Well, as some of you already know, I made it to Rochester. In fairly decent shape too (though that quickly changed). It was a really long plane ride. I wasn't able to sleep at all thanks to the one-and-a-half seat guy on one side of me and the head-cheese-eating, mouth breathing, laughing-out-loud-at-Ratatoullie joker on the other side of me.
Got to town, went over to Mom's and hung out. Grabbed a whole hour of sleep. Checked into the hotel, showered and went to the Sports Page. Well, we have a mixed audience here so I'll just say that fun was had by all. Though it sure didn't take me long to fall off the wagon. I ate more carbs last night than I have in 3 weeks combined. I wasn't here for 12 freakin hours before I had my first plate. And I paid for it today at the gym.
So with a lack of sleep and a long night under my belt, I didn't wake up until after noon. Which is fine. Made the mistake of checking my e-mail. I have all these students freaking out over their grades so they're trying to turn in late work or negotiate (in the form of whining). Then there's the e-mail from a parent that my boss forwarded to me complaining about what I've been teaching. So I responded to my boss and let him decide whether to send it to the guy.
It would seem that I'm trying to indoctrinate his son. Into what I'm not sure, but I supposedly have an agenda. I guess I do... I'm trying to make his son think. Bad, Dave! Bad Dave!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The KCS Christmas Fandango
Warning: There will sports talk in this post! You may want to wear your cup while reading this.
So today was the Kihei Charter School holiday get-together. As I said before it was a softball bash. I'll consider it a success seeing as I (nor anyone else) didn't get hurt).
Actually, it was pretty cool. There wasn't enough people to go a full 9-on-9 game, but it was fun. Think of it as a PE class with beer. Before everyone was there a few of us hung out and took infield. Here's the deal: my achilles tendon actually held up well. I needed a little ice when I got home but it's way better than a few months ago. My arm is OK. The elbow's a little tender, but it was really nothing. I can make infield throws pretty well, but I can't air out anything from the outfield...yet.
The "game" was fun. It was like a PE class. One of the teachers from the high school showed up with eye black on and cletes (which fell apart and he needed tape from my bag to keep them from falling off his feet), but overall, it was just people getting together to mess around. I was told that I made the "play of the day". A slow roller that I barehanded and threw someone out. Aw shucks. I got on base every at bat but couldn't hit anything in the air. Nothing but groundballs. It was nice.
Afterwards we hung out, ate & drank. Talked about everything under the sun (or rain clouds as eventually showed up). At the end I even got to talk a little shop with the director. I didn't plan on it, but I think someone else opened the door and I busted it open.
I brought up the sign language thing (see previous post). I hadn't planned on it, but it just happened. I made sure to tell Mark that I realized that the lead teacher wasn't that up on it and that it looks like that I'm doing an "end around"...which I guess technically I was. But Mark loved the idea and it may end up happening that I get to teach it on a daily basis. I'm just going to have to make this happen very diplomatically. I didn't mean to do it this way. That's just another reason I don't normally drink while I play ball.
So it started to rain a little at the end and that's what gave everyone the excuse to call it a day, which was fine. It would have been cooler if Renee & Peggy were there (two of my co-workers), but it was a good day.
One more little anecdote. Just an example of how bad I am at small talk. I noticed that through out the day, people asked me questions and it seemed pretty natural. You know, stuff like "what are you doing for the holidays?" Relatively lame stuff like that.
Well, at today's shindig a friend of one of the teachers was there. She was a marine biologist from Ireland. She played softball, even though she had no clue what do to (I think she had 3 hits). So while we were hanging out I just started asking her questions...you know..."how long are you here?" etc. Nothing out of the ordinary. But it all seemed so awkward like I had Asperger's Sydrome. At least I wasn't a close-talker.
And I never needed my cup.
So today was the Kihei Charter School holiday get-together. As I said before it was a softball bash. I'll consider it a success seeing as I (nor anyone else) didn't get hurt).
Actually, it was pretty cool. There wasn't enough people to go a full 9-on-9 game, but it was fun. Think of it as a PE class with beer. Before everyone was there a few of us hung out and took infield. Here's the deal: my achilles tendon actually held up well. I needed a little ice when I got home but it's way better than a few months ago. My arm is OK. The elbow's a little tender, but it was really nothing. I can make infield throws pretty well, but I can't air out anything from the outfield...yet.
The "game" was fun. It was like a PE class. One of the teachers from the high school showed up with eye black on and cletes (which fell apart and he needed tape from my bag to keep them from falling off his feet), but overall, it was just people getting together to mess around. I was told that I made the "play of the day". A slow roller that I barehanded and threw someone out. Aw shucks. I got on base every at bat but couldn't hit anything in the air. Nothing but groundballs. It was nice.
Afterwards we hung out, ate & drank. Talked about everything under the sun (or rain clouds as eventually showed up). At the end I even got to talk a little shop with the director. I didn't plan on it, but I think someone else opened the door and I busted it open.
I brought up the sign language thing (see previous post). I hadn't planned on it, but it just happened. I made sure to tell Mark that I realized that the lead teacher wasn't that up on it and that it looks like that I'm doing an "end around"...which I guess technically I was. But Mark loved the idea and it may end up happening that I get to teach it on a daily basis. I'm just going to have to make this happen very diplomatically. I didn't mean to do it this way. That's just another reason I don't normally drink while I play ball.
So it started to rain a little at the end and that's what gave everyone the excuse to call it a day, which was fine. It would have been cooler if Renee & Peggy were there (two of my co-workers), but it was a good day.
One more little anecdote. Just an example of how bad I am at small talk. I noticed that through out the day, people asked me questions and it seemed pretty natural. You know, stuff like "what are you doing for the holidays?" Relatively lame stuff like that.
Well, at today's shindig a friend of one of the teachers was there. She was a marine biologist from Ireland. She played softball, even though she had no clue what do to (I think she had 3 hits). So while we were hanging out I just started asking her questions...you know..."how long are you here?" etc. Nothing out of the ordinary. But it all seemed so awkward like I had Asperger's Sydrome. At least I wasn't a close-talker.
And I never needed my cup.
Let's Get Ready to Rummmmmmmbullllll!!!!!
Well, yesterday was interesting.
More of the usual at school. Kids a little goofy and the adults having not much to come back with. More on that another time.
School's over and (were supposed to) have an afternoon to plan, but we had a meeting with a kid and parent. It was...uh...time of my life I'll never get back. When they were gone I made the suggestion that our kids would get a lot out of me teaching sign language a couple hours a week. They can't spell, need something more kinestetic and are getting no foreign languages. That idea seemed to go over like a lead balloon, at least for the lead teacher. More on that another time as well.
That night was our kids' school play. They were doing a play followed by the high schoolers doing one. Fortunately they were not holiday themed. So a couple of my co-workers and I went out for dinner then to the play. It was a pretty typical school play - we couldn't hear what any of the actors were saying because they didn't project their voices, but they had a good time. And I saw some potential stuff to use at school. Not a single high school teacher went. It was conspicuous.
After the show I went home. As soon as I got in I got a text from Jill. I ended up meeting her at Charlie's in Paia. Now if you've been listening to the show you've heard Jill talking about the infamous bar fights there. I had been there a few times and just wasn't picturing it...little did I know. [Oh, and if you're not listening to the show, what's wrong with you?]
So the night went well, there was some overpriced jam band from the mainland. The place was pretty full and it was a good night for people-watching. I met a few interesting people through Jill including this one young couple who as we talked to them I felt my brain getting smoother and smoother. And then there was gay, drunk and legally blind guy. He was so funny, we decided to use that as our MySpace headline.
It's coming up to the end of the evening. I literally had my last sip of beer ready to go when Jill said something like "Here we go." Behind me, this pretty big-ass fight started. It wasn't posturing. There were huge punches being thrown, more and more people started to get involved in it and the range of the fight swelled to take up more and more of the room - like ripples in a pond. People are backing up, trying to find a way out of the place. Then I saw bar stools starting to get swung. It wasn't cool anymore. I followed a few people out the emergency exit and noticed that it had already spilled out into the parking lot. So I waited for a few minutes, Jill caught up with me then we weaved our way out of there. I walked with her to her truck then was about to go back to my car, which was right where the fight had spilled out onto the street. I was thinking that it was going to suck if some asshole started bleeding all over my fly-ass Ford Focus.
As I started walking back I saw our little brainsmoothers walking on the other side of the street. They kind of looked like they were homeless or looking for a way to get home. Uh, no thank you, Gandalf. I wasn't looking for any more adventures. I got to the car and instead of the fight my car was surrounded by 7 cop cars. So I carefully got into my car and went home.
So that was my first real bar fight. I tend to hang at more sedate places. I was a little disappointed that Jill didn't change into her cape and tights and bust that fight up. Maybe next time.
More of the usual at school. Kids a little goofy and the adults having not much to come back with. More on that another time.
School's over and (were supposed to) have an afternoon to plan, but we had a meeting with a kid and parent. It was...uh...time of my life I'll never get back. When they were gone I made the suggestion that our kids would get a lot out of me teaching sign language a couple hours a week. They can't spell, need something more kinestetic and are getting no foreign languages. That idea seemed to go over like a lead balloon, at least for the lead teacher. More on that another time as well.
That night was our kids' school play. They were doing a play followed by the high schoolers doing one. Fortunately they were not holiday themed. So a couple of my co-workers and I went out for dinner then to the play. It was a pretty typical school play - we couldn't hear what any of the actors were saying because they didn't project their voices, but they had a good time. And I saw some potential stuff to use at school. Not a single high school teacher went. It was conspicuous.
After the show I went home. As soon as I got in I got a text from Jill. I ended up meeting her at Charlie's in Paia. Now if you've been listening to the show you've heard Jill talking about the infamous bar fights there. I had been there a few times and just wasn't picturing it...little did I know. [Oh, and if you're not listening to the show, what's wrong with you?]
So the night went well, there was some overpriced jam band from the mainland. The place was pretty full and it was a good night for people-watching. I met a few interesting people through Jill including this one young couple who as we talked to them I felt my brain getting smoother and smoother. And then there was gay, drunk and legally blind guy. He was so funny, we decided to use that as our MySpace headline.
It's coming up to the end of the evening. I literally had my last sip of beer ready to go when Jill said something like "Here we go." Behind me, this pretty big-ass fight started. It wasn't posturing. There were huge punches being thrown, more and more people started to get involved in it and the range of the fight swelled to take up more and more of the room - like ripples in a pond. People are backing up, trying to find a way out of the place. Then I saw bar stools starting to get swung. It wasn't cool anymore. I followed a few people out the emergency exit and noticed that it had already spilled out into the parking lot. So I waited for a few minutes, Jill caught up with me then we weaved our way out of there. I walked with her to her truck then was about to go back to my car, which was right where the fight had spilled out onto the street. I was thinking that it was going to suck if some asshole started bleeding all over my fly-ass Ford Focus.
As I started walking back I saw our little brainsmoothers walking on the other side of the street. They kind of looked like they were homeless or looking for a way to get home. Uh, no thank you, Gandalf. I wasn't looking for any more adventures. I got to the car and instead of the fight my car was surrounded by 7 cop cars. So I carefully got into my car and went home.
So that was my first real bar fight. I tend to hang at more sedate places. I was a little disappointed that Jill didn't change into her cape and tights and bust that fight up. Maybe next time.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Trouble in Paradise?
I don't know if this is a sign of maturity (stop laughing), but back in the day I would have this elevated sense of....mmmmm...well, kind of awe towards anyone who had a skill I admired or seemed to do a half-way decent job in a position of authority. It would usually take me a year or so to realize that the person was just as full of shit as me and everyone else. These days, the level of...uh...awe tends to be not as high and I seem to get around to that realization a bit sooner.
I hope it's maturity (I said, stop laughing) and not cynicism.
So that's kind of what's going on here on "the rock." We seem to be stuck in a non-pattern of chaos on a day-to-day basis. While I personally like the people I work with there isn't much leadership happening. We constantly react to things as opposed to prepare for things. I'm sure this is common in the business world, but it's classic - and deadly - in education.
What seems to be happening is decisions have been / are being made at the top, then we peons are given the illusion of input via some kind of meeting, but it's pretty obvious that these decisions have already been made.
Today I found out that the staffing for our program is going to be going through changes as people are going to be shuffled around. Not me, it seems, but it will have a weird effect on the program. In the meantime, I've started working on my proposal for a new way of dealing with the kiddies, starting next year. I hope to have it ready by 4th quarter to take to our newly discovered demagogues. If next year is the same chaos, then...well, my time here will be over.
Then I guess this blog can be called Dave Formerly In Maui. Or Dave in Nebraska. Or Dave in the Peace Corps. Or Dave as Keziah's Cabana Boy.
I hope it's maturity (I said, stop laughing) and not cynicism.
So that's kind of what's going on here on "the rock." We seem to be stuck in a non-pattern of chaos on a day-to-day basis. While I personally like the people I work with there isn't much leadership happening. We constantly react to things as opposed to prepare for things. I'm sure this is common in the business world, but it's classic - and deadly - in education.
What seems to be happening is decisions have been / are being made at the top, then we peons are given the illusion of input via some kind of meeting, but it's pretty obvious that these decisions have already been made.
Today I found out that the staffing for our program is going to be going through changes as people are going to be shuffled around. Not me, it seems, but it will have a weird effect on the program. In the meantime, I've started working on my proposal for a new way of dealing with the kiddies, starting next year. I hope to have it ready by 4th quarter to take to our newly discovered demagogues. If next year is the same chaos, then...well, my time here will be over.
Then I guess this blog can be called Dave Formerly In Maui. Or Dave in Nebraska. Or Dave in the Peace Corps. Or Dave as Keziah's Cabana Boy.
Monday, December 10, 2007
New Show - Name Jill's Spot
Here's a new Stuart Bedasso Show for you to enjoy.
http://media.libsyn.com/media/bedasso/TSBS_December_9_2007.mp3
http://media.libsyn.com/media/bedasso/TSBS_December_9_2007.mp3
Thursday, December 6, 2007
It Never Rains in Ki....Oh Crap!
Yep. I live in a desert. You can tell. The red clay/sand all over the place. Water advisories. The FOUR STRAIGHT DAYS OF RAIN!!!!
Either this global warming stuff is really going down or I bring this with me. Since I've been here I've had people tell me:
Gosh, I guess I'm honored to be witnessing such a glorious work of nature.
OK, I'm a little cranky. The power's been off for over a day, I need a shower and because the power's been off, since it's come back on, I've had to eat more meat than a human should because it all defrosted. It wasn't as fun as an evening at the International House of Meat, that's for sure.
The power went down across the island for a while though it seems as if Kihei is the second to last place to get it back. I'm not too confident about this as it is for the power went back on for an hour yesterday then we lost it again.
Today, I made the trek into Kahalui to get a cooler and some ice. There isn't a freakin ice cube on this island.
Another torrential downpour just finished and I'm waiting for the next. I still have my candles & flashlights ready and I'm hoping the electricity will stay on just long enough to make some ice (!).
I've never seen rain like this, for this long. I realize it's not Bangledesh, but I've never been to Bangledesh so I have nothing to compare it to.
I will say one thing. This rain has not deterred that freaking chicken one bit. Crazy bastard.
Either this global warming stuff is really going down or I bring this with me. Since I've been here I've had people tell me:
- It's not usually this hot this time of year.
- Gosh, allergy season's not usually this bad.
- It never rains more than a day in Kihei.
- I guess the rainy season came a month early this year.
Gosh, I guess I'm honored to be witnessing such a glorious work of nature.
OK, I'm a little cranky. The power's been off for over a day, I need a shower and because the power's been off, since it's come back on, I've had to eat more meat than a human should because it all defrosted. It wasn't as fun as an evening at the International House of Meat, that's for sure.
The power went down across the island for a while though it seems as if Kihei is the second to last place to get it back. I'm not too confident about this as it is for the power went back on for an hour yesterday then we lost it again.
Today, I made the trek into Kahalui to get a cooler and some ice. There isn't a freakin ice cube on this island.
Another torrential downpour just finished and I'm waiting for the next. I still have my candles & flashlights ready and I'm hoping the electricity will stay on just long enough to make some ice (!).
I've never seen rain like this, for this long. I realize it's not Bangledesh, but I've never been to Bangledesh so I have nothing to compare it to.
I will say one thing. This rain has not deterred that freaking chicken one bit. Crazy bastard.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Ho! Ho! Wha?
