I'm addicted to saying "Hello" like Seinfeld in that episode when he can't stop saying "HELLLLLLLLLLLLLO".
I am at work, trudging along. I could use a week and a half break. Something substantial so I can grade. AH, grading. I hate you.
I was able to write some last night. I am hoping that I can create a more sympathetic tone to my narrator. It is really bitter and harsh. I think it is okay. I tend to write well when I am either mad at the world or hopelessly forlorn.
I am excited for the election next Tuesday. I want to have an election party. Something with red, white, and blue cupcakes.
How was the Sandy Berger incident similar to Mark Foley? They were both caught with pages in their pants.
HI-HO
Home was weird. I ran into a bunch of my students. It was this surreal experience. I do miss those relationships and those mentoring opportunities, but overall, I was able to come back and with some decompressing settle back into Boston life. It is weird without my wife around. I woke up this morning wondering where I was. I find myself somewhat unable to function.
I need to detox from food. Though, Kelly's Roast Beef sounds so so so so good.
Out, gotta teach.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Pennsylvania
I am here in Pennsylvania, visiting my family and having a sort of out of body experience. It is a weird mix of nostalgia and frustration. I am finding myself missing certain aspects of home life.
I traveled to New Hope, drove through Yardley, visited the extended family. I am still processing the whole "leaving home".
It is weird to talk about Boston as my home now. I wonder when it will become easy to.
A twist of fate though. I ran into one of my former student's mother at Barnes and Noble and she informed that her son and many of his friends worked at the movie theater and that I should stop by. I went there and it was a nice, awkward reunion. I certainly found it to be a nice experience. I definitely miss those kids and my time at Pennsbury with the dramatics. There is still hurt with the strike. I need to imagine it in writing.
I need to write. HELP ME!
I'll blog about my need to write later (irony much?)
I traveled to New Hope, drove through Yardley, visited the extended family. I am still processing the whole "leaving home".
It is weird to talk about Boston as my home now. I wonder when it will become easy to.
A twist of fate though. I ran into one of my former student's mother at Barnes and Noble and she informed that her son and many of his friends worked at the movie theater and that I should stop by. I went there and it was a nice, awkward reunion. I certainly found it to be a nice experience. I definitely miss those kids and my time at Pennsbury with the dramatics. There is still hurt with the strike. I need to imagine it in writing.
I need to write. HELP ME!
I'll blog about my need to write later (irony much?)
Friday, October 27, 2006
Let's hear from Deval
Deval Patrick: Higher expectations for student performance are essential. I support the MCAS, including the addition of a science component, as a high school graduation requirement. However, I do not believe it should be the sole assessment of student academic progress. Consistent with our objective to educate the whole child, we must develop and use additional assessments tools to measure other vital aspects of academic achievement.
"The MCAS captures the transfer and retention of data, and that is a part of education, no doubt about it," he said at a recent campaign event. "But there are issues of creativity, and cognitive style, communication, social skills." -Boston Globe, Oct. 26th
BUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, DEVAL? HOW COME YOU SUPPORT THE CURRENT RAISE IN TESTING SCORES? EVEN HEALEY DOESN'T DO THAT?
VOTE MIHOS FOR GOVERNOR - ELIMINATE THE MCAS REQUIREMENT
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Staying Afloat
There has been quite a bit going on in my life of late. I apologize for not posting sooner. I have found myself losing a lot of my evening time to extra things and events. I am avoiding pumpkin carving tonight, though festive, I'm not in the mood of losing another night.
Work - The liberal idiots in the department of education and at the state level have decided to raise the MCAS scores for all graduates of 2010 in Massachusetts. This will kill Malden High School education and such adversely affect minority populations. This is tantamount to changing the pole midway through the vault. This is a disgraceful act that only proves to make teachers accountable to factors to which they have no control. I will now be teaching to the test 24/7. The Globe had a great op-ed piece that suggested if colleges look at broad requirements for student achievement, why do other educational institutions continue to rely on testing? Testing is a flawed measurement of student achievement.
My buddy Jon Walton sent me an email that equated NCLB with football. I included the forward below:
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND - The Football Version
1. All teams must make the state playoffs and all MUST win the championship. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable. If after two years they have not won the championship their footballs and equipment will be taken away UNTIL they do win the championship.
2. All kids will be expected to have the same football skills at the same time
even if they do not have the same conditions or opportunities to practice on their own. NO exceptions will be made for lack of interest in football, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic abilities or disabilities of themselves or their parents. ALL KIDS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL!
3. Talented players will be asked to workout on their own, without instruction. This is will enable the coaches to use all their instructional skills and time with the athletes who aren't interested in football, have limited athletic ability or whose parents don't like football.
