Saturday, December 22, 2012
December Coffeehouse
So tonight was our December Coffeehouse. In all I performed in three songs. The first was Santa Claus is Coming to Town, the second was the Grinch, and the third was Frosty the Snowman with the ukulele club.
I played the banjo ukulele for all three songs. I will include links to the first two songs, however we absolutely butchered Frosty and I deleted it from the camera. Nobody needs to ever see that.
I will also include a link to the teachers performing another song. It is REM's "End of the World". While I am not in this, they did a great job and it felt very apropriate considering the date.
so here they are:
Santa Claus is Coming to Town: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCPSbRcbrtI
The Grinch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8bfnto7R1A
End of the World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVCVQCQDhjI
I played the banjo ukulele for all three songs. I will include links to the first two songs, however we absolutely butchered Frosty and I deleted it from the camera. Nobody needs to ever see that.
I will also include a link to the teachers performing another song. It is REM's "End of the World". While I am not in this, they did a great job and it felt very apropriate considering the date.
so here they are:
Santa Claus is Coming to Town: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCPSbRcbrtI
The Grinch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8bfnto7R1A
End of the World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVCVQCQDhjI
Monday, December 17, 2012
Graduation
On a good note, this weekend Beth finished her Masters program and was able to graduate at a nice commencement ceremony at UVM. I am so proud of her and I know that she has worked extremely hard for this. We were able to enjoy the ceremony with Beth's parents who visited and we enjoyed spending quality time together. It will be nice to get some down time with Beth now that we don't have to worry about getting homework done. I will post some pictures from graduation at a later date.
Newtown
Monday, December 3, 2012
Alaska
It's not often that Vermont and especially the next town over is the lead story in the Anchorage Daily Newspaper. Too bad it's for this. This is extremely creepy. The disappearance of the Curriers was a huge mystery up here until a few months ago when the news reported the suspect was in jail. Now that this has happened we are hearing more and more. It is scary how random things like this hit so close to home sometimes. RIP to the families involved.
http://www.adn.com/2012/12/03/2711884/keyes-described-as-a-force-of.html
http://www.adn.com/2012/12/03/2711884/keyes-described-as-a-force-of.html
Monday, November 5, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
Coffeehouse
The coffeehouse went well tonight. We started with our cover of Mumford and Son's song Little Lion Man and then later the ukulele club played I'm Yours by Jason Mraz.
In the first song the camera messed up so it didn't film the start but that's okay. Here's the
link: Little Lion Man
In the second song Chris and I play with one of my AP Chem students who also does vocals. Unfortunately Evan the Music director was back near Beth when filming and he was talking through the whole performance.... sorry. Here is a link: I'm Yours
In the first song the camera messed up so it didn't film the start but that's okay. Here's the
link: Little Lion Man
In the second song Chris and I play with one of my AP Chem students who also does vocals. Unfortunately Evan the Music director was back near Beth when filming and he was talking through the whole performance.... sorry. Here is a link: I'm Yours
Coffeehouse and other stuff
Sandy has hit and thank goodness there was very little impact at our house. It is horrifying looking at what it has done and the current impact it is having on many places in the United States. My Connecticut friends on facebook have been without school all week and gas is getting more difficult for them to find. At least most of them have still got power and the trees that fell didn't do too much damage.
We are also very happy for my Uncle John who is home and recovering well. We wish him luck on his efforts to quit smoking. That must be a nightmare.
Halloween was a good one at the Richey household as we were able to get about 20 to 25 trick or treaters. While most were children in costume, there were a few that were teens out looking for trouble. We heard multiple m-80's going off at around 8:00 to 8:30 near our house, but our mailbox was not a target. It reminded me of Newtown growing up and how the cabbage night and halloween night antics were so prevalent. We have been pretty lucky that this has been all but absent over the years here in Vt.
Now on to the good news. Tonight is the Fall Coffeehouse and I am planning on playing. My initial goal was to play mandolin on one song with the other teachers, however the chords are really difficult for me to master in the time needed so I will be playing my ukulele instead. Since I have my uke out anyways, I will be also playing with the second performance of the CHS Ukulele "club". I did not play with this club for their first performance in the last coffeehouse because, honestly, I didn't know they were starting that night. I am debating whether to play my normal Uke or to play the banjo uke. It will probably be the normal uke though.
This is the poster for this month's coffeehouse. The girl who is doing the artwork is one of my AP Chem students and she is doing a fantastic job. I particularly like the "hands" in the steam.
Here was the poster from the first coffeehouse this year:
I hope to have Beth film these performances and will get them up on my youtube channel as soon as I can.
We are also very happy for my Uncle John who is home and recovering well. We wish him luck on his efforts to quit smoking. That must be a nightmare.
Halloween was a good one at the Richey household as we were able to get about 20 to 25 trick or treaters. While most were children in costume, there were a few that were teens out looking for trouble. We heard multiple m-80's going off at around 8:00 to 8:30 near our house, but our mailbox was not a target. It reminded me of Newtown growing up and how the cabbage night and halloween night antics were so prevalent. We have been pretty lucky that this has been all but absent over the years here in Vt.
Now on to the good news. Tonight is the Fall Coffeehouse and I am planning on playing. My initial goal was to play mandolin on one song with the other teachers, however the chords are really difficult for me to master in the time needed so I will be playing my ukulele instead. Since I have my uke out anyways, I will be also playing with the second performance of the CHS Ukulele "club". I did not play with this club for their first performance in the last coffeehouse because, honestly, I didn't know they were starting that night. I am debating whether to play my normal Uke or to play the banjo uke. It will probably be the normal uke though.
