| Saturday, March 31, 2007 |
| Cross your fingers |
The Governor of the State of Alaska is here in Nome today. They are putting on a Governor's Ball that is the talk of the town.
It is March 31 and it snowed today. The weather is warmer, 25-30 degrees. It still looks like a winter wonderland. Funny part is that the sun doesn't set until after 10:30 pm.
I have a really good job prospect I am working on in Illinois, with a district that has really impressed me for what it is accomplishing and how it holds school. So cross your fingers.
We are planning our trip to Illinois rabidly. We fly out May 31 to Seattle. We will spend a month visiting with relatives there, waiting on the barge to bring our car. Then it is off across the country, my fourth cross-country trip. Although this one is different: I am bringing my family home to Illinois.
We are going to stop at Silverwood theme park in C'oeur d'Alene, Idaho. That will be fun for the kiddies. We are going to stop and see Devil's Tower in Wyoming and Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. I want to stop at Wall Drug in South Dakota, too, this time. Then I am torn. The directions through those map-sites on the web tell me to drive east through Minnesota and Wisconsin and then south into Illinois as the quickest route to my folks' house in Somonauk, Illinois. Before, I went south, skirting Nebraska (never actually got into it) and then east through Iowa. You know, I've never been in Minnesota before so I may just do that this time, just to say I've done it.
Hopefully, I will have a job in Illinois before we leave. Cross your fingers. |
posted by Matt Butcher @ 9:27 PM   |
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| A Nice Cup of Tea |
While researching 1984 for my senior English class, I ran across this article. It is amazing how specific these directions are, right down to what type of pot the tea should be put in. English are finicky about their tea. The marvelous thing is that perhaps I ought to listen because having been in England multiple times, I cannot reproduce a pot of English tea at home. There actually is a difference that I specifically noted during my last British excursion back in 1998. (Has it been that long? Sigh.)
A Nice Cup of Tea
by George Orwell
Evening Standard, 12 January 1946
If you look up ‘tea’ in the first cookery book that comes to hand you will probably find that it is unmentioned; or at most you will find a few lines of sketchy instructions which give no ruling on several of the most important points.
This is curious, not only because tea is one of the main stays of civilization in this country, as well as in Eire, Australia and New Zealand, but because the best manner of making it is the subject of violent disputes.
When I look through my own recipe for the perfect cup of tea, I find no fewer than 11 outstanding points. On perhaps two of them there would be pretty general agreement, but at least four others are acutely controversial. Here are my own 11 rules, every one of which I regard as golden:
First of all, one should use Indian or Ceylonese tea. China tea has virtues which are not to be despised nowadays—it is economical, and one can drink it without milk—but there is not much stimulation in it. One does not feel wiser, braver or more optimistic after drinking it. Anyone who has used that comforting phrase ‘a nice cup of tea’ invariably means Indian tea.
Secondly, tea should be made in small quantities—that is, in a teapot. Tea out of an urn is always tasteless, while army tea, made in a cauldron, tastes of grease and whitewash. The teapot should be made of china or earthenware. Silver or Britanniaware teapots produce inferior tea and enamel pots are worse; though curiously enough a pewter teapot (a rarity nowadays) is not so bad.
Thirdly, the pot should be warmed beforehand. This is better done by placing it on the hob than by the usual method of swilling it out with hot water.
Fourthly, the tea should be strong. For a pot holding a quart, if you are going to fill it nearly to the brim, six heaped teaspoons would be about right. In a time of rationing, this is not an idea that can be realized on every day of the week, but I maintain that one strong cup of tea is better than twenty weak ones. All true tea lovers not only like their tea strong, but like it a little stronger with each year that passes—a fact which is recognized in the extra ration issued to old-age pensioners.
Fifthly, the tea should be put straight into the pot. No strainers, muslin bags or other devices to imprison the tea. In some countries teapots are fitted with little dangling baskets under the spout to catch the stray leaves, which are supposed to be harmful. Actually one can swallow tea-leaves in considerable quantities without ill effect, and if the tea is not loose in the pot it never infuses properly.
Sixthly, one should take the teapot to the kettle and not the other way about. The water should be actually boiling at the moment of impact, which means that one should keep it on the flame while one pours. Some people add that one should only use water that has been freshly brought to the boil, but I have never noticed that it makes any difference.
