Scorecard

I'm a nerd. I love my entertainment news. I love my country music. My cousin and I made a bet- whoever picked the most CMA award winners would have to treat the other to dinner.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR *won*
Kenny Chesney
Would vote for Sugarland, but for whatever reason I think Kenny

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kellie Pickler

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR *won*
Rascal Flatts (easy, they win it every year)

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR *won*
Sugarland

BEST NEW ARTIST
Lady Antebellum

SINGLE OF THE YEAR: *lost- George Strait*
Stay, Sugarland

ALBUM OF THE YEAR *lost- George Strait*
Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride

SONG OF THE YEAR: *won*
Jennifer Nettles, Stay

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Josh Turner/Trisha Yearwood or Little Big Town/Sugarland.... choices, choices, choices
I chose "Another Try"

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Don't Blink, Kenny Chesney
(though I think Stay was an awesome video)

BTW, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are ROTTEN hosts. ROTTEN.
Her outfits are terrible. Carrie has nothing to say.
Brad is just downright annoying.

The awards show is still on, but I've done some online searching to find that I'm doing pretty well in my guessing.

What am I and who am I?

Well, I like to think of myself as smart, intelligent, and knowledgeable. I like to play around on the computer, I like to drive, eat out with friends, and things like that. I think these are good qualities I possess that make me interesting and a fun guy to be around. I also would like to think that part of that is that I am also like to be that friend known for being extremely reliable and when others don't live up to the same standard I end up hurt or bothered.

Case in point-
Family- I always do so many things like the dishes without being asked and I am always thinking ahead and tackling tasks that need to be done. When people like my dad or mom slack on an issue I become bothered and angered.

Friends-

My friend Steve called 2 weeks ago at 11:30p.m. Thursday night. I was pissy because someone just woke me up, and with myself, sleep is hard to come by. I heard him out and found out his mom was just in a car accident. Without hesitation I drove to Riverside General Hospital and sat by his side until 3:45a.m. comforting him. I would like to think that it is because we are close and good friends there for each other, that I did that. I would want him there if I called him at 11:30p.m. with a problem like that.

Let's discuss one friend whom is one of my best friends. His friendship means the world to me, yet there are 2 issues right now I'm having to iron out with him. I hate to touch it and talk about it because I'm worried that it will hurt our friendship despite the fact our friendship has been through a lot.

One of the issues will go unmentioned. One will be mentioned. I have pet sat for this friend several times. The first time it was for free. The following times he paid me $50-100 depending on how many nights. He would only ask that I feed the dog and make sure he is ok. I did that. I would often do other things like the dishes in the sink and minor tidying up because I'd become bored. That is not meant to exalt me in this discussion where I'm slamming him. It is more to talk about issues leading up to this. I pet sat for him for a night at the end of August. He gave me a supposed $50 American Express gift card that only had $0.23 on it. I tried to use it the night he gave it to me at Starbucks only to have it declined and it wasn't until I was at Express the other day did I discover that. I feel cheated- and I guess adding insult to injury this is at a time when I feel cheated monetarily by other people. I did call and tell him about it and he said he will definitely pay me for that.

A few weeks back I pet sat for 2 nights for him and he promised there would be plenty of food. There was pasta in the fridge and then the morning he was coming back he told me that the money was in a sock drawer to pay me for pet sitting that weekend. Keep in mind I could have used the money because of a few unseen events earlier that weekend. I felt a little gipped and used. He said he would take me out to dinner to thank me, and did he? No. He did tell me how of course I'm that super ultra reliable friend that he can always count on.

He told me Saturday morning after he had a difficult Halloween because of the friends he had over that he was also having problems with. He's always so glad I'm there for him. I get that. I'm always there for him. I'm very reliable.

Now, I know he is going to be asking me to pet sit either this month or next month and I like to do it because I like his dog, it is a nice getaway for a night. The problem is however that I don't feel like it. I feel a little used for my services from the last time. I feel like I didn't get a proper thank you, and no, I don't think I did; even though I was hard to deal with because of issues that were going on with me. I want so bad to say "sorry, I feel used and like I never get a proper thank you. You always go on these trips and get to go to all of these places with friends, yet I seem like the guy, the friend, the ultra reliable one, who is always being used, and always there when someone is in need who is never invited along." When has he asked me to go to Vegas with him? What about go to Phoenix or another place? He seems to have no shortage of other friends to ask to go with him. I am pretty sure he'll be asking me shortly, and I'm worried, yet hoping that I don't let it slip or I can in a nice way say that I don't think that I want to pet sit. And my no would be out of spite and I'm probably say why. Sharp tongue would be getting me in trouble there. Yike.

I had 2 issues in the past week. One was a monetary one (don't worry- I just couldn't use my ATM, but credit would have worked, had the place had a credit terminal). I call him because he lives close by, however, he doesn't offer to come help me. You know what? I have issues there and I'm about to let them be known. I don't feel like I ask for a lot, but I'm always reliable, and you know what? I expect friends to be too- that means being there for me in a time of need.

I just hope my mouth doesn't get ahead of me and I say too much before I think about what I'm saying. I just hope my feeling used/taken advantage of doesn't cost me too much friendship-wise. I truly would be devastated to lose this guy. I just feel/know it is wrong deep down when it is bothering me so much.

Another upset at my college

I get a call Wednesday about 1:20p.m. from Ms. Dawn in the Spanish Dept. at my college. Ms. Dawn is in charge of the Spanish dept (as far as making sure kids complete the requirements for a degree in Spanish or minor). Ms. Dawn told me that she knows I filled out my paperwork to declare a Spanish minor in March 2008. Here it is October and she is just now getting around to entering it in the computer. ...Surprised she didn't lose the paperwork... She said that she didn't really pay attention to what I said my major was on the declaration form. The problem is I'm a Communications major and that since that is basically not a true department and is a branch of the Liberal Studies Dept. I should have a Spanish major and a minor in something else. I told her that the classes I've taken as a Comm major complement the Spanish (I've taken Anthropology classes on the American Southwest, history of Spanish, etc.) She seemed kind of apprehensive after I said that, then said, well, my problem was I filed the paperwork too late. TOO LATE IS MARCH 2008 AFTER I TOOK MY FIRST UPPER DIVISION SPANISH CLASS. THAT'S TOO LATE.

So basically I'm going to fight that and while it seems like my case trumps her's, we'll see...

I am just thinking how easy it would have been to have finished up last year and taken my degree in Comm, rather than go above and beyond to try to get the Spanish minor. I am upset because of what a Spanish minor means to me. It means that Im bilingual, I can teach Spanish, I can get jobs others can't, and I can travel and try out my Spanish. As of now I'm only 2 classes away. 2!!! ...And to just learn that now. ...And for the paperwork to take so long to be input. ...And to not be told when I originally filed the paperwork is inexcusable.

It goes without saying I am going to put up a fight and rattle some chains. I have meetings with this woman, the Spanish language and Spanish Dept. head. I will have an appointment with the Dean of the Humanities Dept. and the Dean of the college if I don't get results. I just hate how everything at my college is a struggle and this is yet another one... and now my degree is at stake.

7th graders and administration

I would much prefer to teach/work at the high school level, but I'm embracing the challenges at the middle school level right now. I have subbed for most of the students at my mom's school where I work. The 6th graders have only been in school 2 months and are still being broken in, but most are well behaved. The 8th graders at this point in the year are still ok- not rambunctious and know-it-all's like they will be at the end of the year. The 7th graders however are TERRIBLE.

I have subbed for Mrs. C at my mom's school this year two days in a row. She had what has been dubbed the absolute worst 7th graders. These kids are the absolute lowest- 3 periods of math, 2 periods of English, and then PE. Some have 3 periods of English, 2 periods of math, and PE depending on how low they are and in which subject. Anyways, the kids are terrible. In Mrs. C's class I had about 10 jumping off desks (no joke), 10 yelling, and 10 running around the room. These kids steal and it is so blatantly obvious. The administration turns a blind eye. The teacher is scared to be in her own classroom with these kids.

The 3, 2, 1, schedule as it was dubbed by the principal was his ingenious idea to get all of the students to proficient by the end of the year. It didn't do that last year. Instead it burnt 2 teachers out who had 3 period classes. This year 8 teachers have 3 period classes. The kids are all monsters. In the math classes especially, I don't see anything helping. The students are just so exhausted after the first hour or so of math that they lose focus and the students aren't being taught more math than the regular classes. They are just working at a slower pace.

The 7th graders are all really rotten it turns out. The principal kept it quiet last year that the 6th graders were so bad because he gave them to his best friend, an English teacher, who just turns a blind eye; so word never got out. Now it is turning its head. The teachers are so upset they're asking the principal for a 7th grade assembly to remind students of the rules. The principal says he "doesn't know if we can do that." The teachers have a good idea to put the students in classes that are closer to their level. If they're really that low and badly behaved, put them in a VERY low class, but don't make it a place they want to be. Reintroduce electives like Home Ec that make the kids keep wanting to come back to school and not give up.

Last Thursday I subbed for a new math teacher at my mom's school. The first 2 periods the kids were wonderful (it was a 3 period block, but they have the last block with this teacher at the end of the day). When the kids came back to me in 6th period they all forgot where they sat, they were are loud, yelling, screaming, and refused to take their seats. I got right on the phone to call the office. I called everyone in the office and nobody picked up the phone. Finally I flashed the lights and they said "oh, the teacher wants to teach." I wrote on the whiteboard "anyone out of their seat or talking will automatically be sent out." That's how I handled it- I sent 4 kids to my mom's classroom, 3 to the big mean science teacher, and then one out on a suspension. The class quieted enough for me to take attendance, then since they were so loud I just put the assignment on the overhead because I couldn't talk to explain it to them. Usually kids will come to the desk seeking help, but none of these kids did. Nobody was working. They just don't care. The students were just starting to do problems like 2x-2=10 and so I know many didn't get it. It wasn't worth trying to teach when I had to raise my voice, talk over them, and police to make sure everyone stayed in their seat and didn't kill each other.

