AOL Tech

Kay Smith

Member since: Mar 27th, 2007

Kay Smith's Latest Comments

Blog Activity
Blog# of Comments
Cinematical1 Comment
Slashfood1 Comment
AOL Video Blog1 Comment
Switched1 Comment
AOL Hot Searches1 Comment
Personal Articles1 Comment

Recent Comments:

Teens Text Daily in Class, Study Reveals (Switched)

Jun 27th 2009 3:20PM I am a middle school math teacher, and I catch students weekly texting during class. Sometimes it's answers to a test that their friend is going to be taking later in the day. The students I have are really good at avoiding responsibility and finding ways to circumvent the rules, but they are very low in common sense and work ethic. Our district rule is that students may have phones on campus (per the Supreme Court's rulilng), but phones must be off and put away out of sight. If students are caught with the phone on and out, the phone will be confiscated and a parent must retrieve it. The second offense means the student is not allowed to have the phone at school. I actually had a student text ME during class one day (I had called her mother on her phone once, so she had my number). The worst offender was the 8th grade student who received a call during the state Algebra 1 test, pulled out his phone, and proceeded to look at all the pornographic pictures a buddy had sent him. Nothing happened to him. He wasn't disciplined, he didn't get a lecture or a suspension. Mom, however, took the phone, looked at the pictures, and dropped it on the floor, stomping it into a broken mess. She vowed he would not get another cell phone from her. It's a problem that isn't going to go away. When you see elementary school children talking and texting on the way to and from school, you know we've lost the battle as educators.

Peacekeeping Tips for the Most Common Marriage Arguments (Personal Articles)

Oct 11th 2008 10:16PM While marriage has the integral "we," you still have your unique "I." You can't expect to meet all your husband's needs, and he certainly can't meet all of yours. You need to get out with the girls occasionally, and he needs to get out with the guys. Privacy is something we all need, at different times and for different lengths of time. If it is agreed between you that you will be able to have this "private time," it will make it easier to take. Sit down and talk about it. As long as it isn't too frequent, and as long as there is agreement, it is a GOOD thing.

Annoying Restaurant Trends (Slashfood)

Mar 23rd 2008 3:01PM I frequent a couple of restaurants on a regular basis (and for more than 20 years). The servers and managers all know me. I know about their families and their children, and they know about mine. If they're a little slow, I cut them some slack. If I'm in a big hurry, they do their best to accommodate my schedule. Because they are so warm and friendly, I do not hesitate to give greater than a 15% tip whenever I can. I used to be a server, back when the wages were $1.45 an hour, and I know how difficult it can be unless the tips are good. Keep doing the great job that you do, servers. It is appreciated!

Time to Clean Up (AOL Hot Searches)

Sep 21st 2007 10:16PM Allie, I love my Dyson! It is lightweight, cleans better than anything I've ever owned (including a Kirby, an Oreck, and a Dirt Devil), and is easier to clean out and keep cleaned out than any other vacuum cleaner I've ever seen. I just detach the canister and take it out to the trash can, pop it open, and dump it. It can even be taken apart further (very easily) and washed in the sink. I bought mine brand new on eBay for a little more than $300. I am sold on the Dyson, and would pay full price for a new one if I had to do so.

Are 'Evan' and 'Stardust' the Bombs of the Summer? (Cinematical)

Aug 26th 2007 3:10PM I enjoyed "Stardust," probably because of Robert DeNiro's role. I like fantasy and magic, and though I thought character development could have been a little better, it was still a good story, and I will buy the DVD when it comes out.

Janice Dickinson Breaks Her Toe and Swears a Lot (AOL Video Blog)

Mar 27th 2007 10:54AM I'm a teacher, and it discourages me to see that middle school girls emulate behavior such as Janice exhibited, thinking it is "cool" or okay. What are we teaching our children? Where are the heroes and heroines? I think when you are in the spotlight, you have a higher responsibility to be a good example, just because people look up to you (especially our children).