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Gradually degenerating into ignorance and complacency.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Charlie's first email (to me)
Posted by Marcus at 4:25 PM 0 comments
Friday, December 30, 2005
Sickness and Wealth
Well, Christmas has been here. I put up some new photos from the quick gift unwrapping.
One sister is having a Grinch of a time with her [blank] son. I hope that she can get him on Social Security and end that chapter of everyone's lives.
aw hee - haugh - hee haw -- he haugh
know what I mean? Perhaps -- "phffittrrpptl" or what comes out of a arse! May God have mercy on his soul, for I have no mercy to offer him. I haven't liked that kid for a long, long time. Details, later!
Anyway ... family is here... pretty good time, overall. Happiness is where you find it / pursuit of it.
Love ya all! Happy New Year!
Posted by Marcus at 4:06 PM 0 comments
Thursday, December 29, 2005
anchors
Posted by Marcus at 4:14 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Barnes & Noble
Ah ... getting a membership there has it's priveliges like:
Dear M.,
Why haven't you spent a ton of money with us recently? Here's a coupon good for 15% off A book. Here, great sales on books you and people you know won't read. Buy some over-priced CDs or DVDs.
This coupon expires in 5 days. You'll know, because we'll pester you until you use it. Buy from us now! The power of Barnes compells you! The power of Barnes compells you! [I'm supposed to stop leviatating in anger and drop down and sit at my computer and shop].
We'll mail you, email you, call your friends and have them invite you to Barnes and Noble. We will get your money. If nothing else, we'll take over one of your loans and get it that way.
Uh, people ... I'm just not buying right now. Is that okay?
No!
Buy, buy buy!!! If you don't spend money you don't have, the terrorists win.
ummm, I don't think so.
Posted by Marcus at 3:37 PM 0 comments
Scary sameness
Puppets. Do they look strangely similar? I liken it to either: identity preference or thematic ideas like Looker movie. All three are from CNN / HNN
Erica Hill
Robin Meade
Posted by Marcus at 9:21 AM 0 comments
closing the chapter
Saying goodbye to Alejandra
10-year-old’s body will be flown to Mexico for funeral
By Amy Soper
asoper@news-sentinel.com
Sobs rose from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church as Emma Gutierrez leaned on the edge of the white casket where her daughter lay Monday morning.
For Gutierrez, it was her first close look at her daughter’s face since Alejandra disappeared Dec. 8. Today, Alejandra’s body is scheduled to be flown to Mexico, where a a funeral service will be held in her birth city of El Cuitzillo, Guanajuato.
Perhaps her mother was remembering seeing Alejandra walk west on Branning Avenue toward the bus stop at Calhoun Street. Perhaps she was remembering the playful screams her daughter made as she romped with younger children. Or perhaps she was remembering the 10-year-old’s dream to finish school and became a nurse or a teacher.
Alejandra’s dreams were cut short by tragedy. Police believe she was raped by Simon Rios and a juvenile before her strangled body was dumped in a Delaware County woods hours after her Dec. 8 abduction. Rios, who already is charged with killing his wife and three children Dec. 13, told authorities he and 17-year-old Juan Rosales abducted Alejandra in his van.
A funeral service for Rios’ wife, Ana Casas, and their three young daughters was held at St. Patrick’s more than a week ago. Whether Alejandra’s disappearance and death were connected to the slayings of Rios’ wife and children is still unknown.
For the Gutierrez’s neighbor, Donnie Foster, Alejandra’s abduction and death is a call to fight for change. The father of an 11-year-old girl, 9-year-old boy and 14-month-old girl, he is lobbying the school district to bring back use of code words. He said if someone tries to pick a child up and doesn’t know the code word, the child would know not to go with that person.
“We can’t see more children like that,” Foster said, pointing to Alejandra’s casket.
Friends, family and others shared their memories of “Alejandrita” and their sorrow as many showed their support for the Gutierrez family.
“I’m Hispanic and I know how close-knit the Hispanic community is,” said Elena Hess, who wiped tears from her eyes after paying her respects at the casket. “I felt it was my duty as a mother and a human being to come.”
Hess said she has a 3-year-old daughter and is saddened by the evil in the world.
Mimi Drewery doesn’t directly know the Gutierrez family, but her niece was a classmate of Alejandra’s.
“I don’t know them personally, but I know them from my heart,” Drewery said. “I belong to the Hispanic community, and she’s just like one of the family.”
Drewery said tragedies such as the recent deaths are unusual in the Hispanic community, which she admitted has its share of ups and downs. She said Alejandra’s death hit her niece hard.
