The End

NaBlo ends today!! FREEEDOM! I hope the muse will return now, and I can get back to writing when I feel like I have something to say. That means I actually have to do things that inspire me - like read books that have value and that add to my life, and work on creative projects and ideas. It's my fault for not allowing myself the time for those things lately. Hopefully now that the litmag is at the printer and my IB class is winding down for the semester, I'll have some time for intentional inspiration. We'll see! :)

It's Garbage

Today was a high anxiety, stress filled day - one where you are searching for a cavern to scream into and can't seem to find one. It's never the right time. Plus, it's not very professional or ladylike. I feel the anxiety in every inch of my being, in the corners of my lungs, weighing heavily in my gut. This is one of those 'episodes' that I can't shake easily and no amount of mindful breathing or half smiles can help. There is no justifiable reason for it, other than my genetic code has a few damaged numbers. My stress may be a culmination of several little things, I suppose, but the point is that I need to find refuge sometime soon or I'll explode. Playing this on LOUD while screaming the lyrics usually helps:
Caution: It's not very nice. But then Garbage never is. And I love 'em for it.

Random Girl

Is NaBloPoMo over yet? I felt a little more inspired the first time I attempted this, but I am discovering that writing is the last thing on my mind lately. And forced writing is torture for me and probably for you too. So here's some randomness:

1. I saw Beowulf today - the 3D version. It was OK. The movie version was similar to the real, epic version, and I appreciated that they incorporated some of the Old English into the script. Angelina was naked, and we'll just say that Rich isn't the only one in our family who is OK with seeing her. Some people are just beautiful.. and I want to beat the crap out of them in an envious rage...even if they are CGI versions of themselves.

2. During the preview for Beowulf, I saw that there will be a 3D version of a U2 concert, 'cleverly' called U23D. Despite the title, I WILL see this! I don't care what you say, Mark. Just seeing the preview took me back to a time when I had all the faith in the world - when I was enthusiastic about creating change and making things better. I think those feelings are still in there, but they are walled in by cynicism these days. I guess that's the price of allowing yourself to become something of a grown-up.

3. I'm mad at myself for admitting this, but I sometimes go to Starbucks. Mostly I go there because I can walk to one from my school...and from my house.. and from anywhere where there is a corner nearby. For a while I was insistent on NOT going there, especially with my local coffee house within driving distance. But then evil Starbucks created a peppermint mocha that I CRAVE almost daily. They have their hooks in me AND they have a drive through window. I'm screwed. Maybe when the holiday is over - when the peppermint mocha gives way to something Spring-ish and cold- I can break myself of the habit and go back to the good and noble America's Best.

Hey, this was something of a post. And what's more, I still haven't missed a day. Only two more to go and then it may be time for a long blog break. Or maybe without the NaBloPoMo monkey on my back, looming over every key stroke, I'll actually be inspired!

N Word Update

This is a follow up to this post that I wrote a few weeks ago about a teacher who was trying to illustrate the power of words as an introduction to Huckleberry Finn (a required text for all students in Texas) by giving a district mandated lesson which required that she write the N word on the chalkboard. This offended a student who filed a formal grievance, requested that the teacher be disciplined and do community service, and for the book to be banned from the classroom. At the time, though a topic of interest because I do teach literature, I felt a little bit distanced from it, especially since I don't teach that particular text anymore (it's a junior level text and I teach seniors). Unfortunately, this incident sent all of the surrounding districts into a flurry of reactionary decisions, including my own, resulting in the banishment of the N word from our school.

What that means is that the teacher still HAS to teach the texts (To Kill a Mockingbird, Huck Finn, and Of Mice and Men), but they are not allowed to say the N word, the students are not allowed to say the N word, and no mention of the N word is allowed in any form (videos or tapes) in the classroom.

While I agree that the word is inappropriate to throw around, I feel strongly that decisions like these will allow the N word to remain powerful.

For the students it is almost impossible to read Huck Finn unless they read it aloud because it is mostly written in dialect. It is better for them to hear the words which is why the tapes are helpful when the teacher or the students need a break. But if they do read aloud, they now have to substitute the N word with another word. Suggestions are "slave" or "black man." How is that less controversial? (especially the latter?) And what happens if someone slips? Is there a consequence?

Also, the teachers cannot show Gregory Peck's brilliant performance in the classic To Kill a Mockingbird, nor can they watch Gary Sinise in Of Mice and Men. The visuals make the texts real, and the visual element is part of the literature course.

What are we doing in the name of political correctness? What are we doing as a result of one student's unfounded accusation? Winston's sole job in 1984 was to "delete" words, and his and his society's outcomes were ones of sheepish obedience. This is how society declines, and no amount of discussion over peppermint lattes (which is what I had with my boss, pre-decision) will fix it!

Thanksgiving Snow Down

Here are some pics from our Thanksgiving excursion. My favorites among them are the ones of Rich playing football because... um.. what? Rich playing football? Let's just say that the sports gene didn't really make it into the Haag genetic code. The game ended well, though. The boys only knocked out the cable once with a misguided toss and fortunately this happened during Kelly Clarkson's half time extravaganza in the Cowboy game. Otherwise there would've been an ass-whuppin'. Also, it snowed! (after being 80 two days before. Isn't that cliche of Texas weather?!)

