Alright. Fourth of July weekend is coming to a close. A low key one for me because I did not drink myself into a stupor or have to back up a friend in a fight or, rather, discourage them from such a situation.
I did learn that I love my lady more than I ever have. She is truly a blessing in my life. I love her to infinity and beyond! I am beyond incredibly happy. I feel so good. I love her! 142! 143!
I'm getting old and somehow that is an appropriate way to lead my brief discussion of Arthur Phillips' The Song is You. I'm still reading it, but I am completely enthralled at the images that have been painted with Phillips' wave of words. He initially came off as some verbose snob because he did attend Harvard and is a five-time Jeopardy! champion. The guy is smart and so it should be no surprise that I am completely enthralled in this novel of his. I'm already setting myself up to read his new novel, The Tragedy of Arthur. Of course, first, I need to read the AP Language and Composition reading materials I will assign and expect all of my students to read. I have quite the academic reading theme going on here for my summer.
Here, here!
This time last week I was in Monterey Bay, California staying on the CSUMB... California State University at Monterey Bay. A campus opened for enrollment in 1994. I'm older that this institute of higher education I was at obtaining the knowledge expected to be understood by anyone expecting to teach AP English Language and Composition. It was an intense four day workshop, but the experience is in the sightseeing.
17 Mile Road is amazing for the beautiful display of the Pacific Ocean in all it's incredible glory. I've seen the Atlantic and it looks weak compared to what the Pacific showed me. The Pacific is brolic. The town of Monterey Bay, itself. Small, quaint, two record shops, Cannery Row, seafood, Fisherman's Wharf and the old timey hotel I will stay at when I return with my lady so we can ride bicycles through the town and where John Steinbeck hung around (By then, I will have read up on my Steinbeck literary works).
Incredible. Not a bad start to my final summer within my pursuit of my Master's in Education with a concentration in English from good ol' Brooklyn College. Oh, by the way, I'm tennured, bitches! Ha! YEAH!
I'm almost a fully grown and developed adult.
Engagement?
Marriage?
Eek, gad, buying a house?
Children?
I am ready. Bring it.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
One more to go.
One more grad class and the comp test and I'll have my Master's complete.
Lets attempt to revive this here blog. Book to read, goals to be realized, and hours to spend in the gym.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Injuries
I either jammed or broke the finger to the left of my middle finger on my left hand. So I decided to compile a list of my past injuries.
In no particular order or ranking.
1. Sprained ankles (both).
Mainly during the half season I played JV football in tenth grade. I played again in my eleventh grade but managed to stay healthy where my ankles are concerned. My shoulders and fingers didn't fair to well during junior year.
One time in college I was carrying a keg with my older brother in the fraternity and I dropped my half and rolled on my right ankle. Hasn't looked the same since before that night.
2. Jammed and sprained fingers.
I pretty much have sprained all my fingers except for my thumbs going back to, I believe, second grade. Back then it was during gym and playing basketball. The same can be said about middle school. During high school is more because of football. In college I hurt my fingers because of dodgeball and intramural football during my tenure in TKE.
3. Broken hand/Dislocated wrist.
Summer before fifth grade in August. Rollerblades down a make shift ramp. Oh yeah! My left hand and my hand itself was pointing towards the ground right where the hand meets the wrist and leaded to the forearm and onward. I want to say six weeks in a plaster cast and two in a fiberglass one.
4. Broken nose.
Never go pick a fight with someone you've never met on their turf. Also, if you get a gut feeling that you shouldn't be on your way to do something then stop and turn around. Just do it. Listen to that feeling.
5. Black eyes.
Read what I wrote above.
6. Cuts
Paper cuts and gashes from slipping in the kitchen or the stairs of Plum Tomatoes.
7. Bruised hip
My 10th grade football season. During agilities at the start of practice. I heard pop and had a limp for 3 weeks or so.
8. Popped blood vessels.
Dropped a 25 pound weight on my toes. Saw the blood vessel stain underneath the toenail. Had blood vessels popped in my right eye from taking a punch from someone while on their turf.
9. Sprained knee
junior year of college in the moshpit during some band. As I Lay Dying, Atreyu, Story of the Year and the Deftones. Wasn't a very good show. Atreyu had already begun to suck really bad.
10. Stitches
For gashes above my right eyebrow. To my right of my nose. Under my nose and inside my bottom lip. I had to get stitches above my right eyebrow twice. Freshman year while at New Paltz and in September 2007 just a few months after I graduated in May.
11. Bruised tailbone
I sat on a little kids snowmobile type toy like the Little Tyke red car with the yellow roof. Then I was pushed down the stairs that connect the basement and the first floor of the 18 Front Street TKE house in New Paltz. Four weeks on sitting on my ass gingerly.
In no particular order or ranking.
