With temps pushing (passing?) 90 this week, my headline question is not entirely unironic. I mean really, is this kind of heat necessary at this time of year. If it starts dipping under 35 in October, then this summer to winter with nothing in between thing will start feeling really old.
The hell with the weather ... tomorrow the calendar turns to October, and the Red Sox are still playing. All is balanced in the universe! We match up well against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (and is that really the name of a team you want to cheer for?). With Beckett throwing up to twice in that series, I like our chances. The Evil Empire (aka the Yankees) draws the Cleveland Indians in this round. And I like Cleveland's chances. C.C. Sabathia is one scary dude on a baseball mound.
I recently got to two of the best movies since last season. You will hear about these in the next Oscar season. La Vie en Rose is the story of Edith Piaf and the young lady in the lead role is absolutely phenomenal. A very well made film, with maybe too much cutting from past to present. But her performance is not to be missed.
Into the Wild has the makings to be what The Departed was for me last year. In other words, my favorite movie of the year. First, I have to say I adored the book. I read it twice. And I think this movie does it justice. It captures everything it needs to. Sean Penn provides some steady direction. The landscapes are beautifully filmed. Catherine Keener is good in a supporting part, and Hal Holbrook is even better in his supporting part. And Emile Hirsch is brilliant in the lead. After seeing the movie, I am inspired to read the book again.
But I probably won't do that too soon. My reading time is pretty booked at the moment, pretty much exclusively by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville. I am taking an English grad course this fall to keep up my certification. And the reading is intense. I must say I am developing a greater appreciation for Hawthorne, especially as a short story artist. I have always liked The Scarlet Letter, which we're covering later. But there's some powerful stuff going on in the likes of Young Goodman Brown, Ethan Brand, My Kinsman Major Molineaux, and The Maypole of Merrymount. I have never been too keen on Melville, but I must admit, I have never actually read Moby Dick (covered at the end of this course). I was quite taken by The Encantadas, his collection of tales set on the Galapagos Islands.
Meanwhile, the school year is off to a fast start. In my role as an MCAS administrator, I have grown to despise state standardized tests (at least this one) even more. It is the one thing that makes my job as department chair unenjoyable. I used to argue that testing in itself is not a bad idea, but that this method is not the right one. My work on this in my current capacity has led me to change my mind. Not only is this test bad, but the philosophy it is built on is pretty faulty too. In the past, I worked with kids who were assured to pass (even my most standard of standard kids really had nothing to fear). Now I work with the failures. And I use that word because that is how the state labels them. And none of them really needs the anguish that this label is causing them. They come from broken families and the poorest neighborhoods. Most are black and/or have Hispanic surnames. A good number have severe special needs. Each of them is the kind of kid we struggle to get to school let alone keep them there. And then we have to tell them in mid-September that they didn't meet the state's testing requirement, some of them for the third or fourth time. My latest experiences have shown me that these tests make those that should be good look good and those we hope to help look good look bad. Simple as that. Oh, and they keep a few thousand bureaucrats employed too.
Okay, so that's my rant on MCAS. And probably the end of this installment. Cheers.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
A few other movie suggestions...
Hairspray is not as fun as its stage equivalent, but entertaining nonetheless. A lot of toe-tapping and many of the same laughs.
Death at a Funeral had me laughing myself nearly out of my seat in a couple of scenes.
The Bourne Ultimatum is one of the best movies I've seen this year. One thrill after another. Probably a shade better than the two earlier Bourne movies. And a kick-ass chase scene through Manhattan.
In the "oldies but goodies" department ... my southern Italy trip reminded me of two movies I love but hadn't seen in a while. Il Postino was filmed on the island of Salina, where I spent some time in June. And Cinema Paradiso was filmed in Sicily and features some of the same breathtaking scenery. Both are truly great movies. Cinema Paradiso has a rather lengthy director's cut that is worth the time.
Death at a Funeral had me laughing myself nearly out of my seat in a couple of scenes.
The Bourne Ultimatum is one of the best movies I've seen this year. One thrill after another. Probably a shade better than the two earlier Bourne movies. And a kick-ass chase scene through Manhattan.
In the "oldies but goodies" department ... my southern Italy trip reminded me of two movies I love but hadn't seen in a while. Il Postino was filmed on the island of Salina, where I spent some time in June. And Cinema Paradiso was filmed in Sicily and features some of the same breathtaking scenery. Both are truly great movies. Cinema Paradiso has a rather lengthy director's cut that is worth the time.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Photo Interlude
There are more Italy photos. I'm sort of filtering and picking what I like the most. So maybe more to come.
Last week I had a totally cool experience in Nashua, New Hampshire. I was going up to NH to spend some time at a family vacation spot, a tranquil and serene setting up in north/central NH. I stopped in Nashua on the way up for a campaign appearance by Barack Obama. It was outdoors on a school ball field. He spoke about fifteen minutes and then took questions for about an hour. In the time I was there my feeling that he is the best hope we have to get away from business as usual further increased. I'm 100% behind him and look forward to voting for him in the Massachusetts primary. But I think Hillary probably has this Democratic nomination sewn up (I'm going to put it on paper and say we're looking at a Clinton-Romney match up next summer/fall).
His speech and ideology notwithstanding, the coolest part of the experience was shaking his hand and getting twelve seconds of conversation with him. It was akin to a similar moment with Bill Clinton a few years back.
On the movie front:
Talk to Me is a very good film with a great performance from Don Cheadle and an even better one from Chiwetel Ejiofor. Keep an eye out for both of them come Oscar time, and check out the movie now if you can.
This is England is also very good, if difficult to stomach in a couple of places. But it is quite powerful and the kid in the lead role is quite good.
Sunshine was okay, but not quite what I wanted it to be. I am a Danny Boyle fan (director - Trainspotting, 28 Days, The Beach) and also an Alex Garland fan (screen writer - The Beach, 28 Days, plus his own novels, The Beach primarily among them). This one was not up to their usual level, but does manage to make you think a little (always a good thing) and has the one or two requisite scares for good measure.
Last week I had a totally cool experience in Nashua, New Hampshire. I was going up to NH to spend some time at a family vacation spot, a tranquil and serene setting up in north/central NH. I stopped in Nashua on the way up for a campaign appearance by Barack Obama. It was outdoors on a school ball field. He spoke about fifteen minutes and then took questions for about an hour. In the time I was there my feeling that he is the best hope we have to get away from business as usual further increased. I'm 100% behind him and look forward to voting for him in the Massachusetts primary. But I think Hillary probably has this Democratic nomination sewn up (I'm going to put it on paper and say we're looking at a Clinton-Romney match up next summer/fall).
His speech and ideology notwithstanding, the coolest part of the experience was shaking his hand and getting twelve seconds of conversation with him. It was akin to a similar moment with Bill Clinton a few years back.
On the movie front:
Talk to Me is a very good film with a great performance from Don Cheadle and an even better one from Chiwetel Ejiofor. Keep an eye out for both of them come Oscar time, and check out the movie now if you can.
This is England is also very good, if difficult to stomach in a couple of places. But it is quite powerful and the kid in the lead role is quite good.
Sunshine was okay, but not quite what I wanted it to be. I am a Danny Boyle fan (director - Trainspotting, 28 Days, The Beach) and also an Alex Garland fan (screen writer - The Beach, 28 Days, plus his own novels, The Beach primarily among them). This one was not up to their usual level, but does manage to make you think a little (always a good thing) and has the one or two requisite scares for good measure.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Italian Vacations
This year I enjoyed the luxury of two different trips to Italy. The first, back in April, was a northern route from Venice to Florence to Rome. The second was a longer sojourn through southern Italy. After a long day, night, and day of traveling, this trip started in Messina, Sicily, followed by a stay on the small Mediterranean island of Lipari. From Lipari I ventured to the islands of Salina and Stromboli, which houses the most active volcano in the western hemisphere.
Then it was on to Sorrento, with Mount Vesuvius looming overhead. Sorrento is the most beautiful place I think I have ever been. I fell in love with the town and could easily stay forever. From Sorrento, I made a trip to the island of Capri.
The trip culminated in Rome. I had several days to explore the ancient ruins and take in the modern culture of the city.
I have posted photos from both trips below. And I'm not done. I have a few more Florence photos I'd like to put up here, a ton more of Sorrento and Capri, and a multitude of pictures from Rome.
Then it was on to Sorrento, with Mount Vesuvius looming overhead. Sorrento is the most beautiful place I think I have ever been. I fell in love with the town and could easily stay forever. From Sorrento, I made a trip to the island of Capri.
The trip culminated in Rome. I had several days to explore the ancient ruins and take in the modern culture of the city.
I have posted photos from both trips below. And I'm not done. I have a few more Florence photos I'd like to put up here, a ton more of Sorrento and Capri, and a multitude of pictures from Rome.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
For your consideration
I wanted to follow up the STRIKE! post with some hard numbers. The Mayor says Quincy pays better than any other district on the South Shore. I looked up how much I would make in other South Shore towns given my degrees, years of service, and department head status.
In Quincy, I make $61,123. For the same exact job, I would make:
75,295 in Norwell
74,345 in Duxbury
70,025 in Milton
68,550 in Hanover
67,565 in Scituate
66,530 in Cohasset
66, 238 in Marshfield
66, 255 in Hingham
65,105 in Abington
64,657 in Brockton
64,898 in Braintree
63,985 in Weymouth
62,905 in Rockland
61,055 in Hull
That puts Quincy second from the bottom in the sample I looked up.
THESE TOTALS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT DEDUCTIONS FOR HEALTH BENEFITS, whether 90-10, 80-20, 70-30, 50-50, whatever.
And I say again, I will go to 80-20, probably even beyond. It's not a matter of holding to 90-10. It's a matter of not earning less for the same job I do now.
But more than that, for me right now, it's a matter of being truthful about the situation. The mayor quite simply has not done that.
In Quincy, I make $61,123. For the same exact job, I would make:
75,295 in Norwell
74,345 in Duxbury
70,025 in Milton
68,550 in Hanover
67,565 in Scituate
66,530 in Cohasset
66, 238 in Marshfield
66, 255 in Hingham
65,105 in Abington
64,657 in Brockton
64,898 in Braintree
63,985 in Weymouth
62,905 in Rockland
61,055 in Hull
That puts Quincy second from the bottom in the sample I looked up.
THESE TOTALS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT DEDUCTIONS FOR HEALTH BENEFITS, whether 90-10, 80-20, 70-30, 50-50, whatever.
And I say again, I will go to 80-20, probably even beyond. It's not a matter of holding to 90-10. It's a matter of not earning less for the same job I do now.
