Friday, February 27, 2004
Hot Carl son
I have been a little behind on the blogging lately. Vinny and I were just talking about why people hate teachers. Vinny does the Vo-Ag program here at WGHS. We have a workday today. This is basically a day where we catch up. We have no kids here, but our contract tells us we need to show. I have a lot of work to do, but the muse is yet to get after it. We always get super drunk the night before the "work" day. Last night was no exception.
This day itself, as well as a fair bit of time off, provides ammunition for people to hate us. So far I have: stopped at the coffee shop(I was 15 minutes late for work), Vince and I washed our vehicles, washed the floor in Vinny's shop, and then I had coffee with our maintence guy. Now I am working on my blog. We will do a staff lunch at the Moose Cafe at 11:30, and then I will attempt to sneak out of here around 2:30.
I love my job today. Hope all of you in coyote land have a lovely day...
I have been a little behind on the blogging lately. Vinny and I were just talking about why people hate teachers. Vinny does the Vo-Ag program here at WGHS. We have a workday today. This is basically a day where we catch up. We have no kids here, but our contract tells us we need to show. I have a lot of work to do, but the muse is yet to get after it. We always get super drunk the night before the "work" day. Last night was no exception.
This day itself, as well as a fair bit of time off, provides ammunition for people to hate us. So far I have: stopped at the coffee shop(I was 15 minutes late for work), Vince and I washed our vehicles, washed the floor in Vinny's shop, and then I had coffee with our maintence guy. Now I am working on my blog. We will do a staff lunch at the Moose Cafe at 11:30, and then I will attempt to sneak out of here around 2:30.
I love my job today. Hope all of you in coyote land have a lovely day...
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
PooP
Busy Day...Busy Day
I have realized that the auto industry is chock full o' thieves. I would rid myself of automotive dependence, but I have one hinderance...I live in the middle of nowhere. For those of you that do not know, I have to drive 40 miles to buy a pair of underwear. My truck is all screwed up and it is going to cost me a goddamn month's pay to get it back.
The good news...we have our annual petting zoo at WGHS today. I will try to post a photo of the Muse and Buddy the Goat. I was so pissed off earlier, I went and spent a few minutes with Buddy, and all was well in the high country. We are listening to Act II of Julius Caesar as I write. It is a great play, but it gets a bit old the third time.
Busy Day...Busy Day
I have realized that the auto industry is chock full o' thieves. I would rid myself of automotive dependence, but I have one hinderance...I live in the middle of nowhere. For those of you that do not know, I have to drive 40 miles to buy a pair of underwear. My truck is all screwed up and it is going to cost me a goddamn month's pay to get it back.
The good news...we have our annual petting zoo at WGHS today. I will try to post a photo of the Muse and Buddy the Goat. I was so pissed off earlier, I went and spent a few minutes with Buddy, and all was well in the high country. We are listening to Act II of Julius Caesar as I write. It is a great play, but it gets a bit old the third time.
Monday, February 23, 2004
WEAK AnD
Lordy...what a weekend. I went snowmobiling on Saturday at Reeder Creek Ranch. We saw about 900 elk, a number of big bulls. I then helped my buddies doctor their calves. It was pretty fun. We had to rope the calf, then somehow tackle the calf, give it an injection, and then mark the tail. I was pushed into a fence by a little rascal. I am happy that I avoided a kick in the junk. It is weird to see sick cows - they all have colds.
The CU scandal is officially global. My mother asked me what was happening. I told her that I will call coach Barnett and personally take care of the problem. It's not like people are raping female kickers or anything.
I have to miss my parent accountability committee meeting tonight; my truck is all messed up. I will be embarking on the journey to Silverthorne after school today. I hope the parents will realize that I am unaccountable.
Lordy...what a weekend. I went snowmobiling on Saturday at Reeder Creek Ranch. We saw about 900 elk, a number of big bulls. I then helped my buddies doctor their calves. It was pretty fun. We had to rope the calf, then somehow tackle the calf, give it an injection, and then mark the tail. I was pushed into a fence by a little rascal. I am happy that I avoided a kick in the junk. It is weird to see sick cows - they all have colds.
The CU scandal is officially global. My mother asked me what was happening. I told her that I will call coach Barnett and personally take care of the problem. It's not like people are raping female kickers or anything.
I have to miss my parent accountability committee meeting tonight; my truck is all messed up. I will be embarking on the journey to Silverthorne after school today. I hope the parents will realize that I am unaccountable.
