| Spring Into Spring |
[01 Apr 2003|04:01pm] |
I have so very little to report that I'm not sure an update is even necessary. With that in mind, I will conduct my entry in the old Kenyon VAX plan stylee. Everyone loves reading lists of positive and negative things.
Diggin':
Half days of class; the warm weather on Saturday; Wednesday night NWA PPVs; A-Pat's "Skinhead Prom" article from London; the wedding invitation; Vanilla Coke; Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks; American Idol; visiting my sister this weekend; Delano Harper
Not Diggin':
The MP3s Travis Morrison posted on his solo site; Sunday's snow showers; the youth minister that invited himself to the Cave on Friday to watch the Maryland game and then started his conversion speech; the MACRoCk line-up; the women who were SCREAMING about fellatio outside my window last night; Lesnar's botched SSP on Sunday (ouch!)
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| This Week's News... |
[01 Mar 2003|11:35pm] |
Well, the weather unleashed havoc on my teaching schedule again this week. The poor kids, they just can't get into any kind of a school rhythm.
Anyhow, just a note about my birthday this past Monday. To clarify, it wasn't one of those "I-didn't-get-any-presents" unhappy birthdays, but more along the lines of "neighborhood-violence-has-erupted-around-the-rec-center" and my life was in danger. It was a miserable, frightening day made worse by the fact that it occurred on my 25th birthday. But I digress...
This evening I went to the DC independent film festival to see a feature directed by one of my mother's high school friends. If you ever get a chance to see "Peroxide Passion" by Monty Diamond, don't pass it up. Also, Lanks, we now have another (more direct) link to the world of film. More on that later...
Okay, I'm out like a trout...
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| (Un)Happy Birthday To Me... |
[24 Feb 2003|10:07pm] |
I turned twenty-five today. And, quite frankly, it was the worst birthday I have ever had.
Honestly, the less said, the better.
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| Do You Compute |
[15 Feb 2003|08:00pm] |
A Happy (Belated) Valentine's Day to all my fine feathered friends.
I have never been a fan of the holiday, but I certainly hope that this year lived up to everyone's expectations.
My little ones at school had wild parties yesterday to celebrate the festive occasion. The AM class had a truly outstanding shindig, but, unfortunately, the parents from the PM group left me feeling a bit disappointed. The bingo was fairly lackluster and our juice-provider was about an hour and a half late. The kids had to drink water with their heart-shaped cookies. Shocking.
In other news, the school system has begun regular Code Red and Code Blue drills in light of the Orange Alert issued by the Department of Homeland Security. God Bless The Color Wheel.
In case of a chemical attack, we will surely be protected by turning off the lights and covering the windows with butcher paper.
And don't forget about the duct tape. I've been stockpiling it in the Cave should the fit hit the shan.
And lastly, I finally have some new tunes in my system. I issued a halt to all of my music buying adventures during the recent lean times, but with my current position I can once again afford to rock out.
Now I know most of you uber-hipsters have already had these records for months, but don't rain on my parade:
*The (International) Noise Conspiracy-- Bigger Cages, Longer Chains
*Q And Not U-- Different Damage
*The Flaming Lips-- Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
*Hot Hot Heat-- Make Up The Breakdown
*Yeah Yeah Yeahs-- Machine
*Liars-- Fins To Make Us More Fish-Like
*El-P-- Fandam Plus
*Ted Leo/Pharmacists-- Hearts Of Oak
*Jawbreaker-- Etc.
*Drive Like Jehu-- Yank Crime
*Rainer Maria-- Long Knives Drawn
*The Pietasters-- Turbo
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| All's Quiet On The Eastern Front |
[08 Feb 2003|03:53pm] |
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music |
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The Roots-- The Seed (2.0) |
] |
February is here and this update is long overdue. Let me just say, things are going along very well these days. I finally have moved into a long-term position with the school system...so say hello to Mr. F, Kindergarten Teacher!
I dare say I am the only young, male kindergarten teacher with a scruffy beard in the county at the present moment.
Anyhow, my only complaint in life is that my second job with the recreation department is beginning to wear a little thin. I still enjoy the work, but after a day playing Kindergarten Cop, I don't feel much like putting in another five hours in the evening. Plus, I no longer really need the extra money because of the considerable raise in pay I received once I took over the kindergarten classroom.
Well, I think that's all we have time for this afternoon. I'll be back for another update sometime between tomorrow and March.
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| Hits From The Archive Pt. 3 |
[22 Jan 2003|05:10pm] |
As reported by Christina, Lanks, and The Washington Post, The Dismemberment Plan are calling it quits. It's very sad, folks.
