Very unusual day.....most of the time spent with our workshop project, which at times disintegrated into fits of uncontrollable laughter. It was all their fault. I'm completely innocent. Honest. No, really, it wasn't my fault. They were doing it. I was only in the room, heroically trying to stop it. Some people claim that there's a woman to blame, but I know.....it's their own damn fault.
Lunch with Stephen and dinner with Laura, two ghosts of workshops past...and it was great to see and chat with both of them. Started to pack...tomorrow night is the cookout at Carol's house and then out of Dodge on Saturday. It is always great to be a part of these workshops...but so sad when they are over. One thing I can say...a finer bunch of people (and teachers) I have yet to find!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Day 5 A Whole Lotta Shakin
Today they rolled out the big guns....the infamous jello and broccoli demo as well as the shake table! Ooooooooooo!!!! The broccoli simulated the foundation of a building into a soil surface (the jello). After attaching accelerometers we were able to record and analyze the movement and stability of a structure attached to the stalks. By varying the heights we could see how the height of the structure affected its stability during an earthquake (or when someone bumps the table). We also had a shake table that allowed us to witness the effects of resonance on a structure in an earthquake. Wicked cool!
On another note...visited my old favorite book store in the world, which had relocated a year ago and I thought was forever gone....but its not and I picked up a few reminders to show you. By the way I have worn 4 pairs of shoes in 4 days and they have been the talk of the morning session. Alas, the other 56 pair did not join me on the trip and I will need to start repeating....after tomorrow.
And finally, take a close look at the pictures of the staircase. How does that thing stay up as there is no support under the heavy concrete stairs?
On another note...visited my old favorite book store in the world, which had relocated a year ago and I thought was forever gone....but its not and I picked up a few reminders to show you. By the way I have worn 4 pairs of shoes in 4 days and they have been the talk of the morning session. Alas, the other 56 pair did not join me on the trip and I will need to start repeating....after tomorrow.
And finally, take a close look at the pictures of the staircase. How does that thing stay up as there is no support under the heavy concrete stairs?
Monday, June 11, 2012
Day 3
Lots of changes in College Station, but the BIGGEST NEWS of the week....I found the old used book store that I spent hours and hours and hours in on my first trip here! Road trip tomorrow night! Nothing I need more than a few dozen books....
Anyway, this was a day for new changes and old friends. The streets around the Corner Pub and our path to Harrison are marked by massive construction, as the pictures above show. Got to chat with Stephen, DOCTOR Cheryl, and it is always great to spend time and draw from the wisdom of Dr. S. The afternoon was spent playing an Earthquake game that was so engrossing the afternoon just flew by. I love when you get paid to play games. Lunch at Freebird Burritos and Dinner as a group (mostly) at Fish Daddy just down the road....great conversation, a GREAT meal, and less than $20! What more can a struggling workshop teacher ask? Tomorrow - the Texas A&M Bookstore and (finally, after 3 years) an A&M shirt for my wife, and a trip to half price book heaven!
Anyway, this was a day for new changes and old friends. The streets around the Corner Pub and our path to Harrison are marked by massive construction, as the pictures above show. Got to chat with Stephen, DOCTOR Cheryl, and it is always great to spend time and draw from the wisdom of Dr. S. The afternoon was spent playing an Earthquake game that was so engrossing the afternoon just flew by. I love when you get paid to play games. Lunch at Freebird Burritos and Dinner as a group (mostly) at Fish Daddy just down the road....great conversation, a GREAT meal, and less than $20! What more can a struggling workshop teacher ask? Tomorrow - the Texas A&M Bookstore and (finally, after 3 years) an A&M shirt for my wife, and a trip to half price book heaven!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Day 2 total 1048.7 miles through Louisiana and Texas, with an extended stop at the Houston Premium Outlets. My how this place has changed in a year. The hotel that marked my turn into the street adjourning the University used to have a multi-story hotel at the corner. Gone. The street we walk into campus on is closed. Construction. All new buildings being constructed across from Dixie Chicken and Fitzwillys. The corner book and shirt store - gone. Starbucks, Pita Pit, the Corner all still here. Kurt has his superman bed...but he has been banished to the dark side of the hall. Abby (this year's Tori) seems super nice and made everyone's bed except for Dick and I. We feel hurt. (Not!). I am gone one day and my darling, loving, resourceful wife is already lost have texted me 3 times concerning the blue tarp in the garage.
