Social Network Video

I thought this was cute.

Random Thoughts

More Random Thoughts

* Thanksgiving
Okay. Since it was the day after schools closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, I did what I usually did, I slept most of the day away. I went to my foster father's place. He was asleep, and other than the conversation taking place while I was eating about which "faggots" in the neighborhood were dead or dying of the AIDS, my Thanksgiving dinner was okay. I avoided saying anything. After dinner, I stayed in the kitchen reading the newspaper and playing Tetris on my cell phone.

* I finished reading Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials(933 pages). When the "Golden Compass" movie came out, I thought those protesting the movie were just religious fanatics who had nothing to be angry about. But having read the "Materials" trilogy, I can now see why they were angry. I'm not a religious person, but if I was, I would be highly offended at the book. Since I'm not religious, I took the book as a fantasy read. But still,...

The images and ideas really, I mean really didn't put the church in a positive light. In the story God, was a senile old man, who met a somewhat gruesome end. One character decided to take it upon himself to kill god. Angels were weak easily longing for "human contact". I could go one, but I think you get the idea.

If you are going to take the story as a strict fantasy with no personal offense of the "religious angle", then you might like the story. However, the ending wasn't very good. I like happy endings. Although, the ending was pleasant, it wasn't happy. It was a kind of "for the good of the universe, you must make a sacrifice" -- not the payoff I was looking for.

* Thanksgiving Holiday
I had 3 days to be productive, but here it is Sunday evening and I am wasting time on the computer with nothing to show for a four day rest. Now you see why I haven't been blogging for a while now. Nothing to blog about. Sleep and stress, the cycle continues....


Completion Date - Sunday, November 30, 2008 4:28PM
Post Date - Sunday, March 15, 2009 1:48PM

Popcorn Hoax

A very interesting (if not scary) video. Popcorn being popped using cell phones.

It turns out to be a hoax. I got so excited that I posted the video here without doing any (online) research. About a 30 second search revealed not only the hoax, but how it was done. I was tempted to delete the video, but I think it is a good lesson learned. Normally, I don't like to forward what I receive without doing some kind of (online)research. I'll have to be more careful in the future.

On second thought, I am going to delete the video from this blog entry. Hopefully, no one reading this blog was taken in by the video due to me being a bit lazy about doing some varification before posting the video. If anyone was taken in by the video posted here, I do apologize.


Reposted - Sunday, March 15, 2009 1:46PM

Behind the scene Obama Slideshow

I haven't been in a blogging mood, but this slideshow helped to put me in the mood.



Post Date - Tuesday, November 11, 2008 8:37PM
Reposted - Sunday, March 15, 2009 1:44PM

Where In the World Is Matt?

The clip below is a bit old (by internet standards), but I thought it was interesting.




Post Date -
Completion Date - Sunday, October 26, 2008 12:45AM

Corona Park - Queens

Since my epal (Vpal) has been meeting at places closer to my home for our walks, I thought it was time to chosse a walking event that was closer to where he lived. I chose a walk through the park with the World's Fair symbol "The Unisphere". The walk was nice. Another epal was suppose to come with us, but his kids got sick at the last minute, he had to cancel.

I arrived at the meeting spot about 2:45PM, Vpal arrived about 10 minutes later. I was very surprised. Vpal was actually early instead of late.

The walk was okay, not bad, and not great, just nice. The weather may have helped with the walking. We basically walked in circles. There were only two interesting pictures. One picture was of the Unisphere and the other was of a statue Colossus I think. We started walking about 3PM and finished about 5:30PM. I used my train time to correct some students' papers, so I would have less to stress about.

Post Date -
Completion Date - Sunday, October 12, 2008 10:51PM

Van Courtland Park

Another wasted weekend. Yesterday, I slept the day away. I think I got out of bed about 5PM. I did managed to go food shopping ($80). I had takeout Chinese food and a pint of Haagen Daaz butter pecan. I told myself that I would rejoin the gym next week, and those foods would be the last junkfood I'll be eating in a while. I wonder how many times I've said that.

Today my plan was to do....forget the plans, by now you know I am a chronic planner, but a poor follow througher.

Today arrangements were made for a walk with Vpal (vegeterian epal[electronic pen pal]) throught Van Courtland Park. The meeting time was 3:30pm. I arrived about 3:00pm. Vpal arrived about 4pm. He got off at the wrong train station. He arrived a bit flustered. He had me worried for a minute looking flustered, stressed and repeating that he needed his medicine but wasn't going all the way home. After a few minutes, he calmed down. The walk started out a bit uncomfortable with Vpal explaining how his week did not go well. He explained his worsening medical and financial condition. Luckily, after a while Vpal started to act a bit more high spirited. Unfortunately, we had to end our walk at 5pm. I now try to stick firmly to 5pm as my stopping time. I anticipate about 2 hours of traveling time for walks that occur downtown Manhattan (or further). Since I felt bad about Vpal having to come up north to meet me, I offered a walk around a park near Shea Stadium. Unfortunately, Vpal doesn't trust buses because of one incident, so he will be traveling to downtown Brooklyn, then traveling north to Queens, then travel to the eastern edge of Queens.

Anyway, we walked back to the Metro-North station where I took the MN back home. At home, I did my laundry and cleaned my bedroom. Washing down the surfaces, sweeping the floor than mopping the floor. Now, I was about to do my homework sheet but instead I started this blog entry.

Post Date - Sunday, December 14, 2008 2:59AM
Completion Date - Sunday, October 5, 2008 10:16PM

Rosh Hashanah

Here in NYC, schools are closed for the Rosh Hashanah holiday. I'm not Jewish, but I like their holidays.

So did I make the most of my time off?

Regular readers (if there are any) know the answer to that question. I slept most of Tuesday away. I got up about 4pm. Today, I tried to be a bit productive, but I didn't accomplish much. I went to the teacher's supply store in Brooklyn. My plan was to see if they had any materials for teaching to Non-English speaking students. I have a girl who has only been in the country for about a couple of months. The catch? She can't read in her native language (Spanish). I ran out of things for her to copy. Since she can't read in Spanish, she of course can't read in English. I have to start at absolute zero with the girl. I got tired of watching her color and draw. Anyway, the teacher's store had materials for teaching Spanish (and French, and other languages), but it did not have materials for teaching English. It took me a while to figure out English is the language of instruction. So, if I wanted to teach English, I would have to start with the basics, or materials at a lower grade level. Anyway, with the plan of only buying a couple of books, in the end, I spent about $100 dollars.

After the teacher's store, I went to Wendy's restaurant. After that, I rode the train back to Manhattan. I went to visit my foster father, but before that, I stopped in Staples to buy a few more binders. Now that I have 30 students, I needed a few more binders. I like the idea of my students all having the same binders, so I bought about 25 a couple of years ago. But now with 30 students, I needed a few more.

Well, I better wrap this up. I need to prep for tomorrow.


Post Date - Saturday, December 6, 2008 10:52PM
Completion Date - Wednesday, October 1, 2008 9:08PM

My Birthday

Today is my birthday, I am now 40 years old. If there are any readers of this blog, I would appreciate it if you could post a brief happy birthday comment. Yes, an anonymous comment is okay. It would be nice to know how many readers read this blog. I'm just looking for an informal headcount, nothing more than that, so an anonymous comment is just a good as an identified posting.

So, how was my birthday?

It was a quiet uneventful day. I had a bath earlier today. I met Vpal to finish our walk up Broadway. We picked up where we left off. The meeting spot was 168th street and Broadway. I arrived about 3pm, Vpal arrived about 3:30pm. Once we started the walk, we took a detour into Staples. I needed to copy my students' personal narratives. Admin asked for the originals, but sometimes they are forgetful.

Anyway, after Staples, we continued to walk. I stopped briefly in a hardware store to buy a heavy duty extension cord(about $20) for my classroom mini refridgerator. We ended up finishing our walk in the Bronx at the Metro-North station.

I had a Healthy Choice meal for dinner. Just now, I ate the candy out of the gift bag I received yesterday. Yesterday went to the movie to see the "Burn After Reading" with a new social networking group. The group leader gave each new member a gift bag. I thought that was very nice. I really didn't like the movie, but I liked the group.

Well, I better go. Now that I'm 40, I better stop the procrastinating I've been doing and get my act together. I'm going to try rejoining the local Y on Wednesday, October 1st. And try once again for a new me, new beginning.


Post Date - September 28, 2008 8:13PM [My Birthday]

Burn After Reading

I slept most of the day away. I missed my MN train. I took a taxi to the subway station. The taxi driver was a bit talkative, but very nice (also very honest). He gave an honest estimate for the fee to the station, I suspect he was new on the job. He took out a book that gave distances and the fees to charge. I arrived about 7:15pm the meeting time was 7:30pm. I signed up for one of those social networking sites. It has groups all over the world. Basically, you type in an interest, and the site will provide a list of groups that meet with the same interests. The group I joined this evening was a movie/dinner group. The group meets for dinner than a movie. I signed up just to have a reason to get out of my apartment on the weekend.

