The Kind of Gift That Comes From the Heart

My favorite comedy (next to Scrubs) shows that it really is the thought that counts. Happy Holidays!

My Mom Made Me Walk...

The HOURS of research, planning, writing and RE-writing my thesis have ended! I received my Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction on Saturday and to my initial dismay my mother made me walk.

I dropped the $60 for the fancy cap and gown (the darn hood was very confusing) and I suffered through two hours of formal gobbldee gook. I grumbled to myself as at least 30 undergraduates talked rudely and excessively through the whole thing (I'm sure this was karma because I think I was still drunk during my undergraduate ceremony) and I almost fell asleep during the commencement speaker (some UAW guy, he was alright). Earlier in the week I mumbled to my co-workers (most who did not walk for their masters) about my weekend plans embarrassed that I was participating in such events. In the educational profession you are obligated to continue your higher education with out much celebration or a "wow! great job!" feeling. It is not really a monumental event, you just do it.

It was only 3/4 through the ceremony that I started to smile, feel proud and then finally warm and fuzzy. This all happened when I heard a loud and adorable child yell "I love you daddy!" and then the man next to me, smiling ear to ear, said "that was my 3 year old son, he is so proud". I realized that education is a big deal to more than the person getting it.

My mother has two degrees, my brother and two sisters are all finishing school and I already know that a Ph. D or specialist degree are in my future. When I hear families screaming and blowing horns, as if at a football game, I realize that not everyone looks at education as something you "just do". I value learning, reading and I love school (good reason to be a teacher), but I forgot it really is a big deal to graduate. My 91 year old grandparents furthered this discovery when they hugged me and said they are so proud I have something no one can ever take away-ever. I was so happy for their joy I forgot my own.

I can comfortably say that after these little moments I am now proud to have graduated, I thank my mom for forcing me to walk and I wish good luck to anyone that pursues their education. I have always been a constant advocate, but now I realize how important the celebration once you finish really is. No matter how many degrees you earn it is still important to feel joy in the search for knowledge...and you don't need a Stafford Loan to obtain that lesson!

CSI Miami - Endless Caruso One Liners

I love CSI, but I giggle at how lame Horatio is. It is as if his sunglasses give him magical one liner powers.

I dare any one to watch this entire thing and live to tell about it.

I also will give a big thumbs up and a smile for the first person to count how many times Horatio puts on his magic sunglasses. Have fun!

This is Why I am as Teacher

This is my secret too! We have a deaf autistic student at my school that stops by my room everyday. Kenny is my morning sunshine and I swear I am going to learn fluent sign language if it kills me! So far all I can sign is "Kenny is a cool dude". It is true, he really is!

How I Performed Les Mis

I am a big fan of NPH and the show How I Met Your Mother, I also have a friend who loved the play Les Miserables (which is waaayyy out of his character!)after his fiance made him go see it. This clip is dedicated to my buddy "T" and if his fiance "A " reads this...you are a lucky, lucky gal!

Unnyfay Hitsay! The Comedy Block Delivered!

I was looking forward to tonight's trio of hilarity all day long and I think I may have peed my pants a bit with anticipation. Milk did not come out my nose, but I think I pulled a stomach muscle from laughing so hard. What I am trying to explain is my excitement for My Name is Earl, The Office and Scrubs!

From 8pm-9:30 I never stopped laughing. Earl produced a gambling addiction driven around rooster poop and African election results, I had to close my eyes while watching The Office because I get so embarrassed for Michael and JD did not let me down on Scrubs. Now I am going to crawl into bed and drift to sleep with a much needed smile.

I think that Thursday nights will now officially be the late week energy booster I have been searching for. I'm sad about missing Grey's, but I'll just check Mrs. Turtle for the update and I will be a very happy lady! Am I the only one that finds goofy guys like Jim from The Office and Zach Braff from Scrubs very, very attractive? I am pretty sure the most attractive quality in a man is a sense of humor, of course I tell my husband it is his rock hard abs:)

Why Do I get the Feeling Idiots are Running This Country?