I didn't mention this woman's 4th period class had 16 kids with 14 rotten ones. I had to raise my voice and then remind them where they sat on the seating chart, then I said that anyone out of their seat would automatically be sent out. I came up with this policy after they were all running around even after class had started and I took attendance. I sent 3 of the kids who got up out of their seat without permission, and of course they didn't think I was serious, or forgot. At least in this class I was able to isolate the kids enough, then keep things humming along enough to teach the lesson.

The administration all turns a blind eye. The principal turns the other way anytime there is a problem and will not admit there is a problem. The assistant principal is a great guy, but the principal does not get along with him, so he can't dictate or say anything. He told me that he was "glad I survived and thanked me for taking on such a difficult mission" the other day. The dean of discipline is stuck in her office all day disciplining 7th graders and can't ever leave her office.

Mark and Kristen on KOST

Mark Wallengren and Kristen Cruz are now the morning DJs on KOST 103.5. I heard Sunday night they were launching the new morning show, so I would give it a listen. I had listened during the summer when she was on and the first thought that came to mind was "her voice is terrible." I listened more and have listened this week. My vote is I don't like the woman. Her voice is not in the least bit flattering. She jumps in constantly to inject her opinion. It is all about her... Fireman Matt... 'nuff said. Then I saw her on KTLA this week and she is just as scary looking as she sounds.

I'm still listening to Valentine in the Morning on KBIG and Brian Casey and the Wakeup Bunch on KOLA 99.9 out here in the IE. Brian, Patty, and Fran are great.

Is it coming true?

I took AP European History in my sophomore year of high school. Fun class. I remember nearing the AP test- probably a week before there was a fire drill. Ms. Ward had just passed out booklets that she had explaining what the EU was when the fire drill happened. She said to take the booklets, to go outside to the football scoreboard, which is where we were supposed to stand. It was one of those long firedrills where the fire chief comes and then rips everyone another for taking so long to evacuate the school and if this were a real fire...

I remember Ms. Ward saying this would be a long fire drill, and that was why we were to bring the booklets along with us. We made ourselves comfy on the grass below the scoreboard and she began talking about the EU, the EU money system, how a country joins, and things of that sort. Then, she said this, which has still stuck with me today...

The U.S. is at the end of being a superpower for reasons like credit problems, rising prices, we're making more foes than friend sin the world, etc. Our economy is going to fall as the EU rises. When the Euro started rising in comparison to the dollar, I remember thinking what Ms. Ward said was true. Ms. Ward said the EU is going to become more and more accepted. She said that the EU is probably going to have to pull the U.S. out of where it is heading. I remember thinking, yeah lady... in 100 years. And now, today, I wonder if this day is sooner than I had thought with all of the credit and housing woes. If this $700 billion bailout doesn't happen I'm pretty sure we'll be in a depression. Will Europe pull us out?

Ms. Ward continued talking and said that this was her theory on how the world would end. She was not particularly religious- she was a non-practicing Episcopalian. She said that the U.S. will surrender to the E.U., China will too because their economy is so dependent on ours, hence everyone would be united together- world peace. Then the stuff that is mentioned in the book of Revelations would happen and that would be the end. I remember Lisa, my good friend, and very Christian friend asked why none of this was in the Bible and how Ms. Ward knew this. Ms. Ward said she didn't, but this was her opinion, but also what she thought based on her study of the E.U.

*** Another random thing from AP Euro since we're on such a happy note and talking about end times... Ms. Ward gave a lesson on the Catholic Church and popes once. She printed off a list of the Pope, their picture, and why they were chosen to power if it was known. I remember Ms. Ward saying what was said in the news after John Paul II died that this next pope (Benedict) was to be a transitional pope, only to be around a few years. Then there would be one final Pope after him... I found that whole idea mindblowing. How did she know all of this?

Well, whether we are end times or not, I wanted to share because I was thinking the other day how everything that Ms. Ward said about a big problem the U.S. is facing now seems to be coming true. Sure, credit, buying things on credit, of course will lead to problems, the housing market, etc. but back in 2003 I was a sophomore in high school and just couldn't imagine that.

I hate doctors, especially my idiot Kaiser doctor

I have been having a problem since Saturday. It is not a pretty problem. I first noticed the problem Sunday morning, then it got progressively worse. On Tuesday I was fed up and went to Kaiser and saw my idiot doctor. I first protested and asked not to see my doctor when I called Kaiser, but naturally he was the only doctor with an opening.

Ok- so let me give you a little background when I say idiot doctor. I went to the doctor once this summer because I was sick or something and he completely ignored my problem. He instead told me my pulse was really fast and I needed counseling, as well as a vacation. A few days later he had his nurse call to say that I should also get a massage.

Fast forward to Tuesday when I unwillingly go to the doctor for my appointment with this lunatic. My pulse was extremely high yesterday, but he didn't mention anything. No, instead I told him my problem, said it was probably stress related, and told me I needed a massage. Um... a bowel problem and I need a massage? I said I thought the problem wasn't stress related and so after some arguing with him he asked me when I first experienced the problem, then told me I probably don't have e-coli and just "keep on pooping" and eventually things will get better. Some people throw up, but I need to poop was his answer. I realized I was talking to a wall and so once the appointment ended I went to the pharmacy.

At the pharmacy the physician's assistant listened to me and what I said my symptoms were, then recommended that I try some anti-diahrrea medicine, when to take it, and things of that sort. She also said Tylenol should help.

I would complain to membership services, but it would do no good. I did however call to switch doctors because I am tired of this tool that I have and was told that there were no available doctors unless I choose a primary doctor 15-30 miles away. Sure, I'll do that, but when I call for an appointment here in Riverside, I'm sure I'll be told to see this fool.

What I've been up to

Had a most excellent time in Louisville... here's some of the things I got to do:
- Go to Louisville Sluggers Museum and take the factory tour
- See Thomas Alva Edison's Louisville home
- Go to Schimpffs Confectionery in Jeffersonville KY and got to tour the candy shop
- Go to Dillards (my aunt in Oklahoma always talks about shopping at Dillards- we don't have one in California, but my mom wanted to tell my aunt she had done that)
- Go to Bob Evans to eat- the food was alright and pretty reasonable for the price (I tried tilapia)
- Went to Bardstown KY (a really old, historic city and saw buildings from the 1700s)
- Toured the Maker's Mark Distillery
- DIpped my own bottle of Bourbon
- Drove on the Bourbon Highway
- Went to the Jim Beam Distillery --- notice a trend? haha
- Talked to the wives and men of my dad's Army unit

Subbed several days- I worked everyday last week and am working 2-3 days this week- that's a nice $1,000 or so for me. Had the worst kids in the school- and they're only 7th graders. They were 6th graders last year and rotten then. What are they going to be like next year?

Went to the Irvine Spectrum with a friend

Went to the LA County Fair with my mom and her friend Linda from work. Linda is a nut, but I love her. We grazed our way through there eating just about everything unhealthy.

Went out on a 15 foot boat with my friend Mike yesterday. We went around Balboa, Newport, and Huntington Beach. It was a lot of fun. Got a little burnt. Did some playing in the water.

Bourbon Trail Kentucky

In Louisville KY/Clarksville Indiana for my dad's Army Reunion. Got to go to Evansville where my dad grew up and see the town, see his cousin and wife, the Louisville Sluggers Factory Tour, all the Victorian houses in the area. Today we hit up Bardstown and saw the many old buildings. To get there we traveled along the Bourbon Trail, and since we were doing that, of course we had to buy souvenirs.

We'll see if this is drank before I get home or not...

I got to hand dip the bottle myself. And my mom, the nondrinker didn't turn me down from buying it. AND I even did the bourbon tasting at the distillery.

SUGARLAND

ALL I WANNA DO IS LOVE THEM!!!

Love their new CD. Wasn't a fan until I saw them at the LA County Fair the other night. Now? OMG... love the CD.

Jennifer Nettles is just the sexiest little thing- sexy voice, hair, eyes, body, personality; she pretty much has the package.

They started the concert with a new song I hadn't heard, then Settlin', then Baby Girl a few songs later. I think it was the 4th song. By that time everyone was up, standing around, singing. LOVED IT. Stood most of the rest of the show. The new song Joey was awesome. Jennifer busted out her guitar and sang that one. Didn't realize all their popular songs- Settlin', Baby Girl, Something More, Everyday America, All I Wanna Do, Stay, and a bunch of others.

They sound exactly the same in concert as on their CD meaning they are the real thing.

The CD is pretty bluegrassy and has Jennifer's sexy voice... and Kristian's too... LOVE IT...

I got my tan...

... at least on my back and face...

Today seemed like a nice, restful day. That's really what I planned. Stepho had her first day back at school. My mom had her first day at school with students, and my dad has been back at school for 15 days already. It was going to be a nice day alone watching TV. I wanted to watch The Office on DVD.

Well, I began my day by updating my blog here. I loaded the dishwasher. I figured I'd clean the bathroom while I was at it because I happened to walk in and the mirrors were atrocious. Scrubbed the bathtub and toilet real quick, cleaned the mirrors, and voila. The dogs were hot, so I refilled their pool with some cool water and hosed down the patio. All of this before 10a.m. I started up my hard drive and began to spin The Office on DVD. I'm laying on my bed, in a darkened, room, my laptop on my bed and cued to the show.