I've Got the Road Trip KOD*

I'm weird about road trips. I like them sometimes. When it's a trip to visit family, whether in Flatland, TX or in Droughtland, GA, I tend to be cranky. This has nothing to do with what will happen when I get to either place because I certainly enjoy my time while I'm there. It's more about the lack of adventure on the road trip - it seems redundant and repetitive and redundant and repetitive. Same DQ. Same Truck Stop. Same disgusting bathroom that makes you wish you had peed on the side of the road.

But I CRAVE new road trip adventures - a spontaneous excursion to the Hill Country for example. I used to be better at the spontaneous road trip - like the time we went to the 50th anniversary of the alien landing at Roswell, or those times we went to Luchenbach for some much needed beer and boot scootin'. And those were times when money was really tight, and it was silly to consider even going on those trips.

Now I'm all boring and responsible. And old - as in "my back hurts from being in the car that long.". And I only make road trips that have a specific purpose, because God forbid I a.) spend money on something that is frivolous and fun or b.) waste time that could otherwise be spent marking papers and lesson planning..

Ew. Have I really become "that" girl? The short answer is yes. Fortunately, I'm also the girl who is intolerant of herself upon that sort of realization. This circumstance will be rectified, immediately. So, who's up for a road trip to Anytown, USA? Seriously. Let's go.


* k.o.d. - kiss of death - what happens to a person when they can't stomach the circumstance they are in and react negatively to said circumstance. Not to be confused with "Line Disease" where you have a 'standing in line at Wal-Mart next to a screaming child' moment.

20 More Things According To My Mom

I decided to let my mom have a crack at sharing 20 things about me since I'm not even halfway done with my list of 100 things and I'm already bored with me. So this is an experiment that could be awesome, as in look at all the sweet things my mom wants to share about my life; or it could be a disaster, as in, "how embarrassing, MOM! How could you?". Either way, here goes -
20 Things about me in my mom's own words:
See #s 1-20 here and #'s 21-40 here

41. Ginger is the most polite vomiter.
42. She's a one condiment girl.
43. She is beautiful on the inside and out.
44. People used to stop me when Ginger was a baby and tell me she had the prettiest mouth and ears they'd ever seen.
45. She's a wordsmith and I love that.
46. Ginger is a tree hugger.
47. She does many things that make me happy and proud.
48. She tolerates my obsession with my dog.
49. She is open minded.
50. Ginger has been her brother's teacher since he was born.
51. She has been sleeping through the night since she was 9 years old... once.
52.Ginger survived her freshman year at Tech in spite of the grown-ups in her life.
53. She brought softness, gladness, and happiness to her Mimi, more than anyone else ever did.
54. She was attentive to her Mimi her entire life.
55. She takes teasing well and has received a lot of it.
56. Ginger and her friends filled the house with music and laughter.
57. Ginger has the littlest fingers I've ever seen.
58. She makes perfect ribbon bows.
59. Ginger is tolerant of others.
60. She's a blessing.

(Aw, thanks Mom! I'm not too embarrassed.)

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything

Thy goodness sends.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Scavenger Dinner

We arrived in Lubbock safe and sound, a cold front at our heels and snow in the forecast. Mom had already made a pot of her famous pinto beans in case it got cold and we were looking forward to that for the base of our dinner. As it turns out, here in Texas at holiday time, instead of folks having "traditional meals" like Martha Stewart dreams up for the Yankees, we stick to a more Southern cuisine. That is, we enjoy all the Mexican food we can eat.

This year Mom, Rich, Sugar and I loaded up in the car to "scavenge" for our dinner. It was more of a hunt, really. The Pedro's Tamales was the first stop where we ordered 4 dozen tamales. And these are INCREDIBLY good. So good, in fact, that Mom often brings them to us when she drives from Lubbock to visit us in the Metroplex. The next stop was for 3 dozen tortillas at Rosa's, and the final stop was Sheridan's for some dessert custard. When we got home, mom even made cornbread! Lucky us!

The meal was awesome and perfect for the cold weather. Even Sugar was happy with her complimentary dog treat from Rosa's and her puppy cone from Sheridan's. :)

Winner Winner Winner

I turned on the TV last night to settle in to another magical hour of House because, let's face it, I have a MAJOR crush on Hugh Laurie. The first thing I heard as the TV was 'warming up' was this:

"For now, Sebastian Bach is the strongest link and Coolio is the weakest with the lowest score. Stay tuned to see who will survive on (...dramatic pause...) THE WEAKEST LINK!"

First reaction: Wha? Isn't The Weakest Link a quiz show?

Second reaction: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Third reaction: Duh, like Sebastian Bach will totally beat Coolio, at least in the hair department. And I'm a little biased because Sebastian Bach had a permanent role on two seasons of The Gilmore Girls. He RULES!

Hmm.

On second thought, I think Ann Robbins can kick both their asses (and mine if I don't vote for her... Mam.)