Thanks, but no thanks

As I was looking through my school my email yesterday I was informed about a visit from our State Superintendent of Public Instruction to the school I teach at. Normally this would be some measure of a point of pride for our campus. Sadly, in todays environment it is not.

Our school, district and state is in the worse shape in terms of educational funding that I have ever witnessed in my 16 years of teaching. While the economic struggles are well documented throughout the entire nation, in our state, they are at a crisis.

Our state is a Republican infested mess. Frankly, I think both political parties are just a mess. Either they are elements of destruction or are so preoccupied with doing what is politically correct, they in effect do nothing. Arizona is a haven for retirees who feel that there obligation to public education has passed with their children being grown up. Many of our state legislators, who are in fact Republican scum, wouldn't think of sending their children to public schools. They opt for a private education. They won't come out and say it, but.....the thought of their precious darlings attending school with those pesky people of color is just too proletarian for their fabricated socially elevated status.

You may say, "How can this be? Have we not an A-A elected president?" Well, keep in mind that Arizona has been referred to as the "South Africa of the Southwest" not too many years ago. This tradition of intolerance and thinly veiled racism is alive and well in the Grand Canyon State.

I DIGRESS

I do not wish to hear any palaver from a man who has dismantled so many valuable assets for publically educated students in our state. This big footed boob has not championed the importance of education for the students, including my own damn kids!!!, and the impact education has on their respective futures. He is here to feast on the achievements of students, teachers and parents despite his bungling and misguided efforts at the Arizona Department of Education. What a self-seeking political parasite. Away with him!!

This individual has political aspirations of serving as the next Attorney General of Arizona. It might interesting to see him prosecute himself for malfeasance of office. Oh wait, he couldn't do that as an elected Attorney General could he?

Another blinding zap of knowledge gained afflicts this life long learner.

Warning Signs

When having an alt isn't working

First off, I want to preface this blog by asking those of you that use alts in SL to please don't stop. You have no idea how much you can energize a place by your mere presence. People will ponder who you are and many times the subterfuge is so pathetically lame, it's magical.

People come and people go in the metauniverse. Some by choice, disinterest or by their sheer nastiness when they are socially removed by a group. I'll focus on the latter for the remaining portion of this blog.

The sure giveaway about many alts is that they travel in pairs. A nasty, manipulative person will always find one dupe-accomplice to roam with. This is a dead giveaway. Often they will also incorporate some segment of their name into their alts identity. Vanity is a bitch isn't it?

Alts can provoke such reactions in people. Most are curious if not bemused. Some want to leap into the mystery with both feet and tenaciously hang on until an identity can be ascertained. I imagine I can float to all viewpoints.

My favorite person to be with when alts are afoot is Blissie Boucher. They irk her. Alts I mean. Other stuff irks her to, but for this we will go with alts. I will never talk to her on voice. see RL pictures of her and that is ok. But if were to tell her that I think our neighborhood is being invaded by alts she would fly out of NY non-stop to Phoenix, cab from the airport and start kicking some alt ass upon her arrival. She's like that. Alts do that to her.

What do they do to you?

A step back in time....

Yesterday at the Wordpress WordCamp in Phoenix was interesting. Not so much the content which was frankly over my head for the most part. It was a glimpse or a vignette into the gaping maw of what is the human condition. In myself and outside of myself.

I was really disgusted at what cruel spirited comments can be posited forth when they can be semi-anonymous. This guy, I thought he was pretty cool and effective, was giving his talk and people were tweeting some of the rudest bullshit about his presentation.

Really brought home the fact that courage and risk taking are rare commodities these days. Not extinct but rare. These people in the crowd snipped and just made the most lameass comments. Most were little college kissasses who would never have the guts to say something face to face. That might be scary!

One of the more unsavory elements of technology is a decline in face to face social skills. Lots of people are so disconnected. They can't read someones facial expressions or body language because they have that disconnected elements via facebook, twitter or what have you. They live with a self-imposed buffer between them and others.

Back to the aforementioned speaker. Kim was so upset by the behavior of the audience towards this presenter that we spoke to him about a possible grant collaboration. The brief conversation illuminated us to the fact that he has worked with at-risk youth, has had a gun held to his head. Real shit in the real world. Not hiding behind this device or that. Fucking pussies.

I doubt these negative nabobs could speak before 5 people, let alone 500. Oh, by the way, the dudes name is Jayson Cote. He is not a coward and the audience was full of them. Google him for some interesting stuff.

Observations...

I've often heard people comment about the similiarities of SL to middle school and high school. While its been ages since I was in those environments as a young person, I am afforded the opportunity as a close observer being a teacher of that age group. Recent occurances have made the aforementioned cliche ring true once again.

One thing I've noticed in my job is the amount of trash talked from JV players with respect to their varsity counterparts. They plot, they scheme, they prevaricate but after all of these nefarious activities, they are still on the JV squad. Ain't it funny?

Doesn't matter if it was in the 80's, 90's or the 2000's, it is what it is. I imagine if I had a time machine and fast forwarded to 2050, we would see the same thing unfolding.

On a far more positive note, great things have been occuring. Lots of new faces and talents have been showing up at Bistro. People have grown and are now ready to accept roles different for them than what has been in the past. It's really cool to see that occur. New DJ's, New Trivia types, New live performers. It's been great. Of course, those of quality have endured and always will.

Hope you can swing by Bistro and check some of these things out. The alt traffic in itself has been amazing!!

Try this...you'll like it

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Monday laugh!!

Nurses aren't supposed to laugh...

'Of course I won't laugh, said the nurse. I'm a professional. In over twenty years I've never laughed at a patient.'

