700

Wow. I am always amazed when I reach a new level of blog-dom. At any rate I thought I would share with you some ideas I have for my new, daily blogging posts:

1. Michael's Attempts Toward Fitness, a daily insight into the rise and fall of the Ig. (Note- many days this blog would be exceptionally boring, not to mention empty.)

2. Michael's Creative Musings, a blog filled with idea of things I do in and out of the workplace to utilize my creativity. (This blog would kind of be a bragging post of sorts.)

3. Michael's Food Adventures, a blog dedicated to Michael trying 157 new foods, that's one every other day. and absolutely horrifying to me. (Some of the foods would be things as simple as radishes, something my lips have yet to taste, or as involved as halibut, something my nose has prevented me from even getting near.)

4. Michael's Doodle Loops, a blog where I would record a daily doodle. Documenting a year of doodles would be a lot of fun, and exceptionally fun to look back on. The only trouble would be finding the quickest way to pull up the pictures daily.

5. Michael's Commentary on the News, a weekday only blog where I would give you my slant on the news. Not too interesting for you, but perhaps interesting to write.

6. The Unknown... I have more ideas brewing, but I will have to wait to see what comes of this blogging world...

Nothing is final, and nothing is really in sight as of yet. Here's to the future...

"Keep moving forward."

New Moon... Uh I mean New Ig

Reinvention.




Madonna did it. Tom Cruise did it. Why can't a guy named Ig do it?

I am considering putting this blog "Under Construction" to reinvent it. I was uber-delighted by the Julie and Julia movie, and was equally captivated by the challenge of doing something more regularly. (I did a good job this summer you may recall)...

But what could I possibly do for an entire year? What could I possibly write about? Well. Blog number 700 is just two posts away so I need some ideas here. Then, when I emerge from my chrysalis, I will be a new blog (though I don' think I could possibly part with my classic black back drop).

Suggestions are welcomed.

Grande Central Halloween Station

Over the past few years my parents will tell you Foxenwoods is quite deserted on Halloween. But, last night I couldn't believe how busy our house was last night. I knew something was up when we ran out of candy at 7:00 though. I looked out the window and I couldn't believe my eyes: It looked like Hocus Pocus! You know, when all of the kids are running a muck through the streets.

I started making a list of kids who came to the door. I stopped at 35, though there were more.

Here are the stand out winners, all ages are speculated:

1. A 4 year old Buzz Lightyear, complete with inflatable wings
2. A 10 year old ugly kid with a fake fro
3. A 6 year old Wolverine, complete with foam claws
4. A 5 year old Michael Jackson, with a silver glove and hat
5. A toddler bumble bee with a fuzzy covering
35. A 3 year old girl in a coat (I mean, I couldn't even see the costume)

So, for next year, come by our street. Apparently it is where all the Foxenwoods kids have disappeared to.

Mad as a Hatter

The Party was a big success. It was better than we thought it could be. And the costumes... Well, I'll let them speak for themselves...


The Costume Theme: Famous Couples

Alice and The Mad Hatter


Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra


Michael and Farah with their little Owlet (Michael kind of looks like an owl without his glasses)


Ketchup, Mustard, and a Hot Dog


The Crew, minus the owlet who flew away



The Decor's Theme: Bats in the Belfry









The night was great... we're on the hunt for a picture of our tablescape... More to come if we find it...

Pleasant Nightmares.

Life in a Mask

Surprise. I'm back again.

Well, it's that time of year again. Halloween Time.

Christmas time, brings the snow.
Summer time, brings the sun.
But on Halloween, your flesh begins to RUN!
Something spooky's goin' down, down.

So here is the list of things I have been over the past few 5ish years:






So what will it be this year? I'll give you a hint: Our theme is famous couples, and my costume has something to do with my fourth grade experience.

Exercise Your Body

Tomorrow starts the craziness of my year. I do this ridiculous program called "Exercise the Right to Read" in my class. Last year I got the whole school (cough cough--three classes) to do the program. It is a lot of fun where we challenge kids to read a mile each day (a minimum of 26 minutes each day), and then run a mile each day. The fun part is first thing in the month when they all try really hard, and then after day three they are tired of it.

That's life, isn't it? We all get excited, but once we realize it's work, we poop-out.

Anyway... I thought it was a bit of silliness that some of you can imagine: Kindergartners and eighth graders running a mile every day.

There it is.

The Desert

No, not the dessert. The desert. I have been wandering around in the wilderness for the past 41 days and 40 nights. But I believe I am back. I have done a lot...

I've set up a webpage for the Fauf and her delightful book...

www.SherlockAcademy.com

I have taught (essentially) 3 months of school in a one month time period...


I put on an amazing date (if I do say so myself) for the Fauf...


I have been acting as a professor to the students at Hancock...



I have cured a rare African disease...


Well, one of those things isn't true. But I won't tell you which.

Needless to say, I'm back like Lord Voldemort in HP and the GF.

Politics as Usual

So, today I caught a glimpse at the new political image out there (scary people). So I thought I'd recap some others I've seen in the past.
The New Poster:








The other new one:


Interesting. I'd say so.

A Busy Summer...

I'm not going to sit here and lie to you, this has been a busy summer.

We have had a lot of fun and have ignored regular teaching chores. So here is a run down of our summer of fun:

June... finished school and closed the door. This year, when I closed the door, I closed the door and didn't open it. Hallelujah!

After that I spent a few days with my parents, while Farah spent some time with her Grandma.

Then we made a Narnia closet...


June left us with a trip to Santa Monica and then Las Vegas. It was a delightful journey...


The next week we drove off to the quaint world of Carmel...


We went on a Peter Pan Date...


And then, having enjoyed a vaca, we then set our sites on finishing projects...

Farah self-published her book...


We had a release party for it...


I FINALLY got my last paper cleared for my Master's...


And now...

We set out for Santa Monica... And then, Friday, we set out for Rome...


And then we return and head back to school...


What a good summer. Check out the blog for some Roman Holiday pictures.

Saturday Snapshots

Get ready for a long post...

Not to toot our own horn, but the First Book Release was a huge success! We had such and amazing night together.

It started with a private dinner at Trattoria Ulvieto in Orcutt, fantastic food and a wonderful time of reflection. Then it was off to the Burrow for a big, wonderful party with family and close friends. I had been at the Burrow earlier in the day to set up the scene, so everything would be just right for the big release. The night started off with conversation and bookmark making...











After some good conversations, and some shnazy bookmarks we played a little game of Pin the Pipe on Sherlock (I won't tell you how to play the game, as Parker scoffed when I tried to tell him how to play).











Yes, Josh and Lindsay won the game as they tied. After that, the release hour was drawing nigh, but first the group needed to see if they had what it takes to be in Sherlock Academy, so an examination was passed out to assess readiness.









After some time, I announced it was time to take a break and reveal the cover of Farah's amazing book. Everyone gathered 'round the display and... Wah lah!





Right after that Dore started the countdown to the release of Farah's book! Everyone cheered and then Farah did a reading of the first few pages of the book. Even Adelaide loved it!








After some cheers we passed out the books and Farah signed a few autographs.









We then had a good time playing with British Crackers and Posing with some Sherlockian Garb.



































It was an amazing night. For an amazing book. Written by an amazing gal.

Hooray for Sherlock Academy!