But more than that, for me right now, it's a matter of being truthful about the situation. The mayor quite simply has not done that.
Monday, June 11, 2007
STRIKE!
Today concluded day two of the Quincy teachers strike, with another day to come tomorrow and no end in sight. These have been a few of the most surreal days I've ever lived.
To anyone who pays attention, I must urge you to not believe everything you see on TV or read in the newspaper. TV news tends to oversimplify by saying that this is all about health benefits. It's not. That is a significant part of the issue, but it's not the only one. Everyone I know is prepared to concede on this point and move more in line with working America and double our contributions. What we're asking is that the city phase it in over a longer period and offer raises to offset the increase in cost.
I've done the math many times over: in the first two years of the city's proposed contract, I lose money, break even in the third, and begin to see a modest raise in the fourth. The mayor's 13% raise over four years when combined with benefit shifting amounts to a 3% pay cut for me. It's worse for my colleagues on family health plans.
The mayor likes to point to other city unions that have accepted his 13% raise to offset the doubling of benefits contributions. Please do not forget that those workers have ample opportunities to earn overtime - something teachers do all the time, but never get compensated for. We have no inventives or opportunties to mitigate the benefit shift, like some other city employees do.
He also keeps referring to us as "the best paid teachers on the South Shore." How he can say this when state statistics are readily available (and disprove him) is beyond me.
And notice the 17% raise he got last year alone is never mentioned, nor is his salary of $95,000 - not counting his $4800 travel allowance.
And let's not overlook the new Quincy High School project, now $48 million overbudget because of his tardiness in filing state papers, while districts all around us build new schools and repair exisiting ones at state expense, not local taxpayer expense.
I don't know about you, but an extra $48 million would be nice to have lying around.
In my ranting I do not intend you to make you take my side. Just simply look at the whole story and consider the limited information the press is giving.
The Patriot Ledger ran an unfair and biased editorial this weekend. They gave us "an F" for failing Quincy's students by going on strike. I'll say only this in response: over the last ten years, Ledger management has absolutely crushed the unions in its employ, so its overt anti-union stance in that editorial makes sense. Also, the term "outsourcing" could be applied to the Ledger's employment patterns - another indication of its feelings about workers.
I canceled my home delivery Saturday afternoon.
As for the strike itself, it's been great for two reasons - during our morning picketing I walk 4 miles (according to a digital pedometer), which can't be bad for my overall health. And I've never felt so united and close to my co-workers as I do right now. We are a team, not separated by departments, seniority, or supervisory status. We're in this together, and that togetherness is palpable every minute when we picket, carpool to South Boston to sit through union meetings, or storm city hall. Unfortunately it takes this kind of thing to have that kind of effect.
So tomorrow promises another 6-9am picket, 4 miles of exercise, a quick bite to eat, a two-hour membership meeting in a packed and stuffy union hall, and some variation of the "storm city hall" routine in the afternoon. I should be giving my period two class its final exam and preparing book orders for my department. But the former scenario is what I'm stuck with - perhaps by choice, but then again, not really. This situation could have been averted months ago, even a year ago, if the city of Quincy had the kind of leadership it deserves.
To anyone who pays attention, I must urge you to not believe everything you see on TV or read in the newspaper. TV news tends to oversimplify by saying that this is all about health benefits. It's not. That is a significant part of the issue, but it's not the only one. Everyone I know is prepared to concede on this point and move more in line with working America and double our contributions. What we're asking is that the city phase it in over a longer period and offer raises to offset the increase in cost.
I've done the math many times over: in the first two years of the city's proposed contract, I lose money, break even in the third, and begin to see a modest raise in the fourth. The mayor's 13% raise over four years when combined with benefit shifting amounts to a 3% pay cut for me. It's worse for my colleagues on family health plans.
The mayor likes to point to other city unions that have accepted his 13% raise to offset the doubling of benefits contributions. Please do not forget that those workers have ample opportunities to earn overtime - something teachers do all the time, but never get compensated for. We have no inventives or opportunties to mitigate the benefit shift, like some other city employees do.
He also keeps referring to us as "the best paid teachers on the South Shore." How he can say this when state statistics are readily available (and disprove him) is beyond me.
And notice the 17% raise he got last year alone is never mentioned, nor is his salary of $95,000 - not counting his $4800 travel allowance.
And let's not overlook the new Quincy High School project, now $48 million overbudget because of his tardiness in filing state papers, while districts all around us build new schools and repair exisiting ones at state expense, not local taxpayer expense.
I don't know about you, but an extra $48 million would be nice to have lying around.
In my ranting I do not intend you to make you take my side. Just simply look at the whole story and consider the limited information the press is giving.
The Patriot Ledger ran an unfair and biased editorial this weekend. They gave us "an F" for failing Quincy's students by going on strike. I'll say only this in response: over the last ten years, Ledger management has absolutely crushed the unions in its employ, so its overt anti-union stance in that editorial makes sense. Also, the term "outsourcing" could be applied to the Ledger's employment patterns - another indication of its feelings about workers.
I canceled my home delivery Saturday afternoon.
As for the strike itself, it's been great for two reasons - during our morning picketing I walk 4 miles (according to a digital pedometer), which can't be bad for my overall health. And I've never felt so united and close to my co-workers as I do right now. We are a team, not separated by departments, seniority, or supervisory status. We're in this together, and that togetherness is palpable every minute when we picket, carpool to South Boston to sit through union meetings, or storm city hall. Unfortunately it takes this kind of thing to have that kind of effect.
So tomorrow promises another 6-9am picket, 4 miles of exercise, a quick bite to eat, a two-hour membership meeting in a packed and stuffy union hall, and some variation of the "storm city hall" routine in the afternoon. I should be giving my period two class its final exam and preparing book orders for my department. But the former scenario is what I'm stuck with - perhaps by choice, but then again, not really. This situation could have been averted months ago, even a year ago, if the city of Quincy had the kind of leadership it deserves.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
London Calling
So the Patriot Ledger replied that my reply to Mr. Olsen ran too long for them to print. I tried as much as I could to cut it down but I couldn't do it and still convey all the points I wanted to. But my response did make the rounds through North Quincy High School, which is preaching to the choir, but it was sort of therapeutic I suppose to put it on paper. The coming week will be "big," for lack of a better term. Our D-Day is Friday, June 8th. We have a very long, perhaps deep into the night, meeting scheduled for Thursday at 3:30. The union membership will vote to accept the city's last best offer or to strike the next day. It's hard to get a read on how people in other buildings feel, but my sense is that we don't have the simple majority required to vote for a strike. And I'm not sure the last best offer is going to be something we really want. So as far as I can tell, we lose no matter how this turns out. I just want to go down swinging.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, is graduation. It is customary for department chairs to sit on the platform with city administrators, city councilors, school committee members, and the mayor. After a very dramatic battle, we (the department chairs) have voted to not sit on the platform, much the same way the teachers will not be sitting in their reserved on-field section. The department chairs were split over whether or not we are contractually obligated to be up there. The consensus was that we're not. Things are bit more complicated in that one of us has a child in the graduating class and that person would have liked to have been on the platform so he can come down and hand his child his diploma. We think he can still do that by coming down from the stands at the appropriate time. My vote was against sitting on the platform and I offered two reasons. First, we would be the only representatives of the teachers' union on the platform and the union would prefer we not be up there. Second, sitting up there would place us with the very people we are negotiating with and I think it's not right to send a message of unity with them when the truth is we are very much opposed. Anyway, we voted and the vote was against sitting up there, so we are not. The day after our vote, we learned that the prior principals and Quincy clergy, all of whom traditionally sit on the platform, have also decided to not sit on the platform. This will leave only elected officials, the superintendent, and his appointees on the platform. Plus a very empty on-field teachers' section.
I escaped all of that drama for a few days last week by heading to London's West End. I managed to see some new things and hit a museum I had somehow never been to before.
Lord of the Rings is not the best thing you'll ever see, but you can certainly tell where your money goes. The effects are incredible. A forgettable score with nary a tune to remember. But very fun to watch.
The Lady from Dubuque is a typical Albee play - loaded with symbolism and metaphor and requiring far too much brain power to follow. Alas, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf excepted, Albee is not one of my favorites. But this play featured Maggie Smith - and it's always worth it to see her.
A third return to Billy Elliott. Obviously I like this one a lot. I think it's message is great and it has some excellent staging. Three times seen, and three different Billys. The first two were originals and both great. This one was apparently the first of the replacements and was good - not as good as the first two, but still good.
Equus is a dark and twisted psychological drama. Leaves you with much to think about. And draws on all the psych 101 and Freudian analysis you studied in college. The selling point for this production is of course Daniel Radcliffe. A grown up Harry Potter certainly has something to do with why every seat was full at this show. He's good, but then again, in terms of acting, he doesn't have to do much but react, especially to the doctor. He does indeed strip down to nothing and spend about 10 minutes with all of it out there for everyone to see. And there's no attempt to tone it down with dark lighting, standing in profile, or blocking by other characters. It's all there to see. So I give him credit for the courage to do that eight times a week in front of full houses. The doctor was played by Harry's uncle Vernon, Richard Griffiths. In History Boys, Griffiths owned the role of Hector and turned in one of the best peformances I've ever seen on stage. In Equus, he is good, but I had a hard time fully accepting him as the character. Maybe it was physical, maybe it was age. I don't know.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, is graduation. It is customary for department chairs to sit on the platform with city administrators, city councilors, school committee members, and the mayor. After a very dramatic battle, we (the department chairs) have voted to not sit on the platform, much the same way the teachers will not be sitting in their reserved on-field section. The department chairs were split over whether or not we are contractually obligated to be up there. The consensus was that we're not. Things are bit more complicated in that one of us has a child in the graduating class and that person would have liked to have been on the platform so he can come down and hand his child his diploma. We think he can still do that by coming down from the stands at the appropriate time. My vote was against sitting on the platform and I offered two reasons. First, we would be the only representatives of the teachers' union on the platform and the union would prefer we not be up there. Second, sitting up there would place us with the very people we are negotiating with and I think it's not right to send a message of unity with them when the truth is we are very much opposed. Anyway, we voted and the vote was against sitting up there, so we are not. The day after our vote, we learned that the prior principals and Quincy clergy, all of whom traditionally sit on the platform, have also decided to not sit on the platform. This will leave only elected officials, the superintendent, and his appointees on the platform. Plus a very empty on-field teachers' section.
I escaped all of that drama for a few days last week by heading to London's West End. I managed to see some new things and hit a museum I had somehow never been to before.
