Daughter: One of the worms (in Worms 2) has the name Exterminator.
Me: So is he going to exterminate the other worms?
Daughter: No. He just has a long name. (Runs back to watch her brother play a little more)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Fortune
Looks like I got Vince's fortune in my Fortune Cookie. "Your love of music will be an important part of your life."
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Fail (with good reason)
Well. So much for that. I was trying to get back into posting by challenging myself to posting everyday for a month. Didn't even make it a week.
On the plus side, I finished my training class. I am now trained to facilitate an Young Adult and Adult OWL classes, and I have talked with two other facilitator's-in-training, and we all want to facilitate. Notice, that I am saying facilitate, instead of teach because a lot of the teaching will come from discussions themselves. I want to send my thanks out to Steve and Mary.
I met some cool new people too, and hope that I will continue to see them at other district events. Training was occurring for all levels, K-1, 4-5, 7-9, 10-12, Young Adult, and Adult. In all, I think there were over 40 people who attended the training.
And if you see me out, you might see me sporting a new pin that I got after completing the training:
On the plus side, I finished my training class. I am now trained to facilitate an Young Adult and Adult OWL classes, and I have talked with two other facilitator's-in-training, and we all want to facilitate. Notice, that I am saying facilitate, instead of teach because a lot of the teaching will come from discussions themselves. I want to send my thanks out to Steve and Mary.
I met some cool new people too, and hope that I will continue to see them at other district events. Training was occurring for all levels, K-1, 4-5, 7-9, 10-12, Young Adult, and Adult. In all, I think there were over 40 people who attended the training.
And if you see me out, you might see me sporting a new pin that I got after completing the training:
Friday, June 06, 2008
Training Day # 1
Well, it's over. Day 1 that is. And let me tell you, if driving in tomorrow is ANYTHING like driving in today, I know that someone is out to get me. While driving in, I had to sneak out of work a tad bit early, take the kids to my wife's office, then run home because of a call. On the way home, I hit a rock with my tire. After handling the call, I go out to my car, and I have a flat. Change the tire, take the car to my wife's office and trade for hers (can't drive to First UU Dallas without going on the highway, and those donuts are dangerous at those speeds). I get about 1/3 of the way to the church, and there is an accident. I move 2 miles in about 45 minutes, so I think I miss the dinner, but I don't have time to stop. No way to vent frustration, but to yell at the traffic from behind my windshield. They aren't really doing anything wrong, and I'm not really yelling at any of them, but by the time I get to the church, I am about 10 minutes late for training.
Then I'm fine. I have arrived, and nothing else is going to make me any later. And I didn't miss much. After I got there, the training was great. I am with a smaller group then for my last training, and it is a bit nicer, I think. I know a few of the participants from other district events, and have trained with both of my trainers. And I didn't miss dinner. I don't know why, but dinner is running late, so I got to eat with the entire group.
Of course, I think I'll remember Nathan's coment the most. He suggested I take the train.
Then I'm fine. I have arrived, and nothing else is going to make me any later. And I didn't miss much. After I got there, the training was great. I am with a smaller group then for my last training, and it is a bit nicer, I think. I know a few of the participants from other district events, and have trained with both of my trainers. And I didn't miss dinner. I don't know why, but dinner is running late, so I got to eat with the entire group.
Of course, I think I'll remember Nathan's coment the most. He suggested I take the train.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Spelling Bee
So Tammy and the kids watched the 2008 National Spelling Bee on the PVR last night. I was driving home from work, and Tammy called me laughing. She tried to play something over the phone, but I couldn't hear it. When I got home, this is what I saw:
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
OWl - So why am I taking the training?
One thing that I have heard, from both DRE's and young adult population, is that there is a serious lack of interest in the adult aged courses. As I mentioned Monday, "STD's. Tab A. Slot B. Yeah We get it.". The problem is, I don't think they do.
There is a lot more to it then that. When we teach other subjects, we tend to stay with the concrete at an early age, and slowly advance to the less tangible and theoretical. Even in spirituality, we tend to be concrete moving to the less tangible as we age. Sexuality, as yet another facet of our (whole) lives, is like that too. As we grow older, our needs and attitudes change. The range of experiences that we may have encountered only grows. And we need to grow in order to handle them.
Yes, we talk about sex. We also talk about relationships, commitment, intimacy, aging, power, and ethics. But we still do more. Sex and relationships are not something that is easy for most people in our culture to talk about. Especially if there are questions or concerns. But by teaching the class, and even in participating, we create a community, a network of people that we can talk to, that have demonstrated that they are approachable. And this is a network that often extends beyond the classroom.
Since I have been aware of the adult programs, I have only know of one course in North Texs that has actually happened. That was a pilot project for the new young adult program. I hear they had some resistance in getting enough young adults to participate.
It seems that they already "know" everything they need to know about sex.
There is a lot more to it then that. When we teach other subjects, we tend to stay with the concrete at an early age, and slowly advance to the less tangible and theoretical. Even in spirituality, we tend to be concrete moving to the less tangible as we age. Sexuality, as yet another facet of our (whole) lives, is like that too. As we grow older, our needs and attitudes change. The range of experiences that we may have encountered only grows. And we need to grow in order to handle them.
