I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!
Well, not really. But I am behind in sharing good news with you. As you may have guessed from my earlier post, I'm no longer working in Dallas. While I was home for the break in between quarters, I had a few interviews. One was a phone interview with RTKL in Baltimore. We talked for about 1.5 hours, and I've heard nothing from them. Another was a Skype interview with Gensler in Washington DC. Let me tell you, skype interviews are awkward. It was better than a phone interview because I could flash my winning smile and also get some body language feedback, but it was just strange. You cant really make eye contact with skype, cause the camera is above the screen, which is what you're looking at. They sent me a follow up email a few weeks later, letting me know they were going to go with a local candidate. Or they just said that to make me feel better? I did have an actual in-person interview as well, with a St.Louis company that does retail work - fast food companies and mall-type chain stores. I got an offer right before I had to go back to Dallas, and after a short bit of decision making, I took the St. Louis job. It's less design work than I'm used to, but it's good exposure into retail work, and it's local.
So that's great - I had a job in St.L. But then I had to quit my job in Dallas, 5 days before the new quarter was supposed to start. That was a bit nerve wracking. I called my boss and she pretty much knew what was going on - I mean, why else would I call during vacation? I offered to come down and help transition (my version of the 2week notice) and after talking about it, she decided it would be easier for the kids if they just started the quarter with the right teacher, so I wasn't required to go back down to teach. I did go down for the first week to make sure the replacement teachers had the right info, etc. Also, to pack up all my stuff and move it home.
When I had my final meeting with my boss she cried, which was a bit uncomfortable. She told me I was good fit with the group and she was sad to see me go. She also told me that she liked my style and my energy, and that she heard nothing but good reviews about me from the students. She said that at some point in life I should go back to teaching. Then she got upset with me for not letting her know I was looking for another job. Apparently in the teaching world, you tell your boss you're shopping around. That goes contrary to anything I've ever heard about job searching, so clearly I didn't tell them anything. We did talk about how it was kinda obvious, since KTO had only been down once to visit, and how we weren't putting the house on the market or anything like that. After that, I drove home, and didn't look back.
I've been home for almost a month, and it is great to finally put an end to the dallas adventure.
Showing posts with label dallas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dallas. Show all posts
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Dallas [Steely Dan]
I've been waiting to post this link since I moved down to Dallas, and now I get to. Don't pay attention to all the lyrics, just focus on the chorus, which is my favorite part right now.
I'm sayin' goodbye, bye, bye, Dallas;
I can't stay.
Should have been at the palace
Yesterday
Bye, bye, Dallas; got to go
That's right, the Dallas adventure is over. OVER!
I'm sayin' goodbye, bye, bye, Dallas;
I can't stay.
Should have been at the palace
Yesterday
Bye, bye, Dallas; got to go
That's right, the Dallas adventure is over. OVER!
Friday, June 10, 2011
I Put a Spell on You [Screamin Jay Hawkins]
English as a second language? More like 3rd or 4th. Because this is an art school, these students don’t have to take basic classes like english, math, behaving in public or wiping their own butt. The lack of skill/training in the latter two is evident in the everyday interactions I have with them. They don't think for themselves, which is generally frustrating, but at times it’s downright infuriating. They want everything given to them.
”Are you going to print that for us?”
“Are you going to put it on your t-drive?”
“Will you make copies for us?”
“How do I open that program again?”
“You're faster than we are, can't you just do it for us?”
“How do I XXX in cad again?”
“Can you look at this before class so I can change it before we turn it in for grades?”
“I won’t be in class because I'm getting veneers – I’ll turn my stuff in next week”
“I have to catch a plane for a vacation. Can you give me the test early?”
Every. Single. Day.
The lack of other skills is evident when it comes time to grade. In some classes they have to do a little research and writing. Generally it’s brief – writing design concept statements, basic design/period timelines and assessments, etc. However, at the end of the program they also have to do a portfolio, and in this portfolio they have to write explanations of their projects, as well as an overall design philosophy.
This past week I had to review portfolios as well as grade final projects for the senior class. I also caught up on some grading for furniture class, which included some writings. In addition, soon to be seniors have been submitting their proposals for projects, which we have to review. The argument I get from them is that they're designers, and they don't need to know how to write. Or that writing doesn't matter, the focus is design.
I wish they would submit PDF copies of everything - then I would share with you the horror. I understand that they are students, and we really should be focused on their design education, but I personally believe that being a functioning adult is a good thing. When they get to senior level, their projects and portfolios are being presented to professionals. Because of this added pressure, they freak out so much when you edit their stuff, and I think that's largely our (the schools) fault. We are told to grade for content of writing, not for quality or clarity. This doesn’t help them to learn or improve. They spend 11 quarters turning in drivel, and then at the very last minute we spend 11 weeks trying to explain the importance of professional writing. Good luck there.
