A million ways to get to Seattle

And I chose the Greyhound that drives through Wenatchee. Oh boy! So, I've slept and listened to music (oh Apple you've saved me again) I can't imagine anything more exciting than a 4 hour trip turned 9, because I wanted to stay in Spokane another day. But it was worth it, and now I have a smaller list of folks I haven't seen in too too long. Spokane/Coeur d'Alene was just like I left it, minus a few friends I have to travel elsewhere to visit. Unfortunately I have to travel cramped next to a new passenger who got on at this lovely central Washington oasis. Good news, he brought his own BO so I don't have to share. Lunch break over, we're back on the road. And for those of you trying to stalk me via satellite, we just drove past the Washington Apple Visitors Center in N. Wenatchee. I'll be in Seattle in no time. Remind me to write about something that I've actually enjoyed on this trip..

I made it in case you were wondering

And I even got a white Christmas, as you can see from the picture. I spent a few days with mom, and overeating a bit too. So, now I have my gifts packed up and I'm headed to Spokane to find a few friends I haven't seen in too long. Bend is always a great place to visit, especially when good friends invite you over for a Prime Rib Christmas Dinner. Following tradition, we saw a movie on Christmas (a tradition I'm convinced my family started, and now has become a blockbuster release day, your welcome America). I think the general plan for the next week is to watch bowl games, play Guitar Hero and sleep on people's couches for a small beer tax. Its strange being taxied around again like I'm on a 4th grade soccer team...and mom brought snacks too! Alright I'll try to post something more interesting about my return to the Graveyard...and I'll explain what that means so you don't think I'm a
freak. Hope you all had a great Christmas!

Are we there yet?

...says the little girl running circles around the boarding podium. No little girl, you'll never get anywhere running in circles...and Santa probably won't be able to find your if we get stuck here through Christmas. I'm not that mean...but I have enjoyed making funny faces at all the babies in the airport and on the plane. I have a theory: there is a correlation between screaming babies and holiday travel. I think its because from birth we know that holiday travel is unnatural. Anyway, I meant to update my flight status not theorize...but hey, its my blog! Officially we're supposed to be only 30 minutes behind, but that was an hour ago. So its 7:30 and we might leave soon. Which is better than the guy I overheard on his cell phone say he's been in Chicago for 10 hours. Merry Christmas sir, I hope u get a Hummer for Christmas! Alright doors are closing. I hope this sends before they
throw me off the plane for being a terrorist...just kidding in case the government reads this.

I'm sitting in an airport bar watching a pretty good basketball game. Unfortunately, I'm still going to miss my brother coach his game, but I'll try to make it up to him by buying him gifts. I'm doing a little people watching too, and holy crap people are stressed out over the holidays! I don't know what they could possibly worry about, school is on break for two weeks. I'm not even worried about the fog delays in Chicago, only the chance of missing out on more basketball when I get on the plane. Alright food is here. I'm hoping people don't mind getting lots of random phone calls to hangout. That will start as soon as I get across the country...stay tuned!

"Welcome to the DC streets"

That's what the lady at the DMV told me when she handed over my new DC plates and a parking sticker on Tuesday. She said it straight-faced like it was almost a warning. If I wasn't feeling so dumb that it took me 4 months to register my car, I might have felt intimidated. But I'm just glad I don't have to hide my car from the cops in our garage. After a quick trip to a different DMV office, I now have a more favorable view of government services and no need to go back for a good long while. So now that my car can sit on the street safe from the police, we'll see if it can survive the streets of DC. That's my house in the background (the red brick right behind the tree) and actually my neighborhood is pretty safe. The only worry on my mind now, is making it through one more day of teaching so that I can fly home for the holidays on Saturday! We had a fun Christmas assembly today...yes Christmas not Holiday, we even sang religious carols...strange. More on how awesomely strange my school is later (including fashion show, step team, drumline and oh yeah...breaking up more fights) for tomorrow the students should be fine and I might even let them have fun!

My wish this Christmas...

...is to have a better excuse for not blogging. I don't want to forget to blog, so I don't know I'm wishing for excuses...why do people make wishes for Christmas anyway? I don't know, but if I wind up getting a few, I'll probably blow it on stupid things that no one needs. (Seriously though, I need a toaster...why not a transparent toaster).

In all seriousness, I do hope that when I come back to the Great Northwest next weekend, that I can enjoy two weeks that are just as relaxing as last weekend! I spent two days in California, MD (link goes to correct state if you can't figure it out), and felt like the guest of honor for people I'd never met. Imagine your cool Aunt & Uncle (or maybe your friends "cool" parents, if you have crazy relatives), then imagine that the couple opened up a B&B you could never afford similar to the "all-inclusive Sandals Jamaica" except in Southern Maryland.

The short-story version: we ate, we drank, we were merry, and then we slept! And by we, I mean my sister and brother-in-law, who are always good company in addition to our lovely hosts Mike and Debi. But as I said, I'll be back on the Westside in less than a week, and I hope its at least somewhere close to that relaxing. I'll be driving all over, to see as many people as I can...so let me know where you will be and I'll try to come see you too! For now, I'm still trying to push through one more FULL week of school, and pretend I'm not still relaxing from last weekend. If we do get Christmas wishes...make sure to wish that I make it through the week, and to see my family...and world peace too!

Getting into the holiday spirit!

So, my roommates and I have been talking about getting a Christmas tree for a while now, and we were all pretty excited to start the holiday...and I'm most excited to start a holiday vacation! As city lights are going up, people are killing each other for the newest tickle-me-furby, and radio programming is transitioning to 24-hour holiday Delilah, the new addition at our local outdoor market is the Christmas tree guys from West Virginia. So, we planned for this friday to be our big night. The key to understanding the post would be, the red-head is Brett, and the girl is Meg. Both my roommates, neither of which am I dating (but they are dating each other!)

We bought the tree we liked the best. (Sorry, you'll have to turn your head...sometimes the internet is dumb)



Then we walked it home (yes walked...only about 6 blocks in the cold.) Not quite the "cut it yourself and walk through the woods" holiday experience, but we tried.















When we finally got home, we turned up the Christmas tunes to 11 and started decorating.




I figured I'll save money on a Christmas card this year. I hope you enjoy this one (a classic pose, and a family favorite) Merry Christmas:

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know. That was last week, but give me a break...I'm still mad that the vacation didn't last a whole month! I can't complain, because I have the best 9-month-out-of-the-year job, in the world! Sometimes, I feel like I'm trained well for something in the security profession though.

Anyways, I would have written more this weekend, but I got to play tour guide for another visitor (and this one cooked for me and bought me presents...keep that in mind if any of you want to visit...just kidding!) No one cooks like a mom, and my mom even flew across the country to cook for me. Its a good feeling to be gluttonous and lazy every once in a while...if only that could be my profession. I feel like my tour guide skills are improving and I tried to fight my laziness, with my mom waking me up early on my vacation, but I understand its a waste of daylight when you're in a city with so many things to see.

We made it to several pretty cool places, and a few new activities I had not done, like seeing a few memorials at night that make things kinda eerie and somber (until tourist-teenagers come screaming up the Lincoln steps with their cell phone cameras flipping around!) We went to the National Cathedral, and I even got my mom to ride the Metro without getting lost or mugged (just kidding...you'll only get jumped in the hallways of my school!) Mom even made her way to my school to distract my students from working and telling them embarrassing stories about her son (thanks again for that...a mother's favorite past-time!) I think the half attempted Thanksgiving traditions even made it, with a sappy movie and a delicious pumpkin pie, and the oddities made it good too. With a roommate and the music teacher from our school to round out the Thanksgiving dinner party, it turned out to be a great holiday, and a great weekend.

