Category Archives: Education

Friday, July 19, 2019 – Unofficial Snarky Friday

Posted on July 19, 2019 | Leave a comment

Friday, July 19, 2019 – Unofficial Snarky Friday

Sometime over this weekend someone will post the number of Saturdays, the actual number of days, and the hours and minutes until college football kickoff. It might be me, but it could any one of you anxiously waiting for our favorite teams to fill the weekend TV screens.

Media Days began on Monday, July 15, and marked the unofficial start of college football season. Therefore, we have the start of Unofficial Snarky Friday. Snarky Friday is where I post my snarky comments regarding college football.

Media Days is the week when representatives from the NCAA Division I football conferences congregated in front of the media. Coaches and young men appear all dressed up, speak and answer questions from various sports media outlets.

This is the time where you hear words and phrases such as:

  • One game at a time
  • Big shoes to fill at that position
  • Big number of starters returning
  • Outstanding freshman
  • Seasoned quarterback
  • Alabama keeps whining (hey I am just paraphrasing ESPN)
  • New head coach and
  • A most difficult schedule.

As you know this blog is about teams I like and teams that play teams I like. Let’s first take a look at the Big 12 – Really Only 10 – Conference. It consists of THE University of Texas and Oklahoma University, seven other schools and Kansas that prays for basketball season to arrive. The Red River Rivalry is going to be fun, fun, fun. Wouldn’t it be ironic if Jalen Hurts won the Heisman?

Now to the – It Just Means More Conference – the SEC. I conducted a comparative analysis of the Texas Aggie Football Schedule and the SEC media days. Here’s what I’m thinking:

Media Day Schools – July 15

Florida – Do Not Care

Missouri – Really Do Not Care

LSU – Happy Thanksgiving! November 30. I shall wear my 7 OT Shirt from last year’s victory.

Media Day Schools – July 16

Mississippi – October 19 – Off to Oxford.

Tennessee – Nope!

Texas A&M – Significantly biased

Georgia – Oh crap! November 23 in Athens and seven days before LSU!

Media Day Schools – Wednesday, July 17

Arkansas – OMG! Winter is coming! September 28 in Arlington with a possibility of Nick Starkle at QB!

I am not sitting next to the damn pig this year.

Alabama – OMG! Winter is coming! October 10. Twelfth Man in the Stands! And in the streets and the whole Brazos Valley.

Mississippi State – OMG! Winter is coming! And so are the cowbells. October 26.

South Carolina – OMG! Winter is coming! But the only chicken we like is the Dixie Chicken.

Media Day Schools – Thursday, July 18

Auburn – September 21 – September 21 – the first of the three A’s. (Auburn, Arkansas and Alabama)

Kentucky – Do Not Care

Vanderbilt – Do Not Care

I am not aware if football schedules are given names that parallel similar physical events. But if so, I would like to name the Texas Aggie football schedule the following:

The 2019 Texas Aggie Football Root Canal, Gynecological/Prostate Exam and Hot Water Enema Schedule

Did I mention the Aggies play Clemson on September 7?

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Alabama, College Football, college football, Education, humor, Jimbo Fisher, LSU, LSU Tigers, Misc., Native Texan, SEC Media Days, Texas Aggie football, Texas Aggies

Tagged , , ,

Tuesday, July 16, 2019 – Tuesday Profundity

Posted on July 16, 2019 | 1 comment

Tuesday, July 16, 2019 – Tuesday Profundity

Whoever said “April is the cruelest month,” never lived in Texas in the summer. Dang it is hot. Feels like being in Hell wearing gasoline underwear.

Speaking of underwear… I know; the transition is a stretch, but so is the underwear.

I was actually planning to write something profound and highly intelligent sounding today. While the day began quite well, it was shortly after I got to the gym that everything did a complete 180.

I was doing a five minute warm-up on the elliptical. Into about minute one of the exercise, I realized something was amiss among the nether region. Nevertheless, I finished exercise, stepped down and calmly walked to the Women’s Room.

I not only had my spandex undershorts on backwards, they were wrong side out. In my attempt to correct, I almost dropped my outer, regular shorts in the toilet. Therefore, I am not writing anything profound other than “Check your underwear before you go out.”

Stay cool.

Don’t Mess With Our Blue Bell!

“April is the cruelest month,” by T. S. Eliot, is the opening like of The Waste Land.

1 Comment

Posted in Education, humor, Misc., Native Texan

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Posted on July 3, 2019 | Leave a comment

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Attention Texas Aggies, English teachers, Texas Aggie English teachers and readers of all sorts of books!

I am waiting for my vacation pictures to be developed. What that means is I have been too lazy to get my pictures from last weekend’s trip to Fredericksburg loaded on the computer, organized, sorted, and resized. I only had three cameras. I know I made Honeyboy proud by taking so many photographs.

Meanwhile, these two books are a must read. They are total opposite in nature.

Melanie Shankle – Everyday Holy – Finding a Big God in the Little Moments of Life.

