Always Thinking

I believe nearly everyone who reads this blog is aware of my other blog.  The airplane blog (I just refer to it as that to keep the confusion down)  is ostensibly to promote interest in local history.  I write mainly on things that happened in or are in some way related to Washington State.  Sometimes I write on other military subjects, for instance the grounding of a Cruiser near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii a year or so ago.  Still, I try to return to Washington State and the Cold War.

I honestly did not think anyone would look at it without me inviting them.  Imagine my surprise when I finally began tracking it with Google Analytics and discovered just how many people go to my sight.  It isn't exactly a high end site, I'll admit that.  It does cater to a very small percentage of the population.  Still, the numbers indicate that several people visit each day.  Many because Blogger sends them there.  A few, more than I expect, come directly to my blog!  They have it bookmarked or they follow it.  often, though, they search for something and Google brings them to me.

It is the Google searches that bring the best, though.  I have corresponded with more interesting people thanks to that.  For instance there was the gentleman that wrote about his experience as a boy when he accompanied his family to recover an abandoned Army Helicopter.  There have been others, though, that really make me happy.  The ones who are searching for loved ones or friends.  They want to know about what their dads and brothers and uncles did.  I do my best to send them to the right place and give them as much information as I can.  THAT is the unforeseen result of my blog that makes me happy.  Helping others, while doing something I enjoy.

The thing is I was making fun of a teacher for thinking about buying teacher materials while she was on her vacation...then it dawned on me.  Uhh, yeah, I am always thinking about history.  Oops.

Macaroni Poo Poo!

There is a blog that Cora and I have been following for a long time (a couple years at least), and I checked in on it tonight and got a great laugh that I could not help but share! Have a look for yourself! It's here. Of course, make sure you come back here, because the ending to this one is a doozy!

Oh, and if you have never read anything from the Bean...well, you may as well go here, but be warned, she is totally R rated! She is hilarious! She expresses her dismay at some (All?) Christmas music. Again, you should probably come back, just because I am awesome.

As most of you know, I am a substitute teacher. Last week, I was checking out for the day at a local school. A teacher, who looked a little frazzled, came in and asked a couple of us subs if we would mind taking a job next week. The other two did not speak up, so I said I was interested. She looked at me appraisingly and apparently made a decision. She said, it's next Thursday. "I have a group of boys who are very hard to manage!" I said that was fine, what grade do you teach? "First."

I tried hard not to roll my eyes.

I said, "Ok." She looked at me as though I might be missing a few marbles from my bag. I again nodded. She came to her decision and asked me for my name, explaining that she would assign it to me. I said ok and left. I did not expect her to assign it to me.

Lo and behold, though, she did.

I showed up this morning after driving at speeds that may have produced sonic booms, but I was travelling ahead of the wave, so I can't verify it. (sometimes I push the departure time)

I walked in the room expecting little people with spray paint cans and guns, but no kids showed any signs of automatic weapons nor tools for tagging. All I saw was first graders. Then the counselor showed up with a very cute little boy, whom she treated as though he were Rosemary's baby. She looked at me as though she may never see me again. I swallowed and asked what was wrong. She said, this little boy does not get to go to recess, instead he comes to be with me. And if you do any fun activities, he should come to me. I raised my eyebrows and she whispered conspiratorially to me that he was a very bad boy. I said ok and she left.

I eyed the kid, he looked like an angel. which, coincidentally, was his NAME! Then I decided to treat him like the rest until he showed his true colors. Having been forewarned of the possibilty of trouble, though, prepared me for the worst. I was a bit more forceful than I normally am. Overall, though, they were a very good class. There were between three and five boys that seemed to feed off each other, but they weren't horrible.

I adapted to them simply by repeating my instructions and separating them from the herd when they mis-behaved. Three of them spent a lot of time in time out. But strangely, it wasn't Rosemary's baby...he had his problems, but I did not see the worst of them today.

Sometime before lunch recess, the Principal came in. The same principal that thought I was the fire marshal. She came in. I was actually acting like a teacher (yeah, lucky, I know!) and paused. She said not to worry, she was just stopping by classes today. I went ahead with the assignment. When she came in there was a child in the corner at the door, and two more evenly spaced around the room, also in "the corner."

A few minutes later, after I ended my "lesson," she walked up and I looked at her questioningly. She said, "I need to talk to you at recess." I looked at her quizzically. She said, "you aren't in trouble." As though she had read my mind, but I am sure it had registered clearly on my face. I said yes and tried to hide my concern...was it all pictures I drew? Did I say something to a kid that was not appropriate? Did they find out about my interest in atomic bombs? The FBI and CIA will be there...but she said I wasn't in trouble. Of course she'd say that to get me into a place where they can arrest me and take me to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba...do they give citizens due process? I just think A-bombs are cool! I was JUST CURIOUS!

