NYC – Part 2

Posted on December 1, 2006 by Blair

So I mentioned the whole Charmin bathrooms earlier. Apparently, Procter and Gamble has a grand marketing scheme that involves providing twenty bathrooms in Times Square free of charge. Anyone who wants can enter into a building adorned with HUGE Charmin bears on the outside, take an escalator to the second floor and stand in a fast moving line as each person waits for a turn in a Charmin Bathroom. The bathrooms are cleaned after each visit by one of the oh-my-word-too-darn-cheerful Charmin attendants. These people are beyond excited about their job. I am excited about my job some days, and I never sing and dance. These people do… one guy even had on bear paws (you know… like the animated bears in the Charmin commercials!).

After a potty break, we wandered down Broadway, aimlessly making our way to The Broadway Theater, home of The Color Purple. Frankly, the main reason I chose this show was because Miranda wanted to see it. I picked up the tickets at the TKTS booth which is about a block from our hotel. We got a great deal… half price! Anyway, I went to placate my bride. I was absolutely amazed by the show. The movie is phenomenal, but the play adds the excitement of a live performance. The actress that played Celie is incredibly gifted, but my favorite was the actress who played Sofia. For those of you familiar with the movie, Sofia is the role made famous by Oprah (who, by the way, is one of the producers for the musical).

After the show, we wandered back up Broadway and back towards our hotel. We picked up a late night snack at Junior’s, and then came back to the hotel.

This morning, I slept late. There were no little girls to ask me if it was wake-up time yet, so I just slept. Miranda was up earlier than I was, and she went to one of the dozen or so Starbucks within spitting distance of the hotel. When she came back, we went trotting around mid-town. We ate some lunch, and then we were off to try to find a LensCrafters. We went to the one on 5th Avenue, and it was way-cool… but no glasses that I liked. We traveled uptown to a LensCrafters Optique, and I ordered a pair I like. They will be shipped within two weeks or so. We took a cab from the first LensCrafters to the Optique and from the Optique to the hotel… total fare and tips: $20. Total cost of glasses: $20. I sure am happy when Miranda gives me her free pair!

We came back to the hotel since it was drizzling, and Miranda took a nap. I worked on a paper due Monday night in my Legal Responsibilities in Education Course, and then I went walking around the neighborhood. When I came back, Miranda was ready to go, so we went out and took the subway down to the East Village. We wandered around for a while before we finally found a somewhat decent barbecue place for dinner. Since it has been unseasonably warm all day, we decided to eat out on the sidewalk. After dinner, we walked over to the Orpheum, which had been within sight the whole time we ate, and went in to find out seats.

Once again, Stomp was phemonal! I have seen it twice before: once here and once in London. Tonight was different, because I have an indirect connection with one of the performers. David had told me to keep an eye out because a friend of his from college is in the production. Turns out that his buddy has one of the leads in the production. I don’t suppose Stomp really has a lead, but there are always two stand out characters. One of the performers usually stands out as the leader, and one of the others stands out as clownish type of goofball. The goofball is always my favorite… and tonight, that role was excellently played by David’s friend, Brad Holland.

After the play, we wandered back to the subway and took it to Times Square. We then wandered back to the hotel (with a stop by Junior’s, of course), and here I am… telling you about my day. Enough for now…

Categories: Travel | 1 Comment

New York City!

Posted on December 1, 2006 by Blair

Remember that Pace salsa comercial that had the cowboys sitting around the campfire? Go back and re-read the title of this post in that incredulous cowboy voice…

Okay, okay… so it has been nearly a month with no post. Quit your grumbling and complaining… at least I am on here now. Plus, it’s not like I have any regular readers or anything.

Anyway, on to the point of the post. Miranda and I left with the girls Wednesday night after a quick bite to eat at the Front Porch. We arrived in Pelham in about an hour where we spent the night with Miranda’s aunt Teresa and her family. She had graciously agreed to keep the girls for us while we spent the weekend in NYC, and we were happy to let her.

We left for the airport at about the same time we would have left for work / school, and arrived at the airpot with no problems. Security was a breeze, we ate a quick airport breakfast… high-quality cuisine, folks… then we boarded our little puddle jumper for a direct flight into LaGuardia.

The flight was uneventful. Well, until we started to land. Miranda is a reluctant flyer at best, and she had my hand in a death grip. Honestly, the last time she held my hand so tightly she was in labor. We landed safely, and had no baby in the process.

Note to my gentle readers who might be coing to NYC: don’t take a shuttle to Manhattan. I was a cheapskate who wanted to save $10 or so off the cab fare… and in doing so, I got a nice meandering tour of all of mid-town as Pedro the Wonder Driver dropped off everyone else on the van before bringing us to the Miford.

Checking in was a breeze. There was a line curving back and forth through those ropes that you see at Disney World. I don’t mind standing in a queu like that for a roller coaster, but there is no way I am doing it to check into a freaking hotel. I saw a big group over ot one side, and I began to wiggle through that group and making my way to the front. What could have been an hour and a half was reduced to 15 minutes.

