and an update on the smoking rant, word on the street, and the radio, is that there will be a province-wide smoking ban by next year.
effin-a.
Saturday, January 31
ooh, new hair! and sweater!
I know, I grow it and cut it. But I didn't cut it *all* off, and I really like this. It looks like I haven't just been growing it out now. (I look annoyed, but I was just trying not to smile like a jackass while taking a picture of myself. I really do like it) It took 2.5 hours, but that's with a fair bit of chatting, and I got some colour done too. Today I'm going to get a 'rosemary mint body wrap'. I'm not sure exactly what that entails, but Erin gave it to me for my birthday and I've just been waiting for a good time to go. I figure the start of 2nd semester is as good a time as any, really. I'll be all fresh and new for all my new students. That's at 12:30, I have to head out before that to get some cash money and see if I won the $30mill last night. I haven't checked my tickets yet, but I'm pretty sure I won. Seems fair. I'll share if I did win, promise.
I have to reiterate my love of Train. I've been listening to them, Sam Roberts, and Jack Johnson for the past week, and have been enjoying all 3 immensely. And of course, I have Erin to thank for pushing the latter 2 on me. They're all very sing-alongable.
I've been just ridiculously busy this week, getting all my marking done, cleaning my room up and just generally getting ready for the new semester. I took all the ugly tables out of my room except for some round ones on the sides, and brought in beautiful art desks that I didn't know existed until about 4 days ago. I have to tell you, I was pretty annoyed when I found out that they had just been sitting in a storage room down the hall from me. I only have 23, which isn't enough for all of my students, but will do for most. Some will prefer the tables anyway, and I'll have some students who will have a TA with them and will need a table as well, so it should work out just fine. Anyway, that's my lame excuse for not having updated all week, but it should get better now. I've also just not had anything to talk about that wasn't just complaining about school, and I want to keep that to a minimum. I might go see Cold Mountain next week. I personally don't think it looks very good, but it's been nominated for a bunch of awards, so I figure I'll give it a shot. I haven't heard any neutral reviews, it's always either excellent or terrible. We'll see. Grant's mom might be coming up to see Something's Gotta Give today, he's gone to Fredericton to get power bill money and visit a bit; I had to stay here for my hair and wrapping appointments. I'm excited!
I went to bed at about 11 last night, party animal that I am. I woke up around 9 though, so have actually had a productive morning. I cleaned the fish tank. Well, I changed the water and vacuumed the gravel, Cletus does a good job of keeping the tank itself clean. I have one fish that looks like it's going to burst, I've decided it's not pregnant, but I don't really know what to do about it. Grant finds it pretty gross, he wants to perform surgery on it to fix it. I don't think that would help, somehow. The cats really enjoy the tank cleaning, it freaks the fish out so they go all nutty, then the cats try to catch them through the glass. Good times. I should go shower and check my lotto tickets!
Saturday, January 24
in other news
I made myself a fluffernutter, and had a glass of chocolate milk with it, and it was freaking delicious. I was out with Tirésa for her b-day supper, and had a good meal at Lonestar, so I don't hate it there anymore. I had only been there one other time and the food was gross.
I've spent the rest of the evening marking papers, some of which are great, some of which I don't even want to waste ink on for marking. That's to be expected though, I suppose. I still want to go teach kindergarten, for anyone keeping tabs.
I'm going to go watch tv and cuddle with a cat.
I've spent the rest of the evening marking papers, some of which are great, some of which I don't even want to waste ink on for marking. That's to be expected though, I suppose. I still want to go teach kindergarten, for anyone keeping tabs.
I'm going to go watch tv and cuddle with a cat.
Yes. I do mind.
In the name of good health and manners, here is a link, some info from that page, and a rant for you all. Nothing specific brought this on, I've just been stewing on it for a while, and it's time to let it out.
The dirty facts about second-hand smoke.
Everyone knows second-hand smoke kills. Everyone knows. Yet many public places knowingly allow it to hurt us.
