What's Andy Cooking?

Update

When I see that Furst has been able to keep his nearly daily logs going, I somehow feel guilty. Like I need to support him by posting more frequently, or that I'm somehow letting our friendship down by not.

Then I realize I'm talking about blogging, and remind myself that I'm really only ever writing these things for myself mostly.

For what it's worth, Erik, Trent, and Shane: I still think of you as friends.

One year after setting some goals, I'm proud to say that these have been more-or-less successful. I brewed my first batch of home-brew earlier this summer, I took many a Sunday off, and I managed to teach pretty damn well while building some extracurriculars for myself (YMCA, Boy Scouts).

I have two new housemates: Liz and Corinne. They both teach at the local charter school, both middle school social studies. It will be good to live with teachers again.

Year three, here I come!

Update

I may soon officially retire from the blogosphere. There was a while there when I was boring enough to actually have one. Now, it just seems I don't have all the time for it. Or I don't make the time for it. I think I'm constantly pouring so much creative energy into teaching that I have none left for the interweb. Plus the fact that many of the significant events are not those I can discuss publicly without violating some sort of teacher-student-parent confidentiality rule or somesuch. That's probably just an excuse, but whatever. I'm not getting fired for some dumb name I've dropped on the internet.

I'm looking forward to finishing out the year this year. And not because I just want it to be over. Instead, I'm really nervous and excited to see how my kids do on the end-of-year test they have in May. I seriously think some of them are going to dominate it. I mean seriously.

Just today, I had a study session at the library for a big test they have on Monday. Six students showed up!! For middle school, that's incredibly amazing. It's times like that when I really love doing what I'm doing. I have a very hard time holding back from giving them all big bear hugs.

I asked them today who they learn the most from. They said me. I hope it's true. If my kids do well on the End-of-Year than I think I've found my calling. I might need to make another poem for Jack . . .

Months gone bye

School is going well.

That's an understatement. Relative to last year, anyway.

I am looking forward to soon being at the Parkway with my dad and brother drinking a Mac and Jack's and discussing the last few months. I only get a week at home this time around, but what a week I'm going to make of it.

Seasons Greetings.

The second time around . . .

When I saw that I had missed September on this site for the past three years running, I fugured it meant I should step it up a notch and see if I could miss October as well.

Well god damn, I did it.

As it happens, there are a few things that have happened to me in the last few months. School did start, as I predicted. However, against all odds it seems that the second year of teaching really is better than the first! Who knew?

Here's a brief listing of the notable pieces of history that have occurred here in NC since I last left you all:

- All but five of my 90+ students passed their first quiz!

- I dated a girl

- My soccer team went undefeated - making us the Tri-County Middle School Soccer Champions (we get T-Shirts and a banner for the gym!)

- Jackson Hays stayed at the Chez Nashville for over TWO WEEKS! (I had such withdrawls when he left)

- I can count the number of students I have sent out of class on one hand (last year at this time I was well past my toes)

- Middle school friend Chris Tiedeman and the Marine Band Brass Quintet visited my school for a Saturday performance and gave lessons to our students

- I saw the Borat movie-film twice!!

Unbelievable, I know. All of these things, and more, have transpired here. My ongoing goals from the summer are continuing to build - the only one that had slipped past has been the beer brewing. That will come soon enough, hopefully.

Pause

How many people check this site nowadays just to see the familiar sight of nothing changed?

Back 2 Business

Students return tomorrow. I should take pictures of my classroom just to have it documented how much more together I have my shit from this year to last year.

Of course, I'm still nervous as all else.

The last few weeks back in town have been crazy busy. Getting settled back at home, getting my classroom set up. Rebuilding social connections that have gone lax over the summer.

Mostly school stuff.

Here's to the coming year . . .

More

I have now completed uploading all my pictures to the gallery. You can check out all phases of the Quarter Century Tour here.

To explain: Leg 4 was last weekend at Fox Island where a group of us helped celebrate Kendall Watt's 24th birthday. Leg 5 was a trip to Mowich Lake and surrounding trails with my dad and brother. And Leg 6 was at my cousin, Patrick's, wedding. There are two videos at the end of 6 that show what the new Narrows Bridge looks like nowadays. Pretty sweet.

I have also (just this morning) decided on yet another goal for this year:

Goal 4: Concerts
I am going to make sure I make it to as many live shows as possible. I will create an entertainment budget to allow me this ability.