“She knows (Alejandra’s) not coming back,” she said.
How you can help
Friends of the family have established a memorial fund to help pay for expenses connected with Alejandra Gutierrez’s funeral. Deposits can be made to the Alejandra Gutierrez Memorial Fund at any National City Bank branch in Indiana. The Gutierrez family will retain control of the money.
Express your condolences
To express your condolences, go to www.legacy.com/FortWayne, and click on Alejandra Gutierrez’s name.
Posted by Marcus at 8:04 AM 0 comments
Short day
My folks got a new fridge -- appliance 3 this year. It was not a good year for appliances.
I also went over to see Charlie and family. Ted was there and we talked a bit while Charlie was riding his new bike -- c/o Ted for Christmas. Apparently, he and Beth went in and dropped their collision coverage on their auto insurance. To their misfortune, 2 weeks later, a kid drove across many lanes and smashed into them, causing $2000 worth of damage. Thankfully, they were unhurt.
State Farm stated that since they didn't have collision coverage, they needed to pay 30% of the deductible -- $700 in their case. My advice, don't use State Farm Auto Insurance.
Posted by Marcus at 7:46 AM 1 comments
Monday, December 26, 2005
Mike's annual
Mike's party was a nice one this year. Sadly the gift that would have been entertaining was ... well, labeled wrong -- in that it was a box of controllers, but no game was included. Charlie was a bit put out. I showed him 3 Stooges, one of them anyway ... he appeared to like it.
Mike changed from his typical Peanuts Christmas special, to a mix of different material -- ending in Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
I did a shot this year, which I tend to avoid -- one shot of peppermint schnopps. Thankfully, Keith didn't pour many glasses of Jagger or something wicked like that.
The famous Tammy showed and spoke a while.
Lisa ... hold on to this ... fell asleep. I know, I know that's so unlike ... wait. That's typical.
Posted by Marcus at 11:16 AM 0 comments
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Christmas funnies 2005
Jenny trips over chair -- uninjured, trying to reach phone call for Jessica. Winter Olympics are in February 2006, we have a good contender here.
A previously stomach-ill Angel still charges after gifts, opening 1 containing her dog bones and eats straight from the box ... throughout the day is foul-windish attic and basement. This caused some tension, as wherever she went -- the wind would surely follow.
Father, videographer extrodinaire, sets the camcorder on a chair during unwrapping, implying to me that it is on pause, but to no shock -- it was flimning its resting and odd angles.
Gary, Jenny's beau, came over to spend some time with us (sister's house). He's a nice kid -- I have high hopes for him. If I were to liken him to anyone facially, Mark Hamill -- younger years. He reported an odd presentation of a gift -- $400 in ones ... wadded up into a box. So to get the "million box, there are one million little boxes ... inside each of those boxes is a crisp, new one dollar bill" money, he had to unwadded it. He said he stopped at $200, then rested.
I can think of a nasty trick for my father, who is a prankster at times.
Traditions:
Father started a tradition of Santa leaving animal crackers (simple little boxes), wrapped in with the gifts. After decades of this, you are well capable of "sniffing them out". He asked for suggestions to better disguise them -- I suggested attaching balsom wood from a citrus crate onto them -- altering their shapes. Anyway -- I no longer eat them. So he has a new challenge: what to do about mine. What I remember them being:
flattened box: accidentally crushed by reindeer
emptied: Santa was especially hungry
opened: inside was a deformed cracker with a note detailing that it was a poo pile
this year: filled with something I do eat -- BBQ potato chips
I suppose that I will take with me all of these quirky, decades-old traditons and include them into the holidays.
Church happenings:
I attended candlelitght vigil, where near the closing candles are lit -- passing the flame to the next person. This is interesting only in the fact that I chose a snapped candle, but it worked just fine. My mother's was dim -- at best, so I tried to improve the flame. In doing so, the bottom holder fell under the seats. I got the flame better. Father handed his candle to Mum and went searching for the holder. All the while the pastor continued on his talk ... clink, clatter, clink ... he got it ... then it fell again (mind you that the lights were down) ... again retrieved ... (tra-la-la -- Captain Underpants is victorious and everything that is good and cottony is saved).