Here was the poster from the first coffeehouse this year:
I hope to have Beth film these performances and will get them up on my youtube channel as soon as I can.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Squatching and praying
The 2012 Vt. Squatch 5K went well yesterday. We had beautiful weather for it. We set it up to run for a while then a short walk in the woods with an official Squatch Call then ending with running. We did great and look forward to continuing to run.
Speaking of weather we have a big old storm on the way and we are praying for our loved ones that are in line with this storm.
Finally we are adding a special prayer for my Uncle John who is going through some severe medical issues right now. John, if you are reading this our prayers are with you.
Speaking of weather we have a big old storm on the way and we are praying for our loved ones that are in line with this storm.
Finally we are adding a special prayer for my Uncle John who is going through some severe medical issues right now. John, if you are reading this our prayers are with you.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
October
Creepy October is finally here and there are some updates so here we go:
1st off the school has announced the new teacher of the year and so my reign has ended. It was great fun and an honor representing the school. This past week was spirit week and it was interesting not having to work with a class. This is the first year in a really long time that I am not a class advisor. The good news was that I got to cheer for ALL the students. The teachers secretly prepared a fun surprise for our students and performed a surprise flash mob at the pep rally. It went over great and I have rarely seen such unity. Here is a link: CHS Flash Mob
You probably noticed that I was not in this. I could not make the practices and was a bit uncomforable with the dancing part... go figure :)
I was convinced however to help with a repeat performance Friday night at the homecoming football game. There were about 12 of us and thank god as far as I know, there are no videos up of this.
2. This weekend, Beth and I went to the Haunted Forest. This is the second time going there. It was nice although we liked last years theme of haunted fairy tales better than this years carnival. Ultimately though when you get to walk through woods lit up with literally thousands of Jack o Lanterns you can't complain.Here's a link to their show: Haunted Forest
3.Running. Beth and I ran this morning with some success. I only ran about a mile and a half, but could have gone further. I just had that weird premonition feeling that my legs (meaning hip and knee) would start acting up if I pushed it today. I think we are still on track to run our Squatch 5K this next Sat. Regardless we will go out and do it even if we walk a bit. We have had to rethink where we are going to run. Initially I was hoping to hit some of the trails we were running this summer, however it occurred to me today that it is Fall in Vermont and there is a little something called HUNTING SEASON. So we are probably just going to run the Milton Track where we usually run.
4. I am getting in full geek mode for the fall with new episodes of the The Walking Dead and my recent purchase of a Dungeons and Dragons Board game. Watch out N. and Paula at Thanksgiving. This looks like it could be fun. Here is a link to what the game is like and the rules. I actually have the Legend Of Drizzt version which is newer and has different monsters but plays similiarly. D & D
5. Music. Still playing the guitar off and on, not getting much better or worse, but I am back to working on my picking. Trying some Travis Style and linking it to One Tin Soldier. It's a work in progress. Enjoying listening to Mumford and Sons on the ipod. IIt's a little commercial but has a good bluegrass feel and I like it.
5. Finallly, Finally I am starting to see a glimmer of hope for some possible hockey this season. Fingers are crossed that they can get a deal done by Thursday and save an 82 game regular season. by the way nice win tonight by the Pats. I thought they were going to blow another lead though.
Enough for now!!!
1st off the school has announced the new teacher of the year and so my reign has ended. It was great fun and an honor representing the school. This past week was spirit week and it was interesting not having to work with a class. This is the first year in a really long time that I am not a class advisor. The good news was that I got to cheer for ALL the students. The teachers secretly prepared a fun surprise for our students and performed a surprise flash mob at the pep rally. It went over great and I have rarely seen such unity. Here is a link: CHS Flash Mob
You probably noticed that I was not in this. I could not make the practices and was a bit uncomforable with the dancing part... go figure :)
I was convinced however to help with a repeat performance Friday night at the homecoming football game. There were about 12 of us and thank god as far as I know, there are no videos up of this.
2. This weekend, Beth and I went to the Haunted Forest. This is the second time going there. It was nice although we liked last years theme of haunted fairy tales better than this years carnival. Ultimately though when you get to walk through woods lit up with literally thousands of Jack o Lanterns you can't complain.Here's a link to their show: Haunted Forest
3.Running. Beth and I ran this morning with some success. I only ran about a mile and a half, but could have gone further. I just had that weird premonition feeling that my legs (meaning hip and knee) would start acting up if I pushed it today. I think we are still on track to run our Squatch 5K this next Sat. Regardless we will go out and do it even if we walk a bit. We have had to rethink where we are going to run. Initially I was hoping to hit some of the trails we were running this summer, however it occurred to me today that it is Fall in Vermont and there is a little something called HUNTING SEASON. So we are probably just going to run the Milton Track where we usually run.
4. I am getting in full geek mode for the fall with new episodes of the The Walking Dead and my recent purchase of a Dungeons and Dragons Board game. Watch out N. and Paula at Thanksgiving. This looks like it could be fun. Here is a link to what the game is like and the rules. I actually have the Legend Of Drizzt version which is newer and has different monsters but plays similiarly. D & D
5. Music. Still playing the guitar off and on, not getting much better or worse, but I am back to working on my picking. Trying some Travis Style and linking it to One Tin Soldier. It's a work in progress. Enjoying listening to Mumford and Sons on the ipod. IIt's a little commercial but has a good bluegrass feel and I like it.