Lord of the Rings is not the best thing you'll ever see, but you can certainly tell where your money goes. The effects are incredible. A forgettable score with nary a tune to remember. But very fun to watch.
The Lady from Dubuque is a typical Albee play - loaded with symbolism and metaphor and requiring far too much brain power to follow. Alas, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf excepted, Albee is not one of my favorites. But this play featured Maggie Smith - and it's always worth it to see her.
A third return to Billy Elliott. Obviously I like this one a lot. I think it's message is great and it has some excellent staging. Three times seen, and three different Billys. The first two were originals and both great. This one was apparently the first of the replacements and was good - not as good as the first two, but still good.
Equus is a dark and twisted psychological drama. Leaves you with much to think about. And draws on all the psych 101 and Freudian analysis you studied in college. The selling point for this production is of course Daniel Radcliffe. A grown up Harry Potter certainly has something to do with why every seat was full at this show. He's good, but then again, in terms of acting, he doesn't have to do much but react, especially to the doctor. He does indeed strip down to nothing and spend about 10 minutes with all of it out there for everyone to see. And there's no attempt to tone it down with dark lighting, standing in profile, or blocking by other characters. It's all there to see. So I give him credit for the courage to do that eight times a week in front of full houses. The doctor was played by Harry's uncle Vernon, Richard Griffiths. In History Boys, Griffiths owned the role of Hector and turned in one of the best peformances I've ever seen on stage. In Equus, he is good, but I had a hard time fully accepting him as the character. Maybe it was physical, maybe it was age. I don't know.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Sent
So that letter you see below has been sent to the editorial department of the Patriot Ledger. I did make some minor revisions. A word here and there mostly. Although that part about having to go after master's degrees and licenses and how much that costs was put in after some colleagues suggested I put it there.
It's kind of long, but I hope the Ledger runs it in its entirety.
My target audience are all those people out there who have some notion that this job is a walk in the park because we get summers off, short work days, and stuff like that. In other words, the Richard Olsens of the world. If I can make just a few of them look at it differently than I'm happy.
But more than anything, I hope that my thing about paying for public education being an investment gets through to them. Any quality product is going to cost you some money. Why should a public school system be any different?
Thanks for listening.
It's kind of long, but I hope the Ledger runs it in its entirety.
My target audience are all those people out there who have some notion that this job is a walk in the park because we get summers off, short work days, and stuff like that. In other words, the Richard Olsens of the world. If I can make just a few of them look at it differently than I'm happy.
But more than anything, I hope that my thing about paying for public education being an investment gets through to them. Any quality product is going to cost you some money. Why should a public school system be any different?
Thanks for listening.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Venting some anger
So this letter to the editor appeared in today's Patriot Ledger:
READER’S VIEW: Teachers have it pretty good already
By RICHARD OLSEN, Quincy
To the Quincy teachers, It is time to step up and pay your fair share of your health care. It is time to step out of the protective bubble of a publicly funded job. It is time to step into the reality of how people earn money in the real world.
I am self employed, which means I get NO benefits, but fortunately my wife’s job covers 75 percent of our health care costs. Do the math, teachers - we pay 25 percent of our health care.You’re saying you would get the equivalent of a pay cut if you had to pay more than 10 percent of your health care costs.
Through our taxes, we pay for your salaries and benefits. So instead, you want US to take a pay cut (e.g., pay higher taxes) so you don’t have to pay more for your benefits?
As Tony Soprano would say, ‘‘Fuggedaboudit!’’ We are tired of hearing you whine about what should be your fair share. You have a job with summers off. Make up the difference and get a job in the summer.
Oh, by the way, I was a teacher for 19 years and the day I began to work in the real world I quickly realized what a deal I had as a teacher.
You have a pretty good deal, but it’s time to face the same reality as the rest of Quincy taxpayers, and pay your fair share.
Copyright 2007 The Patriot LedgerTransmitted Tuesday, May 15, 2007
This guy really pissed me off. Here I was all comfortable on my couch, reading my newpaper before moving on to rereading The Catcher in the Rye in preparation for the make believe job he thinks I have. So I directed my anger to my Word screen and wrote a reply letter to the editor. Here's my reply:
To Mr. Richard Olsen of Quincy,
I read your letter to the editor on May 15, 2007 (“Teachers Have It Pretty Good Already”). And frankly, I’m disheartened that someone who spent 19 years in the teaching profession and left for apparently greener pastures in the harsh real world could be so completely off the mark in his assessment of what teachers do and how they live.
You talk proudly about “how people earn money in the real world.” In the apparently make-believe world of public school teaching, I earn money by working from about 7am to 4pm (although my contract states 7:40 to 2:35) Monday through Friday, with a 25-minute lunch break. Most of that time I spend teaching or attending to administrative tasks. But some part of it I spend as confidant, confessor, and counselor to your Quincy children. For a good number of students, I play the role of a person in their lives who shows some level of concern or attention that they don’t get at home or in the community. Some days after school and for a considerable part of my weekend, I read their homework, tests, and papers and plan how to best reach them in the classroom in upcoming lessons. Sometimes I go to their choir recitals, drama shows, science fairs, art exhibitions, and sporting events, not just because I enjoy them but because it is discouraging when few of their families go to support them.
In the fall I write, on average, about forty letters of recommendation for seniors who are trying to make themselves competitive in the college market. I help another fifty write, revise, and edit their personal statements before they send them off with their applications.
You’re absolutely correct that I have a job with summers off. However, I am not paid for the summer months, so I guess it’s fair I should get them off. And to “make up the difference” last year, I did work a summer job, and the summer before that, and the summer before that, and the eight summers before that. In fact, it’s not really a summer job since I keep it during the school year to help me pay my bills each month of the year.
I spent many of those summers in the classroom, pursuing master’s degrees and licenses that the state and federal governments mandate I attain. Of course a series of summers is not enough to accumulate all the credits that are required. So one or two courses per semester during the school year is never out of the question. To be honest, the degree and the licenses are nice, but I could never have made any “level” changes and received any significant pay increases without them. In fact, I have spent about $85,000 of my own money in order for my salary to jump from under $30,000 to around $60,000 in eight years.
You do indeed pay my salary and benefits through your taxes. And I understand that to ask you to continue to pay 90% of my health care in a time when costs in that department are out of control is a bit demanding. However, I would suggest that if you do want to increase my contribution level to 20%, you give me something somewhere else to sustain the blow. You say that in either case, I’m asking you and the rest of Quincy’s taxpayers to take a pay cut so that I don’t have to. That’s a perfectly rational point, from the perspective of a Quincy resident and taxpayer. But I would plead with you to not look at it as a pay cut. Call it an “investment.” Yes an investment in me, but more than that, an investment in your schools, in your community, and most important, in your children. When you “invest” in me, I give you everything I have and help to create a system you can be proud of.
One other thing you’re absolutely right about … I do have a “good deal” as a teacher. I wake up every morning excited about going to my job, looking forward to the work that I will do there. I work with some of the most talented administrators and teachers you’re going to find. Best of all, I get to work with the most intelligent, kind-hearted, and hard working children in the world. Everyday I get to meet with them to read and discuss some of my favorite literature and the best books ever written. I get to help them grow as learners and communicators. And , my favorite, I get to watch them take pride in themselves when they excel and go beyond the boundaries they always thought were there.
So Mr. Olsen, yes, it’s quite a “deal.” One that I’m more than happy to enjoy. But don’t fool yourself for one second by believing that I don’t work hard or pay my “fair share.”
And be careful whom you quote. In one of my favorite episodes, Tony Soprano said “I won’t pay … I know too much about extortion.”
Robert Shaw
Hingham
So I didn't send it yet. I'll take it to work tomorrow to be looked at by some trusted colleagues. But I wanted it here if only to be out there somewhere, especially if I end up not sending it or they don't print it.
READER’S VIEW: Teachers have it pretty good already
By RICHARD OLSEN, Quincy
To the Quincy teachers, It is time to step up and pay your fair share of your health care. It is time to step out of the protective bubble of a publicly funded job. It is time to step into the reality of how people earn money in the real world.
I am self employed, which means I get NO benefits, but fortunately my wife’s job covers 75 percent of our health care costs. Do the math, teachers - we pay 25 percent of our health care.You’re saying you would get the equivalent of a pay cut if you had to pay more than 10 percent of your health care costs.
Through our taxes, we pay for your salaries and benefits. So instead, you want US to take a pay cut (e.g., pay higher taxes) so you don’t have to pay more for your benefits?
As Tony Soprano would say, ‘‘Fuggedaboudit!’’ We are tired of hearing you whine about what should be your fair share. You have a job with summers off. Make up the difference and get a job in the summer.
Oh, by the way, I was a teacher for 19 years and the day I began to work in the real world I quickly realized what a deal I had as a teacher.
You have a pretty good deal, but it’s time to face the same reality as the rest of Quincy taxpayers, and pay your fair share.
Copyright 2007 The Patriot LedgerTransmitted Tuesday, May 15, 2007
This guy really pissed me off. Here I was all comfortable on my couch, reading my newpaper before moving on to rereading The Catcher in the Rye in preparation for the make believe job he thinks I have. So I directed my anger to my Word screen and wrote a reply letter to the editor. Here's my reply:
To Mr. Richard Olsen of Quincy,
I read your letter to the editor on May 15, 2007 (“Teachers Have It Pretty Good Already”). And frankly, I’m disheartened that someone who spent 19 years in the teaching profession and left for apparently greener pastures in the harsh real world could be so completely off the mark in his assessment of what teachers do and how they live.
You talk proudly about “how people earn money in the real world.” In the apparently make-believe world of public school teaching, I earn money by working from about 7am to 4pm (although my contract states 7:40 to 2:35) Monday through Friday, with a 25-minute lunch break. Most of that time I spend teaching or attending to administrative tasks. But some part of it I spend as confidant, confessor, and counselor to your Quincy children. For a good number of students, I play the role of a person in their lives who shows some level of concern or attention that they don’t get at home or in the community. Some days after school and for a considerable part of my weekend, I read their homework, tests, and papers and plan how to best reach them in the classroom in upcoming lessons. Sometimes I go to their choir recitals, drama shows, science fairs, art exhibitions, and sporting events, not just because I enjoy them but because it is discouraging when few of their families go to support them.
In the fall I write, on average, about forty letters of recommendation for seniors who are trying to make themselves competitive in the college market. I help another fifty write, revise, and edit their personal statements before they send them off with their applications.
