Last Wednesday my wife's sister and her husband arrived to stay with us for the weekend. They spent most of the day Thursday resting (they were on their way back to Utah from Europe) while I taught my morning class and my wife attended her afternoon ASL class. Friday we were ready for some fun!
A family in our ward runs a parasailing business out of Point Pleasant and has been reminding us that we need to come try it out. With family in town our chance had come! We went up in pairs - I got to go with my younger son, then my sister-in-law and her husband went, and finally my wife and older son went. Neither of my boys are big fans of heights (nor am I, just ask my sister about the Eiffel Tower or the big ferris wheel at lagoon) but they both loved the ride and are ready to go again!
While the in-laws were in New York on Saturday, we went up to the Monmouth Mall to do some maternity clothes shopping and see WALL•E. I loved it! I even got a little teary at the end. The boys loved it too; unfortunately, my older son got impatient when we didn't get up and leave once the credits started. I guess we haven't done a good job passing down that tradition. The clothes shopping was also a great success. For dinner we went to 4 different places at the food court - isn't that what a food court is for?
I think we are going to try to have more weekends like that this summer,
Brad
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Living a Star Trek episode...
Before I get into the episode I should report on how my run went this morning. I think I like the Gateway to 8K just fine. I used it to cover a 3-mile loop, so I had about 15 minutes of music left over. On Friday I plan to do an "out-and-back" and turn around at the halfway point of the music. I can then check online and find out how far I was able to go.
After my run I immediately headed out to work. About 3 1/2 miles into my commute I got a flat tire. Unfortunately it was my rear tire. After my last flat the guy at my bike shop recommended a larger and thicker tire for the rear (to deal with these lousy Jersey roads!) Unfortunately, I didn't pick up a spare at that time - so I was not able to change the tire and go on. After some thought I decided to lock Aldetha up at a nearby elementary school (isn't that what those buildings are for anyway?) and walk the rest of the way to OCC. It took me about an hour. Ultimately I had chosen walk because I did not want to make my wife pack the boys up and come get me and because I figured I could still get some exercise by walking.
What does that have to do with Star Trek? About a mile into the walk I felt like those poor fools on The Next Generation who had to take an 8-hour shuttle ride at impulse power rather than a 30-second ride on the Enterprise at warp. Had I asked my wife to pick me up, I would have been on campus by 8:20 at the latest. Since I didn't, it took me until 9am to get there. I got some good thinking and exercising, but I really could use those forty minutes back!
Fortunately I didn't run into any Romulans,
Brad
After my run I immediately headed out to work. About 3 1/2 miles into my commute I got a flat tire. Unfortunately it was my rear tire. After my last flat the guy at my bike shop recommended a larger and thicker tire for the rear (to deal with these lousy Jersey roads!) Unfortunately, I didn't pick up a spare at that time - so I was not able to change the tire and go on. After some thought I decided to lock Aldetha up at a nearby elementary school (isn't that what those buildings are for anyway?) and walk the rest of the way to OCC. It took me about an hour. Ultimately I had chosen walk because I did not want to make my wife pack the boys up and come get me and because I figured I could still get some exercise by walking.
What does that have to do with Star Trek? About a mile into the walk I felt like those poor fools on The Next Generation who had to take an 8-hour shuttle ride at impulse power rather than a 30-second ride on the Enterprise at warp. Had I asked my wife to pick me up, I would have been on campus by 8:20 at the latest. Since I didn't, it took me until 9am to get there. I got some good thinking and exercising, but I really could use those forty minutes back!
Fortunately I didn't run into any Romulans,
Brad
Monday, June 16, 2008
Running again...
I've decided to start running again. I found a pretty cool podcast to help in my return called Podrunner: Intervals. I tried the first week's edition of "First Day to 5K" yesterday. The 142 beats per minute pace for the running portion was too slow for me. I also felt like I was walking more than I really needed to. Nevertheless, I am sore today. I definitely use different muscles when running than I do when biking. For tomorrow I plan to use week one of the "Gateway to 8K." I figure since I am in good shape because of my biking and I have a history of running, I can skip ahead. I'll let you know how tomorrow goes.
Yesterday my boys dressed one of their teddy bears as a king and put him on a chair in their room. They both picked up their swords and stood guard outside the door. At regular intervals they would come tell me and my wife that "the king wishes to see you." I love the creativity and energy they have - I just wish I was more patient and understanding of all their creativity and energy. Oh well! It gives me something to improve on. I could also improve my patience when they don't understand what I have asked them to do. It may take more time to explain, but ultimately its worth the result:
Finally, what do you get when you combine 80s music, Star Wars, and So You Think You Can Dance?
The dark side is just so much cooler,
Brad
Yesterday my boys dressed one of their teddy bears as a king and put him on a chair in their room. They both picked up their swords and stood guard outside the door. At regular intervals they would come tell me and my wife that "the king wishes to see you." I love the creativity and energy they have - I just wish I was more patient and understanding of all their creativity and energy. Oh well! It gives me something to improve on. I could also improve my patience when they don't understand what I have asked them to do. It may take more time to explain, but ultimately its worth the result:
Finally, what do you get when you combine 80s music, Star Wars, and So You Think You Can Dance?