Friday, February 20, 2004
Did You See How Peacefully That Majestic Beast Expired
The fair state of Colorado is still getting a ton of ink. Between the X Games and the CU scandal, we are the focus of nightly news everywhere. I tried to watch some programs on Fox News and CNBC, but I failed to make it very long. Again, who is surprised that this stuff goes on in college athletics? They had the guy that has been supplying strippers for the recruiters for 20 years. Note to the people that need teachers: I will sign a contract to teach anywhere in the lower 48 as long as there are strippers involved. I have been eating buffalo instead of beef as of late. I have converted for a number of reasons: a tribute to Coach Barnett and the credible football program at CU (Buffalos), a tribute to my home state and her two main universities: NDSU (Bison) and UND (tamed savages who lost their land and their bison), and...drum roll...I have been getting the buffalo for free from one of my students.
I have to throw in my two cents about all this Morrisey talk. The Muse is not immune from the draw of the Smiths and Morrisey's solo albums. Why has the punk rock movement willingly included The Smiths? This paradox piques my curiousity. Correct me if I am wrong, The Smiths were a British pop band. So, that means bands that are mainstream over the pond are accepted with open arms by those that establish the "punk rock canon"?
This leads to one disturbing question:
Will the punk rockers ten years from now suddenly listen to the music of David Hasselhoff? The former Baywatch star has experienced much fanfare in Europe and was celebrated as a top act in the mid-ninties.
A message to all you with fingers on the pulse of the punk rock movement:
I had DH's first album in the mid-ninties. I will emerge from nowhere with the vintage classic in 8 years and be awarded the punk as f**k award by the chubby guy on 120 minutes. I will crush you all like texas.
The muse is OUT!
The fair state of Colorado is still getting a ton of ink. Between the X Games and the CU scandal, we are the focus of nightly news everywhere. I tried to watch some programs on Fox News and CNBC, but I failed to make it very long. Again, who is surprised that this stuff goes on in college athletics? They had the guy that has been supplying strippers for the recruiters for 20 years. Note to the people that need teachers: I will sign a contract to teach anywhere in the lower 48 as long as there are strippers involved. I have been eating buffalo instead of beef as of late. I have converted for a number of reasons: a tribute to Coach Barnett and the credible football program at CU (Buffalos), a tribute to my home state and her two main universities: NDSU (Bison) and UND (tamed savages who lost their land and their bison), and...drum roll...I have been getting the buffalo for free from one of my students.
I have to throw in my two cents about all this Morrisey talk. The Muse is not immune from the draw of the Smiths and Morrisey's solo albums. Why has the punk rock movement willingly included The Smiths? This paradox piques my curiousity. Correct me if I am wrong, The Smiths were a British pop band. So, that means bands that are mainstream over the pond are accepted with open arms by those that establish the "punk rock canon"?
This leads to one disturbing question:
Will the punk rockers ten years from now suddenly listen to the music of David Hasselhoff? The former Baywatch star has experienced much fanfare in Europe and was celebrated as a top act in the mid-ninties.
A message to all you with fingers on the pulse of the punk rock movement:
I had DH's first album in the mid-ninties. I will emerge from nowhere with the vintage classic in 8 years and be awarded the punk as f**k award by the chubby guy on 120 minutes. I will crush you all like texas.
The muse is OUT!
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Learning Every Day
Wow! I just realized that the term, "God Speed" comes from Act I scene ii of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The term surfaces in a conversation between Brutus and Cassius. I love the way Cassius convinces Brutus to hate Caesar. Maybe Howard Dean was our Caesar, and the senate represents all the dirty republicans. Perhaps Bush and Kerry are Brutus and Cassius, and Cheney will make a cameo as Casca.
I am really excited because I just received some Shakespeare plays on DVDs. I really enjoy reading and teaching this play each year. I usually watch all three versions that I have during the process. My favorite is the 1953 version; Marlon Brando does a wonderful job playing Mark Antony. I wish that this version, and the one with Charleton Heston, were available on DVD. The DVD I have is a bunch of stinking Brits.
The CU sex scandal keeps on getting better and better. Coach Gary Barnett has officially earned the title of Captain Politically Correct. Anyway, the Buffs had a female place kicker, and she has made allegations that she was raped while a student and player at CU. Captain PC is now suspended with pay because of his brilliant comments regarding the issue yesterday.
Coach PC told the media that she was "terrible," and she could not play. The guys on the team only respect people that can play. In short, coach feels that the rape is justifyed because she was not a very good football player. The dumbass should have resigned when this whole scandal thing started. When I saw his statements on the tv last night, I could not believe what I heard. Even more amazing was his press conference later last night regarding his suspension. This seemed even more amazing because I had a few cocktails in me. Coach feels that he said nothing wrong.
