School starts on August 13 at my new school. Since I am new there, I have to report on August 2 for two days of new faculty orientation. I have a lot to do between now and then so, naturally, I am going to the beach for a few days. I received my preliminary class rosters today, and if things stay the same, I will only have 47 students in my five classes (public school teachers typically have between 100-150). I can live with that grading load, but my Civil War class only has two students and my AP US history class has only five. I find that anything less than twelve makes for a challenging dynamic. Students tend to either get way too self-conscious or too comfortable in a small class. Our pre-planning schedule looks to be quite rigorous. My main complaint with my pre-planning experiences of late is that they mostly involve sitting for hours listening to someone else talk (a lot like what our students have to go through everyday) and very little "planning." In the past few years I have noticed that teachers (myself included) are the massive whiners and complainers. We also tend to be obnoxious know-it-alls (myself included). I have committed to being more positive this year.
I got my AP scores a few weeks ago: My AP US class got seven 5's (the highest possible score) out of sixteen students (44%). I am very pleased with that. One of my students sent me a postcard from Scotland where he is attending a Scottish history program at St Andrews to thank me (he got a five). Technically, he wrote, "I got a 5 woo-hoo." In light of my new commitment to positivity, I would rather not discuss the results of my AP European class.
We are going to Pensacola tomorrow so there will probably be no posts until Wednesday. I have three books I need to read by Thursday.
Peace
..._
28 July 2007
27 July 2007
Kennesaw Mountain, GA, continued
Yesterday, I reported some ads from the April 27, 1861 edition of Harper's Weekly. The ads were of some basic categories: healing balms, offers for selling agents, pianos, clothing, and a couple of items that reflected the national crisis: an illustrated guide to national leaders and some military/tactical handbooks. Today I give you some ads from the July 23, 1864 edition of Harper's Weekly. By the way, copies of all editions of Harper's Weekly can be acquired through the Alexander Street Press and Harpweek.com has a number of online themed selections.
Notice that while many ads are similar to the 1861 ads, there is a distinct change in content of the advertising. Only two of the twenty-eight ads in 1861 edition have any connection to the crisis of Union, while nineteen of fifty-five of the ads in the 1864 edition can be connected to the Civil War. The significant jump in number of ads is also of interest. My comment are in italics.
FISK & HATCH,
Bankers and Dealers in Government Securities.
No. 38 Wall Street, New York.
There a two other ads similar to this. Most of the war was paid for by through government borrowing, creating a vast market for government securities. However, borrowing was not enough and the 1862 Revenue Act created our first income tax and the Office of Internal Revenue.
PRESIDENTIAL
Campaign Medals.
Of every description now read in Pin and Medal. Trade orders solicited and promptly filled at Factory prices. Wholesale Depot Campaign Medal Co., 436 Broadway, N.Y.
Several similar ads including one for Fremont medals: Free Speech, Free Press, Fremont. 1864 was a presidential election year. Fremont was a radical Republican who considered as a challenger for the Republican nomination in 1864. Sherman's capture of Atlanta will play a key role in Lincoln's re-election against his former general, the Democratic George B. McClellan. This edition of Harper's Weekly contains a short piece on the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, one of many battles in the long Atlanta campaign.
Good News for the Army.
Hereafter we will send, post-paid, any of our PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUMS ordered by soldiers for themselves or friends, giving an Album of the full money of the money sent.
Our Albums have the reputation of being superior to all others in beauty and durability, and range in price from 50 cts. to $50.
Our catalogue of CARD PHOTOGRAPHS now embraces about 5000 officers, army and navy, statesmen, actors, copies of works of art, &c. Catalogue sent on receipt of stamps.
Stereoscopes and Stereoscopic Views.
Our assortment of these is very extensive, including a great variety of views of the present war.
Catalogue sent on receipt of stamp.
E.&H. T. ANTONY & Co,
501 Broadway, New York.
Manufacturers of Photographic Materials.
Photography was a booming business during the Civil War, and the war was our first to be photographed. Soldiers would frequently pose for a formal photograph before reporting for duty. Cards of leaders were also quite popular. Stereoscopic images created a three-dimensional effect when used with a viewer. I have a few reproductions that I show my students.