Second-hand smoke is poison. It's the deadly smoke exhaled by the smoker, plus the smoke released from the end of the burning cigarette.
It contains over 4000 chemicals, many of which directly cause cancer. Six of these chemicals are so dangerous that the North American Air Quality Rules say that no one should ever be exposed to them. And over 50 of them are so toxic, many of them are banned at any level in workplaces everywhere. Like 4-aminobiphenal - a substance so harmful it has been banned in the workplace for over 30 years!
Second-hand smoke causes first-hand illness. Lung cancer, heart disease, asthma, croup, Sudden Infant Death, miscarriages… need we go on?
Ventilation systems don't work. Research shows that ventilation provides no solution to the problem of second-hand tobacco smoke. In fact, it takes three hours to remove 95% of the smoke from a single cigarette.
Non-smoking sections don't work either. Even when the smoking is out of sight, it's still right there in the air we share. The smoke sticks to your clothes and hair, not to mention your lungs!
Second-hand smoke is the leading cause of workplace death in Canada. Employees who are routinely exposed to second-hand smoke have a 20% higher risk of lung cancer. Food service workers have a 50% higher rate of lung cancer than average.
Scary, no? Now for my 2 cents.
I think smoking should be banned from all public places, if not illegal. I realize the illegal part is a bit harsh, but if you think about it and perhaps compare its harmful effects to other banned substances, it begins to make more sense. At the very least, the laws regarding legal age to purchase need to be more strictly enforced, and there need to be laws brought into effect preventing 8 year olds from being able to smoke legally. If you can't buy them, you shouldn't be able to posess them either.
Why should you be able to smoke wherever you want? The whole, 'it's my right as a smoker' argument doens't fly at all with me. It is never your right to willingly and knowledgeably inflict harm on other people. What you want to do to your lungs, skin, teeth etc. in your house is your business, but beyond your front doorstep, you lose that privelege. I can't walk up to you and spray my perfume on you, you'd kick my ass. I don't mind the smell, but I understand that other people may not agree with my tastes. I can't walk up to you and punch you in the face, or even the arm. It's not going to do any permanent damage the first time, but it will leave its mark on you.
I realize that smoking is an addiction, and it's not just something you can stop doing at the drop of a hat, for most people. I have nothing against the people who smoke; smoking itself doesn't make you a bad person, obviously. Wanting to inflict your addiction on other people, however, is something I will have to take issue with. I apologize if I've offended anyone, but this whole debate is getting a bit old, and somebody needs to make a decision.
The dirty facts about second-hand smoke.
Everyone knows second-hand smoke kills. Everyone knows. Yet many public places knowingly allow it to hurt us.
Second-hand smoke is poison. It's the deadly smoke exhaled by the smoker, plus the smoke released from the end of the burning cigarette.
It contains over 4000 chemicals, many of which directly cause cancer. Six of these chemicals are so dangerous that the North American Air Quality Rules say that no one should ever be exposed to them. And over 50 of them are so toxic, many of them are banned at any level in workplaces everywhere. Like 4-aminobiphenal - a substance so harmful it has been banned in the workplace for over 30 years!
Second-hand smoke causes first-hand illness. Lung cancer, heart disease, asthma, croup, Sudden Infant Death, miscarriages… need we go on?
Ventilation systems don't work. Research shows that ventilation provides no solution to the problem of second-hand tobacco smoke. In fact, it takes three hours to remove 95% of the smoke from a single cigarette.
Non-smoking sections don't work either. Even when the smoking is out of sight, it's still right there in the air we share. The smoke sticks to your clothes and hair, not to mention your lungs!
Second-hand smoke is the leading cause of workplace death in Canada. Employees who are routinely exposed to second-hand smoke have a 20% higher risk of lung cancer. Food service workers have a 50% higher rate of lung cancer than average.
Scary, no? Now for my 2 cents.