I was just checking the news and I came across this iddy bit of information: U.S. Aims to Ban iPod Sales to North Korea (read more here). Apparently Kim Jong Il digs techy stuff like iPods, scooters and other Sharper Image type gift items. To show how big and cool America really is... behold trade sanctions on his "Favorite Things".

Is it me or does this sound like a reverse Oprah episode (Oprahs Favs). I guess this sort of non-violent protest is thoughtful, I am just not convinced it is a good thought. Ghandi would be proud?

Just think, if Oprah ever pissed off the security of this country we can all kiss cashmere sweaters, giant gourmet cookies and Alice Walker novels good bye.

Perhaps if we sanctioned trade regulations of the importation of whatever the hell Jong Il uses to poof his hair with, Dr. Evil polyester suits, or platform shoes then he might start communicating at a productive level. But what do I know?

Kim Jong Il's Favorite Things

iPod's
Segway Scooters
Plasma TV's
Harley Davidson's
Cognac
Rolex

Gwen is Gold Again

I am a long time fan of No Doubt and I think Gwen Stefani is so cute and quirky. I just finished listening to her new CD "The Sweet Escape" and I am pretty pleased. Her last independent album was a little too "Harajuku" for my taste, but this new one is a bit more enjoyable. Either way she is creative and I enjoy her lyrics (I still can't figure out what the hell Holla Back was really about but my buddy T sure loves it!).

I give a big thumbs up for Gwen. Check it out here before buying it

The Best Post Secret in Months!

My favorite secrets are the funny ones and this one cracked me up! Check out this weeks posts.

40 Things That Only Happen in the Movies.

I am that woman. Yes, I am the one that watches a movie and bursts everyone's bubble by whispering (usually to myself, but someone ALWAYS hears me) "Yeah, like that could ever happen". It turns out that my dream crushing observances have actually been compiled to a list of 40. Check it out. I have listed for enjoyment my favorite five.

1. It is always possible to find a parking spot directly outside or opposite the building you are visiting.

2. If you decide to start dancing in the street, everyone you bump into will know all the steps.

3. If you are heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts, your opponents will wait patiently to attack you one by one by dancing around you in a threatening manner until you have defeated their predecessor.

4. Anyone can land a 747 as long as there is someone in the control tower to talk you down.

5. Cars will explode instantly when struck by a single bullet.

Sarah Got Me...Three Things Meme

Mrs. Turtle got me, here I go...

Three things that scare me: The Government, Alzheimers, Me
Three people who make me laugh: My husband, My brother, Nick Swardson
Three things I love: Sleep, Fresh cut delphinium, A good book
Three things I hate: Ignorance, Sometimes my hometown, People who refuse to see life beyond there front door.
Three things I don't understand: Social class (why do have so much REALLY poor and REALLY rich?), Cheerleaders (do the teams really play better with them there?), hate
Three things on my desk: A picture of my husband, My printer, A pile of paid bills waiting to be filed.
Three things I'm doing right now: Watching football (Go Irish!), Procrastinating, Drinking water
Three things I want to do before I die: Raise well- rounded children, Run a marathon, Write a book
Three things I can do: Love, Paint, Talk
Three things I can't do: Stop talking, (at the moment) Have Children, Play Sing
Three things you should listen to:My mom, My gut, My heart
Three things you should never listen to: My sister-in-law, Negative co-workers, Pat O'Brien
Three things I'd like to learn: How to flip houses, How to say no, How to relax
Three favorite foods: Pierogi, Chicken and cheese stuffed breadsticks from Pollyeyes, A nice turkey sandwich with lots of pickles and mustard
Three beverages I drink regularly: Water, Skim milk, Water
Three TV shows I watched as a kid: The Monkees (reruns on Nick at Night), Quantum Leap, Full House


I now officially tag...
Roonie: I know you will have fabulous answers
Two Pretzels: I love your stories
Malissa: You always have something interesting to say

ZZZZzzzzz!

I am quite pleased that I did not gorge myself on holiday deliciousness this year. My grandma did bring over an outstanding strawberry pie, but other than that I ate in moderation. What I did not do in moderation is sleep...and I blame you Mr. Turkey for this!

