Golf, For real

Yesterday I went golfing with a buddy. We hit the links at Madrona Links, in Gig Harbor after 5:00 for the reduced price of only $15.00. This was my first time on a full size, 18 hole course. I had some really, really, terrible shots and lost 3 or 4 golf balls. Then I redeemed myself with 4 incredible drives in a row, all over 200 yards and on the fairway! You would think that those kind of shots would set me up for a good score on the hole... No... I blew it on the approach and short game. Golf has to be one of the toughest, most frustrating sports invented, but I enjoyed every minute of it!

Summer Stars...Finally

It is after 3 AM, and I have just wrapped up my first long evening out back under the stars. It has been awhile since I've been out, and I had to spend some time reacquainting myself with the summer night sky. I waited until Jupiter cleared some trees, then spent a fair amount of time watching. Every once in a while, there were crystal clear moments. I was able to make out the two main cloud bands, and also some of the lighter colored tan ones. The four largest moons were clear, and I watch Io orbit around and disappear behind the largest planet in the solar system. At the end of the evening I returned to Jupiter and caught a glimpse of the Great Red Spot! I also checked in with the two globular clusters in Hercules, M13 and M92. The Ring Nebula and Epilson Lyra, and Lyra were also on my list. I checked of the "coathanger cluster" (yes, it looks like a coathanger) and nearby M71. Then I was surprised when I went for the Wild Duck CLuster, and ran into the Eagle Nebula. I had never seen that before. This is the nebula that the famous photograph of the "Pillars of Creation" was taken by the Hubble Telescope. All in all, and great evening to get back into the astronomy. I'm looking forward to some more!

More Michigan

The training has continued through the week. It is an introductory math training for our curriculum, but the other teacher, Hilaree, and I are getting a few good tidbits here and there. Yesterday and Monday were very nice, with temps in the upper 70's-mid 80's. Today, we had showers, but it was still very warm out, and the rain was warm. It was a strange feeling. Yesterday I spotted a black squirrel, and took a picture. I thought it was very unique. Today walking across campus, I saw four more. Either that black squirrel is very fast, or they are not as unique as I thought. Maybe they are some grad student's project on genetics. After the conference today, we spotted one of the authors, Glenda Lappan. I had previously met her two years ago in Everett at another math conference. She actually remembered me from then! We had our picture taken with her to show our students in the Fall. Kind of corny, but also kind of cool. There are some beautiful botanical gardens on campus. The plants are all arranged taxonomically, and also are very beautiful.

Math Training in East Lansing

Yesterday I spent the entire day traveling from Seattle to Detroit, then Detroit to Lansing Michigan. Lansing is the state capital and home to Michigan State University (The Spartans). It is also home to the developers of our math curriculum, Connected Mathematics. I am here with another teacher, for a 5 day training which will give me an in-depth look at the program, and give me the official credential to be a trainer for the district.

Traveling was not too bad yesterday, just a bore. we spent 3 hours in Detroit waiting for the connecting flight to be ready. The Detroit airport is very cool. There is an elevated, indoor train which you can ride along the length of the main terminal. There is also an amazing light/sound tunnel. It is probably 300 yards long, and music plays while lights in the walls and ceiling give an impressive show. I took some photos, but then found this video which gives a better idea.



Today is the first day of training. I really hope it is worthwhile, and not just an introduction course.

Students' Choice Award

This morning I was honored to receive the Port Orchard Rotary Students' Choice Award, along with a good friend Peter Bulthuis. Each year 7th grade students at the local junior high vote for their favorite teachers in elementary school. The local Rotary club organizes this, and recognizes the recipients at a breakfast. There were about 20 teachers who were recognized, and it was great to see so many of my colleagues also get recognition for their hard work. So often in this profession, the rewards are intangible. Sure, there is the paycheck each month, but I seldom really know if I am having the kind of positive impact I want to have on kids. I've learned that 99% of this job is relational, the rest is stuff that was/wasn't taught in college. This award is probably one of the most important and meaningful awards to receive because it is based on the relationships I formed with students, chosen by the students, and based on the positive learning experience I gave them. It is a tangible award, representing so many intangibles, which are the reasons why I teach.

