Yesterday I went to Target. No real reason to go (alright, I needed toilet paper). I felt good because I left Target having only spent $23 out of pocket. I say out of pocket cause I did use a $35 dollar gift card.

However amongst the myriad of things I bought was a new pair of jeans ($14) and some Argyle socks. Check out the ones I am wearing today.

I had a weird dream last night.  I’ve wrote in the past about having jaw pain (which I am thinking is related to the sore muscles in my neck making me clench my jaw – I am seriously considering getting a massage).  Anyways, last night I had this dream where one of my teeth was black, now I know my teeth aren’t the whitest – I drink a lot of coffee – but they are nowhere near black.  This black tooth was stranger though.  I was looking at it in the mirror and it looked soft, so I pressed against it with my fingernail, and it chipped.  It was so soft I could etch things into it.

It was bizarre.  Scary a little.  Considering I take better care of my teeth now than at any other time in my life, and probably eat less candy now than any other time in my life as well.  I floss multiple times a day (I actually carry floss in my bag to work), brush at least twice a day (I also carry a tooth brush and toothpaste in my bag) and use mouth wash (the stingy kind, so I know its working).  So a tooth dream is kind of scary.

Anyways, its the start of the work week.  But its one of those count down weeks.  One of those weeks where there is something at the end of the week to look forward too.  Well, I suppose countdown weeks don’t even have to have events to look forward too.  Just that are there.  Regardless Friday is my birthday.  31!  Wooo.  And since my birthday is a short four days from now, that means today is my father’s birthday…

So from one Albert to another Albert…. Happy Birthday Old Man!!! Hope I look as good as you do when I’m your age.  You rock dad, and honestly, if my life turns out anything like yours, I’d be really happy with everything I’ve done in life.  I don’t know if I ever told you, so I’ll tell you on the phone as well as here (I’m not even sure he knows I have a webpage), you are, and always have been, my role model in life.  Letting you down, is the scariest thing I could do.  Weird huh, I grow up and move away, and kind of just want to make my dad proud.  Eh, I suppose that kind of feeling never goes away.

Anyways, back to this Albert, I still haven’t figured out what to do for my birthday.  I still like the idea of a short road trip somewhere.  I like the idea of a concert on my birthday or the Saturday afterwards.  I’ll figure it out.  My birthday won’t suck this year.  Or at least not make the top five crappy birthdays list.  Usually if its not on that list it means it was an ok birthday.  I don’t have a top five birthdays list, although going to see Transformers the Animated Movie in the theaters for my birthday is up there for sure.  That one rocked.

Also I’m not shaving til my birthday.  While I’m feeling all sort of disheveled right now, I think it’d be fun not to shave til then.  I’ve already made it almost a month (I really don’t grow a great beard).  I haven’t had a haircut since before Thanksgiving either.  Going on four months.  Its shaggy but not bad.  Alright, off to work before I’m late.

(I have a hat on in the picture to keep my hair from curling too much)

To speak is a gift.  To be a great orator is a gift.

To teach, is something else entirely.  I was at a training today. Three hours long.  They guy, as entertaining as he tried to be, read from a packet he had handed everyone.  The packet was 38 pages long.  Every word on the packet was read verbatim.  It was dull and excruciating.  I had read the entire packet in under half an hour and had to sit through his reading.

He did, to his credit, try to insert pleasant little stories along with what was in the packet, but some were personal stories that were way to close to his heart to be effective, and others were stories that did nothing to elaborate or add new material to the packet.

It reminded me of college, when a professor would hand out a note packet that went along with their PowerPoint slideshows.  But the fact that there was space for notes was redundant, everything they wanted to say and did say was already in the PowerPoint.  The note section was never touched and if you read the packet then there was no need to ask questions or even pay attention to the PowerPoint.

It wasn’t interesting, it wasn’t compelling, if you weren’t a student who learned best through reading or listening, there was no way you would retain anything from lesson.

When I taught we did use PowerPoint slideshows, but in collusion with video, lecture, readings, activities, and research projects.  Granted we had the benefit of teaching of a longer period of time, not a three hour period, however, if you plan to teach something in a three hour period, and you want people to pay attention, give them the resources in one form and ask for or plan activities that encourage participation.  At the end of the training, offer the information in other forms for review and reference.

Or at least that is how I would approach it.  Sitting for two and half hours, after absorbing all the information in the first half an hour, leads to boredom.  And doodling.

I was out with my friend Dan on Saturday night.  I had a lot of trouble not being irritated.  I am not sure if I am showing my age, or its an appropriate response, but I get extremely irritated and frustrated when I hear anyone say “IDK” or “JK.”  Even “LOL” gets to me, but I can overlook that one on occasion.

I understand in text messages (I don’t abbreviate myself but I understand), but how am I supposed to have a conversation with someone when they say “IDK” instead of “I don’t know” or instead of “just kidding” they say “JK.”  It kills me.  It makes me wonder how they got through college, or got a real job.

Man it irks me.  When I heard that girl say “IDK” and follow it up with a “JK!!” I was ready to yell at her.  But she was (is) Dan’s friend.  I held my tongue…..

For a while at least.

Ella rocks. Even on her off cranky days she still likes Funcle AJ.

Visiting Buffalo is always full of peaks and valleys.  High spots and good times and down time that drags.  Its good to visit friends, to see old spots that were home, and people that make you miss being here.  On that point its three in the afternoon and I’m drinking a beer by myself.  That’s ok though, soon its off to visit Baby Squire and the smiles she brings (I suppose I’ll visit the Parent Squires – Sean and Missy – at the same time).

But while sitting here I am trying to figure out what to do about my birthday.  Its less than two weeks away.  Normally I say screw it, and do nothing.  I have a history of bad birthdays.  This one is on a Friday.  I’m contemplating driving someplace I’ve never been before by myself for my birthday.  Literally running away for a weekend.  Whats to stop me?

What I really need is a destination that excites me and at the same time isn’t a ridiculously far drive.  Say less than 4 hours, maybe 5 tops.  Chicago is five (although I’ve been there before).  Ann Arbor is three.  Indianapolis is 5, and Wussy plays there Friday night on my birthday, but I wouldn’t make it unless I took my birthday off of work (tempting).  Cinncinati is just over 3. 

Maybe the Wussy line of thought is the right way to go.  Find a show somewhere on Friday or Saturday that is within my driving limit and go to it for my birthday.  I think I’ll do some research this week and put wheels in motion.