at least and then talk about power and manipulation. Then use examples of Karl Rove as a master manipulator.
Friday, August 05, 2005
The Angel of Darkness
Right now, I'm reading the book "The Angel of Darkness" by Caleb Carr. It's the sequel "The Alienist" and I love it. It's set in the late 1890s NY; and I've recently come to the realization that the turn of the century from 1800s to the 1900s is my favorite time period. Carr does a lot of historical research and the characters react to the politics of the time in a believable fashion. He'll also throw in some historical characters which makes it cool. In the Alienist he threw in Teddy Roosevelt and in this one he throws in Elizabeth Cady Stanton. If you haven't read "The Alienist", read that one first.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Check this website out
Found a great new website called Japander and it's really weird. Count on the Japanese. Anyways... it's all these commercials by American movie stars in Japanese. There were some really weird ones with "my" governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Enjoy.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Raiders thoughts
I'm feeling pretty positive about the Raider's offense. It's debatable whether Randy Moss is the best wide receiver currently playing football, but he's definitely high on the list and in the debate. I'm fucking giddy that he's on the team. No more 8 men in a box. If I was Norv Turner, (the ultimate statement in armchair coaching) the first offensive play against New England would be a deep ball to Randy. Possibly overthrowing it just to bring it to attention. It must be fun to create an offense around someone like Randy. Then Jerry Porter and Superfly-one-hand-snatch-man Ronald Curry also wide receiving.
I'm not a Kerry Collins fan. A guy with almost 1:1 on touchdowns and interceptions is just frustrating as hell. I think he's slow and gets stupider in direct proportion to the amount of pressure he's under. Thank God he's got a great deep arm. Allison's brother went to Penn State and the word on campus was that Collins was as dumb as a rock but they went as far as they did because the offense was completely balanced. I'd totally take studious and meticulous Rich Gannon over Kerry Collins any day of the week. But Rich broke his neck and needs to stay away from football. I'm of course always rooting for my API brother Marques Tuiasosopo.
The line is big and beefy and I'm interested in seeing how Jake Grove handles himself being the starting center. Robert Gallery... I'm thinking about owning his jersey. I don't own a Raiders jersey and I'm thinking hard about buying Gallery's. He's the who will one day protect the QB's blindside against big bad REs. Him and Jake are the future of the line. Offense starts with the line. Thing is... I'm cheap and poor and on the Raiders' website they were only selling authentic jerseys. It's like $200 or something. I don't own any one article of clothing that costs $200. Shit $200 could buy much of my closet.
LaMont Jordan... gaudy yards per carry, but never the main man. Can he stay healthy and can he carry the ball fulltime? Can he run a defense down. I'm hopeful but will reserve my judgment and excitement. Justin Fargas... too fragile for the position. Zack Crockett like a rock.
Courtney Andersen and Teyo Johnson. Big strong guys that can catch the ball. I would like to know more about their blocking abilities. I'm glad Teyo toured with Yao, maybe he could have caught more balls if he never talked about it though.
The defense. My feelings here aren't so positive. I'm nervous. Apprehensive. Pit in my stomach feeling. My buddy Tucker's from Minnesota and a big Vikings fan. Great offense, stinky defense. It's sad cause Tucker says the entire state is seems to be quietly resigned to never having a Superbowl ring. His dad laughs at him and says he's not old enough to have truly suffered as a Vikings fan. Will the Raiders defense stink like the Vikings? Will it be like that cliche, "Offense wins games, defense wins championships."
I really like the fact that the Raiders have brought in more coaches on defense. Just like in schools, students/players will do better when there is a lower student to teacher ratio. Players are more likely to get individual attention. Hopefully the defense will learn to tackle.
The line is old. I found out recently that Ted Washington is the homophobic asshole that used to simulate rape on gay 49ers trainer, Lindsy McLean. What a fucking domineering shithead. This is kind of like how I felt about Romanowski. Great player and good for the team, but a shitbag the rest of the time. I used to praise good tackles by Romanowski by saying, "Good job you racist roid freak!" What to say about Washington??? Sapp, I like the man and I hope he'll be back in form back in the middle. Bobby Hamilton will run a man down. Tommy Kelly... we'll see. We need to get pressure on the QBs this year if anything good is to happen for anyone.
I'm really worried at the linebacker position. Danny Clark is solid. But I'm worried about Tyler Brayton and Grant Irons at outside linebacker. Will they be fast enough? One of the Vikings problems was that they weren't fast enough at linebacker. I'm praying for the Raiders to be able to tackle. Vikings weren't able to stop runs to the outside or passes to backs in the flat.