5. Finallly, Finally I am starting to see a glimmer of hope for some possible hockey this season. Fingers are crossed that they can get a deal done by Thursday and save an 82 game regular season. by the way nice win tonight by the Pats. I thought they were going to blow another lead though.
Enough for now!!!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Incentive
So here we are, the 9th of October and no I still haven't run a 5 K, But I'm close. Running over 2 miles flat and slow... but doing well. I felt it was time to ramp up the stakes and start looking for a race. Paula had let me know about a zombie run being held near here on the 20th that was tempting. The problem?Well first of all it would have been $77 each which included running with a LOT of other people andin the end all you get is a t-shirt and unfortunately the sizes only went to X-Large so that's no good for me anyways. I started looking for other 5 K's and saw that there was one in Shelburne but it had a significant hill in it. Then there was one scheduled for Oct 27th. Still thinking about it but again there are some decent hills in it and to be honest I just don't feel ready for that. All our running has been on a track or around fields and on a flat trail.
What was there to do??? Well how about making my own race. Yes that's right. Some time this month Beth and I are going to run the 1st Vermont Squatch 5 K run for Jeff and Beth Richey. I don't know where we'll have it yet, but I am thinking that I'll incorporate the trails and fields we have run and incude a bit more. We also don't know when exactly we will try it. It will probably be either the 20th or the 27th. I did however order us our very own shirts that should get here this next monday. here is what they will look like:
I chose the squatch run in honor of one of my favorite subjects.
Thats all for now!!!
What was there to do??? Well how about making my own race. Yes that's right. Some time this month Beth and I are going to run the 1st Vermont Squatch 5 K run for Jeff and Beth Richey. I don't know where we'll have it yet, but I am thinking that I'll incorporate the trails and fields we have run and incude a bit more. We also don't know when exactly we will try it. It will probably be either the 20th or the 27th. I did however order us our very own shirts that should get here this next monday. here is what they will look like:
I chose the squatch run in honor of one of my favorite subjects.
Thats all for now!!!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Coffeehouse and running
Had a very interesting day. It started with a jump back into running. As I have posted before, Beth and I had started a couch to 5K program at the tail end of the summer and it was going pretty well for both of us. In fact I had gotten through week 7 and was about to finish up. That's when the running hit a roadblock. First Beth got sick.Then I "thought" I was getting sick. This created a really good excuse each day why I should NOT run. It amazes me how even after making such strides, that decision came so easily. And let me make this clear so Beth doesn't feel bad... her being sick did not stop me from running, it was just my convenient excuse not to run. Well needless to say after 16 days of inactivity, I finally said to myself," Enough. It's time to go running again." So yesterday I laced up the shoes, headed out to the fields and began running. I figured I would have lost where I was at so I dialed in a run from earlier in the program and told myself to not push it. To just go with what felt right. After the first 10 minutes I felt great so I kept going. After 20 minutes I still felt great so I kept going. Finally made myself stop after 30 minutes. I did not run fast at all, probably did 2.25 miles in that 30 min. but I was amazed at how easy it was. I even had the energy to get home and do the yardwork I have been neglecting. The ironic part of this is that I just got up about 25 minutes ago and my nose is stuffed up. yeesh.
Now on to the other news. Last night was the first coffeehouse of the year. Over this past week I had decided to do a song with Chris (science teacher), Will (science teacher) and Evan (music teacher). We were going to do "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Son. I was planning on playing my mandolin (I think I am becoming the mandolin guy at the coffeehouses). This is a really good song and I highly recommend listening to it if you get a chance. Anyhow, Will ended up not being able to attend so Chris, Evan and I decided to perform Crosby, Stills, and Nash's "Teach Your Children Well". Unfortunately Jerry Garcia is dead and couldn't provide the lap steel guitar intro. I chose to try playing my banjo ukulele that I got in Nashville Indiana two summers ago. I think it came out pretty good. We had virtually no practice time so I was experimenting with my strumming patterns a bit in the song. I wish we had more practice time because at some points I really like how I was counterstrumming to the guitar. Here is a link to the performance on my Youtube channel: Under New Management
You may wonder what the Under New Management is all about. When the Coffeehouse program started at CHS it was run by our history teacher Bob Damon. It ran for a few years and then he had to move to the Boston area. He passed the torch over to Chris and Will. This is the point when I was first learning to play guitar and mandolin. In my first performance the teacher group that performed started calling themselves "under new management" and we have stuck with that.(note that they may have started calling themselves this BEFORE I started playing with them, I wasn't there to tell...."
On a final note, we have started having interest from a few students and quite a number of faculty to start a ukulele club at school. I love this idea and can anticipate some awesome performances in the future.
Today Beth and I plan on getting away to do some leaf peeping and visit Quechee Vt for a little bit of antique shopping. Maybe I can find an old gibson mandolin for cheap :)
Now on to the other news. Last night was the first coffeehouse of the year. Over this past week I had decided to do a song with Chris (science teacher), Will (science teacher) and Evan (music teacher). We were going to do "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Son. I was planning on playing my mandolin (I think I am becoming the mandolin guy at the coffeehouses). This is a really good song and I highly recommend listening to it if you get a chance. Anyhow, Will ended up not being able to attend so Chris, Evan and I decided to perform Crosby, Stills, and Nash's "Teach Your Children Well". Unfortunately Jerry Garcia is dead and couldn't provide the lap steel guitar intro. I chose to try playing my banjo ukulele that I got in Nashville Indiana two summers ago. I think it came out pretty good. We had virtually no practice time so I was experimenting with my strumming patterns a bit in the song. I wish we had more practice time because at some points I really like how I was counterstrumming to the guitar. Here is a link to the performance on my Youtube channel: Under New Management
You may wonder what the Under New Management is all about. When the Coffeehouse program started at CHS it was run by our history teacher Bob Damon. It ran for a few years and then he had to move to the Boston area. He passed the torch over to Chris and Will. This is the point when I was first learning to play guitar and mandolin. In my first performance the teacher group that performed started calling themselves "under new management" and we have stuck with that.(note that they may have started calling themselves this BEFORE I started playing with them, I wasn't there to tell...."
