300!

It's my 300th Post!!!

My next post will be about what I've been up to for the first couple of weeks of school.

I haven't actually seen the "300" movies, I probably should.

The sequel to the original - "Rise of an Empire" starts Australian actor, Sullivan Stapleton.

Thought I'd post a few photos of this 37 year-old hottie for my 300th entry.

Enjoy.

TMI Questions - Happy Birthday!!!!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

1. Do you enjoy celebrating your birthday (forgetting about the getting older part)?

I'm a bit ambivalent about celebrating my birthday. As I've gotten older, I've put less stock in the actual day and and am happy just getting together with friends for a quiet dinner.  

2. What's your sign and is it accurate?
Libra. 

Libra is among the most sociable of the signs. As scales of old were really "balances," so to do you seek balance in all that Libra does. You respond to situations with grace as Libra attempts to put others at ease. Artistically, Libra tries to balance form, content, colors and elements, and for this reason can be drawn toward creative endeavors. 

Libra know how to be the charming host or hostess. Libra can sense what others want before they ask for it. And you can make the needs of others a higher priority than your own. In fact, Libra is the shuttle diplomats of the zodiac, going back and forth between the extremes until a solution is negotiated. 

Yup, that's me.

3. What's your Chinese zodiac sign and is it accurate?

The Pig, the last sign of the Chinese zodiac, is clear evidence of the old saying, “nice guys finish last.” You are honest, good hearted and present a kindly face to friends and strangers alike. Your affection is genuine, and your love has no bounds. You are usually very chivalrous. Courtesy and generosity are a way of life with you.

Being a social animal you have many opportunities to exhibit those qualities. You tend to be naturally happy, due in no small part because you most often avoid making judgments and see the good side of people. You are no punster, but you probably have a nice, earthy sense of humor. All in all, you are pleasant, cheerful, co operative and normally do well in group situations.

I have to say, it's kinda interesting how both Libra and Pig are similar in their descriptions. So I'd have to say that I agree that it's a good description of me. 

4. Do you celebrate your pet's Birthday?

Don't have a pet, so I'd have to say, no. 

5. What was your best birthday?

Hands down my 40th was my best birthday.  One of my best friends and I were born 1 day apart. He and I had a joint celebration - dinner at a very fancy restaurant. The next night, Matt threw a get together for my birthday with a lot of my friends coming over for a great party. I still have many fond memories of that night. 

6. What was your worst birthday?

My 21st birthday SUCKED! It's the big one for a college student - the day you can officially buy alcohol. I was a senior in college and was anticipating that my best friend would plan some sort of celebration. 

Nothing.  Crickets chirping.

I was beyond pissed. No one remembered my birthday.  I'll be honest, I was crushed.

7. What has been your best age so far?

35. It was a good year (that was the "Jeopardy" year).

8. Birthday cake? Candles?

I'm a whore for cake, so YES, YES, YES!  Candles, well, I don't wanna have to have a fire extinguisher nearby.

BONUS

Is birthday sex expected, a present or a rarity? Do you get spanked?

Never expected, but always appreciated.  And what happens in the bedroom, stays in the bedroom. :-)

Commercials I HATE

I admit it, I watch a lot of television.  A lot more than I really should.

Over the years I've become a bit jaded on commercials.  There are the ones I love - that make sense, that are entertaining.  And then, there are the ones that I HATE!

I'd like to share a few of the ones I can't stand, and why I can't stand them.


Dairy Queen - S'Mores

I hate Hipsters.  Even more, I hate commercials that embrace Hipsters as somehow being cool.  What gets under my skin even more is when they are singing the praises of a Dairy Queen blizzard.

REALLY?!  Ugh

Breyer's Gelato  

The kid's asleep, let's have our ice cream!  Oh no, the kid woke up!  We have to defend ourselves.

Be adults!  Grow a pair and tell the kid to go to bed.  Life ain't fair!

T-Mobile - Samsung Galaxy S5

BUY THE NEW GALAXY S5!

RUN DOWN ALLEYS!  LAUGH HYSTERICALLY!  PLAY THE TRUMPET!  SHIMMY!

CHEST BUMP!  SKYSURF!  HOLD BURNING THINGS IN YOUR HAND!!!

PRETEND TO SUBWAY SURF!

YES!  YOU CAN DO ALL THIS IF YOU OWN THE GALAXY S5!!!!

Really?!  Make it stop.  I think I hate this one most of all.

Ice Bucket Challenge

You've probably seen multiple videos online of people doing the Ice Bucket Challenge.

The basic rules are that, once challenged, a person can either dump a bucket of ice water over their heads, videotape it, and then challenge three other people to do it, or make a donation for ALS research.

Dozens of athletes, celebrities and regular folk have gotten into it.

ESPN ran a story on how the challenge started.  I'm not normally moved by stories like this, but I have to admit, it got to me.

Back To Work

Well, this week I went back to work.

WHAT?!  School is back in session already?  It isn't Labor Day yet!

Well, here in Iowa we generally start the school year 1 to 2 weeks before Labor Day.  Our district wanted to get first semester finished before winter break, so we had to start our year even EARLIER!  LOL

Matt and I spent last weekend in Kansas City to catch a few baseball games, so last week I made sure to get into my classroom and start putting it together.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are "work days", where we are supposed to have time to get our rooms prepared, but usually we have a number of meetings to attend which eats into our preparation time.

The kids came back on Thursday and Friday. It's great to start the year on Thursday because, honestly, neither the kids nor the teachers are used to being on a regular schedule. Even during the workdays I was tuckered out at the end of the day.

When a district starts on a Monday, by Wednesday the kids and teachers are just zombies.

This year will be quite a year. I'm teaching....

2 sections of Algebra
1 section of 7th grade Accelerated Math
3 sections of 7th grade Regular Math
1 section of Additional Instruction (a class of intensive intervention for a small group of students)
1 section of Tutorial (a structured study hall)

So I've got a good bit on my plate.

Friday night I slept VERY well. It usually takes me a couple of weeks to get my body back on a regular sleep schedule. I get home in the afternoon and desperately want to take a nap. But if I do that, I stay up late, and well, that defeats the purpose.  LOL

Slowmotion Celebration

I seriously want to have an event happen where me and my friends do a slow motion celebration!