All the Saved By the Bell talk got me looking around the internet and I found a which Saved By the Bell character are you. I thought I was going to be Screech but…
So which Saved By the Bell character are you? Tell me in the comments.
Class dismissed!
Guilty pleasures: everyone has them (or at least I think they do). You know those things that you enjoying doing but you are kind of ashamed of and you really don’t want anyone else to know about it.
Well I am in a bit of a mood to air my dirty laundry and share with you a few of my guilty pleasure.
I have forgotten some of the others I was going to write about and I really need to wrap this up cause MacGyver is coming on. Maybe you can help jog my memory by sharing some of your guilty pleasures in the comments.
Class dismissed!
I have been toying with changing the look of What in Tarnation most of the summer but insperation hasn’t really hit me yet and what little inspiration that I have, I haven’t been able to make. So instead I have come up with a few ideas that quite frankly don’t do anything for me. So I have come to the point where I need some input from and who better to ask than the folks have visit WIT on occasion.
Below are my ideas. Tell me what you think in the comments and feel free to e-mail (wit [at] fidmail [daht] com) me any comments or ideas that I could work on.
Idea 1: I had very early in the summer. I was going for a monochromatic look.
Idea 2: An idea that I forced myself to do. I really like the font. It comes from the animated series Beast Machines. I really think there is too much going on here.
Idea 3: Becuase of the complexity of idea 2 I tried going pretty simplistic, so much so that I left the word in out of the logo completely. The word what is actually in the word tarnation, pretty clever huh?
Idea 4: This one goes along more with the overall theme of the blog which of course is education and the crazy things that kids do.
So there you have it. Let me know what you think.
Class dismissed!
Last Wednesday, “the gang” (we need to come up with a better name than that) went to the Muny in St. Louis to see Godspell. We were all still a little gun shy from our last Muny experience, but I was determined to see the show because I was in it my senior year in high school.
Godspell is basically the gospel according to Matthew. It came about around 1971 and its populatity grew along with the “Jesus movement.” The first act shows many of the parables and then an explanation from Jesus of the parable. The second continues with the teachings of Jesus and end with the death of Jesus on the cross. Godspell is often associated with hippies (mostly because of the movie based off the stage show), however, the Muny’s production updated the look and feel of the show using a modern day look and using a myriad POP culture (references from The Matrix, Bring it On, and music from Nelly, just to name a few) references throughout the show. The changes were good ones and made the show more interesting for younger theater goers. The cast even did a rap about the free seats in the Muny, quite funny. What impressed me the most was the cast seemed like they were having the time of their life. That energy gave the show a feeling of spontinaty and freshness which helped connect the audience to what was happening on stage. The man who played Jesus seemed to have occasional problems with his lines, which for me was distracting but it didn’t seem to bother anyone else. The other problem that I had was the ending. The show ended with Jesus’ body being carried off the stage and that was it. I of course was waiting for the return of Jesus to the stage but that was not to be except during the the bows. I guess adding a little more postmodern idology to the show, what ever you think happened to Jesus is what you make it. The whole thing made the show end on a sour note for me.
While watching the show and how the parables were presented and then watching the young children that happened to be sitting in the same area made me realize that sometimes, Christians can make the Gospell kinda boring. Last week was also bible school. While taking video of each class, there were some classes in which the kids would have a glazed over look in their eyes that seemed to say, “I’ve been through this a thousand times.” In contrast, at Godspell, I saw the kids around me trying to get in a better postion to see what was going on on stage. When the kids first sat down, I was a little worried that they would be a distraction, but they weren’t. They sat there eagerly soaking in the parables and teachings of Jesus and they were more than a little disappointed when it was over. One child I over heard wanted to come back and see the show again. It was exciting to see kids who were excited about these stories and I was sad to think that not all the kids in Bible school shared the same excitement.
