Fishing and Morality

Pop quiz: You are in a boat with Mr. Reynolds on a lake with whitecaps. Mr. Reynolds can not swim. Caught off guard by a large wave, Mr. Reynolds gets swept into the lake. He has no life jacket and in a matter of minutes, without your help, he's toast. Do you A: restring your fishing line in case you hook into a monster walleye or B. check the ice in the cooler?

Last night I saw a great show about a 911 conspiracy. There were great arguments to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the government planned the whole thing. All the evidence presented by one side made it crystal clear. As long as there was nobody there to discredit the findings, everyone is happy - right?

This morning I listened to a few people I work with who, unless challenged, can come up with some pretty interesting and profound statements. Kind of like the 911 conspiracy experts, they can justify about any opinion unless challenged by rational thought. Someone else has already probably coined this and own the copyright on it, but my title for these people are "Five Minute Experts".

A five minute expert is a person who really wants to sound smart so they listen to what alot of other really smart people tell them. They soak up really cool sounding facts, figures, catch phrases, buzzwords, in order to prepare. They prepare for the perfect moment when they have a really important group of people at hand ready soak up the really cool and profound knowledge that has been neatly prepared. The most important part of the preparation, however, is the exit plan. A five minute expert is not usually any good at backing up the really cool and profound information they share, so as a way to deal with any skeptics, they find cool and sometimes comical ways to deflect the counterpoints made by anyone who doesn't buy in.

One great way to do this is by using absolutes. Here is an example:

Guy One: "Students need to learn their lesson when it comes to behavior on my class so I kick anyone out who misbehaves."

Guy Two: "Wow. How do you handle that kid who is having a really bad day at home and happened to be in your class when they broke down?"

Guy One: (with some eye shifting and collar tugging) "Are you trying to tell me that every kid who acts like a jerk in my class just happened to walk into my class the very instant that they lost control over a bad family life. Really. Every kid. That doesn't make sense."

Guy One: "No. I am just saying that some kids have issues that might explain their behavior."

Guy Two: "Why do you hate expectations. I believe in America. What's wrong with liking America?"

Guy One: (thought but not spoken) "This guy has never developed a critical thought that didn't involve a professional sports team or an episode of American Idol."

I am not saying that I am the enlightened one. I agree that I have some pretty concrete opinions about life, school, politics, or what not that I won't waver from. A rational person has to concur, however, that to build an opinion, one must understand in one's own mind why such an opinion is made. There is no such thing as a black and white topic so some independent thought is important to decide which side of what arguments you want to be on. If you can't take a position, chew it up, spit it out, and make sense of it - you might be a "Five Minute Expert".

PS- I also hate cats. Challenge me on it and you'll see that at least on this one, I'm an "All Day Long Expert"!

Can you hear the sky is falling? If you listen close enough, you will.

I heard it yesterday as we were told of the latest and greatest new brainfart handed down by the education gods. Here's how it works:

1. A kid gets in trouble in school.

2. Administration hands down a punishment of suspension.

3. The kid goes home and hangs out for a couple of days to cool off and think about their actions.

4. The kid returns. (And is now able to go to their teachers to get all the missing work that they missed while away!)

Be it a test, quiz, project, whatever, the teacher now must allow two days for every day of the suspension for the points to be made up.

Lets play this out through an example or two, shall we?

Example A-

Billy gets into a fight with the local nerd and beats him to a bloody pulp. With no remorse, Billy is sent to the office and a punishment of three days from school is handed down. Upon Billy's return to school, teachers are now required to go back through their files to get Billy caught up. Just say that a major test was scheduled for the time when Billy was away. He now is allowed up to 6 extra days to work on his material to study for the test. Six days longer than those in the class who chose to follow the rules and not be suspended. I feel that there is NO punitive impact for his actions.

Example B -

Carl's dad dies. He is gone from school for three days to deal with family issues. Upon his return, he finds is work to be difficult as he can not focus on his classes. Even though he is suffering greatly, he comes to school with hopes that keeping busy will keep his mind off the stress of his life. He also is given six days to complete his work. Mentally gone but physically there. Seat time equals preparation time so ready or not, he must meet the same guidelines as Billy the Nerd Basher. Carl's crime - not keeping his dad here on Earth.