After checking in, I left Miranda in the room and walked a quick block over to the TKTS booth to get tickets for tonight. I had lots to choose from, but decided on The Color Purple. Miranda was really wanting to see it, and I had picked Stomp for Friday night. I went back to the room, got my bride, and she and I went exploring. We ate a very late lunch at the best pizza place in mid-town, John’s. I am not sure, but I honestly think this place is in an old church. The atmosphere was phenomenal – complete with two large, brick, wood-burning pizza ovens right there in the dining area.

After a late lunch (early supper?), we walked over to Times Square and just began to wander. We walked down Broadway, and over to the Charmin bathrooms. Don’t ask… I will tell you later.

In fact, I think I will continue this little saga later. I slept in this morning, and it is now lunchtime. I am ready to get off the computer and go over to 5th Avenue. Miranda and I are eating on the way, and then I think we are going to do a little shopping.

Categories: Travel | 3 Comments

Greatest Headline EVER

Posted on November 4, 2006 by Blair

I refuse to put it here, because you wouldn’t believe. You have to click here to go see it. And a big thanks to Earl for finding this first.

P.S. – Coming soon: a site redesign and some more rgular updates. Woo-hoo!

Categories: Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Aren’t You Glad You Weren’t Quoted for this Article?

Posted on October 9, 2006 by Blair

Making Her Family Proud

Categories: Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Coming Soon to a Television Near You

Posted on October 7, 2006 by Blair

SimpsonsMrA

What if I were a character on the Simpson’s? I think I would look a lot like this picture.

But what if I were on South Park? I think I would look a lot like this:

SouthParkMrA

What do you think?

Categories: Me, School | 3 Comments

My Uncle Bill

Posted on September 2, 2006 by Blair

Sometimes, people come into our lives and make such a difference that we are never the same. Occasionally, it is not an individual, but an entire family. Even though we may not be related to them, we come to see them as being a part of our own. Here in the South, we even make them honorary aunts and uncles. When I was growing up, the Crawford family was that kind of family. They came into the lives of my family when I was just a toddler, and to this day, they remain forever a part of the fabric of who I am.

When we first me them, Bill and Nita Crawford had three children. Their oldest, Wynne, was in college after having graduated high school at the early age of 16. Nilha, their middle child, was in high school, and so was Trent, their youngest.

When Wynne was home for breaks, she would babysit my big sister and me. (My younger brother wasn’t born yet.) Nilha was often a baby sitter as well. They would even load us up into the backseat of their cars and take the two of us to Montgomery to see a movie. I saw countless Disney movies with the Crawford girls. I also remember Nilha taking us all the way to Montgomery just so she could buy us some bublle gum ice cream. Nilha was even my first fiancee, but that is a story for another time.

Trent was there for me in a different way. If I ever had bike troubles, I knew Trent could help me fix them. On more than one occasion, Trent put a wayward chain back where it belonged so that I could return to terrorizing the neighborhood.

Uncle Bill may not have taken me on my first motorcycle ride, but he took me on the first one that I can remember. Late one morning, he came and picked me up, and I sat behind him on his Goldwing as he drove around town. He took me to lunch, and we had Reuben sandwiches. I must confess… I don’t like Reubens. I have never liked them, but I ate mine that day anyway… after all, Uncle Bill was eating one, and Uncle Bill was cool! He drove a motorcycle! Plus, he had an old Model A Ford in his garage. Of course, at the time I didn’t think it was cool to have an old car like that. In fact, I told my mother once that I thought a doctor should be able to afford a nicer car than that.

My Aunt Nita has loved me in more ways than I could ever tell you. Even when I was a small child, she always took time out of her day for me. She would play air hockey with me, and sometimes she would even let me win. She talked with me, and, more importantly, she would listen to me.

When I was just seven, she shared about Christ with me. Together, we knelt by the couch in their den where we prayed. She introduced me to Jesus.

The stories that the Andress family and the Crawford family share are too numerous to tell here. I think they could make up a book if I tried. But tonight, I can’t begin to try. Tonight, my heart is sad.

My Uncle Bill had surgery this past week. As I understand it, he was having a heart valve replaced. Technically, the surgery went fine. As the week went on, it became clearer that Uncle Bill just wasn’t recuperating the way we had hoped. This morning, at about 6:00, my Uncle Bill passed away.

He told Aunt Nita before the surgery that he was prepared… that he was ready if something were to happen. He went on to tell her that he sure would enjoy spending several more years with her if the Lord would just let him. The Lord had other plans.

God has been glorified in the life of Dr. Willis V. Crawford. He used his medical practice as a ministry, and I am sure many lives were impacted as a result. He and his bride raised three wonderful children who all love Christ. He and his bride shared a lifelong marriage that was an inspiration to many.

Bill Crawford touched many lives, and there are countless people who will be forever different because of him and his family.

I know. I am one of them.

Categories: Family, Me | 6 Comments

*sigh* Paulie is Gone

Posted on August 21, 2006 by Blair

Most of my day is spent with teenagers. Don’t get me wrong, I love them dearly. Heck, you can’t survive as a teacher if you don’t. They make me laugh, they make me smile, and some of them have even been known to bring a tear to my eye. Even though I love them, having an adult to provide real conversation is a great aid to maintaining one’s mental health.

