Bring on the Hobbits

The Lord of the Rings trilogy was and has been one of my all-time favorites. The scope and immensity of Tolkien's world still blow my mind, and I think any fantasy novel written since then would not have existed without Gandalf, hobbits, the dark lord, the ring, and the rest of Tolkien's Middle Earth.

It is with no small amount of anticipation, then, that I await the big screen debut of The Hobbit. I always thought this book, while a great story, was a bit more childish than the Lord of the Rings. But the big screen edition looks like a lot of fun, and it's been almost a decade since I saw The Fellowship of the Ring right around this time of year.

I'm currently rereading the book, and I'll see the film tonight. Yeah I'm a grown man with a couple of kids, and I'm stoked to see a movie about a small dude with furry feet on a journey to get some treasure back from a dragon. It could be worse, though:

Most people have no problem watching a film with a whiny heroine victim, a half-naked wolf man, and a vampire with a cold stone chest who sparkles in the sunlight. I don't care what Stephanie Meyer says--vampires DIE if they get hit with the sun. They sleep in coffins, they ALL eat human blood, and they most certainly don't strike up syrupy romances with crybaby high school chicks.

I'll stick with wizards, dwarves, and hobbits. Don't let me down, Peter Jackson.

Photo Credit

Online Text of "Flowers for Algernon"

For those of you who need it, here is a link to an online version of the short story.

Click Here

Power: The Ultimate Body Snatcher

Power corrupts. You've heard it in English class when your teacher runs out of good topics. You saw it happen to Prospero in Poe's "Masque of the Red Death." Even Thomas Jefferson wondered whether or not man could be trusted to govern others if he can't even handle governing himself.

I have come to the scholarly conclusion that power is like the little facehugger in the original Alien movie. First it gets all in your face, and you get a taste. Then it starts growing inside you, chewing up your guts until it bursts out in a full-blown alien rage birth. Or maybe it just hangs out inside and completely changes who you are so you run around messing up everyone else's lives, including your own, because the rules don't apply to you.

Consider Lance Armstrong, the now infamous US cycling extraordinaire. Cancer comeback kid, multiple Tour de France champion, and most recently: cheater. Most people wouldn't immediately equate cheating with a power corruption problem, but I argue that the power that comes with athletic success may be just as toxic as that gained by military conquest or political victory.

Richard Pound, the founding member of the World Anti Doping Agency, writes at CNN.com that Armstrong's legacy might continue strong, even though the evidence almost undoubtedly condemns him as a cheater. But notice WHY he says his legacy will live on:

The cheating involved was highly organized, well financed and well-coordinated. It was not simply a few athletes trying to get an edge by surreptitious use of banned substances. Instead it was an essential part of the USPS team strategy, and it involved participants in several countries, all working to achieve better competitive results by deliberately breaking agreed upon rules at the expense of athletes who competed clean.

Got that? An organized strategy spanning multiple countries, and it was all about winning at all costs. As victories mount, the pressure increases to keep winning. Get a little taste of that power, then help yourself to some more--even if it means trampling the hard work, discipline, and sportsmanship of those who played by the rules. Lance and Co. basically gave themselves an illegal head start; they just didn't think the world was watching them do it.

Now we all see that what these and other cheaters (hello Mr. Bonds, Mr. Sosa, Mr. Clemens) have done: line themselves up in front of all the honest competitors, doing whatever it takes to maintain their position of (fill in the blank, class)______________________. *

Would I have done any different? Maybe not. And that's the point. Power eats you up, snatches your body, and bursts out of your sorry excuse for a corpse on its way to damaging everyone else around you. I know this doesn't sound too sunny, but I don't think anyone can beat this beast. Perhaps the best solution is to avoid pursuing power, and for those of us who must occupy positions of authority, success, and fame: when you feel your body being snatched away, you may have to pull a Sigourney Weaver in Alien III (I think). Put your hands over that sucker, and jump into flaming pile of liquid metal. (Walk away from your power; don't really jump into a vat of liquid metal).



*Answers: POWER

Photo Credit

Middle School PE: What's Appropriate?

Here are a few interesting clips exploring the debate about what should be included in public school PE programs:

Controversial Books

Here are a few links to help you out in your search. You may be surprised at some of the books that have been banned or challenged over the years.

The Hunger Games makes the list.
The classics get banned.
The Outsiders too?
And a list, according to ABC News...

Have you ever read a banned or challenged book?

The Answerman Reading Interview

Recently, on of my former bloggers requested my help answering a few questions. Check out his blog, because you may be able to use this idea for one of your own posts. Here's the interview:

Throughout your lifetime, what books spoke to you the most? Why?

This is a tough question, because so many books resonate with me in entirely different ways. I like Poe for his powerful short stories rooted in tragedy, terror, and fear. There are books on spirituality that help me to understand God and my place in the world. The Bible is a book I read on a daily basis. It's sort of like air--I need keep breathing it in to stay alive. :) Other than that, I really enjoy the book King Dork because it's hilarious, and the book The Things They Carry has a few parts that cut me right to the heart. I'm not sure why, but that book just crawled up inside my brain, and I can't shake it. I appreciate a book that shakes me up, leaves me disturbed--books that leave me changed from how I was when I began.

When you were a child, was reading a positive experience?

Reading was definitely a positive experience when I was a kid. My mom would read to me all the time, so much that I would actually memorize some of the books. I think that's what helped me to read the most--one day I was quoting the pages from memory, and then the letters and sounds started to make sense.

What motivates you to read?

It depends. Some books help me escape. It's almost like watching a good movie. I don't have to think about whatever is stressing me out at the time. I just sit down, and let myself get swallowed up by a world other than my own.

But I also read to understand, and I read to become better at what I do. I'm constantly rotating the books I read between these categories: literature (I'm an English teacher, after all), books related to education practice or education policy, books related to spirituality and the Bible, and books related to strength and conditioning. Then I'll through in a few "escape the world" books that I can just enjoy for the heck of it.

Has there been a book that you did not enjoy? Why?

Sure. Some books I hate because I think the ideas or the premises are so asinine, I can't believe they were ever published. Some are still fun to read BECAUSE they're so terrible. The Twilight Series is a group of books that I thought were sort of terrible, but I actually enjoyed them. Then there are those books that are simply boring or tough to get through. I have a problem with trying to finish every book I read, even if I don't like it. Maybe I should just learn to let go.

What genres of books do you enjoy?

