The Walkers

There is absolutely no way to say this without sounding like a huge, obsessive, English nerd, JERK…. But I’m sorry. I can’t help it. If I get one more Christmas present/card/letter/friendly hallow addressed to “ THE WALKER’S ” there is going to be Hell to pay. “The Walker’s” (with an apostrophe) shows possession. So I ask, to whom/what are you addressing said gift….The Walker’s what ? The Walker’s mailbox? The Walker’s doorstep? The Walker’s Christmas tree? And who is this elusive (singular) Walker? Is it the Texas Ranger? Because if you’re intending to address something to both Brad and Michelle, you would need to put the apostrophe in the plural form so we’re both represented, i.e.: The Walkers’ …However, the question still arises: “The Walkers’ what ?” We’re still dabbling in the confusing plural possessive apostrophe usage. So please, next time you address a gift to “The Walkers,” “The Smiths,” or “The Joneses” (I know, it looks funny but it’s right), don’t misuse the apostrophe. I...

Okay... so many of you know that I was coerced, through a combination of an overactive conscience and a couple extra "K's" in my paycheck, into being the Speech and Debate Advisor at my school this year. Why would they ask me? You wonder. I wonder too. You may also wonder if I know the first thing about Speech and Debate. The answer is no. But they were desperate, and I can't say no. (I guess I need to learn how to defend myself... or debate .) Anyway, last weekend we competed in our second tournament of the year, in Layton. (The above picture is the common area at Northridge High; this was where my students played Halo in-between events.) It was a huge two-day event, and we stayed overnight at a ghetto hotel and everything. I was really worried about chaperoning rambunctious teenagers with raging hormones OVERNIGHT... but surprisingly, things went really well. (Thanks to Becca and Brett!!) True Story: assuming they would be up to no good, I was checking on them every...