Right now I am blogging, playing with kittens, and watching the Dodger Game. I went to an intriguing training on improving reading and writing skills for students today. It really made me think about some of my instructional techniques and how they could be improved. Only 1/3 of all students entering high school are proficient in reading! Some states use 4th grade test scores to estimate how many prisons they will need! Comprehending college texts is the number one predictor of college success as well!
We need to transform they way we teach reading in schools. Teachers are overcoming the achievement gap, poverty, and all the other things that get in the way of student learning using certain techniques. We now have “effective score” for instructional techniques that predict with a fair amount of accuracy what is a “high impact” or “low impact” activity, which was news to me. Our presenter, LeAnn Nicholson wrote the book, The Literacy Triangle. It is packed with information, reusable printable worksheets, all of it very evidence based! If you are a teacher frustrated with outdated reading and writing strategies, I highly recommend it!
I have another day of training tomorrow and then back to my classroom. I was kind of bummed today to have to go to a training and miss my classes today, but at least it was a really good one. I hope you all are having a great evening doing whatever you are doing (or morning). Thanks for checking out Bunchiesblog! Likes, follows, shares are always appreciated!
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Sleep…Aka A Huge Waste of Time
The biggest waste of time for me is sleeping. Sleep is so annoying, I have so much to do each day. It really interferes with my enjoyment of life. I mean, I lose like eight hours a day! I could use that time to pet the cats, grade papers, lesson plan, blog, stare blankly off…
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The Full Spectrum of Laziness
Maybe quitting your job in pursuit of Tik-Tok fame was not your best idea…
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George Washington: An Incredible Leader
I would love to have met George Washington. He was an incredible leader.
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Comparing Human Lifespan to Top 10 Longest Mammal Lifespans on Earth
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on hiw old I truly am…
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Momentos Frozen in Time
What we carry with us into the future can be a brief reminder of our past.
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The Big Smarty Party
Let’s be real, it’s all one big party designed to do what it does so well, keeping the poor’s lives a living hell
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Empowering Students Beyond the Classroom: My Favorite Teaching Moments
Economics can be a little more tricky as there are a lot of subject specific words and concepts that are not part of our normal lexicon.
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Its All About Winter For Me
Winter has to be my favorite season: here is why.
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There is Nothing More Valuable Than The Gift of Time
The luxury of extra time off. Teaching affords one large swaths of time off. I have become quite accustomed to this. I am not sure how I would do with a normal job with a week or two off a year. We work out butts off during the school year, to be sure, but compared…
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#Baller #Shotcaller #Cardshark
My tagline this morning listening to Queen’s “Somebody To Love” in the Virgin River Cafe would be …. #baller
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Exploring Top 10 Seafood Restaurants in Southern California | Culinary Journey
Seafood has to be my favorite food. Perhaps it is because I have lived in Southern California most of my life. I did some research on the best seafood restaurants in Southern California. Sorry if I made you hungry!
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Home Is Where The Heart Is
There is nothing like coming home and being greeted by a Pitbull/Pointer mix with one of your socks in her mouth as she wiggles and shakes her tail so much that items in proximity go flying
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Fantastic Use of Digital Art in a Comic Strip Sort of Way
What can I say, I’ve always liked a bit of mystery. I was the kind of woman who was intriguing, yet sexy.
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Choose Your Own Adventure Books…Hands Down
I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure Series of books. They were a very engaging book for me. What about you?
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My Top Three Most Impactful Books
Books that make an impact on a person can come from anytime in their life. My top three I had read before I was 25. What were yours?
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The afears of the Classroom Teacher
Teaching is a scary proposition for a number of reasons. Keeping and maintaining large groups of random children can be very challemging.
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Audiobooks Have Been. Godsend For Me
Audiobooks have become a go-to for me on my road trips and commuting journey’s each day.
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Reflecting on 20 Years as a Professional Educator: Wrapping Up 2024
It is hard to believe I have been a professional educator for twenty-years now. It has gone by so very fast, most of the time 🙂 Today is our last day of school, it is a teacher workday.
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Career Evolution: Lessons from Baseball Coaching to Blogger Aspirations
Work plays a central role in my life as I get older. I find a lot of meaning and purpose in what I do, satisfaction in a job well done, and having money to do the things I want and take care of my family.
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Survivor’s guilt
Remembering our fallen heroes theough the ages.
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Breaking Away
My daughter graduated high school last week. It is time for me to let her go on her own journey now, but it is hard.
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The Evolution of Technology in Education: A Comparison
Computers were used for learning games and word processing primarily. I remember this era well because it was when I was a student.
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Annoying The Hell Out Of Family Members With History (V.1)
Living with a history teacher can be challenging, just ask my family.
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Five Marks of Material Success
What does having it all mean? How do we know if we “have it all”. I am not hugely materialistic, but I certainly am not a fan of being broke, been there done that
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My Estranged Step-Brother
After a falling out, I have not talked to my step-brother in close to thirty years.
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An Unexpected Emergency Evacuation
Then, out of nowhere, we went from 90+ degree fall temperatures to a major cooling trend that seemed a surprise to forecasters. It rained a little bit in Kernville, but actually snowed back home. This freak snowstorm gave firefighters the upper hand and helped them contain the fire and eventually get it out completely weeks…
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Ethereum ETF Approval…Time To Buy?
Ethereum, unlike many altcoins has a limited and shrinking supply. Over time, each Ethereum will coin will become more valuable as time goes on and more Ethereum is burned. Additionally, if the Bitcoin spot ETF approval chart is our best model for what will happen if the Ethereum spot ETF is approved, it would seem…
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The Legacy of an Educator
I hope to leave a strong legacy behind as a professional educator. A teacher’s legacy can be quite mind blowing.
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Cold Weather in Southern California
It usually is accompanied by coastal cumulous clouds rolling in through the day, creating “angels” of protection from the sun.
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I Broke My Ankle Playing Softball Years Ago
I went to slide into second base and never cleared my foot and it snapped. I also managed to pull all the tendons and ligaments at the same time.
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Finding Balance as an Educator is Critical
Finding balance as an educator is very difficult due to the nature of the work.
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Blood, Sweat, and Tears
It has been a rough ride, but I never gave up and I never will!
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My Skin And Bones
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on hiw old I truly am…
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ChatGPT-5 Release Date: Discover the Next-Level AI
How will Chat GPT – 5 be iseful to bloggers? What changes will it bring? How can it help bloggers?
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Local Blogger Pines For Gym Workout
Getting back in the gym can be tough, but I am looking forward to it!
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How to Write a Fantastic Article that Will Rank
Writing an article that ranks on Google is no small task. Fortunately, there is lots of great advice out there. I hope you find it useful!
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Local Cat Tolerating Presence of Dog
It has been a struggle, but Danieres Stormbourne has learned to tolerate idiotic pitbull Panda.
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My Mother Has Been An Amazingly Positive Influence on Me
I have to go with my mother for this one. We got this crazy idea from one of my mother’s co-workers to buy an investment house in Illinois and we live in California. My mother sells real estate so she has expert knowledge about how to do this. So we decided to go out to…
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Is America the Greatest Country in the World?
Freedom is a wonderful thing, but upon reflecting on this question, I thought about this question: Is The United States the Greatest Country in the World? I encourage comments and discussion as long as it is kept civil.
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Life-Long Learning is Vital To My Career Path
What is your career plan? Lifelong Learning is vital to my career path. I am fortunate in that my job literally requires me to be a Lifelong Learner as a educator. I do have sole other interests though I am pursueing. I became a credentialed teacher in 2005 so that has been my main career…
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Spandex Nation at Fremont Street Experience Rocks
The Fremont Street Experience offers a fully immersive musical experience.
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I Skied Mammoth Mountain This Morning
We got surprised by a nice powder day at Mammoth Mountain on what was supposed to be a weekend fishing trip.
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Core Values Give One A Sense of Direction (V.2)
I went to church regularly during my formative years and learned a great deal about philosophy, morality, and empathy. Even though I am no longer a avid churchgoer, the relationships I made during that time really set the stage for who I would become and who I wanted to be.