4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in the
4th, 8th, and 11th game.
This will create a New Age of Sports where every school will be expected to
have the same level of talent and all teams will reach the same minimum
goals. If no child gets ahead, then no child gets left behind. If parents
do not like this new law, they are encouraged to vote for vouchers and support
private schools that can screen out the non-athletes and prevent their
children from having to go to school with bad football players.
Deval Patrick, who supported this raise, proves that he is not a politician in favor of the teachers, but continues to see the school system as a panacea for social ills, that should be punished and not rewarded based on biased and limited testing. Shame on him! He lost my vote.
On a personal note, I am burnt out with this hold Pirates adventure at Fourth Pres. It is a bit too much. I talked about this with Dana and I believe I need to seek an outlet that feeds me, rather than where I feed others.
I went to Andover Newton Seminary last night for a talk between the heads of the UU and the UCC. I found the talk to be enlightening, though I hate when there is not enough seating. I think John Thomas, the head of the United Church of Christ, to be one who has a great sense of where this denomination is psychologically and spiritually. I love the UCC, but I am in need of a stronger orthodoxy. Living in the tensions and living the questions must be framed as orthodoxy for the denomination to have a true voice.
On a sad/bitter note, the Pennsbury play got moved from this weekend. I am truly upset. On one level, I was really looking forward to seeing everyone at PHS, especially the kids. I think I just needed to reconnect with the support system. Secondly, I am mad how much the program as slipped from when I was there and how it has been co-opted by the music department. From a powerful ten thousand dollar show on the East stage to a monday/tuesday cheap-ass show at West is ridiculous. I worked hard to build this program and now I find my baby has fell into the wrong hands, what's a distant parent going to do?
I don't long to go back, because I love building this at Malden. I think I will find success in new ways. I am constantly redefining success in this urban context. I love the challenges. I need though an outlet, something that I can get behind and get feed me.
So that is it. so it goes, so it goes, so it goes.
Work - The liberal idiots in the department of education and at the state level have decided to raise the MCAS scores for all graduates of 2010 in Massachusetts. This will kill Malden High School education and such adversely affect minority populations. This is tantamount to changing the pole midway through the vault. This is a disgraceful act that only proves to make teachers accountable to factors to which they have no control. I will now be teaching to the test 24/7. The Globe had a great op-ed piece that suggested if colleges look at broad requirements for student achievement, why do other educational institutions continue to rely on testing? Testing is a flawed measurement of student achievement.
My buddy Jon Walton sent me an email that equated NCLB with football. I included the forward below:
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND - The Football Version
1. All teams must make the state playoffs and all MUST win the championship. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable. If after two years they have not won the championship their footballs and equipment will be taken away UNTIL they do win the championship.
2. All kids will be expected to have the same football skills at the same time
even if they do not have the same conditions or opportunities to practice on their own. NO exceptions will be made for lack of interest in football, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic abilities or disabilities of themselves or their parents. ALL KIDS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL!
3. Talented players will be asked to workout on their own, without instruction. This is will enable the coaches to use all their instructional skills and time with the athletes who aren't interested in football, have limited athletic ability or whose parents don't like football.
4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in the
4th, 8th, and 11th game.
This will create a New Age of Sports where every school will be expected to
have the same level of talent and all teams will reach the same minimum
goals. If no child gets ahead, then no child gets left behind. If parents
do not like this new law, they are encouraged to vote for vouchers and support
private schools that can screen out the non-athletes and prevent their
children from having to go to school with bad football players.
Deval Patrick, who supported this raise, proves that he is not a politician in favor of the teachers, but continues to see the school system as a panacea for social ills, that should be punished and not rewarded based on biased and limited testing. Shame on him! He lost my vote.
On a personal note, I am burnt out with this hold Pirates adventure at Fourth Pres. It is a bit too much. I talked about this with Dana and I believe I need to seek an outlet that feeds me, rather than where I feed others.
I went to Andover Newton Seminary last night for a talk between the heads of the UU and the UCC. I found the talk to be enlightening, though I hate when there is not enough seating. I think John Thomas, the head of the United Church of Christ, to be one who has a great sense of where this denomination is psychologically and spiritually. I love the UCC, but I am in need of a stronger orthodoxy. Living in the tensions and living the questions must be framed as orthodoxy for the denomination to have a true voice.