You’re absolutely correct that I have a job with summers off. However, I am not paid for the summer months, so I guess it’s fair I should get them off. And to “make up the difference” last year, I did work a summer job, and the summer before that, and the summer before that, and the eight summers before that. In fact, it’s not really a summer job since I keep it during the school year to help me pay my bills each month of the year.
I spent many of those summers in the classroom, pursuing master’s degrees and licenses that the state and federal governments mandate I attain. Of course a series of summers is not enough to accumulate all the credits that are required. So one or two courses per semester during the school year is never out of the question. To be honest, the degree and the licenses are nice, but I could never have made any “level” changes and received any significant pay increases without them. In fact, I have spent about $85,000 of my own money in order for my salary to jump from under $30,000 to around $60,000 in eight years.
You do indeed pay my salary and benefits through your taxes. And I understand that to ask you to continue to pay 90% of my health care in a time when costs in that department are out of control is a bit demanding. However, I would suggest that if you do want to increase my contribution level to 20%, you give me something somewhere else to sustain the blow. You say that in either case, I’m asking you and the rest of Quincy’s taxpayers to take a pay cut so that I don’t have to. That’s a perfectly rational point, from the perspective of a Quincy resident and taxpayer. But I would plead with you to not look at it as a pay cut. Call it an “investment.” Yes an investment in me, but more than that, an investment in your schools, in your community, and most important, in your children. When you “invest” in me, I give you everything I have and help to create a system you can be proud of.
One other thing you’re absolutely right about … I do have a “good deal” as a teacher. I wake up every morning excited about going to my job, looking forward to the work that I will do there. I work with some of the most talented administrators and teachers you’re going to find. Best of all, I get to work with the most intelligent, kind-hearted, and hard working children in the world. Everyday I get to meet with them to read and discuss some of my favorite literature and the best books ever written. I get to help them grow as learners and communicators. And , my favorite, I get to watch them take pride in themselves when they excel and go beyond the boundaries they always thought were there.
So Mr. Olsen, yes, it’s quite a “deal.” One that I’m more than happy to enjoy. But don’t fool yourself for one second by believing that I don’t work hard or pay my “fair share.”
And be careful whom you quote. In one of my favorite episodes, Tony Soprano said “I won’t pay … I know too much about extortion.”
Robert Shaw
Hingham
So I didn't send it yet. I'll take it to work tomorrow to be looked at by some trusted colleagues. But I wanted it here if only to be out there somewhere, especially if I end up not sending it or they don't print it.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Two Month Check-Up
It's been just over two months since my last post. I guess it's time to check in. Needless to say, this spring has been busy.
So the Red Sox are off to a terrific start. If we can keep this rolling through the summer, then the fall promises to be most exciting.
My man Obama has climbed up in the polls, but I fear he may have plateaued. I think he's banking on a significant Hillary misstep. Meanwhile, on the GOP side I fear the rise of Mitt Romney. McCain can't get his act moving, Rudy is slipping by the week, and no one else has a name anyone knows. Mitt is on the ascent and I'm not feeling too good about it.
On a recent trek to New York I saw some of the more recent additions to the theater season. Legally Blonde - entirely missable. Deuce - ditto, unless you just feel like seeing a legend like Angela Lansbury. Inherit the Wind - a classic done well and in good hands with Christopher Plummer in the lead. Curtains - not too bad, and on the whole, very entertaining, but about 30 minutes too long. Frost/Nixon - a master class in fine acting from Frank Langella and a compelling script.
Off to London at the end of the month to catch Equus, The Lady from Dubuque, and Lord of the Rings. And making a return visit to Billy Elliot. Looking forward to each, for different reasons.
Because these things always go this way, I'm missing a chance to see Keane in Boston during the time I'm in England. Oh well, next time around. Is it me or is "Nothing in My Way" totally addictive?
Spent nine days in Italy over April vacation. Over the course of the nine days, we enjoyed virtually cloudless skies and flawless weather. Started in Venice, which I found full of personality and charm. When I stepped on to a pedestrian foot bridge and caught my first glimpse of the Rialto and Grand Canal, I had one of those "moments." It was like something out of a storybook. Verona was quaint, as was Padua. Florence was everything they say it is. Michelangelo's David was another of those moments. It's so much bigger than I expected. Assisi was impressive. We finished in Rome. Had a papal audience, which even for a virtual non-believer like me, was quite thrilling and impressive. Vatican City was breathtaking, as was the Coliseum. Took the journey to Pompeii, which was totally cool. Walking through those ruins is like stepping back 2000 years. Caught a good glimpse of Napoli on the way. And of course, got a good look at the looming Mount Vesuvius.
As if that wasn't enough, I'm going back to Italy just after school gets out, this time for a 14 day tour. This takes a more southerly route. We start in the Mediterranean with a few days on the island of Lipari. Then to Sorrento for a few days, including a brief visit to Capri. Then up to Rome for a few, which will give me a chance to catch some of the things I missed last month. I know I will return to the Vatican for a longer and more detailed look.
Work is good. We're in the midst of some labor strife because our contract expired in August and the negotations have gone nowhere in the ten months since. The haggling point is employee health insurance contributions and it's been ugly for some time. I get the sense that we're headed for a strike, even if only for a single day, which is regrettable, but sadly, perhaps necessary. Even then, I'm not sure we will gain what we want from it.
Meanwhile, another school year races to its conclusion. The seniors are down to single digits in terms of days left. On the warm days, it gets disgustingly humid and uncomfortable in the building and no one wants to do a thing.
My new role as department chair requires me to work with the graduation speaker. We've selected the speaker, she completed a draft, and now begins my work of helping her to edit and revise her work by the end of the week. Next week we'll put her before a small audience and coach her on delivery.
I'm also in the midst of 2007-2008 scheduling, which means creating and revising a master schedule for the entire department. That's 16 teachers at 5 classes each, plus my own two. All while trying to keep classes at reasonable sizes. Next week, I get to compete with other department heads as we fight over periods and such.
And there's the decisions to be made about the rehiring (or not) of two third-year teachers (whose rehires would earn them each tenure) and two first-years.
Hence ... the busy spring. A villa on Lipari can't come fast enough.
So the Red Sox are off to a terrific start. If we can keep this rolling through the summer, then the fall promises to be most exciting.
My man Obama has climbed up in the polls, but I fear he may have plateaued. I think he's banking on a significant Hillary misstep. Meanwhile, on the GOP side I fear the rise of Mitt Romney. McCain can't get his act moving, Rudy is slipping by the week, and no one else has a name anyone knows. Mitt is on the ascent and I'm not feeling too good about it.
On a recent trek to New York I saw some of the more recent additions to the theater season. Legally Blonde - entirely missable. Deuce - ditto, unless you just feel like seeing a legend like Angela Lansbury. Inherit the Wind - a classic done well and in good hands with Christopher Plummer in the lead. Curtains - not too bad, and on the whole, very entertaining, but about 30 minutes too long. Frost/Nixon - a master class in fine acting from Frank Langella and a compelling script.
Off to London at the end of the month to catch Equus, The Lady from Dubuque, and Lord of the Rings. And making a return visit to Billy Elliot. Looking forward to each, for different reasons.
Because these things always go this way, I'm missing a chance to see Keane in Boston during the time I'm in England. Oh well, next time around. Is it me or is "Nothing in My Way" totally addictive?
Spent nine days in Italy over April vacation. Over the course of the nine days, we enjoyed virtually cloudless skies and flawless weather. Started in Venice, which I found full of personality and charm. When I stepped on to a pedestrian foot bridge and caught my first glimpse of the Rialto and Grand Canal, I had one of those "moments." It was like something out of a storybook. Verona was quaint, as was Padua. Florence was everything they say it is. Michelangelo's David was another of those moments. It's so much bigger than I expected. Assisi was impressive. We finished in Rome. Had a papal audience, which even for a virtual non-believer like me, was quite thrilling and impressive. Vatican City was breathtaking, as was the Coliseum. Took the journey to Pompeii, which was totally cool. Walking through those ruins is like stepping back 2000 years. Caught a good glimpse of Napoli on the way. And of course, got a good look at the looming Mount Vesuvius.
As if that wasn't enough, I'm going back to Italy just after school gets out, this time for a 14 day tour. This takes a more southerly route. We start in the Mediterranean with a few days on the island of Lipari. Then to Sorrento for a few days, including a brief visit to Capri. Then up to Rome for a few, which will give me a chance to catch some of the things I missed last month. I know I will return to the Vatican for a longer and more detailed look.
Work is good. We're in the midst of some labor strife because our contract expired in August and the negotations have gone nowhere in the ten months since. The haggling point is employee health insurance contributions and it's been ugly for some time. I get the sense that we're headed for a strike, even if only for a single day, which is regrettable, but sadly, perhaps necessary. Even then, I'm not sure we will gain what we want from it.
Meanwhile, another school year races to its conclusion. The seniors are down to single digits in terms of days left. On the warm days, it gets disgustingly humid and uncomfortable in the building and no one wants to do a thing.
My new role as department chair requires me to work with the graduation speaker. We've selected the speaker, she completed a draft, and now begins my work of helping her to edit and revise her work by the end of the week. Next week we'll put her before a small audience and coach her on delivery.
I'm also in the midst of 2007-2008 scheduling, which means creating and revising a master schedule for the entire department. That's 16 teachers at 5 classes each, plus my own two. All while trying to keep classes at reasonable sizes. Next week, I get to compete with other department heads as we fight over periods and such.
And there's the decisions to be made about the rehiring (or not) of two third-year teachers (whose rehires would earn them each tenure) and two first-years.
Hence ... the busy spring. A villa on Lipari can't come fast enough.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Spring Forward
Well, the weather feels a little more "spring" out there, but this early jump into daylight savings will make for some dark "late winter" mornings. This morning I have discovered VH-1 Classics, which at the moment is showing 80s videos. I've already seen/heard Genesis, the Stray Cats, Fine Young Cannibals, and A-Ha, and it's been only a half hour. To think it's been twenty years (or more for some of them) since I probably last saw these ... well, it's kind of scary. They're showing a commericial for Meat Loaf's latest concert tour. That's kind of scary too. Oh and here comes Chaka Khan. It really would not have been a complete morning without her. What a pleasant and unexpected lead-in to the Sunday morning political shows.
I suppose all of those will focus on Iraq and the 2008 presidential election. And all of them must make at least passing reference to Newt Gingrich's admission this week that he was committing adultery WHILE DRIVING THE EFFORT TO IMPEACH BILL CLINTON. The smell of hypocrisy is so very rank. Of course he will now get in on the 08 election with that skeleton pulled out of the closet. Not to mention how much I think we've come to realize how much Clinton's untruths pale in comparison to lying about a rationale for an invasion and a war and such matters. So Gingrich will be let off with an "oh, that's all?"
