St. Patty's Day!

Good Mornin' and I hope you are all havin' a good day! Today I am to manage the antics of 20 or so kinders. Should be fun. The teacher apologized for leaving certain Leprechaun tracks for me to clean up...Should be interesting.

Well, I noticed my stats for this site have been...static. Oh, well. I had about 30 visitors to my aircraft site the last couple days...really cool for a site that only averages less then ten hits per day. I also got an email from another person interested in wreckchasing. I am excited by the positive words I have received concerning my aircraft losses site. I am not the only one interested in this subject apparently.

I will try and post later today concerning my time with the kinders!

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.

It Was Going Great, 'Til Uncle Milton Met Up With The Steamboat...

January 13, 2009. "Pa and Uncle Milton were up on the roof trying to fix the leak. Uncle Milton fell off the roof and died right there in the back yard....On the way to bury him, the coffin fell out of the wagon and into the river. Pa raced down and grabbed the coffin, but a wave from a passing steamboat swamped Pa and he had to let go. Uncle Milton floated down the river, until he met up with the paddles of the Steamboat... " O.k., I am paraphrasing, but that is basically what I read to some fourth graders today. It was a pretty good day. I even enjoyed reading them that fairly morbid story about the Oregon Trail.

Funny thing is, when I was sitting there trying to decode the notes, the kids began walking in andstating how much they like me. Things like, "It's the cool sub..." I am getting used to it, but, still! I got plenty of hugs...most of which I would have avoided if possible. Often, however, they are sprung upon me when meeting kids in the hallway or checking with a neighboring teacher. Students will suddenly recognize me and mob me...it's a little embrrassing, but the inner glutton for attention is thinkng, "Oh, YEEEE-AHHH! Look at ME! I AM POP-U-LARRRR!" (finally)

All in all, it was a good day! I got some love from the sixth grade teachers at the end of the day. I am scheduled to teach for one of them on the 21 and 22. One of them has a student teacher, and they plan for me to help and observe her. I told them about how some kids ask about a mark next to my eye. I usually tell them that I had a tatoo removed that I had gotten in prison. The kids usually laugh, but then they take a moment..."Ummm, did he just say what I thought he said?" Of course, most of them know I am too much of a softy to go to prison, but I enjoy messing with their young minds.

Which reminds me. Yesteday at the HS there was a darkened hallway, at the end of which was my classroom. As I began my journey through the relatively short hallway in its twilight darkness, a student I know came out a door next to me. I don't think she even saw me. In a low voice, slightly above a whisper, I said, "Are you scared of the dark?" She whipped her head around and then realized who it was. She later came into the classroom and told me just how startled she had been. She said it was one thing if friend yelled at her in the hallway, quite another for some weird voice to whisper to her from out of nowhere. Made my day.

Well, I hope everyone else is having as good a week as I am!

For The Record

For the record, I am fond of people who are fond of me. Just seems to be a good way to do business.




Today, I taught last year's third graders. They are...most of them...fourth graders. Actually, there were only a few I had taught with any consistency in the class I was teaching today. Still, those who had had me seemed to spread the word without my help. They said, "he is a cool sub." They also said things like, "He is funny," and a few even called me their little name for me, a hold over from music class: "Mr. Bobble Head." Seems I might have done that thing that women of color sometimes do on TV when they say, "I don't think so..." with their hand in front of your face, wiggling their finger. You know, when their head goes sideways on their neck, back and forth. I have been known to do such things in my best imitation of said women. I may have done it on more than one occasion in music class last year. Oh, well, there are worse things to be called. It was a good day..and I have actually been more assertive this year. The kids are doing what I ask and I am more certain of myself. I am also more likely to kick their little asses out to the hallway, principal, or detention if they piss me off. Sometimes it is fun being a bad ass.


Since the US Government decided they need our fingerprints...AGAIN, I needed to inform the teacher that asked me to sub for her that I might not be on time. School starts at 840am. Our appointment for the USCIS is at 8am. I think I can be back to school by sometime around 9 or 930. So they should not be without Mr. H for too long. Still, I wanted to be sure the teacher (SPED) would still want me if I were to be late.



She said she would rather work with me than have another sub...did I mention this is the teacher than had me come in for ice cream a couple weeks ago? WHILE I WAS MOWING LAWN. Yeah, she seems to be fond of me. I cannot imagine the other subs are worse than I am. All I do is interact with the kids like they are humans or something...apparently the other subs think they can hide behind the desk and call out to the parapros to do the job for them. I know the paras prefer me. Funny how a little extra work makes such a difference. She also mentioned that she had taken a full day instead of a half day because she knew I prefer to take full days. Cool, that means I will still get the full day's pay even though I am a bit late. That also means I have been doing something right if they want to work WITH me, instead of let me go.