Posted by Marcus at 7:12 PM 0 comments
end of spam 2005
"New gimmick for them 04 inversedly"
'"amperemeter laceration"
"baldicoot roundsman"
"but chromosphere, Yves and implausible"
"Barn be wigwam, it's skiff"
"As take it enormously pronoun"
"Are borrow be realisable dyestuff"
"portend propagandist"
Posted by Marcus at 7:10 PM 0 comments
Judo
Often pits persons of nearly the same weight against each other. Sometimes one is larger, but his opponent uses the weight difference against him. So is true in our next story:
My sister who "might" outweigh her Christmas tree positioned herself well for the conflict, conceding that Tom didn't shift it like he said he was going to. She was going to do it. She readied herself for the ensuing battle, but didn't react fast enough the the tree's cat-like reflexes.
She lunged, it teetered, swaying away from her grasp, then inexplicably, it surrendered, falling prostrate, with her victorious over her fir adversary. Only the tinkling of ornaments reminded us of the once mighty Christmas tree and its once-notable power.
At least that's the way she told it ... I couldn't believe it was simply falling into it, breaking it nearly in half trying to move it. By the way: sister, 4' 11", <105 pounds, versus 7' tree weighed by metal and trinkets and slashing branch weapons.
Posted by Marcus at 9:07 AM 0 comments
Saturday, December 24, 2005
What's that noise?
My father was using a leaf vac in the back yard. While using it, it started a high-pitched noise that made him believe it was the motor burning out. This was bad news as a few mechanical instruments this year bit the dust on the folks.
He turned off the vac to find the problem, yet the noise persisted. He turned around to find the neighbot dauschund painfully whining for attention, regardless of the wicked vac. Bailey would, I believe, crawl into your pocket as long as you pet and scratched him --- forever.
Talk about a silly, lovable, dependant animal. Sweet, cute, undoubtably a lapdog.
Fall 2005
Posted by Marcus at 6:31 PM 0 comments
Kick me here!
little known fact -- I have been stupid a long, long time.
My knee had some tension. I was hoping that a sharp shock to it would free it. I asked Lori to quickly kick my knee. She declined. After some pestering she kicked me
in the shin.
Needless to say it wasn't any better after that.
Posted by Marcus at 6:28 PM 0 comments
Throwing dogs off the tracks
Some time ago, I put some of my personal information on a couple of site for grant research -- specifically for lab equipment for entomological studies, but the sites were all, "pay up front for promised rendered". I don't think so. The luckiest move that I did was enter a name of MMMMMM, with funny spam results sounding like candy commercials.
MMMMM has jsut won
MMMMM what could you do with ...
MMMMM you're welcome ...
Posted by Marcus at 3:04 PM 0 comments
Laughing 'bout Salvation
Why laugh? Why not?
If you are saved -- accepting Christ in your heart -- being saved and living thereafter in the realm of God, why not laugh at life, in that it is a joyful thing.
In joyful times, laugh! It is not at the expense of others, but in the enjoyment of the moment. It's the gift you've chosen, given by God, salvation through Christ Lord. Go ahead and laugh! Rejoice!
Posted by Marcus at 2:53 PM 0 comments
melts
"... you're my best friend.", 4 year-old Charlie's statement to me. How else could I feel, but wonderful?!
I love you Charlie!
Merry Christmas!
Posted by Marcus at 12:54 PM 0 comments
upon being asked
I didn't recall if the concession stand at a bowling alley was open on Christmas. I remember having a job at the bowling alley for a while (high school), but never went there on Christmas. Other service jobs I had required work on holidays ... one almost every holiday. My great dislike of this and separation from family leads me to conclude:
Those who would have "family outings" to bowl on Christmas or to visit the theater on Christmas probably never once thought the of those who work there. Are they with their families? How often are they people entreated to something novel, special? Certain it owed to them, for in my experience, these workers get no "grand" extra for working. Though they might get time and a half -- I find that hardly compensation enough. They are penalized for having a menial job.
I don't shop, buy gas, or do many things that would force another to work on a holiday I would not work. Medical staff, invariably work on holidays. They too and any other stationed person should be entreated by those around, for they have little or no choice but to work.
Be a nice person, thank a service person, buy them a soda, hot cocoa or something. If you're making them work, respect that they often don't have a choice, whereas a person going to the movies VERY MUCH has a choice to not be there. Tip them, get them something nice. They are there away from family while you are there with yours. Do a nice thing -- do for them, as they are doing for you.
Merry Christmas to all!!!!
Posted by Marcus at 9:26 AM 0 comments
Duller image (dimmer switch stuck)
he-who-should-not-be-named may do a service to his family, in one regard, in effective ex-communicating himself, and furthering that error by severing everything that he-who-should-not-be-named has -- paid for by him too-patient family. I guess I got my wish, in that he would be removed from the family, to do it no more harm.
I bind you he-who-should-not-be-named, from harming yourself and harming others.