Outside I hear a splitting noise and a crash. I look outside and see the chinaberry tree all over. Some branches were on the fence, but the big mother of all branches had tumbled down to the street. Of course I go outside to investigate.

Long story short- it is 105 out, very humid, which is unusual for Cali, and my shirt and shorts are drenched in sweat. I take my shirt off and start cutting and snapping the branches. In about 3-4 hours I have a nice tan going on my back and face; the much coveted summer tan. My chest is still pretty white, however.

And this is my mom's boss

My mom says in every letter she has ever received from her boss their is a spelling error or some other error.

My mom saw on his calendar back in May that he was going to the Majic Lantern.

In a letter about going back to school the front of the envelope said Avernue for the school's street address instead of Avenue.

Other spelling and punctuation errors:
- Ronnie and his crews' --- it should be Ronnie and his crew
- Williams's inspection--- it should be William's Inspection
- Brechfist will be available--- I guess everyone is going to miss breakfast and skip right to brechfist
- The site Buy-Back-Day, will, be on Friday, August, 22Nd from 8-2. --- let's fix that... The site buy-back day will be on Friday, August 22nd from 8-2.

One of those crazy weeks

Wednesday my mom, sister, and I rearranged the dining room. We moved the buffet that has sat in the same place my entire life to the other wall, then we moved the computer desk in the living room into the kitchen. That really opened up the living room and the dining room still has quite a bit of space too. YAY! Looks GREAT!

Thursday my mom, sis, and I went to Olive Garden for the unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks lunch for $6.95 per person. We ate lots and I had to get dessert- white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Delish! We got allergy shots and browsed the mall.

Friday I went to Goodwill to drop off old clothes and other things we've found while working on the house. Afterward I hit Best Buy to try to find a gift for my dad. I didn't find anything, but had an idea. I remembered my mom said he liked the TV Miniseries from the 70s "Centennial." A few clicks and taps on my iPhone and I found amazon.com had it, it had just come out on DVD on the 29th of July. I went home and bought it.

In the evening I waxed my mom's car. I got gas in Ontario for $3.87. WOOT!!! Gas is still near $4.00 here. I went to Gameworks with my friends Steve and Mike. They have a Friday night special- unlimited arcade games for $16 from 9p.m.-2a.m. Of course we had to stay the whole time to get our money's worth. Steve and Mike decided to play Air Hockey and both beat me miserably. Watched the men's volleyball and really enjoyed that while there. Seriously, volleyball is one of the few sports I am good at because I am tall. Seriously would like to play on a team. That's the only sport I'd ever want to play on a team. Men's volleyball is hard to find, though. Dallhouser and Rodgers rocked it. Me, not being a night person was tired, did not want to drive all the way home. Gameworks is 30 miles from my house, so I opted to drive the 10 miles back to Steve's place and crash for the night. I was up at 8 and drove home.

I got home and nobody noticed I was gone. They still function without me being here. GASP. My dad got up and made bacon for breakfast for sandwiches and we told him about his gifts. My mom is buying him an iPod when the new models come out next month and my gift will also be coming in a couple days.

We're going to go to Olive Garden for a late lunch/early dinner about 3p.m. to celebrate my dad's birthday. I was thinking of going up to the gym to work out and dropping my dad's car off to get washed and waxed since I have a coupon for the car wash across the street from the gym, but his car is so messy on the inside with paperwork from school, that it is probably not the best idea right now. I also plan to rock out to the Deana Carter and Kid Rock concerts shown on Direct TV.

At 5p.m. I have to take off to go over to my friend John's house to dog sit for the night. I will do that until tomorrow afternoon. Easy night. His dog is easy to care for and I have a nice big 60'' TV to watch. No complaints.

Tomorrow afternoon/evening I am probably meeting Gaby for lunch, bowling, or something else... not sure. We need to talk and catch up on the gossip and drama in each other's lives.

Monday I will probably hang out with John and Monday night he wants to take me to dinner to thank me for dog sitting. I'm looking forward to that.

On Tuesday I'm hoping to start painting my room. I also have an appointment at noon at the day spa to have the facial hair on my chin removed by laser. I'm apprehensive that it might look bad, unnatural, strange to not do my whole face, and things like that. I am tired of suffering with constant razor burn and rashes as hinted in my last post. I'm not doing my whole face- just the chin. We shall see.

Wednesday or Thursday I'm probably going to go to my mom's school to help her.

Kaiser rant

I hate going to the doctor. Kaiser is terrible. They are extremely slow and always require an appointment regardless of how sick you are. It is as if you have to plan to be sick. Fortunately I am not sick today. I am at kaiser in the waiting room and have been waiting 30 minutes already past my appointment time to see the doctor. And did I mention you are supposed to check in 15 minutes prior to your appointment? I never do- that just means I'd have to wait longer. And did I mention the awful stench in here? The waiting room smells mildewy and moldy. There is a fan going making the problem worse. There are fans on every floor of the building. And did I also mention that I have a doctor who does not listen to my problems or concerns? I am being seen for sensitive skin and razorburn. His answer was to not shave. It took waiting 45 minutes after my scheduled appointment to get this wonderful answer. Am I going to stop shaving just because my skin is irritated easily?is this practical? No. The doctor said I could put vaselline on my face. I said that would cause a lot of pimples and he said it was my choice. I have tried different moisturizers, creams, and razors to no avail.

Oh, and I have a high pulse... the doctor suggested I need counseling. Lmao

sent from my iPhone

Why I love my new car

I am sure the mileage will go down because I was driving home all freeway/highway the other night after gassing up the car and I typically do city driving. 38.6mpg though... pretty awesome.

Rejection, liars, and things of that sort.

Rejection hurts. Don't lead me on. Sure we were stupid. Sure boundaries should have been set, but don't lead me on, then brush me away, and expect me to be hurt, and tell me it is just my problem. Don't keep building me up with praise only to tell me down and suddenly take that away- it sure makes me feel rejected.

Be honest with me. I am 1000% honest with you and you know that, so can't we expect the same; a little 50/50? I hate liars. I hate when I can tell you are lying on top of that. Don't expect me to forgive. Trust? Well, it is hard to earn back. It takes time, but the initial thought that I can't trust you hurts and don't think I can trust you in the same way again. You're someone I thought I could trust and trust with me is not an easy thing to earn. It takes time. It takes work. It takes understanding.

Now, now, when I need you the most you just turn away and tell me too bad. Too bad, well, that's rejection again, and it hurts.

I think we both know that I put in 1000% into this, as you did too, in the beginning. Think about all of the things I did for you- the time, effort, money, sacrifices, emotions, our support for each other. Now, when I have a problem, you choose to walk away? Well, it shows what type of person you are. You, you, who say you are there for friends in times of need. You're not.

Screw you!

Some days seem so organized, yet so unproductive

Here's a look at my day so far:

Called Ticketmaster for a ticket refund for tickets we bought my mom for Mother's Day. The concert was canceled and we were told to call for a refund. Refund will be issued.
Time spent on phone: 45 minutes

E-mailed and called the man who sold me my car about why I haven't received any payment information on it. The first payment is due in 2 weeks. The man does not work today.
Time spent: 5 minutes

Tried to divulge information from my dad to plan a trip to Indiana/Kentucky to see the guys in his army unit. No car rental or hotel booked yet.
Time spent: all morning

Cleaned the kitchen (loaded dishwasher and wiped down the stove)
Time spent: 10 minutes

Still need to:

Burn my iTunes library onto CD for a friend
Estimated time: 4 hours

Go to Smart & Final for popcicles
cost $20.00

the gym
what I have to show: nothing, the internal pain

Target for a case for my iPhone
cost $25.00-$30.00

I guess for what I am going to do I'll have my bank statement in a few days to show for all the money I spent.

How can you not love Miley?

Her lyrics are just so cute- she is so pure and wholesome. She has no DUI's, she has had no traffic accidents, and she hasn't been out all night partying out on the town. She comes from a loving home and it doesn't seem to get much more country and down home than Billy Ray Cyrus. Her songs are so true- "7 things I hate about you," and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has felt the pressure when I messed up when I met someone new as she does in "See You Again." She sings about real life issues.

Hopefully this never happens!

Other "deep" country thoughts

"Home" by Blake Shelton sounds like a whining hillbilly. Leave that one to Michael Buble.



Equally as bad is girlfriend Miranda Lambert's song "Gunpowder and Lead"- knew there was a reason or two I didn't like her- the whiney voice and secondly she thinks she is capable of taking on any man. I just don't find that hot. The image of a woman going home to load her shotgun, standing by the door and lighting a cigarette is just not hot. She reminds me of a man. Nasty. Next thing she'll be out plowing the fields with her man.

I can't forget about my dear Taylor Swift. Taylor, dear, what were you thinking on the CMA Awards? Vocal abilities? Whining ability, yes. Trying to sing at 10 different ranges- not attractive for a supposed talented singer. I can do just as well, I think. Her whining and range problem is a perpetual problem in all of her songs. I am tired of it. She seems to have more boy problems than anyone I know. And the boy out fit? The boy Taylor Swift? Yes. I saw the jeans and the hoodie- I'm confused about the outfit. Because you didn't say no I turned into a boy? I also noticed Taylor still has that hella annoying duck waddle when she walks. And the rain in the end? Get out of the rain, stupid! It looked like stage desperation as opposed to talent. Personally I think she "should've said no" to performing at the awards show and singing that song.



