Google calculator and converter really is very useful when you are combining numbers from a number of sources. I've been doing stuff where I have to combine statistics about protein in grams per meter, kilograms per hectare, and pounds per acre and having easy conversion at my finger tips without have to keep thinking about what to multiply or where to put the decimal so I can concentrate on making sure my data is valid is nice. Also being able to do stuff like "1.25 billion/12 million * 1.5 trillion" is nice, because you don't have to worry about typing the right number of zeros or the right power of 10 into that equation. (Probably not so nice for an unamerican working with the American version that uses American definitions of billion and trillion. Hmm, wonder if the UK version of google would use the British definitions in that equation.)

for a long time, it seems that what comes out of a kid's brain is exactly what you put in. And then one day they start combining, changing, processing stuff and it's so cool watch. I see it earlier with Frisco, probablybecause I know what to watch for. Still cool, though.

I totally remember the first time I saw it with my (ten years younger) sister when I was bitching about something or other and a few minutes later she piped up with "maybe you could..." and it was just such a wow moment.

I have 10 kids in academic decathalon next year and another 50 in ONE PERIOD of AP. Yes. You read that right. 50 kids in one class.

Wow - that's, um, scary. I was an English teacher (before taking my current career break) and classes of any more than 20 at that level were tricky. There's no way they can split that class into two? 'Cause that seems ridiculous... Good luck with Tale of Two Cities though - an interesting book, which always helps!

Google rocks.

My favorite development moments were when the boys started getting subtle humor and double entendre. Those moments when stuff no longer went over their heads but instead resulted in wary glances and rolling eyes. It is fun to watch the brains develop.

Now that they are teens the lessons they are learning are tougher ones, and yet ones they have to learn for themselves.

Hello from Otter Lake! The forecast says high of 60 and rain all day. The forecast for home is high of 88 and clear. I think I came north too early this year.

I wish I had rain boots, and an actual rain coat. The good news is that I will learn if this skirt really needs to be dry cleaned or not...

Also, there was an enormous water bug walking around my office until my boss killed it, and I think the slight sore throat I've had for a couple of days may be resolving into a cold. I mean, how could it be allergies in the pouring rain?

I Do Not Like today.

how could it be allergies in the pouring rain?

You're obviously allergic to work, Jesse.

I knew it!

Do you think I can go out on disability for that?

(No disrespect intended to anyone with actual disabilities...)

Minimum class size for next year is 27 kids, I think. So I can't split 50 into two 25s, because then the classes are too small to remain open.

I did give summer reading which might cull the herd (4 books of the Bible, Illiad and Odyssey, Origin of Species and 2 other books of their choice). I think the rule will be that if you don't complete summer work, you get kicked out of the class.

Yeah, I was going to do some walking around this morning, but NSM with all the rain. Can't even get to Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center without potentially drowning.