I bind you he-who-should-not-be-named, from harming yourself and harming others.
I bind you he-who-should-not-be-named, from harming yourself and harming others.
(sorry ... Craft, was in my head at the time)
May he-who-should-not-be-named find wrath to himself sometime, finding that he has done wrong and should make ammends for those wrongs. So far ... he-who-should-not-be-named doesn't accept blame -- so that is a long road. God be with him, as his heart is not with God or with others. He-who-should-not-be-named's so-far live-in is 13 years his senior, but neither one is bright or mature. She has two teens from a marriage that is only now in the process of separation and divorce, coupled with bankruptcy -- fun. As far as I have been informed, little time does she spend with these kids. It was also stated that -- big surprise -- she has "recently" broken free from meth. She's in a nursing program. It all sounds like a soap or Jerry Spinger, right?
I disavow kinship in anyway to he-who-should-not-be-named.
Posted by Marcus at 9:09 AM 0 comments
Sharper image
No, not the ionizer.
I have a growing understanding of Charlie, who in many cases/ways reminds me of me.
While I never had a great fondness of 3 Stooges, I thought that super-active Charlie might. He seemed to like them just fine, despite their 30s filmography. Well before he saw them, I worked with him on Stooge moves -- including hitting a fist, sending it up and around to hit one of us on the head. I also showed the single hand block to defend against eye-poking.
At one point in time, Chalie was mowing down on candy (chocolate), then becoming Flash (much like Daddy Day Care). I do so love the boy. I'll only be novel for a while, but I'll cherish it while I have it. He loves to climb, but doesn't have a tree in which he can get far.
Other parts of the sharper image are: Pop 'N' Fresh changes -- namely, no keyboardist -- infrequent venues ... I hope that changes! Tammy (last name unknown to me) spoke with others tonight. My last experience was that she spoke only with Mike. If you're offered a "meal in a bottle" turn it down!
"Brocolli casserole beer" was NOT pleasant. It was smooth -- its own true virtue. I wasn't interested in trying the noticably gut-churning salmon or the turkey & gravy beers.
Paula's choice to not really break my arm. Thanks, Paula!
Dave & JJ pointed out some stark rudenesses in some classic Christmas movies including the stop-motion child classic, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It's funny you don't pick up the signs when you're young.
Posted by Marcus at 8:38 AM 0 comments
Friday, December 23, 2005
If history means anything
I'm doomed!
For a span in my life I worked at a video store (can you remember Clerks), which "left me" not quite as rude as Randall, but equally cynical.
Interesting titles: Ebony Humpers (sequels also), Who Reamed Rosie Rabbit?, Girls of Ball Street
Interesting factoids: Caught From Behind (series with MANY sequels). Cost $9. Earned for the store (episode 4): $1100 +; top rented video at a local store one time, When Harry Ate Sally.
What does this tell you? Porn is not likely going to pass away in the night. It sells.
Also -- if you don't want to deal with it, take the advice I didn't heed right away, but was non-the-less sound: "If you don't like your job, quit."
Better to be happier and healthier than miserable and "richer".
Posted by Marcus at 5:00 PM 0 comments
Disturbing
Nothing says Merry Christmas like a very disturbing cartoon special or some of the Adult Swim's submissions to the "season". I don't fault Adult Swim for continuing to play already established series, but wouldn't it be nice to suggest to the contributors that while humor is great ... some ideas just aren't worth putting on film.
Do you want an example? I had not personally seen it, because a friend told me of this scene, Andy Warhol's Dracula: "You cannot fully appreciate life unless you _____ it in the spleen." While not a Christmas movie, it underscores that some work, really, well... shouldn't be voiced out loud, or put onto film.
My opinion of the series, Family Guy, is that it's somewhere between MTV's Beavis & Butthead (80s-90s) and Simpson's Halloween specials (which are neat, but graphic). It just goes for a broader audience, not trying to totally duplicate South Park's crudeness (trying to outdo itself each episode with new ideas). I have watched 7 episodes of South Park and I'm done with that. Family Guy, from the creator of Johnny Bravo (who proves that the objectification of women is just fine, airs on Cartoon Network), is not a show I'll watch again.
It's a shame that the shows that I prefer are on later ... Sealab 2021 & Harvey Birdman, more consistently humorous -- Since I work and am typically up and showered by 6:10 a.m., it makes no sense to try to watch them. I won't own a TIVO and am not consistently watching anything.