I don’t think my frustrated paragraphs can really describe how bad it can get – but here are some examples. All of them are for reals – not made up.
Principals of Design.
Patrician walls.
Pass-though window.
Cabenits.
Light fixteur.
Clear story windows.
Chandeler.
Igress.
Inress.
Manufacture's instruction.
And, finally, my personal favorite:
bookshelve. you know, the singular form of bookshelves.
Next week, I’ll share some of the best "design solutions" that have come across my desk.
”Are you going to print that for us?”
“Are you going to put it on your t-drive?”
“Will you make copies for us?”
“How do I open that program again?”
“You're faster than we are, can't you just do it for us?”
“How do I XXX in cad again?”
“Can you look at this before class so I can change it before we turn it in for grades?”
“I won’t be in class because I'm getting veneers – I’ll turn my stuff in next week”
“I have to catch a plane for a vacation. Can you give me the test early?”
Every. Single. Day.
The lack of other skills is evident when it comes time to grade. In some classes they have to do a little research and writing. Generally it’s brief – writing design concept statements, basic design/period timelines and assessments, etc. However, at the end of the program they also have to do a portfolio, and in this portfolio they have to write explanations of their projects, as well as an overall design philosophy.
This past week I had to review portfolios as well as grade final projects for the senior class. I also caught up on some grading for furniture class, which included some writings. In addition, soon to be seniors have been submitting their proposals for projects, which we have to review. The argument I get from them is that they're designers, and they don't need to know how to write. Or that writing doesn't matter, the focus is design.
I wish they would submit PDF copies of everything - then I would share with you the horror. I understand that they are students, and we really should be focused on their design education, but I personally believe that being a functioning adult is a good thing. When they get to senior level, their projects and portfolios are being presented to professionals. Because of this added pressure, they freak out so much when you edit their stuff, and I think that's largely our (the schools) fault. We are told to grade for content of writing, not for quality or clarity. This doesn’t help them to learn or improve. They spend 11 quarters turning in drivel, and then at the very last minute we spend 11 weeks trying to explain the importance of professional writing. Good luck there.
I don’t think my frustrated paragraphs can really describe how bad it can get – but here are some examples. All of them are for reals – not made up.
Principals of Design.
Patrician walls.
Pass-though window.
Cabenits.
Light fixteur.
Clear story windows.
Chandeler.
Igress.
Inress.
Manufacture's instruction.
And, finally, my personal favorite:
bookshelve. you know, the singular form of bookshelves.
Next week, I’ll share some of the best "design solutions" that have come across my desk.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Fashion [David Bowie]
On Friday I attended Cre8, the new name for the annual fashion show held by the DFW chapter of IIDA. Actually, my boss (the department director) myself and another teacher attended the event, but oddly enough, the other teacher who actually leads the student group (I'm now a co-chair, it seems) couldn't attend for questionable reasons.
So the school has a student chapter of both IIDA and ASID, as well as countless other organizations (RDI, NKBA, etc) it's all rolled into one overall group, but the primary membership is IIDA and ASID students. And when I say that, I mean that of the 6 students that are members, 3 are IIDA and 3 are ASID. Apparently it's really hard to drum up interest, 1.) because these are spoiled brats who don't understand networking at all because they've never had to work for anything on their own, and b.) because this is a commuter school with retarded hours, students don't want to spend their 1 free hour between classes in meetings, or they don't want to drive to a meeting on a day that they don't have class.
So all of our members participated in the Cre8 event, and their outfit was actually pretty good. I don't know who won the event because we actually bailed early - it was still going strong at 9.30 and I think my boss was sticking around cause she thought I wanted to be there still - but what I learned is that it's hard to network for the school when you don't want to be in the area, and even harder when you are embarrassed to be associated with the school (no fault of the fashion show students, just the general student population I've been dealing with)
On Saturday the awesomeness continued, as I was assigned to present during an open house. They hold these things all the time to drum up enrollment, and apparently the faculty rotate through - since I'm new, the decided that I should attend this one. That's all well and good, but they didn't tell me what to do or say, just gave me a slideshow of student work and said "It's easy, you'll do fine." So what I learned is that just like with networking at IIDA events, it's hard to drum up enthusiasm for a school you don't care for. I spoke about the types of things you can do with an Interior Design degree, about the NCIDQ and the professional organizations and such. I tried to answer questions from parents and students as honestly as possible - which is hard when asked "Why would a student come here rather than a 4 year university" and "Why are there no dedicated studios or workspaces - isn't that counterproductive" Well, yes, yes it is, and i see no merits of this school over a 4 year. So I couldn't, in good conscience, tell prospective students to go to this school. I left most of the presentation/salesmanship up the the admissions person who was there with me.
