March

Most people worry about basketball. I don't. I worry about two other things.

1. Will I remember to put the new insurance cards in our cars?

2. Will I get to use my fishing license before it expires?

Brutus

He's a complicated guy who's trying to figure out his priorities. We all know that can be tough, and it's even harder to do when someone with an agenda is manipulating you. Brutus has to decide if he's more loyal to his friend or to his country. Cassius only cares about his own jealousy.

Celebrity Justice

Our topic of investigation this week in Modern Problems is Celebrity Justice. Obviously, it isn't fair for those with wealth and/or fame to be treated differently under the law than the rest of us. I shared with the class the story of Motley Crue singer Vince Neil who was convicted of DUI and vehicular manslaughter in 1984. He was sentenced to five years probation and thirty days in jail and had to pay 2.5 million in fines. Even more troubling, he only served twenty days of his sentence; he got out ten days early for "good behavior."

Crime and Punishment

Crime--Romeo attended Capulet's party
Punishment--Tybalt challenged him to a duel

Crime--Tybalt killed Mercutio
Punishment--Romeo killed Tybalt

Crime--Romeo killed Tybalt
Punishment--Prince Escalus banished Romeo from Verona

We Have A Winner!

At Friday's ball game, I did the drawing for the electric guitar raffle. The winner is Mr. James Purcell from Alabama, one of many Internet entrants. Congratulations to Mr. Purcell, and thanks to everyone who participated. Thanks to your support, the Art Club has money for a field trip before the year's end.

Crazy Illinois

Who ever heard of a tornado in February?!?!?!?

Emotions vs. Logic

This was a topic of discussion in English II yesterday as we considered the Shakespeare Classic, "Julius Caesar." My class and I decided that emotions usually rule the day when competing with logic. The conversation reminded me of this classic 80's song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARERFbiqCfk

As always, I'm not responsible for any inappropriate ads or comments that may appear on Youtube.

Silly Kids

Silly Romie! Silly Julie! You met less than 24 hours ago, and now you're married?!?!?!  OMG!!! What are you two thinking?!?!?!

Mental Realignment

Don't think about snow and ice.
Think about: ice cream, swimming pools, baseball games, barbecue grills, garden produce, a wardrobe of shorts and t-shirts, big catfish gobbling up a chicken liver and nearly pulling your pole out of your hands, etc.

Muchas Gracias!

Apparently, I have an audience of two people!  Many thanks to Ty and Mr. Hacker for keeping up with my thought-provoking posts on here.  ;)

Midterm

Students and parents should check the online gradebook for a midterm update. I'll be sending emails to parents of students with Ds or Fs in my classes.

Music Appreciation

I can't imagine a life without music. No matter your mood, there's a fitting music soundtrack. I find it very powerful that sound waves received by my ears can affect my mood and trigger memories and feelings from years gone by.

PARCC Assessment

I went with several colleagues yesterday to a seminar about the PARCC Assessment, the new computer-based testing system to implemented statewide in 2015. This test will replace the PSAE and be used to determine student achievement towards the Common Core Standards.

Summer

Where are you, summer time? I miss you! I don't get along well with Old Man Winter, but he just won't go away.

Scholar Bowl

As a former SB coach, I still enjoy going to the occasional match, even if I have to be a van driver. Last night, I watched the NHS varsity team totally dominate the action in two matches with Stew-Stras and Beecher City. Good job!

Hype

I suppose I'm in the minority here, but I I don't understand all the hype about the Super Bowl. I realize that it's the one-game championship culminating the whole season's efforts, but I believe it's been blown out of proportion. Let's have some perspective! I feel that there are a lot of other things in our world that deserve a lot more recognition.