Job Discussion Forums

[sticksnstones]

I was surfing around the internet the other day and I found this site. It's hilarious. I thought you guys might like it. Does anybody know him? He seems kind of cute...www.Heinessight.com.

[veiledsentiments]

I remember when his first book came out and it was rather picked apart here... as English teachers are wont to do.

But to me the most interesting little fact that I just found on the website is that he mentions that he taught in Wasilla, Alaska!!

VS

[johnslat]

Dear veiledsentiments,

" . . . he taught in Wasilla, Alaska."

which would make him an expert on Russia, I presume.

Regards,
John

[Geronimo]

[veiledsentiments]

It does appear that Matt is not the shy and retiring type... but being a bit outgoing - or at least not much worrying about making a fool of oneself - is a good trait for a language teacher. And of course, if you can't get a publisher to pimp your book, you do have to do it yourself.

And I can assure you that Sarah and Michael are not related. Although those of us who have thought about it have had fun with the concept and all of us consider Michael a better choice. (though his non-citizenship presents a problem)

VS

[johnslat]

Dear Geronimo,

With regard to Michael's being related to Sarah, well, if you go back far enough . . . .

But you might be interested in this:

http://michaelpalinforpresident.com/


Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

I loved the video on that one...

I suspect that perhaps we are all related if you go back far enough. I had to laugh when I read the Obama is distantly related to both Bush and Cheney - through his American mother, of course.

VS

[sticksnstones]

Micheal Palin? Sarah Palin? I just asked a simple question. I thought his website was funny. You would think a sense of humor, some creativity and imagination as well as a concern for the people he teaches would be good traits for an English teacher, which apparently he has. Maybe some would argue making irrelevant posts on the internet and cutting people down is what makes a good English teacher. I guess I know why people don't post on here anymore...

[johnslat]

Dear sticksnstones,
may break my bones but names will never hurt me.
Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

[007]

Well, what about Paula, the PhD student?
I wonder if Matt took her to the magic kingdom, and what happened during his 500 days there? Let's wait his next book!

[sticksnstones]

As much as I am hesitant to do this, I feel I owe this to Matthew for putting his name and website on this horrible forum. I am pasting my email and his reply. This will be my last post, ever.

Matthew,
I really liked your website and my friends and I had a good laugh at some of the things you put on it. I also must apologize for something I did that will probably end up hurting you, though that was not my intent. I don�t know if you are familiar with Dave�s ESL Caf�, but I want you to tell you how sorry I am that I made a posting on the site because I thought EFL teachers would find it amusing. As it turned out, there were a few people who took it upon themselves to try to belittle you. I�m afraid I may have done more harm than good. I thought your books looked interesting, and I will order the first one next week and have it sent from the U.K. I am sorry if I hurt you in any way.
Cheers,



I read the post and the replies. Ha Ha Ha. The sad thing is that there was a posting about my first book when it came out and it was torn to shreds because of the price, etc. but nobody who tore it apart ever bothered to read my book (You can see a few of the reviews of people who have read my book on my web site). I don�t care what people say or think. What does bother me is that every year, people come to the Middle East to teach with no idea what to expect, what to do, or where to go to enjoy themselves. Many of them leave under negative circumstances that could have been avoided if they had spent thirty or forty dollars on my book. I didn�t write my books to get rich. I wrote my books so that people in the U.S. would have a better understanding of Arab and Muslim Culture. I am a Christian and I believe first and foremost that we should love our enemies and pray for those who despise us. A much better person than I will ever be once said that, and although they brutally murdered him, it sounds like a better way to go than taking the path of killing and revenge and killing and revenge. If I can make a few people laugh and educate them at the same time, then good. At least I tried to do something positive.
Don�t feel bad either, bad publicity is still publicity!
Best Regards,
Matt

[johnslat]

For a little more free publicity, the book, "My Year in Oman: An American Experience in Arabia During the War On Terror"

can also be purchased on Amazon: "22 used & new available from $25.00"

http://www.amazon.com/My-Year-Oman-Matthew-Heines/dp/1412063418

If sticksnstones has read the book, he/she might like to go there and write a review or "rate this item."

"There are no customer reviews yet."

Regards,
John

[Geronimo]

Many thanks for the link to the http://michaelpalinforpresident.com link, johnslat Video snippets from some classic sketches!

I don't think that Matt would have been too wounded by my earlier post. I am confident that he can take a joke as well as dish one out...The joke that he told at my expense, in front of some of my teaching colleagues, was that Geronimo had written off for a Russian Mail Order Bride; and then been shocked when a Russian Male had arrived instead.

I like the sub-title for the second book, though.. "Between Iraq and a hard place". Nice one! And, if this thread boosts its sales, that's great!

[Stephen Jones]

I thought Matthew was psychologically scarred for life by being served frankfurters for breakfast. You mean he's recovered?