Monday, March 2, 2009

Humor is where you find it.

From my friend Jerry,

Summer Classes for Men at
THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
by Friday, August 17th 2008

NOTE: Due to the complexity and difficulty level of their contents,
class sizes will be limited to 8 participants maximum

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays
Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat
and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?
Group Practice
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor
Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM

Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost
Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live: Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy: Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries
and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late

Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.

Upon completion of any of the above courses,
diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Friendship and new beginnings

Welcome to Monday Musings.

It is my opinion that blogging is an egotistical revelation that you assume others believe you have something worthwhile to share.

Approximately 10 years ago I posted “Monday Morning Musings” for several months. I tried to use the same title again, but it’s either lost in space or someone else has similar desires.

There are several things I hope will happen with this verbal exchange.
I hope,
1. It will be an exchange among educators – licensed and all others. (Have I left out anyone?)
2. It will be engage us on issues that directly concern learners. (Is that inclusive enough?)
3. It will stimulate creativity.
4. We will ponder the problems and share ideas for helping the growing number of aliterates, those who can read, but don’t want to.
5. There will be some humor, empathy, nonsense, and other categories.
6. It will help you find a positive answer to two vital questions for students of all ages:
a. Are you having any fun?
b. Are you learning anything?

From time to time I will include some of my poetry and doggerel along with other pointed comments. I sincerely hope this will be a blessing to someone other than myself.

I’ll start this new endeavor with the topic of friends. I prize them highly. I have hundreds of acquaintances, but my friends are considerably fewer. I hope to hear from both groups.

Please, let me hear from you before next Monday. Okay?

MY FRIEND

Friendship is not measured by counting days
. . . or months . . . or years.
It is the blending of two lives
. . .
two laughs . . . two fears.

Moments shared may seem a lifetime.
Years may fade to just one hour.
Life with all its joys and sorrows
Is made rich through friendship's power.

At our best or at our weakest
A friend accepts us as we are.
Motives then need no explaining;
A friend will seek to hide our scar.

Scars we have - each one a plenty.
Who knows better than oneself?
But a friend will help to heal them,
Help us keep emotional health.

Foes may cause us great confusion;
An acquaintance may do us dirt,
But a friend will try to help us
Though sometimes the help may hurt.

You may search the whole world over.
You may search your whole life through.
Don't take time to be discouraged
If you find your friends are few.

We all use the term so lightly
Scarcely thinking what it means.
Yet, how few there are around us
Who will help us reach our dreams.

Let me not cause you to stumble
Or give you reason to pretend.
Let me see you stronger, nobler
Just because I am your friend.

Marvin G. Baker

I’ll be watching for you!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Aliterates and Creative Kids

Have you ever considered what reluctant readers and creative children have in common? The first group don't want to do it, and the second group always wants to it (whatever you're working on at the moment) a different way. Is there some connection?

Can they help each other satisfy somebody?

I'll be watching for you!

Marvin

It starts February 15, 2009

Watch for the first real blog on the 15th.

Four lines from one of my poems says what I hope will be true.

"Let me not cause you to stumble
Or give you reason to pretend.
Let me find you nobler, stronger
Just because I am your friend."

I'll be watching for you!

Marvin G. Baker