Seventhly, after making the tea, one should stir it, or better, give the pot a good shake, afterwards allowing the leaves to settle.
Eighthly, one should drink out of a good breakfast cup—that is, the cylindrical type of cup, not the flat, shallow type. The breakfast cup holds more, and with the other kind one’s tea is always half cold—before one has well started on it.
Ninthly, one should pour the cream off the milk before using it for tea. Milk that is too creamy always gives tea a sickly taste.
Tenthly, one should pour tea into the cup first. This is one of the most controversial points of all; indeed in every family in Britain there are probably two schools of thought on the subject. The milk-first school can bring forward some fairly strong arguments, but I maintain that my own argument is unanswerable. This is that, by putting the tea in first and stirring as one pours, one can exactly regulate the amount of milk whereas one is liable to put in too much milk if one does it the other way round.
Lastly, tea—unless one is drinking it in the Russian style—should be drunk without sugar. I know very well that I am in a minority here. But still, how can you call yourself a true tea-lover if you destroy the flavour of your tea by putting sugar in it? It would be equally reasonable to put in pepper or salt. Tea is meant to be bitter, just as beer is meant to be bitter. If you sweeten it, you are no longer tasting the tea, you are merely tasting the sugar; you could make a very similar drink by dissolving sugar in plain hot water.
Some people would answer that they don’t like tea in itself, that they only drink it in order to be warmed and stimulated, and they need sugar to take the taste away. To those misguided people I would say: Try drinking tea without sugar for, say, a fortnight and it is very unlikely that you will ever want to ruin your tea by sweetening it again.
These are not the only controversial points to arise in connection with tea drinking, but they are sufficient to show how subtilized the whole business has become. There is also the mysterious social etiquette surrounding the teapot (why is it considered vulgar to drink out of your saucer, for instance?) and much might be written about the subsidiary uses of tealeaves, such as telling fortunes, predicting the arrival of visitors, feeding rabbits, healing burns and sweeping the carpet. It is worth paying attention to such details as warming the pot and using water that is really boiling, so as to make quite sure of wringing out of one’s ration the 20 good, strong cups that two ounces, properly handled, ought to represent. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 9:19 PM |
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| Superman's Impossible Powers |
 I found this story in an old copy of a Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen from the 60s (actually it is a reprint from a copy of 80-Page Special from '64 so I don't know how old the real story is).
Boy, they sure made Superman too powerful sometimes. It was like they didn't understand just how powerful they were making him. Here we see that Superman created a solar system.
Some star burned out, far from Earth, and caused the beings that lived on the planets that revolved around it to evacuate. Superman goes to help. "Speeding there, I gathered millions of meteors and fused them together, constructing artificial planets for these homeless people. Finally, finding a burned-out star, I rekindled it into a blazing new sun with an atomic match."
Later on in the comic, featuring Jimmy Olsen becoming the adopted son of Superman, we actually see Superman PUSHING another sun into the place of the one he created, which had gone dead.
 He is pushing a sun. He is pushing a sun from someplace to someplace else for this solar system. He is creating a new solar system, not from scratch, but he is still making a new solar system.
Didn't the writers and editors see this as a problem? How do any villains, super-villain or otherwise, ever pose a threat to Superman anymore after an episode like this? Even cataclysms don't seem scary if we see him pushing celestial bodies around. This is why some people have always liked Batman better for being a real human. Superman at times has been just way too powerful.
Also, this brings up a new point with the movie Superman Returns. At the end, when Superman lifts up the new island, even if most of it is Kryptonite, depending on your knowledge of what Superman has accomplished before, lifting this island doesn't seem that drastic. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 4:22 PM |
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| Wednesday, March 28, 2007 |
| New adage |
The "The dog ate my homework" excuse for the 21st century:
"My printer ran out of ink." |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 3:34 PM |
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| Monday, March 26, 2007 |
| Cthulhu |
I had never read any H.P. Lovecraft before. I have read many many references to it, especially in the world of comic books in which I live. I think the most striking factor recently that made me look up his stories was the reference to the Top Cow comic book The Unusual Suspects I wrote a review for a week ago. He mentioned the "elder gods" in the book and it just struck me. I really don't know that much about Lovecraft and am intensely curious. All these gods references interest me. I even have that "godchecker" code on the left margin here that presents a daily deity of the day that I find pretty neat. Now I've read a good six or seven of his short stories and I love them. They are atmospheric and actually downright scary. They really feel like some sort of history, especially the way they intertwine with each other with references about the Necronomicon and the same made-up characters alongside real historical figures. Ingenious. I'm hooked. I even started looking up Lovecraft sources online. Darn it, I'm hooked on a new universe! The Lovecraft book I found was on Australia's Gutenberg site, absolutely free. I didn't realize it was so long when I went to print it, but 2,100 pages later I have it all. Excellent. Video Description Greetings puny mortals. It is I, the mightiest of the Old Gods, Cthulhu. I slumber now, lying eternally, until the stars are right, and I return for my ravening delight. Great will be the wailing and powerful the lamentations when . . .