Metallic Artificial Legs.
Weight only Four Pounds.
A fit guaranteed. It makes no noise. It does not get out of order. The measure can be sent, and the leg returned by express. If you are not satisfied after six months' trial, I will return the money less twenty-five dollars.
Price $75 to $100. Send for a circular.
Office and Salesroom 491 Broadway, New York.
J.W. WESTON
E. WESTON, 21 West 4th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Sadly, ads like these became increasingly common during the war. The high number of battlefield amputations led to a booming business the manufacture and sale of prosthetics.
AGENTS WANTED.--$50 per month guaranteed. For terms and specimens, address, with stamp, L.L. TODD & CO., New York.
GUN-POWDER
SMITH & RAND, Manufactures of ORANGE RIFLE and ORANGE LIGHTNING Powder, of superior strength and cleanness.
Office, 170 Broadway, New York.
Soldiers, especially officers, often times purchased their own battlefield supplies. Many times the products ended up being worthless and were cast aside during long marches.
DIARRHOEA.
DYSENTARY, CHOLERA, CHOLERA
MORBUS, &c.--Certain and immediate cure. HEGEMAN & CO.'s celebrated Diarrhoea Remedy has been used with unfailing success since the Cholera season of 1832. A single dose will usually check the diarrhoea in a few hours. Prepared only by HEGEMAN & CO., Chemists and Druggists, New York. Sold by all the principal Druggists in the United States.
Disease killed more soldiers during the Civil War than did battle inflicted wounds. This was standard for wars before the 20th century. The drug claims to heal three of the most common of deadly camp diseases.
Remington's
ARMY AND NAVY
REVOLVER.
Approved by the Government.
Warranted superior to any other Pistol of the kind. Also Pocket and Belt Revolvers. Sold by the Trade generally.
E. REMINGTON & SONS,
Ilion, N.Y.
Officers were expected to purchase their own sidearms and swords.
U.S. Gov. Artificial Leg Depots,
658 Broadway, N.Y., Rochester, N.Y. Chicago, Ill., Cincinnati, O., and St. Louis, Mo., where the Government furnishes the U.S. Army and Navy Leg to Soldiers gratis, or its value applied on the Anatomical Ball and Socket-Jointed Leg, which has lateral motion at the ankle like the natural one.
DOUGLAS BLY, M.D., U.S. Commissioner. For instructions address DR. Bly, at nearest Depot.
The demand must be quite high for the government to create five depots.
DO YOU WANT LUXURIANT
WHISKERS OR MUSTACHES?--My Onguent will force them to grow heavily in six weeks (upon the smoothest face) without stain or injury the skin. Price $1--sent by mail, post free, to any address, on receipt of an order.
R.G. GRAHAM, No. 109 Nassau Street, N.Y.
There are at least three more along the same lines.
SOMETHING NEW
IN PLAYING CARDS.
LOVE SCENES.
DESIGNS from FRENCH ARTISTS.
The above new Card has fifty-two beautiful pictures, of elegant design, and they can also be used the same as ordinary playing cards, thus combining pleasure with amusement. Enclose 50 cents and two red stamps, and send for sample pack. $5 per dozen. Liberal discount by gross to dealers. H.A. CASWELL, 60 Nassau St., New York.
One of my favorite ads. It speaks for itself.
I could teach much of the Civil War through these ads.
I saw a lot more wildlife at Kennesaw Mountain than I expected. I took all of the following from the trail.
These butterflies were everywhere, but they wouldn't sit still for a good shot.
Notice that while many ads are similar to the 1861 ads, there is a distinct change in content of the advertising. Only two of the twenty-eight ads in 1861 edition have any connection to the crisis of Union, while nineteen of fifty-five of the ads in the 1864 edition can be connected to the Civil War. The significant jump in number of ads is also of interest. My comment are in italics.
FISK & HATCH,
Bankers and Dealers in Government Securities.
No. 38 Wall Street, New York.
There a two other ads similar to this. Most of the war was paid for by through government borrowing, creating a vast market for government securities. However, borrowing was not enough and the 1862 Revenue Act created our first income tax and the Office of Internal Revenue.
PRESIDENTIAL
Campaign Medals.