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Top 10 Unique Holidays In The World
What do talking like a pirate, throwing tomatoes, a feast for monkeys, chasing a cheese wheel and honoring the Horned God have in common? They are all holidays that have a very unique personality celebrated across the world.
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Tough Call WordPress But I Think I Will Go With This One
I tend to be overly competitive at times, always trying to find ways to get better, work harder, win more often, and hating to fail at things.
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Pretend To Be a Time-Traveler Day
I have always been fascinated by the idea of time-travel. The crazy thing is that physics actually bears out that it is possible.
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Daydreaming About Being Productive While on Vacation
I feel most productive when I am daydreaming about being productive on vacation drinking a cold beer. There is nothing better than relaxing in a beautiful location with a fishing pole, a beer, family, and friends.
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Awesome Poem: 27 words Using Tempest
“Rain on the tinroof drowses me to sleep in a brave new world of annual thousand-year floods this summer….”
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Caturday at the cat tree
This is a submission for Sammie’s Weekend Writing Prompt. I hope you enjoy Saturday at the cat Tree
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I am not the only one that dislikes emoji’s!
Emojis kill brains. Emojis make you look stupid. And me too. All of us. I think emojis make us all kind of silly. I used to be able to put my feelings and thoughts into words quite well – in a few languages if I might add. I am a translator and an interpreter
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Six Words….No More No Less
A short poem for Debbie’s Six Word Saturday Challenge on WordPress. Enjoy!
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My Favorite Emoji is…..
Ummm….what? So I have a question for you all. for some reason wordPress wants to capitalize the first letter of every word I type. other programs are not doing this, just wordPress. Actually two questions, if you have multiple domains on your site and you go into Google console and it says you have a…
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WordPress You Will Regret Asking Me This
I love talking about many topics, most notably: politics, economics and teaching. Once you get me started though…lookout😂
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The Closest to Death I Ever Came
I risked my life going into my two teenage son’s room alone last week. It started with a desire to find all the missing silverware and dishware that has put us in a situation where we basically have to eat with our hands. I donned a mask and gloves as I combed through the remnants…
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Gap Year…Good Idea or Bad?
Gap years are a controversial subject in education. Here is my experience with my three gap years.
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Teaching is a Tough Racket
i could have spent more time getting ready to teach. How about you?
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Top 10 Superstitions In The United States
I personally am more of a rationalist, when the signs point the right way. I am in charge of my own destiny, if it is the will of fate.
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Adulting 1 out of 5 Stars Would Not Recommend
Adulting can be very rewarding and engaging, but damn it can be stressful! 5:30 AM – Did I take my medication or the dogs medication? 6:30 AM – Where are my keys? 6:45 AM – Where are my keys? 7:30 AM – Why aren’t the kids ready? 8:00 AM – Will I be late for…
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I Don’t Worry About Much These Days
Nothing really makes me nervous except a few things that I will describe more in detail here…. 5:30 AM – Did I take my medication or the dogs medication? 6:30 AM – Where are my keys? 6:45 AM – Where are my keys? 7:30 AM – Why aren’t the kids ready? 8:00 AM – Will…
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I Like To Unwind With a Fishing Trip
After a demanding day, I come home and rest…for approximately three minutes, then I have to run out the door to pick up kids, attend school events, and then cook dinner, clean the house, take care of the pets, and still feel like I am not getting everything done. If I do perhaps get the…
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I Use Social Media To Do A Myriad of Things
I use social media to do a myriad of things. Although, I tend to keep things very G rated since I am a teacher, I still enjoy using social media at times. My Favorite Social Media Outlets I think my favorite social media right now is WordPress of course for blogging, but for entertainment, Tik-Tok.…
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The First Thing That Comes To Mind
It is the end of the school day so the first thing that comes to mind is, how long till I can take a nap. Teaching and coaching are mentally and physically quite demanding. Today was a particularly exhausting day. We are on testing block schedule, so our classes are 90 minutes+ today. We did…
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I Met a Political Refugee While Hiking in the Alps
I met a tall bald headed middle aged man on vacation in Switzerland while hiking in the Alps. He was carrying around a laptop, which was kind of strange given the remoteness of the location. My mother had taken me on this trip and he started chatting her up, or maybe the other way around,…
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Working Out In The Morning Makes a Big Difference
The decision to work out in the morning consistently has helped me immensely. It can be hard to get out of bed and get my ass in the gym, but the benefits far outweigh the costs.
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I Would Never Want To Find Myself In Prison
Prison sounds like an absolute nightmare. I definitely do not want to find myself in one! What is a place you do not want to visit?
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Savor the Sea: Top 10 Seafood Restaurants in Southern California
Seafood has to be my favorite food. Perhaps it is because I have lived in Southern California most of my life. I did some research on the best seafood restaurants in Southern California. Sorry if I made you hungry!
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Top 10 Places in the World to Retire: Your Guide to Serenity and Adventure
Retirement in the U.S. right now could be very expensive. On my daily prompt-I wrote about retiring and it got me thinking about where the best and least expensive places to retire were, so with help from Chat GPT compiled this list and gave an analysis. Enjoy!
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What Did I Learn in High School?
Like you mean today (I teach high school)? I joke around with my students that I am in my 24th year of high school. I tell them I have been institutionalized….I no longer understand the walls outside of the high school. Some days it feels as though this is true.
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Hopefully Done Working Unless I Want To Work
Ten years will be a magical time for me, good Lord willing…I will be retiring! I have a pension that I will get to collect, plus well…there’s that pension!
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Pets Bring Me Great Happiness
Human friends are awesome, don’t get me wrong, but pet friends bring me great happiness as well! What brings you happiness?
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A Blogpost a Day Keeps The Doctor Away (V.2)
Positive changes can take many forms. The one that I really have noticed a big impact from is….blogging! What are some positive changes you have made recently?
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Like You Mean What I Learned Today? I Feel Attacked!
Like you mean today (I teach high school)? I joke around with my students that I am in my 24th year of high school. I tell them I have been institutionalized….I no longer understand the walls outside of the high school. Some days it feels as though this is true.
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Blogging Regularly Has Definitely Been a Positive Change For Me
Positive changes can take many forms. The one that I really have noticed a big impact from is….blogging! What are some positive changes you have made recently?
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The 10 Most Popular Ways To Exercise in the U.S.
I would have to say exercising with friends is the best, preferably while playing some sort of sport. I love playing baseball, softball, and golf with my buddies. The sports are fun, but the social aspect always makes it worthwhile. What is your favorite way to excercise?
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Playing Sports Is A Great Way To Exercise
I would have to say exercising with friends is the best, preferably while playing some sort of sport. I love playing baseball, softball, and golf with my buddies. The sports are fun, but the social aspect always makes it worthwhile. What is your favorite way to excercise?
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Morgan Wallen: Corrupt Celebrity or Worthy Hero?
Morgan Wallen the tribune of the country music world has been at the center of controversy of late, not for the first time. This seems to be big news on Google Trends with over 500,000 people searching for information on the topic this week, so let’s take a little deeper dive and see what is…
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Daniel Quinn Master Historian and Author
Ishmael is the story of a mysterious employer seeking a pupil to listen to their story. The story, written by a masterful historian, discusses how and why we have gotten to the current state of affairs with the natural world.
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I Think I Would Be Sherlock Holmes
I would like to be Sherlock Holmes if I could. To be able to use deductive logic as astutely as him is a life goal.
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Bearded Dragons Are the Perfect Pet…Change My Mind!
Bearded Dragons can be the perfect choice for you! In addition to being an excellent species for beginners in the lizard world, it is relatively easy to maintain and full of personality. And you need a reasonably simple terrarium with little equipment. You can easily find them for sale in many colors and patterns.
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We Could Try an All Female Army
What if we has an all female army?
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I Am Adapting Pretty Well
How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic? I was already pretty into tech, but now it has become a way of life. Technology can be great, but it can also cause chaos. We have wnough trouble keeping up with the current reality, but when everything changes so quickly, as…
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Welcome To Bunch Field Sports Fans!
