Two entries from my mom...

I look completely like my grandmother in this picture.

A Quick Break from the Poster Contest

So I was listening to NPR's Morning Edition on the way to work this morning, and I was completely appalled at most of the listener comments. I seriously can't believe NPR listeners actually have room in their heads for the typically insightful and thoughtful news reporting featured on Morning Edition, and also for this right-wing, xenophobic, misguided, Limbaughesque drivel. Click here, then click "listen" to check it out. Then at least I know I've ruined someone else's day, too.

There was also a great little segment on former Texas Governor Ann Richards that is worth listening to. I'd been harboring the secret desire to write her in for the Democratic primaries in 2008. Maybe I could have organized my readership and actually gotten her in.

We'll never know.

Corrections and Addendae

I've been informed that the poster submitted by Erica is, in fact, a woman with a beard, not a man in a dress. Whatever, you'll still have to do better than that.

Keep those entries rollin' in, oh people-who-are-not-Erica-or-Tyson! For more information on the ongoing poster contest, click here.

Today's Poster Contest Entries

Here is another from Erica of a man in a dress.
These next two are from Tyson.

My, how the playing field is starting to skew. I'll bet I can guess, with 50% accuracy, who the winner will be. The rest of you out there--Deidre, Mom, Dad, Ethan, Nancy, Nicole, Kathy, Nick, and everyone else--need to pick up the slack and get something entered before the end of the month. Look at that nice collection of rotating content I got you for the sidebar and ask yourself, "What have I done for Erin's blog lately?"

A new, better poster from Tyson

Here is a newer, better entry from Tyson, who is supposed to be in his "office" doing "work" but is apparently poking around on the internet.

I made this one because I, too, am poking around on the internet instead of doing any kind of constructive and useful work. That is, after all, what this competition is all about.

I don't get it, but maybe you're smarter than I am...

I'm not sure I really understand the concept behind this entry, but pictures of llamas are usually good for a laugh, or at least a chuckle.

This one is from Tyson, who, at this rate, will not be receiving that congratulatory phone call in October. No hard feelings, hon, just give it another go and try again.

Want to try? Email your entries before the end of the month!

First Entry in the Erin's Blog Motivational Poster Contest

Here is the first entry for the poster contest, running now through the end of the month. It was contributed by Erica Andersen, an old 'cello-playing friend of mine from high school. Her parents will be horrified to know that all dozen of you out there are able to see her chipped tooth.

Think you could do better? Enter the poster contest by clicking here and designing your poster!

Motivational Poster Contest announced

Erin's Blog announced today it will sponsor a motivational poster contest for its flagging readership demographic. Recent statistics indicate that no one is bothering to contribute their ideas to the once-popular Internet site, and staff morale is suffering as a result.

Interested participants should follow this link and create their posters using the web-based application. Completed entries should be emailed directly to Erin for posting. Remember to right-click and copy your poster to your hard drive, then attach to your message.

Entries for the First Annual Erin's Blog Motivational Poster Contest must be received by no later than September 30, 2006, to be eligible for the grand prize, awarded the first week of October and probably consisting of an email or possibly a phone call telling you what a great job you did, or if the winner is Tyson I will take you out to dinner or something. (Just a note to other non-Tyson entrants: I will probably do this anyway one night when I am too lazy to cook anything, so, please, no emails re: apparent favoritism or biased judging or anything.)

I am looking forward to seeing your efforts!

I feel cheated......and vindicated

So I took this nerd test because, after all, I think it's apparent that I'm probably nerdier than you, but I think my blase attitude toward math and computer guts held me back.

(Does it improve my standing if I mention it drives me a little crazy that I can't put a downward-pointing accent on the "e" in "blase"?)

Hope everyone is having a great week. I am looking forward to the First Inaugural Meeting of Get the Hell Out, a group of teachers at my school who go climbing and hiking and kayaking and stuff together. I'll let you know how it went, and post a picture or two--I'm sure I will be looking for ways to waste time come the Sunday afternoon homework crunch.

Three down, 177 to go....

Whew! I made it through my first week of school! Well, there was a whole week of meetings and stuff beforehand, but the kids finally came back on Wednesday.
Things are looking good so far. Not too many kids spent the summer devising new and exciting ways to make trouble, so I haven't been driven to the edge yet. Although I will say that one of my afternoon classes has 27 boys and 6 girls in it, and I'm already worried about the testosterone bomb that will one day detonate.

Anyhow, I could tell you all sorts of news about our new school-wide discipline plan, or about the unit I'm starting next week, or how not being able to show PG-rated movies is going to put a serious crimp in my movie unit entitled "Introduction to Type Theory," I have a feeling most people's eyes would just glaze over. That's why I'm married to a teacher--so I don't bore my friends to death.

I had intended to check in last week to deliver a couple of movie reviews, but they no longer seem topical, so I'll just say that Snakes on a Plane and Little Miss Sunshine, while very different in style and substance, were both worth seeing, even at $9.50 a ticket. The difference is that Sunshine is worth seeing twice.

So that's it for a little while. I am still working on a little something to generate some audience participation around here. It's a long weekend; I'm sure I'll be back in tomorrow or Monday.