BrassineFamily.com

What a difference a month makes in all facets of life, be it your career, politics, pets, friends and a certain rapidly growing little girl. Since my last post here at our family blog, I have been very busy with life in general – busy sending out resumes, traveling, reading, visiting family, going to birthday parties, keeping up with the presidential campaign and continuing to stay at home with my partner in crime, Gwyn.

Students leave a mark on you that words cannot describe, a new life experience each and every day you step into the classroom. I really enjoyed my experience student teaching, and was verbally offered a job by the school system where I worked, but we had already decided to move closer to family in order to start our family.

But then August came and went with no teaching job offers for myself, something that is both very disappointing and frustrating since moving to Wake County almost two years ago. Now that another school year has started without any job offers, with word that Wake County, “hardly ever hires anyone without anything less than 2 years experience”, I find myself looking elsewhere.

August was a fun month despite the lack of job offers, with trips to Topsail Beach to visit Rachel’s family, a trip to Kinston for my niece’s 1 year birthday party and a trip to Louisville, KY at the end of the month to visit friends we met while living in Charlotte. Rachel has posted about all of these events, but I wanted to say that it was a lot of fun and look forward to more of the same next summer, though maybe it will be a little cooler in Louisville the next visit.

I have been trying to find time to read again when I am not hanging out with family or friends, or playing Rock Band or (released yesterday) Rock Band 2 with friends via my Xbox 360. I read the Watchmen graphic novel while at Topsail Beach and was blown away by the story and artwork; the movie (coming out early next year) looks to be amazing by early accounts. Kevin Smith saw an early viewing and said, “I saw Watchmen. It’s f*%@ing astounding.” ‘Nuff said, indeed.

I have also started to re-read book 11 of the late Robert Jordan’s ‘Wheel of Time’ series, A Knife of Dreams, a book I started when it was released in October of 2005. I could never find time to finish it with graduate classes, student teaching, moving and eventually the birth of Gwyn. I am looking forward to the last book of the ‘Wheel of Time’ series, to be written by another fantasy author named Brandon Sanderson, handpicked by Jordan’s widow. Sanderson will have Jordan’s detailed notes, audio recordings from his hospital bed and a ton of help to fill some very big shoes in tying up a great series that started over 16 years ago!

I mentioned gaming and politics, one being easier to talk about with friends and family, but both interests of mine as a 34 year old self proclaimed geek. You might be saying, “No, Brian… you aren’t a geek!” but then you would see our computer desk fitted with a Star Wars desktop daily calendar, a Spider-Spud Mr. Potato Head, Troll the Skull from PvPOnline.com fame and a Star Trek coffee mug full of pencils and comically nod to yourself.

A couple of weeks ago Rock the Vote! started a very interesting campaign that allows, “Xbox 360 owners to register to vote, participate in presidential polls and voice their opinions to the presidential candidates.” Xbox 360 owners can download a “gamerpic” of their candidate of choice, or even one that says you are undecided.

You can see my gamertag here, my candidate of choice should have been obvious to most, but I am not one to beat you over the head with the why and how of who I support, but I do suggest that if you think something being said is questionable on both sides of the campaign, to go here and read for yourself: http://www.factcheck.org

I think this is remarkable, and if I were actually teaching right now I would use this in one of my lessons. The 2008 election is not only historical in that we are guaranteed either a female Vice President or a black President; it is reaching out to people in new and exciting ways to get them to be a part of the whole election process. Something I believe is far more important than a “Power of Pride” bumper sticker or a ribbon car magnet made in China.

Finally, what you truly came here to see and read about is Gwyn, and I will not disappoint what small readership we have here at our little blog. Gwyneth is getting bigger every day, still giving “kisses” with a gentle headbutt and still having trouble with separation anxiety when we put her to bed at night. She is starting to cruise more along the couch, ottoman and cabinets in the kitchen, and has recently started to “dance” when listening to music (80s channel) or when Scott and I play Rock Band here at the house.

Tonight she was crawling around the floor when Rachel got home from work, and I was lucky enough to catch her having a grand old time when she set her sights on the cats in the kitchen. (I apologize for the quality – this was taken with my cell phone)

Make sure your speakers are turned up to hear what has become my favorite sound of all time…

Gwyn and the Cats from Brian Brassine on Vimeo.