Of every description now read in Pin and Medal. Trade orders solicited and promptly filled at Factory prices. Wholesale Depot Campaign Medal Co., 436 Broadway, N.Y.
Several similar ads including one for Fremont medals: Free Speech, Free Press, Fremont. 1864 was a presidential election year. Fremont was a radical Republican who considered as a challenger for the Republican nomination in 1864. Sherman's capture of Atlanta will play a key role in Lincoln's re-election against his former general, the Democratic George B. McClellan. This edition of Harper's Weekly contains a short piece on the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, one of many battles in the long Atlanta campaign.
Good News for the Army.
Hereafter we will send, post-paid, any of our PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUMS ordered by soldiers for themselves or friends, giving an Album of the full money of the money sent.
Our Albums have the reputation of being superior to all others in beauty and durability, and range in price from 50 cts. to $50.
Our catalogue of CARD PHOTOGRAPHS now embraces about 5000 officers, army and navy, statesmen, actors, copies of works of art, &c. Catalogue sent on receipt of stamps.
Stereoscopes and Stereoscopic Views.
Our assortment of these is very extensive, including a great variety of views of the present war.
Catalogue sent on receipt of stamp.
E.&H. T. ANTONY & Co,
501 Broadway, New York.
Manufacturers of Photographic Materials.
Photography was a booming business during the Civil War, and the war was our first to be photographed. Soldiers would frequently pose for a formal photograph before reporting for duty. Cards of leaders were also quite popular. Stereoscopic images created a three-dimensional effect when used with a viewer. I have a few reproductions that I show my students.
Metallic Artificial Legs.
Weight only Four Pounds.
A fit guaranteed. It makes no noise. It does not get out of order. The measure can be sent, and the leg returned by express. If you are not satisfied after six months' trial, I will return the money less twenty-five dollars.
Price $75 to $100. Send for a circular.
Office and Salesroom 491 Broadway, New York.
J.W. WESTON
E. WESTON, 21 West 4th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Sadly, ads like these became increasingly common during the war. The high number of battlefield amputations led to a booming business the manufacture and sale of prosthetics.
AGENTS WANTED.--$50 per month guaranteed. For terms and specimens, address, with stamp, L.L. TODD & CO., New York.
GUN-POWDER
SMITH & RAND, Manufactures of ORANGE RIFLE and ORANGE LIGHTNING Powder, of superior strength and cleanness.
Office, 170 Broadway, New York.
Soldiers, especially officers, often times purchased their own battlefield supplies. Many times the products ended up being worthless and were cast aside during long marches.
DIARRHOEA.
DYSENTARY, CHOLERA, CHOLERA
MORBUS, &c.--Certain and immediate cure. HEGEMAN & CO.'s celebrated Diarrhoea Remedy has been used with unfailing success since the Cholera season of 1832. A single dose will usually check the diarrhoea in a few hours. Prepared only by HEGEMAN & CO., Chemists and Druggists, New York. Sold by all the principal Druggists in the United States.
Disease killed more soldiers during the Civil War than did battle inflicted wounds. This was standard for wars before the 20th century. The drug claims to heal three of the most common of deadly camp diseases.
Remington's
ARMY AND NAVY
REVOLVER.
Approved by the Government.
Warranted superior to any other Pistol of the kind. Also Pocket and Belt Revolvers. Sold by the Trade generally.
E. REMINGTON & SONS,
Ilion, N.Y.
Officers were expected to purchase their own sidearms and swords.
U.S. Gov. Artificial Leg Depots,
658 Broadway, N.Y., Rochester, N.Y. Chicago, Ill., Cincinnati, O., and St. Louis, Mo., where the Government furnishes the U.S. Army and Navy Leg to Soldiers gratis, or its value applied on the Anatomical Ball and Socket-Jointed Leg, which has lateral motion at the ankle like the natural one.
DOUGLAS BLY, M.D., U.S. Commissioner. For instructions address DR. Bly, at nearest Depot.
The demand must be quite high for the government to create five depots.
DO YOU WANT LUXURIANT
WHISKERS OR MUSTACHES?--My Onguent will force them to grow heavily in six weeks (upon the smoothest face) without stain or injury the skin. Price $1--sent by mail, post free, to any address, on receipt of an order.