It would definitely be a baseball field! I would love to be one of those legendary coaches enshrined at the ballpark with a bronze statue. If I get back into coaching baseball and have a good run, it could potentially happen at my high school because I have been there forever.
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Teenagers: Kind of a Hot Mess But Hilarious
My students provide an endless source of amusement each day as a teacher, as do my own children. High school students are always cracking jokes and playing pranks on each other. It begins at 8:00 in the morning and continues until the end of the day.
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My Students Always make Me Laugh
My students provide an endless source of amusement each day as a teacher, as do my own children. High school students are always cracking jokes and playing pranks on each other. It begins at 8:00 in the morning and continues until the end of the day.
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I Am a Jedi Like My Father Before Me…
A quick reflection on my childhood…those were indeed the good old days!
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Can We Push The Pause Button on the Tech Please?
Technology is moving very fast in the field of education as it is the world.
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I am Pretty Good About Staying On Track
During the week I am pretty goal oriented. Teaching keeps me motivated and demands 100% of my focus most days, so there isn’t room for a lot else, like eating unhealthy food or doing things that are a waste of time
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Top 10 Education Movies Of all TIme
Education movies have a way of touching us deep down in our soul. What ate your favorite education movies?
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I Wish I Had The Ability To Crush The Stock Market
I absolutely love studying the stock market, but it doesn’t always love me back. If I could have a special ability, it would be to pick stocks winning stock trades consistently.
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Top 10 Education Movies Of all TIme
It is raining today in Southern California and I thought I would compile a list of popular education themed movies. Education themed movies can be very inspiring, especially for teachers and students, which we all are at some point for the most part.
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Snowy Slopes Make For Big Smiles
My favorite type of weather is when I am out skiing and there is a snowstorm with, maybe a little bit of wind, big fluffy white snowflakes, and an accumulation of snow.
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10 Tips For Being A Fashionista Like Me
The word that best describes me is fashionista. I am really big into fashion. I have an assortment of athletic shorts that I like to wear with an assortment of collared shirts for work, or t-shirts for home.
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Fashion Icon of the West They Call Me
The word that best describes me is fashionista. I am really big into fashion. I have an assortment of athletic shorts that I like to wear with an assortment of collared shirts for work, or t-shirts for home.
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The Hardest Earned Compliments Are The Best (V.2)
There is no compliment better to me than when a student shows their appreciation for what I do for them.
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A Van, Some Bikes, and Some Friends
I would travel the country in a van, with a couple of road peddle bikes, and some friends.
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10 Tips For Improving Confidence Right Now
The most confident person I know is a friend I play baseball with. Even though we are all 45 years old and older playing in a 35 and older division, he always displays great confidence at the plate or in the field.
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Top 10 Superstitions In The United States
I personally am more of a rationalist, when the signs point the right way. I am in charge of my own destiny, if it is the will of fate.
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A Short Poem From A Very Tired Teacher
I would compare myself to a hamster on a wheel….
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Let The Bass Flow Like Wine
I have always wanted to go on a shopping spree at Bass Pro Shops in Las Vegas and bring home an obnoxiously expensive bass boat after winning an impossible jackpot. I have won a few small jackpots in Vegas, but never the colossal ones (not for lack of effort).
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Sliding on a Baseball Field With Shorts Very Bad
The last thing I learned was not to slide when you don’t have baseball pants on. It may be fun to go out and dive for a ball on your Sunday softball team, but you should remember that the ground is not all that forgiving to skin!
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Opening Line For My Autobiography
He came…..He saw….He ate cookies!
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Teaching A High Risk High Reward Profession (V. 2)
I enjoy my job for the most part. It can be exceptionally challenging and stressful at times. You are asked to do so much at one time, remember so much, plan so much, analyze so much, and communicate clearly with a multitude of learners of varying backgrounds, language levels, learning disabilities, and all social economic…
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Teaching A High Risk High Reward Profession
I enjoy my job for the most part. It can be exceptionally challenging and stressful at times. You are asked to do so much at one time, remember so much, plan so much, analyze so much, and communicate clearly with a multitude of learners of varying backgrounds, language levels, learning disabilities, and all social economic…
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My Pampered Fur Babies
It would be between my cats or my dogs. I work hard so that my fur babies can have a life of luxury
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Painting My Whole House By Myself
Painting my house was a real challenge!
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Our Flawed View of Gender and Sexuality
I would ban the word gender if I had the chance. The idea that everyone has the same “gender” because there is a word for it is so asinine given our current level of scientific understanding.
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Make Better Decisions, Use Logic My Friend
I would tell my teenage self to listen to his parents more! Guess what they were right! They had a lot of the answers! You could of saved yourself so much pain and suffering!
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An Open Letter To My Teenage Self
I would tell my teenage self to listen to his parents more! Guess what they were right! They had a lot of the answers! You could of saved yourself so much pain and suffering!
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Adulting In General Bores The Heck Out Of Me
Pretty much everything that has to do with adulting bores me… I am definitely one of those “adulting 1 out of 5 stars” type of people.
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My Top Five Favorite Drinks
Depending on the conditions and how one is feeling drinks can be quite satisfying. I think my favorite drinks must have a context to be enjoyed fully.
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The Story Of My Sole
In the mountains, I wear these to wade into streams stalking wild trout with my flyfishing pole on the Kern River, as well as in the Eastern Sierra
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Sandals Mean Time To Explore
I can judge how fun my summer has been, by how often I wear these shoes because when I wear them I am typically going to: 1)the ocean, the 2) mountains, or 3) The Colorado River.
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The Gifts That Keep On Giving (Version 2)
Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received. My top five gifts ever would be: 1) current snowboard setup, 2) ski pass to Mammoth, 3) kayak, 4) no meeting Friday’s at work, and 5) my first dog. #1 – My current snowboard setup I have had for 14 years or so. It is a…
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My Top 5 Gifts of All Time
My top five gifts ever would be: 1) current snowboard setup, 2) ski pass to Mammoth, 3) kayak, 4) no meeting Friday’s at work, and 5) my first dog
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Sleeping In In Seattle
My girlfriend and I flew up to Seattle for a weekend trip to celebrate Valentine’s Day and our anniversary. We opted to take the linklight train instead of rent a car, which was a good decision. After checking in at The Arctic Club hotel, we went to a couple of really awesome bars, The Owl…
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How To Apply Microeconimics to Budgeting
What a great question for an Economics teacher to answer! First I look at my total revenue and see if it has been maximized by making a mental Production Possibilities Frontier curve using time and hours worked as variables to determine if I am maximizing my productivity
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A House Divided Against Itself Can Not Stand
Patriotism is a very complex topic, mine grew out of The Cold War
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I Am Patriotic, But Not Blindly So….
Patriotism can take many forms. Personally, I find patriotism important to one’s life. If you do not have anything positive to say about your country, what is the point of living there?
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Breaking the Law
A few times a day I unintentionally break the law I would say. Since I am always driving and no one actually drives the speed limit, that would be a constant one.
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Let Them Say I Lived In The Time of Bunch
My biography could have many titles. How Bunch Conquered the World of Industry, or How Bunch Defined Military Strategy in the 21st Century, or maybe The Life and Times of Bunch, an Epic Saga of Love, Betrayal, Intrigue, and Candy Canes….
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Local Bearded Dragon Crowns Himself Emperor of Suburban Home
On February 13, 2024, Sandy the Beardie crowned himself emperor of his owners Southern California home. All residents of the house immediately fell to their knees and exclaimed, “Long Live the Emperor” in unison. For the past three years Sandy the Beardie had been planning his Machiavellian strategy to seize power, then the prophesized sacred…
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The Ties That Bind
At my age my parents were working hard, trying to give their little boy a good life
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The Ties That Bind
At my age my parents were working hard, trying to give their little boy a good life. My father commuted 2 1/2 hours to work each way so that we could live in a nice house.
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Campaign Finance Reform Laws Must Change Now
I think campaign finance laws need to be changed back to what they were under the McCain-Feingold bipartisan bill passed by the U.S. Congress.