Yes, it's Christmas in Maui. Sounds like an old Bob Hope TV Special, but it's not. Usually I blog some kind of holiday rant, but not this year. No, I haven't found the Christmas/Channukah/Kwaanza spirit. I'm just too tired. (more on that below)
So here a few of my Maui Holiday observations:
So it's almost 10 at night and I'm at school. No, I haven't been here all evening. I'm going through this weird thing - I don't know if it's physical, mental or both. I've been having trouble sleeping. Part of it is getting to sleep, then I'm fortunate to have either the dog next door or a renegade chicken that has infiltrated the neighborhood wake me up around 3am every night. My sleep pattern is so out of wack, I crash after school every day, wake up around now then can't back to sleep until 2 or so...then the dog/chicken show. So I'm in this bizarre cycle. Hopefully, I'll be back in a groove in a few weeks...just in time to stay up all night with some of y'all. And I may have some chicken & dog jerky to share with you.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
So here a few of my Maui Holiday observations:
- I don't care what you say, a big-ass tent with a bunch of Christmas trees for sale on a tropical island just doesn't look right. It doesn't matter if it's for a good cause or not, it's just weird.
- I'm sure it's not a surprise to you to hear that there's no snow. That's fine. It happens all over the world. But it is winter here in Hawaii so it's rained for a week. Which is cool, because it's pretty much the only rain Kihei gets all year. But have you ever tried to shovel rain? It's pretty freaking hard!
- I'm not much of a Christmas Party guy (big shocker), but I have to admit that the Kihei Charter School's holiday party is going to be REALLY strange. It'll be the first holiday party - or maybe ANY party - that I'll need to wear my cup for. I'm not making that up. It's the KCS "Lucky You Live Maui" Holiday Softball Bash. I'm serious.
Now, being the STEM Academy's Humanities teacher, I felt obligated to put up some token resistance to the grammar, but honestly, I really don't care. The potluck theme is "food from your home state". Where the hell am I going to get a Garbage Plate that feeds 40? Anyone wanna overnight a case of Genny?
Another problem is...it's winter in Maui...as I said before, that means rain. So there is the potential of having our Christmas Party rained out. In other words, I'll be standing in the rain, singing Christmas carols wearing an athletic supporter.
Sounds like just another Sunday, playing ball back home. Hell, I don't even need Kenny...I've got LIVE chickens here. (sorry for the inside joke)
So it's almost 10 at night and I'm at school. No, I haven't been here all evening. I'm going through this weird thing - I don't know if it's physical, mental or both. I've been having trouble sleeping. Part of it is getting to sleep, then I'm fortunate to have either the dog next door or a renegade chicken that has infiltrated the neighborhood wake me up around 3am every night. My sleep pattern is so out of wack, I crash after school every day, wake up around now then can't back to sleep until 2 or so...then the dog/chicken show. So I'm in this bizarre cycle. Hopefully, I'll be back in a groove in a few weeks...just in time to stay up all night with some of y'all. And I may have some chicken & dog jerky to share with you.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
New Stuart Bedasso Show
Click here to download the new Stuart Bedasso Show. Be forewarned: it's for mature audiences only.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Open Letter on a Private Blog
I'm thinking about proposing we send out the following letter to all the parents of our students. Feel free to give me your feedback:
Over the top???
Dear Parent or Guardian of My Student,
Your child is a liar. I'm sorry. Your child is a fucking liar. I'm not supposed to tell you that, because...uh...I forgot why, but I'm not.
Face it. Your kid is lying when s/he tells you s/he did the work and handed it it, but the three people with Master's Degrees and a million years of teaching experience lost it/didn't grade it/ate it/ whatever...for the 11th time.
Your kid is lying.
By the way. You're a fucking liar, too. If your kid was doing so well at XXXXXXX school for the last 5 years like you claim, why would you take that kid out and put him/her in our school? Haven't you noticed that you're child is basically illiterate? If your kid really was such a scholar at the Don Ho Elementary School maybe you should look up the following term: social promotion.
Look. We all lie. Some more than others. Most do it in harmless situations. But when you bother other people with your lie by complaining over and over again, you become a fucking liar. So leave us alone so we can get back to trying to educate your child. It's about time someone did it.
I really am glad your child is in our school. (Now I'm a fucking liar)
Dave Atias
Over the top???
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Thanksgiving Recap
This isn't good. It's almost Midnight - my time - and I'm having a really hard time shutting off my mind. I have no idea when I'm going to be able to get to sleep. And it's a school night. So I thought I'd jump online and recap my weekend. If you listen to the podcast, the new one has me already talking about this, but I know that many of you don't (hrumph) so I'll give it another spin. Stay with me on this.
My second day of school, I was talking with Peggy, one of the other teachers I work with. I have no idea how we got onto the topic of Thanksgiving (it was July), but I suddenly found myself invited to her house for Thanksgiving. Actually, shanghied would be a better word for it. But I figured that there would be ample time to either get used to the idea or come up with a broken leg or something.
Last week, Peggy found out that her mother - who lives in Cleveland needs bypass surgery...the next morning. So she's going to the mainland for a week and Thanksgiving is canceled - well, at her house anyway. She's not that commanding.
Cool. I can spend the night by myself, which is really what I would prefer. Like a good little jew, I'll get a good piece of fish, maybe rent a movie (for the first time since I've been here) and just chill out. Well, one more little speed bump.
A couple of days after the Peggy announcement, I was doing some work afterschool. As a quick aside, I'm getting the feeling that I'm making some people uncomfortable with the amount of time I spend at school. I'm usually the last to leave. But by the same token, I rarely take work home with me, which most teachers do. Or the good ones, anyway. So, that day, Mark, my boss, is making conversation with me and at the same time steering me out of the building - by turning off all the lights, you know...subtle hints. He invited me over to his house for thanksgiving. Which was very nice of him. But he also mentioned that his wife, Lori (who is very nice) has an aunt's step-daughter - or something like that - who is single and will be there, yada, yada, yada.
OK, I'm not all that hip to the "fix-up" but I'm actually at the point where I don't care anymore. But something like that over Thanksgiving dinner...uh...nah. So I politely decline.
Now I'm back to my good piece of fish. Which was good by the way. I eat the fish, I watch the movie and it's still not really late yet. I notice that there's a salsa band playing at this bar. OK, I can do that. Hang out for a beer and hear some salsa. I did miss the Puerto Rican Festival for the first time in a million years. Why not.
I get there...and it's not exactly a band. Think the Culps from Saturday Night Live.
Now mix in salsa and that's what you have. A keyboard that plays the cheesy percussion. Dude has a guitar and the chick has a tamborine and a gigantic hair-do. Add to that, they're playing pop songs with salsa-ish arrangements. Oy. They were even playing this old Sting song that was really about people who were tortured in Central America. What the???
I was going to leave after a beer, but something caught my eye. This dude who had to be at least 70 years old. He was doing that really fragile, old-man-walk, like his walker is in the shop. But he would shuffle up to a woman, get her to dance and once he was on the dance floor he was a freakin maniac! I don't mean for a 70-year-old. That dude was out dancing just about everyone. I stayed just to watch that guy.
But because it was a holiday, the place closed at 11 so I just ended up going home with bad salsa stuck in my head.
But really...the salmon was good.
My second day of school, I was talking with Peggy, one of the other teachers I work with. I have no idea how we got onto the topic of Thanksgiving (it was July), but I suddenly found myself invited to her house for Thanksgiving. Actually, shanghied would be a better word for it. But I figured that there would be ample time to either get used to the idea or come up with a broken leg or something.
Last week, Peggy found out that her mother - who lives in Cleveland needs bypass surgery...the next morning. So she's going to the mainland for a week and Thanksgiving is canceled - well, at her house anyway. She's not that commanding.
Cool. I can spend the night by myself, which is really what I would prefer. Like a good little jew, I'll get a good piece of fish, maybe rent a movie (for the first time since I've been here) and just chill out. Well, one more little speed bump.
A couple of days after the Peggy announcement, I was doing some work afterschool. As a quick aside, I'm getting the feeling that I'm making some people uncomfortable with the amount of time I spend at school. I'm usually the last to leave. But by the same token, I rarely take work home with me, which most teachers do. Or the good ones, anyway. So, that day, Mark, my boss, is making conversation with me and at the same time steering me out of the building - by turning off all the lights, you know...subtle hints. He invited me over to his house for thanksgiving. Which was very nice of him. But he also mentioned that his wife, Lori (who is very nice) has an aunt's step-daughter - or something like that - who is single and will be there, yada, yada, yada.
OK, I'm not all that hip to the "fix-up" but I'm actually at the point where I don't care anymore. But something like that over Thanksgiving dinner...uh...nah. So I politely decline.
Now I'm back to my good piece of fish. Which was good by the way. I eat the fish, I watch the movie and it's still not really late yet. I notice that there's a salsa band playing at this bar. OK, I can do that. Hang out for a beer and hear some salsa. I did miss the Puerto Rican Festival for the first time in a million years. Why not.
I get there...and it's not exactly a band. Think the Culps from Saturday Night Live.
Now mix in salsa and that's what you have. A keyboard that plays the cheesy percussion. Dude has a guitar and the chick has a tamborine and a gigantic hair-do. Add to that, they're playing pop songs with salsa-ish arrangements. Oy. They were even playing this old Sting song that was really about people who were tortured in Central America. What the???
I was going to leave after a beer, but something caught my eye. This dude who had to be at least 70 years old. He was doing that really fragile, old-man-walk, like his walker is in the shop. But he would shuffle up to a woman, get her to dance and once he was on the dance floor he was a freakin maniac! I don't mean for a 70-year-old. That dude was out dancing just about everyone. I stayed just to watch that guy.
But because it was a holiday, the place closed at 11 so I just ended up going home with bad salsa stuck in my head.
But really...the salmon was good.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
I Thought It Would Be Bigger
Not THAT! Get your mind out of the gutter.
The other day at school, I had to go into the office for something and Mark started saying something about he wanted to show me how much my work is being appreciated, blah, blah, blah. And I could see he was holding a check of some kind so I'm figuring it's for 25 cents or some goofy amount like that. Well, it was for a goofy amount alright...uh, like $1.1 million goofy. It was the check from the Department of Education for the school. I was really busy at the time and it didn't hit me until later that I was holding a check for a million bucks. I thought it would have been one of those big ass checks that have at golf tournaments.
Anyway, the holiday season is just about upon us and with it comes my old friend. Yes, for those who have known me for a while will remember that around this time of year I start to get a bit on the grumpy side. OK, I'm an asshole. I've learned to embrace my annual bout of depression so fear not, my friends. Instead of using this time to mope around I'm trying to use the time where I tend to hate most people by being productive. Here's a video of some work the kids did last week. I'd love to say that it's not too jiggly, but let's see you hold a video camera when you're up to your chest in ocean at high tide.
The other day at school, I had to go into the office for something and Mark started saying something about he wanted to show me how much my work is being appreciated, blah, blah, blah. And I could see he was holding a check of some kind so I'm figuring it's for 25 cents or some goofy amount like that. Well, it was for a goofy amount alright...uh, like $1.1 million goofy. It was the check from the Department of Education for the school. I was really busy at the time and it didn't hit me until later that I was holding a check for a million bucks. I thought it would have been one of those big ass checks that have at golf tournaments.
Anyway, the holiday season is just about upon us and with it comes my old friend. Yes, for those who have known me for a while will remember that around this time of year I start to get a bit on the grumpy side. OK, I'm an asshole. I've learned to embrace my annual bout of depression so fear not, my friends. Instead of using this time to mope around I'm trying to use the time where I tend to hate most people by being productive. Here's a video of some work the kids did last week. I'd love to say that it's not too jiggly, but let's see you hold a video camera when you're up to your chest in ocean at high tide.
Monday, November 12, 2007
My First Luau
I was invited to my first Luau over the weekend. What made it a little odd was that it was a fundraiser for the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). Of course I brought the average age down to about 150, but I had a good time. There were a couple of musicians there who were good - both were teachers in a school upcountry. There was - what I'm told was - authentic hula dancers. I have to admit, it really reminded me of storytelling in American Sign Language.
Now the food...um, I don't think I'm going to be eating too much Hawaiian food. Salty, high carbs and some raw fish. Not quite my favorites. But I tried it and lived. I've now had authentic poi. There wasn't that much flavor to it and it was really heavy.
I tried to stay away from the folks telling war stories. I'm not going to get into the reason why, but if you're curious, you can check out my Veterans Day post at Whitee.com.
Now the food...um, I don't think I'm going to be eating too much Hawaiian food. Salty, high carbs and some raw fish. Not quite my favorites. But I tried it and lived. I've now had authentic poi. There wasn't that much flavor to it and it was really heavy.
I tried to stay away from the folks telling war stories. I'm not going to get into the reason why, but if you're curious, you can check out my Veterans Day post at Whitee.com.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Gym Event
Something happened to me at the gym today that's never happened before. Somebody asked ME for advice. Hold your jokes until the end, please.
I was on the elliptical machine doing my cardio and during this time an "older" guy got on the machine next to me. A couple of times. I noticed that he was kinda looking at me and I really didn't care why. Maybe I reminded him of Opie Cunningham or the guy who works at the gas station or he was some old gay guy looking for a date. Whatever. I had work to do. So I finished my 30 minutes and got off to wipe the machine down and he came up to me and asked how I got up to that amount of time.
He must have thought I was an idiot because I didn't have much of an answer. I'm not used to anyone talking to me at the gym, let alone asking me how or why I do something. I told him that I just start with the time I want to do and increase the intensity as it gets easier. I wanted to tell him to start with getting rid of the banana yellow Crocs and half shirt.
Now by half shirt, I don't mean sleeveless, I mean the kind of half shirt we used to wear under our shoulder pads in football. Yeah. It wasn't pretty. But I guess it wasn't as important as the shoes.
I'm really surprised that he didn't go flying off the machine wearing those.
But dude had the last laugh. He wasn't alone. He was with Hot Older Chick who was bending and stretching all over the place. I guess I need me some yellow Crocs. But I'm not going with the half shirt unless I'm strapping the pads on again.
Tangent Alert: At what point am I not allowed to refer to someone as "older"? I mean, I'm no spring chicken any more. Now when I do it, I actually have to do the math in my head to see if it's appropriate. When I'm in the home and I'm 70, can I talk about that hot 85 year old hottie as "older"?
So...is your grandma single?
OK, I'm done.
I was on the elliptical machine doing my cardio and during this time an "older" guy got on the machine next to me. A couple of times. I noticed that he was kinda looking at me and I really didn't care why. Maybe I reminded him of Opie Cunningham or the guy who works at the gas station or he was some old gay guy looking for a date. Whatever. I had work to do. So I finished my 30 minutes and got off to wipe the machine down and he came up to me and asked how I got up to that amount of time.
He must have thought I was an idiot because I didn't have much of an answer. I'm not used to anyone talking to me at the gym, let alone asking me how or why I do something. I told him that I just start with the time I want to do and increase the intensity as it gets easier. I wanted to tell him to start with getting rid of the banana yellow Crocs and half shirt.
Now by half shirt, I don't mean sleeveless, I mean the kind of half shirt we used to wear under our shoulder pads in football. Yeah. It wasn't pretty. But I guess it wasn't as important as the shoes.
I'm really surprised that he didn't go flying off the machine wearing those.
But dude had the last laugh. He wasn't alone. He was with Hot Older Chick who was bending and stretching all over the place. I guess I need me some yellow Crocs. But I'm not going with the half shirt unless I'm strapping the pads on again.
Tangent Alert: At what point am I not allowed to refer to someone as "older"? I mean, I'm no spring chicken any more. Now when I do it, I actually have to do the math in my head to see if it's appropriate. When I'm in the home and I'm 70, can I talk about that hot 85 year old hottie as "older"?
So...is your grandma single?
OK, I'm done.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Life is Full of Contradictions
I read a review in Bitch Magazine of the book by Danica McKellar called Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math (without losing your mind or breaking a nail).
I decided to buy it as I have a bunch of underachieving girls in school who aren't doing well in math and thought that it couldn't hurt. Now, I may not be so sure.
At the risk of having all the women in the Kelsey family on my ass, there's actually horoscopes inside the darn thing. It's not totally "girlie" but enough that makes me a little uncomfortable. I'm trying to get my girls to NOT identify themselves with what they wear or if the cute boy likes them or not. There's good things in the book, but...
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I do remember when these pictures came out:
Yes, Danica McKellar is Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years. She has a degree in math and is doing some cool academic math stuff. But something in my gut...
Screw it. I'll give it to the math teacher and she can decide what to do with it. I just hope it helps.
Speaking of the math teacher...she invited me to join her and her husband tomorrow to my first luau. The semi-ironic thing is that it's a fundraiser for the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign War).
I'll save my annual hand-wringing on veterans for Monday.