I mentioned some of them above, but I also enjoy fantasy novels (Lord of the Rings, books by C.S. Lewis, the new series by Patrick Rothfuss). I like books that take a unique approach to a familiar topic, like World War Z. Zombies and history? That has to be one of my favorite books of the last few years.

Has there been a book that was better than the movie you saw? Why was the book better?

Lots of books are better than the movie, just because the big screen is subject to limitations that don't affect words on a page. However, I'm not one of those people who think you have to pick one or the other. One of my favorite things to do is read a book, and then see how it's adapted to the big screen. Lord of the Rings was well done. Hunger Games was just ok. Fight Club was a great book and movie. I like to think of movies as complimentary to the book. They should be enjoyed together, but the book should come first. Otherwise you'll have all the images from the movie contaminating your own imagination while you read.

When you get stuck on a part of the book, what helps you refocus?

If I'm daydreaming, then I might reread. But if I'm just having trouble focusing, what I usually do is keep a pen in hand and mark up the text. I note things I like, things that are funny, things that are ridiculous, and things I might be able to use if I ever get stuck in a conversation about the topic. Talking back to the author helps me stay focused.

How do you choose a book?

Well I already told you about the categories I try to rotate through. Other than that, sometimes I get recommendations from Amazon based on the books I buy. Sometimes I'll read books I see my students reading, and sometimes I get recommendations from my brothers, sisters, or other teachers. I also like to wander through old book stores (or new ones) and make lists of books I'd like to read.

Do you read frequently? How often do you read?

I read every day. I try to read around 30 books each year, but obviously that depends on the type of books I'm reading, and the demands of my schedule. Plus I'm always reading blogs, magazines, and whatever else happens to be lying around.

Where and when do you read? Do you enjoy reading with others or alone?

I don't really enjoy reading with others, unless it's some sort of read-aloud with my students. I usually read my Bible early in the morning before I go to the gym, and I enjoy reading while I'm eating (if I'm eating alone). Then I usually read for about 1/2 hour or so before I go to bed.  And I read a bit to my kids before they go to bed.

Props to Period 5

Great job on your posts everybody! We're getting better each week. You guys saved me the agony of having to watch a bunch of terrible role models on TV. Sometimes I feel like I'm losing touch with culture since I don't have TV, but you all helped educate me.

The big question is, how much are you all influenced by these terrible role models you seem to know so much about? : )

A few things to keep in mind on your posts:

• Don't forget to include paragraphing. Your posts shouldn't be one humongous chunk of text.
• When you use photos, you must include a photo credit.
• Be sure to write enough content so that you can deal with the subject in-depth. Some posts start strong, but there's just not enough writing. 

Nice work overall! Keep working hard, keep improving, and keep writing.

TV's Raunchy Role Models

Common Sense Media has released its latest version of the worst TV role models for kids (or anyone, for that matter. Check out the list, and see what you think. Do you agree with everyone on the list? Do you see anyone who you feel is unfairly singled out? How about someone who should have made the list, but got left out?

Once you've done some thinking and incorporated your own vast TV knowledge, head over to your own blog and write a post where you respond to this list. Here are some suggestions:

1. Make your own list of terrible role models, complete with descriptions.
2. Disagree with something on this list.
3. Make a case for someone who deserves to be on the list. 

These are just a few ideas. Get inspired, and go off on your own direction (just make sure it's somehow connected to this topic) if necessary. Make sure that this post has a hyperlink to an outside source, and a picture with a photo credit.

Link To Commenting Post

Here is a link to the post about leaving comments.

Write a Post Using Other People's Ideas

Click here, and get started. : )

Finding Photos for Your Blogs

There's a bunch of debate about what we can and can't use for educational purposes when it comes to what people put on the Internet. Many photographers, bloggers, and designers make their money using images posted online, so for this class we are only going to use images for which we have permission. I'm not an expert, but to my knowledge, there are two ways to do this:

1. Use images that aren't listed as "all rights reserved." You can find these under the Creative Commons in Flickr.
2. Email the owner of the photo and ask for permission to use the photo.

Other than that, you can use photos that you took yourself. If you did not take the photo, you need to use the Creative Commons, and you need to cite the photo. The video below will show you how to do that.

Sorry about all the the blasts of wind into the microphone.

How to Insert Links Into Your Posts

Student bloggers: For your first post, I've asked you to include hyperlinks to at least two articles. If you are not familiar with how to insert hyperlinks, I've included a video to walk you through the process. Hope this helps.

Should Teachers Be Told What to Wear?

I'm thinking of a topic...something that divides families...something that pits child against parent, student against teacher. Heck, this one even gets grown adults yelling back and forth at each other. I know I probably shouldn't go there, but I am going to touch on that most dreaded of topics:

DRESSCODE!

We've heard all the arguments about student individuality, and the awesomeness of school uniforms. But now it's time to talk about the adults. Should teachers have a dresscode?

Student bloggers: I want you to take some time to think carefully about the topic, and you need to read at least two articles on the subject before you post. Everyone needs to start with this one, which has two teachers voicing their opinions--one in favor of a dresscode for teachers, and one against. Then you can conduct your own search for news items related to teacher dresscode. I already found another one from USA Today, and you're free to read that one also.

Once you've read the articles, head over to  your own blog, and write up your thoughts on the issue. Be sure to include information from the two articles, and use hyperlinks to cite your sources. Your post should be AT LEAST 200-300 words (that's like typing a bit less than one page).

Side note: In the first article I linked to, there are a few things that one teacher said that I think are absolutely RIDICULOUS. I wonder if you would agree with me.

To review:

• Read two articles on teacher dress code.
• Collect your thoughts.
• Write your 200-300 word post, including links to the articles. 

Post any questions to the comments. Let your voice be heard.

Photo Credit

The Beginning

I think it was Stephen King who said, "If you want to be a writer, you need to do two things: read a lot, and write a lot."

This blog should help us out with both. Get ready to write ladies and gentleman. You'll be doing quite a bit of it this year, and I think you might even have a good time in the process. Here we go:

First, read through some of the posts on this blog and the blogs on the side bar on your left. This will give you an idea of some of the writing we'll be doing this year.

Then, check out this post that I wrote right around this time last year, and get cracking. Email me or leave a comment if you have specific questions. This should get us going

What College Baseball Taught Me About Life

Twelve years ago I was a scared 17 year old freshmen trying out for the baseball team at Cal Poly Pomona. I didn't know anyone on the team, or even anyone at the school. I called the coach, and he didn't give me the time of day (but at least he told me what day and time the open tryouts were).