Okay, look. Fact is, I can't sleep. It's nothing serious, I'll probably get back to sleep in a few years or so. But I didn't want to just lie there, counting the holes in the ceiling tiles, and watching reruns of "Mister Ed". So, I figured I'd get up and answer some letters.
So go ahead. If you've got questions for Cthulhu, hit me. I may just be bored enough to answer. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 9:54 PM |
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| Nursing at NACTEC |
New NACTEC session coming up. Look at all the perks and benefits with this one. I almost want to sign up! |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 9:06 PM |
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| Reviews |
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| posted by Matt Butcher @ 9:24 AM |
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| Poems |
Ugh, I found some more of my really bad high school poetry. I think several of these were assignments for school, especially the first one, but most were just side notations in a notebook I kept. Found them on one of my old disks.
You know, they may be bad, but at least I did them, at least I did something. I've always been proud of my struggles with words and language, sort of like my own marathon.
Back To School
BEEP!
Alarm clock rings.
Come on, sleepy,
Kick into gear.
Today's your first day.
Off you go now.
Shoes on,
Comb your hair.
Hey, dudes!
Off we go
Oh, yeah, school.
Love it.
Wind
There's nothing more I dread
Than to live without you.
No bays upon my head
Instead of you would do.
I would rather to die
Than be lost from your sight.
And with a cracked sigh
Something more, my heart might.
It is easy to dream,
My world consists of you.
To have thee not I now seem
As real as I can do.
You're like evasive wind
Never resting to stop.
Because without the kind,
Your love, from Earth I drop.
Control
Who's in charge here?
I wonder.
From cheek falls a tear
In slumber.
If I'm your true love
Why condemn?
All the help above
Doesn't bend.
I'm not saying give in.
(Be strong.)
Be nice and. . . understand
The road's long.
Don't dominate
Give and take.
From the past you ache,
But see me,
Meek and yearning
To be free.
X
Listlessly letting a lethal lethargy
Overtake oneself, outliving the ostensible
Vigorous void of verily vibrancy,
Encompassing every emotional embodiment.
XI
I think I know myself, at times.
Then things get out of hand
And all is not sublimed.
What am I? And
Why do I live?
The questions can't be answered
By no one except The One.
Why won't He answer?
I am wondering why!
I will have to wait
Till why becomes when,
Then all will be answered. . .
In the end.
XII
I looked into the mirror
and saw me,
As I expected to.
But then I looked harder
Not wanting to believe,
Not believing!
I looked away and cried.
If I am to look again,
I will punch the mirror
And the man I see.
The faultless mirror is there,
Obvious to everyone but me.
XIII
I'm still trying to live right
With all of my might.
On the outside, me is not me,
Inside it's struggling to
Be free.
My front is set up,
As deadly as a crazy cub,
Deadly to me,
For, you see,
If my front is there
No one will care
And I will not be
Let down
And made to frown.
Ever
"Have you ever felt bad?"
I ask her, in the future,
As she looks upon my face sad.
"And were powerless to it?"
She looks at me without a smile,
Something I'll miss, more than a bit.
"I sit here thinking, wondering,
What did I do to scare you?"
As she looks without a word at my blundering,
Thoughts race, ideas flow, holding tears at bay.
Then I wonder aloud, before I can stop,
"For me, will it always be this way?" |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 7:48 AM |
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| Saturday, March 24, 2007 |
| 68 days |
68 days.
When you start a countdown, you're looking forward to something. And saying goodbye to what you had before.
