Bored Runners

It was the Friday before Thanksgiving break, seventh period. (I saved all my subbing stories for when I was back at work.) Cross country.

Cross country is running, long distance. Generally for class time they change into running clothes, and then they go and run a few miles. How many? I'm not sure. But at one point a couple of them were discussing an upcoming 10K and a half marathon. 

But cross country season is over, and the team didn't make the end of season CIF championships. So, they just had to sit in the room for the period with the sub. 

(They asked if I could just dismiss them to go home. I would have loved to have done that, but they're enrolled in the class so they have to be in the class even if they have nothing to do. I explained that if they could get a parent to pick them up early they could leave. Only one student followed through on that.) 

I sat back and watched the room. Several boys got into a group. They had a pad of post its, and they were folding them into triangles. And then one boy tossed it towards the ceiling...

Oh crap! Not this again. 

I have noticed students doing this again. Ceiling darts. They toss these things towards the ceiling, hoping they'll stick. 

Normally I put a stop to this as soon as I see it. But seventh period cross country the day before a vacation, and they didn't have an assignment. Considering that there were worse things they could be doing to entertain themselves, I went a different route. 

I asked. Apparently it's currently popular on TikTok. 

Naturally. 

I told them fine, they just had to not leave the things in the ceiling when class was over. No mess, and it was okay. 

It kept them busy for a while... 

(Yeah, I blanked out any faces you could see. They are minors.) 

They got quite a few up there: 

Some used spin to get them to stick. One boy made a straw contraption out of paper. (I commented on spit balls. They weren't going that route.) I don't think that actually worked at all. 

This only kept their attention for a while. Then they went outside and started racing each other. Sprinting. (Reminder: they usually are long distance runners.) 

They did clean up before the end of the period. No ceiling darts left behind. 

His Girlfriend

The Thursday before Thanksgiving, sixth period. Creative writing. 

(I saved all my subbing stories from before the break until I was at work again.)

The kiddos were supposed to be working on their "capstone" assignment. As it happened, this was NaNo, but only 18,000 words. (Wow, Wikipedia says National Novel Writing Month is no more. Very sad. The end of an era.) 

Mr. C warned me the class could be talkative, but that sort of thing doesn't bother me so long as they get their work done. And so long as they aren't being crazy. If they're just chatting while working, they tend to have the most interesting conversations. 

Somehow, we got on the topic of glasses. 

I make no secret of the fact that my vision is terrible. I've worn contact lenses since I was 14. (The kiddos are weirded out by contacts, so I try to normalize them. I tell the glasses wearers how much easier my life is wearing them rather than wearing glasses.) 

Kinsley complained that she needed glasses, but there was a holdup in getting them. She said she'd finally asked one of her teachers if she could move closer to the board so she could see. The teacher, naturally, wondered why she hadn't spoken up sooner. 

However, the move ended up being a problem. She was seated next to this boy, and now the boy was sure Kinsley was into him. 

She explained that she had befriended the boy, and they texted back and forth. They got along great. But the befriending did have an ulterior motive...

Kinsley was into his girlfriend.

She heard a rumor the girlfriend was bi, and she's hoping if things go south for that relationship, she can swoop in and charm the girlfriend. 

I mean, as long as she isn't actively sabotaging the relationship... 

After that, Kinsley and her friend in class swapped horror stories that they had written a while back. (The other girl said she wrote her story at age 11.) And gave each other feedback. 

And I listened in. It's fascinating to listen to teenagers talk. 

A Reading Lesson

Tuesday of the week before Thanksgiving, I had nothing. (I saved my subbing stories for when I was back at work.) I had the rest of the week booked, but not Tuesday. I just missed catching two assignments during the school day Monday, and as I was leaving school for the day, I was trying to accept that I might not work that Tuesday. 

Then, just as I was pulling out of my parking space, my phone alerted. I grabbed that assignment so fast... 

Tuesday. Senior English. Co-taught. 

Since it was a late(erish) call out, the general ed teacher taught the class as planned. (Even if it had been longer planned, I think Ms. U would have just kept on with the plan for the day anyway.) They were getting ready to start a new book, and they were doing the prelim work for it. 

Me? I sat at the back of the room, unneeded. 