I keep forgetting that I need to have a social life, and when people come to visit, that helps to remind me. So, thanks mom! And, I'll be on the west coast again in a few weeks for the next much-needed break from grading papers...speaking of playing catch up...I hear coffee calling my name. Look for posts coming soon about: little known DC facts, dramatic accounts of Mr. Milliron's teaching adventures, and another family visit! Thanks for reading to the end...and now for the payoff!

Don't call it a comeback!

But after a month with nothing, I'm probably shocking your system with too many posts. This time with 37% more pictures, 26% less boring stories (no promises) and the whole thing is biodegradable (still not approved by the FDA).

So, I should start with a brief background of my hostess for the weekend: In short, we took baths together when we were little...and in terms of gossip blog spin-control...we aren't dating. (Beth, does that about sum it up? ) Actually Beth is one of my oldest friends, and mostly by default because our parents are friends. But, now without adult supervision, we had our own fun, and I even made a few new friends (her roommate and friends who hangout, but don't pay rent). So, here's to a great weekend:

I got in late Friday night, and met her friends (all surprisingly from the great state of Tennessee, which makes them automatically a joy to be around). We were fast friends, but in the morning, Beth and I were quick to ditch them for what would turn out to be several train/subway rides. After winding our way up to the Bronx, we dropped our stuff off at the LV house, where Beth had made some friends over the past year while she was volunteering in the not-so-distant state of Rhode Island.

Then, what better way to see one of the largest cities in the US (largest by population) than by foot. So, we got off on the wrong side of Central Park (walked it, and even had a not-so-celebrity siting...but at least I know his name now...you've been googled!), then changed our minds about 20 times on what to do next (walked some more, as it got colder) saw a few more sweet things along the way to dinner, and then to the John Butler Trio concert! Let me directly quote the repeated phrase Beth used to describe the concert: "Freakin' Awesome!" Ditto (and not only because she said it 50 times) it was awesome! He is a ridiculous guitar player, and probably has the most talented/entertaining drummer and bassist I've seen (sorry Keith Urban not really in the band). They definitely rivaled DMB and BHIC for live shows! Anyways, check out those links.

The rest of the night we enjoyed the high...no, we weren't high, but plenty of the concert-goers were...so, let's say the drug-free excitement we picked up from the concert was great. So, we tracked down Beth's friends somewhere near Times Square. While we traversed NYC above and below ground, I saw Broadway (someone turned out the lights), Birdland, homeless guys spooning, little kids awake at 2 am, subway/street performers, all before a subway ride back to the Bronx at a decent hour for the city that never sleeps (you think I'm going to admit the time?...my mom's probably already had a stroke that I SLEPT in the Bronx...I'll spare a few details!)

So, I'll let pictures tell the rest. The next morning we had a few fun stops before we went back to Long Island, where Beth lives. Times Square again, the Top of the Rock, and McSorely's (did I mention I want to be Irish and hangout withe guys every day?) Sorry, it seems like I wrote a lot...so I'll go hideout for a few more weeks and let you catch up reading (and I'll catch up on lesson planning!) Not to mention my mom's coming for Thanksgiving...might need to pick up the place! Thanks for all your comments, and thanks again to Beth for being a great hostess...and avoiding the tour guide Barbie stuff! What a great weekend!

Whaddaya mean I can't pump it myself?

So right after my last two part message, I pulled up to get gas. I forgot my friend told me once that Oregon and Jersey were the only lame states to make pumping your own petroleum prohibited. It was an interesting experience to have on the east coast, but so was seeing all of New York City from the top of Rockefeller! Another pointless story brought to you by Jake...who else!

No sex. No drugs. No rock & roll.

Part 1 of 2...

Okay maybe not all three...

Although most parents said "don't do anything I wouldn't do" or "be home by midnight", my dad would usually forbid me of those three evils before going to see friends. And though I'm sure my family was more afraid of me being mugged this weekend I stuck to the rules as best as I could. No sex, little to no drugs and a sweet concert that rocked my face off! The John Butler Trio is somewhere within those bright lights and that was one of many highlights from NYC. The lowlights include sleeping on couches and driving back through New Jersey. But as soon as I make it back home and can upload some more pictures and links i'll share more about the weekend! Alright, more gas, more driving.

I've been magically whisked away to...

...Delaware and I thought I'd share thoughts from the road. Little known fact. Buckling up is the law, Delaware is the First State, and they charge you part of your manhood for gas now. Since when did they raise gas prices a million dollars? I'm so glad I walk to work. Anyway, why are you in Delaware Jake? Thanks for asking. I'm in need of a mental vacation and I have a friend who lives in New York. So i'm off for a 3 day weekend and I'm going to live it up a bit. I'll try to post a few pictures of fun from around NYC! Oh and i'm trying to forget that i got cussed out by a student for failing him today...i'll try to forget about that this weekend. Hopefully he will too. Have a great weekend i know i will!

No my writers didn't go on strike...

Well, I guess doing too much at the same time has finally caught up with me! Thanks for your worried posts, and to answer the burning question: I didn't get locked in the closet by my students. Though on some days, I'm sure they'd learn just as much if I was teaching from another room. Alright, I will save depressing school stories for another post when I had a better day (hopefully not a month from now), but for now a few things you've missed, like: visitors in DC, my visit to Seattle, and oh yeah...I had a birthday too!

Alright, I'll go first...I turned old. Not exactly old, but hanging out with immature adolescents who truly believe they are grown adults makes you feel old. My birthday (which is now becoming chronologically distant in my story-telling) was great, and I have a few more places to add on my "I'll take you there if you come to visit" list. In short, I didn't get to have my mom's famous birthday cake...but my roommates pulled through with a cake, some kids and teachers at school even gave me cards and a present, and I think I missed about 20 phone calls and text messages that night because my phone died! By the way, its ok if you didn't remember my birthday...because its too late now!

Then, the next week I had my first visitor! My friend Amanda from college came to town for a conference (so not actually someone intentionally visiting me) and I had my first shot at showing someone my new hometown. Though it was great to see her and hangout with someone who I've known for longer than 2 months, I'm still perfecting my local skills. I think I faked it pretty well, by only pointing out things that I know. The problem in DC is that every building is something, and it looks as such. Seriously. The department of this, the museum of that, and the District of Columbia something. So, if you come to visit...I'll point to my school, my house...and after that its, BYOTB (tour book)...I'll supply the boo-yah!

Then, the last installment of things I never mentioned: My West Coast Return! Okay, not return...just a visit. Some of you had the pleasure of seeing me in Seattle, and I even had the opportunity to stalk some of my friends and visit them last minute. The purpose of my visit was because my dad had a birthday at the end of October, and part of the present was that my genius sister got tickets to Spamalot! That was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. And even though the trip was long (by plane this time!), and the time was short, I still loved being back in the Northwest to see friends and family.

I know what you're thinking... "but you didn't come to my house when you visited" (in a whiny voice just like my students after I give them homework). And that may be true for some...but Santa won't be visiting their houses this year either. I'm only kidding of course, and I will hopefully let you know more about when I'm back in the greater NW during Holiday Break (call it Christmas Break...I dare you...public school teachers are so insensitive!) Alright, now I'm remembering why I don't post very often...cause I'm so long winded and now I need to grade 50 tests before bed! Goodnight...and in case you wondered...yes, I celebrate the birth of Jesus and exploitation of merchandising opportunities.

I'm Columian...

