...____Your ideas betray you.
discuss.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Play
Today saw the start of .M.T. In other words, 3 days a drunken debauchery. It didn't officially start until 12noon which put me in an awkward position given that I had class in the morning. I went to class thinking that I would have them for around half the allocated time. As it turns out, they couldn't be bothered, were hyperactive and ready to kill me if I had proceeded with the lesson. So, being 'in touch' with my students needs and wishes /haha/ I let them go early. They better give me a decent score at the end of the semester for that!
Actually, looks like myself and a few other teachers will be going to the English Departments .M.T. It's at the beach and the weather is looking decent, so it might be a nice day out. It looks, though that we will be going and coming back the same day which is probably an excellent idea. Means that the students can't get me into a drunken stupor...
On a completely different note...Juninho, Celtic's handsomely paid Brazilian 'star' has criticised Scottish footballs style. He maintains that Celtic play a long ball style which means that there is little for the midfield to do in matches, hence his inability to get into the team. Well, 1st up, i'm not so sure about that. If we had no need for a midfield then we would be 4 men down and thats just silly. And secondly, if you are that great, why is an 18 year old keeping you out of the team? Stop yer whinging and get on with the day job. You're paid to kick a ball around a grass field. Not give soundbites. Leave that to the Politicians.
Actually, looks like myself and a few other teachers will be going to the English Departments .M.T. It's at the beach and the weather is looking decent, so it might be a nice day out. It looks, though that we will be going and coming back the same day which is probably an excellent idea. Means that the students can't get me into a drunken stupor...
On a completely different note...Juninho, Celtic's handsomely paid Brazilian 'star' has criticised Scottish footballs style. He maintains that Celtic play a long ball style which means that there is little for the midfield to do in matches, hence his inability to get into the team. Well, 1st up, i'm not so sure about that. If we had no need for a midfield then we would be 4 men down and thats just silly. And secondly, if you are that great, why is an 18 year old keeping you out of the team? Stop yer whinging and get on with the day job. You're paid to kick a ball around a grass field. Not give soundbites. Leave that to the Politicians.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Never
...as tired as I am in the morning. Lately, i just can't sleep late. It's really getting bad. Usually I would get up at 8 /ish/ but with the srping nearly on us, the sun actually shines right into my apartment, waking me up much earlier. Not impressed with the sun for that. It should have some more consideration for us mortals.
To quote Scarface 'You better watch out, theres a bad guy coming through'. I'm the bad guy.
A the start of todays class, I told my class to switch off their phones. I even told them that 'vibrate' mode was not o.k. So, i'm halfway through class when suddenly, I hear a hmmmmmm. It's someones phone. I stop the whole class and ask who's phone it was. No-one says anything. I ask again. Still nothing. I then get a couple of muffled 'not me', 'no'. Still no-one admits their guilt. So, in an act of supreme confidence and power, I tell the whole class the I'm marking them all 'absent'.
There were gasps and some questioning protests but who's the boss ... who's the daddy.
And then, I continued with the lesson.
To quote Scarface 'You better watch out, theres a bad guy coming through'. I'm the bad guy.
A the start of todays class, I told my class to switch off their phones. I even told them that 'vibrate' mode was not o.k. So, i'm halfway through class when suddenly, I hear a hmmmmmm. It's someones phone. I stop the whole class and ask who's phone it was. No-one says anything. I ask again. Still nothing. I then get a couple of muffled 'not me', 'no'. Still no-one admits their guilt. So, in an act of supreme confidence and power, I tell the whole class the I'm marking them all 'absent'.
There were gasps and some questioning protests but who's the boss ... who's the daddy.
And then, I continued with the lesson.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Swollen
To cancel class or not to cancel class.
____..._This week sees the annual .M.T. thing at University in whch each class goes away to the beach for 3 days for a 'bonding' session. In other words, it's an excuse for all the students to get off classes, head to the beach and drink, eat and puke for 3 days. Apparantly, .M.T. starts at 12 noon on wednesday and continues until friday. Most of my classes have suggested that they are all going on their classes .M.T. which means that thursdays classes are probably all off however, I have class at 10.30am on wednesday and finishes at 12noon - when .M.T. starts. Will the students turn up or should I just call it...thinknig that I will just turn up and if less than half the class isn't there, then i'll call it.
And with thursday classes being off - I might even go to .M.T. since i'm off friday anyway. That, however might be dangerous since the English students will be hoping to get their 'Professor' mingin. hmm. They might even try to pull me. haha.
____..._This week sees the annual .M.T. thing at University in whch each class goes away to the beach for 3 days for a 'bonding' session. In other words, it's an excuse for all the students to get off classes, head to the beach and drink, eat and puke for 3 days. Apparantly, .M.T. starts at 12 noon on wednesday and continues until friday. Most of my classes have suggested that they are all going on their classes .M.T. which means that thursdays classes are probably all off however, I have class at 10.30am on wednesday and finishes at 12noon - when .M.T. starts. Will the students turn up or should I just call it...thinknig that I will just turn up and if less than half the class isn't there, then i'll call it.
And with thursday classes being off - I might even go to .M.T. since i'm off friday anyway. That, however might be dangerous since the English students will be hoping to get their 'Professor' mingin. hmm. They might even try to pull me. haha.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Glue
Word of the week: 'Banging'
Is that with the 'g' or without - I'm not cool enough, so maybe it's with the 'g'. Anyway, seems like there is alot of it happening...at home, at University, in the street, on tv.
Phrase of the week: 'Opportunities...missed or otherwise'
Brought on by a couple of movies. Million Dollar Baby and Before Sunset. Both excellent. Recommended.
