Training Log Archive: barb

Things are feeling rather perfect storm-y with a bunch of current projects piling on. Working full time and parenting are the background. Then there's the junior high orienteering field trip (lecturing tomorrow; have to prep the maps and homework tonight for 20 different courses; field trip 9/24; parents gather to prep on 9/21). The 5th grade at G&P wants to do an O field trip in late September. The 5th grade at Morse school starts with a parent meeting 9/23. NEOC board meeting is 9/22; bunch of stuff to do for that, *and*, it conflicts with the G&P jr high parent meeting at which I was going to talk and answer questions about the orienteering project. I'm organizing a huge neighborhood yard sale and block party for Saturday 9/25. Supposed to put out a Grape Hero (neighborhood newsletter) this week. Oh, and tonight is the City Council meeting where I plan to speak up on behalf of chickens. Public speaking makes me very nervous. October should be a breeze once I get through September.

work commute plus errands

Worked on the orienteering homework and powerpoint presentation.

At Pawtuckaway, trails

Orange course. David & Izzy were both doing a course at the same time. I managed to stay behind them. Isabel's first solo orange.

Altered the jr high O courses slightly on OCAD, so that we have a different finish. Wrote down the lengths as a prelude to assigning teams.

Nice conversations with Jeff Saeger, Ross Smith, Judy K, Deb H, Ian, Valerie, and David Gibbs this weekend.

Ross agreed to pay a royal visit to the school if the kids get enough points on their outing. It's tough b/c Ross works full time so he'd have to race over on his lunch hour.

I want to collect opinions/wisdom from Jeff, JJ, Tim P and others on specific NEOC maps, including potential places to hold an A meet. I need to write it down b/c I can't hold it in my head, at all. I realize I'm not the map person but as Board member I want to get this summarized so as to help with making decisions.

What happened with the Italian mapper we had found?

Event: UNO Pawtuckaway Camping Weekend
 

Recent reading:
A bit of "Animal Liberation"
"American Widow" by Alissa Torres, 9/11 widow
"The Primal Teen" by Barbara Strauch. Useful. Teen brains are still growing huge swaths of neurons, and then pruning them back - clearly still developing in specific areas. They need adults to help them make good/safe choices. And they need more sleep.
...
So PSYCHED!: on my way to Isabel's first soccer game. She got onto the hot, division 2, team - competition will be fierce. Her teammates have mad skillz (and include some girls who are on club teams), and the games are going to be highly watchable.

Wicket Hahd Night-O with Dave.

to school for meeting with teachers about orienteering unit; work; home later.

Junior High O: Meeting with teachers and chaperone coordinator. Also touched base with school nurse and principal.
Reviewed the homework which the teachers will be introducing and guiding.
Reviewed the other sessions to take place in their classrooms. There are 4 major sessions: (1) my lecture, (2) assigning and starting the route-planning homework, (3) teams reviewing and optimizing routes, (4) teamwork (e.g. role play how to deal with problem).
Reviewed the field trip itself. Key issues include how to make the initial arrival and entry into the woods more efficient, whether the kid in the wheelchair will be coming and how to accommodate him, how to handle the kids when they finish, and changes to the "map walk" in the beginning.
Kids who go to NEOC's NOD events will get extra credit for their teams.

The latest exciting news is that Katia & Giovanni have a new camper van! And they're bringing it to Pawtuckaway!

C • free tours available to sightseeing the inside! 1

OK, I ordered 12 of Karen's posters printed by zazzle, at about $19 each + shipping. My plan is to put them up in the 4 jr high classrooms, and the 5th grade classroom. And then use the rest for prizes for the best teams. Or allow them to buy them with their tickets that they earn.

I was thinking maybe I could get Ross (Samantha would also be SO ideal but she is working whenever my kids are at school) to come to school and hand out the ice cream prize for the kids doing such a great job. Then they could meet the guy on the poster...

Am meeting tomorrow with the teachers to find out how they're planning to pay for the bus.

C • Team Ross + Sam 1

Prep for jr high O. Includes ordering some of Karen's posters, sending email soliciting chaperones, communicating with the chaperone organizer, prepping for meeting with teachers.

So I guess I'm probably going to DC for that rally on October 2nd, because my ex-mother-in-law is going and it would be fun to hang out with her and it's an opportunity to have the kids see her... Anyway, that means I have to get from the rally at 4pm in DC to the Hudson Highlander that starts the following morning at what, 9am?

Do I fly back to Boston Sat evening?

Is there some way to get from NY airport to Highlander Sat evening or Sun morning?

Is there some other option that gets me up to NY from DC, like train + a friend?

Dave will be coming down from Boston so if I can get to the Highlander somehow then I can drive back with him.

C • transportation 5

work commute