Of course my thoughts were focused on how children reacted to it but Pressed, brought another point of view that I found interesting. He likened Jesus and his followers on stage to that of a youth group. The youth leader trying to teach the youth something all they while the youth were not always paying attention, playing around, sometimes getting it right and at other times getting it wrong. I thought it was interesting anology.
Our new youth miniter also went with us and he commented on how so many of the worship styles that were seen in the 70’s could be found and even originated from the show. Another interesting perspective.
After the show, we were all happy to see that our automobile was still out in the parking lot after the show. Whew.
Class dismissed!
1. If your life were a movie, what would the title be?
What in Tarnation?!?!? of course!
2. What songs would be on the soundtrack?
It would be an ecclectic mix featuring many different genres. Country however, would not be included in the soundtrack. The theme song… Well it will probably be different you ask me tomorrow, but probably Thy Mercy by Caedmon’s Call.
3. Would it be a live-action film or animated? Why?
Hmmm. How ’bout both! All adults would be live action and kids would be animated. What artistic vision!
4. Casting: who would play you, members of your family, friends, etc?
I don’t know. Why don’t we have a vote. In the comments let me know who you think should play me. And then tell me who would play you.
5. Describe the movie preview/trailer.
(Words flash screen on black background with suspensful music in the background): Three men and a baby?…
That’s easy…
How ’bout One man and twenty-five kids?…
(Theme song begins playing with the actor playing me [version one:] collapsed on a desk or [version two:] sitting in a tiny little chair, looking rather deshevled. Child voice over:) Mr. Wright, Susie is puking everywhere. (Title What in Tarnation appears over the scene. Actor slowly (reluctantly) walks out of frame. At bottom, the title: This Fall on NBC appears. Child voice over:) Eeew! It’s everywhere! (Actor playing me voice over:) Thank you for the update, go get the janitor. (Fade to black.)
Class dismissed!
For the men that have take the The Male Urinal Etiquette Test in the last entry, It is Just a Bit of Poo, it is time for the answers for the quiz. I will allow to grade your own quizzes. If you are male and haven’t taken the quiz, do it now before you look at the answers.
And now for a bit of spoiler space.
Answers are on their way…
Hope you have taken the test…
Like it really matters anyway…
Okay, okay, here they are:
1.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
2.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
3.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
Correct answer: 1 or 6. Choosing 2, 3, 4, or 5 tacitly says “I don’t mind if someone stands next to me,” a very dubious message to be putting out.
4.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
5.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
Correct answer: 4.
Choosing 1 or 3 “couples” you with the guy in stall 2 and we wouldn’t want THAT now, would we? This differs from question 4 in such a subtle way that cannot be explained. Suffice to say, only men would understand!
6.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
Correct answer: NONE!
In this case the only option is to use a doored stall. Ensure however that you only half shut the door of the stall so that others do not think you have something to hide. If there is no doored stall available then you must go straight to the mirror and pretend to comb your hair or straighten a tie until the urinals “open up” a bit more. Note that use of a hand basin is an acceptable alternative to a doored stall at stadium toilets and nightclubs.
Christopher’s Rules for Urinal Usage:
1. Please do not talk to me while standing at the urinal. This is not a good time to have a conversation. Wait until I am washing my hands.
2. Please keep your face forward, no wandering eyes. I like the restrooms that have partitions between urinals or at least something to read on the wall. If such provisions do not exist stare at the time. Sometimes I envision patterns in the tiles to pass the time. Head turning is not appropriate. There is no reason to be looking over at me or in my general direction.
3. If all urinals are filled and you are waiting to use one, please keep a good distance behind me while waiting. Standing by the far wall would be a good place. There is no reason to be standing behind me.
4. If there is a whole bank of unoccupied urinals and you choose the one right next to me, you will be dubbed as weird and lacking in urinal etiquette. This is a stigma that you do not want hanging over your head for the remainder of your existance.
5. Odd noises will using the urinals, though humorous, may be distracting. We have gathered here for one purpose, so do it. A few noises are allowable, but too much of a good thing is, well not so good.
