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A somewhat random list of somewhat interesting things
A somewhat random list of somewhat interesting things
Check back for updates/additions
Check back for updates/additions
1. I rarely miss church on Sundays, even on vacation! I attend Calvary Chapel of East Anaheim.
2. I have voted in every election since I turned 18. I keep those "I Voted" flag stickers on the wall behind my ties at home.
3. I am very selective about the television I watch. TV has too much violence, sex, and foul language. The only violence on TV or in movies that I am willing to watch is found in westerns, war movies, and historical movies. Violence for violence's sake is just not something I enjoy or think appropriate.
4. I bought my first house in the fall of 2007, after 17 years of living and raising my 3 children in an apartment near downtown Anaheim. Recently (2021) I purchased a second home in Post Falls, Idaho as an investment and possible retirement location.
5. I have a BS in premedical biology from UCI and almost became a veterinarian.
6. I earned my Masters Degree in Political Science from CSUF, and as a result I have two credentials to teach - science and social studies.
7. While in college I jumped out of an airplane from 12,500 ft. - WOW! what a rush, but I wouldn't do it again.
8. I taught Science at BYMS for a year and a half before moving into the Social Studies dept. mid-year when another teacher left. That is why in 2010 began teaching some science again due to budget cuts at the time. I did that on and off for about 5 years, but have always had a schedule that was at least 50% Social Studies.
9. My wife and I met while working together at a grocery store in 1985. We became friends and then started dating. We married in Orange, CA in 1991 and have lived locally ever since.
10. We have three children, and all have come through BYMS over the years. Two have gone through Eldorado HS and one through Esperanza HS. All are out of college and have moved away from home at this time.
11. My whole family plays/has played music (wife - piano and violin, daughter - violin, oldest son - piano, trombone, and tuba, youngest son - guitar and percussion. I DO NOT. Poor me.
12. I rinse my nose out with salt water using a Waterpik machine every night. Sounds strange I know, but it's what keeps me from having a sinus infection 365 days a year.
13. I have worn a tie to work every day for 29 years of teaching with the exception of 1-2 days a school year.
14. I belong to a NOT so secret society/organization called the Gideons. Gideons are the ones who put Bibles in hotel rooms as well as hand them out in front of schools. The Gideons have handed out over 2.5 billion Bibles worldwide since 1910 and in this district we hand out approx. 2000 to students.
15. In Nov. 2010, I changed my status in the teachers union to "Agency Fee Payer". Until 2018, I received a yearly check for several hundred dollars to reimburse me for all the money the union spends on political activities. I am opposed to their political actions and how they spend/contribute the money they forcibly collect from each and every teacher in CA. Forcibly? Well, I did not have a choice as to whether I could join the union or not. If I did not join and pay dues I could not work as a teacher in CA. I pay my dues like everyone else, but then they give me approx. 40% back. Yes, 40% or $400 spent per teacher on CA politics. In 2019, I left the Union completely due to a US Supreme Court decision which made union membership optional. I am currently insured for liability by the Christian Educators Association.
16. I have celiac disease - I cannot eat wheat, rye, or barley. I get sick when I do and my body stops absorbing minerals, in particular iron. Visit the Celiac Foundation for more information or come talk to me if you have questions.
17. I am an "originalist" when it comes to understanding the Constitution of the US. This means that I find it necessary to understand the notes taken by delegates at the Constitutional Convention, as well as speeches, debates, newspaper articles, and even the dictionaries of the time in order to understand how the Constitution was understood by both the writers of the document and readers of it at that time (1780-1820). This is the logical starting place for understanding our government and how it should work. The alternative way of seeing the Constitution, "a living Constitution", is dangerous in my opinion. This method of understanding the Constitution involves a great amount of adding to the meaning of the document. It empowers judges to decide what it means and takes that power from "We the People".
18. I am a graduate of Servite High School (1986), and although I am no longer a Catholic, I hold no animosity towards Catholics or the Catholic Church.
19. My youngest son entered the Marines in August of 2019. I am extremely proud of his service. He is currently a Corporal and is stationed at Camp Pendleton.
20. My daughter lives in Post Falls, Idaho and works as a bailiff in the local county courthouse.
21. My oldest son lives locally and is a semi-professional musician (trombone). he has been substituting in the school district. His favorite class to work in is of course band.
22. About a year after I married my wife, she learned how to cut men's hair. Since then she has been cutting mine every month.