I got another bill from the college. They only want $40 now. I managed to sweet talk them into taking most of it off since I was a loser and was not ready for my Master's test before August 15th. Now, I need to figure out if I should try to finsh my Master's this quarter or Winter. Given our luck with adoptions, no matter what I choose, we will be leaving in the midst of it and I will be out several thousand dollars for attempting and not obtaining a Master's. Figures. Besides, it is amazingly difficult to take the time and make sense out of books while you are employed and attempting to do all the things a grown up does.



Does anyone else remember Tom Selleck in Mgnum P.I.? I do and I think of it everytime I see a picture of this helicopter...

So, here is a challenge to my pathetically small number of devotees! What is the aircraft pictured below? Leave it in the comments.

Good Books

After going over to Earthbound Misfit's site, I decided to buy one of the books she suggested. I got it yesterday. This afternoon, I was reading it and found a paragraph that was reminiscent of Joseph Heller in Catch 22(this link if you want to check the price). If you have not read Joseph Heller's Catch 22(this link if you want to read about the book), then I definitely recommend it. Then you can pick up a volume by this Daniel Gallery guy.


"The government was trying to maintain control of the streets at home. It does this through a system called the Great Society. In this system, most of the citizens who don't want to work get jobs with the government. Those who won't work for anybody draw relief checks, conduct riots, and burn down obsolete buildings. The rest of the citizens try to earn enough money to stay out of jail for not paying their taxes. This enables the government to make relief payments, to protect rioters from the police, and to defend our freedoms from foreign aggressors (and our allies) who would like to do to us what only our own underprivileged citizens are allowed to do. (Cap'n Fatso, by Daniel Gallery, copyright 1970. Pg.40)"

You have to love authors who love words so much they write entire books with them!!

Today began at 4am, I took Cora to work, came back, and attempted to collect my senses. I headed to the elementary early, figuring on an easy day with 2nd graders. I was quickly asked if I would mind terribly finishing my day at the High School. Why not, it gets out an hour sooner. I went. It's been awhile since I subbed at the High School. Not bad. Especially since I have a certification for it.

Oh, I checked on the sixth grade position. They picked someone last night. Obviously it was not me...dammit.

Cora got home. She is tired, but otherwise unharmed from her day with the BIG BOSSES! We got pizza.

Take a Pop-Gun To a Bazooka Fight.

I subbed today. Duh, I have been for four days now. Today I was greeted with the task of two classes at the same time. I have partaken in handling multiple classes, but I have always had help. Today it was me, shooting from the hip. I walked in with a pop-gun and managed to pull a bazooka out of my butt. It started with the librarian needing to leave early. She was in obvious need and I offered to help in anyway I could. She thanked me and went on her way. A little while later she came and asked if I could take a second class. I said yes.

I did not have any specifically formulated plans for a large group...I managed a little comedy, some team screaming, synchronized whooping, and a rousing rendition of "If You're Happy And You Know It." I felt like I should be in front of a larger group...like during an assembly. I think I could have given Cowboy Buck a good run for his money!!

I was in a horrible sweat by the end of it. I was tired when I got home and found myself dozing. When Cora got home, I managed to convince her we needed to go out. Score!

She said my beloved Sister- and Brother-in-law had an extra pair of tickets to the Seahawks game...it will be my first major sporting event. I am kinda looking forward to it. It will prevent me from having to mow the yard or do many of the honey-do's Cora has lined up for me. I wonder who is playing...

Mr. Wonderful...

Yes, you guessed it, it's me. I am Mr. Wonderful. I am the one all you ladies missed out on. Cora got me. And to all you schools out there looking for me...well, E. Valley has me. Sorry, you lose. O.K., maybe I have had a bit of a boost to my ego today... Yesterday, at the elementary, I was told about a new opening for 6th grade. I thought, what the heck, I'll throw my hat in the ring. You never know if you don't try. Of course, I am not specifically certified for 6th grade, but I seem to be doing o.k. at the elementary.

Well, last night I forgot about it. I was going to write a cover letter to let the HR person know of my interest. I forgot to. Today, I was getting ready to leave. Cora was already gone. The phone rang. I was in a bit of a compromised position and was cursing Cora's timing, but made it to the phone on time. It was not Cora, but my beloved Mother-in-Law. She told me about the 6th grade position. I said, yeah, I am going to drop off a cover letter today.

