Secret Shame #1: Hugh Grant

I have no idea why, but I find this British man to be one of the most charming, hilarious, and likeable people on the planet.

When I was in high school, my friend Laura shared this obsession with Hugh Grant and we watched as many of his movies as we possibly could, even the ones that weren't good. We were that hard core. I think the only one we didn't watch was 'Extreme Measures' because it seemed sort of scary, and not in a good way.

I have no idea why I love this man so much and why I continually pay to see his shitty movies in the theaters (I also own some of these shitty movies). I think its partly because he is British and partly because he has this sort of effortless, bumbling, but sexy charm to him that holds my attention. He continuously threatens to retire, but thankfully, he's still around to make me smile.

Of course, I don't think all of his movies are terrible. One of my favorite movies of all time is 'About A Boy.' I also loved him in 'Love, Actually.' 'Notting Hill' is one of the great romantic comedies of the 90s, the music video from 'Music and Lyrics' still makes me guffaw, and 'Mickey Blue Eyes' has me in tears every time the scene where he tests out the fake blood for stagging a mob shooting (and I have a special connection with that movie becasue of my friend Laura). In 'Two Weeks Notice,' he has a terrific line in which Sandra Bullock tells him "you are the most selfish man on the planet" and he responds, in his darling accent, "well that's just silly. Have you met everyone on the planet?" And who could forget him as the Mr. Whickham character Daniel Cleaver in "Bridget Jones' Diary"? The movie, and the book, are both hysterical. Also, one of his lesser known roles, in 'The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain' is a very enjoyable and quintessential British delight (and has the longest title for a movie I have ever heard of). He has a new movie out, and although its probably a typical, campy, and silly rom-com, I will probably pay the matinee price to go and see him frollick in the wilderness with Sarah Jessica Parker (another person I love, that I'm not ashamed of it). Below is the link to 'Did You Hear About the Morgans?'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82Av0Y9-Ttw

things to do

I am packing in preparation for a big family wedding this weekend in the booming metropolis that is Omaha, Nebraska. Even though the location leaves a lot to be desired, I still think it will be fun. Plus I'll be getting to spend some time with old friends from high school.

Looking at this blog right now makes my eyes hurt. I wish I had time tonight to explore some of the things that will make it less lame and more Emily-esque. Once the design is taken care of, all I will have to worry about is providing content that is interesting enough.

The past two days at school were kind of rough as far as discipline goes. I had to hand out a detention to a kid I really like and then I had to discipline another kid who I just feel bad for. He is one of those kids that is his own worst enemy.

I must say though, teaching at this school has introduced me to a whole cast of silly characters. One of my 7th graders, Evan, is obsessed with Brad Pitt and references either him or his movies a lot. I've got another 7th grade girl who is the biggest germophobe I have ever seen. One of my 5th graders, when I asked them what they are enthusiastic about (enthusiastic was a vocab word) he simply replied "Nazi zombies."

Here are some other pretty priceless quotes from some of my students:

"Some people in the town liked Abraham Lincoln because he made hard decisions during a difficult time. Other people just thought he was a putz." -Matt, Grade 8, from his essay on Abraham Lincoln in "Across Five Aprils"

While learning a new vocab word ornery. "No offense Joseph, but you can be really ornery sometimes." -Stephen, Grade 5

While talking about orphans:
Mitch: "Please sir, I want some more!"
Me: Good Mitch, do you know which famous orphan said that?
Mitch: Wishbone

"Look at him. You can tell he is irritated. Just watch the puff. "-Mitch, in response to me telling him, "Mitch, I think you are really irritating Joseph."

"Can we please just read this? My clothes are goin out of style." -Mitch, again

"Lil Wayne never tells you to stay gold the way Johnny does." -Jeff, grade 7 when talking about Johnny in 'The Outsiders'

I'm sure there are more, these are just the really classic ones

"The first hole is always the hardest."

Well, as aptly titled in the subject, this is the first of what will (hopefully) be many blogposts to chronicle my journey as a new teacher and a new resident of the "real world"...whatever THAT is.

Starting a blog can be very vain (and let's face it, a little vanity goes a long way these days), but I swear I have slightly normal reasons. I currently live in Cincinnati and I have family in Colorado and Texas, as well as friends all over the country in places like New York City, Philly, Chicago, Vegas, Omaha, D.C., Denver, Baltimore, Boston, St. Louis and Wisconsin. And I would like to give them a way to legitemately keep tabs on me and see what I am up to (which now, isn't much, but hopefully will be soon!). Also, all these people moved away from me and I now have enough spare time to devote to crap like this.

Now, you may be asking yourself, what can I expect to see in this blog? Well, the answers is: lots of things. Hah.

But in all seriousness, expect this blog to contain musings, tirades and general bursts of excitement. It's opinonated, of course, but hopefully entertaining for those who know me (and if you don't know me...I find it kinda creepy that you are reading a stranger's blog!).

Okay, that's it...for now. More to come I am sure.