Trying out for a college team isn't like little league or even high school, where everyone gets an equal shot. In college, the team is more or less set at the beginning of the year. The coaches recruit players, and the open tryout is really just a formality. If you don't already have a relationship with the coaching staff, success is unlikely. I was 160 pounds, 5 foot 9, and I wasn't much to look at. I was quick but not super fast. I could hit, but not for power. I had an excellent arm for my size, but compared to the rest of the guys out there, it was barely above average. Would it be enough for me to make the cut?

On tryout day, I was one of 60 guys going for about 5 spots. I ran two sprints, fielded three balls in the outfield, and made three throws from right field to third base. The next day I checked the list on the coach's office wall. The list of 60 was down to 25--there I was, half way down: VEGA. I made cut #1!

Day 2 I actually got to swing the bat, and five pitches would decide my fate. This time, the list on the coach's wall was down to 7. This group of 7would join the rest of the team for regular workouts and practices in the fall. Once again, I made the long walk down the hall of the athletic building. Turn left to the coach's offices. The list was waiting. There I was, four names down. Vega was coming back next week.

I was one of 5 third basemen. The third smallest guy on the team. Some of the new guys had transferred from Division I schools, and I was a runty ex-shortstop from a tiny Christian school in Redlands. I was in over my head. But I could hit, and once the practice games started, my bat exploded.  First intersquad game I smashed triple off of our ace pitcher. The hits piled up. In the final series at the end of the fall, I broke open a game with a double in the last inning. I was on fire, but I was still one out of four third basemen, and two of our shortstops could play third too. I was really one out of six.

The final cuts took place in November, and the coaches would meet with each player individually to discuss his fate. I made the long walk yet again, knocked on the door, and stared down at my three coaches.
"Vega. You make plays, but your fielding is terrible. But you hustle. And you can hit. You and Ellena were our two toughest outs, and even when we started pitching you different, you still hit. You're on the squad, and if you keep it up, you'll make the travel squad as well."

I hustled, I scrapped, and I did whatever I could to show that the team could not do without me. Out of those 60 guys who tried out the first day, they kept two players, and I was one of them. I studied hard and took care of business in the classroom, and when grades came out, some of our guys came back ineligible. One of the third basemen got hurt. Another failed classes. Two more dropped out, and suddenly, I was in the running for the starting third base spot. On opening day, I was in the lineup as designated hitter. I dug in to the batter's box, settle into my stance, and smacked the first pitch I saw up the middle for a base-hit. I was a college baseball player.

I didn't make it because I was the best, the biggest, or the strongest. I didn't go to a big high school, and I wasn't recruited by the coaches. I showed up, I worked harder than other people, and I prepared myself, and at the end I finished with the second highest average on the team. When I began a career as a teacher, I followed the same formula: work hard, prepare, and take advantage of every available opportunity. I take what I have learned from my year at Cal Poly Pomona, and I apply it to my job, my marriage, and my recreational activities. Hard work and preparation will not guarantee success, but I can tell you first hand that they put you in a position to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. Baseball is just a game, but for a scrawny 17 year old college freshman, it was Life 101.

How to Survive a Mosh Pit

You're trapped in a dark room, shoulder to shoulder in a sea of strangers. An ear splitting screech pierces the room, the heat is suffocating, and suddenly a fat man is resting a sweaty armpit on your face.

You are about to encounter a mosh pit.

Whether you get trampled, punched in the face, or escorted from the premises in an ambulance all depends on how well you pay attention to the next several paragraphs. I'm about to tell you how to survive in the pit.


In or Out?
If a pit breaks out, and you find yourself lookie-looing from the edge, chances are some meathead is going to toss you in against your will. If you would rather not participate, put at least three layers of human bodies between you and the pit. Curiosity got the better of you? Read on.

Mind Your Manners
What does a mosh pit at a punk rock show have in common with a dinner party? Etiquette, my friend. The "unwritten rules" of how to behave, as it were. A circle pit might look like chaos unleashed, but if you want to survive, you need to show some manners. You can push, shove, and dance like a maniac in a circle--you can even put your arm around a complete stranger and skip around throwing forearms into people large and small. But you don't punch, kick, or deliberately go after a single person just to cause harm. Distribute beatings evenly, and if you knock someone down, help them up quickly. At the end of the night, you might have a new friend.

Secure Your Valuables
Watches, wallets, jewelry, even shoes are commonly swallowed up by the jaws of a circle pit. At a particularly violent show, I even had a water pouch ripped right our of my hydration backpack. Years ago I'd secure my wallet with a chain, but most of the time the security search will confiscate heavy metals. Side note: I once saw a guy with a wallet chain bump into a large bald man's girlfriend. The bald man grabbed the chain, ripped chain and wallet from the unfortunate young soul, and sent his wallet and chain soaring through the crowd. It was never seen again.

Protect Vulnerable Regions
You're going to take a beating, so it stands to reason that you should pay attention. A decade ago I was observing a show from the fringes of a pit, when out of the darkness a fist/elbow/tooth/forehead struck me in the face. A large chunk of my lip separated from the rest of my mouth, and the blood spatter began. My lip still isn't the same (the only doctor in the ER at that hour of the night wasn't a real doctor. She got to practice her unfortunate stitching skills on my face).

Control Your Rage
Some people aren't used to being shoved by a total stranger, and if you can't deal with this inconvenience, avoid circle pits. Some people don't like the cold, so they don't snowboard.  Some unfortunate souls fail to realize this simple truth, and after getting knocked to floor by a sturdy music lover, these people will rise from the floor ready to throw blows. But it's not a fight, and no harm was meant. Throwing punches in this situation will get you escorted out by security, and that's a best case scenario. Worst case is that scores of sweaty buff guys (and some scrawny ones too) will notice your breach of pit etiquette, and they'll send you on your way with a nice sound beating.
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Go ahead and let out your aggression: smash into some bodies, knock down the biggest guy in the room, but DO NOT punch, kick, or engage in rage against a particular individual. It's nothing personal if you get knocked to your back. Take a hand up and enjoy the music, otherwise you'll wind up with a severe thrashing and a security escort back to your vehicle. And there are no refunds, my hot-tempered friend.

