The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul

Since returning from my recent trip to Kosovo my life has been uneventful, to say the least. Considering that it is currently summer vacation, there has been no subbing to keep me occupied. While they did ask me if I would be available to sub for summer school, as of yet there have been no calls. Typically, teachers don't miss summer school unless they absolutely have to. Unlike during the regular school year, teachers don't get paid if they miss summer school.

So, I am constantly on the lookout for things to keep me occupied. One can only play so many games of Civilization III before one starts to go insane. Thus far, I have managed to set up my student teaching assignment for the fall at South Pasadena Middle School, and have attended a meeting with the Department chair. As of yet, however, I have not spoken to my master teacher. Additionally, I also need to get everything straightened out at CSUN so that I can reenroll.

In case you can't tell, I have decided to finish the credential program next semester. I figured that it would be kind of stupid to complete 25 units of a 31 unit program and never finish the last 6. Additionally, my parents have graciously agreed to help support me through the end of the program. Granted, I'd rather have a rich, hot, trophy wife to support me my final semester, but we can't all be that lucky.

In addition to getting things squared away for Fall, I've been doing quite a bit of reading and movie watching. Last week I finished Dave Eggers' You Shall Know Our Velocity!, which I found to be quite an entertaining novel. The story describes the adventures of two friends who are attempting to travel around the world in a week, handing out $32,000 in cash as they go. Through his vivid descriptions and amusing dialogue, Eggers imparts quite an entertaining story. His writing style, while obviously influenced by Jack Kerouac, is certainly unique.

After finishing this book, I started reading High Fidelity, by Nick Hornby. I saw the movie a few years ago, but had never read the book. As usual, the book is much better than the film, if for no other reason than the movie features the often irritating Lisa Bonet. I'm about halfway through High Fidelity...thus far, it's really good.

In other popular culture news, I've had the opportunity to see both Spider-Man 2 and Dodgeball...the only two movies in which I've really been interested. I've been eagerly awaiting Spider-Man 2 since the release of the first one. As far as Dodgeball goes...I have this somewhat odd obsession with Ben Stiller that draws me to see every movie he's in, no matter how bad. I enjoyed both Spider-Man and Dodgeball thoroughly.

I spent the 4th of July down in Vista. Erika was working, so Shane and I went to some party that was quite boring. But there was food there, which we gratefully mooched. Later that evening we went to Brengle Terrace Park for what was supposedly the largest fireworks display in North San Diego County. Apparently, it was so large that the city had to purchase discount fireworks from the Mexican mafia or something, as we were continually pelted with an unprecedented amount of debris and ash, some of which lodged itself firmly in my left eye.

This week I'll be heading back down to the Fallbrook area to help my parents do some work on our house down there. The renters have recently vacated the premises, so now there is work to be done to prepare for new renters. So, I guess I'll be sleeping on the floor of my old room. Too bad none of my old Transformers will be there.