It was a very slow night in the local restaurant business.
Sue didn't want to go out to eat.. but I did. I headed for a place that she is not really too fond of.. Hometown Buffet.
Out in front were two rather new looking "Arrow" brand buses. Inside were two bus loads of French tourists delicately and selectively eating at the buffet restaurant. This happens quite often in Merced. The manager knows when they are coming and ropes off a section for their group. They really seem to enjoy the chance to talk to each other as much as eat.
I always think of my friend Fransico in Italy when I see these groups. He has lead many of these groups throughout Europe and landed in foreign places like Home Town Buffet must seem to these visitors.
Merced must make a good profit from these groups. There are at least 50 people in each bus. Tonight there were 100 people eating. at 11 dollars a crack it surely adds up.
Interesting observations to the cultural differences follow.. Many of these observations may need to be tempered by the fact that it was 8pm and these people have been on the road for a good bit of the day. Where? Maybe Yosemite.. maybe running from the South to the North or the North to the South on the quintessential (I love my spell checker in this blog) California trip.
They were a little astounded by the soda machine. The females would come up and look it over and maybe try to get some water out of it. Only one male was successful getting the machine to vend some coke. He took a "shot full" and wrinkled up his nose. One could only believe that the recipe for Coke was completely different in France.
No one seemed to be going after the salad. One female member headed for the fruit for desert (cut up) but most took a long and hard look at the deserts and finally picked up a little soft serve and a think slice of cheese cake. No one went after the coconut cream pie.
The big station for the French was the slicing station. One bold member found out that the roast beef they were slicing was brisket. That pleased her. She told the carver that the brisket looked good and that she wanted a piece. Most were after the steak. None of them wanted the ham. A few picked up some french fies and one went after a little fried fish.
Overall I really don't think that they got their money's worth. But considering the exchange rate, they probablly felt they had.
: ) Pat
A written expression of a 65year old plus retired Speech and Language Specialist in the Central Valley of California.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Recently Hit with Dr.s and Dentists
One day off to see the dr.. to establish a new service.
We are switching to a Dr. group. It has about 35 Docs in the practice along with the other support folks.
We will get appointments with the dietitian. Sue with the pain specialist. I am following up with my breathing dr.
I just had my teeth cleaning and so did Sue. We established a patient realationship with a rheumatologist in Modesto.
Last week we got the chair back from the body shop. Sue is pretty happy with the work that he did. There was a lot of gusseting that had to be done to accommodate the new hardwood platform the the chair is mounted upon.
So we have been busy running around.
Classes have settled down and they are ready for their first tests of the new words in my construction oriented curriculum.
No one in my classes could related enamel to paint. A couple of the students recognized it as a dental word. Its been a pretty rocky start. Most students at the end of last year were certain that they would not have me on their schedule for this year. For some of them it was a misplacement when they discovered that they once again had "Mr. Brown." So finally we have all of the kids off that needed to be off and we can finally focus the climate of the class to cooperative learning.
And so it goes.. only a few more weeks and the first reportcards go out... or rather in. The are held hostage as the parents come in to get them and talk to the teachers about the basis for the grades.
Have a great week... : ) Pat
We are switching to a Dr. group. It has about 35 Docs in the practice along with the other support folks.
We will get appointments with the dietitian. Sue with the pain specialist. I am following up with my breathing dr.
I just had my teeth cleaning and so did Sue. We established a patient realationship with a rheumatologist in Modesto.
Last week we got the chair back from the body shop. Sue is pretty happy with the work that he did. There was a lot of gusseting that had to be done to accommodate the new hardwood platform the the chair is mounted upon.
So we have been busy running around.
Classes have settled down and they are ready for their first tests of the new words in my construction oriented curriculum.
No one in my classes could related enamel to paint. A couple of the students recognized it as a dental word. Its been a pretty rocky start. Most students at the end of last year were certain that they would not have me on their schedule for this year. For some of them it was a misplacement when they discovered that they once again had "Mr. Brown." So finally we have all of the kids off that needed to be off and we can finally focus the climate of the class to cooperative learning.
And so it goes.. only a few more weeks and the first reportcards go out... or rather in. The are held hostage as the parents come in to get them and talk to the teachers about the basis for the grades.
Have a great week... : ) Pat
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Finally a break in the weather
This weekend was gift
Some worry about thunder and lightning. It was wonderful to see it come and change the weather pattern here.
There are always those that don't like it. Our farmers with the raisins on the ground are not too happy about rain this time of the year. The almonds are still being brushed up off the ground and the farmers are concerned with the mold that may develop.
It made for great weather to be outside. It thundered and carried on all weekend. Monday was too rainy in the morning to walk. Today it was just right.
The last of the pluots are still on the tree. They are the Queens. They stay on the tree ripe from the middle of August until now. When they are picked now, they are still very crisp. The queen pluot is a cross that includes the green gage plum. They are great when they are green and they are great when they are yellow. As with all of the pluots here this year the crop was significantly smaller. The nectarine crop was much smaller too.
