Up Days

So, there was the Winter Program where we all sang a bunch of Christmas tunes. Here is a picture of the kids practicing.

and here is one of them during the program!

It was a great day!

Cora and I went and saw Avatar last night. Great movie! You should definitely see it!

This afternoon we did some shopping. It was so very crowded you would think that this was the last weekend before Christmas.

We came home tired from wading through the crowds and people. As we approached the house we became aware of something else. The sun had set, but there were lights near the house. Around the corner we realized that flashing red lights were near the house...had something caught afire? We were suddenly very tense! As we came around the corner, we were pleased, yet sad, to see that it was a neighbor's house that had received the attention of the fire department. Turns out there was a chimney fire.

We were pleased to discover that the family that lives there was not spending the night there. And, while it was no picnic, at least no one was hurt!

While out buying presents for the nieces and nephews, we decided to buy something for the new comer, should they ever decide to drop in. We decided Legos would be fun. Of course, when we got home, we wanted to make sure we had gotten all the pieces the box said was there...to verify that we needed to build the things on the box! We did, but here is a pirate ship I made that was NOT on the box.

I don't have a job during this break. The last couple years I have. That may be a problem come bill paying time, but we shall deal with that then. Right now we are ok.

We finally got to see the latest Dr. Who episode. The Waters of Mars was not a bad episode, but it is obviously leading up to the loss of David Tenant, whom all Dr. Who fans will mourn. David Tenant has brought a fun and complicated personality to Dr. Who. We saw him as the Young Barty Crouch in the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We will never forget him as Dr. Who!

Some people just don't get Dr. Who. It is something difficult to explain to those who are uninitiated. Dr. Who is from the Planet Gallifrey. He is a TIME LORD. He is THE doctor. He fixes things...but this time, I am not so sure. You had best Google him if you want to know more. Even better, you should watch the show.

the Ood shall determine that, though.

Music Woes

So, the day is going smoothly. I am the Music teacher at the El today, which is to say I stay in the music teacher's room and say hi to the kids there. I also click some buttons.

Friday is the Winter Music Program. Yours truly will be there to click the buttons on the power point so everyone can see the words. Apart from that my responsibilities vary. Most of them are nil.

Today has been practice with each class so they know the words when the time comes. There are a few things that have struck me, though.

1.) Too many kids like the song "Nuttin' For Christmas." That kid is just a menace! Of course he isn't getting anything for Christmas.

2.) The Mr. Grinch song...well, that just doesn't seem terribly Christmassy to me. During the entire song the singer puts the Grinch down and calls him names. No wonder the Grinch is so angry. Maybe we should see the Grinch's side of the story, but we can't can we?

3.) Some kids seem to think LOUD is better...trust me, it isn't.

Well, lunch is nearly over, back to the grind...and maybe ear plugs???

Electronic Rights

Phooey on you! Stupid copyrights people! I bought a song a few months ago. LEGALLY. I wanted to listen to it last night, but my music player told me I no longer had the usage rights for it. Nowhere in the stuff I looked at when I was downloading it did it say you are paying for temporary usage rights. The site I download it from said that the problem may be temporary or may be permanent. Basically, they no longer have the rights to distribute the song. But they did a few months ago...when I bought it.

I think the US recording industry, the copyrights, and these frickin' "legal" sites need to get together and realize that people are more likely to illegally download songs if the legal means is unfairly...well, just plain ridiculous. I am telling you, if the recording industry wants my money, they'd better let me listen to what I buy when I want, where I want!

OK. Off my soap box.

So, it snowed last night. It was enough to elevate my mood. The flakes were coming down and you could actually hear it. A sort of muted white noise. It was all very peaceful. I had been experiencing a bit of adoption blues right before that, but some of that washed away when I stepped out on the porch to view the wonder of nature that was falling on the world around me. This was all very nice until...

The wind began to blow a frigid arctic blast that took the snow which had managed to collect on the ground and blew it to somewhere, and I am guessing here, in Idaho. I believe the house moved a couple feet to the west, too.