On a sad/bitter note, the Pennsbury play got moved from this weekend. I am truly upset. On one level, I was really looking forward to seeing everyone at PHS, especially the kids. I think I just needed to reconnect with the support system. Secondly, I am mad how much the program as slipped from when I was there and how it has been co-opted by the music department. From a powerful ten thousand dollar show on the East stage to a monday/tuesday cheap-ass show at West is ridiculous. I worked hard to build this program and now I find my baby has fell into the wrong hands, what's a distant parent going to do?
I don't long to go back, because I love building this at Malden. I think I will find success in new ways. I am constantly redefining success in this urban context. I love the challenges. I need though an outlet, something that I can get behind and get feed me.
So that is it. so it goes, so it goes, so it goes.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Hillary Clinton is Ugly, there I said it...
There was a report today that Spencer (R) called Hillary Clinton ugly in a cheap shot in the campaign. How low can you go! In turn, Kerry Healey in Massachusetts ran ad with a white woman in a dark parking gargage and then flashed a picture of her black opponent Deval Patrick and said, can you trust Patrick to keep you safe? Race-baiting.
In turn, I saw on Youtube and ad with Michael Fox shaking a "tay-in-the-win" (Obscure Jodi Foster-Nell reference) begging Missouri votes to cast ballots for Democrats for stem cell.
It is getting ugly, almost Chelsea ugly. Now, Chelsea, she is a dog. No, Jenna Bush - GRRRRR!
I am still understand in my ballot for MA gov. I want to vote Patrick, but he is starting sound lame to me and a bit of a lightweight. I will not vote for Healey. She seems truly incompetent and dirty. My other choices are independent Christy Mihos, who I am leaning that way, just because he intrigues and sounds like a "straight-shooter", and a Green Rainbow candidate. I saw the green rainbow woman, dressed in a Mumu during the debate. now, I think she is a liberal, handicapped, lesbian. So, obviously, she has drawn the short straw in the political realm. Any vote in her direction would go against conscience and would be purly sympathetic. I hope she gets 1.5%.
I am listening to Ballad in Plaid D. Reflecting on last year's strike and thinking a lot about going back to PA this upcoming weekend. I will blog about this later. I feel like I still haven't worked through the hurt that's there.
"Set out runnin', but I take my time, friend of the devil is a friend of mine." - A little dead head reference before I sleep.
In turn, I saw on Youtube and ad with Michael Fox shaking a "tay-in-the-win" (Obscure Jodi Foster-Nell reference) begging Missouri votes to cast ballots for Democrats for stem cell.
It is getting ugly, almost Chelsea ugly. Now, Chelsea, she is a dog. No, Jenna Bush - GRRRRR!
I am still understand in my ballot for MA gov. I want to vote Patrick, but he is starting sound lame to me and a bit of a lightweight. I will not vote for Healey. She seems truly incompetent and dirty. My other choices are independent Christy Mihos, who I am leaning that way, just because he intrigues and sounds like a "straight-shooter", and a Green Rainbow candidate. I saw the green rainbow woman, dressed in a Mumu during the debate. now, I think she is a liberal, handicapped, lesbian. So, obviously, she has drawn the short straw in the political realm. Any vote in her direction would go against conscience and would be purly sympathetic. I hope she gets 1.5%.
I am listening to Ballad in Plaid D. Reflecting on last year's strike and thinking a lot about going back to PA this upcoming weekend. I will blog about this later. I feel like I still haven't worked through the hurt that's there.
"Set out runnin', but I take my time, friend of the devil is a friend of mine." - A little dead head reference before I sleep.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
World is My Oyster
I am typically skeptical of online personality tests. I assume they are going to end by saying something like, "you are a person who needs to now buy this product". I am frightened by the results of any online test. I took an online test to determine what type of beer I was..Bud Light. Smooth, refreshing, cheap.
So, following in my wife's wise footsteps, I took this online personality test. It came out I was a respectful inventor. It said I should apply my creative skills to areas beside my job. As for respectful, I generally care for others, but lack true empathy. I am more of a sympathizer with good intuitions. I observe that this is mostly correct. The test also pointed out that I care about style and appearance, which I found odd and I'm not really sure how that could have been deduced by the questions. Vanity, thy name is Walsh.
As far as these personality tests go, I remain weary of the fact that a series of questions attempts to pin point one's personality. I find personality to be much more of a fluid thing. I think people are more adaptable and though we may have an overarching pattern to our decisions, beliefs, and hopes - in the moment, we may be guided by ours needs, immediate wants, or emotions. I tend to reject these tests (not on scientific merit), but I just hate to have labels. I think of Wayne's World and the scene where Wayne and Cassandra are on the rough discussing Kierkegaard and Wayne says, "it was either Kierkegaard or Dick Van Patton that once said, ' you label me, you negate me'".
