Die Ziele

Before I begin, let’s just have a moment of silence for my brethren the Colts . . .

. . .

Okay, now let’s start for real. So, when I was a young high schooler I remember that my dream was to someday become a high school history teacher and a high school soccer coach. Seeing as I have reached that goal and am currently living the dream, some of you might think my life’s work is over. It is not, and after much thought and meditation, I have come up with the following list of things I want to achieve in life to ensure that my life does not become stagnant.

The Skinny Goals

1. Not lose all of my hair (Rogaine is working by the way, thank goodness).

2. Learn how to ride a horse (I’m scared to death of them though which presents a problem).

3. Go to Africa (the coolest people I met on my mission were Africans)

4. Go to the Oakland Temple (ain’t it puurty in the pictures).

5. Write a song (I’ll be honest, I think this is the least likely of all my goals, but I can dream right).

6. Learn how to play the bagpipes (my favorite part of Payson High School–the bagpipes)

7. Not just be a teacher but actually learn how to teach (easier said than done).

8. Beat up my brother J-Skee (we’ve had some close calls, but he always comes out winner somehow, but I’m catching up I think).

9. Go through a whole day of teaching without my voice cracking even once.

10. Watch the whole Star Trek series (no I haven’t started, but I will soon).

11. Learn how to cook at least one real meal (no really, I can’t . . . yet).

12. Live in England . . . again (it is the land of the angels after all, or is it anglos?)

13. Not hate people.

14. Write a book (I’ve started about five, one of these days I’ll get past page two).

15. Get a technical foul as a basketball coach (I’ve already gotten several as a player, but think how cool it would be to get one as a coach).

16. Learn how to speak Spanish and French (I used to be opposed to the Frenchies, but they’re sort of growing on me).

17. Beat my brother Big Stew at chess (actually, I think this is even less likely than five).

18. Find a way to never, ever have to iron again (besides just always wearing sweaters over my long sleeve shirts).

19. Learn how to do a backflip (I'm currently at a front hand-spring).

20. Publish my favorite people list.

And that’s all.

Das Spiel

This last week I was once again reminded how much I don't understand the female gender. I mean, I'll be honest, I thought that after coaching girls for three years I was starting to be unconfusified, but no, I'm not. Just as confused as ever. And just so you know, this confusion has caused an inordinate amount of frustration the last couple of days.

In fact, last nite I got so frustrated concerning my confusification that I almost decided to have an "anti-female" week at school. However, I decided against that for two reasons. 1) I'm pretty sure my noble employer Nebo School District would probably fire me if I did that and 2) I'm not really "anti-female." It would probably be more accurate to say that I'm actually "anti-not understanding females" which is quite different altogether and that sentiment is way too long to have as a slogan.

So here I remain, but one of these days I'm going to figure it all out, I promise.

A couple of things to note:

- My new goal in life: watch all the Star Trek movies. I'm determined. I can't be stopped. Trekkie marathons, here I come.

- The other day I ran two miles, it nearly killed me. The next day I did thirty pushups. That was even worse. The whole day I could barely write on the white board. No more physical exercise for me.

- You know, until I started coaching girls I never really realized how much girls cry. They don't whine nearly as much as guys, but they sure do cry a lot (which isn't a bad thing, it's just kind of overwhelming sometimes).

- Continuing the coaching note, I told a girl on the team that she had the same number as Larry Bird. Her response: "Who's that?"

- On another coaching note, I really, really want to a get a technical foul. I'm just not really sure how to go about it. Maybe I should pull a Coach Dale in "Hoosiers" or maybe I should just stand up when it's really quiet and start cursing up a storm . . . don't worry, I'll think of something.

- I went on a date last week. I have thus satisfied my quarterly quota. Please don't bug me about it again until April.

- I watched two fantastic movies this month, "Sabrina" (old and new version) and "The Magic of Ordinary Days." They both are so good. I would recommend them to all. A movie I wouldn't recommend though is "The Mayor of Casterbridge." It has to be one of the most depressing movies ever made.