Today, I will brave the cold and go out and get some of our decorations. I will also give the house a bit of a cleaning...depending on the amount of energy I am able to exert without depleting my reserves. Cora will probably be working on a dress. Right now, though, I am very interested in creating an edible work of art...that is breakfast or an early lunch.

Yes, I will start with some food first.

Music Magic

I have, for years, wondered how and why certain music brings back very strong memories. Every once in a while I hear a song and it takes me back to a specific time in my life. I am fairly sure the rest of you experience the same. I am going to list a few songs, no links or anything, so if you haven't heard them, you'll have to do the googling if you're curious.

Whenever I hear "Going Down to Liverpool" and "Hero Takes a Fall" by the Bangles, or any one of several Cyndi Lauper songs, I am taken back to a time in my young life (Circa 1984-1986) when my dad and I would travel from home to Portland taking papers for my Uncle's trucking business down to some place in the ugly part of Portland. I remember we usually left in the early morning hours, 3am or 4am. We would be in Portland by about 7am. We would deliver the papers and then head for home. Often we would stop for breakfast at a McDonalds, before the sun had even risen. A few times we stopped at Multnomah Falls or some other rest stop and went for a short hike. I believe it was on one of these stops that we walked around behind the falls. That was WAY COOL...now they have it fenced off and impossible for normal people to access. As I got older (read eleven, hey! it was the eighties!), my Dad allowed me to drive. He would get tired, and at the ripe old age of 11, he would have me drive for awhile. Often he would fall asleep and I would drive along on I-84 for 20 or thirty miles without input from the Co-Pilot's seat. That was a source of pride for me...young as I was.

Sometimes, I when hear the Beatles' songs "Glass Onion" or "Savoy Truffle" or "Care Free Highway," and "Sundown," by Gordon Lightfoot I remember listening to the stereo with my mom when I was still an only child. It was probably the summer of 1979, shortly before my lovely sister was born. I remember my mom listened to the radio station and I danced (OK, I was only four!) and she vacuumed or did some sort of housework. I am not sure, but I think I tried to sing them to her. Still, I have strange visualizations of life as an only child when I hear these songs.

When I hear "Love of a Lifetime" or "Oughta be a Law" by Firehouse, or any number of Hair Bands like Mr. Big, or early eighties bands like Journey or Def Leopard, I think of nights I spent driving around with my best friend. Nights spent talking about girls, the meaning or life, and Star Trek ( I may have that in slightly reversed order...). We developed theories about all sorts of things. How do we get the attention of that pretty girl? How do we figure out what it takes to be cool? Why is Worf SO cool? Those were the days with my best friend. I knew they were special, but never knew just HOW special they were. I lost my friend just a few years later.

When I hear certain other songs like "No Rain" by Blind Melon, I think of a trip to the coast I took with my wife for the wedding of my best friend's widow. I remember the rain and the drive. She fell asleep in the passenger seat and we ate at a Greek restaurant in a mall.

There are some Seven Mary Three songs that remind me strongly of college and of my wife's dorm room.

When I hear certain songs by Queens of the Stone Age, or White Stripes, or Modest Mouse, I think of our time in California.

There are many others, but I am sure you get the picture. Perhaps you have your own audio memory reminders. I wonder, do we all? Leave a comment and tell me about yours.

You Know How It Is

You know how it is when you get a song stuck in your head? I have been dealing with that all week. I don't mind, since it is a decent song...ok, I really like this song.

So, I finally downloaded it last night. I also downloaded a couple of others. But, it is this one that sticks in my head. This morning I decided to see if there was a video that goes with it. There is. Now, providing your computer allows it, have a look at this video. Listen to the song and tell me if you like it.

