Think Kit 15: How's your cursive?

The answer to the blog post title is: terrible!!!! I was in elementary school when we still learned to write in cursive. We even received grades for "penmanship"! We had books where we had to trace the letters with our fingers, then with pencils, and then practice over and over again on the beige paper with the blue lined grids. I would try over and over and never really could make my letters right, loops in the wrong places, uneven heights of my letters, tails too long. And what is with a capital cursive Q? Can anyone actually make one of those correctly? Handwriting has NEVER been my strong point.

Even though I'm a teacher I never seemed to achieve the "perfect teacher writing." You know that perfect writing with all the correct loops and such. I write in a dutchy mix of cursive and printing, interspersing capitals and lowercase at weird spots.  Also, my students always hated it when I would have to put notes on the board because i would write big and small, and usually uphill. Thank goodness for the advent of PowerPoint, projectors and Smart-boards!

And now that I spend most of my days in front of a computer, my handwriting has gotten even worse. To stay in practice, I hand-write a daily journal and of course my writing is loopy and big, or small and cramped, an ugly mix of cursive and printing, capitals and lowercase, all in the wrong places-- yes, still sprinkled with my writing idiosyncrasies. I also hand write letters. Lots of letters. I try really hard to print and write neatly. But my mind starts whirling and I write (scribble?) faster and faster, trying to get my thoughts on paper as quickly as I can, my writing unable to keep up with my mind and my writing looks a jumble.

Do I dare even mention that I have arthritis in certain fingers and parts of my hands so add those aches to the writing process and... well, I could end up teaching "How to write like a Doctor 101"...

So, without further ado... handwriting from me to you:

Think Kit day 4- a wise woman once wrote...

Today's Think Kit topic: What was the wisest decision you made this year? Who did it impact? Describe your decision-making process, discuss the results, or just share a little learned wisdom.

For me 2013 feels like the year of bad decisions for me... if I were more superstitious I'd blame the number 13 but.... so trying to come up with the wisest decision I mad this year was hard. It was so difficult, in fact, that I almost skipped this post altogether, or picked another topic.  But...

Sometimes the small decisions are the ones that can be the wisest. And maybe this wasn't the wisest decision I made all year, but it sure was a good one.

In February I heard about this thing called Tradeschool, where free classes were offered. That's right- free! Classes! Free knowledge! I could trade items for people to teach me stuff! What a fabulous concept and completely right up my ally since I'm a lover of life long learning!

I signed up for a something called a letter writing social. Oh, I swear I won't wax poetic about my love of letter writing since I've done that a million times and bored you all to death (but if you're a new reader and want to hear my poetic waxings, go here, here, and here...). Let' suffice it to say I love to write letters and believe in putting pen to paper. That being said I thought a letter writing social would be great.

AND IT WAS! It went beyond great! It was amazing, fun, fabulous, interesting, and knowledgeable. And it really changed my entire year in several ways. 

I had no idea there was such a phenomena as mail art. And let me tell ya, there is. Google it. It's pretty cool, a whole movement. It's a real art genre. Wicked interesting and I love learning something new. So with this in mind, I have to say there is no more plain Jane envelopes get sent from this girl anymore. Everything gets 'arted' up a little bit. I don't care if I do nothing more than a few stickers and some washi tape or if I try to draw something or use an unusual mailing packaging, nothing with a stamp on it leaves me without some creativity added. (great book to learn more: Good Mail Day)

In addition to learning about mail art and attempting to create my own, I've also become interested in the history of the USPS and stamps. I'm not a stamp collector now (and probably never will be) but I like looking at the stamps through history, learning about the post office, learning about mailing processes and deliveries. My family teases me that I'm single handedly trying to save the post office. Perhaps there's some truth to that... Thus I've also reinforced my status as huge nerd girl of the family.

While at the letter writing social, I also found out about some pen-pal web sites. THIS IS WONDERFUL! I signed up and suddenly I started receiving mail from strangers around the world. This was last March and I'm still writing letters to many of those folks, and new friends, since then. I send several dozen letters/ postcards/ packages a month, and receive the same! It's so nice to go to the maibox and have something other than bills, leaflets and junk. I had so much mail that I even now have rented my own Post Office Box! Nothing makes me smile more than opening that box to a stack of letters!

To top it off, I experienced the Trade School concept and love it. I've taken several classes throughout the whole year. It's a great way to learn something new, meet interesting people, do something different, and be part of a community. The ladies who organize Trade School Indy are just wonderful women!