It's official. The Butchers are moving back to Illinois this summer. On the night of May 31, we fly away from Nome. We'll spend a month visiting the family in the Seattle area and then drive across this great land of ours back to my home state of Illinois.
We like Nome. We really do. Morgan found some lifelong friends and some cultural experiences that will shape her years. Amy and I loved the small town feel. The folks who live here are great, truly great people. They are strong and hardy and full of character. Working in the school district here, I have seen plenty of the character that is Nome.
I love my job. I am the sophomore and senior English teacher. That's the absolute perfect position for my talents and skills. I was autonomous enough where I helped shape the curriculum that will be here after me. The kids are fantastic, actually stronger than any district that I have had before. There is personality here.
However, it is time for us to go back.
That's pretty much my answer as to why. It's time for us to go back. It's time to be near my family on my home field advantage. Before Nome, Alaska, I lived in the Seattle area since 1999. That's enough for now. It's time to go home. It is time to settle down.
We want to buy a home. I have an excellent prospect that I am looking forward to as I search for Illinois positions that I am really pulling for. The district sounds great and I really hope on Monday I get a call saying, "You're in." Then we'll buy a house and have the kids go to school and I'll teach and we'll all grow old and enjoy the rest of our lives.
I love Nome and I'll miss it. I really will. I will still follow the Iditarod every year. I will still be emailing some of these wonderful folks every chance I get.
Thanks, Nome. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 2:15 PM |
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| Classic old comic book ad |
 1953 Space Commander walkie talkies. I ought to eBay for these. I am starting to like looking at the ads of the old comics more than the actual comic. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 9:48 AM |
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| Friday, March 23, 2007 |
| DVD sets |
I was talking with a fellow teacher today. It was funny; we both mentioned that we watch movies about 15 minutes at a time because our home lives are busy and get interrupted. I said that's why I like those DVD sets of TV shows because those are nice and short, one episode at a time. He said that he has been getting into BATTLESTAR GALACTICA that way. I, of course, said that I love the new BATTLESTAR GALACTICA too.
The part that made me wonder something was that we both don't watch them on TV as they come out now. We both know the SCI-FI CHANNEL is on, what, Season Three now? We were guessing. We are both on Season 2 or 2.5 on DVD. But we don't watch the new ones on TV because we know that each season, even each episode, builds on the previous one. It's not like an episode of SEINFELD where you can watch any one of the 100+ episodes and not be lost. And we know that eventually Season Three will be on DVD. But by then Season 3.5 or 4 will be out. Now we are in a perpetual lagging.
I am also doing this now with the HBO miniseries on ROME. My wife and I watch the DVDs but not the new episodes because too much has happened.
All of this would sort of be like reading the first 10 chapters of a book, fast forwarding to chapter 20, then going back to chapter 11.
I wonder how many people are in this cycle now for their TV shows? |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 6:40 PM |
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| Wednesday, March 21, 2007 |
| 1984 |
I introduced my senior class to this classic Macintosh ad from the 1984 Superbowl.
Choose one specific example from the commercial and
explain what you believe to be the overall comment or
criticism about society that the “1984” Macintosh
commercial makes using that example.
It is a very vivid example of the book and choice. It is terrific in retrospect, looking back at the history of the Mac vs the PC. I remember when Mac almost went belly up, when Microsoft gave a bit of financial help to Apple, solely for the excuse as then they couldn't be considered a monopoly. That's the way I remember it, anyway. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 1:03 AM |
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| Nice recommendation |
(The administrator CC'd me this recommendation. Ain't it sweet?)
From: Adminsitrator
Date: March 19, 2007 1:31:51 PM AKDT
To:
Subject: Matt Butcher
I have known Matt for the two years he has taught here at Nome Beltz High School.
Matt understands how students learn and develop and he applies this knowledge in his practice. He incorporates projects and implements differentiated instruction. Matt teaches students with respect for their individual and cultural characteristics. He has gotten to know each of his students personally and maintains a positive relationship with each. Matt has, several times this year and several times last year, e-mailed me his concern about a student's personal and/or academic welfare and we have worked together to help each student.
Matt has high expectations of each student and teaches each to take responsibility for achieving goals. He works with families to support the students.
Matt takes on extra duties such as coaching volleyball and he is a positive role model in our community.