...or maybe a District-ite, Districter, DCer...forget it. But, I do have proof:

And the best part is, that I was able to effectively waste an entire Saturday. One of the many government agencies in this city that locals claim are "inefficient" and "inconvenient". I'm starting to think that the only thing people like around here is the Metro. Most of my experience driving in this city has been painful and annoying, so the only motivation to get a driver's license was to prevent idiots from checking my ID and saying: "Hey, you might want to get that renewed...it's gonna expire soon." Yeah, thanks. I heard that one already...what, no "Hey, you're birthday is coming up!"

Because my impending license expiration was an annoyance, I endured nearly 4 hours of boredom and waiting. Most of that was in lines similar to this picture on the left (which is outside the building, wrapping around to the dumpster out back...that line took 45 minutes). Once, inside I found out that I hadn't brought enough information so I had to drive back home (45 minutes roundtrip) wait in another 20 minute line, just to get a number and wait in the waiting room (for about 30 mintues). This picture on the right shows only half the room that could probably contain about 150 grumpy DC-ians at a time. I saw most Districtators reading, some with PSPs and iPods...I caught up on some grading. Once out of the tension filled room I noticed people starting to smile. Then it came clear to me: after the unhappy government employees process your paperwork, take your money and DESTROY your old ID, they send you to have your new ID picture taken. After another 20 minutes in line, the guy says: "Please stand in the blue box, look at the yellow dot, and smile for your picture." And that is why people are smiling, because they finally get to smile and leave!

I'm smiling too, but for a minute I realized that I was waiting and waiting for that little piece of plastic that confirms I have officially moved, 2801 miles away! I know that may make a few of you sad to hear that, and it makes me a little sad too, but this adventure still hasn't lost its excitement.

I continually stumble around and find new things, like Ebenezer's, which is DC's version of the Service Station. They have a "Coffee with a Cause" slogan, and are owned by a local church. Its a very big-city version of this church connection it seems...but small world moment: Brandon Heath played here last week. I love Brandon Heath (YL camp musician), but I found out too late about the concert. I need to stumble around with more convenient timing. Anyways, that's probably enough about my weekend, and I've spent too much time here this weekend (stupid Verizon, giving us internet trouble and won't fix it...that's another story that involves my roommate yelling at the Verizon 24-hour help guy!). Enjoy your Sunday!

To quote a student:

"But Mr. M, yo' momma's not a big black lady!" How right you are young man. That is generally the response you get when you tell a student you are calling home. Though my intentions for Parent/Teacher Conferences are not to get any kids in trouble, I imagine there are some students who heard it from momma.

This afternoon/evening and I had a series of unscheduled, improvised conversations with individual parents. I mentioned to a few that their child had problems turning in work, or I had to give him/her instructions no less than 11 times per activity per day, or my favorite: your student believes paper is for throwing/eating/spitting/flicking/plucking/inappropriate- note-passing and not school work. In most cases, the response was something to the effect of: "Oh no s/he di'int!" (that's not stereotyping...it's generalizing, and that still really happened!) I am glad to know that I have a few parents on my side, but I'm still waiting for a student's mother to come into my classroom and come at me for something. Trust me, I've heard some stories.

In a completely un-related story taking place no where near I live, [Ironic] You live in Medford? Come on lady!

Alright, in all seriousness, I feel very safe at my job and I will stop kidding about this for those of you who don't think its funny (Mom). But I get that comment from a lot of people, and usually find it ridiculous because if I can't feel safe talking about math with uninterested 12-year-olds then the terrorists have won.

And because I'd love nothing better than to be a crazy old math teacher some day, I decided to do something completely unrelated this weekend in DC. I saw Raul Midon in concert last night, and temporarily doubted my life choices, which could have been aspiring to do this. (Sorry I had to use Leno...I heard him first on Letterman a while back) Alright, I'll never be able to do that, and I have my sense of sight...oh well, teaching math it is! I hope I gave you enough links/videos to watch and be entertained because nothing really exciting happened at conferences like I thought.

The day I've been waiting for...

Alright, any pre-3-day-weekend day is a day I'm looking forward to (or day to which I look forward...for the English teacher). But today was especially strange, being that I didn't teach the first two periods of the day. All students were held in the auditorium because of an incident that happened yesterday after school. Lets just say...these kids think they are tough...then they had an assembly to threaten them with being arrested for being stupid (Yes, you can be arrested for that!) and getting into fights.

However, the good part of not teaching 2 periods, is that you have one heck of a planning period, in which secretaries and aides come into your room and help you "decorate" your room so that it is up to "standard". Alright, I'm just a little bitter that as a teacher, I am required to have certain things (standards, data and other glorified decorations) posted in my room to somehow highlight my teaching, just to be ignored and unused by my students. And truth-be-told no amount of "decor" will detract from the eye sore in my room in the form of 3 10-year-old computers...talk to me when you take out the trash!

Alright, I'll stop whining...just one more thing: DC doesn't know when Oktoberfest weekend actually is celebrated. But, at least I have roommates to celebrate late with. Alright, I haven't posted in a while...and then I just complained. How about this: I'll let you know next week how my first Parent/Teacher Conferences go! I've been told that I have nothing to look forward to...unless a parent wants to chew me out. Stay tuned!

DC's Finest

If you felt like I have been MIA it might be because I had a pretty crappy week at school and talking about it didn't change that. So I sat around this weekend trying to figure out ways to make my job easier and decide on the best way to deal with some classroom issues...because they don't like it when you solve problems by beating students. So in between those times I watched a few football games. One of which was live...and may not be what you're thinking of football. I went to a Major League Soccer game! DC United makes the Nationals look like the ugly step child of DC pro sports. The title of this entry refers not only to the relative status of the team in its league ability, but also to the rowdy group of folks in the picture. The Barra Brava fan club gets pretty crazy and celebrates goals by screaming loudly and throwing beer on each other! The whole game was fun to watch even
though I didn't get a beer shower I didn't chant along!

Tell me something I don't know

This article about wasting time in traffic isn't really worth reading, but I scrolled to the bottom and noticed that my former home, the fair city of Spokane is the LEAST congested metropolitan city IN THE COUNTRY! Congratulations! (Wait...did you say Spokane was a metropolitan city? Alright, I'll allow it.)

In my infinite nerdiness (as a self-admitted geek), I googled the original report so that I could look at the actual data. The facts of interest from the study was that Spokanites waste the least amount of time waiting in traffic delays, and have the 3rd lowest gas wasting population in the study. After reflecting on the level of complaints of road conditions/traffic problems I witnessed when I was resident of Spokane, I realized that no matter where you live residents will invariably whine about transportation. I'm going to ruin the surprise, but not every state can have the orange road cone as its state tree, or believe that the 4 seasons are fall, winter, spring and construction (end rant).

The flip side of the news, is that now I've moved to the 2nd-worst-traffic-delayed-5th-most-gas-wasteful city in the nation! This was an ironic discovery, because I was reading the article on CarFreeDC Day and I had also pledged to not drive my car all week (even though I walk anyways, and have a tourists knowledge of the Metro). I am quite sure that my good deed can be traded in for a carbon-offset, or indulgences from the pope. More likely, is that now they have my name and I'm going to be called to sign global warming petitions or donate my organs to those less fortunate (end rant...tw0).

If you can't already tell, this was rather amusing to me, thanks for listening. From Spokane to DC. Its a small world.

Just thinking out loud...

Or actually using the web to think. But if you need my new email or address to contact me, just use the last email address you have. I am checking all my emails right now, and i'll try to consolidate soon. And that way i don't have to post all my personal information on the internet.

Whats that in the distance?

A giant tower with little people running under its shade after a stupid flying piece of plastic.

What do I do with my life you ask?

I truly couldn't answer that question even if I knew. I am half way through the weekend, and I still need to spend two weekends worth of work getting caught up on lesson planning! I told someone I need 8 days in a week the other day to have a real life, but I managed to have a little fun yesterday!