Aside from the sweaty hairy armpits, a circle pit can be a ton of fun. If a song has ever made you want to jump, scream, and thrash around in a frenzy of semi-controlled aggression, you might want to enjoy a round or two. It sounds uncivilized, and perhaps it is. But there are rules even in the midst of anarchy, at least if you want to survive.

Now shove that fat guy's sweaty pit off your head, pick someone up off the floor, and go make some friends.

Photo Credit

I Will Survive

Survive

For our last formal blogging assignment of this year, you will explain how to survive. That's right students, we must become cockroaches, and explain how to survive anything. Just like our ancient insect friend, we will show for our readers how to outlive and outlast anything. Let me explain.

This assignment is adapted from Kelly Gallagher's book Write Like This. It is called "How to Survive_____________." You pick the topic (it should be something you know quite a bit about). You will introduce the topic, break it out into 5 or more steps, and then write an in-depth explanation of each step. You're going to need to go into extreme detail, and show off your writing style while you're at it. Have some fun, be serious, sarcastic, funny, or a combination of any of those.

Here are the exact directions:

1. introduce the topic
2. at least 5 steps of how to survive
3. a detailed explanation of each step
4. conclusion/wrap-up

Check out this example from Gallagher's book. He took it from the magazine Popular Mechanics. It's called "How to Survive a Riot in a Strange City." Here are the steps:

1. Stay indoors and to the radio or TV
2. Determine the best route to the airport or embassy
3. Exit away from guns or mobs
4. Leave as a group
5. Do not run
6. Drive on back streets.

If this was your topic, you would write a detailed explanation of how to complete each step.

Remember, you need:

1. introduce the topic
2. at least 5 steps of how to survive
3. a detailed explanation of each step
4. conclusion/wrap-up

Sample Topics:
Have no fear; I will post a completed example very soon. For now here is a list of past topics:

• ·         A riot in a strange city
• ·         Disneyland
• ·         Junior High
• ·         College
• ·         A road trip
• ·         Mr./Mrs. ______________ ’s class
• ·         A concert
• ·         A mosh pit
• ·         Having 4 siblings
• ·         Being an only child
• ·         Teaching junior high
• ·         Freshman year of high school
• ·         A zombie apocalypse
• ·         Downtown LA
• ·         Algebra
• ·         Sharing a house with a newborn baby

PPhoto Credit

Attention Saturday School:

Directions: Go to choosemyplate.gov and answer the following questions on your own paper.

This explanation is a good place to start.  

1. What kinds of foods are whole grains?
2. What kinds of foods are considered dairy?
3. What types of foods are not whole grains?
4. What types of foods are proteins?
5. What types of foods are “empty calories”?
6. What types of foods have lots of “oils” in them?
7. To the best of your memory, list all of the foods you ate yesterday. If you need to fill some of them in with foods you usually eat, that’s fine. Next to each food, label it  whole grain, protein, fats, fruits, vegetables, or empty calories. If it’s a combination, write which categories it has.
8. What are some tips for healthy eating when you eat out?
9. List the tips  you follow:
10. How does your diet compare to the guidelines on the MyPlate?
11. What keeps you from eating a better diet? (6 sentences)
12. What can you do to eat a healthier diet? (4-6 sentences)

Group Work: Awesome or Awful?

I have been hearing some HILARIOUS true stories about group work and group projects from both of my little brothers. It got me to thinking about group work, and I have to say that most teachers probably think group work is the best thing to happen to school since the eraser cap, especially in college. If we want to feel extra special about ourselves, we call it "collaboration."

Not everyone likes group work. Some say it's a waste of time, or that it's unfair because one person usually does all the work (that's what my wife says). In college, students have to schedule meetings outside of class, and apparently that's just too much for some people to handle.

What do you think? Is group work the golden egg of education, or is it a big fat waste of time?

Write up your thoughts on your own blog.  Of course you can use your own experience, but you will also need to visit a few outside sources to get some direct quotes/evidence to back up your opinion. I say the more amusing the better.

You are always welcome to leave a comment below.

Is Lowering the Drinking Age a Good Idea?

 The drinking age is something that gets a lot of people emotional, for good reason too. This article in the LA Times does a good job of summarizing both sides, and it even has specific arguments from two experts. Some people think that lowering the age to 18 would be a good idea, because we could start educating future drinkers, and then there would be fewer alcohol-related problems. They say that what we are doing now isn’t working. Others say, however, that drinking has gone down since the age has been 21, and we shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken. Lowering the age to 18 might be a good idea, but only for those individuals who are willing to take classes and get a permit.

As an educator, I have a soft spot for any plan that involves teaching people something useful. You're 18 and you want to drink? Fine. Take a class. Get educated. Get a permit. If you are willing to take the time to learn, I have no problem with a conditional "learner's permit." I am willing to bet that plenty of 18 year-olds would line up for a chance to drink, and most of them would deal with the inconvenience of a class. That means we would have that many more students who are educated on the use an misuse of alcohol, and that can't be a bad thing.

In the Times article, sociologist David J. Hanson argues that prohibiting alcohol has the effect of pushing teens to drink in dangerous, uncontrolled environments like fraternity houses and wild college parties. While I don't agree that lowering the drinking age would solve this problem, any plan that involves educating large numbers of students is better than simply making a rule and hoping the problem goes away.

The fact remains that large numbers of young people are uneducated and out of control when it comes to alcohol consumption. Whether they are 18, 19, 20, or 21, the problem still remains. Lowering the drinking age and connecting it to permits and education offers a potential solution.

James C. Fell, senior program director at the Alcohol, Policy and Safety Research Center of the Pacific Institute for Research & Evaluation in Calverton, Md. says he doesn't have a problem with education, but that it shouldn't be tied to lowering the age. That's fine, but if you remove the lower age, you've taken away a huge incentive to actually get young adults interested in alcohol education. Without the incentive, you have less people becoming educated, and unfortunately the problems with alcohol abuse will probably remain the same.

At the end of the day, I really could care less if 18 year-olds have to wait until they are 21 to drink. Most of the arguments I've heard in favor of lowering the age are ridiculous anyway. However, if we really believe that education is the key to reducing problems with alcohol abuse, it would be a good idea to explore any option that gives us that opportunity.

Photo Credit

Propaganda Analysis

See the example below for a model when writing your analysis.

