March 31, 2009

A Spring Break Quickie

My sock on Thursday, March 26, 2009 in Greeley, CO.


My sock on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 in Scottsdale, AZ.

More to come in a few days--Mr. Cool falls in love, the Wide World of Water Aerobics, a Bracket Crash, and Mr. Cool reacaps the trip. But for now, my frozen (decaf) coffee drink is melting a bit.

March 24, 2009

Pregnancy Musings, Volume 2

  • I thought about putting a picture from Aliens up, but the ones I found were a tad too bloody for family audiences. The kicking, punching, rolling, and hiccuping by a living thing the size of a cantaloupe IN MY STOMACH, however, are both awesome and bizarre, much like the alien popping out of the poor dude's stomach. The moment that Mr. Cool was first able to feel him kicking, though, was incredible. I particularly liked his analysis--"It felt like I thought someone kicking while in a pillow would feel"--true, but still weird for me.
  • I am oddly jealous of the pregnant senior at our HS. She is also due in June, and stopped by to chat with me. Why am I jealous? She has been wearing comfy sweatpants, knit shorts, large t-shirts, and sweatshirts. I hope to fully enjoy my next pregnancy as a SAHM, so that I too can bask in non-stop super-comfy clothing.
  • A pregnancy seems incredibly long when you begin--40 weeks! Five minutes later, however, you only have eleven weeks. Fear, doubt, nerves, and a hint of excitement all creep in.
  • As a chubby person, I will never get tired of having people tell me that I don't look big enough to be this far along. Who knew it would take pregnancy to feel skinny.

March 23, 2009

His and Hers Spring Breaking Point:

Fortunately enough, Quite Cool and I are privileged to get paid vacation time, which given the time of year, is a much anticipated break from school and jail. The questions is always “where to go and what to do?”

If I had it my way, we’d embark on a weeklong extravaganza of whitewater rafting, obscure historic cites, a little poker, and some motorcycling – capped off with a weekend of intensive firearms training, room clearing drills, and active shooter engagements at Valhalla, Thunder Ranch, H&K, or Triple Canopy.

If she had it her way, we’d hole up at the Four Seasons in a warm and dry climate to be plied with room service, spa treatments, and lounging in a fluffy bathrobe on 700 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets in the comfort of frigid A/C while watching cable TV– with side trips for a smorgasbord of books, obscure historic sights, and knitting boutiques searching for the elusive Tanzanian Virgin Alpaca Yarn, transplanted intergalactically to be harvested, spun, and died by hand on the forest moon of Endor by Ewoks – which gives it its supple texture and mythological warmth in knitted scarves, gloves, and headbands. (I know, I know – you say there is no such thing – I say you just have to know where to look, and it’s better and cheaper than Ton Ton yarn imported from Hoth – I should know, see picture above/right.)

In the past we have recreated our Honeymoon in Steamboat Springs to great enjoyment, and even made it across “the pond” to enjoy 8 fantastic days in London town (hizzah student loans!). However, those aren’t viable options this year. So, as all married couples do: we compromise. Spring break this year will be Scottsdale, AZ – but no Four Seasons, just a Snow Bird’s Paradise Condo in 1972 décor. It has the benefits of a warm climate, A/C, a pool and hot tub, the octogenarians on either side of us won’t be drinking and partying past 7pm, and has the added element of little to no-cost housing.

Gas, food, and other expenditures such as a Cactus League MLB game, maybe some golfing, a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Taliesin West”, and a budget busting foray to the ever kitsch and efficient Scandinavian furniture that is IKEA for baby stuff– will all be charged to Master Cool’s college fund (I’m sure he’ll want to attend a second-tier state school anyway, or maybe Barber’s College).

Chime in with your opinion: Which option sounds the most Fun? There are 4 seats still available if you chose option #3, on a cost-plus scenario. Just be warned, Quite Cool will be shoving Capri Sun after Capri Sun into my hands so I’ll think 47 bathroom stops on the 14 hour drive was my idea…

March 19, 2009

Bracketball

Birds do it, bees do it, even President Obama does it--it's that bracket time of year again. While I didn't get to use a giant bracket emblazoned with the presidential seal, I too was able to fill out my bracket this year for the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, the March Madness of lore.

