What the hell is going on in education?

I've been watching the news and reading the papers daily. The budgetary crisis faced by the Texas legislature is about to seriously impact education in Texas. And that is some scary stuff. We are talking furlough days, closing schools, cutting salaries and RIFfing (reduction in force) teachers. I don't know the actual impact in my current district (they are still trying to figure it out), but I can imagine it's going to be a much different picture next year than it is this year.

I began my career in education in 1992 and I have never seen anything like this in the 20 years I've been an educator. I thought I was in a career that was untouchable because there are always children that need to be taught. Now I'm nervous and I have constant headaches, neckpain, and stomach aches as I watch what is unravelling around me. What does it mean to me? What does it mean to the teachers at my school? What does it mean to the children at my school?

And it's not just Texas. I heard on the news today that the school district that serves Providence, RI is laying off ALL 2000 teachers to maximize cuts. They will more than likely bring some back (Ed.'s Note: WTF? Aren't there still school aged children in Providence, Rhode Island?), but this will allow them to make the cuts needed.

Don't forget about our friends in Wisconsin..... teachers there had massive "sick-ins" to skip school so they could go protest the possible dissolution of collective bargaining in that state. They had a conference day off to attend professional development, but most chose to go to the capital and protest. The governor wants to dissolve collective bargaining because of the costs to the already financially troubled state.

What does this do to teacher morale and productivity?

And most importantly, what are we doing to our kids?

The Runaways (2010)

I'm home sick today. I've been up since 2 AM, vomiting like a crazy lady. The bug has been going around the school, so I guess it's my turn. Since I haven't been sleeping much (about 3 hours a night for the past week), it's all come to blows today. I've spent most of the day in bed, sleeping and trying not to throw up again. I HATE throwing up!!

So to give me a break, I decided to watch one of my Netflix movies (which I've had since November, isn't that bad?). I select "The Runaways," which is the story of the 1970's punk rock band The Runaways. This girl band was founded by Joan Jett and Sandy West. They added Lita Ford and Cherie Currie. There were several bass players, but in the movie they were played by one character.

I liked the movie. I always thought I should have been born in 1960 instead of 1970 and this movie reminded me of that. I loved the music (maybe not all of the fashion). You see how young the girls were (16-18) and that maybe they weren't equipped to handle the fame and pressure. Cherie left the band and a few years later, the band broke up. Only Joan Jett and Lita Ford really continued with their music careers after The Runaways. You learn at the end that Cherie Currie is a chainsaw artist in the San Fernando Valley now.

If you like this time period or this type of music, then this is a great movie to see!! You'll catch yourself singing along!

Mo's Review:
"The Runaways" (2010): 4 out of 5 stars

True Grit (2010)

The Oscars are just a week away and I still have a few more films that I want and need to see. This was one of them. I hesitated to see it because I have gotten mixed reviews from several of my friends.

So I headed to the Chestnut Square today to see this movie. I love that you can do a movie and snacks for like $12 - the price is right!! The theater is not the fanciest, but it's functional!

True Grit is a remake of the film with John Wayne, but it's very different. It's more based on the book (which I've purchased and plan to read soon). It was a great story about a young girl, Mattie, who hires Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to help her find the man who killed her dad. Texas Ranger LaBouef (Matt Damon) is also searching for the same man, so they work together and they don't. Matt Damon is great in this role.

I don't really like westerns, but I loved this movie. I thought it was great. Jeff Bridges is great (of course, I still think about the Against All Odds Jeff Bridges) but I do like his older, rougher side. And it's not a new western unless you have Josh Brolin in it.

The girl who played Mattie was incredible - she is only 14? Wow!!!

If you haven't seen True Grit, go for it!! You'll love it!!

Mo's Review:
"True Grit" (2010): 5 out of 5 stars

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

I'm excited that I've been able to join a Book Club! I love reading and I love talking about books with people who love to read. So this was the first book since I've joined the Club.

I don't always like to read dog books (like Marley & Me) because they usually make me cry and get upset. I can't imagine anything happening to Maude, nor do I want to.

This story is unique in how it is presented - it's the story (of multiple lives) of a dog. The dog first is a stray and you learn what happens to him. The dog is then reborn to a new family. The dog has two more reincarnations and the last one is so poignant and a great way to end the story.

I laughed and I cried while I read this book - I knocked it out in two days because I couldn't put it down. If you are a dog person, then this is a great read for you.

Mo's Review:
"A Dog's Life" by W. Bruce Cameron (2010, 319 pages): 5 out of 5 stars

Just Go With It (2011)

I love Adam Sandler. I've seen practically every movie he has ever done. I know that he isn't an incredible film maker, but he makes movies that are funny and make me laugh. I still love to watch "Billy Madison" every time it comes on the TV.