Just a random and, to me, terribly ironic fact - of the top three Republican frontrunners (McCain, Giuliani, Romney), the Mormon in the group is the only one to have been married only once.
And poor, poor Rudy. He's looking so very good right now and he's riding high. But this can't last for him. While it's true he's the most "electable" of this field of GOP candidates, once the party establishment gets it act together, he'll fall. On the surface he plays as the "maverick," but the truth is that John McCain has one of the most conservative and rightwing voting records in the Senate. This nomination is his to lose. And Romney will make a great running mate in the second spot next summer. Rudy should start taking measurements in the Homeland Security office.
Of course, this presumes a GOP victory in the general election. The Democrats have a good chance to win. But then again, they have the last two times and look what happened. I like Hillary and naturally would vote for her. But I am one of those with doubts about her ability to win. Ditto with Obama. I like John Edwards, but I'm not sure he can win either. Personally, I would like nothing more than to see Al Gore get in this thing. He could win ... heck, he already has once before.
Further proof that history runs in cycles. 1960. Incumbent vice president Richard Nixon loses a ridiculously close election to John Kennedy. Eight years go by. The country plunges deeper and deeper into a costly and unpopular war. A president from Texas gets most of the blame. Nixon spends the eight years sitting quietly by. 1968. Nixon comes back to win the White House.
Of course we're missing the assassination of a president, the geography of the war is a little different, and Gore has not exactly sat quietly by (he even won an Oscar). But history is a funny thing.
So Al, if by chance you're reading, please jump into this thing.
Until he does, Obama is my guy. The biggest argument against him (too inexperienced) is actually an asset if you ask me. What he has shown is the maturity and intelligence to handle the job. Dare I use these same criteria to evaluate our current president?
But another candidate I'd like to throw out there is Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico. Check this guy's resume and you will find the most qualified guy for the job, especially if you're looking from a foreign policy angle. Regardless of who the presidential candidate is, this guy is a no brainer for the vice presidential nomination. He's got the foreign policy expertise, he served in Congress, he's been a governor, he's from New Mexico (a swing state that leans red), and he's Hispanic (and that's a huge voting demographic).
I think I just talked myself into supporting him for the top job, let alone the second. Not a bad idea. But Gore is my dream. Obama is my choice until then. I like his ideas, I like his approach, and I find him easy to support.
Enough Sunday morning political talk. Simple Minds just ended and Tears for Fears just came on. I need a distraction....
I suppose all of those will focus on Iraq and the 2008 presidential election. And all of them must make at least passing reference to Newt Gingrich's admission this week that he was committing adultery WHILE DRIVING THE EFFORT TO IMPEACH BILL CLINTON. The smell of hypocrisy is so very rank. Of course he will now get in on the 08 election with that skeleton pulled out of the closet. Not to mention how much I think we've come to realize how much Clinton's untruths pale in comparison to lying about a rationale for an invasion and a war and such matters. So Gingrich will be let off with an "oh, that's all?"
Just a random and, to me, terribly ironic fact - of the top three Republican frontrunners (McCain, Giuliani, Romney), the Mormon in the group is the only one to have been married only once.
And poor, poor Rudy. He's looking so very good right now and he's riding high. But this can't last for him. While it's true he's the most "electable" of this field of GOP candidates, once the party establishment gets it act together, he'll fall. On the surface he plays as the "maverick," but the truth is that John McCain has one of the most conservative and rightwing voting records in the Senate. This nomination is his to lose. And Romney will make a great running mate in the second spot next summer. Rudy should start taking measurements in the Homeland Security office.
Of course, this presumes a GOP victory in the general election. The Democrats have a good chance to win. But then again, they have the last two times and look what happened. I like Hillary and naturally would vote for her. But I am one of those with doubts about her ability to win. Ditto with Obama. I like John Edwards, but I'm not sure he can win either. Personally, I would like nothing more than to see Al Gore get in this thing. He could win ... heck, he already has once before.
Further proof that history runs in cycles. 1960. Incumbent vice president Richard Nixon loses a ridiculously close election to John Kennedy. Eight years go by. The country plunges deeper and deeper into a costly and unpopular war. A president from Texas gets most of the blame. Nixon spends the eight years sitting quietly by. 1968. Nixon comes back to win the White House.
Of course we're missing the assassination of a president, the geography of the war is a little different, and Gore has not exactly sat quietly by (he even won an Oscar). But history is a funny thing.
So Al, if by chance you're reading, please jump into this thing.
Until he does, Obama is my guy. The biggest argument against him (too inexperienced) is actually an asset if you ask me. What he has shown is the maturity and intelligence to handle the job. Dare I use these same criteria to evaluate our current president?
But another candidate I'd like to throw out there is Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico. Check this guy's resume and you will find the most qualified guy for the job, especially if you're looking from a foreign policy angle. Regardless of who the presidential candidate is, this guy is a no brainer for the vice presidential nomination. He's got the foreign policy expertise, he served in Congress, he's been a governor, he's from New Mexico (a swing state that leans red), and he's Hispanic (and that's a huge voting demographic).
I think I just talked myself into supporting him for the top job, let alone the second. Not a bad idea. But Gore is my dream. Obama is my choice until then. I like his ideas, I like his approach, and I find him easy to support.
Enough Sunday morning political talk. Simple Minds just ended and Tears for Fears just came on. I need a distraction....
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The Post Mortem
So another year with no winnings to show for my efforts. Oh well. I think I had a down year, relative to years past. However, I couldn't be more pleased about getting Best Picture wrong. The Departed was the best movie I saw last year and it won. To my thinking then, they got it right. I just felt Babel had the edge for its "differentness."
I was also happy to see Germany's The Lives of Others get best foreign film. It's a great movie, better than Pan's Labyrinth. Another movie in that category, Water, was also quite good.
Happy Feet was one of my favorites last year. I found it thoroughly entertaining. I thought they'd give it to Cars because of its heavier-hitting producers, but the better movie won.
I guess I'm happy for Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine. I still think Mark Wahlberg's was the strongest supporting performance in that group.
I found the movie Dreamgirls to be uninspiring, with the exception of Jennifer Hudson. So it was nice to see her win. I also found the song Listen, at least in the movie, to be a highlight. Beyonce nailed it on the show the other night and I still say it's a good song. I had heard the Melissa Etheridge song only once, when I saw An Inconvenient Truth. Watching her perform it the other night I realized it's a good song too. So I wasn't disappointed.
I'm most happy that Martin Scorsese finally got recognized for his excellent work. I think he deserved to win his last two "attempts," for Gangs of New York and The Aviator. Not only should he have won for his direction, but the films should have won too.
So time to start lining them up for 2007. The race is on...
I was also happy to see Germany's The Lives of Others get best foreign film. It's a great movie, better than Pan's Labyrinth. Another movie in that category, Water, was also quite good.
Happy Feet was one of my favorites last year. I found it thoroughly entertaining. I thought they'd give it to Cars because of its heavier-hitting producers, but the better movie won.
I guess I'm happy for Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine. I still think Mark Wahlberg's was the strongest supporting performance in that group.
I found the movie Dreamgirls to be uninspiring, with the exception of Jennifer Hudson. So it was nice to see her win. I also found the song Listen, at least in the movie, to be a highlight. Beyonce nailed it on the show the other night and I still say it's a good song. I had heard the Melissa Etheridge song only once, when I saw An Inconvenient Truth. Watching her perform it the other night I realized it's a good song too. So I wasn't disappointed.
I'm most happy that Martin Scorsese finally got recognized for his excellent work. I think he deserved to win his last two "attempts," for Gangs of New York and The Aviator. Not only should he have won for his direction, but the films should have won too.
So time to start lining them up for 2007. The race is on...
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Things To Do in NYC ... when you're an entertainment industry addict
So in two trips to New York, last fall and last month, I've managed to see just about everything new on the Broadway scene. Already this looks to me to be a more exciting season in a few years, with some great new work, some solid revivals, and a truly fresh piece that offers a new direction. My thoughts....
Twyla Tharp's Bob Dylan piece, The Times They Are A-Changin', came and went faster than the blink of an eye. I'm one of the few I guess, but I liked it. It didn't come close to matching Movin' Out, but I found it entertaining nonetheless. Good singing, good dancing. You had to think a little to determine meaning, but I believe meaning was there. Unfortunately it didn't catch on and has closed.
Grey Gardens is in the spirit of the traditional musical and features a heck of a performance from Christine Ebersole. It is not perfect and in fact suffers from a lackluster and over-developed first act. But the second act is brilliant and packs a solid punch.
The revival of Sondheim's Company is directed by John Doyle. And a John Doyle production, at least lately, means actors will be playing their own instruments. I didn't like it, but didn't particularly mind it either, with Sweeney Todd. It worked best with Mack and Mabel in London last season. With Company, I found it more effective than in Sweeney Todd, but found it annoying in a couple of scenes. The best part about the instrument thing is that the lead, Bobby, is the only actor not playing an instrument, emphasizing his isolation and disconnection. And Raul Esparza's rendition of Being Alive is worth the price of admission, provided that price was obtained with a discount code or at the half-price booth.
The Little Dog Laughed either just closed or is about to. And too bad for its short run. I thought it was quite funny. Not uproariously funny, but funny. An entertaining day at a show. It probably should have opened in the spring. A fall opening really should be reserved for something you expect to be big or something you plan to be a short run. In the spring I think you get bigger audiences and a chance to make it through the summer and into the next season.
Tom Stoppard's three-part piece, The Coast of Utopia, requires sitting through three different plays. I didn't want to commit to three without knowing what I was getting into. So I saw the first part, called Voyage. I thought it was good, but not great, and certainly not good enough to warrant rushing to see the other two. If I could fit them, I would have. And maybe I still will. But typically Stoppard, it's cerebral stuff and you need a venti coffee or a caffeine pill before sitting through it.
The Apple Tree is worth seeing for one reason ... Kristen Chenoweth. She is fantastic in an otherwise bland musical. She has fast become one of those names people will talk about a generation or two later (as in, "I saw Kristen Chenoweth in...." and people will respond with ooohhs and aaaahhhs). So I think it's always worth seeing her in whatever she does.
The Vertical Hour was a timely piece on the Iraq War and the spectrum of opinion on what America's international role should be. I like Julianne Moore a lot, and she held her own here in her Broadway debut.
