Poor old dear apostrophe
Almost every use is a catastrophe
People don’t seem to understand
That you should be used according to plan
It’s means it is
It’s not possessive, you see
If an object owns something
Then its is used properly
Save $1000s not $1000’s
It’s a plural, not a contraction
How long must the apostrophe be
Used incorrectly in this fashion?
Here is a simple way to remember this rule
While not quite prolific
It may be an effective tool
It’s a small world after all
Is a song that most of us know
The snail crawled back to its lovely home
In the shade of the hedgerow.
I hope that this little poem
Will help you remember this rule
If you write and speak ungrammatically
People will wonder what they’re teaching in school.
Monday, June 25
Tuesday, June 19
The Trouble with Superheroes
I love superhero movies, I really do. Although I am not an avid comic book reader, as a layperson I know there are certain things that a superhero does and does not do. This entry is an expose of the stupid things superheros do in the movies. Please feel free to add any comments that are applicable!
Batman - Loved Michael Keaton as Batman, although he was a little short. Loved Jack as the Joker (but you'd be a fool not to). Why in the world then, does Vicky Vale show up at the Batcave?? Like, hey, you're Bruce and Batman. Then, just goes off into the sunset and keeps the secret. Yeah, right. I didn't pay much attention to the other Batman movies, so this is the extent of my complaint with Batman.
Spiderman 2 - Ok, dude loses his mask on the subway fighting and a whoooooooooooooole subway carload of people promise that they won't tell. Ok, I certainly believe that.
Spiderman 3 - Peter Parker spends more time with his mask off in this movie than on. And we're supposed to beleive that still know one knows who he is?
Superman - I have no complaints for Christopher Reeve as Superman, having only really seen and remembered the first one. I can give him a pass.
Superman Returns - Good looking dude as the new Superman, but would Superman, symbol of honor, justice and the American way be trying to mack another man's wife??? Also, he must be a great Method actor (see Brando and James Dean, you young readers) for people not to recognize him with just glasses and no mousse in his hair. But I do still love the Superman franchaise.
Batman Returns - Couldn't sit through it.
X-men, Fantastic Four - no complaints so far, but only saw each movie once, so not much research there.
Love them or hate them - what's your pet peeve about superhero movies?
Batman - Loved Michael Keaton as Batman, although he was a little short. Loved Jack as the Joker (but you'd be a fool not to). Why in the world then, does Vicky Vale show up at the Batcave?? Like, hey, you're Bruce and Batman. Then, just goes off into the sunset and keeps the secret. Yeah, right. I didn't pay much attention to the other Batman movies, so this is the extent of my complaint with Batman.
Spiderman 2 - Ok, dude loses his mask on the subway fighting and a whoooooooooooooole subway carload of people promise that they won't tell. Ok, I certainly believe that.
Spiderman 3 - Peter Parker spends more time with his mask off in this movie than on. And we're supposed to beleive that still know one knows who he is?
Superman - I have no complaints for Christopher Reeve as Superman, having only really seen and remembered the first one. I can give him a pass.
Superman Returns - Good looking dude as the new Superman, but would Superman, symbol of honor, justice and the American way be trying to mack another man's wife??? Also, he must be a great Method actor (see Brando and James Dean, you young readers) for people not to recognize him with just glasses and no mousse in his hair. But I do still love the Superman franchaise.
Batman Returns - Couldn't sit through it.
X-men, Fantastic Four - no complaints so far, but only saw each movie once, so not much research there.
Love them or hate them - what's your pet peeve about superhero movies?
Rich, Black and Flunking
Link to article: http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2003-05-21/news/rich-black-flunking/4
I had the pleasure of reading an article from 2003 entitled “Rich, Black and Flunking” which centered on an anthropological study of a K-12 school district in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Both the parents and school district called in John Ogbu, the author of the study to give them answers as to why many Black students, even though they were at basically the same income level of their White counterparts, were not doing as well in school.
The findings of Prof. Ogbu, now deceased (2003) were both interesting and appalling. While I won’t claim to condense his entire theory in a sentence or two, the gist of the study was that many Black students regardless of income level, reject the educational system. If a Black student speaks Standard English, studies hard and gets into AP classes, then s/he is seen as “acting white”. Another part of Prof. O theory centers around the fact of voluntary and involuntary minorities. Since Blacks are involuntary minorities, then they reject the mainstream culture (White) because they feel “taken over”. On the other hand, racial minorities such as the Chinese are voluntary minorities because they immigrated here (emigrated?) and thus do all they can to get that American Dream and succeed.