R.G. GRAHAM, No. 109 Nassau Street, N.Y.
There are at least three more along the same lines.
SOMETHING NEW
IN PLAYING CARDS.
LOVE SCENES.
DESIGNS from FRENCH ARTISTS.
The above new Card has fifty-two beautiful pictures, of elegant design, and they can also be used the same as ordinary playing cards, thus combining pleasure with amusement. Enclose 50 cents and two red stamps, and send for sample pack. $5 per dozen. Liberal discount by gross to dealers. H.A. CASWELL, 60 Nassau St., New York.
One of my favorite ads. It speaks for itself.
I could teach much of the Civil War through these ads.
I saw a lot more wildlife at Kennesaw Mountain than I expected. I took all of the following from the trail.
These butterflies were everywhere, but they wouldn't sit still for a good shot.
I saw at least five deer. All of them seem quite used to humans.
While trying to take a picture of one of the butterflies, I heard something in the leaves behind me. Wondering what it was, I watched for over a minute as something seemed to be trying to push itself up from the leaves. This little guy popped up and quickly retreated.
I used to be fast enough to catch these lizards with my bare hands.
One of the joys of Disney World is finding the Secret Mickeys. I found this one on top of Little Kennesaw Mountain. These cactii are numerous across the crest of Big and Little Kennesaw Mountain.
Peace
..._
26 July 2007
Kennesaw Mountain, GA
I took a long hike at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park on Wednesday (from the visitor center over Big and Little Kennesaw Mountain down to Burnt Hickory Grove and back to the visitor center around the base of the mountain). If you live in/near Atlanta and haven't been there, you must take a half of a day to explore it. I snuck away by telling my wife that I am teaching a Civil War class and need to scout locations (visions of field trips are dancing in my head). I have written about a previous visit to KM here.
While there I couldn't help but buy a couple of things in the bookstore. Many of the items can be found at virtually any local historical site. I got two reproductions of Harper's Weekly: A Journal of Civilization ($2.00 each). One is dated April 27, 1861 and the other July 23, 1864. I didn't get them for their articles or illustrations but for the ads on the last two pages. I will be working them into lessons on advertising, primary sources, and the Civil War. In some ways, the ads reveal that little has changed: get rich quick schemes, balding prevention, magical medicines, new technologies, testimonials, etc. The change in ad content from 1861 (the very beginning of the Civil War) to July of 1864 (when war weariness was beginning to weigh on the coming presidential election) is also very suggestive.
What follows is a selection of the 1861 Harper's Weekly ads. Others I left out include pianos, muslin shirts, paper ties, horse medicine, a patent baby-tender, a ladies' fashion book, and other similar items (my comments in italics):
Premature Loss of the Hair,
Which is so common now-a-days, may be entirely prevented by the use of Burnett's Cocoaine. It has been used in thousands of cases where the hair was coming out in handfuls, and has never failed to arrest its decay, and to promote a healthy and vigorous growth. It is, at the same time, unrivaled as a dressing for the hair. A single application will render it soft and glossy for several days.
For several days? Does this mean they didn't wash their hair for...several days? Even if users continue to lose hair, I am sure they feel much better about themselves after using Burnett's Cocoaine.
"Matrimony made Easy."--A new work, showing how either sex may be suitably married, irrespective of age or appearance, which can not fail--free for 25 cents. Address T. Williams & Co., Publishers, Box 2300, Philad.
I love it: free for 25 cents! The rest of this ad speaks for itself.
$5,000 REWARD--TO ANY SOBER energetic man who fails to make $2,000 a year. Business easy, honest and at home. For full particulars, inclose a stamp for return, and address
A.D.F., Box 78, P.O., Wellsburg, Va.
I wonder if it involves stuffing envelopes?
6000 AGENTS wanted, to sell SIX NEW INVENTIONS--two very recent, and of great value to families; all pay great profit to Agents. Send four stamps and get 80 pages particulars. EPHRAIM BROWN, Lowell, Mass.
What do you think: Amway or Tupperware?
