Carrie's little world

Who knew a movie theater outing would cause so much controversy?  Who knew people would feel the need to create new accounts just to comment on it?  Who knew that people would find the need to tell other people the "correct" way to parent their children.  There are bigger problems in my world and the world in general and I don't need to be worrying about what a bunch of strangers think.  Now that I have that off my chest, I feel better.  I hope you do.  I'm over it.  Lesson learned.  I have been reminded why I stopped posting on here.  Moving on...

Well, the 75 HOV lane is finally open and I have managed to use it a few times in the last couple of days. Just wanted to share my experience and offer my opinion...

Dec 21 (Fri) 6:40AM
My carpool buddy and I hopped on 75 as usual in McKinney and were very excited about getting to use the HOV lane. We entered the lane in Allen and even though traffic was very light, we still felt good just being in the lane. We saw no one in the lane in front of us and no one behind us... the whole way down into Dallas. I didn't expect that! The only thing that bothered me was the fact that we had to get off the highway completely and get back on at about Midpark road. Whose idea was that? Why can't we just enter back onto 75? It wasn't a huge hassle, but I can see it being a problem when there is more traffic. We got to work at about 7:15... the HOV lane saved us about 10 - 15 minutes. I'm sure it will save us more when there is more traffic.

Dec 22 (Sat) 8AM
My husband and I used the HOV lane while traveling to visit a friend in the hospital. This time we were trying to go from 75S to 635W. Still had to get off and back on the highway. No big deal. Traffic wasn't bad. Again, no one else in the lane with us.
Dec 22 7PM
We are on our way back home, so trying to go from 635E to 75N. Apparently there is a way to get onto the 75 HOV lane from the far left side of 635, but it was not well labeled and we missed it. Got onto 75N and had to wait until Plano to get in the HOV lane. We did see two cars in the HOV lane passing us at about 90mph in Richardson, so I was glad we weren't over there yet. Those are the kind of people who would probably be riding so close to our bumper that we wouldn't be able to see their headlights and we all know how safe that is! By the time we got on, there was no one in the lane in front or behind us as far as we could see.

In summary, my opinion is that the lane seems to be working, but there are some snags at the 75/635 interchange that could confuse some people. Part of me hopes that more people use the HOV lane so that it isn't considered a waste, but the other part of me hopes that they stay away so that it will be lighter traffic for me. (I know, selfish of me, but it's the truth!)

Happy holidays everyone!

PS:  I still have yet to determine whether or not the lane was worth all of the traffic headaches the creation of it has caused me!  On Fri the 14th those CONES LEFT IN THE LANES AFTER CONSTRUCTION FINISHED... in 5 o'clock traffic... on a Friday... in the rain... it took 2 and a half hours to get home.  This past week has been a traffic nightmare for things like washing those stupid poles that separate the lane from the rest of the road.  I know it has to be done, but do you have to block off a lane of traffic in rush hour for miles and miles to do it?  If you are just washing them, can't that be done... I dunno... AT NIGHT... when there's less traffic???

Sheesh.  Now I sound all negative.  Sorry for letting off a little steam!

Just wondering if anyone knows of an actual date for the I75 HOV lane to be open.  I carpool from McKinney to Dallas 3 days a week (drive the other two solo) and it sure would be nice to be able to use that lane... 

 

Last report I heard was "November 2007".  Well, I know it's only the 2nd of November, but I can't remember the last time I saw anyone working on the lane.  Any clues from anyone in the know? 

Does anyone know why WT White and T Jefferson high schools are on lockdown???  I can't find anything about it on the news websites, but a former student just emailed me and asked if I knew anything...

I am just wondering if anyone can tell me how many days straight we've had rain right now.  I don't mean just at DFW, because we all know some of these storms are pretty spotty.  I mean how many days in a row has there been rain in the Fox 4 viewing area?  Anyone?

Thank you for running the story about the "5 corners" Where Jack Lowe and Sam Tasby schools let out.  As a teacher here, I have noticed the problem since the first day of school.  You are right when you say that it is not just the students running out in the middle of the road.  I have seen many parents do it, too.  We have been very lucky not to have any accidents here this school year.  

 When looking at the problem, there is not much that can be done except making everyone aware of it.  We talk to our students about the proper way to cross the streets, but they don't always listen.  It is going to take parents, students, and drivers all becoming more aware of the problem to fix it. 

