Read Along with Oprah

I picked up Frey's A Million Little Pieces at Target and have been reading it quickly. While it's not a scared straight book, it does have it's fair share of horror. Early in the book, Frey has extensive dental work, including a double root canal, done with NO ANAESTHESIA. (Because his addiction to substances is so strong there's no way the dentist can give him novacaine.) Later, when he tries to leave the facility to go and get high, another patient asks him, if you can stand a double root canal with no painkillers, then why can't you stay in the facility long enough to complete the program?

However, one does get the impression that a certain amount of the book is fiction. One or two of the characters seems at least partly fabricated, IMHO.

Kids in the Land of Oz

Kids in the Land of Oz 7
Originally uploaded by scottjbaxter.

Tonight Michal was in his first play -- Kids in the Land of Oz. Here he is posing with the director after the play.

Everything went very well and Michal was glad to be part of the production.

Job Ad

Came across this one. I'm not planning on applying, but the last two words did catch my eye. Check out their website.

Deep Springs College offers one-semester visiting appointments in any discipline within the humanities during 2006-2007. Successful candidates will teach 1-2 self-designed courses within the area of his or her expertise.
One of the most academically selective colleges in the country, Deep Springs educates 26 students (SAT's average 1500), all of whom receive full scholarships. Located in an isolated California desert valley, the college emphasizes preparation for a life of service to humanity through a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, student body self-governance, and ranch labor.

Birthday Party

Piece of Birthday Cake
Originally uploaded by scottjbaxter.

On Sunday we went to a skating birthday party for Michal's kindergarden friend, Anielka. One of the great advantages of having a party at a skating rink is that there's built-in entertainment for the kids and THEY clean up after, not you.

Family Picture

Family Picture
Originally uploaded by scottjbaxter.

My parents visited this weekend, and I took the opportunity to get a family picture with them and Osusia in it.

Job Search Progress

I've sent out about fifty applications for academic jobs thus far this year. Yesterday I got an email from one school who said they want to interview me. Apparently, they want to fly me there for the interview. Still early in the job search season, so it's hard to say what might happen later.

Class Picture

English 106 Fall 05 Class Picture
Originally uploaded by scottjbaxter.

Got a Pretty decent picture of my class today. It was cloudy just before I set up the tripod, which makes for good light as far as pictures are concerned. Unfortunately, the sun came out of the clouds just when I was ready. Still, I think it's pretty decent.

Walk in Happy Hollow Park

Family Picture in Happy Hollow Park
Originally uploaded by scottjbaxter.

On Saturday we went for a walk in Happy Hollow park. I brought my camera and tripod. This is the first picture I managed to take using the tripod and timer on the camera so I could get the whole family in the picture including me.