Most awesome conversation ever!

So, I was going to go visit Katie this week, but several things came up, among which was a flat tire on Howard's truck.  He has no spare, so it was an issue.  Of course, the tires needed are some odd size, so its hard to find a single.

Fast forward to today.  I was on the phone with my sister when my cell rang.  It was a guy named Carlos.  He said he had the tires I was looking for, and a whole set would be $160!  I told him I wasn't expecting a call about tires on my cell, my husband must have used mine when he was calling around.  Carlos sounded a bit confused, but went along with me.  I said I'd have my husband call him right back.  He said if I wanted the tires I had to come get them right away.  I asked him what the name of the shop was and that is where it got better.  He asked me didn't I remember, I was just in earlier.  Hmm.  Howard took my car to work today and I have been home.

At this point, I looked at the caller info on the phone.  A 720 number.  I asked him what state he was in.  He said he didn't know what I meant.  I said, I am in California.  What state are you in?  CO.  Aha.  This call was not meant for me.  No cheap tires.  Carlos didn't believe me though.  I had to keep insisting that I don't live in CO, and while I do need new tires, I was not the lady he was looking for.  Poor Carlos called back 5 minutes later and Annie answered the phone, telling him that somehow he wrote down the wrong number.  Meanwhile, my sister had to go read to her kids.

I wish I had new tires.  And I think its finally time for me to change my cell number to something less confusing. 

P.S. Justin, whoever you are, you are delinquent on your account at Aaron Furniture.  Please pay your bill so they will stop calling me.  And put your own phone number on your application next time, jerk.

TOS Review: The Art of Argument

See that pretty, colorful bundle?  It arrived one day for us to review, as TOS Crew members.  By us, I mean me and Annie.  What is it?  Well, it is teaching us about arguing.  Not fighting, but arguing.  Why would I want to teach my 12 year old how to do this, am I crazy?  Nope.  Not crazy.  It actually makes sense.  Follow me here, people.

This is, as it says, an introduction to the informal fallacies.  What are fallacies?  Honestly, before we cracked open this book, I had no idea.  "A logical fallacy is an occurrence of bad or incorrect reasoning."  (Teacher's Edition, p 5) Yup, it says it right there, after the table of contents.  The intro asks if you have ever heard an argument that didn't set right.  It bugged you but you didn't know why.   This book covers 28 logical fallacies that explain what is off in those arguments.  Quite honestly, we are now seeing fallacies in debates, commercials, print ads and even some newscasts and editorials.  Don't get me wrong, we aren't perfect or anything, just more aware.

Since this was a topic she and I knew nothing about, we have been taking it slow.  Very slow.  We are currently working on Ad Fontem arguments, which include Ad Hominem, Ad Hominem Abusive, Ad Hominem Circumstantial and Genetic Fallacy.  Bonus that all the terms are Latin (we are also studying Latin) with definitions. 

Arguing is defined as "providing rational reasons for or against an idea or action." (Teacher's Edition, p. 7) So I am not trying to get Annie to fight with me more.  She will argue, its a part of those teen years.  I want her to be able to make her point and take a stand while making rational points.  That is my end goal. 

If you would like to download a PDF sample of a student page and the table of contents, click here. 
The set we were given to review included the first disc of the DVD set.  Annie said it was a good supplement, but she could go without it more often than not. 

This curriculum is geared for students in grades 6-8 and that is totally reasonable.  The cost for the set that I reviewed, which includes the student and teacher's editions and a DVD set is $88.95.  To order individually, the student edition is $21.95, the teacher's edition is $24.95.  The DVD is $54.95. If you want to see it for yourself, it is published by Classical Academic Press.

To find out what other reviewers thought of The Art of Argument, click here and enter the linky. 

Disclaimer:  I was given The Art of Argument free of charge in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed herein are my own or those of my offspring.  No other compensation has been made.  No animals were harmed in the writing of this post.  Any similarities to persons real or imaginary are purely coincidental. 

Confession

My day is brighter when Katie posts on her blog.  Katie is an awesome mom, an amazing quilter and freakishly talented when it comes to decorating.  And I get to say I know her personally.  Add in uplifting friend and that about covers what I know about her.  Thanks Katie for helping to get me out of the dumps this week.  I owe you one.