I would highly recommend Matt for any position he applies for. His leaving will definitely be our loss. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 12:09 PM |
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| Atari manual for Defender |
I remember playing this one...Defender. This is another one of those games that just made you into a hero. There was a whole universe of possiblities, and you were in charge. I still like playing it on my Atari 2600. I am so glad Amy got that for me for Christmas last year.
Defender manual, only for Atari
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| posted by Matt Butcher @ 6:52 PM |
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| Meet the mushers |
  Morgan and I got to go to the 2007 Iditarod Meet and Greet for the mushers. We got a ton of autographs, of current and past mushers. We shook hands with several past winners, Jeff King, Martin Buser, Libby Reynolds, Dick Mackey, Mitch Seavey...Then we got to meet our favorite, the one we've been rooting for since last year, lucky bib #13 this year (because his dad won it in '78 wearing that bib and his brother won it in '83 wearing that bib), Lance Mackey. These are some of his autographs. He even signed the picture of his lead dog Larry.  |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 6:35 PM |
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| Images from around Nome during Iditarod |
Jack Daniels sponsors the Iditarod and has many banners hanging around town. The polar bear carving on the outside of the Sitnasuak Corporation building. Two of the dogs rest in the specially cordoned-off area for them. They love the cold. Morgan stands in front of the burled arch finish line waiting for Ramy Brooks to come in. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 1:55 AM |
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| Ramy Brooks into Nome, loses a dog |
Ramy Brooks actually made it into the 11th place slot. There was a bit of a problem at the finish line. Morgan and I ran into town this afternoon to get the mail and wander around town for a bit. When we heard that Ramy Brooks was coming in, we waited by the finish line. Brooks had a dog expire somewhere between White Mountain and Safety. White Mountain is the mandatory 8-hour rest and all the dogs undergo thorough checks by certified trail vets. The decision was made at Safety, with the approval of the race's marshall, that the dog be carried into Nome on the sled. According to rules, Brooks' status is open until a necropsy is performed and the cause of death determined. Nothing bad happened to that dog. Brooks was choked up at the end. You could tell just standing there that he didn't care about the race while he knew about that dog. Brooks felt worse than anyone about that poor dog. He loves his dogs and he never would have had anything happen to him if he could avoid it. A sad ending. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 12:54 AM |
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| The hill at Subway |
Coming into Nome, the mushers come up from the sea ice onto this hil that brings them through the parking lot of the Subway and movie theater. This is actually the best spot to catch the mushers up close. Down at the finish line, Morgan and I got trampled last year. This year, we were up close and personal, seeing Mackey come into Nome. Being first, we knew where he was from the helicopter encircling him, videotaping his arrival. I'm going to pre-order that 2007 Iditarod video. These pictures also highlight some of the people watching. It was cold, right around zero degrees. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 1:35 AM |
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| Lance Mackey wins it! |
We were there at the finish line of the 2007 Iditarod to see Lance Mackey accept accolades for his great victory. He also won the Yukon Quest this year, the first time any musher ever won both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod in the same year. He was much earlier than Jeff King's win last year. Mackey crossed the finish line before the sun went down, a few minutes after 8 pm. King last year did not cross under the arch until after 2 am. While not a record, it is still awfully fast. He was all tears as he spoke to the town of Nome and into the radio that was broadcasting the event. He is the third to do it in his family; his father won back in 1978 and his brother won in 1983. This is Lance's sixth Iditaord and his first win. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 1:17 AM |
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| Tuesday, March 13, 2007 |
| Yahoo! Mail - mjb0123@yahoo.com |
The cool thing about this is that we won't need any streaming video footage. We'll be right there!
Live Finish Tonight! on http://www.iditarod.com/insider
Don't miss history in the making.
Lucky number 13 is proving its power as Lance Mackey could be the first to cross the Burled Arch in dramatic style tonight! Mackey set out to win this race with fierce determination, and maybe a little superstition: both his father and his brother won before him wearing bib #13. Now, Lance could be the third Mackey to win the Iditarod sporting bib #13 himself.
All this is happening on the 13th day of March 2007!
You can be a part of this dramatic finish… you can be right there as a new chapter in Iditarod History is created; If you’re an Insider!
Live Coverage of the Finish
Only Iditarod Insiders get exclusive coverage of this incredible finish, along with loads of behind the scenes videos from the race trail, for just $19.95.