Anyhow, here is what the Plan had to say on their website following the show at Kenyon in April of 2000:
"Tour thus far is fantastic again. Our second show was with the Slackers, who are my favorite contemporary ska band. We'd planned on packing up after we played to start our monster drive (Gambier, OH to Milwaukee, WI = 510 miles), but the second the Slackers took the stage, we all got sucked into the crowd. Every direction I looked I saw one of my bandmates dancing. God I love the rocksteady, and their brass is to die for. Our show was no slouchin' either. People danced and we got along well. The only scarey part was the bass shook the drop ceiling enough that dust from the panels was floating everywhere. Now asbestos is a thing of the past, right? Just checking. We rolled out around midnight and drove til about 4am central time, just north of Indianapolis got a Super 8 room for a four-hour nap. Up by 8, showered, gassed, fed and on the road by 9. Well, 9:15, and up to Milwaukee by 1pm for load in for the matinee...."
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| 2-0-0-3 = H-O-T-T |
[10 Jan 2003|02:25pm] |
Happy Belated New Year! Wow, I really need to start updating more frequently again.
Let me just say, I am thrilled to see 2K2 fade into the past. Honestly, not my finest year alive.
Anyhow, for the last week and a half it has been all about the work. Subbing and Rec, Rec and Subbing.
I have only one mildly interesting story to share. Last week when I was teaching kindergarten, the school nurse came rushing into the classroom to tell me that one of the absent students had a bad case of head lice and that each child in my class would need to be "inspected for nits." Skip ahead an hour and a few kids are being sent home, the carpets are being rolled up, all the backpacks and jackets are being sealed in plastic bags, and I'm teaching PE.
My part-time job at the recreation center is also pretty hot. I get to laminate gym cards and dispense pool cues. What more could I ask for?
Shabba Lanks told me that progress has been made on the screenplay collaboration. I am anxious to read the next installment.
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| Happy Holidays... |
[28 Dec 2002|10:24am] |
It's been a week and a half since I last updated, so there is much to discuss.
Point #1:
While the school system is currently on winter break, I do have an interesting pre-break situation to report. Right before the vacation, I substituted for a male teacher who kept Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches as class pets.
Point #2:
My desk job at the community center is going swimmingly. There was a random shooting inside the weight room shortly before I began my employment, so some of the staff and patrons are rather anxious, but otherwise no problems to report.
Point #3:
I had a very Merry Christmas this year. Lots of good time spent with the fam. I received several CDs, a toaster oven, a Brita water filter, and some ice trays. I invite everyone to the Cave for cold beverages and toast.
Point #4:
The Oso/Lanks screenplay collaboration is the next. More comedy than you can shake a jewel encrusted stick at.
Point #5:
I am currently ill and will most likely miss both of the Plan holiday shows for the third straight year. Snarf.
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| Most Boring Update Ever |
[16 Dec 2002|02:03pm] |
I suppose it is time for a proper update. To be honest, though, not a whole lot is new.
I'm starting in on my fourth week of substitute teaching. Same-old same-old. The school system has basically begun the pre-winter break coast, so I don't really have any interesting or humorous stories to tell.
My sister came home from school this weekend and the nuclear fam decorated the tree last night.
In a couple of hours, I'm starting my new part-time job at the recreation center. I'm minding the desk in the evening three times a week. Wish me luck.
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| Ice Baby |
[11 Dec 2002|02:54pm] |
| [ |
mood |
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 cold |
] |
| [ |
music |
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The Letdowns-- Payback |
] |
No school again today. Damn you, ice storm. I have nothing more to say.
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| Let's Count The Toes |
[10 Dec 2002|04:16pm] |
I taught Kindergarten today. Full-Day Kindergarten. Full-Day Kindergarten With Indoor Recess.
Anyhow, when I entered the classroom, I saw the following chart posted on the wall:
Facts About Sloths
1) They move slow.
2) They hang upside down in trees.
3) Some have 3 toes, some have 2 toes.
4) They eat fruit.
5) They are quiet.
Classic.
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| The Bitch Is Back |
[09 Dec 2002|01:46pm] |
I have very little to say. My sub assignment only went to 12:45pm today, so I have the afternoon off. My plan is to raise heck in one form or another. Perhaps, I will make some oatmeal.
From a visual standpoint, Thursday's snowstorm was lovely. Unfortunately, it was financially crippling. Substitute teachers only get paid for the days they actually work.
No School = No Pay
And I had already lost Monday and Tuesday to the disease I received from one of my germy students. If only I could spray the kids down with Lysol before they entered the classroom.
Viva.
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| Ill Na Na |
[03 Dec 2002|12:18pm] |
So I'm sick.
