I am doing fine

Well, it's been a week since I've left Jervoice Primary School, and I feel much better. I thank everyone so much who have emailed me and left comments here. This week I've been working at a smaller school (close to Jervoice) - a school with the strangest name: there is nonsuch a school as Nonsuch Primary School! Yeah, a strange name, but a happier school.

I feel the same good buzz I felt last year while substituting in North Vancouver. I had forgot how much I enjoyed TOC-ing! I am booked at Nonsuch for the next week as well, so they must like me too.

Tomorrow night, I am going for drinks with some of the Jervoice teachers - the good ones. It should be very interesting to hear the gossip of what's been happening this week. Leaks of information hint that the parent and kids were unhappy of my "leaving," that another teacher (assistant Head, no less!) has taken a job elsewhere, and that moral is so low that many teachers may not be there after Easter!

And with Ofsted (government school auditing body) to visit any day now, the school looks in bad shape. Depending how the Ofsted assessment goes, the school could potentially close - worst case scenario...

Anyway, with my newfound flexible job, I am planning to do more traveling - Greece at Easter, Ireland for St. Patrick's Day, and Spain in August...

IN OTHER NEWS...

SMP's pantomime Robin Hood and the Singing Nun is in Hell Week now, and opens next week! Break a leg, Guys! Please go and see them - it will be a fantastic show!


This is my t-shirt logo design in stitches! Looks funny/cool!

Inspiration from U2

This amazing video from U2 makes me happier every time I play it.
Either it is the unusual but highly addictive song or the technically amazing splicing together of musicians! I don't know...but I love it.



I've seen Frank Sinatra, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Louis Armstrong, The Who, Elton John, Elvis, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Hendrix, Chili Peppers, Beck, The White Stripes, Jimmy Page, Victor Borg, Ray Charles, Simon & Garfunkel, Bijork, Bob Marley, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Cash, The Ramones, Nat King Cole, and David Bowie!

Who have I missed?

Changes

My life this last week has been a trying one with many changes. Since returning to my year 4 class after two weeks off, I have been very stressed and unhappy.

This last week has seen the return of another problem student to my class, Joseph. His return sparked most of my other students into misbehaving, resulting in chaotic lessons, fighting children, and a stressed teacher. You would think that a school would support a teacher who's class was difficult, but instead the Head (Principal) reduced my Teaching Assistant's time in class. She took away my support!

During this time, there was also a definite loss of respect for me as a teacher from my students. More children got into trouble and were sent out, good children started to push the boundaries, and my directions were met with complaint and defiance. My 'joy of teaching' was disappearing and the support I asked for wasn't forthcoming.

On top of this I was told Wednesday - not by the Head, but by another teacher - that I would be observed the next day. Not surprisingly, the observation did not go well as my students decided to act up (I had only had Joseph in my class for one day before the observation!) I was tired, stressed, frustrated, and angry with the way the Head was handling the situation. By Thursday night, I was thinking about leaving.

Friday morning rolls around and I am asked to meet with the Head. She sat me down and told me she had to let me go. Not for any real reason, but that she "has to be seen to do something," as the school was to be audited any day.

That's not all - Not only was I to go, but my students were to be split between three classes (one 4th year and two 5th year classes). Not only are students now in the wrong year, but friendships they've made over the years in my class will be destroyed. The three teachers getting my students are of coarse less than happy, and will have to work harder to teach both levels.

What makes me laugh is that all three of my miserable children (Joseph, Skywalker, and Jodie) are being put into one of the year 5 classes! All three in one class - Worst Decision Ever! I can't wait to hear what happens next week!! Hehe!

Here's the real clincher though: the Head told me not to tell my students I was leaving. She said she would tell them that "something personal has come up in Canada, and that he had to go back." Biggest Lie Ever! What happens when I run into one of my students in the street? "Sorry Child, your Principal lied to you!" ??? That's not all! She had me release my class, then hide in the staffroom so that none of the parents could ask "difficult questions!"