Subscribe now to witness the ringing in of a new era in Iditarod race action.
Subscribe & Watch the Live Finish Tonight
Technical Notes
The broadcast will be streamed in Windows Media player format (version 9 or higher). Visit Insider Technical Support for more information, suggestions on testing your installation before the race and troubleshooting tips. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 7:21 PM |
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| Family portrait underneath the finish line |
Since Morgan had to be downtown for her shift selling concessions at the Mini-Convention Center for Anvil Science Academy this morning, we walked downtown a bit as a full family. We had these photos of the whole family taken under the arch. Lance Mackey had left White Mountain and it usually takes 9-10 hours to get to Nome from there. You feel like Christmas, in a way. The whole state of Alaska and the center of the mushing world is here in Nome today. Lots of different folks about. As we went to see the art exhibition at Old St. Joe's Catholic Church, my Chicago Bears coat made for quite a conversation starter. Unfortunately, I had to battle Packer fans, but it was fun. One older couple from Peoria playfully accosted me and my football tastes. They were having fun kidding with a local way up here in Nome. Another guy said he grew up in Barrington, so I called him rich, even though now he lives in Boston and roots for the Patriots. So I had the pleasure of meeting several new people today, all on account of my coat! |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 6:11 PM |
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| Final leg of Iditarod |
Hello Race Fans, Overnight the highly anticipated event happened - Lance Mackey pulled into White Mountain almost three hours ahead of his nearest competitor, Paul Gebhardt. While the winner will not be officially crowned until he makes the obligatory 77-mile run to the burled arch in Nome, with the mandatory eight-hour layover, it's really a race to White Mountain. Mackey's team is in excellent condition, and once he departs at 9:30 a.m., ADT, he should be a long way up the trail before Gebhardt is allowed to leave at 12:16 p.m. Typically it is a nine- to 10-hour run from White Mountain to Nome, depending on the weather, so look for Mackey to set off the siren sometime around 6:30 or 7 p.m., ADT. We will have total coverage once a winner is official, but there is still plenty of racing left for the rest of the field. Our own Jeff King looks to be in the top five, and we'll have King's thoughts on this year's race shortly after he crosses under the arch.Once a winner is determined, and we get the top 10 into Nome, Jon Little will start working his way back down the trail to get stories on the rest of the field, as mushers close the distance on this incredible edition of "The Last Great Race on Earth." Check back often for our exclusive coverage of Iditarod 35.News Victory in Mackey's sightsBy Jon LittleThere was a sense of deep strength in Lance Mackey's string of 11 sled dogs as the team pulled its master to a halt here and church bells pealed in the cold night air to welcome the likely winner of this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Read Little's report.Photo GalleryOur Photo Gallery is now up to 20 pages, with 18 images on each page, so don't miss out on this additional coverage of "The Last Great Race." We always have more photos than will fit into any given article. More images are being added every day, so check back often to enjoy this expanded coverage. Photo Gallery Our guy is due to win about 6:30 or 7:00 pm tonight! Way to go, Lance Mackey! |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 6:06 PM |
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| Monday, March 12, 2007 |
| RIP Captain America |
By now, many have seen the news articles on the fact that Marvel has had Captain America assassinated in his latest comic book, Captain America #25. Coming on the heels of Marvel's CIVIL WAR storyline, which also saw the unmasking to the world of Spider-Man as Peter Parker, this comic was actually quite good. It of course was a bit sappy in that they had to stress his being a living legend. However, the legacy of Captain America is well worth it. While I was not a full-blown Avengers or Cap fan, I have read a fair share of the adventures. He did stand for something, something akin to Superman in the realm of comics. I have to nod my head in remembrance to Joe Underwood. Cap was his absolute favorite. The death of Captain America brought a new tear to my eye as I then thought of the death of Joe Underwood in the same breath. I still remember you, Joe. I still remember sitting on the bus with him during detasseling season the summer before I started high school at Somonauk. He was one of the first ones who talked to me. I remember him boasting of his love for the rock band Genesis with their new album Invisible Touch and then we also got on the same footing with our love of comic books. It's a ploy though. Marvel won't keep Cap dead. They are trying to raise sales on a slipping title. It'll work. Joe would be happy about that.