'Okay then,' said Fred, and he proceeded to drop his trousers, revealing the tiniest "man thingy" the nurse had ever seen.
Length and width, it couldn't
have been bigger than a AAA battery.

Unable to control herself, the nurse started giggling, then fell to the floor laughing. Ten minutes later, she was able to struggle to her feet and regained her composure.

"I am so sorry," she said. 'I don't know what came over me. On my honor as a nurse and a lady, I promise it won't happen again. Now, tell me, what seems to be the problem?'

"It's swollen," Fred replied.

She ran out of the room.

Year two

My rez day and my RL birthday are only a month apart so I figured I would roll them all into one for the purpose of this blog. However, before I start I would be remiss to not extend my warm appreciation for those who sent me sweet birthday wishes and made the day a great one. Thanks to you all!

I can safely say that some patterns have been set as far as my SLife goes. I am still not involved in a a SL relationship to any romantic degree. I have friends that I think the world of and that is more than ok with yours truly. I care about them and both of their lives and they do likewise. It really works! The only avatar I get really excited to see and still marvel at the beauty of is Kimala. No big shocker there is there? Maybe its my limited amount to fantasize, but I can't just divorce myself from RL reality.

It's not to say I haven't been drawn to people. I have. The one experience where I actually tried to attempt a relationship in SL was a total disaster. I have never had my chain yanked by such a tormented, narcissistic soul. Wow.... I still shudder to think of that foolish attempt on my part. I figured that the uncomplicated path works best for me and I let people know upfront when they ask about this person or that and my relationship with them.

My worse SL experience? Only one sticks out in my mind. Going on a blind date with someone I got suckered into sympathy bidding on. I should have been paid. It was wretched to say the least. My best SL experience? Vast amounts of them. I know people, mostly women : ), from a wide array of places I have dreamed about going to and spending time at. I'll mention one: my friend Goss who lives nearby the epic Aussie surf break of Margaret River. I get my own surf reports from a world class spot when I see her. Friends from all over the world is just beyond belief. I am very blessed.

I am very comfortable in my SL skin. I'm not looking for anything or looking to get something from somebody. The longer you are in SL the more closely it aligns with who you are in RL. You see people for who they are, warts and all. Some who like, some you love, some you avoid and some drive you nuts.

Yeah, its just like real life come to think of it.....

Here we go

I'm about ready to pull the plug on Bistro. The owners seem to be the only ones on the case. No shows...sparse attendance, guggling gigs so as to not conflict with others. Screw it. It just does not feel worth it. Plenty of hands extended to get something but few to extend a helping hand.

Guess what I'm extending to you?

A test, only a test

Who Is Your Real Friend?


This really works...!
If you don't believe it, just try this experiment.

Put your dog & your spouse in the trunk of your car for an hour.
When you open the trunk, which one is really happy to see you?

back again

I guess this is the part where I relate some strong compulsion to start putting my thoughts down on this blog again. Not really the case.

People have been gently prodding me to start blogging once again, so out of respect for them, I shall acquiesce. I wish I could share with you some blinding realization regarding the human condition, but I'm fresh out.

I might have had a paradigm shift in that I no longer look at life as some daily dramatic unfolding of key concepts that should provide us with direction. Life is more like an endurance race, with true "winning" only being something you yourself know.

I don't want to freak you out so I'll leave you with this. Both worlds are still crawling with r tards, misfits and qweebies. See, its still me :)

Not happening

Deep sigh......

I'm not blogging. I don't feel anything pressing to share. The pressure of RL is all too consuming. This would probably be the time were it would be in my best interest to blog but..............nothing.

The stupidity of people is truly appalling. I include myself in that not too exclusive club. This blog is stupid.

My kids are like forces of nature that require taxing amounts of energy to just maintain. We all need to take a collective winters nap.......

Today

Today is a day that many, including myself, did not believe would happen for a long time. Many felt that an Anglo woman would be sworn in as President of the United States prior to the inauguration of an African-American. It makes me really proud to call myself an American when you look back a mere 50 years to the gathering momentum of the Civil Rights movement.

President Obama. Sounds new and refreshing. What this country needs and deserves. However, I must caution myself, and all others reading, that he is but one man.

In so many ways, the ball is in our court. Yes, all of us Americans. Hard times continue to lurk on the horizon. Many of us who call ourselves Americans have grown up with a sense of entitlement. A feeling that we are owed something because of our age, education, marital circumstance, what have you.

The real challenge that faces America, and its citizens, is not threats from around the world, which are undeniably real, but the entrenched belief that it is someone else's responsibility to make our country better.

Despite our current challenges, we need to emerse ourselves in an attitude of gratitude. Doesn't matter your particular set of circumstances, get it. We all need to make sacrifices for one another in the years ahead. We need to look out for each other on a daily basis, not December 23 to December 25th.

This country arose from the Depression of the 1930's not from the skilled leadership of one man, but from the sense that American can do it, can sacrifice and can collectively help all that call America home.

Our country could use another Roosevelt type leader in these times. But more than that, we could really use some Americans who sacrifice, work and persevere to see a successful outcome to our current challenges. Will it be easy? No, not really. But can it be done? It can and will.

Godspeed to you President Obama and to the country you lead. But please remember, he is but one man and we are hundreds of millions.

January 21, 2009 the parties and balls will be over. Now its time to get to work. What are you going to work on that day?

Word for the Day....

Is Mopery

It means exposing yourself to a blind person. Thanks to Revenge of The Nerds through the new eyes of my 13 and 11 year old boys. Funnier than the first time.