Welcoming Spring Sunshine!

As I anxiously awaited for the sun to come out and join me and waited for the cold to pass, I planned some ideas I can do in the warmer weather.  Yesterday, the sun did join me and I was able to go with my family to a museum.  It was a very nice museum, educational and fun for all ages.  When we arrived there, I had to wait for family as they were running late.  I sat on the bench basking in the sun.  That was something I was unable to do for quite some time.  As she warmed my face, I took a breath of that fabulous spring air that left me relaxed and calm.  My heart felt warm and fuzzy as I embraced my first real spring outing.

Thumbs down AMC LOEWS

Recently, I had one of the worst experiences of my life at a Loews movie theater.  I hardly ever go to the movies as I don't have the time.  However, recently I was finally able to get out a bit and went to go see American Sniper.  When we purchased our tickets, the cashier informed us to choose our seats.  Choose our seats? I was confused.  She showed me the lay out of the theater and showed me which seats were still available.  I felt as though I was inTimes Square, Manhattan purchasing tickets to a Broadway Show.  Unfortunately, the only seats that were available was the first row.  Reluctantly, we purchased the tickets.  When we sat down, I started to regret our decision.  Before the movie started, a woman got up next to me and told me that she has to relinquish her seat as she could not take it anymore.  As we watched the movie, I felt a little too close and I felt I was part of the movie.  Since the main character was mostly fighting in Iraq, I didn't want to be that close and become part of that scene.  I was a trooper and made it through that exhilarating movie, but came out very stiff.  I don't see why they had to create assigned seats.  Thumbs down, Loews. I will not go back to that particular movie theater anytime soon.https://rfclipart.com/image/big/ed-46-b6/movie-theater-blue-hall-Download-Royalty-free-Vector-File-EPS-3699.jpg

Why Does A Liar Feel The Need To Lie?

I often wonder why does a pathological liar feel the need to lie.  Do they fe superior making up a story?  Is it a form of control?  Do they not really know the difference between fiction and reality?  Unfortunately,  I have been recently bitten by a snake.  This snake slithered his way into my life as a colleague, and then as a friend.  I caught him in many lies in the beginning of the year.  Most people want to see the good in people and tend to look away so that the person's positive attributes outweigh the negative.  I know I do; especially when you are working with this person.  In the work place, you always want to appear professional.  Getting along peacefully with all of your colleagues is everyone's goal. I did get along with one of my colleagues.  "You're family.  You truly are a sister to me," he informed me.  Naturally, I was elated by this comment.  However, this person went out of control and told me some ridiculous story and promised to protect me.   Since I know this person is making up this farce story, the only thing I need is protection from his Web of deceit. How do I pretend to fake a relationship in order to complete the rest of the year?   I ask you, why do liars lie?  I asked a friend and she simply said that some people are psychotic and crazy and some are not.  The only silver lining is that this person's character will feature in my next book, Part 2 of Ignition.   He's far too crazy and villainous to not put in.

A Successful Feeling

This past weekend, I had another book signing.  This is my second one.  I felt more successful with this one than the first.  Besides having more purchases, my manager marketed my book more effectively.  I had it at a wonderful bagel store in New York.  The owner is very kind to allow me to do a book signing in her shop.  Also, during my first signing I did not schedule it for the best time.  It was scheduled late in the day the week before Christmas.  Teachers in my town were already on vacation.  However, this time I scheduled it on a early Sunday morning when the bagel store was at its busiest.  I felt a certain sense of accomplishment that I did not feel before.  It was a good feeling  and I look forward to doing more book signings.

Unfair Expectations for Teachers!

Have you heard the ridiculous latest news?  Governor Cuomo announced that teachers will continue to be graded on students' State test scores.  If students' test scores continue to decline for two years in a row, teachers may face termination.  This was discussed at a teachers meeting the other day.  This is unfair and unjust for all teachers.  Some students with special needs are required to take the test.   For a teacher to be judged by their academic success is criminal and ridiculous.  Not all students can meet the criteria.  Some students are poor test takers in general.  It is extremely unfair to judge teachers based on students' test scores.  Students could have had a bad day as well while taking the exam.  Why is there animosity showed toward educators of the world?

Kids Run The Asylum

This is a sad world that we live in.  I will tell you that teachers are not in charge of their own professional destiny.  Students, today are in charge.  Students have a tendency to run a muck and control the room.  In my time, growing up, we were afraid of teachers.  Today, students think teachers are a joke. If you teach upper middle class students, some may tell their mommy on you and try to get you into trouble with the intent to do so.  However, if you teach urban or inner city students where their parent may not seen or heard from, then they can control you differently. They may go up to  your face and call you every name under the sun.  Their goal is to make you upset because they can.  Their other goal is to run around the classroom as they must show ownership.  Lastly, they enjoy and get off on smacking their peers over the head and see how many riots they can start. If you let them in each scenario, they can take you down.  I don't want to say this happens everywhere because I am sure there are some schools that have success stories that can vouch for and say that students are not in charge.  However in my many years of experience, (over a decade) I have not seen a utopian society for teachers which leads me to think that in my time, things were not that bad.  Bless the 1980's!  Educators were very fortunate long ago and I would love to see future teachers be as fortunate.  Why are students feeling the need to control teachers?  Is it because they are neglected at home?  Is it because they are given too much power at home?  Is it because "the powers that be," allow students to have to much of a say?  Think about this and remember kids can create many fascinating stories that might not always be true, but yet their stories advocate for their own agenda.  However some students' stories may indeed be accurate, but teachers should not always be persecuted as if they are born criminals.  If you ask any teacher why they felt the need to go into this profession, I guarantee you that they did not do it for the salary, but yearned to help the future minds of tomorrow grow and mature academically, socially, and emotionally.  Bless the teachers of the world!

My First Book Signing

Hi everyone!  I am very happy to say that I am doing my very first book signing at the Brower Bagel  in Oceanside, NY. On December 20  from 2:00-4:00.  If you have been reading my blogs and are not too far away, I would very much like to meet you.  Grab a bagel and a book.  You can't go wrong.
Brower Bagel
2816 Brower Avenue