I decided to buy it as I have a bunch of underachieving girls in school who aren't doing well in math and thought that it couldn't hurt. Now, I may not be so sure.
At the risk of having all the women in the Kelsey family on my ass, there's actually horoscopes inside the darn thing. It's not totally "girlie" but enough that makes me a little uncomfortable. I'm trying to get my girls to NOT identify themselves with what they wear or if the cute boy likes them or not. There's good things in the book, but...
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I do remember when these pictures came out:
Yes, Danica McKellar is Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years. She has a degree in math and is doing some cool academic math stuff. But something in my gut...
Screw it. I'll give it to the math teacher and she can decide what to do with it. I just hope it helps.
Speaking of the math teacher...she invited me to join her and her husband tomorrow to my first luau. The semi-ironic thing is that it's a fundraiser for the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign War).
I'll save my annual hand-wringing on veterans for Monday.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Now I Make the OLD Girls Cry
This was kind of a weird day. I've had weirder, but it definitely wasn't normal.
I was greeted at school this morning by a parent who was...uh...upset about her kid. We're all upset about her kid. Her kid is obnoxious. You don't know this kid and you should be upset about him because he's breathing your oxygen. Anyway, yesterday, I sent him out of my class. I just had it. He was rude and disrespectful for the 7 millionth time and it was just enough.
We have this web-based tool that we use to give parents a constant update on kids' grades and behaviors. And for the...oh, maybe 9th day in a row at least one of the teachers wrote a note describing his obnoxious behavior. On this day, all 3 of us did. Now this isn't a huge surprise as this is one of the parents who tried to intimidate us at that parents' meeting a couple of weeks ago.
But she came in today in tears. She doesn't understand what is wrong with her son, they can't get him to cooperate, he's never had this problem before, etc. She's going to hold him out of school until something can be figured out. OK. I tell her that I'll make some calls to one of our administrators and the school counselor and that I'll call her later.
Well, by the afternoon, all the teachers received an e-mail from her. She's figured out that, while it's no excuse for his behavior, it's all of our fault (the e-mail was much longer than that). Uh...OK. So my reply was that this is now an issue for an administrator and I passed her off to one. You are dead to me, Crazy Lady.
I blame Mark for hiring such lousy teachers.
*********************************************************
This morning we had a visit by the Bookmobile! Yeaaaaaaaaaa! What's the big deal, you ask? Well, remember, our school is in a Tech Park. We're it. There's no gym, library, nurse's office, etc. We've been trying to stock our own classroom library, but it's slow going. It wasn't bad. They had some pretty cool stuff. Most of the kids found things and I even checked out a 2 CD set of Hawaiian Cowboy music. Yippie-kai-yea, Mother...oh...sorry. Started channeling Die Hard.
And I heard that Rochester's Bookmobile only carries old copies of Jet Magazine with all the good pictures of Lola Falana cut out.
That's what I heard.
Anyway, the Bookmobile leaves and I don't think about it again. Until later, when I was informed that we got in trouble because the Bookmobile parked too close to the world's 11th largest supercomputer that is in the building right next to us. At first I thought they were pissed because they were too close to the dumpster - which is locked, by the way. I have no idea what THAT is all about. What do those nerds throw away, anyway? But no, they were too close to the Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.
Were they worried that the Bookmobile librarian was going to try to shimmy over the non-existent barbed wire, take out the non-existent guard and...uh...try to play a war game, inadvertently almost starting World War III while simultaneously kissing Ally Sheedy? It's a freakin Bookmobile! Although the librarian and Ally Sheedy kissing would be hot. I'm just saying.
******************************************************
Then, this afternoon, I had my school baseball "informational" meeting. All 7 of us. And two of them were girls who came because there isn't a softball team. Doesn't matter to me. I told them that if they're willing to go through the practices, they're on the team (assuming it's OK with the state). Sheeeee-it. I coached at Franklin. I can coach anyone. Bring me your tired, your poor...your players who throw like girls...you get the point.
Oh, and I found out yesterday that if we wanted ANY team for this year we were supposed to go to the league last May. So, we're going to try to get a team, practice and scrimmage with the intent of showing the league that we're serious, then start the full program next year. Assuming I can get more than 7 kids.
**********************************************************
I'm on again at Mana'o Friday night, 8 to midnight. I'm doing so many of this guy's shifts, I wish they'd just give it to me for crying out loud. Remember, now I'm only 5 hours difference from you East Coasters. So that's 1am to 5am.
**********************************************************
If the Greens here moved any slower, we'd have to change our name to the Wilted Greens.
**********************************************************
While I'm having a blast, I can't wait to get home to see everyone. You should all move down here. I'm just saying.
I was greeted at school this morning by a parent who was...uh...upset about her kid. We're all upset about her kid. Her kid is obnoxious. You don't know this kid and you should be upset about him because he's breathing your oxygen. Anyway, yesterday, I sent him out of my class. I just had it. He was rude and disrespectful for the 7 millionth time and it was just enough.
We have this web-based tool that we use to give parents a constant update on kids' grades and behaviors. And for the...oh, maybe 9th day in a row at least one of the teachers wrote a note describing his obnoxious behavior. On this day, all 3 of us did. Now this isn't a huge surprise as this is one of the parents who tried to intimidate us at that parents' meeting a couple of weeks ago.
But she came in today in tears. She doesn't understand what is wrong with her son, they can't get him to cooperate, he's never had this problem before, etc. She's going to hold him out of school until something can be figured out. OK. I tell her that I'll make some calls to one of our administrators and the school counselor and that I'll call her later.
Well, by the afternoon, all the teachers received an e-mail from her. She's figured out that, while it's no excuse for his behavior, it's all of our fault (the e-mail was much longer than that). Uh...OK. So my reply was that this is now an issue for an administrator and I passed her off to one. You are dead to me, Crazy Lady.
I blame Mark for hiring such lousy teachers.
*********************************************************
This morning we had a visit by the Bookmobile! Yeaaaaaaaaaa! What's the big deal, you ask? Well, remember, our school is in a Tech Park. We're it. There's no gym, library, nurse's office, etc. We've been trying to stock our own classroom library, but it's slow going. It wasn't bad. They had some pretty cool stuff. Most of the kids found things and I even checked out a 2 CD set of Hawaiian Cowboy music. Yippie-kai-yea, Mother...oh...sorry. Started channeling Die Hard.
And I heard that Rochester's Bookmobile only carries old copies of Jet Magazine with all the good pictures of Lola Falana cut out.
That's what I heard.
Anyway, the Bookmobile leaves and I don't think about it again. Until later, when I was informed that we got in trouble because the Bookmobile parked too close to the world's 11th largest supercomputer that is in the building right next to us. At first I thought they were pissed because they were too close to the dumpster - which is locked, by the way. I have no idea what THAT is all about. What do those nerds throw away, anyway? But no, they were too close to the Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.
Were they worried that the Bookmobile librarian was going to try to shimmy over the non-existent barbed wire, take out the non-existent guard and...uh...try to play a war game, inadvertently almost starting World War III while simultaneously kissing Ally Sheedy? It's a freakin Bookmobile! Although the librarian and Ally Sheedy kissing would be hot. I'm just saying.
******************************************************
Then, this afternoon, I had my school baseball "informational" meeting. All 7 of us. And two of them were girls who came because there isn't a softball team. Doesn't matter to me. I told them that if they're willing to go through the practices, they're on the team (assuming it's OK with the state). Sheeeee-it. I coached at Franklin. I can coach anyone. Bring me your tired, your poor...your players who throw like girls...you get the point.
Oh, and I found out yesterday that if we wanted ANY team for this year we were supposed to go to the league last May. So, we're going to try to get a team, practice and scrimmage with the intent of showing the league that we're serious, then start the full program next year. Assuming I can get more than 7 kids.
**********************************************************
I'm on again at Mana'o Friday night, 8 to midnight. I'm doing so many of this guy's shifts, I wish they'd just give it to me for crying out loud. Remember, now I'm only 5 hours difference from you East Coasters. So that's 1am to 5am.
**********************************************************
If the Greens here moved any slower, we'd have to change our name to the Wilted Greens.
**********************************************************
While I'm having a blast, I can't wait to get home to see everyone. You should all move down here. I'm just saying.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
I'm Ready For My Closeup
I was supposed to do all these things this weekend. In fact, as I type this I'm supposed to be at a beach party for the Save Makena folks. I'm just into big crowds this weekend. Last night I was supposed to go see a couple of bands play. Instead I stayed home and took the next step into my activist world - video. I told you a week or so ago that I spent time at one of the sign waving protests taking video. Well, we've also started to accumulate a lot of video at school so I figured it was time to bite the bullet and learn me some video editing.
Uh...in my own unique way I figured that it wouldn't take long so what's the harm in having a "pop" while I'm working. Well, it took a long time and by the end I was pretty hammered. Oops. So I finished a rough cut last night. I brought it to school today because I wanted to see it on our big-ass flatscreen TV. It was cool, but there were a couple of things bugging me still and seeing as how I'm avoiding this beach party I decided to fix them. Here is the improved-but-still-rough-cut.
[UPDATE UPDATE: This is the real final version. I changed the text over the video to black to make it easier to read.]
Feel free to send me any feedback. Yes, I know. I'm a shitty camera person. So you can skip that one.
Uh...in my own unique way I figured that it wouldn't take long so what's the harm in having a "pop" while I'm working. Well, it took a long time and by the end I was pretty hammered. Oops. So I finished a rough cut last night. I brought it to school today because I wanted to see it on our big-ass flatscreen TV. It was cool, but there were a couple of things bugging me still and seeing as how I'm avoiding this beach party I decided to fix them. Here is the improved-but-still-rough-cut.
[UPDATE UPDATE: This is the real final version. I changed the text over the video to black to make it easier to read.]
Feel free to send me any feedback. Yes, I know. I'm a shitty camera person. So you can skip that one.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Am I Going to Have to Pay Someone to Keep this Job?
Uh...what just happened?
Let's review shall we? I currently have a job teaching in a school that is letting me have kids create a cable access TV show, a podcast (that will hopefully become a radio station) and a newspaper. After 15 years, I'm back doing radio at a station that let's me play anything I want within FCC regulations - and they actually like what I play! I'm doing political organizing in a place where the everyday person is not afraid of thinking outside the box - even if the box is corrupt as a mother.
Today:
In class today, I got to start using Amnesty International Urgent Actions to have the kids work on Social Studies, Geography, research, reading, letter writing, empathy and even a bit of psychology. I don't know if it will turn into us having an Amnesty International chapter at the school - which is something I've always wanted to do - but it's a start.
Then, I had a conversation with the school's director. It looks like I'll be starting up the Kihei Charter School baseball team. We'll start with a JV team this year and next year add the varsity. I'll start the JV team then move up next year.
Let's be honest, except for having all of you here, there's really nothing else I'd rather be doing. Teaching in the way I want, radio, political organizing, coaching baseball, the podcast, and next summer, playing baseball. And they even sell beer here!
Once again, how the hell did I get here?
Let's review shall we? I currently have a job teaching in a school that is letting me have kids create a cable access TV show, a podcast (that will hopefully become a radio station) and a newspaper. After 15 years, I'm back doing radio at a station that let's me play anything I want within FCC regulations - and they actually like what I play! I'm doing political organizing in a place where the everyday person is not afraid of thinking outside the box - even if the box is corrupt as a mother.
Today:
In class today, I got to start using Amnesty International Urgent Actions to have the kids work on Social Studies, Geography, research, reading, letter writing, empathy and even a bit of psychology. I don't know if it will turn into us having an Amnesty International chapter at the school - which is something I've always wanted to do - but it's a start.
Then, I had a conversation with the school's director. It looks like I'll be starting up the Kihei Charter School baseball team. We'll start with a JV team this year and next year add the varsity. I'll start the JV team then move up next year.
Let's be honest, except for having all of you here, there's really nothing else I'd rather be doing. Teaching in the way I want, radio, political organizing, coaching baseball, the podcast, and next summer, playing baseball. And they even sell beer here!
Once again, how the hell did I get here?
Saturday, October 27, 2007
I Need Socks
I know. That doesn't seem to be a very interesting topic to blog on, but stay with me.
I need socks. So on this Saturday I planned on getting socks. Sounds pretty logical, right? Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice & men. I don't know how mice's plans got involved in this, but our plans go fucking awry!
What was I talking about? Oh yeah. Socks. So socks were on my list of things to do today. First, I had to meet some students at the Pacific Whale Foundation. One of them is interviewing a Sea Turtle expert for our upcoming cable access show. So I popped over to school to pick up equipment and do some little things, then I drove over to the PWF. Two kids showed up with their parents. We met the interviewee, Stephanie. She's...uh...well, let's just say that I wouldn't kick her out of bed for saving Sea Turtles. OK, that doesn't make sense, but you know what I mean. While I really had no reason to, I gave her my card. (the Green Party organizer card...Flapjacking, baby!)
So the interview finishes and I'm going to the car, daydreaming about my new Sea Turtle Goddess. As I get to the car I hear a female voice, "Excuse me."
I look up and it's this other woman, who I wouldn't kick out of my bed for...uh...alright, I don't know what she would be doing, but I wouldn't kick her out of my bed for doing it, OK?
"Um, which way would you be going?"
Now, I really didn't know. Remember, I need socks. And I was either going to get socks or I was going to another Save Makena protest. They were hoping I would bring the school video camera, which I had with me...but damn it, I really need those socks.
[Warning: Maui references ahead]
"I...uh...I think I'm going to Kahului." That's where the socks are. "Why, where do you need to go?"
"Kihei"
Damn. I wouldn't kick her out of my car, either. And going to Kihei would be on my way if I were going to the protest. I'm sure you can figure out what's next...
So, on the way to Kihei...I find out her name is Sharon. She's only been on the island for a month. Already has a boyfriend who she met a couple days after being here. From San Francisco, she was doing some corporate crap, got fed up and just left for Maui. Now she's doing part-time stuff until she can figure out what she wants to do here. She missed the bus to go to her job in Kihei at Cafe Ole (an awesome restaurant - too expensive for dinner, but great for lunch).
We get to Cafe Ole and I stop to get something to drink at the store next door. But first I give her my card. (Insert Sade's Smooth Operator here.)
OK...I'm not even NEAR any place that sells socks now and I'm 2 minutes away from this damn protest. Fine...I'll go to the stupid protest. I did and it was fairly lame. I tried to get some pictures, but it just wasn't working. But I did take video which I'll be messing with over the next week. Stay tuned.
With about an hour left (!) these three Hawaiian guys showed up to join the protest, bringing the total to about 8 people. They were cool. They held signs and laughed their asses off the whole time. They laughed at the stupid tourists who looked at us like we were from another planet. They laughed with the other Hawaiians who drove by...and everyone who wasn't me would "Woo!" I felt a little inadequate, as if I had gone to a nude beach.
Now, I've been involved in protests in the sun, rain, wind, snow, day, night...but I've never been in one where the main obstacle was mosquitoes. The Hawaiian guys laughed at them, too...as they were getting their asses bit up. But it was getting to the point that when you looked at your legs you couldn't tell which were the mosquitoes you already killed and which were the still alive ones you needed to kill. There was mosquito juice all over my hands. I'm talking a lot of freakin mosquitoes.
Eventually a few people straggled away. I realized that for the last 45 minutes it was just me and a bunch of Hawaiians. It was fine and I didn't feel out of place, but I have to admit, it was one of those "How the hell did I get HERE?" moments. We finished, everyone hugged / shook homie hands and left. In the car, I realized just how inept I am at the homie handshake. I'm always a few inches off, I just can't get a clean clasp. I'm very white, you know.
So now I'm home, doing a little cleaning, but it's still early. I think I may go up to Paia...there's a benefit for Mana'o Radio at Charley's. I figure, if today's going to be a day of meeting people, I may as well take advantage of it. But I don't think I'll stay out too late...
I have to go shopping for socks tomorrow.
I need socks. So on this Saturday I planned on getting socks. Sounds pretty logical, right? Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice & men. I don't know how mice's plans got involved in this, but our plans go fucking awry!
What was I talking about? Oh yeah. Socks. So socks were on my list of things to do today. First, I had to meet some students at the Pacific Whale Foundation. One of them is interviewing a Sea Turtle expert for our upcoming cable access show. So I popped over to school to pick up equipment and do some little things, then I drove over to the PWF. Two kids showed up with their parents. We met the interviewee, Stephanie. She's...uh...well, let's just say that I wouldn't kick her out of bed for saving Sea Turtles. OK, that doesn't make sense, but you know what I mean. While I really had no reason to, I gave her my card. (the Green Party organizer card...Flapjacking, baby!)
