Opening Matinee Tickets!

Playing hooky today from school to go to the opening performance of Spring Awakening at the Ahmanson Theater in LA. It won eight Tony awards.

Ron Howard, Andy Griffith and Henry Winkler

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Three Ladies in Obama T-Shirts

Thank You, Kris

Kris Kristofferson
performed last night not too far from home. It was just him, his guitar and harmonica. What a great show. I'm so glad someone is still singing the songs that tell stories and touch the soul. And that someone is not afraid to take a stand against injustice and war.

I was privileged to know Kris and even teach his children. It was an inspiration to see him after all these years. Mahalo.

This Will Never Be Me

Me in 50 Years?

The University of Panera UPDATE

My district tech department (thanks, Paul) finally punched through the firewall so that I could access my graduate class live webcast. But I actually got hooked on taking my wireless laptop to Panera Bread cafe. I really don't want to spend two hours in my classroom after teaching all day, and so I am still enjoying classes at the University of Panera. They have great iced tea, soup, salad, and sandwiches. I sit down at 4:00 with my iced tea and a cup of soup. I plug in my laptop and my headphones. At 6:00, I get up, pack up my laptop, and order a salad or sandwich to take home. Not a bad way to go, really.

Inspiring Software

I'm using Inspiration to design my site map. It's a fun one to play with! Here's an example of a template. There is a 30-day free trial version you can download.

Misty and Molly

Misty naps, after I leave HER bed.

Misty likes the warmth of the laptop.

Misty can't understand why Molly gets all the attention.

Molly wins, Misty bails.

The Other Molly

Unbiased and Very Sensitive

Reviewing hundreds of test items for the next CELDT revision was very interesting. At the end I was given a 2009 Sierra Club calendar, and thanked for my ability to be unbiased and sensitive. I was sworn to secrecy, it being a standardized test and all, so I can't tell you any more!

Off to Sacramento

I am flying up to Sacramento to serve on the Bias/Sensitivity Review Committee for the next phase of the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). The purpose of CEDLT is to identify students who are English Learners in Kindergarten through grade 12, to monitor their progress in learning English, and to document their English proficiency.

I told my students where I was going, and they asked that I get a picture with Governor Schwarzenegger. I told them that if I ran into him I would.

Should be interesting!

Gotta Laugh

Teg Wehn at Mozambique