1. Sprained ankles (both).
Mainly during the half season I played JV football in tenth grade. I played again in my eleventh grade but managed to stay healthy where my ankles are concerned. My shoulders and fingers didn't fair to well during junior year.
One time in college I was carrying a keg with my older brother in the fraternity and I dropped my half and rolled on my right ankle. Hasn't looked the same since before that night.
2. Jammed and sprained fingers.
I pretty much have sprained all my fingers except for my thumbs going back to, I believe, second grade. Back then it was during gym and playing basketball. The same can be said about middle school. During high school is more because of football. In college I hurt my fingers because of dodgeball and intramural football during my tenure in TKE.
3. Broken hand/Dislocated wrist.
Summer before fifth grade in August. Rollerblades down a make shift ramp. Oh yeah! My left hand and my hand itself was pointing towards the ground right where the hand meets the wrist and leaded to the forearm and onward. I want to say six weeks in a plaster cast and two in a fiberglass one.
4. Broken nose.
Never go pick a fight with someone you've never met on their turf. Also, if you get a gut feeling that you shouldn't be on your way to do something then stop and turn around. Just do it. Listen to that feeling.
5. Black eyes.
Read what I wrote above.
6. Cuts
Paper cuts and gashes from slipping in the kitchen or the stairs of Plum Tomatoes.
7. Bruised hip
My 10th grade football season. During agilities at the start of practice. I heard pop and had a limp for 3 weeks or so.
8. Popped blood vessels.
Dropped a 25 pound weight on my toes. Saw the blood vessel stain underneath the toenail. Had blood vessels popped in my right eye from taking a punch from someone while on their turf.
9. Sprained knee
junior year of college in the moshpit during some band. As I Lay Dying, Atreyu, Story of the Year and the Deftones. Wasn't a very good show. Atreyu had already begun to suck really bad.
10. Stitches
For gashes above my right eyebrow. To my right of my nose. Under my nose and inside my bottom lip. I had to get stitches above my right eyebrow twice. Freshman year while at New Paltz and in September 2007 just a few months after I graduated in May.
11. Bruised tailbone
I sat on a little kids snowmobile type toy like the Little Tyke red car with the yellow roof. Then I was pushed down the stairs that connect the basement and the first floor of the 18 Front Street TKE house in New Paltz. Four weeks on sitting on my ass gingerly.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Life as we know it...
... is tough as nails.
Denied tenure again. The NYC DOE must be fascinated in dicking me over time and time again. Need five years and a portfolio now. I'm not opposed to it but when I expect tenure, my recognizable title of respect and of paying dues, to be finally held in my hand it gets kicked away from me. Twice so far.
As a result, I'm contemplating a career change. It would suck to lose on so many things but the grass on the other side sure is green.
I've also considered applying to teach on military bases overseas. I could still teach but with a change of scenery and more pay!
So it goes.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
I do live!
Yes, I am alive and well. It's been quite sometime since I last posted but things have distracted me and pulled me away such as graduate school, my teaching job, sandwiches and music.
What's there to be said?
I received an A and an A+, respectively in my two graduate courses. This past fall semester was by far the toughest graduate semester I have endured. Nothing particularly progressive but a lot of time consuming work to be completed. Now, it's onward to the penultimate semester. This time next year I will have completed the work for my Master's and I will obtain my professional teaching license as well as a nice little raise that'll allow me to step up my living conditions. Perhaps my own 1 bedroom. Time will tell.
In all honesty, this post is probably entirely about music. Some people do lists such as a "top 10 movies," "top 10 songs," "top 10 books," "top 10 youtube videos" and so on and on and on. I'm probably someone prone to make or aspire to create such lists but I'll just summarize a few high points (that I remember too).
In no particular order.
1. Seeing Bad Religion at Irving Plaza.
This was the first time seeing Bad Religion play a full headlining set outside of the Vans Warped Tour, the 2010 edition of the tour, which completely sucked. Not even Andrew W.K. and Every Time I Die could salvage it for me. Anyway, seeing Bad Religion shred their way through a 90 minute, give or take a minute, was an incredible experience. I went by myself, ate a sandwich before leaving, had a few beers throughout the night and completely rocked out for them. I got as close to the stage as possible and as soon as the band hit the stages I was bopping and dancing all over Irving Plaza. I must has easily perspired 2 gallons of sweat. My clothes and my sneakers were soaked. I wore two shirts and perspire through both of them. It was a great night because I was able to vent so much built up stress from work, school and coping with my grandmother's cancer. Heck, the concert followed up the news that Ita's cancer was pretty spread out. Initially I was upset I was going to this concert alone but in the end I'm glad I went alone. It feels more special this way.
*This bad Religion set was late 90's jams up till now. They did close out with some older classics. It was bliss during "American Jesus." The whole show was but that one performance was so serene and soothing and enchanting.
