Bee's Book Reviews: Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk

Welcome to the first (and hopefully not last) of my book reviews. Before I jump into this I should mention that this is exactly what I am going to do.... jump into it. This will be a trial run of reviews and it should be noted that it may be: incomplete, inconsistent, nonsensical, etc. As with many things, practice makes perfect. It should also be noted that I am also not feeling 100% today. More than likely, I am coming down with another famous winter bug. Regardless, perhaps some literary expression on my part will have a secondary healing process. More than likely, though, it won't.

I digress.

I have been setting a series of goals for 2014. One of these is to really get back into reading. I have set a massively insane goal of reading 100 books this year. I realize that for some, this goal is most certainly attainable. The fact that I am a teacher of English should also make this much easier.

It won't.

I will try my best to deliver a review without spoiling story elements for potential readers. I will then rate each book from 1-5 certain items that may or may not fill the mood. This review, being a test of sorts, will be completely impromptu. I will attempt not to edit as much as I am attempting to create a baseline for future reviews.

The first in this list of 100 books is Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris.

Not being an avid Sedaris reader, I was not certain what to expect. In fact, the first time I had heard about this author was through the teacher I was working with during my student teaching in 2009. He told me to get all of his books because they were the best he had ever read. I, of course, stated my overall interest in getting these books that were so vehemently suggested. I found this one, about a year later, in the bargain bin at my local Barnes & Noble. I figured it was worth the couple of bucks and was totally digging the cover. The illustrations contained within contain the same sort of whimsical animals engaging in human situations. It took me about four years to finally take it off the bookshelf and read it. It was quite short and I got through it in little over a day. 

The book itself is split into numerous short stories that are reminiscent of Aesop's Fables in an unusual way. Each story, meant to have some sort of moral by the end, are only a few pages long. After reading the first of these stories, I had a good chuckle. Few books give me that sort of "laugh out loud" sort of reaction that this one did. I was excited to dig a little deeper into this one.

Unfortunately, as I progressed, the stories moved from a sort of lighthearted humor to something much more dark. Many play with the notion on how humans treat each other and some actually made me uncomfortable. There is still that comedic undertone that comes with each story, but it is followed by a period of what I can only describe as self-loathing towards my species. The animals in each story have distinctly pronounced human foibles. Examples include a hen with a enormous lack of self-confidence and a hairdressing, compulsively lying baboon. As previously stated, it is assumed that there is some lesson learned by the character at the end of each story... even if that character is left a bloody heap of flesh by the end. 

At times, however, it seemed that no moral is present and the character just dies. There is quite a bit of death imagery in this book. I did enjoy how Sedaris poked fun at death as well as life with everyday situations. I could actually relate to some of these stories on some level. Admitting this is just making me more uncomfortable.

Cat and Baboon

The book is written with large font and interesting illustrations by Ian Falconer. In my opinion, the illustrations become increasingly more uncomfortable as you progress. This may have been planned to induce laughter, but just made me uncomfortable. In fact, for the first time that I can remember, finishing this book and setting it down left me with an extremely uncomfortable feeling. I wasn't sure how to reflect, if at all, about its events or morals. 

I give Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris "Three Rhinoceroses" for reasons that you will understand if you take the time to read it. If you are looking for a quick and interesting read, I suggest picking this one up. Just be warned that it evoked some certainly strange reactions out of me... I have been informed by a co-worker that Sedaris's audiobooks of his works where he, himself, narrates are usually better than actually reading them. If I get my hands on the audiobook, I shall give it a listen.

The Age of Robots - Part I

This is part one in a four part rant on the oncoming "Age of Robots"

I get asked a lot how an high school English teacher is so emphatically interested in the field of robotics. I suppose that in a stereotypical and somewhat satirical sense, I should be more infatuated with fine literature. I, of course, am. In fact, my concentration in college revolved around post-colonial literature from South Asia. However, if you take a step back, all fields of study are really interconnected are they not? I consider myself a student of the human condition.

Even as an English teacher, I attempt to bestow more than just a working knowledge of grammar, fluency in classic novels, or the nitty gritty aspects of the works of Shakespeare. I, along with many of my compatriots, focus on life skills and try our best to not only train the next generation to be competitive in the workforce, but also the next generation of decent human beings. Society is evolving at an exponential rate. Like it or not, things change. While at times these changes are for the better; other times they are most certainly for the worse. The fact of the matter is that if you don't "roll with the times," you will be swept away or left behind. It is important to realize, however, that the changes in the life and times of planet Earth are not on a fixed path. There are still ways to guide this ship safe to shore. These guiding winds lie within you, your thoughts, and your actions.