I went to work, subbing again, music again today. Again, several coworkers there reminded me of the open job. I began to get the hint that maybe I should apply for the job already. I talked to Cora and she mentioned it...WHO THE HELL IS TELLING THESE PEOPLE ABOUT THIS DAMNED JOB? Does SOMEONE REALLY want me to get a job? What have I done to them? Has Cora spread the word that I "want" (Probably how Cora would phrase it) to work a permenent position? Not fair! I like subbing.

So, I sat down during the plan period and wrote a cover letter. Then I printed it and took it to a teacher whose opinion I value. She made a couple corrections...basically, I was not being as cocky as I should have been. I believe my wording was a conservative: "usually requested by teachers." Hers was an emphatic: "Ever-increasing" requests keep me away from other schools because they like me at the elementary so much. As we were talking another teacher came in. She said that I was a "Hot commodity." The first teacher suggested jokingly(I hope) that I include that...huh, if only.

So, I was at the end of my day and was escorting my charges to their respective busses when this same lady teacher called to me. I dismissed my last charge (I aimed him in the direction of his bus and hoped he knew his numbers) and made my way over. She said, "this is the Vice-Principal at the school where you are applying." Wow. I said hi and probably sounded a bit goofy, but my friend the teacher said she thought it went well. She later told me that the vice-principal had seen me and asked about me and if I was looking for a job. To which my friend had replied that, coincidentally, I was applying for the position this afternoon. Then she introduced me. Hmmm...I hope that was a good first impression...of course, maybe I can rely on her son/nephew who was apparently in one of my music classes today. He was acting like he was talking to a rock star. I looked around to see if Hannah Montanna had showed up and was standing behind me...nope, darn, I wanted an autograph. He said, "you are the best teacher, Mr. Huffman! You dance funny!" I hope she will take referrences that are from children.

So, I went back to the classroom, locked up and went to leave my cover letter asking to be considered for the job. I hope they do consider me. That would give me a chance to wave that in Cora's Cousin Laura's face...I hope she doesn't get a job, yet! (Laura, you better get some applications out, because I am on your heels without even breaking a sweat!)

Principles and Principals

My first day back substituting actually ended with a child in the office talking to the principal. I am an overwhelmingly good natured teacher...at least I think I am...and it takes LOT to make me send a child to see the principal. I mean, yeah, if you were hitting someone else, or were doing something else equally heinous, you are going to go see a higher authority.

This kid just would not do what I asked(be quiet while I am giving directions, sit still). Then when I asked him to go to time out, he begged me not to make him. That annoyed me. Still he would not go(Weird, since kids at this school almost always obey immediately). I then offered another choice: Principal or corner? He chose the corner/timeout, but took his time. I caught him watching class activities over and over again...finally, I grew tired of telling him to turn around. I told him if he did not stop it, I would send him to the principal. He seemed to understand, and turned back to the corner. Seconds later he was facing the room again. It is against my principles to let that go. "GO!" And he complained and pouted and whined and begged. He said he'd already been once today. There was another teacher in the room. I asked her to escort my boy to the office. I did not want to start the year like that.

On the other hand, at least I was not outside with the maintenance boys. They were picking up the dirt we had shovelled the day previous. Yesterday I helped them dig holes. each of us had to dig a four feet deep hole and then help on the final one. These are for some basketball hoops. I hve never really enjoyed basketball, but having to dig a four feet deep hole has definitely lowered my appreciation for the game.

I have three more days of subbing for music. Tomorrow should be better.

As for today, kids continue to tell me I am dancing. I have been telling them I don't dance...they laugh and say I do. Well, whatever makes them happy.

Helena

I can think of no better name for her than Helena. The subject of my post is, for your information, a kitty. Not just any kitty, though. This kitty was in a pipe...apparently for three or four days. The pipe in question was set vertically over a valve. The kitty, one might say, was stuck in a well.

What do you think of this picture of a kitty?



I found out about the kitty in the well from a neighbor of the school. He said he had been hearing it for several days...3-4...and only today realized it must be down our well. I attempted to give the kitty something to climb up, but she (I don't really know if it was a girl or a boy) was too weak. I finally located a piece of rope, created a noose and looped her neck, despite my preference for looping a leg. I pulled her up and held her close. I took her to the shop and gave her an entire can of Oprah's food...Oprah was not pleased. The kitty, Helena, ate the entire can. And before I sent her to her new home, she ate another half! One of the Food Service ladies took Helena home with her. I believe she will live happily ever after.

The teachers are back...which seems to mean more work for me...maybe I should hope for a bunch of sub jobs...




Look, Toby can swim!


Oh, and for dinner, I made alfredo again...Cora approved.