Archive for June, 2010

Jun

Corporal Punishment In School

Check out this article on Corporal Punishment in School.
A local representative (as a matter of fact, she represents my district in Congress) would like to see corporal punishment banned in all schools in the nation. I didn’t know that it was still legal but apparently 20 states do still use it.
Corporal Punishment is physical punishment for a consequence. If you know anyone like a parent or grandparent that when to Catholic School, they can probably tell you a little about being hit by nuns with rulers and things like that.

In Dusty We (Don’t) Trusty
Usually I am willing to support the manager of the Reds for the moves he makes. Reds fans can be hypersensitive. However, last night’s move had me scratching my head/pulling out what’s left of my hair. In the bottom of the 6th down by 3 with a runner on and two outs, Dusty Baker elected to have Mike Leake hit for himself rather than use Scott Rolen who was originally on deck. Of course Leake made the last out. I questioned this move from the beginning and then became livid to find that Leake didn’t even stay in the game. He was replaced by a relief pitcher. What was he thinking??? The Reds had Rolen, Stubbs, Corky Miller, Laynce Nix and Paul Janish on the bench. Even if he isn’t willing to use Rolen so early in the game, use Janish…the guy never plays anyway. You could even add into the mix Micah Owings a solid hitting pitcher. Leake can hit but with the game on the line, you have to take him out.
Now the Reds have to face Halladay today in about 45 minutes. It will be extremely hard to win this series now.

I brought DJ to the doctor today. He has a little cold. I hate seeing the little guy coughing. The doctor says he’ll be fine but it is hard on a new parent (and of course the baby).

posted by Mr. Dowling in DJ,The Reds,Uncategorized,baseball and have Comments (31)

Jun

Back by Popular Demand

Caption Craziness

posted by Mr. Dowling in Caption Craziness,Uncategorized and have Comments (23)

Jun

Softball

My team split out two games last night (again). Every time we play we win one and lose one. I ventured out from behind home plate to play right field for a few innings. I’m not an outfielder and don’t feel comfortable out there. I finally got in a few innings at 1st base, my true position. Hopefully I can get a few more innings at first as the season winds down. At the plate I was 1 for 4 with a walk in the two games.

It seems that Strasburg didn’t pitch so well last night. Leake pitches tonight for the first time in awhile. I’m hoping he showcases himself as an All Star for this year. The Reds have a few legitimate candidates (Votto, Phillips, Rolen, Gomes, Arthur Rhodes, Leake). My prediction is Phillips, Rolen and Rhodes…with a slight chance for Leake.

posted by Mr. Dowling in Softball,The Reds,Uncategorized,baseball and have Comments (7)

Jun

People with Food Names

It took me awhile to find/think of some of these. I’m limited this list to people with food names or nicknames for their first name. There were many people with last names of foods.

1. Chili Davis (former Yankee)

2. Candy Maldonado

3. Pepper Johnson (former Giants football player)

4. Does Eminem count???

5. Perhaps my favorite: Meatloaf

6. Butterbean

7. Ice Cube (rapper/actor)

Any others that come to mind?

posted by Mr. Dowling in Uncategorized and have Comments (14)

Jun

Reds Back In First

It was a total team effort last night…everyone except Joey Votto had a hit in the lineup. Harang pitched well. Big homerun by Drew Stubbs. The Reds currently sit atop the NL Central by 1/2 game.
Edinson Volquez is close to coming back. That will be a big help in the starting rotation. For the first time in a long time, the Reds have a surplus of good talented starters. It makes Aaron Harang tradeable and it gives the Reds the opportunity to use Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban phenom, in the bullpen. I wouldn’t mind having a lefty throwing 100 mph coming out of the bullpen in the 7th or 8th inning. We may see that happen in about 2-3 weeks.
The Reds have a tough stretch coming up against the Phillies, Cubs, Mets and then Phillies again. That will be a tough 13 games.

posted by Mr. Dowling in The Reds,Uncategorized and have Comments (6)

Jun

I Play Softball With Nacho Libre

No…not the real Nacho Libre (if there is such a thing). If you recall, earlier in the year I was in a Halloween Costume contest. My costume (along with Mrs. Dowling’s costume) lost out to Nacho Libre. Personally, I think Mr. Redlegs and Rosie the Red was much better.
I’ve somehow managed to put aside my disdain for Nacho Libre and have welcomed him onto the team.

