Blog Archives - The Land of the Weird

The Land of the Weird

Sleepy

8/31/2020

We arrived home a little after 3 a.m. today after dropping off Katrina and Irene at the airport in Anchorage a little after midnight. I got about 2 and a half hours of sleep before getting up to go to school today. In hindsight, I should have taken a personal day (however that works in this online system) but Katrina's flight didn't change to the later time until this weekend.

Thus, loaded with coffee, I powered through the day and then took a couple hour nap on returning home. My list of things to do for school keep growing, and I managed to forget calling a parent I had promised to call, but I otherwise managed to survive the day. Tomorrow, I plan on triaging the tasks still ahead for this week (not to mention the week after that) to get all of my students' grades caught up and hand entered into PowerSchool (this was the WORST time for Canvas and PowerSchool to get into a legal battle), because I figured that dealing with student grades while I'm sleep-deprived today would not have been the best idea.

Still, I very glad that we squeezed as much time as we could with Katrina and Irene before they had to head back.

The Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

8/30/2020

I'm writing this one earlier than normal as I will not have the chance to write it later today. In truth, I was quite distracted in church today as it is Katrina and Irene's last day visiting us, and a I managed to have some time holding a happy--and quite chatty--granddaughter. Although the people around us might not have been as happy with having their thoughts and prayers interrupted, her joyful noises were (to me, at least) the types of sounds that I would prefer to hear in a church, as it shows a living church.

Our readings today do not really correspond with such happy sounds as they focused on the tribulations we often face for being followers of God. In the Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples about His upcoming persecution and death for the first time. Peter, who had in the Gospel reading before been given power over Jesus' Church, takes Jesus aside and tries to talk Him out of it. To this, Jesus harshly tells him "Get behind me, Satan!"

I am reminded of the scene in the Fellowship of the Ring where Frodo offers the Ring of Power to Gandalf, and the sharp rebuke that he receives for the offer. Just as Gandalf was tempted by the Ring, so too do we know that Jesus wanted to keep His life. His Anguish in the Garden just prior to His Crucifixion is proof of that. Perhaps He was not yelling at Peter so much as at the Tempter who was again trying to divert Jesus from His destiny.

I know that I am not as strong as Jesus (or even Gandalf) in denying the temptations that cross my path. It is so easy to be caught by the snares of the world and to lose sight of what needs to be done as opposed to what I want. Thankfully, God knows that I am a work in progress and loves me anyway.

Firefly: Emma

8/29/2020

During Katrina's visit, we decided to once again watch our favorite TV series, Firefly, and its subsequent movie. Despite it being fifteen years since the movie hit the theaters, this short-lived space-western series still holds up even in comparison to newer, flashier shows with better computer effects. There is a heart to it that makes it a comfortable place to return time and again, even though it is only fourteen episodes and a movie.

It was while watching the movie today that I thought about a way to bring this beloved series back. What if the new series focused was centered on the daughter of Zoe and Wash? Despite Wash's fate near the end of Serenity, Firefly lore establishes (largely through the comic book series that followed the movie) that the two of them have a child named Emma who is born about nine months after the conclusion of the movie. While that would put the character at about fourteen years old right now, by the time this idea could be put in production and the show hit the air, Emma could be a rebellious 16 year old (about the same age that River is supposed to be on the show).

This would allow for the entire cast, except for Ron Glass (may he rest in peace), to return either as regulars or with guest appearances. Yes, even Alan Tudyk could come back as Wash, albeit as a sort of "ghost"--the father that she never knew to whom she confides her fears and dreams. Meanwhile, the show could focus on both new adventures as well as play out some backstory for what has happened in the intervening years.

Don't get me wrong, I'm also fine with Firefly staying how it is. As is, when I'm feeling determined, I can watch the entire series and movie in a single day. Adding more to that would complicate matters. Still, this was a compelling series that deserved better and supposedly had five or more seasons worth of stories planned before it was cancelled.

I wouldn't mind seeing more of it.

50 Years

8/28/2020

Although I am technically writing this on the 28th of August, due to time zone differences, my parents have entered the 29th--the day of their 50th anniversary. A variety of plans, consultations, revisions, and decisions were made concerning our celebration this year of their golden anniversary. Unfortunately, COVID put an end to our most ambitious idea (which would have been the entire family on a Caribbean cruise at the beginning of this month). However, my siblings and daughters are still planning to share a celebration with my parents next week (after Katrina and Irene return home).

I have long realized just how blessed I have been in life to have two loving parents who, despite any quirks or frustrations that they have with one another, have managed to work through any problems and keep their love burning for my entire life and more. In so many ways the two of them complement (if not compliment) each other, like two interlocking puzzle pieces that together make a clear picture. I think of their relationship as one of balance that somehow combines two distinct melodies into a single harmony ... of a song that has developed and grown for five decades.

I hope they have a happy anniversary.