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The Right Environment Would Be Most Critical
My dream home would be next to a large mountain for skiing in the winter and hiking/fishing in the summer…
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It’s Basically A Pretty Simple Process
I find my dog and start repeatedly saying her name, patting her on the belly and run around the house hysterically with her.
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It’s Basically A Pretty Simple Process
I find my dog and start repeatedly saying her name, patting her on the belly and run around the house hysterically with her…
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Driving Is Driving Me Crazy
I could use a break from driving. I feel like I am driving my life away between commuting, dropping off and picking up kids, and traveling.
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DO YOU KNOW?👇
An amazing bit of poetry, thought I would share!
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The Trifecta of Fun
My most ideal day would probably begin with a powder snow day at Mammoth Mountain, preferably at least 24″ or so riding with friends. After a hearty lunch that would definitely include chili cheese fries, it would be time to head down the mountain to Bishop Golf Course.
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My Life Before and After Children
An interesting question….I think my life can be separated into two epochs, before children and after children.
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Taxes and Phone Calls Plague My To Do List
I feel it is the responsible thing to do for me to do my own taxes as an Economics teacher, so each year I spend a weekend doing taxes.
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My Top 5 Things to Cook Right Now
I don’t always love cooking, but I do like eating good food so I have been forced to learn how to cook somewhat over the years.
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An Oldie But Goodie
My first computer was an oldie but goody!
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My Top 5 Favorite Sports To Play And Watch
I am fortunate to still be able to play all these wonderful sports!
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If I Won The Lottery
If I won the lottery I would create my own ski resort…
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The Dune Series Captures The Imagination
I just finished the second Dune book and am loving it!
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My Top Five Favorite Family Traditions
Family traditions come in many forms, here are some of mine…
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Mount Shasta And I Need To Get Better Acquainted
I have lived in California all my life so there isn’t a whole lot that I have not visited yet. I driven by beautiful Mt. Shasta in Northern California and fished the Sacramento River nearby, but would like to spend more time there. Apparently, you can get a houseboat for a period of time up there and…
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My Secret Self
I don’t want to overshare on this one so I am just going to go with Allen, my pen name, has a Scottish-Gaelic origin, although I don’t know that I have any Scottish or Gaelic cultural ties. I am not super attached to it, but do feel I have under utilized this pseudonym throughout my life. It…
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Big Matchups In The NFL Today For Divisional Playoffs
An exciting 2023-24 NFL season is winding down with divisional playoff action continuing this week. The 49ers and the Ravens won yesterday to punch their ticket to the semi-final. Who will meet them there?
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New Take on a Cold War Genre Movie
Growing up during the tail end of the Cold War, almost all my favorite movies were related to the Cold War in some way shape or form.
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Leadership…Natural Talent or Developed Skill?
I was not always a leader. I was fine with letting others…..
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Lessons From The Pitch On Leadership
I help coach our varsity boys soccer team and have learned some really valuable leadership lessons from our varsity coach.
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Why We Should Invest More In Our Kids
I would uninvent student poverty. After teaching for twenty plus years I have come to the conclusion that society should put much more into making sure children’s basic needs are met in order for them to be successful.
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Let’s Get Rid of Student Poverty Right Now
I would uninvent student poverty. After teaching for twenty plus years I have come to the conclusion that society should put much more into making sure children’s basic needs are met in order for them to be successful.
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An Unexpected Kindness In The Classroom (2.0)
I had a student last year who would come into my room every day, we will call her Lupe, and battle her way through my Economics class despite being an English Learner. I
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An Unexpected Kindness In The Classroom
I had a student last year who would come into my room every day, we will call her Lupe, and battle her way through my Economics class despite being an English Learner. I
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Fishing Poles, Candy Canes And Pets Oh My!
I live a pretty lean existence except when it comes to a few things. I have been told that I perhaps have a fishing pole problem. I tend to hoard candy canes and eat them daily. I also have 65 pets.
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Aspiring To Be A Wise Old Owl
My favorite animal would have to be the owl. I remember when I was doing my teaching credential owls were symbolic of becoming a wise-old teacher
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I Consider Myself A Digital Immigrant
I consider myself a digital immigrant when conpared to today’s youth…
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Looking For A New Creative Writing Prompt?
One day while eating lunch in the staff lounge of my high school, I happened upon a curious artifact. It had a label called “Rory’s Story Cubes” and was in the communal staff library (which means feel free to borrow and use). I immediately thought of blogging and possible writing prompts.
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How To Improve Your Relationship With Your Teen
Happy Sunday to you all! I hope you are having a fantastic day! After a busy week of teaching, I am reminded of the importance of building a strong relationship with my students at the beginning of the year.
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A Long Life…Blessing or Curse?
Living a long life could be a blessing or a curse depending on the quality and happiness of that life. One could live a long life full of : anger, resentment, pain, regret, loneliness, and sorrow. In this case, I would say it is not something to be desired.
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Life Gives Us Choices Everday
The choices we make define us…
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Time…Our Most Valueable Commodity
There is never quite enough time. I wish I could have more time each day for work and play.
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Start Saving Money When You Are Young
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you are having fantastic start to the New Year! Here are some of my thoughts on saving while young, enjoy!
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How to Use the Past to Inform the Present
I spend more time thinking about the future these days. I have a lot of goals that I want to accomplish and I think the happiest days of my life lie before me. I think I have dealt with most of my inner demons, or at least made enough peace with them that they keep their distance.
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The Gift of Time is Invaluable Right Now
The greatest gift someone could give me would be more time…and maybe more energy to go along with it. Time is our most precious resource, certainly something I never have enough of
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Education has been a Cornerstone of My Life
I moved to Mammoth Lakes after graduation with a friend as I guess what would today be called a “gap” year. One year turned into four and by the time my time up there was over I had met my first wife and she was pregnant.
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How To Link To Another Blogger’s Site in WordPress
I made a youtube video on how to link to another person’s blog! Check it out!
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At Least an Hour a Day of Play For Adults Recommended!
…Sports have always been my number one form of play. When I was younger, everything fun happened outside. Being inside the house was boring, almost a punishment….
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My Biggest Challenges Right Now
It has been a rough ride the last four years since my divorce in a lot of ways, but I feel like the struggles have made me stronger.
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2023’s Most Amazingly Easy TikTok Trends Revealed: Watch Your Followers Multiply Right Now!
Looking to blow up on Tik-Tok? Look no further, here is a list of the Top 20 Trends on Tik-Tok for 2023 thus far!
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I Get Super Nostalgic About Memories of my Kids
….I will go to a place that I used to take them when they were very young and I can see them playing on the playground equipment or hiding under the clothing racks at a department store…
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The Ripple Effect: Positive Teacher-Student Relationships and Lifelong Learning
…When I wake up in the morning and I don’t want to workout, I remember this. I remember how good it feels to have a large reservoir of energy to dive into for my students (last semester I had 215 counting my soccer class). I think about the example I am settling for them, the stories I…
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The Knights of Ni Will Reign Supreme!
If the players do not like a call by the referee they will shout “Ni” at them to voice their displeasure. During halftime, herrings would be launched into the crowd using slingshots…
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My Political Spectrum Can Best Be Described As An Adventure
Moving away from home and living in less privileged communities, I realized that a lot of what I had been taught as a youth was simply not true.
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The Mansion in “Alien Covenant”…My Ultimate Site For Inspiration
The house featured in “Alien Covenant” would be an ideal setting for me to write from, without the creepy A.I. David or his creator, Mr. Waylan 🙂
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Resonance and Dissonance: Navigating the Dual Essence of Music
Introduction: In the grand orchestra of existence, music emerges as both a saviour and a spectre, weaving through the tapestry of human emotions….
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Teaching Forces One To Unlock Their Creative Potential
I never really considered myself that creative of a person growing up, but it has turned into one of my major strengths. Teaching has really shown me this over the years…..
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The Biggest Influences In My Life
The biggest influences in my life are surprise…my family and friends. My mom has always been my “rock” in life through all the storms that have come our way.
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Three Keys To Spotting Liars
As a professional educator, I believe I have become fairly adept at judging character, especially catching people in lies.