Both kids are to be treated in the same manner under our vail of equality. Even though I totally understand the the value of equality is an important part of our society's success, I think the value of justice should also be recognized. Maybe I am what people call "Old School", but I consider malicious acts to be grounds for punishment. I have this gut feeling that kids should understand that they are accountable for their actions. If they know that time off for bad behavior will result in loss of grade and they choose to do act inappropriately anyways, then light it up. Dish out the zeros and explain that the actions they chose led to reactions that were clearly explained ahead of time. It seems like a no-brainer .

Let's say Billy gets suspended 6 times in a quarter? Extra days every time. YEP! Luckily, Carl's dad can only die once!

Patton's quotes

Here is a sample of General George Patton Jr.'s quotes that I like. It makes you wonder how he would react to the political climate today?

“If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn’t thinking.”

“You can not be disciplined in great things and indiscipline in small things. Brave undisciplined men have no chance against the discipline and valour of other men.”

“Few men are killed by the bayonet, many are scared by it.”

“Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.”

“Courage is holding on a minute longer.”

“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won’t.”

“I am a soldier. I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.”

“One of the most frequently noted characteristics of great men who have remained great is the loyalty to their subordinates.”

“A pint of blood will save a gallon of blood.”

“A leader is a man who can adapt principles to circumstances.”

“Perpetual peace is a futile dream.”

“If you are going to win any battle, you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. the body is never tired if the mind is not tired.”

“If I win, I can’t be stopped. If I lose I shall be dead.”

This one is the best of all:

"No bastard ever one a war for dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.”

Today is the first Friday of the second quarter. I thought that my first quarter classes were the tops. If this first week is any indication of the rest of our nine weeks together, I might have to add to that list. I am blown away how well this year is going. I don't know what to attribute it to but I am really enjoying the mix of students in each of my classes.

Although we still have our bumps, this is shaping up to be a great year at LHS!

It's tourist season, what's the bag limit?

I am a neurotic, paranoid mess. People think I've gone off the deep end because all of my conversations tend to gravitate to one common theme. I'm not sure, but maybe a call to 3rd floor is in order.

My current state should be caused by bad students, ignorant parents, a close minded administrators. This is not the case as I have had one of the best school years ever with all the parties mentioned above doing great and wonderful things. There is one thing that is tearing me to shreds today - hunters. Deer hunter members of the orange army, to be exact!

So, I was pumped last week, looking forward to a relaxing weekend in pursuit of that elusive buck that has taken residence in my dreams of the past 3 months or so. On Friday night - or what I like to call Deer Season Eve- we pulled into our hunting "camp", which is nothing more than our old farmstead up by Lake of the Woods. I had been getting word that farmers were seeing some nice bucks crossing our land so I was already filled with adrenaline when I saw three faint lights dancing within the wooded portion of my neighbor's hunting spot. Now, I admit to being very protective of my hunting land, but my neighbor is three levels more intense than am I. I know something was up. As advised by Jeff, the local C.O., I called in what I considered to be suspicious activity. To make a long story short, I was able to confront three Brainerd residents exiting the neighbor's land, carrying typical hunting gear, including deer stands. They gave me some song and dance about a lost and hurt hunter and ensured - no proclaimed - the that FOR SURE had full permission to be there by the landowner himself! A LOW county deputy showed up, took info, and that was it. After some follow up, it was clearly shown that their whole story was a crock. Guess what happened - yep, nothing.

Later in the weekend, as I was packing up after a morning hunt, I was approached by another out-of-towner and WELL KNOWN poacher. He inquired as to my exact leave time (he knew that I was a teacher and had to be in school on Monday) and if anyone was hunting with me. He wanted to know alot of what I thought was really odd details about deer movement on my land and who was hunting where. I tried to create an impromptu story to throw him off my trail, but it was poor and I think he saw through it. He explained that his son (a guy that my hunting buddy caught heading to one of our stands a couple of years ago) was coming up to hunt during the week - like I said, this guy knew I would be gone during this time - and that he planned to hunt some land to the east of us. I explained that most all of the land was privately owned but he didn't seem too worried. His sone was coming and that was that.