So, these are the things I was thinking the entire time. Finally, I send my kids out to recess. Everyone goes, despite the cold temperatures. But just for 15 minutes. Enough time for me to be arrested.

I go in search of the principal. I finally find her, not in her office, but in the lunch room. A quick scan reveals no FBI agents, unless the FBI has been hiring 10 year olds...I automatically scan for Agent Cody Banks...nope, safe.

She is talking to someone...I catch her eye and then go and interact with the fifth grade class I taught a couple weeks ago. Concentrate on looking like a good teacher! She comes up behind me. I tell the kids goodbye.

She simply says, " I have a question for you." I blink. "You sub a lot at elementarys, right?" "Uh, yeah," I answered intelligently, surely that isn't the only question. "In your opinion, is that first grade class worse than other first grade or kindergarten classes you have subbed for?" I blinked again. Wheels start creaking in my head. Pressure releases. Realization dawns...this is about the class...not me. She wasn't working with Homeland Security! PHWEW!

I manage to point out that the main problem seems to be the way the boys interact, and so far my solution of putting them in the corner, removing them from each other, has been working. I'm no genius, but so far I have not really had a bad day. Yeah, they are trouble, but they aren't horrible. She seemed satisfied and I went on my way, no longer watching for government agents.

Suffice it to say, I made it through another day!

What The Hell Is An Integer, Again?

Yesterday, I lucked out and taught at the HS. Not bad, but it was math.

I am not exactly a fan of math. Oh, yeah, I handle the simple stuff fairly well, but once you get into the stuff that I have NEVER used as an adult...well, my mind gets fuzzy and the room spins. Kids would ask a question, and on 65% of them I was able to help (I define "help" necessarily loosely). That other 35% made me want to ask them if they should work a little on their study habits. That's cruel, isn't it? But, I know my study habits suck and I suck at math, so logic (again, loosely defined) suggests the two are somehow related. I figure I am someone speaking from experence, so it isn't REALLY cruel. Anyway, I couldn't figure out how knowing the difference between a monomial, binomial, or trinomial problem would help me figure it out. I would also like to know who's idea it was to put letters into math problems, because he deserves a sound beating!

As it was, the teacher I subbed for seems to not mind his class doing little slacking. If he did, he would have left more for them to do, and perhaps instructions for silence. There were only dittos for each class to work on. And the computers were acting up so I could not take role from a class list. I was obliged to take the class' word for it. I think I got most everyone who was absent...but I wouldn't hold my breath. Given these conditions, and the fact that high schoolers are capable of taking care of themselves without as much supervision, I was able to read my book part of the day. The teacher's computer was on and while I could not obtain class lists, I could check my email and surf. All in all, it was a very nice day.

Oh, yeah, Mondays is one hour late start...and this teacher's prep period is the last period of the day. Since he never leaves instructions to run copies or anything, I get to leave about 40 miutes early...and get paid for the whole day. And Cora wants me to get a REAL job! Hah, the nerve!

We watched True Beautty again last night. I didn't know people could be SO vain...and I blog! But, I can't feel too bad, since you read it...

Planecrazy About Grandma!

Happy Birthday Grandma! I am sure you are aware, but you share your birth-year with Mickey Mouse...not a bad stable mate. Mickey debuted in an animated short called Plane Crazy. I thought the similarity between that and the name of my blog seemed to mean something, so I thought I would throw that in!


I have known Grandma since shortly after Cora and I began dating, back in 1994. It was probably 1995 before I actually met you, though. Nevertheless, you seem as young and sprightly as ever! And dare I say more computer literate than me! Happy Birthday Grandma! And thanks for being my Grandma, too.

We managed to put the crib together last night and it looks fantastic! Cora put the mattress in and she had already put a sheet on it...I sware she had planned it like that. It actually seems like we might become parents now...or the weird people on the block who have a crib with no baby...let's hope it is the former.

Cora has been blogging for a YEAR today! Congratulations Cora!

The Governor of Montana is Brian Schweitzer. Montana is Big Sky Country! The state flower is the Bitterroot! The state tree is the Ponderosa Pine. Known as theTreasure State, Montana is also known as "Land of Shining Mountains," "Mountain State," and "Bonanza State." The highest point is Granite Peak in the Beartooth Mountains! Montana State University is in Gallatin Valley!

