Friday, September 25, 2009

College Picks Week 4

Good thing I have a real job.  But, lets take the true gamblers mentality and think that everything can be healed with a perfect week 4....

Minnesota @ Northwestern (+1)

Two bad teams.  I like the Gophers to be not as bad.

Cal @ Oregon (+6.5)

I actually don’t like this game all that much.  But, because I know my buddy Brent bet Cal, and my picks have been sub-par to this point, I thought I would jinx Oregon for him.  I like the ducks at home.  Actually, I really think the PAC -10 teams have more of a home advantage than any other conference, guess we’ll see.  

The U @ Va Tech (+2.5)

Some people say that it is just OSU’s luck that The U is getting better right when we get to play them the next two years.  I happen to think it is great.  I want to play the best teams, and right now, I think The U is for real, I’ll give the points. 

Iowa @ Penn St (-9.5)

The Nittany Lions “totally redeem themselves.”  Not even a close one.

Season:  6-8-0

 

Until next time, 

Saturday, September 19, 2009

College Picks Week 3

A week 2 split means improvement shown. Here's week 3...

Nebraska @ Va. Tech (-3.5)
Anybody ever watched the you tube clip of the Hokies entering the stadium and their crowd going nuts? It's pretty cool. Hokies at home.

Tennessee @ Florida (-29.5)
This is an eff you game for the Gators. Gators BIG!

Florida State @ BYU (-8.0)
I'm still not sure what to think of any ACC team. I expect FSU to keep it somewhat close for awhile, but BYU has too much in the end. BYU by double digits.

Georgia @ Arkansas (+2.5)
UGA gets a good win on the road.

Texas Tech @ Texas (-18.5)
If I had a college fantasy football team, I'd want most of my starting lineup to come from this game. A late touchdown allows the red raiders to cover in a high scoring game.

Season: 4-5-0

Until next time,

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Elementary Experiences Part 1

Just about everyday I get asked by someone how the new job is going.  It is still great, and I love it more and more each day.  Who wouldn't love their job when this happens....

Scene:  kids are involved in fitness stations and are loving every second of it, when a little boy (first grade) stops jogging when he gets near me to have this conversation.  

Boy:  Mr. M?
Me:  Yes?
Boy:  I just wanted to tell you that I love gym, and if you see me looking worried, it is because every time I come to gym I always worry that it is time for gym to end.  
Me:  Ok, well don't worry, we've got a ton of time left.
Boy:  YESSSS!!! (as he gives a fist pump and continues jogging)

It makes all the difference in the world to have the kids want to be there.  If you want to go into education, the decision of what age is a no-brainer.  

Until next time, 

Saturday, September 12, 2009

College Picks Week 2

After going 2-3 against the spread last week, I’m in need of a positive week.   I bet with my heart last week against Notre Dame, and as we all know that always spells trouble. 

Week 2 is another tough one as there aren’t really too many games of high interest, but here we go…

UCLA @ Tenn (-8.5)

I know UCLA is young, and I love the attitude Lane Kiffin brings.  With a whoopin’ looming from the Gators, I expect the vols to run it up this week while they still can.

Purdue @ Oregon (-11.5)

Not sure what to expect from Oregon after the debacle in week 1.  I’ll take the Boilers to score a touchdown late to cover the spread.

South Carolina @ Georgia (-7.5)

I was unimpressed with both teams in week 1.  I’ll take the points, and the ol’ ballcoach.

Notre Dame @ Michigan (+3)

My heart says take the Big Ten.  My mind says take the Irish.   ND wins by 4. 

Season- 2-3-0

Until next time, 

Sunday, September 6, 2009

The New Job

The best part about working at Delaware City Schools for the past 3 years has been the people I have met and the friendships I have made.  Unfortunately, many of those friends have moved on to better teaching situations for them and their families.  One would think that you would lose contact with those people, and while I would love to talk with people more, the internet and email have made it possible for us to at least share stories every couple days.  