Turkey is yummy, but the tricky son of a bitch gets me every year. I eat a comfortable amount of this intoxicating poultry and then ssssnnnnoooorrrrr. I am out on the couch like an old man(pants ALWAYS reminded zipped!). The worst part is that the next day I am eating leftovers and passing out all over again-I would burn my hand repeatedly on a hot pan if that hot pan tasted as good as my dad's homemade turkey and dumpling soup.

As a fairly educated woman I am quite aware of the cursed tryptophan, yet I could eat healthy portions of turkey based meals everyday. To add insult to injury the amount of movies running during Thanksgiving weekend is enough to sideline me to the couch all on their own. If I watch ELF or Austen Powers one more time I may be considered an expert on the films.

While I am proud of my self control this year with my eating this Thanksgiving I am sadly let down at my ability to not be a lazy slug. I am pretty sure that I am now going to take a nap.

It is All Over...

I really enjoyed House of Carter's on E!. Since I have come out of the closet as a reality TV fan I have really embraced this series. I was very uncomfortable when Mr. Carter came to visit and BJ's drinking is pretty obnoxious, but I think the near car wrecks avoided each episode make for great TV.

In the end I believe I finally saw the most "real" celebrities on TV. Nick Carter, who I always assumed was a total tool, has a HUGE heart and trys to be good despite the demons of his past. I am going to miss this show. I won't miss the squeaky pseudo ghetto Aaron, but I will miss the show.

I Would be a Smart Ass Celebrity

I have decided that if for some reason I was to become famous I would always use sarcasm as a tool against the paparazzi. This article on TMZ made me laugh and I figure, what else do you say when people ask you the same irrelevant questions over and over again? I would probably start speaking in Pig Latin or start quoting Shakespeare. This is how Hotty Timberlake deals...


Britney Justin Time?
Posted Nov 13th 2006 11:41AM by TMZ Staff

Now that Britney Spears has lost some unwanted weight (both literally and figuratively), fans are beginning to wonder whether it's time for Britney and Justin 2.0.

Justin Timberlake was spotted over the weekend at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. While picking up his black BMW from the valet, a photog asked the pop star, "Do you have anything to say about the recent divorce of Britney and Kevin?"

JT shot back, "Yeah, there's a war going on in Iraq."

Thank you, Captain Obvious.



*I personally found the little jab at Kevin Federline as figurative weight witty and original (Once again, if you don't get sarcasm go here)

Bush-tacular!

This IS by far the funniest picture of George Bush I have seen in a long time. I give a big old thumbs up to the Photo Shop freaks that keep wooing me with their talent. Bravo!

Ode to Turkey!

This is for my Thanksgiving lovin' friend Sarah. She makes the valid argument that we must cherish the Thanksgiving before we move on to the Christmas-Amen sister. Heres to all that is turkey!

Turkey Call (my buddies Hoops and YoYo)
Dress the Turkey
Mr. Bean Turkey
Friends (Thanksgiving flashbacks)

Lazy Scranton

I still can't believe how funny this show is. If you have no idea what The Office is referencing, check out Lazy Sunday from SNL.

I'm soooo Over It.

TomKat= puke in my mouth. Let's find some real news and live our own lives.

Wow, Way Too Much Time on an Ad Executive's Hands

I was in awe of this Honda Accord ad.

November 14, 1984

Ahhh, the official release date of Like a Virgin. Is it crazy that I was barely four when this album came out, yet I remember wanting to listen to it? Of course my mom said no, I was stuck with The Muppets for a few more years.

Crazy Cute...

My dad sent me this link and it made me smile www.hoopsandyoyo.com. Explore the site, Hoops and Yoyo are pretty funny.

Share Your Best "That Guy" Photo

What is a "That Guy" photo you say? It is that accidental (or often intentional) person that slips their way into a perfectly good posed photo. Some are creepy and some are hilarious.

Just for fun it would be great to see what everyone can come up with. I have a gem from a family vacation that I will post later this week. Just post a link to your blog or to another site as a comment. Try College Humor if you need more of a reference source.

