Commas, who need them? Well besides panda bears?

I tend to suck at using commas. Either I use too many or none at all. There seems to be no middle ground. I think besides the lowly semicolon commas are the most misused grammatical mark there is. I once bought the adult version of Eats, Shoots & Leaves for Said Woman* for a birthday present as more of a joke than anything. Being she is a technical writer I am thinking she doesn't need help in the use of commas. When perusing the book store the other day I saw the newly released kid version of the book. I have to say I love it and might just use it in a future lesson. While standing there reading the book I obviously thought of Said Woman*. I would have given her the children's book instead, if it was out. I tend to believe that children's books can more easily teach a lesson than a complicated adult book. While reading the book and thinking about Said Woman* I WONDERED what happened to the book I gave her. I wrote a nice little note in it (another habit of mine that I was recently told make people cry) about how nice it was to be getting to know her. After all that is why I bought her a book, it is kinda hard to write on the side of most regular birthday gifts. That was the last date we went on. So I'm curious, what ever happened to the book. Is it on the shelf next to her bed with her new husband in it? Is it in a box of departing boyfriend gifts? Did she donate it to a library sale, which makes me ask another question; (notice the use of the semicolon?) who else has read my book meanderings. Just a few things that I have been WONDERING.
Kevin

Who doesn't like a good list?

I love lists. When I was young and a struggling reading I remember my mom asking what kind of book I wanted to read. I told her I wanted to read of list of laws. She looked at me puzzled but really reading a list would have been a great way of reading when I lacked comprehension skills. I wouldn't need to comprehend much since each list item would only be a few sentences long. Now there are all kinds of books out there which are made up of list. Obviously my reading problems existed in the wrong time.
I have been doing a lot of thinking recently about where I am heading in life. In some ways I have been very successful such as in my career, family and friends. In others, mostly in the romantic relationship field, I have been less successful. Today I was thinking about people's perception of me. I know my perception of their perception is probably flawed but I still thought about it. Then I began to think about my perception of myself. After a bit I decided to create a list of things I didn't know about myself. So here it goes...
* I can actually enjoy a good hike. I remember a time when I despised hiking and thought of it as just waling in the woods. The transition from a hiker hater to lover has been a great experience.
* In the right circumstance I will dance and enjoy myself. OK it has only happened twice but still...
* I have a several secret passions that I don't like to share. How many men would like to learn how to crochet?
* I am a very secure heterosexual but I have been mistaken as gay at least once and maybe more.
* I tend to avoid conflict and hope it takes care of itself. At the same time I just do things some times to get what I want, which I think some people would label passive aggressive.
* I like to write but am afraid of putting things down on paper.
* I am afraid of failing most, which causes me not to act some times.
* I am a big fan (in all of its fashions) of WONDER...
Kevin

A Hiking Ago I Went

I just returned from a brief excursion to do a few day hikes. I was a bit surprised how easily I accomplished the hikes. We hiked to a secluded falls which was in a tropical like setting and enjoyed a nice lunch at the base of the falls. Very cool. Another of the hikes we did is quite popular and even paved. We did it mostly because we were passing by the mountain, otherwise I enjoy the trails that are less populated. As I hiked the continuous half mile incline I didn't feel even a little urge to stop and rest. I have to admit it made me feel good seeing other people struggle more than I did. This is probably not the best feeling to have. I should just be happy about my accomplishment and not need others struggles to reassure me.
While hiking I thought about camp. I am sure if a "hiking counselor" position was open I would be up there right now. But to be honest if I was a staff coordinator for the camp I would probably have worries about hiring me for the job, although in reality I think I would do well. But I know I lack experience and probably fit better into other positions. I would still love to go back, especially as a hiking guide. I guess there is always summer 2007. :)
Hiking to the top of Mt. WONDER...
Kevin
*NOTE - I didn't take the above picture nor have I been there recently. I however have been near or in the exact spot of the photo.

Wondrous Words

"Wet sneakers and muddy clothes are prerequisites for understanding the water cycle."
I love this quote by David Sobel, so much so I wish I said it myself. I have often thought about using it whenever someone asks me about my teaching style. I love to be able to get my students "muddy and wet" when they are learning.
I am a collector of quotes. Few people have the ability to say so much with so few words. I love to read them and keep them in little piles strewn about. Sunday nights seem to be a time to reflect on words. Ones that I have said or heard, or read some place. I love to look back at my piles of quotes or things that I have written and ponder life on a Sunday night. Sunday is a beginning, a chance to make new choices. What better time to ponder life and all of it's potential.
Just another Sunday evening filled with WONDER...
Kevin

So I hear you are curious...