SANDS' SARSPARILLA--The best Spring Alternative. It will purify the blood, promote a vigorous circulation and thoroughly renovate the system. For sale by A.B. & D. SANDS, 100 Fulton St., N.Y.
Wheeler & Wilson's Sewing Machings At reduced prices, with Glass Cloth Presser, Improved Loop-Check, New Style Hammer, Binder, Corder, etc. Office No. 595 Broadway, New York.
"This Machine makes the 'LOCK STITCH,' and ranks highest, on account of the elasticity, permanence, beauty, and general desirableness of the stitching when done, and the wide range of its application." [Report of the American Institute, New York.
5,000 Men Wanted To Sell LLOYD'S NEW POLITCAL CHART FOR THE TIMES, containing large, new, colored Portraits of PRESIDENT LINCOLN AND HIS CABINET, GEN. SCOTT, GEN. WOOL, MAJ. ANDERSON, AND LIEUT. SLEMMER, with a sketch of the life of each. A MAP OF OUR COUNTRY, showing, in different colors, the FREE STATES, BORDER SLAVE STATES, SECEDED STATES, and TERRITORIES.
Also, accurate Election and Census Returns for 1860, with much other valuable information.
Finely colored on excellent paper, 28X36 inches in size.
Mailed, pre-paid, for 25 cents. (Stamps received.)
A RARE CHANCE FOR AGENTS.
Published by H.H. LLOYD & CO'S,
Agents' General Depot for BOOKS, MAPS, AND STATIONARY PACKAGES, No. 25 Howard Street, New York.
Capitalism always finds a way to make good on national crises.
General Scott's Infantry Tactics; or, Rules for the Exercise and Maneuvres of the United States Infantry. 3 vols. 24mo, Muslin, #2 50. Published by Authority.
United States Army Regulations. Approved by the President of the United States, and Printed under the directions of the Secretary of War. 12 mo, Muslin, $1 50.
Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, Franklin Square, New York.
I shall post the ads from 1864 tomorrow. Until then, some pictures:
One of the few monuments at Kennesaw (compared, say, to Chickamauga). The inscription reads:
We sleep here in obedience to law:
When duty called, we came,
When country called, we died.
How may students will see in this inscription an echo of the Spartan memorial at Thermopylae: Go, stranger, and tell the Spartans that we lie here in obedience to their laws.
View from the top looking north to the North Georgia Mountains.
View from the top looking south to the Atlanta hazeline. Usually one can see Stone Mountain but the haze was too bad.
Gun emplacements at Fort McBride on top of Little Kennesaw Mountain.
Peace
..._
While there I couldn't help but buy a couple of things in the bookstore. Many of the items can be found at virtually any local historical site. I got two reproductions of Harper's Weekly: A Journal of Civilization ($2.00 each). One is dated April 27, 1861 and the other July 23, 1864. I didn't get them for their articles or illustrations but for the ads on the last two pages. I will be working them into lessons on advertising, primary sources, and the Civil War. In some ways, the ads reveal that little has changed: get rich quick schemes, balding prevention, magical medicines, new technologies, testimonials, etc. The change in ad content from 1861 (the very beginning of the Civil War) to July of 1864 (when war weariness was beginning to weigh on the coming presidential election) is also very suggestive.
What follows is a selection of the 1861 Harper's Weekly ads. Others I left out include pianos, muslin shirts, paper ties, horse medicine, a patent baby-tender, a ladies' fashion book, and other similar items (my comments in italics):
Premature Loss of the Hair,
Which is so common now-a-days, may be entirely prevented by the use of Burnett's Cocoaine. It has been used in thousands of cases where the hair was coming out in handfuls, and has never failed to arrest its decay, and to promote a healthy and vigorous growth. It is, at the same time, unrivaled as a dressing for the hair. A single application will render it soft and glossy for several days.
For several days? Does this mean they didn't wash their hair for...several days? Even if users continue to lose hair, I am sure they feel much better about themselves after using Burnett's Cocoaine.
"Matrimony made Easy."--A new work, showing how either sex may be suitably married, irrespective of age or appearance, which can not fail--free for 25 cents. Address T. Williams & Co., Publishers, Box 2300, Philad.
I love it: free for 25 cents! The rest of this ad speaks for itself.