Dinner
During dinner the host gave handmade gift bags for the members. I thought that was very nice. Other groups I've joined tended to be very informal, everyone shows up for the activity, the host doesn't usually put that kind of personal touch into the group. For dinner, I had linguine with spinach and shrimp. It was good.

The movie.
The group went to see "Burn After Reading". Although I did chuckle a few times, I didn't like the movie. And, I hated the ending. In the movie, nearly everyone was sleeping with another person. It was also violent at times, but the movie was a comedy. Since, many of the people in the theater was laughing hysterically, then I know it was me. I was just not getting it. After the movie. The other two went home -- One of the problems with the social network group are the people who are "no shows" and can't be bothered to to RSVP whether they will come or not. Of the 6 who posted that they would come, only two came. In total, there were three of us. After dinner, the other two went home, but I walked to the Waverly Diner for dessert.


Post Date - Sunday, November 30, 2008 4:45PM

Random Thoughts

* My school has started its afterschool program. Even though I am not interested in doing after school, my room will be used.
* Using my room will be two of the schools "coaches"; one has better classroom management than the other. Basically, my students will be wild with one and (relatively) quiet with the other.
* The Spanish girl who can't read or speak any English, I discovered can't read in Spanish.


Post Date - Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:44AM

Highlights

I haven't blogged in a while. Here are a couple of hightlights:

* More online shopping for for my classroom. I bought:
- a mini fridge for myself,
- 30 clipboards for my students,
- a couple of cases of Japanese green tea.

* Cafeteria lady asked to borrow $300 on Tuesday. I only had $200. Yes, she did pay it back promptly.

* I'm still leaving later and later from school. Yesterday 10pm was the latest -- still, with not much to show for my efforts.


Post Date - Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:37AM

Continuation of Our Broadway Walk

Not a very exciting walk. We basically walked through the lower income neigborhoods. There was nothing to take a picture of.

Weekend. Saturday, I did a couple of errands. I went to the bank, then I went to the post office. each was at opposite ends of my city. I took a train ride to the bank. A train ride back to Yonkers, then I bus ride to the post office. by the time I returned home, I was tired. After a nap, I graded papers.


Post Date - Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:32AM
Completion Date - Monday, September 15, 2008 2:58PM

Coney Island Walk - Slideshow

Below is a slideshow of photos I took on the Coney Island walk I mentioned in a previous blog entry. There wasn't much to see, and the weather wasn't great for walking.

At this time, Coney Island is in the news because it will probably be closed down.





Post Date - Friday, September 12, 2008 5:28AM

Errand and Walk Day

I'll have to keep this brief. It is almost midnight. I would like to be in bed by then.

Today turned out to be better than I thought it would be. Those of you regular readers know, I tend to do only one thing per day. Today I was up about 9:30AM. I showered. I did my laundry for the week, including hanging up my work clothes. I also walked to the supermarket to do my grocery shopping ($139). I also stopped at the imitation Five and Dime store to buy some brooms. Yes, I did say some brooms. I brought a couple of hand held dust brooms for my students. I brought a couple of cheap regular sized brooms. One for the students, and one for "borrowers"; Ms. Across the Hall often borrows my brooms. I also brought a cheap mop. I already had one spill with more (I'm sure) to come.

After shopping for about 30 minutes, since no train would be arriving in time, I walked back home. About a 23 minute walk each way to and from the supermarket. I had about 7 minutes to put away the food before it was time for me to catch my train to NYC.

The plan was to meet Vpal to continue our "Broadway Walk". The meeting spot was 42nd street and Broadway (where we stopped at the last walk). I arrived about 10 minutes early and Vpal only arrived one or two minutes late. We walked uptown (or north for you none New Yorkers). There wasn't much to take picture of, so I don't have a lot of good photos.

Well, it is time to go. It is almost midnight.



Post Date - Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:06PM
Completion Date - Sunday, September 7, 2008 11:39PM

First and Last

Today was the first day of school. I haven't posted in a few days due to getting my classroom ready. After wasting the 3 day headstart, I was still in the pack of other teachers trying to get their classes ready. Since I did not finish on Friday, I signed up to come on Saturday, something I said that I would not do this year.

Saturday
Well, after arrived in the building, I was informed that we only had a half day to finish. I had arrived about 9:45am. After putting up wall and window coverings, knowing that I had to be out of the building at 12noon, I made sure to be ready. Well, when noon arrived, I was ready to leave. After chatting with Ms. Across the Hall, and the new second grade teacher (a former 5th grade male teacher, who was tired of the nonsense of the upper grade students and wanted a lower grade, but had to settle for second grade. An annoucement was made that all staff had until 1pm to be out of the building. Great, I had already shoved what could be shoved and put things away, so it wasn't worth touching anything at that point only to have to start putting things away again.I spent the remaining time chatting and helping Ms. ATH with her things.

Sunday
I was invited to my foster father's daughter's BBQ. This is a very nice family that often consider me a part of the family even calling me brother as if I've always been a part of the family.

Anyway, I decided to take public transportation. However, what is about a 16 minutes car drive from my apartment to my foster sister's place, would take me about 90 minutes by public transportation. The area I live in is mountainous with lots of rolling hills. Since most of the transportation traveled in north to south directions, I had to travel south then cross east before traveling North again. When I arrived at the closest bus stop, I then had to walk up a steep mountain road without any sidewalks (about 12 minutes). I arrived at FS's place, but the hostess or host were not home, but there were a lot of people. On my hike up the mountain side, I stopped off at Pathmark. I bought a large soda, large grade juice, granola bars, and a box of donuts. I was a bit annoyed that I just put the bags on the table with the "other things" without the hostess seeing that I did not come empty handed. Anyway, I spent most of the time on the upper deck, while most of the action was down on the ground level. Since I'm not really a party person, I did what I usually do, I just sat and watched the action pass me by. I left about 6:15pm to catch the bus. But the 6:33 bus just passed me by. I was so busy playing Tetris on my cell phone, that I did not see the bus until it zipped by. It didn't even slow down with me being the only one at the bus stop. I starting walking and waited for the next bus a couple of stops down the road, and again, it almost did the same thing. Apparently, you have to wave your arms like a madman to get the bus to slow down and stop.

I stopped off at the local area mall to do some clothes shopping for "Back to School" for myself. I bought a couple of white dress shirts, a couple of black slacks and a pair of black shoes.

Monday Labor Day
Monday should have been my errand day, but it was my procrastination day. I didn't do much but watch the clock knowing that school started the next day. Until the evening, I really couldn't get my mind to think about school related tasks. Finally, in the evening, I was able to type up my letter of introduction and my supply list. I emailed the letter of introduction hoping that I would beat the last minute rush so that I could send it out on the first day. Here, letters of introductions (as well as most communications have to have admin approval). I shaved (my head), showered, and ironed my clothes for tomorrow. I was in bed by 1:30am.

Tuesday, September 2nd
I was hoping to take a early train to arrived in school to do some last minute set up, but I missed the early train by about 30 seconds so I had to take my regular train that would put at school with about 15 minutes before school starts. Unfortunately, dragging the granny cart full with books I didn't use for lesson planning, and my gym clothes, I was dripping with sweat this morning. I was too hot to put on my jacket. So how was the first day?

Actually, it was okay. Despite poor planning, and an incomplete classroom set up, with boxes still unpacked, the day was nice. Even "Wild One" (the second grader who spent much of his time last year out of the classroom was [relatively] nicely behaved. Would you believe that he arrived to school on the first day chewing gum with nothing but a handful of wrinkled loose-leaf paper. Oh, I also had to revise my letter of introduction, because AP1 told me that it was too formal and needed "more fluff" (more please and thank yous). That surprised me. I'm a bit too soft and usually say please and thank you too much. I don't think I've ever been told that I have a rough edge (usually it is the opposite). I also couldn't send out my supply list because Admin had one for the whole school. On the last day of school back in June, an announcement was made to send down a supply list that we would be using for the coming school year. Since that was the first (and only) annoucement, I put it off, until it was too late. As a result, I now have to send out this crappy list with half the things I don't want my students to have, and missing items that I wanted to ask for. "Two packs of loose-leaf paper (wide-ruled)" is just asking for an endless supply of drawing paper and paper airplanes.

