Kevin's Watch

Avatar wrote:I shall probably waste it playing games...

--A

Well I'm trying not to waste my time off. Planning a trip to London to buy a microphone -
not something I wish to buy online -
and may even add a tabletop drum kit to the shopping list.

Avatar wrote:

Sorus wrote:This is how you end up with Cylons. I do not approve.

https://www.wired.com/story/watch-bosto ... o-parkour/

We have security robots here that look like Daleks. Daleks. Who thought that was a good idea?

StevieG wrote:It seems like you're always on leave Av (you wish, I'm sure...)

Haha, well, with 12 public holidays a year, and 21 days of paid leave that I have to use, (15 of those 21 days do roll over, but only for 1 year) I do have more opportunities than most perhaps.

But yes, it doesn't feel like it to me. Feels like I'm always at work.

Lazy Luke wrote: Well I'm trying not to waste my time off. Planning a trip to London to buy a microphone -
not something I wish to buy online -
and may even add a tabletop drum kit to the shopping list.

Well, "waste" is subjective I guess. If I have to do things when I have time off, it feels like I'm working, which is a waste to me.

Sorus wrote: We have security robots here that look like Daleks. Daleks. Who thought that was a good idea?

Haha. Pretty amazing though, when a few years ago you could barely get them to go upstairs.

What really interests me is the fact that soldiers are getting so attached to the robots that are supposed to help minimise casualties that they name them, hold funerals for them, and there have even been some reports of soldiers putting themselves in danger to rescue them on the battlefield.

And we're just talking about bomb-disposal robots here...imagine Fido there on the battlefield?

--A

Avatar wrote:Well, "waste" is subjective I guess. If I have to do things when I have time off, it feels like I'm working, which is a waste to me.

Well, enjoy being wasted.

I always do.

--A

Avatar wrote:
Haha. Pretty amazing though, when a few years ago you could barely get them to go upstairs.

Yeah, same with Daleks.

Friday is drawing nearer, but these last two days are going to be a bit of a drag...

--A

Another birthday party Friday afternoon.
As I don't do alchohol (:bounce03::shifty::S ) or whatever,
I wont be there very long.

Thursday, which is Friday for me.

Looking forward to a break from work.

--A

I feel a tad tired. Thats how I feel today lol

Leave already ... that came around quick lol

Well enjoy

Where is everybody?

This has been such a long week, I am starting to suspect temporal malfeasance of some sort. Yesterday alone lasted at least a week, and that's not normal, even for a Tuesday.

mmm... that IS not normal and arguably, nay definitely an ominous foreboding ... temporal malfeasance quite possibly.

Barton down the hatches ... especially those pesky escape hatches and hunker down for the wild ride to come .. of course it could be a fun foreboding... it is highly possible.

And

Hey peoples... thought I'd ramble about the "communications bottleneck" I'm experiencing.
I'm so stuck!

I'm planning to not do math team coaching again this year, but I desperately want the school I was coaching for to -HAVE- a math coach.
I'm scared that's not going to happen, mostly because of prior events.
(the fact that nobody wanted the position last year.)
And their students are brilliant, spectacular, and motivated to learn / pursue excellence.

Anyway, I keep composing emails and documentation in my head. (including other emails, like to family and friends - not just about math team stuff!)
And never committing ONE of them to a good typing-out.
This "going silent" sort of thing is a kind of typical dysfunctionality-mode that I've frequently struggled with... I've waded through the struggle and gotten some big improvements in recent years, but now it's being a big ole' thorn in my side again.

mmm... difficult... as the battle you face is with yourself. What is holding you back?

Try sitting at the table or wherever .. a quiet place .. your fortress of solitude... and put your thoughts on the computer. Once there out and on the word processor.. you can copy and paste them, modify them .. get someone.. maybe hubby to read them.

Then create a mailing list.

Who do you want to read your words? Who do you want to inspire to action?

Then consider .... what you are afraid of? Or what do you think is the cause of the malfunction?

You can do this Linna.

Who better to inspire a math coach than you? A math coach? Someone whos done it for years? Someone who knows the potential and amazingness of the kids you have worked with?

You can give them tips, resources, ideas.. and wish them well in THEIR efforts.

Who better to pass on the torch?

I can think of no one better placed to do this than you. Plus you know youre pretty amazing dont ya? Im awed by your dedication and commitment to these kids and that role.

Three words of value JUST DO IT.

Hard to hear but beautiful in their simplicity

Are there any local math team alumni you previously coached living locally who may enjoy picking up the torch? Or does the coach have to be a staff member?

I've experienced that bottleneck before, when I have too many options. There are books written on the subject.

First, find something to wipe the mind clean. Go for a walk. Exercise, something really distracting. (I use pigeon pose. I have a bad hip. When I'm in pigeon, I think, "Ow, my hip," and nothing else.) Whatever you use, make sure it forces your mind on the immediate whether you like it or not.

Second, you described your issues succinctly in your post. Use it as an outline for what you want to write. Ignore the part about family and friends. (Yes, they are important but not the immediate issue.) Pour everything you can, stream of consciousness, into a letter to your imaginary successor.

Third, cut half of what you've written.

Fourth, cut half of what's left.

Last, revise for logical flow.


Hope it helps.

Well, I'm back.

Had a very nice quiet break, literally all I did was play computer games. I barely even left the house.

Of course, coming back to work is always a shock.

Looks like things been quiet huh?

--A

Yeah I think thats a fair observation.. weve been a bit busy if late but we keep coming back

Good advice Khal and Menolly

Thank you guys! I suspected if I asked that question here, y'all would come through for me!

Sky- thank you for your words of encouragement.
It makes me happy and, yes, encouraged!

Menolly- Yes, we have Middle School Math Team alumni in spades!
They are awesome, gifted, responsible human beings.
Most of the ones who I know are local, though, are High Schoolers; I think there are some who have the ability to run this program.
That brings us to the question of whether it has to be a staff member.
Well, you know... how there's "has to" and "has to."
I don't think it officially has to be a staff member. But it seems there are certain ways in which it's "sort of" necessary...

Khal-
Yeah... your suggestions gave me great permission for getting started!
(Also, thanks for making me laugh with the "Ow, my hip.")
I have begun a serious document, and also thought of a lot of options of things I can add (many of which will be cut!) that I hadn't considered before.

take care all... peace out.

Made it through Monday.

--A