On a final note, we have started having interest from a few students and quite a number of faculty to start a ukulele club at school. I love this idea and can anticipate some awesome performances in the future.
Today Beth and I plan on getting away to do some leaf peeping and visit Quechee Vt for a little bit of antique shopping. Maybe I can find an old gibson mandolin for cheap :)
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
Weekend
We had a fantastic, low key Labor Day Weekend. It included running, a Saturday Drive around the Northeast of Vermont back roads, a Sunday drive in the Islands, ice cream, some running and a lot of restful time with the pup.
If only we had a few more days like this.
In running I went for 15 minutes straight today. In this 15 minutes I surpassed the 1 mile mark (barely) so it's clear I am slow moving however I did it. a full mile running. Wed I should be jumping up to 20 minutes yeesh!!!
If only we had a few more days like this.
In running I went for 15 minutes straight today. In this 15 minutes I surpassed the 1 mile mark (barely) so it's clear I am slow moving however I did it. a full mile running. Wed I should be jumping up to 20 minutes yeesh!!!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
School.... and running
So here I am sitting in class watching my first study hall of the year. School started yesterday with all the students and I have some wonderful classes. This year my schedule includes two AP Chem classes which meet every day and one Experimental (Honors Level) Introductory Chemistry which meets every other day. So far so good. I am enjoying seeing the students again.
The science show I help put on every year for the freshmen went well. This year I took a more active role since the head person retired last year. The new physics teacher and I shared top billing for running this. There were many explosions and thrills.
I am continuing my running program and in some ways it is getting easier and in others much harder. The actual running is going great. I am still very slow (almost like a speed walk for most people around a 12-14 min mile) however my lung capacity and energy is not causing a problem. My joints on the other hand are killing me. I have always had issues with my left knee as a result of my guiding at camp with the hiking and canoe carries, as well as all the moguls I used to ski throughout and after college. My knee started hurting right after I began my running at the start of August. In the past week I have also run into some pretty strong pain/weakness in my right hip. I think part of this is associated with compensating for the knee in my runs.
What I have found is that I tend to be okay once I get into running, but later that night and the next day when I move and put weight on these joints I am having pain issues. Everyone I talk to who runs here at the school agrees that the pain should be temporary and as I get in better shape and lose more weight this will go away... but man is it hard. I am giving it another week or so and then I'll think about contacting my doctor to make sure this is the case. I really don't want to do any permanent damage to my body. I am content with gym work (elliptical, stationary bike and swimming) which are low stress and don't hurt my joints however I do not lose the weight like I do when running, and let's be honest.. I would really like to get to the point where I can run a 5 K. In my program now (The picture is the logo for the app Beth and I are using) I have just gotten to where I run 8 minutes, walk for 5 then run another 8. In the 8 minutes I am going somewhere between a half mile and 3/4 of a mile. Tommorrow this jumps to 10 minutes run 5 walk 10 run. I'm close to running a mile straight. fingers crossed.
Finally I am trying to fit in time for carving and guitar playing but darn it... there just aren't enough minutes in a day... at least I'm not Beth who has to take classes this semester :) (sorry Beth I love you!!!).
The science show I help put on every year for the freshmen went well. This year I took a more active role since the head person retired last year. The new physics teacher and I shared top billing for running this. There were many explosions and thrills.
I am continuing my running program and in some ways it is getting easier and in others much harder. The actual running is going great. I am still very slow (almost like a speed walk for most people around a 12-14 min mile) however my lung capacity and energy is not causing a problem. My joints on the other hand are killing me. I have always had issues with my left knee as a result of my guiding at camp with the hiking and canoe carries, as well as all the moguls I used to ski throughout and after college. My knee started hurting right after I began my running at the start of August. In the past week I have also run into some pretty strong pain/weakness in my right hip. I think part of this is associated with compensating for the knee in my runs.
What I have found is that I tend to be okay once I get into running, but later that night and the next day when I move and put weight on these joints I am having pain issues. Everyone I talk to who runs here at the school agrees that the pain should be temporary and as I get in better shape and lose more weight this will go away... but man is it hard. I am giving it another week or so and then I'll think about contacting my doctor to make sure this is the case. I really don't want to do any permanent damage to my body. I am content with gym work (elliptical, stationary bike and swimming) which are low stress and don't hurt my joints however I do not lose the weight like I do when running, and let's be honest.. I would really like to get to the point where I can run a 5 K. In my program now (The picture is the logo for the app Beth and I are using) I have just gotten to where I run 8 minutes, walk for 5 then run another 8. In the 8 minutes I am going somewhere between a half mile and 3/4 of a mile. Tommorrow this jumps to 10 minutes run 5 walk 10 run. I'm close to running a mile straight. fingers crossed.
