I thought it was goofy.

I clicked on the Avril Lavigne link, because I am a sucker for looking at wedding dresses. Anyway, the article in Cosmo linked to another article in Cosmo, predicting what the Lavigne-Kroeger wedding would be like and... And it was writtent by our very own Anna: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/news…

It may seem that way, but having grown up in the Chicago area before moving to Northern California at 22, I promise you, we get off easy.

It's quarter after one and 91 here, an hour north of SF. We hit 102 on Saturday. Not quite Central Valley hot, but fucking hotter than balls. (That's my favorite heat descriptor.) We are forecast to hit 96 today, and upper 90's through Thursday. Our house was built in 1946 and has zero insulation and no AC. I'm…

Oh man, I am starting a new position in a wealthy district this fall and this is my fear: dealing with asshole parents. I have mostly taught in low-income schools and I have never had a parent question my authority. The s district where I did my student teaching was 95% Latino, and every time I had to call a parent,…

I actually really enjoyed teaching middle school. My class during the school year had the same kinds of students as what your moms class has. Sure, there are challenges, but we also had so much fun, with dance parties and going out in the community to go bowling, and have Chinese food for Chinese New Year.

Well, my response in gen Ed would be different from special ed. Special Ed usually involves a lot of behavior modification or support. So, you probably have kids working for privileges on some kind of point basis. In my summer class, kids are on behavior privilege laps. Every activity has 5-6 behavior criteria: follow…

I send students out to run laps when they are getting too amped. It definitely helps.

Oh yes, I know about this. In addition to teaching, I have a part-time retail job. I have no problem yelling at kids if they are acting like fools (rough-housing, playing soccer, whatever) in the store. Thankfully, no parent has ever yelled at me. I have a really good teacher "look", so that helps.

Oh lordy. This summer I am working in an ED class for extended school year. ED, for those not in the special education world, stands for emotionally disturbed. My students are 2nd and 3rd graders. They are totally out of control. I have been stabbed by a pencil, I have been punched and kicked and repeatedly called…

I'd be so pissed. I'm desperate to plant a hydrangea, but all the good spots outside my house are full sun in the afternoon. I feel like I've been cheated by the home gods. Spray away at the little punk-ass.

Get on it. Make a whole album. I'll buy it on iTunes.

I live in California wine country. (Big ups, Sonoma County!) I got married in wine country. It was rustic-ish (my centerpieces were yarn; the venue used to be a turkey farm). Anyway, please, please please come and have a wine country wedding, because our local economy will get a giant boost. The local economic…

This is interesting. They are using the visual cue of the "Pin It!" button to signal to shoppers that this item is "must-have". I'm not sure how much traction this holds and I have no idea what the analytias side of Pinterest looks like, although, based on how fast fashion retailers have dived into Pinterest, my guess…

My blisters always happen on the side. It's really more the side of the foot, where people sometimes get corns. The blisters are epic. I just trained for a half and I literally had blisters on top of blisters. It was gross, but since I didn't have foot pain, and it was so close to the race, I didn't buy new shoes. I'm…

I was all set to rant about how the Wave Riders's give me massive blisters on long runs, but then I realized I have the Wave Inspires. They are okay for anything under 6 miles, but anything more and I get horrible blisters on the side of my big toe.

Just got in a stupid argument with my husband. There you go.

Frank Bruni is awesome. His critique is so elegant and yet pointed. He expresses exactly how I feel about Deen, in a much more eloquent way. She is gross!

The Joffrey bitch slap never gets old.

That's what's so great about calling people assholes! Everyone's got one!