At about 6pm, I was expecting the firedrill bell to go off, but it didn't. Anyway, I left the school and went to the boxing gym with the plan of signing up for a 1 month package of group boxing lessons. When I arrived at the gym, The owner (or the wife of the owner) commented about how I had gained weight, and she wanted to know what had happened that I missed two weeks and I had been doing fine and making progress. Did I tell her the lessons were crappy, and I wasn't motivated to come? No, I just said that I was a procrastinating. As I took out my money to pay for the listed price of a one-month fee for group lesson, the lady told me, "oh no, the cost for changing from private to group lessons was about $180. With the "about $180" cost mentioned, and feeling I did not get what I paid for with private lessons, I told the lady I would think about it, but in the meantime I would clear out my locker. I should have taking my gym bag into the locker room, because coming out of the locker with my shower things and gloves, I felt like a quitter without several people stopping to see what I was carrying out. So, what did I do after? I went to Subway's restaurant; I ordered a foot-long sandwich and three macadamian cookies, with a couple of refills of soda. I came home hot sweating a tired. I fell asleep. Now, at 1am. I have to plan my lessons for tomorrow, and shower of course. Hopefully, I'll be in bed by 2am.


Post Date - Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:52PM
Completion Date - Wednesday, September 3, 2008 1:02AM

Tired of this and that

And it starts again.

Here it is Friday, August 29th at 4:14AM. I'm back!!!

I had a whole week to set up my classroom, and I wasted three days doing not much of anything but moving this or that. Thursday, while most of the other teachers were trying to get their classes back in order, I was right along with them, the only difference was that I was one of the very few who came in on Monday, but had nothing to show for it. What's the school's schedule for the two (official) days before school starts? Thursday was classroom day, with Friday reserved for all day staff developement.

How about lunch? Since I've been back, on Monday I had a Healthy Choice Meal, Tuesday, a turkey and cheese sandwich from the local bodega; and yesterday, I had a hamburger and fries with an iced bun. My face in a matter of days is already about to go into acne overload.

So why am I on the computer at now 4:23am? I arrived home about 7:00pm. I ate the last of the leftover spaghetti -- I bought a small jar of sauce on my way home. I dumped about half of the jar over the leftovers before zapping it in the microwave. I was too tired to do anything but eat and sleep. But, assistant principal 2 asked for a copy of my Goals for the Year sheet. I (think I) was the only one who had it typed, so she wanted to use a blank copy of mine as a template for everyone else. But instead of just emailing her a copy, I had to make it look just right. However, after about a couple of attempts (while fighting sleep), I logged off forgetting to email it. I went to bed (clothes and all) only to wake up about 4am to send it and shower. And maybe catch a 90 minute nap.

New Plan -- Time wasting professional developement and classroom set up. Which means this weekend will be lesson planning, and probably coming into class on Saturday to finish what should have been done by Thursday at the lastest.

No, I'm not in a good mood.


Post Date - Monday, October 27, 2008 11:22PM
Completion Date - Friday, August 29, 2008 4:33AM

Set Up - Day 3

I'll have to make this fast. Tomorrow is the official first day back. So, spending a extra 3 days in schools before the official day, how much have I accomplished.

Not much.

The first couple of days were basically moving days for me. Monday was about moving boxes and furniture. Tuesday was about moving my personal teaching materials from home to school, and moving 6 students desks from the third floor to the second floor for the increased class size I'll have this school year. And today?

Last night I went to bed about 11:30pm only to wake up about 1:30am with a runny nose, a dry cough, and serious case of sneezes. I didn't return to sleep until about 3am. When I woke up again I wasn't in the mood to handle my classroom. I managed to finally get out and catch the train at about 11:30pm. I arrived to school about 12:30pm; my day was about half over when I arrived. Other than shuffling books in my classroom library, I didn't do anything.

Revised Plan

Thursday will have to be classroom set up.
Friday - It would be nice to say that I will be spending the whole day lesson planning for the month of September, but a more realistic plan will probably be finishing up decorating the room and doing my lesson plans for the first week of school. Hopefully, I will be able to have my supply list and letter of introduction revised.


Post Date - Sunday, October 28, 2008 2:58PM
Completion Date - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 8:40PM

Back to the Salt Mine

Sorry, I was too tired to post yesterday. Yesterday was suppose to have been moving furniture and unpack the neatly labeled boxes. Well, that was just hopeful dreaming for me. First of all, I got started later than planned. I arrived to school about 11am. After I moved the furniture to their approx. locations, and cleared off the back cabinets, I was exhausted. Even though I had a fairly concrete idea of where I wanted everything to go, and my boxes were labeled so that I knew exactly what was in them. I still had to deal with a bit of a mental block (a kind of "where do I start, or what do I do" kind of thing). So instead of doing anything substantive, I kind of fritted away the time.

Today, I had a reservation with a mover to help me move my things back to my classroom. To make sure we were on the road as quickly as possible, I moved my things from my apartment to the sidewalk before the mover was supposed to have arrived; the guy was about 40 minutes late. He was a very nice guy though. When we arrived, the side area gate was locked, and the side door was locked as well. My classroom just happens to be the last class by the side exit. If the side entrance had been opened, it would have been a single flight of stairs to my classroom. The only available space was a fire hydrant further down the block. Since the mover couldn't leave his van unattended (and risk getting a ticket), and not knowing where to take the boxes, it fell to me to move my things into the building. Once in the building, I had to take the approx. 10~15 boxes up one flight of stairs. I was exhausted again. I was too tired to do anything productive like unpacking boxes, so I sat and organized the classroom library books. I took a break for lunch. I ordered a turkey sandwich from the local bodega. On the way back, the security guard was either off duty or on a lunch break, so Mr. Gruff (one of the custodians), came to the door...reluctantly (making sure to remind us[those trying to get into the building] that Thursday was the day we were suppose to return).

About 5:40pm, the fire alarm when off. In this school, that's the custodian's way of saying, "get out, now".


What's the attached photo? I took this picture while I was moving my things. On Sunday, someone on the first floor of my building left that trash right in the middle of hallway. They could not even be bothered to put it near the incinerator closet. Where my foster father lives, signs have to be posted to remind residents that they should not through soiled diapers and trash out the window. Amazing...and not in a good way.


Post Date - Saturday, October 25, 2008 11:53PM
Completion Date - Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:48PM

Broadway Walk - Slideshow 1

Below is a slidshow of pictures I took along a walk up Broadway (NYC).



Post Date - Saturday, October 18, 2008 10:32PM

55/25 and a Broadway Walk

Today started with a bit of online paperwork. Tomorrow, the 55/25 retirement offer is due to expire. I don't know why, but I did not really seemed interested in joining when I first heard about it. And, as usual, I waited until the last minute.

What is the 55/25 retirement option? Teachers who are eligible to sign up for the retirement option with 25 years or more can retire at age 55 without any penalties or reduction in pension payments. Those not able to join will have to wait until age 62 before they can retire without reductions to pension payments.

At first, I felt that there was no way I would want to retire at age 55. I would die of boredom. But, I've been thinking that maybe retiring early wouldn't be a such a bad thing. I could receive my pension and find another job that was less stressful. I would be able to receive my pension and collect another paycheck doing something else. Maybe start a business.

Well, I almost missed the deadline, but I was able to do a "Yes click" online, so I made the deadline.

After, getting off the computer, I did not have time for breakfast or a relaxing soak in the bath. I had to settle for a shower.

The plan was to meet my epal (Vpal) at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal at 2:30pm. I arrived 2:14pm; Vpal arrived about 2:53pm. The plan was to walk up Broadway as far as we could. Along the way, I took a few photos, and we stopped for pizza. About 6pm, I decided to stop when we reached 42nd street. We walked about 4.2 miles. I needed to get home to get ready for tomorrow. Teachers here in NYC don't have to return until Thursday, but I know I won't be able to set up my classroom in two days, so I want the head start.

The Plan:
Monday
- Heavy moving and lifting. Unpacking the boxes and arranging the furniture. Covering the bulletin boards.
Tuesday
- Moving the materials I took home back to my classroom. I rented a "man with a van". Laminating, cuting, posting wall decorations around the room.
Wednesday
- Finish room decoration. Material organization (textbooks, paperwork, etc...). Begin curriculum planning for the month of September.
Thursday
The official return to school. Organizing classroom library into a proper lending library.
Friday
- Finish up the loose ends.

If I can follow my plan, I should be out of the building by 4 or 5pm. Last June, I spent a bit of time carefully packing my boxes, and labeling each one on the outside with what's inside. I cleaned, wrapped and stored everything that should have been. I should be able to hit the ground running tomorrow. Tomorrow, I want to be in by 9am and out by 4pm. I want to exchanged a shelfing unit to the Target Store. I like the one I bought today, but when I got home, I found out the uglier one would allow me to put 4 containers on each shelf as oppose to only 3 containers(the difference was about 2 inches). What are the containers for? Teachers are required to keep work folders in each subject area for each student, and portfolios for each student. Basically it's a lot of paperwork on display. With the selfing unit, I will be able to keep all the work folders in one place as oppose to finding places around the room which will have much less space with 29 students. I will also be able to keep the students writing journals and science journals in the shelfing unit(the two journals admin will be looking at closely this year).

Well, I better go. I think that's enough for now.

The attached photo is a picture I took of the Empire State Building viewed from Broadway.