Title:The Whip of Mankind

Description of the Propaganda
In this poster, a large red-faced man is holding an upraised whip over thousands of people as they wander over the globe. He has a large nose, he is fat, and his hair stems from his skull like horns. The entire poster is deep red, and the people are hunched beneath his whip, waiting for it to strike. The only humans you can see clearly are a woman with a baby, a child, and man huddled together. The look on the man’s face is angry, cruel, and he almost appears to be enjoying what he is doing. The caption at the bottom of the poster states that Jews are “the whip of all mankind.”  

Message
The message of this poster is that Jews are inflicting pain, anguish, and slavery to people all over the world. This is obvious because the people are hunched over and suffering, while the Jewish man appears fat and strong as he whips the rest of them into submission. The rounded surface on which the people are walking has the curvature of a globe, and that clearly symbolizes how these people represent individuals from all over the world. The poster goes even further with its accusations against Jews: The deep red of the entire poster, combined with the red-faced and horned whip holder provokes images of hell, and Satan. The connection is obvious: Jews are shown equated with the worst evil known to mankind.

Propaganda Technique #1: Repetition
There are two key features of Nazi propaganda repeated in this poster. The first is the presentation of Jews as being fat and large-nosed. Even though the central message of the poster has nothing to do with these features, the artist nevertheless is sure to make the large, grotesque-faced individual the main focus of the poster. The second feature repeated in this poster is the idea that Jews are somehow bent on world domination. One poster from a previous post shows a Jewish spider spreading its web over Europe, while another poster focuses on a hideous octopus encircling the planet with dripping tentacles. Now, in this poster, a Jew is poised above the planet, seeking to whip it into submission. The repetition is unmistakable.

 Propaganda Technique #2: Make It Big, and Make It Simple
I will admit that I am combining two techniques here, but they function as a pair, as you will see. The simplicity of the message of this poster is evident by its caption: "The whip of mankind." That's it. It's easy to understand, and it doesn't even require a full sentence. A child would be able to read this poster and make sense of the message. But part of the simplicity of the message is that the viewer does not need to think critically about ANY issues. Who is the Jew against? ALL OF MANKIND, according to the poster.

There is no room for alternative opinions or perspectives. Jews are oppressors, and they oppress everyone. Period. The scope of this statement is huge, and that is part of what makes it so easy to understand. It's also what makes propaganda so effective, and that is a truly frightening thought, especially when one reflects on the atrocities the Nazis brought upon a huge portion of our planet, and the Jewish people in particular.

Photo: Taken from The Holocaust Chronicle (picture from my mobile phone)

Is Extra Credit a Good Thing?

Sometimes extra credit makes me angry. Am I justified in my irritation, or am I being an oversensitive veal medallion?

Here is the problem: Many students have come to perceive extra credit as "instead of" credit. For example, take my student Joe Smith. Mr. Smith hasn't been doing his work. When he has, it's because I dragged him into my classroom after school and made him complete his assignments. Mr. Smith approached me after school one day and asked if there was any extra credit he could do to bring up his grade.

"Mr. Smith, you need to have all of your assignments completed before I even consider allowing you near the magical land of extra credit. Hey, by the way, you haven't turned in the assignment due next Thursday. That will be a perfect start!"

Mr. Smith replied, "No, um, what I meant was do you have any big projects or something I can do to bring up my grade all at once."

English Answer Man choked back a laugh, but he was so amused he couldn't keep the small globule of green snot from spurting out of his large left nostril. "Oops, sorry about that. Go ahead and take a seat, and finish that missing assignment."

Mr. Smith appeared perplexed. "You mean right now?"

"Now's the perfect time, my man. It's only six sentences that you're missing anyway."

"Only six sentences? You say that like it's some sort of consolation."

This time, English Answer Man managed to contain his boogers, but just barely.

I have had many conversations similar to the one you just read. Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I get angry, and others I simply break down into soft tears of frustration. Thanks to all those emotional roller coasters, I have come up with my Official Answer Man Extra Credit Policy. I will be developing this policy into an ebook at a later date, but for now, I will share the outline of my policy free of charge. Here it is:

Official Answer Man Extra Credit Policy*

 

Extra Credit Must Truly Be "Extra."

This Ain't No Buffet Line

Some teachers fall victim to buffet-style assignments. Students choose which ones they would like to do, and if they don't like one or more, they ask the cook (the teacher) to whip them up something special since they didn't like any of the other options.

I never give extra credit unless the student has completed ALL of his or her major assignments.

Make Extra Credit an Opportunity for Students to Go Above and Beyond.

If there is a legitimate opportunity for students to build upon something they are already learning, I give them that chance. Are you requiring two sources for a written assignment? Make it three, and that's extra credit. Reading a story and writing an analysis of the theme? Create a news-style video presentation in order to share ideas. It's extra. I give it credit.

 

The Opportunity Is for Everyone

It doesn't matter if the student's grade is an F or an A+. Extra credit opportunities are equal access. If I'm making a special assignment for someone who needs to bring up a failing grade, it's probably not tied to specific content, and it's probably "instead-of", buffet-style extra credit. Why would I want to deny a motivated student a chance for an extra challenge just because they have already demonstrated excellence?

There is my extra credit e-book in a nutshell:

1. Students have to complete all major assignments before attempting extra credit.
2. Extra credit needs to be tied to what I'm teaching, and it needs to be a chance to go above and beyond.
3. Extra credit opportunities are for all students 

Extra credit is neither good nor bad in and of itself. It all depends on how it is used in individual class rooms.

What do you think? Am I being fair with this extra credit policy? Am I really an over-sensitive cutlet of baby cow meat? Or maybe, teachers around the globe can save themselves large amounts of stress by adopting my three simple rules for extra credit success.

*Any comments suggesting that these rules are "simple common sense" will not be tolerated.

Photo Credit #1
Photo Credit #2
Photo Credit #3

Holocaust Propaganda Photographs

Dear students:

Below you will find several examples of anti-Jewish propaganda. Use these to complete your assignment. All images are photos of photos (taken with a mobile phone, so pardon the quality) in The Holocaust Chronicle, unless otherwise noted.

Click here for image #6.

Click here for image #7.

Are Happy Meals Exploiting Children?

Child Predators. That's what one group is calling a major fast food chain. Why? They put toys in kid's happy meals.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest filed a suit over a year ago in order to ban fast food chains from using toys to "lure" kids into their wicked den of unhealthy food:

Michael F. Jacobson, the group's executive director, said in a strongly worded statement Thursday that using toys to lure kids to unhealthy fast food was "a predatory practice" that involves "unscrupulous marketing techniques."

"McDonald's must stop exploiting children at some point."