Message to coach: the NCAA is crooked, and bad things have been allowed to happen for many years. Bad things will continue to happen as long as college athletics are big business. Unfortunately for CU and Coach PC, this particular program was caught. Take it in the chin buffs. Regardless of what happens with CU football, the buffs will always have the best damn ultimate frisbee players in the nation. These players don't come for the money or the chicks. It's all about the Big Head Todd and the sick buds.
Wow! I just realized that the term, "God Speed" comes from Act I scene ii of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The term surfaces in a conversation between Brutus and Cassius. I love the way Cassius convinces Brutus to hate Caesar. Maybe Howard Dean was our Caesar, and the senate represents all the dirty republicans. Perhaps Bush and Kerry are Brutus and Cassius, and Cheney will make a cameo as Casca.
I am really excited because I just received some Shakespeare plays on DVDs. I really enjoy reading and teaching this play each year. I usually watch all three versions that I have during the process. My favorite is the 1953 version; Marlon Brando does a wonderful job playing Mark Antony. I wish that this version, and the one with Charleton Heston, were available on DVD. The DVD I have is a bunch of stinking Brits.
The CU sex scandal keeps on getting better and better. Coach Gary Barnett has officially earned the title of Captain Politically Correct. Anyway, the Buffs had a female place kicker, and she has made allegations that she was raped while a student and player at CU. Captain PC is now suspended with pay because of his brilliant comments regarding the issue yesterday.
Coach PC told the media that she was "terrible," and she could not play. The guys on the team only respect people that can play. In short, coach feels that the rape is justifyed because she was not a very good football player. The dumbass should have resigned when this whole scandal thing started. When I saw his statements on the tv last night, I could not believe what I heard. Even more amazing was his press conference later last night regarding his suspension. This seemed even more amazing because I had a few cocktails in me. Coach feels that he said nothing wrong.
Message to coach: the NCAA is crooked, and bad things have been allowed to happen for many years. Bad things will continue to happen as long as college athletics are big business. Unfortunately for CU and Coach PC, this particular program was caught. Take it in the chin buffs. Regardless of what happens with CU football, the buffs will always have the best damn ultimate frisbee players in the nation. These players don't come for the money or the chicks. It's all about the Big Head Todd and the sick buds.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Wide Open Spaces
I read the article about triumph the insult dog. I am surprised the french canadiens take so much offense to his remarks. Isn't that one group of people that is convinced they are better than the rest of us? Scott, I think the term you are looking for is stereotyping, not racism. I have to say that Conan provided me with a great laugh. I prefer the old Canadien stereotype myself. I just picked up Strange Brew on DVD. The cartoon is hilarious. I would suggest taking time out of your busy schedule to enjoy this one.
I had the pleasure of watching Lost in Translation. I thought the movie itself sucked. Is it not time for people to reflect on themselves and society the old fashioned way - with books? Cinema intellectuals are people that are too lazy to read. Remember the social statement in Cast Away? I find it ironic that Tommy Hanks was trying to tell us to take time and focus on the things that are meaningful away from work. He accomplished this in a film; people have just over two hours to figure this out because they have to get back to work. I guess I watch movies to relax. All I want to see is some slapdick humor.
I went to college at Montana State; a number of my buddies were enrolled in the film school there. It was funny because not only did they watch terrible movies that only film students would watch, they made movies that were equally as bad. Those guys are all doing well as web designers.
The Muse is out!
I read the article about triumph the insult dog. I am surprised the french canadiens take so much offense to his remarks. Isn't that one group of people that is convinced they are better than the rest of us? Scott, I think the term you are looking for is stereotyping, not racism. I have to say that Conan provided me with a great laugh. I prefer the old Canadien stereotype myself. I just picked up Strange Brew on DVD. The cartoon is hilarious. I would suggest taking time out of your busy schedule to enjoy this one.
I had the pleasure of watching Lost in Translation. I thought the movie itself sucked. Is it not time for people to reflect on themselves and society the old fashioned way - with books? Cinema intellectuals are people that are too lazy to read. Remember the social statement in Cast Away? I find it ironic that Tommy Hanks was trying to tell us to take time and focus on the things that are meaningful away from work. He accomplished this in a film; people have just over two hours to figure this out because they have to get back to work. I guess I watch movies to relax. All I want to see is some slapdick humor.
