Need to share...

Ran across these recently:

http://www.tolkiencollector.com/bbaggins.mov

I can't explain it... really, really I can't. I'll just warn you that you may wish to dry clean your brain after watching it. Oh... and the sound quality is quite poor, so I'd advise cranking up the volume.

NEXT:

http://www.katsudon.org/ofic/awkoa-1.html

Gotta love that Witch-King.

"Kill them. That ought to get their attention" is going to be my new motto.

Quandry...

Today Myr brought home an application for the Delta Program... the school districts "Gifted and Talented" program. It is a "Parent namination" form. The first step to the Delta Program is to have the parents nominate their child.

NOW... keeping clear of the fact that I'm really not sure that Myr qualifies as Gifted and Talented, is it a good idea to use the parents as the leading edge of recruitement? How many parents push their kids into this sort of thing because they like the idea of their child being "gifted"? And what about parents who just don't know? Do kids get nominated in some other way?

As for Myr... I know she's bright, but I also know that she no where near that class of kids that push the top of the gifted and talented ranks. And I'm not sure I want her to be... I like my daughter being able to be "average" and having only to worry about those "average" problems. I've know too many "gifted" people who were so smart that they couldn't recognize common sense if it bit them.

If I nominate her and she doesn't get in, how will that make her feel?? I've also know too many GOOD SMART kids that never made it into the Delta program and they were always left feeling like they did quite measure up.. when, in many ways, they had it better then those who were in the program.

If I nominate her and she does get accepted then she will have to take an all day testing to see if she really qualifies. I mean, even if she does pass this stupid test, is it worth the stress to a 4th grader?

Doesn't she have enough problems to worry about with playground politices and learing how to read maps? DO you think the Delta program will help her when she has to figure out how to deal with peer pressure or how to be friends with people who are manipulative? Will it teach her any of the real things that are important: generousity of spirit, kindness, understanding and forgiveness? Or will it just teach her that a talent for math or an ability to acquire a large vocabulary mean you are a better person than those who can't?

ALL RIGHT. I know that school doesn't teach any of those things anyway.

Don't get me wrong here, I think the Delta prgram is a WONDERFUL thing and it is a lifesaver for those who are far and above everyone else in their grade. It the perfect thing for those who need the extra challenge. And I think the instructor running the Delta Program is an amazing teacher.

It may be just a case of "sour grapes" before I know if Myr is even qualified or not.

Still. I suppose I should talk to her about it before I decide anything, huh? I mean, she's the one who this affects the most...