We saw Mission Impossible 3 last night,

and in honor of how great Philip Seymour Hoffman was, I wanted to create a personality quiz for some of the interesting roles he's played over the years. The good news is that you can take this quiz. The bad news is that every quiz-creating website I found wouldn't work for this type of quiz, so it's not electronic. But I will not be defeated! You can either use your memory, or you might have to take it the old-fashioned way and write your results on paper. I know.... but here it is!

Which Philip Seymour Hoffman character are you?

1. Describe yourself in one word:
A: helpful
B: discerning
C: observant
D: strong
E: authoritative
F: offbeat

2. At a party, you would be:
A: alone at the food table
B: running the music
C: telling a great story
D: sealing a deal
E: circulating/shmoozing
F: cracking jokes

3. Which place do you like the best?
A: San Fernando Valley
B: San Diego
C: New York
D: any city in the world
E: Vermont
F: Oklahoma

4. The only down-side to your job is:
A: boring and distasteful routine
B: no one appreciates your genius
C: the troubling psychosis
D: no down-time
E: you're broke
F: paying for gas money

5. Your favorite film genre is:
A: ensemble drama
B: coming-of-age comedy
C: documentary
D: action
E: dark humor
F: adventure


You mostly answered:

A: You are Phil Parma, male nurse in the film Magnolia. You take care of others, and are somewhat shy. Take a chance and say what YOU really want. Try it the next time you call in an order for delivery.

B: You are the self-proclaimed "uncool" yet ultra-cool radio personality, rock critic Lester Bangs in Almost Famous. You are smart, funny, slightly neurotic, and couldn't live without music. You have helpful advice to share with a young friend.

C: You are the quiet, insightful author, Truman Capote. You are tender and compassionate of those who are troubled, yet sometimes get too involved emotionally.

D: You are Owen Davian, international weapons dealer in Mission Impossible 3. You crave action and violence, and even though you don't have a conscience, you are officially bad-ass.

E: You are Joseph Turner White, director of "The Old Mill" in State and Main. You're creative and confident, but be careful--don't let the people with the money for your project push you around.

F: You are Dustin Davis, maniacal, but lovable storm-chaser in the film Twister. While some may not get you, you are the life of a party, and definitely one-of-a-kind.

My Top Ten '80s Boy Crushes....

In no particular order...

1. Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly. Really, is there anything cuter than Michael J. Fox hanging onto the back of a truck riding his skateboard in Back to the Future? If that didn't win you over, there's always his famous lipsync rendition of "Johnny Be Good" later on in the movie.


2. Richard Dean Anderson as Macgyver. Yes, he had a mullet. But he could also make a bomb out of a stick of gum and a ballpoint pen.


3. Harrison Ford as Han Solo. There are two kinds of girls, the Luke Skywalker Girls, and the Han Solo Girls. I know what side I'm on.


4. Kirk Cameron in Growing Pains. The curly mop-top. The devilish grin. Who would have thought all that promise would turn out as the lead of the Left Behind movie adaptation?


5. Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Theo Huxtable. You sure were cute while getting into those friendly little misadventures.


6. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. I've heard there's some sort-of new Young Indiana Jones. Honestly, why did they even try?


7. Ralph Macchio as "Daniel-son" in the Karate Kid. Even today, people everywhere reinact that odd-looking signature kick in the final scene. And what a final scene it was.


8. Matthew Broderick in Ferris Beuller's Day Out. And even before there was Ferris Beuller, there were WarGames.


9. Harrison Ford as himself.




and finally...

10. Johnny Depp. The number one reason to run home after school and watch 21 Jump Street. I can still hear the theme music.

Worst job ever

We got to talking the other day about what would REALLY be the worst possible job. Here are the results of our discussion:

Me: anybody working for the IRS
Nathan: the guy who collects the used grease from fast-food places
Lora: still thinking...
Stacy: a deodorant tester
Jenny: the port-a-potty guy

Chapter 13, Page 72

But just how much is that?
17,694 words
799 paragraphs
2,042 lines

A new record. For me and Violet, at least.

Tonight I started thinking about female superheroes,

and while I am not a comic expert by any means, I couldn't think of a single red-headed female superhero.

Don't worry, an extensive google search alleviated my concern for the lack of flaming-haired superpowered vixens.
Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Firestar. This one Nathan knew right off the top of his head! Formerly Angelica Jones, she is a mutant superhero originally created for the animated series Spiderman and his Amazing Friends.