Toby Keith- "She Never Cried in Front of Me"- Anything Toby does goes on the bad list. "Beer For My Horses" or "Angry American" were just too much.

I am not having a "good time" listening to Alan Jackson's "Good Time." Is there some rule that just because Alan Jackson has been around in country music so long that his song has to be played 2-3 times every hour? The video bothers me- the whole reporter thing- since when is a country line dance "breaking news?" Secondly, the reporters in that song are terrible and Jackson does terrible PR promoting his record when he is in such a hurry to leave the scene. I think having real reporters could have added a dimension of reality.

"Come on Over" by Jessica Simpson, hun, your career is over; once you left Nick it was done. In fact, it was done prior to that. Your records were never successful and your droning voice doesn't help. Sorry Joe.


Now who in country gets props?

Josh Turner and Trisha Yearwood in "Another Try"
Trisha is always classy, has an amazing voice, and her duet with Josh is really neat, especially since their voices are so different. This is just so much more appealing than the droning "Long Black Train."


Josh Gracin- "We Weren't Crazy"
Nice story, modern country, great voice.


Montgomery Gentry- "Back When I Knew It All"
In your face, two very different voices, the genuine country sound

Luke Bryan- "Country Man"
Fun, upbeat, and who else could make salt curing a ham and other things country men do sound so cool? Great voice.

Jimmy Wayne- "So Do You Believe Me Now?"
Good sound, a little mainstream sounding, but it surprises me to admit Jimmy Wayne actually has a good hit.

Lady Antebelum- "Looking For a Good Time"
The lead singer has a great voice and the girl in the band's vocals provide an interesting sound.

Suddenly running over your girlfriend became romantic

I was listening to Christy McLeap on KFROG this afternoon. This gal has a few screws loose. She seems very sadistic. She was talking about how romantic the new Bucky Covington song "I'll Walk" was. Romantic? I wanted, and probably should have picked up my cell phone to call and tell her I disagreed.

Sappy? Yes. Romantic? No. Whiney and grating on the nerves? Yes. Pitiful? Yes.

So here we have the big questions to ponder...
Since when did a girlfriend getting run over because she wanted to leave you because she was upset with you become romantic?
Is your girlfriend getting run over romantic?
Is the fact she might not be able to walk the same romantic?
Is being an idiot romantic? Shouldn't your senses, Mr. Bucky Covington have stepped in and realized the dangers of your girlfriend out walking at night, all alone? Isn't that romantic? All alone, in the dark, at night? Shouldn't you have been the voice of reason when your girlfriend was upset and not listened to avoid ending up in this romantic mess?
Is a fight romantic?
Is driving to the hospital to see your mangled girlfriend romantic?

Here's the lyrics...:

We were 18, it was prom night.
We had our first big fight.
She said "Pull this car over".
I did and then I told her, "I don't know what you are crying for".
I grabbed her hand, as she reached for the door.

She said, I'll walk.
Let go of my hand.
Right now I'm hurt, and you don't understand.
So just be quiet.
And later we will talk.
Just leave, don't worry.
I'll walk.

It was a dark night, a black dress.
Driver never saw her, around the bend.
I never will forget the call, or driving to the hospital
when they said her legs still wouldn't move.
I cried, when I walked into her room.
"I'll walk
Please come and hold my hand
Right now I hurt
And I don't understand
Let's just be quiet
And later we can talk
Please stay, don't worry
I'll walk"

I held her hand through everything
The weeks and months of therapy
And I held her hand and asked her to be my bride
She's dreamed from a little girl
To have her daddy bring her down the aisle
So from her wheelchair she looks up at him and smiles
and says. . .

"I'll walk
Please hold my hand
I know that this will hurt
I know you understand
Please, Daddy don't cry
This is already hard
Let's go, don't worry
I'll walk"



All I'm saying is please don't run me over and call it romantic!

B to the U to the S to the Y

That spells BUSY.
That's what I've been.
So what have I done?

- I have been dealing with family stuff.

- I bought a car. Pictures can be found on my myspace.

Me loves my new car. Waiting for so long definitely helped build the anticipation. I have saved every paycheck since I started working to buy this car. That's 3 years of paychecks!!! I still owe about $1,200 on it, but am going to work hard to pay it off ASAP. I had to finance $7,500 to get the college student rebate. I plan to pay $6,300 of that off in the next 2-3 months. The $1,200 will come when I get back to working on a more consistent basis. It was hard for me to buy it, especially when I'm so frugal with money, and the thought of having a payment. It was a $20,000 car that I got for $16,700 OUT THE DOOR (including taxes) after rebates.

I got a great deal though- tint added for free, the Bluetooth handsfree phone system, and a no key ignition. You turn a dial to start the car and the "key" is a keypad like you'd have on your keychain to open and lock the doors. It has a built in Bluetooth system so I can talk without an annoying earpiece. The Bluetooth system is neat, but the voice training has been annoying. Since when did "home" sound like "Iris?" I called my aunt a couple times because I told the phone to call home and it thought I said Iris. Same situation for words like Brad and Chad. I just need to enunciate more and reprogram the car. Think I have the system figured out- the volume button was the main culprit.


This is what the key for my car looks like- except it has a Nissan logo


- I've been struggling, taking a linguistics class. I guess I'm doing ok. My grade on the midterm was a 91.5%. That is well earned after several hours of reading, practicing, and struggling. Part of my problem is my allergies, so my voice is more nasalized and the words sound like they're coming from my nose rather than my voicebox.

- I have been helping my parents house hunt.

- I have been mourning the marriage of Mariah Carey to Nick Cannon

- I've been hanging out with my friend Gaby. She is a riot and so fun. We never have time to hang out because of her work schedule, but this summer we have made it a priority to see each other. We have gone out to lunch at the Mexican Kitchen twice this summer. We met each other back in elementary school, hated each other, she teased me in a nice way in 9th grade, then when we started working together we became great friends. She is one of the few friends who knows everything about me and I know everything about her.

- I made a demo tape in Spanish and English so I can apply to be a radio station traffic reporter. My friend John used his computer expertise to help me out.

- I have been doing sit ups- 100 a day, that's my goal. 6 pack is somewhat noticeable.

- I bought an iPhone. There were significant sacrifices to be made including giving my dad my old iPod and buying a battery for it for him, among other things.

- I have been playing around with iMovie on my Mac and learned to make an movie using old photos.

- Now I'm saving up for rims for the car. I am completely out of money. Dang. I haven't subbed in almost a month because it is summer, so I won't have a paycheck until October.

- I got a speeding ticket, which I don't think I deserved because there was no way I could have been going that fast after just turning on the street. My mom was in the car and can vouch for me. The police didn't even flash his radar gun at me. Now I have to do traffic school so the ticket won't end up on my record. I have never got a ticket before. Dang.

- I went to Disneyland with 2 of my cousins the other day. OMG. It was fun hanging with my cousins and catching up in their lives, but I loathe that Disneyland is so crowded and so expensive. A 1 day ticket was $91.00!!! I bought an annual pass for $129. My cousin was interesting though. I hadn't seen her in a year or so due to family disagreements. Throughout the whole day she told me I was anorexic and needed a good meal. She kept asking me if I was hungry and wanted an ice cream or to go eat. I kept looking at her thinking Chayna, you need a good meal, not me. You're 5'5'', 105lbs, and you lost 30 pounds recently. Please, don't tell me I need a good meal. You look emaciated.

- I feel I have lost a part of my masculinity. I went tanning today. There was a special at a place ($5.00) and I was without a friend and it was kind of like "why not?" Let's see what the hype is about. Went and am still as pale. They say it takes 24 hours to kick in. We shall see. Actually I'm not that worried about my masculinity. Who cares what others think? I'm from California- land of fake chests, breasts, and botox. Besides, I know plenty of guys who do that. It is the California thing to do. We gotta look our best!

Funny bumperstickers

On the verge of buying a car

...and I feel nervous. I have dealt strictly on the internet with several dealers. I have done my homework and fought for $14,995 for the price of the car I want. 2 dealers will offer it at that price. One is the dealer we bought my mom's car at and I like. I am just worried/nervous they'll add hidden fees. The car should come out to $16,500 after tax and license. To have it cost more would put it out of my range. I'm worried we're going to have to fight and they'll try to pull something on me. I'm sticking firmly though to my decision- give it to me at this price or else. I've waited months already and can wait longer.

Long time no post

I've been BUSY!!!

I subbed 4 days last week and had 3 finals at school. I subbed at my mom's school each of those 4 days. It was fun stuff, especially PE. I love subbing for PE because it is such an easy task. It was a bit warm out, but I got to work on my tan. I got nice and tan. My legs could use some more sun, but I was pretty white before. I made $500 last week. Not bad. Most of the days I wasn't planning to sub until I got calls from the office manager at my mom's school begging me to come in because there was a shortage of subs each day.

My finals went well. My grades should look like this:
Spanish 101: A- (though I'm sure it'll be a "B" because the teacher's grading is shady)
Women's Studies: A-
Media and Politics: B+
I got at least a "B" on the latter 2 finals. The "B+" in Media is ok. I am not going to complain.
The B's unfortunately bring down my GPA. I am wanting to get at least a 3.5 overall GPA before I graduate. It is a 3.41 right now I believe. I'm not sure if a 3.5 is possible, but one can hope and try.