I like that quote.
I took an IQ test online once. I'm still a genius (sp?).
I went saw "Man of the Year" last night. Robin Williams has not been funny since Aladdin. It was pretty awful. Hollywood again comes up with a decent premise and fucks it up. The whole thing was about a computer glitch and a rigged election. It had nothing to do with a comedian becoming President. It was lame.
As I sat through the previews, I couldn't help but think how terrible Hollywood movies have become. I generally enjoy movies, you get popcorn, a large soda, you sit there in the dark with a group of strangers, the screen flickering these images. there is something romantic about the whole thing. Too bad Hollywood blows.
Election in less than three weeks. I am confidant of a democratic vicotry. Barring some major development, like Bush catching Osama with his bare hands while Nancy Peloisi is caught on tape sniffing crack off a nude child's back, I think the democrats are a shoo in. I heard on NPR that the current approval rating for congress is 16% and over 50% of Americans think their Congressman is a crook. Those are some pretty telling numbers. I hope this is a wake up call to the Administration, but sadly I think I will be wrong. If State of Denial taught me anything, there are in a state of denail.
I read on drudgereport.com that more people would be likely to vote for Hillary in 08 if she uses Rodham in her name. I wonder why that is? Perhaps it distinguishes her from Bill, maybe it is more formal, sounds stronger. I hope someone explores the reasons for this.
Today, the world is my oyster. I have lots of grading. I think I am going to the Boston Regatta and watch some people row. It sounds a bit yuppy for me. It is also freezing out. I could store meat in my basement. COLD. Dana wants to go watch people light Jack O Lanterns in the Boston Common, sounds lame.
World Series is tonight. I screwed up. So tonight, beer and baseball. I am thrilled.
So, following in my wife's wise footsteps, I took this online personality test. It came out I was a respectful inventor. It said I should apply my creative skills to areas beside my job. As for respectful, I generally care for others, but lack true empathy. I am more of a sympathizer with good intuitions. I observe that this is mostly correct. The test also pointed out that I care about style and appearance, which I found odd and I'm not really sure how that could have been deduced by the questions. Vanity, thy name is Walsh.
As far as these personality tests go, I remain weary of the fact that a series of questions attempts to pin point one's personality. I find personality to be much more of a fluid thing. I think people are more adaptable and though we may have an overarching pattern to our decisions, beliefs, and hopes - in the moment, we may be guided by ours needs, immediate wants, or emotions. I tend to reject these tests (not on scientific merit), but I just hate to have labels. I think of Wayne's World and the scene where Wayne and Cassandra are on the rough discussing Kierkegaard and Wayne says, "it was either Kierkegaard or Dick Van Patton that once said, ' you label me, you negate me'".
I like that quote.
I took an IQ test online once. I'm still a genius (sp?).
I went saw "Man of the Year" last night. Robin Williams has not been funny since Aladdin. It was pretty awful. Hollywood again comes up with a decent premise and fucks it up. The whole thing was about a computer glitch and a rigged election. It had nothing to do with a comedian becoming President. It was lame.
As I sat through the previews, I couldn't help but think how terrible Hollywood movies have become. I generally enjoy movies, you get popcorn, a large soda, you sit there in the dark with a group of strangers, the screen flickering these images. there is something romantic about the whole thing. Too bad Hollywood blows.
Election in less than three weeks. I am confidant of a democratic vicotry. Barring some major development, like Bush catching Osama with his bare hands while Nancy Peloisi is caught on tape sniffing crack off a nude child's back, I think the democrats are a shoo in. I heard on NPR that the current approval rating for congress is 16% and over 50% of Americans think their Congressman is a crook. Those are some pretty telling numbers. I hope this is a wake up call to the Administration, but sadly I think I will be wrong. If State of Denial taught me anything, there are in a state of denail.
I read on drudgereport.com that more people would be likely to vote for Hillary in 08 if she uses Rodham in her name. I wonder why that is? Perhaps it distinguishes her from Bill, maybe it is more formal, sounds stronger. I hope someone explores the reasons for this.
Today, the world is my oyster. I have lots of grading. I think I am going to the Boston Regatta and watch some people row. It sounds a bit yuppy for me. It is also freezing out. I could store meat in my basement. COLD. Dana wants to go watch people light Jack O Lanterns in the Boston Common, sounds lame.
World Series is tonight. I screwed up. So tonight, beer and baseball. I am thrilled.
Friday, October 20, 2006
TGI Pay Day
I am still hacking and coughing. I probably have something that requires seeing a doctor about. I refuse to a see a doctor.I generally think that Day-Quil can solve most illnesses and that I can tough it out.