I remember reading a lot about robots of the future while growing up in the early 1990's. At that time, the thought of that kind of technology was always seen through a lens of awe. It was as if we were peering through a looking glass over the horizon of the future. These were exciting times. Now, more than twenty years later, we are taking our first steps towards that future. However, if you do a Google search today for robots, the majority of articles now speak of a plague on the horizon. A plague that will take your job and put you into poverty. We certainly are a curious species.

R.A.D The Robot (1990's)

The truth is like I have previously stated. That time... is here now. We certainly cannot live in fear of human advancement or shun those who would seek to discover it. We have adapted before and we will continue to adapt as a species. This is truly an exciting time and good things are in the future if we work for it.

This first entry is to serve as a sort of introduction to what I want to cover. The second and third installments will be dedicated to some popular culture in the world of robotics as well as some practical applications that it can have in K-12 education.

For those who are interested or want to get a jump start on what I am going to be covering, here are some starting points.

• Aldebaran Robotics
  
• NDtv Article : The Robots are Coming!!!

The Vacation Doldrums

As we are nearing the end of February vacation for millions of students and teachers across the country, I take time to reflect on what I got accomplished. Well, actually, more like what I did not get accomplished. I tend to get very restless when I am sitting around trying to relax. Due to this, I try my best to keep myself focused and busy. This vacation, was no exception to this rule. My actual vacation did not start until this past Wednesday as I spent upwards of ten hours each day prior at the place of my work finishing up the building of our robot.

Said robot, conveniently code-named "S.O.P.H.I.E" went through several revisions before going into a giant shipping bag that was the size of a Boston subway car. Our "more or less" finished design was not too shabby. Of course, we still have a lot of work to do before our exciting competition on March 8th. In this competition, we shall show every school in Massachusetts that we are not only badass robot designers, but that we look good doing it. Our team's slogan, after all, is "Bolts, Bots and Bow Ties"

Just as a side note, I prefer not to use the oxford comma. I shall create a creative rant for that in another post.

Anyway, once Soph made it into her bag, I immediately left the building and fled toward my hometown at top speed. The night concluded with a simple glass of tea and good conversation with friends and family.

The time off was not without it's fair share of events. I was able to travel to my favorite sushi restaurant and sample the delicacies off of their menu. My cousin and I, also partook of something new and interesting. We each had a single piece of Octopus placed on our plates. While looking not at all appetizing, we saved it to the end of our feast. When the time came, we each tried it at the same time. Subsequently we also spit it into our napkins at approximately the same time as well.

Octopi can be seen at the left and right. Never again. 

For those of you who have not had the distinct pleasure of eating raw octopus, let me just say that it is quite an interesting experience. My piece in particular was all the more interesting with the added addition of a little sucker at the end of it. Needless to say it was the equivalent of attempting to bite through a shoe with a flavor that I cannot begin to describe. In closing, I rather enjoy little excursions such as the sushi adventure described above. It is true that a little variety is good for one's soul.

The rest of this week, however, has been classified as "particularly boring." This may be my restlessness taking center stage... As previously mentioned, I have a difficult time taking a step back and just relaxing. I always feel as though I may be missing something or that some form of work would be a better use of my time. Of course, now as we near the end of this less than grandiose vacation, I am feeling that I did not have enough time to relax. Perhaps I have some sort of complex... Hmm...

We are already past the 1/6th mark of 2013. The year shows no sign of slowing, or getting any less dull for that matter. I, of course, will continue to take things one day at a time with a particular emphasis on stopping to smell the roses every once in a while. It is true what they say... sometimes you will not understand the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. 

Speaking of memory... I hope everyone got a chance to see Google's new video for their new product Glass... If not, here it is! 

There is no question of a doubt that I will be getting one of these the day it comes out. Some people are afraid of change. Some people like to stick to the old ways of doing things. I, myself, still now of several people who mail out bill payments each month as opposed to completing such tasks via the internet. While there is nothing wrong with the old ways, I prefer to embrace the future. The future, of course, is now. Every moment shall now be captured, cherished  and stored.  People will be brought closer together than we would have thought possible. An interesting concept... albeit sort of creepy. It is necessary, however, in order for our species to become truly united. 

With that, I leave you with a few starting points.

1. Information on octopus sushi
   
2. CBS News article on Google Glass
   
3. Information on the 2013 FIRST Robotics Regional at WPI

This Beautiful Chaos

I realize that I keep promoting an eventual book review post... You just have to be patient. I, simply, just have no free time as of late. In fact, this post I feel will probably be abbreviated as well. With the upcoming end of the 2013 FIRST Robotics season only days away, I feel that a certain level of normalcy and regularity will return to my hectic life.

"Till all are one!"

At the end of our last season, I vowed to never undertake such a rigorous and unsupported task ever again. As we all know, however, once you get bit by the robot bug.... you never go back. It is like a bad robot girlfriend that I keep getting back together with. We did have a pretty successful, yet rocky season I will admit. In one year I was able to double the size of the team and create something that we can all very much be proud of. I seek not accolades for that is not the name of the game. I do this for the future of humanity.... that, and pizza.