I went to college at Montana State; a number of my buddies were enrolled in the film school there. It was funny because not only did they watch terrible movies that only film students would watch, they made movies that were equally as bad. Those guys are all doing well as web designers.
The Muse is out!
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Utah Adventure
What an interesting long weekend. We started out with games in Steamboat . We sadly lost those games. I was without my ringer all weekend. I have to somehow get into the grade book for the whole school.
I spent Saturday at Colorado's playground. We usually get half off lift tickets, but sat. was one of the numerous free days for Grand County employees. It was tons of fun. I left a bit of my face on one of the runs. Most of the mountain is named after characters created by Lewis Carroll. I ended up getting lost in the trees on a run called Tweedle Dum.
I had to go to Vernal, Utah on Sunday for games early Monday morning. Utah is a weird place. I have spent a fair amount of time in Salt Lake with Lars, but this place was completely looney toons. WE rolled into town around 8 on Sunday night. We could not find any place to eat. I could handle the 3.2 beer, but not being able to get chow at 8 is crazy. I have always felt that small towns in Utah and Idaho are really weird. Numerous folks don't realize that Idaho is chock full o' Mormons as well. Utah just has messed up laws. The guy I was with figured that "only some dumb somabitch that doesn't get drunk on Sunday and watch football could think up these rules."
I am adding Utah, with the exception of national parks and ski resorts, to my list of states that need to be annexed by Mexico. the lone star state is still in my cross hairs.
What an interesting long weekend. We started out with games in Steamboat . We sadly lost those games. I was without my ringer all weekend. I have to somehow get into the grade book for the whole school.
I spent Saturday at Colorado's playground. We usually get half off lift tickets, but sat. was one of the numerous free days for Grand County employees. It was tons of fun. I left a bit of my face on one of the runs. Most of the mountain is named after characters created by Lewis Carroll. I ended up getting lost in the trees on a run called Tweedle Dum.
I had to go to Vernal, Utah on Sunday for games early Monday morning. Utah is a weird place. I have spent a fair amount of time in Salt Lake with Lars, but this place was completely looney toons. WE rolled into town around 8 on Sunday night. We could not find any place to eat. I could handle the 3.2 beer, but not being able to get chow at 8 is crazy. I have always felt that small towns in Utah and Idaho are really weird. Numerous folks don't realize that Idaho is chock full o' Mormons as well. Utah just has messed up laws. The guy I was with figured that "only some dumb somabitch that doesn't get drunk on Sunday and watch football could think up these rules."
I am adding Utah, with the exception of national parks and ski resorts, to my list of states that need to be annexed by Mexico. the lone star state is still in my cross hairs.
Friday, February 13, 2004
SAVE KOBE
Colorado has been in the news quite a bit as of late. I really wish that I would have pursued a football career. Luck could have put on a recruiting trip toCU Boulder This whole deal is getting out of hand. The coach has been put on the block. I am not trying to justify the actions of college programs; I am just admitting reality. Do people not know this stuff happens? The coach is not the one who sets this stuff up. I have known a few people that played division 1 sports and the stories they tell are amazing. I work with a guy that played college hoops. His team had their own dorm and ran the school. He told me they never worried about food, clothes, gas, etc... It was agreed that all the players kept their mouths shut.
Maybe the Boulder scam as well as the nightmare created by Kobe's cheatin' heart are a wake up call to our society. People put more emphasis on sports than anything else. I am willing to bet that the CU football program generates more money than the literature department.
I am so amped for the weekend. I might skip the hockey games and head to Boulder. I look like a football player.
Colorado has been in the news quite a bit as of late. I really wish that I would have pursued a football career. Luck could have put on a recruiting trip toCU Boulder This whole deal is getting out of hand. The coach has been put on the block. I am not trying to justify the actions of college programs; I am just admitting reality. Do people not know this stuff happens? The coach is not the one who sets this stuff up. I have known a few people that played division 1 sports and the stories they tell are amazing. I work with a guy that played college hoops. His team had their own dorm and ran the school. He told me they never worried about food, clothes, gas, etc... It was agreed that all the players kept their mouths shut.
Maybe the Boulder scam as well as the nightmare created by Kobe's cheatin' heart are a wake up call to our society. People put more emphasis on sports than anything else. I am willing to bet that the CU football program generates more money than the literature department.
I am so amped for the weekend. I might skip the hockey games and head to Boulder. I look like a football player.