Both the President and I took Syracuse past Oklahoma, a bit of an upset. As a nearly lifelong Dukie, however, I can never pick UNC to win it all, even if that's the wise choice. This year, I'm just participating in a small-time betting organization with my bracket--Mr. Cool, his younger brother and I are all in it for a $10 Target gift card.

So who are your picks? What sort of betting are you doing with your bracket? And, if you're at work, are you seriously considering either streaming the games to your computer or putting them on the TV? (Maybe that's just me--perhaps I shouldn't reveal that my HS has large screen TVs in every room with cable, or at least CBS.)

March 17, 2009

Obscure Sports Quarterly: Watch it on the Ocho!

Well, it's that time again - another peak into what makes Mr. Cool tick. Disc Golf is often considered a "sport" for pot heads, slackers, hippies, college kids, and youth pastors. I have been two of those things in my life (shouldn't be too hard to figure out which), but am no longer either. As a professional, of some kind, I should have moved on to an adult sport - like golf or squash. However, I have chosen to spend what little free time I give towards walking in the park to stay true to my disk golf roots. It is a simple game, throw a hard plastic disc (not a Frisbee) from the tee box towards the basket. Get a disc in the basket in as few strokes as possible.

Like real golf, your love of the sport is not defined by your ability (as I'm just an average player), but by your acquiring of equipment. I've got 5 drivers, 3 approach discs, and 2 putters, and a professional grade disc carrier bag. That doesn't account for at least a dozen discs I've lost in trees, ponds, and jungles over the years. All discs, past or present, I would like to mention are sanctioned by the USDGA. That's right, the United States Disc Golf Association - we're official people. I've been throwing discs since 1991, and haven't looked back since. I throw disc with friends from work and friends from life. I've logged thousands of holes with the man who conducted my wedding and consider a mentor, and just finished 18 holes with my little brother. It definitely counts as an obscure sport, but it is addictive, fun, and my doctor considers it exercise (sucker)!

March 12, 2009

Ch-ch-ch-changes

If you look to the right, you might notice a new picture, and a new profile has been added to mine--that's right, It is Quite Cool is about to enter the realm of the dual-blogger. Mr. Cool has been given full rights and privileges as a fellow author on this blog. Expect his next post any day now!

Carry on.

March 11, 2009

I Swear This Really Happened


This is one of the stories a teacher has, that they are fairly confident no one will believe. I swear to you, though, that this really happened in class yesterday.
Set-up: The class is reading Act 5 of Romeo and Juliet. Glen is reading the part of Romeo. Jacob is sitting next to him, listening.
Glen: . . . than empty Tigger-er, tigers. Tigers . ..
Jacob: (whispered) Dude, it's not spelled T-I-double Grr-err.
Teacher: (contains hysterical laughter, so that we finish reading) (flashes thumbs-up to Jacob)
I know that on some level, you had to be there, but it was just so funny, I had to share.

March 09, 2009

One Year

So, I had just finished moving my desks into CSAP appropriate rows, when I thought to myself, "Huh, self, didn't we blog about CSAP last year? Are we getting close to our blogiversary?"

So, I went to my blog, searched my archives, and discovered that low and behold, March 9 is my blogiversary. A year ago, on a Sunday, I sat down and wrote three quick posts--one on the purposelessness of my blog, another on my awesome birthday cake, and a third on the best poem I think I've written.

Since then, me and Mr., Mr. Cool, have created 215 posts. Shocking, I know. I know I've slowed down here a bit, as gestating and teaching have taken more of my time, but I still love to write for this little corner of the web, and I appreciate everyone who reads.

Thanks--and here's to one more year 'til revolution. Please don't nip it in the bud.

March 03, 2009

Square Root Day

I love weird combinations of numbers. My mind just works that way. So, today is an awesome day, and one that doesn't come around all the time. A few years ago we had 2-2-04, and as I've been testing my students, we have a few more to come this century.

My students, of course, think I'm crazy, not knowing my intense love of numerical oddities. My sister has the sweetest birthday (which I can't tell you, because I use it as a password occasionally), and I've always enjoyed my own 8-28, with a 5-25 anniversary. I was hoping for an exciting birthday for my little one--I originally had aimed at 6-7-08, but Mr. Cool shot that down. This year, I had the chance for 7-8-09, but I'm about a month too early. I can still hope for 6-3-09.

Any other number fetishists out there?