Author Archives: mathdreads
Carnaval: Black Orpheus
The 2014 carnaval theme was Black Orpheus, based on the classic Brazil samba movie done Greek tragedy-style. As usual, my capoeira group were honored to provide security for the samba school. A job that I look forward to doing every year since it gets me into the biggest party in Austin. We all met at … Continue reading
The Ice Storm Cometh
I have a confession: last Thursday, I told my 7th and 8th period classes to pray for a two-hour late start on Friday so we would not have to make up a cancelled day of school. Since I usually don’t assign homework, I’ll just assume that my students went overboard with the prayers. Lo and … Continue reading
Forgive and Move On
Right off the top, I forgive all the assholes who’ve ever crossed my path. As I understand it, opposites attract and so at some molecular level, they simply could not avoid interfering with my pursuit of happiness. This includes, but is not limited all those people, who upon a few seconds of meeting me, conclude … Continue reading
Psychosomatic Illness?
I spent a blissful two weeks on vacation and got a half day reprieve from professional development in form of a dental appointment on Monday morning. A three year-old had allegedly died after a trip to the dentist recently, which rattled me a bit, going into my own dental appointment. Yet, I’m an avid flosser; … Continue reading
NYE 2013
One of my friends, who is a professional event planner, planned our New Year’s Eve celebration. She used her hotel points to secure our double room downtown. Some of us came from out of town, but those of us who lived in Austin forgot to bring a cooler. Since we had two joining double rooms, … Continue reading
Laughing My Way Through Christmas
I must admit that now that one of my sisters is no longer a teetotaler, Christmas has become a more Bacchanalian celebration. I started with sampling my brother-in-law’s very expensive Scotch (yuck!) followed by a more palatable, but still nasty expensive cognac. After the ice melted more in the cognac, I reported that the secret … Continue reading
Visiting My Sister’s Family 2013
About a month before visiting my sister’s family in VA, I bought an expensive winter coat for $10 + taxes to prepare for the much colder weather than what I normally experience in Austin. Despite my early morning flight, I still didn’t need my winter coat en route to my final destination. Not only was … Continue reading
Revisible
On Labor Day 2013, I walked into a drop-in capoeira class, which is a Brazilian martial arts, and left limping. I’d fallen during a sparing exercise. Despite the pronounced popping sound, I thought I’d severely sprained my left ankle. After all, I could still walk. The next morning, I slipped on an ankle brace, … Continue reading
Return to Capoeira
I have hit another milestone on my road to recovery after fracturing my ankle on Labor Day 2013: I returned to capoeira class. The significance of that action lies in the fact that a freak accident during a capoeira exercise caused my ankle injury. Several people, all non-capoeiristas, concluded that I would never train capoeira … Continue reading
Two Thanksgivings
Thanksgiving comes as a wonderful break from work to sleep in and then work on various, small, creative projects. In other words, I truly rejuvenate myself. One thing that I put together was my famous cornbread for the Orphans’ Thanksgiving, hosted by a meetup couple. Not only is one of them a chef, but they … Continue reading