Books Read in 2011

I read 34 books in 2011 (6 more than last year). My goal was 26. Easily beaten.
Really got into James Patterson's Alex Cross series and George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.
My goal for 2012 is back to 26 and also to read the Bible in it's entirety.

Gone Tomorrow - Lee Child
Riptide - Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Terry Funk - Terry Funk
The Tale of the Body Thief - Anne Rice
Along Came a Spider - James Patterson
Kiss the Girls - James Patterson
Gideon's Sword - Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
A Dirty Job - Christopher Moore
Roasting in Hell's Kitchen - Gordon Ramsay
Tripwire - Lee Child
Game of Thrones - George RR Martin
Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk
Jack and Jill - James Patterson
A Clash of Kings - George RR Martin
Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris
Cat and Mouse - James Patterson
Worth Dying For - James Patterson
Dreamcatcher - Stephen King
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne
Cold Vengeance - Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
A Storm of Swords - George RR Martin
Pop Goes the Weasel - James Patterson
A Feast for Crows - George RR Martin
Roses are Red - James Patterson
Violets are Blue - James Patterson
A Dance with Dragons - George RR Martin
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever - Jeff Kinney
Middle School - James Patterson
Merry Christmas, Alex Cross - James Patterson
Inheritance - Christopher Paolini
Four Blind Mice - James Patterson
The Big Bad Wolf - James Patterson
London Bridges - James Patterson

Priests and Teachers

This morning during church got me thinking about priests and teachers. Sure, I wasn't paying attention to the service, but I really thought about something that has always boggled my mind. It all began when the priest got up to start giving his sermon.
The question I began to ponder was:
Why is a priest paid more than a teacher?
I know, probably not what I should be thinking about while he's giving his sermon, but really, does it make sense that a priest would make more than a teacher. And I mean a lot more.
I just got done being on the vestry of my church, and served two years as treasurer so I know how much he makes. 80,000 a year salary, 10,000 housing allowance (which I don't understand since we provide his housing), all utilities paid for by the church, a house to live in, any transportation costs associated with work, health care. It adds up to over a 100 grand a year.
For what? Two services a week (with an average attendance of about 90 people combined), one or two meetings throughout the week and some work in the community. He does a lot less than what I have seen other priest I know do and gets paid more.
What happened to a vow of poverty?
Me, I teach 6th graders in West Kensington in Philadelphia (nicknamed the "Badlands" by the police). I routinely bring work home with me, work the after school program, and get to work an hour and a half early every day. I don't even make 60,000 dollars in a year, and I do far more work.
Is society trying to tell us that priests are more important than teachers? With all of the controversies surrounding eduction today why is it that teachers are not treated with more respect and paid what they deserve? Until this changes, and teachers are recognized for the life changers they are then there will never be any progress in the education system.

I'm Back...

After watching just the beginning of Julie and Julia again I have decided to get back into this whole blog thing.

I feel that I have a lot to say and often need someone to say it to. There is so much to say about so many things.

So check back often for my thoughts on all kinds of different topics.

First ramble coming soon...