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.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
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.
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