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| posted by Matt Butcher @ 10:09 PM |
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| Iditarod update 3-12-07 |
 Cabela's Iditarod
Hello Race Fans, We're moving into the final stretch and Lance Mackey has taken a commanding lead, but don't count out any of the pursuing mushers. Martin Buser is hot on his heels, and for that matter Jeff King has charged his team's batteries in Shaktoolik and is now moving toward the front of the pack with a refreshed team. Over the past few days, the front four have taken turns in the lead, if only reluctantly, but Mackey made his move last night and appears to be headed toward joining his brother and father in the winner's circle wearing their family's lucky No. 13 bib. Once Mackey gets to White Mountain, the gap between him and the mushers that are chasing will determine just how close the race will be to Nome. All mushers are required to take a mandatory eight-hour layover there, and do not have the discretion to leave early and regain the lead. Jon filed his morning report and hopped in the airplane to catch Mackey and other leaders in Koyuk. Check back often for the latest updates in this exciting edition of "The Last Great Race on Earth." News2007 Iditarod in Mackey's grip By Jon LittleThe 2007 Iditarod appears to be firmly in Lance Mackey's hands as the race hits its home stretch. The son of 1978 champion, Dick, and brother of 1982 champion, Rick, posted the fastest time to Shaktoolik, dropped a dog and merrily bolted back onto the sea is to Koyuk with a string of 13. Read Little's report.Morgan and I went downtown to see what's been set up already. We took a lot of pictures of downtown Nome. They were still working on setting up the finish line. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 6:56 PM |
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| Sunday, March 11, 2007 |
| Paid for that snow day... |
I'm gonna pay for that snow day. While it was really cool to get an unannounced day off in the middle of the week, now we have to work on Saturday.
We had two parent/teacher conferences days set up for the week we go back to school, after this coming week's Iditarod Break, for Thursday and Friday. Now Thursday is a regular school day and Friday is a P/T day. Then we come back on Saturday from 8-1 for more conferences.
I shouldn't complain. The original plan for Thursday was conferences from 12-8 pm. Now I get to spend that time with my family, especially since Amy is off work on Thursdays. So missing the night shift is good.
Just something about working Saturday when you already work Monday-Friday. Weekends recharge the batteries, and they give teachers precious time, for planning and grading papers, and for family. I think the battery recharge is the main component. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 11:05 PM |
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| Iditarod update |
 Hello Race Fans, As the leaders move closer to the coast, the miles and minutes left in Iditarod 35 become more precious as race leader Martin Buser sets the pace and the rest of the field attempts to close the gap. Buser shows no signs of wanting to give up his lead, as his team marches steadily toward Nome. Jeff King lost five minutes on the latest leg from Grayling to Eagle Island, where the top four teams had all checked in by 9:35 a.m. Saturday morning. Of the top six teams, only Zack Steer has not taken his mandatory eight-hour layover on the Yukon and this could be a huge factor for the Sheep Mountain, Alaska musher who held the lead earlier in the race. Lance Mackey has slipped slightly, allowing Paul Gebhardt to come into Eagle Island only one minute ahead of him, although Gebhardt's travel time from Grayling was 20 minutes faster. Once the mushers make it to Kaltag and turn toward the relentless, unforgiving winds along the coast, we will see whose team will be able to meet those challenges the best. Our on-the-scene reporter, Jon Little, is currently flying up to Kaltag and then on to Unalakleet, where he will wait for the leaders to arrive. Check back often for the latest updates in this exciting edition of "The Last Great Race on Earth."  
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| posted by Matt Butcher @ 7:21 PM |
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| Thursday, March 08, 2007 |
| More Iditarod |
Cool thing is that I learned that we have free acess through the school for the Iditarod Insider at http://www.iditarod.com/insider . Get to see all sorts of video from the trail and inside scoops that is only otherwise available with a $20 subscription.
I can't wait to take a ton of pictures of all the mushers and dogs when they get to Nome. Lance Mackey is still in the lead as of this post time. It is, however, a very close race. What with weather conditions here in Nome today, I hope they take it easy. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 11:46 AM |
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| No School |
With a temperature of -15 and wind chills up to -43,
No School Today! |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 10:57 AM |
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| C-c-c-c-c-old |
Negative 15 degrees Fahrenheit right now with wind gusts making the wind chill as cold as negative 41 degrees.