Finally I am trying to fit in time for carving and guitar playing but darn it... there just aren't enough minutes in a day... at least I'm not Beth who has to take classes this semester :) (sorry Beth I love you!!!).
Monday, August 13, 2012
full day
Okay first things first. Yesterday was rest day which was needed as my left knee was extremely aggravated and swollen. Not sure what happened. So we didn't exercise. Today it was still a bit sore so again we rested, although we did go for about a mile walk. hopefully I can run tomorrow evening. We'll see.
So today we went for a Lunch Cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen. It was great. This is the same cruise we took a couple of summers ago. After getting home, I actually used my carving knives and fleshed out a rudimentary old man spirit figure. not bad for my first go at it and more importantly I didn't cut myself. Then tonight we went for our walk and then a trip out to the lake. We got to see a few deer on the way but no pics... sorry.
So today we went for a Lunch Cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen. It was great. This is the same cruise we took a couple of summers ago. After getting home, I actually used my carving knives and fleshed out a rudimentary old man spirit figure. not bad for my first go at it and more importantly I didn't cut myself. Then tonight we went for our walk and then a trip out to the lake. We got to see a few deer on the way but no pics... sorry.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Summers end?
As we approach the closing of summer vacation Beth and I have enjoyed visiting with family in Indiana, as well as Beth helping her folks out some more with the deconstruction of the house. Immediately after returning from Indiana we both started a Couch to 5 K in 8 weeks program and we are progressing nicely (two weeks in). I am having some pain issues associated with my knees, feet and ankles due to my planter fasceiitis and my weight, but I am pushing through.
Today we travelled to Lake Placid for the day and enjoyed good food and some shopping. I decided to get a picture of the sign for with Pipe and Book. One of my favorite places in Lake Placid. It went out of business a few years ago and I think is going to be switched over soon. We also saw many little knick knacky things like the little Santa here. I got a picture because this is something I want to try as I begin getting into wood carving. As per Dad's recommendation I started trying carving with soap. Here is a pic of a little bear figurine I whittled out in about an hour. Not great, but it's a start to get a feel for working with shapes.That said, enough for now.....
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
It's been a long time
So it's been a really long time since I have posted and a ton has happened. Some good, some not so good so here it goes........ As the school year ended I was swamped with work. Between some massive clean-up of the science department which included filling an industrial sized dumpster, to updating the chemical inventory and consolidating and labelling the hazardous waste for pick-up by CSWD, I found myself taking on a leadership role. While doing this I also had to put in the work to complete my portfolio and put together my defense for my capstone action research. I also had to create my speech for class night and announce names for graduation. Graduation and class night went well and finishing my masters program successfully were very strong emotional highs for me. Shortly after this we were able to enjoy the company of Mom, Dad and Aunt Judy as they made a summer trip out East. It was fun playing Euchre again after a very long hiatus.
On the down side, the afternoon that I finished my masters presentation we got a call that Beth's parents house was burning down. It is unimaginable what this means for them. Luckily the family ties are strong and nobody was hurt. We have been helping as much as we can to help support her parents through working with organizing insurance issues and completing house contents lists. As of right now I think things are on track for getting them back into their new house by October (fingers crossed).
In the past few days we were able to get to downtown Burlington and enjooy the waterfront boardwalk, we also got the motorboat out. I was happy to start the motor on the first pull of the cord. Yeah!!!
We have plans to get out to Indiana soon and then see where the rest of the summer takes us.
Thats it for now
Pics to follow soon.
On the down side, the afternoon that I finished my masters presentation we got a call that Beth's parents house was burning down. It is unimaginable what this means for them. Luckily the family ties are strong and nobody was hurt. We have been helping as much as we can to help support her parents through working with organizing insurance issues and completing house contents lists. As of right now I think things are on track for getting them back into their new house by October (fingers crossed).
In the past few days we were able to get to downtown Burlington and enjooy the waterfront boardwalk, we also got the motorboat out. I was happy to start the motor on the first pull of the cord. Yeah!!!
We have plans to get out to Indiana soon and then see where the rest of the summer takes us.
Thats it for now
Pics to follow soon.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
We are the future
Remember that scene in Back to the future where they set the Delorean to the future first. Today is that date.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Done?
Holy Crap!!!!
I think I'm done.
One more run through on the presentation and check of my portfolio and professional growth notebook but yes.... I think I have everything ready for tomorrow.
I think I'm done.
One more run through on the presentation and check of my portfolio and professional growth notebook but yes.... I think I have everything ready for tomorrow.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Links
Okay folks, here are a couple of important links.
the first is a link to class night. You can hear the introduction and my speech at the beginning.
http://www.lcatv.org/program/chs-class-night-2
the second is a link to graduation where you can watch me march in at the front and listen to me reading name after name after name....
http://www.lcatv.org/program/chs-graduation-2
the first is a link to class night. You can hear the introduction and my speech at the beginning.
http://www.lcatv.org/program/chs-class-night-2
the second is a link to graduation where you can watch me march in at the front and listen to me reading name after name after name....
http://www.lcatv.org/program/chs-graduation-2
Monday, June 18, 2012
game night
This post is kind of for you schlax family. Not sure if you have seen the Geek and sundry you tube programs on youtube, but Wil Wheaton has a really cool one called tabletop where he brings in players and plays different board games like munchkin, tsaro etc... pretty cool. I actually added the ticket to ride app on my iphone and it's awesome. Here is a link to an episode for a game that looks pretty fun called small world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9QtdiRJYro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9QtdiRJYro
Rattling Brook
So after graduation Beth and I headed up to Belvidere Vt for the Rattling Brook Bluegrass Festival. This is the festival I went to last year. It was good fun. Here is a sample of what it's like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8pWUOJjTbI&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8pWUOJjTbI&feature=relmfu
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Class Night Speech
Here is one of my early drafts of my class night speech. It changed a little bit but this is the gist.