I sat through a 3 hour graduation for my 2nd cousin on Sunday at CSUSB. Isn't it a shame that my second cousins are my age? HAHA. The president does not know when to shut his mouth. He rattled on and on. The first hour of the graduation was nothing short of an advertisement for the campus. That's not what a graduation is about. It is about celebrating the students and their accomplishments. Then as each kid crossed the stage he took at least 10 seconds to stop and talk to them. It did help to get photos of my cousin as she went across the stage, but 3 hours for a graduation for 300 kids? Everyone was so restless and most left after their kids name was called.

Yesterday my cousin who graduated, her boyfriend, and my cousin Chayna went to Disneyland. It was so crowded. I renewed my annual pass however. I just bought the basic one with 165 blockout dates for $129. It was cheaper to buy an annual pass though where I can come back at least once more and it is paid for. It is now $91 for a 1 day park hopper pass at Disneyland. Parking was $15. Going once more will pay for my pass.

The day was quite fun though despite the crowds and only getting on 4 rides. We got to talk, catch up on family gossip, and stuff like that. My cousin Chayna kept saying over and over how I look anorexic. NO!!!! I DON'T. She says I look like I lost 40 pounds since she last saw me. She obviously doesn't know what 40 extra pounds looks like. Let me set the record straight- I used to weigh about 160 at most. I had a 34'' waist. I started going to the gym and toning up. In the past year I've gone from a 34'' waist to a 30'' waist. I now weigh 145 pounds. I was not fat before.

So what do I have planned in the near future? Buy an iPhone. I love my Macbook Pro, my Apple Router, my Airtunes that broadcasts music wirelessly through the house. I love the Apple logo. I'm becoming an Apple brand whore. I have already sat money aside to buy the phone and will probably be there on the day the phone goes on sale waiting in line to get mine. Yes. Sad. I know. How do I justify buying one? I am worth it. I rarely spend money on myself, but this one time I'm treating myself and going all out.

Buy a car. I have quite a large sum of money sat aside for a car. With gas at $4.60 a gallon I'm looking for something small and fuel efficient. The small part doesn't go over well with my mom, but she won't be driving the car. I'm looking at a Honda Civic or Mazda 3. I LOVE the Mazda 3 and it is much more comfortable than the Civic, but the new redesigned 2009 model does not go on sale until November unfortunately. A local Nissan dealer is clearing out 2008 Altima Hybrids that retail for $25,000 for $20,000. That is very tempting as it is a bigger and more fuel efficient car. Fuel efficiency in the era of $5.00 gasoline is important to me. I would have to take out up to $5,000 on the loan for that, whereas I should be able to pay the Civic off almost completely. The Altima is actually more fuel efficient than the Civic. Decisions. Choices.

Is Mariah Carey playing ball the cutest thing you've ever seen?

More memories of my grandma

I've been jogging my memory since I made my last post about grandma for more memories:

She used to sit in her chair in the kitchen- and only she could sit in it.

She used to sit in her chair rock my sister and I singing "to market, to market to buy a fat hog" or "this little piggy"

I remember grandma used to sit in her chair in the kitchen and Steph and I would run around for her to catch us, then she'd pull us up over her legs and blow on our backs.

Grandma always wanted to be sure Steph and I didn't have gaposis.

We used to sit outside on the brown swing and my grandma would sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

We would often sit outside on the swing around 10:30 in the morning and watch the cars go by on her street and wait for the mailman

Grandma would also sing the following songs:
Why Haven't I Heard From You- Reba McEntire
Ocean Front Property- George Strait
All My Exes Live in Texas- George Strait
Achey Breaky Heart- Billy Ray Cyrus
Pretty Little Adrianna- Vince Gill
Just Another Woman in Love- Anne Murray
Passionate Kisses- Mary Chapin Carpenter
Born Country & Mountain Music- Alabama
She's in Love With A Boy- Trisha Yearwood
Queen of Hearts- Juice Newton
Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses- Kathy Mattea
My Kind of Girl- Collin Raye

Grandma always played country music when my sister and I got to her house in the mornings. She'd claim it helps us sleep and she'd walk through the house singing it. Her other justification was she had to because otherwise when she'd go square dancing she wouldn't know the dances.

She'd listen to KFROG for the birthday wheel at 6:40a.m. for Scott and Bo, The Frogmen, to call out her birthdate so she could call in and win. She never won.

I remember my grandma complaining when Earl Pitts came on KFROG about 7:40 every morning and he'd ask "you know what makes me sick?" and she'd say something along the lines of he's always sick, and then turn him off.

The truck's name was Jenny. Jenny always needed oil or a tune up. Every morning before she'd take my sister and I to school, she'd go out and check that Jenny had enough oil. EVERY MORNING.

If the truck was acting up, it needed a tune up. I recall many Thursdays when she'd go bowling, then leave the car with Mert at S&S Garage for a tune up.

I remember her leaving for bowling at 8:30a.m. on Thursdays and me watching her pull out of the driveway in her truck, then running up through the house to get to the kitchen window to see if I beat her truck. Often, I did.

Grandma would only wear jeans going across the street. She'd claim she has to get dressed up to go everywhere because otherwise she'd see someone she knew if she were dressed down and would be embarrassed to be dressed down. She always saw someone she knew when she was dressed down.

I remember my grandma used to like to watch KTLA in the mornings to see the "teddy bear lady," Jennifer York, the helicopter traffic reporter who decorated the copter with teddy bears viewers sent in.

I remember we used to watch Jillian Barberie on Good Day LA and my grandma always commented on her different outfits and liking to tune in for that.



I remember my grandma used to always tell us we should go to the bathroom, take a book, read with our books on the stool, then she'd come in and check us. If we didn't have a big BM (bowel movement), she'd tell us we need to try harder, then say we could wipe. Then when my parents would come, both her and my grandpa were eager to tell my parents that we did or didn't go to the bathroom that day.

I remember my grandma always liked to ride the exercise bike in her bedroom in the evenings. If she was in pain during the day, she said she was going to ride the bike in her room for 45 minutes. She would often read while she did that. I remember the bike had a feature that let the handlebars go forward and backward and she'd often push them forward and backward when she was on it.

Mr. Rogers always used to sing "won't you please, please won't you be my neighbor?" Grandma's response was always no. She doesn't want a man wearing sweater vests to be her neighbor or a crazy man who has to change his shoes when he enters a room.

Grandma cut coupons religiously. I remember she'd have a huge envelope full and when I'd go to the commissary with her, we'd pull the carts aside before we got in line to go through and see what she bought that was on sale. I also remember going through the big coupon bin at the commissary and rarely finding anything.

I remember packing groceries in the back of the truck at the commissary as she'd stand and watch and tell me to pack the heavy things on the outside so nothing would fly away.

She would tip the baggers who bagged and took the groceries out to the car at the commissary $1.00, then she'd complain on the way home if they bagged the groceries badly or didn't put them in the truck right that she shouldn't have tipped them.

Grandma bought Super Lotto tickets on Whensdee and Sardee nights. She'd then write down the numbers on a piece of paper to check her tickets, then call us at home to give us the lotto numbers at about 8p.m. on those nights.

Grandma loved to play Fantasy 5 lotto on Tuesdays and often won $20 or free tickets. If you matched 2 lotto numbers you got a free ticket for the next night.

Grandma used to love to talk to Goldie over at the liquor store or the tall guy with blue eyes.

Grandma was always buying 3 lotto scratchers- Big Spin or any new game that was out. She would scratch a ticket, then my sister and I would.

Taking chances

Sometimes I feel like I'm limiting myself by being afraid to take chances.
Sometimes I am worried about the effects of the outcome more than anything.
Sometimes fear of the unknown scares me more than anything.

Carrie Underwood rant

Continuing on the country music trend rant, I wanted to mention how I can't stand Carrie Underwood.

First, she came from American Idol- it doesn't strike me like she put a bunch of effort into her singing career prior as compared to other idols take Daughtry for an example. Daughtry was working in the music industry prior, was in a band, and did Carrie? No. So, really, I feel like she hasn't paid her dues as an artist.

Second, her songs are often whaling and droning about god knows what. I can't stand her whiney voice in "Jesus Take The Wheel" or "Don't Forget To Remember Me." Her new song "All American Girl" has so many uuuuuhs and oooooohs and owwws and other annoying vocals that make the song just sound bad and unnatural. She has such a screechy voice in her song "So Small" it is like nails on a chalkboard.

Third, I don't want to hear her Bible loving messages in all of her songs- "Jesus Take The Wheel" where Jesus pulls that car to the side of the road. Personally I wish it crashed and then she wouldn't have been there to sing the song. Then "Don't Forget to Remember Me" is a pretty easy song to forget.

Personally to me she doesn't seem like the All-American girl she proclaims in her song. Would an "All American Girl" have dug her keys into the side of his pretty little souped up 4 wheel drive, carved her name into his leather seats, took a Louisville slugger to both headlights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires? I think not. Seems rather unchristian.

What is so likeable about her? I just don't get it. To me she comes off as an arrogant frat girl who suddenly came to fame and screams I am wanna be diva, but I'm so pure and wholesome nobody will call me that like Mariah. I'm just little pure, wholesome Carrie Underwood from Oklahoma. She's just a bunch of "Wasted" talent if you ask me.

When I think Taylor Swift I'm going to think of

I was watching a rerun of the CMA Awards tonight.

Taylor Swift was performing and here's what my dad said about her:

"Lady, your boots are too big for you."
"She looks like she could smoke a cigarette and drink a beer at the same time."
All of this came when she looked rather angry in her performance of the song "Picture to Burn."




On Ashton Shepard "She has a voice like someone is beating a fish with a hammer"

Where I feel like I made a difference

Today I subbed for my mom's friend, the math teacher in the room next to her.