23. My wife works at Wagner Elementary and currently teaches 4th grade. In 2020 she converted her room into a Jedi Academy and has had it that way since. Students earn points through good work/behavior and those add up to eventually destroy the Death Star.
24. I graduated from Servite High School in Anaheim, CA in 1986. Servite is an all-boy school run by Catholic monks. It still operates today with approximately 1000 students.
My movie picks
My movie picks
These are movies I have enjoyed and have found to be encouraging, inspiring bravery, courage, honor, integrity, and patriotism. They are in no particular order. Check back for updates.
Caution: Some of these movies are not rated due to how long ago they were produced, and others are rated "R" due to their content. It should be noted that I rarely watch "R" rated movies nor do i recommend that children do so. Those that I have watched are historically significant and to be ignorant of history is to forever remain a child (see the Home page).
1. Passion of the Christ – Mel Gibson does a wonderful job of depicting the last 12 hours of Christ’s life. This movie can be graphic. Not recommended for those under 13.
2. The Patriot – Mel Gibson stars as a southern plantation owner who enters the American Revolution when he recognizes that sometimes a man has no choice but to fight to defend his life, liberty, and property.
3. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington – Jimmy Stewart stars as a nobody in Washington who stands up to a political machine. It's all about integrity and bravery. I love underdog movies.
4. Yankee Doodle – James Cagney stars in a musical about James Cohen, the Irish-American who had “more American Spirit in his little finger than most people have in their whole body”. he was the author of many historically memorable patriotic tunes.
5. Shane – A cowboy movie full of a lot of the little guy standing up to the big ones for the right reason. The little guy wins again!
6. Saving Private Ryan - I am convinced that only the men who landed on the beaches of Normandy understood what it was like – this movie comes as close as most of us will ever get or want to get.
7. Lawrence of Arabia – The classic tale of T.H. Lawrence, a British soldier in WWI who lead a coalition of Arab Nations to victory over those supported by Italy and Germany. As a result, the Middle East was divided among various European nations. This explains a lot of that regions animosity toward Europe.
8. The Searchers – John Wayne in the classic tale of Texas cowboys searching for a young woman captured by Indians in early Texas.
9. Treasure of Sierra Madre – Humphrey Bogart stars in this tale of Americans in Mexico looking for gold. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and this movie shows us again that the lust for riches always has consequences.
10. Cinderella Man – Russel Crowe stars as boxer James Braddock who becomes champion, during the Great Depression. This movie does a great job of showing that determination and love can take one along way.
11. Band of Brothers – Follow E-Company into WWII from boot camp to the fall of Berlin. This movie does an incredible job. You will see WWII from every angle and also hear from the actual soldiers who were in E-Company (Army Airborne) at the end of each segment.
12. High Noon – Gary Cooper is one man who won’t let the bad guys take over his town, even if he has to defend it at Noon, alone.
13. Manchurian Candidate – Frank Sinatra stars as a Korean War vet who discovers that the Chinese have masterminded a devious plot to destroy America from within. Is that even possible? Abraham Lincoln said it well. he thought the only way the US would be defeated was from what he called "national suicide".
14. Brave Heart – Mel Gibson is William Wallace, the Scottish peasant who leads the Scots against the British in the 13th century. Wallace unites the clans against unimaginable odds to defend the Scottish people natural rights.
15. Master and Commander – Not a historically accurate movie in terms of the battle between these two ships, but an incredibly accurate movie when it comes to 19th Century naval warfare.
16. We Were Soldiers – A powerful depiction of one of the first battle in Vietnam – understand why these early soldiers went there and why they fought – because “they were soldiers” and they were sent there to do a job.
17. Grapes of Wrath – A moving story of life during the Great Depression. It’s amazing that families held themselves together as they did. Most people couldn’t imagine life like that in this country.
18. 12 Angry Men – 12 men attempt to rush through a trial for racial reasons. One man stands up against them all. The entire movie takes place in the courtroom/jury room.
19. On the Water Front - A look into the tactics and underworld aspects of labor unions in the 1950's.
This flag is of historical significance. 1st, it is the 1st flag of the Marine Corps, during the American Revolution. 2nd, it is symbolic of a unique attitude of many Americans, that tyranny exists when government begins to affect your day to day existence. HOW? There is a book by Alan Dershowitz called "3 Felonies a Day". It explains that our country has become so heavy with regulations and laws that the average citizen can't help but commit crimes daily, often without knowing it. That is a problem.
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