So the interview finishes and I'm going to the car, daydreaming about my new Sea Turtle Goddess. As I get to the car I hear a female voice, "Excuse me."
I look up and it's this other woman, who I wouldn't kick out of my bed for...uh...alright, I don't know what she would be doing, but I wouldn't kick her out of my bed for doing it, OK?
"Um, which way would you be going?"
Now, I really didn't know. Remember, I need socks. And I was either going to get socks or I was going to another Save Makena protest. They were hoping I would bring the school video camera, which I had with me...but damn it, I really need those socks.
[Warning: Maui references ahead]
"I...uh...I think I'm going to Kahului." That's where the socks are. "Why, where do you need to go?"
"Kihei"
Damn. I wouldn't kick her out of my car, either. And going to Kihei would be on my way if I were going to the protest. I'm sure you can figure out what's next...
So, on the way to Kihei...I find out her name is Sharon. She's only been on the island for a month. Already has a boyfriend who she met a couple days after being here. From San Francisco, she was doing some corporate crap, got fed up and just left for Maui. Now she's doing part-time stuff until she can figure out what she wants to do here. She missed the bus to go to her job in Kihei at Cafe Ole (an awesome restaurant - too expensive for dinner, but great for lunch).
We get to Cafe Ole and I stop to get something to drink at the store next door. But first I give her my card. (Insert Sade's Smooth Operator here.)
OK...I'm not even NEAR any place that sells socks now and I'm 2 minutes away from this damn protest. Fine...I'll go to the stupid protest. I did and it was fairly lame. I tried to get some pictures, but it just wasn't working. But I did take video which I'll be messing with over the next week. Stay tuned.
With about an hour left (!) these three Hawaiian guys showed up to join the protest, bringing the total to about 8 people. They were cool. They held signs and laughed their asses off the whole time. They laughed at the stupid tourists who looked at us like we were from another planet. They laughed with the other Hawaiians who drove by...and everyone who wasn't me would "Woo!" I felt a little inadequate, as if I had gone to a nude beach.
Now, I've been involved in protests in the sun, rain, wind, snow, day, night...but I've never been in one where the main obstacle was mosquitoes. The Hawaiian guys laughed at them, too...as they were getting their asses bit up. But it was getting to the point that when you looked at your legs you couldn't tell which were the mosquitoes you already killed and which were the still alive ones you needed to kill. There was mosquito juice all over my hands. I'm talking a lot of freakin mosquitoes.
Eventually a few people straggled away. I realized that for the last 45 minutes it was just me and a bunch of Hawaiians. It was fine and I didn't feel out of place, but I have to admit, it was one of those "How the hell did I get HERE?" moments. We finished, everyone hugged / shook homie hands and left. In the car, I realized just how inept I am at the homie handshake. I'm always a few inches off, I just can't get a clean clasp. I'm very white, you know.
So now I'm home, doing a little cleaning, but it's still early. I think I may go up to Paia...there's a benefit for Mana'o Radio at Charley's. I figure, if today's going to be a day of meeting people, I may as well take advantage of it. But I don't think I'll stay out too late...
I have to go shopping for socks tomorrow.
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
The Good: The day after Halloween is pretty much a bust for eductation. The elementary schools of Maui have decided to use it as a professional day - the kids don't have school. Pretty smart. We decided that instead of doing anything classroom-related, we're going to have a book fair instead. So Peggy contacted the Scholastic Book people (You remember them from your school days, right? Well, they're still around) and we're all set. Some of the parents have been really helping out.
Well, yesterday, Mark told me that a pretty popular radio station on Maui agreed to put a PSA on the air about it if we'd make it. That's all I needed to hear. I ran home, got my recording gear, got back to school, pulled a script out of my...uh...ear, grabbed a couple of kids and this is what we came up with:
KCS Bookfair PSA (mp3)
Not too bad considering they've never done anything like it before and I had to get a lot of info crammed into 29 seconds.
The Bad: We still keep having problems with this group of 12 or so kids. Our group discipline policy is having no effect on them and it's really holding us back as a program. Their parents are making things worse (duh). So it was decided that we're going to start dealing with them differently. Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in my teaching career I have assigned a student to write XYZ 20 times for homework. Yep. I've entered a time machine and have gone back to 1953.
The Ugly: I was recently invited to go to Little Beach. What's so ugly about that? Uh...yeah...it's Maui's only clothing-optional beach. I took a pass on that one. They haven't invented enough sunscreen for me to go to a nude beach. People, I try to shower in the dark because I get burned by the bathroom light. Oh, I'd go...at night.
It's not an embarrassment thing. Have you seen actual nudist beaches? There really isn't a lot of studs & hotties there. Kind of like an actual orgy that isn't being filmed (or so I'm told). I'd fit right in.
Well, yesterday, Mark told me that a pretty popular radio station on Maui agreed to put a PSA on the air about it if we'd make it. That's all I needed to hear. I ran home, got my recording gear, got back to school, pulled a script out of my...uh...ear, grabbed a couple of kids and this is what we came up with:
KCS Bookfair PSA (mp3)
Not too bad considering they've never done anything like it before and I had to get a lot of info crammed into 29 seconds.
The Bad: We still keep having problems with this group of 12 or so kids. Our group discipline policy is having no effect on them and it's really holding us back as a program. Their parents are making things worse (duh). So it was decided that we're going to start dealing with them differently. Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in my teaching career I have assigned a student to write XYZ 20 times for homework. Yep. I've entered a time machine and have gone back to 1953.
The Ugly: I was recently invited to go to Little Beach. What's so ugly about that? Uh...yeah...it's Maui's only clothing-optional beach. I took a pass on that one. They haven't invented enough sunscreen for me to go to a nude beach. People, I try to shower in the dark because I get burned by the bathroom light. Oh, I'd go...at night.
It's not an embarrassment thing. Have you seen actual nudist beaches? There really isn't a lot of studs & hotties there. Kind of like an actual orgy that isn't being filmed (or so I'm told). I'd fit right in.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A Tale of Two States
No, not geographic states. Let's call them states of mind. Now, it's going to seem like a lot of my text is negative. But I ask that you wait until the end - my conclusion - to decide if I really am looking at this with a half-empty perspective.
So, this week's been pretty brutal at school. In general, the kids have been raving lunatics. The kind I don't like - mean and disrespectful. Be apathetic, but don't be an asshole. Anyway, I got a rare chance to go out into the field today. Actually to the same wetland I was talking about a few weeks ago. But this time we weren't going to pick up trash on the beach. This time we were going to literally, cut out an invasive species of plant life from the wetland so that the folks who are trying to restore it can replace it with indigenous plants. Of course in my van, the kids were complaining, teasing, ignoring my directions, hitting...my kids back at Hillside behaved better. I'm serious. We get there and they're still whining. Of course I gave them the speech (again) about how freakin lucky they are for THIS to be their school. A couple of kids I literally told to get away from me because I was tired of hearing them complain. Then, we got down to business. Here's some pictures...
Just for the record. It's not like the kids show up for school, we stick 'em in a van and make them do manual labor. Before we went out we studied the issue of invasive species, development, etc. But then we get to the hard labor. Actually, I got tired of taking pictures and "supervising". Someone left a set of clippers laying around so for the last hour I was a clipping fool. I have cuts from the branches all over my arms and neck. It was pretty cool.
So, we get back to school and the kids are still whining and being little brats. Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know people say that it's an "age" thing, but I'm starting to disagree with that. First of all, not all the kids are like that. They don't have the personalities to behave that way. They're not manipulative, rude and mean. Second...well...I'll show you the second reason...
Tonight, we had a parents' meeting. The first quarter was ridiculous. There are a lot of kids who really aren't buying into this program. They don't belong here. This isn't a special ed school or a day treatment facility. By our charter, we're supposed to be focusing on high-level science, math, engineering and technology. Thus the name STEM. And legally, we can't turn kids away. It's a "school of choice". But some of the parents are choosing this school because their kids couldn't make it in other public schools. And some of them were homeschooled up until now. I don't have a problem with homeschooling per se, but they were homeschooled shittily (OK, that may be a made up word, but you know what I mean).
So we had our parents' meeting to tell them about the changes we're implementing - grading, discipline, etc. Jeez! They started going off on us. Well, no. The parents of the kids who are assholes did. It was a simple case of apples not falling far from the tree. And not a single parent said that maybe their kid wasn't doing what he/she was supposed to do. They actually had our math teacher ready to just give up and start teaching from a textbook (which we don't do at this school).
Basically, we ended up taking their crap for the whole meeting and when they left we decided to do what we intend to do and as a "school of choice" they can choose to put their whining, little brats elsewhere. We do have a waiting list of over 24 kids who want to be in this school.
I can see this school working - for the 25 or so who get what we're trying to do. The problem is there are another 20+ kids who should be in therapy and away from their clueless parents. But that's my humble non-professional opinion. And it really feels like I've been here forever already, but it's only been 3 months. I know it's going to take time and I've always had high expectations of others anyway (which probably explains why I'm on 2 blood pressure medications).
So, yes, being around this group of kids hasn't made me swear off getting a vasectomy, but I look forward to weeding out the kids who don't belong (or the parents who don't belong is probably more accurate) and kicking some academic ass. And when I get to go to the County meeting (last week) or to physically work on environmental stuff that before I only wrote & protested about - I'm pretty down with the gig.
So, this week's been pretty brutal at school. In general, the kids have been raving lunatics. The kind I don't like - mean and disrespectful. Be apathetic, but don't be an asshole. Anyway, I got a rare chance to go out into the field today. Actually to the same wetland I was talking about a few weeks ago. But this time we weren't going to pick up trash on the beach. This time we were going to literally, cut out an invasive species of plant life from the wetland so that the folks who are trying to restore it can replace it with indigenous plants. Of course in my van, the kids were complaining, teasing, ignoring my directions, hitting...my kids back at Hillside behaved better. I'm serious. We get there and they're still whining. Of course I gave them the speech (again) about how freakin lucky they are for THIS to be their school. A couple of kids I literally told to get away from me because I was tired of hearing them complain. Then, we got down to business. Here's some pictures...
Just for the record. It's not like the kids show up for school, we stick 'em in a van and make them do manual labor. Before we went out we studied the issue of invasive species, development, etc. But then we get to the hard labor. Actually, I got tired of taking pictures and "supervising". Someone left a set of clippers laying around so for the last hour I was a clipping fool. I have cuts from the branches all over my arms and neck. It was pretty cool.
So, we get back to school and the kids are still whining and being little brats. Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know people say that it's an "age" thing, but I'm starting to disagree with that. First of all, not all the kids are like that. They don't have the personalities to behave that way. They're not manipulative, rude and mean. Second...well...I'll show you the second reason...
Tonight, we had a parents' meeting. The first quarter was ridiculous. There are a lot of kids who really aren't buying into this program. They don't belong here. This isn't a special ed school or a day treatment facility. By our charter, we're supposed to be focusing on high-level science, math, engineering and technology. Thus the name STEM. And legally, we can't turn kids away. It's a "school of choice". But some of the parents are choosing this school because their kids couldn't make it in other public schools. And some of them were homeschooled up until now. I don't have a problem with homeschooling per se, but they were homeschooled shittily (OK, that may be a made up word, but you know what I mean).
So we had our parents' meeting to tell them about the changes we're implementing - grading, discipline, etc. Jeez! They started going off on us. Well, no. The parents of the kids who are assholes did. It was a simple case of apples not falling far from the tree. And not a single parent said that maybe their kid wasn't doing what he/she was supposed to do. They actually had our math teacher ready to just give up and start teaching from a textbook (which we don't do at this school).
Basically, we ended up taking their crap for the whole meeting and when they left we decided to do what we intend to do and as a "school of choice" they can choose to put their whining, little brats elsewhere. We do have a waiting list of over 24 kids who want to be in this school.
I can see this school working - for the 25 or so who get what we're trying to do. The problem is there are another 20+ kids who should be in therapy and away from their clueless parents. But that's my humble non-professional opinion. And it really feels like I've been here forever already, but it's only been 3 months. I know it's going to take time and I've always had high expectations of others anyway (which probably explains why I'm on 2 blood pressure medications).
So, yes, being around this group of kids hasn't made me swear off getting a vasectomy, but I look forward to weeding out the kids who don't belong (or the parents who don't belong is probably more accurate) and kicking some academic ass. And when I get to go to the County meeting (last week) or to physically work on environmental stuff that before I only wrote & protested about - I'm pretty down with the gig.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Oops, I Did it Again
No, I didn't get into my car without wearing any underwear. Not that I haven't been tempted.
I've been getting back into the political thing, I guess some habits are hard to shake:
http://www.mauinews.com/letters/2007/10/23/06Curr1023.html
I was actually at the radio station last week and the newspaper was there. I read this horrific article containing quotes from the governor...just incredibly lame. The letter just flowed. And the Maui News didn't edit it...I was mildly impressed.
I've been getting back into the political thing, I guess some habits are hard to shake:
http://www.mauinews.com/letters/2007/10/23/06Curr1023.html
I was actually at the radio station last week and the newspaper was there. I read this horrific article containing quotes from the governor...just incredibly lame. The letter just flowed. And the Maui News didn't edit it...I was mildly impressed.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Four Stages
Here are the four stages of trying to mop your floor when you live in a desert:
1. Denial - This floor isn't too bad, just go over it quick with the mop and it'll be fine.
2. Depression - Ohhhhh, it's not coming off. What am I going to do?
3. Anger - This fucking stuff won't come off the floor!!!!
4. Acceptance - Fuck it. I wonder if the game's on yet.
1. Denial - This floor isn't too bad, just go over it quick with the mop and it'll be fine.
2. Depression - Ohhhhh, it's not coming off. What am I going to do?
3. Anger - This fucking stuff won't come off the floor!!!!
4. Acceptance - Fuck it. I wonder if the game's on yet.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Yeah, I know it's October, but there's already stuff in the stores here. How can a place that generally doesn't get snow (I hear there's snow on one of the mountains on another island) be so into Christmas? Actually, I know the answer. Christianity is f-ing huge here. It's been ingrained as it was the missionaries that originally screwed the Hawaiians. It took the US government a while to figure out the good thing the "Christians" had going here before they took over. Once again, I digress.
(insert cheesy music here)
I'll be home for Christmas. Yep. A few things went down where I decided that I needed to come home. A couple of phone conversations, some e-mails and a family situation pretty much made it a done deal. So, here are the details:
I'll be in the morning of Friday, December 21st. I grabbed a room at the Clarion downtown for the first weekend. I figured if I was going to do anything debauched (I think that's a word) then I shouldn't be trying to sneak into my parent's house. We're all a bit old for that. Yes...I will be at the Sports Page that Friday afternoon. The more things change the more they stay the same. I'll be staying with the parents (I assume they know this) from that Monday through...uh...probably the 29th. I guess I'll have to sneak in those nights. Then I'm driving to Annapolis to hang with Keziah for New Year's. [Brad, can you handle me for a night? I was thinking of a stop in NJ on the 29th]
I'll be back in Rochester sneaking into my parent's house on Wednesday, Jan 2nd and I'm leaving Saturday morning (Jan 5th). I'm going to beat that rental car like a rented mule.
Oh, and I'm brining my recording gear...so the original Stuart Bedasso Show will be back together again!
You know, in Maui I'm doing just about everything I want. I'm teaching (relatively) the way I want to in a place that appreciates me, I'm back on the air and I'm still working to change the world. I'm glad I'm here. But I miss you guys and it'll be great to see you again. It feels like it's been forever even though it's just been a few months.
Aloha!
(insert cheesy music here)
I'll be home for Christmas. Yep. A few things went down where I decided that I needed to come home. A couple of phone conversations, some e-mails and a family situation pretty much made it a done deal. So, here are the details:
I'll be in the morning of Friday, December 21st. I grabbed a room at the Clarion downtown for the first weekend. I figured if I was going to do anything debauched (I think that's a word) then I shouldn't be trying to sneak into my parent's house. We're all a bit old for that. Yes...I will be at the Sports Page that Friday afternoon. The more things change the more they stay the same. I'll be staying with the parents (I assume they know this) from that Monday through...uh...probably the 29th. I guess I'll have to sneak in those nights. Then I'm driving to Annapolis to hang with Keziah for New Year's. [Brad, can you handle me for a night? I was thinking of a stop in NJ on the 29th]
I'll be back in Rochester sneaking into my parent's house on Wednesday, Jan 2nd and I'm leaving Saturday morning (Jan 5th). I'm going to beat that rental car like a rented mule.
Oh, and I'm brining my recording gear...so the original Stuart Bedasso Show will be back together again!