Come to think of it ... I don't know why I'm even typing thi
Posted by Marcus at 3:55 PM 0 comments
Ways to better spend money
Since we are spending around $35 million per day with our war with Iraq & Afghanistan ... can you imagine what we could do with that money if it were spent daily on education or health?
-- Note that when smaller amounts of money were requested, the response was that the US didn't have that money to spend. It would appear that was, inaccurate.
Things to ponder.
Posted by Marcus at 3:45 PM 0 comments
Winners of holiday contests
I believe that Keith and his family are the winners, or would be if there was a contest for greatest number of lights on a tree. This year, he stated that he put on 25-100 bulb strings on his tree. That's 2500 lights (at around 75' strands = 1500' of string). Way to go! That's on, I think, a 7.5' tree. If we use the formula of (1/3 r^2 h pi)*.2
I would use .2 being the usable area within the tree, as there are open spaces within any given tree -- artifical are more uniform spaces.
I believe we would have about 180' to string. That would be about one string used for every 7.2' of area or around one string for about every 3 branches (lower branches and upper branches being of different lengths, therefore the math doesn't dictate practicality. Check my math ... please!
Mike might win another contest: greatest amount spent on old ornament, c/o eBay, last year for the Enterprise. You'll have to write to him to find out the price and year -- I think '94 re-release ... I don't know.
One of my sisters might very well win the ludicrous stocking award -- around 50, which includes the twenty-one immediate family members including the dogs. The mantel looks like a line of red/green, no longer discernable as stockings, except the some half names are legible.
She also goes over board on cooking and snack foods. The YMCA should be my home thereafter, working off the pounds and pounds I ate then gained.
Posted by Marcus at 9:36 AM 0 comments
spam 5 -- perhaps, the last of the spam series
"get bonus launderings"
Posted by Marcus at 8:22 AM 0 comments
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Keeping it straight
My mum reminded me of her younger years with her father -- who died before I was born.
Apparently there was a terrible fire in his house when he was a boy, due to a Christmas tree fire. Thereafter Christmas was a downer for him and for my Grandparent's family, who adapted to the situation and made it all they could.
I hope that I would not resort to a near-denial of the spirit of Christmas.
Apart from silly little strings never faithfully lighting and the occasional bulb breaking, nothing of much concern has happened.
Posted by Marcus at 10:01 PM 0 comments
spam 4
After the ranting it's great to laugh again.
"Pollyanna, may picket"
Okay. Those who know some one by that name ... please let me know.
Posted by Marcus at 6:01 PM 0 comments
Tangent from "circa 2002" -- politcal too
That is sad ... sickening, but yet ... I have other, worse stories.
A different school.
Normally on referral slips, there are bulleted items that can be checked (ex: remove from rooom, refer to office, behavior, academic, etc.). At one school there were more bulleted items. You would bullet items, not to account for every possibility, but rather for common items, making it easier to read. The longer list, this is an elementary school (in the 53rd largest US city -- I think), includes drugs, paraphenelia, assault, sexual assault, weapons, et. al. Now. If you have it happen often enough to bullet it, I'd say that is the problem and referral slips aren't going to solve that.
From another source: "That area has an epidemic of molestation ... like a rite of passage, almost." Pragmatically, I suggest that you nuke the rapists ... return the biomass to the planet; or deploy them as mine sweepers in Arabia or toxic waste disposal in the Yukka Mountain, if instant destruction of the rapists isn't prudent or "moral". What makes does God grant all humans, free will. Taking, denying a person free will, especially those unable to understand free will. BTW: all persons know right and wrong -- schizophrenics being the possible exception. It is through training that we are taught otherwise.
Posted by Marcus at 5:59 PM 0 comments
circa 2002
I was at an urban school -- 1st grade.
They were studying weather and part of the practice was to nearly daily, check the wind as shown by the US flag in front of the building. As this was the first day for this, I had the kids don their gear to walk outside. When finally outside, the kids could care less about the flag -- recess was on their minds. I got that!
What I didn't predict was one of the boys pulling his stocking hat over his face, bumping into one of the other kids, then, in a gruff tone, damand her money. What a charming act. Even more, likely a home-environment thing that is not "critical" enough to warrant investigating the house, let alone possibly relocating those children.
Posted by Marcus at 5:41 PM 0 comments
Gift
After the difficulty I had with Charlie's birthday gift and the resulting frustration I had with assembling the ruddy thing, I had to find something different. It has just as many pieces, but no set structure. It'll be all over and I'll be blamed and I'll be okay with that, because it can be creative and follows two of the ten basic rules for better gifts for kids: does not require batteries, was not designed to make noise (music).