I can pretend to like a lot of things I don't, and I will do a lot for a job, even if I don't like it or want it (I'm looking at you, target) - but apparently I have boundaries, and I found them this weekend. I'm just going to leave the promotion of the school up to someone else, work on being a good teacher for the time being, and do my best to find a new job.
So the school has a student chapter of both IIDA and ASID, as well as countless other organizations (RDI, NKBA, etc) it's all rolled into one overall group, but the primary membership is IIDA and ASID students. And when I say that, I mean that of the 6 students that are members, 3 are IIDA and 3 are ASID. Apparently it's really hard to drum up interest, 1.) because these are spoiled brats who don't understand networking at all because they've never had to work for anything on their own, and b.) because this is a commuter school with retarded hours, students don't want to spend their 1 free hour between classes in meetings, or they don't want to drive to a meeting on a day that they don't have class.
So all of our members participated in the Cre8 event, and their outfit was actually pretty good. I don't know who won the event because we actually bailed early - it was still going strong at 9.30 and I think my boss was sticking around cause she thought I wanted to be there still - but what I learned is that it's hard to network for the school when you don't want to be in the area, and even harder when you are embarrassed to be associated with the school (no fault of the fashion show students, just the general student population I've been dealing with)
On Saturday the awesomeness continued, as I was assigned to present during an open house. They hold these things all the time to drum up enrollment, and apparently the faculty rotate through - since I'm new, the decided that I should attend this one. That's all well and good, but they didn't tell me what to do or say, just gave me a slideshow of student work and said "It's easy, you'll do fine." So what I learned is that just like with networking at IIDA events, it's hard to drum up enthusiasm for a school you don't care for. I spoke about the types of things you can do with an Interior Design degree, about the NCIDQ and the professional organizations and such. I tried to answer questions from parents and students as honestly as possible - which is hard when asked "Why would a student come here rather than a 4 year university" and "Why are there no dedicated studios or workspaces - isn't that counterproductive" Well, yes, yes it is, and i see no merits of this school over a 4 year. So I couldn't, in good conscience, tell prospective students to go to this school. I left most of the presentation/salesmanship up the the admissions person who was there with me.
I can pretend to like a lot of things I don't, and I will do a lot for a job, even if I don't like it or want it (I'm looking at you, target) - but apparently I have boundaries, and I found them this weekend. I'm just going to leave the promotion of the school up to someone else, work on being a good teacher for the time being, and do my best to find a new job.
Monday, March 21, 2011
What Shall We Do Now [Pink Floyd]
Let's discuss this job a bit, shall we. The quarter is ending (still not used to the quarter system) and I can say that while teaching has gotten easier and more comfortable, being a teacher is getting worse and worse. A large part of it comes from the attitudes of these students, but also the fact that the school is for-profit, which means we end up catering to these students way more 1.) than we should, and b.)in a way that perpetuates their spoiled ideals.
Recently, we got an email stating that we had to call/email/contact any student who missed more than 2 classes and find out what the deal was, get them back into the classroom, etc. We, the teachers, have to get in touch with the students and make them come to school. Because step one of starting an adult life is having people tell you when/where to be. i want to know if i should be going to their apartments and tucking them in at night, buying their groceries and wiping their butts, too.
Also, apparently there is no real enforcement or regularity of the grading process. this is evident in the students who have been in the senior capstone class. if it were up to me, most of them would have been booted from the class after the first 2 weeks - they werent ready for it, and they didnt have the proper work ethic to get through it. of the 14 students that started the class, 7 failed. that's a 50% success rate. also, the highest grade was a C+. how is this even possible? They get weekly, that's right - weekly, updates on their grades. this is because there are items due every week - about 1.5 hours worth of grading per student, just to make sure they stay on top of things, and to reduce the amount of grading at the end. so for this quarter, that's 21 hours of grading each week, on top of the 8 hours of classtime (2 four hour class periods) meaning almost 30 hours of work each week, for this one class. beyond the disappointment in the projects, and the questioning of the curriculum, this math just makes me angry. to think of all the time i gave to this class, and only 50% made it through?! When discussing the failing students, several of the other teachers made comments like "i'm not surprised" and "that's what i expect out of ____________" Well, then how did these students make it past your classes? It is amazing how much they'll overlook or forgive just to get these students on to the next class, only to share their lack of shock at the pass/fail rate.