After a rocky start to the day with the really bad class, the day improved.

It was a pretty good day and one where I felt like I made a difference. The 2 pre-algebra classes were working on using the distance formula (Distance=Speed x Time or D=Velocity / Time). A lot of kids, perhaps due to apathy toward the subject weren't trying and thought me, being the sub would give them the easy way out and tell them the answer. Me? Do that? No. Never.

When a kid asked for help, I enthusiastically came over and asked them where they were having trouble. The kids told me and then sat blank wanting me to do the work for them. I said, "well, look, you have speed and distance given, now tell me what is missing." "Ok, so you are trying to find time, so what do you do?" The kids would ask inquisitively "multiply?" I'd ask the kids to explain why and walk me through the steps. They did and they'd come up with the right answer.

You know what? I could have taken the easy way out, but then I'd have felt bad for gipping them, but also not giving them the opportunity to prove they new how to do it.

A day and a half

It was a long day to say the least- here's a synopsis:

- My Spanish teacher yelled at me in front of the class for about 5 minutes because she randomly changed topics, called on me for an answer, and I had no idea. She told me how I never pay attention, how I never understand, and things like that... all in Spanish

- After my Spanish class I trek 1/2 mile to the parking lot and discover parking services around my car as well as the police. I ask if something is wrong, further observe the scene, and notice that someone with a Ford Escort, which was a stick shift forgot to set their parking brake and rolled into my car. There was no damage to their car, but there were some paint blemishes and scratches to my car- which probably won't be repaired since there was not enough damage to tell the insurance company about. My big tank! Their car hit my back right bumper at the side. I was upset at first because the first things that came to my mind were there might be a lot of damage, insurance will go up, and this is just my luck. I quickly realized though, that it was not my fault. I was not at fault. I decided to look at it in a funny way. I was not the idiot. My car has an automatic transmission and therefore I don't have to worry about setting my parking brake. It could have been worse. I spent 45 minutes of my lunch standing around with the university police and therefore didn't get to enjoy a nice 1 hour, sit down lunch at a restaurant. Instead my lunch was a Diet Pepsi and Doritos.

- There is a local news website called instantriverside.com. They were giving away tickets to Stagecoach, the 3 day country music festival out in Indio AND I WON!!! Last year Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, and a whole bunch of others attended. This year the Eagles, Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw, Gretchen Wilson, and a bunch of others are attending. I am going to get to see Rascal Flatts, The Judds, Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, Bucky Covington, Dwight Yoakam, and a bunch of others. So that made a bad day better!

Now I get to find a friend to go with me to Stagecoach. I'm going to either ask my cousin, my friend John, or someone else... not sure yet.

Women's Studies Syllabus

I need Women's Studies- Gender Issues for a Global Woman, to graduate. The teacher is a middle aged, hispanic woman. She seems to be a little funny... case in point, her syllabus under course guidelines...

"Aaaaww... your teacup shitzu is so cute, and I know you want to show it off; I would carry mine in my purse like you want to. Please don't bring it to class in your purse, though. You can show me in pictures, however, when walking to or from class, or during my office hours. The same goes for your pet dog, cat, chipmunk, or elephant. They are just too cute, especially with the furry collars! They cry though, and my lectures aren't crying worthy. If they cry, I cry."

Spring Break

What a marvelous 2 week event. I was blessed to have 2 teachers this quarter who decided to give us our finals a week early, so I had no finals during finals week.

Here is what I've done so far:
- Subbed a couple days
- went to LA with friends for dinner and a night on the town
- spent the night at a friend's house and played computer games
- went to lunch at Olive Garden with my parents
- went bowling with my friends and played 6 games- my best score was 130
- watched lots of "Law and Order"
- found a new DSL provider for us since we're tired of Earthlink- now it is just a matter of calling and setting up the service
- Took my car in for service; forgot to get an oil change, though
- went to the dentist and had no cavities
- switched banks- ALTURA SUCKS
- today I'm going to weed whack since my dad can't do it anymore since the motions hurt his back

Fantasy LA anchor teams

I love to watch local LA news. I have grown up watching many of the anchors. I was bored the other day and created my own fantasy news teams for each LA station. This minimizes the slutty news anchors like Mia Lee and actually brings together strong anchors I think that would be able to bring in good ratings and would be in each station's best interest. I'll start with

KCBS 2
5-7a.m.
Suzanne Rico, Rick Chambers, Vera Jiminez, Henry Dicarlo

11a.m.
Laura Diaz, Kent Shocknek, Henry Dicarlo

5:00p.m. and 11:00p.m.
Paul Magers, Pat Harvey, Johnny Mountain, Gary Miller

6:00p.m.
Laura Diaz, Kent Shocknek, Johnny Mountain, Jim Hill

Weekend 5 and 11p.m.
Sharon Tay, Juan Fernandez, Jackie Johnson, Steve Hartman

Weekend 6p.m.
Mia Lee, Glen Walker, Jackie Johnson, Jim Hill

Commentary- who knew Kent Shocknek was on 2 in the morning? With how few people watch, I moved Rick Chambers on just to change it up and perhaps give Kent a bigger slot where people may be tuning in and realize hey, he is on 2 now. He has been on CBS for 5 years and still nobody tunes in in the mornings. Laura Diaz is old and frumpy. Her news delivery is poor. Laura should not be their top anchor woman. KCBS would be smart to bring Pat Harvey over from 9 (their sister station) and pair her with Paul Magers. I don't think Jim Hill has much of a personality and not a lot of on air chemistry with any of the anchors, but I find Gary Miller interacts better with them.

KCAL 9
12p.m.
Ann Martin, David Gonzales, Kaj Goldberg

2:00p.m.
Ann Martin, David Gonzales, Kaj Goldberg

3:00p.m.
Ann Martin, Kaj Goldberg

4:00p.m. and 9:00p.m.
Harold Greene, Sylvia Lopez, Josh Rubenstein, Jim Hill

8:00p.m. and 10:00p.m.
Sandra Mitchell, Mark Coogan, Josh Rubenstein, John Ireland

Weekend 8 and 10p.m.
Sharon Tay, Juan Fernandez, Jackie Johnson, Steve Hartman

Weekend 9p.m.
Mia Lee, Glen Walker, Jackie Johnson, Steve Hartman

As much as I like Ann Martin and Harold Greene together, maybe just because I've grown up watching them and they have grown on me. Whatever the case may be, I don't see them bringing in ratings. I moved Ann to middays to replace Mia Lee, which can only help KCAL with credibility and a well known figure in LA news. Sandra Mitchell would become KCAL'S main anchor woman. She has really grown into the anchor position I believe on CBS at 11a.m. I would pair her with Paul Magers, but she is not as well known as Pat Harvey. I have met her in person, and she is just as sweet on camera, as off btw. Marc Coogan would be brought back to the anchor chair because he is better known than Glen Walker. Marc Coogan anchored with Tritia Toyota for a while on KCBS when he went over there from KABC. KCAL's ratings keep declining because the news directors and managers are into boobs and cheap talent on that station.

I haven't watched KCAL 9 news at 8, 9, or 10p.m. regularly since Kerry Kilbride and Pat Harvey anchored together a couple years back. I don't like Glen Walker at all and he is all over there. Jackie Johnson is just annoying. I used to watch KCAL news every night, but I haven't in about 2 years. I think they should really consider moving better anchors into place and I would watch. Marc Coogan, Harold Greene, Kent Shocknek would be good pairings in the evening on KCAL.




KNBC 4

5:00-7:00a.m.
Mary Parks, Robert Kovacik, Pablo Pereira, Paul Johnson

11:00a.m. and 6:00p.m.
Kim Baldonado, Chuck Henry, Pablo Pereira

5:00p.m. and 11:00p.m.
Paul Moyer, Colleen Williams, Fritz Coleman, Fred Roggin

Weekend a.m.
Chris Schauble, Jennifer Bjorklund, Carl Bell, Mario Solis

Weekend p.m.
Beverly White, Furnell Chatman, Elita Lorezca, Bill Seward

I think Mary Parks used to anchor on KNBC. I think I recall that. I much prefer Robert Kovacik in the morning to Chris Schauble. I can't stand Chris' raspy and booming voice, or his cutesy comments/ad libs. KNBC's morning ratings have dropped. This anchor team I believe shows authority and experience over the current Schauble/Bjorklund team, which just looks too young. Kim Baldonado is a good anchor and should be more than just a weekend anchor, so she gets the 11 and 6p.m. slots. That moves Ana Garcia to work solely on KNBC's investigative unit, which could help KNBC in ratings in that they would have a better and stronger investigative unit with reporters focused solely on that. Ana Garcia has won many awards for that. She is a frumpy looking anchor, like her heart is not in the job. I don't like Elita Lorezca, the new babe on KNBC mornings because she just doesn't seem like a perfect fit and doesn't have the bubbly personality Rachel Boesing did.


