Took the dog out for a short walk yesterday. When I got back my wife asked, "Are you interested in a half time job at St. Andrew's?" with a BIG grin on her face.
I called the principal, we had a chat. She offered me a replacement position for the year teaching Grade 5. English, Soc St., Health, and French. Yes, French. I have already bought some books to get the rust outta my brain! ha
Apparently it is madness for many of the administration for hiring. No sh*t. It's not even a week before school opens!!
So I am enjoying my last couple of days of doing little next to nothing. On Tuesday BOTH my job and Masters courses begin again. Time again to sorta ignore me wife. But not the dog. Doggy whines a lot more. ha
Thursday, August 30
Monday, August 27
Fast cars & ATVs
I had a quad growing up in the late 80's. But it was small and certainly much less powerful than the ATVs bootin' around these days.
Yes, there were times I did not wear my helmet, and times I drove on the road, but I was never reckless. My father would have tanned my butt if he found out I was.
This summer has been depressing with all the people getting killed or seriously hurt. With the improved highways, are people driving faster? With the faster quads, are the younger drivers taking more chances?
I know there are age restrictions on the ATVs. But how closely are they being followed? Apparently the public is split on whether parents should be charged if their kids caused an accident. At this point my opinion is "Yes, they should."
But our culture is so soft, giving so many chances, with individuals not having to pay back the damages they create to businesses and individuals. Everything seems so "kid-centered" with parents having a hard time saying "no" and sticking to their convictions.
I consider myself to be very liberal minded, but when it comes to people doing crimes and causing damage, especially when they are young, I don't feel as liberal. People need to learn that actions have consequences.
Yes, there were times I did not wear my helmet, and times I drove on the road, but I was never reckless. My father would have tanned my butt if he found out I was.
This summer has been depressing with all the people getting killed or seriously hurt. With the improved highways, are people driving faster? With the faster quads, are the younger drivers taking more chances?
I know there are age restrictions on the ATVs. But how closely are they being followed? Apparently the public is split on whether parents should be charged if their kids caused an accident. At this point my opinion is "Yes, they should."
But our culture is so soft, giving so many chances, with individuals not having to pay back the damages they create to businesses and individuals. Everything seems so "kid-centered" with parents having a hard time saying "no" and sticking to their convictions.
I consider myself to be very liberal minded, but when it comes to people doing crimes and causing damage, especially when they are young, I don't feel as liberal. People need to learn that actions have consequences.
For Better or for Worse
Every day one of the first web sites I visit is the 'For Better or for Worse' comic by Lynn Johnston. I have been reading it for as long as I can remember.
Unfortunately the artist is semi-retiring in the Fall. CBC has an article on its web site today: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/johnston.html
I'll miss the daily interactions of the Patterson family. Especially between big brother Mike and his two younger sisters. I have bugged my sisters just as much! ha
Later.
Unfortunately the artist is semi-retiring in the Fall. CBC has an article on its web site today: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/johnston.html
I'll miss the daily interactions of the Patterson family. Especially between big brother Mike and his two younger sisters. I have bugged my sisters just as much! ha
Later.
Sunday, August 19
Ramblings....!
Now that I have a bit more free time between semesters, I'll post some thoughts
1) New Pavement:
It is much more relaxing driving on the TCH this summer, with major work completed. With 'da ruts' gone, ya don't need a death grip on the wheel as much. ;) Plus, you can get to your destination faster. Last week Pitts Memorial Drive finally got redone. Praise Jesus. But only days later a section was tore up for cables, pipes, or something. Sigh. I foresee a nasty bump in the road next Spring. Hopefully there will be more 'Danny Dollars' for rural Newfoundland roads. Yes people, there still are a FEW baymen out there, hitting the potholes.
2) Dennis Normore or Mr. Pay Dearly
Ok, has anyone else noticed that this Danny-wannabe's last name of Normore is close to 'no more'? As in:
"No more BS, elect me and we might get new pavement!" or
"No more lies, I just wanna be on the Danny bandwagon!" or
"The Liberals are 'no more' likely to win the next provincal election than the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup, so vote for me!"
Do I need to go on? No more (pun intended) examples needed. I'm sure, if Dennis gets elected even after speaking his mind clearly (the lad has balls), he will be in back, back benches. But c'mon people, wasn't he at least honest?
3) Overworked Nurses
I am married to a nurse. Lovely girl. Been with her since the summer of 02. This summer the phone has rang every day she had off because of the nursing shortage. It is crazy, 6:15am calls, with co-workers practically begging for her to 'come in' for a shift to afternoon calls, wanting her to come in for a few hours.
This issue is finally getting some 'news time' but I don't think it will resolved soon.
The public have to realize a nurse just can't start a job in a new unit, they have to be trained. Also, with this being summer, there won't be transfers between units until the Fall. Then there is the $$ issue. Enough said.
1) New Pavement:
It is much more relaxing driving on the TCH this summer, with major work completed. With 'da ruts' gone, ya don't need a death grip on the wheel as much. ;) Plus, you can get to your destination faster. Last week Pitts Memorial Drive finally got redone. Praise Jesus. But only days later a section was tore up for cables, pipes, or something. Sigh. I foresee a nasty bump in the road next Spring. Hopefully there will be more 'Danny Dollars' for rural Newfoundland roads. Yes people, there still are a FEW baymen out there, hitting the potholes.