The lesson went off very smoothly. The students were attentive when Ms. U was instructing, and they actually discussed what she asked them to discuss as the period wore on. (I know this as I walked the room then, listening in. I didn't have to prompt them.) 

This is not normally the sort of day that makes the blog. The only reason I'm mentioning it is because of what they were going to be reading...

A comic book. A graphic novel. This one: Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon.

It was fascinating. Ms. U had the class do notes on the superhero genre. What were the expectations? What sorts of stories are usually told in this medium? How does one read a comic book, anyway? 

She used terminology (frame, gutter, etc.). She had them write about what they knew of this type of story. She explained how they were to look at the various panels and how to compare panel sequences. 

I learned a lot. 

I would have loved a lesson like this when I was their age. Graphic novels have come a long way. 

As I was looking up the graphic novel so I could link to it, I found it on YouTube. In case you're interested, this is for the first story in the graphic novel. (It contains five. The class was only going to read the first two or three, time permitting.) 

Ms. U got them started with the first couple pages. She hinted about how they'd also be learning about subverting expectations. 

This Is Racism

A couple weeks back I was doing my (now) usual of railing against how ICE is an evil entity hell-bent on kidnapping people and sending them to horrible places (either concentration camps or to detention centers... well, those are the same thing), and I got a comment that they were after criminals, and... 

I'm going to leave off debating whether or not they're going after criminals (they're not), because what gets to me is what they're doing with these (mostly innocent) people they're taking. No due process. No trial. Just shipping them off to... concentration camps. 

The whole thing is evil. And it bothers me no end. 

It all boils down to white supremacy. That's what this is. They don't want "brown people" here, and that's what this is all about... 

Mark Kelly: "We have a president who doesn't understand the Constitution, who installed an unqualified secretary of defense. I cannot think of a secretary of defense in the history of our country that is less qualified than Pete Hegseth. He should've been fired after Signal-gate."

[image or embed]

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) November 30, 2025 at 6:31 AM

That's why I love stories like this: How 200 New Yorkers Foiled an ICE Raid Before It Even Began.

And most of this is really not legal: DOJ Says Noem Made Final Decision on El Salvador Removals in Breach of Court Order

If this is about removing criminals, why are so many children getting caught up in it?: ICE Sent 600 Immigrant Kids to Detention in Federal Shelters This Year. It’s a New Record.

They're not going after criminals: College Student Is Deported During Trip Home for Thanksgiving

But it does not matter what I (or anyone else) says. Those who are supporting this regime are enjoying this. They're for the cruelty. And you won't convince me that those who have excuses for this stuff are anything other than on the side of the concentration camps. 

This is destroying the U.S.: America’s Formula for Greatness Is Under Threat

Plot Twist

I finally finished the front of the sweater...

Yay! 

But I've still got quite a few steps to do before it's complete. (Like, sleeves.) The next step was to knit the ribbing at the bottom. (Why we're doing it this way? Designers have their reasons.) 

That part didn't take nearly as long as I expected. I started with the back...

And then on Saturday I completed the front...

And so I'm just about done...

All I have to do is bind off. It's called a tubular bind off. And I just looked it up...

Turns out I'm very familiar with this. It's called grafting or Kitchener stitch. 

Let's just say that we are not on the best of terms. 

(I understand the directions. I've attempted the stitch. It makes perfect sense. But when I attempt it... It just does not work for me. There's no good reason for this.)

So, now I'm debating. I know some very good stretchy bind offs. Do I attempt the grafting? Or do I do a different bind off? 

I will have made a decision by next week. I may attempt the grafting and see how it goes. If it doesn't (which is likely), I can always rip it back and just do a stretchy bind off. 

This is what I get for not reading ahead on the pattern. Sigh. 

Well, at least there's progress. I'm getting there. 

Sweater Tracking:

• Starting the Sweater
• Getting to the Back
• Missed Deadline
• Distractions from Knitting
• A Month Late
• Inching Along
• Tracking the Growth
• Weekly Sweater Update
• Moving Right Along
• Good Progress
• Almost to the Interesting Part

Cheese or Dessert

It's the day after Thanksgiving (here in the U.S.), otherwise known as Black Friday. No school for me (so my school experiences from last week will appear next week), so that means summer schedule, and that means quiz. 

This one is fun. Is it a cheese, or is it a dessert? 

