The Results Are In...

I'm 42% freak!! This test is an actual psychological test developed by two psychologists in the 70's, unlike most of the Internet's "tests". It's really a "Need to be Unique" test. It's not that revolutionary really, but since I wasted the 5 minutes to complete it, I thought I may as well post the results.

:: how jedi are you? ::

Substitute Ranting Time

I've decided to compile a list of things that are: a) really unoriginal, and b) played out to the brink. These are things that I see everyday as a sub, and they are so old. Here goes:

• "Can I see my counselor?" This one is really popular after the assignment is given.
• "Mr./Ms. (blank) always lets us," in rebuttal to the answer No because said event is blatantly a violation of school rules.
• "Can I go to my locker?" Usually to get food, candy, or a textbook for another class.
• "I'm supposed to leave early," says the student during the last 10-15 minutes of 7th period on a Friday
• After I ask the class to be quiet, hearing this response: "Dang! He's all yellin' up in here! HAHA!" as if I'm not even in the same room.
• "YES! A sub!" as the student enters to throw their book on the desk and leave, after which they are late.
• "Are you the substitute today?" Okay this one isn't so bad really, but I hear it every period of every day.
• "FREE PERIOD!"

New Job in the Fall?

Today, I was approached by Mr. Skinner and he asked me about a position that is going to be opening up at North. This is the 2nd time I've heard about the job, but I made no mention of it before because it seemed flaky at best. The job? AEA supervision. For those that don't know what AEA is, it's "Alternative Education Assignment" (or from back in the day: In-School Suspension). Not my first choice of a career, but it pays more than I make now, offers 40 hours per week and insurance. Also, I'm still in that "hunting" for summer work phase, so as long as I can find some extra cash for summer, I'll be good. Stay tuned!

Miscellany

Before I bore you with my geekiness, go here for a good laugh (Link Credit: Dave Barry). Today I downloaded the brand spanking new version of mySQL. I setup a simple database, and soon may be incorporating it into my webpage. In order to do this, I'm going to have to write some software that will allow the database to be used _only_ when I'm online (my web provider does not host databases). I've already written the software to view records in the database from a webpage. More on this wackiness later.

Update: The database is now finished, and the web application is completely written. I'm working on a dynamic online/offline solution so that the database is accessible whilst my computer is connected. News @ 11:00pm tonight.

Frowning on a War

I'm a pacifist. I always have been, and always will be. What really bothers me about this war is that the United States is once again playing the big bully. We are going to war with a country the size of Kentucky. And the worst part? We're doing it without considering what the consequences could be. We have never experienced the terror that WE cause in other nations. How would you like to go to school or work, assuming that everything will be fine, only to have a militia come storming in and firebomb the place? We have never lived to experience war in our nation. The World Trade Center? Whoopee! That building was only 50 years old... where we're going, they may end up destroying the fragile remains of Babylon and many more historical treasures that are among the oldest in the world. Please, understand that I disapprove of Hussein's tyranny. How can someone that the Iraqi people despise so much continue his reign with a stranglehold grip on the citizens? He must be one of the most diabolical figures our age has seen. The news keeps touting and reinforcing the president's words about how this is a war against Saddam and not the Iraqi people. As much as I'd like to believe that, it is virtually impossible for a war to be fought in that manner. If we're fighting Saddam and his inner circle, why do we need 250,000 troops? I hope the war turns out like they think it will, but one thing is for sure, I will not vote for Bush during the next election. The statistics say that more than 80 percent of US citizens disagree with this war, now tell me who the president works for? It's not me. Not me.

Thoughts on Chicago...

We went and saw "Chicago" yesterday at a matinee. My feelings are really mixed on this one. The acting and singing were great, the movie was well-produced, etc... My problem with the movie, however, is the story. If you plan on seeing the movie, you may want to quit reading now. In the story, the main character Roxie is a would-be cabaret showgirl/housewife, who will do whatever is necessary to get her big break... including an affair with a furniture salesman who claims to "know" a club manager. The truth? He doesn't know the manager, and is just using her for sex. She ends up shooting him several times, and when her husband returns from work, he finds the man there which his wife is claiming was a burglar. She cons him into taking the blame (the fact that he is a chump is stressed all through the movie). An intelligent investigator realizes that something isn't right, and Roxie goes to prison. Roxie eventually forgets that she has a husband who is there for her through thick and thin. My summary of the story is this: Nice guys finish last, doing the wrong things in life will reward you, and the legal system is a joke which can be played like a $2 fiddle. I'm not 100%, but I would wager that there are alternate views of this movie since it's getting rave reviews elsewhere. I can't get past the misery of her husband, of which no resolve was made. Others might see this as a liberating movie for women, I hope not, but I'm afraid that's the case. Cheating on your husband for selfish gain, then killing that man, and in the end getting off scott-free with a showbiz career... I don't like it. But then again, I didn't like "Natural Born Killers" either. Whew, aren't you glad that I'm done ranting now?