The judge just tossed the lawsuit out, probably because it's not McDonald's fault when a child turns out to get sick or obese from an unhealthy diet. It's a classic case of scapegoating: We have a problem, and we need someone to blame.  Unfortunately, blaming fast food for "predatory practices" only makes sense if parents are too stupid to realize that a burger and fries are not good for you.  But parents are not that stupid--they are the ones providing kids with the meals, and they are doing so for rational reasons. Fast food is quick, cheap, and sometimes it's dang tasty--and for years, McDonald's has been increasing the happiness with a free toy! This isn't preying on children; it's serving up joy in a box!

If fast food restaurants are to blame at all, it's for folding to the pressures of healthy do-gooders by going for "healthy" options like shaker salads, fruit cups, milk, and juice. Five pieces of fruit in a cup full of high-frutctose corn syrup is not going to make a dang bit of difference when the rest of the meal is deep fried chicken nuggets and a fake wheat bun. The same thing goes for the diet soda dad used to wash down the supersize order of fries.

Fast food is not health food. It never will be, AND THAT'S OK. When you want to splurge on some raunchy food once in awhile, go for McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC, and the like. But don't for a minute think that you will ever be able to make these places a consistent part of a healthy diet. They are, by definition, TERRIBLE for you, and EVERYBODY KNOWS IT!

If we're going to blame fast food for obesity, how about pointing a few fingers at sunscreen companies for making SPF 5 tanning oil? Encourages skin cancer. Maybe department stores should be banned from selling TV's and gaming systems until families show proof that all kids in the household are earning passing grades in school. It's TV's fault that kids aren't taking care of business in the classroom.

Or maybe we can quit scapegoating fast food companies. There is a major health problem in this country, no doubt. However, the answer is far more complex than demonizing a few restaurants for putting toys in a happy meal. Blaming McDonald's is easy. Changing habits is far more complicated.

Photo Credit

Unwritten Laws of Snowboarding in Southern California

"@#$%  YOU!!!"

Someone was cursing at me, ruining what should have been a serene day of enjoying mother nature's beauty at my local winter resort. This particular hooligan was dropping F-bombs like a bad boy 4th of July, all because I had "SUPPOSEDLY" cut him off on his way to a jump on the middle of the trail. This situation almost got ugly, but it could have easily been avoided if both of us (mainly him) had obeyed a few basic unwritten rules. Here they are, in no particular order:

Call Your Drop

Snowboarding in Southern California is phenomenal, because even though the snow is limited, there is huge variety of terrain features such as jumps, wall rides, stairs, rails, and boxes, just to name a few. It's like a bouncehouse, only bigger. And colder. If it looks like people are waiting to hit one of these terrain features, you need to "call your drop." This means looking around, making sure no one else is approaching, and then anouncing "DROP," or "DROPPING IN."

It is impolite and dangerous to swoop in without calling your drop. Maybe there's a line, or maybe people just want to watch and see how it's done. Either way, calling your drop lets others know that you're respecting their spot, and it lets them know that you're ready to go. This helps reduce confusion for everyone. If only my foul-mouthed friend would have followed this rule...

 Fill Up the Chair

Use all empty seats on a chairlift. If the chair seats four, and two dudes you don't know are lined up to get on the chair with you and your friend, GET ON THE CHAIR. Don't hang back and leave two seats empty just so you and your buddy can have special time. First, you just wasted a chair, and if everyone is as antisocial as you are, the line is going to take FOREVER. That means less riding for everyone, including you.

Second, chances are two more people are going to jump on the next chair with you, so you won't be alone anyway. If you're so antisocial that you can't handle sitting next to a stranger for five minutes, you probably shouldn't be hanging out at a crowded winter resort in the first place.

Steer Clear of the Big Jumps

If you see a mysterious looking hill in the middle of the run, it's probably the landing of a HUGE jump. Stay away. These suckers are so big that hardly anyone attempts them, but once in a while some superman will come hurtling across the sky, and if you're in the way, he will land on your unassuming dome. It will probably be tragic. Serious injury will occur, and even if you walk away, the rider you cut off will be so mad, he/she will make sure you suffer harm for your foolish mistake.

Avoid Claiming

If you are good enough to take on those big jumps, don't be a Claimer. A Claimer makes sure the whole world knows the moment he/she does something remotely interesting. When you pull off a trick you think is cool, keep those happy thoughts inside, and share them with someone who cares, like your mom and dad. If you're like me, even mom and pops aren't interested.

The sad truth is whatever you did looks way cooler in your mind than it does in real life. There are few things more pathetic than a  fist-pumping celebration after catching less than a foot of air off a mogul.

Stomp your trick, and ride away clean like you do it every night in your sleep. Humility is king.

Stay Strapped

This one's more for the newbies. Almost NEVER will you need to remove your board while on the hill. If you're too tired or if you find yourself in a tough spot, ask someone to flag down ski patrol, and they'll radio for someone to give you a courtesy ride to the bottom in one of their nifty toboggans.

What's the big deal, you wonder? Unstrap your board on the hill, and there is  high likelihood that sucker will slide away from you. You'll probably never see it again, because it has been transformed into a snowy bullet that can break bones and split skulls. Literally.

Under no circumstances should you EVER attempt to sit on your board and use it as a sled. People die every year at ski resorts across the nation, and this sort of stupidity is part of the reason why.

I'm sure some of you seasoned shredders out there can come up with some rules I've left out, but I find it hard to believe anyone would totally disagree with my five Unwritten Laws:

• Call Your Drop
• Fill Up the Chair
• Avoid the Huge Jumps
• Quit Claiming 
• Stay Strapped

Follow these, and we can avoid violence, injury, and looking like fools. That goes for you too, Mr. Foulmouthed claimer catching six inches of air.

Photo Credit: Teadrinker, Masochismtango

The Perfect Cup of Coffee

The year was 2003. I was 23 years old, and I had just discovered liquid black gold:

Coffee.

I don’t know what took me so long, but one look at that sparkling pool of pure gorgeous in a blue ceramic cup, and I was hooked. In the last decade, I have come close to perfecting the coffee experience. Read on, and discover how to enjoy the perfect cup of coffee.

Take it Black

I know it might seem bitter at first, but avoid cluttering your coffee with creamers and other additives. The difference in style and quality of coffee comes through much more clearly when it’s not diluted with other ingredients. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the added calories from creamer and sugar. Drink all you want without affecting your waistline!