You know, in Maui I'm doing just about everything I want. I'm teaching (relatively) the way I want to in a place that appreciates me, I'm back on the air and I'm still working to change the world. I'm glad I'm here. But I miss you guys and it'll be great to see you again. It feels like it's been forever even though it's just been a few months.
Aloha!
Friday, October 19, 2007
A Week
It's been a long, strange week and it kept me from posting much so I thought I'd just go through my last 7 days and you can judge for yourself.
Last Friday I participated in my first official protest in Hawaii. Maui's version of Tom Galisano is getting ready to trash some ancient forrest land that has endangered species of plants and insects for homes worth 5-20 million dollars right on the beach. So the folks at savemakena.org had a sign waving event during rush hour at a road that leads to Makena. Pictures below. (As an aside, Makena has Maui's only unofficial nude beach. If we protest there, I'll be the one wearing the huge sandwich board.)
Sunday, Jill & I taped the podcast. Included in this is some audio of interviews I did with some of the protesters from Friday. We also played a song by this bagpipe guy who found us on MySpace.
We had a half day of school on Monday, all week in fact, because we were supposed to be testing the kids back to the Stone Age this week. One problem. The state didn't send the tests. Another passive-aggressive move from the state Department of Education to remind us how much they hate Charter Schools. So we scramble to come up with stuff to do each day because we have no idea when the tests will show up.
Tuesday brought me a bizarre e-mail on MySpace. The bagpipe guy took offense to something we said on the show and refused to let us use his music any more. I think this guy's been blowing his pipes too hard, but whatever. I took the links off, but I'm not going to take down the show. Musicians are such tempermental folk.
Thursday (yesterday) was my big day. I've been slowly working with a group of 13 kids on our first cable access TV show. We've had a 2 week vacation slow our momentum, but yesterday there was a hearing at the County Council about development in the Makena / Wailea area - that's the issue I've been working on AND one of the stories the kids picked to report on. So I loaded up a van with 13 kids and 2 video cameras and we went into town to record the meeting, interview people and even speak ourselves.
Folks...this is why I became a teacher. I couldn't have planned this whole thing better. The kids were awesome, two of them spoke in front of the council, they worked together, they took academic risks, they made the school look freakin amazing. I was so proud of them that I let them listen to their shitty music in the van on the way back.
On a personal note, this meeting was my "coming out" in Maui. Not THAT coming out...I mean as an activist. You sign up to speak when you get to the meeting, so I did. I kind of had an idea of what I wanted to say. What I didn't realize, that unlike in Rochester they expect you to stay when you're done speaking and answer questions. So I did my schpiel (sic?) and they went at me pretty hard. Like the cheesy politicians they are, they asked me questions not only about what I said, but about what other people said. They were trying to get their points in without confronting the people who were actually arguing with them.
The problem for them was they assumed I was just some dumb teacher. Every question they threw at me were like softballs (including the ridiculous one about if I thought they should legislate to ban swimming pools in order to save water). I got laughs, applause and nods from everyone in the room. So when I was done, I had people on both sides of the issue giving me their cards, etc. I also wouldn't be surprised if since then there's been some party hacks checking into my background.
I guess I'll stay chronological here.
I got home from school last night about 5pm and proceded to fall asleep by 5:30. A good thing, too, because at 3:30am my phone rings. I let it go to voicemail. It's Hillside! They want to know if I'd be interested in a special ed teaching position. I start to go back to sleep. At 5:30am my phone rings again. This time, I don't even recognize the area code.
A couple of months ago, I threw an ad up on Craigslist. No, not for that! If anyone on the island needed a sign language interpreter - I am available. That was a while ago and I heard nothing from it. So the message is from some guy who is talking too fast for me to get his name or number, but he says that he's calling about sign language interpreting...in Washington DC. What the???
So now I'm up so I start getting ready for school. I check my e-mail and there's a comment on this blog from Jammaster James (you can read it below) that says the Democrat & Chronicle did not endorse anyone for the school board race this year...quoting:
You can see my response below as well.
I get ready for school, and stop at Safeway for something to eat. I'm in LaLa Land as I'm walking through the parking lot and this truck pulls up to me, the guy rolls down his window. I'm thinking he's going to ask ME for directions. Good luck.
"Hey! I just wanted to tell you that it was a great thing you did bringing those kids to the meeting yesterday. Kaitlen really enjoyed it. I hope you're going to do that more often."
I...uh...huh...wha...sure...yeah.
"OK. See ya." And the guy drove off. It took me a minute to realize that the guy was a parent of one of my students. I can see the conversation at dinner tonight:
"Honey, I really like that school you go to, but your teacher's a real retard."
Oh well.
So yesterday was my triumph as an educator. Now I reallize that once you reach the pinnacle there really is nowhere to go but down, but I wasn't expecting the total opposite. So what did we do with the kids today? Yep. Standardized testing. Talk about getting hit upside the head with the Reality Stick.
Well, I have two events to go to at the same time tonight (peace activists or cable access). Looks like things are back to normal.
Last Friday I participated in my first official protest in Hawaii. Maui's version of Tom Galisano is getting ready to trash some ancient forrest land that has endangered species of plants and insects for homes worth 5-20 million dollars right on the beach. So the folks at savemakena.org had a sign waving event during rush hour at a road that leads to Makena. Pictures below. (As an aside, Makena has Maui's only unofficial nude beach. If we protest there, I'll be the one wearing the huge sandwich board.)
Sunday, Jill & I taped the podcast. Included in this is some audio of interviews I did with some of the protesters from Friday. We also played a song by this bagpipe guy who found us on MySpace.
We had a half day of school on Monday, all week in fact, because we were supposed to be testing the kids back to the Stone Age this week. One problem. The state didn't send the tests. Another passive-aggressive move from the state Department of Education to remind us how much they hate Charter Schools. So we scramble to come up with stuff to do each day because we have no idea when the tests will show up.
Tuesday brought me a bizarre e-mail on MySpace. The bagpipe guy took offense to something we said on the show and refused to let us use his music any more. I think this guy's been blowing his pipes too hard, but whatever. I took the links off, but I'm not going to take down the show. Musicians are such tempermental folk.
Thursday (yesterday) was my big day. I've been slowly working with a group of 13 kids on our first cable access TV show. We've had a 2 week vacation slow our momentum, but yesterday there was a hearing at the County Council about development in the Makena / Wailea area - that's the issue I've been working on AND one of the stories the kids picked to report on. So I loaded up a van with 13 kids and 2 video cameras and we went into town to record the meeting, interview people and even speak ourselves.
Folks...this is why I became a teacher. I couldn't have planned this whole thing better. The kids were awesome, two of them spoke in front of the council, they worked together, they took academic risks, they made the school look freakin amazing. I was so proud of them that I let them listen to their shitty music in the van on the way back.
On a personal note, this meeting was my "coming out" in Maui. Not THAT coming out...I mean as an activist. You sign up to speak when you get to the meeting, so I did. I kind of had an idea of what I wanted to say. What I didn't realize, that unlike in Rochester they expect you to stay when you're done speaking and answer questions. So I did my schpiel (sic?) and they went at me pretty hard. Like the cheesy politicians they are, they asked me questions not only about what I said, but about what other people said. They were trying to get their points in without confronting the people who were actually arguing with them.
The problem for them was they assumed I was just some dumb teacher. Every question they threw at me were like softballs (including the ridiculous one about if I thought they should legislate to ban swimming pools in order to save water). I got laughs, applause and nods from everyone in the room. So when I was done, I had people on both sides of the issue giving me their cards, etc. I also wouldn't be surprised if since then there's been some party hacks checking into my background.
I guess I'll stay chronological here.
I got home from school last night about 5pm and proceded to fall asleep by 5:30. A good thing, too, because at 3:30am my phone rings. I let it go to voicemail. It's Hillside! They want to know if I'd be interested in a special ed teaching position. I start to go back to sleep. At 5:30am my phone rings again. This time, I don't even recognize the area code.
A couple of months ago, I threw an ad up on Craigslist. No, not for that! If anyone on the island needed a sign language interpreter - I am available. That was a while ago and I heard nothing from it. So the message is from some guy who is talking too fast for me to get his name or number, but he says that he's calling about sign language interpreting...in Washington DC. What the???
So now I'm up so I start getting ready for school. I check my e-mail and there's a comment on this blog from Jammaster James (you can read it below) that says the Democrat & Chronicle did not endorse anyone for the school board race this year...quoting:
The logical answer is to turn to the Republican or third-party challengers, but none has offered hope for positive change. Endorsing in this race would be to endorse an unsatisfactory status quo — or worse.
You can see my response below as well.
I get ready for school, and stop at Safeway for something to eat. I'm in LaLa Land as I'm walking through the parking lot and this truck pulls up to me, the guy rolls down his window. I'm thinking he's going to ask ME for directions. Good luck.
"Hey! I just wanted to tell you that it was a great thing you did bringing those kids to the meeting yesterday. Kaitlen really enjoyed it. I hope you're going to do that more often."
I...uh...huh...wha...sure...yeah.
"OK. See ya." And the guy drove off. It took me a minute to realize that the guy was a parent of one of my students. I can see the conversation at dinner tonight:
"Honey, I really like that school you go to, but your teacher's a real retard."
Oh well.
So yesterday was my triumph as an educator. Now I reallize that once you reach the pinnacle there really is nowhere to go but down, but I wasn't expecting the total opposite. So what did we do with the kids today? Yep. Standardized testing. Talk about getting hit upside the head with the Reality Stick.
Well, I have two events to go to at the same time tonight (peace activists or cable access). Looks like things are back to normal.
Monday, October 15, 2007
[Sorry for the crossposting]
I know, I know. You're already sick of the Presidential election crap. Me too. But don't forget, there ARE elections in 2007. Yes, they're local, but they are important. In fact, in terms of long-term planning, they're even more important. Why?
Because if there will ever...EVER be change it will come from a third party. Yes, I know there isn't a third party candidate who can win a presidential election now, or probably any federal election. But they HAVE been winning local elections all over the country. And that is how third parties will have more influence - from the bottom, up.
I know, there are no greens running in Rochester. It's a sad, sad situation, but did you know that there are 127 greens running for office in the 2007 elections? Yep. And it's not too late to help them. Here is a list of the 9 Greens around the country who have the best shot at winning their races. It doesn't matter where you live - you're helping create change. Check some of them out and throw them a few bucks! Your money can help pay for that last TV ad or radio blitz.
California
Janice Brittain, Candidate for City Council, Hermosa Beach http://www.janicebrittain.com
Connecticut
Jean de Smet, Candidate for First Selectman, Windham http://www.VoteJean.com
Ronna Stuller, Candidate for Board of Education, New London http://www.nlgreens.org
Maryland
Maria Allwine, Candidate for President of the Baltimore City Council http://www.takebge.org/main.htm
Massachusetts
Grace Ross, Candidate for Councilor-at-large, Worcester http://www.grace4worcester.org
New York
Howie Hawkins, Candidate for Councilor At-Large, City of Syracuse http://www.howiehawkins.org
Margaret Human, Candidate for New Paltz Town Councilman (At-Large) http://www.humanfornewpaltz.org
David Lussier, Candidate for Albany County Legislature, District 7 http://albanygreens.pbwiki.com/Dave
Pennsylvania
Jennaro Pullano, Candidate for Mayor, Reading http://www.pullanoformayor.org
I had a ridiculously long day, but I'm going to try to post on a couple of things that have been going on tomorrow.
I know, I know. You're already sick of the Presidential election crap. Me too. But don't forget, there ARE elections in 2007. Yes, they're local, but they are important. In fact, in terms of long-term planning, they're even more important. Why?
Because if there will ever...EVER be change it will come from a third party. Yes, I know there isn't a third party candidate who can win a presidential election now, or probably any federal election. But they HAVE been winning local elections all over the country. And that is how third parties will have more influence - from the bottom, up.
I know, there are no greens running in Rochester. It's a sad, sad situation, but did you know that there are 127 greens running for office in the 2007 elections? Yep. And it's not too late to help them. Here is a list of the 9 Greens around the country who have the best shot at winning their races. It doesn't matter where you live - you're helping create change. Check some of them out and throw them a few bucks! Your money can help pay for that last TV ad or radio blitz.
California
Janice Brittain, Candidate for City Council, Hermosa Beach http://www.janicebrittain.com
Connecticut
Jean de Smet, Candidate for First Selectman, Windham http://www.VoteJean.com
Ronna Stuller, Candidate for Board of Education, New London http://www.nlgreens.org
Maryland
Maria Allwine, Candidate for President of the Baltimore City Council http://www.takebge.org/main.htm
Massachusetts
Grace Ross, Candidate for Councilor-at-large, Worcester http://www.grace4worcester.org
New York
Howie Hawkins, Candidate for Councilor At-Large, City of Syracuse http://www.howiehawkins.org
Margaret Human, Candidate for New Paltz Town Councilman (At-Large) http://www.humanfornewpaltz.org
David Lussier, Candidate for Albany County Legislature, District 7 http://albanygreens.pbwiki.com/Dave
Pennsylvania
Jennaro Pullano, Candidate for Mayor, Reading http://www.pullanoformayor.org
I had a ridiculously long day, but I'm going to try to post on a couple of things that have been going on tomorrow.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Activism Part Deux
OK, I didn't make it to Denny's a couple of mornings ago. After the podcast on Sunday, Jill & I went out for a while and when I got home I was really wired for some reason. I didn't get to sleep until morning time - it felt like I was back on overnights. So I missed the Denny's meeting (see a couple of posts ago).
But tonight I went to another group's fandango. GMO-Free Hawaii. I'm not going to start preaching about genetically-modified food here - but you should do the research on your own.
I went figuring there would be Green-minded people. I made a couple of contacts. And with the other 4 "greens" in Maui taking their sweet-old time getting back to me, I've decided to say f-it. I'm not going to worry about them, they'll need to catch up to me. So I'll have the first Maui Greens meeting in November. I just have to find a place.
I've discovered that there's a mentality here of...well...I've heard it described a few ways. Third-world, Polynesian mentality that everything will work out on it's own, "maui time", etc. To me, it's still a narcissistic attitude that surfing and partying are more important than changing what's wrong. You know, there's nothing wrong with doing both. People here have accepted what's become of these islands. But there are small groups that are working on small issues that need to be working together. I think that's going to be the Green's role here. Stay tuned.
But tonight I went to another group's fandango. GMO-Free Hawaii. I'm not going to start preaching about genetically-modified food here - but you should do the research on your own.
I went figuring there would be Green-minded people. I made a couple of contacts. And with the other 4 "greens" in Maui taking their sweet-old time getting back to me, I've decided to say f-it. I'm not going to worry about them, they'll need to catch up to me. So I'll have the first Maui Greens meeting in November. I just have to find a place.
I've discovered that there's a mentality here of...well...I've heard it described a few ways. Third-world, Polynesian mentality that everything will work out on it's own, "maui time", etc. To me, it's still a narcissistic attitude that surfing and partying are more important than changing what's wrong. You know, there's nothing wrong with doing both. People here have accepted what's become of these islands. But there are small groups that are working on small issues that need to be working together. I think that's going to be the Green's role here. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Ulalena
Well kids, when you win the raffle I told you about earlier, I now have the thing you have to go see. 'Ulalena is awesome! It's a...uh...I don't think the word musical works, but I guess we'll have to go with that for now. It shows the history of Hawaii, with minimal narration. The house band is awesome, the dance is cool and the arial stuff is amazing. Don't buy the soundtrack, though. I'll burn you a copy. (It's $25)
I was invited to go with someone I work with. She had a ridiculous amount of family & friends in town at the same time, so she figured, what the hell, one more couldn't hurt. It's actually the only Hawaiian thing I've done all break. I may try to get to the Ocean Center or the crater before school starts, but I'm not fretting over it. I'll get to that stuff when I get to it.
But 'Ulalena rocks! We're going to try to take the kids to it.
I was invited to go with someone I work with. She had a ridiculous amount of family & friends in town at the same time, so she figured, what the hell, one more couldn't hurt. It's actually the only Hawaiian thing I've done all break. I may try to get to the Ocean Center or the crater before school starts, but I'm not fretting over it. I'll get to that stuff when I get to it.
But 'Ulalena rocks! We're going to try to take the kids to it.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Easy As Falling Off A Bike
Before I get to the meat of today's post, a couple of quick things:
If you didn't get an e-mail from me about this, then listen up. You have a chance at winning a trip for two to Maui. No, this isn't some spam thing from the Prime Minister of Nigeria. Someone I work with has recently adopted two babies from Ethiopia. The legal costs have been overwhelming so some friends (who I also work with) came up with this brilliant idea to help Maria with the costs. It's a raffle where there's only 275 "tickets" so your odd are 1-in-275. For $50 you have a chance at round-trip tickets to Maui, a cottage to stay in for 10 days, rental car for 10 days...and more. Here is the link to check out more. You should do this. It's cool and for a good cause. And someone's already asked me if they win do they HAVE to visit me. No, you bastards, you don't have to visit me. See if I care. But we did say on the podcast that if you win getting the info from this, you are bound to be a guest on The Stuart Bedasso Show.