I'm still not sure what all of this stuff does...

I often times find myself staring at the immense iTunes playlist on my computer. Sometimes I can just never find the right song. Right now I am stuck on a band from my youth... Something Corporate. The song, Konstantine, has been listened to over 100 times on this computer. Yet, I still know not the words to it.

A series of unfortunate events, while not directly entirely towards me, have occurred and will cause a significant ripple in the fabric of my day to day routine. On a side note, I do throughly enjoy beautiful chaos. Seemingly trivial things that people react to by running around with their arms flailing all about. It is just a bump in the road, as they say. This too... shall pass.

"It's always darkest before the dawn." my Uncle used to say that all the time. He was a wedding planner.

I do enjoy the eclectic nature of this post. Jumping from topic to topic... It reminds be of paisley. Not a paisley item, however. Just... paisley.

In closing, keep your stick on the ice!

Four Hours in Fourth Grade

Greetings and salutations,

The past few months have certainly been busy busy for me. My new job is a continuous stream of paperwork. I, now, feel as though I have mastered surfing waves of paperwork. If not mastered... then at least gotten used to.

The start of the new year also means the start of a new FIRST robotics season. My school returns for their Sophomore year in this program. While I do love robots and all... The sudden doubling in my hours in the work week has totally worn me out. While my diet of mainly avocados seems to have staved off any form of influenza, I have just recently recovered from an incredibly stubborn cold that reminded me of typhoid fever. This little bug totally incapacitated my usual calm persona and brought forth a snarly nasty boy with a constant red nose.

That... and some cough syrup?

Now that I have fully recovered, (for the most part) I figured that I had better start updating my blog that I had hyped up to much to the masses so many months ago. February will be the month of reviews. Within the next week, expect a book review on a novel that I have just recently finished. "Across the Universe" is part one of a dystopian trilogy. I eagerly await writing such a review!

Could not put this one down!

In conclusion, I am back. Remember that we are all in this together. I see great things in our future. Now for the obligatory picture of my new bow ties.

Huge sale at JcPenney

2012 - A Year in Review

In summation of 2012. Ian Bee....

• Nailed a teaching job.
• Started a blog.
• Visited Cape Cod for the first time.
• Enjoyed The Beachcomber for the first time.
• Enjoy much rest and relaxation at the lake.
• Ate chicken at Wright's over a dozen times.
• Got attacked by Super Munchers.
• Led a successful first-year U.S. FIRST robotics team.
• Paid off 75% of my credit card debt.
• Relished in my love of the avocado.
• Gained... and lost superpowers.
• Aquired a love for astronomy.
• Led the Goose Island revolution.
• Started graduate school.
• Gained many a bow tie.
• Got a new cat.
• Said goodbye.
• Reconnected with a long lost friend
• Instituted weekend trips to Keeper's
• Made Bow Tie Friday hip with the 7th grade.
• Learned to love Excel Spreadsheets.
• Had the worst of times.
• Had the best of times.
• Read some books.
• Learned to make a mean omelette.
• Planned to Free Tibet in 2014
• Sold away my video game collection.
• Watched every episode of FarScape.
• Was less boring.
• Learned how to blow glass.
• Learned to live a little.
• Worked over 45 Sundays at Hannaford.
• Moved out.
• Moved back home.
• Ate less fast food.
• Looking forward to a successful new year.

On time management.

I have fully settled into the new job. Things are well. I am, however, finding myself not having enough time to do, anything. Luckily enough, I have put aside thirty or so minutes for this long overdue blog posting. Truth be told, I have never really ever been that organized, or time-savvy as it were. The lack of time is punching me in the face like Liam Neeson in one of his action movies. 

Each week, my workday seems to be lasting longer and longer. 5, 6, even 7 in the evening at times. The good news is that I am actually accomplishing the work I set out to do. This was also a problem in my youth. Now, I must learn to consolidate work much like my debt, and pay over time. I have utilized things such as a calendar to improve my time management and to remind myself as to what day it is. These things really work wonders. 

Sometimes I feel as though I do not take enough advice from my cat. He knows how to live. 

Violo often times chooses to sleep. The entire day. 

I also find myself losing touch with my fellow educators. I tend to only leave my cubicle for coffee. Lots of coffee lately. Ergo, many trips to the bathroom as well. I'm sure my new time management skills will also help to assuage this as well. Not so much the frequent urinations, but the time away from friends. 

In other news, my swing dancing seems to be improving. At this rate, I shall be more than ready for next year's talent show. I have also changed my diet to that of mainly avocados. 

Well, my 30 minutes is up. Stay tuned for another exciting episode.