Billings, MT.

This post has nothing to do with Billings, Montana. Nor does it have anything to do with Butte Montana, nor Helena, Montana. The only reason I mention Billings, is I am REALLY hoping to get somone from Montana to Google my site...is it weird that I don't have better things to do with my time? I have Google Analytics and it tells me that I have had visitors from 38 states since I began blogging. I don't get alot of visitors, but once in awhile someone blunders onto it from a state that is not on my list...that makes me happy. Blogger is responsible for many of these visits, because there is a button at the top that says, next blog. People, including myself, push that button and it takes you to some random blog. Often they are in spanish, which I could have Babble Fish translate, but I am lazy and go to the next one. Anyway, I am very interested in getting a hit from someone in Montana...or do you think they have the internet there??

And then there is Google. Search engines are great, since they bring people who are searching for weird things...every once in awhile I attempt to bait them. That is what I am doing tonight, I am baiting google for Montanans...montanians? Mountains? Montanananananans? I hope I am lucky, I will let you know.


We took the Crib back today...well, parts of it. They had been rubbed during shipping which had made the smooth portion rub off...and for what we paid, you would expect a nice, clean,smooth crib. So, we called the store and they said bring the affected pieces back! So we did and they replaced them. It was EASY! They were friendly! and I HEARTILY recommend BABY DEPOT at Burlington Coat Factory. They were nice and exceedingly easy to deal with. So, here is to you Joel, Andrea, Maria, and Desmaris! Thanks!

We shopped a little, but mainly were there for the crib. Now we get to put it together. It was a good day.


My parents left another geocache/treasure hunt for us...we did not finish it due to the dwindling light and other circumstances beyond our control. We plan to finish it tomorrow and we will certainly let you know how it went. Personally, I think it is some sort of torture...so far...well, I will get into that more tomorrow... in the meantime, here is a photo of my dad next to the USS Tripoli at Mare Island Naval Base, bck in 2004. Now, that's a tall ship!

What Are You People Looking For?

I visit a BLOG where the author keeps tabs of the keywords that have been used to find her site. She usually lists them and comments on why someone would be searching for that. I have been using Google Analytics since May 11 to keep track of how many visits I get. I found the option where it shows what keywords were used to find my site. There are a few I would like to share. I don’t get the large amount of traffic that this other blog does, but these are interesting nonetheless.

First, I titled a blog a few months ago “Doctor Doctor, Mr. MD…” I thought little of it, since the song was in my head and so was a cold. I have had more hits from that damned title than anything else! There are several versions that made a hit, even bastardizations of the lyrics: “i said doctor mr md,” " can you tell me what's ailing me," “doctor what's ailing me,” and, “doctor mister m.d. yeah yeah yeah.” There are almost a dozen more, but I just wanted to give you a taste.

We all know I love Billy Mays so much that I wrote a blog about him. Apparently, I am not the only one who thinks he should take up silent auctions. Here are the two keywords for him:
billy mays must die
"billy mays" voice

Then there are those keywords that defy classification. Still, each one has made me laugh or made me raise an eyebrow about who was doing the search. Either way, you have o see them to appreciate them!

"i am a frayed knot." I am a frayed sew.
a bath and a good book and you want what from me? I am NOT washing your back.
arthropods suck Yes, they do.
bad noodles What did they do that was so bad?
blue cora fish Hmmm, maybe we need one of those in our tank!
booty photo blogspot What are you looking at my site for?
can you escape from school by diging a hole I don’t know, I never tried, I could slip through the bars.
"can't you tell me what's ailing me" No, I’m not qualified.
doctor mr md tell me what's ailing me Dammit, I told you I’m not a doctor!
grand canyon evergreen Is there such a thing?
hi how much would you like to buy What? What do you want me to buy?
hole on the bottom of my foot Me too! A few weeks ago!
how to make props for deserts Really? Maybe you should let me in on how.
i don´t have nobody I’m sorry, have you tried the classifieds?
in rememberance on my wedding dya What, precisely, is a “dya?”
kim guppy Poor girl, that's a tough name to have. Something fishy, I think.
raccoon butt Why are you searching for that?
teaching the digestive system to fourth graders Should you really do that?
the sickness dogs get when they don't get up. Shoe enema? Swift Kick-itis?
today duos, tomorrow the world Are George Bush and Osama bin Laden singing together now, or are they already off to take over the world?

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did.

I mowed today. Nothing broken, so I feel like I accomplished something. I am wondering what we will do for the weekend. Not sure yet, I hope it’s fun.