Well, I had to pack up and go back to work that evening, fully understanding that this former co-worker of mine was going to be reporting back to his son that they would have a green light to our hunting land and it would be free of hunters. I am convinced of that!

The icing on the cake came on Monday night in the form of a phone call. I was working on my dog's kennel, so I didn't take the first call. Rather than leaving a message with my wife, he insisted that he talked to me directly. When I called him back, he asked some non-sense question about goose hunting. I am sure that he was just double checking that I would was not up at our land and wouldn't be until the weekend. Am I an idiot or is that not as clear as it can get that these guys know how to play the system?

Lots of people have been telling me to report these happenings and to let law enforcement handle the situation. I've done the reporting but I understand that the local deputies and C.O.s are as busy as they can get during this time and to dedicate most of their time to one chunk of land is unrealistic. Besides, most poachers are wise. They know enough to plan a back up story and they study land boundaries to create quick exit strategies. It becomes such as cat and mouse game that it sucks all fun out of my hunting. I am at the point that I believe I should sell all my hunting stuff and take up scrapbooking! My alternative to this is make tourist season into a real season, with a daily bag limit of one and possession limit of two. That makes way more sense to me!

Hunting - Deer and other

Tomorrow is the beginning of the MN firearm deer season. Some call it the Orange Army. I don't really enjoy rifle hunting as much as bowhunting, but I still love this time of year. I get to see friends that I only see during this time. It is as much a culture thing as any other trait here in northern Minnesota. My wife allows me pretty much free reign because she grew up in this culture and understands that I refrain from other guy activities throughout the year. I have the best wife in the world! We are indeed entering the greatest two weeks of the year!!!

BTW - Yesterday I heard about an argument between two people that I know well. All I have to say is I think it is AWESOME when a person can stand up to others and call it like it is. Too many times, rude people take the attitude of "there's my way and there's the wrong way". Many, including myself, often feel that there is no point to get into what evolves into a petty argument with these people and, therefor, enable this arrogant air. I have to be careful not to get myself in a blog fightfest, but big time kudos to that person who laid it all out so to silence the army of arrogance. That was sooooo cool!

Life below 30,000 inches

I recently read several aviation blogs because I have a passion for flight. It is funny that many of the aviation writers out there focus primarily on the profession of commercial flight. They talk about the serenity of being up above the clouds. There are a thousand little stories about the supernatural feeling these pilots enjoy while up there. A few days ago, I saw the story about the flight into Mpls that was overflown and the pilots missed the field by 150 MILES. Many thought they were sleeping up there, which I was told is very common as opined by a current commercial pilot, but as it turns out they were engrossed in the new scheduling software that their airline was adopting. The more I hear and read about flight scheduling software, vectors, ATC contact systems, autopilots, I less appealing this passion becomes. The blog entry was called "Like at 30,000 feet" and the author talked about the beauty of flight. I want to create a new vision about what flying is all about. Think "Life at 30,000 inches". This is flying. When I go out, I RARELY climb above 2,500 feet and usually keep it below 1,000 ft. When a person flies at this level, you still get to enjoy that feeling that you defeated the laws of gravity, but you still get to follow the happenings of a land-based human existence. I love the waves that I get from down below as I pass over a beach at 500 feet or the looks I get from farmers out in the fields as I give them a quick buzz. This up-close, yet distant perspective of Earth is what fires my passion for flying. There is nothing out there that can give a person the type of feeling that comes with low and slow flying! That, to me, is "living BELOW 30,000 inches!"

Did you really just do that?

No time to type. Here is a real issue that I have to vent about, however. Why is it that some people feel it is within in the bounds of good behavior to walk into a conversation and totally just begin with the babble that they feel so inclined to share. This happened to me this morning - again - and it burns me still.

Here's the deal. I was having a great conversation with another teacher this morning when, out of the blue, this "third party" strolls up and impolitely hijacks our chat. She cut off my colleague so rudely so she could dazzle us with her unending wit concerning some parent gripe that neither of us really could give a rat's behind about. So, in a matter of about two seconds, the good time that I was having got flushed out by the irritating sounds of this inconsiderate crow. I wish that - like police officers - ordinary citizens could issue citations for improper merging into a conversation. I know that I would blast through one ticket book quite quickly just around here and I can think of at least two people who would be in a serious financial tailspin after paying the fines I would dish out.