Some (most) of it has to due with the teachers and the way grades are assessed and assigned. however, i keep coming back to the for-profit side of things, and how much i disagree with the philosophy. Of course, while i'm here i have to pretend to like it, support it and follow along with the rules, however ridiculous they may be. I'm sure other types of schools have their own problems, and i might not like those any better, but i know this current situation isn't a good fit for me. It's a shame, because teaching is not that bad, really. I just think that the venue needs to change for me, and i feel that i would benefit from more experience. more immediately, though, is the fact that the new quarter starts in 2 weeks, and i'm currently schedule to teach 3 regular classes plus the senior capstone - alone this time (with a class load of 19). Keep your fingers crossed that something happens for me soon, or else you might have to visit me in the loonie bin. and that's a whole other sort of blog....
Recently, we got an email stating that we had to call/email/contact any student who missed more than 2 classes and find out what the deal was, get them back into the classroom, etc. We, the teachers, have to get in touch with the students and make them come to school. Because step one of starting an adult life is having people tell you when/where to be. i want to know if i should be going to their apartments and tucking them in at night, buying their groceries and wiping their butts, too.
Also, apparently there is no real enforcement or regularity of the grading process. this is evident in the students who have been in the senior capstone class. if it were up to me, most of them would have been booted from the class after the first 2 weeks - they werent ready for it, and they didnt have the proper work ethic to get through it. of the 14 students that started the class, 7 failed. that's a 50% success rate. also, the highest grade was a C+. how is this even possible? They get weekly, that's right - weekly, updates on their grades. this is because there are items due every week - about 1.5 hours worth of grading per student, just to make sure they stay on top of things, and to reduce the amount of grading at the end. so for this quarter, that's 21 hours of grading each week, on top of the 8 hours of classtime (2 four hour class periods) meaning almost 30 hours of work each week, for this one class. beyond the disappointment in the projects, and the questioning of the curriculum, this math just makes me angry. to think of all the time i gave to this class, and only 50% made it through?! When discussing the failing students, several of the other teachers made comments like "i'm not surprised" and "that's what i expect out of ____________" Well, then how did these students make it past your classes? It is amazing how much they'll overlook or forgive just to get these students on to the next class, only to share their lack of shock at the pass/fail rate.
Some (most) of it has to due with the teachers and the way grades are assessed and assigned. however, i keep coming back to the for-profit side of things, and how much i disagree with the philosophy. Of course, while i'm here i have to pretend to like it, support it and follow along with the rules, however ridiculous they may be. I'm sure other types of schools have their own problems, and i might not like those any better, but i know this current situation isn't a good fit for me. It's a shame, because teaching is not that bad, really. I just think that the venue needs to change for me, and i feel that i would benefit from more experience. more immediately, though, is the fact that the new quarter starts in 2 weeks, and i'm currently schedule to teach 3 regular classes plus the senior capstone - alone this time (with a class load of 19). Keep your fingers crossed that something happens for me soon, or else you might have to visit me in the loonie bin. and that's a whole other sort of blog....
Friday, February 25, 2011
Facts are Facts [Stephen Curtis Chapman]
when i drove down here the first time, KTO assembled some fun facts/trivia about dallas to make my ride better - i got a new fact every hour of the 10 hour trip. since i need a post today, you get dallas facts.
--Dallas is the 9th largest city in the US (and 3rd largest in TX)
--Walker, Texas Ranger was filmed in Dallas (duh) as were parts of Prison Break, Robocop, and Karate Kid
--The Trinity River Corridor project, when completed, will be more than 10x as large as NYC's Central Park. (Currently it's a depository for dead bodies)
--Northpark Center was the first air conditioned mall in the US
--The frozen margarita machine was invented in Dallas
--Dallas has the 6th largest gay population in the US
--7-11 started in Dallas, and the HQ is still here
--The Dallas Farmer's Market is the largest working farmer's market in the US
--with the roof enclosed, the new Cowboy's Stadium can house the Statue of Liberty
--Dallas is the 9th largest city in the US (and 3rd largest in TX)
--Walker, Texas Ranger was filmed in Dallas (duh) as were parts of Prison Break, Robocop, and Karate Kid
--The Trinity River Corridor project, when completed, will be more than 10x as large as NYC's Central Park. (Currently it's a depository for dead bodies)
--Northpark Center was the first air conditioned mall in the US
--The frozen margarita machine was invented in Dallas
--Dallas has the 6th largest gay population in the US
--7-11 started in Dallas, and the HQ is still here
--The Dallas Farmer's Market is the largest working farmer's market in the US
--with the roof enclosed, the new Cowboy's Stadium can house the Statue of Liberty
Taxman [The Beatles]
fun facts 1:
"oh my god, texas has no income tax"
correct - however, they do have something like a 10% sales tax, and parking meters cost $2 and hour, and parking tickets are a minimum $35. so, they get their money, just in other ways.