Peter Darragh, M.S. Education

Tonight I posted my final assignments for my masters program. I focused on K-8th grade science. It has taken two years of weekly assignments and science projects. Overall, the science content wasn't too challenging, but it did give me great perspective and some useful strategies for the classroom. I have fond memories of a rotting bottle full of compost decomposing in our spare room, grass seeds growing under grow lamps, and a water tower made out of coffee stirrers. Stephanie finished her master's degree a few weeks ago too! No more college for a long time for me...I've had enough!

Summer is Here!?

Warm weather, bbq's, and water skiing! Hopefully, we have some warm weather that might stick around for more than just a few days. Last night a coworker invited the staff over to her house on Long Lake. I got to go water skiing for the first time in 6 or 7 years! That was fun. I am definitely ready for the last day of school now!

Tim Darragh: B.A., Illustration

After four years at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Tim graduated last week! He now has a B.A. in Illustration, and is quite accomplished. The night before commencement, all the art students had a gallery opening. Tim had two wall to cover with his work, showing what he has accomplished. It was quite impressive! The personality of the drawings was really evident. It was impressive to see the evolution of a character from the first sketch, to a framed, finished piece. Great job - We're all proud of you Tim! Check out his website: theeyeinside.com



The next day was the commencement ceremony at Benaroya Hall, downtown. It was beautiful! There was a gamelon ensemble that played several unique compositions from Indonesia and Japan. A student speaker and some students who sang a tune called, "I Want to go Back to College" really helped show the unique personality of all the Cornish students. Gone were the cap and gown (except for one student), and in were gifts for their department chairs. It was a proud moment when Timothy Darragh was called, and he walked across the stage to receive his diploma! Great job Tim! Big things are in store for my brother, he is truly talented, and gifted with drawing.

Outdoor Education 2008

This week is outdoor education. This is our third year going to Olympic Park Institute on Lake Crescent. Check out our blog: http://sgopi.blogspot.com/

Snakes, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails...

I love teaching. Each day is a different challenge with opportunities to build relationship and help kids grow in a really positive way. I'm up for a challenge, and am not afraid to try something new. Each spring the human growth and development curriculum is taught. Boys and girls are separated. Despite the awkward topic, it is one of my favorite teaching moments of the year. For some reason, teaching to a group of just boys really works - the energy, freedom, and space to be boys. I've wondered for awhile about same-sex education. It has some traction in some areas; it also has its detractors and strong opponents. There is some strong evidence that it is beneficial for both sexes, up to a certain age. The New York Times magazone published an interesting article (click post title above). What do you think?

Another 3 years...

Tonight was the last lunar eclipse for three years. It seems lucky that there has been two within one year - last August and tonight. Last August I tried to take pictures through a pair of binoculars - not too successful. Tonight, I put the camera against the telescope eyepiece and the pictures turned out better. Pretty good for the poor man's astro-photography set-up! Some friends and their kids came over and we looked at many cool things. There were a lot of ohhhs and ahhhs as we saw Saturn's rings, Mars, the Pleiades, the Andromeda galaxy, and wrapped it up with the Orion Nebula. As we finished up, the Moon was on its way out of totality. A pretty awesome show! I was even able to notice a bluish area between the dark shadow and the light side. Apparently, this is caused by sunlight passing through the upper ozone layers of Earth's atmosphere.


Click on the slideshow for a bigger photo

Here is a really cool photo (Somebody else took it!):

2008 Presidential Caucus

Today Stephanie and I attended our local democratic caucus. Neither of us had ever attended one before and really didn't know what to expect. I was looking forward to the discussion, and especially the chance to meet others in my neighborhood. There aren't really chances to truly talk and discuss with those living in the same community anymore, today was a rare opportunity.

After everyone had signed in, there were 65 or so people of all ages packed into a small room at the Retsil Veterans Home. There was lengthy discussion about both Senator Clinton and Obama. Questions were posed and concerns were voiced. I spoke briefly. I was impressed at the level of respect that everyone showed for each other. Everyone agreed that both candidates are good, and will certainly be better than the last 7 years of disaster, lies, ignorace. After about an hour of discussion, it was time to choose delegates to move on to the county level. I stood and volunteered, then everyone split into groups representing their chosen candidate.

At that point, each person who was interested in moving on to the county level was asked to speak. Out of 10 delegates available in our precinct, 7 were chosen for Obama, and 3 for Clinton. I am very excited to be representing my precinct at the county level as a delegate for Obama in April.

