Designated Doodler

Oh what a year it's been. Rather than summing it up in poetic verse, I simply offer these gifs as a representation of my experience of 2015. Much has transpired in these months. Some of it good. Some of it bad. But there is always entertainment to be found. Such as Donald Trump running for president or Steve Harvey totally screwing up the most important pageant ever. Oh and you can't forget that Texas' open carry law has passed. I'm sure we'll all be just fine though... People be goin' to Walmart like... We said goodbye to The Soup.  And hello ( ) to the beautiful reality that the X-Files and Twin Peaks will be returning. Bonus Duchovny Crossover Photo Justin Bieber won't go away, he just keeps saying he's sorry. Adele set fire to the rain and her album selling record. Unfortunately for the human populous, Kim and Kanye reproduced again. People got steamed over Starbucks cups. The oil business tanked. And of

The way the light hit her pale skin made it shine with the sheen of a polished pearl. Her flowing red blouse hugged her curves and disappeared into the black and white checked skirt that wrapped around her waist. Even the way Audrey walked was hypnotic. She seemed to sway to some inaudible tune that the very special agent Dale Cooper longed to hear. But he was here on official FBI business, he didn’t have time for…whatever this was. Not to mention he must have nearly a decade on the young Audrey. However, despite the age gap, she was alluring in a way that Dale Cooper had never before encountered. She was intelligent, cunning, persuasive, insightful and so attractive that it was nearly criminal.  The daughter of the man who practically owned the town, there was actual weight behind the words “I get what I want,” that she had whispered in his ear just a week earlier. He cleared his throat and tried to drown thoughts of Audrey with his damn fine cup of morning coffee. Bu

Thanksgiving approaches. It's hard to believe it's here, yet here I am, wishing it were May. I suppose I should slow down and savor life. I think I've been enjoying myself. Here are a few pictures from life as I know it. And as my birthday approaches, I'm hoping for more fun and general shenanigans. Wish me luck! It wouldn't be my blog without some of my art, right?   Some student work that looks FANTASTIC. So proud of my kids. More of my art. Wolf. More unfinished art. Actually finished art. My sample for my students. Led some more painting classes. Then made some paintings of my own. Gobble. More art. My cat. My spirit animal. Trips to the HMFA!   Trips to Crave Cupcakes!! Roses, how sweet :D First place! The 'Stang.

I teach high school English and I also tutor elementary and middle school students. No matter what the age group, I see a common and alarming trend among children. They can't focus! These kids, our kids, are being affected by two pervasive things: instant gratification and constant stimulation. They get what they want, when they want. So when they come to school, they expect to run the show, which just isn't how it works - at school or in life. They talk back to teachers, question why they have to do assignments, argue about their grades, turn in assignments late and detest having to focus. It's no wonder that teachers are jumping ship right and left. Believe it or not, there once was a day when kids were respectful, did not question their assignments or grades, did not badger their teachers to grade faster, did not bring weapons to school or start fights, did not wage an electronics war or refuse to work. As teachers we receive absurd amounts of training on be

I can remember sitting in my living room as a ten year old, thrilled to hear the theme song to JAG emanate from my TV. I was a die-hard fan of Harmon Rabb Jr. and Sarah McKenzie who kicked ass, took names and dragged their audience through the ups and downs of a complicated ten year relationship. It was the tension between Harm and Mac that kept JAG alive and made the show the most popular military themed program since M*A*S*H* So when JAG ended in 2005 I was beyond sad, but the way that the show ended was (in my opinion) perfect. The audience finally got to see Harm and Mac become a couple and share their wedding news with their best friends/coworkers. The love story in JAG was handled great (although there could have been more Harm/Mac moments) and it now contrasts starkly with how how NCIS' love story was handled. JAG went off the air and NCIS (same creator) came on the scene. It was pretty much an instant hit and it provided audiences with more suspensef