Week Eight:
Chiefs over Bills
Cowboys over Jaguars
Rams over Panthers
Redskins over Lions
Dolphins over Bengals
Broncos over 49ers (in London!)
Jets over Packers (as much as it pains me.)
Titans over Chargers
Bucs over Cardinals
Patriots over Vikings (sack Farve!)
Raiders over Seahawks
Steelers over Saints
Colts over Texans
30 October 2010
29 October 2010
.
This was in the Hartford Courant this morning:
Kim Turner didn't have a fancy high-level job. She worked in a middle school cafeteria. All she really had to do was make sure nothing bad happened during lunch.
Hugging the unhuggable, slipping kids candy, chatting with the lonely, counseling young relationships, diffusing impending disaster, remembering names, making every kid feel special — none of that was part of her official job description.
She was a cafeteria monitor. But "Miss Kim" went way above and beyond what was expected. She touched thousands of lives during her 14 years' working in the Farmington school system.
Two Sundays ago, an estimated 3,000 people came through Farmington High School to grieve as a community for Turner, who died in a car accident on her way to work earlier this month. Some 3,000 'tweens, teens, college students and parents, all whose lives had been touched by this one woman with a small job and a gigantic heart.
With a packed gymnasium and a packed auditorium watching the memorial service on a big screen, emotions were on display. Kids openly wept for this cafeteria worker who quietly intervened when a fight in the boys' bathroom was being cooked up, who consoled a girl whose best friend had just dumped her, who made sure nobody sat alone at lunchtime.
Turner's humor, individuality and wild enthusiasm made for good copy in memorial speeches written by students and teachers, all of whom were able to inject a little levity into the otherwise melancholy dedications.
But it wasn't Turner's obsession with the color purple or her love of Chinese food that made an impact on these young people. It was the fact that she went out of her way to care for people.
Turner attended dances — both at the school and at the town's community center — with no expectation of being compensated for her time. She just wanted to get to know the kids better and to make sure they were safe. She'd give administrators "the down-low" on a student in trouble or in need of special attention. Because she also had afternoon bus duty at the school, hers was the last friendly face many students saw before heading to a home that might not be as warm as the school cafeteria in the presence of Miss Kim.
Parents tend to fixate on getting their kids into the best college and steering them toward a successful career. It's the nature of our society and what we value.
But what if we encouraged something more than stellar SAT scores and a high GPA from our kids? What if we spent more energy persuading them to be good people and to help others?
As I walked out of the memorial service with my eighth-grader, both of us dressed in purple in her honor, he announced, "I want to be like Miss Kim when I grow up."
To have a child who grows up to be as deliberately caring and attentive as Miss Kim should be the greatest success for any parent. Turner has left a community of young people with an inspiration to do more, to be more.
These kids are now changed as a result of this tragic event. They've lost a friend, an ally, a confidant. They've lost their sunshine.
But with this slap in the face of reality, they've gained an appreciation for how amazing one's life can be — first-class degree or not. And maybe we'll all experience a shift in priorities.
At the end of your life, which number would you like to be higher: Your SAT score or the number of lives made better by your existence?
Teresa Pelham is a freelance writer from Farmington and a regular contributor.
I had known Miss Kim since I was 3 years old. She was one of the teachers of my pre-school class. She said hi and asked me about my day every single lunch time through all my years at middle school.
Ever since I heard the news of her death I have been trying to find a way to pay tribute to her, for lack of a better term.
Unfortunately I was not in Connecticut for the memorial services, and the rememberance pages on facebook just seemed a bit too crude to me, though very well intentioned.
And then my mom pointed this out to me in the Courant this morning. And it pretty much said what I had not found a way to.
So, Miss Kim, you were an incredibly wonderful person and a good friend to everybody you ever met.
And you will be very sorely missed.
.
This was in the Hartford Courant this morning:
Kim Turner didn't have a fancy high-level job. She worked in a middle school cafeteria. All she really had to do was make sure nothing bad happened during lunch.
Hugging the unhuggable, slipping kids candy, chatting with the lonely, counseling young relationships, diffusing impending disaster, remembering names, making every kid feel special — none of that was part of her official job description.
She was a cafeteria monitor. But "Miss Kim" went way above and beyond what was expected. She touched thousands of lives during her 14 years' working in the Farmington school system.
