tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:13:58 +0000unklar teaching educationhttp://mrdunk.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-3253489352991773320Fri, 20 Dec 2013 23:22:00 +00002013-12-20T17:22:17.957-06:00I did some shopping today at Target. So that my wife would not see the payment on our joint account, I wrote a check off of an investment account I have. Imagine my surprise and embarrassment when the clerk said my check was not accepted by the Target system. I went ahead and paid with my debit card so as to not anger the customers behind me in line. The clerk handed me a piece of paper with a http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/12/target-certegy-and-catch-22.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-543906546309291004Tue, 26 Nov 2013 23:26:00 +00002013-11-26T17:31:05.462-06:00Just in time for your shopping convenience (and to ensure that my gifts arrive on time for Christmas), I hereby provide my annual Hammacher Schlemmer wish-list. #10 The One-Year Smartphone Battery Backup for $49.95 #9  The Call Me Gloves for $79.95 #8  The Inductive iPad Charging System for $349.95 #7  Pen-Sized Scanner  for $124.95 #6  The Best http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/11/my-2013-hammacher-schlemmer-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-8473490169881291232Mon, 18 Nov 2013 23:17:00 +00002013-11-18T17:43:31.163-06:00The State of Texas hath determined and decreed that license plates shall be replaced every seven years. So, today was a sad day for me as I had to replace the original license plates I got with my F150 in Deceember 2006.  The new plates have seven-digit letter/number possibilities while the old plates had only six-digit combinations. The new plates are pretty boring, just black and white,http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/11/license-plates-out-with-old-in-with-new.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-692166772469758764Sun, 17 Nov 2013 15:16:00 +00002013-11-17T09:16:38.011-06:00I have fond memories from my childhood (I think I was seven years old when the Dome was opened for business) when we all piled into our car and drove to the brand-new Houston Astrodome, the Eighth Wonder of the World,  from Brookshire for a tour. The tour was amazing, the Dome amenities were state-of-the-art, and I was overwhelmed that people could build such a fantastic building.  I http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/11/my-astrodome-solution.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-4314875639920398087Tue, 05 Nov 2013 01:09:00 +00002013-11-04T19:09:50.066-06:00My wife flew to LA via LAX on October 27th to attend a conference. I flew out on Thursday so we could have a long weekend get-away in Laguna Beach at Casa Laguna Inn and Spa. I flew into LAX Terminal 1 on Southwest Airlines on Halloween. Since I decided not to check any luggage, I quickly and easily made my way to my wife who was waiting for me with a rental car. My impression of LAX at this http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/11/what-lax-lacks-my-terminal-1-departure.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-8501406126553048672Sun, 20 Oct 2013 18:43:00 +00002013-10-20T13:43:26.463-05:00At the recommendation of twitter-friend Justen Eason (@MisterEason), I read the following blog post by Gary Rubinstein (@garyrubinstein): The Death of math. Justen issued the "What say you?" challenge, so here is my response (it will probably make more sense if you read Gary's blog post first). Gary says, "Few people love Mathematics more than I do." I feel the same way about science and http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-death-of-math-my-response-to-gary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-2109767701116741873Tue, 01 Oct 2013 20:52:00 +00002013-10-01T15:52:10.708-05:00Just installed the mobile blogger app on my smartphone. Just a post to test it out. http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/10/mobile-blogging.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-968460635685257693Tue, 24 Sep 2013 23:36:00 +00002013-09-24T18:36:55.220-05:00On the way to work this morning, I was listening to 106.9/107.5 The Eagle, Houston's Classic Hits Station.  I am driving my daughter's Chevy truck for a while and she does not have Sirius/XM radio like my Ford truck does, so I am forced to endure the inane drivel that is morning drive-time FM radio. An old Pink Floyd song, "Comfortably Numb," came on, and it really caught my attention and http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/09/comfortably-numb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-6759649115973071205Tue, 06 Aug 2013 23:15:00 +00002013-08-06T18:19:41.848-05:00Currently, I'm reading "Finding Your Element:  How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life" by Ken Robinson, with Lou Aronica. I've read the first chapter so far, and I'm impressed with what I've read. I already have some ideas for teacher professional development, coaching, and mentoring. One of the ideas discussed in the book is called "automatic writing."  Not http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/08/automatic-writing-thinking-about-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-6774158346114702185Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:28:00 +00002013-07-19T10:28:38.915-05:00A Stroll Through My Wife's Flower Gardens 7-18-2013 on PhotoPeach http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/07/tour-of-wifes-flower-gardens-7-18-2013.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-3934182714412649586Sat, 08 Jun 2013 14:00:00 +00002013-06-08T09:00:44.706-05:00last day for teachers; you could see the stress erase; and the buildings sighed http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/06/last-day-for-teachers-haiku.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-5494784971379247351Fri, 07 Jun 2013 22:33:00 +00002013-06-07T17:33:41.591-05:00We were very thankful for the rain last night. We were happy that we did not receive any hail. The lightning show was fantastic. We did, however, have one casualty: Just as the storm was approaching the Dunk Ranch, there was a pretty violent gust of wind. I didn't realize that the windmill had fallen over until I walked around the house a little while later. The wooden derrick part of the http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/06/windmill-down.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-2301947003560116394Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:13:00 +00002013-01-31T19:16:32.138-06:00I've been inspired by the upcoming TCEA conference and the traveling south of Dean Shareski to rewrite Little Texas' hit song, "God Blessed Texas." (I hope they don't sue) Here's a youtube of the original song and lyrics: And here are my lyrics: Paul Wood’s Lexus, by Dean Shareski (to the tune of God Blessed Texas, by Little Texas) I’ve seen a lot of places, I’ve been around the world.http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/01/new-song-paul-woods-lexus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-2080313667887130630Sun, 27 Jan 2013 22:22:00 +00002013-01-27T16:22:08.824-06:00I haven't used voicethread in a while, so I thought I'd dust it off and give it another chance. I want to use this in a future training with teachers as a collaboration tool.  