Reading Aloud

8/27/2020

I enjoy reading aloud the literature that I select for my classes. While I just get pleasure from talking (no surprise there), I experience true joy as I read aloud intricate passages from masters of the writing craft. This is especially true of older works in which the authors intentionally sharpened and honed the lyrical quality of their poems and stories. The pleasure I feel while breathing life into these words that were captured on paper and that traveled through time to be once more spoken into the open air is what I imagine doctors must feel when they bring back a patient from the dead.

Authors entrust their words to lifeless pages, hoping that someone will pull them into their bodies and then blow them out into the air to travel the world again. Being an instrument for that task is to be part of the rejuvenation of the thoughts and feelings held by people hundreds of years ago. The word spirit comes from the Latin spiritus, meaning breath. Reading aloud puts spirit back into the words, which then mingles in the air with my own spirit and is breathed back into me.

While reading aloud, I join the cadre of skalds, bards, and griots who used the spoken word to inform and entertain. Just as they passed these words in front of campfires to eager listeners, so too do I use these words to hopefully spark and kindle some dream or idea in the hearts of my students. It is no wonder that people believe that words and books contained magic and spells, for I am spellbound by the sounds, feelings, and images that these words produce as they are said aloud.

That, and I get to use my Beowulf voice.

Helplessness

8/26/2020

I had a virtual doctor appointment today, but was checked in by a person who had not done so before. Among the standard questions that I've been asked, she added one that I don't remember being asked before. "In the past to weeks have you experienced feelings of depression or helplessness?"

The question set me back a bit. Normally, I can just reply with a "not really," but these past two weeks ... even months ...

I have to admit that I've felt helpless. I've watched people I respect defend vileness and selfishness. I've seen people who claim to love liberty defend tyranny. I've had the situation around my job vacillate from week to week and day to day with no real control on my part.

That's certainly given me feelings of depression and helplessness.

But ... I have hope as well. Even with all of the negativity and stress surrounding us, I earnestly believe that we can make things better. I might feel helpless, but not hopeless.

And that's what I told her.

Just Beat

8/25/2020

How has it only been two days of online teaching? I feel like we should be at least a week into school. Meanwhile, my to-do list just keeps growing as I'm trying to stay ahead in building content, playing tech support for my students, grading work that's already coming in, fielding questions, dealing with online antics (I had my first Zoom-bomber today), and trying to fix the inevitable errors that are popping up with what I've put out there. All of this is going on while I'm still trying to be supportive of, and instructive to, my students. Oh, and I can't forget to make up packets of all the work that I had to make paperless earlier.

I know that part of my issue is that I'm overly ambitious in what I'm trying to produce for my students, and I keep finding more things that I could do to make my class more intuitive--or at least more user-friendly. The enormity and the interconnectedness of everything I still need to put together makes it difficult to figure out which part should be completed first. No sooner do I get to work on one part than I realize that I need to get something else done before I can finish the part I'm working on.

Sorry for the whining. I've been relying on coffee rather than a full night's sleep lately, and it's catching up with me. In truth, everything is coming together, but like making sausages, it's not a pretty process.

First Day of School 2020

8/24/2020

Honestly, today went better than I expected. I actually had pretty good turnouts to all of the Zoom classes that I held. In fact, considering how crowded my class lists have become these past couple of days, my class sizes of actual attendees was actually in the manageable numbers (I'm sorry, but every student over twenty in a class-particularly a class where I have to grade a lot of writing-makes it exponentially more difficult for me).

Interestingly, I ran into some of the same first day problems that I always have. For example, I had to keep repeating instructions as students kept trickling into the Zoom meeting--much like they would if we were face to face. In fact, the same excuse--"I couldn't figure out where you were"--was used. I also found myself running out of time even though I significantly trimmed down my opening day talk. I also spent nearly the entire time talking with almost no response from my charges. The difference was that this time I was facing a silent screen of names written in white letters on black backgrounds instead of blank faces. I cannot tell you how much it cheered me to have even one student turn their camera on.

I'm also still exhausted. The difference is that usually the first day hits me physically and mentally. Today, I was less drained on the physical side, but almost completely wiped out of my emotional and mental energy. I also need to remind myself to stand more often, something that was not an issue during a normal first day.

One of my friends did make me an amazing Harry Potter face mask for when I do walk the halls. She lined it with the starry blue to represent my Ravenclaw House affiliation. I find it to be quite stylish (perhaps more than I deserve).

I also thought that I could share with you a picture of the virtual classroom that I set up. The bookshelf will fill as we progress through more units, but nearly all of the other images (including my own Bitmoji) contain links to something. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

Now, I need to go to bed so I'm more rested for tomorrow.

The Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time [post-dated for 8/23/2020]

8/24/2020

By the time I finished my Canvas and bitMoji classrooms to a point that met my satisfaction, it was past midnight and too late to write my daily post anyway. As we held our first day of school online today, I wondered if Peter felt a bit like I did today--a bit weighed by the enormity of what I am facing. Granted, I'm just trying to put together English classes that can move between being online and face-to-face with only a day or two of notice. Peter, however, was being placed in charge of Christ's Church on Earth.