Cheese or Dessert

While I knew quite a few of these, I did not know all of them. I got 22 out of 25 or 88%. I made a couple good guesses, and I made a couple not-so-good ones, so that total is higher than what I actually knew. 

Take a shot, and let me know how you did in the comments. Good luck.

13 Netflix Christmas Movies

It is Thanksgiving here in the U.S. (and I have the week off, so my subbing stories have been saved for next week), and I have been trying to think of a good topic for today's list. (This is a Thursday 13.) Then it hit me. Tomorrow is Black Friday and the start of the holiday buying season. Why not a Christmas theme? 

So, today, I went on Netflix, searched "Christmas" and listed the first 13 movies to pop up. Descriptions by IMDb. Snark by me. (Believe it or not, I really do like some of these types of movies. But I can't take some of these descriptions seriously.) 

1. Jingle Bell Heist 

At the height of the holiday season, two strangers team up to rob one of London's most famous department stores while accidentally falling in love. It really worries me that this is the first thing that pops up for my search. What does Netflix know about me? Why would they think this is what I'd enjoy?

2. My Secret Santa 

Taylor disguises as Santa at a resort to fund her daughter's ski lessons. Working with the charming manager Matthew, she finds holiday cheer and a chance at love amidst challenges. I do not think I'd enjoy this one. I can just see this being all sorts of awkward. 

3. The Night my Dad Saved Christmas 2

When Santa vanishes during a chaotic Christmas, a quirky actor tries to replace him. A father, his teen son and special friends must rescue Santa to save Christmas. Two? You mean to tell me that this is a sequel? They made one already and it was popular enough to justify a second installment? 

4. Champagne Problems

An executive travels to France to secure the acquisition of a renowned champagne brand before Christmas, but her plans are upended when she falls into a whirlwind romance with a charming Parisian - only to discover he's the founder's son. The roommates watched this one the other day. I made dinner in the kitchen while it was on. I think I've seen enough.

5. Last Christmas

Kate is a young woman subscribed to bad decisions. Working as an elf in a year-round Christmas store is not good for the wannabe singer. However, she meets Tom there. Her life takes a new turn--that seems too good to be true. Not a bad premise. Maybe this would be a good one to knit to.

6. Christmas with the Kranks

With their daughter Blair away in Peru, Luther and Nora Krank decide to skip Christmas altogether until she decides to come home, causing an uproar when they must celebrate it at the last minute. Ah, finally one I recognize. I haven't seen it, but this one has been around for a while (starring people you know). 

7. A Merry Little Ex-Mas

A separated couple tries celebrating one last Christmas together with their kids before their divorce. However, the husband's new girlfriend joins the festivities, causing tension and chaos during the holidays. Oh no, I know exactly how this one is going to go, and I haven't seen a bit of it.

8. The Christmas Chronicles

The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about. With Kurt Russel as Santa. Maybe...

9. A Sprinkle of Christmas

Libby, an up-and-coming baker, has opened up her storefront business just in time for the Christmas season. Trying to get everything off the ground, she finds herself in a heated anonymous online feud with Peter, an A-List actor, after (hiding his real identity) he gives the bakery a scathing review. At the same time, in real life, Libby takes on a game-changing side-gig: catering cake and confections for Peter's brother's high profile holiday engagement party. Neither realize they're already in a fight with each other. I worry when IMDb doesn't have it's own description for this. 

10. No Sleep 'Til Christmas

A bartender and a businesswoman find that they have only one thing in common: insomnia. Oh no. Interesting title, and the description is interesting... But I think I should stay far away from this one. 

11. Marry Christmas

After finding love, the Wright Brothers (Joey and Matthew Lawrence) unwittingly schedule weddings for the same day. A sibling rivalry ensues for the right to wed their brides on Christmas. That title is making me cringe. 

12. Klaus

A simple act of kindness always sparks another, even in a frozen, faraway place. When Smeerensburg's new postman, Jesper, befriends toymaker Klaus, their gifts melt an age-old feud and deliver a sleigh full of holiday traditions. Animated. Maybe. Doesn't look terrible. 

13. Our Little Secret

Two resentful exes must awkwardly spend Christmas together after they learn that their new partners are siblings. Interesting setup. Could be okay. But I doubt I'm going to risk it.