Sight of the week: 'Dust'
China has attacked. Not through military means but by the dust they annually send over at this time of the year. Apparantly, it's from the Gobi Desert. Sucked up by the air currents, transported over the sea and deposited on me and my windows. Not sure if the rest of the country has noticed yet but it's mingin' /and thats without a 'g' 'cos i'm cool enough!/
Song of the week: 'Oh my gosh' by Basement Jaxx
Who said 'dance is dead' ... it is but no-one told these guys. Complimented by an excellent 'Singles' collection.
Is that with the 'g' or without - I'm not cool enough, so maybe it's with the 'g'. Anyway, seems like there is alot of it happening...at home, at University, in the street, on tv.
Phrase of the week: 'Opportunities...missed or otherwise'
Brought on by a couple of movies. Million Dollar Baby and Before Sunset. Both excellent. Recommended.
Sight of the week: 'Dust'
China has attacked. Not through military means but by the dust they annually send over at this time of the year. Apparantly, it's from the Gobi Desert. Sucked up by the air currents, transported over the sea and deposited on me and my windows. Not sure if the rest of the country has noticed yet but it's mingin' /and thats without a 'g' 'cos i'm cool enough!/
Song of the week: 'Oh my gosh' by Basement Jaxx
Who said 'dance is dead' ... it is but no-one told these guys. Complimented by an excellent 'Singles' collection.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
urcodenameis
Another saturday, another Scottish defeat. Another grim day.
Alas, not quite. Beaten by Italy. The result was never really in doubt, however, it was the performance that mattered. We stood up and were counted. We were not the disorganised, shapeless, headless huddies that drew with Moldova. We were comitted, passionate and for a period looked like we were causing the Italians probelms.
It appears that it was 2 World class free-kicks that were our downfall - one of which was dubious in it's award, the second 5 minutes from time. Of course, such variables cannot be accounted for and certainly such free-kicks are nigh impossible to defend if hit with such precision and power. We had our chances but couldn't take them. Again, thats the difference between good teams and great ones - taking chances.
A loss is a loss but certainly there are grounds for optimism. The central defensive pairing looked strong, perhaps not blessed with pace but with the experience to read the game and hence negate their lack of pace. The midfield looked decent also with /dare i say it/ Ferguson finally putting in a Captains performance. This and a return from injury by the likes of McFadden and Fletcher mean that we could be heading in the right direction. That direction will not be to Germany next summer but at least see us climb into the top 50.
...a degree of credibility restored.
Alas, not quite. Beaten by Italy. The result was never really in doubt, however, it was the performance that mattered. We stood up and were counted. We were not the disorganised, shapeless, headless huddies that drew with Moldova. We were comitted, passionate and for a period looked like we were causing the Italians probelms.
It appears that it was 2 World class free-kicks that were our downfall - one of which was dubious in it's award, the second 5 minutes from time. Of course, such variables cannot be accounted for and certainly such free-kicks are nigh impossible to defend if hit with such precision and power. We had our chances but couldn't take them. Again, thats the difference between good teams and great ones - taking chances.
A loss is a loss but certainly there are grounds for optimism. The central defensive pairing looked strong, perhaps not blessed with pace but with the experience to read the game and hence negate their lack of pace. The midfield looked decent also with /dare i say it/ Ferguson finally putting in a Captains performance. This and a return from injury by the likes of McFadden and Fletcher mean that we could be heading in the right direction. That direction will not be to Germany next summer but at least see us climb into the top 50.
...a degree of credibility restored.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Hermit
______wouldnt be a friday without moan____________________________at University, we don't have our own classrooms - clearly since some of the 'teaching' staff only 'teach' 2 hours a week. So sharing is the name of the game. Usually, there is enough time between classes to make your way to the room and get set up whether that be organising the desks or simply getting your notes ready. I almost feel ill prepared if I can't have that time prior to class. Thankfully, the room allocation this semester has meant that most of my rooms are free and I can get this 'time', however, there are occasions that this doesn't happen. Clearly, some teachers run over and thats understandable...but what does my head in, is these Korean Professors who over-run, are the 1st out of the room leaving behind them all the equipment for the students to clear away and /my pet peeve/ is leaving all their crap on the board. How long would it take 'X' Professor to wipe the board. Is he above all that? Is he b______________ks. But, clearly, some think they are. And what is with this being '1st' out of the class even allowing for the fact you have another class /which they probably don't/... are your students so worthless that you do your lecture and leave, whilst expecting them to collect projectors, tape machines and or Laptops and take back to the office.
It's almost like /some/ teaching just gets in the way of their endless lunch meetings. And the students are merely heads in the classroom that are expected to listen and clean up afterwards.
Perhaps, it's a cultural thing but I actually make a point of getting my own equipment, cleaning up after myself and most of all, I actually do pay attention to my students. If they want to see me after class, then so be it. It comes with the territory.
I wonder if I should go to my classrooms hours before class and steal all the chalk so the the Professors don't even get the chance to write anything on the board. I could hold the chalk to ransom. That would show them...clean the board or the chalk gets it. I would be brutal if they didn't give into my demands. Not only would I snap the chalk in 2 but I would stamp on it as well.militant action is required.
It's almost like /some/ teaching just gets in the way of their endless lunch meetings. And the students are merely heads in the classroom that are expected to listen and clean up afterwards.
Perhaps, it's a cultural thing but I actually make a point of getting my own equipment, cleaning up after myself and most of all, I actually do pay attention to my students. If they want to see me after class, then so be it. It comes with the territory.
I wonder if I should go to my classrooms hours before class and steal all the chalk so the the Professors don't even get the chance to write anything on the board. I could hold the chalk to ransom. That would show them...clean the board or the chalk gets it. I would be brutal if they didn't give into my demands. Not only would I snap the chalk in 2 but I would stamp on it as well.militant action is required.
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