currently...: April 2011

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Yeah, I have 18 kids - - all with different fathers!!!!

I love to talk about my job and my kids to anyone who will listen. And when I say kids, I mean my students.

When I was single and really into meeting other singles, I used to tease the hell out of an interested guy by mentioning "my kids." This usually resulted in a dropped jaw, wide open bug eyes and a "holy &#!%, you have kids!?!" I would then reply, "Yeah, I have like 60 kids, all with different dads." If he stuck around long enough, he would realize I was talking about my students, we would have a good laugh, and then I would proceed to tell him about how awesome the Linworth kids are, how bright and motivated they are, how we have something cool called Walkabout, blah, blah, blah. If he stuck around after that, I knew he was a keeper (or really desperate).*

This current events class has been so much fun, and you guys are rocking your blogs! So, here I go gushing again (about my 18 "Current" kids - get it?) ...

I love Anna G's discussion and video related to our current pastime, Facebook. Natalie's take on two singing icons (?) recently named to the TIME 100 list is really funny. Karissa has excellent insight on everything from procrastination to legislation, and Anna L's fashion find is so beautiful, I think it could be from a professional!

Be sure to take a look at your classmates, become followers of one another, and make some comments. I have posted an updated list that includes Haiden, Mattie, and Hannah who weren't listed before, but have made some really nice entries.

http://wordsofthellama.blogspot.com/ Anna G

http://nightriderjs.blogspot.com/ Jerry

http://nataliescurrent.blogspot.com/ Natalie

http://ijustwentthere.blogspot.com/ Amanda

http://horseloversh4.blogspot.com/ Sara H

http://haxxed477sceb.blogspot.com/ Woody

http://currently-awesome.blogspot.com/ Hailey

http://currentstuffdoods.blogspot.com/ Amy

http://kmo1259.blogspot.com/ Kyrie

http://candacenotkansas.blogspot.com/ Candice

http://thethoughtcabinet.blogspot.com/ Naomi

http://nomnomrissa.blogspot.com/ Karissa

http://counter-society.blogspot.com/                 Anna L
http://haidenspimplikeness.blogspot.com/   Haiden
http://onesideandanother.blogspot.com/     Hannah
http://currentlycrazy.blogspot.com/   Mattie

*Thanks to Joe for sticking around for the long haul and not even being close to desperate.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Top 100

Time Magazine's May 2, 2011 issue just came out revealing its 100 most influential people in the past year. Time magazine states, "Time magazine has tallied up the 100 people who have changed our lives in the past year --inspiring, entertaining and challenging us by leaving their mark on the way we communicate, govern and even raise our children. We wouldn't be the same without them."

Read more about the 100 and let me know what you think. What does influence mean to you? How do you measure influence? Pick two of these 100 and discuss their contribution and if you think they are worthy of being on a "most influential list." Is there anyone missing? Add your thoughts in an additional blog post!

Do you live on a farm? No, but I certainly eat like I do!

I love to read Columbus Underground. Started in 2001 as a resource to share all of the great things happening in Columbus, it is the best local forum for people to share ideas and get information. I am continually updated about new restaurants, concerts, and other events taking place in our great city (now you know how I am so hip and happening).

Even though Columbus is the 15 largest city in the country, people still have a perception that Ohio is mostly made of farms and cows! When I tell people outside of Ohio where I'm from, I seriously have been asked, "Do you live on a farm?" People have no clue how much we have going on here. I love this city and it's clear Columbus Underground does, too. And with warm weather on its way (let's hope, I am SO SICK OF THIS RAIN), there will surely be something you will enjoy. Check it out!

And speaking of farms...It's Farmer's Market Time! While I am happy there's more to Ohio than farms, I am very thankful that we have plenty! I love fresh produce and vegetables and am so happy about how many Farmer's Markets are springing up around the city. CU has highlighted ALL of the local ones here, but I have highlighted a few that may be close to you. Enjoy!

Clintonville Farmers’ Market, N. High St. at Orchard Lane, Saturdays 9am to 12pm, April 30 - October 29. An outdoor, producer-only market now in its’ 9th year. New this year is the market’s approval to be an EBT/SNAP (USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–formerly food stamps) site. Both EBT cards and debit cards will be accepted at the market tent for $1 EBT and $5 Debit tokens. Also new this year is the Clintonville Farmers’ Market Friends of the Market and the Clintonville Farmers’ Market Kids Garden Club programs. Both programs offer the community ways to participate directly in the market’s mission. Special events include the Spring Sprout Market on April 30th to kick off the season and the Harvest Market on November 19th. Like them on Facebook. Follow on Twitter.

Olde Worthington Summer Farmers Market, downtown Worthington at the corner of Rt. 161 and High Street,Every Saturday 9am-noon, May 7 through October 29. Established in 1987, over 70 vendors offer you the best of everything. Opens with Plant Fest, a celebration of Spring now in it’s 9th year. Like them on Facebook.http://www.columbusunderground.com/its-farmers-market-time

Sunday, April 17, 2011

The Trees are Turning Beautiful (and I am a lucky girl)

Who doesn't love Spring?

Getting Stuff
When I was a little girl, the beginning of Spring was super exciting for me because my birthday is the first day of Spring. And birthdays to a little girl, of course, mean presents, parties and cake. And I had some good ones. One year the most beautiful Wizard of Oz Cake. In third grade, a Punk Rock Party( Punk dress required). In fifth grade a new bike. In seventh, a surprise party. I was a lucky girl.

Getting Away
When I got a little older, every Spring I kissed the dampness of Ohio in late March and early April goodbye and headed topless (settle down, I'm talking about a convertible, here) to warmer climates. I celebrated 17 in the Cayman Islands, 18 in Daytona Beach, and 22 in Key West. Seriously, from the time I was 15 until I was about 23, I went away every Spring Break. And I guess, only one of those years I was actually in a convertible (Shuler's candy apple red Cavalier), but, nonetheless, I was a lucky girl.

Getting It
Now, I still love spring but I roll my eyes at the notion of parties or presents. And Vacation? Maybe next year. Now, Birthday wishes come on facebook. Now, Spring is going for a run while the Hub takes the Girl to the Park. Spring is one Walkabout done and another just beginning. It's cleaning off the grill and serving up some brats and burgers. Spring is yard work and cleaning and planting a garden. Sounds like work, I know. But. I. Love. Every. Second. I am a lucky girl.

The Boy with the Pink Toes

I'm not sure that we brought this up in class, but apparently, there was a bit of an uproar last week when customers of JCrew received this ad. As you can see, a mother (Jenna) and her son (Beckett) These are not hired models, but a real employee and her son who are captured for the ad sharing a mani/pedi moment. Instead of viewing the ad and simply continuing to flip through the catalog find the perfect chartreuse cardigan, some customers expressed outrage suggesting, like Dr. Ketih Albow, that what Jenna is doing will cause deep psychological damage to Beckett, and that Jenna is actually planting the seeds of Beckett's gender identity. Some even went as far as calling the ad "blatant propaganda celebrating transgendered children."

You know what I think? Little kids love to paint their finger and toe nails. Period. Yes. Even. Little. Boys. And JCrew caught that in an adorable photo perfect for an ad. Now, where is that cardigan?

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Some blogs