I've been doing some thinking about this little journal and have decided to try some new things. We'll see how it goes.

I'm a contributing editor at Instructor magazine, and one of the things I do there is write the book review column. I love this portion of my job and I love thinking about ways teachers might use new books in their classroom.

So one of the new features of this journal is "Classroom Bookshelf," wherein I talk about a book I'm excited about for teachers. And why. Etc.

Without further ado...



A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, by Marla Frazee

One reason I love this book: Marla Frazee gets friendship between boys. James and Eamon have been sent to science camp for the summer, but they find a lot more fun in hanging out with each other, eating ice cream sundaes, and playing video games.

Two ways to use it in the classroom: It's a natural choice for reading aloud as school draws to an end and kids are preparing for their summer plans. Because what's happening in the illustrations is often very different from what's happening in the text, it would also be good for talking about voice and humor in writing workshop.

Three activities to try:
1. Ask students to think about what their "best week ever" would be. Who would they spend it with? What would they do? Where would they go? Have kids write a few sentences and share it with the class.
2. Invite students to draw a funny picture of themselves with friends. Then challenge them to give it a "serious" caption. For example, if a child draws a picture of she and a friend dancing crazily to Hannah Montana, she might write, "We very quietly did our homework."
3. Have kids recreate the penguin exhibit James and Eamon build at the end of their week together.

lisa_schroeder   tagged me

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Getting ready to graduate from high school. I was also probably planning for the prom. Not that I had a date or anything, but I wasn’t going to let that small detail ruin me from having an amazing time with my friends.

What are 5 things you need to do today?

1. Finish two more pages of my WIP for my writing group that’s meeting today (excellent motivation)
2. Pack
3. Try to find more garage sale items in my house to sell, since it’s overflowing with unnecessary clutter
4. Go to work
5. Drive to Indiana tonight for an extended weekend visit
   

What are some snacks you enjoy?

• Strawberries (I only put this because Lisa had it down and they sounded yummy. I love strawberries, but when asked about snack foods, they usually don’t come to mind.)
• Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
• Rhubarb Pie
• String Cheese
• Is there food that exists besides snack food?

What would you do if you were a billionaire?

• Frequently lounge by my pool that has a water slide coming through a water fall
• Travel to every country in the world
• Buy a fancy house, so I don't have to listen to my neighbors' blaring radio or barking dogs
• Hire a maid (actually I’m close to doing this right now, on my non-billionaire salary, because Merry Maids could probably make my life much Merrier)
• Hire a personal chef (since I need to try other food groups besides the snack group)
  
• Give some to charity and family and friends
  

What are 3 bad habits?

1. I stress out and worry about very insignificant things
2. I curse in the car and frequently yell at little old ladies driving Cadillac’s that don’t deserve it
3. I’m addicted to my email and the Internet
   

Name 5 places you have lived

Fort Wayne, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana
Houghton, Michigan (go on, I dare you to look it up)
Knoxville, Tennessee
Brighton, Michigan

What are 5 jobs you've had?

Window saleswomen
AmeriCorps member
Department Store Event Planner
Engineering Development Graduate Assistant
Library Programming Coordinator


I tag:
jessicaburkhart 
miss_shortskirt
mindiscott 
dr_jordan 
tinaya  (but only if she needs something to do, while the baby takes his/her sweet time)

Justine Larbalestier claims that other writers are crazy.

And now I'm tempted to borrow her idea and project it to write about all the advice that agents give about querying and submissions. Because: "Thank Elvis there are some sane [agents] like me around. Clearly you should only listen to my advice."

 

So here’s the deal. I’m running this 2-month-long contest at www.gollywhoppergames.com . You’ll see it if you click on the Contests balloon. Any kid from 8-15 years old who enters with the correct solution to the contest puzzle has a chance to win a custom Nintendo DS Lite or The Gollywhopper Games T-shirt.

 And yeah, that age requirement leaves most of you out. However, if you pass on the link, either in your blog or through an email to family, friends or teachers, and you let me know (in the comments here ... or email me at jody *at* jodyfeldman *dot* com), your name goes into a drawing to win The Gollywhopper Games T-shirt AND a signed book.

 For the convenience of the curious, here’s the puzzle:

 

 

THE GOLLYWHOPPER CHALLENGE

 

There’s no mathematical reason here.
There’s no mathematical rhyme.
Don’t multiply, add; don’t divide or subtract.
It’ll be a big waste of your time.

