Apparently a lot of people these days don't know how to spell very well. I'm no spelling bee champion, but I can spell most commonly used words. I spend a fair amount of time participating in some online groups, and there are some words that get misspelled over and over again. It's probably just the teacher in me, but it really bugs me. The world already thinks Americans are dumb. We could really improve our reputation if adults (many of them college graduates!) would spell correctly.

I'm not going to correct anyone's spelling on these message boards - don't want to be THAT guy - but I needed to vent, and since I haven't really blogged here in more than year, I figured this was a good place. Just for the record, it's definItely, not definAtely.

Phew. I fele bettur.

No, not that way.  

On March 8th, I got my official email stating that I was now in proud possession of a California Preliminary Level I Education Specialist Instruction Credential, valid dating back to December 20, 2005 through January 1, 2011.  You can even look me up on the state's website.

Cool.  Now our fearless President and his trusty Congress can pass whatever brilliant educational laws they please; I will still be able to get a job, at least in the state of California.  At least until 2011.

Dear Continental, Delta, Southwest, American, and every other stupid commercial airline,

I am writing this letter to inform you that you suck.  Because you repeatedly jack up your prices around the holidays, you are making it impossible for me to see my family during my winter break.  While I'm no economic genius, I understand the basic concepts of capitalism and supply and demand.  I also understand that you take advantage of people like me, who can only take vacations during the holiday breaks, because that's when the schools are closed.  Flight prices magically go up between $100 and $300 from normally overpriced airfare if I want to fly during the only time when most children and teachers have time off.  I've been really excited about having some time off and seeing my family.  Thanks a bunch for ruining the only thing I was looking forward to during the break.  I'm sure I'll have a wonderful time sitting on the couch by myself while everyone else I know (including Lex) is still at work or is away visiting their families.  While we're at it, give a big high five to your friends the cruise lines, resort hotels, Disneys Land and World, and the rest of your evil little club.  In conclusion, you are a bunch of capitalistic jerks, so [insert your swear word of choice here] you.

Best wishes in this holiday season,

Lauren

 

Word of the Day:

frantic (adj) - very excited with worry or fear

Good news for pork lovers:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4386510.stm#startcontent

 

Word of the (many) Day(s) ago:

digress (verb) - to get off the subject, especially when speaking or writing

Last week was Rosh HaShanah.  Tonight begins Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (or as the rabbi at the synagogue I attend likes to say, at-ONE-ment).  Not to be outdone by Rosh HaShanah, instead of alternating cycles of prayer and food, Yom Kippur is observed by prayer, skip the food, more prayer, skip the food again, and so on.  25+ hours are spent fasting (and abstaining from many other things), which is supposed to help me concentrate on nothing but atonement, without being distracted by the things around me.  Fasting in Judaism means that literally nothing passes between your lips, so no food, no beverages, no toothbrushing.  You're not even supposed to shower, lest some water accidently gets into your mouth.  Fasting is a good idea in theory, I suppose, but I often find that after skipping dinner, breakfast, and lunch, it's hard to think of anything besides being hungry and thirsty.  Fortunately, I'm pretty sure having a poor attention span is not one of the sins we confess to and ask absolution for during the service.

Another part of Yom Kippur is seeking forgiveness from other people, since according to the customs of Judaism, G-d can only forgive you for broken promises to or transgressions toward G-d, but not towards other people.  So, if there is anything I have done to offend or hurt anyone who reads this blog in the past, I am truly sorry and hope that you will forgive me.

 

Word of the Day:

gregarious (adj.) - happy to be with others

A thought for the day:

Sometimes it's really important to think things through BEFORE trying them. 
 

I live in LA, which is famous not just for its celebrities, but also its traffic.  It's the only city in the world where people consider needing to drive more than 2 miles to work a commute because it will probably take 30+ minutes, and that's only if you avoid rush hour.

Lately, Lex has been expressing disbelief that we (people) are still driving cars at all.  He thinks technology should have already allowed for cars to drive themselves.  I'd imagine that the right to privacy activists will probably fight this one off for a while; if the cars are driving themselves, then somewhere there is a computer that will know where we are going at all times.  Fortunately for Lex, The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is leading the way in the development of autonomous vehichles - and paying quite a pretty penny for it.  I knew I should have gone to MIT. 

 

Word of the Day:

heirloom (noun) - a valued article handed down from generation to generation

Tonight ibegins the first day of the two day Jewish New Year's celebration known as Rosh HaShanah (literally, head of the year).  As with most Jewish holidays, this means lots of prayer in the synagogue, followed by food, followed by more prayer, then more food, and so on.  Boy, do we Jews know how to party!

 

Word of the Day:

abscond (verb) - to run away secretly and hide

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There will be no Word of the Day posted on Tuesday and Wednesday, in observance of the holiday, so for those of you who can't wait, here they are in advance:

Word of the (Tues)Day:

curtail (verb) - to cut short; reduce

Word of the (Wednes)Day:

dejected (adj) - low in spirits

Pictures of Britney's baby:  $1.5 million

Birth Video of Britney's baby:  $3 million

Home Videos of Britney's baby:  $1.5 million

 Knowing that you're a trashy jerk who is taking advantage of the American public in what can only be an act of avarice and self-importance while simultaneously exploiting your infant son when millions of people are homeless due to the hurricane and war:  Priceless

 
 Word of the Day:

affluent (adj) - having a lot of money