I am a mother of a sensitive young man who wants to be an elementary school teacher. Statistics show some kids connect or respond better to male teachers. According to educational journals, "Male teachers often serve a dual role in the classroom as both educator and role model." Thus, I have always encouraged my son to reach for his dreams and believe he would make a wonderful teacher. He has always been caring and nurturing. When he was a toddler and I was attending graduate school, I would drop him off at the local YMCA daycare facility, and when I picked him up he wasn’t with the 2 and 3 year olds. No, he would be with the babies, feeding and holding them. Michael is a great young man, who works well with the youth in scouts and is often seen at church playing with the younger children. He is a gentle giant with them. He is currently taking a class in Careers in Education and works with special needs children at the middle school. He has first aid and CPR certification, is an Eagle Scout, and I trust him. His Careers in Education teacher, who is also the assistant principal at his high school said, "Michael is going to be a great teacher, because he 'gets it'. He been faced with hardship and learning delays and ADHD - he get's kids." 

However, this past weekend, a woman from our church posted on Facebook she was looking for a babysitter, and I replied, "Michael loves to babysit." My comment was not directed only to her, but to the other ladies as well. Michael is trying to save enough money to go on a mission and then onto college to earn a degree in elementary education. She replied back, saying, “Michael is a nice young man, but I have all girls.” To which I thought, “So?” I believe her comment was very sexist. When I was growing up, I had male babysitters, as well as female babysitters. My boys have had both male and female babysitters – and if I had girls instead of boys, I would feel just as comfortable with either. So as a society are we teaching our girls, not to trust boys. . . ever? Nevertheless, if that is the rational, then only boys should be babysitting boys and girls only babysitting girls. However, that is not the case. I thought as a society we had moved beyond gender bias. Girls can play football or be on the wrestling team or be in the Army. . . but boys can’t babysit?!

Am I wrong? I would love to hear your thoughts. 

For Angela, who wanted to know what it was like growing up 80’s-style.

(I wrote this entry via the school years, as it seemed to be easier to remember things that way).

I recently read a book post about how authors feel about fan fiction over on Livejournal. I find it interesting so many authors seem so obstinately against it. Anne Rice does not allow it. In fact, FanFiction.Net respects the expressed wishes of her and a few others authors and will not archive entries based on their work

I do not see the harm, especially if fans are not making money off their stories. Fan fiction is written by fans who love the characters and it is a great way to express that love. In addition, isn’t imitation the greatest form of flattery? If I ever wrote a book or television series, I would honestly be amused and flattered by people wanting to spend time in the world I created. 

Stephanie Meyers wrote, “People pour out so much energy and talent into them. . . It makes me frustrated. I’m like, go write your own story. Put them out there and get them published. That’s what you should be doing. You should be working on your own book right now.”  In contract, Joss Whedon said, “Fan fiction is the way new writers are finding their way. I think it’s a fantastic gateway into writing.”

In addition, what is the difference between taking or rather adapting a novel and basing it on a television series? Little House on the Prairie was loosely based on the popular Laura Ingalls Wilder “Little House” books. If anything, because I enjoyed the television show so much, it encouraged me to read the books. I devoured them all in one summer.

The same argument can be made regarding YouTube fan videos. Fans poor their heart, soul, and time into making a video based on a favorite fandom. How frustrating and disappointing it is when YouTube removes the video because of copy write infringements. Again, it is harmless fun. It is free publicity for the artist. Often after viewing a video I really liked, I will find the song on iTunes and upload it to my iPod—it’s a great way to learn new songs and new artists the viewer has never seen or heard. It’s a win-win.

The reason I write fan fiction is twofold. First, I seek closure. When Scarecrow and Mrs. King ended, fans did not have a chance to say goodbye to their favorite characters. Again, I blame Bruce Boxleitner and Kate Jackson and their chemistry. I wanted to see their story continue. The second reason is there were many unanswered questions. I write to answer those questions. I write to fill in the blanks. I write seeking closure.

Like it or not fan fiction is here to stay. Do you agree or disagree with the authors? 

