Overlooked

Forget the John Sergeant debacle, how come this wasn't talked about more this week?

Seriously? Was it a dare?

Sometimes my life is too rock and roll

Tonight I:

-made my parents dinner. I am so the best daughter ever. Too bad it was a typical dinner they'd make for themselves anyway. We'll save the dinner party fare for sometime later. Like maybe when I can cook.

-went to Starbucks. This was actually as exciting as it got. I got Hot Chocolate and instantly wished I hadn't been so outrageous and got the same old Strawberries and Cream non coffee Frappuccino I always gets.

-went to the supermarket. Got prizes for work my students should do off their own back. Pander? Me? No!

-did the dishes and made lunch for tomorrow. I know, I fed them and they didn't even do the dishes. The cheek. It has taken me too long to realise that making your lunch the night before is the secret to an extra 10 minutes in bed.

-Watched a History video on Hitler coming to power and made a video worksheet.

Told you, rock and roll me.

Sky Mall Christmas special

You really have been very patient, I have been hideously late with my root through Sky Mall but, finally, here it is. But as we're nearly in the season I thought it would be nice to make this one a Christmas themed one. Oh yes, Sky Mall class is for every occassion!

Outdoor decorations

Now, I know you are thinking about how to go that extra mile with your Christmas decorations. Sure there's a tree inside, cards up, perhaps even a banner or some streamers. But how do you make it seem like Christmas from the outside in? Let Sky Mall help!

Oh look! What's says Christmas more than a little deer family?! You're right, probably reindeer or something. But deers, deers are good too. Look, they've got 'Mother', 'Baby', and oh...can't help feeling a little bit sorry for the one named 'Medium' though.

Sky Mall laughs in the face of 'Santa Stop Here' signs. A 14 foot inflatable Santa train is what you need.

So often Christians feel that Christmas has been high-jacked by all the Santas and snowmen and the real reason has been forgotten. I think you'll agree that this glowing manger and little baby Jesus for your front garden will put a stop to that. Form an orderly queue now.

That's right, the candy cane archway is listed under improvements. What a winter wonderland!

But everyone on my street has inflatable snowmen, moving Santas and little baby Jesuses Sky Mall. How do I make my house different? Ah ha, light projection reindeer! Golly, thanks Sky Mall!

Hard to buy for people (aka awkward buggers)

Sky Mall really is the best place to start for those difficult people in your life that don't need anything/aren't interested in anything/have no clue what they'd like. Let your fingers flick to find the perfect present!

Cooking hot dogs can be so troublesome don't you think?! Not with this pop up hot dog toaster!

Come on! Who doesn't want to make their bed that bit more comfortable?!

This one is labelled carefully for the wine enthusiast. I can't think of a wine enthusiast I know that wouldn't like these reindeer stoppers! Thank goodness they're back.

Know an entertainer?! Say hello to the instant doorway puppet theater! Endless hours of fun to be had with this!

Outdoorsy sportsfan to buy for? Look at these cute Forest Faces! That's right, they're the latest craze in outdoor decor, and can't you just see the appeal? And did you spot the pun...'who are the trees rooting for'! See what they did there? Rooting, tree roots. Ho ho! Bonus points to you Sky Mall!

Has a coffee table ever been so...kitsch?

Excuse me Sky Mall. Did you not say Forest Faces were the latest craze in outdoor decor? I think you have done a disservice to our meerkat friends here. And just think of them beside the lions, or the sumo wrestler, the yeti...

Who doesn't want to fall asleep under the some sort of dodgy picture of themselves/their children. That's the way I want my memories perserved!

But yet again Sky Mall, yet again...

You've managed to prove that you're not all tat and crap! You do sell something slightly worthwhile and something that I actually kind of want! A heavy duty Christmas paper storage bag. And I see it's for all my wrapping needs, what with space for bows and everything! Sure beats that old Yellow Pack Tin Foil cardboard box we stole from Stewarts circa 1990 that we used for (I wish I was joking) ten years.

42 days and counting...

The Ikea Game

I'm going to Ikea later on today. Oh save us all. But here's a fun game I like to play when I am there - making up Ikea names. For example:

Snafflegaard

Gistmo

Juprinta

Aatflorah

Hagrinta

You should try it. It really makes the place even more fun. And if you're really keen, your extension activity is to say what they'd be! I know, even more fun!

Oh yes they did!

I remember waking up on the morning after Labour won by a landslide in the 1997 election and feeling like everything was all going to be different. I got that same feeling yesterday, that somehow things aren't going to be the same.

It is an exciting new world we're in. But, to be honest, I'm less excited about Barack Obama being black. I'm much more excited about the stature of the man, indeed by the content of his character. I won't deny that during the Primaries I wanted Hillary more. I like her and I think she'd make a decent President. But Barack is also pretty hard to disagree with, if you're of the centre ground.

The smartest person I have ever met is someone I worked with in America. Hands down he was it. He listened before he spoke, and when he spoke you knew he had listened. When I hear Obama I am reminded of him, nevermind that they were about as different as you could get - in appearance, politics, age, the works. But I think that's what  it is about Barack Obama too, he seems listen. I have watched my fair share of political punditary over the last few days and that seems to be what they are saying too.

