Sixth Grade Math Skeptic

From the Mama's Losin' It blog, my chosen assignment is to describe a hard time that I gave a teacher... and what would I say to her today?

As a preface, as of 8th grade, my math brain began functioning quite well, thank you.

It was the bicentinial year, of 1976. I was in sixth grade. Math had been important in the new world for roughly 200 years. But, I didn't know that. How could I? My teacher is learnin' us all about simple fractions. Great! Another stupid new thing in math, I thought. Isn't addition, subtraction, division and multiplication enough? I honestly don't remember the exact words said, but I remember the progression of the dialog and emotions exchanged. Here's my version of the brief but exciting incident.

Mrs. Jones: blah, blah, blah... fractions.

Me: Mrs. Jones, why do we need to know this?

Mrs. Jones: Because it will be of use to you in the future.

Me: But isn't adding and subracting and stuff like that enough?

Mrs. Jones: You will see that you will use fractions alot.

Me: I don't think so.

Mrs. Jones: You will.

Me: But fractions are stupid. I don't see why we need to learn this stuff. I'll never use it.

Mrs. Jones: Mr. Snyder, I suggest you just sit quietly and listen to me. Blah, blah, blah... fractions.

Me: I'm NOT going to need to use this stuff. It's stupid and I'm not listening!

Mrs. Jones: Mr. Snyder, would you please follow me into the hall?

A Short Time Later

Mrs. Jones: Whack! Whack! Whack! Now take your seat, Mr. Snyder. Just because you don't understand something, doesn't mean it's stupid.

Me: Yes, Ma'am.

The moral of the story is exactly what Mrs. Jones said. Simply because you do not understand something, doesn't make it stupid, or undeserving of respect, or unimportant. I didn't necessarily grasp the lesson fully that day, but it was a seed planted (yeah, planted by a nice little plank of wood... across my buttocks).

If I could speak with Mrs. Jones today, I'd apologize for being a smart-assed 13 year old, and thank her for "explaining" to me the importance of understanding something before making quick and often negative judgements. I'd tell her that, possibly, thanks to her, I went on to ace most math classes following hers. And I now realize that her lesson, applies to everything that occurs in my life. You da bomb, Mrs. J.

No Racin' on Easter!!

Well, I suppose I can sacrifice a weekend of NASCAR for my Savior... if I have to... i guess. So, another week, or so, before the Subway Fresh Fit 500, at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). Lord, I remember when PIR had that scary exit out of turn 2, before they moved the wall out in 2003. I always expected a bad-bad wreck there, but fortunately it never happened. Alan Kulicki won the inaugural race in 1988. Dale Earnhardt won PIR in 1990. Davey Allison won it back-to-back in 1991-92. Bobby Hamilton took the checkers in 1996. God bless'em... there all gone now.

The track picked up its second race date in 2005, and the brothers Busch swept that year's honors (Kurt in the Spring and Kyle in the Fall). Three drivers have two consecutive race wins at PIR: Jeff Burton (2000-01), Dale Eanhardt, Jr. (2003-04), Kevin Harvick (both 2006). Jimmie Johnson has scored wins in the last 3 races at PIR.

Wikipedia has a nice page of info on PIR. Check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_International_Raceway

We do have the Pepsi 300, at Nashville Superspeedway, on Saturday. I'll be watching that.

Special Paint Schemes for the 2009 Subway Fresh Fit 500 (will update as race nears)

A.J. Allmendinger - ?Probably Something?

Carl Edwards - No. 99 Subway Ford

Denny Hamlin - No. 11 FedEx March of Dimes Toyota

Reed Sorenson - No. 43 Auto Value Parts Stores Dodge

Happy 29th birthday (ver. 18.0) to my beautiful wife, Cathy. I love you, sweetie!