World Series tonight. I am stoked to watch.
I had a good week, but it was long. Teaching for five full days can be draining. I am not for Deval Patrick, if he is going to extend the teacher's day. Extend the teacher's day, extend the teacher's pay. I feel burnt, trying to keep up with the work of my students, trying all new techniques to teaching.
I am feeling confident about Arabian Nights and it being a wonderful show. The kids are working hard. I am coming into my role as a mentor. that is what I love about teaching. I love the moments when I can just be with the kids and edify and support them and laugh and have it be real. I hate this MCAS bullshit. The kids will learn. I trust that what I teach them will make them better writers and readers and speakers. I hope that I can have the confidence to keep it up. I had two great mentoring moments this week: open house night and greenroom. I felt for that moment I was finally starting to connect to the kids.
On a side note, I am back writing again. I am now ready to process last year's strike. I want to be able to write with a voice that can really get at the heart of the issue. I want to exorcise the strike demons and writing a satire is the best way to go. I enjoy writing about brief moments of time. I loved Tobias Wolff's short story, "Bullet in the Brain", in which he wrote in brain time. I like exploring the occurances of a brief second and notice how quickly our mind shifts or is awaken or is deadened. I want to read in a point of view, where I can slip into my character's brain time.
I had some wicked crazy dreams last night. Real intense stuff. My therapist said she could tell I was a dreamer. She also called me incredibly well-adjusted. I have my doubts. I get a lot out of my dreams. I wonder why do I dream things when I do? Why did this come up at this moment? Why was this so vivid?
I am ready to go back to school. I still feel the need to be a little selfish.
Tonight, World Series and Pizza and Beer.
World Series tonight. I am stoked to watch.
I had a good week, but it was long. Teaching for five full days can be draining. I am not for Deval Patrick, if he is going to extend the teacher's day. Extend the teacher's day, extend the teacher's pay. I feel burnt, trying to keep up with the work of my students, trying all new techniques to teaching.
I am feeling confident about Arabian Nights and it being a wonderful show. The kids are working hard. I am coming into my role as a mentor. that is what I love about teaching. I love the moments when I can just be with the kids and edify and support them and laugh and have it be real. I hate this MCAS bullshit. The kids will learn. I trust that what I teach them will make them better writers and readers and speakers. I hope that I can have the confidence to keep it up. I had two great mentoring moments this week: open house night and greenroom. I felt for that moment I was finally starting to connect to the kids.
On a side note, I am back writing again. I am now ready to process last year's strike. I want to be able to write with a voice that can really get at the heart of the issue. I want to exorcise the strike demons and writing a satire is the best way to go. I enjoy writing about brief moments of time. I loved Tobias Wolff's short story, "Bullet in the Brain", in which he wrote in brain time. I like exploring the occurances of a brief second and notice how quickly our mind shifts or is awaken or is deadened. I want to read in a point of view, where I can slip into my character's brain time.
I had some wicked crazy dreams last night. Real intense stuff. My therapist said she could tell I was a dreamer. She also called me incredibly well-adjusted. I have my doubts. I get a lot out of my dreams. I wonder why do I dream things when I do? Why did this come up at this moment? Why was this so vivid?
I am ready to go back to school. I still feel the need to be a little selfish.
Tonight, World Series and Pizza and Beer.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
tuesdays with coughy
I am running on coffee and spewing up a lung everytime I open my mouth. Sickness has overtaken me. It is in the waning stages. Generally, the snot has been eliminated, but its bastard friend the hacking cough remains.
I am avoiding grading and putting everything off until morning. I love procrastination. I think it suits my profession. I would hate a nine to five job with deadlines. I would explode.
I am planning my wife's ordination. Generally, a mini-wedding.
tomorrow, I will be at work all today. I have been officially consumed and eaten by my job.
I refuse to worry about money. hack hack cough cough....sickness...
I am avoiding grading and putting everything off until morning. I love procrastination. I think it suits my profession. I would hate a nine to five job with deadlines. I would explode.
I am planning my wife's ordination. Generally, a mini-wedding.
tomorrow, I will be at work all today. I have been officially consumed and eaten by my job.
I refuse to worry about money. hack hack cough cough....sickness...
Monday, October 16, 2006
Ah, it's been a long time
Ah, blank and giggles. It has been a long time since I last blogged. Lots of stuff has transpired. I traveled to California for what turned out to a Pennsbury renunion of sorts.