As you know I just recently started a new position in Delaware as an elementary P.E. teacher.  I get asked almost daily how the new job is treating me, and I haven't yet found the words to describe how much I like my new position, so I just respond with a simple "great."  That response does not even do justice to how much happier I am working with the younger kids.  When I was asked on our old-delaware-friends email list how things were going this past week, I went ahead and described my day, mainly to rub it in to the others at how good I really have it.  

Before sharing that email, I'll have you know that every person on the email for one reason or another is bogged down with work, and fighting each day just to get through all the things they have on their plate.  Whether it's grad school, multiple jobs, scheduling for an entire high school that is getting new students daily, or trying to win football games under not-so-perfect conditions, I had just read a story from each of these guys that made me think "wow, I'm glad I'm not that guy" and proceeded write this response... 

Sounds like I'm the only one with anything really happening.


Here is what my day now consists of...


I lazily get out of bed about 6:15am and start the coffee and feed the dog.  I then get on the computer and check my email and read the dispatch online.  Once i hear the beep of the coffee maker i pour myself a piping hot cup of joe and take a stroll with the pup around the block.  When i return, I eat breakfast, shower, and take my good ass time getting around because I dont have to be to school until most of you guys are 1 period into the day.  I show up at 8:00 and waste time until 8:20 when I have to go out to the corner of channing and 37 and act as the crossing guard until 8:40 (and you fools complain about a lunch duty or something, HA, try being the safety patrol for a bunch of kids that absolutely cannot wait to cross the street and run into the school.  it's like holding back a drunk student section when a trip to the national championship is in the bag).  From 8:40 until 9:00 I have to say hi and give hugs to about 100 kids that come down to the gym to tell me they think I'm great (HA, fooled em).  At 9:00 i have to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and then my first class comes.  For the next 40 minutes I can tell the kids whatever I want and they cheer and run around in circles like its christmas morning.  Then I do that 2 more times, and at 11:00 i sit down for lunch.  I read emails, browse the net, and write long replies like this one until 12:55 when my next class comes in.   I then have 3 classes in the afternoon, one of which is usually kindergarten.  Kindergarteners take any directions you give them, and immediately toss them out the window and just run around the gym until they are soaked in sweat, and occasionaly redirect themselves to collectively trying to tackle the teacher as a class.  Once i shoo them off me, they run more laps until finally it is time to go and they gotta give you another hug before they leave.  At 2:55 my day concludes with me sitting at my desk and figuring out what I will do the next day, and I head home around 3:30.  By the time I reach home I'm ready for a cold one and dinner, and then hit the sack around 9:00.  


Now thats work!


Note to anyone going into education:  take the elementary route.  The kids want to be there, and want to learn.   Yes, it is exhausting to be with the little rascals all day, but in the end it is much more rewarding and much easier to come to "work" every single day.  


Until next time,    

Saturday, September 5, 2009

College Picks Week 1

There is no better time of year than College Football season.  Each week I'm going to pick the big games of the week against the spread and see how I do throughout the season.  If it goes well, I'm moving to Vegas and doing this full time (I'm only kind of kidding).

Week 1 is difficult because there aren't a whole lot of good games to choose from.  But, here they are... 

Nevada @ Notre Dame (-14.5)
I'll take Nevada and the points.  Nothing would make me happier than to see ND go 0-12, but I think they win a mildly close game.  

Georgia @ Oklahoma State (-5.5)
Wish I knew how good the replacements of Moreno and Stafford will be.  I'll take Ok St and the experienced skilled players.  

BYU vs Oklahoma (-22.5)
It's hard to pass up 22.5 points and the 20th ranked team in the nation.  But Oklahoma makes a statement early in the season.  

Missouri vs Illinois (-6.5)
The Illini scare me as a Buckeye fan.  I think Juice gets loose and the Big Ten gets a big win.  

Virginia Tech vs Alabama (-6.5)
Tide Rolls... BIG!

Season record- 0-0-0

Until next time,