This was a fantastic experience, and I am looking forward to the next level and participating in this uniquely American experience.

Clear, crisp night. Beautiful Moon.

Taken through the telescope. The photo doesn't do the details justice.

Benjamin Richard Stevens

Michelle and Jeff have a new baby boy! Benjamin was born last night at 6:49.

From Benjamin Stevens

Merry Christmas!

It's snowing on Christmas Day in Seattle!?

The Zep is back

Wow - 30 years since they last gave a concert, and they sound amazing. I wonder how long these videos will stay on youtube. If they go on tour, I sure would like to be there.

Good Times, Bad Times


News Report


Kashmir


Stairway

Date with Orion

It was finally clear and cold last night. I spent almost two hours on the deck with my telescope. It was the first very clear night this winter. Orion was high in the South, Gemini to the East, and Perseus to the West. It took me awhile to reorient myself to the positions of the winter constellations. Castor, in Gemini was easy to split. I saw a few meteors streak out of the Gemini area - the beginnings of the Geminid Shower? Mars was a prominent sight in Gemini. It is growing bigger each evening as Earth's and Mars's orbits become closer. Near the end of the month, Mars will be the biggest of the year. I was not able to discern any surface features on Mars - It was very bright and I think I need a filter. I spotted several wonderful clusters, including the Beehive (M44), and two in Auriga (M36, M37). Orion presented the Orion Nebula and several multiple star systems. After a fair amount of time, and very cold fingers, I noticed that stars were getting tougher to discern. It began to get hazy and overcast, and it was finally time to head inside. I was hoping to watch the Shuttle launch this morning, but it has been postponed until January 2nd because of sensor problems.


The Orion Nebula - I was able to make out the main structures, not in spectacular color though.

Sump This!

Wet snow and heavy rains have resulted in a major drainage problem at our house. We awoke to several bad signs:

1. A bad smell coming from the bathroom (PS: It wasn't me!)
2. A "waterfall" sound under our bedroom.
3. Inches of water covering the septic tank.
4. Water pouring under our fence from the property behind us.
5. When I checked, a flooded crawl space.

I went to work, wrote quick sub plans, and came home. I dug trenches, but to no avail. I had bought a sump pump on the way home at ACE - talk about a frenzied place! They were out of hose though. One of our neighbors, Leonard, came over and gave me some old hose. With that and other odds and ends, I pieced a drain system together. The pump is working away, but really not keeping up very well. It will work until the power goes out.

Our septic is completely inundated, I guess we just have to wait for it to drain.

Today I also made an important discovery - the limitations of Gore-Tex. I was soaked.

Seattle Half-Marathon

Unofficial Time: 1:59:20

I ran my first 1/2 marathon Sunday with Chad and Melia. IT was a very cold morning, and I agonized right until start time about what to wear. Luckily it wasn't raining, and it turned out to be a beautiful day. The starting area was packed as close to 10,000 people began the 13.1 mile course. My goal was a finish time of 1:45 , which would put me at 8 minute miles. Unfortunately, the crowd was so dense and we started so far back, that I spent the first 3 miles just trying to find an open space to get moving in. Some of the hills were tough, but not to bad. The couse went through Leschi and and some other beautiful neighborhoods along Lake Washington. One cool part was running through the I-90 tunnel. I ran hard the whole race, trying to make up for the first 2 miles, which were 11 minutes apiece. As I neared Memorial Stadium, I realized that I would just barely make it under 2 hours. I pushed it really hard, and crossed the finish line at 1:59:20, according to my watch. Not so bad for my first half-marathon. Maybe I'll be back next year!

Frustrating Discrepancy

I've been using a Nike+ system to help me keep tack of my running. It is a little sensor that is on my shoe, and a receiver on my ipod. The sensor senses each stride taken, and sends the data to the ipod. Nike has a pretty great web site where I have all my run data logged. Today I went for a long run. I was planning on 10 miles, but when I got close to home, the Nike+ system said that I still had two to go. I was feeling pretty good, so I went for another 2 miles. I got home and compared the Nike+ data to the route I actually ran. A big difference. Nike+ says 10.25, Mapmyrun.com says 12.02. I'm not sure which is correct. My pace for 12.02 miles would've been 7:30/mile. I don't think that is right - too fast. So - I ran somewhere between 10 and 12 miles. Sometimes technology is great, sometimes not so much.