If you can't tell by the picture posted above...that is the Washington Monument...and people playing ultimate frisbee. I'm sure my friends from Whitworth would either be proud (more likely indifferent) that I found a frisbee team! (Or that John found me to play on his team). But when he gave me directions, I forgot that was just south of the White House too. Needless to say, pretty good view to the north and south while playing. Though there are more important things in life, we did win the game, and they may even pretend like they want me to come back. They were fun to play with...it was jut fun to run around in the sun.

Who's John you say? Well, I won't give you the whole back story on meeting John...but suffice it to say he's excited I play ultimate and am a math teacher. Apparently he wants me on their team because I'm young (little does he know that I'm not good) and he also wants me to tutor his daughter in math. So, he took me out to dinner Friday night with his family so I could meet his daughter (4th grade) and wife and son (6 years old). It was fun to meet them, and I will officially have taught all 3 school levels math by the end of this (my first) year of teaching. So then he says: "what are you doing tomorrow at 2pm?"...of course my answer is: "I have no life"...such a lie...but I can't pass up fun like that.

I also spent money I don't have at Target, and watched stupid television on my DVR. Those things were not on the original agenda...I just got bored and lazy. So, its Sunday morning and I've been walking around the market for a little while, now I'm having coffee with some interweb and fresh air a la carte. There is this cool gospel group performing on the street corner that I'm listening to also (did I mention I live in a cool neighborhood!) Alright, I should go back to work...I mean home. And before you know it...it will be bed time again!

Can't a guy just come home and blog in the comfort of his lone piece of IKEA furniture?

I promise i'll stop posting about fights when they happen, but today was a bad day so it kinda figures two kids were beating each other outside my class to add to it. I'm told we get internet tomorrow. Just in time to report on Parent Night! I can't wait...i think. This is going to be a rough week.

Things i've learned about being a different kind of Washingtonian...

On a lighter note: No fights today. But thought i'd share some interesting big city stuff and if anyone can link to facts that would be preferable...because i'm posting this as a text message...and we all know how truthful blogs can be! So this picture is of the trailer park where Russel Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio are filming "Body of Lies" and it also happens to be our playground! It was only for a day and they did blow up a car on the street in my favorite neighborhood market...which i will take you to if you come to visit. I'm sure the movie will be terrible but there is also a scene shot in our gym! No lies...we are making money off hollywood! And the other dumb thing i learned was that now that my roommates are back in session with congress...the light is on at the top of the capitol. I know...stupid stuff a local should know. I'll know it all in due time...everything except how
politics works that is! I'll be in the loop eventually! Enjoy the picture taken through my window!

Day 7...Fight 2

I'm a little bit more distressed by the fight today, but i'll be honest: it doesn't get easier. Today's incident happened before 6th period instead of while i was teaching but now i have 4 boys in that same class who have beef with each other and two of them have made each other bleed. I'm not sure what the administration thinks of me but they sure won't tell me...and i guarantee they don't have new teacher training for this. I wish i could get these kids figured out before they come back in my class because we might have some math happening soon. It is interesting the advice i get from some teachers about covering my a%§ and as helpful as that is...i'm not the one who needs help. I have no desire to be a counselor but i am feeling a little out of the loop from admin and that is sad. I'm glad today is over and we have things to look forward to tomorrow but if i go 4 for 4 on breaking
up fights this week i may just have to beef up and watch some more pro wrestling shows.

Days of school - 6, Fights - 1, Kids suspended - 2, Actually teaching math - Priceless

Cold-cocked. Messed up. Owned (Pwned). Straight jacked in the jaw. The business end of a rabbit punching.

And tell Mr. White what he's won: that's right...get out of my class!

I thought I was just putting off the talkative kids at first. Now I realize, that when students complain about others "clownin' on me" that means: if you don't listen to me I'm going to make they other guy look like a clown with a big red nose and black eye (alright, if you want the real definition, try the link to UrbanDictionary.com for one of many entries in my blog!)

So, I was pretty surprised I made it through a week without it, but for now...I'm glad the swing wasn't taken at me. I pulled the guys off each other pretty quick, but I'm serious about the rabbit punches...he got a few quick ones in and then the chairs went over. I had pretty good attention of that class for the first time in a week. I threw one kid out to security and then had the rest of them: "This is a good example of how NOT to act in Mr. Milliron's class...are we clear?"...I love having that attention (minus the fight part)!

So, I'm at an establishment down the street that provides internet and refreshments. As for the rest of the day, I'll head home to my house (that is internet-less) and couch/chair-less (I don't know which luxury I would like more?) but I am setting up my place pretty successfully. Well, at least I have a microwave. I'll upload some pictures here in a while also. We'll make the roommate purchasing trip to IKEA next weekend (I'll be sure to let you know what HELL is like) and I hope that I can keep a steady stream of teacher stories coming for you! Thanks for listening...err...reading.

Attn: I am No Longer Homeless!

So this should be the last time i have to pack my life into a car...and in case that is true i'm documenting it and enjoying the trip across town. I looked at the place for the first time and i have to say it is pretty sweet. After a weekend of unpacking i'll try and send a few more pictures to the blog so i can show it off. Maybe a pic of the roommates too. Alright, unpack until i crash and then i might have to go out to find college football tomorrow...i guess that means goodnight. Now that i am an official hard-working-salary-receiving-law-abiding-union-member teacher, i think its appropriate to wish u a happy Labor Day also!

At least I figured out one thing

And that is, the guy I'm living with reminds me of John Candy (as if he had a few mannerisms of Milton from Office Space...and if you don't know Milton, then it loses the ridiculous opposite nature of these two characters) Anyways, this guy has lived in DC a while and is pretty proud to talk about his city, and has great ideas and interesting insight to what's happening (oh did I mention he's volunteering on the local Obama campaign). Pretty funny guy to be staying with, and just an interesting guy to have met. Alright, glad I finally figured that out...

Because I have an entirely new homeroom! Yes, that's right. Day 3, and they've already flipped the script on everyone (well at least most of it). To sum up: there was an easy way and a hard way to make sure that kids were equally distributed in the right homeroom...they chose the hard way! Instead of just changing kids schedules to match where they already were and do minimal shifting, they decided to take every kid out of class and physically move them where they should be...can we say: "Day ruined"? Everybody now! I enjoy chaos as much as the next guy, and though I have done minimal complaining, it is nice to know that teachers feel crazed by this process too. And some of the kids who got plucked from my homeroom (all of them) were sad to be leaving my class after only 3 days...and I forcibly bored them! I guess the bright side is, that I will know the entire 7th grade by the end of next week!

Alright, just thought I'd give you the inside scoop. I'm hoping that someone learns math in my class in the near future, but I may have to force the issue. I am getting worn out earlier and earlier...by the time I move in with my roommates on Friday, I'll be the resident senior citizen who eats dinner at the Chuck-o-Rama Buffet at 4pm and goes to bed before first edition of Sportscenter (remember...3 hours difference). Alright, I thought this would be short...but I type fast....I'll work on that!

Some Things I Appreciate

First days of school: actually I think I was only ever into the FIRST first day of school, and after that saw through all the glamour and into the nothingness-waste-of-time that it was in my education.

Children: because as my brother reminded me...that's why I'm doing this...and they are our future. (Actually meaning my brother is pathetically sarcastic, and I think middle schoolers are hilarious and might just be the only sanity I have in an over-politiked world I am experiencing here...unless of course they riot on me...then I'll let security carry them out)...and on that note...

Kids who can go to the bathroom by themselves: and the adults who let them...this film has not yet been rated, because the release date will be NEVER and I'm sure there would be inappropriate poop-footage.