Find a Partner

No, you don’t need to talk to someone while your drinking coffee, even though coffee and conversation go hand in hand. I’m talking about finding the perfect snack match for your coffee. I prefer something semisweet, like a rich dark chocolate. Stick that dark chocolate in a baked good, like a huge peanut butter chocolate chip cookie, and you’re in business. Chocolate covered nuts and yogurt covered pretzels are also good bets. Even if you’re a loner, this is one partnership you’re sure to enjoy.

Hot Hot Hot

Remember that lady who sued McDonald’s because she spilled hot coffee on herself? Talk about being punished for doing your job. A hot cup of coffee NEEDS TO BE HOT. None of this lukewarm garbage. A few years ago I was at a Starbucks nearby. It was in the afternoon, and I ordered a cup of coffee. (Starbucks is a COFFEE SHOP after all). The coffee was warm, probably because it had been sitting there all day. I asked for another cup, and I kindly added that I didn’t mind waiting while they brewed a fresh pot.

The barrista looked at me like I had asked for a Big Mac and a neck massage: “You want me to make another pot??”

I dunked my hand into the lukewarm cup right before her eyes. “Um, yes please.”

If there’s one thing Starbuck’s should be able to accomplish, it’s a decent cup of coffee. Expect it hot, and accept no substitutes.

Environment

The perfect cup of coffee requires a smooth environment. Find a place that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. Indoors or out; beside a fire or near a pool; in a low-lit room by yourself, or on crowded boulevard—find a spot that gives you a good vibe, and sip that cup of perfection.

Make Sure You’re Awake!

Most people look at coffee as something to wake you up. Sure, coffee will help get you going, but like most amazing things, coffee is best when you’re awake and alert. If it can take a bleary-eyed college student through the pain and hell of final exams, imagine what it can do for you when you’re bright eyed and bushy tailed!

Best of luck to you as you seek your own cup of liquid perfection.

Photo Credit

Kids and Television

Like it or not, television plays a big role in shaping our culture. 

How much TV do you watch?

Via: Online Courses News

REVIEWS! (A few good examples)

Click here to read a review of:

• A place to see a concert
• Ontario Mills
• A Coffee Shop
• A Book

Also, check the post below for a review of our friendly neighborhood winter resort (Mountain High).

Review of Mountain High Ski Resort

If you've never tried snowboarding or skiing, or maybe you're new to the area and looking for a good local mountain, you need to check out Mountain High Ski Resort in Wrightwood. Let me start of by saying that I used to work at this resort as a snowboard instructor, and while that may cause some people to disregard the following review, I'll do my best to give the good and the ugly. And trust me--there's plenty of good, and plenty of ugly at Mountain High.

The best thing about this place is its proximity to the Inland Empire and the Los Angeles areas. Mountain High is in the city of Wrightwood, which is a mere 15 minutes off the 15 freeway. One minute you're driving through desert, and the next you're staring at pine trees in a puny mountain town. There is very little mountain driving, which is a major benefit when the weather is bad. No matter where you are at in Southern California, a day of skiing or snowboarding is always in reach. Save gas, save time, save a place in your heart for Mountain High.

Don't see any snow on the mountain tops? It doesn't mean you can't ride. Mountain High has some of, if not the best, snowmaking in Southern California. As long at the temperature drops to around freezing, Mountain High can make enough snow to cover most of the mountain.

If you're a beginner, Mountain High has packages that include equipment rentals, lessons, and lift tickets. The lessons are a great idea for a first-timer, but they can get expensive. It's best to purchase a package that includes all three (ticket/rental/lesson). Some of the instructors are amazing, some are in the middle, and some are downright awful. Thankfully, most of them do a good job.

Now for the downsides:

• Crowds--this place is easy to get to, and on weekends and holidays, EVERYBODY gets to it. Get there at least half an hour before opening, otherwise you'll end up parking on the side of a road, sitting in traffic for hours, or even turning around and driving home (they do sell out). 
• Jerks--There are a lot of these people up on the mountain. Most of them are 15-25 years old, and lots of them are high or on their way to being drunk. They have an extremely limited vocabulary, they cut the line, they disrespect others around them--they're a miserable excuse for human existence, and they give the sport a bad name.
• Did I say crowds?--On the slopes, too. Keep your eyes open, and watch out for people below you.  Lots of people sliding around on pieces of wood and fiberglass with sharp edges=potential disaster. And wear a helmet. 
• Size--Mountain High isn't a very big resort, and even though they have two hills (East and West), East isn't open all season, because it faces the sun most of the day, and the snow melts more quickly.
• Cost--Skiing/snowboarding is expensive. Save money by checking the website for deals, and purchase discounted tickets at Ralph's supermarket. Borrow equipment when possible, and rent if necessary. Never buy new equipment, unless you know for sure the sport is for you. 

Mountain High gets better every year, but it also gets more pricey. There are definitely a few negatives, but if you're looking for someplace close to try out one of the most amazing sports on the planet, you should give Mountain High a shot.

Photo Credit: Mountain High Resort

Team Peeta or Team Gale?

If you've read The Hunger Games, you have to wonder about some of those names. Peeta? Gale? Katniss? Sounds like a mixture catfish, kiss, and cat. I'll leave Katniss alone for now, but you can read my thoughts on the Peeta vs. Gale name smackdown over at the Wordoid blog.

Check it out, read the book, then see the movie.

Photo Credit: Eckhart Public Library

Why Aren't You Eating?

After my last post about eating breakfast, the sumo diet, etc., I've been asking students why they don't eat. The reasons range from "I don't have time" to "breakfast makes me feel nauseous" to "school lunches are just gross, and I don't have anything to pack."

So what do you think? Why is it that most students skip meals? Is it that they don't have access to good food? Do they think it will help them lose weight in order to meet our society's definition of a desirable body? Or do people just not have enough food, as claimed in this article?

If we want our bodies to perform, we have to load them up with good fuel. How can we expect to perform our best academically, socially, and physically if we aren't even fueling up at all?

Photo Credit: la@mie

In the News...

Seen any hilarious, heart-wrenching, or particularly interesting stories in the news lately? For my student bloggers, sniff around for a bit and pull an interesting story from the news of the day. Any news is fine.

Link to the news story, and then educate and entertain us with your witty and informative commentary. Don't forget to use an image with proper attribution!

Check out this story  of inspiration about a cheer coach who called her kids "hifalutin heifers." Yeah, comparing kids to cows is usually bad teaching practice.