So while this wasn't a huge decision and maybe not the "wisest" it certainly was one of the best decisions I made this year. I found an interest that influenced me all year, I met great people that I still see when I'm able, and it really has helped push my creative-ness to a new level. And... it makes me happy. And that, my friends, it the key for me in 2013. I want to be happy, and trade school, letter writing, the USPS, and mail art sure puts a smile on my face.

Happy mail!
Maggie

Letter writing hobby

Lately I've been "into" mail art.

Several months ago I went to a letter writing social and mail art work shop. We invaded a bookshop with our writing supplies and art supplies and went to work. The goal was to hand write letters to people for the first hour. (We could also use the old fashioned manual, antique type writers). Nothing "electronic".

The second part of the workshop was to create designer envelopes. And this includes everything- rubber stamping, paper-folding, washi tape, stickers, coloring, painting-- you name it, it was fair game.

We also learned of the USPS mailing restrictions!

So I tried. What I found interesting was one of the workshop facilitators showed us examples of mail she had received and this stuff was super cool- it looked like no mail I've ever received. Then she showed us a few web sites of people who were looking for fellow lovers of letter writing or mail art. Ah-ha! I've waxed poetic for years about the art of letter writing being a dying art and now I've discovered fellow letter writers? A whole society of letter writers? A guild of letter writers? Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellllll, OF COURSE I signed up!!!!

I also went home and did research and, people, mail art is a serious THING. It's an art movement. really. Not kidding! Google Images mail art. Also go read about it here (yes I know it's wiki but it's actually good info!)

And I've received some very amazing pieces of mail art as well as some amazing letters and postcards. With the site you can actually find people who want pen pals and will write back and forth. There are also people who want to exchange just a postcard. Others want to send "trash bombs" which is an envelope of art supplies. Some like notes. Some just want to do a "one off" I'll send you something one time and you send me something once and that's it. I've received paper crafting supplies, recipes, Artist Trading Cards (ATCs), postcards, stationery, tea, and chocolate. I've started corresponding with several people. I write to every single person to writes to me. Sometimes it takes a week or 2 but I respond to everyone no matter what.

I'm also very big into postcards. I pick them up everywhere I go and write to people and mail them off. I read people's profiles and try to send either a postcard that relates to something in their profile or send to people with whom I have something in common. I've found with postcards I"m VERY random in what I say- maybe people think I'm crazy?

Some folks are like me: their letters are the strong point of this experience. Others are killer artists. Some are both- amazing letter writers AND artists! My letter writing is my strong point- I usually generate 3-5 page letters to folks! I do have a tendency to just use homemade envelopes, a few rubber stamps some stickers and some washi tape and call it art. BUT I have sent some "mail art" envelopes.

Remember, I'm not Picasso or VanGogh. I struggle with stick figures. It's the thought that counts, right? The effort?

Those are just some samples. I've sent other stuff, LOTS of other stuff. I've send some mail to readers here (do you recognize your letter up there?), too, because I sent letters to friends and family not just strangers! (I have more examples but it's shows people's addresses and I don't feel like messing with paint to block 'em out right now!)

I've also fallen in love with the Post Office. I adore stamps. I actually dashed to the PO on my lunch hour this week to buy a page of Johnny Cash stamps before they were all sold out so I can do county and music themes letter art! The people who work at the post office either love me or are not my biggest fans. I don't like them to "print" postage on white labels; I want them to give me actual STAMPS to equal what I need. I also like to look through the stamps to pick out different ones I like, taking a few here and there, rather than just 1 sheet of 1 kind. I ask questions about mailing processes and weigh limits. One woman likes to see what I've created and gives me ideas of how to protect my art. Another woman, when she sees me come in, waves me to the front of the line and hands me the stamp book because she knows I'll stand there for 10 minutes pouring over the postage, adding up how much I need of each stamps and finding just the right one. (I like to try and use the postage stamps as part of the art when I can!)

If anyone still reads here and wants a letter (and a feeble attempt at mail art) go ahead and give me your address in my comments. I will NOT publish your address though I already have addresses for many of you!

Write more letters! Use less email! Because a mailbox full of letters and mail art is much better than a box of bills!

Happy Snail Mailing!

Maggies

Letter to parents- reprise

About two years ago when I was teaching grades 7-12 in a small high school in the Wild West I was extremely frustrated with parents and their lack of caring or participation in their children's educations. I was really angry that they were quick to criticize teachers and place blame on us for all the wrong doings of their children. I was pissed after parent- teacher conferences when parents thought I went into teaching just for summers off. I knew I couldn't tell the parents how I really felt so I used my old blog as an outlet.

As I've been subbing, I'm having lots of these same feelings creep up. Talking to other teachers, I'm hearing the same things. Daddy-O is in the classroom daily and he hears this crap as well. Parents blame the teachers for everything and never want step up and take any sort of responsibility for the actions of their children.