Remember the old mystery or adventure books where once you finished the chapter, you had a couple of choices where to take the story? It's back - well, sort of. How would you like to write a comic mystery? No writing experience needed. The story is entitled The Fargenstropple Case and on Monday through Friday, the very talented Lia London posts new chapters of about 800-1000 words.  At the end of each, you’ll give her suggestions of where to go next.  She will then take her favorite responses and weave them into the next chapters.  

It has been crazy fun! If you want to play along, follow the link. 

No, I’m not talking about the Lincoln-Douglas debates – although good in their own right. I want to answer the great Lee and Amanda dispute of did they or didn’t they? Now, get your mind out of the gutter. Yes, we could debate whether Lee and Amanda waited to consummate their relationship before marriage, and for a long time I have been on the fence regarding this topic. The way some of the lines were written in season four, it sure gave the impression they did not wait until marriage, but again this was a family show, on during the family hour, and Bruce Boxleitner said at the 25th reunion, he thought Lee and Amanda waited until marriage. But I digress. I am talking about whether Lee and Amanda would have had children.

I believe Lee and Amanda would have expanded their family. I think Amanda would have been happy to give Lee the chance to be a father. I also think the two little words, “I’m pregnant,” would have brought forth the big reveal to the family and the Agency had there been a season five.

However, I have gotten into virtual fisticuffs with some passionate fans who quiet amicably say Lee and Amanda would never have children, because of the nature of the jobs and how hard Amanda worked to become a full-time agent.  Yes, I agree, Amanda had worked hard to become an agent, and it would have interfered with her job and she could not be running around ‘watching’ Lee’s back if she was pregnant, and then she would have had to take time to have a baby. On the other hand, I believe she would have wanted to have a child with Lee – to share in the experience of raising a child with him. I am sure he would have made a great stepfather, but I think Amanda would have loved to given him a chance at fatherhood, since she knew he desired to have a family after not being a part of one for so long.

Yes, it would have changed some of the dynamics of the show, but I still think Lee and Amanda could have continued to work at the Agency and grown their family. 

What do you think? 

1. I don't care for ice cream. Never have. In addition, I rather eat pie then cake on my birthday. When growing up in Portland, Oregon, my favorite place to go for my birthday was the Plush Pippin Pie Restaurant. Oh, how I miss that place and those pies. 

2. I am a meat and potatoes kind of gal, but if forced to only eat one thing for two weeks, I would choose pizza. My favorite pizza is beef, mushrooms, onions, and olives. 

3. Dolls were evil when I was growing up. Refused to play with them. I did not own a doll, not even a Barbie. Stuffed animals, Lego's, and action figures were okay. Yes, I was a Tomboy. I loved to camp, hike, play sports, and ride my bike or skateboard. 

4. My favorite television show growing up was of course Scarecrow and Mrs. King, but I also loved Emergency, Little House on the Prairie, Brady Bunch, Super Friends, Hardy Boys, Knight Rider, Battlestar Galactica (classic), Bionic Woman, and CHIP's. 

5. I am a total sci-fi geek. I love Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, Babylon 5, Stargate SG-1, X-Flies, Quantum Leap, Firefly, Chuck, and the original Star Wars movies before Lucas made all those changes. Episodes 1,2, and 3 have forever ruined Star Wars for me. Ugh, George, whatever were you thinking? 

6. I was born in California, grew up in Oregon, and have spent my whole married life here in Washington state. We joke with the progressions of moving north, we'll retire to Alaska. 

7. I met my husband at a movie theater. He did not like me - thought I was a spy. 

8. My very first kiss was a stage kiss. Talk about pressure! 

9. I am a huge Mariners fan, and Lord, it's hard to be a Seattle Mariners fan. 

10. I have been involved in drama since I was five years old and played the 'mouse' in Twas the Night Before Christmas. I 'lettered' in drama in high school.  I have a Master's degree in Theatre, with an emphasis in directing. I love to direct community theatre, so if any one needs a director for a local theatre production anywhere around Tacoma, Olympia, Bremerton, Port Orchard, or Shelton area, I am available. Lately, my main focus has been on writing.