Two Sundays ago, an estimated 3,000 people came through Farmington High School to grieve as a community for Turner, who died in a car accident on her way to work earlier this month. Some 3,000 'tweens, teens, college students and parents, all whose lives had been touched by this one woman with a small job and a gigantic heart.
With a packed gymnasium and a packed auditorium watching the memorial service on a big screen, emotions were on display. Kids openly wept for this cafeteria worker who quietly intervened when a fight in the boys' bathroom was being cooked up, who consoled a girl whose best friend had just dumped her, who made sure nobody sat alone at lunchtime.
Turner's humor, individuality and wild enthusiasm made for good copy in memorial speeches written by students and teachers, all of whom were able to inject a little levity into the otherwise melancholy dedications.
But it wasn't Turner's obsession with the color purple or her love of Chinese food that made an impact on these young people. It was the fact that she went out of her way to care for people.
Turner attended dances — both at the school and at the town's community center — with no expectation of being compensated for her time. She just wanted to get to know the kids better and to make sure they were safe. She'd give administrators "the down-low" on a student in trouble or in need of special attention. Because she also had afternoon bus duty at the school, hers was the last friendly face many students saw before heading to a home that might not be as warm as the school cafeteria in the presence of Miss Kim.
Parents tend to fixate on getting their kids into the best college and steering them toward a successful career. It's the nature of our society and what we value.
But what if we encouraged something more than stellar SAT scores and a high GPA from our kids? What if we spent more energy persuading them to be good people and to help others?
As I walked out of the memorial service with my eighth-grader, both of us dressed in purple in her honor, he announced, "I want to be like Miss Kim when I grow up."
To have a child who grows up to be as deliberately caring and attentive as Miss Kim should be the greatest success for any parent. Turner has left a community of young people with an inspiration to do more, to be more.
These kids are now changed as a result of this tragic event. They've lost a friend, an ally, a confidant. They've lost their sunshine.
But with this slap in the face of reality, they've gained an appreciation for how amazing one's life can be — first-class degree or not. And maybe we'll all experience a shift in priorities.
At the end of your life, which number would you like to be higher: Your SAT score or the number of lives made better by your existence?
Teresa Pelham is a freelance writer from Farmington and a regular contributor.
I had known Miss Kim since I was 3 years old. She was one of the teachers of my pre-school class. She said hi and asked me about my day every single lunch time through all my years at middle school.
Ever since I heard the news of her death I have been trying to find a way to pay tribute to her, for lack of a better term.
Unfortunately I was not in Connecticut for the memorial services, and the rememberance pages on facebook just seemed a bit too crude to me, though very well intentioned.
And then my mom pointed this out to me in the Courant this morning. And it pretty much said what I had not found a way to.
So, Miss Kim, you were an incredibly wonderful person and a good friend to everybody you ever met.
And you will be very sorely missed.
.
27 October 2010
.
Week Seven:
Chiefs over Jaguars
Ravens over Bills
Saints over Browns (nobody saw that one coming.)
49ers over Panthers
Bucs over Rams
Redskins over Bears
Falcons over Bengals
Steelers over Dolphins
Eagles over Titans
Cardinals over Seahawks
Broncos over Raiders (or this one.)
Patriots over Chargers
Packers over Vikings
Cowboys over Giants (and the cowboys lost their quarterback.)
Week Record: 8-6
Running Record: 62-42
.
Week Seven:
Chiefs over Jaguars
Ravens over Bills
Saints over Browns (nobody saw that one coming.)
49ers over Panthers
Bucs over Rams
Redskins over Bears
Falcons over Bengals
Steelers over Dolphins
Eagles over Titans
Cardinals over Seahawks
Broncos over Raiders (or this one.)
Patriots over Chargers
Packers over Vikings
Cowboys over Giants (and the cowboys lost their quarterback.)
Week Record: 8-6
Running Record: 62-42
.
24 October 2010
19 October 2010
.
come thanksgiving day I will be running the Manchester Road Race with my dad.
I will be rewarded with turkey.
lots and lots of turkey.
goals: not die (think I'm ok here, I know I can run 5 miles right now but I would also like to...)
not look like a fool while crossing the finish line (this is the part that will need a little training.)
race info here.
.
come thanksgiving day I will be running the Manchester Road Race with my dad.