"oh my god, texas has no income tax"
correct - however, they do have something like a 10% sales tax, and parking meters cost $2 and hour, and parking tickets are a minimum $35. so, they get their money, just in other ways.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
This Magic Moment [Jay and the Americans]
I wonder about the experience these kids are getting. Sure, they made the choice to go to an art school - but it's a commuter art school - which is even worse. They're already not getting a true college experience, but add the daily drive and the lack of proper facilities and I feel like these kids are getting ripped off. Actually, for what they pay they'd be getting ripped off for a 4 year university, too. If there was a graphic depicting the typical college experience (or a metric like windows 7 has) I think these kids would have almost the worst rating. In my estimation the rating goes something like 4 year university, liberal arts college, religious university, community college, art school, technical school, university of phoenix. 3rd from the bottom is no place I want to be.
The student to student interaction is minimal here - even amongst the majors. There is no quad to hang out on, no team to rally behind, no local dive to eat at. There are no dorms, no bookstores, not even any books, really. What they get is a small, very stinky (it’s a greasy/oily smell) deli. There are some tables, two very gross couches, and a TV that apparently only gets Comedy Central. Generally the classes are offered and arranged so that you have 2 back to back - so there's no downtime in between - you're here and then you go home. But, if there is downtime or beaks during class, the room is full of students watching whatever portion of a Scrubs episode happens to be on.
You can tell it's an art school (a computer based art school) by the kids that attend. They look like art students. They wear those dumb overly large pant leg jeans, some even have straps and buckles on them. They all have t-shirts with anime characters on them and button up shirts with dragons and fire and skulls all over them. They're all awkward and socially timid, even around their own kind. They're not really nerds or geeks (both of which imply smarts) but maybe they’re dorks? They are the kids who were picked on the most in high school - shoved into lockers and such. Heck, being at the nerd end of the spectrum in high school I had my share of being picked on, and even I want to pick on these kids. They're going from a life of torment in high school to a false sense of 'acceptance' in art school to a life of seclusion in their parents’ basements after they graduate.
As you might expect, the fashion and ID students think they are waaaaay better than the dorks. I don't know what's worse - the dorkiness of the dorks or the arrogance the ID and fashion students. And I guess not all the students are as terrible as I’m making them out to be - the photography students are just odd, and the fashion girls are, well, fashion girls. Most of the ID students are normal-ish, though if I have to hear one more "I just love hgtv" story I think I'll stab them with a T-square. The photog, fashion and ID students are their own brand of odd – ID we’ve talked about already, and I don’t have the patience to even start on the fashion students. But, the focus of this post is really the dorks.
Most of them hang out in groups, sitting in the deli playing trading card games - magic and pokemon and who knows what else. There are black market type trades going on - 2 of these for 1 of those and 1 of these. Binders full of cards, passing envious looks and jealousy tinged congratulations on ‘new release day’ when someone gets a rare card. They have strategy and training sessions. There are intense matches (battles? fights?) at the tables, crowds gathered to watch. Post game analysis sessions and alternative play reenactments. And, what I find particularly amusing is that there is a clear rift between groups - despite the fact that they all look the same, act the same, and are all former high school outcasts, the pokemon group clearly has nothing but disdain for the magic group, and vice-versa. I want to take them aside and tell them they need to stick together, that it will only improve their numbers, but I’m half afraid that they would band together and overtake me.
And, I really, really get a kick out of watching them.
The student to student interaction is minimal here - even amongst the majors. There is no quad to hang out on, no team to rally behind, no local dive to eat at. There are no dorms, no bookstores, not even any books, really. What they get is a small, very stinky (it’s a greasy/oily smell) deli. There are some tables, two very gross couches, and a TV that apparently only gets Comedy Central. Generally the classes are offered and arranged so that you have 2 back to back - so there's no downtime in between - you're here and then you go home. But, if there is downtime or beaks during class, the room is full of students watching whatever portion of a Scrubs episode happens to be on.