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The 5 Funnest Things to do in Southern California During Winter
Southern California in winter offers many fun activities to the visitor and resident alike.
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The 5 Best Cookies: Change My Mind
What are your favorite types of cookies? Here are mine!
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How I Use Kai’Zen To Evaluate My Life
I had a really good Economics teacher in high school who explained the Japanese business model, Kai’zen to us and it really stuck with me
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Artificial Intelligence In Classrooms: Good or Bad?
What will the role of artificial intelligence in education be?
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William Blake Exhibit, the (OB) Original Blogger at the Getty Los Angeles on Display Now
William Blake, a controversial yet idealistic painter/poet of the late 1700’s gives us a window into his mind with his illustrations and poems. I could not help but think that if Blake were alive today, he would probably be a blogger!
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My First Day As A Teacher
Imagine walking into a classroom, not as a student anymore, but as their teacher with very little experience with children under your belt. It was gut check time for me, time to see if this would be my career or not.
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An Introvert’s Guide to Public Speaking To Apply Now
…Even though I know that my skills are solid, the nerves can still turn my meetings into less than what I want them to be….
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The Best Five Physical Exercises to Do Now
Fishing may or may not technically be considered exercise, but it is always my excuse to get into the outdoors and recreate….
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How To Earn My Admiration
I see the way parents care for children, siblings for one another, strangers helping others, compassion for the less fortunate, and the great lengths individuals go to help others, even at their own detriment.
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Panda… the Dog Who Stole My Heart
Panda had a reputation for being a high-energy dog. As a Pittie-Pointer mix, she boasted an extremely athletic frame. Everyone seemed to like Panda, but they also had to hide from her because she could be “a little bit much” at times.
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The Importance of Quality After-School Programs for Students of All Ages
Having quality after-school programs makes sense for all students: socially, emotionally, and economically.
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Ren and Stimpy on Nickelodeon Still Cracks Me Up
I have had a lot of favorite cartoons over the years, but the one that really sticks in my mind is Ren and Stimpy. If you have never seen this cartoon it is ridiculous and hilarious.
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Renaissance Art Never Ceases to Amaze Me
When it comes to artists, I think of painters, and my favorite painters are from the Renaissance period in Europe. The Renaissance came on the heels of The Black Death which greatly weakened ….
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A House Divided Against Itself Can Not Stand
At the end of the day, no one wanted the Soviet Union to win the Cold War as that would mean an end to our very way of life.
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Post-Pandemic Learning Tops the Charts For Me Right Now
Hi there dear reader, I decided to write about post-pandemic teaching and learning as a positive event that has occurred in the last year. check it out if you have a moment! What has been your experience with this?
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Productivity Optimisation | Your Chronotype for a More Efficient Day
New reaearch suggests that our individual vibration may have an impact on pur productivity. Take the chronotype quiz inside the article to find put yours!
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Unconditional Love: The Extraordinary Bond Between Pets and Their Owners
Unconditional love: the extraordinary bond between pets and their owners, a bond for life, a bond for sailing the rough seas of life, transforms the lives of both pets and owners….
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Not As Many As I Would Like
I live in a pretty dry area near Los Angeles so we don’t see a ton of wildlife, unless you count all the strange people that come out at night in Hollywood. We have a nice mix of crows, like lots of crows, like murders upon murders upon murders of crows
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Yellowstone National Park Fills The Soul With Wonder
My favorite place I have visited would have to be Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone gets a lot of hype from people, but it certainly lives up to it.
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Five Things I am Good At
I tend to connect deeply with nature, specifically animals, probably owing to pastoral history of my family. I think this is my strongest attribute as a leader and an educator.
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My Hardest Decision in Life
My hardest decision took place during my teenage years…
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William Blake Exhibit, the (OB) Original Blogger at the Getty Los Angeles on Display Now
William Blake, a controversial yet idealistic painter/poet of the late 1700’s gives us a window into his mind with his illustrations and poems. I could not help but think that if Blake were alive today, he would probably be a blogger!
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Thankful
A positive poem to start the day…
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No Sleep-Land Sounds Great, Unless I Had a Toddler
What if we didn’t sleep, but we had to watch at least one Disney movie every night? How long till we would run out of Disney movies? Would we need a lot more calories?
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My Writing Staff is Invaluable
Sharing ones life with animals is a wonderful thing. My pets have become my staff writers and administrative assistants for my blog.
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The Mountains Will Always Be Home To My Soul
The mountains will always be home to my soul…
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Nothing Like Some Down Home Cooking
I love some down home cooking…
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Amazing Black Friday Deals on Amazon: It’s Going Down!
I am doing some Christmas Shopping today online today because Amazon has some fantastic deals with my personal recommendations…
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Jackie Robinson: An American Legend #42
Jackie Robinson would be the historical figure I would most like to meet…
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It Depends On The Situation
I depend on my instincts differently in different situations…
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Six Reasons Why Your Kids Should Consider Trade School Now
Embracing the role of a lifelong learner is a commitment to continual growth, adaptability, and the pursuit of knowledge throughout one’s life….
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How To Create Lifelong Learners Right Now
In a world characterized by perpetual change and an ever-expanding pool of knowledge, the concept of creating lifelong learners has emerged as a guiding principle for personal and societal growth….
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How to Embrace Life-Long Learning Right Away
But what exactly does it mean to be a lifelong learner, and why is it considered a key to a healthy and fulfilling life?
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A Bit of International Flavor
A local market has really captured my interest of late due to the wide selection of healthy eating options…
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First Impressions Are Vital For Teachers
First impressions can make or break a school year.
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I Am Reading A Couple Of Books Right Now
I am reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and Prequel by Rachael Maddow at the momemt…
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California’s Central Coast Would Be Amazing
California’s Central Coast has an ideal climate and ample options for recreating.
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The Hidden Gem of Youth: A Tale from the Past
When I was maybe seven years old, I thought I had found the motherlode of diamonds because my friends and I had found some rather large rocks with a lot of quartz in them.,..
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A Chance Encounter
I had the privilige of serving Mila Jolovovich during my restaur ski bum days….
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The Hidden Gem of Youth: A Tale from the Past
When I was maybe seven years old, I thought I had found the motherlode of diamonds because my friends and I had found some rather large rocks with a lot of quartz in them.,..
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Unconditional Love: The Extraordinary Bond Between Pets and Their Owners
Unconditional love: the extraordinary bond between pets and their owners, a bond for life, a bond for sailing the rough seas of life, transforms the lives of both pets and owners….
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Screen Time Can Be Tough To Manage
Managing screen time can be quite difficult…
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Predictions….Three Years From Now
Three Years from Now….the predictions!
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Empowering Minds: The Impact of Science in My School Life
My favorite subject in school, when I was younger, was definitely Science, specifically Geology. Science always captured my imagination in ways that exceeded other subjects….
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Monty Python Day Should Be A Global Holiday
At lunchtime, every workplace would have a cart go through the hall for, “Bringing out of ye dead…..
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The Endless Search for Meaning
Searching, so desperately searching each and every day Like a rat in a cage, sniffing the edges, whiskers on the glass
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The Past Haunts Us All to One Degree or Another
I was always at one party or another, living a crazy life, but I always put away a little bit of my efforts towards a better future, which really paid off for me.
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The Importance of Quality After-School Programs for Students of All Ages
Having quality after-school programs makes sense for all students: socially, emotionally, and economically. I added some extra resources onto this one!
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Ancient Astronaut Theory Fascinates Me Right Now
The historical event that fascinates me the most is the building of ancient sites around the world. I am going to admit, I am a huge fan of the series, “Ancient Aliens” ….
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The Importance of Quality After-School Programs for Students of All Ages
Having quality after-school programs makes sense for all students: socially, emotionally, and economically.
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Protecting Small Pieces of Our Most Pure Selves
As adults, we are taught to hold our tongues, bottle up our feelings, and be mindful of how others might feel……
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Three Wishes, One Lamp: Unveiling the Magic Genie’s Powers
World peace is badly needed, but we are spinning out of control at the moment.