Holla Day
I really hate Valentine's Day. It is not so much the holiday, it is everything that goes with it. I think that Halloween and Valentine's Day are the two worst holidays for teachers. I have been watching kids ingest crack cocaine in the form of candy hearts since 8 this morning. This place will be a looney bin by lunch time.
The Cattle Kings(my hockey team) will be traveling to Steamboat this evening to play the Braves in a huge Rocky Mtn. Youth Hockey League match-up. We are off to Vernal, Utah on Sunday for two more games early Monday morning. Vernal is in the middle of nowhere - almost five hours from here. It will be fun to guzzle bootlegged beverages with all the parents on Sunday night.
I have not forget my vendetta against the Lone Star State. I am a viper waiting in the weeds for the right time to strike. House of Pain did not change the Hip-Hop scene by jumping down throats. They waited in the bog for just the right time. It is time for a revolution. Here is my plan:
I am going to run for president. All past and present residents of North Dakota will immediately receive a huge tax break. The US will then annex Canada. The people of Quebec will all be sent to Texas. Texas will be given to Mexico. We will start extracting natural resources from the Great White North.
New Capital: Rugby, North Dakota (if you don't know why, you betta asted somebody)
Air Force One: Renamed JR's Country Coach- Hjalmer will drive, Karen is Secretary
Minister of Defense: Dr. Dave K.
Drug Czar: Ross T.
Camp Steven: Douglas Bay and a cabin on DeNare Beach in Northern Saskatchewan
I am going to ask Micheal McDonald, formerly of the Doobie Brothers, to sing at my fundraiser. If Mike McDonald can resurrect his career by recording Motown songs and doing MCI commericials, then I should be able to make a run at the White House.
TAKE IT TO THE STREETS
I really hate Valentine's Day. It is not so much the holiday, it is everything that goes with it. I think that Halloween and Valentine's Day are the two worst holidays for teachers. I have been watching kids ingest crack cocaine in the form of candy hearts since 8 this morning. This place will be a looney bin by lunch time.
The Cattle Kings(my hockey team) will be traveling to Steamboat this evening to play the Braves in a huge Rocky Mtn. Youth Hockey League match-up. We are off to Vernal, Utah on Sunday for two more games early Monday morning. Vernal is in the middle of nowhere - almost five hours from here. It will be fun to guzzle bootlegged beverages with all the parents on Sunday night.
I have not forget my vendetta against the Lone Star State. I am a viper waiting in the weeds for the right time to strike. House of Pain did not change the Hip-Hop scene by jumping down throats. They waited in the bog for just the right time. It is time for a revolution. Here is my plan:
I am going to run for president. All past and present residents of North Dakota will immediately receive a huge tax break. The US will then annex Canada. The people of Quebec will all be sent to Texas. Texas will be given to Mexico. We will start extracting natural resources from the Great White North.
New Capital: Rugby, North Dakota (if you don't know why, you betta asted somebody)
Air Force One: Renamed JR's Country Coach- Hjalmer will drive, Karen is Secretary
Minister of Defense: Dr. Dave K.
Drug Czar: Ross T.
Camp Steven: Douglas Bay and a cabin on DeNare Beach in Northern Saskatchewan
I am going to ask Micheal McDonald, formerly of the Doobie Brothers, to sing at my fundraiser. If Mike McDonald can resurrect his career by recording Motown songs and doing MCI commericials, then I should be able to make a run at the White House.
TAKE IT TO THE STREETS
Thursday, February 12, 2004
BUMMER
Our maintance guy here at WGHS decided that he was going to quit today. I am super bummed because Roger and I have become super good buddies. We usually have coffee twice a week and bitch about all things that should be settled our way. He almost died last week of pneumonia and decided that a less stressful approach will be his pursuit. I hope the best for him.
My sophomores are taking a test on short stories at this very moment. As I gaze out among them, all I can see is halos and cheat sheets...wait. My novel class is reading Sherman Alexie's Reservation Blues this guy is a stellar author; I never get bored rereading his books. For those of you that have a little time, I would suggest picking up one of his books. The movie Smoke Signals was based on his book, The Lone Ranger and Tonto FistFight in Heaven.
It is below zero here, and I, for one, am sick of it. I need to move to somewhere warm. I just finished my application to Saint John's College. I really like their reading lists. I think that Santa Fe is right up my alley. I am going to correct tests for the next three days.
Our maintance guy here at WGHS decided that he was going to quit today. I am super bummed because Roger and I have become super good buddies. We usually have coffee twice a week and bitch about all things that should be settled our way. He almost died last week of pneumonia and decided that a less stressful approach will be his pursuit. I hope the best for him.