The cornerback situation should be interesting. Woodson... how will he play and will he stay healthy? I really haven't seen enough of Nnamdi (fricking blackouts) and two fast rookies. While Davis is the evil Sith Emperor. He is right in speed being an equalizer.
I'm a little worried about the safety position. It looks like Stuart-I-go-for-strips-not-tackles-Schweigert is going to be the free safety. I know in college he broke woodson's record, but he's got to do a lot of penance in my mind to make up for that missed tackle. Marques Anderson strong hitter and hopefully will make things happen again.
Lechler and Janikowski. I think Lechler is the probably one of the best guys on the team. That guy has a thunderfoot. Janikowski is starting to make up in my mind for all the missed kicks when the Raiders first drafted him. Just stop choking people in SF and having seizures at Sno-Drift. Who's going to return the balls?
I'm not a Kerry Collins fan. A guy with almost 1:1 on touchdowns and interceptions is just frustrating as hell. I think he's slow and gets stupider in direct proportion to the amount of pressure he's under. Thank God he's got a great deep arm. Allison's brother went to Penn State and the word on campus was that Collins was as dumb as a rock but they went as far as they did because the offense was completely balanced. I'd totally take studious and meticulous Rich Gannon over Kerry Collins any day of the week. But Rich broke his neck and needs to stay away from football. I'm of course always rooting for my API brother Marques Tuiasosopo.
The line is big and beefy and I'm interested in seeing how Jake Grove handles himself being the starting center. Robert Gallery... I'm thinking about owning his jersey. I don't own a Raiders jersey and I'm thinking hard about buying Gallery's. He's the who will one day protect the QB's blindside against big bad REs. Him and Jake are the future of the line. Offense starts with the line. Thing is... I'm cheap and poor and on the Raiders' website they were only selling authentic jerseys. It's like $200 or something. I don't own any one article of clothing that costs $200. Shit $200 could buy much of my closet.
LaMont Jordan... gaudy yards per carry, but never the main man. Can he stay healthy and can he carry the ball fulltime? Can he run a defense down. I'm hopeful but will reserve my judgment and excitement. Justin Fargas... too fragile for the position. Zack Crockett like a rock.
Courtney Andersen and Teyo Johnson. Big strong guys that can catch the ball. I would like to know more about their blocking abilities. I'm glad Teyo toured with Yao, maybe he could have caught more balls if he never talked about it though.
The defense. My feelings here aren't so positive. I'm nervous. Apprehensive. Pit in my stomach feeling. My buddy Tucker's from Minnesota and a big Vikings fan. Great offense, stinky defense. It's sad cause Tucker says the entire state is seems to be quietly resigned to never having a Superbowl ring. His dad laughs at him and says he's not old enough to have truly suffered as a Vikings fan. Will the Raiders defense stink like the Vikings? Will it be like that cliche, "Offense wins games, defense wins championships."
I really like the fact that the Raiders have brought in more coaches on defense. Just like in schools, students/players will do better when there is a lower student to teacher ratio. Players are more likely to get individual attention. Hopefully the defense will learn to tackle.
The line is old. I found out recently that Ted Washington is the homophobic asshole that used to simulate rape on gay 49ers trainer, Lindsy McLean. What a fucking domineering shithead. This is kind of like how I felt about Romanowski. Great player and good for the team, but a shitbag the rest of the time. I used to praise good tackles by Romanowski by saying, "Good job you racist roid freak!" What to say about Washington??? Sapp, I like the man and I hope he'll be back in form back in the middle. Bobby Hamilton will run a man down. Tommy Kelly... we'll see. We need to get pressure on the QBs this year if anything good is to happen for anyone.
I'm really worried at the linebacker position. Danny Clark is solid. But I'm worried about Tyler Brayton and Grant Irons at outside linebacker. Will they be fast enough? One of the Vikings problems was that they weren't fast enough at linebacker. I'm praying for the Raiders to be able to tackle. Vikings weren't able to stop runs to the outside or passes to backs in the flat.
The cornerback situation should be interesting. Woodson... how will he play and will he stay healthy? I really haven't seen enough of Nnamdi (fricking blackouts) and two fast rookies. While Davis is the evil Sith Emperor. He is right in speed being an equalizer.
I'm a little worried about the safety position. It looks like Stuart-I-go-for-strips-not-tackles-Schweigert is going to be the free safety. I know in college he broke woodson's record, but he's got to do a lot of penance in my mind to make up for that missed tackle. Marques Anderson strong hitter and hopefully will make things happen again.
Lechler and Janikowski. I think Lechler is the probably one of the best guys on the team. That guy has a thunderfoot. Janikowski is starting to make up in my mind for all the missed kicks when the Raiders first drafted him. Just stop choking people in SF and having seizures at Sno-Drift. Who's going to return the balls?
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