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Panda… the Dog Who Stole My Heart
Panda had a reputation for being a high-energy dog. As a Pittie-Pointer mix, she boasted an extremely athletic frame. Everyone seemed to like Panda, but they also had to hide from her because she could be “a little bit much” at times.
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An Ode to Panda-Pandalones, my Bestie
Panda had a reputation for being a high-energy dog. As a Pittie-Pointer mix, she boasted an extremely athletic frame.
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The Best Five Physical Exercises to Do Now
Funny you should ask WordPress! I just tried surfing today for the first time at the ripe old age of 46….
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A Historian Finds New Interest in Technology
When I lived in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, in every direction, there was unexplored territory that changed with each season often dramatically….
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50 Great Recipies to Try at Home Right Now
My favorite types of foods have changed a bit of late as I have moved away from a meat based diet. Here are my current top five favorite foods….
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The Straight Outta Fall Break Smoothie
Smoothies can be loaded up with all kinds of different stuff. Right now I am currently hooked on my “Straight Outta Fall Break” strawberry banana peach smoothie. ….
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No One Really Sees Me, Invisible Illness Poetry
I read this today and it moved me. It reminded me how many people suffer just going through an ordinary day…
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We Didn’t Start the Fire…..
I remember people walking on the defunct Berlin Wall, hugging, high-fiving, celebrating the end of one of the most brutal authoritarian regimes of all time….
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Should I Try Helicopter Snowboarding?
“This was my first exposure to helicopter skiing. It absolutely blew my mind that people could ride a helicopter up to the top of a mountain, jump out, and ski down whatever direction they chose….”
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Blogging Has Become My Favorite Pastime
Blogging has become a major side project for me…
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Science and Religion Lead Us To The Same Place
Science and religion, offen at odds, seem to be leading us to some of fhe same conclusions….
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The Full Spectrum of Laziness
… Your fingernails look like a vampire’s, but you think it’s cool so why not keep going?
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Justin Turner Comes to Mind When I Think of a Successful Person
“When he came to Los Angeles from the New York Mets, he was considered a part-time player. He showed a lot of potential, but could never quite put it together to be a full-time starter.”
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Don’t be Like Ken and Karen!
I would like to take this opportunity to define a good neighbor by defining what a bad neighbor is, namely, my neighbors, we will call them Ken and Karen.
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Surfing Would be an Awesome Sport to Try
I have always wanted to try surfing. I have used boogie boards, body boards, and skim boarded, but never surfed.
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Living a Good Life With Good Values (Version 2)
What principles do I live by? Well, that is a good question…I believe a bad day fishing beats a good day at work…..I believe in helping people up, not giving them handouts.
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Local Man Feels Triggered By Writing Prompt (Version 3)
I feel attacked! I put off things way too much!
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It Would Be Hard to Turn Down Exploring the Cosmos
I would like to attempt being an astronaut if guaranteed not to fail. Ever since I watched the first Star Wars, space truly captured my imagination….
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To Master One’s Self in the Here and Now is a True Accomplishment
The hardest personal goal I have set for myself is self-mastery. It took me a while to figure out that if I was going to be successful….
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Painting the Path of Knowledge: My Love for Renaissance Art and Education
When it comes to artists, I think of painters, and my favorite painters are from the Renaissance period in Europe. The Renaissance came on the heels of The Black Death which greatly weakened ….
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From Sandlots to Stadiums: How Baseball Became My Lifelong Passion
“It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.” – Field of Dreams
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Life is More Than Just Material Things
Losing all my possessions would be a difficult and humbling experience, but there is more to life than….
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Don’t Just Follow the Leader…Be the Complete Leader!
I was not always a leader. I was fine with letting others…..
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The Best Thing About Teaching History…Change is the Norm for a Historian and History Teacher
Teaching history leads me to ponder the lives of many historical figures. Many of which I have profound admiration for…
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My Top Three Changed Historical Understandings
Being a historian and a history teacher at that, it is not uncommon for me to walk away with many new understandings over the course of a day. ..
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A Teacher Story for World Teacher Day
Since it is Worldwide Day of the Teacher, I thought I would recount a teaching story for this one. I felt pretty out of place the one day I substituted at an elementary school when I was exploring the teaching profession.
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The Global Impact of Teachers: World Teachers’ Day Insights
Education is the cornerstone of human progress, and at the heart of every great education system lies dedicated and passionate teachers.
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Thanks for the love fellow bloggers!
I reached this milestone today! Thank you for all the support and encouragement!
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The Diplomatic Mission of the Soldier
I found this an interesting take on the role of military personnel and the importance of cultural literacy.
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Escaping One Self-Imposed Prison
Once upon a time in a bustling city, there lived a man named Daniel. He was a tech-savvy individual, always at the forefront of the latest gadgets and gizmos. His days were filled with the hum of electronics….
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If I Could Just Hit My Driver Straight!
I would like to learn the skill of having a near perfect swing with my driver in golf. All my other clubs I hit really well, but the driver always is an issue. …
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The Importance of Prioritization in Achieving Your Goals
I could pay more attention to a lot of things in my life. There is honestly never enough time for me to do everything to the degree of excellence that I would like to find…..
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Going Back to Reality Tomorrow
My number one priority tomorrow will be getting home from our staycation at Sequoia National Park and getting ready for work Tuesday
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From Sweat to Satisfaction: The Inherent Value of Hard Work
Hard work gives me a sense of accomplishment that keeps me motivated. Hard work takes me from sweat to satisfaction!
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Unlocking Success: How to Cultivate a Resilient Growth Mindset
I like the growth mindset I have developed, especially over the last few years. This is something…
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A Random Sock Makes Impressive Showing in Local Caucus
Randomsock for pres 2024
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A Bad Day Fishing Beats a Good Day at Work
Despite some moderate seasickness, I enjoyed a beautiful sunrise on Sunday from our chartered fishing boat….
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Three Timeless Voices of Equity in American History
Article describing the author’s three favorite American History figures. Includes links to famous quotes and other site biographies.
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Unlock the Secrets of the Past: Why Studying History is the Ultimate Life Journey
History truly is the best teacher. An arguement for why studying history matters…
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Time With Parents Should be Cherished
I wish I had more time to spend with my parents….
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Artificial Intelligence and Technology in General Fascinate Me
I think the main topics I would like to be more informed about would be artificial intelligence and technology in general….
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An Ode to Music
An ode to music, a short poem musing on a life potentially without music…
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Time With the Family is Always Best
Holidays are always fun. Being an educator, it is quite a luxury to have all the school holidays off.
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Has Anyone Else Failed at Cooking Top Ramen?
The list is long WordPress….most epic fail would be when I almost burned the house down making Top Ramen…..
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Warning: Reading This Blog May Lead to Instant Food Cravings – My Top 5 Picks
This list has shifted a bit since I have gone more plant based diet….
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Running and Walking, an Essential Component to Personal Fitness
Walking and running are essential parts of my fitness routine….
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Don’t Just Follow the Leader…Be the Complete Obvious Leader!
I was not always a leader. I was fine with letting others…..
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Improving Reading and Writing Instruction One Day at a Time
Right now I am blogging, playing with kittens, and watching the Dodger Game. I went to an intriguing training on improving reading and writing skills for students today.
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My Ideal Week….Win the Lottery and Give it all Away
Monday of my ideal week would start with a win of the Super Lotto here in California, when it is just north of $1 Billion dollars….
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Local Cat finds it Exhilarating to Catch First Mouse
Dani caught her first mouse today….
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Greatness on the Field Complemented by Greatness off the Field
Greatness on the Field Complemented by Greatness off the Field usually complement each other….
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Photograph of the Day Challenge
The Quail Fire (2022) burned away the guardrails up to my favorite fishing spot last August. The road going up there has been closed since then. I noticed this week that the construction signs were gone. This morning, I got up early headed out the door to go fish, unsure whether the lake road up…
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My Top Five Ways to Relax
I am a very active person, so I guess it is not all that surprising that most of my things I do to relax involve activities. Nature for me is the great healer, finding some way to interact with nature, usually provides me with great joy. Not to say that I don’t enjoy time spent…
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Navigating Workplace Challenges: My Experience in a School District
I am holding a pretty big grudge against our school district right now. They offered our union a 0% C.O.L.A. in the first round of negotiating our contract this year.