Sports Journalism is no longer journalism until they get the ego-inflated unskilled former athletes off the air

Yeah, I said it. I am sick of former athletes dominating professional sports journalism and not doing their job. A REAL journalist does not reveal their personal favorites, the do not act as PR reps for their former or favorite teams-unprofessional! They report the facts and use logic and stats to create entertaining and informative segments. So called "sports journalists" need to get out of the studio and allow the average Joes that have spent years studying sports and the craft of journalism have jobs. Certainly former college and professional athletes are not hard up for cash.


*This is by no means a OSU v. Michigan rivalry rant. It is an honest opinion that I actually felt inspired to write about after watching an NFL highlight segment on ESPN followed by side bar piece in Sports Illustrated*

WOW!

The humor never stops! I can't wait until the new episodes start.

Like, Totally a Shocker Y'all!

So sad, so tragic. What will the world do now?
I only hope and pray that this tragic failure of a picture perfect marriage does not hinder K-Fed from his booming Rap career.

This major epoch totally proves that it really is money that ensures class and dignity and people like Brit and K-Fed are what make this world a truly beautiful place.

If you are unable to detect sarcasm please click here.

My Favorite Scrubs Clip... I am Not Really Sure Why

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Funny Ha Ha's

THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN YOU’RE DRUNK:
– Indubitably
– Innovative
– Preliminary
– Cinnamon

THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN YOU’RE DRUNK:
– Specificity
– British
– Constitution
– Passive-aggressive disorder
– Loquacious
– Transubstantiate

THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN YOU’RE DRUNK:
– Thanks, but I don’t want to have sex
– Nope, no more booze for me
– Sorry, but you’re not really my type
– Good evening officer, isn’t it lovely out tonight
– Oh, I just couldn’t. No one wants to hear me sing

Pour Me Another...

I love red wine, particularly a nice cabernet sauvignon. I don't know when I graduated from the college alcohol pallet consisting of Natural Light and Jager Bombs (I do still love a tall cold beer), but I just have had this thing for red wine in the last year.

Anyhow, YIPEEEEE! My beloved red wine might help my fat ass lose weight. Check out this article on AOL and see for yourself. Paired with exercise of course:)

Have No Fear, My Friends in Kids Costumes are Here!

This is why I love Halloween, dressing up is so much fun no matter what your age!

While passing out candy last night to what felt like the brattiest and most unoriginal costumed Jr. High kids, I was visited by three super brothers all hailing from the booming metropolis of Rossford, Ohio. These special heros patrolled the streets protecting the youth of my town from "hooligans" and "good for nothings". Squeezed into children's sized disguise they proved that safety comes first and superhuman powers deserve Snickers.

Their diligence to capturing bag snatchers is respected and appreciated and I will certainly fire up the bat signal anytime I am in a pinch.

You are all knights among men !

Why guys? Why?

Despite all my efforts to not care about Hollywood celebrities and to not act like they are close personal friends of mine, I still become emotionally attached. The newest shock is Ryan Phillipe and Reese Witherspoon.

I refuse to believe they are officially over and I am hoping this story is a load of crap but...This seemingly cookie cutter marriage is splits!? If they can't make it who can?

I am thinking that all those cynical a-holes that think Susan Sarandon/Tim Robbins and Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russell are wierdos are clearly wasting their energy on what seems to be the longest running relationships in Hollywood (Tom Hanks/Rita Wilson don't count because I think he is a superhuman machine from some planet know for winning Academy Awards and being "nice").

Call me a hopeless romantic or dilusional, but I really think divorce is just the lazy way to say "We went too fast and now we are too lazy to make it work". Ohh, well. I am pouring a little bit of Hennessey out on the floor or Mr. and Mrs. Witherspoon-what will Ava and Duncan do? RIP

The New Post Secret Book is Finally Out!

I have become addicted to Post Secret. I check the new posts each week and I own the first book. I have shared some of them with my students and we discuss the therapeutic nature of the this phenomenon. I am very excited that the second book is out and I am off to purchase it this week!

Ohh, I miss my New York

This makes question humanity, but also my own sense of humor. Just a fun little site to try out.

Overheard in New York

The death of my old self?

My friend Sarah posted this fun site on her blog so I decided to try it. When I put in my married name it came up with 2. There is officially one other person with my name in America, which made me sort of sad; I really thought I was an original.