I think smoking should be banned from all public places, if not illegal. I realize the illegal part is a bit harsh, but if you think about it and perhaps compare its harmful effects to other banned substances, it begins to make more sense. At the very least, the laws regarding legal age to purchase need to be more strictly enforced, and there need to be laws brought into effect preventing 8 year olds from being able to smoke legally. If you can't buy them, you shouldn't be able to posess them either.
Why should you be able to smoke wherever you want? The whole, 'it's my right as a smoker' argument doens't fly at all with me. It is never your right to willingly and knowledgeably inflict harm on other people. What you want to do to your lungs, skin, teeth etc. in your house is your business, but beyond your front doorstep, you lose that privelege. I can't walk up to you and spray my perfume on you, you'd kick my ass. I don't mind the smell, but I understand that other people may not agree with my tastes. I can't walk up to you and punch you in the face, or even the arm. It's not going to do any permanent damage the first time, but it will leave its mark on you.
I realize that smoking is an addiction, and it's not just something you can stop doing at the drop of a hat, for most people. I have nothing against the people who smoke; smoking itself doesn't make you a bad person, obviously. Wanting to inflict your addiction on other people, however, is something I will have to take issue with. I apologize if I've offended anyone, but this whole debate is getting a bit old, and somebody needs to make a decision.
Friday, January 23
I love rootbeer! And kitty cats!
Random quotes from cute little girls are fun, aren't they?
We're in exam mode now, I marked today's and about 1/3 of the students failed. What a bunch of jackasses. I gave them literally everything they needed to know on 2 sheets of paper; all the answers to the textbook questions, and definitions for art elements and principles of design. I even made up a review crossword puzzle. I had one student show up today (who was at the review, and received all 3 of these useful tools) and ask me what the test was on. I really had to restrain myself from saying something very rude. I told her, and reminded her that she had gotten all 3 sheets on Tuesday. She got 0 on the test. Zero. Of course, she did fill in the crossword with "I luv _____" rather than the answers, and leave alll 3 sheets on her desk, but that's not really my fault now, is it.
This and a few other things going on with admin and the ridiculous way things are done, and not done, are making me hate work right now. I still like my co-workers, very much, and I still like the students for the most part, but the politics are just absurd. If I had to choose today, I'd leave this school and go teach elementary somewhere. Kindergarten.
Other than that, things are good. Jenn's coming back this weekend for a visit, and Tiresa's also coming down, her birthday is Tuesday and we're going out to supper at Lonestar. I've only eaten there once, and it was really bad, but I'll give it another chance. I'm a little sleepy, it's Friday, so I'm going to nap for a bit.
We're in exam mode now, I marked today's and about 1/3 of the students failed. What a bunch of jackasses. I gave them literally everything they needed to know on 2 sheets of paper; all the answers to the textbook questions, and definitions for art elements and principles of design. I even made up a review crossword puzzle. I had one student show up today (who was at the review, and received all 3 of these useful tools) and ask me what the test was on. I really had to restrain myself from saying something very rude. I told her, and reminded her that she had gotten all 3 sheets on Tuesday. She got 0 on the test. Zero. Of course, she did fill in the crossword with "I luv _____" rather than the answers, and leave alll 3 sheets on her desk, but that's not really my fault now, is it.
This and a few other things going on with admin and the ridiculous way things are done, and not done, are making me hate work right now. I still like my co-workers, very much, and I still like the students for the most part, but the politics are just absurd. If I had to choose today, I'd leave this school and go teach elementary somewhere. Kindergarten.
Other than that, things are good. Jenn's coming back this weekend for a visit, and Tiresa's also coming down, her birthday is Tuesday and we're going out to supper at Lonestar. I've only eaten there once, and it was really bad, but I'll give it another chance. I'm a little sleepy, it's Friday, so I'm going to nap for a bit.
