doodads

So. I was cleaning off my desk at school, when I re-noticed a paper weight I have on my desk. I was given it as a Valentine's Day Present by a girl I dated my second year teaching. It says, "Mr. E" on it; it's a glass circle about an inch thick and about two inches in diameter. I'm not using it as a paper weight, I'm using it as a decoration on an already cramped and crowded desk. Do I keep it?

soundtracks...

Hey ya'll! So, I've upped the number of "Life Soundtracks" I've received. I now have 10, although that's not from ten different people--some of you have made Life Soundtracks Volumes 1-4. (Although the four disc is actually going to be an anthology...the four I have are just of the years 20-25.)

So, for those of you who were thinking about doing it...and didn't...or thought I'd forgotten, well, GET CRACKIN!!!! (c;

This weekend was good. Saw Lewis Black at Truman Friday night, and had a small scavenger hunt for Bibi afterwards for her b-day. Saturday was relaxing...did laundry, read, organized CD's, etc. Bibi's new sorority formal was Saturday night, and we go there a bit later, which was great, b/c evidently there was some drama--imagine that...drama at a sorority event...huh--and we missed it. (I prefer no drama with my festive events, thank you very much)

Sunday was a lazy day, lounging around and relaxing....Grey's Anatomy was GREAT last night.

Still working on The Best and the Brightest. It's a bit slow going, but you can't exactly gloss over the events leading up to the Vietnam War, can you? (c;

Oh, and for those of you who aren't paying attention to the Dubai Ports deal; The company that is attempting to purchase the ports has requested that we take time to fully investigate the deal and the company to make sure things are on the straight and narrow.

Sounds solid to me. (As it did to the three government agencies that all investigated the deal prior to approving it....which, you know, they did. (c;)

Love ya all...thanks for reading...

Tommy

PS

Oh, one other thought...Bush just claiming, "People don't need to worry about Security"...well, golly that's not REALLY gonna make people feel better, now is it? So...after all of the other thoughts...he's just not really doing much to further his cause.

Views in the News

For anyone who reads the news, you can hardly read two lines, or listen to 2 seconds of the news before hearing about the controversial Dubai-Ports deal. It strikes me as very interesting. First of all, I do NOT claim to be an expert on all things UAE, however, I have done some (limited) research on Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, and I thought I'd use this forum to throw out some ideas.

The UAE HAVE indeed been allies to the US and Britain in the "war on terror". There is also evidence to show that the 9/11 terrorists used UAE transportation (airplanes, boats, etc) prior to the attack. I believe it's also been suggested that one or two of the terrorists were from the UAE. (I'm not sure about that one though.)

However, the UAE has been making dramatic strides in promoting freedom, peace, capitalism and democracy for the past 50 years. While the so-called "terrorist connection" may look bad, I'd like to remind you that the terrorists got flight training IN the US, I believe, because we're a free country...we don't like to question or stifle people's freedom's. (In the UAE, they're trying for the same idea--freedom).

The whole "port-authority" issue has been blown a little out of proportion. Some may not understand exactly what the deal entails. First of all, the US did NOT sell to the UAE. The ports in question (six of them in all) were ALREADY owned by Britain. So, in fact, Britain (one of our strongest allies) sold the ports to Dubai. Second, security would NOT be under UAE jurisdiction. That would still fall to the US. WE would be in charge of that. Furthermore, historically speaking, when ports ARE owned by other countries, the employees of said port are generally speaking natives of the host country. (Americans would still be the main source of labor at the ports.) So, it's not like the sale will mean an influx of "scary and questionable people of Arab descent." And, this brings me to my final point...

I decided to see what the UAE perspective was on all of this. I quote from the Dubai.com website (yeah, yeah, no accounting for bias, but that's another issue all together!!!):
If the United States can't work with a moderate, friendly and socially liberal Arab ally like Dubai, it may not be able to work with any Arabs at all.