What really made me frown was when I put in my maiden name. A big fat 0! It certainly is the death of my old non-married self. I know they change your name with social security and all but it was very surreal to have a big fat "0" come up, no one exists with the name I went by for 26 years. Weird.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Evolution of Dance Guy is a Friend of Mine from BGSU!

It just occured to me (due to living under a rock apprently) that the Evolution of Dance guy is none other than my BGSU buddy Jud Laipply. I can't believe a friend of mine from college is the #1 most played video on YOUTUBE. He is an awesome guy and has drank beer in my living room while dressed as Braveheart for Halloween-blue face paint, kilt and all.

Talk about a random and small world. Well how about that.

Thanks Tapper...

One of the brightest students (and most involved) at the high school I teach at had this posted on his myspace page (yes, I snoop to see what my kids are up to; you wanna to fight about it?:)).

I find it hilarious, not surprising, and possibly from one of the teachers I work with. This is a fine example of the F'd up priorities and pressures of the American education system. We must balance the task of student control to an extent of near ridiculous only to have some D-bag push it to the point of not allowing students to think for themselves. Priorities are pretty messed up, but clearly one of my students can identify satire-now that should be on the state mandated test!

Enjoy and thanks to W. Tapper!

Super Addictive Dark Movies Game

Try this game out, it is sponsored by M&M's and is pretty fun. I completed it and have the answers if you would like them!

M&M Dark Chocolate Presents:50 Dark Movies in a Painting

That's What She Said!

This still holds me vote as the funniest running joke on The Office. I like to think I am a high brow sort of gal, but pervy stuff makes me laugh. Sorry.

Ahh, the White Man

the office makes me smile. It has an awkward humor that addresses ignorance in America in a playful yet productive way. I always feel so embarrassed for Michael and I can't help but feel like there is a huge sub group of American's that do not understand what is wrong about his behavior.

Interesting

An analysis of census figures found in The New York Times shows that we now have a new minority in America; married people!

Carrie Bradshaw would be very intrigued by this new data. Click here to read more...

I Love my Mother-In-Law

I really do love my mother-in-law, but she ALWAYS sends me crazy forwards and random e-cards. I have decided to share a few of them with you. The Pumpkin Carving activity is the best so click the link and try it. God Bless Mamma G.

Pumpkin Carving Watch out it will be a pretty surprising activity

Creepy Greeting Card I find this one odd and a bit creepy

We later made these and they were yummy!

Key Lime Pie Martini
1 oz. Licor 4
3 1 oz vodka
½ oz.+ lime syrup (w/Nellie & Joe's Key West Lime juice & sugar)
heavy cream
Rim glass with graham crackers crumbs
Pour all ingredients into shaker filled with ice, shake and strain into martini glass.

This is supposedly going to be my children...

She knows I enjoy Oxymorons...

Oxymorons
anticipating the unanticipated
All natural artificial flavor
alone together
Aunt Jemima Light
barely dressed
clearly misunderstood
click the start button to shut down
Dodge Ram
devout atheist
disposable products with a lifetime guarantee
dying is a part of life
Extended Deadline
Fresh from Concentrate
good beating
head butt
highly visible covert operation
impatient patient
intense disinterest
long sleeve t-shirt
Mobil gas station
Park Drive
Plastic silverware
pretty ugly
rubber cement
sound of silence
taped live
Thank God I'm an Atheist

THIS is why I love Halloween

I absolutely love Halloween. I love the weather, the excitement and the costumes! The costumes are my favorite part, those of you that know me know how serious I take my costumes. Anyhow, my old pal Jake from college recently posted his hilarious costume from last year and I feel I need to share it with the world. This beats my Napoleon Dynamite hands down....

Word O' the Day

A little bit of the English teacher in me...


poltroon • \pahl-TROON\ • noun : a spiritless coward : craven

Example sentence:Mikey refused to ask the lovely young lady out on date and this proved that he was a weak willed poltroon.

HEROS=Insane!

I am watching the new show HEROS on NBC as I type this and my knee jerk reaction is that it is out of control! Why aren't the people that write televisions shows not doing more to change society. Their expansive immaginations could surly fix the world right up.