People who make me breakfast: even if it is just ordered from across the street bakery serving delicious fattening pastries in our teacher's lounge! (Oh, and Mom's dutch babies too...yes I eat babies!)

Rain: none of this surprise torrential downpour stuff...I like the "mopey-emo-misty crap" that everyone says we have on the west coast

Free stuff: like the second air mattress that I've slept on in as many weeks, culminating in the longest period in my life I've ever been a freeloading, drain on the economy (just get a hotel room already).

Performance enhancing drugs: that don't make me feel bad getting up 7 extra minutes early to find a fix for the first day of school!


I'm sorry it wasn't more in depth than that, but I thought after a crazy day of having my class-size flux from 19 to 37 in lesss than an hour...there might just be something better in my life. I went to school, had a meeting, met some students, gave them some rules (Mr. Milliron's Non-Negotiables....how's that for a big word...they're in 7th grade remember), and I think after I sufficiently bored them to death, then the day ended and I fell over! I'm exhausted and I feel like I did nothing. So, tomorrow's game plan: Do Math!

School starts when?

Oh...tomorrow...no problem. I think I'm as ready as I will ever be. I also think that this weekend has been hectic enough that I should tell y'all about it. You might enjoy it, you might not, but its all been back dated so read below if you are interested. Otherwise, wait until tomorrow night, and I'll let you know how the first day of school goes.

So many song title jokes...but only one blog entry!

As I was sitting alone on a Saturday afternoon...all by myself (in case you didn't get the context) I decided the only way to figure out how to survive in DC was to make sure that I knew where the local Costco and REI are located (maybe I should own a gun too...but I'm talking BASIC survival!) So, I googled it (which should be a verb in the dictionary) and found out there were both quite near to each other...IN VIRGINIA!!! Holy crap I have to travel across state lines...oh yeah, DC is only ... this big on a map and it was all still within the Beltway (yeah...I know local talk). But I found it anyways, and found some essentials and a little entertainment after a long week of doing teacher stuff (needless to say...I needed this break).

Unfortunately I still got lost and eventually caught in torrential thunder and lightning (that I'm sure caused the power out at the White House...good thing he's on vacation!) After a rainy day I decided I needed a good beer. Thusly, I found my new East Coast Mecca/Watering Hole (is that sac religious to say that?) Its not within walking distance, so it can't be my watering hole, but I think you understand the importance of this discovery!

I was feeling expeditious after this discovery, and decided to walk a few blocks more to a huge mall near the Verizon Center (home of the Washington Wizards) and catch a movie...because I can't hear enough about SuperBad. So, after about an hour of laughing my pants off in that movie...there is a scene where cops are drinking and having a shooting contest with a minor until they are startled by a police siren. At that exact comedic moment...the FIRE alarm in the building goes off. A few people in the theater are laughing still until they realize its a real alarm and not the movie. So, we exit the building like a heard of cattle out into an alley and the pouring rain! Pretty excited about that, but I got a free ticket to go see it again and made it back in time to meet Howard's interesting friends!

I would've posted a bit about this morning's trip to IKEA with the new roommates, but I think there is enough material for a stand-up comedy act about how RIDICULOUS IKEA is...I hate that place. But sometimes you have to make sacrifices for roommates. We all thought it was pretty painful, but we may also have to go back to get items once we actually move it...in the meantime I'll try and teach them the beauty of the internet and home delivery!

I hope you all are doing well, I miss you, and I hope I get a chance to call some of you soon (that I have been promising myself to call) but feel free to email and call anytime. I'm a working man now, and unlike some of you...that doesn't mean I can check my Facebook at work! I'll let you know how the first day goes, talk to you soon.

I may not have told you...

...but I moved again! My nice friends Judith and Pawan, had a surprise visit from Pawan's mother. Then managed to put me up on their couch for two nights, while Judith and I attended
the "Back to School" event for all DCPS teachers at the Convention Center (I also got my bearings on the Metro system...I can't wait to stop driving my car!) So after they found out mom was coming, they had given me a heads up about a possible housing opening at a friends place.

Howard. That's his name, and he totally reminds me of a character from a movie, but I can't put my finger on it yet (I'll let you know when I figure it out!) So, I ended up calling Howard about the space. It turns out that another friend of Judith/Pawan/Howard was living there and is getting married, so has moved out his stuff and the place is VACANT until the 1st (no way...that's perfect for me!) and since Howard is the property manager (and also resident) for the landlord, he said it wasn't going to be a problem. He also mentioned that he was going to have a "Yard Sale" in the living room of this apartment, and that he and the other folks in the building would be having some friends over (a party) on Saturday night (None of that sounds like a problem for me seeing as it is this place or the street).

So, after being reassured by Judith, that Howard (though slightly odd) would be a totally nice/normal guy to live with for a week...I moved in Friday afternoon. He is probably the most unique person I've met since moving to DC, and I won't describe him until I can figure out the movie character connection (don't worry I'll be living with him all week). But the party was definitely another unique group of people (including a free-spirited, dazed-and-confused old man, who aspired to move to Eugene of all places...most likely to get into tree-hugging as a profession), and a man named John, who was very interested in how I was recruited by DC Schools and wanted to talk about recruitment and technology in schools (because he is in the tech business and wants to crossover to working for the school district). Needless to say, this was probably only an interesting conversation for the two of us...but just to prove there was a point to my story...he's going to give me an air mattress to sleep on this week! (I know...sweet story Jake!) Alright...but I'll break the other part of my day into another post!

The Thai Roma Experience...

So, I have been craving thai food for a while. As i was walking this afternoon, I saw this "Thai Roma" place at a distance, and thought to myslef: "What do you think Jake? Thai or Italian?" Well, it turns out that when I went back for dinner, it was just Thai...but there is more than just the food that I want to tell you about. I sat down alone (as if I was waiting for a date...but now I'm sitting alone with my computer. Dead giveaway! Loser.)

Listening in on the loud Texan conversation across the room (yeah, they were that loud) I thought...I have to pee...and it couldn't hurt to leave the room for a second. I won't give you the play by play in the bathroom, but the gnats flying in my face give you a feel of the ambiance and feelings I was having. As if a sign from somewhere above the toilet, the words read: "Spending too much time in the bathroom?" Why yes I am (at least in this disgusting excuse for one) thanks for asking! And then situated next to the sign were pamphlets for a urinary infection pill (I don't know but you should ask your doctor if you are interested)...not punchline to the joke I was looking for, but I laughed anyways.

Back out in the dining portion of the restaurant, I was chuckling too myself over some average tasting thai food (that always comes so fast...which is good because chuckling by yourself in a corner is creepy!) Then, just before I thought this experience couldn't get any better...good ole' George dubbaya walked in and offered to buy me a drink and pay for my meal...


...now at this point of the entry, you may remember that Jake is the worst story teller you've ever met, and may need to lie to get out of a terrible ending to a story! So, in reality I saw a sign that said "free wifi at Thai Roma" and I thought of telling someone else this story!

Well, so this is not a complete waste of an entry, I thought I'd let you know that I am switching housing tonight...I'm such a freeloader! I called up the other lady who initially offered to bail me out, and I'm going to crash on her couch as soon as her husband is around to let me in! I'm sure he'll be glad some random fool is freeloading even though she (Judith) is very gracious about the whole thing. I didn't get kicked out of the other place, but I can't imagine anyone wants a stranger around for too long. Alright, I should probably settle up and stiff the guy on a tip (let me know if you think it is okay to decrease the tip according the waiter's understanding of your English...I mean...come on...this IS America!) Talk to you later,

Jake

p.s. I'm totally kidding about the tip!
p.s.s. I'm still a terrible person...

A little too close to home...