It's important to remember that Islam is not the cause of terror. It's important to remember that Arabs are not Terrorists. It's important to remember that one major goal in the "war on terror" that has been overlooked for the most part is fostering positive relationships with other countries around the world. Arabs DO NOT hate the US. The UAE, specifically wants to work with us. (Of course, this deal will be beneficial to Dubai, and all UAE citizens, but we can't fault them for wanting to grow as a country.) We should NOT close ourselves off to friendly countries because of a specious argument. To other countries, our reticence looks like Arabphobia, and that we can't afford.

Thanks for reading...

Tommy

The Pearl--Revisited

I've decided I want to talk a bit more about the Pearl.

Steinbeck does something quite amazing. He sets the story in a "primitive" village, where the main characters--a husband and wife, and their baby--live by diving for Pearls. After their baby is bitten by a scorpion, they realize that living day-to-day is taking a horrendous toll on their existence. Kino finds the "Pearl fo the World", and immediately all of his wildest dreams are realized. He speaks them--which sets in motion unavoidable obstacles. It is clear now that riches have changed him. He is isolated, separated, and cast out into the world. The people around him--his neighbors, friends, townspeople--are all viewed in a new light.

This book, this story, this look at ourselves, is a mirror. How often have we simply wished that we could get that lottery ticket, some mysterious benefactor would bequeath us with some exorbitant sum and all our problems would drift away. If we could just get 'enough' all would be made simple; right? Money is our problem, and if we could just get a little more...the problems would be gone. Right?

In reality, it's not the money that's the problem. It's ourselves. We get ourselves into situations that cause strife. We are the problems...not money. Steinbeck shows that money, wealth, materialism are realities in our world--we can't ignore them. Living does take money...(when Coyotito is bitten, he really does need medical attention, although the doctor that treats him is a jackass) and so we can't remove ourselves from that scenario, but recognizing it....recognizing the ACTUAL causes of our conflicts, instead of pawning them off on an easy scapegoat, will bring us just that much closer to an actual solution.

Hmm...these blogs can be dangerous things...for anyone that is reading this...these revelations are all directed back at me, and should not be taken as an indictment of anyone else. Except you. (c;

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

e-mail

If anyone has e-mailed me since yesterday at about 4:15, I haven't gotten it...my e-mail is not working. Argh.

Weekly update

Hey ya'll!

Well, it's been awhile, b/c we've had an unexpected vacation! On Wednesday, we knew that it was going to be messy over night, and it might get kind of slick. Well, Thursday I woke up and it was VERY icy, but I didn't think we would be let out of school, so I went ahead to school. After sitting in my classroom for a half an hour working, I decided to go down to the main commons area and chat with some fellow teachers; it was then that I found out school was cancelled. Unfortunately, many kids were already on their way/at school, so they had to turn around and go back. It was a very confusing an unfortunate situation.

We also found out Thursday night that school was cancelled for Friday. I had been subpeonoed for a child custody battle, and that was settled out of court, so that meant my Friday was completely free. (Oh, and we didn't have school yesterday, which added up to a five day weekend for yours truly. Whoo hoo!!! (c;)

Friday night I held a huge party for Bibi, as her 22nd birthday is tomorrow, and her sister and best friend were able to come into Kville for the weekend. That was fun--although, afterwards, when we went to Pancake City for grub-postparty--a college student called me sir. SIR! Can you believe the nerve?! Dammit--I'm NOT a SIR yet. Argh.

The rest of the weekend was relaxing and nice. Oh--since last I talked, I've read a few books. The Shroud of the Thwacker was amusing. It was kind of monotonous, but overall enjoyable. And, for the record--Sara!!!--I did not LOVE it. It was good, but not fantastic or anything. After that I read "the Pearl" by John Steinbeck. HOLY crap. WHAT an amazing book!!! (That one I did love!) Steinbeck--can he do anything wrong?! I submit that he cannot!! (Well, literary wise...I don't know what kind of a person he was or anything.)