Yikes, this show is intense and I really think I like it.

House of Carter is Now on My Not So Secret-"Secret Likes" List

I usually think of myself as a moderate level intellectual. I dig literature, I enjoy philosophy, I can sit through and opera and feel uplifted. What I can't figure out is how am I so stinking enthralled by crappy TV.

House of Carter is the newest reality show that has me fully hooked! I can't even help but feel horrible for Nick. I never liked the Backstreet Boys yet, I know his back story as well as his brother's. I find his little brother creepy and a wannabee (he reminds me of K-Fed) yet, I just want their lives to be okay...I want to give them all a hug and say it will be alright.

If you haven't watched this show, try five minutes of it. It is simple and crazy at the same time and I really just want those loopy Carter kids to cut Big Bro Nick a break.

I am White and Nerdy for Liking Wierd Al

I find this witty and well written, I think I just realized HOW white and nerdy I really am. Enjoy and listen to the lyrics, I discover something new everytime I listen.

There is a Demand for this Product?

Unbelievable! Baby Toupees?! I am not sure how much I need to comment on this asinine idea for a product, but check this link out. At the very worst you will roll your eyes and realize that you know where to buy a B-rated celebrity toupee for an infant. We can all sleep a little easier now.

Oh, and for the record SNL came up with the concept first.

Billy Mac Made My Day

I posted my link to Billy Mac at CritiqueMyBlog and he said I was pretty decent! Someone other than a friend or a friend of a friend gave me a shout out, that was pretty fulfilling. Thanks Billy! Check this out if you need a little self glorification; or if it is your thing selfloathing. I know my critique made me smirk.

Here's a Little Existentialism for You

I am currently teaching Humanities I and I decided I needed to brush up on my philosophy. Anyhow, I grabbed "I Y Huckabees" and I laughed my ass off. It is worth checking out, if you want your head to hurt. I am convinced Nihilism is a waste of energy, which I realize is sort of the opposite of what it really is. Enjoy.

Can You Really Define "Dirty"?

So Roonie tagged Sarah and now Sarah got to me. I have been tagged and now I must dutifully share my ten dirty secrets, though I stand by my opinion that my secrets are far more "nerdy" than dirty, don't judge me!


10. I didn't have a boyfriend until I was 21, and he was kind of crappy.

9. I want to send a card into PostSecret but I am afraid my card won't be as clever or artistic as everyone else.

8. I have always been jealous of one of my sisters. Though I have always been the driven and achieving one, she has always been the skinny and attractive one. I know that my life is accomplished and well rounded yet, I wish for just one day I could fit into her clothes and be the "hot" one.

7. I have only truly hated one person in my life, and she is married to my husband's brother. This makes for awkward Thanksgivings.

6. I got caught shop lifting at The Pharm when I was 12. It was the first and last time I tried and it was two stinking tubes of Revlon lipstick.

5. I used to be scared of Sarah and Michelle when I was on their softball team. I was like 11 or 12 but I thought they were so much cooler, and I think I always thought they were making fun of me. I am pretty sure they still make fun of me (it's cool), but now I know how unscarry and awesome they both are. Love ya!

4. I am afraid we will be poor forever. I feel like all I have been since I was first in college is poor. Now I have a good job and make decent money and my husband is in school. I just want to not worry about if we can afford groceries or not.

3. I am afraid I won't be a good mom.

2. I have been petrified of clowns for as long as I can remember. I can look at them now with out getting the chills, but I still avoid them like the plague.

1. In high school I always felt like Veronica from the movie Heathers. I was friends with everyone "popular" but I always felt on the outside and like I needed to expand my horizons (Roonie, I never wanted to kill anyone). I also always wanted to be a homecoming attendant. I never got why I wasn't worthy, but I always held my breath when the annoucements were read.


So, I am offically tagging Malissa.

Moved to Tears on Myspace

The new school year is in full swing and I have officially had 5 students ask me to be their myspace friend. I politely declined holding my teacher privacy dearly, but decided to snoop around their sites. What I found moved me to tears and made me call my mom to tell her I love her.

