Oh my aching back!

A glimpse inside of the trials and tribulations of my world ...


I'm was putting away laundry after Lilly FINALLY went to bed ... she cried and yelled and hollered and growled about being sent to bed (she had pushed her luck one too many times about baking cupcakes). Somehow through all of the antics we made it to the bathroom, got teeth brushed, pajamas on, and into bed - clutching three pancake bears very tightly.


Pam calls from the garage that I need to come to the car ... she had just returned from taking our niece to Rita's for a sweet treat. I seems the power seat was acting up - I tried to fiddle with it and got stuck in the forward-most position. Not comfortable unless you are very flexible.

Long story short, we rushed the car over to the dealer's night-drop and borrowed a car from Dennis - our hero! (While he's on injured reserve, there's an extra car in his driveway.)

USA soccer lost, the O's have lost 2 in a row ... isn't football season around the corner?

Adios.

Weekend Update

Bringing you all the news that's fit to blog from the weekend ...


I attended the O's game on Friday night with my dad. It should be noted that I was supposed to attend the game with my daughter, but she dropped me in a blink when she got a better offer (an Alice In Wonderland birthday for Jillian). Anyway, we saw Boog Powell as he was heading from the Warehouse to the bbq stand. He likes to cook - and eat. We sat in seats 2 and 3 in Section 45. All day long, I wondered how we wound up with those seats ... who bought just seat number 1? The answer soon revealed itself - there was no seat 1.


Now, I know that buildings will avoid a 13th floor, but the first seat in a row? Who is afraid of the number one?


As I write this, it is the morning after our niece's end-of -the year dance recital. She was great - best in the show if you ask me. There was no Hora, but there was one surprise - or rather, three surprises. After the show, the dance studio instructor came out on stage to over some remarks and awards. She then introduced her staff, which included three daughters - who just happen to be three of the tallest women you will ever see. Made me wonder - look what I found on-line.

So, that got me thinking ... what organization is out there to support me? Click and see:

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Your feedback is welcome.

More to follow upon our return to Maryland.

See ya!

PS - Welcome home Dennis!

Everything Old Is New Again

With a musical introduction from Barenaked Ladies, I write today about returning to one's roots - sort of.


On Thursday, I learned that I had been transferred from Crestwood Middle School to Thurmont Middle School. The move is bittersweet - while I will miss the staff and community that made up Crestwood, I look forward to a new opportunity. I am flattered by some of the kind words and notes that were passed on to me today, and I hope to contribute to the Thurmont school community. The Thurmont folks have been gracious in welcoming me to the team.


This is not the first time that I have worked in Thurmont. I worked as a staff member from 1992-2003 at Camp Airy. Summers at Airy began for me in July of 1984. It was my love of Airy that led me to a career in education - how else could I have summers off? I went from camper to trainee to counselor, and later to a stint as one of the directors. I grew up there, and learned about friendship, service and loyalty. I made life-long friends there - old and young, American and Brit (and West Virginian).


Speaking of life-long friends, I made many at Crestwood. I affectionately refer to them sometimes as my "handlers;" they accepted me on Day 1 in July 2004 and haven't wavered. They inspired me every day - they made coming to work a privilege, and they taught me so much. They are always up for a good meal. That's a tradition we will hopefully sustain.

So, the new place is really an old place. I leave behind friends and head to a place where I first learned to make friends. I am eager to see what else there is to be learned, and what new traditions are there for the celebration.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Is it just me, or does it seem ironic and/or odd that I took Lilly to get a hair cut tonight?

While you ponder that one, I've got something else for you. I attended a workshop today on gang awareness and gang prevention in schools. The morning speakers came from various Frederick County agencies (police, social services, health department), and the keynote speaker was a man from New York. With a heavy accent and little concern for using profanity, he told a bunch of stories. One of the best can be found by clicking here.

It seems like we have a big decision to make for Lilly. I know who can we ask for help ...

I've read through a number of blogs to see what makes one stand out ... some have surveys, or top lists, or political commentary. I'll head in the direction of what I know best - FOOD.

June 24 is National Pralines Day (no kidding). Tell the truth - who has no idea what a praline is?
Have a look at this link if you don't know - and be sure to thank Aunt Sally!

Speaking of hair, consider this: What hair color do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men?

Aloha

May the workforce be with you

I'm sure there is some TV sitcom episode - from "The Simpsons" or "Seinfeld" or "The Office" that hits on this, but it boggles my mind how some people at work can be totally clueless.

For instance, the guy at my meeting today. We had a administrative meeting with the Superintendent today - all principals, APs and other manager-types. It's the equivalent of the
State of the Union address, minus the national TV coverage. Anyhow, everyone knows to mind their P's and Q's, and be on time, and sit near the front, and pay attention.

Except for the guy on his laptop for the WHOLE meeting. I could see it all - first it was email, then some test score data crunching, then ESPN ... I could look the other way if he was texting, or just doodling, or even sleeping. But the laptop was a bit over the top

I can hear you saying, "Marty - you're a goody-goody - get over it." I get that, but I think I'm just miffed that someone would be so blatant in their act of not paying attention.

Other blatant, dumb workplace things include:

• the one dummy that reheats seafood in the microwave ... and/or burns the bag of popcorn
  
• the ding dong that parks so close to your car that you almost can't squeeze in at the end of the day - the white lines are there for a reason
  
• the person that always clicks "Reply All" on email ... we don't care

And my biggest issue - the person that steals stuff out of the fridge ... this one really hits home - let me explain.

Almost five years ago, some friends at work surprised me and had Graeter's Ice Cream shipped to me at school . It's the best. I put the six pints in the staff lounge freezer around noon - when I went back to collect the cream at 3:30 pm, a pint had been pilfered.

I wanted to blow my top - get on the PA system and demand a return of my ice cream? But how would it look if one of the bosses rants and raves about missing ice cream? Talk about biting your tongue.

A few updates:

Dennis had his surgery yesterday - he's out of ICU today and on the mend.

Laura's keys have been returned, courtesy of a US Marshal (sort of).

Sean called me today - maybe I'll call back.

Just when you thought it was safe to get back on the Web ...

Thank you, thank you. It's good to be back.

Summer greetings to one and all, and a belated Happy Father's Day to the dads out there.

I appreciate how my girls celebrated me yesterday - breakfast at Bob Evans, Orioles tickets for Friday night, and a "Best Dad - hands down" t-shirt.

I give props to my mom, who gave my dad the best card - to paraphrase it, it read "Today is your special day. I'm OK with that, because the other 364 are for me."

Since last I blogged, I became an uncle. Isabella Paige is 10 days old today; Karen and Dimitry are proud parents. I look forward to spoiling / corrupting her as often as possible.

School's out for the summer - please click here for a musical interlude (enjoy, Karch). While I can't say that I have nine weeks off (well-deserved, I might add) like a classroom teacher, I do have Fridays off in exchange for a working a longer Monday-Thursday week. There are no kids around and it's not so bad. This week, I'll be at three meetings off-campus, and then back at school on Thursday to fold report cards and stuff envelopes. Contain your jealousy.

A few shout-outs before I have to get moving:

To Dennis, a loyal blog follower who lobbied for its return - have a restful day and an uneventful surgery. We'll see you soon.

To Laura, the president of the Eastern Shore blog fan club - we have your keys on the Crocs keychain.

To Sean, a person with a pure sunshine disposition- yes, I'll call you for golf; no, I'm not coming to camp.

Until later -

Marty