You can tell it's an art school (a computer based art school) by the kids that attend. They look like art students. They wear those dumb overly large pant leg jeans, some even have straps and buckles on them. They all have t-shirts with anime characters on them and button up shirts with dragons and fire and skulls all over them. They're all awkward and socially timid, even around their own kind. They're not really nerds or geeks (both of which imply smarts) but maybe they’re dorks? They are the kids who were picked on the most in high school - shoved into lockers and such. Heck, being at the nerd end of the spectrum in high school I had my share of being picked on, and even I want to pick on these kids. They're going from a life of torment in high school to a false sense of 'acceptance' in art school to a life of seclusion in their parents’ basements after they graduate.
As you might expect, the fashion and ID students think they are waaaaay better than the dorks. I don't know what's worse - the dorkiness of the dorks or the arrogance the ID and fashion students. And I guess not all the students are as terrible as I’m making them out to be - the photography students are just odd, and the fashion girls are, well, fashion girls. Most of the ID students are normal-ish, though if I have to hear one more "I just love hgtv" story I think I'll stab them with a T-square. The photog, fashion and ID students are their own brand of odd – ID we’ve talked about already, and I don’t have the patience to even start on the fashion students. But, the focus of this post is really the dorks.
Most of them hang out in groups, sitting in the deli playing trading card games - magic and pokemon and who knows what else. There are black market type trades going on - 2 of these for 1 of those and 1 of these. Binders full of cards, passing envious looks and jealousy tinged congratulations on ‘new release day’ when someone gets a rare card. They have strategy and training sessions. There are intense matches (battles? fights?) at the tables, crowds gathered to watch. Post game analysis sessions and alternative play reenactments. And, what I find particularly amusing is that there is a clear rift between groups - despite the fact that they all look the same, act the same, and are all former high school outcasts, the pokemon group clearly has nothing but disdain for the magic group, and vice-versa. I want to take them aside and tell them they need to stick together, that it will only improve their numbers, but I’m half afraid that they would band together and overtake me.
And, I really, really get a kick out of watching them.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Mudfootball (for Moe Lerner) [Jack Johnson]
I don't want this to become a habit, but I have to share another overheard conversation. This time, it was between one of the interior design instructors and one of the fashion instructors. the only background you need is that the id instructor is a 60+ year old fake doctor, and that the fashion instructor likes to let you know how much things cost, and just how 'connected' she is to people/places around Dallas.
f - "did you see the game yesterday?"
id - "not much, but we did watch the halftime show."
f - "wasn't that amazing?"
id - "yeah, i think they did a great job."
f - "I think it might have been the best half time show I've seen in like 10 years."
id - "I just love the black eyed peas"
f - "oh, also one of our daughter's friends was in that group of dancers, so that was cool - we know someone at the superbowl."
--they went on to discuss the game a little bit, and some of the commericals.
----------------------------
It seems to me that all the fashion lady wanted out of the conversation was to bring up the connection to the dancer during the halftime show. why she couldn't just come out with that, I don't know. Secondly, I don't know what game these people watched, but I felt like the halftime show was lame, and it seems that everyone I've talked to agrees - even if they love the the black eyed peas. overall it was pretty lackluster, and sometimes even painful. and lastly, neither one of these two made any mention of what's her face's botched attempt at the national anthem.
I have at tendency to be negative, but add that to the distance and all the other stuff associated with this adventure, and that could be a disaster. so, I'm trying my best to be positive and think positive while I'm down here. Plus, as Karen will tell you, Target Josh was no fun, and Dallas Josh could easily be the same - we already went through a year of that, we don't need any more of it. That being said, I wonder if my co-workers feel the same about me as I do about them, which is generally "wow - I can't believe you're a teacher."
f - "did you see the game yesterday?"
id - "not much, but we did watch the halftime show."
f - "wasn't that amazing?"
id - "yeah, i think they did a great job."
f - "I think it might have been the best half time show I've seen in like 10 years."
id - "I just love the black eyed peas"
f - "oh, also one of our daughter's friends was in that group of dancers, so that was cool - we know someone at the superbowl."
--they went on to discuss the game a little bit, and some of the commericals.
----------------------------
It seems to me that all the fashion lady wanted out of the conversation was to bring up the connection to the dancer during the halftime show. why she couldn't just come out with that, I don't know. Secondly, I don't know what game these people watched, but I felt like the halftime show was lame, and it seems that everyone I've talked to agrees - even if they love the the black eyed peas. overall it was pretty lackluster, and sometimes even painful. and lastly, neither one of these two made any mention of what's her face's botched attempt at the national anthem.
I have at tendency to be negative, but add that to the distance and all the other stuff associated with this adventure, and that could be a disaster. so, I'm trying my best to be positive and think positive while I'm down here. Plus, as Karen will tell you, Target Josh was no fun, and Dallas Josh could easily be the same - we already went through a year of that, we don't need any more of it. That being said, I wonder if my co-workers feel the same about me as I do about them, which is generally "wow - I can't believe you're a teacher."