Before I expound, I found LA to be fairly culturally vacuous, with great weather and plethora of self-absorbed twenty-somethings. On the positive side, I had a decent time. LA is a enclave, an island in which the inhabitants never really seemed connected to the main land. I found myself amidst the conversations of partygoers and barflys wondering if TiVo and the "industry" are the most important topics of conversations.
Perhaps, I am being so harsh because I read Woodward's State of Denial on the plane ride and was lamenting that I could not converse with anybody about the book. I truly value discussing politics and issues with individuals. I think I enjoy that most about Massachusetts, the wealth of academia that surrounds me. I do find it a bit intimidating, but I can't let that get to me.
City of Angels. It was great to see Brian, Dan and Jeff. I miss those quality friends. Jeff said something that was truly great about it those friends that knew you when you were younger and forming your identity that are those you will have have a connection with. I am making slightly more heart-warming and eloquent, but I think there is validity in the sentiment.
It was great to see Dan and Brian act again. I miss that.
Being a married, home-owning, career, masters-holding twenty-something, I find often some guilt in discussing my position with those who are still searching. Yet, I am jealous of the searching or the freedom in that time. I love marriage and stability and my job and my general financial situation, but I do miss the search as lonely and as tough as it is. I find myself searching for meaning after this year, after teaching (because I know I wouldn't do this forever). I am still searching for meaning amidst my new life here in Boston. How do I establish myself? What are my goals? I need to be able to articulate and discern where do I go from here and what does my life and my marriage and my career look like.
So I read State of Denial. Rumsfeld is a dick. I kept reading it and kept thinking, "Alright, this is the scene where Dubya gets it." Sadly, I knew the ending.
Dana had her final step before ordination. She is approved. She handled the press conference of questions like a pro. I am envious. My dream is to hold a press conference. I still harbor delusions of one day being president. I think it is somewhat healthy.
As for teaching, I am slightly stressed. Though, I love my twelve grade class. I have them excited and interested in reading and it is awesome. I am reading Ha Jin's In the Pond along with them. I think that is a good choice. I like the class because they are respectful, eager, and enjoy laughing along with me.
I finished up Catcher tomorrow. I feel like I didn't do the book justice and put a lot of expectations on myself. I think I lost vision of what it was I wanted to accomplish and overextended myself in trying to do too much. I may teach Animal Farm next. I think it is a book they can handle and I love communist pigs.
I am trying to diet. I feel like a fatty. I will write more later about LA and that time. I think when time passes I will be able to process it more. It took me four days to get over the jet lag. I am recovering from sickness and the hi's and low's of the Eagles last two games. I am still watching baseball. The Detroit Tigers is like a sports wet dream come true. I am thrilled that I have something to do enjoy this October.
Off to avoid grading.
Before I expound, I found LA to be fairly culturally vacuous, with great weather and plethora of self-absorbed twenty-somethings. On the positive side, I had a decent time. LA is a enclave, an island in which the inhabitants never really seemed connected to the main land. I found myself amidst the conversations of partygoers and barflys wondering if TiVo and the "industry" are the most important topics of conversations.
Perhaps, I am being so harsh because I read Woodward's State of Denial on the plane ride and was lamenting that I could not converse with anybody about the book. I truly value discussing politics and issues with individuals. I think I enjoy that most about Massachusetts, the wealth of academia that surrounds me. I do find it a bit intimidating, but I can't let that get to me.
City of Angels. It was great to see Brian, Dan and Jeff. I miss those quality friends. Jeff said something that was truly great about it those friends that knew you when you were younger and forming your identity that are those you will have have a connection with. I am making slightly more heart-warming and eloquent, but I think there is validity in the sentiment.
It was great to see Dan and Brian act again. I miss that.
Being a married, home-owning, career, masters-holding twenty-something, I find often some guilt in discussing my position with those who are still searching. Yet, I am jealous of the searching or the freedom in that time. I love marriage and stability and my job and my general financial situation, but I do miss the search as lonely and as tough as it is. I find myself searching for meaning after this year, after teaching (because I know I wouldn't do this forever). I am still searching for meaning amidst my new life here in Boston. How do I establish myself? What are my goals? I need to be able to articulate and discern where do I go from here and what does my life and my marriage and my career look like.
So I read State of Denial. Rumsfeld is a dick. I kept reading it and kept thinking, "Alright, this is the scene where Dubya gets it." Sadly, I knew the ending.
Dana had her final step before ordination. She is approved. She handled the press conference of questions like a pro. I am envious. My dream is to hold a press conference. I still harbor delusions of one day being president. I think it is somewhat healthy.
As for teaching, I am slightly stressed. Though, I love my twelve grade class. I have them excited and interested in reading and it is awesome. I am reading Ha Jin's In the Pond along with them. I think that is a good choice. I like the class because they are respectful, eager, and enjoy laughing along with me.