Posted by Marcus at 3:47 PM 0 comments
Soothing humor
Some time ago, a person (whom I know, but their association to me is unimportant to the story) had minor frequency. It was suggested to him that he naturally take care of the problem with, say -- dried plums*. That's wasn't unreasonable, save that as they were that person, the character ate from the container like popcorn at the theater. Within 18 hours, the frequency was back and strangely more frequent.
The person found that running -- sprinting, not marathon, was important to do. I understand there was a slight, "panicked look" when the person got the 2-minute warning. Some vacation beginning, eh? Does the frequent pottier, go in the woods? You bet! Grass stains are better than other stains.
I believe that the windows were used often too, as bowels were breaking and chairs were quaking.
Tip: don't over do it on the medicine--natural or otherwise.
* dried plums sound much better than the stigmatized, "prunes"
Posted by Marcus at 3:37 PM 0 comments
Ah ... ordering online
I ordered something Friday from a Michigan company. I continually looked at my account to see when it was charged.
Saturday, no. Monday, no. Tuesday, no. Wednesday, yes.
Will the order be sent by Sunday -- highly unlikely.
So, if you are ordering by online ... plan well ahead. I didn't spring for over-twice the shipping fee for faster delivery. Maybe it would have been worth it.
Posted by Marcus at 3:31 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Also out of Bluffton, Indiana
Although it is closed, it's funny to see nature encroaching. Rustic Cove is soon to be eaten. It was (at the time of the photo) home to wild critters and several large bee hives.
summer of 2004
Posted by Marcus at 7:32 PM 0 comments
Hardly original
Did you ever get the feeling that you were being watched?
I get that all the time. The fact that I have been guessed as many people doesn't help. I've been guessed as Steve Irwin, Matthew Brodrick (do you see a similarity there -- I don't); more often Inspector Gadget, a man who goes to different schools with a rabbit book, "personally chewed" by Buns, the rabbit, et. al.
I get the look ... the "strangely familiar" look -- do I say something to him ... what?
I know that I had a non-biological twin somewhere in Florida teaching scuba diving, but what is it?
I must have a mannequin face -- dimly familiar ... seen when some one goes shopping.
Doing a google search on myself ... I found "me" way down in the list, but it is interesting that those at the top of the list (shorted form) have had their success at photography and a couple of my interests. I suspect that this means I will not distinguish myself from these others sharing my name. It'll have to be another way.
Posted by Marcus at 7:21 PM 0 comments
Tanning and more!
I got a cell-phone pic from Jeff, where he "would have gone" if he weren't with his folks and wife Paula. It had a wonderful title, "Little Herb Shop: Massage & Tanning". Instead, he went with them to The Snug.
Posted by Marcus at 4:32 PM 1 comments
No! You do it!
I got a wonderful audio message today from "Charlie" who repeatedly stated, "No; you do it!" Concluding with, "I can't do it!"
Daddy closing with, "Okay, okay! Ho, ho, ho!"
The picture was far less clear -- the creche' / nativity scene it appeared, mostly of Mary and Christ -- sideways.
I stand corrected. It was a picture of Charlie sitting on Santa -- obviously a bit blurry and sideways.Merry Christmas! Ho, Ho Ho!!!
Posted by Marcus at 4:29 PM 0 comments
Monday, December 19, 2005
Now Entering Madness 4
I actually had a few dogs in mind when I constructed this. One dog -- Angel, poked her head under the table, then over the lap of a person, to twist her head, contorting her tongue to lick cake and icing off a plate near the edge. Needless to say, the person chose not to eat it.
A memory I have of a cat we once had, Stubby, decided that the sausage links on my plate looked and smelled good, so jumped up and slashed them off my plate -- the fiend.
He nonchalantly ate them off the floor -- as if, "Hey! You weren't eating these on the floor here, were you?"
Posted by Marcus at 7:15 PM 0 comments
Spam 3
"swap some sulfurous, but Pammy"
"Re: As draw or angry"
"Of spell my imperative chit"
"substantiate the Carson, and cottonseed"
"or programmer, Anselm a joust"
"see raoul, raffish not Husain"
Posted by Marcus at 7:13 PM 2 comments
Alejandra
Body of Alejandra Gutierrez Found Dec 19, 2005 - (Fort Wayne, IN) -- Fort Wayne Police confirm they have discovered the body of 10-year-old Alejandra Gutierrez in a remote area south of Fort Wayne. Indiana’s NewsCenter has learned from multiple sources that Alejandra was found today in a wooded area near a gravel pit in northeastern Delaware County.Alejandra has been missing since December 8th. The Maplewood Elementary School student never made it to her bus stop.Police officials are turning their attention to a suspect already in custody. Sources tell us that suspect is Simon Rios, the man who is charged in the murder of his wife and three children December 13th. The Rios home is just two houses away from the bus stop.Indiana’s NewsCenter will have more information on this story as it develops.