$5,000 REWARD--TO ANY SOBER energetic man who fails to make $2,000 a year. Business easy, honest and at home. For full particulars, inclose a stamp for return, and address
A.D.F., Box 78, P.O., Wellsburg, Va.
I wonder if it involves stuffing envelopes?
6000 AGENTS wanted, to sell SIX NEW INVENTIONS--two very recent, and of great value to families; all pay great profit to Agents. Send four stamps and get 80 pages particulars. EPHRAIM BROWN, Lowell, Mass.
What do you think: Amway or Tupperware?
SANDS' SARSPARILLA--The best Spring Alternative. It will purify the blood, promote a vigorous circulation and thoroughly renovate the system. For sale by A.B. & D. SANDS, 100 Fulton St., N.Y.
Wheeler & Wilson's Sewing Machings At reduced prices, with Glass Cloth Presser, Improved Loop-Check, New Style Hammer, Binder, Corder, etc. Office No. 595 Broadway, New York.
"This Machine makes the 'LOCK STITCH,' and ranks highest, on account of the elasticity, permanence, beauty, and general desirableness of the stitching when done, and the wide range of its application." [Report of the American Institute, New York.
5,000 Men Wanted To Sell LLOYD'S NEW POLITCAL CHART FOR THE TIMES, containing large, new, colored Portraits of PRESIDENT LINCOLN AND HIS CABINET, GEN. SCOTT, GEN. WOOL, MAJ. ANDERSON, AND LIEUT. SLEMMER, with a sketch of the life of each. A MAP OF OUR COUNTRY, showing, in different colors, the FREE STATES, BORDER SLAVE STATES, SECEDED STATES, and TERRITORIES.
Also, accurate Election and Census Returns for 1860, with much other valuable information.
Finely colored on excellent paper, 28X36 inches in size.
Mailed, pre-paid, for 25 cents. (Stamps received.)
A RARE CHANCE FOR AGENTS.
Published by H.H. LLOYD & CO'S,
Agents' General Depot for BOOKS, MAPS, AND STATIONARY PACKAGES, No. 25 Howard Street, New York.
Capitalism always finds a way to make good on national crises.
General Scott's Infantry Tactics; or, Rules for the Exercise and Maneuvres of the United States Infantry. 3 vols. 24mo, Muslin, #2 50. Published by Authority.
United States Army Regulations. Approved by the President of the United States, and Printed under the directions of the Secretary of War. 12 mo, Muslin, $1 50.
Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, Franklin Square, New York.
I shall post the ads from 1864 tomorrow. Until then, some pictures:
One of the few monuments at Kennesaw (compared, say, to Chickamauga). The inscription reads:
We sleep here in obedience to law:
When duty called, we came,
When country called, we died.
How may students will see in this inscription an echo of the Spartan memorial at Thermopylae: Go, stranger, and tell the Spartans that we lie here in obedience to their laws.
View from the top looking north to the North Georgia Mountains.
View from the top looking south to the Atlanta hazeline. Usually one can see Stone Mountain but the haze was too bad.
Gun emplacements at Fort McBride on top of Little Kennesaw Mountain.
Peace
..._
20 July 2007
Georgia Carnival #14
The 14th edition of the Georgia Carnival of Bloggers is up at Georgia on My Mind. Take a look!
Peace
..._
Peace
..._
19 July 2007
Some Things You Only See When You Don't Have a Camera, Number 2
The spider was in a concrete chute leading into a storm drain. I don't know what drew my eye that way, but there it was: the largest spider that I have seen in the wilds of Georgia. I have seen spiders too numerous to count. I have killed most of them (see here). I have seen large spiders. With the exception of National Geographic, I have never seen one so large. If it had been hairy, it could have passed for a tarantula. It took no notice of me; it was so big it didn't need to. I examined it for a full five minutes, pondering my duty. Concluding that any swipe at it would probably only cause it to fall or retreat into the depths of the chute where it would undoubtedly breed tens of thousands of value-sized progeny, and given the fact that I was at least a mile from home, I elected to leave it be while secretly wishing that the man with the rifle was close by.