Say "Ten" [Reel Big Fish]
I keep meaning to tell you more about school, but I've been feeling overwhelmed with my classes (and the new schedule came out for next quarter - more on that later)
So instead of school stories, you get more random stories. this one is fun, though. and it really happened.
Overheard at Subway this afternoon. when I say lady it means crazy cat-lady wackadoo that was in line in front of me. and subway means subway employee.
lady: "I'll have the veggie delight, 6". But put turkey and cheese on it."
subway: "So you want a 6" turkey?"
lady: "No a 6" veggie with turkey and cheese."
subway: "Ma'am, they're the same thing."
lady: "I just want a 6" veggie with turkey and cheese. charge me extra, that's fine."
subway: "We don't have that button. There is no 'add meat' button. Why don't you order a turkey sandwich?"
lady: "because it's not that same. what I want is a veggie, with turkey and cheese on it."
at this point, we had pretty much exhausted all the patience and knowledge of english that the subway employee had. So I stepped in.
me: "actually, ma'am, they are the same thing."
lady: "no, because the turkey has something else on it."
me: "it has whatever you want to put on it. the same as every sandwich. it's how this place works. you pick a meat and then you add vegetables on top."
lady: "but the veggie sandwich has/" (i interrupted, so sue me)
me: "ma'am, the veggie has as many or as few of those (pointing) as you want to put on your sandwich. just the same as the turkey, or the cold cut combo, or the bacon chicken whatever. you pick your meat and then you add stuff to it."
lady: "but it says up there that the turkey has something else."
me: "where. I see a picture of a sandwich that says turkey, and it has some vegetables on it. how is that different than what you want."
lady: "oh, I see now. I was looking over here, where it says turkey and ham."
-------------
Are you kidding me? all of that, because she can't read the full menu. I thought the guy behind me was going to go through the roof. Then she went on about gluten free breads. It's not like this a is a complicated fast food place - if it's that challenging, then don't eat here. and if you really care about gluten free bread, maybe ask about that first.
so from the time I walked in to the time I walked out, 10+ minutes elapsed, because some nut-job doesn't know how to order in a subway restaurant. Happy Monday, everyone.
So instead of school stories, you get more random stories. this one is fun, though. and it really happened.
Overheard at Subway this afternoon. when I say lady it means crazy cat-lady wackadoo that was in line in front of me. and subway means subway employee.
lady: "I'll have the veggie delight, 6". But put turkey and cheese on it."
subway: "So you want a 6" turkey?"
lady: "No a 6" veggie with turkey and cheese."
subway: "Ma'am, they're the same thing."
lady: "I just want a 6" veggie with turkey and cheese. charge me extra, that's fine."
subway: "We don't have that button. There is no 'add meat' button. Why don't you order a turkey sandwich?"
lady: "because it's not that same. what I want is a veggie, with turkey and cheese on it."
at this point, we had pretty much exhausted all the patience and knowledge of english that the subway employee had. So I stepped in.
me: "actually, ma'am, they are the same thing."
lady: "no, because the turkey has something else on it."
me: "it has whatever you want to put on it. the same as every sandwich. it's how this place works. you pick a meat and then you add vegetables on top."
lady: "but the veggie sandwich has/" (i interrupted, so sue me)
me: "ma'am, the veggie has as many or as few of those (pointing) as you want to put on your sandwich. just the same as the turkey, or the cold cut combo, or the bacon chicken whatever. you pick your meat and then you add stuff to it."
lady: "but it says up there that the turkey has something else."
me: "where. I see a picture of a sandwich that says turkey, and it has some vegetables on it. how is that different than what you want."
lady: "oh, I see now. I was looking over here, where it says turkey and ham."
-------------
Are you kidding me? all of that, because she can't read the full menu. I thought the guy behind me was going to go through the roof. Then she went on about gluten free breads. It's not like this a is a complicated fast food place - if it's that challenging, then don't eat here. and if you really care about gluten free bread, maybe ask about that first.
so from the time I walked in to the time I walked out, 10+ minutes elapsed, because some nut-job doesn't know how to order in a subway restaurant. Happy Monday, everyone.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Protection [Massive Attack]
Fun fact about Dallas - I can leave my apartment and within 5 minutes arrive at a condom store. Technically, I have my pick of about 15 different stores.