As we were taping the podcast tonight, I got a call from Kathy. She wanted to know if I'd be interested in doing another shift Friday night. So I'll be on Mana'o Radio on Friday from 8pm to midnight Hawaiian time. Not convenient for you East Coasters, but if you have insomnia or the baby keeps you awake...
OK...onto our main topic. Yep, I'm baaaaack.
I've been procrastinating getting back into the activist game. I don't know, I think it was just the fact that it's been taking me a while to feel comfortable here. The opportunities I've had to change the world here...well, I've just blown them off. Well, today I sucked it up and went to something I said I would. Oh boy, did I get involved. The cause was to save this piece of land that developers are trying to screw up. It's all for rich people and it'll...well, you can check it out for yourself at www.savemakena.org. Well, there was someone there who is on the board of THE big environmental activist group on the island (Maui Tomorrow) and another who is active in a PAC who works for independent political candidates.
In the morning, I'm going to Denny's. That's right, Denny's. For a meeting of people who want to get different activist groups to work together. There's a bunch of Save XXXX groups on this island because these capitalist pigs are just trying to make this a haven for rich people and all the Hawaiians can be their caddies and housekeepers.
I'm starting a committee to start a contest for kids to come up with pictures, videos, songs, etc about the issue.
I think I volunteered my students to go to a county meeting a 9am (!!!) on the issue to videotape and possibly testify at it.
I have my T-shirt. I have my bumper sticker.
Good thing the meeting started late and ended early. Who knows what else I would have volunteered for.
If you didn't get an e-mail from me about this, then listen up. You have a chance at winning a trip for two to Maui. No, this isn't some spam thing from the Prime Minister of Nigeria. Someone I work with has recently adopted two babies from Ethiopia. The legal costs have been overwhelming so some friends (who I also work with) came up with this brilliant idea to help Maria with the costs. It's a raffle where there's only 275 "tickets" so your odd are 1-in-275. For $50 you have a chance at round-trip tickets to Maui, a cottage to stay in for 10 days, rental car for 10 days...and more. Here is the link to check out more. You should do this. It's cool and for a good cause. And someone's already asked me if they win do they HAVE to visit me. No, you bastards, you don't have to visit me. See if I care. But we did say on the podcast that if you win getting the info from this, you are bound to be a guest on The Stuart Bedasso Show.
As we were taping the podcast tonight, I got a call from Kathy. She wanted to know if I'd be interested in doing another shift Friday night. So I'll be on Mana'o Radio on Friday from 8pm to midnight Hawaiian time. Not convenient for you East Coasters, but if you have insomnia or the baby keeps you awake...
OK...onto our main topic. Yep, I'm baaaaack.
I've been procrastinating getting back into the activist game. I don't know, I think it was just the fact that it's been taking me a while to feel comfortable here. The opportunities I've had to change the world here...well, I've just blown them off. Well, today I sucked it up and went to something I said I would. Oh boy, did I get involved. The cause was to save this piece of land that developers are trying to screw up. It's all for rich people and it'll...well, you can check it out for yourself at www.savemakena.org. Well, there was someone there who is on the board of THE big environmental activist group on the island (Maui Tomorrow) and another who is active in a PAC who works for independent political candidates.
In the morning, I'm going to Denny's. That's right, Denny's. For a meeting of people who want to get different activist groups to work together. There's a bunch of Save XXXX groups on this island because these capitalist pigs are just trying to make this a haven for rich people and all the Hawaiians can be their caddies and housekeepers.
I'm starting a committee to start a contest for kids to come up with pictures, videos, songs, etc about the issue.
I think I volunteered my students to go to a county meeting a 9am (!!!) on the issue to videotape and possibly testify at it.
I have my T-shirt. I have my bumper sticker.
Good thing the meeting started late and ended early. Who knows what else I would have volunteered for.
Friday, October 5, 2007
The Return of Dr. Johnny Fever
There's nothing huge going on right now, so I thought I'd give you an update on the radio station stuff. Personally, I think things are going OK. The person who owns the station seems to be pretty pleased (more below). I'm in the middle of a 2 week break right now and Kathy asked me to fill in for 5 shifts. Three down. I think they're going well. I'm usually pretty oblivious to this, but it seems like I'm actually causing a little bit of a stir. I guess they're not used to dj's getting requests for Doug and the Slugs and actually being able to play it.
My first shift was last Friday night. On my way in, I'm listening to the guy before me. The Barrister. That's what he called himself...in this slow...deep...African...accent. So I'm thinking he's going to play some cool reggae / world music. Uh, Barbara Striesand? Cher? We Are the World? I'm actually screaming in the car because I have to follow some big gay African lawyer. "Noooooooooooooooo!!!!" People at the stop light must have thought I was being tortured. {sigh} So I do my show and no one dies.
The next shift was morning drive...Tuesday morning. They don't have overnight people every night, but they did the morning I got there. He had some chick there...uh...could have been his daughter. His, very cute, 20-something daughter. I didn't want to know - as long as the chair in the booth was dry, I didn't care. Did the show, seemed to go OK.
Now the person who does 10am - 2pm is pretty much the driving force of the station. It used to be this guy named Barry, who was married to Kathy. Barry died last April. It obviously shook everyone up. Anyway, this guy, Bill, is the guy who does a lot of the grunt work at the station, deals with PSA's, Promo's, etc. He gets a small stipend for it - the only person who is paid at the station - and he does his show 5 days a week where everyone else has one shift a week. So he's the big dog. Well, it seems I stepped on his toes a little that first morning. I played a song that crept into his first couple of minutes. (Hey, Keith Richards' solo album rules, man) So I figured that I'm going to have this guy on my ass now. Well...let's stay chronological, shall we....
So, I'm scheduled to do the Thursday morning drive. Get my ass up at 4am (after not getting any sleep because of those f-ing dogs in the neighborhood. They're actually barking as I type...at 10pm) I'm driving in, listening to the guy before me. Oh God. First I hear Enya. I almost caused my airbag to deploy from banging my head on the steering wheel. Then the guy gets on and rambles for 15 minutes straight. In the middle of this, he tells an incoherent story about how he bumped into Kathy last week who told him that this new guy is going to be coming in on Thursday and that he's really good. (So that's how I know Kathy's cool with what I'm doing) But he sure can't remember my name because he's been up for 25 hours. So he goes on and on about how he can't remember my name. I'm pretty much driving with my mouth open now.
Alright. I get there, the guy seems nice. A bit weird, but nice. I do my show. It goes fine. Though, I'm still having problems with this virus...I have to do a hernia-enducing cough every time I'm about to go on the air. (sorry for being so graphic) So, it's near the end of the show and Bill comes in. Now, I already had this planned, but I figured, what the hell. Let's show this guy that I ain't fucking around. I AM radio, dammit! So my last two songs before his show were Public Enemy followed by jazz vocalist Betty Carter. That's right, bitch*. I'll finish by playing your song, but I'm going out with a bang.
As I'm in my car going home, I'm listening to Bill's show. He started talking about me...not really in a bad way. He had already told me that he liked how I sounded on air. I'm going to need an explanation from someone who hasn't just gotten off the boat, but he said, "He sounds just like he should be downtown, but with a more...eclectic taste in music." He said it with a tone that was complimentary, but when he got to the eclectic part I could tell that the PE thing kinda rocked him.
Well, next week I got some bagpipe stuff from a guy in Maryland....and I'm saving it for 9:57am...and there's always the one Whitee song that's appropriate for the air (Trials & Tribulations)
OK...some pictures. I realized that for whatever reason, Blogger won't let my links to my pictures on Fokti go through. Though you can still see them here. So instead I have to post them directly into the post. So here's the radio booth.
Tomorrow, I'm going to the Ocean Center. So I hope to have more pictures to put up. Then next week, the petroglyphs and the crater.
*All efforts at sounding like a badass were for comedic purposes only. No DJ's were hurt in the making of this post.
My first shift was last Friday night. On my way in, I'm listening to the guy before me. The Barrister. That's what he called himself...in this slow...deep...African...accent. So I'm thinking he's going to play some cool reggae / world music. Uh, Barbara Striesand? Cher? We Are the World? I'm actually screaming in the car because I have to follow some big gay African lawyer. "Noooooooooooooooo!!!!" People at the stop light must have thought I was being tortured. {sigh} So I do my show and no one dies.
The next shift was morning drive...Tuesday morning. They don't have overnight people every night, but they did the morning I got there. He had some chick there...uh...could have been his daughter. His, very cute, 20-something daughter. I didn't want to know - as long as the chair in the booth was dry, I didn't care. Did the show, seemed to go OK.
Now the person who does 10am - 2pm is pretty much the driving force of the station. It used to be this guy named Barry, who was married to Kathy. Barry died last April. It obviously shook everyone up. Anyway, this guy, Bill, is the guy who does a lot of the grunt work at the station, deals with PSA's, Promo's, etc. He gets a small stipend for it - the only person who is paid at the station - and he does his show 5 days a week where everyone else has one shift a week. So he's the big dog. Well, it seems I stepped on his toes a little that first morning. I played a song that crept into his first couple of minutes. (Hey, Keith Richards' solo album rules, man) So I figured that I'm going to have this guy on my ass now. Well...let's stay chronological, shall we....
So, I'm scheduled to do the Thursday morning drive. Get my ass up at 4am (after not getting any sleep because of those f-ing dogs in the neighborhood. They're actually barking as I type...at 10pm) I'm driving in, listening to the guy before me. Oh God. First I hear Enya. I almost caused my airbag to deploy from banging my head on the steering wheel. Then the guy gets on and rambles for 15 minutes straight. In the middle of this, he tells an incoherent story about how he bumped into Kathy last week who told him that this new guy is going to be coming in on Thursday and that he's really good. (So that's how I know Kathy's cool with what I'm doing) But he sure can't remember my name because he's been up for 25 hours. So he goes on and on about how he can't remember my name. I'm pretty much driving with my mouth open now.
Alright. I get there, the guy seems nice. A bit weird, but nice. I do my show. It goes fine. Though, I'm still having problems with this virus...I have to do a hernia-enducing cough every time I'm about to go on the air. (sorry for being so graphic) So, it's near the end of the show and Bill comes in. Now, I already had this planned, but I figured, what the hell. Let's show this guy that I ain't fucking around. I AM radio, dammit! So my last two songs before his show were Public Enemy followed by jazz vocalist Betty Carter. That's right, bitch*. I'll finish by playing your song, but I'm going out with a bang.
As I'm in my car going home, I'm listening to Bill's show. He started talking about me...not really in a bad way. He had already told me that he liked how I sounded on air. I'm going to need an explanation from someone who hasn't just gotten off the boat, but he said, "He sounds just like he should be downtown, but with a more...eclectic taste in music." He said it with a tone that was complimentary, but when he got to the eclectic part I could tell that the PE thing kinda rocked him.
Well, next week I got some bagpipe stuff from a guy in Maryland....and I'm saving it for 9:57am...and there's always the one Whitee song that's appropriate for the air (Trials & Tribulations)
OK...some pictures. I realized that for whatever reason, Blogger won't let my links to my pictures on Fokti go through. Though you can still see them here. So instead I have to post them directly into the post. So here's the radio booth.
Tomorrow, I'm going to the Ocean Center. So I hope to have more pictures to put up. Then next week, the petroglyphs and the crater.
*All efforts at sounding like a badass were for comedic purposes only. No DJ's were hurt in the making of this post.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Have You Seen This Teacher?
I may be a bit paranoid here, but there's a chance that I may turn up missing some time soon. If that happens, I leave it up to you to contact the police with what you know.
My radio is alive.
Let me explain. The only thing I've had to listen to music at home is my laptop - which I'm getting ready to punt into the ocean. So I figured I run over to the Salvation Army and see if they have some cheap thing I can throw in the bedroom to listen to stuff when I go to bed. I found a little boom box...a boom boxette, for fifteen bucks. I tried it out there, it worked fine so I grabbed it.
Well, it turns out I know how it ended up at the Salvation Army to begin with. It killed its last owner. I'm serious. When it's plugged in it won't turn off and keeps flashing "HELLO" over and over until you unplug it or start playing some music. There's a power button, but you push it and the power goes off for maybe five seconds, then it turns itself back on....looking for you. "HELLO" "HELLO" "HELLO" "HELLO" "HELLO".
My radio is alive, it's creepy, I don't know how to appease it and it's going to kill me.
But before I go, I'm taking someone with me - that f-ing yapper-dog next door. Barking from 10pm to 2am last night. I guess the neighbors must think it's soothing, like wind chimes or a fountain. I'm thinking about making the worst mix CD I can find, fill my possessed radio full of batteries and leave it on their door step going full blast.
My radio is alive.
Let me explain. The only thing I've had to listen to music at home is my laptop - which I'm getting ready to punt into the ocean. So I figured I run over to the Salvation Army and see if they have some cheap thing I can throw in the bedroom to listen to stuff when I go to bed. I found a little boom box...a boom boxette, for fifteen bucks. I tried it out there, it worked fine so I grabbed it.
Well, it turns out I know how it ended up at the Salvation Army to begin with. It killed its last owner. I'm serious. When it's plugged in it won't turn off and keeps flashing "HELLO" over and over until you unplug it or start playing some music. There's a power button, but you push it and the power goes off for maybe five seconds, then it turns itself back on....looking for you. "HELLO" "HELLO" "HELLO" "HELLO" "HELLO".
My radio is alive, it's creepy, I don't know how to appease it and it's going to kill me.
But before I go, I'm taking someone with me - that f-ing yapper-dog next door. Barking from 10pm to 2am last night. I guess the neighbors must think it's soothing, like wind chimes or a fountain. I'm thinking about making the worst mix CD I can find, fill my possessed radio full of batteries and leave it on their door step going full blast.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Hey Buddy, You Got The Time?
This isn't a big deal, but I just found out something that made my eyes roll a bit. Seems that Hawaii doesn't observe Daylight Savings Time. So now when the switch over comes I'll have no idea. But I guess I'll only be 5 hours from the east coast. But to throw a little wrench into this...Dad lives in one of the few places on the mainland that doesn't observe it either - so he'll still be 3 hours different.
I was under the impression that there wasn't going to be any math involved in this move.
Anyway, could someone let me know when you change your clocks, please?
I was under the impression that there wasn't going to be any math involved in this move.
Anyway, could someone let me know when you change your clocks, please?
Friday, September 28, 2007
We Just Want to Pamp (clap) you...OW! OW! OW!
I woke up this morning feeling OK. Some lingering plague, but definitely better. No school today, but I did have work to do, so I figured I would run to school for a few hours then...I'm going to the gym. That's right, the gym. It's been 3 months and it's been driving me crazy. Yes, there are physical benefits to working out, but I find that it seriously affects my mood. Must be the roid rage.
So I got to school, and within 15 minutes I was coughing again. It's that freakin air conditioning. I packed everything up and left. Stopped home and...went to the gym. I had to sign more papers than I did for buying my car.
Now, I'm no snob...I'm not! But I do think it's a little funny to have the owners of a gym look like they should be running a diner. Don't get me wrong, they seem to be nice people, but I'm used to being able to go to the owner if I have a question about equipment or the best exercise or something like that. I mean, I'd feel comfortable asking these folks if they have any extra mayo for my BLT. One guy is big...like, has to use a cane- big. The other two ladies...they're just not people who seem to have any interest in physical fitness.
But I'm there to work out! I know what I'm doing! I don't need them!
So I fill out the reams of paperwork, leave blood and stool samples, take the standardized test and I'm ready to work out. First up....cardio. Hmmmm...some moderately current treadmills, old stairsteppers...ah, elliptical machines. Never seen this kind before. Oh, it's the same one I used to use back in Rochester at Flex only it's 15 years older. What the hell, cardio is cardio is cardio and a fractured hip. Holy crap, your legs aren't supposed to move like that! But 20 minutes, not bad for not working out and still being sick.
Let's hit the weights...still not feeling it for the machines, I'll go to the dumbells. Hit the chest, do the back, shoulders, etc. They don't seem to have any kind of adjustable cable pulley...uh...I thought that was kind of standard, but whatever, I adjusted (but I'm going to have to find a new rotator cuff exercise). Damn, forgot to do my legs.