Curious about me... here is some less known info:
* A quote that I love but will probably never get to use, "Hearing a song that you like on the radio instead from a CD is like having sex compared to masturbation."
* I love quotes and not just ones about masturbation.
* I just thought of people using Blog Search to search for the word "masturbation", I am thinking this blog is going to disappoint them.
* I like to buy wrapping paper but I really don't like to wrap presents.
* I hate buying cards and often tell people, "I forgot the card." just so I don't have to spend the $2 on a thing that will soon be thrown away.
* I have been in love and people have been in love with me, but I can't say both parts of that statement about the same person.
* Someone once asked me what my biggest fault is. I had a hard time answering him. I have plenty of faults but didn't know which was my biggest one. After much thought, I decided that my biggest fault is I never give up. Sometimes its best to give up and walk away. I still struggle with it.
* I think way too much and over analyze things.
* I know that I am very lucky to have found my passion in life, teaching. I have really never hated to start a day at school.
* Most people who knew me as a kid are surprised to find out that I am a teacher. People who know me as a teacher are surprised to find out that I struggled in school.
* Some of the best advice I ever got about finding a career, "Keep trying things out until you find something you like."
* I have an overabundance of underwear because it requires me to laundry less often.
* I root for the underdog.
* Small victories are often more important to me than the big ones.
* I have found summers to be a scarce commodity and try to use them wisely.
* I do more growing in the summers compared to any other time of year.
* I am a firm believer that most everything in life works out in the end.
* With WONDER....
Kevin

5K Be Gone.....

After some thought I have decided to change #3 in my Summer 11 from running a 5K to writing 25 posts in this blog. I really don't like running to much. I much prefer to bike, so this summer it has been much easier to sit down on my bike for 45 minutes a day than run 3 miles. Changing a goal is much easier than facing not accomplishing it. :) So I will be here at least 23 more times this summer.
Looking forward to all 25 of my visits to this little world with WONDER...
Kevin
A note: I just did a spell check on my entry and the word "blog" came up as misspelled. Very interesting...

The Summer 11

At the beginning of this summer I created a list of things that I wanted to accomplish this summer. I have become more of a "list" person recently. Not necessarily a list of things to do in a day, but a list of things I want to accomplish over a period of time. My list is 11 items long. Why 11, because it is not 10. I often wonder how life would be different if humans didn't have 10 fingers (I know weird...) so I tend to make lists of 11 things.
So here's the Summer 11:

1. Bike - 5 "Challenges"

I could list the challenges but they wouldn't make much sense to anyone who might read this. I have done a fair amount of biking and should complete most/if not all of this goal by the end of the summer.

2. House - 3 Improvements

Two started and will be finished by the end of the summer. - The last improvement is the least important, but I still might get to it.

3. Complete a 5K race

Yeah, this isn't going to happen.

4. Cave Explorations

Wish I could do this one but lack of $$$ is hampering it.

5. Read 3 Books

Ok, I know 3 books in one summer is not a lot. I am a teacher. I should be reading 30 books this summer. But I have 3 specific books I want to read. Two down and one to go.

6. Make progress in writing a book

Progress is a relative term I guess. I have thought about it and got some resources together but nothing down on paper yet.

7. Join A Health Center

Haven't yet but I am waiting until closer to the end of summer to join because I have been biking a lot. Why pay for it when I can do it outside for free. But it will happen.

8. Take a unique class

Found the class and the date. Hopefully I don't leave the class with a scar...

9. Put myself out there

A. Actively look for someone whom I am attracted to

B. Go on a date

yeah, I suck at this one. I knew it would be the toughest one. Why can't love be easy.

10. Seize and opportunity

Still looking for one.

11. Reflect on the summer

Oh yeah I'll do this one. If I can do anything, it is reflect.

So there it is, the Summer 11. I have to say after looking at the list I am happy with my progress thus far, excluding numbers 3 and 9. Those damn multiples of 3......
Thinking about the fifth smallest prime number with WONDER...
Kevin