New Year's Resolutions

I've never really been that consistent with making New Year's resolutions. Some years I have made one, other years I haven't. However, this year I do have one.

One item on my list is to be better about exercising. My students know that I'm going through a graduate program this year. As a result, my free time has been even more limited than usual. That has resulted in less time for exercise. I love to bike and run. Those activities have taken a hit in the past 5 months. One resolution is to get back on track with that. I feel so much better (both physically and mentally) when I get in some physical activity. I need to be sure to get some type of exercise 4-5 times a week. That may even mean getting out of bed earlier in the morning.

Do you have a resolution this year?

Getting in the spirit

As I get older, I find that it becomes a bit more difficult to get into the holiday spirit each December. Not that I am in grinch in any way. BUT, I have found that the further I get from my youth, I need to do things that ensure the fact I am in the Christmas spirit and that mentally, I know it is the holiday season. This time of year goes by so quickly and in recent years I have found myself wondering where the time has gone.

I find that doing certain things every year gets me in the spirit. For example, today the Christmas decorations went up. Thats a start. The holiday specials on television also help.

One plan I have this year is to attend a holiday concert. Yes, a concert, big surprise huh? I have seen the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in years past which is usually a great way to get in the holiday spirit. This year, its going to be Mannheim Steamroller in concert. They are similar to the TSO with their method of taking classic Christmas songs and transforming them into more contemporary, rock-oriented versions.

What do you do which helps you get into the spirit and make sure the season doesn't go by without you realizing it?

Junior Lock-in

Having just come off the Class of 2010 lock-in, I wanted to post a few thoughts and pictures from the event. The first thing I think about in regards to this lock-in is how proud the class of 2010 should be. Considering how long Norton High School has been around, it really is impressive that they are the first class to successfully put on this type of event. Kevin and the rest of the officers and delegates deserve all the credit in the world for pushing for this event and getting it organized over the past 6 months or so. It took a ton of hard work and planning, but I think if you ask any of the students who attended, they will say that it was well worth it. Just about every student I spoke with both during and since the event said they really had an enjoyable time and its something that they will take away from high school remembering forever.

Here are some photos of the students in action...

Clearly staff members were enjoying it just as much...

If you are interested in seeing more photos, Mr. Dewar has uploaded quite a few to his blog as well. If you have any thoughts on the lock-in, please post them here!

Campaign heating up!

The election of 2008 is sneaking up on us very quickly. In about a week, we will know which candidate has the difficult job of leading this country ahead and taking over during some very murky times.

Many are calling this election one of the most important in the history of the nation. When I think of important elections, I can think of several in American history. However, one of the more interesting (and important) that never gets as much attention happened in 1800 between Adams and Jefferson.

The election year of 1800 signaled the birth of political parties which can only mean one thing...a nasty campaign between Federalists and Republicans. You think things have gotten nasty between McCain and Obama? They've got nothing on the candidates in 1800...

Things got ugly fast. Jefferson's camp accused President Adams of having a "hideous hermaphroditical character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman."

In return, Adams' men called Vice President Jefferson "a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father."

As the slurs piled on, Adams was labeled a fool, a hypocrite, a criminal, and a tyrant, while Jefferson was branded a weakling, an atheist, a libertine, and a coward.

Even Martha Washington succumbed to the propaganda, telling a clergyman that Jefferson was "one of the most detestable of mankind."

To read the full CNN article, click below...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/08/22/mf.campaign.slurs.slogans/index.html

Too much success?

Patriots = 3 Superbowls since 2001
Red Sox = World Series winners in 04 and 07
Celtics = 2008 NBA Champs

Is it possible to win too much?

With the Red Sox in the playoffs again this year, there has recently been some discussion about whether people are getting sick of Boston for being so successful with its national sports teams.

The Sun Chronicle recently had an article in the sports section about how people are sick of hearing about Red Sox Nation. There is a particular NHS teacher (who will remain nameless) who feels that the Red Sox have won enough and its time for another team to win the World Series.

Looking at the situation from a national perspective, its easier to see how other cities could start to despise Boston at this point. After all, how badly did we root against the Yankees when they were in the midst of 4 World Series titles in 6 seasons?

How do you feel? Have we become too successful here in Boston? Would you prefer the Tampa Bay Rays or L.A. Dodgers win the world series this year?

Or is a particular NHS teacher out of his mind?

Great Quotes

I'll admit that I'm a sucker for a great quote. I recently had one of my history classes tell me what their favorite quote was. If they didn't have one that came to mind, they had the chance to do some research for something they liked.

Here are a few presidential quotes for thought as we approach the next election:

"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."
-George Washington


"That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves."
-Thomas Jefferson


"As to the Presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it."
-Martin Van Buren


"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"
-Abraham Lincoln


"And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
-John F. Kennedy


"America is too great for small dreams."
-Ronald Reagan


"There is nothing wrong in America that can't be fixed with what is right in America."
-Bill Clinton


Do you have a favorite quote? Share it!

Ahhh...summer!

Howdy!

The start of another school year has arrived. I'll be honest and admit that I think I'm even more excited for this school year as I was for last year. And why not? I really enjoy my job. I'm looking forward to continuing as junior class advisor, sporting events, planning the 2009 prom, and planning some neat things for my classes. I am also starting my grad school program this year which I'm looking forward to.

But as much as I enjoy my job, the end of summer is always bittersweet. How could it not be? I can't imagine a much better place to spend summer than here in New England. There are so many options here! And I'm happy to report that I made the most of it.

I visited the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine, spent a couple of days in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, visited my grandparents in Vermont, did an extensive bike trip in Rhode Island and Connecticut, went camping in upstate New York, and spent plenty of time on Cape Cod biking and kayaking. I also spent a few days in Chicago where I caught baseball games at U.S. Cellular Field and Wrigley Field.

In addition to all that, I attended many, many concerts. Yes...for those of you who know me, music is my passion.

So the first question for you as we start another school year is how did you spend your summer? Do you have any recommendations for a future trip for me? Did you stay local? Visit a foreign country? Or maybe you went to a great concert?

Let me know.