...in a good way! If u can't tell that is a Starbucks on the right of the picture through the pouring down rain that i experienced on the way from work today. I think it will remind me of home every time it rains...except there is some funky smell when it rains here!

It looks like they are really going to let me teach! Here's the classroom to prove it! So i met my principal and a few assistants and secretaries. Everyone was surprised to see the new guy at school before i was getting paid...but its better than not knowing what i'm doing. Speaking of that...still haven't seen a math book. Oh well, i've got a lot of organizing to do still. I'll let u know more soon.

I even have an office...

Well at least my training is comlpete...sort of?

After 3 days of seminars, several hours of paperwork, a few free meals and a lively presentation (brain-washing) from the Washington Teachers Union (DC that is)....I'm officially....kind of....an employee of DC Public Schools. And by kind of...I mean all new teachers are pretty much hanging out in this unknown gray-area of life (we have quickly found out that, this level of information is DCPS's official operating zone!) But the good news is that we have been promised to be payed on time! (Wait...you mean you don't usually pay people on time?)...I think it may coincide with the day they have me sign and date a triplicate sheet for the 1000th time.

These are among the many reasons that people from DC are surprised I chose DCPS to begin my illustrious teaching career (and by illustrious, I mean: like every great band, the first album is always the greatest...think about it...no seriously!) I have talked to people all week who are here through Teach for America or a similar Teaching Fellows program, all of them have had a crash course about the school system through summer school. They caught on quick that this was going to be a tough school year administratively. At lunch today, someone said to me: "this will make me glad to spend time with students!" And though she said it as a joke, I think she was right, as long as I get to teach math and get to know students, then I'm a pretty happy guy...er...satisfied geek, however you see it! Through every thing I heard over the last 3 days, it snapped me out of a daze whenever I heard someone mention the need to focus on our students. I learned a lot about the student population and standards and practices, but I'll probably forget about it if it doesn't apply to how I can help students!

Thinking back to the "moments" I had on the highway in the middle of nowhere, doubting if I could actually make it out here, I am so glad that I forced myself to do it. Picking up everything and going, left me no option to bail out (that and Dad eventually had to fly out of Baltimore). If I would have tried to ease into the decision and test the waters, I would have wasted so much money flying out to look at a cities like DC, Chicago and Philly, just to be initially intimidated by a large city and crappy school buildings (not to mention, more black kids than I've ever seen in my life). And though there are a lot of people so far away, they don't become strangers...just friends in different area codes, and like I promised...I'll come back (as long as they have an investment account for my travel expenses!)

In closing, I would like to thank you for bearing with the side comments and over use of ellipses. I have been holding in cynical comments all week, and this is the only way I know how grammatically share those feelings (I'm pretty sure blogs don't have to be grammatically correct anyways!) This weekend will probably be a concerted effort to figure out city life, and maybe get lost on the metro. I might update you on that, but definitely an update next week (with pics) of my classroom (when I finally get to see it) Happy Weekend!

Can't sleep!

Well probably because you haven't even tried yet! But I really can't so I figured I'd give you a little insight on what it takes to be a teacher. Today was the first day of new teacher training! I learned that: the District of Columbia acts as a state and a district level governing system for its schools; I still don't know what the heck I'm supposed to be teaching kids starting in a week in a half, and the teacher lunch room works pretty much the same way as every other cafeteria you've ever experienced (don't worry I found the cool kids table!)

But, in all seriousness...today started early, went long...and at the end I was left with free gifts from the teacher's union and a copy of the Washington Post that I stole! I think much of the activities today were gesturing and loving attempts at convincing new teachers that they would hate their first year of teaching no matter what they try to do about it. I think it was said best the 50th time when someone said: "this will be the hardest year of your life!" I kinda knew that was the case, but I was trying to be optimistic...then I just became cynical. I met a few lighthearted new teachers who shared that sentiment, so we joked and then talked about what was going to keep us sane (for me it will be finally accumulating something other than student loans...now it will just be lots of interest on those loans).

So, I'm heading into two more days of this...but I'm not down-hearted (because there is still free food) and tomorrow we're having a few more intriguing seminars on school culture and kids in DC. In case you didn't know...that's why I was here, but they thought it was important to start with rules and lesson planning and district standards. I have a feeling that they are putting off talking about the student population so they don't scare the new whiteys from outta town...but thats what I have to look forward to all year!

Just in case you were wondering: I'm not nervous, I have no idea what I'm going to teach, I still haven't seen my classroom or a textbook, but at least I have a place to sleep at a strangers house! I met this guy Alex, who just bought a house with his wife (he is also a new DC teacher). They didn't have anything to put in one of their new rooms...so I offered to dump all my crap in it and sleep on the floor. They politely accepted my offer and now I'm the under-welcomed-over-stayed guest! Actually the offer went the other way, and they seem to be just fine with it. But I'm hoping I can't shift around to some other connections so they don't really grow to hate me! I'll write more later...when its not affecting the diminishing 5 and a half hours of sleep I'm about to get! Good night,

Jake <><

Manic Monday

Today is my last day in D.C. - at least for this week anyway. D.C. is such a cool city that I know I will be back soon. (Not to mention that I'm gonna hate not seeing Jake all the time, so I'll have to come back soon - and often!

My flight leaves at 9:00 PM tonight and I get back into Eugene around 2:00 AM - if I'm lucky. And, of course, I'll be reporting to work bright and early tomorrow morning!

As I write this, Jake has been at the D.C. school district offices for about 2 1/2 hours. He text messaged me a bit ago saying, "Make yourself comfortable, this is gonna be a while." He's signing his contract, getting fingerprinted and a bunch of other stuff.

After he is done, we'll finalize his housing situation. He has connected with three folks through Craigslist (or as Shawn Crawford likes to call it - Wayne's World). These three have been rooming together for a while and are looking for a fourth to move into a three story townhouse on September 1st. We met them on Saturday and Jake really hit it off with them - and vice versa. All three of them work on "The Hill." One as a lobbyist, one as a staffer for Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey and the other as a Supreme Court policeman. (it seems every branch of the government - and most of the individual agencies - all have their own police force.)

Jake's apartment will be pretty dang cool - assuming everything works out. Here's a link to the townhouse Jake will be living in. Pictures 7-9 are shots of his apartment.

The problem (although we're not too worried about it) is what to do between now and September 1st. There are several options but none have quite come together. It's not as scary as it might sound, but it would take me another few hundred paragraphs to explain it all. So, trust me on this one - it'll work out.

This is probalby my last post. I'll relenquish the reigns to Jake from this point on. It is going to be fun to see all that happens in his life over these next few years. I'm WAAAAYYYYY excited for him. And even a little jealous. And very proud as well. He's a great man, a great teacher - and a dang great son. Have fun Dude!

Dad

Questions answered

People have been asking how i got my stuff across the country. Hope this picture helps...look closely!

Now that I think about it...

this is very similar to the feeling I had applying to all these school districts to begin with. We spent forever in a day looking for places to live and felt exhausted with no promises by the end of the day. Except that applying for jobs was dragged out over months before I started to feel anxious; when applying for housing I was anxious before I started. I think I'm only anxious because everything I own is in a parking garage, protected by one lock and shatter-resistant glass (which is good for when rocks get kicked up off the road, but might insure protection against karate chop action!)

So, we've found quite a few awesome places and I wished I had all those options to choose from, but I'll settle for something that has air-conditioning (not coming out of a dashboard). For tomorrow it will be more calls, and more stalking up to people's windows. But I thought I'd let you know that I was nervous and anxious so that you didn't have to be! And Dad is also taking on the responsibilities of nagging and giving bad directions while I drive, so you don't have to do that either!

