What not to do...

Well a couple of weeks have past since I last posted anything. Maybe that is a good thing because I have been up to something other then just trying of thinking of something to blog about.

A couple of weeks ago Tracy and I went up to St. Croix Falls to check out some music by the Sweet Colleens. It was an idea hatched by my Mom. As I think about it, this was the first concert I have ever gone to with my parents. It was a good time, the show was held at the Festival Theater (great venue). The music was made up with Irish roots with a slight twist of bluegrass...it was a neat combination. I am glad that we went and I was able to spend some time with my parents.

Then this past weekend Tracy and I went to Rent. It was a Christmas present that Tracy gave me. It was at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. The show was good....but not great. Now don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed myself, am glad that I went and was very impressed by the singing of the actors.

But....I was distracted by the members of the audience sitting around me that were singing along with the show. I don't get it? Do these people forget that they are at a public place and that others paid money to listen to the actors perform? I understand that they may be "superfans" and may have seen Rent many times....but please be more considerate!

While I am on my soapbox.....here is another pet peeve....show up on time! I know that the showtime is printed on the ticket. Please don't interrupt other peoples entertainment because you were tardy. I really don't like getting comfortable, then gathering my things, standing up, just so you can find your seat in the dark 15 minutes after showtime. The same rule applies for intermission...hello they "flash" the lights for a reason.

One more thing.....put your phones away!....come on. Life will continue on if you don't check it every 5 minutes. The most distracting thing, inaddition to the others listed above, is to have my vision impaired by a blueish hew emitted off by your electronic devices.
Anyways....That is enought ranting for tonight.

Flordia

As I sit here and type this up, I am amazed by how fast the impression of my vacation has disappeared. The shine is off the apple. I week ago feels like it could have been three months ago. But I guess that is what vacations are for....a break from reality.

I love vacations for many reasons....But two seem to always top the list. The first is that you are able to live in the moment. The second is that you have the freedom to do whatever your heart desires. Going to Florida last week was my first trip of the year and one of my most favorite trips to the sunshine state ever.

The past week at St. Pete's Beach was great. There was a contrast of weather...from cool and windy to sunny and hot. I didn't mind the weather, it really showed the moods of the ocean and it made the sunshine feel that much better when it finally appeared.

As for a highlight of the trip....I think it was just walking along the beach after breakfast, barefoot watching the waves hit the shore....and thinking of nothing at all.

Refreshing...

This afternoon I went for a run. I will have to admit it felt pretty good to feel sweat run down my face. It has been such a long time since I have had that sensation...I didn't know how to behave. Hahahah. It is hard to imagine that only weeks ago, it was almost 50 degrees colder. Wow!

But as I was running today, I was thinking about the weather. Even though I enjoyed the weather currently. I kind of miss the refreshing feeling the below zero temperature's bring. When dressed properly the artic temps are a wonderful time. First you get to enjoy having the outdoors to yourself. The only sound you hear is the squeeky snow and you get to watch your breath become a cloud of moisture before your eyes. I also enjoy the feeling of getting to somewhere warm. The feeling is wonderful.

Regardless of what the weather will be like in the upcoming weeks....I know that change is in the air and before too long I will start to complain about how hot it is....until then enjoy the weather.

Semester 19...done

86 days....That is how many school days the last semester was. I am always surprised by how fast the days fly by. It seemed like only yesterday was October. WOW.
Now that the semester is done, I have the new semester to look forward to. This past semester went well. I had really well behaved students, who were eager to learn. Which makes teaching fun. Yeah!!
As I am typing this up I am having a hard time believing that I have been in the education field for 10 years now. If I do the math quick...on average, I have about 20 student in each class...I teach 5 classes a semester. Now take 100 multiply by 19....wow....I have had about 1900 students in the last decade.
Now if I could only remember all their names. Hahah imagine that!

Choose Wisely!

As I am sitting in the warmth of my house. Old man winter is pounding on the door with minus 20 degree force. Pound away!!! I am not leaving, at least for awhile. I have the day off because of the cold. The last day I had off because of the cold was January 30th of last year. I chose wisely because yesterday, I had a dentist appointment that took up most of the morning and I had yesterday off as well. So today is a nice gift and break from the routine.

Yesterday I graduated from the dentist, at least for awhile. In the last three months, I went 4 times because of cavities...Booo. With all the money, I put into my mouth I could have funded a great trip somewhere!

A word of advice! Don't go multiple years with out a trip to the dentist like I did! I remember the dentist saying, "Boy, I haven't seen a cavity this bad in 6 weeks" on one of my visits. I guess that means, I won an award and have a plaque on a wall somewhere in his office. I don't know if that is a good thing???

So last night the school that I teach at cancelled school, so I knew that I didn't have to set an alarm. It felt great to sleep in.

What does the day hold for me? I am planning on making some bread, heading to the gym for a workout, and maybe a walk. Inside or outside....to be determined.

Note: In the time that it took for me to type this it has dropped two degrees.... -22 .....

...And Hello 2009!

Happy new year! Derek's end-of-2008 post pretty much sums up my sentiments. Looking at that list, one thing is clear -- there was much to enjoy in 2008! I'm very thankful for getting a chance to do and experience all that I did, but more importantly, I'm thankful for the people who helped make it so enjoyable. Derek, friends, family...you know who you are.

Derek and I celebrated the end of 2008 with an old favorite -- dinner at Great Waters Brewery in downtown St. Paul. We had appetizers, drinks, dinner and dessert, we spent about 2.5 hours total in that place. Good stuff! We started with a hummus/pita/veggies plate, followed by chicken for me and duck for Derek. The best was the desset, though...bread pudding as big as my head. Derek was happy...just look at him!


After dinner, that left us with about 2.5 more hours to burn until midnight, and we decided to spend it at home...where it was warm, comfortable and free! I really couldn't ask for more on NYE.

So far today has been what New Year's should be...a whole lot of not much of anything besides relaxing and enjoying simple pleasures like pancakes and a walk on what's turned out to be a not-too-cold day. The year 2009 is off to a great start.

Goodby 2008!!

Wow! It is hard to believe that another year has passed. I am reminded by what my Grandpa always said...."the years just keep getting faster, as you get older." Well I just wanted to wish everyone a great 2009! May you have a great new year!

I also wanted to create some best of 2008 lists...here it goes:

Best Music acts I saw:

• MIA at the Myth
• The Hold Steady in July at First Avenue
• Lucy Kaplansky and Storyhill at the Fitzgerald
• Jeremy Messersmith at Mears Park
• Trampled by Turtles at MN State Fair

Best Albums:

• The Hold Steady: Stay Positive
• Mates of State: Re-arrange us
• Cloud Cult: Partying Thur Tornadoes...
• Mike Doughty: Golden Delicious
• Jeremy Messersmith: Silver City
• Bon Iver: For Emma, forever ago

Best Trips:

• Month long trip in Colorado
• Presidents day weekend in Chicago
• Leesome Lake multiple times
• Philadelphia
• X-mas in Chicago

Best Eateries for Dinner:

• Great Waters Brewery
• BonXai
• Peninsula
• Seven Sushi
• Nala Pak

Best Eateries for Breakfast:

• West Egg Fork (Chicago)
• Longfellow's
• Highland Grill
• Egg and I
• Trotters