I start looking around for a leg press machine. Can't seem to find...oh, there it is. Whoa...I'm not getting on THAT! It looks like it was donated by the Spanish Inquisition. OK...look around...what can we do...squats? Nah...I haven't done squats since high school and that was on a Universal machine. Hmmmm...well, not seeing anything else. OK, I can do some stupid squats. Throw a couple of 45's on the bar and let's have at it.
Hey, I'm doing squats! No problem. I can do this instead of some wimpy old leg press machine. OK, first set over. One more. Take a few seconds rest then we're ready to go. OK, let's get this last set over with. Bar on shoulders, hands on bar, lift and...
"Hey, hey, hey! What do you think you're doing?!!?!?"
Huh? Who was that?
"Yeah! What's your fucking problem, Man?"
It was my hamstrings. Say what you want, but when the hamstrings tell you you ain't doing any more squats, you ain't doing any more squats.
"Oh, sorry guys. I didn't know."
"Yeah, well now you know. Don't let me catch you doing stupid shit like that again. You got it?"
Yes. I'm sorry, hamstrings. Please don't hurt me too much.
I guess the leg press machine isn't all that bad after all. So I tried to do some ab work on the slickest rubber mats I've ever encountered, then called it a day. It was a good workout. I feel good (for now). I just have some adjusting to do.
Let's see if I can get out of bed tomorrow.
So I got to school, and within 15 minutes I was coughing again. It's that freakin air conditioning. I packed everything up and left. Stopped home and...went to the gym. I had to sign more papers than I did for buying my car.
Now, I'm no snob...I'm not! But I do think it's a little funny to have the owners of a gym look like they should be running a diner. Don't get me wrong, they seem to be nice people, but I'm used to being able to go to the owner if I have a question about equipment or the best exercise or something like that. I mean, I'd feel comfortable asking these folks if they have any extra mayo for my BLT. One guy is big...like, has to use a cane- big. The other two ladies...they're just not people who seem to have any interest in physical fitness.
But I'm there to work out! I know what I'm doing! I don't need them!
So I fill out the reams of paperwork, leave blood and stool samples, take the standardized test and I'm ready to work out. First up....cardio. Hmmmm...some moderately current treadmills, old stairsteppers...ah, elliptical machines. Never seen this kind before. Oh, it's the same one I used to use back in Rochester at Flex only it's 15 years older. What the hell, cardio is cardio is cardio and a fractured hip. Holy crap, your legs aren't supposed to move like that! But 20 minutes, not bad for not working out and still being sick.
Let's hit the weights...still not feeling it for the machines, I'll go to the dumbells. Hit the chest, do the back, shoulders, etc. They don't seem to have any kind of adjustable cable pulley...uh...I thought that was kind of standard, but whatever, I adjusted (but I'm going to have to find a new rotator cuff exercise). Damn, forgot to do my legs.
I start looking around for a leg press machine. Can't seem to find...oh, there it is. Whoa...I'm not getting on THAT! It looks like it was donated by the Spanish Inquisition. OK...look around...what can we do...squats? Nah...I haven't done squats since high school and that was on a Universal machine. Hmmmm...well, not seeing anything else. OK, I can do some stupid squats. Throw a couple of 45's on the bar and let's have at it.
Hey, I'm doing squats! No problem. I can do this instead of some wimpy old leg press machine. OK, first set over. One more. Take a few seconds rest then we're ready to go. OK, let's get this last set over with. Bar on shoulders, hands on bar, lift and...
"Hey, hey, hey! What do you think you're doing?!!?!?"
Huh? Who was that?
"Yeah! What's your fucking problem, Man?"
It was my hamstrings. Say what you want, but when the hamstrings tell you you ain't doing any more squats, you ain't doing any more squats.
"Oh, sorry guys. I didn't know."
"Yeah, well now you know. Don't let me catch you doing stupid shit like that again. You got it?"
Yes. I'm sorry, hamstrings. Please don't hurt me too much.
I guess the leg press machine isn't all that bad after all. So I tried to do some ab work on the slickest rubber mats I've ever encountered, then called it a day. It was a good workout. I feel good (for now). I just have some adjusting to do.
Let's see if I can get out of bed tomorrow.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Hawaii - The Tropical Fargo
One of the annoying things about me (Hey! I said one.) is that I pick up on people's communication quirks. I guess I'm just in tune to it. Let me give you an example. Back in the Stone Age, when I was living with Dave, we were watching ESPN one night and the late Dick Schaap was on. I noticed - and it always drove me nuts - that at the end of every sentence he would jerk his head up about 3 inches. I don't know if it was conscious, but I noticed it and it drove me crazy. So I mentioned it to Dave. He told me that he couldn't watch the guy any more after that because it was all he would focus on. It's been the same with my students, et al.
So I'm not sure if it just struck me now or if it just started getting worse at school, but it seems that everyone around me has picked up this pidgin habit of saying "yee-ah?" at the end of every sentence. It's like I woke up and was in a Tropical version of Fargo. It's a Minnesota/Sweedish sounding yee-ah. And now everyone ends a sentence with it. For example:
"Mr. Atias, this goes to Mrs. Temple, yee-ah?"
"There's only 4 minutes before lunch, yee-ah?"
"If you say 'yee-ah' one more time I'm going to punch you in the head, yee-ah?"
I think I actually know when this started and I know who to blame. Stick with me on this.
Last week, we had a guest come into our class. Her name is Kathy Collins. I know her, because she runs the radio station I'm at. It's not connected as one of the other teachers had her come in. Kathy has this alter-ego called Auntie Tita (I may have that spelled wrong).
Kathy's on the right
Tita does PSA's for all the radio & TV stations about littering and other pro-Hawaii stuff, she also does shows for kids telling them Mo'olelos, old Hawaiian myths. Auntie Tita speaks pidgin. For a good example, see the post on my trip to Hana.
Since Tita visited our class, everyone's started the yee-ah thing. I may have to talk to Kathy about this. Maybe we need an exorcism or something.
And while you think this is just an isolated incident. Let's note that I was the first to come out against the dreaded "There you go" craze.
Twenty-four hours from now I'll be back on the air...hopefully I won't cough up too much phlegm on an open mic. Yes, I'm still sick.
So I'm not sure if it just struck me now or if it just started getting worse at school, but it seems that everyone around me has picked up this pidgin habit of saying "yee-ah?" at the end of every sentence. It's like I woke up and was in a Tropical version of Fargo. It's a Minnesota/Sweedish sounding yee-ah. And now everyone ends a sentence with it. For example:
"Mr. Atias, this goes to Mrs. Temple, yee-ah?"
"There's only 4 minutes before lunch, yee-ah?"
"If you say 'yee-ah' one more time I'm going to punch you in the head, yee-ah?"
I think I actually know when this started and I know who to blame. Stick with me on this.
Last week, we had a guest come into our class. Her name is Kathy Collins. I know her, because she runs the radio station I'm at. It's not connected as one of the other teachers had her come in. Kathy has this alter-ego called Auntie Tita (I may have that spelled wrong).
Tita does PSA's for all the radio & TV stations about littering and other pro-Hawaii stuff, she also does shows for kids telling them Mo'olelos, old Hawaiian myths. Auntie Tita speaks pidgin. For a good example, see the post on my trip to Hana.
Since Tita visited our class, everyone's started the yee-ah thing. I may have to talk to Kathy about this. Maybe we need an exorcism or something.
And while you think this is just an isolated incident. Let's note that I was the first to come out against the dreaded "There you go" craze.
Twenty-four hours from now I'll be back on the air...hopefully I won't cough up too much phlegm on an open mic. Yes, I'm still sick.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The TV Show
I really don't have much new happening, but I thought I'd give everyone an update on how things are going with Dave's 3 Point Plan.
The school newspaper? Nothing. Podcast? No. Cable Access TV Show? Ahhhhh. A little movement. We have a dozen kids who are creating the first show. We have the roles assigned and we even have the stories settled on. The kids decided on Soldiers in Iraq from Maui, a controversial development program that's threatening wetlands and the endangered Sea Turtles.
Oh, I know what you're saying - Heeeeeeyyyy...those all have Dave's fingerprints on them. Wrong you are. The roles were settled and I left the kids alone in a room and told them to figure it out. I poked my head in a couple of times when it sounded like they were going to kill each other. A half-hour later, that's what they came up with.
A two-week vacation starts on Friday, so once we get back the kids start calling people to interview, doing research on the subjects and having training on filming and editing. I'm thinking of putting my own little touch on the whole thing (Whitee-style) but I haven't quite decided yet.
So...my break's coming up. I'm still trying to get over this plague I have. I have shifts at the radio station coming up. I plan on going to Haleakela to watch the sunrise, the Ocean Center, maybe to see the petroglyphs. So I should have some more pictures soon.
The school newspaper? Nothing. Podcast? No. Cable Access TV Show? Ahhhhh. A little movement. We have a dozen kids who are creating the first show. We have the roles assigned and we even have the stories settled on. The kids decided on Soldiers in Iraq from Maui, a controversial development program that's threatening wetlands and the endangered Sea Turtles.
Oh, I know what you're saying - Heeeeeeyyyy...those all have Dave's fingerprints on them. Wrong you are. The roles were settled and I left the kids alone in a room and told them to figure it out. I poked my head in a couple of times when it sounded like they were going to kill each other. A half-hour later, that's what they came up with.
A two-week vacation starts on Friday, so once we get back the kids start calling people to interview, doing research on the subjects and having training on filming and editing. I'm thinking of putting my own little touch on the whole thing (Whitee-style) but I haven't quite decided yet.
So...my break's coming up. I'm still trying to get over this plague I have. I have shifts at the radio station coming up. I plan on going to Haleakela to watch the sunrise, the Ocean Center, maybe to see the petroglyphs. So I should have some more pictures soon.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Tidbits
I saw my first firetruck in action today. We're surrounded by water, but there are few fire hydrants so a big-ass water truck has to follow the fire truck to the scene of any fire. In Hana, Oprah got the town to install this funky-looking fire hydrant system. Can't have Oprah's shit burning down.
As of right now, the cheapest place on Maui to buy booze is...K-Mart. Uh, OK.
As I was driving to K-Mart I made a wrong turn at Alburquerque. So as I'm trying to find a place to turn around on the only road on the island you can go 55, this douchebag is behind me, literally putting up all 10 of his grimy digits, telling me the speed limit is 55. I responded by telling him that I thought it was 11. F-ing gringo.
This weekend, I've already gotten 3 e-mails from kids/parents whining about their grades. I loves me some internets.
As of right now, the cheapest place on Maui to buy booze is...K-Mart. Uh, OK.
As I was driving to K-Mart I made a wrong turn at Alburquerque. So as I'm trying to find a place to turn around on the only road on the island you can go 55, this douchebag is behind me, literally putting up all 10 of his grimy digits, telling me the speed limit is 55. I responded by telling him that I thought it was 11. F-ing gringo.
This weekend, I've already gotten 3 e-mails from kids/parents whining about their grades. I loves me some internets.
Friday, September 21, 2007
The Reason I Came to Maui
I'm sorry I didn't get any pictures of this. Normally, I would have, but I wasn't supposed to be going out into the field today. I was supposed to be in the classroom, but due to a last minute...uh...situation, I ended up going on our Service Learning outing today.
We went to a National Wetland Park. They're clearing it out of all "invasive species", which means any vegetation that is not indigenous to Maui - which is most everything here. White folks brought most of what's here...trees, fruit, etc. It's a freakin rock, what do you expect?
Anyway, this wetland is right on the coast in the western part of the island. We ended up doing some beach clean up. Now when I say beach, it's not the beach you're thinking of. Oh sure, the ocean meets the island there, but instead of sand it's a 30 foot high and wide rock wall. And not mortared, these rocks are just stacked. So it was rough walking around it. But trash from all over the Pacific comes - other islands, China, Japan, cruise ships, etc. When the tide is high, Deborah Harry starts singing and the water (and junk) gets up to the top of that wall.
[Now comes a comment that shows why I had to make this blog private]
Generally, our kids are a bunch of whiners. They're pretty spoiled and don't have a clue how good they have it and how lucky they are to be in this school. They're not necessarily rich kids, but most have no idea what it's like to be educated anywhere but Hawaii. They don't understand that almost no other students get to do things like this - and they whined all the way there and back. It took everything I had not to turn this van around and go home, goddamnit.
But while I was there, walking to the cleanup site and looking around the wetland, it was one of those moments. Not too many teachers get to do stuff like this. It still hasn't sunk in yet, as you'll see by part 2 of this story.
It was our typical Friday - a half-day so we can plan the next week - because we're with the kids from start to finish the other days. We eat lunch with them, no plan periods, etc. So I'm on a computer setting up a research activity for next week (you can check it out here). I'm looking for websites about sea turtles and I come to a site for an organization that arranges trips for students to go to Costa Rica and protect sea turtles.
I literally had the thought: Wouldn't it be cool if we could take our kids to Costa Rica to do this...
I was just about to show this site to my fellow teachers when it hit me...hey, dumbass...you're in Hawaii. You already do this stuff. Your kids were checking out sea turtles last week. You already ARE a part of an organization like this. If I would have showed them this site they would have thought I was hitting my inhaler too hard.
I think part of the reason is that I don't get out of the classroom as much as the other teachers. They're trying to get me out more, but the truth is - and everyone agrees - that our kids are so deficient in reading and writing that I have to stay back more. I know it would be cool to go into the field more, but I'm here for the gig and that's what the kids need. I'm really not that disappointed, because I can go check out these things on my own without having to hear, "Mr. Atias, he's hitting me!"
These kids are driving me to a vasectomy.
So I guess my point is, today was pretty cool...except for the kids.
We went to a National Wetland Park. They're clearing it out of all "invasive species", which means any vegetation that is not indigenous to Maui - which is most everything here. White folks brought most of what's here...trees, fruit, etc. It's a freakin rock, what do you expect?
Anyway, this wetland is right on the coast in the western part of the island. We ended up doing some beach clean up. Now when I say beach, it's not the beach you're thinking of. Oh sure, the ocean meets the island there, but instead of sand it's a 30 foot high and wide rock wall. And not mortared, these rocks are just stacked. So it was rough walking around it. But trash from all over the Pacific comes - other islands, China, Japan, cruise ships, etc. When the tide is high, Deborah Harry starts singing and the water (and junk) gets up to the top of that wall.
[Now comes a comment that shows why I had to make this blog private]
Generally, our kids are a bunch of whiners. They're pretty spoiled and don't have a clue how good they have it and how lucky they are to be in this school. They're not necessarily rich kids, but most have no idea what it's like to be educated anywhere but Hawaii. They don't understand that almost no other students get to do things like this - and they whined all the way there and back. It took everything I had not to turn this van around and go home, goddamnit.
But while I was there, walking to the cleanup site and looking around the wetland, it was one of those moments. Not too many teachers get to do stuff like this. It still hasn't sunk in yet, as you'll see by part 2 of this story.
It was our typical Friday - a half-day so we can plan the next week - because we're with the kids from start to finish the other days. We eat lunch with them, no plan periods, etc. So I'm on a computer setting up a research activity for next week (you can check it out here). I'm looking for websites about sea turtles and I come to a site for an organization that arranges trips for students to go to Costa Rica and protect sea turtles.
I literally had the thought: Wouldn't it be cool if we could take our kids to Costa Rica to do this...
I was just about to show this site to my fellow teachers when it hit me...hey, dumbass...you're in Hawaii. You already do this stuff. Your kids were checking out sea turtles last week. You already ARE a part of an organization like this. If I would have showed them this site they would have thought I was hitting my inhaler too hard.
I think part of the reason is that I don't get out of the classroom as much as the other teachers. They're trying to get me out more, but the truth is - and everyone agrees - that our kids are so deficient in reading and writing that I have to stay back more. I know it would be cool to go into the field more, but I'm here for the gig and that's what the kids need. I'm really not that disappointed, because I can go check out these things on my own without having to hear, "Mr. Atias, he's hitting me!"
These kids are driving me to a vasectomy.
So I guess my point is, today was pretty cool...except for the kids.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Doctor...My Brain Hurts...
OK, bad Python quote for the post title.
So, maybe you've heard...I've been sick for a few weeks. I'm starting to have doubts about my doctor. Ummmm...let's call her, Dr. Chen. The first thing isn't really her fault (I hope). When I finally got in to see her, my blood pressure was through the roof. I brought her my prescriptions from back home and she had never heard of one of my meds. Not only that, it wasn't available through my HMO...I guess they weren't getting kickbacks from the right pharmacuetical company, but there was another ACE inhibitor that had pretty much the same side effects (that's what she said). Well, I wasn't really thinking about side effects, I just wanted my headache to go away. So we decided to go with the different med. So one of these possible side effects was a dry cough.
