Today is my 101st day as an Angeleno. To celebrate I took a favorite walk and thought about my new world. It's filled with blue skies, walks around the meadow, cats, tee-vee (I'm done with the links), new students, hills and mountains, and good people. I like it here.
This weekend, there was a little weekend away-ing. We spent some time in the mountains (about 2-800 hours from LA, depending on traffic). We rented a killer cabin in the woods; it had a fancy kitchen, the perfect deck for breakfast, the perfect sunset view a half-mile neighborhood walk away, and quiet time.
There were some other high points of the trip:
*I got to say that I was from LA when some guy who liked my coat asked me where I was from.
*I got to see a part of California that was new to me...a part that had fall.
*The hiking boots were busted out of storage.
*And, the people watching was high quality (there was a mullet, wine glass necklaces, and mountain people galore).
It was perfect.
I experienced a very Monday-ish Monday today. Kids were tired and cranky. New classroom things had glitches and hold-ups. I found out that my big raise is not so big once the man gets his hands on my check. Blah, blah, blah.
With some characteristically perfect timing, Dave sent me a little gift, via iTunes, and changed up my day. Rather than wallowing in the day, I am now enjoying the Into the Wild soundtrack.
A little Eddie Vedder and daydreams of spending some time away from it all are proving themselves to be the perfect way to deal with this overtly Monday Monday.
Right around this time, 50 years ago, nine high school students faced a sea of angry people and integrated the schools in Little Rock. I think the first time I learned about the Little Rock Nine was when I was in 5th grade, and all of the classes in my school spent a week watching Eyes on the Prize, a documentary about the nonviolent aspect of the Civil Rights Movement. I always think of that documentary as one of the most shaping experiences of my education.
More recently, I learned about some of the other events that shaped the Civil Rights Movement while watching another documentary. This time, the movie was shown to my graduate school class, and it talked about the Children's March. Until that time, I had not known of the children who forced Birmingham to integrate. These were the children the fire hoses were turned on. The children that the dogs chased. And, it was all so they could receive the education that they wanted.
I always wonder if I am doing enough to teach my students about the history that shapes each of their lives. Wonder if I am doing anything to really promote social justice? Struggle with the fact that I may be perpetuating some part of the myth of "separate but equal" in my position as a special educator. Those are issues I am not sure if I will ever come to terms with....
After school, when I learned that yesterday was the 50th anniversary of that famous day of school, I spent time trying to find things that might help my students understand the history they have inherited. But, this is proving to be more difficult than I had hoped. I am going to have to explain this to them in some way. They should know what has happened before them. I am the one who is supposed to teach them.
So, I've hit a blogging dry spell. It's not that things in my life are not blog worthy (at least in my own eyes). It's more like a (maybe I've already said "that" / what is the limit for blog-items can one person recycle and still call herself a blogger) + (time away from the computer is good time) = no blogging. [Little homage to order of operations, there...did you see it?]
In the past, when I've run into spells like this, I've resorted to the bullet point. Here it goes:
*My new little baby iPod shuffle is perfect for a walk around the lake. At first I thought I was being an uber-consumer by getting a second iPod whilst having a first big iPod that works perfectly. That was all thrown out the proverbial window during today's outing. The little baby iPod weighs practically nothing. And, clips to my pants. I was out and about with everything attached to me janitor style. It was perfect.
*During a conversation with a friend who lived in Astoria/left Astoria in a very similar pattern with me, I tried to figure out a little more of what makes LA tick. Using NY and Boston (her new city) as comparison, we decided that the essential differences in the cities came down to making out in public. LA embraces the public make out. It's kind of everywhere. NY is a little less inclined (partially because people kind of make out with one person while they keep an eye out for someone better to come along, diminishing the overall quality of the make out). Boston is on the other end of the bell curve. Their Puritanical history makes for very little public action.
*I'm listening to Middlesex on my way to work. It's amazing. Plus, the audio book format is surprisingly wonderful in the car. And, it breaks up my somewhat obsessive NPR-listening.
*this is funny: http://www.dieyuppiekickball.com Sorry Brian.
Ok...Enough. This post is over.
Techie Time
I got to delve deeper into my techie-love by going to Wired's NextFest. I saw green homes, artsy stuff, amazing artificial legs, some scary big brother security stuff, a game that is played with brain waves, and the mayor of LA walk in a robot.
Backyard Time
After hearing about a few meat days, I have been craving some q.t. with grilled food. Last night, thanks to the MaDonks, my grill needs were met. There is something so perfect about sitting in a back yard and eating something off the grill.
Sunday Night Time
I'm now neck deep in Sunday time. I'm having a hard time getting the motivation to do my work I have put off all weekend. IMs with a sister and a deep appreciation for relaxing is making it very difficult to want to get back into the weekday swing of things.
Now that I'm working daily and living in a city with a whole lot of NPR, I've been listening to the radio a lot. Because it's NPR, I'm always learning something. Yesterday I found out that when people talk about trading pork bellies they really do mean the stomach of a pig. I thought that pork bellies was a term for some financial thing. But, it's not. It's all about the bacon.