2) Dennis Normore or Mr. Pay Dearly
Ok, has anyone else noticed that this Danny-wannabe's last name of Normore is close to 'no more'? As in:
"No more BS, elect me and we might get new pavement!" or
"No more lies, I just wanna be on the Danny bandwagon!" or
"The Liberals are 'no more' likely to win the next provincal election than the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup, so vote for me!"
Do I need to go on? No more (pun intended) examples needed. I'm sure, if Dennis gets elected even after speaking his mind clearly (the lad has balls), he will be in back, back benches. But c'mon people, wasn't he at least honest?
3) Overworked Nurses
I am married to a nurse. Lovely girl. Been with her since the summer of 02. This summer the phone has rang every day she had off because of the nursing shortage. It is crazy, 6:15am calls, with co-workers practically begging for her to 'come in' for a shift to afternoon calls, wanting her to come in for a few hours.
This issue is finally getting some 'news time' but I don't think it will resolved soon.
The public have to realize a nurse just can't start a job in a new unit, they have to be trained. Also, with this being summer, there won't be transfers between units until the Fall. Then there is the $$ issue. Enough said.
6 Down, 4 to Go
On Friday morning I was surfing the web and decided to check MUN's site to see if my marks were posted. "Holy Sh*t!" was my response when I saw that I got 90% on my Computers course and 80% on my Writing course.
Considering that I didn't have a sweet clue what I had going into my Computers course (due to a prof that was...less than communicative)I was HAPPY. As for my Writing course, my reflective final must have been decent, 'cause I was going in with a mid-70. So far I have a 85 average in my Masters courses. Only if my undergrad average was the same! haha
I'll never do 2 online courses again. In fact, I have registered for 2 evening courses, Tues and Wed night, with the same prof. One is mandatory, the other deals with teaching Popular culture. Right up my Folklore alley............!
That will make Tues and Wed crazy, with ball and ice hockey falling on the same nights. But it will free up time with wifey, who certainly deserves it after this summer. I think the hump on my back is worse after staring at a computer screen all summer! I need to stand up straight again!
Considering the fact I'll probably be subbing for another year, I can do 2 more courses in the Winter semester and finish a semester ahead of schedule. Of course, I'd rather have a job and do one course a semester!
Considering that I didn't have a sweet clue what I had going into my Computers course (due to a prof that was...less than communicative)I was HAPPY. As for my Writing course, my reflective final must have been decent, 'cause I was going in with a mid-70. So far I have a 85 average in my Masters courses. Only if my undergrad average was the same! haha
I'll never do 2 online courses again. In fact, I have registered for 2 evening courses, Tues and Wed night, with the same prof. One is mandatory, the other deals with teaching Popular culture. Right up my Folklore alley............!
That will make Tues and Wed crazy, with ball and ice hockey falling on the same nights. But it will free up time with wifey, who certainly deserves it after this summer. I think the hump on my back is worse after staring at a computer screen all summer! I need to stand up straight again!
Considering the fact I'll probably be subbing for another year, I can do 2 more courses in the Winter semester and finish a semester ahead of schedule. Of course, I'd rather have a job and do one course a semester!
Monday, August 13
Dulcie Jane Combden R.I.P.
Last Wednesday morning my paternal grandmother passed away at 88 years old. Thankfully it was quick, peaceful, and in the arms of my father and aunt at my aunt's house.
It came as a surprise to all of us but the family was happy nan passed at this time. She got to see her granddaughter Amy get married, she visited the family home on Fogo Island one more time and saw many visitors, and she joined pop in eternity before dad went up north again to teach.
I was very close to her, from visiting each summer on Barr'd Islands, living with her for 2 years when I went to community college in Lewisporte, to seeing her every time I went to Baytona. Even though she "loved her boys", nan loved all her family equally. As I got to know my older cousins better, they told me what it was like to visit our grandparents when they were younger.
It was hectic at our house, with relatives and family coming from Alberta, Ontario and all parts of the island. With the sadness came a sense of peace, but I'll miss her beautiful green eyes and smile. Loves ya nan.
Here are just a few pictures:
Nan and dad in the 60's. She was bigger, dad was smaller. :)
Pop, nan and me on the steps of 'da house' on Barr'd Islands in the early 70's.
My Grade 7 (yes, I was a runt) graduation in '86.
Pop and Nan celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in '89.
At our wedding in 2004, wearing her favourite dress.
She laughed all the way through this dance, and loved it.
It came as a surprise to all of us but the family was happy nan passed at this time. She got to see her granddaughter Amy get married, she visited the family home on Fogo Island one more time and saw many visitors, and she joined pop in eternity before dad went up north again to teach.
I was very close to her, from visiting each summer on Barr'd Islands, living with her for 2 years when I went to community college in Lewisporte, to seeing her every time I went to Baytona. Even though she "loved her boys", nan loved all her family equally. As I got to know my older cousins better, they told me what it was like to visit our grandparents when they were younger.
It was hectic at our house, with relatives and family coming from Alberta, Ontario and all parts of the island. With the sadness came a sense of peace, but I'll miss her beautiful green eyes and smile. Loves ya nan.
Here are just a few pictures:
Nan and dad in the 60's. She was bigger, dad was smaller. :)
Pop, nan and me on the steps of 'da house' on Barr'd Islands in the early 70's.
My Grade 7 (yes, I was a runt) graduation in '86.
Pop and Nan celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in '89.
At our wedding in 2004, wearing her favourite dress.
She laughed all the way through this dance, and loved it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)