Post Date - Saturday, October 18, 2008 9:38PM
Completion Date - Sunday, August 24, 2008 9:48PM

Another Shopping Day

Saturday, August 23rd.
Today my plan was to go to Canal Street to check out the handtrucks I've walked passed a few times. For the longest time, I've wanted a handtruck and a ladder for my classroom. When I first started teaching years ago, I bought this cheap convertable handtruck; I think I paid about $19 for it. That cheap handtruck lasted me about 10 years. In fact, I would still have it if I could have afforded to ship it back here when I returned to the US. I had to leave it in Japan. As for the ladder, I also had a two-step ladder that I also had to leave in Japan. Well, anyway in my spend-frenzy mode, I wanted those tools to help me with setting up my classroom. I hadn't thought (seriously) about the tools until I returned home with the bags from the teacher's store. This year, I want my walls and windows covered the way a couple of other teachers have their rooms done. As for the handtruck, it would have been very useful for the 20 boxes that I moved first to the side of the classroom than to the back of the room. I will also have to move about 10 desks and 10 chairs to my classroom due to the change in my class register. My roll is now 29 students.

Anyway, while I was on my way to Canal Street

Today, Canal Street is a bustling commercial district, crowded with low-rent (compared to other Manhattan real estate) open storefronts, and street vendors to the west; banks and jewelry shops to the east. Tourists as well as locals pack the Canal Street sidewalks every day to frequent the open-air food stalls and bare-bones stores selling items such as perfume, purses, hardware, and industrial plastics at very low prices. Many of these goods are grey market imports and many notoriously counterfeit, with fake trademarked brand names on electronics, clothing and personal accessories (including the fake Rolex watches that have become a Manhattan cliché). Pirated CDs and DVDs are very common, and offered for sale on the Canal Street sidewalks in makeshift stands and suitcases or simply laid out on bedsheets, often before they are even officially released in stores or the theater. Widespread sale of these counterfeit goods persists along Canal Street and in its hidden back rooms despite frequent police raids.[2]

--according to Wikipedia.

In other words, its a place to get stuff cheap! While on my way to Canal Street, I thought about the couple of items that I missed purchasing yesterday at the teacher's store. I hadn't brought anything about U.S. Presidents. So I made a quick trip back to the teacher's store in Brooklyn.

Well, when I left the store....

I was $100.07 poorer.

When I arrived at the location of the handtrucks on Canal Street, I was surprised by the prices. I think the lowest was $160. I wanted a handtruck, but not that badly. I decided I would just go online.

From Canal Street, I decided to do a bit of walking. I walked passed a Staples(14th street) and realized that I needed "just a couple of things". When I left Staples...

I was $145.32 poorer.

When I returned home, I went online to see if Amazon.com had the handtruck and ladder. About $111 later, the answer was yes.

I didn't eat dinner because I stopped at the Waverly Diner again for my usually.

As for my reading. I didn't feel like started one of the approx. 800 page books, so I started reading the "I am Legend" paperback book by Richard Matheson.


Post Date - Monday, October 13, 2008 12:37PM
Completion Date - Sunday, August 24, 2008 12:44AM

School Shopping

Friday, August 22nd

Today was the beginning of my back to school prep. First I unpacked my granny cart that had been sitting in the exact same place since about June 30th...right next to the front door of my apartment. I have a bad habit of dragging that thing home full to the brim and not touching anything in it until the Monday morning I'm dragging it back to school.

Anyway, my granny cart needed to be emptied because I am renting a mover to help me move my classroom supplies and materials back to my classroom. Remember, I always pack as if I'm not coming back, but as you can see, I usually do.

Due to my unfortunate incident with the U-Haul, I was not willing to rent another U-Haul and drive back to school. So, I searched the internet, and found a "man with a van" ad. After a couple of tries, I found someone who was willing to charge about the same that it cost me to rent a U-Haul, and move the stuff myself. To bring the stuff home via U-Haul, I paid $66. The "man with a van" will be charging me $65. I got lucky!

After unpacking my granny cart, I then repacked the items in moving boxes. Why unpack the cart? I wanted to do some more shopping and it would have been easier to bring along my granny cart.

Anyway, after the packing, I took a bath, then went to the teacher's store in downtown Brooklyn. Ms. Across the Hall said that she would try to meet me there. After about 3 last minute cancellations, This time, I just text Ms. ATH with my schedule letting her know that I was going whether she came or not.

I arrived at the store at 2pm, Ms. ATH arrived about 2:30pm. When we were finished, we were both poor when we left...me much more so. Ms. ATH total came to about $170.

Mine?

\/

\/

Are you sure you want to know?

\/

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Or, I should say that I shouldn't embarass myself.

\/

\/

My total came to...

\/

\/

$434.40

I've spent about $1,100 so far and school hasn't even started.

So what did I buy:

8 plastic containers
1 Teacher's Plan Book
1 "What every 3rd grader needs to know"(reproducible book)
1 "Hispanic American Achievers" (reproducible book)
23 posters
4 rolls of bulletin board paper
6 packs of bulletin board borders
500 self-adhesive card pockets
500 loan cards
4 drill practice books

and the list goes on...

Last year, there were so many changes and improvement that I wanted to do, but do to the "disagreement" between my principal and the administrator of the Charter School that was taking over some of the rooms in the building -- including my old room. My materials and furniture was not finally moved until 12noon on the last preparation day before school was to start. I never recovered. Once school started, with the changes and confusion with the changes, I spent most of the school year trying to stay arms-length from the tidalwave of papers and materials that was always shadowing me. I spent the whole year playing catch up.

This year, I want it to be different:
I want a new look in my room.
I want a filing system in place.
I want my materials organized.
I want routines in place that keep my students on task.
I want respect.

Oh, what are the card and card pockets for? Last school year, my students treated my classroom library like a book store, when school was finished, I had about 3 or 4 empty baskets that were full of books at the beginning of the school year. This year, my classroom library will be like the public library. There will be a card and card pocket in the back of each book. Lose one, and that student will be cut off until someone replaces the book or pays for another one.

Ms. ATH and I rode the train back to Manhattan. Ms. ATH got off at 42nd street to meet her husband, I took the train all the way home.

When I returned home, I was in a good mood. I cooked dinner, and washed all of the dishes. I made spaghetti with (ground)turkey meat sauce.

Tomorrow....

I'm going shopping, but I won't embarass myself (anymore) with the specifics, now.


Post Date - Wednesday, October 1, 2008 8:51PM
Completion Date - Saturday, August 23, 2008 12:21AM

Lazy Day

Boxing lessons are on hold for the time being. After skipping my boxing lesson last Thursday, it got easier to skip. Yesterday, I called in to let them know that I would not be coming. Today, I just wasn't in the mood. I will call them again. The owner(or she is the wife of the owner) had told me when I signed up that she would be calling if I missed a couple of days, I guess that wasn't true.

I didn't do much of anything today (or yesterday), I got out of bed about 12:30pm, had a bowl of cereal, and spent the rest of the day online. Today I spent about $400 at Staples online. School has not even started yet and I've already spent about $700 on my classroom(including the book order I did a couple of weeks ago). One of the items I ordered today were a couple of wheel trays for file cabinets. The trays are metal frames with wheels; just put your 2-draw file cabinet on it and you will have a mobile file cabinet. I brought one for home and one for my classroom. It will be especially useful at home. I will be able to clean the floor much easier with it. I need to get a grip on my classroom spending, I haven't even been to the teacher's store yet to buy bulletin board paper and other basic supplies for this school year. I will try to stay within a $200 budget when I go to the teacher's store...as if I really knew what "budget" meant.

Post Date - Tuesday, September 30, 2008 11:22AM

Finishing the Henry Hudson River Greenway Walk

I accidentally posted "the Cloister Museum" blog entry before a couple of other entries (including this one).


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The meeting time was 2:30p.m. I arrived about 2:10p.m. Vpal arrived about 2:35p.m. We started from the 14th street where we had left off from the previous week. The walk was okay. I wasn't really in the mood for a walk, but it was still an okay walk. Unfortunately, the photos really didn't come out that great. I thought the Cloister photos came out really nice, but there just wasn't a lot of interesting things to take pictures of. Everything seem to have one type of an obstical or another. When we arrived at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, I told Vpal that since I missed his birthday, I would buy him a veggie burger meal at the local diner mention on this blog from time to time. So, we walked back to West 4th Street. For dinner I had the turkey burger, and Vpal had a veggie burger. I don't know why but the meal was not as good as it had been in the past. My turkey burger was a bit dry. Both the bacon and the bun were also hard and dry. After the meal, went our separate ways agreeing to meet next weekend for a walk up Broadway. In total we walked about 5 miles.

Once again, I missed the MN train, so I took the 9:04 express train and walked home from Yonkers (adding about another 25 minute walk).

When I arrived home, the first thing I did was to clean my bathtub so that I could soak in the tub so that I am not too stiff tomorrow to go to the gym.

