State of the Liam

Massachusetts. As usual.

But clearly, I have been traveling too much because I think my t-shirt collection has hit critical mass.

With addition of shirts from Minnesota, South Carolina, Albany and Maine, I find myself moving more and more shirts to the "Backup T-Shirt Bullpen," stuffed into a suitcase in my closet.

Soeaking of moving shirts, I have already accompliahed a great deal of work here in the Room of Chaos, and it is getting closer to "clean" than usual. Now, I just have to deal with the books.

The plan, pending the weather, is to go to Boston Pride today and likely get wet.

Tomorrow, again, given to the vagaries of the weather, I may get to see the Portland Seadogs.

It does annoy me to no end that there are tickets available for both of today's Red Sox games, but I am not gonna gamble.

Roller skating with evilnicola last night was great fun. Thanks to hawkegirl for the invitation.

Tag-line of the week, on the new, improved "Kobolds Ate My Baby" game: "Because Babies Don't Eat Themselves."

Was up at 7 a.m. and ready to roll, laregly because I spent much of Thursday sleeping (came home sick from school), got decent sleep Tursday night, napped yesterday and had a fairly peaceful night last night.

I was hit with a "Depression of Semi-Unknown Origin" this week, but I think I have made it through.

Let's see what the day brings.

More on a Saturday morning

1. I suppose if it runs 90 degrees or hotter for three straight days this summer, I am gonna complain about the weather. Just smile at me and say, "Rain."

2. Great line from the Boston Herald's John Tomase. He was witing about Jason Grimsley and steroids and tossed out the name "Heathcliffe Slocumb, who played with Grimlsey and therefore could be suspect:

"If Slocumb took something, they were the worst steroids ever, and he deserves a refund."

3. Got a couple of compliments yesterday. A teacher who subbed for me Thursday said the kids worked during the period. )Often, they do not for a sub). The kids told me the teacher -- a good colleague, but one who has high standards -- said that as an English teacher, she thought it was great that a History teacher assigned five-paragraphs essays as assignments. (The kids are not so pleased.

3a. But the best one bears explaining. Each year, our teachers vote to give about a half-dozen colleagues a "Golden Apple" award, emblematic of great teaching. Now, I would love to get one, and I think I will eventaully.

The players in the conversation are Ms. S., who got a well-deserved Golden Apple, Ms. F., who teached in the next room, and K., a student of mine.

Ms. F (to the class): Did you guys know Ms. S. got a Golden Apple? That means the teachers think she's a great teacher.

K: "Did Mr. T, get one? He should get one. He's a great teacher."

Trouble is, K. doesn't take notes, doesn't always do well on tests and may fail the quarter.

I don't know how to take this.

4. Pardon me while I squee.

SQUEE!!!!

The prices on the Digital SLR cameras finally fell low enough, and I recently got my second stipend check from the writing fellowship. This means I have a new NIKON! Yes, a Nikon. I have been shooting flim SLR with an Olympus and a couple of Canon Rebels over the years, but now I have a(admittedly the low-end) a NIKON!

SQUEE!!!!

5. 0utward and onward.