I Never Thought It Was Such a Bad Little Tree

All it needs is a little love.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and getting your trees put up!

The Citizens of Bikini Bottom Mourn, and So Do We

Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of Spongebob Squarepants, had died at the age of 57. Reports say that he was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2017. Spongebob was the epitome of innocence and pure-hearted joy that made it impossible not to like him.

Rest in Peace, Stephen Hillenburg. You will live on in the hearts of everyone for as long as Spongebob is around, and long after.

The Feats of Strength

Not everyone celebrates Christmas. Be glad you don't celebrate Festivus.

By the way, the trailer for Artemis Fowl came out today. Here it is:



Here are some pictures I drew of Artemis Fowl and Butler back in 2002 after reading the first couple of books...

I forgot to mention Holly Short. I only wish I could have convinced more students to read those books. The first one has a slow start, which kind of puts everyone off of them. But it really is a great series.

Roy Clark

I am late in wishing for Roy Clark to rest in peace, so here is today's advent calendar.

Roy Clark was the co-star of an awesome show I used to love when I was a kid--or, okay, I used to watch it, but I'm not sure if I really ever got it the way I was supposed to. I didn't appreciate it for what I do now. It's called Hee-Haw, and it was pretty much a show about the rural life, including bone-headed comedy and country music. Now, due to my years, I have an appreciation for both.

How Wonderful Life Is

It's another year, and we have come around to the 2018 edition of my Dojo Advent Calendar. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't display this year's John Lewis commercial (or "advert", as the British would say).

I hope everyone is ready to go back to work and school tomorrow. Hey, if you're one of the several Carmel High School football players I tutor, at least you don't have practice after school tomorrow for the first time since, what, June?

It Is What You Make It

This is a very obscure movie, but it's by far my favorite "Thanksgiving" movie. I put that in quotes only because there really aren't that many to choose from, but still, Pieces of April is a fantastic film. It's about a girl who is the black sheep in her family, and she wants to host Thanksgiving. The entire movie takes place while her family is driving to her apartment, flashing back and forth between her family and her, and the people who live in her apartment building who end up being invited as well. This is the ending of the movie, but it's really the journey that makes it worth it.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful day with their families and friends and anybody else you have picked up along the way. I certainly did!

The People We Love

I hope everyone is getting a chance to hang out with their families this Thanksgiving break. Please keep in mind those who can't be with their families as much as they wish tomorrow:

• the doctors, nurses, police officers, and firefighters, as well as all of the clinical staff who work to keep them up and running
• service men and women, who are even farther away
• those who have recently lost loved ones as a result of violence in the United States

No Excuses

I can't believe we are already here in the calendar year. I always say that once Halloween hits, the rest of the year comes immediately after. Let's all enjoy this time of year as much as humanly possible.

And So Were the Indians

I hope this week finds you thankful for everything around you--even school projects.

Food Fightsgiving

Happy Thanksgiving week, everybody! I hope your whole week is spent thinking about what you are thankful for in your life right now.

Preach, Brother

Stan Lee wrote this back in 1968. It's every bit as true today.

Voice of the Dragon

This is going to be fast, but it's important.

I had several students over the years for whom Dragon Dictation software was recommended. They had many kinds of educational challenges, from dyslexia to handwriting issues to just a kind of "fear" or dread of writing by hand. Never once did I have a kiddo who used it, mostly because they didn't want to look weird or different.

But guess what? I have recently found out that Dragon Dictation is a commonly-used tool by providers within the Community Health Network.

Providers. That's hospital-speak for doctors.

So just in case you're still reading this blog, don't ever feel weird for using it, people.

It's technology, and it's there for a reason. You'll be in good company.

Must This Be Universal?

Anyone who has been a part of 5-1 knows how much I can't stand this. I did not expect this phenomenon to follow me on to my next job.

It is amazing how many time I have seen this in a workplace full of adults.

Seriously? How wimpy do you have to be to not be able to put a marker cap all the way on? To lengthen the lifespan of a marker?

I wish I knew how big my eyes got the first time I saw this at the new place.

Excelsior!

Man, what a bummer.

Stan Lee, age 95, passed away today. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that Stan Lee was the Editor in Chief of Marvel Comics. He is the co-creator of characters like Spider-Man, Hulk, Thor, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Iron Man, Ant-Man, the Wasp...I could go on and on.

He was always comics' biggest huckster, greatest spokesman, and coolest fan. I have no idea how many Marvel comic book movies in which he has played a cameo role, but I know that we will miss them from here on out.

In the back of Marvel Comic books, he used to always write a feature called "Stan's Soapbox." In this letter column and editorial, he always played the part of the cool uncle who talked to you like you were an adult, even when you were a nine year old kid. Although I didn't intentionally emulate Stan Lee as a teacher, I'm sure part of what I was came from his example.

Excelsior, Stan.

The Young Americans

So many memories pop up for me on Veterans Day. This was always one of my most stressful days, but it was all so worth it. Seeing the veterans stand and be recognized always pulled me out of my nerves. I also loved just going back to the classroom and basking in the afterglow of a job well done with the class. That would also get even better when a veteran or two would come back to our classroom and tell the kids stories and answer questions.

Happy Veterans Day to all who served. We can't possibly thank you enough.

Half-Mast

Yes, I'm alive. I'll explain my absence sometime soon, if I really feel like boring you.

I posted this on Facebook, but I need to share it here too.

Over the past few days, I've seen the flags at half-mast. The horrible part is that I'm not even sure whether it's for the Pittsburgh shooting, the California shooting, or Veteran's Day.

I just hope we don't become so numb that we stop flying the flag at half-mast whenever stuff like this happens.

I can very easily see that happening.