Praise for Music Teachers

Yesterday, I subbed for a music teacher. She's great and always leaves nice non-musical plans, that is, I don't have to play anything more complicated than a CD player. She usually puts on a spring and fall program and does lots of other stuff with the kids. Lately, though, I have more respect for her. She has these African instruments, probably 20 or 30 of them. Some are big, some are small. You are still waiting for why I have more respect for her, aren't you? Well, the kids come in at various times during the day to practice. Did you get that? PRACTICE, that means not all of them are good. Or even if they are good, it would be difficult to tell from the cocophony of sound and notes booming out from all the other wonderful, LOUD, instruments. I suppose it is just that none of it was in harmony...no, that's not true. A few of them would play together and you could almost hear them over the others.

I guess I have become used to the relative quiet of the classroom and the (what's another word for formless, tuneless, loud, cocophony)... it was just a strange assault to the ears. It was like no other sound. Oh, I managed to get stuff done and prepare for the next class, and I suppose I could got used to it, but WOW! So, I take my hat off to all music teachers, because I am sure when your kids practice it must be hard for you to concentrate.

I got a few more paintings further along last night. I got one finished and I will show it tonight. A few others are further aong. I hate it when I get to a spot where I realize this painting is just not working like I thought it would and then I have to go back over it. For example I had planned on doing an elephant in a forrest, but decided the background wasn't good enough. So, now there is a different background...third try. Ah well, they all eventually turn out...I don't give up until they do.

Oh, I shipped out my first painting yesterday! "The Red One" is now on its way to its new home. Cora and I both had grown accustomed to it hanging on the wall. I guess I will just have to make another.

Monday is over, where is Friday?

Musical Friday

It's Friday! I am SOOOOOoooooo happy about that. Last night I must hve drank too much iced tea. My eyes popped open at 130AM and I could not get back to sleep again until 430AM. Alas, I tried to get to sleep a few times before that, but it didn't work. At least I did not wate that time. I posted a lengthy accident report on my airplane site. It was a mid-air collision between a B-52 and a KC-135 if anyone is curious. I know you're not, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

Well, I am off to be music teacher today at the El. I always have fun at the El. I did not work yesterday, but Cora wasn't sad. She had a built in housecleaner yesterday. Yeah, me again. Oh well. It looks better.

I think we finally figured out what was wrong with one of the Corals...it needs to be fed regularly. Darn...I hope kids don't need that.

Everybody Look Down, It's All In Your Mind!

I don't sing very well. I do sing...everywhere. I sing in the shower, at school, in the car, in the store, and at home. I don't ave the voice for it, but that has never really stopped me. If Cora is along, she only lets me sing in the car. I have songs for all occasions stuffed in my head. I might be a little like that billy goat on the movie Hoodwinked. One day, several years ago, I was moving furniture at the EL, back when it was in the old building and I was maintenance. The Principal said something smart alecky and I began a singing a slave tune..."Swing Low"...that didn't work well enough, so on the way back through for the next piece of furniture, I began singing "That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-ee-ang..." that set her to laughing. There is a more recent song that I sometimes hum quietly to myself in the halls of the HS..."Teenagers scare the livin' shit outa me." (Yes, that's a real song) Lately, however, I have had a song stuck in my head.

I like the group The Killers. They have a beat that often seems to get caught in my head. Their vocalist has a nice voice, and I realy enjoy their lyrics. The latest song that has stuck in my brain is "Spaceman"...

The Killers - Spaceman - The Killers

So, here it is. Let me know what you think. It makes me remember that time aliens abducted me...Nah...it's just a catchy little tune.

So, I taught third graders yesterday. I enjoy them...they offer so much trust. Of course, I don't think they trust everyone. They just know me from all the times I have subbed. Also, I must be somewhat entertaining...well, I know I am. Apparently when a student borrows a pencil from the teacher in the class I taught yesterday, they must give her a shoe in trade. Well, I had seven shoes on the board at one point...I know that a couple of the kids didn't need a pencil that badly, but, sometimes I need some distraction, too.

Cora came home early so she could be there when the cable guy hooked up the phone. We now have a cable phone. We will be saving $30 a month, and we will be able to call throughout the state, while before, when we were through Quest it was simply local...go figure.