There are two different 'condom store' chains operating around here - Condom Sense and Condoms To Go. Basically, these are 'adult-oriented novelty shops' It seems that until recently, the conservatives in Texas (big surprise there) didn't want to believe that people frequented these types of stores, so they were outlawed. To get around that, some geniuses found a loophole that lets you operate stores intended to sell condoms, while having a collection of adult novelties as well. as long as the store was clearly marketed as an access to preventative measures, then the other stuff was ancillary. In the past few years, they finally repealed the ban on adult stores, so now there places that are blatant about the items they sell - but the condom stores have hung around.
I did a quick google map search for the two condom stores, and within 5 miles there are 16 locations I can get to. Awesome. It's a good thing my grandma has no intention of visiting me while I'm down here. "look grandma - that's the building where I work, there's my grocery store, there's a condom store, there's the book store. That place has great tacos, there's another condom store, a different condom store, some illegal day workers, a condom store, and here's my apartment!!"
There are two different 'condom store' chains operating around here - Condom Sense and Condoms To Go. Basically, these are 'adult-oriented novelty shops' It seems that until recently, the conservatives in Texas (big surprise there) didn't want to believe that people frequented these types of stores, so they were outlawed. To get around that, some geniuses found a loophole that lets you operate stores intended to sell condoms, while having a collection of adult novelties as well. as long as the store was clearly marketed as an access to preventative measures, then the other stuff was ancillary. In the past few years, they finally repealed the ban on adult stores, so now there places that are blatant about the items they sell - but the condom stores have hung around.
I did a quick google map search for the two condom stores, and within 5 miles there are 16 locations I can get to. Awesome. It's a good thing my grandma has no intention of visiting me while I'm down here. "look grandma - that's the building where I work, there's my grocery store, there's a condom store, there's the book store. That place has great tacos, there's another condom store, a different condom store, some illegal day workers, a condom store, and here's my apartment!!"
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Fair [Ben Folds]
Continuing the theme of the last post, I'm going to give a few more points to the job. Now, the score is still nowhere near even, but I think the pro category can use any points I'm willing to give.
And what happened to earn these points, you ask? Two words:
SNOW DAYS.
Tuesday and Wednesday were both full on snow days. Today was a 1/2 snow day. Awesome. Now, I have Tuesdays and Fridays off. But, both my classes were called off Wednesday, and tonight's class was canceled. So when you look at my work schedule, that means that I taught Monday night, and I taught this afternoon. This week I put in maybe 12 hours of work, and that's it. Now tell me when that happens at a real job? Never, that's when.
The funniest/most ridiculous part of it all is that it isn't even that bad out. It's just that nobody knows know to deal with snow/ice/anything, so we get time off for dumb behavior.
If you need me, I'll be in bed, staying warm.
And what happened to earn these points, you ask? Two words:
SNOW DAYS.
Tuesday and Wednesday were both full on snow days. Today was a 1/2 snow day. Awesome. Now, I have Tuesdays and Fridays off. But, both my classes were called off Wednesday, and tonight's class was canceled. So when you look at my work schedule, that means that I taught Monday night, and I taught this afternoon. This week I put in maybe 12 hours of work, and that's it. Now tell me when that happens at a real job? Never, that's when.
The funniest/most ridiculous part of it all is that it isn't even that bad out. It's just that nobody knows know to deal with snow/ice/anything, so we get time off for dumb behavior.
If you need me, I'll be in bed, staying warm.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Not Fair [Lily Allen]
The thought occurred to me the other day that while having this "adventure" I'm not being totally fair to Dallas. I mean, sure they have a high rate of tornadoes (and leftover tropical storms from the coast) and the temperature is generally above 110 for months during the summer. and there is no snow in the winter. and the roads aren't built to withstand rain (so flooding occurs all the time) and they don't have basements (which doesn't help the tornado issue) and they have a relatively high crime rate that is spread throughout the city, and not just localized to one area. And there is a sizable homeless population. and Texas is a red state. and there is an over-abundance of big hair and fake personalities. and waaaaaay too many country radio stations.
But, Dallas does have a relatively progressive architecture/design scene, and some pretty good thrift/consignment stores. and there is a super awesome chain of stores called 1/2 price books, which are basically like borders-sized used book stores. i could spend all day in one, and still want to go back the next day.
so, the score as it stands is:
cons of being in dallas - 1,000
pros of being in dallas - 5 or 10
But, Dallas does have a relatively progressive architecture/design scene, and some pretty good thrift/consignment stores. and there is a super awesome chain of stores called 1/2 price books, which are basically like borders-sized used book stores. i could spend all day in one, and still want to go back the next day.
so, the score as it stands is:
cons of being in dallas - 1,000
pros of being in dallas - 5 or 10
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