The revival of the World War I drama Journey's End is this year's History Boys, at least for me. This was among the most thrilling two hours (plus) I've spent in a theater. Great writing, which is more poignant given today's international climate. Solid performances, especially from Hugh Dancy and Boyd Gaines (who is the heart and soul of the show). Effective lighting and set design. A killer curtain call. A not-to-be-missed production.
And finally, Spring Awakening. The so-called Rent for the "next generation." I'm not sure it's getting the traction it needs to be that groundbreaking, but it is most definitely the "freshest" thing on a New York stage this season. I hesitate to call it great, so I'll say very good. Some excellent music and songs (and a couple lame ones). A unique and effective means of staging. It clearly speaks to a younger, and very adolescent, audience. And they were there in large numbers at the performance I attended. And they loved it. And anything that appeals to a new audience and brings in new people to theater, I think is at least good. Having said that, it's not for everyone and even PG-13 would be a generous rating. But if you would like to see something different, you're not going to do better than this.
Twyla Tharp's Bob Dylan piece, The Times They Are A-Changin', came and went faster than the blink of an eye. I'm one of the few I guess, but I liked it. It didn't come close to matching Movin' Out, but I found it entertaining nonetheless. Good singing, good dancing. You had to think a little to determine meaning, but I believe meaning was there. Unfortunately it didn't catch on and has closed.
Grey Gardens is in the spirit of the traditional musical and features a heck of a performance from Christine Ebersole. It is not perfect and in fact suffers from a lackluster and over-developed first act. But the second act is brilliant and packs a solid punch.
The revival of Sondheim's Company is directed by John Doyle. And a John Doyle production, at least lately, means actors will be playing their own instruments. I didn't like it, but didn't particularly mind it either, with Sweeney Todd. It worked best with Mack and Mabel in London last season. With Company, I found it more effective than in Sweeney Todd, but found it annoying in a couple of scenes. The best part about the instrument thing is that the lead, Bobby, is the only actor not playing an instrument, emphasizing his isolation and disconnection. And Raul Esparza's rendition of Being Alive is worth the price of admission, provided that price was obtained with a discount code or at the half-price booth.
The Little Dog Laughed either just closed or is about to. And too bad for its short run. I thought it was quite funny. Not uproariously funny, but funny. An entertaining day at a show. It probably should have opened in the spring. A fall opening really should be reserved for something you expect to be big or something you plan to be a short run. In the spring I think you get bigger audiences and a chance to make it through the summer and into the next season.
Tom Stoppard's three-part piece, The Coast of Utopia, requires sitting through three different plays. I didn't want to commit to three without knowing what I was getting into. So I saw the first part, called Voyage. I thought it was good, but not great, and certainly not good enough to warrant rushing to see the other two. If I could fit them, I would have. And maybe I still will. But typically Stoppard, it's cerebral stuff and you need a venti coffee or a caffeine pill before sitting through it.
The Apple Tree is worth seeing for one reason ... Kristen Chenoweth. She is fantastic in an otherwise bland musical. She has fast become one of those names people will talk about a generation or two later (as in, "I saw Kristen Chenoweth in...." and people will respond with ooohhs and aaaahhhs). So I think it's always worth seeing her in whatever she does.
The Vertical Hour was a timely piece on the Iraq War and the spectrum of opinion on what America's international role should be. I like Julianne Moore a lot, and she held her own here in her Broadway debut.
The revival of the World War I drama Journey's End is this year's History Boys, at least for me. This was among the most thrilling two hours (plus) I've spent in a theater. Great writing, which is more poignant given today's international climate. Solid performances, especially from Hugh Dancy and Boyd Gaines (who is the heart and soul of the show). Effective lighting and set design. A killer curtain call. A not-to-be-missed production.
And finally, Spring Awakening. The so-called Rent for the "next generation." I'm not sure it's getting the traction it needs to be that groundbreaking, but it is most definitely the "freshest" thing on a New York stage this season. I hesitate to call it great, so I'll say very good. Some excellent music and songs (and a couple lame ones). A unique and effective means of staging. It clearly speaks to a younger, and very adolescent, audience. And they were there in large numbers at the performance I attended. And they loved it. And anything that appeals to a new audience and brings in new people to theater, I think is at least good. Having said that, it's not for everyone and even PG-13 would be a generous rating. But if you would like to see something different, you're not going to do better than this.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
That Time of Year
On Sunday night they will hand out this round of Oscars. This year I outdid myself in the number of movies I saw, including in the Foreign Film and Short Film categories. So my thoughts, with my own vote listed first, followed by who I expect the Academy will award.
Original Screenplay
Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine
Adapted Screenplay
The Departed
The Departed
Visual Effects
Superman Returns
Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest
Sound Editing
Blood Diamond
Letters from Iwo Jima
Sound Mixing
Blood Diamond
Dreamgirls
Short Film - Animated
No Time for Nuts
Lifted
Short Film - Live Action
West Bank Story
West Bank Story
Makeup
Pan's Labyrinth
Pan's Labyrinth
Film Editing
Babel
Babel
Cinematography
Pan's Labyrinth
Children of Men
Costume Design
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Art Direction
Dreamgirls
Pan's Labyrinth
Original Score
The Queen
The Queen
Original Song
Listen, Dreamgirls
Listen, Dreamgirls
Documentary Short
The Blood of the Yingzhou District
only category I saw nothing in, so this is just a prediction of a winner
Documenatary Feature
Jesus Camp
An Inconvenient Truth
Foreign Language Film
The Lives of Others
Pan's Labyrinth
Animated Feature
Happy Feet
Cars
Supporting Actress
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
Supporting Actor
Mark Wahlberg, The Departed
Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls
Actress
Helen Mirren, The Queen
Helen Mirren, The Queen
Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio, Blood Diamond
Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland
Director
Martin Scorsese, The Departed
Martin Scorsese, The Departed
Picture
The Departed
Babel
Original Screenplay
Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine
Adapted Screenplay
The Departed
The Departed
Visual Effects
Superman Returns
Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest
Sound Editing
Blood Diamond
Letters from Iwo Jima
Sound Mixing
Blood Diamond
Dreamgirls
Short Film - Animated
No Time for Nuts
Lifted
Short Film - Live Action
West Bank Story
West Bank Story
Makeup
Pan's Labyrinth
Pan's Labyrinth
Film Editing
Babel
Babel
Cinematography
Pan's Labyrinth
Children of Men
Costume Design
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Art Direction
Dreamgirls
Pan's Labyrinth
Original Score
The Queen
The Queen
Original Song
Listen, Dreamgirls
Listen, Dreamgirls
Documentary Short
The Blood of the Yingzhou District
only category I saw nothing in, so this is just a prediction of a winner
Documenatary Feature
Jesus Camp
An Inconvenient Truth
Foreign Language Film
The Lives of Others
Pan's Labyrinth
Animated Feature
Happy Feet
Cars
Supporting Actress
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
Supporting Actor
Mark Wahlberg, The Departed
Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls
Actress
Helen Mirren, The Queen
Helen Mirren, The Queen
Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio, Blood Diamond
Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland
Director
Martin Scorsese, The Departed
Martin Scorsese, The Departed
Picture
The Departed
Babel
Monday, February 5, 2007
This Is The Week That Was
So I guess in my first week they threw everything at me ... including the kitchen sink. Okay, well maybe not the kitchen sink. But a carbon-monoxide scare instead.
In the first three hours in my new position, I taught two AP junior classes (one on Our Town, the other on Walt Whitman), managed a personnel issue that involved two different bonehead moves by the same teacher, physically moved fourteen classes to other rooms and/or teachers, transferred eight students to new English classes, fought with the guidance department about the proper protocol for schedule changes - twice, and hung up some posters in the new office. The rest of that first day was more of the same, with more moving out of one classroom and into an office.
The second day was a bit quieter. The third day was more of the same, plus my first "downtown" meeting, mostly about personnel evaluation and supervision. On Thursday, I led my first department meeting, but not before dealing with a potentially toxic (literally) situation.
One of my teachers left school at 9am with a bad headache, a recurring ailment for him the last two weeks or so. He felt that his room might have poor air quality, and might perhaps contain carbon monoxide since children had been complaining of similar aches too. What followed was a crash course for me on carbon monoxide poisoning, detection, and protection. I was brought to the bowels of the building, where computers store and analyze information supplied by various carbon monoxide detectors throughout the building. The head custodian showed me the data from the detector nearest the classroom in question. Then he showed me data from all other detectors for the sake of comparison. I guess a reasonable person would conclude that we have no carbon monoxide problem anywhere in the building. So I concluded just that and reported, with the custodian, as much to the principal.
The teacher returned on Friday, having spent part of Thursday at the doctor's office. He was armed with medical documentation of raised levels of carbon monoxide. So the order was placed for a more advanced test of his room and area, scheduled for Friday afternoon. The result ... nothing. I suspect he might test his apartment and vehicle, just to be sure he's following all precautions.
In the meantime, the principal ordered that I remove the teacher and all classes from the room. So I spent some time Thursday afternoon trying to figure out exactly where to remove them to. I ended up creating a new classroom out of a previously "abandoned" place. The jury is still out on whether it will work as a functional classroom, but it satisfied all concerned parties.
On Friday I attended my first principal's cabinet meeting. I expected a snoozer and got a fireworks display. Some of the other department chairs wanted to use the time to address their concerns over discipline and security issues in the building, and the administration's perceived inability to handle them appropriately. The administrators (i.e., principal and vice principal) became very defensive and a small group of department chairs became borderline offensive (in both meanings of the word). I'm not sure we resolved anything as much as we simply aired many concerns in a loud and chaotic manner. But it was nonethless an exciting first cabinet meeting for me.
And that, in a nutshell, was my opening week. It culminated in a much anticipated, and probably deserved, Budweiser (actually several) among colleagues Friday afternoon.
For the record, Monday of week two was very quiet and mundane. Here's to an uneventful second week.
In the first three hours in my new position, I taught two AP junior classes (one on Our Town, the other on Walt Whitman), managed a personnel issue that involved two different bonehead moves by the same teacher, physically moved fourteen classes to other rooms and/or teachers, transferred eight students to new English classes, fought with the guidance department about the proper protocol for schedule changes - twice, and hung up some posters in the new office. The rest of that first day was more of the same, with more moving out of one classroom and into an office.
The second day was a bit quieter. The third day was more of the same, plus my first "downtown" meeting, mostly about personnel evaluation and supervision. On Thursday, I led my first department meeting, but not before dealing with a potentially toxic (literally) situation.