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Wordless Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday – Kern River, California 9/3
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The Nostradamus Cat
My cat typed this message on my computer. What does it mean?
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Unlock the Secrets of the Past: Why Studying History is the Ultimate Life Journey
I have traveled to Europe twice which from a “farthest from home” perspective would be the farthest in miles, however, I want to write about my intellectual journey through history as the topic of this post.
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Life or Death, a Short Poem
What comes to mind when you think about impartiality?
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Savoring Life’s Sweet Moments: 5 Things That Never Fail to Make Me Smile
Joy can be a difficult thing to find at times with all the trials and tribulations of life. Some of my most joyful moments have come on the back end of great sorrow, disappointment, and difficulty. I don’t know if you can have one without the other. To truly understand joy, you must understand some…
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Jimmy Buffett Goes to the “Margaritaville” in the Sky
Jimmy Buffet, famed singer, died at the age of 76 on September 1st, 2023 from complications related to cancer. He left behind….
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Feeling Pretty Pumped
“Those days when you get up early, you work hard, even though you don’t feel like it, that is actually the dream” Kobe Bryant
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Plant Based Diet
I highly recommend trying a plant based diet.
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Sunset Reminds me of the Mysteries and Beauty of Life
Sunset reminds me of the mysteries and beauty of life when I take the time to appreciate it. Living near the beach in Los Angeles, the sunsets that can be seen there, perhaps rival any other. The different hues of pink, orange, purple, and blue going off into a near sighted infinity until they meet…
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How to Build the Ideal City of the Future Now
The ideal city of the future should be designed following the guidelines of “The Venus Project”. “The Venus Project” is a non-profit organization that has been working to bridge the gap between humanity and economic growth/development in a sustainable way.
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My Mother’s Desire For Me To Have A Normal Life
Where did your name come from? My parents were hippy folkish. My father wanted to name me Moonbeam or Starlight and a host of other strange names. Lucky for me, the final decision was up to my mother who chose a somewhat normal name for me….Michael! Her family practiced Catholicism. Michael, the name of God’s…
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Mindset is Everything, Motivation Comes and Goes!
Keeping a positive mindset, where you know ultimately the only person that can defeat you is yourself, motivates me more than anything.
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How To Plan For Emergency Preparedness Or Just Have A Lot of Fun Thinking About It
How to plan for emergency preparedness is very important in this crazy world we live in. How would you prepare for an emergency?
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Do You Know What I Mean?
This is kind of a tough one…..but I would have to go with “you know” as a phrase. I catch myself using it all the time and it drives me crazy, but it is very handy as a colloquial saying. I hear so many “you know’s” a day that I really start to doubt whether…
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Thanks for the love y’all! I can’t say enough about how much I enjoy this diverse and thoughtful community.
Thanks for the support!
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Finding Peace…Discipline Equals Freedom
What brings you peace? Getting up early and “putting the work in”. I feel a deep sense of pride when win that all important first battle of the day with the snooze button. Some days, it is getting to work before anyone else, sometimes working on my personal well being through weight training, yoga, or…
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Stock Market Trends For Investing….By ChatGpT Acting As A Humorous Leonardo Dicaprio
I have been playing with Chat GPT the last few weeks and have began the new science of, “prompt engineering” otherwise known as laughing at (or with just in case machines take over the world) what Chat GPT creates. I was just doing this as practice, but it is pretty damn hilarious, thought I would…
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Fearless Independent Journalists: The Unsung Heroes of Democracy
I admire journalists who speak truth to power. Large corporations, governments, and even smaller businesses in small towns will stop at nothing to avoid having their “dirty laundry” aired.
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A History of the Famous Perseid Meteor Shower and 6 Tips For Watching This Event Tonight!
The Perseid meteor shower, a celestial event that has captivated the imagination of skywatchers for centuries, is set to unveil its luminous display tonight. For followers of my blog and enthusiasts of the cosmos alike, this is an opportune moment to delve into the rich history that has shaped the Perseid meteor shower into the…
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Helping to Leave It Better Than We Found It…The Goal Of This Blog
Picture from the Venus Project – an ideal sustainable future
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Life In An Alternate Universe……A New Beginning
Describing an alternate universe
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Party Of Eight You Say?
I used to work in the restaurant business, so this is a reflection on some of that time and why I love Red Lobster.
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Local Man Handily Defeated By Local Pit Bull in Tug of War Match
The sporting event of the decade! Man versus beast show off in a pitched struggle! Who will win?
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How In The Heck Is This Newsworthy?
Someone stole a roll of Tun foil and it was in the newspaper? I have questions.
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Will I Ever Graduate?
Another year and I know I will stay in high school…. 🙂
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How about ten things that make me happy?
A short list of things that make me happy. What makes you happy?
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2023’s Most Amazingly Easy TikTok Trends Revealed: Watch Your Followers Multiply Right Now!
Looking to blow up on Tik-Tok? Look no further, here is a list of the Top 20 Trends on Tik-Tok for 2023 thus far!
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Five Habits That Bring Me Joy
Hi there, Mike here from Bunchiesblog! I thought I would go a little more in depth than just on habit that brings me joy.
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How Does One Perfect This Art of Blogging?
It is amazing to me to think that there are millions of people doing what I am doing right now, that we are all contributing to the whole of human knowledge (hopefully).
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Leadership and Management Are Not Always the Same: How to Use Positive Reinforcement to Improve Management
Random acts of kindness can come in many forms, here I will speak of the power of positive reinforcement, especially in management situations.
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Average Saturday Night in America
I wrote this poem in response to a writing prompt titled, “Dejected”. I sought to illustrate the disconnect between families in modern times.
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Turning the Page on Your Child’s Childhood… A Bittersweet Day
Today I registered my daughter for her senior year in high school. It sounds cheesy, but I remember when she was just a tiny little thing crawling on the floor, banging on things and laughing. Now we are worried about what classes to take, driving, and college. Seventeen years ago, I also started my full-time…
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Please Allow Me To Introduce Myself
My mission statement? Let me know what you think.
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Can We Bring Back Dinosaurs… Should We Bring Back Dinosaurs?
Can we bring back dinosaurs? This theme has been explored in depth in the famous Jurassic Park movies, but can we actually do it? I happen to of stumbled upon a lecture at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles about just this question a few years ago and what they said was quite interesting.
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Flight of Fancy: Jetting Off to My Beloved Dual Destinations
The short answer; New Zealand and China would be my two choices to visit if I had a plane tickets to any two destinations.
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My Three Keys for Mental and Physical Well Being
I think maintaining health and well-being differs in some ways from person to person, but there are some basic things that are important for everyone. So here are: My Three Keys for Mental and Physical Well Being.
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Hoping to Cross One Off the Bucket List….Dreams of an Endless Winter
I am hoping to do an “Endless Winter” next year by skiing both North and South America.
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Confronting Capitalism: How the World Works and How to Change it
How can we as a society change fast enough to survive the next 100 years?
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Best Music at Work…..Keeping Your Mind Focused and Spirit Happy
The short answer: lots of different types of music! See the long answer below!
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I Want to Retire as a Successful Blogger, of Course!
Retiring as a teacher and successful blogger would be ideal!
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My Top Five Favorite Games Now and Why I Love Them
Games have always captured my imagination. I do not think there is a day of my conscious life that I have not played some sort of game, even if it was just in my head.
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Why Homemade Pizza is Better than Pizza Parlor Pizza
Why Homemade Pizza is Better than Pizza Parlor Pizza – The short answer, because it is a social experience when shared with family!
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Dogs and Cats……Who is Better as a Pet?
Dogs and Cats Who is Better? The debate rages on, pitting family members against one another at times, but who is really the better pet?
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Five Activities That Make You Lose Track of Time
Mr. Bunch fishing at Pyramid Lake (2023)
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Five Activities That Make You Lose Track of Time
Mr. Bunch fishing at Pyramid Lake (2023)
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Bearded Dragon Attacks Local Author in Apparent Case of Mistaken Identity
Bearded Dragon Attacks Owner. Prelim art Reports say it was a Case of Mistaken Identity.