Friday, January 16
damn cold
Yeah, so this is day 3 of school being cancelled because it's too freaking cold to have the little winkies waiting for the bus or walking to school. I don't think it's really *that* cold out today though, but who am I do make these sort of decisions? We were supposed to start exams on Monday; I made up a terrific review crossword for my classes, on the elements and principles of design. Now Monday is a regular day, which gives me a chance to use the crossword, and Tuesday starts exams. I'm just hoping we still get at least one turnaround day, because everyone needs it! I have to photocopy all my exams, as will every other teacher I'm sure, so Monday should be interesting.
Tonight Jenn is coming over for her going away party...which involves just the 2 of us, some munchies, and a great deal of alcohol. wooh! I'm not sure if that qualifies as a party, but I'm looking forward to it. I also have to return the baseboard heater I bought yesterday, because even though I picked the least beat-up looking box, when I took it out it had a huge dent in it. WalMart bastards. I'm not sure if I'll bother getting another one or not.
The days are just PACKED with excitement!
Tonight Jenn is coming over for her going away party...which involves just the 2 of us, some munchies, and a great deal of alcohol. wooh! I'm not sure if that qualifies as a party, but I'm looking forward to it. I also have to return the baseboard heater I bought yesterday, because even though I picked the least beat-up looking box, when I took it out it had a huge dent in it. WalMart bastards. I'm not sure if I'll bother getting another one or not.
The days are just PACKED with excitement!
Thursday, January 15
Big Fish
Go see this movie. Grant and I went the other day, and it was outstanding. Very entertaining, funny, sweet, the whole shebang. That's all I can say really. Go see it.
Wednesday, January 14
Grenade?
I bought new scented oil to burn in my little....scented oil burner thingy. Anyway, it's orange pomegranite scented, and it's just delicious smelling. Mom and I were at Bowring and trying and trying to find what was smelling, the people were completely unhelpful, but we found it anyway, in potpourri form. I'm not a big fan of potpourri, plus the cats would probably eat it, or at the very least knock it all over the floor, so I bought the oil instead. I just wanted to share that with you all. Go buy some! Oh, yeah, and pomegranite en Francais is 'granade'. Interesting.
In other news, my car is at the doctor's; the speedometer is broken. You know how there's a little peg that stops the needle from going below 0? The needle on mine is below the peg. Magically. I wasn't out driving 240km/h...I'm fairly sure that's not possible in my car. So rather than just flicking the needle over the little peg (which I tried to do with a paperclip and failed at, leaving a paperclip in the dash), they've replaced the whole thing. Fine by me, as long as it's under warantee!
In other news, my car is at the doctor's; the speedometer is broken. You know how there's a little peg that stops the needle from going below 0? The needle on mine is below the peg. Magically. I wasn't out driving 240km/h...I'm fairly sure that's not possible in my car. So rather than just flicking the needle over the little peg (which I tried to do with a paperclip and failed at, leaving a paperclip in the dash), they've replaced the whole thing. Fine by me, as long as it's under warantee!
keep your pants on!
or not, it's your choice really.
I *have* been a bad blogger, but I've been pretty busy with end of term, trying to get my classes finished up, marking done, and exams made. I got a whack of marking done yesterday, I had after school detention duty for 2 hours yesterday, it wasn't very exciting, but was productive. I've finished my 9 and 10 tests, but have to do the 11/12 one today. I'm home on a 'cold day', it's -42 with the windchill. Supposed to be -46 tomorrow. Woohoo!
The most exciting thing lately is that Grant finally got his last mark, so we know he is actually finished school now. He was waiting on the ethics mark, and got an A+. Pretty smart guy! He also ended up on Dean's list this year, which is pretty good considering he was taking 7 courses. I think he should get a job for that fact alone.
What else. My sister just got a cat; his name is officially Teddy Bear, but that's a stupid name, so she might change it to Chester, but she's not entirely sure yet. My cats are still retarded, they were running around knocking stuff over last night, no good. It ended up being ok because there's no school, but it was still annoying. I have a fish that I thought was maybe pregnant, but I think more likely has some kind of tumour or something, it's gross. It doesn't seem to notice there is anything wrong with it, so who am I to judge.
