The Delta House

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried. Why do I tell you this? Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:

1. Teaching Math In 1950
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

2. Teaching Math In 1960
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

3. Teaching Math In 1970
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Math In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

5. Teaching Math In 1990
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers. )

6. Teaching Math In 2007
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones e s $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

That's right folks, Casa de Flounder has been sold, and not a moment too soon. It not that I really had a problem with paying two mortgages, it's just that I....

No wait, that was the problem.

I am the common man, a blue collar worker that gets paid a decent wage for a day's work. I have no business paying over $3k a month in mortgages, plus taxes and utilities, and I have been doing so for four months.

Now the hard part comes; moving. It's hard for two reasons. The first is the obvious one, the act of moving itself. The second is a little more frightening.

You see, the new house is what you would call a fixer-upper, and it is not quite done being fixed. At this moment, it has no kitchen and no bathroom. Well, they are there, but there is no toilet, sinks, tub or cabinets. So I'm going to be busy for a little while making the place liveable.

So for now, a few random non-house-related thoughts.

Don Imus got screwed. He said something stupid, sincerely apologized, and still lost his job. He was first fired by NBC who had the balls to air that VA Tech loser's "multimedia manifesto" just a week later. Let's see how they take the moral high ground regarding Alec Baldwin now.

I think that the girl at the drive-thru at my local McDonald's is getting pissed at me. Every morning, I go there and get my free small coffee. That's right, free small coffee. I don't actually buy anything there, I just grift the coffee. Hey, they're giving it away, right?