Its been a pretty hot return to school this year. We are on our 6th week already. Deficiency notices have already been prepared. The RSP teachers are digging into their caseloads and trying to help the kids who thought that they were doing great without a lot of support. Its always a big surprise to them that teachers follow up on them and will make sure that everything is in place to get them to pass.
Some worry about thunder and lightning. It was wonderful to see it come and change the weather pattern here.
There are always those that don't like it. Our farmers with the raisins on the ground are not too happy about rain this time of the year. The almonds are still being brushed up off the ground and the farmers are concerned with the mold that may develop.
It made for great weather to be outside. It thundered and carried on all weekend. Monday was too rainy in the morning to walk. Today it was just right.
The last of the pluots are still on the tree. They are the Queens. They stay on the tree ripe from the middle of August until now. When they are picked now, they are still very crisp. The queen pluot is a cross that includes the green gage plum. They are great when they are green and they are great when they are yellow. As with all of the pluots here this year the crop was significantly smaller. The nectarine crop was much smaller too.
Its been a pretty hot return to school this year. We are on our 6th week already. Deficiency notices have already been prepared. The RSP teachers are digging into their caseloads and trying to help the kids who thought that they were doing great without a lot of support. Its always a big surprise to them that teachers follow up on them and will make sure that everything is in place to get them to pass.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Another Back to School Night
Last night the ritual was again enacted.
The second "Back to School Night." I had two students show (one briefly) and the no parents.
Other parents came. I could not find a parking space so my little escape had to generate one.
My classes are 5th and 6th period... most everyone had gone home at that point of the "follow you student's schedule." format.
It started at 6:10 and was over at 8:00. Another 2 hours.
Very few special ed parents showed up to any of the classes.
The school grounds are really torn up and not very safe at night. The paving company has ripped up all the infrastructure and putting down huge cement causeways and school must go on as though nothing has changed. Students in this very crowded 2800 student high school are braving the 90 degree temperatures and are funneled into narrow walkways as the construction continues.
At night.. not enough light to keep even the outdoor lockers safe. I saw one student using her cell phone to light up her combination and open her locker for her parents who were curious.. as most parents are of this other life their students are living.
I zen approach is called for here. You cannot change it. But it worth the contemplation as to why they didn't start and finish all of this heavy construction work in the summer.
: ) Pat
The second "Back to School Night." I had two students show (one briefly) and the no parents.
Other parents came. I could not find a parking space so my little escape had to generate one.
My classes are 5th and 6th period... most everyone had gone home at that point of the "follow you student's schedule." format.
It started at 6:10 and was over at 8:00. Another 2 hours.
Very few special ed parents showed up to any of the classes.
The school grounds are really torn up and not very safe at night. The paving company has ripped up all the infrastructure and putting down huge cement causeways and school must go on as though nothing has changed. Students in this very crowded 2800 student high school are braving the 90 degree temperatures and are funneled into narrow walkways as the construction continues.
At night.. not enough light to keep even the outdoor lockers safe. I saw one student using her cell phone to light up her combination and open her locker for her parents who were curious.. as most parents are of this other life their students are living.
I zen approach is called for here. You cannot change it. But it worth the contemplation as to why they didn't start and finish all of this heavy construction work in the summer.
: ) Pat
Monday, September 7, 2009
Target Date
Traditionally this was the date.
The day, Labor Day, was the day that we had to be back home form our summer trip.
Growing up in my family we traveled extensively every summer. Growing up in the Bay Area my parents longed to reconnect and to help with grandma Nellie's and grandpa Bayard's peach farm. My parents also discovered that the world out there was less expensive to live in than summer in the city.
We camped as we traveled. I grumbled but enjoyed the sights. There were always new people to meet as we traveled. We enjoyed the campfire nights in the national parks and the fireside chats at the state parks. When we are stopped at a KOA or some obscure park we camped and set up a family sing a long that invited others with kids to come by and join in. We traveled with guitars and sometimes dad would pull out his harmonica. In the early days I had to practice my trumpet and a certain amount of embarrasment went along with that as at least on hour of practice was required.
Dad imposed the no write no eat law on me early on. I had to produce a page of writing before I could eat dinner in the evening. I was responsible for cleaning and folding the tent to just the right shape so that it would fit directly into the Ford Falcon in just the right place. It had to be that small so that the camping stove and the fuel and the legs to the camping stove would fit there also. I am not sure where our clothes went when we were in the Falcon days.
As I grew up my mom was in a terrible accident. We were smashed into from a stop sign on a rainy day going up the hill to our house. The result of this was several weeks in the hospital for her and a new kind of car that we could carry her around lying down in a cot. It was an International Harvester Travel All. Dad had always wanted a truck. This was the ultimate station wagon truck.