Yes, we talk about sex. We also talk about relationships, commitment, intimacy, aging, power, and ethics. But we still do more. Sex and relationships are not something that is easy for most people in our culture to talk about. Especially if there are questions or concerns. But by teaching the class, and even in participating, we create a community, a network of people that we can talk to, that have demonstrated that they are approachable. And this is a network that often extends beyond the classroom.
Since I have been aware of the adult programs, I have only know of one course in North Texs that has actually happened. That was a pilot project for the new young adult program. I hear they had some resistance in getting enough young adults to participate.
It seems that they already "know" everything they need to know about sex.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
OWL - What is it?
Yesterday I mentioned OWL. OWL is an acronym for Our Whole Lives. The official site is here. In a nutshell, it's an age appropriate comprehensive sex education course that includes an optional spiritual component. The program was created as a joint effort of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. With the spiritual component removed, the class may be taught as a secular class.
My kids took the K-1 class at the beginning of the last school year. At that level, they covered family units, family roles, and non-standard family's. Toward the end of the 6 week course, the discussion of how a baby was made came up. We, as parents had to decide how we wanted the class to be taught. Did we want the basic biological facts to be taught, or did we want to leave that completely to the parents? Either way the parents should expect questions. We, the parents, were given the scripts. We, the parents, decided.
The middle school(7-9 grade) class is the longest, and it's the class that is the most taught. Some churches don't have the resources or desire to teach the other classes. Many don't teach High School because of lack of interest in the participants, or a lack of belief that it is necessary. Young adult is a new course. Previously, it was a part the adult course.
My kids took the K-1 class at the beginning of the last school year. At that level, they covered family units, family roles, and non-standard family's. Toward the end of the 6 week course, the discussion of how a baby was made came up. We, as parents had to decide how we wanted the class to be taught. Did we want the basic biological facts to be taught, or did we want to leave that completely to the parents? Either way the parents should expect questions. We, the parents, were given the scripts. We, the parents, decided.
The middle school(7-9 grade) class is the longest, and it's the class that is the most taught. Some churches don't have the resources or desire to teach the other classes. Many don't teach High School because of lack of interest in the participants, or a lack of belief that it is necessary. Young adult is a new course. Previously, it was a part the adult course.
Monday, June 02, 2008
OWL Assignment
I wanted to post on something I received in email yesterday. I got an assignment for my Young Adult/Adult OWL class. I find it somewhat humorous that the title of my group project is "What is Love", which I tried to look at myself so recently. I'll try to post after the class with how it went.
By the way, this OWL training class is one of the hardest to make happen (based on attendance), since most people don't think there is anything to learn after you get the comprehensive class in middle school("We already know all there is to know. STD's. Tab A. Slot B. Yeah, we get it."). Because of this, I am really glad it made this year.
By the way, this OWL training class is one of the hardest to make happen (based on attendance), since most people don't think there is anything to learn after you get the comprehensive class in middle school("We already know all there is to know. STD's. Tab A. Slot B. Yeah, we get it."). Because of this, I am really glad it made this year.
Red Cups, and Yearbooks
I saw this story about parents upset over a yearbook, and it reminded me of this story about kids in Wisconsin that were reacting to a school administrator that saw kids "partying" on Facebook, and cited the red cups that the students held. (Yes I know that I am focusing on the red cups a little more then either story may merit)
I use these red SOLO cups myself around the house. I use it when I have a party, such as a birthday party with family, a 4th of July party, etc. Yes, sometimes we have alcohol and sometimes we have tea. Usually we have soda. Pizza parties, holiday parties, and even some dances at schools, I would expect, use disposable cups like these as well. Saying that the red cups indicate alcohol seems absurd. At least to me, it may be one of those things that says more about the person that is making the accusation then the person with the cup.
Not to say I disagree with the general complaint about underage drinking. I think the term partier might be more indicative then the red cups. But even that, I'm not likely to be upset about, since I realize that you can party without alcohol. See the above comment about the person making the accusation.
It also reminds me of parties I attended when I was in High School. Some had cans of beer provided. I would attend, but because I was driving, I wouldn't want to drink. In some of the parties there was peer pressure to drink. When that was the case, I would go into the bathroom, and poor out the beer in the can and fill it back up with tap water. I'd nurse that can for an hour or so, and then get water saying I have had enough for a while. I'm sure the opposite happens, with cans of coke and vodka, etc.
I use these red SOLO cups myself around the house. I use it when I have a party, such as a birthday party with family, a 4th of July party, etc. Yes, sometimes we have alcohol and sometimes we have tea. Usually we have soda. Pizza parties, holiday parties, and even some dances at schools, I would expect, use disposable cups like these as well. Saying that the red cups indicate alcohol seems absurd. At least to me, it may be one of those things that says more about the person that is making the accusation then the person with the cup.
Not to say I disagree with the general complaint about underage drinking. I think the term partier might be more indicative then the red cups. But even that, I'm not likely to be upset about, since I realize that you can party without alcohol. See the above comment about the person making the accusation.
It also reminds me of parties I attended when I was in High School. Some had cans of beer provided. I would attend, but because I was driving, I wouldn't want to drink. In some of the parties there was peer pressure to drink. When that was the case, I would go into the bathroom, and poor out the beer in the can and fill it back up with tap water. I'd nurse that can for an hour or so, and then get water saying I have had enough for a while. I'm sure the opposite happens, with cans of coke and vodka, etc.
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