I also learned that the monster truck is huge in Europe. There is a new truck called Thor. It's Swedish. I think I may need to time a trip to some Scandinavian country to coincide with Monster Jam Europe. If the Air Guitar International Championships are happening at the same time, that might be the most perfect trip ever.
LA is in the middle of a heat wave. I spent the weekend by the beach (where it was 20 degrees cooler). Now I'm back and I'm schvitzing. I've got a natural glow about me. The news said that this glow should last until the middle of the week. I have little desire to move and I don't want to eat. A few more days above 100 may be a more effective crash diet than a week in the MaDonk's shed.
School is starting on Tuesday and, yesterday, it seemed that it would be starting without me. Despite my summer long effort to gather paperwork, it seemed that I would not be able to produce what has not been mailed. I was devastated. I have become so attached to the idea of starting each September with students. I love my students. I love watching them grow, laughing with them, and seeing their eyes grow wide when something new comes their way.
Today, after a little glimmer of hope, I realized that my year will have students. I will start as a volunteer, if needed. It probably will not come down to that. But, if needed, I'm sure that my school can utilize a volunteer with a graduate degree in special education.
I recently had several run-ins with my former life...but there were unexpected outcomes. A few days ago, I walked out to my car and was put into a panic by a ticket on the windshield. Did I not know about an alternate side of the street parking? Was there some law I did not read about in my sub-par studying of CA traffic rules for my driving test? Oh, no. It was a little flyer about God. I got a ticket from God.
The other run-in was while walking on a dark night. My foot slipped and I thought it was poo. I was all grossed out. Nasty poo on my foot. But...no. It was dirt. Dirt not poo.
This is LA not Queens.
My little sister started college yesterday. Today her away message says, "Dinner, Opera, Class." I am so excited for her.
My other sister's away message says, "Guitar Hero." PVision is excited for that one.
Yesterday I talked to a mom who wanted to subject her 2 year old to flash cards and was concerned that the baby couldn't sit through a whole book. I thought that the first one was not a good idea and the second one was developmentally appropriate. Then I told her about matching bears and felt like I'd done my teacherly service.
Today I learned that American Idol is better than Baby Einstein for the little guys. The Baby Einstein lady was one of the people to get pointed out and applause at the last State of the Union. Does this mean Simon will have to be invited next?
Today, I rediscovered my Woo Hoo playlist. I made it last summer and have not listened to it since then. It starts strong with a little Gogol Bordello, moved to a little Instant Pleasure and then lots of big sound music. I love it. A playlist makes all the difference as you attempt to navigate the tangled web of LA freeways.
P.S. The House in the video is confusing to me...but, I enjoy the House so, what the heck.
P.P.S. Although I missed my exit from the 134 to the 2, I found my way home. Another reason to have a little WooHoo!
First, let me begin this blog with the most interesting news I've read in a while. Although I have a special interest because it happened right around the corner from my old apartment, I feel like everyone will be interested. Well, if you like monkeys.
Secondly, I had a realization today. I should be embracing the culture of LA and doing work in public places. After I took a walk today, I stopped at a local coffee shop and was greeted with many glowing apples. All the ladies had white iBooks/MacBooks and fellers had another color Book. Well, except for the two people who must not have known and brought their PCs to the coffee shop. Next week, I'm going to bring my iBook to Silver Lake Coffee (to show I belong) and then push my computer to the corner of the table and go through the 30 pounds of curriculum I brought back from my classroom.
Today, as Dave and I walked towards the Yaris, I noticed something covering my car. It was a fine white powder. What could this be? Oh yes, it's ash. Something is on fire and now my car is covered in ash.
But, then we went to see a Beatles tribute band and I completely forgot my whoh-we-don't-have-this-where-I'm-from reaction as I sang all the words (with only a few mistakes) to many a Beatles song.
I just woke up from a 3 hour nap. I'm not a napper. But, summer has taken over. I had plans for the morning (a walk before it was hot, a few phone calls to rearrange my schedule, and some other things I've already forgotten). Instead of those things, I fell asleep to a David Sedaris audiobook. I'm feeling a little lazy. This is a problem.
I finally made it to the DMV to take the test I needed for my very own CA drivers license. I had been warned that the test was actually hard and people had been known to fail more than once. I had taken a few practice tests on the DMV's website and felt that I was ready for the real test.
After finishing some line standing, I moved to the sitting and waiting part of the whole DMV experience. I sat in the back row and attempted to look engrossed in my book while I waited for G213 to be called. The whole situation put me in the perfect position for spying.
I saw a woman come over to the chairs of the fellow DMVers and make some type of proclamation that made everyone avert their eyes. She then came over to my section and sat directly in front of me. She started a conversation with the woman at the end of the row. Woman #1 asked about the baby's name, followed up with how spiritual the name was, and then talked about the color of god. [By this point, I was pretty sure Lady #1 was going to snatch the baby or start undressing or something]. Lady #2 had a different take on the situation.
After Lady #1 stopped for a breath, Lady #2 responded with "Have you ever had a psychic reading?"
I was stunned as I watched them negotiate price and then talk about Lady #2's mother and men right there in the DMV's office.
PS I passed my test (on the second try).