I will be rewarded with turkey.
lots and lots of turkey.
goals: not die (think I'm ok here, I know I can run 5 miles right now but I would also like to...)
not look like a fool while crossing the finish line (this is the part that will need a little training.)
race info here.
.
.
not too bad this week.
not too bad.
and welcome back deion branch!!
Week Six:
Giants over Lions
Saints over Bucs
Chiefs over Texans
Patriots over Ravens (WOOHOO!!!!!)
Packers over Dolphins
Bears over Seahawks
Eagles over Falcons
Steelers over Browns
Rams over Chargers (oh, I am SO good!)
Jets over Broncos
Raiders over 49ers (raiders aren't close to being a good team yet...)
Vikings over Cowboys
Colts over Redskins
Titans over Jaguars
Week Record: 10-4
Running Record: 54-36
.
not too bad this week.
not too bad.
and welcome back deion branch!!
Week Six:
Giants over Lions
Saints over Bucs
Chiefs over Texans
Patriots over Ravens (WOOHOO!!!!!)
Packers over Dolphins
Bears over Seahawks
Eagles over Falcons
Steelers over Browns
Rams over Chargers (oh, I am SO good!)
Jets over Broncos
Raiders over 49ers (raiders aren't close to being a good team yet...)
Vikings over Cowboys
Colts over Redskins
Titans over Jaguars
Week Record: 10-4
Running Record: 54-36
.
14 October 2010
.
Week Six:
Giants over Lions (almost tempted to call an upset on this one, but chickened out at the last minute.)
Saints over Bucs
Chiefs over Texans
Patriots over Ravens (I don't care it it's a stupid call, I can't pick against my team.)
Packers over Dolphins
Bears over Seahawks
Eagles over Falcons (it's a bird bowl! hee! I'll be here all night.)
Steelers over Browns
Rams over Chargers (my out on a limb upset pick of the week.)
Jets over Broncos (I'd be cool with being wrong though)
Raiders over 49ers (I keep thinking, eventually, one of these days, the raiders are going to become a good team.)
Vikings over Cowboys (but just barely.)
Colts over Redskins (be cool with being wrong on this one too.)
Titans over Jaguars
.
Week Six:
Giants over Lions (almost tempted to call an upset on this one, but chickened out at the last minute.)
Saints over Bucs
Chiefs over Texans
Patriots over Ravens (I don't care it it's a stupid call, I can't pick against my team.)
Packers over Dolphins
Bears over Seahawks
Eagles over Falcons (it's a bird bowl! hee! I'll be here all night.)
Steelers over Browns
Rams over Chargers (my out on a limb upset pick of the week.)
Jets over Broncos (I'd be cool with being wrong though)
Raiders over 49ers (I keep thinking, eventually, one of these days, the raiders are going to become a good team.)
Vikings over Cowboys (but just barely.)
Colts over Redskins (be cool with being wrong on this one too.)
Titans over Jaguars
.
13 October 2010
.
Week Five:
Packers over Redskins
Lions over Rams (instincts were good on this one.)
Ravens over Broncos
Bengals over Bucs
Jags over Bills (I really don't think there is any helping those bills this year.)
Chiefs over Colts (well that upset pick didn't pan out.)
Falcons over Browns
Bears over Panthers
Texans over Giants
Saints over Cardinals (not just barely like I predicted. not at all.)
Chargers over Raiders
Cowboys over Titans
Eagles over 49ers
Jets over Vikings
Week Record: 7-7
Running Record: 44-32
and in my defense, even the experts are struggling this year. the nfl's all over the place.
.
Week Five:
Packers over Redskins
Lions over Rams (instincts were good on this one.)
Ravens over Broncos
Bengals over Bucs
Jags over Bills (I really don't think there is any helping those bills this year.)
Chiefs over Colts (well that upset pick didn't pan out.)
Falcons over Browns
Bears over Panthers
Texans over Giants
Saints over Cardinals (not just barely like I predicted. not at all.)
Chargers over Raiders
Cowboys over Titans
Eagles over 49ers
Jets over Vikings
Week Record: 7-7
Running Record: 44-32
and in my defense, even the experts are struggling this year. the nfl's all over the place.
.
12 October 2010
.
10 Things I Learned This Weekend:
1. rivers and fall foliage are a pretty good base for a relaxing weekend.
2. if there is a sink full of dishes my mother will wash them, ignoring all threats of retribution.