 

If you count on the numbers I’ve given you here
To lead you to points in this book,
You’ll spell out a message that’s windowpane clear.
Go on! Try it! Give it a look!

 

If:
1-4-107 = C
6-3-5 = o
9-10-9 = u
7-13-5 = n
2-2-19 = t
4-11-41 = M
1-4-3 = e
1-1-1- = I
8-2-6 = n
4-11-11 = !
= Count Me In!

 

Then
7-3-2 =
1-5-1 =
8-9-12 =
5-13-22 =
5-13-31 =
2-1-107 = 
6-4-4 =
10-39-2 =
11-11-10 =
4-1-6 =
3-1-9 =
= __________________________

 

 

kimberleylittle tagged me!

What were you doing 10 years ago?

I was trying desperately to make my Pampered Chef business work so I didn't have to go back to a day job. I loved being home with my boys (ages 1 and almost 4 at the time). In the end, I made PC work for us for six years, until both boys were in school.

What are 5 things you need to do today?

1. Take my 11 YO G, whose birthday is today, out to breakfast
2. Buy postcard stamps
3. Get transparancies made for presentation on Saturday
4. Work on renewal letters at work
5. Buy special birthday donuts for dessert tonight

What are some snacks you enjoy?

Strawberries
Apples
Popcorn
Tea and Cookies
Chocolate covered pretzels

What would you do if you were a billionaire?

Quit my job.
Give. Give. Give.
Save. Save. Save.
Travel.
Hire a personal chef and a personal trainer.

What are 3 bad habits?

I worry too much.
I check LJ too often.
I drink too much diet coke.

Name 5 places you have lived

Salem, Oregon
Lebanon, Oregon
Corvallis, Oregon
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Beaverton, Oregon

What are 5 jobs you've had?

Strawberry picker
Secretary/Receptionist
Pampered Chef Director
Employment Specialist
Compensation Analyst

I tag:

brian_ohio
deenaml
elmarshall
kidlit_kim
jamarattigan

I already revised one of yesterday's 3 revised sentences.

This week I had some big plans. First, I was scheduled to do a video conference with a group of high-school students from Kentucky on Tuesday. Then, I was to speak to a men’s club (I said SPEAK, not perform, heh) about my volunteer work at the prison on Wednesday Morning.

But on Monday evening, I learned that the Kentucky group had to postpone our meeting one day. To Wednesday.

My meeting at the Men’s club was from 8:15-9:30. The Kentucky group was to start at 9:30.

Panic ensued.

I talked to the organizers in Kentucky and asked if we could do a phone conference instead. This was all last minute planning anyway, so it was fine.

OK.

I talked to the organizer from the men’s club and he said yes, the meeting would end at 9:30.

OK.

I called the resort where I’d be speaking to find out if they had cell reception.

Nope. The closest you could get reception was 5 miles away.

Ohhhhh-crap.

I talked to the school. I could start my conversation with them at 9:45.

OK. Back on track.

So, I get in my car on Tuesday because I’m kind of freaking out about how I’ll find cell reception when I don’t even really know where this place is. I drive a half hour and find the resort I’m speaking at. I turn on my phone and start driving.

Ten minutes later, I get a signal! I call cfaughnan to make sure it will be a good connection. All systems go!

Now, I can relax a little about logistics and focus on being a nervous wreck about speaking to a men’s club and doing my first ever phone conference with students.

The next morning I head out to the resort, only to get stuck behind a big farm truck putting along at 20 miles per hour. I creep along behind, scheming about how I can overtake him. But it's a curvy road so I wimp out. Miraculously, I still manage to get to the place early.

The breakfast and talk with the men’s club goes really well. I read the women’s work and answer lots of questions and finish five minutes early.

Out to my car I go, relieved that I don’t have to rush to the tiny park I found the day before. Only problem? THIS time when I try my phone at the cute little park THERE IS NO COVERAGE!

I’m in the middle of nowhere and have about five minutes to find cell reception.

Let the insanity begin.

Finally, finally, I find a gas station. It is a little creepy, but that’s OK. It’s a little noisy, with lots of trucks coming and going, but that’s OK too. I just roll up my windows.

My phone rings. I take a deep breath and click it open. No one is there. Ack! Heart racing, I call the school myself. I get connected to the right place. Success!

