Baking...

cookies...I made chocolate chip earlier this week...made M&M today, with gingersnap dough chilling in the fridge to bake tomorrow. I'm attempting bread again--today's was a flub--Amish white that I let rise TOO much...tastes way too yeasty. Yuk. Maybe tomorrow I will try a new cookie....

Results of an hour looking for something funny to post

In lieu of all the negativity.
Yeah...I'm not that impressed either.

At least I tried.

Guilty Pleasure...

I'll admit it...

I'm a Shear Genius fan.

Yep. The reality show on Bravo TV about hairdressers.

I don't admit this to my colleagues, or my family, only Louie knows that I TiVo it (but I also make him watch it if he's around, so I guess it's his secret as well!).

But, I enjoy the passion these people have for hair and all that is hair--even famous "well-known" hairdressers (I quote that because I have no idea whatsoever as to who these guest judges are, but the hairdressers are in awe whenever one shows up...) and that passion is very fun to watch. Also, there are some quirky people on this show!!

Initially, the new host (Camila Alves) bugged me...her weird accent, her cheesey "Ciao," basically, I thought she was as annoying as all hell. But she grew on me--last episode proved her diva-ness, but I'll let it slide.

Judge 1:

Kim Vo is another I used to really like from the previous two seasons. See picture on far left...

And then he became plastic man.

And now I can't listen to his annoying voice because I am so focused on his plastic-ness and fake-ness. And it makes me sad.

But his flame-y voice is entertaining.

Judge 2:

Jonathan Antin is beyond irritating. If the show was about the judges, I would not not spend five minutes on this show...luckily, viewers only get about 15 minutes of his pompous needling.

He plays favorites, thinks his shit doesn't stink, and one challenge that took place at a record release party, it was VERY evident that he had too much to drink. He was a total asshole.

The Remaining Contestants:

Matthew is smarmy, and it was said best on the most recent episode, his "signature" look is more like "a real estate agent." He also doesn't think his shit stinks, but he has been winner of MANY challenges throughout the competition. He bugs me. Part 1 of the "super-twins." See below for the other half.

I liked Janine at the beginning of the competition. I liked her style, her spark, her awesome tattoos, I loved her talent and passion around hair, and I loved how super-short she is!

But she's MEAN. Since more contestants have been leaving, and the competition has been heating up, she has gotten meaner and meaner towards Brig. This picture is the "fake" Janine, and the last episode with her "signature" picture showed the judges how fake she is. Camila said that Janine had been selling a completely different image of herself for the entirety of the competition--one that she was buying,--but her signature look was so fake that it was super disappointing.

It sucks, because she is SUPER good at what she does, and I was cheering for her and Brig to be in the final two. Now, I just want her to go home. She is Part 2 of the "super-twins."

Jon was a dark horse throughout the competition. He was just sent home, and I was totally bummed. He is an old-school rocker dude, and he has been doing hair for over 20 years, and his rough edges were fun to watch as the competition wore down. He was real and easily flustered when the judges would hound him as he was trying to work during the killer time constraints, and that was fun for me. Everything isn't super easy and flawless, and he made no apologies for his work, rather, he stuck by it and didn't get all petty and snarky like the terrible twosome above. I am sad he went home.

I saved my favorite for last. Brig is TOTALLY weird. I wouldn't let her near my head with a ten-foot pole, but her work is avant-garde, ideal for fashion-forward, progressive, MODERN needs. She has her own weird style and quirkyness--the 2nd or 3rd episode she wore rollerskates to do hair. And she did a good job!!!

Brig is loud and proud, and is the target for Janine's venom.

Yes, I know that we don't get the 100% full picture of what goes on behind the scenes, but seriously, just because she is loud and weird doesn't deserve the rude treatment she gets consistently (by the judges too!!!!!).

I want her to win.

This took way too long to write about. That was not the plan. I guess I am REALLY avoiding grading essays!!!!

Spring Break

What I had planned:

Grade a large number of essays and catch up with my grading.

Chill, drink, and relax in Vegas.

Lesson plan for both AP and not.

What I've accomplished:

Sick, so Vegas was not relaxing, nor did I get to really drink.

I have read my book club book and have started two more books.

I think I have graded 3 mini-assignments, and NO major essays.

Lessons planned for Monday and Friday and almost Tuesday of next week for not AP.

Maybe, if I would plan to do NOTHING from now on, I would feel more accomplished at the end of it all.

I think I am nearly over the sick, but the procrastination bug just won't LEAVE!!!!!!

Today's ponderings...

Parent teacher conferences can be many things.
An exhaustingly long day is one of them.

But also, it can be a day of reflection for me. Why I don't want my own children. Why I am really thankful that I DON'T have my own children. AND, it is VERY awesome that Louie and I see eye-to-eye on the matter of children.

Don't get me wrong, parenthood is awe-inspiring. I can't believe that people CHOOSE that lifestyle. I just can't do it. I can't give enough of myself to an offspring, and while I might have fleeting MOMENTS of thinking having my own child, I do not want to procreate.

I don't see myself as a mom. A cool kick-ass aunt? Heck yes. But there are too many variables in procreating--what if I were to spawn a flute-playing, non-athlete?!!? While I have nothing against non-athletes or flute players, because of my EXTREMELY competitive nature--THIS WOULD BE HORRIBLE. I would want a stellar athlete, super-smart, super awesome child. This is not fair. Parents should be supportive no matter the path a child follows--like my colleague who LOVES the fact that his daughter is deciding on whether or not to move to the next level of ice skating because well, she really likes the clarinet and doesn't want the intense yell-at-you coach that comes with the next level. And like my other colleague who can't handle serious competition, but her husband wants a competitive sports chap, and they are just going to find a way to work it out. These scenarios give me heart palpitations, which only add credence to my ultimate decision.

I also can't even fathom the time component of spawn--loss of sleep, then all the things that come with a child--activities, conferences, carting them around until they get a license, all the nights worrying about underage drinking parties and random orgies out in the woods. And yes, if you have a high school aged student, these are REAL concerns one should have.

Not. For. Me. EVER.

I'd rather be around students all day and go home and CHILL at night. Yes, I take my work home, and my students text me, call me, email me incessantly--but they aren't mine. I am not responsible for 110% of EVERYTHING. I don't want that.

And I know that is ok. Yes, I have heard it all. "It's different when it's your own child;" "You'll change your mind when you are older;" "You really DO want kids, you are just in denial;" "Wait until your biological clock kicks in..."

And I think for a moment, but come to the same conclusion.

No thanks.

Sunny Weekend

I do love this weather. I love the mildness of it all. Spring is SUPER early though, even for the area. I don't care though, I LOVE IT. The trees are starting to blossom/bud, and I know that the seemingly eternal grey skies of winter are nearly behind us until next winter. YAY!

I have until Wednesday at noon to decide. I have no clue as to what I am going to do. FUN!

Long time, no write. Procrastinating.

Should be evaluating and giving feedback to essays and other writing assignments. I am facebooking and watching Judge Judy instead. I miss Chicago. I miss home. Got a small taste of it today though; my parents' presents arrived today--they totally spoiled me. I am very lucky. I am beyond unmotivated. Meh. I hate this funk I find myself in. :(