Kathy Owen
A Piece of the Action
We are always searching for the next big thing: the good stuff. Well, back in the 1970s when early talk-show host, Mike Douglas, was around, he really had an eye for the next big thing. He knew how to give his audience a piece of the action. Just look at Thor here. He’s positively thrilling. Also, here’s a picture of me when I last performed Muscle Rock with Thor at Aladin’s Hotel in 2005. I guess I was looking for a little satisfaction….
It was my 44th birthday yesterday. If you were paying attention, you learned about Scorpios.
I have to say, I don’t feel a day over 20. Seriously. If I lived in the land of anti-reflective surfaces, I am pretty sure that I could believe that I was the same spring chicken I was decades ago. (Stupid mirrors.)
In honor of all Scorpios everywhere, I’m playing head-banging heavy metal from the Scorpions. Guaranteed to wake you up before you go-go. And check out these bloggers because, like the Scorpions, they’ll rock you like a hurricane.
(But not like a real life hurricane because that is no kind of fun. Just a metaphorical hurricane.)
From the English Department
Susie Lindau’s Anger, Fear or Joy? might make writers think about how we treat our loved ones when we are on a writing spree.
Jami Gold asks How Do You Celebrate? when you have finished writing the first draft of a book. Right now, I can only dare to dream that moment, but the idea of this post carries over into other areas. How do you celebrate when you have reached a goal. Do you allow yourself to experience joy? Or do you jump right into the next project?
From the Math Department
From Wild About Math I have Happy 11/11/11 Day! Seriously, I have no idea what this man is talking about. When I listen to him talk, I feel so English Teacher-ishy. And I totally meant to have my class look at the clock at 11:11 on 11/11. Except I forgot. Oh well, there’s always next year on 12/12 at 12:12.
From the Science Department
David Dobbs debunks The Slut Gene.
From the History Department
Kathy Owen shares the history of Thanksgivings Past from the New York Times.
Ellie Ann Soderstrom has a sobering report on The Top 10 Baddies of The World.
From the Physical Education Department
Why Parents Must Speak of Unspeakable Things by Chase McFadden speaks of the atrocities which occurred to children at the hands of their coach. It will break your heart.
From the Political Science Department
Piper Bayard’s Political and Corporate Phrase Book is a must read when it comes to some of the things politicians are actually quoted as actually saying out loud.
Jenny Hansen interviews Piper Bayard and Kristen Lamb about their 2012 Worldwide Blog Tour Kickoff and their run for President and Vice President in a campaign where everyone — even Canadians and pets — can vote!
From the Religious Studies Department
Galit Breen is trying something new in Our Jewish Family Is Celebrating Christmas This Year.
From the Art Department
Artist Mary Mollica’s Not To Be Trashed features a memory of a favorite art teacher.
From the Theater Department
Gigi from Kludgy Mom writes about How to Help Your Child Overcome Stage Fright — which is really about how to parent when your child doesn’t naturally do the things that come so easily to you.
In Come Again?, Clay Morgan has Paul Johnson (aka: The Good Greatsby) at his place to discuss how to screw with nosy passers-by. If this isn’t theater, I don’t know what is.
From Home Economics
Georgette Sullins’ There are Vegans in the Family is about how to do Thanksgiving while meeting everyone’s dietary needs.
Annie from Six-Ring Circus tracks her family’s Post-Halloween Candy Consumption.
Jessica Buttram has a guest blogger at her place. Alise Wright’s It Ain’t Pretty is about putting together a rag doll with her daughter — at the last minute.
From the Parenting Department
Leanne Shirtliffe has her daughter on a Scavenger Hunt in the Dictionary!
From the Awesome-Sauce Department
WARNING: Absolutely, positively NOT for children’s ears.
CLICK HERE for The Hilarious Video: Siri Argument
What rocked you this week?
We are always searching for the next big thing: the good stuff. Back in the 1970s when early talk-show host, Mike Douglas, was around, he really had an eye for the next big thing. He knew how to give us a piece of the action. Just look at Thor here. He’s positively thrilling. I mean, he can blow up a hot water bottle until it explodes! Is that hot, or what?
In an effort to try to bring you a piece of the action, I thought I’d bring you some yummy morsels of goodness that I’ve read this month. Feel free to check out something that tickles your fancy.
From the Publishing & Social Media Department
Catie Rhodes has fabulous suggestions for Internet travelers in Catie’s Social Media Do’s & Dont’s.
Jane Friedman hosted Kristen Lamb this week with 3 Blunders That Can Kill Your Author Platform.
Kristen Lamb shows us the wonky part of publishing as she tries to convince us Numbers Are Our Friends – Writers and the Wild World of Metrics.
From the Writing Department
Nobody likes a cheater, and Jami Gold explores How Bad is Plagiarism? and its damaging repercussions.
From the English Department
Carol Brown sent me a link to The Twenty Best Books for Language Lovers. It’s a pretty dang good list.
From the Math Department
I don’t understand this at all, but my 12-year-old son did. From WildABoutMath A Great Triangle Exploration.
From the Science Department
From ScienceBlog Gratitude as an Antidote to Aggression. Anything that helps folks be a little more civilized to each other is worth a try.
From the Art Department
Carl D’Agostino is a cartoonist whose stuff ranges from satirical to political to naughty.
From the Political Science Department
Piper Bayard brings us Bayard/Lamb 2012 – Because Blonde is the New Black. So snarky that it just might work.
From the History Department
Kathy Owen makes me want to put on a hoop skirt in the history of Ice Skating in Central Park.
Gene Lempp writes about the History of the Ancient Silk Route. I wish he was teaching my son social studies.
From the Pop Culture Department
Clay Morgan writes about 10 Television Characters I’ve Wished I Could Be. I so wanted to be Jamie Somers, The Bionic Woman.
From the Contest Department
Julie from go Guilty Pleasures is having a Vlog contest. If you want to enter you have until midnight. She’ll tell you all about it HERE. You can try, but I’m telling you I have it locked and loaded. Just sayin’.
From the Products Department
Kathy Owen shows us what we can purchase to embrace our inner nerd in Get Your Geek On!
From the Just Plain Funny Parenting Moments Department
Steve at Brown Road Chronicles has a discussion with his son about Skim vs. Fat-Free Milk.
News From the Department Chair
Chrystal from The Spirit Within had the highest percentage of votes in my “What the Heck Does Castanurgle Mean?” poll. Part of her cyber-swag package involves this beautiful new car. And by new car I mean, I’m giving you a link to her blog, which is lovely. I’m also decorating her invisible mantle (you know, the one where she keeps all her invisible blogging awards) with an autumnal theme. Isn’t it pretty? Congratulations Chrystal!
Before you head off to get “a piece of the action,” here’s a picture of me when I last performed Muscle Rock with Thor at Aladdin’s Hotel in 2005. I guess I was looking for a little satisfaction. Or my hot water bottle.
What are your Halloween plans? Anybody going like Thor?