For the past three years, Paulie has provided that. He has gone from being the new math teacher down the hall to being one of my closest friends. We have shared many things together, both personal and professional. I was honored to serve as one of his groomsmen, and I was even more honored when I was able to pray over his first child two years later.

In between classes, he was the one I told a joke to. When a student enfuriated me beyond measure, he was the one I could vent to. For three years, we have shared life.

Last Friday was Paulie’s last day here at SEHS. He got a job as an administrator in another system. Today hasn’t quite been the same.

I had to tell a disgustingly embarassing story to a bunch of women today because he wasn’t here. It’s just not right.

P.S. – Paulie, I emailed it to you. Check your inbox.

Categories: Me | 1 Comment

School Days

Posted on August 14, 2006 by Blair

My Jordyn is starting kindergarten this year. I can’t believe the little monkey is five already, but she is. It seems like only yesterday that she was born. I suppose I will saying that for many, many years to come.

I don’t really remember going to kindergarten much. My parents registered for for two different years of private kindergarten, and I do remember going some when I was four and five. I also remember when I was four and I went streaking at Little Big Top in Troy… and went home with a note pinned to my shirt. I suppose that is a story for another day.

When I think about kindergarten, I think more of when my brother Matt started school. He is five years younger than I, so I started fifth grade at the same time that he started kindergarten. We rode the bus to school, and I made sure he sat with me. I felt some sort of need to protect him at the time. Sure, I was fine with beating the crap out of him at home, but I had to make sure that nobody else did it. (For those of you that know Matt… I was bigger than he was at the time. It wasn’t until he hit his mid-teens that he outgrew me.) When the bus driver assigned us different seats, I am pretty sure I lied to her and told her that my mom was going to be pretty ticked off because she wanted me to sit with him. I suppose the threat of an angry parent was enough to scare the bus driver into submission because she put me and Matt in the same seat.

On the first day of school, I remember my mother making a huge deal over Matt. She asked him dozens of questions, and I stood there silently while I was ignored. I sulked masterfully, and then Matt made The Proclamation.

“Guess what, Mom? I learned to read today!” he exclaimed. Sure enough, he produced a purple mimeographed piece of paper that he had colored. At the bottom of the page was one sentence, and he read it to her.

Oh, crap! My world was sinking. All along, I had been the Smart One. Kim, our sister, was the Responsible One. Matt, as the baby of the family, was the Youngest One… and I was the Smart One. (Also, the Lazy One, the Disobedient One, the Rebellious One, the Lying One, and in later years, the Tattooed One… but always the Smart One.) Suddenly my world was topsy turvy… Matt had learned to read, and he did it on his first day of kindergarten!?!??! If I was no longer the Smart One, who was I?

We went by the hospital on the way home that afternoon to see my grandmother. I am not sure what her ailment was, but I don’t remember it being too bad. As we got out of the car, my mom poured salt all over my wounded heart when she said to Matt, “Hey, Matt, why don’t you show Mom-mom how well you can read when we get to her room?”

“Okay, Mom!” the little turd said happily as we got out of the car. Of course he was happy… he had taken my throne!

As we crossed the parking lot, Mom looked down at Matt and realized he was empty handed… the purple mimeogrpahed sheet was still in the car. (Have I mentioned that he hadn’t even done that great a job coloring? I am pretty sure that I remember stray marks all across the lines. How could he read when he couldn’t even stay in the lines?)

“Matt, you don’t have your sheet!” Mom said.

Matt quickly replied, “It’s okay, Mom…. I can read it without it!”

Hallelujah! The little turd could memorize, but he still couldn’t read! I was still the Smart One.

Don’t tell him this… but twenty-five years later, I still am. For real… don’t tell him. I may be the Smart One, but he is the Big One, and he could kick my butt if he got mad enough.

Categories: Family, School | 3 Comments

It’s Official…

Posted on August 13, 2006 by Blair

1) Go to Google images
2) In the search box, enter “sexiest fat men”

Finally, the recognition I deserve.

 FYI – you might want to check and see if you have your safe search on first. From Google’s homepage, click on preferences and scroll down. Under SafeSearch filtering, make sure you have it on moderate. Otherwise, you will see things that will make you want to poke out your eyes with a sharp stick!

Categories: Curiosities, Me, Web Stuff | 2 Comments

New Desks, Anyone?

Posted on August 13, 2006 by Blair

One of the teachers down the hall got a whole room full of new desks, and all of his old ones ended up in the hallway. I rummaged through them and exchanged the worst of mine for the best of his… and now I have a room full of mismatched desks that pretty much get the job done.

Now, if I had a gift card to bizchair.com, I would get a whole classroom full of new furniture. They offer the widest selection of school furniture on the web. They offer many items including school desks, computer furniture, display cases, and bookcases.

Frankly, I am going to have to make do with the desks that I have… but if you are in the market, check them out. Their prices seem pretty reasonable, and the selection is great. I know I will be checking them out in October when the state releases our funds. (FYI – the state of Alabama provides each classroom teacher with a minimal amount for instructional purchases. I need to get a cart this year, so I will be checking out this site then.)

School Furniture

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