Since that moment of mercy two weeks ago, I have scoured the local headlines in fear of seeing something like, "Local Tot Assaulted, Dragged Under Ground by Massive Arachnid, Body Still Missing" or "House Encased in Silk, Inhabitants Trapped Within." I was shocked today when I read the following headline in the AJC, "Teen Claims Spiders Alerted Her to Fire." The story relates:
Danielle Vigue, 18, says she awoke early Tuesday to find spiders in her room, and started killing them. When more showed up, she says she went across the hall and got into bed with her 15-year-old sister, Lauren.
"At first there were five, they were all around the light fixture," Danielle Vigue told The Saginaw News. "I hate spiders, they freak me out."
A fire apparently was smoldering in the attic...
Later, the room was found to be filled with smoke and fire.
What is this? Could a new era in human-arachnid relations have sprung from my moment of mercy to the queen of Georgia spiders? Even the 30-year fire chief had never heard of spiders saving someone from a fire.
Sadly, the hope for a new era is mere self-deception and faulty thinking. Note that the story relates no evidence for a fire before the appearance and mass murder of several spiders. The fire was noticed after several spiders were killed. While it is impossible to reach any definitive conclusion, the spiders could have just as easily have started the fire in revenge for the death of their colleagues as fled from it.
With the issue ambiguous, I will await more definitive proof of the goodwill of spiders. Until then, I will be checking the batteries in my fire alarms.
Peace
..._
Since that moment of mercy two weeks ago, I have scoured the local headlines in fear of seeing something like, "Local Tot Assaulted, Dragged Under Ground by Massive Arachnid, Body Still Missing" or "House Encased in Silk, Inhabitants Trapped Within." I was shocked today when I read the following headline in the AJC, "Teen Claims Spiders Alerted Her to Fire." The story relates:
Danielle Vigue, 18, says she awoke early Tuesday to find spiders in her room, and started killing them. When more showed up, she says she went across the hall and got into bed with her 15-year-old sister, Lauren.
"At first there were five, they were all around the light fixture," Danielle Vigue told The Saginaw News. "I hate spiders, they freak me out."
A fire apparently was smoldering in the attic...
Later, the room was found to be filled with smoke and fire.
What is this? Could a new era in human-arachnid relations have sprung from my moment of mercy to the queen of Georgia spiders? Even the 30-year fire chief had never heard of spiders saving someone from a fire.
Sadly, the hope for a new era is mere self-deception and faulty thinking. Note that the story relates no evidence for a fire before the appearance and mass murder of several spiders. The fire was noticed after several spiders were killed. While it is impossible to reach any definitive conclusion, the spiders could have just as easily have started the fire in revenge for the death of their colleagues as fled from it.
With the issue ambiguous, I will await more definitive proof of the goodwill of spiders. Until then, I will be checking the batteries in my fire alarms.
Peace
..._
16 July 2007
Some Things You Only See When You Don't Have a Camera
Turning a corner and descending into a rural valley hidden in a sea of suburbs, the walker noticed that the road lacked painted stripes; it was as though he was walking through the Cobb County of forty years ago when many of its roads were rural, stripeless, and often unpaved. It was the day before Independence Day, and the flags and bunting were popping up like March daffodils. The depression of a stream paralleled the road on the other side of the narrow valley. Long, winding driveways led from the road, across the stream and up the side of the valley where homes nestled among the trees. The relentless barking of a dog drew the walker's attention. Two men stood under the trees in a small clearing near the intersection of the stream and a driveway. At first, it seemed that the dog was tied to a tree between the two men. Then it became clear that the dog was penned up near the house, but was very interested in whatever was tied up to the tree. One of the men seemed to be carrying a long stick as though it were a gun. The fettered animal turned to reveal the silhouette of a goat, and the man turned to reveal the silhouette of a man with a rifle. The goat continued turning as the man angled to get in the killing shot. With one motion the man expertly lifted the rifle and fired one shot. The sound was surprisingly quiet. The dull thump in the back of its head buckled the goat's knees as it collapsed in slow motion. It did not move again, and the dog went nearly insane with glee and frustration behind his fence.