Just Go With It is the story of plastic surgeon Danny Maccabee (Sandler) who wears a wedding ring to get him girls. When he meets a girl that he really likes, the ring works against him. He enlists the aid of his office manager, played by Jennifer Aniston, to help him get divorced so that he can move on with this girl.

Jennifer Aniston is in so many movies, but she never plays anything but the same character. I could think of other actresses that would have been funnier in this role. The actors that played the kids are cute and funny.

Do you want to see a funny, mindless movie that makes you laugh? Here it is! Enjoy with some popcorn and a beer - it's a good use of a lazy day.

Mo's Review:
"Just Go With It" (2011): 5 out of 5 stars

I don't understand Girl Scout Cookies in Central Texas....

So this is my first Girl Scout cookie experience in Central Texas. One of the bonuses is that you can start getting cookies in January, where in North Texas, you can't score the goods before February.

But I was surprised when I got the order form. I was actually confused. The names didn't make any sense to me. These are not the same Girl Scout cookies that I ate back at home. Or are they?

Let's do some examples:

North Texas: Samoas
Central Texas: Caramel deLites
Why the name change? I'm a little confused - why can't they have the same name? Why does the Central Texas name more descriptive?

North Texas: Trefoils
Central Texas: Shortbread
Okay, I was a Girl Scout in the 70's. They were called Trefoils then and they still are in N. Texas. Central Texas again states the obvious, duh.... we know they are shortbread.

North Texas: Tagalongs
Central Texas: Peanut Butter Patties
Now that just doesn't even sound good. Get me some "Peanut Butter Patties!" They are Tagalongs!! My post from a couple of years ago would not be near as funny if I had called them Peanut Butter Patties.

North Texas: Thin Mints
Central Texas: Thin Mints
Well, here we go - a name that's the same. But the cookie is thin and mint flavored, so I guess North Texas acquiesed to Central Texas here. Maybe so they wouldn't feel so bad that they have such simplistic names........

I'm sorry, as a Girl Scout alumnae, I will use the appropriate North Texas cookie names. Does anyone else think this is as weird as I do?

Rabbit Hole (2010)

I'm still on my quest to see all of the Oscar nominated movies. Since this is one is an artsy film, it's a 80 mile round trip from my house to the only theatre in NW Austin that shows this fillm. Do you see my dedication to the Oscars?

I should have known that this wasn't going to be a feel good kind of movie. It's the story of Becca and Howie Corbett (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart), a couple who is still grieving the loss of their child, Danny, who was hit by a car. Becca and Howie choose very different ways of dealing with their grief, but the question is, can they come out of it together and rebuild their lives?

Kidman (who is not my favorite actress) did a good job as the repressed and angry Becca. I loved Aaron Eckhart in this role as well - why wasn't he nominated for an Oscar? Dianne Wiest is fabulous as Becca's mother, who has also lost a child of her own.

This move is heart wrenching, but beautiful. It's accurate as it shows other uncomfortable with how to talk and deal with the Corbetts, not knowing what to say, some even pulling away from them because it's too hard to engage them in conversation.

This movie, while a sad story, is really driven by characters. These are characters you want to know and understand. And you want to know what will happen to them.... will they make it?

(Ed.'s Note: I was able to stop by Texadelphia for some dinner and some quasi for my Super Bowl watching party -yummo!!)

Mo's Review:
"Rabbit Hole" (2010): 4 out of 5 stars

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors, that is for sure. I've read several of her books and I have a few others on my nightstand pile. This is one of her older books, a book that I found at The Book Basket (Bastrop's wonderful bookstore where you can trade and buy used books, perfect for a book nerd like me!). Besides, I'm going to Pennsylvania for Spring Break and we are hoping to take a day trip out to Lancaster County and see the Amish, so this book was especially appealing to me. I looked at it as some legwork for my upcoming trip.

This book did not disappoint. It's the story of an Amish girl, Katie Fisher, who has been charged with killing the baby she gave birth to that no one knew about. It's a study of how the Amish live and believe, how the Amish and the "English" interact, and about wanting forgiveness and acceptance.

Ellie Hathaway is a big city lawyer who has taken a break and ends up being the lawyer for Katie. Her story is detailed and rich and you see how Amish life can soften the edges of a tough career woman.

Picoult does more than just tell a story, she develops characters that you want to learn more about and understand. Katie and Ellie are as different as two can be, or are they? Are the Amish as pious and perfect as we may think they are? More importantly, what happens to Katie when she goes to trial? Guilty or innocent?

As with most Picoult books, there is a surprise waiting for the reader. Those who are familiar with her books know this, so you start looking for signs along the way as you read. But it still will be a big surprise for you when it happens.

Having heard her speak and knowing the amount of time and effort she puts in her books, this one did not disappoint. I would highly recommend this book to others to read!

Mo's Review:
"Plain Truth" by Jodi Picoult (2000, 405 pages): 4 out of 5 Stars