6. Peeing into the urinal from across the bathroom is out right wrong. Don’t do it, I shouldn’t have to tell you this. This is not a contest, nor is this type of activity required to prove your manhood. Besides, no one wants to see that.
7. Always, always, always flush the urinal after use. If I use that urinal next, I would like a fresh bowl.
Failure to follow these regulations could result in expultion from the restroom without refund of entry fee. Thank you for your consideration.
_______
The title from my last entry, It’s Just a Bit of Poo, is actually a line from the new movie Johnny English starring Rowan Atkinson. Atkinson has had a following from his Mr. Bean comedy series (among other rolls). The movie is actually a spoof on the spy movie such as James Bond and the film was quite amusing. I was laughing most of the time while watching the flick. Now some people seem to feel that Mr. Bean is an acquired taste, if you are one of those people you will not like this movie. Johnny is the last secert agent that England has (the others have been killed) and he must find the stolen Crown Jewels. Problem is Johnny isn’t a good secret agent, though he is convienced he is and that is where much of the humor come from. So if you go for that slapstick kind of humor and don’t mind looking at the Archduke’s bare rear end, I would recommend Johnny English, otherwise you should probably skip it.
My grade: B+
Did you see Johnny English? If you did tell me what you thought.
Class dismissed!
blogs4God highlights an entry from Church of the Masses about a screening of The Passion. It has some interesting insights and is just reaffirming the positive buzz that there seems to be about the flick. I just hope the buzz doesn’t build up my expectations too far…
____
I got this Spam message in my e-mail inbox today. I admit, I laughed a bit:
Hello,
I’m a time traveler stuck here in 2003. Since nobody here seems to be able to get me what I need (safely here to me), I will have to build a simple time travel circut to get where I need myself. I am going to need an easy to follow picture diagram for a simple time travel circut, which can be built out of (readily available) parts here in 2003. Please email me any schematics you have. I will pay good money for anything you send me I can use Or if you have the rechargeable AMD dimensional warp generator wrist watch unit available, and are 100% certain you have a (secure) means of delivering it to me please also reply. Send a separate email to me at: info@federalfundingprogram.com.
Do not reply back directly to this email as it will only be bounced back to you.
Thank You
dedicationk jlq vztdg i
I think Mr. dedicationk jlq vztdg i may be in luck, in reviewing the contents of the My Documents folder I found some schematics that just might help him. I forgot I had those saved on the hard drive. That could be a security risk for STTC (Simple Time Travel Circut) Project that my third graders were working on in science. Silly me! Mr. dedicationk jlq vztdg i the schematics are in the mail.
______
Now for males only…
The Male Urinal Etiquette Test
The following is the urinal configuration in a sample men’s toilet. An X below
the number will indicate “in use.” For example, in this diagram, urinals 3 and
6 are occupied:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
You are to identify correctly, based on urinal etiquette, at which stall you
are to correctly stand. Good luck!
Easy questions
1.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
2.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
Tricky questions
3.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
4.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
Subtle, tricky, but important-to-know question
5.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
Very tricky question
6.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X |
Answers to come in a later post. Tell me your answers in the comments. No cheating!
Class dismissed!
Today was the first day of Vacation Bible School at my church. I would say that the first day was quite successful. I am helping with video, sound and other technical stuff. Saving up the teaching for later in the year.
In the meantime I wanted to introduce a new series of entries here at WIT?!?!? called Blast from the Past. These are teaching/kid related stories that happened before I ever had the blog around. I have told these stories a million times to basically anyone who will listen (poor Pressed has had to listen to the stories at least half the times that I have told them.) I figure I should get them down before I forget them. Moreover, it will be a bit of cheap therapy for me because I’m in the mood to be back at school and back in the swing of things and the past two weeks I have really been missing the students in my class last year.