3. fiances apparently get tired of being dragged around the fair to see all the cows. and the horses. and the pigs. and the goats. and the sheep. and the chickens. and the bunnies. and the llamas.
4. goats are feakin' awesome and I want one.
5. it is possible to see a fox, a bear cub and two moose calves. all in one day.
6. when mom yells "moose!" dad hits the brakes. very quickly.
7. mount washington got it's first snow of the season over the weekend.
8. some people in maine no longer are in possession of their front teeth. (I actually already knew this one, but my mother did not.)
9. we (and by we, I mean ben) finally figured out how to play kubb. and it rocks.
10. 50 or 60 years ago people would give out 3 packs of cigarettes (like the crayons you got in restaurants as a kid) like mints at dinner parties. my grandmother tried to smoke them, but never really could get the hang of it.
.
10 Things I Learned This Weekend:
1. rivers and fall foliage are a pretty good base for a relaxing weekend.
2. if there is a sink full of dishes my mother will wash them, ignoring all threats of retribution.
3. fiances apparently get tired of being dragged around the fair to see all the cows. and the horses. and the pigs. and the goats. and the sheep. and the chickens. and the bunnies. and the llamas.
4. goats are feakin' awesome and I want one.
5. it is possible to see a fox, a bear cub and two moose calves. all in one day.
6. when mom yells "moose!" dad hits the brakes. very quickly.
7. mount washington got it's first snow of the season over the weekend.
8. some people in maine no longer are in possession of their front teeth. (I actually already knew this one, but my mother did not.)
9. we (and by we, I mean ben) finally figured out how to play kubb. and it rocks.
10. 50 or 60 years ago people would give out 3 packs of cigarettes (like the crayons you got in restaurants as a kid) like mints at dinner parties. my grandmother tried to smoke them, but never really could get the hang of it.
.
8 October 2010
and now onto week five!
.
it's the pats' bye week, so slightly less interested.
but it's still football.
Week Five:
Packers over Redskins
Lions over Rams (goin with my instincts on this one.)
Ravens over Broncos (though josh? if you wanna take em down, that is a ok with me.)
Bengals over Bucs
Jags over Bills
Chiefs over Colts (my major upset pick of the week.)
Falcons over Browns
Bears over Panthers (if the bears can keep their quarterback upright for more the 50% of the game, that is.)
Texans over Giants
Saints over Cardinals (but just barely.)
Chargers over Raiders (those poor poor raiders...)
Cowboys over Titans
Eagles over 49ers
Jets over Vikings (though I am rooting for derelle revis to pull his hamstrink chasing randy moss again. no hard feelings against moss here.)
.
.
it's the pats' bye week, so slightly less interested.
but it's still football.
Week Five:
Packers over Redskins
Lions over Rams (goin with my instincts on this one.)
Ravens over Broncos (though josh? if you wanna take em down, that is a ok with me.)
Bengals over Bucs
Jags over Bills
Chiefs over Colts (my major upset pick of the week.)
Falcons over Browns
Bears over Panthers (if the bears can keep their quarterback upright for more the 50% of the game, that is.)
Texans over Giants
Saints over Cardinals (but just barely.)
Chargers over Raiders (those poor poor raiders...)
Cowboys over Titans
Eagles over 49ers
Jets over Vikings (though I am rooting for derelle revis to pull his hamstrink chasing randy moss again. no hard feelings against moss here.)
.
.
let's see how I did...
Week Four:
Seahawks over Rams
Jets over Bills
Saints over Panthers
Steelers over Ravens (oops.)
Broncos over Titans
Packers over Lions
Bengals over Browns (didn't see that one coming.)
Falcons over 49ers
Texans over Raiders
Colts over Jags (woohoo! take that peyton!)
Chargers over Cards
Eagles over Redskins (mcnabb beat philly!)
Bears over Giants (ahh well, at least one of the mannings went down last weekend.)
Pats over Dolphins (in a huge way)
Week Record: 8-6
Running Record: 37-25
.
let's see how I did...
Week Four:
Seahawks over Rams
Jets over Bills
Saints over Panthers
Steelers over Ravens (oops.)
Broncos over Titans
Packers over Lions
Bengals over Browns (didn't see that one coming.)
Falcons over 49ers
Texans over Raiders
Colts over Jags (woohoo! take that peyton!)
