Stang!

I have safely been delivered to my home in Milwaukee. This is despite the snowstorm that canceled my flight from Cleveland to Milwaukee. Because the earliest flight that guaranteed my return would be Sunday, I decided to brave the weather and rent a car to drive back. I asked for the smallest car the rental company had available. I was asked if a two-door would be ok. Sure. And this is what I was given:


Of course, my car is surrounded by snow, not sand.

Family = Mafia

On Christmas I took a chance. The family party was beginning to break apart. The older folks were falling asleep on the couch. The younger folks were texting friends to make plans to go out drinking. I had traveled too far to let the family party end so early. Also, I wanted to continue drinking the free beer.

I taught them Mafia. And I am so proud of how well they played. There were no monologues of logic. There were few flip-flop votes. And there was absolutely no talking from beyond the grave! Instead we had gut-reactions, mob-mentality voting, and no sympathy for children. Siblings rallied to convict siblings, children took down their parents in the night, and spouses avenged previous games even when innocence was a sure thing. It was great. Nothing brings a family together like murder and lies.

Already we're talking about the next time that there will be enough people around to play a few more rounds. I think we have a tradition.

Stalking

I found my students on Facebook. (It wasn't difficult; I just looked up the high school's name.) However, I feel a bit pervy looking at high school students' profiles on Facebook. I also have half a mind to create a profile with my school account, join their network, and "become" their friend. Man, I could ruin all of their fun.

December Thaw

Temperatures above freezing have arrived in Milwaukee - and just in time. My car was running out of gasoline and the gas tank door was frozen shut. I was planning to find an indoor garage this evening so that I could thaw out the car.

Second Thoughts

Before going to my high school's basketball game tonight I thought I should check out the rules and procedures for the game. There are a lot. I was also told by another teacher to make sure that I stick with other people from my school for safety reasons. Now I'm having second thoughts about joining this activity, which clearly is not as safe as it should be.

Questions about Saturday Night

How did Trevor convince us to drive to Madison to see a college a capella group?

When did Trevor become such a big fan of college a capella groups?

How can a fan of college a capella groups make fun of an origami fan, who just happens to bring along folding paper on the trip?

Did the busboy keep the paper crane we left him?

How does Christie keep her concentration on the origami frog while a giant banana is just behind her?

What are the chances that the a capella concert would be held in a venue with a wall of origami?

SNOW DAY!

If you thought that you were excited about snow days as a student, you should experience what it feels like as a teacher. Of course, I didn't find out about the cancellation until I was already up and ready, but that just means I have more of the day to enjoy.

Progress Reports

Me: And that is how a 30 can pull down your average even if the rest of your grades are in the 90s.
Student: Is there another geometry class I can be in?
Me: Actually, averages work the same in every class. It doesn't matter which class you're in.

Progress Reports

Student: What's my grade?
Me: A "U".
Student: Oh, I thought I had a "C".
Me: You haven't had test score above 60 this semester. You have a zero on one of them. How were you going to pull that off?

Brewery Tour #215

I have been on the local brewery tour multiple times - twice in November alone. I have favorite tour guides. And I'm disappointed when my favorite parts of the tour are skipped or skimmed over. Last evening we took another tour of the brewery. Afterwards we stuck around for the Friday Fish Fry and then we moseyed on over to the German Beer Hall. Here are some pictures to highlight the evening.

The tour begins and ends at a tap.

Trevor has difficulty deciding on just one beer to buy.

Justin and Lisa probably laughing at
some wonderful joke that I have told.

Trevor, Emily, Christie, and Amanda.