The dark side is just so much cooler,
Brad
Saturday, June 14, 2008
From the mouth of my boy...
My younger son says some of the best stuff to describe new or different sensations. For example, he calls any food or drink that has an unusual or strong taste or texture "spicy." Well, yesterday my wife was lightly tickling him on the back of his neck. We can do that with him. His older brother is so ticklish he would have dropped to the ground in hysterics the instant we touched his neck. But I digress. After she had been tickling him for about 20 seconds he said "now I'm all hairy." I never would have thought to identify "getting the chills" or "goosebumps" as "I'm all hairy."
A few days ago my wife was serving the boys lunch. We normally buy the "double fiber" variety of Arnold bread (it's been on sale lately.) Well, I decided to get a variety the last time I went shopping. One of the variety was called "Oat Nut." It's a little lighter in color and texture than the double fiber, but still has lots of good stuff in it. My wife chose the Oat Nut bread to make the boys' sandwiches. When my younger son saw the bread he said, "Is that white bread? I don't like white bread!" My wife reassured him that it was not white bread. Later that night when she told me the story, we shared a moment of deep pride in the bread preferences we have instilled in our boys.
Raising healthy and regular boys,
Brad
A few days ago my wife was serving the boys lunch. We normally buy the "double fiber" variety of Arnold bread (it's been on sale lately.) Well, I decided to get a variety the last time I went shopping. One of the variety was called "Oat Nut." It's a little lighter in color and texture than the double fiber, but still has lots of good stuff in it. My wife chose the Oat Nut bread to make the boys' sandwiches. When my younger son saw the bread he said, "Is that white bread? I don't like white bread!" My wife reassured him that it was not white bread. Later that night when she told me the story, we shared a moment of deep pride in the bread preferences we have instilled in our boys.
Raising healthy and regular boys,
Brad
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Back on track...
Last night a cold front came through and took our 105+ heat index with it. My bike ride this morning was in the low to mid 70s and felt great (despite a 10mph headwind.) It looks like the wind is still blowing the same way, so I should have a tailwind for the ride home. I must say that riding to work makes such a difference in my attitude. I have felt so much better about myself and what I'm am doing today than I felt yesterday or Monday when I drove in. I look forward to biking the remainder of the summer - unless it gets stupid hot again.
Today in class we talked about election systems (how you count votes and decide who wins elections) in different countries. As a part of the discussion, one of the students talked about his experience running for the Seaside Heights school board. He ran and won election at the age of 18. One thing he mentioned, that had little to do with election systems, was the difficulty he had being taken seriously. There is a definite bias against youth in that regard. I can easily sympathize with him (I should probably say "empathize," but I'm a strict empathy constructionist - the experiences have to be exactly the same for empathy to even be possible.) As the Program Coordinator for the department, I have the responsibility of observing and evaluating the adjunct professors. I did my first 15-20 this last semester. One of them was not very impressed with my evaluation and wrote a page and a half letter in response. As I discussed the matter with others in the department they feel it is my age and apparent "lack of experience" that is at the core of this instructor's reaction. I can understand that, but I was hired as the Program Coordinator for a reason. Evaluating adjunct instructors is part of the job and my academic and teaching experience and training have prepared me well. Or as someone in the department put it, "you know [lousy teaching] when you see it." Therefore, my response to that adjunct is:
Brad
Today in class we talked about election systems (how you count votes and decide who wins elections) in different countries. As a part of the discussion, one of the students talked about his experience running for the Seaside Heights school board. He ran and won election at the age of 18. One thing he mentioned, that had little to do with election systems, was the difficulty he had being taken seriously. There is a definite bias against youth in that regard. I can easily sympathize with him (I should probably say "empathize," but I'm a strict empathy constructionist - the experiences have to be exactly the same for empathy to even be possible.) As the Program Coordinator for the department, I have the responsibility of observing and evaluating the adjunct professors. I did my first 15-20 this last semester. One of them was not very impressed with my evaluation and wrote a page and a half letter in response. As I discussed the matter with others in the department they feel it is my age and apparent "lack of experience" that is at the core of this instructor's reaction. I can understand that, but I was hired as the Program Coordinator for a reason. Evaluating adjunct instructors is part of the job and my academic and teaching experience and training have prepared me well. Or as someone in the department put it, "you know [lousy teaching] when you see it." Therefore, my response to that adjunct is:
Brad
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
We're having a heat wave...
Going on three days of near 100-degree weather (105+ if you count the heat index!) Needless to say, I have not been biking to work this week. A 7am ride at 80 degrees would be OK, but the 95+ degree ride at 3 or 4 in the afternoon might be a bit rough. I have also finally changed into my summer teaching wardrobe. On Monday I wore my long-sleeve, button-down shirt with a tie, and nearly died! Today I've got khakis and a three-button short-sleeved shirt, and I feel fine.