KTLA
5:00a.m.-7:00a.m.
Eric Spillman, Cher Calvin, Mark Kriski, Sam Rubin

7:00a.m.-9:00a.m.
Frank Buckley, Michaela Pereira, Mark Kriski, Sam Rubin, Ginger Chan

9:00a.m.
Michaela Pereira, Cher Calvin, Jessica Holmes

10:00p.m.
Emmett Miller, Lynette Romero, Lu Parker, Brett Miller, Ross King

Weekend p.m.
Leila Feinstein, Walter Richards, Damon Andrews

Where to start? Eric Spillman is an OK anchor, probably the best one KTLA has for mornings until a replacement is found. Frank Buckley has fit perfectly into the KTLA morning show. He has the personality needed, he is warm, he opens up about his family, which is needed on the morning show. Michaela is perfect and seems like the mother of the show keeping everyone in line. Ginger Chan definitely knows a lot more about traffic and has a somewhat better voice than Jessica Holmes who came to LA from Miami and does not know the LA freeway system and does not do breaking news improvizing well, or have much to say in her little brain. Lynette Romero is a much stronger anchor than Leila Feinstein and has a much better voice. She should be the main anchor with Emmett Miller. Brett Miller, the former NFL player who is now on KTLA weekends would be moved to weekday sports because he is much more watchable than Damon Andrews. Damon has so many cutesy analogies for everything you often think "huh?" what is he saying? Leila can do weather and anchor on the weekends, plus fill in on sports as needed, which was what she was when she came to KTLA. She is not main anchor material.


KABC
5:00-7:00a.m.
Phillip Palmer, Kathy Vara, Scott Reiff, Jane Monreal, Garth Kemp

11:00a.m.
Phillip Palmer, Leslie Miller, Garth Kemp

4:00p.m., 6:00p.m., and 11:00p.m.
Marc Brown, Michelle Tuzee, Dallas Raines, Denise Dador, John Hartung

5:00p.m.
David Ono, Ellen Leyva, Dallas Raines, Denise Dador, John Hartung

Weekend a.m.
John Gregory, Lisa Hernandez, Danny Romero, Rob Fukuzaki

Weekend p.m.
Gene Gleeson, Adrienne Alpert, Indra Petersons, Curt Sandoval

FOr the mostpart, the teams would remain the same. KABC is consistently strong in ratings. Their anchor teams are well known. I would really only reduce Rob Fukuzaki, their hyper weekday sports guy to weekends. I'd move weekender John Hartung into the main sports job because he is more watchable than Curt or Rob. He also has a more authoritative figure. I'd switch the weekend afternoon anchor team because I can't stand to watch Leslie Sykes who just seems so impersonable and Micah Ohlman's over the top news reading and improvizations are terrible. They're a train wreck.


KTTV 11

5:00a.m.-7:00a.m.
Tony McEwing, Jean Martirez, Lisa Breckenridge, Rick Dickert

7:00-10:00a.m.
Steve Edwards, Jillian Barberie Reynolds, Dorothy Lucey, Rick Dickert

10p.m.
Carlos Amezcua, Gina Silva, Mark Thompson, Rick Garcia

Weekend a.m.

Weekend p.m.
Jeff Michael, Susan Hirasuna, Amy Murphy, Liz Habib

KCOP 13
11p.m.
Christine Devine, Phil Shuman, Maria Quiban, Rick Garcia

Weekend p.m.
Michael Brownlee, Lauren Sanchez, Amy Murphy, Liz Habib

Commentary on 11 and 13: I can't stand Christine Devine; she has little to no personality. Moving her to 13 could only help 13 in their ratings over Lauren Sanchez. Gina Silva seems to have enough experience and does well filling in anchoring, she could easily rise to the main anchor position on 11. I don't think moving her there would hurt 11's ratings at 10p.m. They are number 1 and Carlos has only helped their ratings. Phil Shuman is a good solid anchor, who deserves a weekday position. Mark Thompson is annoying, but well known, so I'll keep him on 11 and leave Maria Quiban who is pretty hot, and not bad, on 13.

Memories of my grandpa

I have written about memories of my grandma, so now I'm doing my grandpa

- He had sayings like "woo doggies"
- I remember going to his house almost every Saturday, often while my parents were out shopping
- If it was Saturday, he never had the TV on
- He always had KFWB News 98 on and would listen to the Dodger game on the radio
- He always carried large bills in his wallet ($20, 50, 100)
- Anytime I asked for money, I got it
- He only paid bills by check
- My grandpa ALWAYS wore dress shoes- I don't think he had a pair of tennis shoes or sneakers
- My grandpa always bought shoes a size smaller than he really was and would complain his feet hurt
- His shoes had to be perfect and very polished
- He always went to the credit union on Monday mornings
- He always wore plaid type buttondown shirts (not like fleece)
- He drove a late 80s white Cadillac
- For birthday's, even though it may have been my birthday he couldn't not buy my sister a gift. I remember my birthday from 1st grade when he bought me some toy I can't recall and my sister a Little Red Riding Hood cape.
- I remember playing bartender for him and getting him drinks
- During the days at my grandma's house my grandpa would sit downstairs in the rumpus room
- Like my grandma, grandpa pronounced Saturday Saredee, Tuesdee, Wensdee, etc.
- I remember when my grandpa used to drive me to school he would ask if I wanted to go flying instead. I always said no because I was afraid of missing school; now I wonder if I had said yes, what we would have done
- I remember my grandpa never wore his seatbelt when he would drive. My grandma would always go out to the car to say goodbye to him, would buckle him in, then he'd always take the seatbelt off once he got into the canyon.
- I remember one SIP day when I was in maybe 1st grade I was going to spend the day with my grandpa, after he picked me up at grandma's. Our plans were somewhat ruined- we were going to play with a choo choo train he bought me, but someone broke into his house the night before, so he spent the day working repairing the door
- I remember my grandpa always talked to EVERYBODY. He would take my sister or me to school and have to stop to talk to the parents picking their kids up, the noon aides, and more
- I remember the taste of my grandpa's meatloaf and spaghetti- he didn't cook a lot that I recall, but when he did he was a great cook... too bad we don't have those recipes today. They're lost and gone forever
- I remember my grandpa always had juice of some sort, Diet Coke for my parents, and a couple cans of Budweiser, the Stater Brothers 18 pack of eggs, and bacon
- My grandpa would always fry me bacon when I visited him at his house
- My grandpa had a lot of cast iron skillets
- I always thought my grandpa had sort of a strange, hunched over walk
- I never remember my grandpa listening to music
- There are only 2-3 times I remember playing his guitar- once when my uncle visited him at home, another when Uncle Charlie visited, and then once when my sister and I were alone.
- The guitar sat in the dining area right behind his chair.
- My grandpa was always insistent he got to sit in his chair at the kitchen table closest to the kitchen
- I remember my grandpa kept a stack of bills all the time on his table in a holder
- I remember the tacky green couch and chair my grandpa had
- I remember my grandpa had an organ, but I don't recall him playing it- I do remember the Saturday he got it tuned up to play
- I remember my grandpa had really neat cursive
- I remember he, like my grandma bought birthday cards for every occasion
- He always cleaned his nails and made sure they were clean- he kept them a little long
- He drove very slow compared to my grandma
- I remember every Saturday morning he would call his brothers and sisters in Indiana, then report to everyone on what is going on with them
- I remember one Saturday morning after I spent the night I got to sit in the den with him as he called his brothers and sisters, he put them on speakerphone and I got to talk too
- I remember when his sisters and brothers came out to visit and all the photos they took of my grandpa and I... I remember thinking to myself what do people do if they take pictures and someone is accidentally in the shot they don't know, then do they name the people and give them a fake name? haha
- I remember my grandpa never explicitly said he had a twin sister, but they had the same birthday
- My grandpa never talked about his childhood or adulthood- he only talked about ROHR, having to go to ROHR, etc. etc.
- I remember going shoe shopping with him once, we went as a family, and we went to Sears. He was in a wheelchair at this time and he didn't want to sit in it, but my dad said he was going to and my dad could push him and do rotten things to him. I remember pushing him in it
- I remember my grandpa always talked about what he read in the paper, he would tell me what time his paper person got to his house, how he would go out and get the paper- the paper person usually arrived around 5:30a.m. and was a woman
- He always talked about Mr. and Mrs. Wolff across the street from him
- I remember my grandpa would often walk over to the fence and talk to the Wolff's and sometimes I got to go
- It seemed like my grandpa was always picking up their mail and newspapers when they were on vacation, which when I was little seemed like quite a bit
- My grandpa got up at about 5-5:30a.m. and would go to bed about 9p.m.
- He would always mail his bills from my grandma's house
- I remember my grandpa drawing for my sister and I- he would draw donkeys and was really good at it
- I remember my grandpa buying me a lunch pail in first grade because I didn't think we were allowed to bring our lunch in paper bags. It was an insulated Barney lunch pail. It could have been a purse because it had a long strap to carry it
- I remember sitting with my grandma and him at the table in the kitchen playing Go Fish and Old Maid
- I remember taking walks up and down the driveway at my grandma's house with him
- I remember him pushing my sister and I in the wheelbarrow when we were really young
- I remember when my grandma and him would argue my grandma would get a loud, shreiky voice, and call him Don
- Their arguments were infrequent and were always over monotonous things
- My grandpa's socks always matched his shirts
- My grandpa always combed his hair and would probably do that 10-15 times a day

RANDOM THINGS I REMEMBER ABOUT MY GRANDMA WHILE THINKING ABOUT THIS
- When one of her cats would meow for food and she wasn't feeding them, she'd call them "dumb dorey" and she'd get her shreiky voice and say "I'm not feeding you now dumb dorey," "you have food, go eat it"
- she always used to say "horse feathers" and I remember watching Winnie the Pooh, Tigger said horses don't have feathers, so I would argue with my grandma who said that they did
- When my sis and I were say, 7 and under, my grandma wanted to be sure we had our daily bowel movements. They were called BMs. She would tell us to go in the bathroom and take a book and go into the bathroom and read. Then we would have to call her after we did it so she could check. Then she'd say we were ok to flush. Then she and my grandpa would report to my parents that my sis or me had our daily BMs. My parents couldn't have cared less- they figured we'd go when we need to, but found it funny how grandma and grandpa were obsessed with this.