Nome, Alaska, in March. And spring break next week. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 12:34 AM |
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| Cabela's email newsletter |
Hello Race Fans,
At this point in the Iditarod, if you aren't totally confused – you're probably delusional! Even seasoned race observers have a tough time keeping the many checkpoints, rest breaks and position changes straight in their head. Fortunately, we have an Iditarod veteran musher to walk us through the fog of data and updated stats. Jon Little has filed a new article that refers to the old Abbot and Costello gag, "Who's on first?" that should bring this year's exciting race into clearer focus. Once the mandatory 24-hour layover has been completed, we should have a leader more clearly defined. However, as all race fans know, everything in the Iditarod is subject to change.
News
Who's on first? By Jon LittleQuestion: Who's leading the 2007 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race? Answer: Four teams. Pick one. Pick a leader, and you might be right or wrong depending on what happens in the next 24 hours. Watch trail conditions, run times and rest times, and a leader will emerge once the front four have cut loose onto the Yukon River.
Read Little's report.
King begins to gather speedBy Jon LittleThe reigning Iditarod champion was half mystified, half satisfied, very relieved and all business as he tended his dogs and made minor repairs to his sled on the sunny banks of the Kuskokwim River.
Read Little's report.
Cabela's 2007 Iditarod GearCabela's is once again offering a selection of quality products for Iditarod fans.Check out the store.
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| posted by Matt Butcher @ 10:02 PM |
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| Monday, March 05, 2007 |
| Iditarod underway |
   March 3, 2007. Anchorage, Alaska. Christina Knapp and her father Gunnar sound horns and trumpets as musher Bruce Milne goes
by their unofficial “Muffin Checkpoint” at mile 4 of the trail on the ceremonial start day of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The Knapps sound the horns for each musher, and give them a muffin as they pass by. Photo © 2007 by Jeff Schultz. And our guy Lance Mackey is currently in the lead, the first one into Rohn. Best website for coverage is http://www.cabelasiditarod.com/ Cabela's site. Experienced musher Doug Swingley has surprisingly scratched due to an accident on the trail that broke some ribs. Last year's winner Jeff King is in 16th. Anything can happen though, and usually does, from here on out. They are taking the southern route this year.  |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 9:51 PM |
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| Those ugly blackheads |
This is an ad from an old comic book, Web of Mystery. Hilarious ad here. "Frankly, Jim, it's those ugly blackheads." |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 12:14 AM |
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| Sunday, March 04, 2007 |
| 1966 Superman cartoon |
From a 1966 issue of DC's Showcase comic book:
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| posted by Matt Butcher @ 6:57 PM |
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| Actor Revelation of the Day |
I watched SILENCE OF THE LAMBS last night as it was on TCM. Seen it a bunch and it is just a darn good movie so I sat through most of it again.
I never put the two together until now but the serial killer Buffalo Bill is played by the same guy who plays that Stottlemire on USA's MONK show.
Interesting. |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 12:12 AM |
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| Saturday, March 03, 2007 |
| NACTEC Driver's Ed |
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| posted by Matt Butcher @ 5:20 PM |
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| Iditarod begins |
Today marks the start of the 35th Iditarod sled dog race. We watched a bit of the ceremonial start in Anchorage on the TV today. The official start is tomorrow, and that will make them finish usually 9-10 days after the start, which should be March 13 or 14. I will be active then due to spring break that week. I plan on taking a ton of pictures to always remember this Iditarod.
I am rooting for Lance Mackey. Of all the mushers we met last year, he seemed the most personable. He was neat and generally awed that I snapped a specific picture of him to have signed.
I am looking forward to spring break. Man, February never seemed to end. February had 20 school days out of the 28 (we were in school for President's Day to make up for a snow day) and March will only bring 15 (not including two days for Parent/Teacher conferences). |
| posted by Matt Butcher @ 5:03 PM |
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| New sea creatures |
I am fascinated by the new creatures they have found underneath that broken ice shelf in Antarctica. (Images taken from a Yahoo news story.)
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| posted by Matt Butcher @ 1:13 AM |
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| Random thoughts about all that I can muster. As William Shatner once said, "Get a life!" |
| The Butcher Shop |
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Name: Matt Butcher
Home: Normal, IL, United States
About Me: An English teacher with a zest for life. Family. Comic books. Stuff.
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We are not now that strength which in the old days
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