For our first story from Blast from the Past, WIT?!?!? proudly presents…
Christians
My first year of teaching (at the time I was teaching second grade at the time, around 7-8 years of age) was… well… extremely interesting and at the same time maddening. One of the students that had the pleasure of making that first year interesting and maddening was Seth* (more of the latter, and if you would like to read another entry featuring Seth, don’t miss Street Beat and Panties, POP-up warning). Seth went to Speech class twice a week to help clear up a slight speech issue. Now before I continue, I need to explain a little something about myself (gee this story isn’t going to be all that linear), I have a problem understanding people with a heavy accent, people with speech issues, people who speak ebonics or folks who speak spanish. Try as I might, it is difficult for me to understand people who vary far from a nuetral, midwestern accent or a St. Louis accent (fourty-four is pronounced farty far or fork is pronounced fark). On a rare occasion, Seth’s speech problem would make it very difficult for me to understand what he was saying. As a result, I would ask him to repeat himself 800 times.
On one occasion, during AR Seth came to find me to ask a question. AR is a reading program that allows students to choose a book on their reading level and then after completing the book they take a test on the computer to test reading comprehension. Each book is assigned a point value based on the length and difficulty of the book. Picture books are generally worth .5 point and will be tested with 5 questions, and chapter books are generally worth one point and are tested 10 questions. Students have a point goal to earn by the end of the grading period, the goal is set by the teacher and student based on that student’s ability level. Whew. That is a mouth full. Hope you didn’t fall asleep.
For your reading comfort, the conversation in a dialoge format along with my thoughts:
Seth: How many christians?
Me: Excuse me?
Seth: How many christians?
Me: One more time, please.
Seth: How many christians?
Me: Wow! I think I misheard you. Could you repeat that–slower.
Seth: How… many… christians?
Me: Gee that’s what I thought you said. I’m not sure I can answer that.
Seth: Why? You’re the teacher.
Me: Well I don’t know how many christians. Sorry.
Seth: NO! How many christians?
Me: I said I don’t know.
Seth: Listen… HOW… MANY… CHRISTIANS?
Me: No, shouting didn’t help. Come again?
Seth: Howmanychristians?
Me: Speeding up certainly didn’t help. A few more times…
Seth: How many christians? How many christians? How many christians? How many christians?
Me: Are you speaking in spanish?
Seth: NO!!! In this book, how many christians?
Me: In the book? Ah… Let me see it.
He hands me a Magic Tree House book. I flip through the book and take a second to look like I am pondering the answer but I am really trying to think of a way out of this strange mobius strip that I am in.
Me: Well, Seth, I don’t know, the book doesn’t really say.
Seth: WHAT!!!!!! It won’t tell you how many christians.
Me: Do you want me to guess?
Seth: Yes.
Me: (Frustrated pause) I don’t know! Okay! I just don’t know, I have failed you! I’m sorry! (I pretend to cry on his shoulder.)
Seth: Gee. I just wanted to know how many christians.
Me: This is a joke right? You are playing some cruel joke on me right, cause I hear you saying, “How many christians?” Is that what you are saying? You are just trying to waste time and not read, right?
Seth: No, I wanna know how many christians.
Cain* who also attends speech for a slightly more pronounced speech problem (Cain of the Mounting story): Mista Wight, he just wants to know how many questions.
Me: How many questions? For the test on the book?
Cain: Yeah.
Me: Oh. Well I would guess 10.
Seth: 10 christians?
Me: Yeah, 10 christians. (Seth gives me a dirty look.) Remind me that I need to talk to Mrs. Strain (the speech teacher), okay.
Seth: Kay.
Me to Cain: You could have helped me out earlier.
Cain (with a sneaky grin on his face): Yeah, but is was funny.
Me (with all the sarcasm I can muster): Thanks.
Seth (about 4 minutes later): There were only 5 christians.
Me: That sounds about right. Did you pass?
Seth: Yup!
Me: Good job. (I collapse on the nearest desk.)
______
In other news. Those weapons of mass destruction are tricky little buggers to find.
Class dismissed!
*Names changed to proctect the not so innocent.
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