My sophomores are taking a test on short stories at this very moment. As I gaze out among them, all I can see is halos and cheat sheets...wait. My novel class is reading Sherman Alexie's Reservation Blues this guy is a stellar author; I never get bored rereading his books. For those of you that have a little time, I would suggest picking up one of his books. The movie Smoke Signals was based on his book, The Lone Ranger and Tonto FistFight in Heaven.
It is below zero here, and I, for one, am sick of it. I need to move to somewhere warm. I just finished my application to Saint John's College. I really like their reading lists. I think that Santa Fe is right up my alley. I am going to correct tests for the next three days.
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Oh Rielly
OK...I am starting to mess with this thing a little bit. I need to have Larry help me with a few things. I still do not have the comments thing up yet. This is very important to me so I can see if there are actually individuals in cyberspace reading this babble.
I really enjoyed Scott's poetry slam today. I did, many moons ago, publish one poem during my creative college days. It went into an unknown publication that circulated through the west. I never really told anyone outside of my literary circle about said publication because of the real poetry slams. People need only to impress themselves with poetry. Once you put it out there for people to read, prepare to be torn apart. Coffee shops are safe havens for hacks that do not necessarily understand poetry. There is a fundamental difference between literature and books. This extends to poetry as well. There is poetry, and then there is babble. I am not saying that this pop poetry is bad, but there is a reason that book agents do not hang out in coffee shops looking for the next best thing. It just annoys me whenever people think they have suddenly discovered the wheel. Poetry does not sell, and sadly book sales are driven by marketing.
One curse of being an English teacher is constant requests to read other peoples' stuff. I always preface a reading by asking the question, "do you really want to know how to improve this?" Most people just want me to read it and say it is great. Again, if you do not want to be torn apart, then don't ask. I am by no means the great American author. If I had said title, my wheels would not be spinning in the high country.
I guess that I have been spinning my wheels since I embarked on a reading of the now infamous DaVici Code. People think that Dan Brown is the master theologist/sociologist that suddenly figured out that religion was justification to persecute groups of people and to hold down women. It is really unfortunate that a number of "enlightened" womyn in this country that attended the Lilith Fair failed to find out who Lilith really was. I guess it is reassuring that people are rediscovering literature and realizing things certain things about the world, but if it took a reading of Under the Banner of Heaven to realize that there are a few gliches in the Mormon religion, I apologize.
email me some comments, and tell me how to get a comments thing on this blog. I have wasted my whole lunch break on this thing; i hope somebody reads it.
carlsons@westgrand.k12.co.us
OK...I am starting to mess with this thing a little bit. I need to have Larry help me with a few things. I still do not have the comments thing up yet. This is very important to me so I can see if there are actually individuals in cyberspace reading this babble.
I really enjoyed Scott's poetry slam today. I did, many moons ago, publish one poem during my creative college days. It went into an unknown publication that circulated through the west. I never really told anyone outside of my literary circle about said publication because of the real poetry slams. People need only to impress themselves with poetry. Once you put it out there for people to read, prepare to be torn apart. Coffee shops are safe havens for hacks that do not necessarily understand poetry. There is a fundamental difference between literature and books. This extends to poetry as well. There is poetry, and then there is babble. I am not saying that this pop poetry is bad, but there is a reason that book agents do not hang out in coffee shops looking for the next best thing. It just annoys me whenever people think they have suddenly discovered the wheel. Poetry does not sell, and sadly book sales are driven by marketing.
One curse of being an English teacher is constant requests to read other peoples' stuff. I always preface a reading by asking the question, "do you really want to know how to improve this?" Most people just want me to read it and say it is great. Again, if you do not want to be torn apart, then don't ask. I am by no means the great American author. If I had said title, my wheels would not be spinning in the high country.
I guess that I have been spinning my wheels since I embarked on a reading of the now infamous DaVici Code. People think that Dan Brown is the master theologist/sociologist that suddenly figured out that religion was justification to persecute groups of people and to hold down women. It is really unfortunate that a number of "enlightened" womyn in this country that attended the Lilith Fair failed to find out who Lilith really was. I guess it is reassuring that people are rediscovering literature and realizing things certain things about the world, but if it took a reading of Under the Banner of Heaven to realize that there are a few gliches in the Mormon religion, I apologize.
email me some comments, and tell me how to get a comments thing on this blog. I have wasted my whole lunch break on this thing; i hope somebody reads it.
carlsons@westgrand.k12.co.us
Oh Rielly
OK...I am starting to mess with this thing a little bit. I need to have Larry help me with a few things. I still do not have the comments thing up yet. This is very important to me so I can see if there are actually individuals in cyberspace reading this babble.