Chargers over Cards
Eagles over Redskins (mcnabb beat philly!)
Bears over Giants (ahh well, at least one of the mannings went down last weekend.)
Pats over Dolphins (in a huge way)
Week Record: 8-6
Running Record: 37-25
.
6 October 2010
it is completely and utterly sad that there need to be projects like this out there, but the fact that these guys are doing this is fantastic.
check it out and pass it on here.
.
5 October 2010
I've been getting lucky and striking it rich with the awesome vintage accessories and home furnishings lately.
I've already told you bout my awesome new cape.
Ben found a set of fabulous hand-painted enamel metal bowls from germany in his grams basement, photos of which I will post when I get back up north.
and I have been meaning to show off my new kick-ass vintage suitcase for a bit now.
got it right before hopping the pond back to the states.
it's orange.
'nuff said.
thank goodness for charity shops in london.
I've been racking up the compliments from day one.
wheely bags are so over-rated.
.
I've already told you bout my awesome new cape.
Ben found a set of fabulous hand-painted enamel metal bowls from germany in his grams basement, photos of which I will post when I get back up north.
and I have been meaning to show off my new kick-ass vintage suitcase for a bit now.
got it right before hopping the pond back to the states.
it's orange.
'nuff said.
thank goodness for charity shops in london.
I've been racking up the compliments from day one.
wheely bags are so over-rated.
.
4 October 2010
1 October 2010
.
let's get right down to it.
Week Four:
Seahawks over Rams
Jets over Bills
Saints over Panthers
Steelers over Ravens (not the popular choice, but stranger things have happened. and I am rooting for Charlie Batch.)
Broncos over Titans
Packers over Lions
Bengals over Browns
Falcons over 49ers
Texans over Raiders
Colts over Jags
Chargers over Cards
Eagles over Redskins (although would be kinda cool to see donavon mcnabb go back to philly and beat them, I don't see it happening...)
Bears over Giants (down with the mannings!)
Pats over Dolphins (please of please oh please oh please.)
I know it seems like this has turned into a football blog, but having no internet access 95% of the time really cuts down on the silly superfluous blog posts I used to do...
those will have to wait for when I getfree internet access a job again.
.
let's get right down to it.
Week Four:
Seahawks over Rams
Jets over Bills
Saints over Panthers
Steelers over Ravens (not the popular choice, but stranger things have happened. and I am rooting for Charlie Batch.)
Broncos over Titans
Packers over Lions
Bengals over Browns
Falcons over 49ers
Texans over Raiders
Colts over Jags
Chargers over Cards
Eagles over Redskins (although would be kinda cool to see donavon mcnabb go back to philly and beat them, I don't see it happening...)
Bears over Giants (down with the mannings!)
Pats over Dolphins (please of please oh please oh please.)
I know it seems like this has turned into a football blog, but having no internet access 95% of the time really cuts down on the silly superfluous blog posts I used to do...
those will have to wait for when I get
.
.
Week Three:
Ravens over Browns
Texans over Cowboys
Vikings over Lions
Saints over Falcons (don't think many people saw that one coming.)
Steelers over Bucaneers
Bengals over Panthers
Patriots over Bills (that was a little too close boys, a little too close.)
Chiefs over 49ers (really happy to see these guys doing well.)
Giants over Titans (and I am perfectly okay with that.)
Redskins over Rams
Eagles over Jaguars
Colts over Broncos
Seahawks over Chargers (gut feeling worked out well!)
Cardinals over Raiders
Dolphins over Jets (dammit, I don't want the jets to be good!)
Packers over Bears
Week Record: 10-6
Running Record: 29-19
better, better.
.
Week Three:
Ravens over Browns
Texans over Cowboys
Vikings over Lions
Saints over Falcons (don't think many people saw that one coming.)
Steelers over Bucaneers
Bengals over Panthers
Patriots over Bills (that was a little too close boys, a little too close.)
Chiefs over 49ers (really happy to see these guys doing well.)
Giants over Titans (and I am perfectly okay with that.)
Redskins over Rams
Eagles over Jaguars
Colts over Broncos
Seahawks over Chargers (gut feeling worked out well!)
Cardinals over Raiders
Dolphins over Jets (dammit, I don't want the jets to be good!)
Packers over Bears
Week Record: 10-6
Running Record: 29-19
better, better.
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)