Now I'm reading a book by David Halberstam. He's one of my favorite non-fiction authors. It's a book called "The Best and the Brightest", and it's a look at the Kennedy administration's involvment in the Vietnam situation. Basically, Halberstam takes a look at all of the people involved in the administration--how their strength's and weaknesses, their power--and lack therein--led to the inevitable quagmire that was Vietnam. I'm nuturing a growing interest in the politics of the early-to-mid 20th century, and the national attitude towards media, communism and politics in general is absolutely fascinating!

All right...have a great Tuesday! (c;

Thanks for reading...
tommy

v day

Imagine, if you will...a fifth grade classroom. On Valentine's Day. Every single student pumped so full of chocolate that they literally cannot control themselves. Noise, energy, excitment, confusion, joy, unnaturally high levels of endorphins running through their little bodies. Can I tell you how much I'm looking forward to after school today? Third graders running on cupcakes, cookies, sweetarts, and smarties. Ugh. I wanna brush my teeth just thinking about it....

tommy

Yesterday

So, yesterday something cool happened. I don't know if you remember, faithful reader, that at the start of the day, even before my students were in the room, I was prepared for a good day. I had listened to my 'good day' music, and was pumped.

Well, during the morning routine, I decided to tell my students that it was going to be a good day. I told them that it was entirely possible to wake up and just decide that the day was going to be a good one.

Jump to Social Studies. After our last test--which, in all honesty--SUCKED, I had really upped the effort in this chapter; we took the test yesterday, and we discussed it when everyone was done. I asked them what they had thought of it, and one student raised her hand and said, "well, some of the questions were kind of fun to answer....like, I knew a lot about the question, so I could really write a lot and that was fun." HOW COOL IS THAT?! I just smiled and said, "who remembers what I said at the start of the day? It's a good day!!!"

ok...that's all.

Tommy

Musical tastes...

I've been listening to some random collections of music lately...and here's what I've decided.

I like happy music. I like 'upbeat' music, melody-wise. Songs like Wonderful, by Everclear, Bittersweet Symphony by the Verve (I think?!), 100 years by Five for Fighting, Beautiful Day by U2, and of course, Baba O'Reilly by the Who. Songs that get you pumped, songs that have that unknow quality that just gets the old heart beating a bit faster, puts a smile on your face, and a bit of a strut in your step. I don't know what it is, exactly, about those songs...but man, those and a few others just get me going like NOTHING else. I'm ready to take on anything, to do my thang, as it were. I'm listening to Jack and Diane right now, waiting for the kids to come back to the room, and that's another one. (c;

It's gonna be a good day.

tommy

...

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love snow.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled Wednesday.

The Comfort of Strangers

All right...

So, going into reading this book, I knew it would be strange. It was described as a twisted and wholly disturbing little book. Well, the friend who recommended it usually has very good taste in books. We can almost always discuss at length nearly any topic, as we both read a lot, and we both read a very diverse selection of literature.

This time...oh, this time...

I stayed up until 12:30 (for a teacher--that's REALLY late) finishing this damn book. I was about half way into it when I went to bed, but it just kept getting odder and odder; and, in all honesty, it was a lot like a horrific traffic accident that starts out small. At first you kind of gawk because you're interested, and then you want to see where it's going and when it's done, you're left in a daze, completely unable to do anything other than mumble incoherently to yourself about the awful things you've just seen. Only, in book form.

Yeah.

Starting "The Shroud of the Thwacker" by Chris Elliot next. (Yes, THAT Chris Elliot.)

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

Monday Monday

Hey ya'll...

So, this weekend was kind of eventful. Friday night Bibi had sorority stuff, and my man Dave came into town. Hung out, went out, had good times, by all. Saturday we went to Java Co., read, relaxed, etc. Sat afternoon Dave decided to go back to KC, and I got ready for Bibi and my date. We were re-enacting our first date. That was awesome...we had a great time, had good food, watched "Garden State" (if you haven't seen it...I highly recommend it) and just relaxed and had a VERY pleasant evening.