I really enjoyed Scott's poetry slam today. I did, many moons ago, publish one poem during my creative college days. It went into an unknown publication that circulated through the west. I never really told anyone outside of my literary circle about said publication because of the real poetry slams. People need only to impress themselves with poetry. Once you put it out there for people to read, prepare to be torn apart. Coffee shops are safe havens for hacks that do not necessarily understand poetry. There is a fundamental difference between literature and books. This extends to poetry as well. There is poetry, and then there is babble. I am not saying that this pop poetry is bad, but there is a reason that book agents do not hang out in coffee shops looking for the next best thing. It just annoys me whenever people think they have suddenly discovered the wheel. Poetry does not sell, and sadly book sales are driven by marketing.
One curse of being an English teacher is constant requests to read other peoples' stuff. I always preface a reading by asking the question, "do you really want to know how to improve this?" Most people just want me to read it and say it is great. Again, if you do not want to be torn apart, then don't ask. I am by no means the great American author. If I had said title, my wheels would not be spinning in the high country.
I guess that I have been spinning my wheels since I embarked on a reading of the now infamous DaVici Code. People think that Dan Brown is the master theologist/sociologist that suddenly figured out that religion was justification to persecute groups of people and to hold down women. It is really unfortunate that a number of "enlightened" womyn in this country that attended the Lilith Fair failed to find out who Lilith really was. I guess it is reassuring that people are rediscovering literature and realizing things certain things about the world, but if it took a reading of Under the Banner of Heaven to realize that there are a few gliches in the Mormon religion, I apologize.
OK...I am starting to mess with this thing a little bit. I need to have Larry help me with a few things. I still do not have the comments thing up yet. This is very important to me so I can see if there are actually individuals in cyberspace reading this babble.
I really enjoyed Scott's poetry slam today. I did, many moons ago, publish one poem during my creative college days. It went into an unknown publication that circulated through the west. I never really told anyone outside of my literary circle about said publication because of the real poetry slams. People need only to impress themselves with poetry. Once you put it out there for people to read, prepare to be torn apart. Coffee shops are safe havens for hacks that do not necessarily understand poetry. There is a fundamental difference between literature and books. This extends to poetry as well. There is poetry, and then there is babble. I am not saying that this pop poetry is bad, but there is a reason that book agents do not hang out in coffee shops looking for the next best thing. It just annoys me whenever people think they have suddenly discovered the wheel. Poetry does not sell, and sadly book sales are driven by marketing.
One curse of being an English teacher is constant requests to read other peoples' stuff. I always preface a reading by asking the question, "do you really want to know how to improve this?" Most people just want me to read it and say it is great. Again, if you do not want to be torn apart, then don't ask. I am by no means the great American author. If I had said title, my wheels would not be spinning in the high country.
I guess that I have been spinning my wheels since I embarked on a reading of the now infamous DaVici Code. People think that Dan Brown is the master theologist/sociologist that suddenly figured out that religion was justification to persecute groups of people and to hold down women. It is really unfortunate that a number of "enlightened" womyn in this country that attended the Lilith Fair failed to find out who Lilith really was. I guess it is reassuring that people are rediscovering literature and realizing things certain things about the world, but if it took a reading of Under the Banner of Heaven to realize that there are a few gliches in the Mormon religion, I apologize.
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Happy Tuesday! We are handing out midterm grades today...this is one of the days the kids really seem to care about their education. I am still trying to recoup from the long weekend. I have to go to Steamboat on Friday night for hockey games, and then off to Vernal, Utah for a pair of games on Monday. Going to small towns in Utah carries the same luster as going church, Sunday school, and then to breakfast.
We will stay over night there on Sunday. I will pack my own booze and hope that I do not get caught for bootlegging. One also must eat before seven because all the weird LDS restaurants close early. I read Under the Banner of Heaven so I will keep my eyes out for any weird happenings. I did finally get into the DaVinici Code. I am proud that Dan Brown has blown the whistle on religion - real original, never been done before. Uh, yeah...maybe just a couple of times. As long as Oprah is determining the future canon, these things will keep on coming. Maybe I will read another Tony Morrison novel next.
Speaking of that, my novel class will start Reservation Blues today. It is a fantastic read by Sherman Alexie. I am a bit more hip than you all think. This is my tribute to the good people at the University of North Dakota who have been putting the red man down, with the help of the feds, since day one.