Boy, it didn't take long for me to pick up some nasty germs at one of my sub gigs. I guess meeting twenty-five new elementary schoolers on a daily basis is the recipe for a sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever stew.
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| Thanksgiving Wrap-Up |
[01 Dec 2002|11:50am] |
Wednesday:
I went to the Silver Diner with Andrew, Greg, and Christina. Lanks questioned my sleekness and I rocked the Decadence. Afterward, we headed to the newly re-outfitted Cave. The DVD evidence was presented.
Thursday:
A typical Thanksgiving. Pepper Paula ended up spending the holiday with her man, so it was strictly a family affair. The experience was exhausting.
Friday:
The whole fam-damn-ly headed long on 97 to select and cut X-mas trees. We then ate lunch in Westminster. A "Hoodle Head" was ordered by one member of our party.
Saturday:
I accompanied my sister to pick up a friend at the airport. Then I slept.
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| So Much Laughter...Return Of The Boom Bap |
[25 Nov 2002|05:06pm] |
Loads of news:
1) The Dangerous Bear has returned to work. I'm a Substitute Superstar once more. I'll tear up a hyperactive elementary schooler with my wit and charm faster than you can say pluperfect. Duck down!
2) I have some new home furnishings courtesy of a local moving sale and family donations. All those spending the Thanksgiving season in Maryland should swing by at some point. Consider yourselves officially invited. The Cave est rad.
3) My hair and beard have been drastically trimmed. I'm sleeker than a mothersucker. Take that, hippie!
4) I bought a computer program that clears away internet build-up and what-not, so my CD burner is now working again. I owe some people mix-discs. Expect them in the near future.
Hey, Life Is Good.
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| No News Is Good News |
[22 Nov 2002|01:03pm] |
Even though I have nothing of note to report, I felt it was time for an update.
Last night I ate a bowl of Rice Chex and watched professional wrestling. It was very relaxing. Thank you.
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[19 Nov 2002|12:20pm] |
| [ |
mood |
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 relieved |
] |
It's over. Mr. H has opted not to raise any issues with my claim and the whole ordeal is finally finished. I will be awarded a lifetime of medical benefits in connection to my back injury and, in the future, I can seek partial permanent disability compensation.
This chapter is now closed, friends, and, hopefully, I can finally get some rest and relief from the anxieties that have surrounded this case.
Goodnight and Godspeed.
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| And Paul too. |
[16 Nov 2002|12:21pm] |
It's great to have Letterman on the radio. You see, during the bedridden portion of my back injury, I suffered from insomnia nearly every night because of the intense pain. The only way I could fall asleep was by watching television until I just drifted off between 3:00-4:00am. I just set the sleep timer to turn the machine off at 4:30am and watched late night talk shows and syndicated dating games until my eyes shut.
Even after the pain stopped, however, I still needed the television to help me fall asleep. When I got my trial subscription to digital cable at the end of October, unfortunately, my television had to be moved from my bedroom. The previous resident had the outlet installed in the living room and the cable company was not about to put in a new one for a two month trial.
Anyhow, this week CBS stations across the country starting broadcasting Letterman on the radio. So now I can set the sleep timer on my radio and listen to Dave on WJFK until the Sandman comes.
It's very pleasant.
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| WCC, Mr. H, And Me... |
[15 Nov 2002|03:54pm] |
Mr. H has finally resurfaced. And, yes, he's still an evil little bastard. I had hoped he'd been carried off by raccoons or by those fish that can walk on land, but, alas, he still taunts me.
Today I received a new note from the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission. They informed me that the paperwork submitted with regard to my claim was insufficient because the Commission "cannot accept a photocopy or fax copy of the claim form."
So who sent the Commission a photocopy instead of the original? That's right, Mr. H.
Well, I called Mr. H right away and several hours later I received a voice message. Mr. H told me that he had "no idea" how the Commission could have received a copy instead of the original. He's sneaky one, that H. I would wager that he uses too much product in his hair.
Anyhow, I now have to redo the Employee Claim Form all over again, mail it out, and then have the Commission process it before any legal action can be taken.
Furthermore, I received two letters from law firms specializing in workers' compensation today. The end of one letter reads: "Information for this mailing was obtained through the purchase of a mailing list."
Who the hell is selling my name? The county? Mr. H? The Workers' Compensation Commission?
Well, at least now, if I have a phone then I have a lawyer. Let's talk about it.
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[14 Nov 2002|08:09pm] |
Wow, three entries in one day. And some of you thought I would abandon this diary like all the rest. Silly.
Anyhow, the big news is that I have a consultation with a lawyer this coming Tuesday to discuss my workers' compensation case.
Beware, Mr. H, the dangerous bear is fighting back.
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