E-!:

Here. Read my paper. You've earned it.

Just click the "E-!"

D-16: Total cheat.

I didn't blog yesterday. I'm keeping this "D" streak going for two reasons: the internet was "finicky" yesterday and I did work on the paper. The efficiency of the time was not what it could be. I'm going to try an hourly log today so I force myself to come to grips with what I'm accomplishing.

Lady Maphet: I greatly envy your reading habits! Did you enjoy Bleak House? Anna Karenina must not be too bad if your nearly finished it. How would you compare the authors?

JB: Snow on paper is terrible. It renders the paper absolutely useless.

I may play with the layout in the future. My reason for picking this one is because it places my explanation of this blog at the top which I hope is helpful to any new comers. Though my "regulars" are probably more important.

Thanks for reading, all.

D-15: He's on a roll!

That isn't wholly true, of course. Remember that paper on Hugo, Dickens and Tolstoy I'm supposed to write? Still not a jot or tittle down. I have high hopes for tomorrow. Another day off, it looks like.

The wife and I did some shoveling which was quite fun though from the outside it looked like work (about an hour later it really felt like work). I am very happy to have enjoyed the time with my "help mate." It was a good morning. The afternoon wasn't bad either. I put together a lesson plan because I was supposed to get observed tomorrow, and we thought it best to be prepared despite our doubts that there would be school. I'm happy with the lesson, and have hopes that it will go well.

So Hugo, Dickens, and Tolstoy will have to wait till tomorrow. God has certainly given me more that enough time, so I'm pretty short of excuses. Thankfully I'm also still interested in the subject. I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel here, just doing a comparative study of three authors and how there writings were influenced by and influenced the 19th century. I'm hoping that this study will give me a better perspective on what we write about today.

I'm also considering starting another blog project in which I reflect one chapter of the Psalms at a time. I may write it in my own words or write my own poetry in response to it. I think it will be a very unique way to do a study.

Comments: I've heard from a few that the comment system has been a little finicky lately. I have no idea why that may be, but I appreciate the efforts!

D-14: Happy Snow Day

May be on hiatus for a bit. Hope to check in Monday.

D-13: Bleh

Not feeling well today, just kind of out of it, I might be sick. Maybe I'll get to sleep a lot.

D-12: Upstream

Today I did more watching than doing. There was a two hour delay, so the schedule was off kilter, and it seemed to affect everything else. I graded student writing for the first time too. It was a little, no consequence kind of assignment, but I really found myself sweating over giving and taking points away. One day, I'll probably think very little about it which doesn't make me feel better.

I just want to be helpful. I don't want to take points off as punishment or because it's "what they deserve." I'd like to think it will help them be teachable. I need some interesting pens. Grading with a dull black Bic carries no sense of authority.

I'm going to try and chill out with the wife again tonight, though I know I need to get more work done on this paper. I have a ways to go regarding the lesson plan too, but I remain enthused about it. Dinner smells good right now....mmmm.

D-11: Something must be done.

Both Shannon and I are on board with me working on the paper today. It'll be interesting. It's certainly a unique challenge to manage one's abiding procrastination with a partner, which is probably why I try to deal with it alone, but we all know how well that works. The challenge in having my wife as a partner is that we really like each other. We just want to hang out. I have to be upfront and honest about my needs in a loving and sacrificial way, and she has the complicated role of balancing accountability and support without losing respect. If that sentence made sense to you, then you know how to pray for us.

So, the paper will be our guinea pig.

JB: Blu-ray player prices have dropped significantly. I'm not sure the xbox plays blu-ray, but both systems play Netflix (the Wii should be capable soon) which is what we're most interested in anyway and the main reason we bought the system we did. We've decided to take advantage of the store's return policy and will re-evaluate our choice in 80 days or so.

D-10: No title

Nothing super insightful to report today. This entry is coming in late because I went to Walmart after school and there was some cleaning and eating to do before Frontliners. It was a good evening, and I enjoyed seeing familiar faces.

Spending some time with the wife tonight. I'm going to try to get up a little early tomorrow. Need to develop the habit.