Speaking of softball, my team split the two games we played. I went 2 for 6. I even played an inning at 2nd base, unheard of for a lefty.

Summer is here. I’ll be starting my time off with a trip to Belmont today, a tradition for me. The blog will continue rolling during the summer. However, new posts will be a bit more infrequent. Stop by to share your thoughts on current events, whatever odd topics come up, your summer, etc.
It was a great year. I wish you all a fantastic summer. Come back to school in September recharged and ready to rock and roll. I’m looking forward to coming back and letting my new students know all about my obsession with the Reds. Hopefully, I won’t seem as odd as I did last September when they had no chance of winning. It is June 25 and they are hanging tough (perhaps the New Kids on the Block song should be the new official unofficial song of the Reds).

posted by Mr. Dowling in School,Softball,The Reds,Uncategorized,baseball and have Comments (11)

Jun

Thursday, 6/24

Leake>Stasburg…Enough Said! I understand why the country likes the guy, he’s definitely a good pitcher. But there is no reason to go gaga over a guy that has 4 starts when Leake has been getting it done all year.
Speaking of gaga, what’s with Lady Gaga? Why did she feel the need to make New York stadiums here playground last week? Strange.

I don’t recall the buzz that is surrounding the World Cup from 4 years ago. There was definitely an air of electricity when the US team won yesterday during school. It won’t get me to watch any of the games…but I’ll still be pulling the USA team.

The Reds are 1 game out of 1st place. Not a bad place to be one week before July.

I thought our party/activities yesterday were pretty good. We even mixed in some “learning” with the Who Wants to Be a Candyaire game in 2 classes and Core Extension.

What are your plans for Friday/the first official day of vacation? Any special way of celebrating? Will you be a part of or will you be avoiding the mob scene on Main Street?

Enjoy your day off…you’ll have plenty of those coming up soon. I’ll see some of you at graduation.

Graduation was good. It clocked in at less than 1 1/2 hours which was good. Although it was hot, there was a breeze to break up the heat. I don’t think I got a sun burn. I was smart enough to apply some sun screen before leaving the house this morning. I was also busy with my job of getting the graduates back to their seats. It helped to pass the time. The student speaker, Annelise M. was a Green House student. I also got to see a few students from the past. Everyone seems to be doing well at Schreiber which is good news for you in a year or so.

Because of the heat, DJ and Mrs. Dowling weren’t able to stay at graduation very long. The opinions were pretty much split on whether he looks like me or Mrs. Dowling. I guess the jury is still deliberating on that one.

That was some storm we got about an hour ago. It wreaked havoc on the stage/tents for tomorrow’s graduation. Someone is going to have a lot of work to do to fix that area up for tomorrow.

Softball tonight (weather permitting). No Reds…what am I going to do!!!

posted by Mr. Dowling in DJ,School,The Reds,Uncategorized,baseball and have Comments (29)

Jun

One Less Test Next Year?

It appears that New York will be eliminating a state test next year. Of course, the cut will come from: SOCIAL STUDIES
Check out the Newsday article.
What’s your opinion on this?

What is surprising to me is that the state isn’t really trying to hide its true intentions, to save money. Since Social Studies isn’t included in No Child Left Behind Legislation it can easily be pushed aside. However, civics, participation in government and the history of this country are very important. I hope that without the test the subject won’t be de-emphasized. We’re already low-man on the totem pole.
Having said all that, if it does happen, I won’t miss grading the tests. It would give me more time to be in the classroom.

But what we should also wonder is what will be next. It seems that language tests could be next on the chopping block.

posted by Mr. Dowling in School,Uncategorized and have Comments (20)

Jun

Back to School

It must stink to have to go back to school for one day.
The weather forecast is for a HOT, HOT, HOT day for graduation. I’m definitely not looking forward to be in the hot sun for 2+ hours.

posted by Mr. Dowling in Uncategorized and have Comments (17)

Jun

Winless In Seattle

The Reds go all the way to Seattle, lose all 3 games, score only one run…Yikes! The Reds came across as a one trick pony. If they can’t hit the long ball they can’t score runs. Over the weekend, they must have hit 10 warning track shots. In Cincinnati those would be HRs. Unfortunately, they were playing in the huge Safeco Field. A win is necessary tonight.

You’re off from school today and I’m leaving in a few minutes to get to work. Fair? I don’t think so!
Worst of all, the same things happens tomorrow.

posted by Mr. Dowling in The Reds,Uncategorized and have Comments (23)

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