I finished up Catcher tomorrow. I feel like I didn't do the book justice and put a lot of expectations on myself. I think I lost vision of what it was I wanted to accomplish and overextended myself in trying to do too much. I may teach Animal Farm next. I think it is a book they can handle and I love communist pigs.
I am trying to diet. I feel like a fatty. I will write more later about LA and that time. I think when time passes I will be able to process it more. It took me four days to get over the jet lag. I am recovering from sickness and the hi's and low's of the Eagles last two games. I am still watching baseball. The Detroit Tigers is like a sports wet dream come true. I am thrilled that I have something to do enjoy this October.
Off to avoid grading.
Friday, October 06, 2006
California Dreamin'
I am off to LA tonight and I am thoroughly excited about taking some time away from Malden and Boston and hanging out with some friends. I am looking forward to seeing what West Coast life is like and having some fun and relaxing.
I am beginning to find my stride as a teacher, or at least, it has been a better week. I've tried to avoid being stressed and simply focus on my objective and let my natural style work towards that. I am almost done with Catcher. I am saddened by this fact.
I hate that I always feel tired in the evening. I think I am this way because I am still trying to wrap myself around what it is I am attempting to accomplish. I am still working day to day, and it is hard for me to work week to week.
Play Production is going well, and I have had to wear the hat of a choreographer of late. It has been fun to teach some dance, despite my lack of dancing ability. Arabian Nights is going to be a well-produced show, even if there are some flaws in ability. I am finding that the students are responding well to my direction.
Politically, I am already tired of this whole Mark Foley thing. I guess I should want to have it drag on to punish the Republicans, but I am just sick of the he said-he said finger-pointing. Somebody talk seriously about Iraq, or health care, or global warming.
I think I'm softening my tone on the Death of a President movie. Perhaps I would see it.
Glad that the pledge drive ends today on NPR, finally I can get the news. I am reminded of the Simpsons episode where Homer pledges money to have them shut up. I thought about trying that approach. I should give money, but I am frustrated by the obnoxious nature of pledge drives. I felt like that every morning I hear, "At this time, WBUR reminds you that this is a listener-funded radio station, blah, blah, blah, your contribution means that, blah, blah, blah" Stupid pledge drives, just give me my All Things Considered.
Playoffs started. I am rooting for the Tigers. I'd love to see the Yankees blow it again. Baseball generally consumes thirty minutes to an hour of day alone on the internet. I am enthralled by stats and blogs and articles.
I wear a Phillies cap now. A cross between Holden Caulfield and a balding twenty-something.
So it goes.
I am beginning to find my stride as a teacher, or at least, it has been a better week. I've tried to avoid being stressed and simply focus on my objective and let my natural style work towards that. I am almost done with Catcher. I am saddened by this fact.
I hate that I always feel tired in the evening. I think I am this way because I am still trying to wrap myself around what it is I am attempting to accomplish. I am still working day to day, and it is hard for me to work week to week.
Play Production is going well, and I have had to wear the hat of a choreographer of late. It has been fun to teach some dance, despite my lack of dancing ability. Arabian Nights is going to be a well-produced show, even if there are some flaws in ability. I am finding that the students are responding well to my direction.
Politically, I am already tired of this whole Mark Foley thing. I guess I should want to have it drag on to punish the Republicans, but I am just sick of the he said-he said finger-pointing. Somebody talk seriously about Iraq, or health care, or global warming.
I think I'm softening my tone on the Death of a President movie. Perhaps I would see it.
Glad that the pledge drive ends today on NPR, finally I can get the news. I am reminded of the Simpsons episode where Homer pledges money to have them shut up. I thought about trying that approach. I should give money, but I am frustrated by the obnoxious nature of pledge drives. I felt like that every morning I hear, "At this time, WBUR reminds you that this is a listener-funded radio station, blah, blah, blah, your contribution means that, blah, blah, blah" Stupid pledge drives, just give me my All Things Considered.
Playoffs started. I am rooting for the Tigers. I'd love to see the Yankees blow it again. Baseball generally consumes thirty minutes to an hour of day alone on the internet. I am enthralled by stats and blogs and articles.
I wear a Phillies cap now. A cross between Holden Caulfield and a balding twenty-something.
So it goes.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Wanna ride in a pumpkin?
Cooperstown was a wonderful time and the rest I needed to come back to work. I am constantly finding myself low energy, needing to be pumped through with Dunkin' Donuts coffee.
