a post on politics

It's pretty clear who I'm voting for. Every day there's something that makes me dislike Clinton's tactics more and more and something that makes my voting for Obama more justified.
I use Stumble Upon and today it took me to something posted on Daily Kos. Someone did their research on Clinton and Obama and was kind enough to pass on some of the info.
It's long, but if you're unsure of who you want between the two, it might help you decide.

Now it's time for a small rant:
Also, I watched the first SNL last night and it was very funny. Except for Tina Fey's rant about how Clinton's the right choice. Sure, she's right about some of the Clinton criticism (the whole "Bitches get stuff done" thing). I like Tina Fey because she identifies herself as a feminist in a time where female celebrities are afraid to do so, but she also plays a character on 30 Rock that, at times, falls into the sitcom stereotype of 30-something single females. I agree that it's a fantastic time for feminism and women because we have a serious female candidate for President that, at one point in time, almost could've nabbed the job. But really, Tina, STFD and STFU. I don't care that you want to vote for Clinton just because she's female, her husband is a former President, etc. etc. When she said, "And yet women have come so far as feminists that they don't feel obligated to vote for a candidate just because she's a woman. Women today feel perfectly free to make whatever choice Oprah tells them to." (with a picture of Obama and Oprah) That was ridiculous. Oprah has sucked up to the Clintons just as much as she has to Obama. That's like people blaming her for GWB winning because he came on her show.
And don't get me started on the feminist blogosphere and their bashing of any sentence out of a male politician's mouth about Clinton. Seriously, ladies. Just cause Obama said "periodically" doesn't not necessarily mean he was going "LOL, WOMEN ARE SO CRAZY CAUSE THEY HAVE PERIODS!". Clinton is holding her own and they're treating her like another political candidate. They're not treating her like a child or a joke, not holding back because of her fragile state as a woman, so, really, settle down. Plus, have you heard some of the stuff Bill Clinton's been saying? Damn.
Can we stop analyzing and criticizing each and every thing and just be happy for a few minutes that we are living in a historic time period where our two Democratic candidates don't look similar to every other President and candidate?

do some jimmy flips!

It's David's birthday today! We went out to eat last night and hung out with a few friends. I got him lots of stuff (In Rainbows by Radiohead, slippers, a laptop desk, 2 Adbusters issues, new earbuds that hook on the back of your ear and books by Obama, Soros and C. West) and I think he likes it all. I listened closely and well.

Today we went to see Atonement since I finished reading the book yesterday. It was a pretty good adaptation of a book that involved a lot of description and characters thinking more than doing. I can see why it's nominated during this award season, it was a beautiful movie and pretty well acted.

The weather recently and the fact that we're nearing the end of February means that spring is almost here! I feel like making some mix CDs, especially since the Talk of the Nation on Valentine's was all about making mixes, so if you would like a spring-themed mix CD-- let me know!

happy valentine's day to you, too!

To add to the chaos already started by wonky bells and intercoms, no a/c or heat, early dismissal due to gas leak and Valentine's day, this morning we had a 2 hour delay.
Yesterday it rained. A lot. They were saying that it would get so cold overnight that it could turn to snow... or it could not. I woke up and noticed there was a good chunk of snow (and ice below it from frozen rain water) on the ground and cars. I turned on the news and sure enough--there we were.
An extra hour of sleep and driving to school when the sun's up? Definitely better than starting my day off with a plan period (especially since our workroom copier still does not have any toner!).


And even better? Amanda sent me a letter with a good time to visit her during spring break, so plans are going forward to head up to Philly! I'm sooo excited!

never a dull moment.

Amid a few different controversies going on at school (if you want to know, ask, but I'm not going to publish them in a blog, even though not that many people read it), today we were dismissed at 1:50 instead of 2:05. I was just about to wrap up the last poem for today, my 7th bell was being extra sluggish due to exhaustion and sickness, and Mr. D's voice comes on the intercom. He calmly tells us that there's a natural gas leak, students need to run to their lockers, teachers to their workrooms, gather their things and get the hell out of the building (he didn't put it that way, but there was sense of urgency).
When I opened up my door, I could smell it. In my workroom, it was overpowering. The worst part? I was just about to take a bathroom break. If you know anything about teaching, it's that you plan those bathroom breaks and don't let anything interrupt them. But, in this case, I figured it was better to hold it than to be blown up because some faulty wiring in the school decided to spark and ignite the gas.

We spent some time outside, on the grass, in the few minutes of sunshine during a very rainy day. Wednesday conferences canceled, after-school activities canceled, and everyone going home early. I told my friend Carly she picked a good day to sub at GHS. I guess this is the closest we'll come to a snow day.

Oh and the best part? The safety inspector was in school today.

What else will happen this week? Or next?

firsts.

Today I was asked quite a lot by my students if I was voting and who I was going to vote for. Amazing! They actually know what is going on.

I did vote in my first primary. Now we wait for the results.

movin' on up?

So, the big news in our world is that David received and accepted a job offer in Richmond. You'll have to ask him the specifics of what exactly he'll be doing, because I have an idea, but don't want to get it wrong.
The past week or so, I've been slowly getting together the paperwork, letters, references, student work, etc. to start the whole interview process again. I have one job fair tomorrow, another on the 22nd. I'm not sure what to expect, but it'll give me an idea of what is in the area. Hopefully, I'll have a job before the end of June. That'd be nice.
People at school aren't happy. Rebecca wrote me an amazing letter, but was hoping I wouldn't go. Teachers I'm close with and students were both a little sad and told me I couldn't leave. One of the students I've very close with, Billy, asked me if I was joking, then looked like he wanted to cry and slap and/or punch me in the face. Haha. This morning, I said good morning to the principal. He called me back and told me, "Tell your man he needs to find a job in this city." It's nice feeling like I was a part of this school. I was worried that I'd tell people and they'd shrug their shoulders. It's a kind of area that has people moving in and out all the time, so I was sure that they'd be used to people coming and going. It's nice to feel like I'm wanted there because I bring something unique and special, though. Sometimes, I think, it's easy to not feel that way in such a big school.
Some of my students said they want to do a going away thing at the end of the school year, but a) that probably won't happen and b) I'm not sure if that's what I want to do. I'm so bad with this type of thing. Do I want to go out in that style? A big, tear-filled party? Or do I want to just fade away?

I'm sad I have to leave the school I'm at now, mostly because I really loved my time there. I'm afraid that I won't be able to find a school where I feel like I really agree with so much of what goes on there. What if I get hired on in a district I don't agree with? Or with other teachers I don't like? What if the students are completely different? Then I remember that we'll at least be out of this area, David will have a job, and I've been through worse, so I will survive anything. Even though I have to leave my school, the pros still outweigh the cons.

a tribute to natalie dee and drew toothpaste

Pretty much the best daily comic making couple in the world of the internet. They always make me laugh.


nataliedee.com
bwahahahaha.

& btw, this (the full version of my shirt) has been cracking people up at school:



WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WEB COMIC? (I'll also accept your favorite Natalie Dee/Toothpaste for Dinner/Married to the Sea comic, if you want to join this fan post.)

more later, for now...

I have a lot to update, but I need to get some stuff done.