This past summer five students at my school were in a horrible car accident (still under investigation by the way). One of our students passed and another is paralyzed from the waist down. As one can imagine this has been horrible and worst yet, all five of the students are what I would call " really neat" kids. Charlie, who died, was an awesome baseball player, loving brother and all around sweet kid. Stevie is super amazing, extremely driven (she started school two months after the accident and is kicking ass in her AP classes) and full of love. Not to suggest that this loss is validated by there quality of being, but it just seems to have touched that many more people.

Anyhow, what I was moved by was the out pouring of love from gads of students. Pictures, poetry, blogs, songs, etc. all were dedicated to keeping Charlie's memory alive. Perhaps the most moving was the spaces created by Charlie's dad, mom, sister and brother. I was shocked that they have been so candid on there loss. I was drawn in.

This horrible tragedy happened the middle of June and it is still as raw as can be. All four pages are full of pictures of Charlie and blogs of grief, joy, remembrance and anger. His mother posted in the spot titled Who I would Like To Meet: "Charlie at the front door while he says it was all a dream mom". This is the point where I called my mom. This family is working out their personal grieving to the entire myspace community and the students of my high school are holding them the entire way.

There are hundreds of comments posted giving support, sharing memories, just asking why? It is the moments of great pain that truly draw out the beauty in humans. No one knows why a mother has to lose her son the summer before his senior year of high school or his dad will never hug him as he leaves for college. No one knows why a 17 year old girl will never "walk" down the aisle, or "dance" at her senior prom.

What is so hard for me to realize is that as a teacher I have 30 years to meet remarkable young people, but I have 30 years to witness tragedies like this one. I am not sure this is something most careers deal with and I often wonder how much of it I can take.

What I do know is that my students have reminded me that with all of the ugliness around us, things are going to be alright. Love really does keep memories alive and for all the years I see my students hurt there are so many more that I will see their joy. For this I am thankful.

Oh, Anna Nicole...

I have been busy lately so I have been a bit behind on the celebrity gossip. Last I heard Anna Nicole Smith suffered the tragic loss of her son. What I was completely unaware of was that he died in the hospital where she had just given birth to a baby girl?! When the hell was she pregnant and why is she STILL allowed to procreate?

Now, I feel for the woman for losing her son (who I think she had when she was like 12 because he was 20) but, there really should be some law against repopulating the world with her DNA. Yikes. Funny thing...did she and Brittany have their babies the same day? If so, that has to be some sort of intellectual epoch or something.

SNL Favorites

E! has been airing the 101 SNL moments. I have decided in the spirit of the show to ask all of you to list your favorites. I have so many I can't decide on a set list but here are a few...

"More Cowbell"
Will Farrell as Robert Goulet (or Neil Diamond)
Janet Reno's Dance Party
Delicious Dish
The nerds (old school with Bill Murray and Gilda Radner)
Celebrity Jeopardy
The Culps (the singing music teachers)
Matt Foley (motivational speaker)
The Gap Girls
Lazy Sunday (chronicles of Narnia rap)
Anytime Adam Sadler showed up on Weekend Update (Red Hooded Sweatshirt...etc.)
Landshark
Wake Up Wakefield

Leave a comment and share your favorite moments in SNL history

A Mario Lopez Renaissance?

I was watching Nip/Tuck on Tuesday and Mario Lopez made an appearance; a very revealing appearance. He was a fellow cosmetic surgeon that worked out at the same gym as Christian. None the less, he was shown in the shower bare- assed in all of his glory. And I must say, he is in much better shape since he graduated from Bayside. His tight Dancing with the Stars outfits do not do his 10 pack their well deserved justice.

Anyhow, he was pretty good and I was surprised that he is actually a much better actor than I remembered. It is as if cutting off his Jeri Curls and taking off the stone washed denim gave him super actor powers. I am not saying I am going to join the AC Slater fan club, but for a man haunted by type casting and prone to make bad career moves (didn't he host a dog show on Animal Planet?) this may be the rebirth of his fame.

So, as Mr. Lopez wooes American with his quick step and tight ass...I say "Good For You"! Like John Travolta in Pulp Fiction or Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, every actor needs a renaissance...this may be your chance Mario don't blow it!