Last night at dinner we had scrambled eggs with cheese and chives mixed in. My younger son asked my wife "what do you call those things?" and pointed towards the pan of eggs. My wife said, "those are eggs" to which my son said, "not those, the chives!"
It reminded me of the cartoon with Sylvester the cat trying to catch the mouse (baby kangaroo) for his friend who calls him "George"...
"Why do you call me George? My name is Sylvester?"
"Because I cannot say Sylvester, George."
Finally, my class recently discussed the idea of equality. We talked about Aristotle and Jefferson as examples of theorists who think equality is good, though they have differing views of what constitutes equality. We then talked about Nietzsche and Vonnegut. These two think equality is not a neutral and universal good. Like all ideas, it is a tool employed in the interest of some at the expense of others. Kurt Vonnegut's short story Harrison Bergeron is quite interesting (and an easy read.) Though we haven't started visibly handicapping those who excel (or have we?) there are some signs that excellence runs counter to recognition:
Grapevine student with top grades won't be valedictorian.
The key to this controversy (for me) is here:
Anjali rocketed through high school in only three years.
But a school district policy states: "The valedictorian shall be the eligible student with the highest weighted grade-point average for four years of high school."
The dispute over Anjali's status as valedictorian comes down to interpretation: Does four years mean calendar years of school attendance or does it mean completing the credits it takes most students four years to earn?
You cannot make the argument that it means four calender years. Why? If I took history every class for four years and had the highest GPA I would never be called the valedictorian. Why? I didn't FINISH high school in the process. Therefore, the key is finishing the credits, not the time in school.
I think I'll go put on my little mental handicap radio so I don't have to worry about such things,
Brad
Last night at dinner we had scrambled eggs with cheese and chives mixed in. My younger son asked my wife "what do you call those things?" and pointed towards the pan of eggs. My wife said, "those are eggs" to which my son said, "not those, the chives!"
It reminded me of the cartoon with Sylvester the cat trying to catch the mouse (baby kangaroo) for his friend who calls him "George"...
"Why do you call me George? My name is Sylvester?"
"Because I cannot say Sylvester, George."
Finally, my class recently discussed the idea of equality. We talked about Aristotle and Jefferson as examples of theorists who think equality is good, though they have differing views of what constitutes equality. We then talked about Nietzsche and Vonnegut. These two think equality is not a neutral and universal good. Like all ideas, it is a tool employed in the interest of some at the expense of others. Kurt Vonnegut's short story Harrison Bergeron is quite interesting (and an easy read.) Though we haven't started visibly handicapping those who excel (or have we?) there are some signs that excellence runs counter to recognition:
Grapevine student with top grades won't be valedictorian.
The key to this controversy (for me) is here:
Anjali rocketed through high school in only three years.
But a school district policy states: "The valedictorian shall be the eligible student with the highest weighted grade-point average for four years of high school."
The dispute over Anjali's status as valedictorian comes down to interpretation: Does four years mean calendar years of school attendance or does it mean completing the credits it takes most students four years to earn?
You cannot make the argument that it means four calender years. Why? If I took history every class for four years and had the highest GPA I would never be called the valedictorian. Why? I didn't FINISH high school in the process. Therefore, the key is finishing the credits, not the time in school.
I think I'll go put on my little mental handicap radio so I don't have to worry about such things,
Brad
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
2 houses and a baby...
Well, most of you know by now that in addition to buying a new house we are expecting our third child. The due date (for the baby) will give us another December baby. The two boys both came two weeks early, so there is a very slight possibility it will come as early as late-late-November. More likely it will come in the first half of December. We announced it to our boys last night and my older son spent all of choir rehearsal asking people "have you heard the news?" He even took the ultra-sound pictures so that people could see. Even this morning, both the boys are still chatting about how excited they are and how they wish the baby was already here (to which my wife added her whole-hearted agreement!)
As for the house, everything is on track for our July 11th closing date. I guess that means we should start packing. We really haven't yet. After the 24th of June our schedule will get even more busy! Hopefully this is the last move for several years (or decades.)
In other news, my wife and I have become fans of House. I absolutely love Hugh Laurie! Of course, I am much better than most fans of House in that I appreciated Hugh during his "artistic" phase before he became a star on Fox:
And the classic "Well.......and call me....." line:
Perhaps I need a YouTube Blackadder marathon,
Brad
As for the house, everything is on track for our July 11th closing date. I guess that means we should start packing. We really haven't yet. After the 24th of June our schedule will get even more busy! Hopefully this is the last move for several years (or decades.)
In other news, my wife and I have become fans of House. I absolutely love Hugh Laurie! Of course, I am much better than most fans of House in that I appreciated Hugh during his "artistic" phase before he became a star on Fox:
And the classic "Well.......and call me....." line:
Perhaps I need a YouTube Blackadder marathon,
Brad
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