Talking to the students on the phone was great, but very intense. They took turns asking questions from a microphone, so I couldn’t hear what their reactions were each time I answered. Not being able to see them was hard, too. It was all just a bit... unsettling. Were they laughing? Were they rolling their eyes? Were some of them leaving the room out of boredom? I couldn't tell. But it was a lot of fun nevertheless. And they asked terrific questions and they seemed really, really sweet. And I loved their southern accents. :-)

The time flew by and when I got off the phone I realized I was sitting in a car that was quite likely 105º inside. Er yeah. Hello? Rolled up windows with the sun blasting in! Smart! Good thing it wasn’t a longer conversation or I would have passed out. How crazy is it that I didn’t notice I was turning into barbecue? Yikes.

Anyway, I rolled down the windows and filled my tank with gas, since the station turned out to be charging about ten cents less per gallon than the place I usually go to. Sweet!

All in all, it was a totally stressful and amazing morning. And I realized that I really, really love talking to groups of people, even though I get so worked up and nervous beforehand. It’s such a gift to be able to talk about things that matter to you, and to get a chance to maybe inspire others to get involved in volunteer work, or to start a writing group, or to get excited about books, or, whatever!

:-)

Today is definitely a Thankful Thursday.

I have to rush off to get the E Girl to school, which is always THE most stressful time in the morning because the E Girl does not want to spend the day at school looking like this:


Or this:
And it is my God-given duty as the E Girl's mommy to prevent that. It is in the Mommy pledge. Really.

But before I go I have to mention good news stuff, especially since I was so whiny in friends-locked posts last week.

1. TIPS ON HAVING A GAY (ex) BOYFRIEND is a SEMIFINALIST for the IPPYs. Here is what the site says about it:

Independent Publisher Book Awards (since 1996) awards the best indie-published books of the year

Here is  my book. Doesn't it look happy?


2. LOVE AND OTHER USES FOR DUCT TAPE received an amazing review from Teensreadtoo and a pretty nice review from VOYA.

Here is what they said:

Oh! And I will be ANNOUNCING the winner of the SUPER COOL CONTEST TOMORROW!!!!

Grover will help.

For a WIP, I asked y'all a while back to suggest new musicals. Many of you suggested WICKED and I downloaded the song popular and loved it. Then I downloaded Defying Gravity and loved it. And then I downloaded the whole soundtrack and I loved it. It has become my writing album. I listen to it over and over and over again.

So tonight, I got tickets to go see it with my bff D and I loved it! I just loved it! So very huge ginormo thank you's to all who suggested that I listen to it because now I feel as though I am a Wicked-head. Wicked-groupie. A Defying gravity-er. A green wicked witch.

But regardless of my over listening to the soundtrack, I have been struggling super hard with one of my new WIPs. That's why today's Martini Shot segement on KCRW was absolutely brilliant and spoke to me. It made me laugh about something I fear - that I have just written the worst thing I've ever written. The one that I can't get away from. Today's segment was all about The Bad One. You know... You can have awards and money or just a great reputation as someone who does excellent work. But somewhere inside you – somewhere you hope deep – is a truly awful piece of work. A funny script so unfunny – a scary script so unscary – a terrible script so unfixable -- that it's hard to believe it actually came from you. That you typed it.

Speaking of Bad Ones. Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull is out next week. Naturally I'm going to go see it, but the question is will it be good? (probably not!)
My pal and yours, Mr Peel (mrpeelssardine) has a great post about Raiders of the Lost Ark which is a movie that I actually love more than Star Wars. (my bro lightcastle can verify this statement) Marion Ravenwood is one of the absolute best female characters in a movie ever.

Speaking of Star Wars though, here is a brilliant Darth Vader as blues hamonicist video. (via boingwonder )

I do like aliens. They can come and visit my house if they want. I'll make them some herbal tea. Happily, they probably really exist. Just look at this article about The UK releasing batches of files on UFO sightings. The best one: a report by air traffic controllers in 1984.

Speaking of outer space, somehow it is a comfort to me that lost pieces of missing cosmic matter can be found.

And don't forget coming up May 21st is THE LIT THING - M-Bar @ 10 PM. the theme is Liars and Thieves.

With
K. Kvashay Boyle 
Mike Hollingsworth
Justine Musk  (moschus )
Tom O’Keefe 
Christina Pazsitisky

and just added as a reader, our very own Cylin Busby ( cbross )

Yep, you guessed it. I tested for my brown belt today in Kung Fu. It's a good thing brown is such a cool color; I'll have this belt for probably a year and a half.

So two questions: (1) Why Kung Fu (people ask this all the time); and (2) How are Kung Fu and writing alike?

We'll start with (1) Why Kung Fu?