Feel free to comment. Thanks. http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2013/01/playing-around-with-voicethread.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-8935721077375648088Sun, 02 Dec 2012 23:00:00 +00002012-12-02T17:59:20.263-06:00For those of you who are having a difficult time figuring out what to get me for Christmas this year, I humbly publish this helpful list for your use. Please coordinate with others so I do not have to be bothered with returning duplicate gifts. Thank you in advance! Remote Control Tarantula $29.95 Indoor Flameless Marshmallow Roaster $69.96 Folding Electric Bicycle $2,000.00 Flying Car $http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-2012-hammacher-schlemmer-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-2098826635695722766Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:21:00 +00002012-11-19T08:21:10.416-06:00 I had an interesting dream last night, and I want to share it because it left me with such a feeling of peace, comfort, and acceptance. In the dream, dad's brother, Leonard, and his wife, Leona, came for a visit. Leonard and Leona both passed away years ago. They visited with dad for a while, but I was not privy to their visit or discussion. After they left, dad came out of the room and he had http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/11/update-on-dad-via-dream.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-3888680858222100247Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:40:00 +00002012-08-27T17:42:18.519-05:00I'm going to continue the tradition, started by my dad with his '84 GMC, of putting lots of bumper stickers on the tail gate of my truck. Here are a few to get me started (yes, I'm going to put them all on at one time): thank you, zazzle!http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-new-bumper-stickers-are-here-new.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-25464613147449944Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:17:00 +00002012-08-27T17:17:58.549-05:00This morning my truck went from this: to this: I hope the old Ford F150 has a lot more miles in her! Only took me five years and eight months to get there!http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/08/on-turning-100000.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-2408775524320201294Fri, 20 Jul 2012 23:41:00 +00002012-07-20T18:46:40.299-05:00I've been mowing pastures for the past couple of days. I'm so happy that we are no longer in drought, but I'm back to mowing. A lot. Yesterday and today, I noticed a mockingbird hanging around my tractor. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/images/birds/northern_mockingbird1_small.jpg I thought this was rather odd because it is widely known here in Texas that mockingbirds prefer Kuboda http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/07/of-mockingbirds-and-tractors.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-6176950001276336972Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:36:00 +00002012-07-18T15:36:45.444-05:00 Well, it's official! I will be changing jobs for the next school year and will be leaving the classroom for the first time in nine years! I will be moving to my district's Technology Department to become an Education Technology Specialist on August 13th.  I had fully intended to teach in PISD's GT Academy for at least one more year, but when I saw the Ed Tech Specialist position posted a http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/07/time-to-let-cat-out-of-bag.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-7624056354545024538Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:40:00 +00002012-07-13T12:40:48.849-05:00Last year, I took this picture of our pond during the Texas drought: Almost a year later, here is a picture of the same spot: What a difference a year makes!http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-difference-year-makes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-1824760689083627936Sun, 17 Jun 2012 23:53:00 +00002012-06-17T18:53:54.619-05:00I just finished reading "Invasion: Alaska" by Vaughn Heppner.  It's a great book set in the year 2032. I really liked Heppner's ideas about future weaponry. I was impressed with the detail. This is of special interest to me since I coach Future Problem Solvers. The book would make a great case study for the students. I appreciate Heppner's efforts to keep the book "clean." I contacted him http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/06/invasion-alaska-i-read-book.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-4062100445899910740Mon, 04 Jun 2012 21:08:00 +00002012-06-04T16:24:55.392-05:00While I was out running errands today, I decided to drive by NASA JSC and Space Center Houston to see if I could catch a glimpse of Space Shuttle replica that Houston received over the weekend. I saw the tail of the shuttle from NASA Parkway, so I u-turned and went north on Saturn Lane. There poking out through a grove of trees was the space shuttle, right across the street from the Saturn V andhttp://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/06/welcome-to-houston-space-shuttle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-3478306800251936724Mon, 28 May 2012 15:28:00 +00002012-05-28T10:28:54.556-05:00I hope you all have a chance to do something meaningful today to honor those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and the freedom of people around the world. One of my earliest memories of Memorial Day was while visiting my grandparents in Winchester TX. The were life-long members of St Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church. LCMS. My parents were married in that http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/05/decoration-day-and-buddy-poppies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4374261761280616283.post-9004837525548145658Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:11:00 +00002012-03-31T18:11:51.598-05:00The new coop is complete! It's much smaller than I imagined, but should be perfect for 2 or 3 hens to get us started. Here's the video tour of the outside (excuse the audio. it was windy, yo!): Here's a picture of the completed coop. Looks a lot like the picture online! Here's a picture in the screened yard looking at the ladder and up into the roost and nest area: Here's  a picture of http://mrdunk.blogspot.com/2012/03/chicken-coop-chronicles-coop-is-built.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0