Stuff From Kevin

I apologize in advance for any lost worker productivity. What follows is a link to 25 of the Web's Really Addictive Flash Games. My personal favorites (in order): 1. Sand 2. Mouse Maze 3. Ping-Pong Here's the link. If you click on his title banner at the top, he also has a number of tips on various web applications to improve your overall computer experience. Have fun!

Sunday Funnies

Unless It Involves Spirit Fingers... Pilot on PA: We'll be making our final descent to Oahu International Airport shortly. Blonde cheerleader: Oh my god! I thought we were going to Honolulu! 9-year-old boy nearby: Honolulu is the city on Oahu, you idiot. Blonde cheerleader: Oh... Well, how am I supposed to know that? --Plane to Hawaii Overheard by: Derek via Overheard at the Beach, Jan 23, 2007 Your Truck's More Like a Pair of Sears Tuffskins Fruity metro guy: My truck makes this crazy noise whenever I brake. Mechanic: What's the make of your truck, son? Fruity metro guy: White. Mechanic: No, son, the make. Fruity metro guy: Truck. Mechanic: The make, son, the make. Fruity metro guy: 1997. There, I've just told you everything I know about my truck. Mechanic: Who made your truck? Ford? Nissan? Fruity metro guy: Oh, you mean the brand. It's Ford. Mechanic: A truck ain't a pair of jeans, son. --Lower East Side Overheard by: JoshOnTheBus via We've Determined You Might Accidentally Eat a Key Chick: Excuse me, how much is it to use the computers? Clerk: Two-fifty for 15 minutes. Chick: So, how much is it for an hour? Clerk: Ten dollars. Chick: No, it's not! Clerk: ... Yes, it is. Chick: No way! It's not! Stop lying! Clerk: You know what? You can't use the computers. Get out. --Computer cafe, 7th Ave, Park Slope Overheard by: Tech Monkey via Overheard in New York, Jul 14, 2007 I'm Rethinking the Joint Custody Arrangement Mother taking away son's boogie board: Enough, time to leave and go home. Young son: You don't deserve a child! --Sea Isle City, New Jersey Overheard by: Gaby Young via Overheard at the Beach, Jan 10, 2007

To Catch a Predator

I watched this show for the first time last night. I had to pick my jaw off of the floor after seeing countless men being lured by whom they thought was a 13 year old girl on the internet. If you haven't seen the show, I've included a clip below. The basic premise is that cops go on the internet looking for would be child predators, setting up a meeting time and place. Once they arrive, they may see the girl they think they were talking to, or they may just see Chris Hansen, the host. He will ask them what they are doing, why they thought it was a good idea, and even read some of the lewd acts they intended on committing. They usually apologize and ask if they can leave. Chris says yes. As soon as they leave, there is a SWAT team there to meet them, where they are then interrogated and jailed. One guy yesterday even mentioned the show while chatting with the "13 year-old". I am glad stings like this exist. It's quite a shame, though, that it has to.

Oh

wow.

Paparazzi...

I know, I know. This is the 3rd post in a week having to do with celebrities--I seem to be getting away from my focus. But I must say I have never really felt sorry for celebrities whining because they want their normal life back. I always said to myself, "Heck, if you wanted an anonymous, thankful life, maybe you should have thought about teaching (I kid, I kid)." It wasn't until I saw this video that I realized what the other side of the camera looks like. We only see the final shot of the celebrity, never the tons of photographers swarming and following their every move. It kinda sucks, but then again, we have some math and physics openings at my high school for August.

C'est so Paris!

While I was in Paris last month, I was immediately hit by something: Parisians aren't half-bad! After having studied there, I sorta knew that French people aren't (always) that arrogant, sulking person on the street with the bad attitude. Still, I always wondered why so many of them seemed so darned full of attitude. I am happy to report that this June, however, I saw smiling, fun-loving people on the street willing to help, willing to listen to my students' bad French, and even just general cheeriness (I know!). While there, I remember thinking that there must be something in the water, or maybe they are passing out euros to the Parisian who smiles the most. Amazingly enough, I think that because of this friendliness, my students are more than excited to get back. See what happens Parisians when you don't bite the hand that feeds you?. After returning to the states I saw an article that Paris' mayor has begun a campaign to rid the world's view of that angry Parisian. Here, NPR goes to Paris for 'Tourist Day'. See also: C'est so Paris! edit: Going to France, and not sure what people are trying to tell you through their Gallic gestures? 'The Daily Telegraph' has set up a pictorial to help you out!