I'm re-printing the letter I wrote, with a few minor changes... I think it's relevant whether I'm a sub in Civilization or a full time classroom teacher in the Wild West (hence the references to ranches and cows...).

For those of you who read this before, enjoy again... this was my most popular post ever, from my last blog so... enjoy- or skip it and go look at shoes and purses on ebay while drinking a Cosmo.

To: Lazy, Ignorant Parents
From: Pissed off Teacher

Are you people freaking crazy? I spend 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, of my life with your child and you begrudge me time off? Why is that? Because you don't want to have to worry about who your little darlings are out screwing or what they are drinking or who purchased the alcoholic beverage of their choice? Because you don't want to step up and finally be a parent, a role model or a good example?

I spend 184 days a year with your little darling. I don't get a break from time school starts in August until Christmas vacation except Thanksgiving because you parents want your child to get out of school earlier at the end of the year so you have your little babies around to do ranch work. I don't have a day off from January until April for the same reason! But think about this- what about My jpb that I'm supposed to be doing? You know, teaching your kids?

I see your child for at least 50 minutes each and every day, and usually more. I have to patrol them in the bathroom and hallways and in the rec center and library. I have to monitor them at lunch. I give up my break and prep period to help your child with homework. I stay after school to type your child's paper because you won't buy a computer, but you have a $3000 bar tab. I take calls from them at night when they call to ask for help with an assignment. Because I live a 5 minute walk away from the school, I go back to the building at least one time per week to let your forgetful little teen in to get that forgotten math book- did I mention I don't teach math?

How about some of these easy questions: Did you know your child loves to read mysteries? I do. Did you know your child is a talented artist, and likes Monet? I do. Did you know your child can sing and dance? I do. Did you know that when your child laughs hard, she snorts? I do. Did you know your child hates beef jerky even though her dad is a cattle rancher? I do.

How about these- let's step it up a bit shall we? Did you know that your child is an alcoholic and who supplies him beer? I do. Did you know your daughter had gonorrhea? I do. Did you know your daughter's boyfriend beats her up? I do. Did you know your child can't read past a 3rd grade level? I do. Did you know your child is afraid to go to college? I do. Did you know your child cuts herself? I do. Do you know your daughter is bulimic? I do. Did you know your son smokes pot? I do. Did you know your son would run away if he weren't scared? I do. Did you know your daughter had an abortion? I do. Did you know your son took his girlfriend to have an abortion? I do. Did you know your son tried to commit suicide more than once? I do.

And how do I know all this? Because I spend more time in a day, in a week, in a year, with your child than you do. And when I'm with your child I LISTEN to him or her. We TALK. I don't use them as my ranch hands or to staff my family owned business, as my personal slave. I read their journals, I grade their papers, I find them scholarships, I give them a ride when they are out of fuel, I loan them money, I tutor them. I hold them when they cry in the girl's bathroom. I give credence to their thoughts, feelings, emotions and fears. I go to their games, track meets, class meetings, play performances, and band and choir concerts. I chaperon their dances. I helped decorate for their proms. I'm at parent- teacher conferences. Where the hell are you?

I know where the parties are, and where the bodies are buried, and I know all the stories. I have inside jokes with your child. I can make them laugh and smile. I know the birthday of every sophomore off the top of my head, what students have tattoos of what and where, and I know what each senior plans to do after graduation. I know favorite foods, beverages and candies.

Do you have a clue that I spend vast quantities of my own money on paper and pens/ pencils because for some reason you can't seem to purchase school supplies for your child? Did you know I decorate my room with your child's art work and A papers because you can't seem to find a damn magnet or tape to hang it on your own refrigerator? Did you know I had your child to my house for dinner and to study for their history test because you wouldn't- and did I mention I'm not the history teacher? Or that your child came to a Shakespeare party at my house because it makes learning fun? Did you know that I LIKE YOUR CHILD and I HAVE THEIR VERY BEST INTERESTS AT HEART? Do you?

Did you thank me for helping your child get a $5000 scholarship? Did you thank me developing creative lesson plans, helping your child write complete sentences, educating them in pop culture and literature and providing all their English education? No, actually, you didn't. And why is that? You're there to complain when they miss 9 days of school in one quarter and you can't figure out why they failed my class. You're there when your child has failed to turn in any homework assignments even though I called you daily for 3 weeks to keep you abreast of this situation.

Yeah, I'm just a teacher and I get my summers off. What am I complaining about? It's not like I do anything important anyway...

Sincerely,
You CHILD'S Teacher