• Kung Fu is good exercise.
• Kung Fu stretches my mind. It's all based around learning and practicing katas which are series of moves. Honestly, it had been ages since I stretched my mind in this way. Growing up I was all about the dance and cheerleading, but let's face it, since then times have changed; there isn't much memory required on the elliptical machine.
• Kung Fu teaches confidence.
• Kung Fu teaches self defense. There are 40 attacks and defenses taught as part of the curriculum.
• Kung Fu allows me to get up in front of everyone and test - a good opportunity to challenge myself.
• Kung Fu teaches discipline (really good for kids)
• Kung Fu is downright fun. Sparring is fun. Kicking. Punching. Need I say more?
  

So now Question (2) How are Kung Fu and Writing alike?

I started Kung Fu a year ago. The first day I learned 2 sparring techniques. Not so much. The second day I learned a couple more. At the end of the year, I know 20 sparring techniques, 30 short katas, 5 long forms, and 40 self defense moves.
Great. But why is this important you ask.
Well, here's the thing. I go to Kung Fu 3 times a week. 2 of the classes are material classes - where I learn new stuff from the curriculum. The other class is solely a conditioning class - no new material. I never go more; my schedule and goals doesn't allow for it. So basically, in two hours a week, one year later, and I'm already a brown belt.
With writing, let's look at the first draft stage. I write 4 pages a night. On a really motivated night, it may be 6. On a less motivated night, it may be 2. So average 4, in about 2 months, I've written a novel. Sure, revisions are needed, but I've got my draft down.

The moral of all this rambling - Be consistent. Set a schedule. Stick to it. Don't skip out on it. And pretty soon you'll have a novel (and a black belt).

If you guys have any stories about Sydney, like things you remember about her or funny/interesting/annoying/weird/cute stuff she did, I'd love it if you posted them here. Post anything and everything, whatever you want. If you prefer, you can email them to me. If you have pictures or videos of her, I'd especially love to get those. My Gmail account can handle large attachments. If you can't/don't want to send them via email, let me know you have them and we'll figure out a way for me to get them.

Also, I'm going to be in Austin on Monday, and I'll be staying at least through Friday. I plan to be at Austin Java for one last meeting before the summer, so all you AJ peeps had better be there, b/c I haven't seen you in about a month. :)

And also, thanks, everyone. Thanks for being so supportive of Sydney and me. You are all wonderful.

 I went a little later to the hospital today because my wild child had a short day and I wanted to take her with me. I thought she'd get to see her daddy when he was a little fresher and could talk to her. But it didn't turn out that way. He was in dialysis. So wildiline went to the beach with her aunt and uncle.

The nurse said he refused his c-pap which helps him sleep and regulates his breathing. It's not like him NOT to want it to sleep so I wondered about it. She said they put it on and he kept pulling it off. Anyway, he came back from dialysis and he looked AWFUL...really, he's been to dialysis before but he was heaving for breath. His heartrate was through the roof, and he was clearly really not well. He was pulling on the side rail to try to sit up really straight so I had the nurse come and help me sit him up and his breathing evened out but was still labored. So we put the c-pap on but although his breathing became very even, it was hugely labored. Almost like he was heaving himself up with each breathe. I asked him if his nose was clogged, since he was mouth breathing all day (which he doesn't normally do when awake). He nodded and I told the nurse I thought we needed to take the c-pap off, he couldn't breathe enough through his nose.

Then finally his breathing evened out and although still labored, he was less so. They gave him some mophine and did his normal evening things. He was running a fever and it's risen since I left. The night doctor checked on him and ordered some breathing treatments, more morphine, some nasal spray to unclog his nose, and labs for the infection that is causing the fever. I was glad the doctor DID SOMETHING since the doctor the nurse paged when I was there didn't show up until I left (so at least an hour after being paged) and left without even TALKING to the nurse so didn't do anything. 

I'm afraid he likely to end up back in CCU...as he cannot talk again, his temperature is up, his breathing has problems, and his ability to swallow declined hard today. They are doing the tube feedings again so he's getting some nutrician. But it was a rough scary day. 

Thanks for the prayers of all who pray. And the thoughts of every person who reads this.

I've always been drawn to stories with talented characters, be they musically or artistically inclined or gifted with superpowers or unique abilities. The characters in Savvy are each talented in his or her own way, and debut author Ingrid Law's writing talent is evident from the beginning of the book. (Read my full-length book review.) Interviewing Ingrid was a special treat.

