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?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
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?
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