Wow,
Thank you for that introduction Emily. I feel honored and humbled at the same time to be here speaking with you tonight. I apologize if I seem a bit nervous. It’s not often that I get in front of a group of people and talk where it doesn’t have to do with balancing equations, solving three step stoichiometry problems or discussing the quantum states of different atoms so I guess you could say I’m a little out of my element... Sorry about that but I’m trying to keep in practice since we will be losing one of our great pun-sters in Joe Desrosiers. So here’s to you Joe I’ll try to keep the tradition going as best I can.
I would like to start by giving a huge congratulations to the class of 2012. You have worked very hard for the past 12 years and you have earned every bit of the attention you will be receiving in the next couple of days. As we head into the twilight of your high school education and approach the dawning of your futures I ask that you reflect back on your journey. Remember that first day of smart start. Who did you walk in with? What were you thinking as you took that first tour of the building? How excited were you during the science magic show as you watched some crazy teachers shooting bottles into the theater lights and blowing up balloons filled with gas. Think about how freshman year progressed. Walking in for spirit week with wonder as to how your hall got decorated to the theme of under the sea. I know I can remember that week well. In my 19 years of teaching here no freshman class has ever won the cheering contest in that first pep rally… but you did. I have to tell you, Mrs. Conrad, Mr. Perry and I were a bit worried with what we had gotten ourselves into as your class advisors. I ask that you think of all the things that have happened to you since those first few weeks walking these halls. State championships, theater productions, musical performances, poetry slams, math competitions, coffehouses. Think of those teachers that supported you and proudly watched you spread your academic wings. Mr. Price banging his head against the wall and reading the little engine that could while trying to make you more aware of how world politics affects even a small state like Vermont. How Mr. Mcannell and Mr. Coon taught you how to create your own multimedia performances and gave you an appreciation for the theater arts. How Corky taught you how to stand on your head in the middle of a social studies class. How Mr. Cannizarro and Ms. Cummings taught you how to look at life through an artistic lens. How Mrs. Sharkey and Ms. Sommariva taught you how important it is to use calculus in your everyday lives……. Well they tried anyways.
These are just some of the teachers that worked hard to help prepare you for this. Your next stage in life where you will need to use the knowledge and skills you learned here to help you grow in the real world. One of my favorite educator’s is Vermont’s own John Dewey. He was a firm believer that education is a lifelong process and it comes though experiences. One of my favorite quotes says that “Education is not preparation for life, Education is life itself”. While you have been students here you were challenged to improve our school and you have responded. You have lived through first crushes, learned how to manage your schedules and workload, and shown strength when life has thrown you curve balls. I have watched proudly as you found an identity for your class. I am often asked about you by my friends and family members. When I post on facebook about your success in spirit week, and include links to our lip-dub my friends want to know about these students wearing these blue and green on black “dirty-dozen” t-shirts. I always respond that you are truly one of a kind. You have created a network among yourselves that is full of intelligence, community service and colleagueship. You take nothing at face value and are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. I smile when I speak of you because I know you are the future and that this is what we will need in our leaders.
As I tried to think of a message to send you off from Colchester High School I have reflected on my own life and what is near and dear to me. With that said I have a few kernels of wisdom you may take with you. I like to call this my “Life Lessons of a Chemistry Teacher”.
My first Life Lesson I want to bring up occurred shortly after school began my third year teaching. I was preparing a demonstration for my chemistry class in which a small amount of a chemical is allowed to vaporize in a large empty jug. Then when a match is applied to the top of the bottle it forms a combustion engine like effect. Well on this day I had already performed the experiment once in said bottle, so when I did this a second time the integrity of the bottle was, let us say “compromised”. As soon as the match hit the top of the bottle, the bottom blew out creating an explosion that sent the bottle rocketing off into the ceiling tiles…. Or so I was told. I couldn’t tell because I was knocked out halfway across the room at the time. As I awoke and my hearing slowly returned I realized that My science department had finally come up with a nickname for me. To them I will always be remembered as boomer. So what lesson can you take from this? Well of course you shouldn’t mess around with things that can explode. Very dangerous, but more importantly when life knocks you down, get back up and take responsibility for your actions. Life is all about making mistakes. It is what you learn from them that will help you grow.
The second Lesson I learned happened a couple of years after the bottle incident. As most of you students know, In the back of the science office there is a chemical storeroom where we keep all of our supplies. In this room is a cabinet containing our concentrated acids. One afternoon after school our department decided we wanted to clean up the office. During this cleaning process as I was back there I looked over as two of my colleagues were trying to move this cabinet. What they didn’t do however was check to see if it was closed and locked first. Anyways o make a long story short a bottle of 18 M sulfuric acid fell out and broke all over the floor and on me and the two teachers involved. In the time it took to get to the safety showers our pant legs and shows had all but dissolved. The lesson I took from this was don’t let Mr. Desrosiers near the acid cabinet….. no actually the message is to think and plan before you act. Take the time to really think things through because your actions will reflect on you for the rest of your life. Every message you put on twitter, every side comment you make, every decision you make can have consequences. You are the generation that technology has made it possible to share every facet of you lives almost at the speed that you live it, and while this is great to keep you in touch with one another I caution you that it is also easily abused. Take time to reflect on what image you want people to have of you and then work to make it happen through your actions. In being given greater freedoms you are also going to be held to a greater level of responsibility for your actions.