What happened on your thirteenth birthday?

Well, there certainly wasn't a big electric storm or a hurricane, but with a May 1st birthday, it rains nearly every year without fail. I don't remember too many details about turning thirteen except that I asked for a radio, got one, and felt much more like a teenager because of it. Music has always been important to me and has triggered make-believe and story building since I was very little. I've often thought that life should have a soundtrack.

( Read more... )

Zap yourself over to Ingrid's website.

What to learn more about Savvy? Read my review of the book, then visit Penguin Books and Walden Media.

There's a metaphor that I've assembled (in bits and pieces) from several friends and mentors, which I call The Synchronicity Freeway.

The Synchronicity Freeway is very, very central to my life, and how I live it.

Things happen the way they are supposed to, guided (or driven, or whatever word fits here for you - many do), and it's not our job to try to work out every little detail along the way - because we can't see everything. Not even a fraction of everything.

A mentor once described his version of the SF as riding in a car that he had no control over. He didn't control the speed, the direction, or the destination. His job, he said, was just to keep the windshield clear.

Inspiration; spirit; the universe; God; whatever you want to call it, I believe there is something greater than us that we can tune into as we move through our lives. And it can be done (sometimes) as well by not focusing or pressing for a solution or direction or stability of any kind - but by simply being receptive. By accepting, calmly, even subconsciously, that something more appropriate is in the offing.

By, basically, keeping the windshield clear.

I've had as many positive things in my life happen by NOT doing things as by actively seeking them; and more by NOT struggling against the bad things that have happened - but instead letting them flow over me, confident in the fact that The Synchronicity Freeway moves as it moves, and I'll see what I need to see. As long as I keep the windshield clear.


More art tomorrow - I promise.

My opinion in regards to America's Next Top Model:

Whut.

That is all.

1) I call an Insurance Company in Michigan to see if ANYONE can help me hunt down Brandy, the chick who hit my car in late February and caused oh, say, $2794.54 in damages. Insurance Lady says "Um, someone was driving with one of my insurance certificates? Yeah, that's a fake certificate. That's Insurance Fraud. I am teh angry. I will help you muchly."

2) I call Brandy's parents and get in touch with her mother. I tell Mother that I have been trying to get in touch with Brandy for over two months, and that she's stopped responding to my calls. I inform her that I have a police report citing Brandy as the at fault driver, and that by Georgia law (which is different than Michigan driving laws), she is personally responsible for the damage to my vehicle. And oh yeah, that I'll be filing against her in small claims court for $4k-- additional money in lost wages-- if she doesn't pony up the cash. AND...that I'll report Brandy to the Michigan Insurance Bureau for insurance fraud, which is a felony. Mother says "let me look into this" and hangs up.

3) Brandy calls me. I can't quite recall the delicate sensibilities of the conversation, but it went something like this: I'M NOT PAYING YOU A &@$*ing DIME! YOU BETTER GET YOUR @$$ A LAWYER! Then she hangs up on me, probably because class was about to start at Brandy's School Of Etiquette.

4) Mother calls me and says they plan to get a lawyer. I tell her I'm perfectly fine with that, since I have a police report saying the accident was her fault, and Brandy was driving with fraudulent insurance in a state that holds the at-fault driver responsible. I offer to send another copy of the police report. Mother hangs up on me.

5) Insurance Lady calls Mother and basically tells her that they don't have a leg to stand on, and that if I wanted to, I could STILL collect the money while reporting them to the Insurance Bureau and basically wrecking Brandy's life-- even if the accident wasn't her fault (which it was), she's still carrying a fake card AND was driving an uninsured vehicle out of the state, which carries a hefty fine.

6) Mother calls me back offering to Western Union me $1400 by May 31st and another $1400 by June 14th. Granted, this money remains to be seen, but it's hella better than the two month runaround I've been dealing with.

7) I do a little dance because I've been driving around for over two months with a broken mirror, scratched up car, and a broken window. HURRAH. My car shall be healed, hopefully, and I too will be able to afford lessons at Brandy's School Of Etiquette.

The lesson here is: Get pictures, information, policy numbers, and always always always call the cops, no matter what. And when someone is in the wrong, pursue it until you're red in the face.
See? My blog is educational.

Yes, I know it is theoretically Spring, but I am looking at 99' here today. . .and tomorrow is supposed to be 102'

. . .so in my mind, Spring is gone, and Summer is now here.

And it is HOT! she said as she zoomed off to get frozen yogurt.

...revising 3 sentences.