The attached picture was taken of New Jersey on the other side of the Hudson River.


Post Date - Saturday, September 27, 2008 4:22PM
Completion Date - Sunday, August 17, 2008 10:50PM

The Cloisters Museum

Today started about 9:00a.m. After breakfast of a bowl of cold cereal, and a relaxed soak in the tub, I was out for a day at the Cloisters Museum with one of my epals.

The meeting time was 12noon at the 190th street "A" train station. I arrived about 11:40a.m., my epal arrived about 12:30p.m. We walked through Fort Tryon Park to the museum. The suggested entrance fee was $20. I paid $15, and my epal paid $5. Later, I spent $2.75 for a bottle of water that would have cost $1 outside the museum. We spent about 4 hours walking through the museum. We left about 4:30p.m. The museum was nice, but there were a lot of people in the museum, which made taking pictures more difficult than taking pictures outdoors. At times, I had to wait 5 to 10 minutes just to get what I call a "clear" picture (meaning a picture without anyone in it). Some people were just oblivious to a guy holding up a camera to take a picture. Picture taking was allow, but flash was not. We could only take pictures without flash. I took about 116 pictures in and around the Cloisters. I will post a few of them in a slideshow at another time.

After the museum, we went to a local restaurant. I had a vegetable lasagna, my epal had a turkey burger with fries. For dessert, I had a piece of a triple layer carrot cake, my epal had a a piece of a chocolate mousse cake. After the restaurant, my epal said that she had to go, so we each headed home.

When I arrived home, at first, I wanted to try to do some exercising, but I was too tired. I only was able to do a few of the basic warm ups.


Post Date - Monday, September 22, 2008 12:10AM
Completion Date - Sunday, August 17, 2008 12:06AM

Hudson River Museum - Slideshow

Below is a slideshow of pictures I took in and around the Hudson River Museum.



Post Date - Saturday, September 20, 2008 12:35PM

Hudson River Museum

Today the plan was to meet Ms. Across the Hall to go see a movie. For the non-regular blog readers Ms. ATH is the teacher who also taught third grade right across the hall. She suggested several weeks ago, that we should see a movie. But she seems to cancel with a a bit of a frequency:

First she had to leave out of town. She chose the day, and agreed to the place. But did not let me know until about a couple of days after that she was out of town.

Then, she cancelled the day before the next agreed day because she had to take her kids to the doctor for a regular check up.

Today. Just as I was about to leave to catch my MN train, she called, but by the time I figured out the buttons on my new cell phone, she had left a message saying that she would have to bring her kids with her and hoped it was okay. She also stated that either way she was going. Since I had only a couple of minutes, I was going to response after I caught my train, but I missed the train. My back up plan was to take the bus, but I had to walk quickly because the bus sometimes arrived at the stop up the hill around the same time. If I had caught the train, I would have been very early, but with the bus I would have been on time. Anyway, once I arrived at the bus stop, I called Ms. ATH. From the call, she changed her mind because there was a storm coming, and her husband didn't want her to bring the kids out of the house because of the storm. So, the meeting for the movie was cancelled again. To be honest, I was annoyed at the last minute change and cancellation...again.*

* However, husband turned out to have been correct. There was a bit of a serious storm here in the NYC area that caused a bit of a mess.

At first bored me was going to call an epal to see if he was interested in doing something like see a movie. However, I thought it might not be a good idea if the person thought he was a (last minute) backup plan.

Next plan, was to go to the mall and see a movie. But, I changed it.

I finally decided that I should be taking advantage of my vacation, not doing my safe routine repetition. So, I went to the Hudson River Museum.

I've lived in Yonkers for about 3 years before I moved to Japan, and about 2 years after I returned, but I have not been to the museum that is right in my neighborhood.

Admission was $5. The museum was okay. I also liked that the museum was very empty except for a very few people.

First up was the Anna Richards Brewster exhibition. No picture taking was allowed.

Next, I went to the Red Grooms: The Bookstore. This was a walk in (and through) art exhibition made mostly out of papier mache and plastic. The structure was of a bookstore.

In the basement was a small exhibition about the Hudson River. It was a nice interactive exhibition.

The last part was the visit to the mansion on the museum property that used to house the museum. When the museum outgrew the mansion, they just built a more modern building around the old mansion. There was no picture taking allowed in the main museum building, but lucky, I was allowed to take pictures (no flash) in the mansion. Having never been in a mansion, it was an enjoyable experience to walk around the mansion. And, I was practically the only one in the mansion for most of the time I was there. I will attach my photos at another time.

I stayed about 2 hours in the Hudson River Museum. It was a nice experience, I enjoyed myself.

After the museum, I thought about going to the movies, but the sky started to darken, and by the time I had gotten my newspaper, it started to rain....very hard. It turned out to be a serious storm with a couple of tornado warnings.

I stayed in, read my newspaper and watched TV.

Tomorrow, I have a meeting with an epal to visit the Cloister Museum.


Post Date - Thursday, September 18, 2008 3:16AM
Completion Date - Friday, August 15, 2008 11:25PM

Boxing Lesson - Day 7 "Waste of time and money"

Today I put two options to mind, I told myself that I should clean my living room, or I should return the chain store boxing gloves. For the last couple of days, my days have been incredibly short. Today I wanted to change that. I wanted to at least do something other than sleep til noon, sit at the computer, go to the gym, and my day is over.

I decided to return the boxing gloves. When I went to the mall, the first thing I did was check the movie theater to see what was playing, but since I had to return home in enough time to pack for the gym, I did not bother with the movie.

First stop was the chain (sports) store to return the gloves. Along with the return, I also bought:
2 pair of gym shorts
An exercise mat for home

I bought the shorts because I was too lazy to do the laundry. The mat was for the exercises that I am suppose to be doing at home. I have hardwood floors, so a mat will help.

After the sports store, I went to Panda Express for lunch. Then at Target store, I bought:

* gym bag - this one holds its shape better when empty
* cutting board - until now, I've been cutting on a dinner plate
* memory chip for my camera - I want all of my "getting in shape" photos on its own
* cell phone case - new phone needs a case
* shelf - for my locker
* book - Artemis Fowl (Graphic Novel)

After Target, I stopped in Barnes and Noble. I wanted to just see if they had any books on boxing. I ended up buying:
* Fighting Fit:Boxing Workouts Techniques and Sparring. I really like this book better than the other book I bought. This book starts with the gear and goes through the various skills, and even includes weight training. A complete routine. Something I'm not getting, not by a long shot.

I returned home about 3:30pm. I had enough time to run an iron over my hand wraps, and pack up for gym. I forgot to bring my weight training book so that I could make copies of the workout charts. I also had time to eat a Healthy Choice Panini sandwich. Not a good idea.

For the last few days, I've had a panini sandwich about 4pm right before I left for the gym. My workout with my "private trainer" starts at 6pm. So enough time to digest and have the energy to do the workout. When I don't have anything to eat before the workout, I can sometimes feel weak.

Anyway, with the Panda meal, and the panini, and having felt a bit tired from rushing this morning to catch the train, I really was not feeling up to a workout. However, you know me, I am the prince of procrastination. I really didn't want to give myself an excuse to miss my workout, with school starting soon, I want a routine in place so that I can continue to go with very little disruption.

When I arrived at the gym -- I usually arrive early, so I waited until 6pm. I arrived only to wait 3 or 4 minutes while my trainer did someone else's hand wraps. When he was ready, I explained that I wasn't really feeling in the mood for a workout, but I would try to do my best. My trainer said that he would go easy on me. My workout proceeded as follows:

Stomach crunches (5 or 6 sets of 25)
Trunk twist (60)
Push ups (5)
Stomach crunch machine (5 sets of 10 reps)*
* When I was at my 4th rep, my trainer did his disappearing act to help. He had told me to finish my last set, and meet him over by the punching bag. However, he was not expecting me to finish as quickly. I took about 30 seconds to finish. When I arrived, my trainer had just started wrapping another persons hands, while he wrapped, I sat (and waited).

Next, was boxing practice. This time, my trainer did try to simplify the punching combinations, but really wasn't in the mood for more hit the bag with a combination then move routine over and over while he sat and said nothing. For about 25 minutes, my trainer just gave me various punching combinations and said nothing. Even when I knew I wasn't doing it right, still he said nothing. Eventually, I got bored, and just walked in circles around bag and poked at the bag and he still said nothing. He must have been annoyed; he yanked off my gloves and pointed to the treadmill...again saying nothing. I really was not in the mood for a boxing lesson, so I was not too upset.

So what now? I'm not really counting today's lesson because like I said, I really wasn't in the mood for a boxing lesson, although the trainer should have said something. I think I threw a bit of a tantrum and the trainer seemed more than willing to humor me. I spent about 15 minutes (after giving up) just walking around the bag in circles tapping the bag. So again, what now?