My third and final message to all of you does not come from a single story or incident. It is built up from a career of working with kids, parent, the Colchester community and especially my colleagues. This message is simple. Have Fun and follow your dreams. You are moving into a new stage of your life which puts you closer to making decisions that will determine careers, what educational level you will achieve and how you will live your life. Until now you have had supports and structure helping you make these decisions. The torch is being passed into your hands. I have loved every minute of my life as a teacher here in Colchester because it is my passion. It is what I wanted to do and I enjoy every class I teach, I enjoy every theater performance, every sporting event. You need to find what makes you happy and then work like crazy to get it.
I wish all of you luck. I congratulate you. You deserve everything you have worked for and the entire Colchester faculty and staff is proud of you.
Wow,
Thank you for that introduction Emily. I feel honored and humbled at the same time to be here speaking with you tonight. I apologize if I seem a bit nervous. It’s not often that I get in front of a group of people and talk where it doesn’t have to do with balancing equations, solving three step stoichiometry problems or discussing the quantum states of different atoms so I guess you could say I’m a little out of my element... Sorry about that but I’m trying to keep in practice since we will be losing one of our great pun-sters in Joe Desrosiers. So here’s to you Joe I’ll try to keep the tradition going as best I can.
I would like to start by giving a huge congratulations to the class of 2012. You have worked very hard for the past 12 years and you have earned every bit of the attention you will be receiving in the next couple of days. As we head into the twilight of your high school education and approach the dawning of your futures I ask that you reflect back on your journey. Remember that first day of smart start. Who did you walk in with? What were you thinking as you took that first tour of the building? How excited were you during the science magic show as you watched some crazy teachers shooting bottles into the theater lights and blowing up balloons filled with gas. Think about how freshman year progressed. Walking in for spirit week with wonder as to how your hall got decorated to the theme of under the sea. I know I can remember that week well. In my 19 years of teaching here no freshman class has ever won the cheering contest in that first pep rally… but you did. I have to tell you, Mrs. Conrad, Mr. Perry and I were a bit worried with what we had gotten ourselves into as your class advisors. I ask that you think of all the things that have happened to you since those first few weeks walking these halls. State championships, theater productions, musical performances, poetry slams, math competitions, coffehouses. Think of those teachers that supported you and proudly watched you spread your academic wings. Mr. Price banging his head against the wall and reading the little engine that could while trying to make you more aware of how world politics affects even a small state like Vermont. How Mr. Mcannell and Mr. Coon taught you how to create your own multimedia performances and gave you an appreciation for the theater arts. How Corky taught you how to stand on your head in the middle of a social studies class. How Mr. Cannizarro and Ms. Cummings taught you how to look at life through an artistic lens. How Mrs. Sharkey and Ms. Sommariva taught you how important it is to use calculus in your everyday lives……. Well they tried anyways.
These are just some of the teachers that worked hard to help prepare you for this. Your next stage in life where you will need to use the knowledge and skills you learned here to help you grow in the real world. One of my favorite educator’s is Vermont’s own John Dewey. He was a firm believer that education is a lifelong process and it comes though experiences. One of my favorite quotes says that “Education is not preparation for life, Education is life itself”. While you have been students here you were challenged to improve our school and you have responded. You have lived through first crushes, learned how to manage your schedules and workload, and shown strength when life has thrown you curve balls. I have watched proudly as you found an identity for your class. I am often asked about you by my friends and family members. When I post on facebook about your success in spirit week, and include links to our lip-dub my friends want to know about these students wearing these blue and green on black “dirty-dozen” t-shirts. I always respond that you are truly one of a kind. You have created a network among yourselves that is full of intelligence, community service and colleagueship. You take nothing at face value and are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. I smile when I speak of you because I know you are the future and that this is what we will need in our leaders.
As I tried to think of a message to send you off from Colchester High School I have reflected on my own life and what is near and dear to me. With that said I have a few kernels of wisdom you may take with you. I like to call this my “Life Lessons of a Chemistry Teacher”.
My first Life Lesson I want to bring up occurred shortly after school began my third year teaching. I was preparing a demonstration for my chemistry class in which a small amount of a chemical is allowed to vaporize in a large empty jug. Then when a match is applied to the top of the bottle it forms a combustion engine like effect. Well on this day I had already performed the experiment once in said bottle, so when I did this a second time the integrity of the bottle was, let us say “compromised”. As soon as the match hit the top of the bottle, the bottom blew out creating an explosion that sent the bottle rocketing off into the ceiling tiles…. Or so I was told. I couldn’t tell because I was knocked out halfway across the room at the time. As I awoke and my hearing slowly returned I realized that My science department had finally come up with a nickname for me. To them I will always be remembered as boomer. So what lesson can you take from this? Well of course you shouldn’t mess around with things that can explode. Very dangerous, but more importantly when life knocks you down, get back up and take responsibility for your actions. Life is all about making mistakes. It is what you learn from them that will help you grow.
