AUTO SERVICE

Yep, I thought. The car might be due for an oil change or tire rotation but some how I didn’t think I’d get it done here despite the services advertised.

The “AUTO SERVICE” sign notice was taped to the locked men’s room door of the local Carl’s burger joint.

I wonder if this phonetic spelling is the result of too much shorthand texting or too many social promotions in school.

Validation...

I am AWESOME!

Politicians and Geography

When politicians don't know basic geography of the topics they want to speak on, you wonder what else they failed in H.S.??

Writing Services...

“Dear KauaiMark,

I work for xyz company, a writing service company.
We (have)provide(d) students help in academic writing since 1997. Our clients include students and graduates of all major American and British colleges and we've been consistently rated by clients to be the best-performing company in the field.Our service has stood the test of time and we hope that that will allow us to work with you in the future. I have found your blog, and (i'm) curious if we can advertise at your blog.
Please let me know if you are interested, and (i) will send a proposal to you(.)"

Every once in a while I’ll get similar email requests to advertise a product or service via direct email. 

While I don’t normally respond to such requests I was curious just how an “essay writing service” advertises their product. From the capitalization and grammar corrections I noticed (and highlighted) in the original email, I'm not initially impressed.

The idea of others doing “essay writing” in exchange for goods and services isn’t new. Kids have been doing it for classmates for decades. It seems that the internet has turned it into a global business.

The following snippets are cut and paste from the companies website. 

The bolding emphasis is my not so subliminal comment on their service and abilities.

Web Site Main Page:

“We will do more then help you write it on time”

“…written from scratch because our team of essay writers knows the consequences and dangers that plagiarism can have on your academic career”

100% authentic papers

Your reputation is what we are working for

Advertising Testimonial:

"I was about to give up on my thesis until my friend told me about your service and his good experience. It was really timely advice with me in a real bind. I made some slight changes and my thesis was accepted! I am really happy I did not have to rewrite several times like most of my friends had to"

(…I guess this implies that his friends used a lesser quality service that required corrections before turning in a bogus thesis??)

Book Reports:

“…Your report will express the deep knowledge (...not yours)and give a thorough analysis on the book to provide a well-grounded conclusion.”

Research Papers:

“…recommended for the most complicated subjects, such as Aviation, Engineering etc” (OMG!!)

Plagiarism:

We are happy to provide you with a plagiarism scan that is available upon request. (…I bet it passes every time)

I wonder how much these guys would charge me to write funny and/or insightful blog posts about my substitute teaching experiences. It might be more interesting than the real thing!

Final Tally: 2009-2010

Another year in the books and the results are in.

For the 180 possible working school days for 2009/10 school year:
66 full working days
13 half days
----
79 days in school

Mr. Armstrong...

Ex-major league pitcher with blown arm substitute teaching...Funny video:



Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

FindOurSchool.com

I knew there were sites like http://www.ratemyteachers.com/, but I didn't know there were also school ratings sites.

This one is new and still under construction. Pretty cool if you are thinking of moving to a new area and want to take a peek at the local schools and neighborhoods in the area.

FindOurSchool.com.
Find Information on the best Brooklyn Schools

Breaks…

We’re in the last week of the 2009/10 school year and getting ready for the summer break. You may or may not have noticed but I haven’t written anything for the last couple weeks. That’s because I took a break from the blog and school to vacation ten days in Hawaii. Substitute teachers can do that with a simple call to enter a “period of unavailability” at any time for any reason.

The reason to vacation two weeks early was intended to beat the airlines at their own “un-fare” game. Claudette and I booked our flights to Hawaii before the predictable increase in air fares when the real teachers go on vacation.

The plan was working perfectly until we encountered a different kind of unexpected “break”.

Claudette fell off one of her “really cute new shoes” and broke her foot entering the hotel the day we arrived on Kauai. We still had a great time except for the “urgent care” facility visit.

Rotten break!