Well, what do I think? I think that as a teacher, I have observed behaviors that play right into Prof. Ogbu’s theory. I have seen the decrease in parental involvement from K to 8 th grade. I have experience parents who won’t come to school about a child’s academic troubles but will show up at the school if a dance or prom is cancelled to complain. I have had students in my class who would not do homework, no matter how I talked, fussed or talked to parents. “Academic Disengagement”, Prof. Ogbu’s words, certainly suit this situation.
In the referenced article, the comment/theory is made that teachers treat black students differently that white students. Prof. O. retorts, ‘if the student hasn’t turned in work for weeks on end, what else is the teacher supposed to do?’ I also concur with that statement. What are we supposed to do as educators? We cannot take the place of the parents!
I am going to keep this post short, as I am still turning over many theories in my mind. Certainly, I know that there are students, both black and white, who are not getting what they need from the school system. Certainly, there are horrible teachers out there who could care less about their students. But, I still believe it is up to the individual to want to succeed and achieve. Success is not “white”, it’s green.
I had the pleasure of reading an article from 2003 entitled “Rich, Black and Flunking” which centered on an anthropological study of a K-12 school district in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Both the parents and school district called in John Ogbu, the author of the study to give them answers as to why many Black students, even though they were at basically the same income level of their White counterparts, were not doing as well in school.
The findings of Prof. Ogbu, now deceased (2003) were both interesting and appalling. While I won’t claim to condense his entire theory in a sentence or two, the gist of the study was that many Black students regardless of income level, reject the educational system. If a Black student speaks Standard English, studies hard and gets into AP classes, then s/he is seen as “acting white”. Another part of Prof. O theory centers around the fact of voluntary and involuntary minorities. Since Blacks are involuntary minorities, then they reject the mainstream culture (White) because they feel “taken over”. On the other hand, racial minorities such as the Chinese are voluntary minorities because they immigrated here (emigrated?) and thus do all they can to get that American Dream and succeed.
Well, what do I think? I think that as a teacher, I have observed behaviors that play right into Prof. Ogbu’s theory. I have seen the decrease in parental involvement from K to 8 th grade. I have experience parents who won’t come to school about a child’s academic troubles but will show up at the school if a dance or prom is cancelled to complain. I have had students in my class who would not do homework, no matter how I talked, fussed or talked to parents. “Academic Disengagement”, Prof. Ogbu’s words, certainly suit this situation.
In the referenced article, the comment/theory is made that teachers treat black students differently that white students. Prof. O. retorts, ‘if the student hasn’t turned in work for weeks on end, what else is the teacher supposed to do?’ I also concur with that statement. What are we supposed to do as educators? We cannot take the place of the parents!
I am going to keep this post short, as I am still turning over many theories in my mind. Certainly, I know that there are students, both black and white, who are not getting what they need from the school system. Certainly, there are horrible teachers out there who could care less about their students. But, I still believe it is up to the individual to want to succeed and achieve. Success is not “white”, it’s green.
Thursday, June 14
Old Music? Am I Old?
"Everytime I look in the mirror/All these lines in my face getting clearer
The past is gone/It went by like dusk to dawn.....
Isn't that the way/Everybody's got their dues in life to pay"
- Aerosmith "Dream on"
I can't believe that this song is actually 20 plus years old. It seems like just yesterday that I was singing along with the radio in high school. Now my 4 year old son knows most of the words - for those of you who know the song, it's especially hilarious at the end when the vocal goes up an octave - my son is right there with it!!!
My daughter on the other hand, prefers "Old Time Rock and Roll" although in her three year old vocals: "Wock and Woll".
I try not to think of myself as old, but I suppose I am when my top forty is now on the classics station. When did "Bille Jean" become a classic? Well, apparently it now. I try to listen to the newer songs, but some of them seem so repetitive and infantile (recalling that crap "In the Closet" which started off pretty interested, but degenerated into nothingness.)