Posted by Marcus at 4:18 PM 0 comments
Watch this!
While I was indeed watching him working with the robot, over the sofa, Charlie was unsatisfied. He repeatedly called to me to watch him. Out of frustration, he dragged the robot around the sofa so that I could "watch" him work with it.
Interestingly enough, while the robot walked like trudging through swamp muck in its orignal location, Charlie's new locale seemed to work better. Perhaps, with the number of people there to celebrate with the Kannings on Jeff's graduation, the path was flattened (high-traffic); the robot walked.
My dear Charlie! :)
Congratulations Jeff!
Posted by Marcus at 8:40 AM 0 comments
Sunday, December 18, 2005
War
or something like it.
I was playing with Charlie who wanted to push against me -- head and hands first against my hand. Sid, silly dog, got jealous and grabbed her rope and wanted to play tug with me. I was then pulled and twisted on my right and was pushing against a highly-active 4-year-old on my left. It would have made a great picture! Both surrendered at about the same time. Charlie became transfixed by the lure of cartoon television in spans of 4-7 minutes.
We later went outside and Sid was pulling me along, much like a sled on tundra. Charlie was having fun trudging through the snow leaving bootprints and crawling every now and then. I found that both of them together make a pair mightier than myself. I sent Sid inside while Charlie and I played for a litle bit more outside.
Later in the evening, Charlie, who has a slide on one side of his bed, wanted to make steps with the cardboard bricks. This was somewhat successful, but there weren't enough of the long bricks to make the course even. He worked through it though. He fell asleep watching Tom & Jerry. Keith nearly did too.
Posted by Marcus at 10:07 AM 0 comments
Friday, December 16, 2005
goto
dinner ... be recognized
be greated
15 minutes of fame, and then some.
Two students bade me holiday greetings.
Also, no animosity in her voice, freshmen came into the school were I was today and reminded me that I wrote referrals to them. Sadly, I don't remember that and her details were faulty, as I wasn't at the mentioned school during the year she mentioned, but she and her friend bade me well anyway.
...
that being said,
for fame I'm not working, but rather hoping that every following generation is greater, smarter, and more prepared than the last. Moreover, that they are broader thinkers than those before.
Remembering school, clearly we were taught two dimensionally -- limited in application of knowledge and versatility of what is known and usable.
Stupid questions do exist, but generally are born of ignorance of not focusing or of not listening to that question alreayd being answered or more wickedly, the desire of the fool to be fed the knowledge without having to think or remember.
---
A wonderful contrast to this is a student who intentionally leaves his metal aid (walker) in favor of walking and growing stronger. A stong spirit defies what other might see as a weakness, instead is more like having two lefts -- a rarity, but not diminishing.
Posted by Marcus at 9:05 PM 0 comments
Christmas song
personally, I find this delightful, especially as it flows with my age: (sounds like Van Halen's Panama, until you listen to the lyrics)
ApologetiX, Sanata Claus
Posted by Marcus at 8:53 PM 0 comments
I normally wouldn't post this, but
I believe I did get a chance to teach her. The first student I remember no longer being around -- specifically, dying was in 2nd grade (Jan.) at the time of her young death, due to heart conditions. Micheala.
It is disheartening. In the above case, case managers had a large workload, in helping the family and local community, as well as helping the students cope with the situation. At the time of this writing, there is no addtional information. Often, custodial battles bring abductions, then other times, there are other reasons. Here, I believe it is the latter.
It doesn't help when parents are routinely late in picking up the kids and getting them to school. Some students have such an erratic routine that the term no longer applies. Doubtfully anyone who reads this will see / recognize her, but it serves the point of doing the right thing for all people, especially those who need it most.
I personally believe in bounties on criminals. Sometimes: wanted live; sometimes wanted dead or alive; sometimes wanted subdued and recognizable (i.e.: dead okay)
Posted by Marcus at 8:34 PM 1 comments
Spam 1
I shall begin collecting the silly subjects of spam mail that my filter pulls away, waiting for my decision:
"Go turnoff or rigmarole"
"And fly by imposition "
Posted by Marcus at 8:21 PM 4 comments
If then
I magically got a gig today ... the last day before Christmas vacation. I've been subbing so long, I forget that some people don't remember or know me. I re-introduced myself. The class did some, but little of consequence. One fiendish paper was a compilation of math problems some of which were dastardly evil!