How do I feel now? Pretty good actually. One hour after not saying goodbye to my students, my agency (TimePlan) called to book me as a TOC - teacher on call (supply) - for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! Obviously no lack of work in Birmingham.

I will greatly miss many of my co-workers (they are already invited me for drinks next Friday!) and I will miss many of my children, but I will not miss the crap - excuse my language - going on in management.

I like Birmingham, and I plan to stay longer. The new year brings the winds of change and I plan to ride it - to find something more worthwhile of me.

Thank you for all your support!

Liquid Nitrogen can be fun!

I am very excited about this post, as I have created another short film called "Mr. Bond's Adventures with Liquid Nitrogen!"

Our story begins during my trip to Munich for New Years. I was staying with Nathalie and Toby for a night to see their beautiful new baby boy, Elias. I was delighted to see that Nathalie's parents and her sister Stephanie (check out her blog on the right) were staying there too. The surprise was that my good friend Dave was there too! And with Marianne in Munich, it really was a "small world after all" for New Years!

What does this have to do with liquid nitrogen, you might ask? Well, it so happened that Nat and Toby wanted to make ice cream for desert that night. Ice cream usually takes hours to make with huge industrial freezers - we had neither time nor freezers. We did have a plan though: Toby works in a physics laboratory which has many chemicals at hand. Ice cream can also be made by mixing the ingredients with liquid nitrogen! With nitrogen boiling at - 200 degrees Celcius, it was certainly cold enough to make ice cream...but why stop there?

After the ice cream was made, we still had quite a bit of the chemical left, so we thought we would do some experiments! What happens to leeks, pennies, and twigs when they are put in liquid nitrogen for a while? They freeze and shatter! Well...the penny didn't...it just got cold. We saved the best for last - but you will need to watch the film to find out!

The film takes you on a rollercoaster adventure through Munich, as Toby, Dave, and I collect, bring back, and experiment on liquid nitrogen!



My favortite part of the adventure was where Dave had to sit in the backseat of the car with the cylinder of liquid nitrogen between his legs! Good thing we didn't spill, or there might never have been any little Daves in the future!

My New Year's Celebrations in Munich!

Photos from New Year's Eve 2006 in Munich, Germany, with Marianne and her friends!!!

Happy New Year!

Well, I'm off to party away 2006 and ring in 2007 at Munich's Tollwood New Year's Celebrations with Marianne and 5 of her Greek, French, and German friends! Unfortunately Duncan couldn't make it here in the end (crazy flights), but his wild dancing spirit will be here enjoying the celebrations with us. I am starting my new year off in an appropriate fashion by being on a plane and travelling back to England at 11am January 1st.

I want to wish you all the best for 2007, and hope it becomes everything you want it to be! Happy New Year!

Flew into Germany... and are my arms ever tired!

Well, I've arrived safe and sound in Munich, where I am staying with Marianne. Today, we are heading into town to see Nathalie and Toby and their new baby! Also we'll hang out with Stephanie and Dave, who flew in this week as well! I predict a bit of beer drinking, city walking, and baby burping.

New Year's Eve is coming soon, bringing Duncan, who will help us ring in the new year. We have tickets to a festival on the Oktoberfest grounds (I just can't stay away!) with four live bands, lots of dancing and lots of drinking. Should be a blast!

What are your New Year's Eve plans?

My Talented Sister

For Christmas, my sister - Lisa - made me this amazing Batman picture! She is in the middle of her digital graphic design course, and as you can see she is excelling in it!

If anyone wants to hire a creative, talented, energetic, funny, and skilled graphic designer for your advertising business or workplace, let me know and I can pass you to her! (She is also an incredible singer - fronts the band One Year Later - and a wonderful sis!)

Merry Christmas!

Well friends, I am hoping on a bus in an hour and a half and going to Guildford to spend Christmas with my cousins. It's a 4 hour bus ride, so I am bringing some schoolwork as well as The DaVinci Code. That should be enough to pass the time!