2. Ginger Powerpuff. No, not a superhero per se, but a redhead who fights evil nonetheless.


3. Goblin Queen. A.K.A. Madelyne Pryor-Summers, an evil clone of Jean Grey.


4. Vindicator. A.K.A. Heather Hudson, the leader of the Canadian team Alpha Flight.


5. Nathan says Rogue has reddish-colored hair in certain lights.


6. Josie, of Josie and the Pussycats.


7. Barbara “Babs” Gordon. Oracle, formerly Batgirl.


8. Princess Python. A.K.A. Zelda DuBois.


9. Phoenix, formerly Jean Grey.


10. Hellcat. I can’t tell if she’s good or bad, sounds bad, right?

Interestingly enough, Hellcat was formerly Patsy Walker, of the teen romantic-comedy comics “Patsy and her Pals."

One of the things I love about Nathan

is that no matter what, he never judges me.

Not even when I say that what I really want for dinner is a chili cheese dog from Dog Almighty.

Would I sound absolutely insane

if I said that I am right now watching the remake of the Parent Trap with Linsay Lohan and it's actually winning me over with its cuteness?

Well, I am, and it is.

I can't believe that this spunky little red-head has joined the ranks of the trashy, post-adolescent Hollywood actresses who make B-List movies and even worse radio smut. How is it that this adorable, promising little starlet grew up to be friends with the likes of Paris Hilton?

Lindsay, if you're listening, I believe you can redeem yourself. It's not too late for you.

Family night is always

a highlight of my week.
You'd think we all would see each other all the time, (which is sometimes true, but most often not the case), so it's great to have a set-aside time just to see each other, eat a yummy meal, and watch Desperate Housewives, when it's new, that is.

Last night was not a let down in the slightest.
The show was new.
The meal was smoky maccaroni and cheese with apples (by request), and then, during coffee, we all got to talking about our weekends....

I was proud to announce that during my free time on Saturday, I diligently learned two dance routines from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The second disc in the deluxe edition (Thank you again to my fabulous little sister, the first Amy Russell) has a feature where you can learn the Agustus Gloop dance AND the Violet Beauregarde dance which are performed by the Oompa Loompas. Oh yes. I learned not one, but both dance routines. Why, you ask? Because I thought it would make me feel good. And it did.

What I didn't really expect (but should have seen coming) was that everyone would want me to perform the dance routines, right there on the spot. Well, I have no shame, and I really must say that I put heart into the choreography.

At least it made everyone laugh.
Even if it does confirm that I'm a total dork.

Yesterday we celebrated my birthday, which is technically today.

It turns out that birthdays are perfect for convincing your friends to all go out and see a movie that you might otherwise have to see alone. Case in point, The Family Stone, with my imaginary best friend, Sarah Jessica Parker.
Yes, there were one or two groan-y moments, but overall, funny and cute.

Then we all came back and lit a fire and had chocolate soup with mascarpone brioche sandwiches that Nathan made by request.

This morning, I have repeated last night's activities, including the chocolate soup, sandwich, and fire, only now I am watching movies and cuddling with the dog, who will probably hate me in two day's time when we make her fly on an airplane.

Christmas, christmas time is here.

And things are really wonderful.

Tonight we are watching "A Christmas Story" and having a lovely dinner.

There are only four days of school until vacation.

My little brother is getting married on Saturday.

And almost, yes almost, all my Christmas shopping is done.

using the magic 8-ball on my dashboard....

Is Abigail the cutest dog in the world?
"You may rely on it."
Should I eat a salad for dinner?
"As I see it, yes."
What about chicken salad?
"Yes."
Yes, what?
"Ask again later."
Have I reached a new level of boredom?
"Yes."
Wow. Do you really work?
"You may rely on it."
Didn't you just say that?
"It is decidedly so."
Am I a nerd?
"Most likely."
Are you a nerd?
"Concentrate and ask again."
Arrreee yooooouuuu a nerrrrrdd?
"It is certain."

Since I apparently don't have time to blog,

here are some updates with me...

1. I was recently made Lead Mentor at Dobie, and I have to now keep tabs on the teachers who are mentoring newbies. This is quite a big responsibility, and this week, I successfully hurdled my first problem. In the words of Kip, "Yessss."

2. Perhaps a larger shock than going back to meat-eating, I'm off coffee and on tea. It's true. It happened about a month ago when I was on the verge of a cold, and green tea was the only thing that sounded good to me. Other than the rare weekend cup, I haven't switched back, and in the meantime, have lost 5 pounds (see below).