The day I saw her, I was starting to feel a bit funky. Some kind of bug had been going around the school - which is normal with a bunch of germ factories. I start taking the meds, my blood pressure goes down, my headache goes away, but this plague I have gets worse...a lot worse.
For the last 10 days I've been coughing, sneezing and finding other ways to expel mucus (I know, not pretty). So I needed to see Dr. Chen for a follow up anyway so I go and tell her about my symptoms. Now, she's not sure if it's side effects from the new meds or I'm really sick or both. I'm pretty sure I'm just freakin sick...others have it. So she wants me to stop with the one blood pressure med and start antibiotics and a steroid inhaler. Fine. One problem. I get paid in 2 days and I'm still waiting for a check from the mainland to go through (it's only been 5 days). So I tell her that I'll need to wait a couple of days to get the new meds. No problem, she says. Stop the blood pressure med & call her in a couple of days. If I still feel like doody (my word) we can start the antibiotics.
I called her this morning still feeling like hell. "Well, at least we know it wasn't my fault," was her reaction. Uh...Honey, you're not THAT cute. I need a doctor. So she said she'd put in the prescription for the other meds but to wait on starting the one blood pressure med again...she's really worried about this side effect thing. Now I'm starting to think she's given me the real world version of Pankratol or Boinkatol (you'll have to listen to the podcast to get the reference).
Of course when I go to the HMO pharmacy in the afternoon, their reaction is pretty much: Perscription? I don't know nothing 'bout no perscription. So I had to wait an hour while they "filled" it. I don't know...I've seen nurses at Hillside give out enough medication to chill out an entire county to 12 kids in 5 minutes. I don't know what the hour was for.
So now I have new pills, an inhaler that makes me look like my name is "Spaz" and my blood pressure is back up - oh, which Dr. Chen says won't kill me for a couple of days. I'm thinking about getting a new doctor and asking her out to dinner. I think I'll find out if she's trying to kill me first.
And yes, I know I spelled prescription wrong.
NEW RADIO SHIFTS!!! LOOK TO THE RIGHT!!! I'LL BE ON DURING THE AFTERNOONS EST!!!
So, maybe you've heard...I've been sick for a few weeks. I'm starting to have doubts about my doctor. Ummmm...let's call her, Dr. Chen. The first thing isn't really her fault (I hope). When I finally got in to see her, my blood pressure was through the roof. I brought her my prescriptions from back home and she had never heard of one of my meds. Not only that, it wasn't available through my HMO...I guess they weren't getting kickbacks from the right pharmacuetical company, but there was another ACE inhibitor that had pretty much the same side effects (that's what she said). Well, I wasn't really thinking about side effects, I just wanted my headache to go away. So we decided to go with the different med. So one of these possible side effects was a dry cough.
The day I saw her, I was starting to feel a bit funky. Some kind of bug had been going around the school - which is normal with a bunch of germ factories. I start taking the meds, my blood pressure goes down, my headache goes away, but this plague I have gets worse...a lot worse.
For the last 10 days I've been coughing, sneezing and finding other ways to expel mucus (I know, not pretty). So I needed to see Dr. Chen for a follow up anyway so I go and tell her about my symptoms. Now, she's not sure if it's side effects from the new meds or I'm really sick or both. I'm pretty sure I'm just freakin sick...others have it. So she wants me to stop with the one blood pressure med and start antibiotics and a steroid inhaler. Fine. One problem. I get paid in 2 days and I'm still waiting for a check from the mainland to go through (it's only been 5 days). So I tell her that I'll need to wait a couple of days to get the new meds. No problem, she says. Stop the blood pressure med & call her in a couple of days. If I still feel like doody (my word) we can start the antibiotics.
I called her this morning still feeling like hell. "Well, at least we know it wasn't my fault," was her reaction. Uh...Honey, you're not THAT cute. I need a doctor. So she said she'd put in the prescription for the other meds but to wait on starting the one blood pressure med again...she's really worried about this side effect thing. Now I'm starting to think she's given me the real world version of Pankratol or Boinkatol (you'll have to listen to the podcast to get the reference).
Of course when I go to the HMO pharmacy in the afternoon, their reaction is pretty much: Perscription? I don't know nothing 'bout no perscription. So I had to wait an hour while they "filled" it. I don't know...I've seen nurses at Hillside give out enough medication to chill out an entire county to 12 kids in 5 minutes. I don't know what the hour was for.
So now I have new pills, an inhaler that makes me look like my name is "Spaz" and my blood pressure is back up - oh, which Dr. Chen says won't kill me for a couple of days. I'm thinking about getting a new doctor and asking her out to dinner. I think I'll find out if she's trying to kill me first.
And yes, I know I spelled prescription wrong.
NEW RADIO SHIFTS!!! LOOK TO THE RIGHT!!! I'LL BE ON DURING THE AFTERNOONS EST!!!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Kumbaya?
This is gonna be a weird one. I'm not really sure how to put this in the right perspective.
The kids didn't have school today - our version of Superintendent's Day. So, we're in this training and we start off with this goofy team building exercise. If you've been an any kind of corporate structure you've done a million of these. This is Hawaii so it was a bit more...uh, interactive. It involved a jump rope and 18 people. Let's just say that I'm typing this with ice on my achilles tendon.
We finish our ice breaker and get to some stuff about portfolios. Everything's fine so far. We get to the idea that we don't celebrate our successes enough. I think most places of work (and homes for that matter) are in the same boat. We always focus on what can be improved and we don't recognize the good stuff we're doing. Christ, it sent me to therapy - which I really miss right now, but I digress.
So we're not celebrating our successes. This guy from the high school raises his hand and says something like:
This may seem kinda goofy, but I went to this seminar a few years ago. Has anyone heard of that Tony Robbins guy? (Uh, oh.) Well, there were like 40 or 50 thousand people and he had all of us celebrate for 60 seconds straight. (Oh, shit.) It seems silly, but we yelled and jumped up and down like our team just won the big game for a whole minute. (Lord, help me. I'll go to church. Anything, just save me from this.) Maybe we could do it for 30 seconds?
Well, then the negotiating started. "How about 5?" "10!"
We settled on 20 seconds of celebrating. It was really bizarre. I think I've talked about this on this blog...I know I have on the podcast, but I'm not a Woo-hoo kinda guy. You may get a "Yeah!" out of me, but I just can't seem to make that "Woo" sound. Any time I've won a game, I'll do a mild high five, a gentle knuckle bump and look for the beer. This is my nightmare. You may as well have said that we have to do it naked. It would have been the same for me either way.
So we celebrated. We celebrated so hard and loud that we went way past the 20 second mark because we couldn't hear the timekeeper. And yes, I lived through it. But it was so awkward for me...I tried to think of something to do that was over the top to make it silly-fun, but we all looked so ridiculous that I couldn't think of anything more weird than we were already doing. I really looked like I was one of those people with a brain lesion that effects affect.
But I will say this...
I actually let out a mini-woo. It was an accident, so I don't think I'll be able to make a habit of it.
The kids didn't have school today - our version of Superintendent's Day. So, we're in this training and we start off with this goofy team building exercise. If you've been an any kind of corporate structure you've done a million of these. This is Hawaii so it was a bit more...uh, interactive. It involved a jump rope and 18 people. Let's just say that I'm typing this with ice on my achilles tendon.
We finish our ice breaker and get to some stuff about portfolios. Everything's fine so far. We get to the idea that we don't celebrate our successes enough. I think most places of work (and homes for that matter) are in the same boat. We always focus on what can be improved and we don't recognize the good stuff we're doing. Christ, it sent me to therapy - which I really miss right now, but I digress.
So we're not celebrating our successes. This guy from the high school raises his hand and says something like:
This may seem kinda goofy, but I went to this seminar a few years ago. Has anyone heard of that Tony Robbins guy? (Uh, oh.) Well, there were like 40 or 50 thousand people and he had all of us celebrate for 60 seconds straight. (Oh, shit.) It seems silly, but we yelled and jumped up and down like our team just won the big game for a whole minute. (Lord, help me. I'll go to church. Anything, just save me from this.) Maybe we could do it for 30 seconds?
Well, then the negotiating started. "How about 5?" "10!"
We settled on 20 seconds of celebrating. It was really bizarre. I think I've talked about this on this blog...I know I have on the podcast, but I'm not a Woo-hoo kinda guy. You may get a "Yeah!" out of me, but I just can't seem to make that "Woo" sound. Any time I've won a game, I'll do a mild high five, a gentle knuckle bump and look for the beer. This is my nightmare. You may as well have said that we have to do it naked. It would have been the same for me either way.
So we celebrated. We celebrated so hard and loud that we went way past the 20 second mark because we couldn't hear the timekeeper. And yes, I lived through it. But it was so awkward for me...I tried to think of something to do that was over the top to make it silly-fun, but we all looked so ridiculous that I couldn't think of anything more weird than we were already doing. I really looked like I was one of those people with a brain lesion that effects affect.
But I will say this...
I actually let out a mini-woo. It was an accident, so I don't think I'll be able to make a habit of it.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
21 Things You Didn't Know You Can Recycle
From Coopamerica.org:
1. Appliances: Goodwill accepts working appliances, www.goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them. 800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org.
2. Batteries: Rechargeables and single-use: Battery Solutions, 734/467-9110, www.batteryrecycling.com.
3. Cardboard boxes: cardboard boxContact local nonprofits and women's shelters to see if they can use them. Or, offer them up at your local Freecycle.org listserv or on Craigslist.org. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more each month, UsedCardboardBoxes.com accepts them for resale.
4. CDs/DVDs/Game Disks: Send scratched music or computer CDs, DVDs, and PlayStation or Nintendo video game disks to AuralTech for refinishing, and they'll work like new: 888/454-3223, www.auraltech.com.
5. Clothes: shirtsWearable clothes can go to your local Goodwill outlet or shelter. Donate wearable women's business clothing to Dress for Success, which gives them to low-income women as they search for jobs, 212/532-1922, www.dressforsuccess.org. Offer unwearable clothes and towels to local animal boarding and shelter facilities, which often use them as pet bedding. Consider holding a clothes swap at your office, school, faith congregation or community center. Swap clothes with friends and colleagues, save money on a new fall wardrobe and back-to-school clothes – then donate the rest.
6. Compact fluorescent bulbs: Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling: www.ikea.com.
7. Compostable bio-plastics: You probably won't be able to compost these in your home compost bin or pile. Find a municipal composter to take them to at www.findacomposter.com.
8. Computers and electronics: Find the most responsible recyclers, local and national, at www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html
9. Exercise videos: Swap them with others at www.videofitness.com.
10. Eyeglasses: glassesYour local Lion's Club or eye care chain may collect these. Lenses are reground and given to people in need.
11. Foam Packing peanuts: Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept these for reuse. Or, call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800/828-2214. For places to drop off foam blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, 410/451-8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html
12. Ink/toner cartridges: Recycleplace.com pays $1/each.
13. Miscellaneous: Get your unwanted items into the hands of people who can use them. Offer them up on your local Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org listserv, or try giving them away at Throwplace.com or giving or selling them at iReuse.com. iReuse.com will also help you find a recycler, if possible, when your items have reached the end of their useful lifecycle.
14. Oil: Find Used Motor Oil Hotlines for each state: 202/682-8000, www.recycleoil.org.
15. Phones: cell phoneDonate cell phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: 770/856-9021, www.collectivegood.com. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: www.donateaphone.com. Recycle single-line phones: Reclamere, 814/386-2927, www.reclamere.com.
16. Sports equipment: Resell or trade it at your local Play It Again Sports outlet, 800/476-9249, www.playitagainsports.com.
17. “Technotrash”: Easily recycle all of your CDs, jewel cases, DVDs, audio and video tapes, cell phones, pagers, rechargeable and single-use batteries, PDAs, and ink/toner cartridges with GreenDisk's Technotrash program. For $30, GreenDisk will send you a cardboard box in which you can ship them up to 70 pounds of any of the above. Your fee covers the box as well as shipping and recycling fees. 800/305-GREENDISK, www.greendisk.com.
18. Tennis shoes: Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring. www.nikereuseashoe.com. One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti. www.oneworldrunning.com.
19. Toothbrushes and razors:toothbrush Buy a recycled plastic toothbrush or razor from Recycline, and the company will take it back to be recycled again into plastic lumber. Recycline products are made from used Stonyfield Farms' yogurt cups. 888/354-7296, www.recycline.com.
20. Tyvek envelopes: Quantities less than 25: Send to Shirley Cimburke, Tyvek Recycling Specialist, 5401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Spot 197, Room 231, Richmond, VA 23234. Quantities larger than 25, call 866/33-TYVEK.
21. Stuff you just can't recycle: When practical, send such items back to the manufacturer and tell them they need to manufacture products that close the waste loop responsibly.
21 Things You Didn't Know You Can Recycle
1. Appliances: Goodwill accepts working appliances, www.goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them. 800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org.
2. Batteries: Rechargeables and single-use: Battery Solutions, 734/467-9110, www.batteryrecycling.com.
3. Cardboard boxes: cardboard boxContact local nonprofits and women's shelters to see if they can use them. Or, offer them up at your local Freecycle.org listserv or on Craigslist.org. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more each month, UsedCardboardBoxes.com accepts them for resale.
4. CDs/DVDs/Game Disks: Send scratched music or computer CDs, DVDs, and PlayStation or Nintendo video game disks to AuralTech for refinishing, and they'll work like new: 888/454-3223, www.auraltech.com.
5. Clothes: shirtsWearable clothes can go to your local Goodwill outlet or shelter. Donate wearable women's business clothing to Dress for Success, which gives them to low-income women as they search for jobs, 212/532-1922, www.dressforsuccess.org. Offer unwearable clothes and towels to local animal boarding and shelter facilities, which often use them as pet bedding. Consider holding a clothes swap at your office, school, faith congregation or community center. Swap clothes with friends and colleagues, save money on a new fall wardrobe and back-to-school clothes – then donate the rest.
6. Compact fluorescent bulbs: Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling: www.ikea.com.
7. Compostable bio-plastics: You probably won't be able to compost these in your home compost bin or pile. Find a municipal composter to take them to at www.findacomposter.com.
8. Computers and electronics: Find the most responsible recyclers, local and national, at www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html
9. Exercise videos: Swap them with others at www.videofitness.com.
10. Eyeglasses: glassesYour local Lion's Club or eye care chain may collect these. Lenses are reground and given to people in need.
11. Foam Packing peanuts: Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept these for reuse. Or, call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800/828-2214. For places to drop off foam blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, 410/451-8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html
12. Ink/toner cartridges: Recycleplace.com pays $1/each.
13. Miscellaneous: Get your unwanted items into the hands of people who can use them. Offer them up on your local Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org listserv, or try giving them away at Throwplace.com or giving or selling them at iReuse.com. iReuse.com will also help you find a recycler, if possible, when your items have reached the end of their useful lifecycle.
14. Oil: Find Used Motor Oil Hotlines for each state: 202/682-8000, www.recycleoil.org.
15. Phones: cell phoneDonate cell phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: 770/856-9021, www.collectivegood.com. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: www.donateaphone.com. Recycle single-line phones: Reclamere, 814/386-2927, www.reclamere.com.
16. Sports equipment: Resell or trade it at your local Play It Again Sports outlet, 800/476-9249, www.playitagainsports.com.
17. “Technotrash”: Easily recycle all of your CDs, jewel cases, DVDs, audio and video tapes, cell phones, pagers, rechargeable and single-use batteries, PDAs, and ink/toner cartridges with GreenDisk's Technotrash program. For $30, GreenDisk will send you a cardboard box in which you can ship them up to 70 pounds of any of the above. Your fee covers the box as well as shipping and recycling fees. 800/305-GREENDISK, www.greendisk.com.
18. Tennis shoes: Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring. www.nikereuseashoe.com. One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti. www.oneworldrunning.com.
19. Toothbrushes and razors:toothbrush Buy a recycled plastic toothbrush or razor from Recycline, and the company will take it back to be recycled again into plastic lumber. Recycline products are made from used Stonyfield Farms' yogurt cups. 888/354-7296, www.recycline.com.
20. Tyvek envelopes: Quantities less than 25: Send to Shirley Cimburke, Tyvek Recycling Specialist, 5401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Spot 197, Room 231, Richmond, VA 23234. Quantities larger than 25, call 866/33-TYVEK.
21. Stuff you just can't recycle: When practical, send such items back to the manufacturer and tell them they need to manufacture products that close the waste loop responsibly.
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