Well, I finally finished reading DS9 - Twist of Faith. The book was okay. Although I knew that it was a collection of several books in one volume, I thought the choices should have matched up better. I thought all of the books created a story arch, but it was more like one episode after another with some overlapping, but the story left several loose treads. Which means, one would have to keep buying the books. That's why I don't like series. I like stories to have a (preferably a happy) ending. Sorry, I got sidetracked.

Now, that I'm finished with the DS9 book, I will spend the next couple days going through the boxing and weight training book. I will see if I can come up with a workout routine. As for my trainer, he is now at strike two.

Post Date - Sunday, September 14, 2008 12:18AM
Completion Date - Wednesday, August 13, 2008 12:37AM

Boxing Lesson - Day 6

Another shortened day. I was up and out of bed about 1pm. The internet was down for some reason, so I played a bit of solitaire. I did a few exercises that my trainer said that I should be doing everyday at home. Then it was time to go to the gym. What a waste of a vacation!!!

Arrived at the gym about 6pm. My trainer fell back to some of his old habits. He didn't teach anything new, just more of the same:

30 minutes of:
Stomach Crunches
Toe Touches
Push Ups

30 minutes of:
Bag work - 3 or 4 sets of either "do your own thing", or a 4 combination punch (while circling the bag)-
6 punches in rapped succesion, move, then 2 jabs and a right punch, move, then 1 jab and 1 right punch, move, then 2 right punches, then repeat.

And again, he does his disappearing act or his back to the client (paying for private lessons) while helping someone else(who probably didn't pay for private lessons). I finally had to say that the punch combination was too confusing for a beginner.

Tomorrow I will have to bring in my Weight Training book I bought from Barnes and Nobles months ago. Once I have the weight training routine established, then I will bring in my Boxing book I bought a couple of months ago.

I returned home, and reheated leftover spaghetti and I steam some green beans. Today was the second day I managed to have steamed vegetables for dinner. I hope I can keep it up. I also managed to wash the dishes and take out the garbage.


Post Date - Friday, September 12, 2008 5:21AM
Completion Date - Tuesday, August 12, 2008 11:00PM

Boxing Lesson - Day 5 & Coney Island

Today was another slow day. I was online for a few hours, then it was time for the gym.

Today my trainer seemed a bit more attentive. The first 30 minutes, I did exercises to work on my stomach. And my trainer focused on me for the entire time. After, I did 30 minutes on the punching bag. Lastly, since each of the treadmills were in used, I did 30 minutes on a stair machine.

My session was better than previous lessons last week, but my trainer does have room for improvement. He still didn't seem to understand the idea of weight training. He knows boxing, and he seems to know how to train a boxer, but doesn't seem to know what to do with a chunky client with no sports experience. I'll probably have to bring in my weight training book. I will also need to start charting my progress.

Yesterday, I went went to Coney Island. When I got home, I was too tired to blog about it, so I'll have to summarize it now.

I signed up for one of those group
Meeting time was 1pm.
I was 20 minutes early
Only 4 other guys showed up (including the host).
On the web site, about 10~15 people said that they would come (both male and female)
Although the weather report said there was a chance of rain, the sky was relatively clear. We waited for about 30 minutes for late comers, but none showed. Next, a couple of the guys wanted to go to Nathan's, but I thought that if I was going on the Cyclone rollercoaster ride, I should do it on an empty stomach. After the others ate their meal, it started to rain.The group decided to walk around the area. We also decided to visit a small museum about the history of Coney Island. The museum was only 99 cents. The museum was okay, basically, you got what you paid for. A single dusty old room, with a few broken items from Coney Island's past. After walking around the museum, and killing time while deciding what to do next (while the rain still fell on and off). An extremely boring, and bit strange lecture started about renewable energy and society's responsibility. After about an hour, we left. After walking around more, we finally ended the event. We all went our separate ways about 6pm. I took the train to 14th street to eat dinner at the Waverly Diner I've mentioned a few times. I like their service. I told myself that I would get serious about eating healthy and exercising on Monday, so this would be my last junk food meal in a while...I hope. I had a burger deluxe with onion rings, and a large orange juice. For desert, I had a slice of cherry pie and a walnut sundae.

After dinner, I went to the movie; I saw "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor". I really wasn't impressed with the movie. I thought it dragged, and didn't really excite me. I thought of the movie as a fairly nice time killer. Basically, I watched with a consistant "this has been done before" feeling.

I was back home about 11pm.


Post Date - Tuesday, September 9, 2008 12:33AM
Completion Date - Tuesday, August 12, 2008 11:26PM

Mall Walk & The Dark Knight

Today my plan was to take back the "chain store" boxing gloves I bought before I went to the sports store and bought the leather ones. To be honest, I like the cheap plastic ones better, but I think the leather ones are better quality.

I was up and out of my apartment about 1:40p.m. I walked to my bank to finally deposit my tax refund and my federal economic stimulus check. I also deposited a check for a missed prep period. From downtown Yonkers, I took the express train north so that I could go to the mall; I arrived about 2:30p.m. Once in the mall, the first thing I did was check the movie schedule, and to my surprise, the IMAX theater area was empty, and The Dark Knight was not sold out. I bought my ticket for the 3:30p.m. showing. Since I had an hour to kill, I went to Panda Express in the food court. After lunch, I went to Barnes & Nobles; I bought The Mighty Avengers - The Ultron Initiative.

After B&N, it was about 3:15p.m. I told myself that I should go to the IMAX theater early to get a good seat just in case. I arrived to find a line waiting to go into the theater. The theater was packed with only a few empty seats. So, how was the movie?

I liked the Dark Knight movie. I thought all of the actors did a very good job. The movie was 2 and a half hours long. I thought the script was well-written. Being a bit slow, there were parts that were a bit too fast paced for me to grasp, but I eventually caught up. It was a good movie. I liked the layering they did for the plot; it kept the audience guessing till the end.

After the movie, I headed over to the Target store. I bought a mini table top tripod. I think I'm going to try the visual motivator I saw on the internet. A guy took a picture of himself everyday for about 180 days (I think). The guy went from a chunky to a fit guy. It was interesting seeing the slideshow of the guy morph from flab to fit in just a few months. Sorry, I didn't bookmark the page, and now I can't remember how I found the page.

After Target, it was time to catch my bus. I was feeling in a good mood. I brought a so called "sundae" but since I couldn't remember what ingrediants went into the sundae -- the mall stall was charging about 61 cents for each thing added. The sundae was basically a soft cream in a paper cup. I also had 2 donuts from Dunkin Donuts. I told myself that this weekend would be my last for unhealthy foods at least for a couple of months.

I returned home about 8:30. I took the express train back to Yonkers, and walked the rest of the way home. I had to call my cell phone company to activate my phone. For dinner, I ate the other half of my Subway $5 footlong.


Post Date - Saturday, September 6, 2008 10:18PM
Completion Date - Friday, August 8, 2008 11:42PM

Boxing Lesson - Day 4 "Wimp Out"

Thursday, August 7th

Today went by fairly quickly. I finally dragged myself out of bed about 1pm. Cold cereal for breakfast, and a couple of hours on the computer, then it was time for the gym.

My trainer wanted to know if I did the exercises he showed me yesterday. I told him no, because my plan was to ask for a different trainer. However, I thought about the couple of times I've been blindsided. I also didn't really speak up to voice my displeasure. I mostly keep things bottle up and of course you readers know that I like to vent here through the ether of anonymity.

Anyway, my trainer said that he would take it easy on me today. I just nodded okay, but didn't say anything. He did my handwraps, and assigned me specific boxing punch combinations on the heavy bag (also known as the punching bag). I did the punching combinations for 45 minutes. Most of the time, my trainer focused on me; he still kind of sat back without much input. Once he told me what to do, he made no comments about if I was doing it right or wrong. I suspect that I got the extra attention because the gym was not as crowded as it had been the last few days.

After the punching practice, my trainer told me to do the treadmill for 45 minutes. After the treadmill, I spoke to the trainer. I explained how I was not happy with what I was getting for my almost $300. I also explained that I was speaking to him about my feelings about the training I had been receiving. I went on the explain how I felt that it would have been a disrespectful slap in the face if I just ran to his boss to complain without first speaking to him and letting him know what I was feeling. I then explained the type of workout I wanted starting on Monday. I was annoyed that I paid for a month of private lessons, but now, I will be in a kind of lesson planner. I thought private lesson would mean that I would walk in and be the pile of clay to be molded and shaped. Now, I'll be "suggesting" the exercises, keeping track of the progress, etc...

My "suggested" workout routine:
30 minutes - exercising and strength training*
30 minutes - boxing lessons/practicing
30 minutes - walking/jogging on the treadmill
*Alternating upper and lower body workouts

I explained that as a beginner, I should be getting in shape and building my strength in order to be able to effectively do the various punching patterns and boxing routines. I said the first month the focus should be more on getting in shape, but in the coming months, the focus would shift to more boxing routines and patterns. We'll see what happens on Monday. After the conversation, I was feeling a bit better about my gym experience. I also learned a bit more about my trainer. He used to have a boxing gym in Brooklyn.

