Summer BBQ - take 2

The evites for our Summer BBQ have been sent out. Unless your last name is Whitman we expect to see you there (Sorry Mo and David... maybe we can try for a second one toward the end of summer!! ). If you don't get the evite, let us know. Our address books are seriously out of date.

I'm flippin' done!!

Oh, I NEVER thought this moment would come...but I'm finally finished grading all of the crap that my students have been turning in all semester! How many times do I have to write..."sloppy"...."write neater"..."I cannot grade what I cannot read"...(and my personal favorite) "Are you kidding me?!" :) It's a good thing that middle school students react best to sarcasm because that's all I can muster at this point.

I know the rest of you are probably thinking that I need to shut up since I'll be off work after Thursday...but really, when you add up all of the hours during the week, weekends, and holidays that I spend grading...well, I'm sure it adds up to a full year. I grade usually anywhere between 6-9 hours each day of the weekend...and around 4-6 hours a day AFTER work. My summer project is to find a way to eliminate grading altogether. I have a few ideas that I need to work on...but don't worry, once I figure it out, I'll let my fellow teachers of the group in on my secret!

I don't think that I would have gotten through this semester if it weren't for my friends Mr. Goose and Madame Schwepps. :) They keep me sane.

I'm done venting.

Summer BBQ

Recently the Switzers and Whitman's chatted about having a summer BBQ... we think its a grand idea and would like to look into it. We know that many of you probably already have some summer plans, so can you look at your calendars and tell us what are the bad times for having a summer BBQ at the new and improved Switzer house??

Kathleen

Polling Place Follies

So...today I completed my civic duty. They moved my polling place from the firestation (yummy) to an elementary school (boring!). But at least this time they gave me a fricken sticker! Last time, they ran out. It's a badge of honor, for goodness sakes!

The new fangled machines are trippy. I understand that the whole wheelie thing is confusing for some, but this time after I clicked "Cast Ballot" a paper printout showed up so that I could check my choices for the THIRD time!!! Apparently I could still change my mind at this point. They had already asked me if I approved of my choices twice already. It's like a machine asking, "Are you sure? Are you REALLY sure?" I pressed "Cast Ballot" already...JUST CAST IT!

You know what else was weird? When I received the instructions on how to use the machine (waste of paper since the machine tells you what to do), I noticed that my political affiliation was at the top along with some "number." I thought that was kind of weird. Did that happen to anyone else? I don't remember anyone writing my political affiliation on any paper before.

Now for the good part...As I was voting, another citizen walked in to do her civic duty. But what scared the crap out of me was the question she asked the polling people. She asked, "If we vote here, can we then vote in the primary?" And you know what the polling people's answer was, "Yes." WTF?! AND THESE PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE? We're doomed, I tell you. I has nothing to do with the stupid 6/6/06 date. The devil isn't going to get us, the stupid people of the world are going to cause our downfall. I only hope that it's quick and painless.

Anything but a Foggy Day, in Londontown

Hi all and thanks for your warm regards. I arrived yesterday afternoon and hit the town. After a couple of pints I unpacked, did some shopping, and then headed for SoHo. After an interesting evening of frolicking with London's finest (Ok not finest but definitely buggered up) I returned to my small "Executive Suite" (this just means it has a toilet inside the room) and watched some telly.

Work today was very fast paced and I already have five projects on my plate. Of note, my assistant's name is Lorna. Maybe that's a sign.

Well I'm off to the pub. Oh yeah, below is my contact info.

Love you guys,

Sjon

Sjon M. Dowell
Vice President Finance EMEA
Buena Vista Home Entertainment - International
3 Queen Caroline Street Suite #5239
Hammersmith
London W6 7PE
United Kingdom
011-44-208-222-1449

Temporary Housing until 7th July:

42 Prince's Square
Apartment #319
Bayswater
London W2 4AD
011-44-207-985-1188
United Kingdom

Au Revoir Sjon Dowell...

Ok, I mean cheerio! And Bon Voyage. You are a man that will be missed with all our hearts. I hope to be in London soon for a visit. Safe travels to you and shoot us all an email telling us your safe and sane after your trip.