Stuff, Things, etc.: Mondays thoughts & unpopular opinions & memes

I posted on instagram about how unsure I've felt about our co-op situation and I've been waffling a lot on it and don't believe we'll be doing it next semester. They meet on Friday mornings so, by Thursday, I'm overwhelmed by the idea of attending and Friday is a complete unproductive wash because of it. I don't want to do anything else or accomplish anything else and it's a really terrible way to set myself up for success for the weekend. It's actually worse than it used to be going to work on Friday (because at least that was part of the routine, if that makes sense). This is just an intrusive commitment that jumbles up the end of the week. It's why I haven't mustered up the energy to write Friday posts for last two weeks. The last two Fridays have also been 87 degrees and .... that's enough to make anyone take to their bed.

This is me on Thursday nights right now:

Scott bought Wells a terrarium from someone he works with. This person makes them to sell. You never ever take the cork out and the light is set to be on for 8 hours a day. It has these little worms in it that eat the mold that develops from the moisture? It's like a rainforest in a fishbowl and this one has George Washington slaying a dinosaur in it. I told Scott this will really mess up Wells' understanding of history.

Unpopular opinions:

I think spending all your time on youth sports isn't good for anyone.

I played youth sports. I played rec leagues, mostly, because that's all we had in the 90s, but I don't even think it's about church attendance. It's about the sheer time commitment to parents and the over-scheduling of children. I know many love it but also, once you're so far in, you can't just quit; you're committed.

Guess what kids do for hours every day in their classroom? They play on devices. Wells would literally start his day on a Chromebook at 7:30am, with a piece of candy in hand for completing his homework. This is *encouraged* in schools because administration is always impressed by the "use of technology" and parents see "1:1" and assume the school is "on top of things and keeping up with the times".

I don’t think attending Share the Arrows seems even a little bit worth the effort.

Reasons include:

Dallas is far.

It’s one day.

I’ve been to enough PD and conferences to know sitting in a chair all day is boring and uncomfortable.

It’s hot in Texas right now.

It’s one day.

I have listened to these speakers now or in the past and I know exactly what their POVs and speeches will be. You're not going to get anything from this that you couldn't get from their Youtube channels.

I don’t like Taylor Dukes and don’t buy into her kool-aid.

It’s ONE day.

It should at least be a 2-3 day event with things to do, breakout sessions, local meet-ups, whatever.

Merch should be included in the price of admission.

I’m not contesting that it takes a lot of money to put on a conference. I’m saying that for one day, hundreds to thousands of dollars for a ticket plus airfare and hotel stays isn’t worth it. It doesn’t contain new or groundbreaking information. I know what Allie Stuckey is going to say. I know what Katy Faust is going to say. I know what Abbie Halberstadt's message is. Same with Alisa Childers. I've read their books!

I get that it’s about fellowship but it’s really hard to have fellowship with strangers when you spend exactly 8 hrs (or less) together and then fly back to your homes in opposite states.

Prove me wrong here:

It’s Allie Stuckey building her brand and that’s it. I’m not saying she can’t do that. I’m just saying…*gestures wildly at all that up there*

THAT BEING SAID, go watch ABS's Surrounded debate that came out yesterday. Absolutely killing it in speaking Truth using love and decency.