We will stay over night there on Sunday. I will pack my own booze and hope that I do not get caught for bootlegging. One also must eat before seven because all the weird LDS restaurants close early. I read Under the Banner of Heaven so I will keep my eyes out for any weird happenings. I did finally get into the DaVinici Code. I am proud that Dan Brown has blown the whistle on religion - real original, never been done before. Uh, yeah...maybe just a couple of times. As long as Oprah is determining the future canon, these things will keep on coming. Maybe I will read another Tony Morrison novel next.
Speaking of that, my novel class will start Reservation Blues today. It is a fantastic read by Sherman Alexie. I am a bit more hip than you all think. This is my tribute to the good people at the University of North Dakota who have been putting the red man down, with the help of the feds, since day one.
Monday, February 09, 2004
Well, I am back at work after a long and exciting adventure filled weekend in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Todd Holdman hosted the party Friday night and Todd, Nicole, Ann, Casey j., and myself were all invited. We checked out a couple of Irish pubs and Hank the 3rd at First Avenue. Todd and I were the funniest guys at the last bar we went. I am still in disbelief that the bartender accused us of being intoxicated.
Saturday we started our all-star activities. Casey, Chris, and I saw the skills competition. I will not bore you all with the highlights of the game...blah...blah.
The NHL exists so the ugliest men in the world can have sex with beautiful women.
Saturday we started our all-star activities. Casey, Chris, and I saw the skills competition. I will not bore you all with the highlights of the game...blah...blah.
The NHL exists so the ugliest men in the world can have sex with beautiful women.
Friday, February 06, 2004
This will be the last installment of the muse before I embark on my journey to the Twin Cities. I finally figured out why all you guys are vegetarians. It is because all the Rax restaraunts closed down. If I put a BBC in yo' face, how could you resist?
I had some vegetables in my fridge that I was munching on during lunch. They were a little furry so I decided to stop eating them. One downfall of the high country is the lack of produce. I did, however, watch a little Cosby over lunch. I almost laughed my head off.
That just reminded me of my Wednesday night. I had a well deserved night off from hockey practice. I realized there is a reason that I stay busy during the evening. There was a Donald Trump reality show, American Idol, and Full House was on two different channels. How the hell did Full House plunge itself into syndication? I hope this sick twisted society does not decided to suddenly canonize The Da Vinci Code. How I am supposed to educate these people when they are drunk on the comedy of Bob Saget?
I had some vegetables in my fridge that I was munching on during lunch. They were a little furry so I decided to stop eating them. One downfall of the high country is the lack of produce. I did, however, watch a little Cosby over lunch. I almost laughed my head off.
That just reminded me of my Wednesday night. I had a well deserved night off from hockey practice. I realized there is a reason that I stay busy during the evening. There was a Donald Trump reality show, American Idol, and Full House was on two different channels. How the hell did Full House plunge itself into syndication? I hope this sick twisted society does not decided to suddenly canonize The Da Vinci Code. How I am supposed to educate these people when they are drunk on the comedy of Bob Saget?
I am trying to employ mi hermano in hippy land to help me with this thing. He is the computer guru in the Carlson clan. I figure if he has time to write about defecation, then he can help a brother out. Hopefully, I will have links and all that good stuff up next Monday. I think my computer is going to be a bit of a hinderance through this whole process. One downfall of being an employee of the public school system is the fire wall.
I guess I understand the concept of protecting our youth from an overload of Janet Jackson photos, but I find nothing wrong with NHL.com. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I will be whining about everything from ski traffic to Alan Keyes.
For those of you that do not know, I have a personal vendetta against the state of Texas. The super bowl served as a catalyst to get me going. I am fighting to make texas a common noun. I have changed political alliances because of this vendatta, and have burned all of my Jeff Foxworthy albums and books as well. I guess I can start listening to the Dixie Chicks again.
I guess I understand the concept of protecting our youth from an overload of Janet Jackson photos, but I find nothing wrong with NHL.com. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I will be whining about everything from ski traffic to Alan Keyes.
For those of you that do not know, I have a personal vendetta against the state of Texas. The super bowl served as a catalyst to get me going. I am fighting to make texas a common noun. I have changed political alliances because of this vendatta, and have burned all of my Jeff Foxworthy albums and books as well. I guess I can start listening to the Dixie Chicks again.
Greetings lads and lasses. This is my attempt at a blog. I have to thank the House of Pain and Alan Thicke for providing inspiration. I am on my way to the Twin Cities this evening. I just need to see if this works.