 To anyone who ever drives through a school zone:

 Please be careful and aware of what is going on around you!

 When you are in a school zone, you should not only slow down, but stop doing anything but driving.  Put away the cell phones, breakfast sandwiches, and lipstick and focus on what's going on around you.  It may be the student's fault for running out in front of you, but I know that wouldn't make me feel any better if I hurt a student while driving!



 

I am just wondering how many people actually see the Dallas skyline from 2AM to 6AM.  There is a proposal to turn out the lights during these hours to conserve energy.  I like the way the skyline looks at night, but I can honestly say that I have never seen it after 2AM.  Am I alone here?  

I am all for requiring K-8 students to have 30 minutes of physical activity per day... if they have a proposed way to fund it.  "What?" you may ask.  "That's what gyms and PE teachers are there for!"  Right, but if you walk through a typical school today, you will see how crowded it is.  As an example, the school where I teach (6-8 grade) has over 1,000 students in it.  There is one gym.  It is already divided in half for boy's gym and girl's gym classes.  So... two PE teachers with 1,000 students... 6 classes a day.  That means each PE class will have over 80 students in it.  Have you ever tried to keep your eye on 80 students who are being physically active?  Would you want your child to be in this class? 

"Okay, so hire more PE teachers."  Good idea, but where should be put them?  This is why I say that while this idea has the students' best interest at heart, there is going to have to be some serious funding to back it.  Many schools just do not have the space or resources to provide this for their students.

 Anyone have any suggestions? 

We officially have hail in Richardson in case anyone is interested!  I will try to get some pics up...

Let's see how long it takes...for someone to hijack this post and make it about legalizing pot.

TAKs testing is coming up in just 8 short school days for Dallas ISD. (We have Friday and Monday off) have you asked your student how they are feeling about the test? Have you talked to your student at all? It's not just up to the teachers! If you know a student who will be taking the TAKs, encourage them to do their best. Let them know that you have confidence in them. It does make a difference!

So I thought I would open my big mouth about Dallas ISD's policy on cheez.  Yes, I know I spelled it with a "z" because that is how the kids who are using it spell it.  I heard on GoodDay this morning that Dallas ISD is not punishing students who are caught with the drug if they admit that they are addicted and seek treatment.  Where does this policy end?  How much cheez can you bring to school and still seek treatment?  Is this just for the users or the pushers as well?  As a North Dallas middle school teacher, I have seen first hand what this drug can do to a student and it's not pretty.  What do you think?  Do you think that DISD's policy is good or bad?  Where do you think the limits should be drawn?  Should there be an age limit?  Should there be a limit to the ammount you can be caught with and still get this opportunity?  

I teach at a school close to Park and Greenville (Dallas, not Plano).  Trying to determine if I should have rehearsal after school or not for our play.  School gets out at 3:39 and rehearsal is until 5:00.  A lot of my students walk home.  Would it be best to send them home, hoping they can beat the storm or hold them here and wait it out?  I need timing details about when the storm will be here!

So, right about now is when I have tuned out every season since season 1.  Sorry, but it's just boring.  America votes for who they feel sorry for or the prettiest or cutest or whatever.  It is no longer a talent contest.  Some very good people have been cut already and some not-so-great people are still in the running.  Right about now, the performances start to blur together and the same people who have been awesome from the beginning will continue to be awesome.  The people who have been so-so will continue to be so.  randy will continue to say that the contestents are "alright, but it wasn't your best performance.  There were some pitch problems, dawg."  Paula will continue to tell the contestents how good they look, and Simon will continue to try to convince Americal to vote for the right ones, even though they won't.  The process is way too long and drawn out.  They should really consider cutting 2 people per week... oh, wait.  That would mean less money. 

 Oh, and look for a "favorite" (maybe LaKisha or Blake) to be cut in the next couple of weeks because "America thought they were safe and didn't vote for them."

Maybe I will tune back in when it gets down to 2 or 3 contestents.  Maybe I will just hear about it on the news.  At this point, I am no longer "invested" in the series. 

Nice idea to not have a story about these two this morning... however, wasn't it counterproductive to mention that you weren't reporting on them at every commercial break?  

I just checked my TV listing tonight... no "House" tonght?  Noooooooo!  We just started watching it when American Idol started this season.  I really like that show.  Does anyone know if this is a one-week-only bump or is AI going to be 2 hours for a while?