It is good to be loved. Above is the picture of the Traditions, where we are staying. More pix tomorrow.
It is good to be loved. Above is the picture of the Traditions, where we are staying. More pix tomorrow.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Day 1
583 miles...Tampa through Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, to Slidell, Louisiana. Rain slowed the trip to an average 30 m.p.h. all the way through Alabama...but I did almost finish the Hunger Games (only 4 tributes left), although she is no J.K.Rowling....dinner at the Big Easy Diner in Slidell...I love old diners.... see the pix.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Day of Preparation
Final 2 days of packing. As of tomorrow, my ear should be unpacked and ready to rock...the Itinerary:
Sat, June 9 - Megan's Birthday and Tampa to Slidell, LA (my nesting spot on these annual migrations).
Sun, June 10-16 - Texas A&M, College Station , TX
Sat, June 16 - spend the day at NASA (Houston)
Sun, June 17 - Galveston reliving the hurricane of 1900 (figuratively, not literally)
Mon, June 18 - 19 - visit with Mike Heller an old (well no older than me) grade and high school buddy in Marshall, TX
Wed, June 20 - lunch with Sam Sakorafis and Ken Polk from AFN and MWR days in Germany
Wed, June 20 - 22 - San Antonio, River Walk, Fort Sam Houston, and the Alamo
Sat, June 23 - 28 - Austin, National Science Educators Leadership Institute adjacent to University of Texas (Guess I will not be wearing any of my A&M wardrobe this week)
Thurs, June 28 - start the long trek home - There are outlets to climb, shoes to buy, and the Hunger Games trilogy audiobooks to complete
Sometime in July - home.
Phase 1 completed. Stay tuned for Phase 2 to begin July 15!
Sat, June 9 - Megan's Birthday and Tampa to Slidell, LA (my nesting spot on these annual migrations).
Sun, June 10-16 - Texas A&M, College Station , TX
Sat, June 16 - spend the day at NASA (Houston)
Sun, June 17 - Galveston reliving the hurricane of 1900 (figuratively, not literally)
Mon, June 18 - 19 - visit with Mike Heller an old (well no older than me) grade and high school buddy in Marshall, TX
Wed, June 20 - lunch with Sam Sakorafis and Ken Polk from AFN and MWR days in Germany
Wed, June 20 - 22 - San Antonio, River Walk, Fort Sam Houston, and the Alamo
Sat, June 23 - 28 - Austin, National Science Educators Leadership Institute adjacent to University of Texas (Guess I will not be wearing any of my A&M wardrobe this week)
Thurs, June 28 - start the long trek home - There are outlets to climb, shoes to buy, and the Hunger Games trilogy audiobooks to complete
Sometime in July - home.
Phase 1 completed. Stay tuned for Phase 2 to begin July 15!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
And so we end the prep week heading into exams. I have to admit, I am really excited about heading back into a carefully selected classroom this fall. I realize how much I missed all of the projects I would have worked on with my students at Martinez....and even though we did Crime Lab, and the Skype with Arjan and Edith in the Netherlands agin this year....they weren't my students and I miss the opportunity to have taken then places they would always remember. I really want a home...a school, a principal, an environment where I can work with the students who need my type of classroom, and we can drive to the moon and back. I want to take them to the top of Everest, the bottom of the Mariana Trench, through the chemistry and physics of magic, engineering for earthquakes, sharing science ideas with other counties, learning the mechanisms of Florida weather, learning cause and effect relationships and discovering how things work....all this in a place as friendly, as challenging, as rewarding as Progress Village was under Walt Shaffner. I hope I find it.
As for now, it is 5:30 Saturday morning and I am packing, getting ready for departure in less than 168 hours with thoughts of the excitement and joy of being on the road and back in a classroom again! Seeing old friends, new places...the only regret is that Mary Anne cannot join me on the journey. Oh, the outlets we would find....
As for now, it is 5:30 Saturday morning and I am packing, getting ready for departure in less than 168 hours with thoughts of the excitement and joy of being on the road and back in a classroom again! Seeing old friends, new places...the only regret is that Mary Anne cannot join me on the journey. Oh, the outlets we would find....
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