She got fired.

Photo Credit: NS Newsflash

The Lunch-Packing Police

I'm all for encouraging healthy eating habits, but lunch inspections like this one seem like a huge waste of time, energy, and money. Hopefully it's just a freak story, and that's why it's making all the news. Our hero (or victim) is a four year old girl who had her lunch confiscated by school officials because it was not "healthy" enough. The lunch consisted of a turkey/cheese sandwich, a banana, some chips, and apple juice.

Lunches like this don't meet USDA guidelines for Pre-K programs (the little girl's lunch should have had TWO servings of fruits/vegetables). Needless to say, she didn't pass inspection. She was charged for a new lunch, but all she ate from the new lunch was a few chicken nuggets. Well at least they followed the rules, I guess.

Mom wasn't too happy though:

"What got me so mad is, number one, don’t tell my kid I’m not packing her lunch box properly,” the girl’s mother told CJ. "I pack her lunchbox according to what she eats. It always consists of a fruit. It never consists of a vegetable. She eats vegetables at home because I have to watch her because she doesn’t really care for vegetables."

I agree with mom, seeing as I've rarely seen a kid under the age of 12 who eats veggies on his/her own. I have to resort to outright trickery to get my kids to eat vegetables (we tell them that spaghetti squash is "noodles"). 

There has to be a better way of going about this. All of the energy is focused on the wrong sort of person, in this case. I'm not sure what the answer is, but this is big fat waste.

Pure Lyrical Genius

So what happened to music?

Need a signature celebrity move?

Searching for some smooth lines for Valentine's Day?

Find your answers to all of these questions and more, right here.

Some Healthy Inspiration

I may be the English Answerman, but it's high time I started dishing up some health advice for my young readers. Kasaan, a student writer with academic genius, inspired me to start blogging about healthy living back with his post about eating breakfast. So in honor of my muse, today's health tip is to EAT BREAKFAST.

Yeah I'm screaming it, because there are literally loads of research validating the mental and physical benefits of eating a decent breakfast.* Kids and adults do better on cognitive tasks (brain-work) when they eat breakfast. Memory is better, focus is better, overall well-being is better.

For those who don't give a bag about their brain, how about physical appearance and function? Students who eat a decent breakfast have lower rates of obesity and diabetes, and they generally make healthier choices throughout the day. Think about it: You skip breakfast, and by lunch or dinner you're starving, so you binge on chips, crackers, soda, and whatever other garbage you can get your hands on.

If this sounds like your daily routine, you have more in common with SUMO WRESTLERS than you might think. Yes, those huge dudes who shove their massive girth all around a tiny circle. If you skip breakfast, you are participating in "the sumo diet." Check it out:

“Sumo wrestlers don’t eat until noon,” says sumo legend Konishiki.
The big boys wake up and start training, and don’t eat until at least three hours later.  I’ve known a lot of young ladies who have something in common with Mr. Konishiki. By the way, his nickname is “Meat Bomb.”

Here's the moral of the story: Don't take breakfast advice from a sumo beast. You're metabolism will slow down, and your body will cling to those calories like flies on poop. EAT BREAKFAST. Feed the machine. Let the feasting begin.

My Breakfast Recommendation:

• Eggs, any style.
• Oatmeal with peanut butter, sunflower seeds, fruit bits, and a pinch of salt. Sometimes I'll throw in a bit of honey or brown sugar.

*Hot Cheetos and a Monster do not qualify as a healthy breakfast.

Photo Credit: Rob_Rob 2001

I Will Hunt You Down

This is what happens (according to a past student of mine) when you don't do your work in my class:

You can run, but you'll get tired before I do. : )

Photo Credit: Englishanswerman (via former student : ) )

Goal Setting 101

When  I was in college, my baseball coach made every one on the team write down 6 goals on 3X5 cards. I thought it was cheesy. This is baseball, not self-help psychology. See the ball, hit the ball, run after the ball, and catch the ball.

The weirdest thing is that I actually learned something about achieving goals from that little index card. I felt like a nerd writing them down, but I still have the paper with my original goals. So, fortunate reader, I will now share with you what baseball taught me about setting and achieving goals.

Make your goal something you can DO.
When you make a goal, don't set it up as some negative thing to avoid. "Eat less junk food" isn't something you can really do. It's something NOT to do. So what can you DO to avoid eating less junk food? Come up with a series of actions that can be accomplished. Which leads me to #2:

Make big goals that can be broken down into mini goals.
In baseball, everyone wanted to win the conference championship. That was the big goal. But what were the mini goals that would help us get there? Extra time in the batting cage before practice? More time in the weight room? Making almost 100% perfect throws during practice? The point is, you need to have some little goals that will eventually lead to achieving your long term objective.

Make your goals specific.
This is almost the same as number two, but it bears repeating. Vague goals are easy to abandon and hard to measure. "Become a better student" is not a clear, specific goal. What does that even mean, "become a better student?" Better writer? Better scores on test? Participating more in class? Make the goal specific, set up some mini goals that will help you achieve it, and then you can measure whether or not you are meeting your goal.

I keep these three techniques in mind every time I set a goal, and they have served me well so far. There's an added sense of satisfaction when you set specific mini goals, because you get little bits of success along the way, and you can adjust your behavior as needed. Keep the big goal in sight, but do it while knocking out the mini goals one by one.

Photo credit: Lululemonathletica

English Answer Man's Goals for the New Year

I've seen several writers post about their resolution to eat less. My resolution is to eat MORE. More vegetables. One way I'm going to accomplish that is by buying packs of frozen veggies whenever they're on sale, and stashing them in the staff refrigerator. I'm serious.

The best part is that no one will steal them. Who's ever heard of getting jacked for frozen broccoli?

I do have a few others, and here they are in no particular order:

• Take yoga AND pilates. I know my way around the weight room, but that yoga room can be quite intimidating. I'm going to muster up some courage and unfurl that yoga mat.
• Read 20 good books, and few mediocre ones. In particular, I want to read 4 books on teaching/education, 4-6 works of "classic" literature, 4 books on nutrition/fitness, and 4 books on faith/spirituality.
• Launch a new blog with my sweet wife on topics of health, nutrition, vegetables, and other green topics.
• Write an average of one post a week for English Answerman. 

I think my next post will be on big goals, mini goals, and the path to achieving them.

What are your goals for the new year, and how do you plan to achieve them?