I had the option of sending down everyone to the party, but held back a few kids who were of exceptional behavior, it warranted it. Ah, being town Marshall again. I'm just missing my trusty six-shooter "peacemaker".
It was a delight to me, however when I got hugs at the end of the day and that one girl was noticing that she was nearly as tall as I am. This filled her with much pride.
One girl in the class I had treated me to a bag of treats. Isn't that sweet?!
In other news, my niece is finding out more about her brother who, in my opinion makes a great arse or ass of himself. It is speculated that he might be a genetic contributor to a person -- this is not to say a father, who compassionately raises his child (ren), ultimately knowing they will oneday be adults.
I believe it more likely to be a Mory Povitch or Montel urban story of a fatherless birth or of such an unknown parentage that Poirot or Columbo couldn't find the real genetic donor given many leads and clues. Who's baby is it? Tony Shalhoub calmly stating, "I don't know."
He's presently laid up in hospital after minor knee surgery.
"Helpless. Hopeless. Friendless ... unemployed, in Greenland!"
I guess, according to my sister, that his "macking" had a significant influence on the weak minded -- namely the drizzle of half-brained dips he's been ... with. I don't know that I'd call it dating, for "he's got no money; he's got no car"; he's got stupid women, and there you are.
His line has been, "I'm on a record label for rapping" ["lies to sound like the truth" apparently was omitted]. Also, that his folks were footing the bill for food, housing, medical, insurance (auto, if he ever again gets one) and cell phone. He must have been one of those Corey Haim cases, eh?
As a dogmatic Cahtolic, well declaring that he is virtuous and SO-Catholic, it was an eye-opening experience for his youngest sister to find out the extent to his lies. It was unshocking to me. If you have to tell people you are a good person, you probably don't show it too well.
Anyway ... Christmas will be .... uh, better without him / them (girlfiend -- current, the one who isn't pregnant) and his royal ass.
My Friday wasn't that bad, I think I'll just listen to some music and read something -- thinking pleasant thoughts and remembering hugs and well-wishings from kids and adults!
Posted by Marcus at 7:52 PM 0 comments
Thursday, December 15, 2005
A little-known danger of being around people are false statements and allegations. I worked as a "floater" in a school in December and at one time was briefly in a 4th grade class. I would like to believe that I am a computer and can correctly find and target hostiles and leave all others standing -- but, I'm not 100% accurate. During this 50 minute time, my challenge was simple: summarize story to the last 2 pages, make predictions and conclude the story. Sounds simple?
Having subbed for a long time, I have a good memory for faces and names (assembling the two sets -- difficult), but I do remember tendencies of students from my experiences with then. The students were a bit unruly. I pulled one student apart -- in corner to talk with her. She was defiant and obstient. I was writing up a report to send her to the office. She started crying. I am "well beyond" the point of cries from punishment administered affecting me.
I did ask for her input before sending her, offering her one last chance to quit being such a defiant cush and at this point, she spelled out that she disliked school as many other picked on her. I requested an apology, which she hushed and returned to her seat.
I found myself in the same school the next day, and later was asked what, by the principal. Apparently the nice, charming little girl declared that I hit her. Interesting as she and I was never out of plain line sight (4 ft.) of students. For the joy that teaching brings you, pain is there too. It was of little comfort to find out that the student has a history of false statements to impugn others "bait and switch".
Posted by Marcus at 10:05 PM 0 comments
performance
Despite being a big, mean, placebo despot, I received hugs from students today and was entreated to "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year". Early was the call to work today, which terminated an opportunity to see and hear Charlie perform in his first winter concert. In lieu of that, I was in a school for performance practice. Sadly, the school system cancelled all afternoon school programs due to inclement weather, which improved 20 minutes after its posting. The administration chose to make the "practice" the finalized performance, disallowing the parents to see the fruits of the their children's labor and study. I was disappointed.
Posted by Marcus at 10:03 PM 0 comments
"scratching"
Quietly, she plucked, after "scratching" and deliberately wiped the snot onto another student. He was well aware of this, and immediately brought it to my attention. Sadly, sometimes you categorize people as trustworthy and those who tend to prevaricating. Empirical data lent to the latter and I dismissed it. He went to another adult and through one-on-one interrogation, the truth spilt out.
Ah, the highlights and dreams of first grade. Somehow, these experiences evaded me when I was that age.
-- Dec. 9, 2005
Posted by Marcus at 9:43 PM 0 comments