Good day though:
-we found Guinness and an Irish Pub.
-we took lame tourist pictures (wonder how long it will take me to hate people like that)
-we couldn't find Starbucks, until we had coffee somewhere else...then turned around and found 3 of them across the street!
-did I mention that I get to share a king-size bed with my Dad?

Goodnight!

Guess who's coming for dinner...

Actually all the lights were off so we didn't knock. But i figure i'll crash here if i don't have a place by monday when dad leaves. We looked at a lot of places today, most from the outside but we are going to call several more tomorrow. I am not too worried because i had to apply for about 1000 places to work before DC called me back...as long as it doesn't take the same amount of time. We're having a little fun here too!

I'm A Geek

Just a few statistics about our trip to D.C.

Total Miles: 2,801
Total Driving Time: 45:45
Total Gallons of Gas: 103.7
Average MPG: 27.01
Average MPH: 62.24

Getting to D.C.: Priceless!

No, I'm FROM Washington... Forget it; I'm from the NW!

He's not kidding about this being right out our window. I'm pretty sure I was never planning on visiting these sights ever in my life but I guess things change! I'm pretty excited to finally be here! And the good news is that everyone else is worrying enough for me, so I have that on my conscience...NOT! But you all are making my heart race about 1000 times faster because your anxiety is compiled. So everyone sleep well tonight because at least we are here safe and the rest is yet to come. The best is yet to come... I don't know what that means but I haven't done anything yet, so it has to be true. Once again I'm making no sense due to exhaustion. You'll get a good one tomorrow, I promise.

Day 5: Frederick, MD to Washington, D.C.

So, now the real fun begins - following all the detailed Google Maps directions to our hotel!

I-70 to I-270 to the George Washington Parkway to I-395 (via the Pentagon parking lot – or at least that’s the way we went) back across the Potomac into downtown D.C. (where you are more than a little distracted by driving by the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial (can you say “compensating”?) and the U.S. Capitol off in the distance) and then onto I-295 (for about 15 seconds) to the “S. Capitol St.” exit.

Amazingly we drove straight to our hotel (assuming the Pentagon parking lot is really part of the route) and were checked into our room by 11:15 PM. We have a very nice view of the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument right out our window. Suh-weet!

Now if we can find Jake a place to live tomorrow, I’ll be able to relax . . .

Day 5: Some Travel Plaza in Pennsylvania to Frederick, MD

We’re about 50 miles away from D.C. We just got off the freeway, to get Jake something to drink, in Hagerstown, Maryland, (City Motto: Our Signs Say We Have Services Right Off The Freeway But They’re Really In The Next County) but gave up after about three miles of wandering around that could have easily gotten us lost. Being the intrepid cross-country explorers we are, we managed to find our way back to the freeway, however.

Thankfully, on our way back to the freeway I was able to find a spot to, um, use “the little boys room” – by which I mean I was able to take my revenge on Hagerstown by killing a small patch of grass in a Park & Ride lot near the freeway entrance we almost couldn’t find!

Once outside Hagerstown, we climbed a hill that had a sign at the top that proudly proclaimed: “Elevation 985 feet.” Good grief. What would these people do if they had a real mountain?

A bit further south we stopped for one more Starbuck’s break in Frederick (City Motto: Our Signs Don’t Lie, Like The One’s In Hagerstown). Like a lot of people along the way, the guy at Starbucks asked about our packed-to-the-rafters CRV with Oregon plates. He was impressed with how quickly we made it here from Oregon and wished Jake good luck.

Now we’re back on the freeway with only 40 miles to go . . .

First Interesting Thing I've Seen All Day!

This is one of the first turnoffs and signs we have seen for DC! A little nervous, Dad is way excited...but so am I! We'll let u know when we get there.

Day 5: Toledo to Some Travel Plaza in Pennsylvania

We stopped for lunch and gas at some travel plaza in Ohio (State Motto: Land of the All Day Thunderstorms). Travel Plazas are apparently The Thing along Midwest toll roads. They give you the opportunity to get gas and food, with all the convenience of a rest area. And the rest rooms are generally cleaner.

The interesting thing about Ohio – today at least – is that it rained almost continuously from the time we crossed over from Indiana all the way to the Pennsylvania border. It just kept coming down. In buckets! I can’t remember seeing it rain that hard, for that long, in a long, long time. And I’m from Oregon!

Once we got into Pennsylvania (State Motto: We Have Lots Of Cities But We Won’t Let You See ‘Em), the weather improved dramatically. What was weird about Pennsylvania is that we drove through a big chunk of the state and never saw one city or town! They were there; we kept seeing signs for them, but we never saw one. Even Pittsburgh! As far as we know, it doesn’t exist. It seems that the highway system in this state is designed to avoid populated areas. Nothing but trees and an occasional building.

And about those toll roads. After a while it really does begin to add up. We’ve probably ponied up around $25 for various tolls!

About three quarters of the way across the state we stopped at yet another travel plaza to get something to eat and load up on Starbuck’s one more time. As we left, I glanced at a map and saw that D.C. is only 171 miles away. We thought it was closer to 250! Sweet!

Waterworld

Frisbee golf tournament is rained out. It is hard to see and hear while driving because it is so loud in this storm! Almost out of Ohio... I feel like I said that 2 hours ago!

Day 5: South Bend to Toledo

After a Guinness at Gipper’s Lounge, Jake and I went to bed about 2:00 AM. I woke up around 6:30 AM due to a raging thunderstorm that managed to cut off power for a couple of minutes. We slept until 9:30 and then finally dragged out lazy butts out of bed.

After a trip to Starbuck’s and a stop at Notre Dame University for a hole of Frisbee Golf between the football stadium and Touchdown Jesus, we finally hit the road around 11:00 AM.

Not much to report other than, when you get to this side of the U.S. it appears you pretty much have to pay for every road you drive on. $1.75 here. $2.40 there. It begins to add up after a while.

We got to the Ohio border about 1:00 PM. We’ll stop in Toledo for gas and lunch around 2:00 PM. After that we should have about 450 miles to go.

One for the Gipper...

Well we didn't win one...but we stopped in South Bend, IN for the night and we had one for the Gipper. Alright, we had a Guinness because you kinda have to when you're in the home of the Fighting Irish (but I didn't let it spoil my dinner) It was after dinner, and it is actually helping my calm down for bed. I say calm down, because I think I'm finally having that moment (yeah, the one where I go "what was I thinking?") so before I admit that I'm really having that moment, I think this might be the appropriate time to share why I'm doing this:

I have spent the last 5 years thinking about teaching, and its been a long process of thought to get where I am now. I started hanging out with high schoolers at Rogers HS volunteering with Young Life in Spokane. I noticed that these kids have a tendency to feel abandoned if you leave them (I think I remember that feeling).

Then, about the time I started thinking about teaching kids (so that I could hang out with them more), I got an email from a friend about schools in NYC that were having trouble keeping the good teachers in the city schools because at the first chance they would take jobs out in the burbs because they are "nicer" kids or "family friendly" neighborhoods. A few months later, a guy came to our church and talked about a completely contrary ideal: how he had moved his whole family INTO Chicago and became involved in the culture and community to make his ministry effective.

I heard all this, and then began thinking about my life as a single male from Bend, OR...I had learned so much about being culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate...but what had I experienced outside of my own understanding. I felt like God was saying: "I'm trying to send people...but they keep leaving. I have only a few who are willing or able, now who am I going to send?" Actually, I'm pretty sure God doesn't ask questions like that...because He knew I was going to do it anyways (don't worry...my dad and I will expostulate free will tomorrow!). But the fact remains, that I have a few skills and God likes people with skills. Ok I'm being a little ridiculous (but that is because its 2 AM here and I can't figure out what time zone I should be getting used to!) but I do have a few skills, and the blessing of being single and childless (sorry Grandma...I mean Mom!) and I think this could be a great way to serve as a teacher and invest in kids. I am not trying to save the day, or start a Jesus Camp in the ghetto, or even make myself out to be doing something no one else would (because actually, I applied for so many jobs in other big cities that other people are going to do better and with more experience). I am just going to teach some junior highers math...and kids are more interested in getting digits than adding digits (think about it).