Timeout

Yesterday I subbed for 6th graders at my mom's school. I had them for 3 periods. I do not like 6th graders, 7th, or 8th graders for that matter. I am subbing for this age level because my mom's school district is K-8, so high schoolers aren't an option. I do my best though- I'm firm on the kids like I would be with any other grade level. I also make sure to adjust how I talk around them etc. just because middle schoolers are different than high school kids. Not that I'd say anything bad, but it comes down to reasoning. High schoolers you can reason with, whereas middle schoolers have to be more forced, so I adjust my wording appropriately.

Anyways, I had the kids for 3 periods- 2 periods of math and 1 of science. There was one gal up wandering around, then she got an attitude with me a total of 3 times. The 2nd period I had her, she tried to tell me how to take attendance. My policy is if you're not in your assigned seat according to the seating chart, you are marked absent. She wanted to sit by her friend and not in her seat, so I marked her absent. She then was up talking and distracting everyone once we got down to work. I told her she better get to work or I'm sending her out. She said no, everyone else was causing problems. She told me she would cry on my shoulder. Finally I had enough and I said go to room 4. She told me she can't go to room 4 because it is the counseling center. I said well, they'd be more than happy to see you. She said no- there is probably no room there. I said they'll talk to you. I said go to room 4 now. She then said the teacher in room 4 was on prep. I told her that was pretty funny because I know for a fact that teacher's prep was 2nd period. She asked how I knew and I said something tells me that she has a class right now. I got on the phone and called my mom saying she would have a visitor. The class was wondering how I knew all this information and I said it was MY MOM'S CLASSROOM. Room 4 is my mom. They were all shocked. The girl went over to my mom's class and my mom met her at the door and said she heard that she was giving her son a hard time. The girl said no and it was everyone else in the class. My mom had a desk for her, sat her down there, and made her get to work. I caught the girl outside after school and she told me how mean I am and how mean my mom was to her. My mom just said that she heard she was giving me a hard time. We're mean teachers- the mean streak runs in the family.

I need a door girl

Have you seen this new video for Mariah Carey's new video "Touch My Body?" It is HOT. I was watching this video and I think I need a door girl like Mariah to answer the door in what little she wears, just like in this video. She could also do secretarial stuff like answering my cell phone for me.



BTW the song is VERY catchy. And who else could sing about youtube and make it sound sexy?

KKGO

Thank goodness KKGO got rid of Robin Banks in the morning. I avoided listening to KKGO because of her. All she could do was laugh. She never had anything intelligent to say. She really got on my nerves

I'm still mad KKGO got rid of Todd Baker. He was so fun to listen to in the afternoons.

Shawn Parr might not be a bad fit in the afternoon to replace Todd. He would certainly be better than Paul Freeman who has those annoying canned voices, laughs, and cheers he uses to announce something or congratulate someone. That makes KKGO seem so small market and he just doesn't do an afternoon drive show well.

Now KKGO needs to move someone into Shawn Parr's morning spot that actually knows how to host a morning show.

KKGO's lineup should look like this:
5-10a.m. - new morning drive person
10a.m.-2p.m. Tonya Campos
2-7p.m. - Shawn Parr and Nora Wells
7p.m.-12a.m.- Paul Freeman

Apparently I'm anorexic

I saw a cousin I hadn't seen in about a year last week when we out. She came up to me when she saw me and hugged me, told me how skinny I was; then burst out crying. She was saying how sorry she felt for me that I was anorexic. I said I'm not. I've just been working out.

At a recent family gathering 1 aunt and another relative have told me how they have noticed how much weight I've lost.

The allergy shot nurse keeps asking me how much weight I've lost, how I am probably stressed, not eating, and losing weight.

A family friend Kim, whose husband used to own the hardware store has told me several times recently how I've lost so much weight.

My boss at the high school keeps wondering how I'm losing all of this weight.

Most people thought maybe I wasn't buying as baggy clothes, which is true. I'm a large in mens at max. If I can, I am wearing medium. I have discovered Levi 514s (skinny, straight leg) look nice on me. My waist size has gone from a 34 to a 30. IT IS BECAUSE OF EXERCISE. LET ME GET THAT CLEAR. PLEASE. I do not starve myself. I am a 30x32 in jeans and am proud to say it- working out at the gym has paid off. All of this has given me excuses to go out and buy new clothes I don't need, but want.

The truth is I've been exercising. I'm still 150lbs and 6'2.'' I haven't lost weight. I may be growing. My weight has been more or less redistributed. My arms are a lot bigger than they were, which you can notice. My chest is becoming more solid and my shoulders are becoming more muscular. I wasn't fat to begin with, in fact I was often told I was not big enough. HAHA.

I still eat burgers, fries, steaks, potatoes, whatever is thrown at me. Not a problem- it is delicious by the way. I do try to eat healthier, but am I going to forego the fries at a restaurant? No. I have cut my soda consumption however because the dentist said I should. I still have coke when I go out. Vitamin Water and Crystal Light are my new favorites.

But I just want to set the record straight, I am not anorexic or emaciated.

Awesome day

My mommy is sick today. She has a cold, but it is developing into something worse. She fears fluid is building up in her lungs. Being a certificated substitute, she called in sick and requested me as a sub. She went to the doctor and is there right now.

She called in at 9p.m. last night and less than a minute later I had a call asking me to sub for her. I accepted.

My mom even personalized her lesson plans- she started off "Dear Sonshine," ... and then ended with "have a great day! Love, Mom xoxoxoxo" She gave me her room keys, lesson plans, and papers to copy for the lesson.

I got up at 5:45, made breakfast, got dressed, and did my hair. I watched the news and browsed the net for a few minutes. At 6:15a.m. I left. Got to her school at 7:00a.m. on the dot. It was a nice drive. It was foggy, but I love that weather.

I arrived, signed in, made my photocopies, and was ready to roll. Class started at 7:30 and the kids got off at 11:30 because that is the normal Tuesday schedule. My mom has GREAT kids- seriously, no problems at all. It was so quiet in 3 of her classes, you could hear a pen drop. My prep was last period and I got to write my essay for Spanish. No homework now, score!

I left at 11:45, got paid for being there a full day; and was off to spend money.

Went to Burger King for some chicken tenders I had been craving, then hit up the outlet mall. I got $50 in new designer underwear... haha... can't believe I'm admitting that. It was $5.00 a pair versus $20 elsewhere. I also bought some new black jeans with a brown wash in my size for $9.99 at Aeropostale. I got a pair of low rise, dark blue jeans at Abercrombie & Fitch for $19.99. That was my first purchase at Abercrombie. Now I feel all cool, trendy, and in. I was considering going all out and buying a pink polo and popping the collar, then getting a new pair of sandals- then I'd really be in. That might too much of an extreme change at once.

I was out of the outlet mall (that is 38 football fields long) within an hour. I got home at 2:30. I still have a full day ahead of me! HECK YES!

Some stories from my new job

Some recent substitute experiences:

I got up at 5:45 to go sub. I was at a different school than my mom- another middle school. My mom had to be at school at 7 and I had to be there at 7:30, so I let her off and took the car. I had a half day assignment. I was subbing for PE. I was told to go out to the locker room and just hang out. The first thing I noticed walking in was a sign on the door that said "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem" in reference to the Kenny Chesney song. The teacher was playing country music and signing along. It was pretty funny. We talked about how we both like country music and KKGO (GoCountry 105). Then I told him about going the college I go to. When the other PE teacher came, he said now it was time for breakfast and they brought out cereal bowls, cereal, and milk and offered me breakfast.

After the 1st period, the guy asked me if I want to be the regular PE male sub whenever they need a sub in PE. The district requires if it is a male PE teacher or male PE class that there is a male teacher. He said they have a hard time finding guys to sub for PE. I find that somewhat hard to believe- it was easy!

Overall subbing was very easy. I had duty outside every period to make sure the kids get into the locker room. The kids had to run 3 laps around the field and I marked their names down each time they went around. Easy day. I was done at 10:30.

A recent Thursday:
I had just about the worst day of substituting thus far. I had really small classes, but the lowest performing kids at the middle school. They were a handful. I had a class of 8 with 4 troublemakers, a class of 12 with 6 troublemakers. I ended up separating the kids and giving them new seats for the day. I had to walk around constantly to remind them to be quiet or to work on their assignment. I subbed for a language arts class. I had most of these kids 2 periods because they have a double block of English because they need extra help in it. It was a LONG day!!! Let's leave it at that!!! I had a bad headache by the middle of the day and no Tylenol. I drove my mom's car. I let her off at school and continued on to the school I was subbing at. My mom doesn't keep Tylenol in her car; but I do mine. I have dental floss, Tylenol, lotion, hand sanitizer, and just about everything else I'd need.

Subbing for PE again at that same school I mentioned above:

I subbed for PE again today. It went well and I met a lot of other subs- one of my mom's former students about 15 years ago and a former home economics teacher from Texas/Arkansas. One sub had subbed for my mom many times before and she was nice to talk to- she was also a PE sub today. The PE teachers were very friendly again. The only problem was I had 2 terrible classes. The first was just bad 7th graders. The 2nd class was 50 special ed students. My dad teaches special ed and says 1 regular student is the equivalent to 3 in special ed. It was wild. It was like there were 150 of them. Just telling them to run around the field they took off in 10 different directions and I was a lot more visual in my directions this time telling them to go in a circle and motioning the direction and walking in that direction.

I love subbing for PE- make me mad and run a lap. No, I don't care you just ran 3; you aren't behaving, so take a lap.