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Ignorance, People Who do not Tip, and Entitled People….my Top Three Things that Bother Me
I think ignorance in today’s information based society bothers me more than anything.
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Kayaking in Island Park Idaho on the Snake River Headwaters….Weekly Photo Challenge (2023)
Amazing photo I took on the Snake River in June this year. Perfect weather, crystal clear water, flyfishing on a kayak in a new place.
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List of Top Ten Things that are Essential to Modern Life in the United States Right Now (2023)
What is truly essential to modern life in the United States? This is a question I ask my Economics class each year. What is the difference between a want and a need? How do we differentiate between them?
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Balancing the Need for Adventure and the Need for Security
I am currently seeking a bit of both. I have a lot of time off due to being a teacher and it gives me a lot of time to adventure, but the flip side of the coin is that it takes money to adventure.
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How to Run Safely when it is Really Hot Outside….A Guide for You and Your Dog
As a lifelong athlete as well as coach, I have had many days where I have had to practice or play on exceptionally hot days. Some days it feels like the sun will melt you in your uniform or training gear like a runny egg into your shoes. On these days, it is critical to…
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Bloggers Unite: #Let’sWinTogether! How to Give Feedback and Build Relationships Online
#Let’sWinTogether is all about increasing engagement on the WordPress platform. Take the challenge, comment on ten posts from any category, post your name in the comments section and I will follow you.
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Re-Blog – A Unique Post From, “The Rabbit Hole of Corruption”….Dinner Party with Tom McDonald and Donald Trump
From original author: Today, we’re discussing a hypothetical dinner party where we invite two controversial figures: Tom MacDonald and Donald Trump. Strap in, as we delve into the reasons behind this intriguing guest list.
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Dinner with the Sultan of Swat….The Greatest Baseball Player of all Time
If I could host a dinner for anyone throughout history it would probably be Babe Ruth. Ruth by all accounts was a “life of the party” type of guy. He enjoyed having a good time and was not shy about it.
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The Blessings of Aging Gracefully….or Maybe Not so Much?
A hopefully humorous take on aging.
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How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Quality Sleep Right Now
Falling asleep can be very hard in today’s tech driven society. Here are some tips and resources to help you get better sleep
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How to Analyze if Your Basic Needs are Being Met
Comfort to me is having my basic needs met. When this is the case, it is easier for me to pursue my goals and find contentment.
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Future By Design: A Truly Revolutionary Way Of Looking At The World
Humanity needs a better way to develop alongside the natural environment, this may be that way.
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The Future: A Scary but Liberating Thought for a Middle Aged Man
Thinking about the future excites and scares me as a middle-aged man.
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Preserving Harmony in our Relationships is Important…but at what Cost?
I try to follow the old saying, “It takes two to argue” when it comes to conflict.
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What I Would let go of for Harmony
I try to follow the old saying, “It takes two to argue” when it comes to conflict.
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Cell Pic Sunday
Cell Pic Sunday – post a recent pic and tell a story!
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Five Best Albums of All-Time….Prove me Wrong (Version 2)!
My Top 5 Albums of all time. What are yours?
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How about my Top Five Albums?
My Top 5 Albums of all time. What are yours?
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Coming of Age and Travel Experiences of my Youth
Reminiscing on a life changing trip I was blessed to take when I was 18 years old.
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The Pros and Cons of Being a Generalist
The Pros and Cons of Being a Generalist
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Romance and My Love Languages with a Little Commentary on my Leanings Toward Romanticism in General
Lightning in the Grand Canyon
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Local Bearded Dragon Unhappy With Season Three of “Alone”
Local bearded dragon Sandy Koufax interviewed about Alone Season 3
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Surgery, One Out of Five Stars
A short article chronicling my experiences with surgery.
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Vacation Mr. Bunch vs. On That Grind Mr. Bunch
My daily habits shift between vacation mode and grind mode
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Passion for Feeling Alive….Getting Stronger with Age
One of the nice things about getting older is I am less afraid to take risks.
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Local Cats Waiting for Bronze Hummingbirds to Come to Life
Local Cats Confused by Bronze Hummingbirds on Wall.
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3 Tips for a Sustainable Lifestyle
If we could all do these things, it would make a big difference!
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Anyone up for a debate?
This is both an informative post about the current Tik-Tok ban and a invitation to a “Civil Discussion” or debate. Feel free to comment, question, just keep it respectful!
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Mormon Crickets Invade Nevada Town
Article chronicling the historic invasion of Mormon Crickets in Elko, Nevada this year.
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Spirituality: Unlocking the Secrets Within
Spirituality is a great mystery to me. I think we all have some small pieces of the puzzle, but very rarely does anyone have the entire thing.
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Self-Care Comes in Many Forms
I spent some time reflecting on what the keys are to self-care for me. It is a constant struggle, but this is what generally works for me.
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Spirituality Plays a Large Role in my Life
I have had a strange but meaningful spiritual journey.
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Out of Control Golfers
Allegedly, last weekend there were two serious accidents at Tierra Rejada golf course and two DUI’s given out.
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Dave Grohl Trolling Westboro Baptist Church
Picture of the Foo Fighters trolling Westboro Baptist Church protestors while singing the Bee Gees, “You Should be Dancin’”.
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Pizza…is there anything it can’t fix?
This post is a short description of why eating pizza transports me instantly back to my childhood.
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Top Three American Historical Figures: Malcolm X, Thomas Paine, and Harriet Tubman
Article describing the author’s three favorite American History figures. Includes links to famous quotes and other site biographies.
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Is all of Them a Valid Answer?
A short list of countries I would want to visit and some recommended traveling sites. Thank you for considering a like, subscribe or submitting thoughtful comments!
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The Importance of Self Love – An Attainable Goal
Self Love is vital to being able to connect with others. I decided to make a article with a few resources including the new Spider-Man song titled, “self-love” linked in. Listen to the song as you read! Thanks for considering throwing a like, comment or subscribe my way!
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Five Secret Places to Retire for a Simple Quiet Life
I compiled a list of my top five places that I would consider retiring. Feel free to comment, share, and discuss! What is more fun than talking about travel?
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I Would Have to Say Cookies!
Cookies are the best. Homemade oatmeal raising are more personal favorite, especially when made for me by my loving girlfriend. There are so many different kinds of cookies, different shapes, colors, cookies that look like people, places, things and don’t get me started on frosted cookies! My mom makes homemade sugar cookies and decorates them…
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Gratitude
Living life with gratitude is most important to truly enjoying it. This can never be taken away.
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Unraveling the Conflict: A Comprehensive Overview of the War in Ukraine
These separatists declared independence from Ukraine and sought to join Russia. The Ukrainian government responded by launching a military operation to regain control over the separatist-held territories.
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California’s Earthquake Preparedness: Safeguarding Lives in the Shaky State
California, often dubbed the “Shaky State,” is no stranger to seismic activity. Nestled along the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire, this geologically diverse region experiences frequent earthquakes of varying magnitudes
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The Trump Presidency: A Case Study in Controversy and Divisiveness
The Trump presidency was characterized by controversy, divisiveness, and a departure from established norms.
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The Ideal Form of Government
The search for the best form of government remains an ongoing and dynamic quest. No single system can guarantee perfection, as societal needs, cultural contexts, and historical circumstances vary. Nevertheless, by combining the strengths and mitigating the weaknesses of different models, we can strive to create an optimal form of governance that promotes individual liberties,…
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Screencastify is a Total Gamechanger
Happy Monday! I am inspired today to write about a chrome extension I used today to make a video for my classes distance learning. I have been slowly but surely working my way up the technological ladder of distance learning education apps and on the recommendation of our professional development coach at my school, tried…
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Greetings visitors! Welcome to BunchiesBlog! Your Go To for Interesting Research and an Educator’s Perspective on Things
I look forward to meeting new people via my blog, having stimulating discussions, and hopefully providing a valuable service to the community and dare I say it, the world.
What are your thoughts on this?