Finally, on the internet, there was a guy who took a picture of himself each day for (I think) 80 days. I think I might like to try something like that. However, I think I will only do it for (maybe) 50 days until my 40th birthday. I saw a nice little mini tabletop tripod in the store. I'll think about it. It would be nice to enter my 40th birthday with a different look.


Post Date - Saturday, September 6, 2008 2:43AM
Completion Date - Friday, August 8, 2008 1:10AM

Three Strikes...Boxing Lesson - Day 3

Wednesday, August 6th



Today I started off with the swollen and stiff left knee that started once I sat down at the computer last night. This morning I was in a bit of a mood worrying about another failed attempt at getting in shape. I also had a bout of "What ifs...".

I spent most of the day hobbling around my apartment worrying, and feeling a bit depressed. I wanted to soak in the bath (hoping that would help), but I was expecting two deliveries, so I did not bother with a bath.

First delivery was my new cell phone. My other cell was either lost or stolen. I walked down to Circuit City on 14th street after the boxing lesson on Monday, but they did not have the one I wanted. They had the floor model, but none in stock. After also trying the "Mobile Best Buys" across the street, and even contemplating going to Target, it occurred to me that I could just order one from the company's website. I ordered FedEx Overnight, it came today about 1:00pm. Since I want to keep the phone number that I already have -- I also want to keep the minutes as well, it will take about 2 days to make the transfer. If I were willing to change numbers, then my new phone would be working already. But, since I treat my cell phone as my primary contact phone, it would have been a bit of a hassle to let everyone know that I had a new phone number. I'll attach a picture on my new phone. I have a prepaid phone, so I have to buy my minutes in advance. Being a bit stubborn, I really don't want to deal with those nickel and diming phone contracts.

The second delivery was from my online grocery order. Last night, I ordered about $197 worth of food and paper products. Some of the items I bought in bulk and I didn't feel like trugging out to drag that stuff home. I also bought a steamer basket. My new plan is to steam the vegetables that are now frozen because I was too lazy to cook them when they were fresh.

Today was my third boxing lesson. So how was it? Remember, I paid $280 for a one month's worth of private lessons (3~4 per week). So what am I getting. I think today's lesson sums it up:

I arrived at 6:00p.m. I was told to do 45 minutes on the treadmill --the posted sign on all four treadmilla was 30 max. My trainer, opposite side of the gym. After, I sat and waited for my trainer to finish setting up another student with her wraps and gloves. Next up, various kinds of stomach crunches (sets of 20 each). Next, 100 toe touches, while my trainer worked with someone else. Next, 100 twists with a exercise bar, while my trainer (with his back to me) was watching another student spar. Lastly, I was asked to step in the ring, and shadow box (no gloves, no wraps, just throw punches in the air) for 15 minutes (while he was helping another student -- a student I'm sure probably did not pay for private lessons. When my trainer sensed my annoyance, he told me to get my wraps and gloves. While I struggle with the approx. 5ft long ribbons that have to be wrapped around each hand -- I had only been shown once. My trainer was helping another student. Instead of shadow boxing with thin air, I was now asked to hit the punching bag for a solid 15 minutes with no break. When I finished, I told my trainer that I wanted a new trainer. I think my trainer is very knowledgeable about boxing. And, I believe he does know how to train someone with some boxing abilities. But I am a slow learning beginner.

When I finished my boxing lesson, I really wanted to leave and not come back. But I think the best thing to do would be to be direct and tell my trainer the reasons why I want a new trainer. I don't think it would be a fair thing to just complain to his boss without giving him the respect of letting him know beforehand.

After gym, I was in one of my moods. A quick stop to Subway for a footlong tuna sandwich, juice, and 3 macadamia cookies.


Post Date - Wednesday, September 3, 2008 9:57PM
Completion Date - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 11:54PM

Boxing Lesson - Day 2

Today was day 2 of my boxing lessons.

I was trying to be more productive today. I didn't want my day to consist of sleeping most of the day away and only getting up to go to the gym. I was a bit successful, but not by much. My plan was to go food shopping and do my laundry, then go to the gym. Well, I missed the MN train. Afternoon hours had changed during the afternoon. I wasn't the only one caught wondering what happened to the train. About 2 other people also wondered the same thing. Since I missed the train, I did my laundry.

After I finished my laundry, I went to the gym for my boxing lesson. So how was the second day? I suspect the woman who appears to be in charge, must have spoken to my trainer. The minute I walked to my trainer, he started complaining about how his workout routines seem easy now, but little bit by little it would get tougher. I was taught various punch forms; I wore my hand wraps and boxing gloves.. Then I was asked to do 45 minutes on the treadmill. Today's lesson was better than yesterday's. The only part I didn't like was my pinky was getting scrapped inside the gloves.

I'm tired, and I want to do some online grocery shopping before I fall asleep.


Post Date - Wednesday, September 3, 2008 1:04AM
Completion Date - Tuesday, August 5, 2008 10:34PM

Boxing Lesson - Day 1

Today was the day I would be changing my life...I hope. My plan was to sign up for and start my private boxing lessons.

My day started about 10am. I had a couple of bowls of cold cereal. Because of the 7 mile walk, I was tired when I woke up. However, I did manage to eventually get out of bed. My plan was to leave my apartment about 2:30pm. Leaving at that time would allow me to stop off at a sporting goods store that specialized in boxing equipment. I also wanted to stop off at an electronic store in the area to buy another cell phone. I can't find my cell phone.

Anyway, I ended up missing the 2:30pm MN train, but I wasn't worried since I had so much time. I took the Westchester bus down to NYC. I arrived at the sports store about 4:15pm. Wow, so much for early start. Anyway, I bought the following things:

Boxing shoes ($50)
Hand wraps ($5)
Boxing gloves ($50)
A stopwatch ($15)

With tax the total came up to $130.05. What about the boxing gloves I bought on Saturday. Those were made of plastic. I was told that the boxing gloves sold in the chain stores were cheap gloves not really designed for hitting the punching bags. So, I'll take the cheap gloves back some time this week.

Anyway, by the time I finished in the store, it was about 4:45pm. I took the train back to midtown Manhattan. When I got out of the station, I was feeling, hot and weak (mostly due to not eating lunch). I stopped off at MacDonald's. I ordered a Big Mac and a medium orange juice.

I arrived at the gym at about 5:50pm. I was having second thoughts about starting today, and when I entered the gym, the thought lingered:

There was no paperwork to fill out.
The locker area was very small crammed with too many lockers for the space.
The shower area only had two working showers
My "trainer" knew boxing, but I don't think he really knew how to teach it.

They say that doctors make the worst patients, I would like to say that teachers probably make the worst students. As the guy was "teaching me", I kept saying to myself that that isn't how I would teach this...knowing full well I don't know squat about boxing.

The Paperwork
Well, as I mentioned there was no paperwork. The lady who took my money, just verbally spoke about the days my private lessons would occur. When I mentioned that I needed to write the days down so I wouldn't forget, she offered to scribble it on the receipt she gave me. Then when the trainers changed, the days change also. I think my days will be M, T, W, and Thurs.

The Private Lesson
So what did I get for the my $280. The guy (I forgot his name) had me standing in front of the mirror with the same foot stance practicing various basic punches. Over the years, I've gone through great lengths to avoid mirrors like the plague, but there I was standing in front of the mirror for all to see...the Pillsbury Doughboy's black cousin from out of town trying to look tough....throwing limp-wristed punches into thin air. I did that for about 30 minutes on a "boxer's schedule" (meaning working out for 3 minutes with one minute break). No warm up, no stretching, just the same stance (right foot in front of the left, boxer's crouch, arms up). The guy wanted a different punch combination for each set, but the stance stayed the same. After thirty minutes, the guy put me on the treadmill. He told me to "walk a little and run a little for 30 minutes", then he went to train someone else. No warm up no stretching. When I finished "my walk", I told the guy I was finished. he said that tomorrow, I would do the same thing, but with gloves, he also said that he would teach me some exercises to deal with my gut, then he poked me in the stomach....

....And I giggled liked the Pillsbury Doughboy.

The Locker/Showers
The lockers are about 6inches wide, and of course, placed right next to each other. However, the aisles are only about 2 feet apart. Assuming the floor tiles are 1ft. squared (they could be smaller), the two aisles (there were only two) were two squares apart. The gym may have even used the floor tiles to do the spacing of the lockers.

The showers - Two toilets, but low on toilet paper. Four showers, but only two were operational. The showers in the corners were both disabled (the knobs and the shower heads were removed), so that only the two showers that are visable to the bathroom area were operational. Normally a jelly belly such as myself would shower in the corner, but that was not an option.