- Little Chad was ordained a deacon today. If you see him walking around Salem Elementary be sure to give him a high five.

- Lately I've been missing Europe. Sometimes I really wonder why I was born in the North America. I swear deep down I'm European.

- Four years ago this week I skipped elders' quorum to watch the Colts play (in my defense I was in Brigham City where the elders' quorums are probably apostate anyway). Anyway, the Colts lost to the Steelers in one of the most depressing games I've ever watched. I learned my lesson. This week I stayed at church. Colts won. My testimony is strengthened. And I hope the Colts know they have me to thank.

- Now let's just hope for the Colts' sake that I can resist watching the Super Bowl.

- And finally, let me give you a quote. I never watch late nite shows, ever. However, I read this quote from Conan and I really liked it. Here it is: "All I ask is one thing, and I'm asking this particularly of young people that watch: Please do not be cynical. I hate cynicism. For the record, it's my least favorite quality. It doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, I'm telling you, amazing things will happen."

Good bye

Achtung, Achtung

Some of you kids might wake up tomorrow morning and think to yourself, "I wonder what Mr. Wright's (a.k.a. Andrew T., Skinny, Squints, etc.) students think about him." Well, the opinions definitely span a wide range from "Mr. Wright's crazy" to "Mr. Wright is the most boring teacher in the world" to "Please, please, I'm going to stab myself in the neck if I have to go to Mr. Wright's class again".

However, I think the following exerpt will give you a little insight into the general mindset of those whom I bore to tears on a daily basis.

This was published, unbeknownst to me, in the December edition of our school newspaper.

A student (to remain unnamed) wrote: “I wish, I wish, with all my heart, for Mr. Wright to have a lady friend, in a land apart” (Dragon Tales). Tis the season to give the gift of happiness and love, and my gift for Mr. Wright is to find a woman whom he can love an cherish forever and ever and ever… hopefully this Christmas, my wish will be granted for this young man. Maybe someone can love him and his gorgeous green van enough. Go get ‘em Mr. Wright, you tiger you!"

Yes, this was published in the school newspaper and yes, I did fail said student because of it (although they do deserve credit for mentioning the sweet green minivan).

Thankfully, the following picture was NOT published:

Six Months

Today is December 27, 2009. This means that my dad died exactly six months ago today. It was the first time in my life that somebody really close to me passed away. This is what I’ve experienced. - Everybody mourns differently.

- My worldview has changed completely. Nothing is quite the same anymore. Words have different meanings. Movies have different messages. And I feel different somehow.

- Sad stories are a little sadder. Painful stories are a little more painful. Everything is a little more poignant.

- I’m not as happy as I used to be, but I am more at peace. This fact has made me realize that true knowledge and understanding only come with a price I suppose.

- My parents’ house is still peaceful and beautiful. When my dad was sick I was afraid that it would turn into a depressing place. It hasn’t.

- I don’t regret things I could have/should have done differently with Dad. I’m only sad that he won’t be around in the future to see the things I accomplish.

- My mother is amazing. I do not understand her pain (to suddenly be without somebody you spent everyday with for 30 years is hard for me to comprehend), but she handles it brilliantly.

- I could not handle death without the Gospel. If my dad died and I didn’t believe in God, I would be devastated beyond repair.

- Looking back, I can’t understand why I wasn’t happier when he was around. After all, I can’t think of anything that would make me happier than to see him now.

- I think there have been other trials in my life that have been just as painful in that moment. The thing with death is that you can’t fix it. If you lose your job or get fired, you can go look for another. If you go bankrupt, you can start making money again. If you get your heart broken you can start looking for somebody else. But death . . . there’s no getting around.

- The kindness that people showed my dad and my family was truly inspiring. People are good: from my students to people I had never met before to the ward members.

- “The aching may remain, but the breaking does not.”

- There are worse things than death.