The second Lesson I learned happened a couple of years after the bottle incident. As most of you students know, In the back of the science office there is a chemical storeroom where we keep all of our supplies. In this room is a cabinet containing our concentrated acids. One afternoon after school our department decided we wanted to clean up the office. During this cleaning process as I was back there I looked over as two of my colleagues were trying to move this cabinet. What they didn’t do however was check to see if it was closed and locked first. Anyways o make a long story short a bottle of 18 M sulfuric acid fell out and broke all over the floor and on me and the two teachers involved. In the time it took to get to the safety showers our pant legs and shows had all but dissolved. The lesson I took from this was don’t let Mr. Desrosiers near the acid cabinet….. no actually the message is to think and plan before you act. Take the time to really think things through because your actions will reflect on you for the rest of your life. Every message you put on twitter, every side comment you make, every decision you make can have consequences. You are the generation that technology has made it possible to share every facet of you lives almost at the speed that you live it, and while this is great to keep you in touch with one another I caution you that it is also easily abused. Take time to reflect on what image you want people to have of you and then work to make it happen through your actions. In being given greater freedoms you are also going to be held to a greater level of responsibility for your actions.
My third and final message to all of you does not come from a single story or incident. It is built up from a career of working with kids, parent, the Colchester community and especially my colleagues. This message is simple. Have Fun and follow your dreams. You are moving into a new stage of your life which puts you closer to making decisions that will determine careers, what educational level you will achieve and how you will live your life. Until now you have had supports and structure helping you make these decisions. The torch is being passed into your hands. I have loved every minute of my life as a teacher here in Colchester because it is my passion. It is what I wanted to do and I enjoy every class I teach, I enjoy every theater performance, every sporting event. You need to find what makes you happy and then work like crazy to get it.
I wish all of you luck. I congratulate you. You deserve everything you have worked for and the entire Colchester faculty and staff is proud of you.
Class Night and Graduation
So both Class Night and Graduation went well. I was very nervous for my speech on Class Night but it seemed to go over well. For graduation I did not mess up any names so I guess that's good. I am putting in a link to the burlington free press photo gallery of graduation. Unfortunately I guess being teacher of the year and reading the names does not rate me high enough to show up in the gallery so I will add pics later to my blog that Beth took. I will also try to copy and paste a copy of my speech. I didn't take a video of it, however the local access channel did and in a bout a week I should be able to get a copy of class night and graduation on a dvd.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=BT&Dato=20120616&Kategori=NEWS02&Lopenr=306160006&Ref=PH&odyssey=mod|galleriespic
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=BT&Dato=20120616&Kategori=NEWS02&Lopenr=306160006&Ref=PH&odyssey=mod|galleriespic
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Clubs
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Graduation
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Car
Thanks to Beth's fantastic driving, she avoided the oncoming white van that veered into our lane. Unfortunately the car behind us did not. Head on collision. Very Bad.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Sad
Sad day for the Bruins. Maybe next year. On a good note, travelling to Lake Placid tomorrow. Hard to believe it was a year ago that we went there and saw the B's in the middle of their series against Montreal. I think our prescence then helped motivate them to win the Stanley Cup. This year NADA
Monday, April 16, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Bust a move
Even a large Science teacher can bust a move. Can you find me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qAPw1gGyKs&feature=share
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qAPw1gGyKs&feature=share
Friday, March 2, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Dub Returns
ColchesterThe High School Lip has returned and is available for your viewing peasure. This year it was filmed during the school day so there was a much higher participation. The song was a bit shorter and they decided to stay on the first floor only. I personally did not care for the song as much as last year but it's okay. If you are really looking for me, I am towards the beginning where they go through the auditorium and the kids are actually singing. I am with my Coffeehouse compadres holding my Indiana Guitar. This is around the 3:10 -3:15 mark. You may even notice that I am not playing, but I am giving a low key peace sign. As it was last year this was a lot of fun and truly shows some of the high energy school spirit our students have.
Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYGEM_MS4RE
Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYGEM_MS4RE
Friday, February 17, 2012
Latest Coffeehouse Performance
So we had a fun night at the coffeehouse. It's starting to feel like I am becoming the "mandolin" guy for these. This is fine and I think it's fun, but I should probably work to get a few more chords under my belt if I am going to continue with this.
Here is the link to a nice song: Pretty Young Maid in the Garden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-YYoRCzd8k&feature=channel_video_title
and here is a link to one of my college fav's from Irish Happy Hour at the Last Chance Saloon. (not that I ever went and drank :) ) Black Velvet Band. By the way, I never imagined I would someday be playing this on a stringed instrument. It's amazing how life works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKsRqfnhAB0&feature=channel_video_title
Here is the link to a nice song: Pretty Young Maid in the Garden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-YYoRCzd8k&feature=channel_video_title
and here is a link to one of my college fav's from Irish Happy Hour at the Last Chance Saloon. (not that I ever went and drank :) ) Black Velvet Band. By the way, I never imagined I would someday be playing this on a stringed instrument. It's amazing how life works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKsRqfnhAB0&feature=channel_video_title
Friday, February 10, 2012
Key of Awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwPHy17Iu6E
You know you are a good cover band when somebody makes a parody of your cover song.
You know you are a good cover band when somebody makes a parody of your cover song.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
video
Here's the video. Not sure how it will translate over, but if you look at the water line you should be able to see the multiple "water spouts" all over the horizon
Sat. drive
So we had a restful weekend. Yesterday we took a drive around sunset. It was around 1-2 degrees out. We went to the lake and took some picks. It was really cool because the air was so much colder than the lake and the wind was howling so there was a fog/mist rising anywhere from 2-5 feet off the lake in swirls. We actually saw some of this fog forming multple "waterspout" formations. I tried to film it but it didn't show up well.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
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