One of my teachers left school at 9am with a bad headache, a recurring ailment for him the last two weeks or so. He felt that his room might have poor air quality, and might perhaps contain carbon monoxide since children had been complaining of similar aches too. What followed was a crash course for me on carbon monoxide poisoning, detection, and protection. I was brought to the bowels of the building, where computers store and analyze information supplied by various carbon monoxide detectors throughout the building. The head custodian showed me the data from the detector nearest the classroom in question. Then he showed me data from all other detectors for the sake of comparison. I guess a reasonable person would conclude that we have no carbon monoxide problem anywhere in the building. So I concluded just that and reported, with the custodian, as much to the principal.
The teacher returned on Friday, having spent part of Thursday at the doctor's office. He was armed with medical documentation of raised levels of carbon monoxide. So the order was placed for a more advanced test of his room and area, scheduled for Friday afternoon. The result ... nothing. I suspect he might test his apartment and vehicle, just to be sure he's following all precautions.
In the meantime, the principal ordered that I remove the teacher and all classes from the room. So I spent some time Thursday afternoon trying to figure out exactly where to remove them to. I ended up creating a new classroom out of a previously "abandoned" place. The jury is still out on whether it will work as a functional classroom, but it satisfied all concerned parties.
On Friday I attended my first principal's cabinet meeting. I expected a snoozer and got a fireworks display. Some of the other department chairs wanted to use the time to address their concerns over discipline and security issues in the building, and the administration's perceived inability to handle them appropriately. The administrators (i.e., principal and vice principal) became very defensive and a small group of department chairs became borderline offensive (in both meanings of the word). I'm not sure we resolved anything as much as we simply aired many concerns in a loud and chaotic manner. But it was nonethless an exciting first cabinet meeting for me.
And that, in a nutshell, was my opening week. It culminated in a much anticipated, and probably deserved, Budweiser (actually several) among colleagues Friday afternoon.
For the record, Monday of week two was very quiet and mundane. Here's to an uneventful second week.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Comings and Goings
So the Patriots are out. I guess I miscalled that one. However, I did call the number of points for the Patriots (34). I just had the Colts scoring a few points fewer than that instead of a few points more. But the Red Sox open spring training in about a month and all will be well in the world again.
The Oscar nominations are also out. A few surprises. No best pic for Dreamgirls. I'm actually in agreement that it did not deserve a nomination, but I am nevertheless surprised. It will probably take the two supporting categories for Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson. And maybe a couple others (Art Direction, Song). In lead actor I was happy to see Ryan Gosling for Half Nelson and Leonardo DiCaprio for Blood Diamond. I figured DiCaprio to get one for The Departed, but he is indeed better in Blood Diamond, so I guess they got it right. I fear both will lose out to Forest Whitaker though.
I still believe Babel is one of the most overrated pics of the year. And it may very well win the big prize. Reminds me something of how I reacted to The English Patient. All that buzz and hoopla, and I found it to be just so-so.
Today I'm off to see what all the hype is over Peter O'Toole in Venus. That is, after a mind-numbing peformance of Lord of the Dance. The next biggie on my list is Letters from Iwo Jima, followed by Pan's Labyrinth.
And the big news....
At 1pm on Friday I took over the position of English Department Chair. My now retired predecessor brought me into the office, asked if I felt he had cleared enough out, and handed over the keys to the kingdom. I walked with him to the principal's office. The principal thanked him for 35 years of service, including seven as department chair. There were handshakes, and then he was gone. He left with a bottle of champagne (from another teacher), a book (from me), a few mementos from his desk and office, and 35 years of service and thousands of students to be proud of.
As for me, I had to stay in the principal's office for my first official sit down with him. We talked about what the first week would be like, how I planned to manage the chaos that will ensue on Monday morning, and about the leadership style I would offer in this new position. This was my second big meeting of the day, as earlier Friday morning, I had done something similar with the superintendent downtown in the central office.
The rest of the day I spent integrating my brain with literally volumes of information. MCAS standards and performance goals. Citywide objectives for 2007. Vertical alignment plans between high school and middle schools. District standards for personnel evaluation and supervision. Personnel files for the sixteen people in my department. Those are interesting. Some of them are about 3-5 pages in length. Others could fill books.
Then I did some of the small detail planning that will make the next week as smooth as possible. Reassignment of classes and classrooms to different teachers. Shuffling of new semester class lists. Changing the master schedule in the principal's office.
Then I went back in on Saturday. Becoming department head means I drop from five to two classes. Which means my (former) classroom would be wasted on me. So someone else gets to move in. So I spent some time packing up that room. Didn't finish, but I'll be back at it Monday afternoon. Then I did some moving into the office. Again, still a work in progress.
So I guess this marks something of a new chapter in life for me. I know it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of my school. I am the first of a new generation of educators to step up into a leadership role. In the next few years, I will certainly be joined by many others. I can feel the symbolism of the moment, mostly because my superintendent and principal keep reminding me of it. It's very exciting, but yet challenging. I feel ready for the task, and obviously my superiors feel the same.
On with the new chapter...
The Oscar nominations are also out. A few surprises. No best pic for Dreamgirls. I'm actually in agreement that it did not deserve a nomination, but I am nevertheless surprised. It will probably take the two supporting categories for Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson. And maybe a couple others (Art Direction, Song). In lead actor I was happy to see Ryan Gosling for Half Nelson and Leonardo DiCaprio for Blood Diamond. I figured DiCaprio to get one for The Departed, but he is indeed better in Blood Diamond, so I guess they got it right. I fear both will lose out to Forest Whitaker though.
I still believe Babel is one of the most overrated pics of the year. And it may very well win the big prize. Reminds me something of how I reacted to The English Patient. All that buzz and hoopla, and I found it to be just so-so.
Today I'm off to see what all the hype is over Peter O'Toole in Venus. That is, after a mind-numbing peformance of Lord of the Dance. The next biggie on my list is Letters from Iwo Jima, followed by Pan's Labyrinth.
And the big news....
At 1pm on Friday I took over the position of English Department Chair. My now retired predecessor brought me into the office, asked if I felt he had cleared enough out, and handed over the keys to the kingdom. I walked with him to the principal's office. The principal thanked him for 35 years of service, including seven as department chair. There were handshakes, and then he was gone. He left with a bottle of champagne (from another teacher), a book (from me), a few mementos from his desk and office, and 35 years of service and thousands of students to be proud of.
As for me, I had to stay in the principal's office for my first official sit down with him. We talked about what the first week would be like, how I planned to manage the chaos that will ensue on Monday morning, and about the leadership style I would offer in this new position. This was my second big meeting of the day, as earlier Friday morning, I had done something similar with the superintendent downtown in the central office.
The rest of the day I spent integrating my brain with literally volumes of information. MCAS standards and performance goals. Citywide objectives for 2007. Vertical alignment plans between high school and middle schools. District standards for personnel evaluation and supervision. Personnel files for the sixteen people in my department. Those are interesting. Some of them are about 3-5 pages in length. Others could fill books.
Then I did some of the small detail planning that will make the next week as smooth as possible. Reassignment of classes and classrooms to different teachers. Shuffling of new semester class lists. Changing the master schedule in the principal's office.
Then I went back in on Saturday. Becoming department head means I drop from five to two classes. Which means my (former) classroom would be wasted on me. So someone else gets to move in. So I spent some time packing up that room. Didn't finish, but I'll be back at it Monday afternoon. Then I did some moving into the office. Again, still a work in progress.
So I guess this marks something of a new chapter in life for me. I know it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of my school. I am the first of a new generation of educators to step up into a leadership role. In the next few years, I will certainly be joined by many others. I can feel the symbolism of the moment, mostly because my superintendent and principal keep reminding me of it. It's very exciting, but yet challenging. I feel ready for the task, and obviously my superiors feel the same.
On with the new chapter...
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Happy Sunday
So it's truly a Sunday in late January, maybe a little bit because it's been bitterly cold out the last few days but mostly because the Patriots and Colts lock up again for an AFC championship game. I must say that after last weeks win over the Chargers, I like the Patriots' chances. When these kinds of games come along, they always seem to find a way to win. I called the game last week for the Patriots by three. I didn't call a score, but I got at least the margin of victory right. I imagine it will be a relatively high scoring game, so for today I'll go with Patriots 34, Colts 27.
Spent yesterday away from the cold with two movies and a comedy/music show at the "new" Citi Center for the Performing Arts. The movies were a pair I'd meant to see for some time. Started with The Last King of Scotland, for which Forest Whitaker is getting all kinds of praise and awards. I thought the movie was just okay and he, although good, might be getting too much attention. He effectively runs the gamut from charming to downright menacing as the Ugandan dictator Amin. But I feel like if you count the minutes of on screen time, he's more a "supporting" than lead actor.
Then on to Miss Potter, the very charming tale of Beatrix Potter and her writing and selling of her Peter Rabbit and other children's books. It's short, entertaining, and requires very little thought. A nice antidote to what I started with. Rene Zellweger is very good, but the movie's strength is its art and set direction.
After my double feature, it was time to work Jamie Foxx. I expected a comedy show. It was just that for about 40 minutes (of two and a half hours). The rest was a concert. I could have done without the concert part, but his comedy routine was absolutely hysterical. The concert segment did have one really "cool" part when he came out as Ray Charles and did a couple of his songs. That was fun. And then a quick tribute to James Brown.
I was just looking ahead on my calendar as I was writing in some work events coming up. And in so doing I realized how quickly we're moving towards April, which marks the first of a few eagerly anticipated trips for me. For ten days in April, I will enjoy my first ever trip to Italy, with stops in Venice, Florence, and Rome. That's an adults-only school trip which should be a lot of fun. Then in May I have five days in London around the Memorial Day long weekend, including performances of the new Lord of the Rings musical and the great play Equus (starring a Harry Potter-less Daniel Radcliffe). Then just after school gets out in June, I return to Italy for two weeks, but this time to Rome, Sorrento and the Mediterranean islands of Capri and Lipari. I will of course look forward to all of them, but something tells me that the last one will be much needed when we get to mid-June.
Spent yesterday away from the cold with two movies and a comedy/music show at the "new" Citi Center for the Performing Arts. The movies were a pair I'd meant to see for some time. Started with The Last King of Scotland, for which Forest Whitaker is getting all kinds of praise and awards. I thought the movie was just okay and he, although good, might be getting too much attention. He effectively runs the gamut from charming to downright menacing as the Ugandan dictator Amin. But I feel like if you count the minutes of on screen time, he's more a "supporting" than lead actor.
Then on to Miss Potter, the very charming tale of Beatrix Potter and her writing and selling of her Peter Rabbit and other children's books. It's short, entertaining, and requires very little thought. A nice antidote to what I started with. Rene Zellweger is very good, but the movie's strength is its art and set direction.