They Tried To Make Me Go To Rehab...

You know, sometimes I wonder if Paris and Lindsay compete with each other to see who can have the most amount of publicity. 2 DUI arrests in 6 months--the latest on Sunday coming 2 weeks 8 days after getting out of rehab? Seriously!? If you care, you can read the Smoking Gun report here.

Remember when?

Remember when Lauryn Hill was the darling of the music industry, on television, on the radio, and everywhere else, eventually winning multiple Grammys for her album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill? Well it seems things have changed. It really isn't news that she had a meltdown. This was painfully obvious from listening to her MTV Unplugged album that was released a few years ago. The surprise is that she is trying to make a comeback, but is hell-bent on doing it her own way. Showing up late (over 2 hours), having an ill-prepared voice, and rearranging the songs your fans DO know, is not the best way to stage a reemergence onto the charts. You can read the San Francisco Chronicle article here. And just for old time's sake, here is a video from one of my favorite songs on the Miseducation album, Ex-factor: Come back to us Lauryn!

Debate Fatigue?

The Washington Post had an interesting article about tonight's Democratic Debate. I hadn't realized it, but tonight is the first "official" debate. They have been debating on television so often the last couple of months that one would think the election was a few months away. In reality, it is a whole 16 months away. I haven't yet decided what I think about youtube sponsoring a debate--especially a live one. I am interested to see if campaign fatigue sets in. Right now, voters seem to be in a fury over whom they support, but with the Democrats having 2 more official debates in the next month, plus an interesting debate exclusively concerning LGBT issues, some of the support may begin to wane. Maybe I'm wrong, but I will wait until after tonight to decide. Hopefully none of the questionable youtube content will show up (or maybe it would make it more interesting if it did!).

Let's get this party started...

It's really funny. I've been reading blogs for a while now, and I have become used to seeing people say that they haven't blogged because "life got in the way". I always thought that was strange because I would blog about things that were happening in life. Well as you can see. It's been a good long while since I've blogged. I must now officially say it: "Life got in the way". I moved out of my apartment in June, but my wonderful cable company got the dates wrong, so I had to live about 5 weeks without TV or Internet. That isn't really an easy task, seeing as how my school internet connection doesn't allow me to check my other e-mail addresses. 2 days after moving, I left with students on an 11-day European trip to Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris. It was a great trip, and the kids had a great time. I was a bit worried because the students didn't really know each other beforehand, but it worked out great. It's amazing what you can learn about your students in 11 days! Amazingly enough, I wasn't quite finished with traveling yet. When I moved out of my apartment, I placed all of my furniture and belongings in storage. I slept 2 more days at my parent's house, then left for 2 weeks to stay with a friend in Philadelphia. I hadn't ever been to the 'City of Brotherly Love', but I was hyped to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and all the other stops that created the US. It is a great city as long as you stay in the city center. I got lost walking, and ended up in South Philly, which is something that should be avoided at all costs. This trip to the northeast contained a lot of firsts: My first time ever driving to New York City, my first time taking an Amtrak from Manhattan to Philly, and getting into random New York craziness. I've never stayed up after 5 am on consecutive nights, but I can no longer say that! Now that I am back in Texas, I have set my sights on moving into my new apartment, planning my AP classes, and getting back on a regular sleeping schedule. In theory, It seemed like a really fun idea to spend the summer traveling back to back, but needless to say, airports will wipe you out. I took 8 flights in a little over a month. I'm back, and ready to blog!

Funnies

3PM Thanks to Compressed-World Technology Receptionist #1: I can't believe I'll be in England next week. I think we might drive to Australia, too -- they have better beaches. Receptionist #2: Is that far? Receptionist #1: No, I think it's a two-hour drive from here. Grand Rapids, Michigan Overheard by: Not Even Kidding via Overheard in the Office, Jul 4, 2007