3. I have left the Abs Diet in the dust and am three weeks into the best diet of my life, which incredibly, isn't a diet at all. I just read the book--don't laugh--"French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure." I feel wonderful and thin and not guilty or deprived. Why didn't someone tell me about this book before? The tenets are incredibly easy: drink lots of water, control portions, compensate after you splurge, walk whenever you can, and the most ironic: eat what you really love in smaller amounts, more slowly, and suddenly, you're enjoying it more than if you gorge! Ta da! I'm not counting calories, crossing-off food groups, or obsessed with weighing myself twelve times a day. Beautiful freedom.

4. I've begun adventures in sewing, something I've wanted to do for years. I basically have one really simple, yet fabulous, circle skirt pattern down, but I plan to branch out soon. As soon as Jenny can give me another lesson, that is.

Should I be worried

that I welled up with tears last night when Ryan was voted off "So You Think You Can Dance"?
For anyone who doesn't know or hasn't yet been hooked on the show, he was this super-cute, spikey-haired breakdancer. He wowed everyone with his Mambo and Salsa, but just couldn't bring it with his hip-hop, fox-trot or lyrical routine. Sniffle. Good-bye little Ryan. America loved you. And I loved you.
The question is, do I love you more than I love Artem? Or Jamille?

And for all you high-and-mighty, I'm-too-good-to-watch-reality-television people (or, for that matter, any of the three people who read my blog) do not judge me lest you be judged by any of the crappy judges on the show itself.

Can I just say

how fabulous all three Lord of the Rings films are? (Or, you may consider them one very looooong film, which is also fine.)
This weekend I didn't grade a single paper.
I didn't go up to my classroom to organize, clean or file.
I slept in late.
And I watched all three extended cuts of the LOTR trilogy.
I hope I'm not turning into some kind of a nerd?

Second week of school

and things are going swimmingly. My classes are finally down to one desk for every kid, (up until now I've had students sitting at the computer tables and around the perimeter of my room). And even though I issued my first discipline referral, I feel like the year is off to a fantastic start.

I'm taking on a few new things this year: mentoring two teachers who are new to Dobie, and teaching a jewelry-making class after school, and a knitting club (called Knit Wits) for our club days on Fridays. My students from last year and the year before are all a foot taller, cuter than ever, and love me more than they ever did when I was in charge of them. Which I guess, is the way it works, right?

the power of believing

Just watched Finding Neverland last night with Nathan, my second time seeing it. It really is such a beautiful story (based on true events) about all different people making their own family, and needing each other, recovering from pain and loss. It also is about believing and the power of the imagination.

In a world of pain and lost hope, I found it beautiful and moving.

J.M. Barie, from the film:
"Just. What a horrible, candle-snuffing word. That's like saying, 'He can't climb that mountain. He's just a man. Or, that's not a diamond. It's just a rock.'"

Go to www.one.org

to see what you can do to help influence the decisions to be made at the G8 Summit July 6-8.

"Poverty is not natural. It is man-made, and it can be overcome by the action of human beings."
-Nelson Mandela

I sat down this afternoon to work on my book.

Then I spent about 20 minutes writing, an hour finding songs that would go on the soundtrack if my book were to ever become a movie (not so much egotistical as a fun distraction) and then another 45 minutes downloading cool widgets for my dashboard.

Diet is such a four-letter word.

At least the "diet" we're regulating ourselves to right now is not really a set of restrictions so much as guidelines for what kinds of food burn fat efficiently so that you basically lose weight without much effort. Then, if you exercise on top of that, you can lose up to 15 to 20 pounds in 6 weeks. (I'd be overjoyed if I lost 10.) For men, you can burn off even more, because men carry less fat around than women. (Discrimination, if you ask me.) After the initial 6 weeks, you transition to a maintenance plan.

This diet, which isn't really a diet in the American tradition, is called the Abs Diet, and it's by the editor of Mens Health magazine, and you may have heard of it.

We're so dedicated to this new diet that we have decided to go back to meat-eating, after 8 years of vegetarianism! In the last two days of healthful eating and adding just a little bit of white meat (chicken Friday, turkey yesterday) I feel fantastic. I don't feel hungry, but I don't feel sluggish from overeating, either. I acutally have energy, and feel great. The days of saying no to meat but yes to cream pasta are now behind us.

Six weeks to go...

Today was the second and last day

for a 6th Grade Transition Camp that I helped out with. Helped out with. My college English professors would each experience a mild stroke at that sentence. I don't care about grammar because it's SUMMER!

Things to do this summer:
1. Finish my book. OK, OK--at least a rough draft.
2. Sleep in any time I feel like it.
3. Watch the BBC's version of Pride and Prejudice via Netflix.
4. Take care of my modest patio garden.
5. Get myself to the gym so that we don't just keep donating every month.