I am by no means a music snob - I bobbed my head to 50-cent "In da Club" but at the same time shaking my head at the lyrics. In the olden days (smile) I listened to LLCool J talk about his radio and Rob Base talk about "It Takes Two". I won't deny that some of the urban songs today don't have great music and great beats, but I just can't bob my head to a song that is just so nasty and ugly toward women and other people in general. This is not to say every single modern song is like that - on the other hand you got the new-wave Keith Sweat boys begging and pleading for a girls love. No problem there, except the fact that they use the same phrases over and over again, and without fail, rhyme 'you' with 'you'.
Oh well, I suppose I'm just showing my age - not a problem...let me just get my knitting and scrapbooking and go in a corner and bob my head to New Edition, AC/DC, and good ol' Bruce Springsteen. And while I'm at it, I'll break out the really old stuff like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. (Everybody loves somebody...sometimes.....)
Take care!
The past is gone/It went by like dusk to dawn.....
Isn't that the way/Everybody's got their dues in life to pay"
- Aerosmith "Dream on"
I can't believe that this song is actually 20 plus years old. It seems like just yesterday that I was singing along with the radio in high school. Now my 4 year old son knows most of the words - for those of you who know the song, it's especially hilarious at the end when the vocal goes up an octave - my son is right there with it!!!
My daughter on the other hand, prefers "Old Time Rock and Roll" although in her three year old vocals: "Wock and Woll".
I try not to think of myself as old, but I suppose I am when my top forty is now on the classics station. When did "Bille Jean" become a classic? Well, apparently it now. I try to listen to the newer songs, but some of them seem so repetitive and infantile (recalling that crap "In the Closet" which started off pretty interested, but degenerated into nothingness.)
I am by no means a music snob - I bobbed my head to 50-cent "In da Club" but at the same time shaking my head at the lyrics. In the olden days (smile) I listened to LLCool J talk about his radio and Rob Base talk about "It Takes Two". I won't deny that some of the urban songs today don't have great music and great beats, but I just can't bob my head to a song that is just so nasty and ugly toward women and other people in general. This is not to say every single modern song is like that - on the other hand you got the new-wave Keith Sweat boys begging and pleading for a girls love. No problem there, except the fact that they use the same phrases over and over again, and without fail, rhyme 'you' with 'you'.
Oh well, I suppose I'm just showing my age - not a problem...let me just get my knitting and scrapbooking and go in a corner and bob my head to New Edition, AC/DC, and good ol' Bruce Springsteen. And while I'm at it, I'll break out the really old stuff like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. (Everybody loves somebody...sometimes.....)
Take care!
Wednesday, June 13
We're on Live
The past couple of posts have been pieces that I have written for my group as monthly messages. So before you all say that I have been neglecting your needs for fresh informaiton, let me tell you that I have been busy doing of all things....website design. A friend of mine saw the other site that I desgined and wanted me to do one for her business. It was actually fun and I enjoyed earning that paycheck.
Although friends and family encouraged me to go into the web site design business, I hesitate. Certainly, I do enjoy it and it was nice to get paid for something that I enjoy, but it seems to me that the market is so saturate with website designers that it is a losing proposition. While I can design simple sites, my skill level is not up to flash sites (Plus I don't really like all that activity on a site when I visit).
The whole situation started me to thinking about website design and all its components. Is there a market out there for people who just want simple websites, without all the fireworks? Let's say simple sites that show pictures of their families or things like that. I would be interested to find out about that.
Other than that, my little lotion bars business is still struggling. As I commented before, folks are really saying, oh do the website, do the website. But, I like doing the lotion bars. I like making little mixtures and whipping them up in the microwave. Why can't I do both? Maybe the website design can pay for the lotions and potions hobby.
We'll see.
Although friends and family encouraged me to go into the web site design business, I hesitate. Certainly, I do enjoy it and it was nice to get paid for something that I enjoy, but it seems to me that the market is so saturate with website designers that it is a losing proposition. While I can design simple sites, my skill level is not up to flash sites (Plus I don't really like all that activity on a site when I visit).
The whole situation started me to thinking about website design and all its components. Is there a market out there for people who just want simple websites, without all the fireworks? Let's say simple sites that show pictures of their families or things like that. I would be interested to find out about that.
Other than that, my little lotion bars business is still struggling. As I commented before, folks are really saying, oh do the website, do the website. But, I like doing the lotion bars. I like making little mixtures and whipping them up in the microwave. Why can't I do both? Maybe the website design can pay for the lotions and potions hobby.
We'll see.
Wednesday, June 6
Take Time For Yourself!
Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet.Do your work with mastery.Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds!ShineBuddha"The Enlightened One”
It’s spring – a time when many of us “come out from under” the cold of winter to renew our resolutions, seek out new ventures and to ‘boldly go where no (wo)man has gone before’. Do you have a plan for this spring? What are you doing as the weather gets warmer? I know I will be rejuvenating my garden that I have neglected for the past four years – babies and graduate school certainly drain your time budget!
Although I wrote about this earlier in the year, the message still is important to us as multi-tasking mothers and significant others. As a woman, our role in the family is unique. We are the CEO of the family – not usurping our husbands or significant others, but let’s be real – who is responsible for keeping the refrigerator full, filling bellies at mealtime, keeping those clothes washed and actually in the bureaus, making doctor/dentist appointments and keeping those children in line? For the most part, we are. Our mates are certainly helpful, but when it comes to the nitty-gritty of running a household, we are the go-to person.
Take the time to mediate, even if you have to hide in the bathroom or in the laundry room. Nurture your inner self; try to get yourself away from the daily whirlwind of activities and necessary tasks, even if is only for a moment or two. You may find that these snatched moments of intense focus may be what you need to refresh yourself for the rest of the day.
Come out from behind those clouds of self-doubt and past failures. Thomas Edison is said to have said, “I have not failed 10,000 times – I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Though we may not like to fail, undoubtedly we learn from our mistakes. Nothing beats a try, not even a failure.
We need to shine as women first so that we can shine as mates and as mothers. The message continues to be – take that time for yourself.
It’s spring – a time when many of us “come out from under” the cold of winter to renew our resolutions, seek out new ventures and to ‘boldly go where no (wo)man has gone before’. Do you have a plan for this spring? What are you doing as the weather gets warmer? I know I will be rejuvenating my garden that I have neglected for the past four years – babies and graduate school certainly drain your time budget!
Although I wrote about this earlier in the year, the message still is important to us as multi-tasking mothers and significant others. As a woman, our role in the family is unique. We are the CEO of the family – not usurping our husbands or significant others, but let’s be real – who is responsible for keeping the refrigerator full, filling bellies at mealtime, keeping those clothes washed and actually in the bureaus, making doctor/dentist appointments and keeping those children in line? For the most part, we are. Our mates are certainly helpful, but when it comes to the nitty-gritty of running a household, we are the go-to person.
Take the time to mediate, even if you have to hide in the bathroom or in the laundry room. Nurture your inner self; try to get yourself away from the daily whirlwind of activities and necessary tasks, even if is only for a moment or two. You may find that these snatched moments of intense focus may be what you need to refresh yourself for the rest of the day.
Come out from behind those clouds of self-doubt and past failures. Thomas Edison is said to have said, “I have not failed 10,000 times – I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Though we may not like to fail, undoubtedly we learn from our mistakes. Nothing beats a try, not even a failure.
We need to shine as women first so that we can shine as mates and as mothers. The message continues to be – take that time for yourself.
Everyday Black History
As you well know, February is Black History Month. As alluded above, it is part of our responsibility to educate our children and families, not only in a general fashion but also about the historical contributions of Black Americans.
Even in 2007, the diversity and contribution of Black Americans is not acknowledged as frequently or as thoroughly as White Americans, therefore it is up t us to education both ourselves and our children. This education should not be limited to iconic figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. While these two men certainly served to effect great change in the Black community and should be acknowledged, they rose to their positions in history through the persistence, sacrifice and contributions of others.
Others such as Ida B. Wells, an educator, who in may, 1884, when physically forced by three men to move from a railroad passenger car to a smoker car (usually filled with laborers and other rough characters) left the train rather than suffer that indignity. She later sued the railroad and won, but the decision was reversed by the Supreme Court. The point was not of her winning or losing but that she took action. Or, my personal favorite: William Edward Burghart (W. E. B.) DuBois, who recognized the duality that many Black Americans feel even today:
"One ever feels his two-ness — an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder." – W.E. B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk
We, as Black Americans, do not materialize into society February 1, nor do we disappear February 28. Black history is happening every day and should not be pigeonholed into one month. Education – ourselves, our children - is the foundation of opportunity. We must know where we have been in order to move forward with vision.