Anyway, when I got home, Cora wanted to go to the fabric store. So we did. I walked around with her and even offered my opinion, such that it is (often my opinion is "I don't care which fabric you choose, can we go home?"), and she got some fabric for some dresses she is making for a friend. I think they will be pretty neat...She will be working on them this weekend, so if you are interested (or bored) head on over to her site about Sunday night and see what she has done.

we went to Red Robin for dinner...mistake, since the entire parking lot was full and it had to have been a potential firehazard with the number of people in the entryway. We got take out. So, we came home and enjoyed a dinner someone else cooked.

Today, I think Cora is going to sew. I might go out and work in the yard if I get ambitious. Then I am going to try and find some information about some more Cold War crashes so I can get something more on my other site...I kow there was an F-102 that went missing over the Olympic Mountains in the 1960s and has never been found...anyway...it'll be nice to have a couple days off.

Adequate Goofball Exposure

So, apparently, kids are not exposed to dorky men. As a statement, I suppose I would support that and agree that they should not be. On the other hand, there are some who think exposing kids to a goofball is a good thing. I suppose it depends on the goof ball. One of the teachers I worked with today threatened me with bodily harm if I don’t pursue an elementary certification. She said it is good for them to be exposed to men who can be a little silly (I am saying a little silly because that is what SHE said, I know many of you are probably rolling your eyes…I know I am very silly, so don’t over exert your poor eyeballs). Something about the right kind of male influence, I know, she might be a little off the mark. I do enjoy teaching at the elementary, though.

We were doing a “Hand Jive” in music today. I was dancing along, innocently, to the music, and the kids kept erupting in giggles. I had my erstwhile cohort there, too. She does a half-day of music in the afternoon. The past few times we have had our classes together. She was dancing along with the song just a silly as I was, but the kids were paying more attention to me…somewhat to my displeasure, since I was not aware of all the right hand movements and had trouble hearing the claps on the CD to clap along. Of course, I did “bobble” my head from side to side in the “Oh, NO YOU DIDN’T” fashion that is sometimes seen in inner city women on TV. I did this in time to the music. I have done this in the past and apparently it is quite the hit among elementary kids. A few girls have called me “Mr. Bobble Head” in the hallways. I take that as a price of fame.

So, Cora is fishing on her Wii. She keeps pulling up two dimensional fish. It’s one of the games on that $10 game…which was well worth the $10 for the enjoyment we have gotten from it. I want to buy Far Cry…a shoot’em up. Cora prefers Legos…yes, legos. She sometimes plays a Legos Star Wars game that she likes. We will have to buy it, I suppose.

Crap or Shit?

Is Crap a bad word? I have more than passing interest: as a substitute teacher it has come up on more than one occasion. Sometimes it is because students tattle on others for saying the word, others because I have accidentally used the word. My use of the word is usually, depending on the grade of course, followed by, “He said a bad word!” Of course, I mention that there are worse words and it really depends on usage and placement in a sentence…I am not sure the kindergartners get it. Today, it wasn’t my fault. “Mr. Huffman!!! Mr. Huffman!!! (So and So) said a bad word!!!” What did he say? “It starts with a “K” and means poop!” I looked at the culprit. He shrugged. I looked at the tattler, I said, “Well, it depends on usage. …and besides, it’s spelled with a ‘C’.”

I don’t really know what we are doing this weekend…we will probably work on the house. But, who knows, maybe we will take the dogs for a ride. Let them run free. They enjoy that kind of stuff.


Below is a picture of me sitting in a "Dollar Nineteen" or the C-119. This particular 119 is at the Castle AFB Museum. The 119 was also described as 400,000 rivets flying in loose formation. This picture is about 4 years old...give or take about three days. I have posted on my other site, for those of you interested in local crashes. The latest is on a B-24D that crashed near Spokane. You can find it here.


Oh, and not that I am counting, but this is my 100th post!!!!