Alright, now that I've reminded myself (and told some of you who didn't get bored and stop reading) I think I'll be able to avoid having "that" moment. In other news: a yogurt truck wrecked on I-80 (Nebraska) this morning causing serious boredom and picture taking along an unscheduled detour route; no news is good news in Iowa; the detour caused us to miss the White Sox game and drive straight thru Illinois; I'm finally in the right time zone...so I think its time for sleep even though I don't know how I drove EAST from Bend, OR...and wound up in SOUTH Bend, IN. Maybe sleep will cure me!

Day 4: The Amanas Rest Stop to South Bend

It was about my turn to drive, since ever other attempt today had left me feeling drowsy and Jake and I had to switch earlier than we should have. But after my aforementioned nap, I was ready to go and drove for the next 6 hours or so – almost 400 miles straight (Except for a stop for gas somewhere in Illinois (State Motto: If We’ve Got Nothin’ Else, We’ve Got Freeways, Baby!)

Not much to report here except two things . . .

1. Right in the middle of the freeway (or just above it, to be more correct) there is something called the Lincoln Oasis. This is a spot where you can literally take an exit ramp off the freeway to a food court that hangs over the I-80 freeway. When you’re done with your meal, get on the entrance ramp and get right back on the freeway.
2. Once you’re in Indiana, don’t expect an exit any time soon. They seem to have spaced those puppies out every ten miles or so. I guess the don’t want us foreigners messing up there stuff.

We got into South Bend (home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish) about 11:00 PM. Let me just say, that ordering and eating pizza at midnight is no longer my idea of a good time.

About 13 hours, 729 miles and four states today. Tomorrow it’s on to D.C.

Day 4: Omaha to The Amanas Rest Stop

As we ate lunch while we drove (something I apparently did not learn my lesson about after yesterday’s Taco Bell fiasco) we headed back onto I-80 and headed over the river to Iowa (State Motto: Land of Rolling Hills and Ubiquitous Corn Fields).

We stopped at rest area which advertised a “Free Wireless Hotspot.” That was true in the sense that there was a network to connect to but if you actually wanted to get on the internet – forget it. We gave up and moved on. Jake was driving and I was, uh, napping, as the picture below so painfully points out.

Once I woke up, we stopped at another rest area that had an informative historical marker about the Amana communities in southeastern Iowa. BUT the most significant thing to happen during this brief stop is that we managed to tie on this hole of our ongoing Frisbee Golf Tournament. I’m not sure who is leading, but I suspect it is not me.

Iowa...

Old men aren't built for this. But at least he's not snoring like last night!

Day 4: Almost Gretna to Omaha

As we were driving through Omaha, Jake noticed a sign for Rosenblatt Stadium, so we pulled off I-80 and there it was! The site of Oregon State’s back-to-back NCAA World Series wins! It’s a great facility and we got a few pictures while we were there. Plus we played another hole of Frisbee Golf. (The outcome is sealed and cannot be revealed without the express written consent of Major League Baseball.)

We also grabbed hamburgers for the road from nearby Zesto’s drive in. Home of the “Best Cheeseburgers in Town.” We think they may not have been telling the truth.

And now, on to Iowa . . .

Day 4: Ashland to Almost Gretna

Let us join the play by play of today’s game, already in progress . . .

11:45: We’re passing yet another cornfield . . . .

11:46: Coming up on a sign that points us to the Nebraska National Guard Camp . . .

11:47: Railroad tracks on the left . . .

11:47: Willow Park Park (that can't possibly be right, can it?) on the right . . .

11:48: Crossing the Platte River . . .

11:49: Oooh! The Linoma Beach RV Park complete with an almost full-sized lighthouse out front.

11:52: Breaking News: We’re now going 25 miles an hour!

11:54: More cornfields on the right.

11:55: Aww crap. Back down to a full stop.

11:57: Nice looking thistle with a few purple flowers

Noon: Back up to 15 miles per hour. Oh, wait. False alarm.

12:03: Jake tells me he’s going to get an apartment that doesn’t allow pets and get a “Beware of Dog” sign to put out front.

12:04: Elizabeth called to update us on her search for a hotel in D.C. for Jake and I to stay in while we’re there. (Which, again, should be sometime in 2013.)

12:06: Climbing a small hill. This is only significant because Nebraska is totally flat. (Parenthetical remark removed at the request of Jake Milliron.)

12:07: Passed a truck with the name Business Tech on the side. More interestingly, their slogan is (and I am NOT making this up): “Erection Specialist.”

12:09: KOA Kampground on the right. They apparently sell propane there. Just in case you need to know that.

12:10: Big honkin’ cornfields on the right AND left.

12:11: Two miles to Gretna. But they're waving us off in the opposite direction. The good news is that it appears we’re headed back to I-80.

12:15: After an hour – and an approximate 12 mile detour, we are now back on I-80 and up to our standard 75+ miles per hour.

We now return you to regular programming . . .

Day 4: Exit 420 to Ashland

We left I-80 for our scenic detour of even more rural Nebraska around 11:15 AM. Its 11:30 and we’ve almost made it one mile to the intersection with the detour, Highway 6. At this rate we should be in D.C. by 2013.

While I have some extra time, let me just mention that there is corn everywhere in Nebraska! Any empty space of any size has been planted. Field after field after field. It is not yet as high as an elephant’s eye, however. (This informative tidbit brought to you by the Nebraska Ag Council and your local Dairy Queen.)

It’s now 11:45 and after 30 minutes we have finally made it the three miles to the town of Ashland. Only 11 more miles to Gretna, where we can get back on the freeway.

Day 4: Kearney to Exit 420

We left Kearney around 9:00 AM after searching for a hidden Starbuck’s for a half hour. Thankfully we called our personal OnStar assistant (Elizabeth), who was able to track down a Starbuck’s in York – about an hour away.

From there we headed on to Lincoln, home of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers (Motto: We’re Named After A Person Who Takes Husks Off Of Corn And Our Football Team Can Still Kill Your Football Team).

Shortly after Lincoln we ran into a detour on I-80. Apparently an accident involving a semi carrying yogurt (I am not making this up) has shut down the highway. Apparently it is too dangerous to drive on a substance that closely resembles snot. So, we’re stalled on our slowly moving, several mile detour, 36 miles away from Omaha, for who knows how long.

Over turned semi in NE. Detours are the worst. Hope we don't miss the game tonight!

Nebraska!

This is what i was looking at in mirrors to the west as we drove east straight into a HUGE lightning storm!

Where am I?

I haven't reached the "turn around I made a mistake" stage yet...actually, its quite different. I'm in Nebraska after having one of those father-son days that no one else would think is cool. What road trip is complete without the out-of-the-way stop for beer, a little frisbee golf game that will stretch ALL the way across the country, and pumping gas in the car and out of your bodies! I think those things almost cancel out the fact that we had to break our "national chain fast" on fast food (Taco Bell was not worth it!) But when entire towns across the Midwest are designed for you to "drive-thru" them...there is no other option.

We were determined to make it this far today, and nothing will bring the determination out of Dad and I like getting to a baseball game! I'll try and text a few more pics to this page so you can see something more entertaining. However, right now we have a wake up call that is creeping up on us...stupid time zone change. night...