It also became our puller for a trailer that mom and dad bought. Dad romanced it all winter down in San Carlos. Finally he bought it. It could only sleep two. The travelal became the bedroom for my sisters and I pitched the old family tent (8 x8 exterior tent poles) wherever we went.
Tonight would be the night that we had to be home. Mom would be washing the white shirts furiously and dad would be looking over what he needed to do. All white shirts has to be pressed and of course they had to have a hankie to go in the pocket.
The first month of school is always tough on school families. There are enormous things to adjust to. Schedules, new teachers for the kids and lunch boxes. Teachers kids generally don't get new clothes until October.. the first real payday.
Times have changed. Our first day with students was quite awhile ago. August17. Teacher were paid the end of August. And white shirts are no longer the required dress at our school. We are lucky to get the teachers in long pants and polo shirts.
Love to all
Pat
The day, Labor Day, was the day that we had to be back home form our summer trip.
Growing up in my family we traveled extensively every summer. Growing up in the Bay Area my parents longed to reconnect and to help with grandma Nellie's and grandpa Bayard's peach farm. My parents also discovered that the world out there was less expensive to live in than summer in the city.
We camped as we traveled. I grumbled but enjoyed the sights. There were always new people to meet as we traveled. We enjoyed the campfire nights in the national parks and the fireside chats at the state parks. When we are stopped at a KOA or some obscure park we camped and set up a family sing a long that invited others with kids to come by and join in. We traveled with guitars and sometimes dad would pull out his harmonica. In the early days I had to practice my trumpet and a certain amount of embarrasment went along with that as at least on hour of practice was required.
Dad imposed the no write no eat law on me early on. I had to produce a page of writing before I could eat dinner in the evening. I was responsible for cleaning and folding the tent to just the right shape so that it would fit directly into the Ford Falcon in just the right place. It had to be that small so that the camping stove and the fuel and the legs to the camping stove would fit there also. I am not sure where our clothes went when we were in the Falcon days.
As I grew up my mom was in a terrible accident. We were smashed into from a stop sign on a rainy day going up the hill to our house. The result of this was several weeks in the hospital for her and a new kind of car that we could carry her around lying down in a cot. It was an International Harvester Travel All. Dad had always wanted a truck. This was the ultimate station wagon truck.
It also became our puller for a trailer that mom and dad bought. Dad romanced it all winter down in San Carlos. Finally he bought it. It could only sleep two. The travelal became the bedroom for my sisters and I pitched the old family tent (8 x8 exterior tent poles) wherever we went.
Tonight would be the night that we had to be home. Mom would be washing the white shirts furiously and dad would be looking over what he needed to do. All white shirts has to be pressed and of course they had to have a hankie to go in the pocket.
The first month of school is always tough on school families. There are enormous things to adjust to. Schedules, new teachers for the kids and lunch boxes. Teachers kids generally don't get new clothes until October.. the first real payday.
Times have changed. Our first day with students was quite awhile ago. August17. Teacher were paid the end of August. And white shirts are no longer the required dress at our school. We are lucky to get the teachers in long pants and polo shirts.
Love to all
Pat
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Going out of my Mind
Just a degree over normal and we are reduced to craziness.
Its amazing that the our personal comfort is so tied to human body temperature.
I have the flu. They took the ubiquitous nose sample. And then every person that came in contact with me had a mask on.. including me.. check the grim photo in facebook.
So I am home a couple of days. I don't really feel like being home. I don't really feel like doing anything.. but doing nothing is not comfortable either.. so here I am adding to this blog.
I see my sister has added a facebook "badge" to her blog and I have done the same too. We both use this medium to write a little longer communication than the little facebook updates.
The Iphone has changed the communication ideas and modes of my life. I didn't know that it would be easier to check the stuff that I usually check with my computer right from my bed before I wake up or at Starbucks when I am halfway through my walk.
I know what a lose Cammie is going through when her Iphone took a swim in a bucket of red squirt. I hope Apple cuts her a deal.
Its still hot over there. I don't know what I was expecting.. after the first days of September we would really have fall? Silly boy.
Take care
Pat
Its amazing that the our personal comfort is so tied to human body temperature.
I have the flu. They took the ubiquitous nose sample. And then every person that came in contact with me had a mask on.. including me.. check the grim photo in facebook.
So I am home a couple of days. I don't really feel like being home. I don't really feel like doing anything.. but doing nothing is not comfortable either.. so here I am adding to this blog.
I see my sister has added a facebook "badge" to her blog and I have done the same too. We both use this medium to write a little longer communication than the little facebook updates.
The Iphone has changed the communication ideas and modes of my life. I didn't know that it would be easier to check the stuff that I usually check with my computer right from my bed before I wake up or at Starbucks when I am halfway through my walk.
I know what a lose Cammie is going through when her Iphone took a swim in a bucket of red squirt. I hope Apple cuts her a deal.
Its still hot over there. I don't know what I was expecting.. after the first days of September we would really have fall? Silly boy.
Take care
Pat