But back to the colour issue. In these last few days, it has sometimes come across that we are surprised that America has voted for a black man, as if somehow a black person couldn't do the job. It shouldn't be the issue, it shouldn't matter. And yet, somehow it can't go unmentioned.

I watched Oprah a while ago when she re-united the cast members of 'The Cosby Show' (I know, talk about high brow). But what Bill Cosby said was interesting, he said it was the first show in America that put a 'normal' middle class black family on TV. In the 1980s?! 

If you saw any of the people in Grant Park on Tuesday night, in the emotion in their faces and in their interviews with reporters you'll have seen what this should mean to every American. It is the ultimate example in showing that there is no limit to what someone can achieve, and that it will not be determined by the colour of your skin. And I guess if you've gone through the hard years, these next four look pretty good.

I hope that in four years time, Americans won't have the same feeling I have now when I hear the words 'New Labour', or (so help me) D:ream's 'Things Can Only Get Better', when a little bit of me groans and my eyes roll skyward because it didn't turn out how we'd hoped.

Disaster

Yesterday the power went out in school. The worst thing about that was that the bells were all messed up.

Today there was a gas leak. We were all evacuated and stood outside for 2 hours while the good people from Phoenix worked on it. I've had experience before of trying desperately to keep students' spirits up (at last year's National Day Parade at school. They couldn't see or hear anything and were about to expire in the heat.) but this was worse. It was cold and for two hours all I heard was 'Miss, can I just go home...' 'Miss I can see my house from here...' 'I'm calling my mum and she's going to pick me up...'. Right-o. My attempts at a sing-along failed this time!

But as I was leaving today, the caretakers reminded me to bring my wellies tomorrow. Tomorrow is flood day apparently. 

Good to know.

I feel like a blog

Not actually me I suppose, I feel like writing one. Mostly because I have work I should be marking, but as that doesn't really need done yet I'm holding off. Some might say dossing, but iI'll stick with my first choice of holding off.

I like it when Tuesday is over with because those are my worst days. Well Thursday isn't pretty either but it feels better because once it's over it's Friday and who doesn't like Fridays?! Actually I've never liked Thursdays. Even in Primary School I can remember not like Thursdays, even though we had craft on Tuesdays and Thursdays and craft was my favourite. I think it must be something to do with being so close to Friday and not actually being Friday. Anyways, I think I am waffling now because today isn't even Thursday, it's Tuesday. But boy, what a Tuesday!

I don't think I could cope with an election as long as America has. I suppose that's one of the benefits of the 'call-it-when-you-think-you'll-win' power of the Prime Minister (I'm sure this has a better name that I can't think of right now). Everyone has known this election has been coming and so for nearly two years candidates have been publically campaigning. When I was there last week it was impossible to turn on the TV, listen to the radio, or drive 100m without seeing or hearing something about it. I'm sure you've seen those political adverts, typically with the deep voice. They were All. Over. The. Place. And just by the way, I don't know much about Kay Hagan, but they don't like her round my neck of North Carolina. Although given that it's Hicksville Central that's hardly a big surprise. But I am very excited my adopted state may go blue for the first time since Jimmy Carter!! North Carolina: Not quite as south as...well South Carolina.

When I was there I was surprised to hear from my ex co-workers that they can vote early. They voted a full two weeks ago. Apparently they reason for it is to stop big lines trying to vote on the actual election. But here's the thing I don't get - America is about the 24 hour convenience. Plenty of stores are open 24 hours. Ok, so Wal-Mart and grocery stores and that, but still. In North Carolina the polls are open til 7.30pm. Eh hello? Stay open longer! Or have more polling centres. Revolutionary ideas here, I know. I mean, I suppose there's nothing really wrong in early voting but what is something major emerged in the last days and you wanted to switch? Nevermind the fact that corrupt officials could get up to some funny business. Well you never know! Plus, and I'm no expert, isn't there something in the Constitution that picks out the date for the election. The Tuesday after the first Monday or something? Maybe I should draft an email to someone about this:

'Dear Sir/Madam, 

I was surprised to learn of your early voting opportunities....Whilst I agree with the need to get the vote out, as it were, I am concerned about the Constitutional ramifications of said early voting...Might I suggest you look into the possibility of longer hours at polling stations...or perhaps even more polling stations...We certainly don't want the Supreme Court deciding the outcome of an election because of Constitutional issues, as one would have to say that didn't work out so well last time...

I look forward to your response to this important matter,

Respectfully yours,

Tina'

So what else. Autumn Soul was at the weekend. Sadly, although I took my camera I didn't actually take any photos. I know, you're gutted. For the first time I was on the Prayer Team. Actually that's not true. Just the first time we didn't pray with anyone because the speaker went on that flipping long he sapped the life out of everyone there, so I don't think that counts. It was a great weekend though, made even better by staying with Nicky and Heidi and not a church hall floor. Heidi, even though she was in the final days of her pregnancy, offered me a bed! I made such a ruckus having a shower it was a miracle Bumpus didn't arrive early to hear what all the noise was about. Sorry...again.

Just like November 4th was a long time coming, so too was November 5th! But it's tomorrow! Good luck everybody, well really just Nicky and Heidi! And of course Bumpus!