My big plans for today are to call the dealership about my broken speedometer, make up a review sheet for my classes, and make up my last test. Good times! I'm reading 2 Bill Bryson books right now, still the one Tiresa gave me, A Short History of Nearly Everything, as well as one Grant gave me for Christmas, The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way. They're not related, but I feel like I'll be a veritable ocean of useless but interesting trivia when I'm done. I already learned why we can talk but our pets can't, and that Captain Jean Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise was named after a real astronomer. Neat eh?
It's drafty at the computer desk, so I'm going to move over to the couch. I'll most likely be back later, and possibly tomorrow if it is as cold as it says it's going to be.
I *have* been a bad blogger, but I've been pretty busy with end of term, trying to get my classes finished up, marking done, and exams made. I got a whack of marking done yesterday, I had after school detention duty for 2 hours yesterday, it wasn't very exciting, but was productive. I've finished my 9 and 10 tests, but have to do the 11/12 one today. I'm home on a 'cold day', it's -42 with the windchill. Supposed to be -46 tomorrow. Woohoo!
The most exciting thing lately is that Grant finally got his last mark, so we know he is actually finished school now. He was waiting on the ethics mark, and got an A+. Pretty smart guy! He also ended up on Dean's list this year, which is pretty good considering he was taking 7 courses. I think he should get a job for that fact alone.
What else. My sister just got a cat; his name is officially Teddy Bear, but that's a stupid name, so she might change it to Chester, but she's not entirely sure yet. My cats are still retarded, they were running around knocking stuff over last night, no good. It ended up being ok because there's no school, but it was still annoying. I have a fish that I thought was maybe pregnant, but I think more likely has some kind of tumour or something, it's gross. It doesn't seem to notice there is anything wrong with it, so who am I to judge.
My big plans for today are to call the dealership about my broken speedometer, make up a review sheet for my classes, and make up my last test. Good times! I'm reading 2 Bill Bryson books right now, still the one Tiresa gave me, A Short History of Nearly Everything, as well as one Grant gave me for Christmas, The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way. They're not related, but I feel like I'll be a veritable ocean of useless but interesting trivia when I'm done. I already learned why we can talk but our pets can't, and that Captain Jean Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise was named after a real astronomer. Neat eh?
It's drafty at the computer desk, so I'm going to move over to the couch. I'll most likely be back later, and possibly tomorrow if it is as cold as it says it's going to be.
Tuesday, January 6
for all you locals
and yeah, this is really the most exciting thing I have to report....Superstore has the 1L Paderno casserole pots on sale for $18.99, where they're usually like a million dollars. I already have that one, so it's no good to me.
Saturday, January 3
check this out
I got this email from an unknown address, with the subject "hi Sarah" and opened it anyway, which is totally unlike me. Silly girl! But it turned out to be a very good thing.
A Picture's Worth is, as described by the site creator, "a simple 'show and tell' site that invites visitors to share their story behind a special photograph in 300+ words". It's non-commercial, run by a university student in Melbourne, and just seems like a really neat idea. I'll put up a permanent link here tomorrow, when it's not 2am, but you should all check it out and start trudging through your photos to come up with one that has a good story to share. And tell your friends.
That's it for now.
A Picture's Worth is, as described by the site creator, "a simple 'show and tell' site that invites visitors to share their story behind a special photograph in 300+ words". It's non-commercial, run by a university student in Melbourne, and just seems like a really neat idea. I'll put up a permanent link here tomorrow, when it's not 2am, but you should all check it out and start trudging through your photos to come up with one that has a good story to share. And tell your friends.
That's it for now.
Friday, January 2
as promised
new pictures, same colours, stop your whinin'. haha. I think I'll keep this as the regular template and then do seasonal makeovers.