so when i plan my park i will not situate the benches so they face the restrooms. there is lovely scenery and I am looking at a brick block building

The Summer Hiatus has started

Checked out of my classroom today. As soon as I had done that I got my butt to Barnes and Noble to spend some of my gift cards. I have almost caught up with Charlaine Harris' "Sookie Stackhouse" Novels. They are complete brain candy but I love them. Have also purchased a few Laurie R. King Novels; the most recent Mary Russell (which I haven't stayed up on) and Kate Martinelli. Also on the stack to be read this summer are Pride and Prejudice, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Paul Rieckhoff's book, and one or two others. Also on the "To Do" list for the summer is getting all organized (at least to the best of my ability), getting application stuff done for school, plan for next year and create {on-line} activities for students next year.

I'm realizing that there won't be as much political stuff to distract me from the things I need to do. I should be able to get my to do list done and then some (riiiiiiiiiiiiight)

Stephen Colbert is a true patriot!

Well duh. I know you're thinking that. I'm intentionally missing sleep this week so I can watch the Colbert Report from Iraq. It's such a great thing for him to do. It's starting in about 3 minutes and I can't stand how excited I am. It's true, the show is repeated at an earlier time the next evening--I can't wait -- I need to see it "first run".

Stephen was interviewed on GMA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0kPS3BjTi4

Support our troops!!!!

At a concert. Wishing a little bit that I could be in a chorale. I miss using my voice like I used to in choir. I think that's all for now.

A Confession, An Endorsement, and Other Ramblings

First the confession:

I have totally developed a completely respectable crush on Paul Rieckhoff (shown). It's completely ridiculous; even so it has lead to me following him on twitter. I also get giddy when he's on Olbermann, Maddow, and Colbert. AND I bought his book Chasing Ghosts which I'm excited to start but I'm trying to wait until school ends. It's the first "war" book I've purchased about Iraq (and Afghanistan). As I've written before, I went through a phase in junior high and high school when I was reading a lot about Vietnam. I've also always read a lot about WWII. Oodles of fiction but non-fiction too. The title I remember best is The Tunnels of Cu Chi. {LOL} also there is my interest in Tour of Duty(1987) and China Beach (1988-91), Platoon (1986), Full Metal Jacket (1987), and Gardens of Stone(1987) {most of which I didn't see until a couple of years later}. It's obvious how I came to the conclusion when the War in Iraq started that it was another Vietnam. I'm heartened a little but am still worried about what a "fearful thing we have wrought".

Anyhoo... back to Paul. He started Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and has been a vocal proponent (well duh MissDubh) of veterans issues. Having seen him on the above mentioned shows and heard him on Air America Radio I decided to support IAVA. Even financially. Because of the lack of focus on Veterans issues, I have pulled my support for MoveOn.org. MoveOn has done a lot of great work but after the election I received a request for votes on the MoveOn "platform". Veterans/Military was nowhere near the top and there was no way to lobby for a change. IAVA has worked for the new GI Bill as well as Advance Funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gracious that was rambly and more than I wanted to write. Suffice it to say, Paul = my type {ROFL}.

Next an endorsement:

It was delightful. Funny. Exciting.

Really well done. 'Nuff said.

hummmmmm

Other Ramblings:

I'll save them.