If you are one of the few who read this, please ask yourself: "Am I guilty of this offense?" If so, shut the heck up and wait patiently until the proper pause in the conversation. I read somewhere once that a typical conversation ends within 7 minutes, so bite your tongue and give it a rest. I am sure that your insightful rant will be just as delightful and life changing for us even if it was delivered 4 minutes later.

There. Now I can go on with my day!

Why do some people insist that political parties are the be all do all for the health of the country. It's hard to have a conversation with many so called "education professionals" without the debate boiling down to "well you are a (enter political party here) so naturally you believe that". Seriously, are people so narrow minded that they believe that one party is made up of saviors and the other by evildoers.

Take health care reform for example. I have some concerns about where the President is taking this issue. I totally believe that the health care system is broken and insurance is crazy expensive. If I were to mention my objections to a person who is center to left of center, I am labeled a crazy Republican. "Why don't I just bring a machine gun to a rally" is the type of response I get. What a great retort, eh? Why does the guy who objects have to be a solid member of the opposing party? You may as well nail a RUSH bumper sticker to my forehead!

Nothing but absolutes and no room for middle of the road thinking prevail in these situations.

I am not scared of most politicians for I know that most are on the take but controls like public opinion and the re-election hook keep them more or less on the up and up. What scares me is the person who blindly accepts the party line and supports a platform without exception. These types of people, be them from the political left or right, are the narrow minded nutjobs that will tear this country down. Time after time, our nation has weathered tough times and when things get serious - I mean jeopardy of the nation serious - the moderates from the middle rise up to save the day. I just hope that begins to happen during the next few months - but maybe we haven't seen the tough days yet, either.

So there I was working hard, minding my own business this morning when two students - real good students - came into my room with some freshly baked apple crisp. They wanted me to have some so the walked all the way down from the FACS room to deliver it with a smile. I happily took the plate and thanked them. They waited a minute in hopes that I would dive in but I set it down a resumed working on my computer. They got the hint and left. About 5 minutes later I chucked the plate and food into my neighbor's garbage.

Here's the deal.

When I was in high school, I had some buddies who took a class called Intro to Foods. They cooked things and gave them away. I know the stories of what these guys did to the food and - without going into details - I was shocked that nobody was rushed to the emergency room back then. With those memories burned into my brain, I find it impossible to accept food gifts without reservation. Even pot luck dinners are tough for me. I can't help but think of "those people" who live in our community and their regard to safe food handling. I am not saying that this food is dangerous - I bet is is great tasting - but I just can't do it. Sometimes I give these gifts to other students but most of the time I just toss it. Does this make me a bad person? If so, tough! Like the person who can't shake hands for fear of germs, I can not eat student cooked food. Oh well.

Last night was a perfect night.

I don't mean once in a lifetime - I can't believe it - this is going to be in the news kind of perfect, but the realistic but hard to come by kind. Dispite some misgivings from my family, I spent Sunday up at our hunting land / farm / spiritual renewal center. I love it up there because nobody can get to me and I don't have to answer to anyone about anything. I could go on about that but there is this perfect night to talk about.

It was 6:00 as I sat in my elevated deer stand surrounded by orange and yellow covered aspen and birch trees as they worked to prepare for the long winter. You could tell that fall was having it's impact on the environment as leaves were falling and the smells of the season were floating in the breeze. I was out the weekend before, but things were different. Temperatures in the 70's have been replaced by 50's and the sun is spending more and more time behind a curtain of overcast. At about the right time for the evening, the local residents began to come to life as they prepared for their daily walk to the dinner table. First I spotted an ear. Then came the full body of a female deer very slowly and cautiously leaving the brown and green brushy cover. It's like she realized and accepted that the tradeoff for an easy meal of soybeans and wheat regrowth is the risk that the next trip from away from safety may be their last.

