Monday, May 28, 2007

Ben Folds Experience

Hello Matt,

Happy Memorial Day weekend from the Ben Folds Experience camp!

We're starting to piece together an incredible event for Ben Folds' fans, and we want to make sure you don't miss out on the fun. We've had a ton of response for this once in a lifetime opportunity, but it's not too late to get in on the pre-sale action if you haven't already!

First, we have some exciting artist news to share: Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls and Eef Barzelay of Clem Snide will be joining Ben on the event. It only gets better from here, people.

In order to maximize the number of fans we can fit in during the pre-sale, we've extended the RSVP date to May 30! Almost a full week to tell your friends and RSVP for this killer event.

If you've already RSVP'd for the priority pre-sale, thanks! Additional info is coming soon.

If not, it's as simple as this...

Just visit www.Sixthman.net/member and log in using the Sixthman ID (SXM-831658) and your password. If you've never logged in before your password is set as your 8-digit date of birth. For someone born on March 3, 1970 the password would be '03031970'.

Once you log in, there are no extra buttons to click - simply logging into your account sends an RSVP alert to us. However, once you login to your account, you'll be able to update all of your personal information and store credit card information. Saving your details now will enable you to place a reservation much more quickly later.

Everyone who RSVPs by Midnight ET on May 30 will be issued a pre-sale "token" which will be sent out by June 4. A token is like a key that unlocks the booking system early for you.

Please visit the Frequenty Asked Questions page to learn more about the particulars of the event or feel free to contact us by calling 404-525-0222 or utilizing our real-time live support page by clicking HERE.

While you're barbecuing and enjoying the great weather this weekend with your friends and family, be sure to talk it over; we hope you'll all be able to join us!

Sixthman / Ben Folds Experience
158 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta GA 30316
404-525-0222 / 877-SIXTHMAN (Mon-Fri 10a-6p ET)
http://www.sixthman.net/contact

Friday, May 25, 2007

Coming down to the wire

Less than a week left in Nome. It's bittersweet actually. I like where we are here. I'm respected as a teacher (or at least that's how I perceive it, so don't tell me otherwise), and as a member of the community. I taught sophomores this year. Did you know that, on the state HSGQE test that high school students must pass, they take it first in their sophomore year. 93% of the first-time sophomores passed the reading section this year, over 20% better. 75% passed the writing section, still better by double digits from last year because they raised the cut-off score. Those are darn good numbers.

One of the seniors this year, one of the best students/people in the whole community, came up to me last week and said she was thinking about changing her major in college to literature. "If I do, it would be because of you." She honestly said that. I almost broke down in tears.

Today is the last day of school. I will definitely miss this place. A part of me will always be here.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

The plan

Here's the plan:

As we are doing our final packing and getting rid of shtuff, we are flying out of Nome, via Anchorage, to Seattle on the night of the May 31st. Our car will be placed on the barge that dy and should roughly make it to Seattle in about 25 days, give or take depending on weather. With the breakup being early this year, it should be on time. We will stay with Amy's mother for the time, relaxing and visiting with all of the family in the area.

On the 26th of June, all four of us fly out to Illinois. If the barge come in after the 26th, Amy and I will fly back to Seattle, leaving the kids with my mother, to get the car and drive it back. If the car gets there before the 26th, I fly to Illinois with the kids and Amy and her mother will drive the car and meet us in Illinois. To be honest, I am hoping the car gets in after the 26th so that Amy and I can drive cross country together. That sounds like a ton of fun.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Baby Musk Ox






I climbed to the top of Anvil again Friday evening. It stays light here until after 1 am so I had plenty of sunshine. As I crested the hill to touch the Anvil one last time, a herd of musk ox was grazing at the top, complete with at least five babies. It was so neat to just sit at the top and watch them. I even heard one of the babies mooing like a cow.

Moose





To top it all off, last week, after almost two years of whining that I had never seen a wild moose before, I finally saw my moose! My family and I went for a walk last weekend and right on the side of Anvil Mountain was a cow and two calves. I was just so happy to finally see moose before we left Alaska. What timing!

Bear





Just in time, before we leave, I get to see an Alaskan bear. It was dead, but I still saw one. I think that is as close as I want to get anyway.

The hunter from our apartment building managed to bag a bear off of Glacier Creek, above the mine. A two-year-old female, about 5 and a half feet long. Look at those claws!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Single digits

That's right, less than 10 days until my family and I leave Nome for the Lower 48. We have enjoyed our time here; it is just time to go home. I haven't lived in Illinois since 1999. Just time to go home.

We have been so busy this last month. Top it all off with our home PC laptop failing on us--it simply refuses to boot up--and my school laptop flaking out on me. I had to go use a lab computer when I had to finish this semester stuff. And we are packing and preparing to move too. Blogging has not been the highest priority. I do miss it. I have so much liked just typing my thoughts and more. I was never able to keep a journal growing up so now I feel like I'm finally doing it.

I have to bring my camera in--I climbed Anvil Mountain again Friday night and as I crested the top I saw about a dozen musk ox and five of their new babies.

Four more days left of school. Nine more in Nome. Isn't this exciting? It is like opening up a new book about my life, here coming up. I have loved traveling. Nobody can ever take it away from me.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Movie rumors and leaks

The info on Halle Berry made me laugh so hard! This is snipped from an ATOMIC COMICS newsletter.


RADIATION LEAKS!

The Magneto spin-off movie took a sizable step forward as David S. Goyer signed on to direct (and probably re-write) the film. Magneto won't star Ian McKellen as the film is a prequel to the X-Men trilogy and will feature a 20-something Magneto hunting down Nazi war criminals--and probably a young Charles Xavier as well. Both Magneto and the Wolverine prequel are supposed to start shooting this winter.

Meanwhile, Halle Berry announced she won't be taking part in a Storm solo film, which raised the question among Fox executives and fans alike of what ever gave Berry the impression that there was any interest in doing a Storm solo film. On a related (non-)note, Berry also made it clear she wouldn't be starring in a sequel to critical and box office disaster Catwoman.

Reviews of the novelization of Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer are popping up and it seems the rumors are true. Galactus will appear as a giant storm cloud in the film. Readers also report the film will largely be a Jessica Alba vehicle with the other 75% of the FF playing bit roles and includes a scene in which Dr. Doom goes surfing. You can draw your own conclusions.

Midland

Midland Community Unit School District #7, Lacon, IL

From the meeting minutes, April 23, 2007:

"Motion was made by Colvin, seconded by Braun, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, approving the hiring of David Dellinger as night custodian at Midland Middle School, Candice Darling as a Severe & Profound aide at Midland Middle School, and Matthew Butcher as an English teacher at Midland High School. "