Cooperstown was so peaceful. Dana and I went first to the Big E, new england's state fair, where we ate, and ate some more. We then drove to Saratoga Springs, which was cute and hippie-ish, but a bit of a let down. I was hoping for a hippie, halcyon mecca, I was sorely disappointed. we stayed at a bed and breakfast, on a farm in Fort Plain. I love B&Bs. They provide a feeling of home and Americana. The breakfasts were awesome. Peacan Pie muffins...YUMMERS
I enjoyed going to the baseball hall of fame, despite learning that my phillies were eliminated, I was still in the baseball mood. I always get choked up at the nostalgia. I can walk the halls and remember the stories my father told me, or now, see the highlights and the legends that I worshipped as a kid. Baseball was such a part of my youth. I think it appeals to my interests in a slow unfolding drama, my love of American folklore, and my competive nature.
We also went to a brewery and a cider mill. I also bore witness to the most ridiculous thing I ever saw in my life: a pumpkin regatta. In cooperstown, at the pumpkin feast, individuals hollowed up 1000 pount pumpkins and got inside on the lake and paddled them in a race. It was mind-blowing. We watched the children's round. It was the coolest thing, they painted the sides of the pumpkins with sponsors' names. I found myself cheering at these ten year olds paddling these squash away.
It was hard going back to work. I have been feeling burnt lately and overwhelmed by all the creating and assignments. Play Production and English 12 is going well, but I am struggling to keep my 10 CPs interesting. Three preps is a lot and I feel a bit unfair. I am really pressing to get another period off. It is hard for me to run a dramatic program without the extra time and/or money.
I ate so much last week. I feel like a giant sea cow.
The story of the Amish school shooting is the most disturbing story I have ever heard. It is one of the few news stories that I have had to force myself to turn off when I hear it. That poor community.
The Mark Foley thing is ridiculous. What are you doing? The man is sick. I hate the way the Conservative Christians are trying to tie his homosexuality with his sexual predatory behavior. Again, the fundis go too far. The man might a grave error in judgment, taste, and is generally a pervert. He needs help. People need to move on from him and ask why Dennis Hastert and others felt compelled to cover up this kind of behavior.
I am interested in reading State of Denial, though I think I am in denail about what is included in it. I want to believe it is poor ideology, not blind arrogance that we are in this mess.
Playoffs started - I will write less and less.
Cooperstown was so peaceful. Dana and I went first to the Big E, new england's state fair, where we ate, and ate some more. We then drove to Saratoga Springs, which was cute and hippie-ish, but a bit of a let down. I was hoping for a hippie, halcyon mecca, I was sorely disappointed. we stayed at a bed and breakfast, on a farm in Fort Plain. I love B&Bs. They provide a feeling of home and Americana. The breakfasts were awesome. Peacan Pie muffins...YUMMERS
I enjoyed going to the baseball hall of fame, despite learning that my phillies were eliminated, I was still in the baseball mood. I always get choked up at the nostalgia. I can walk the halls and remember the stories my father told me, or now, see the highlights and the legends that I worshipped as a kid. Baseball was such a part of my youth. I think it appeals to my interests in a slow unfolding drama, my love of American folklore, and my competive nature.
We also went to a brewery and a cider mill. I also bore witness to the most ridiculous thing I ever saw in my life: a pumpkin regatta. In cooperstown, at the pumpkin feast, individuals hollowed up 1000 pount pumpkins and got inside on the lake and paddled them in a race. It was mind-blowing. We watched the children's round. It was the coolest thing, they painted the sides of the pumpkins with sponsors' names. I found myself cheering at these ten year olds paddling these squash away.
It was hard going back to work. I have been feeling burnt lately and overwhelmed by all the creating and assignments. Play Production and English 12 is going well, but I am struggling to keep my 10 CPs interesting. Three preps is a lot and I feel a bit unfair. I am really pressing to get another period off. It is hard for me to run a dramatic program without the extra time and/or money.
I ate so much last week. I feel like a giant sea cow.
The story of the Amish school shooting is the most disturbing story I have ever heard. It is one of the few news stories that I have had to force myself to turn off when I hear it. That poor community.
The Mark Foley thing is ridiculous. What are you doing? The man is sick. I hate the way the Conservative Christians are trying to tie his homosexuality with his sexual predatory behavior. Again, the fundis go too far. The man might a grave error in judgment, taste, and is generally a pervert. He needs help. People need to move on from him and ask why Dennis Hastert and others felt compelled to cover up this kind of behavior.
I am interested in reading State of Denial, though I think I am in denail about what is included in it. I want to believe it is poor ideology, not blind arrogance that we are in this mess.
Playoffs started - I will write less and less.
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