so i’m at the bama game yesterday – and their team elects to punt near midfield on fourth down and short – rather than go for it and try to get back in the game – basically, the classic move that says “we give up, let’s run the clock out – despite what cbs says – and get out of here”

and i look over – and the obnoxious two hog fans (complete in hoggie shorts) were on their way out too – very, very quietly…

in other news…

“the longevity project” – read this one last week and forgot to review it – stanford scientists took a 1922 gifted survey and looked at what clues to helping you age could be gleamed – the gifted project (by terman) followed the subjects over the course of their lives – which is rare – anyway, the book had some advice that went against conventional wisdom that you must exercise all the time, have a great social group, be married – oh, and be religious – anyway, good to read – funny enough, it was in large print edition at the public library – like, if you’re old and reading this, why do you care about delaying age anymore???

“molasses and glasses” – by ron clark – educator – founder of ron clark academy (for a creative, dynamic teacher, an interesting name choice for his school) – basically, he cares more, teaches more, raises more money in a day than i’ll ever do with my class – so i read with a HUGE guilt complex

“the olympian” by craig t. williams – WONDERFUL book – i harbored hopes it could be a BOB – maybe for high school – but a few details, language, probably keep it from academic competition – but a must read for all runners – a must read for all lovers of history – enjoyed the book – basically, a historical fiction about the details of the first African-American to medal for the US Olympic team – the book hits on contemporary issues for ’08 with great clarity – again, many audiences would enjoy it (young to old)

“battle hymn of the tiger mother” – marj gift to me for the weekend – better than i figured it would be – an account of raising daughters to be extraordinary – good exploration of how much to push children and how much to coddle to their every wish and desire – the first option isn’t nearly as popular, but it is the path to greatness, typically – however, few ever do great things – i guess i should say it’s inspired me to bring the hammer down in my classroom:)

read a few english prep, gifted ed, books as well – always looking for ideas

happy parade week – i’ve never been – does this one throw candy or is it just an excuse for high school kids to be themselves and for everyone else to get out of school??? i’ve always been curious

maf

so reading…

“geek girl” – YA book coming out in december – i think – good – more upper middle school – so 8th grade-ish – story of a high school girl who attempts to lure a “geek” to the dark side – and ends up converted herself – until the geek finds out why she originally went out with him – clever moments at times – i think most of you would enjoy it

“runner’s devotional” – combo running log/scripture/testimonials – one for every day of the year – probably best for beginning runners – most verses addressing “hanging in there” and “keeping on” – not so much the things advanced runners go through – plus, they left out cool verses like in jeremiah where God talks about running with horses – or rather how you can’t if you can’t beat your competition in footraces

also read “seize the story” and a couple of english lit books for class – nothing dramatic learned – unlike my espn the mag that told me about the security measures the nfl are taking at games post 9-11 – some good pieces in there for the 10th anniversary

have a great week – enjoy the fair – say hello to my mom (she should be working the front for kwianis)

mafeld

merritt’s view…

so i’m blogging this morning – instead of sunday – in my defense, i finished “colonel roosevelt” by edmund morris – that 971 page book i mentioned this week in class – that i started wednesday – that i was 200 pages into on friday (so, in other words, outside of going to church, cutting grass – all three yards – and watch bama – oh, and running – i didn’t do much else but read this weekend)

the book was awesome – morris, the author – started the series – a trilogy – back in like ’81 – i read the first book – getting teddy roosevelt to the presidency – about 10 years ago – when the second book – about TR’s presidency – came out – the book came out on hardback last year – it’s in paperback now – what i found interesting is that there are very few books about a president’s post-presidency life – outside of carter, most do very little – other than die:)

TR certainly had a hand in our nation’s politics for the 11 years he lived after he left office – including making a successful run at a third term – with just like 90 days – anyway, absorbing read – love reading about gifted indviduals (TR could deliver lectures on science, religion, literature, poltics…)

the other book i read early last week was “swing your sword” by mike leach – former successful texas tech coach – another gifted individual – great thinker – unusual coach (few are lawyers before coaching:)

well, off to teach – need “twilight” twins for wednesday (yes, i’m over to the dark side – complete with striped socks to match…)

mafeld

happy labor day!

so i read the media notes for the SEC, kent state, and bama this past week – over 100 pages of reading in pdf format – none of which answered to me why kent state didn’t bring a cheer squad – only an eagle (falcon – bird??? anyway, the bird watched the game with the players – i think he/she saw more than most of the college kids – that seemed to leave at halftime – whimps…)

as for books…

“julie of the wolves” – 1970s reprint – good book – sort of gary paulsen with a female protagonist – so “hatchet” before hatchet was written – girl surviving in the wilderness – the question of how to return to society – the larger question – was good

“through my eyes” – tim tebow –  great book – glad i’m adding it for the eighth grade summer list next year – good to read while waiting for commercial timeouts at the bama game (which, due to the humidity, seemed to take forever) – more of the inside story of his time at florida – his faith is genuine – and that was good to know as well – great encouragement when you begin to think all athletes are jerks

also read some teaching books – ap guide to midsummer night’s dream – literacy tools in the classroom – perfect 800 verbal – some ideas for the classroom – all in addition to continuing the trek through the old testament (ezekiel is taking forever) – and magazines – got espn the mag now in addition to economist, sports illustrated, and christianity today

just three journals this week – in case you’re sixth grade and confused (don’t want you to pull a journal muscle by doing more than necessary)

sincerely,
mafeld