I wonder if Peter knew then the demands and pressures that he would have to bear. I wonder if he truly realized what Jesus was placing into his care and the toll that it would take on his life. I'd like to think that Peter did understand, if not fully, the responsibility he was given. After all, Jesus called him His Rock, the foundation of what was to come (Humorous side note: I hope Jesus didn't change Simon's name to Peter because of that incident with him sinking during the storm in the previous Gospel). Jesus knew that Peter had it within him to be the base of the Church that continues on to today.

And so I face the tasks ahead of me knowing that Jesus will be there as my support, just as He was for Peter.

No Time

8/22/2020

My apologies, but this will not be much of a post I'm still scrambling a bit to make certain that everything is up and running by Monday. While I'm at the point that I have Monday itself covered and have plans set up through at least the next two weeks, I'm still working on setting up the assignments through Canvas and fixing the overall interface. I have a feeling that some of that will just have to wait until the school week starts as I need to relax a bit too this weekend.

Going Back In

8/21/2020

I'm still not ready for Monday. At Janelle's suggestion, I'm heading back into the school tomorrow rather than try to complete everything from home. While I have the ability to do most of the work here in my office (I'm only missing one book), there are fewer distractions in the school on a Saturday than there are in my house.

Were I to take some shortcuts, I could technically be ready tonight, but I'm trying to get everything into as close to its completed shape as I can. Currently, I have my scoring system, projects, and one of my syllabi ready to go. I need to complete the other syllabus, finish the day-by-day plans, input everything into Canvas, create my navigation pages, and link in everything so it moves seamlessly when the students get to them.

Yep. It might be better if I'm working on that at a computer that does not house all of these games.

Y'all Ready for This?!

8/20/2020

... No. Not quite yet. While I have made significant progress in getting ready this week, I still have some basic elements (such as my Canvas home pages) to get done. I will say that putting that off did work in my favor as I attended an inservice today which completely changed how I want to set my home pages up.

I am still figuring out pacing for content and point values for assignments. While the district is asking that we have two weeks prepared before school starts on Monday, my point system requires me to have at least an entire quarter ready to go from the start. Since neither of my preps this semester are classes that I taught last year, I have quite a bit of planning to complete in the next three days.

Surprisingly, I feel pretty calm (almost zen) about this situation. It will be what it will be. I have plenty of content and assignments ready to go, and I'm actually getting excited about most of the stories that I've picked out for my freshman English course. Many of them are old favorites that I haven't taught since I worked back in Colon. Actually, considering that my other classes are both 12th grade British Literature courses (like the course I developed back in Colon), this semester really feels like I'm getting back to my early days of teaching.

I might not be quite ready yet, but I have clear idea of what lies in the path ahead.

Online

8/19/2020

Yesterday, we were informed that the current rise in new cases for our section of the district necessitates that we move to fully online instruction (in most cases) for the first couple of weeks of school. At that point, the data will be revisited and a decision will be made for the following week(s). Even though I was fairly certain that this was going to happen, I was still found myself taking the news rather poorly. I love teaching and working with my students. Online simply is not the same.

That said, we have been preparing for this. Certainly, I might have put off some of my online preparation as I was setting up my physical classroom, but everything will still be ready for our students so that we can give them a place (even if it is virtual) to socialize and hone their skills. There are still some concerns about those students whose parents have not yet registered them, as we are not certain about their needs, but we are working on contingencies for them as well.

Thankfully, my point system is fairly adaptable and allows for students to demonstrate their knowledge and ability in a variety of ways. The main frustration that I'm dealing with at the moment is that the digital versions of our textbooks are no longer available (this was really the wrong year for that to happen). Thus, I have to spend extra time seeking and preparing online materials which had been readily available to students in previous years.

Oh well ... I'll overcome that problem too.

Grandbaby Time

8/18/2020

Katrina and Irene arrived in Alaska safely later Sunday night. We made it home around 2:30 am Monday morning. I have been quite tired, but a happy tired since then.

Irene still doesn’t know what to think of me, but she loves the dogs and belly laughs when I play ball with Starbuck. We did that for twenty minutes yesterday until Starbuck decided she was done and took the ball with her. Today, when I arrived with the dogs at their campsite, she perked up around them.

The rest of the family went rafting on the Kenai and camping at Hidden Lake again. I decided to drive there for dinner. As the dogs had been in their crates for most of the day, I brought them along with me. Aside from the difficulties that they can cause, I think that it was a good choice as it gave me more time to be with Katrina and Irene, even if I ouldnt spend the night.

I did get to spend plenty of time holding my granddaughter today without much screaming on her part. Considering the chaos and frustration I am dealing with at work, it was quite pleasant to spend some time sitting around a campfire while holding Irene. It would have been nice if I could have stayed longer.