Anyway, I see this deer and begin my internal debate as to whether or not - if given the chance - I would attempt to give her a parking ticket. As she walked closer to me, I should have grabbed my bow, setting myself up for a good clean shot. I didn't. The part of my brain that wanted to just hang back and watch her and her grazing offspring wander past won out and I did exactly that. I am a hunter, not a killer. There have been several times when I ended a night of hunting exactly that same way. There is something to be said about hanging out in a tree with nature on a beautiful fall night just enjoying the sounds and smells that can only be found there. Could I have killed her - yes. Would I have felt remorse for it - no. This day, however, I was content to just enjoy the moment.

Last night was a perfect night!

Today is Homecoming Friday. This day is fun and exciting, but little classwork will get done. That is reality and a few voices - however determined and strong - will not change this.
This morning I heard what I can a real telling comment in a conversation between a student and a teacher. "I won't be in 1st or 2nd block today because we (students in a particular grade) need to get our float done. We haven't even started yet." Okay????
Some of the teachers (non-alumni) stayed after last night and did what I think is a great job building a float and we are now done and waiting. Other teachers are dismissing students or having their classes finish up for them. I really get the feeling that this production is getting to mean more for the adults than the students.
I hope I am wrong!
Go Prowlers!

Today our Principal sent and email. I am used to administrators sending email after email ranging in topics from "stuff I don't care about" to "stuff that I absolutely need to (and rarely) do". Today, the email was a little different. Today's message had to do with our need to take time to make time for those people who are important to us. The story tells about a guy who realized that his life was passing by him as he worked hard to create his impression of a good one. This man estimated that the average male lives to about age 75. He mathematically figured how may Saturdays he had left until age 75 and then bought a jar to but that numbers in it. Every Saturday he took out a marble to signify that those days would never return. On the day that he took the last marble out, he determined that any day after would be extra. Looking back, he must have felt better knowing that he did what he could to be with those who matter to him.

I don't know why it hit me like it did, but I really spend a considerable amount of time this morning thinking about this and askingwhat is important in my life. In the last two weeks, I've been home before dark ONE NIGHT! I've tiptoed into my children's room more times than I care to admit to check on them sleeping lately rather than sitting with them to say bedtime prayers. I think of all the exciting school stories that I missed. How many discoveries have they made in my absence? A child's life is measured by the minute and today's latest and greatest thing is tomorrow's old news. If I am not there I miss it, plain and simple.

This weekend will be different. My traditional weekend trip up to the lake will still happen, but I will have two companions with me to share new adventures together. Talk about a story making it's intended mark! Now if I can only find a similarly spirited story about a wife who comes to terms with the senselessness of picking up wet towels in the bathroom!

Finding the right tree

Today, I had a better than normal trip into school so I have high hopes that today is going to go well. You see, my 10 mile trip to and from school is the time that I spend doing mental finishing touches on what I need and want to do for the day. I honestly don't know how people can reside so near their place of work! I suppose everyone finds their own personal "me time" but my driving time is perfect because I never have to worry about scheduling it in. My biggest fear about my driving time is the day when someone asks to car pool. Not that I don't enjoy the company of another person, but the last thing I need during my morning drive time is to listen to someone blathering about someone else's life whilst I work my rolodex of witty comments to find another trite reply.

"So, your wife's friend's dog is going to have to go on insulin. I bet that'll be hard for her." UUUUHHHHGGGGG.

Frankly speaking, my daily drive time is mine and I am not willing to give it up.

When I was in college, I had an education professor who told our class that everyone needs to find a place on their commute from work that they would use as a reference point. When approaching that point each day, turn your brain from the pains of the day to other important parts of your life. I found that tree during the first few weeks of my first year and it remains my reference point to this day. If that tree ever finds it's demise and I begin hauling mental baggage home, I don't know what kind of misery my family would be forced to endure. I try REAL hard to keep the negativity of my schedule on the west side of that tree for the betterment of all who live east of it.

It would be nice if more people could have a commute - or even a tree - to find as well. Honestly, the tree doesn't care.

Here we are in the world of blogging. I can't wait to write heated posts where I opine on deep political issues... or complain about my lack of hunting success. As long as a certain waddling english teacher from LHS disapproves of my rants, I know I am doing and saying the right thing!

Wish me luck!