Sunday, after we went to Java Co., we went back to Bibi's house and decided that we needed to investigate the stink that had been emanating from the back area of the house all week. After cleaning the area, Bibi was really concerned. (And, with good cause.) Finally, either Bibi or her housemate thought we should check out the basement/cellar. There is a trap door right in front of Bibi's room that leads to the basement. So, we opened it up, and I started down the steps. At which time Bibi said, is that water down there? then we noticed the smell was a lot stronger. Then we turned on the light. Then we all almost threw up. Eight and a half inches of poo-water was standing strong in her basement. We know it was eight and a half inches b/c yours truly measured that nasty-arse stuff.

With a ruler.

Oh, and someone drove their car into Ophelia Parrish yesterday, too.

Watched the SuperBowl at Il Spazio. The guys who own it were trying some new dishes, and we got to try them out. VERY good.

Then we watched Grey's Anatomy. VERY VERY VERY Good.

Now it's Monday! Woo Hoo!!!

Oh, and I finished The Prophet. Unbelievable. Probably one of the most impactful (is that a word?!) books I've ever read. It was fantastic...I'd recommend it whole-heartedly.

Now I'm reading The Comfort of Strangers as per a friend's suggestion. (Thanks Brad.)

thanks for reading...
Tommy

Serendipity, Fate, Hand of God...you know, good stuff

So, something very cool happened last night, after something not cool. Let me explain.

I got home from school, and went apartment shopping with Bibi. Then we had dinner, and she went to her sorority function, while I went home to read. Well, I went home to read, but decided to play Nintendo instead. (This factors in shortly.) My friend Dave called me, and he and I chatted...he and his wife are having a hard time, and he's coming up this weekend b/c she's moving out. We talked, and it was a good conversation.

I stopped playing my game, and decided to read a little bit. I went to get "America" but realized that I had left it at school, which has NEVER happened before. No biggie, a book from www.bookcrossing.com had arrived yesterday in the mail. I tried to read, but really couldn't concentrate. Bibi called me, and i went over to her place with my book. She noticed that I wasn't reading, and was really sad...I know that Bibi and I are not Dave and his wife; but seeing your best friend get divorced after 7 months of marriage makes you think about all the things that are out there that you can't possibly be prepared for, try as you might. Bibi was sitting on her bed trying to comfort me, and she saw the book. "The Prophet" by Kahil Gibran. She opened to the page I had read about 17 times--and not caught a single word--and started reading.

"And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you, believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden."

She looked up at me, and I looked at her, and we both smiled. Yeah, love is hard. It's going to be hard, and undoubtedly, there are going to be times of difficulty we can't prepare for. But we are choosing love, and we are choosing to follow love together.

Biblically speaking, a Prophet did not NECESSARILY read the future...a prophet was one who saw through the present to the reality of the situation. I have to thank Kahil Gibran. We still have prophets today.

Thanks for reading...

Tommy

Interesting thoughts...

After last night's State of the Union address, many interesting conversations have been had, I'm sure. One thing that I was pretty bothered by was the "obvious violation of freedom of speech" in the arrest of Cindy Sheehan. I thought it pretty horrible that she was removed from the gallery of the capitol for wearing an anti-Bush shirt, until I read this article on cnn.com...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/31/sheehan.arrest/index.html

Evidenly, it wasn't as cut and dry as I thought. Seems a congressman's wife was removed for wearing a shirt that said, "Support Our Troops." So, it wasn't just a case of Cindy Sheehan being gagged, and her freedom of speech being trampled...it was a bit more complicated than that...there are rules in the Capital that prohibit "demonstrations." Whether one agrees with that rule--the fact of the matter is IT IS a rule--and in this case, it was enforced in a non-discriminatory fashion.

Huh.

Reading "America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction" by John Stewart. REALLY funny stuff. (I got it for Christmas a year ago, and my pile of books JUST got down to where I'm reading it now.)

Good stuff...oh, and I feel kind of cool. Evidently my description of "For the Time Being" was pretty persuasive, as a friend has requested to borrow it. I feel cool! I was able to convince someone to read something based on this site!!! whoo hoo!

Oh, and a coworker gave me her Life Soundtrack today. Great stuff!!!

thanks!!

(for reading....)
Tommy