Even in 2007, the diversity and contribution of Black Americans is not acknowledged as frequently or as thoroughly as White Americans, therefore it is up t us to education both ourselves and our children. This education should not be limited to iconic figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. While these two men certainly served to effect great change in the Black community and should be acknowledged, they rose to their positions in history through the persistence, sacrifice and contributions of others.
Others such as Ida B. Wells, an educator, who in may, 1884, when physically forced by three men to move from a railroad passenger car to a smoker car (usually filled with laborers and other rough characters) left the train rather than suffer that indignity. She later sued the railroad and won, but the decision was reversed by the Supreme Court. The point was not of her winning or losing but that she took action. Or, my personal favorite: William Edward Burghart (W. E. B.) DuBois, who recognized the duality that many Black Americans feel even today:
"One ever feels his two-ness — an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder." – W.E. B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk
We, as Black Americans, do not materialize into society February 1, nor do we disappear February 28. Black history is happening every day and should not be pigeonholed into one month. Education – ourselves, our children - is the foundation of opportunity. We must know where we have been in order to move forward with vision.
Tuesday, June 5
Ha Ha on you Amp'd Mobile
I remember the amp'd mobile commercial spots and how much I hated them. The first one was about some white dude on a bus ordering people to do stuff. Ok, fine, until he tells this black woman to "shake her junk". I am not easily offended because I know that commercials do have to attract attention, but give me a break. No one had any more imagination that this? View said commercial below:
I hated this commercial and I hate that woman for taking the role. Yes, I understand you gotta eat, but shoot, there's work at the post office, right? But then we would have all those video girls either, right?
Anyway, good ol' Amp'd Mobile got exactly what they deserved - you market to the lowest common denominator, and guess what, they don't pay thier bills. Amp'd Mobile files for bankruptcy because about half of their customers didn't pay their phone bills!! Read all about it here:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2007/tc20070605_529608.htm?campaign_id=rss_topStories
So, people do get what they deserve in the end!
I hated this commercial and I hate that woman for taking the role. Yes, I understand you gotta eat, but shoot, there's work at the post office, right? But then we would have all those video girls either, right?
Anyway, good ol' Amp'd Mobile got exactly what they deserved - you market to the lowest common denominator, and guess what, they don't pay thier bills. Amp'd Mobile files for bankruptcy because about half of their customers didn't pay their phone bills!! Read all about it here:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2007/tc20070605_529608.htm?campaign_id=rss_topStories
So, people do get what they deserve in the end!
Monday, June 4
Not much Today
Ah, I see that I've been falling off in my blog posts. If you've been following, you'll know that I've been working on my e-commerce website. Well, that's pretty much done - now all I have to do is make the products for the site. Don't get me wrong, I've done and tested it all before - I just have to start the ol'machine up again.
It rained nearly all night here in NJ, apparently it's a fall out from the storm in Florida. My daughter is sitting at the dining room table using her little fake mixer and making fake cookies. When I gave her two club crackers, she added them to the fake food mix. Sometimes children can do the strangest things.
More Later. Off to research some African American home schooling resources. Even if I don't homeschool all the way, I want to see what I can do with them at home.
It rained nearly all night here in NJ, apparently it's a fall out from the storm in Florida. My daughter is sitting at the dining room table using her little fake mixer and making fake cookies. When I gave her two club crackers, she added them to the fake food mix. Sometimes children can do the strangest things.
More Later. Off to research some African American home schooling resources. Even if I don't homeschool all the way, I want to see what I can do with them at home.
Friday, June 1
Ah, success!!!
A great big thank you to Trula, who advised me on how to take a different route through my issues with a new website (see Oy Vey!). Thanks to her, I got a much different mindset and using a template, went about things on my own. As a result, I found a whole bunch of great free resources (see www.grsites.com) as well as learned a WHOLE lot about Microsoft Front Page. I am in the process of learning Dreamweaver, so didn't want to waste a whole bunch of time learning as well as tweaking.
Well, what does your site look like? Ok, well it's not really ready yet, but if you like, you can take a look www.neosoulessentials.com. It is in its infancy stages after a revamping, so there are some adjustments that still have to take place.
Either way, it's done for the most part. Now, to put make and insert the products.
Take care all!
Well, what does your site look like? Ok, well it's not really ready yet, but if you like, you can take a look www.neosoulessentials.com. It is in its infancy stages after a revamping, so there are some adjustments that still have to take place.
Either way, it's done for the most part. Now, to put make and insert the products.
Take care all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