After my double feature, it was time to work Jamie Foxx. I expected a comedy show. It was just that for about 40 minutes (of two and a half hours). The rest was a concert. I could have done without the concert part, but his comedy routine was absolutely hysterical. The concert segment did have one really "cool" part when he came out as Ray Charles and did a couple of his songs. That was fun. And then a quick tribute to James Brown.
I was just looking ahead on my calendar as I was writing in some work events coming up. And in so doing I realized how quickly we're moving towards April, which marks the first of a few eagerly anticipated trips for me. For ten days in April, I will enjoy my first ever trip to Italy, with stops in Venice, Florence, and Rome. That's an adults-only school trip which should be a lot of fun. Then in May I have five days in London around the Memorial Day long weekend, including performances of the new Lord of the Rings musical and the great play Equus (starring a Harry Potter-less Daniel Radcliffe). Then just after school gets out in June, I return to Italy for two weeks, but this time to Rome, Sorrento and the Mediterranean islands of Capri and Lipari. I will of course look forward to all of them, but something tells me that the last one will be much needed when we get to mid-June.
Friday, January 5, 2007
The Times They Are A-Changin'
So wrote and sang Bob Dylan. And lately its lyrics have been in my mind at work.
In three short weeks, my department chair will be retiring. His retirement affects the entire English department, which is the largest in the school. When he is replaced, all of us will feel the "weirdness" of working under someone other than him. By my count, of the sixteen department members, he hired or welcomed as intra-district transfers ten of us. So there are ten people who have known only him in that role. As for me, I was hired by his predecessor, who left the job six months into my first year. So I as well have really only known him in the role.
It is pretty much known who his successor will be. But since it is not official, I won't write of it here. But it is someone from within the department, which should hopefully engender some sense of continuity. But the elevation of a department member combined with his retirement itself presents a series of challenges (both large and small) for the new chair and the department. Fortunately, much of these are foreseeable and have been planned for in the last few weeks. Questions like, who will teach the sections of Advanced Placement Senior English currently taught by the chair? And once those go to someone, what two classes will he/she give up in return? Department chairs teach two classes whereas the rest of us teach five. Which two will the one who is promoted keep and which three will be reassigned? Will the classroom vacated by the new chair go to a brand new teacher or will someone else be given the "right of way" to the room?
Those are some of the small ones. The biggest challenge, of course, is to hire a new teacher to fill the void that will be left when all the shuffling is complete. Recognizing that his stake in the hiring is very small since he will be gone, the chair has formed a hiring committee to handle this task. I am on this committee and we began the interviewing this week.
Less than a week after the change occurs, we will have our February "contractual day," after school departmental meetings and projects. And that meeting will be led by someone new. And that will feel weird.
In three short weeks, my department chair will be retiring. His retirement affects the entire English department, which is the largest in the school. When he is replaced, all of us will feel the "weirdness" of working under someone other than him. By my count, of the sixteen department members, he hired or welcomed as intra-district transfers ten of us. So there are ten people who have known only him in that role. As for me, I was hired by his predecessor, who left the job six months into my first year. So I as well have really only known him in the role.
It is pretty much known who his successor will be. But since it is not official, I won't write of it here. But it is someone from within the department, which should hopefully engender some sense of continuity. But the elevation of a department member combined with his retirement itself presents a series of challenges (both large and small) for the new chair and the department. Fortunately, much of these are foreseeable and have been planned for in the last few weeks. Questions like, who will teach the sections of Advanced Placement Senior English currently taught by the chair? And once those go to someone, what two classes will he/she give up in return? Department chairs teach two classes whereas the rest of us teach five. Which two will the one who is promoted keep and which three will be reassigned? Will the classroom vacated by the new chair go to a brand new teacher or will someone else be given the "right of way" to the room?
Those are some of the small ones. The biggest challenge, of course, is to hire a new teacher to fill the void that will be left when all the shuffling is complete. Recognizing that his stake in the hiring is very small since he will be gone, the chair has formed a hiring committee to handle this task. I am on this committee and we began the interviewing this week.
Less than a week after the change occurs, we will have our February "contractual day," after school departmental meetings and projects. And that meeting will be led by someone new. And that will feel weird.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Is It Really January?
Near 60 tomorrow. Chunks of polar ice caps breaking off. I guess that settles the global warming issue for me (if I hadn't known already).
I got to Blood Diamond tonight. An excellent film. I've written here and said many times recently that Leonardo DiCaprio delivers the best performance in this year's best movie, The Departed. And he does. But believe it or not, he's better in Blood Diamond. A commanding performance, very nuanced and convincing in his role. He is superbly supported by Djimon Hounsou, who deserves Oscar's notice. And Jennifer Connelly is excellent as well in her supporting role.
So tomorrow we will make a bit of history in Massachusetts when Deval Patrick becomes our governor. This is a moment I am very exicted about. After a steady diet of weak, distracted, and ineffective governors, who were generally unfriendly toward any causes I support, I look forward to the next four years (or more). Although, I must offer a slight disclaimer and admit that I did like Governor Weld and agreed with him on many issues, and in fact, cast my first vote in 1994 for his re-election, which is still the only time I have ever voted Republican.
I expect Deval will have to confront many obstacles and parry many challenges in the years ahead. But he's up to all of them. I wouldn't have voted for him if I didn't think so. This was the first vote I cast in some time where I felt like I was fully behind the candidate for whom I was voting for what he stood for and what he promised, instead of for what I perceived to be the lesser of two evils or "anyone other than so and so" (in other words, John Kerry). Oh and a note to the senator: please don't try again in 2008. Save yourself the money and embarrassment.
I got to Blood Diamond tonight. An excellent film. I've written here and said many times recently that Leonardo DiCaprio delivers the best performance in this year's best movie, The Departed. And he does. But believe it or not, he's better in Blood Diamond. A commanding performance, very nuanced and convincing in his role. He is superbly supported by Djimon Hounsou, who deserves Oscar's notice. And Jennifer Connelly is excellent as well in her supporting role.
So tomorrow we will make a bit of history in Massachusetts when Deval Patrick becomes our governor. This is a moment I am very exicted about. After a steady diet of weak, distracted, and ineffective governors, who were generally unfriendly toward any causes I support, I look forward to the next four years (or more). Although, I must offer a slight disclaimer and admit that I did like Governor Weld and agreed with him on many issues, and in fact, cast my first vote in 1994 for his re-election, which is still the only time I have ever voted Republican.
I expect Deval will have to confront many obstacles and parry many challenges in the years ahead. But he's up to all of them. I wouldn't have voted for him if I didn't think so. This was the first vote I cast in some time where I felt like I was fully behind the candidate for whom I was voting for what he stood for and what he promised, instead of for what I perceived to be the lesser of two evils or "anyone other than so and so" (in other words, John Kerry). Oh and a note to the senator: please don't try again in 2008. Save yourself the money and embarrassment.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Babel .. a whole lot of nothing
So I went to see Babel last night. Somehow I hadn't seen it before and the timing worked, so I figured why not. I think this one belongs on my prior list of disappointments of 2006.
The first hour is some of the most tedious movie watching I've done in some time. It felt like three hours. I will say that the second half is much better. In fact, I can pinpoint the exact moment that the movie finally came to life (it involved border patrol, a nanny, two little kids, and Gael Garcia Bernal). From then on, it was intense, a bit poignant, and featured some solid filmmaking. But on the whole I think it was not as good as I was hoping.
The remaining elusive pic is Blood Diamond, which I hope to find somewhere in the next week or so.
The first hour is some of the most tedious movie watching I've done in some time. It felt like three hours. I will say that the second half is much better. In fact, I can pinpoint the exact moment that the movie finally came to life (it involved border patrol, a nanny, two little kids, and Gael Garcia Bernal). From then on, it was intense, a bit poignant, and featured some solid filmmaking. But on the whole I think it was not as good as I was hoping.
The remaining elusive pic is Blood Diamond, which I hope to find somewhere in the next week or so.
Monday, January 1, 2007
The Top Ten Revisited
So I went on a movie going spree this week to try to catch a few that had eluded me. I started with a revisit to The Departed, and I was reminded why this was my favorite movie of the year. Nicholson is classic Nicholson, and Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg are solid. But I think the stand out performance comes from Leonardo DiCaprio. And Scorsese's direction is flawless.
Damon, who like I said was solid in The Departed, is even better in The Good Shepherd. It's a long movie, but you would never know it the way it moves through its story.
The Pursuit of Happyness is better than I thought it would be. Will Smith will get himself an Oscar nomination for this one.
Notes on a Scandal is quite good. Judi Dench is nothing like you've ever seen her, and Cate Blanchett matches her in terms of performance. Plus there's an excellent supporting performance from Bill Nighy and a very good score by Philip Glass.
And then there's Dreamgirls. There has been a lot of hype surrounding this, and I'm afraid it just doesn't live up to any of it. There is no question that Jennifer Hudson is absolutely thrilling in her part. She literally electrifies the screen in two scenes/songs I can think of. But take her out of the movie, and there's not much movie left. The one exception to that might be Eddie Murphy, who is good in his supporting part. However, I was impressed more by its costumes and its art direction in particular.
So my top ten revised (or expanded from eight to ten):
10. Notes on a Scandal
9. The History Boys
8. Bobby
7. Before the Fall
6. The Queen
5. Half Nelson
4. The Good Shepherd
3. Little Children
2. Little Miss Sunshine
1. The Departed
Damon, who like I said was solid in The Departed, is even better in The Good Shepherd. It's a long movie, but you would never know it the way it moves through its story.
The Pursuit of Happyness is better than I thought it would be. Will Smith will get himself an Oscar nomination for this one.
Notes on a Scandal is quite good. Judi Dench is nothing like you've ever seen her, and Cate Blanchett matches her in terms of performance. Plus there's an excellent supporting performance from Bill Nighy and a very good score by Philip Glass.
And then there's Dreamgirls. There has been a lot of hype surrounding this, and I'm afraid it just doesn't live up to any of it. There is no question that Jennifer Hudson is absolutely thrilling in her part. She literally electrifies the screen in two scenes/songs I can think of. But take her out of the movie, and there's not much movie left. The one exception to that might be Eddie Murphy, who is good in his supporting part. However, I was impressed more by its costumes and its art direction in particular.
So my top ten revised (or expanded from eight to ten):
10. Notes on a Scandal
9. The History Boys
8. Bobby
7. Before the Fall
6. The Queen
5. Half Nelson
4. The Good Shepherd
3. Little Children
2. Little Miss Sunshine
1. The Departed
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