Brattleboro students pan Collins Writing Program

Some students at Brattleboro Union High School are not happy with a writing program that has been introduced into the curriculum. The Collins Writing Program claims to improve student thinking and writing through five types of writing assignments that are measurable. Students at BUHS object to the format that, according to some, stifles creativity. A Facebook group has been created to bring attention to their concerns.

Weather trolls

In addition to the dry, objective perspective of NOAA and the pretty radar on Weather Underground, I like to browse to Accuweather.com for some hype, personality, and weather blogs. Apparently, however, there were some very nasty - even threatening - messages posted to meteorologist and blogger Henry Margusity in light of the recent non-snowstorm for the east coast (which, incidentally, hasn't even "not happened" yet at the time I write this post!). He was all set to take an extended break from blogging until his fans brought him back. Now I can understand that people love to talk about the weather, but to castigate and threaten a weatherman for the whims of the winds is just stupid. Trolls are everywhere.

BUHS band plays for Obama's inauguration

What a story my daughter, Megan, will have to tell for years to come. She played the euphonium for the Brattleboro Union High School band as they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue during the Presidential Inauguration Parade. Some links:

The band practicing in Brattleboro

NBC host Al Roker's impressions of sitting with the band

Screen shots of the band marching in D.C.

Story on the band's experience

Photos from D.C.

Birds and jets

Apparently a flock of birds took down a jet in New York City.  Everyone survived due to the skill and heroic efforts of the pilot, who landed the jet in the Hudson River.  But the engines suffered catastrophic failure.  How could this happen?  According to the article, jet engines are vigorously tested with real birds of all conceivable types (yeck).

In the physical tests, the engines are revved to full power inside a test facility and absorb various kinds of birds, from those the size of sparrows to those the size of herons, one at a time. (The birds are already dead.) The engines also ingest multiple birds meant to simulate a collision with a flock...

So could this flock have consisted of birds they hadn't tested? I wonder if they considered rubber chickens.

Buzz

Megan gave me a proper espresso cup for Christmas. Gee, it's tiny.

I think I'll use it as an appetizer for my regular cup.