Monday, September 28, 2009

Did You Know You Can Get Free Theater Tickets?

Did you know you can get FREE theater tickets?

The month of October marks Free Night of Theater throughout the nation. Simply go to the site and choose the location nearest you. You will find listings for FREE performances of local and national shows. For example, in our city, there are several listings for local performances including Agatha Christie, Into the Woods and Little Shop of Horrors. I was also thrilled to see that there is even one free performance for Meet Me in St. Louis! Most of these shows will only allow you to get two free tickets. You must make reservations through the site. These free tickets will be ready to reserve Oct. 5. I don't know if you can get tickets to more than one show, but I am going to try!

Did You Know It's Easy to Get Life Insurance Quotes Online?

Did you know it's easy to get life insurance quotes online?

You can simply go to the site, type in the info, and the quote engine will give you quotes and rates from some of the best insurance companies. From here, you can compare the policies all on one screen. It's fast and easy and smart to investigate before you purchase.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Did You Know My New Scrabble Word?

Did you know my new Scrabble word?

I am always on the lookout for a new word to play in Scrabble, particularly if it uses the "Q". My daughter actually found one for me yesterday while doing research for a school assignment. She asked me what "cacique" is. I told her I'd never heard of it. So she looked it up and found out that it is a tribal leader from Mexican or West Indian regions.It is also a variety of Oriole. I was happy because now I've got a new word to use in Scrabble!

Did You Know Eating Fast Food Makes You Fat?

Did you know eating fast food makes you fat?

I think there are lots of folks who would agree with this. It seems my daughter is convinced of this. Sunday night on our way to church I mentioned how just a couple of years ago I used to take her to Taco Bell every Sunday night. It was her last year before she could go to youth activities and it sort of became a tradition for me to drive through her favorite fast food for dinner. When I reminded her about it, she asked "How am I not fat?!" That cracked me up. But at least she knows eating right is better than eating poorly and relying on diet supplements to make up the rest.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Did You Know How To Write a Two Voice Poem?

Did you know how to write a two voice poem?

I have seen these before but never assigned them. My daughter has been assigned one this week for a History project. I really like it! All you need is two sides to one story. Then you can pose the stories side by side. Then you write the lines side by side, trying to have them reflect each other. Each column represents a different person (or voice.) If they speak at the same time, put their words on the same line. If one is silent while the other speaks, leave their line blank. Here is an example of a two person poem:

Graduation Poem by Stephanie Klose

Here is a little different take on one:

In Eternity's Eye by Shelly Bryant

Did You Know How to Lose Belly Fat?

Did you knowhow to lose belly fat?

Ok, yes, belly fat is unsightly. But more than that, the deepest layer of belly fat has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. There are lots of claims going around about how to lose belly fat fast. It seems to be the only real way is by exercising regularly, and yes, eating right. It may not be as fast as some like, but it is the only way to really keep it off.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Did You Know About Mechanical Turk?

Did you know about Mechanical Turk?

Mechanical Turk is sponsored by Amazon.com. Here you can find lots of trivial tasks that pay to get the job completed. Many of them only pay one penny but some pay a few bucks. They are not much pay, but I love the small tasks that can be completed in a few minutes. The earned money is put into an Amazon account to spend at their site.

Did You Know About Ferrari?

Did you know about Ferrari?

I don't know much about these cars. I know that "Thomas Magnum" drove one in his TV series! The other day in spinning class the girl in front of me had on a t-shirt with Ferrari facts printed on the back. I learned a few things from reading the back of her shirt during class. For example, Ferrari is based in Italy. The color red is the "national race color" in Italy. Ferrari also manufactures items like perfume, sunglasses and laptops under its name! If you drive a Ferrari, I guess another good fact to know is where you can get Ferrari parts.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Did You Know How to Keep Score at a Volleyball Game?

Did you know how to keep score at a volleyball game?

I have just been learning. Now keep in mind this is junior high volleyball. I can do ok as long as nothing "unusual" happens, which of course in jr. high, you never know! At any rate, I have been blessed to have the lady who taught me to sit by me during the games, to help make sure I have everything covered. But we have a tournament this weekend, so we'll see how well my talents have been honed! If you want to learn to keep score, get a good score book that has the instructions in front and the symbols at the top. You can find instructions online. Then, attend some games to practice your skill! I would suggest a junior high game as they are much slower moving and instructional than older groups.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Did You Know I Got a Response from the School?

Did you know I got a response from the school?

Basically, they will not do a "mass viewing" (this is at the high school) but will allow individual social studies teachers to air the president's speech next Tuesday, as it applies to state standards. How they can know which parts will and will not apply to state standards on a live event, I don't know. When I again voiced the concern about the method in which this is being done (during the school day, no parental involvement-not even a note sent home, taking advantage of kids' vulnerability and impressionability, a captive audience) the principal simply reiterated what she had just said.

I was glad for the prompt reply from the principal and two school board members. However my concerns are still looming large. I am not sure yet what our next course of action will be. I am hoping to keep my son home from school in protest of how this is being handled.

This situation has generated lots of conversation in our area.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Did You Know About Obama's Scheduled Speech to School Children?

Did you know about Obama's scheduled speech to school children?

I have been hearing about this impending speech today. I don't have all the details yet. I found this press release on the White House website. Here is the video where Obama tells student interviewer Damon Weaver that he will be speaking to school kids on Sept. 8.

That is the day after Labor Day, traditionally the first day of school for many students in the nation. It falls right after a holiday. Many parents may be unaware of the speech. However, principals have been notified by the Department of Education Secretary and teacher packets on what to do for lead-in and post-speech activities are included (you will find the files there.)

It appears the speech will be televised on C-span and the White House site. However, it is during the school day and the teachers are to "guide" the discussion and evaluation of the speech.

This is a very scary tactic to me. It is blatant propaganda in my mind. If a conservative or religious leader were to use this avenue into our childrens' minds, there would be a great uproar among many.

I hope parents will do their homework on this! This is a definite call to arms for parents. We cannot allow for this to go unnoticed or unspoken. We cannot allow the government and their schools to blatantly indoctrinate our children without our say, though we may have already become accustom to it. We need to know what is being taught and presented to our kids. We need to understand the method being used to seduce a captive and vulnerable audience.

Wake up parents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!