Uh.... WHAT?!

This week I'm at AP Statistics training in Vancouver. This is because I'm teaching it next year for the first time. I'm sort of pumped, although I haven't done any official stats since college - which is now 11 years ago (gulp). So I get training from stat pros, and other math teachers from all over the place sit with me.

Ever feel like the dumbest person in the room?

I did yesterday. Bunch of math nerds. Today, however, I am king nerd! We talked about things right in my wheelhouse... We'll see how tomorrow goes.

Us Lemiere boys have done pretty well in math to this point. It is a source of pride to me. There is a positive correlation between level of math taken and overall academic achievement (how's that for a statistical statement - it's true btw). Of the 3 of us kids, I probably am the weakest in math, though I teach it. Nick and Eric are exceptional at it, if I may boast. I think it's like diarhea for us - it runs in our genes. Hey-O! Good luck Dash and Levi.

A lot of the math I know is not applicable to everyday life (trivial pursuit knowledge I like to call it) but I've been happily suprised at what I have been able to use. A lot more than I would have thought. I like knowing stuff even if it's "useless" bc sometimes it has use.

I am not/was not good at English in school. Reading and writing...ugh. I think my english teachers looked at me and said, "Well. . . he works pretty hard and his papers make me laugh (either because they're creative or their sooo bad). Here's a B." And if that's the case, then thanks Mrs. Delong, Mrs. Dearing, Mr. Waite, Ms. Miner, Ms. Cooper, Mr. Wheeler (jr/hi school), Mr. Clark, Mr. Alkazin (LCC), and that cute-in-a-liberal-arts-kind-of-way teacher from Texas I had twice at Concordia.

In an unrelated story, I finally felt like I got good at English while at Concordia. I don't know what I'm trying to say, but that's a fact Jack.

Wasn't that good at art either. Or penmanship, back in the day.

Have a good day.

2 quick things:

rabbits and impala.

Just kidding.

1. Do you remember high school (or middle school or grade school) as fondly as I do? I loved all of it. I don't know if I'd do it all over given the opportunity, but I definitely look back on it, college too, and love it. The friends, the teachers, the classes, the times . . . ahh the times. Probably why I teach.

2. One thing that really cracks me up, every single time, are guys who use the "no hands" approach to urinals. Excuse me for a moment lady readers of this blog. There are guys who, once they get their business out, just kind of let nature take over and go. Which is totally fine if you're outdoors, but less fine if you're trying to hit a target. That in and of itself is not so funny. What is hilarious is what the gentlemen do with their hands. One hand on the wall, with a slight body lean forward? Hands on hips like he's a Three Amigo who's about to Jump On It? Hand(s) in pocket - obvious no pool is being played. Text? I mean the options are endless and each is funnier than the next. Your thoughts?

this summer is FRESH!

At the behest of my youngest brother, a quick recap of the last month:
*a new phone (thanks Jon and Amber) - but I still haven't figured out how to send pictures to my email with it yet.... dumb me dummy.
*a new driveway (thanks folks and grandfolks)
*a new laptop (thanks me for being a teacher)
*a new, and first, nephew - Levi Nicholas Lemiere (my middle brother's first). He will henceforth be referred to as "Leviculas" (kind of like the book in the Pentateuch). He was born about 12 days ago, is very cute, and will be donning the Little Slugger outfit very soon (inside joke for the fam).
*a new half-brother for Dash
*a new 6-week tour with the band THEFT, playing lead guitar, opening for CREED - for Eric.
*back to Mayfield with Calvary Community Church's Summer Camp. I loved being back up there. Haven't done it since before Dash was born. Missed it. There will be youtube videos I will share with you as soon as they're up. This is what I'd do for a living if it were possible.
*a new sport for Kaed - football
*and lastly, a new saying of Dash's: "Howy Cow" (holy cow). For example, "Howy cow dad! That wuth totawee cool!"

That's the real quick version of what's up. Stay tuned for youtube keyword search ideas. For now, here's a couple you should see: double rainbow, death metal rooster.