- I have much more respect for those who have experienced this before I did. The way they handle it so gracefully helps me to also endure.

- My dad is here sometimes. . . somehow.

- I can't wait to see him again.

A few things to note:

- I am tired. The last couple of days I’ve spent every free moment correcting my students’ research papers. Correcting papers is easily the worst part of teaching. No contest.

- The worst part of coaching? Ridiculous parents who think their child is God’s gift to athletics (which they obviously can’t be since I’m that). How otherwise respectable parents can be so obviously biased and not recognize it is beyond me. Maybe when I have my own kids I’ll understand, but until then I remain amazed.

- I still don’t like the snow.

- However, I do like potato chips, Welch’s grape juice, rice krispy treats, pickles, and Monday Nite Football.

- I also really like the song “Remember When” by Alan Jackson

- I know 2009 isn’t quite over yet, but I think I’m safe in saying this is definitely one of the hardest years of my life (and not just because the Yankees, the Lakers, and the Steelers all won their respective championships this season, although that definitely added to it). I’ll tell you, as far as pure difficulty goes, it’s right up there with ‘92-‘94 and ‘05. It’s sure been a doozy, I’ll tell you that right now (could someone please spell check “doozy” for me).

- I have a speaking part in the Goshen Ward Christmas sacrament meeting this Sunday. I’m pretty sure I’m going to dominate; I’ve been practicing all week (and I would just like to say right now that if my voice cracks I’m going inactive).

- This is a recent exchange in one of my classes.
Me: Class, do you like my sweater? I bought it for a dollar.
Student: Yeah, we can tell.

- I would also like you to know that I really like the song “Raining in Baltimore” by the Counting Crows. Fantastic.

- Have I mentioned that the heater doesn’t work in my sweet minivan? Yeah, it’s not quite as sweet anymore. But no, it is not for sale, so don’t even think about trying to buy it off me. NOT FOR SALE.

- Finally, let me end on a positive note. I would just like to you to know that I won a basketball three point contest the other day (yes, it was with a bunch of sophomore girls whom I coach, but I still won and that’s all that matters).

I do not like the snow or the cold or the ice or the more coldness. In fact, I can’t think of anything good that comes with snow. Nothing. However, as you know, my sister K-Dawg will not allow me to complain too much, so I’m going to write about the one good thing that does come this time of year: Christmas.

What I Like About Christmas

- The fact that I get to watch the Muppets Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life (I used to hate this movie by the way). I mean, I obviously can watch them anytime, but it’s just better when it’s the actual season.

- Making fun of people with icicle lights on their house (which includes my mother's home).

- All the good food.

- Christmas Presents. Some people will try and tell you they would rather give than receive. Not me. I mean, giving’s okay, but come on, does anything is this world beat waking up Christmas morning and opening presents.

- Christmas music. I should clarify this “Christmas Music”. I actually really dislike that pop Christmas music nonsense (hurts my ears that stuff). But give me some nice Christmas songs sung but a respectable choir and I won’t complain.

- College and professional football. I know it doesn’t actually have anything to do with Christmas, but it is at the same time and I love it.

- The Christmas Spirit. People always complain about the commercialism of Christmas, but I’m not one of those people. I think, compared to the rest of the year, people are still a lot more caring and considerate (even if they are a little bit obsessed with getting the best deal).

- The Hansen Christmas Party. I still love going to Grandma's house.

- Our family Christmas party. I generally don’t hate my family.

- The First Presidency Christmas Devotional. (Although this year I was sitting watching with a bunch of people who would not stop talking. I wanted to knock them all out, but I wasn’t too sure that would be the most effective way of paying better attention to the speakers).

- That fact that it means the semester is almost over.

- Charlie Brown's Christmas.

And that will do for now I think. Actually, let me show you some pictures.

This is me being crowned Mr. Mistletoe in high school at our Christmas Dance. I dislike dances about as much as I dislike snow.



This is me and big Stew. From the looks of things, I think we hated the snow even then, especially big Stew