Melanie Shankle is a Former Student of Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) who lives in Texas. Her book was given to me as a gift because the giver said “She writes like you do.” That is a great compliment because like Ms. Shankle, I try to be humorous, clever, spiritual and religious, and often irreverent. I would like ask her though – “What’s with the glossy pages?” I have to keep tilting the book to adjust the glare.

Casey Cep – Furious Hours

If you are from Alabama, know someone from Alabama, went to the University of Alabama, root for Alabama, ever visited or driven through Alabama, and/or like Alabama history and politics this is a must read.

If you ever read In Cold Blood and To Kill a Mockingbird, this is a must read.

If you ever heard of Truman Capote and Harper Lee, this is a must read.

Now I must go and check on my vacation pictures.

Leave a comment

Posted in Alabama, Education, humor, Native Texan

Tagged , ,

Wednesday, June 26, 2019 – Go Vandy!

Posted on June 26, 2019 | 1 comment

Wednesday, June 26, 2019 – Go Vandy!

The winner of tonight’s College World Series will be decided. Tonight is Game three in the final best two of three series between Vanderbilt and Michigan. The series is tied. I am picking Vanderbilt and here’s why.

  • I have been to Nashville.
  • I have never been to Ann Arbor.
  • Vanderbilt is in the SEC.
  • Great Uniforms
    • The military look looks good on the players. In the final regional game Vandy wore an army brown and in game one of the CWS the players wore a drab olive green. It is difficult to wear a dirt brown and drab olive uniform and still be able to pull it off with red, white, and blue accessories and patches.
    • Pinstripes – I am a sucker for pinstripes. The black uniforms with gold pinstripes were outstanding. They too were accessorized with gold and white colors.

Here’s what I’m thinking. Tonight, as Vanderbilt faces off against Michigan, the Vandy players should wear Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, with a gold and white jersey and black lettering. It just seems right, don’t you think?

Win it for Gloria and the rest of the SEC!

 

1 Comment

Posted in college baseball, Education, Misc.

Tagged , , , ,

Friday, June 21, 2019 The Summer Solstice

Posted on June 21, 2019 | 1 comment

Friday, June 21, 2019 – The Summer Solstice

At 10:54 a.m. CDT today the summer solstice is noted. Head out to your local Stonehenge for celebrating.

The Stonehenge of Texas – Doesn’t every state have one?

Today is the longest day of the year with the longest hours of sunlight. After today, we slowly begin our decent into darkness until we fall back with a time change. This means it is dark by 5:30 p.m.

This is awesome because it means we are getting closer to football season and one does not have to feel guilty about going to bed when it still light outside – like at 6:00 p.m.

1 Comment

Posted in Education, humor

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 – The Word of the Day

Posted on June 18, 2019 | Leave a comment

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 – The Word of the Day

Good Morning, Boys and Girls.

Good morning, Dr. Dimwiddie.

Our vocabulary word for the day is “epiphonema.”

It means a sentence that is an exclamation, a general striking comment, or a succinct summary of what has previously been said.

Let us use it in a sentence. “What a great song!”

This, of course refers to the lovely lyrics …

“Tall and tan, and young and lovely, the girl from epiphonema goes walking

And when she passes, each one she passes goes – ah…”

Face plant cat!

Leave a comment

Posted in Education, humor, Native Texan

Friday, June 7, 2019 – Do You Ever Wonder?

Posted on June 7, 2019 | Leave a comment

Friday, June 7, 2019 – Do You Ever Wonder?

Do you ever wonder what the crime lab team would say if they had to come into your house if you had an accident while you were away?

Here’s what I’m thinking they might say upon entering my house.

  • Ooh, PHEW! She has a cat!
  • Not much of a house keeper, was she?
  • Did she have a date or is she just lazy and doesn’t pick her clothes up off of the floor? (I think we all know the answer to this one.)
  • Help, me! I’m stuck in the kitchen. To the floor!
  • Well, she did make her bed!

Stay cool this weekend. In Texas the weekend weather forecasts just post pictures of the hinges of Hell. Then again, God gave the Devil the choice of where to live – Hell or Texas in the summer. Heat index could be 107 degrees.

Leave a comment

Posted in Education, humor, Misc., Native Texan

Tagged , ,

Wednesday, June 5, 2019 – “An Uncommon Ability to Inspire Men and Lead Them to Exceptional Achievement”

Posted on June 5, 2019 | 1 comment

Wednesday, June 05, 2019 – “An Uncommon Ability to Inspire Men and Lead Them to Exceptional Achievement.”

Watch the news and see those WWII soldiers who stormed the Beaches of Normandy. They are now in their 90’s and return to the beaches where many gave the greatest sacrifice. You will see them tear up as they remember that day. They were 18 and 19 years old. They saw their friends and buddys blown away in front of their eyes. They took bullets. They will tell you they were scared, but doing what had to be done.

We owe these brave men our gratitude, our respect and most of all our freedom. He is the story of one.