Well, so a less that positive experience. So, will I be back tomorrow? Yes. I've told myself that I am paying for the boxing lessons, that I would not get on my own. Having quit at so many things to list here, I really do need to make a change.

Pillsbury Doughboy's cousin does need to die -- no, I'm not being literal.

The place is not great. But at the very least, I should try to stick it out for a couple of months. Besides, when and if I quit, you (regular readers of this blog) know I'll be running for a pint of Haggen Daaz.

211bs / 32.2%BMI


Post Date - Sunday, August 31, 2008 11:35PM
Completion Date - Tuesday, August 5, 2008 1:03AM

Henry Hudson Prkwy Slidshow

Below is the slideshow of photos I took along the Henry Hudson Parkway walk.



Post Date - Saturday, August 30, 2008

Henry Hudson Parkway Walk

The plan was to meet up with Vpal to walk along the Henry Hudson Parkway (the west side of Manhattan Island). The meeting place was at 145th street and Broadway (the point we stopped last week due to rain). The meeting time was 2:30p.m. I arrived about 15 minutes early. Vpal arrived about 1 hour late. Yes, one hour late. I would have left after about a 30 minute wait, but I'd forgotten to bring my cell phone. Our walk started about 3:30p.m. We walked along the greenway on the west side of Manhattan Island. This time I finally remembered to bring the pedometer (a electronic device that measures the distance walked). We walked to 14th street and 12th avenue. My pedometer said the distance we walk was about 7 miles; I later checked Google Maps and the Google site also gave 7 miles as the distance. By the time we arrived at 14th street, I was tired. We agreed to continue next weekend from this point. We would have gone further, but I stopped us often to take photos along the way. We went our separate ways at the A train station. I went uptown, Vpal went downtown. I read my DS9 book and managed to get a seat on the train. In the Bronx with about a 30 wait for the MN train, I ate dinner at Subway's. Since I will be starting my boxing lessons tomorrow...I hope; I told myself tonight would be the last day for junk food for awhile...again, I hope. I had a Subway personal pizza, 3 macadamia cookies, and a large drink. I returned home about 9pm. I washed out the tub from this morning's bath, so that I could soak my legs. While the bathtub is filling up, I'm writing this quick blog entry.\

The attached photo is a picture I took of the George Washington Bridge.

Post Date - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 PM
Completion Date - Sunday, August 3, 2008 9:46PM

Shopping at the Mall

Last night, I read an email from Ms. Across the Hall. She was interested in solidifying our plans to see a movie.
No response from Ms. ATH at 11am, 2pm, and I even checked at 11pm, and still no reply.

I went to the mall to see if I could find boxing equipment. First, I checked to see which movies were playing, but I since I had to take the bus, I had to plan carefully. I ended up passing on seeing a movie because I didn't want to miss my bus.

First, I browse through the Barnes & Nobles. Next, dinner at the Panada Express. Finally, I went browsing through "Sports Authority, then Modell's. I purchased a red pair of boxing gloves, and a portable personal round timer.


Post Date - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 8:45PM

Ants

I thought this was interesting.



Post Date - Sunday, August 14, 2008 10:11PM
Completion Date - Saturday, August 2, 2008 1:44PM

First Look

Friday, August 1st.


Three weeks left before the return.

Today, I managed to get up (and out of bed) about 7:30a.m. I put up the kitchen curtain (but it didn't stay up for long due to crooked and uneven walls), and took a few pictures of my very clean kitchen. I had a couple of bowls of cold cereal, and...I went back to sleep. I woke up, showered, and was out the door about 12:30p.m. I went to midtown NYC to check out and sign up for boxing lessons.

First impression? Is this the right place? Will I be wasting my money here? I might have to reconsider the other gym where the trainer talked my ear off with out mentioning prices. Both gyms had that dingy in the basement look -- even though today's gym (I'll call it Midtown) was on the second floor. This gym did have two boxing rings "while others only had one" (so I was told). The showers were located way in the back in a space approx. 10ft x 15ft area. Two of four showers were broken.

The general gym floor layout(not including the shower area). The layout was divided into approx. 3 sections:

* the two rings section,
* the heavy bags (8) hanging from the ceiling in the open area space,
* and the workout area consisting of free weights, 3 treadmills, and some exercising equipment.

I spoke to a slightly elderly lady who directed me to a trainer, who in turned, directed me to another trainer. There were no papers to sign. I was just told to come in on Monday, and everything would be done then.

So, my plan is to sign up for the one month private training($280) 3 ~ 4 times per week. Along with the $280, equipment will need to be purchased:
* gloves $60
* wraps $10
* shoes $63
* locker rental (per month) $15

The gym sells these items, but I would feel better if I bought the items on my own from local sport's stores like the Sports Authority and/or Modell's.

After the gym look over, I walked down to 42nd street. I had lunch at Yoshinoya (a Japanese takeout restaurant). Then, I went to see the movie "Get Smart".I liked the movie. I thought it was cute. My expectations were not high, so I was satisfied.

I walked down to 14th street. I had lunch at the diner I mentioned here a few times. Then I walked to 34th street


Post Date - Sunday, August 24, 2008 12:57AM
Completion Date - Saturday, August 2, 2008 1:14am

Lazy Day / Bill Pay Day

Thursday, July 31st.

Another lazy summer day. I was up about 11a.m. Online for a couple of hours. I received an email from an online teacher's supply store, and of course, I spent money like there was no tomorrow. I purchased:

* a class set of weekly reader's
* a class set of Math practice workbooks
* a class set of Phonic practice workbooks

The bill came to $269.31.

Today was also bill paying day. After a relaxing soak in the bath, I took the MN train into NYC to pay my bills. Lately, I've gotten too lazy to write a check, so I just go to the Bronx to pay the bills in person. I'm not comfortable with the idea of giving companies easy access to withdraw funds from my bank account, so it is either pay by check or pay in person. Actually, having a reason to leave my apartment is another reason. Until today, I haven't left my apartment since Sunday.

Anyway, back to bill pay day. I walked to the bank in downtown Yonkers. I withdrew almost my entire salary to have enough to pay my bills. I took the MN train to NYC. I paid electric and telephone, then credit card, and finally Target store. I took the MN train back to Yonkers. I stopped at the imitation 5 & 10 store to buy a couple of springloaded curtain rods for the kitchen. I finally got around to cleaning my kitchen (including the window sill so I can now put up the kitchen curtains I never put up since I've move here about two years ago. I put up venetian blinds, but I never got around to the kitchen curtains. After the 5 & 10, I went to clear out my locker at the local YMCAl; my membership expires in a few days.

Instead of renewing a yearly-membership I only used about 4 times, I will try another gym. My plan is to join a boxing gym. Boxing has become my new "get healthy" obsession. Last year it was the Y, and the year before it was rowing. Now, my new "thing" is boxing. I'm going to see if I can get out of bed tomorrow, and go down to the gym and look around. If everything looks okay, I want to start on Monday. My plan. I'm going to use my tax refund to sign up for private boxing lessons for the month of August. If I survive August, then I will also sign up for private lessons for September. After September, I will join (again assuming I survive) up for a 3 month group membership which (according to the web site) has a discount. After two months of private lessons, I won't be able to afford the private lessons anymore. It is only because of the tax refund that I will be signing up for private lessons. As you probably figured out, I am someone who has to be pushed to do anything. Without a schedule (or a reason), I tend to drift or lose focus. Look at my summer entries.

After clearing out my Y locker, I went shopping for a few food items. Since I was walking back(and didn't have my granny cart or shopping cart), I stuck with the basics and the bare minimum. I did not feeling like carrying a lot of heavy stuff. On my way back home, I stopped off at the local Chinese takeout restaurant. I ordered a pint of beef fried rice to go.

I watched "Ugly Betty" on TV. Blogged. And I am now done for the day. Hopefully, tomorrow will be new gym look around day. I might also take in a movie.

Post Date - Saturday, August 23, 2008 12:20AM
Completion Date - Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:42PM

Cleaning Day 2

Tuesday, July 29th


Today started of as a lazy day, but I was able to eventually get some cleaning done. I spent most of the day on the computer. I watched the final episode of Star Trek Voyager "Endgame". I also watched parts of Star Wars fight scenes.

Finally, later in the evening, I started cleaning. I cleaned the bathroom and the kitchen. Three rooms down, one to go. The last room to clean will be the living room.


While I was in my lazy mode, I wanted spaghetti. But since I had not bathe or showered since Sunday morning(before the several hour walk), I was in no shape to be outside. Since I managed to clean my bathroom and my kitchen, I was in a good mood. I made spaghetti with ground turkey meat for the meat sauce. After I ate dinner, I washed the dishes, and cleaned the stove. I took a bath in my clean bathroom.

Today turned out to be a productive day.


Post Date - Thursday, August 21, 2008 11:05AM
Completion Date - Wednesday, July 30, 2008 2:18AM