The walker blinked, surprised at the scene that he had just witnessed and coming slowly to the realization that surely the carcass was being specially prepared for the next day's July 4 celebration. He chastised himself that his first reaction had been to wish he had a phone so that he could call emergency services. He wondered what the police signal for "goat-down" was. As he ascended the road out of the valley of death, he tried to picture this scene in one of the new neighborhoods of nearly identical million dollar homes only a few blocks away. The neighborhood association would have been down on the amateur butchers with the police and a court order before the barrel of the rifle had cooled. The two men would have been cited with disturbing the peace, discharging a firearm, unlicensed animal husbandry, first-degree goaticide, and exposing the brutal realities of life and death to those who would rather not think about it.
The walker entered his front door strangely pleased that close by, a goat would be slowly roasting over a fire at a large, hopefully raucous assembly on Independence Day.
Peace
..._
The walker blinked, surprised at the scene that he had just witnessed and coming slowly to the realization that surely the carcass was being specially prepared for the next day's July 4 celebration. He chastised himself that his first reaction had been to wish he had a phone so that he could call emergency services. He wondered what the police signal for "goat-down" was. As he ascended the road out of the valley of death, he tried to picture this scene in one of the new neighborhoods of nearly identical million dollar homes only a few blocks away. The neighborhood association would have been down on the amateur butchers with the police and a court order before the barrel of the rifle had cooled. The two men would have been cited with disturbing the peace, discharging a firearm, unlicensed animal husbandry, first-degree goaticide, and exposing the brutal realities of life and death to those who would rather not think about it.
The walker entered his front door strangely pleased that close by, a goat would be slowly roasting over a fire at a large, hopefully raucous assembly on Independence Day.
Peace
..._
12 July 2007
Tour of my New Classroom
Four preps. I found out today that I will have four preps this fall. Four preps and five classes. For those of you not sure what a "prep" is, the term is short for "preparation." It refers to the number of different classes for which a teacher must prepare. The more preps one has, the more work one has. I have had as many as six and as few as two. Most teachers consider three to be challenging, but it is quite common in small and mid-sized private schools (less pay and more work--go figure). Four is unusual and is usually reserved for rookie teachers (because of the demands of seniority, rookie teachers, the ones least prepared for it, always get the worst schedules).
My class load:
Two sections of US History
One section of US Government
One section of AP US History
One section of US Civil War
The last one is quite exciting. I have had the privilege of teaching the Civil War one other time and look forward to it.
Here are some views of my new classroom (taken very amateurishly with my new Canon A710is):
From the door (25 total desks):
From the front of the room (look at all of the storage in the back!)
From one of my two windows:
From the other of my two windows:
A key piece of equipment (an LCD projector--very exciting):
My class load:
Two sections of US History
One section of US Government
One section of AP US History
One section of US Civil War
The last one is quite exciting. I have had the privilege of teaching the Civil War one other time and look forward to it.
Here are some views of my new classroom (taken very amateurishly with my new Canon A710is):
From the door (25 total desks):
From the front of the room (look at all of the storage in the back!)
From one of my two windows:
From the other of my two windows:
A key piece of equipment (an LCD projector--very exciting):
Not pictured: My Smart Board which is being installed this week or next.
Overall, the room is smaller than my last one, but it has more storage, better desks, an LCD projector and Smart Board, and an industrial sized dispenser of antibacterial solution mounted on the wall. The view is not quite as beautiful as my last room's (three pine trees loom out of one of the windows), but I still overlook trees.
Peace
..._
02 July 2007
UPDATED: RIP: HP Photosmart R707 Camera 2005-2007
My digital camera has died. I took over 3,500 pictures with it before its shutter closed for the last time. It was a good camera. Before you rejoice that there will no longer appear any obnoxious photos on this blog, I must inform you that I just purchased this:
Peace
It is a Canon a710is and shipped today. I hope to see it by Thursday. I am very excited about it. I can't wait to take a picture of Orlando Bloom with it.
Peace
..._
My camera did get here on Thurdsday! Crutchfield Electronics (via Amazon) really came through--ordered on Monday and delivered on Thursday with a holiday on Wednesday. I am still working through the myriad settings and have yet to take a really great picture, but here is a sample that has been severely cropped (I am just impressed by the shininess of the bumblebee's abdomen):
Peace
..._
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