James Earl Rudder

May 6, 1910–March 23, 1970

The German army considered Pointe du Hoc a perfect spot for defending the coast of France from Allied forces during World War II. From atop its hundred-foot cliffs, German guns could reach both Omaha Beach and Utah Beach. The Germans thought their position was secure. And it was—until June 1944, when Texan James Earl Rudder and his Second Ranger Battalion began to climb those cliffs.

Rudder graduated from Texas A&M University in 1932 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Reserves. He taught high school and college and coached football until he was called to active duty in 1941. He trained U.S. Army Rangers for one of D-Day’s most dangerous operations: taking Pointe du Hoc.

During the assault, over half of Rudder’s men were killed or wounded, and Rudder himself was shot in the leg. But the high ground was seized, and the German guns were silenced.

After the war, Rudder continued to take on tough challenges. As president of Texas A&M, he supported optional membership in the Corps of Cadets and helped open the university to women, despite great opposition.

When he died in 1970, Rudder was celebrated for his courageous leadership in both war and peace. An inscription on Rudder Tower, located on the A&M campus, remembers Rudder’s “uncommon ability to inspire men and lead them to exceptional achievement.”

For More about James Earl Rudder

In June 2011, Humanities Texas published an excerpt from Thomas M. Hatfield’s 2011 book Rudder: From Leader to Legend in our monthly e-newsletter. The excerpt details the Second Ranger Battalion’s first night on Pointe du Hoc.

The James Earl Rudder Collection, 1918–2001, is held by Texas A&M University’s Cushing Library. The collection includes materials from Rudder’s time in the service during World War II, clippings from newspapers, posters, magazine issues, memorabilia, and Rudder’s awards.

In recognition of the significance of Rudder’s tenure as president of Texas A&M University, the university erected a sculpture of Rudder in 1993. The statue, which was designed by Lawrence M. Ludtke, was originally located in front of Bizzell Hall, but was moved in 2009 to stand at the south end of Military Walk.

https://www.humanitiestexas.org/programs/tx-originals/list/james-earl-rudder

James Earl Rudder’s Legacy Was Born 75 Years Ago At D-Day

1 Comment

Posted in Education, Misc., Native Texan, Texas Aggies

Tagged , , , ,

Thursday, May 16, 2019 – All Good Things Must Come to and End

Posted on May 16, 2019 | 2 comments

Thursday, May 16, 2019 – All Good Things Must Come to an End

“…Math, science, history unraveling the mystery; it all started with a big bang.”

Tonight we bid a fond farewell to Dr. Cooper, Dr. Hofstader, Dr. Koothrapoli and MR. Wolowitz and all of the other fabulous cast members as The Big Bang Theory has its series finale. It is my favorite program. I hope it ends with a big bang. Thank goodness for syndication.

One of my many favorite episodes is The Shiny Trinket Maneuver. “Ohhh! It’s tiara! Put it on me! Put it on me!”

I am so Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler.

Do you have a favorite episode? If so, sing Soft Kitty.

 

2 Comments

Posted in Education, humor, Native Texan

Tagged ,

Wednesday, May 8, 2019 – In Honor of Standardized Testing or STARR This Post

Posted on May 9, 2019 | Leave a comment

Wednesday, May 8, 2019 – In Honor of Standardized Testing or STARR This Post

In honor of standardized tests, let’s do a math word problem.

How much does it cost to score one assessment in one content area in Texas?

Let’s pretend the content area is English Language/Arts, Grade Five.

You will need to know how many fifth graders across Texas took the test. Call somebody at TEA and find an answer you like or Google it and figure a reasonable sum. Or just use 80,000. That is the current number possibly held back this year due to performance. Now that deserves an F-bomb!

Proceeding onward with the number of scorers. Remember, you are only looking at costs for scoring one content area for one grade level. Ready?

At one assessment site, there are two shifts of scorers.

1st shift clocks in at 8:00 am and clocks out at 4:30 pm. This shift makes $11.50 per hour.

2nd shift clocks in at 5:00 pm and clocks out at 10:30 pm. This shift makes $12.50 per hour.

Both shifts receive a non-paid 30-minute lunch and two non-paid 15-minute breaks.

If you are unable to meet your scoring daily and/or weekly quota, you are dismissed. If you miss more than three days during the testing period, you are dismissed.

There are five rooms of scorers, plus a number of supervisors and other ancillary people. Each room has 150 Dell Computers.

A standard scoring period is about six weeks – Monday through Saturday. One is not required to work on Saturdays so factor about 75 scorers for Saturdays. Saturday scorers make $12.50 per hour.

The amount you come up with reflects the amount paid to score one grade level, one content area, for six weeks. You can either show your work or just give an F-bomb to the world of assessment.

For extra credit calculate the costs for other content areas and grade levels being scored.

Keep your voter registration card current!

Leave a comment

Posted in Education, humor, Misc., Native Texan, Politics

Tagged