After Christmas, I'll be heading to Munich for New Year's. I plan to stay with Marianne and see Duncan, Stephanie, Nathalie (and Toby and baby!) and also Dave, who I think is there until the 31st. We will be attending a festival with four bands, food, and drink, and fun! I'll be back on Jan 2nd.

To all my friends and family who read this blog, Merry Christmas and have a very very happy New Year!

Thank goodness for long arms.

I found this on the National Geographic News website:

WORLD'S TALLEST MAN SAVES DOLPHIN

Apparently the dolphins have swallowed some plastic bits and only the World's Tallest Man could reach into their stomachs and retrieve the bits. Check out the full story here!

Yahoooooooooooooo!

School is OUT for Christmas!

And, oh, do I NEED this. Two beautiful weeks away from the children who are driving me mad! Mwahahah!

Whew. Yes, the first term is over. School begins again on Sept 3, so what am I going to do for two weeks? Well, I am heading to Guildford for Christmas to see my cousins Nicky, Lara, and Angie. It will be really nice to see them, as it has been about three years. I'll let you know about my New Year's plans once they are finalized.

I can sleep in tomorrow!!!

Pantomime Time

Merry Christmas Web!

Yesterday, a traveling pantomime came to our school! We were treated to Aladdin, the panto, performed by only three people - the Villain (he also played the "bubbles" character), the Hero (good looking girl playing Aladdin), and the Dame (hairy fat man in a dress). And what a DAME!

This was the most over-the-top Dame I've ever seen! Fat, flamboyant dress, white clown face, scary woman make-up, deep male voice, and plastic fluorescent hair! The show was great and the kids loved it! I loved it too!

Somehow, though, the Dame knew my name! She told the school (as she was describing her past husbands) that she was in love with Mr. Bond. And boy did she not drop it. She (or he!) came and sat on my lap (to the mortification of my students!) and fed me fudge, showed me her ankle (ugh), and blew kisses across the hall. And I loved it!

Some of you out there may not know that I've been involved with pantomimes for the last 10 years in North Vancouver. With SMP, I've played the Babe, the Wolf, the Sage, the Farmer, the Villain!, the Rat, even the Panto Horse! Unfortunately, I won't be in this year's pantomime - Robin Hood and the Singing Nun - but I was able to create the poster and logo.


For those of you in the Vancouver Area, I urge you to go see this panto! Go see it now! Well, go see it in January!!! Go watch it for me and let me know! It is going to ROCK!!!

Miss you guys, SMP Panto-People!

88 Minutes

One of the movies I did extra work on that hasn't come out yet is "88 Minutes." This big-budget thriller stars the legendary Al Pacino. I have to say it was a thrill to work with the star of "The Godfather" and "Scarface." Unfortunately Al turned out to be the primadona many huge stars are. He stopped production for 20 minutes so he could have a coffee break, while 150 extras waited in their spot. An extra was also fired on the spot for accidentally nudging Al.

Anyway, those from Vancouver will recognize Downtown and UBC where it was shot. Look for me playing one of Al's students at the university. Hoo-wah!

Harborne at Sunset

The weather here in Birmingham in December is cool and crisp, with some rain spells. The sunsets and sunrises have been beautiful recently. These shots are up and down the High Street here in Harborne (click to enlarge).


This is the front of my flat. I live on the ground floor and my bedroom is behind the large white bay windows!

I am experimenting painting with acrylics. This is my ammonite so far... What do you think?

Hot Fuzz

There is a new movie coming out in Feb 2007 from the makers of "Shawn of the Dead!" It is called "Hot Fuzz" and looks fantastic. If you loved "Shawn" and you like "Spaced," than you will probably very much enjoy "Hot Fuzz."

Here is the two teaser trailers:

And here is the full length trailer:

I can't wait for "Hot Fuzz!" Can you?