Chateau news

Just when I think life is getting boring, things get so crazy that boring doesn't sound so bad anymore. A few weeks ago while sitting around the lunch table, my friend Mindy suggested that a few of us teachers go and do a sprint triathlon together in Napa. I thought everyone was just talking, and consequently agreed to be part of a relay. Apparently everyone else was serious because I am now signed up to do the swim and the bike legs of this triathlon in 2 weeks. So the girls and I have launched into some training and have been trying to get to the pool a few times a week. Neither distance is overwhelming -- a half mile swim and a 12 mile bike ride -- but who knows what it will actually be like.

On a related note, this past week we had our first bike ride field trip at school. It was a pretty big success. We biked from school to Los Gatos for ice cream and back, about 14 miles round trip. We had one injury... someone who slid of the path and was convinced he broke his arm. I was convinced he didn't, but I guess I'll find out for sure when I go to school tomorrow. Regardless, his mom came and picked him up while the rest of the group went on. This put me about 15-20 minutes behind them. I did go after them once the child had been retreived by his mom. In the process of me going after the group and trying to find my way on a trail that I had no clue about, I managed to have an accident of my own and fall off my bike on a surprisingly steep hill that I couldn't change the gears fast enough for. I'm fine, but managed to do something to the derailer of my bike so that the gears won't shift. Not very timely for my triathlon in 14 days.

On a totally unreltaed note, yesterday we interviewed Margaret Kerry, Disney's reference model for Tinker Bell, for our podcast. This was a lot of fun. She is a spunky women that sort of makes you wonder how it is that Tinker Bell never talked. I'd tell you more about it, but really the best thing to do would be to listen to the podcast. That's not a shameless plug, it's just that her stories are so amazing, it's best to just hear her tell them. It will likely be the November 1st Mousetalgia podcast.

Nerdy things

Last night, some friends of ours invited us over for a Wii party with their kids. Dave and I had a great time, but the highlight for me would have to be learning to play Guitar Hero. I've picked this up a few times at Best Buy and tried to learn how it all works, but making mistakes in a really public place isn't my thing. So, our friends' 10 year old daughter gave me the basic run down and everyone waited patiently while I tinked my way thought "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." I'm not sure if it was the privacy of someone's home, or a couple glasses of wine to loosen me up, but this bout with Guitar Hero was the most sucessful yet. So sucessful that I seriously considered heading to Best Buy today to pick up my very own copy. Since it is a bit on the expensive side, and I just bought the Wii Fit this month, I've decided to be a little patient and hope that people will be trying to liquidate them soon since Guitar Hero World Tour is set to be released at the end of October. Regardless, I'm ready to be one of the swarm addicted to this game.

Another reason I'm holding out on Guitar Hero III is that Lego Batman is being released in only 2 more days! In case you are not aware, I'm a sucker for the Lego games. Lego Starwars got me hopelessly addicted and I conquered Lego Indiana Jones this summer while living my "lady of leisure" life. Dave is of the opinion that I should have my graduate project totally complete before picking up Lego Batman as I seem to struggle with time management when I get one of these new games. However, waiting any longer for a new lego game just doesn't seem like a whole lot of fun. So, if you have any doubts as to how I'll be spending my free time this week, well... you should have it figured out by now.

From the mouths of babes....

School is in full swing so let the crazy kid stories begin! Today, when casually asking the kids about what they did for the weekend, one of my students innocently replied, "I went to Hooter's." However, it didn't stop there. The explanation continued... "Yea, I didn't want to go, but my dad did. So, my brother and I, we had to go to Hooter's." Excellent. Of course, this isn't quite as good as Kindergarten. There, after peeing all over the wall, one of the boys explained to the teacher that "it" was just "out of control."