2. Melissa
My girlfriend and I celebrated a year together in June and then we celebrated every month. I love her so much. I see her being the one even though subconsciously I've already discovered that she is the one. No point in say more. She treats me well and takes care of me. I love her smile and everything about her.
3. Seeing Gaslight Anthem in concert three times.
The first was at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. They played outside on a really warm New Jersey night. A Jersey band playing in front of a New Jersey crowd. A 100 minute set that was cut short 2 or 1 songs. Damn curfew. Ah well, it was amazing. Such passion, such heart. They truly are a great band. They are what they are. I'm humbled to witness this band. I bet this is what it must of felt like to see The Clash live.
The second time was at Radio City Music Hall on September 30th. My lady and I showed up late because we went hunting for food. We searched for a pizza place and could not find one in the vicinity of Radio City. Weird but that's how it went. It was humid and the back of shirt was drenched but it was another amazing performance. The placed was packed and the whole crowd could be heard singing. It was cute to see the band on stage because their set up was so minimal in comparison to the size of the stage. A few amps and a banner hanging behind them was their entire stage show, if it can even be called that. Just like at Asbury Park, a dude was brought out to jam with the band while Brian Fallon just sang. It makes me happy to know I've seen this band play to very amazing shows. Incredible.
The third time was in early December. They were opening for My Chemical Romance at Roseland Ballroom. They played a compressed set (they were on stage for about an hour). It was good and it was their only show in the area for sometime since they had been touring nonstop. It was nice but it seemed to lack an intimacy I felt in the previous two shows. Still special.
That's really it. I bought more sweaters and I also put on more weight. Sick.
Now, I continue traveling to my teenage years via the music I bopped around with then.
What's there to be said?
I received an A and an A+, respectively in my two graduate courses. This past fall semester was by far the toughest graduate semester I have endured. Nothing particularly progressive but a lot of time consuming work to be completed. Now, it's onward to the penultimate semester. This time next year I will have completed the work for my Master's and I will obtain my professional teaching license as well as a nice little raise that'll allow me to step up my living conditions. Perhaps my own 1 bedroom. Time will tell.
In all honesty, this post is probably entirely about music. Some people do lists such as a "top 10 movies," "top 10 songs," "top 10 books," "top 10 youtube videos" and so on and on and on. I'm probably someone prone to make or aspire to create such lists but I'll just summarize a few high points (that I remember too).
In no particular order.
1. Seeing Bad Religion at Irving Plaza.
This was the first time seeing Bad Religion play a full headlining set outside of the Vans Warped Tour, the 2010 edition of the tour, which completely sucked. Not even Andrew W.K. and Every Time I Die could salvage it for me. Anyway, seeing Bad Religion shred their way through a 90 minute, give or take a minute, was an incredible experience. I went by myself, ate a sandwich before leaving, had a few beers throughout the night and completely rocked out for them. I got as close to the stage as possible and as soon as the band hit the stages I was bopping and dancing all over Irving Plaza. I must has easily perspired 2 gallons of sweat. My clothes and my sneakers were soaked. I wore two shirts and perspire through both of them. It was a great night because I was able to vent so much built up stress from work, school and coping with my grandmother's cancer. Heck, the concert followed up the news that Ita's cancer was pretty spread out. Initially I was upset I was going to this concert alone but in the end I'm glad I went alone. It feels more special this way.
*This bad Religion set was late 90's jams up till now. They did close out with some older classics. It was bliss during "American Jesus." The whole show was but that one performance was so serene and soothing and enchanting.
2. Melissa
My girlfriend and I celebrated a year together in June and then we celebrated every month. I love her so much. I see her being the one even though subconsciously I've already discovered that she is the one. No point in say more. She treats me well and takes care of me. I love her smile and everything about her.
3. Seeing Gaslight Anthem in concert three times.
The first was at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. They played outside on a really warm New Jersey night. A Jersey band playing in front of a New Jersey crowd. A 100 minute set that was cut short 2 or 1 songs. Damn curfew. Ah well, it was amazing. Such passion, such heart. They truly are a great band. They are what they are. I'm humbled to witness this band. I bet this is what it must of felt like to see The Clash live.
The second time was at Radio City Music Hall on September 30th. My lady and I showed up late because we went hunting for food. We searched for a pizza place and could not find one in the vicinity of Radio City. Weird but that's how it went. It was humid and the back of shirt was drenched but it was another amazing performance. The placed was packed and the whole crowd could be heard singing. It was cute to see the band on stage because their set up was so minimal in comparison to the size of the stage. A few amps and a banner hanging behind them was their entire stage show, if it can even be called that. Just like at Asbury Park, a dude was brought out to jam with the band while Brian Fallon just sang. It makes me happy to know I've seen this band play to very amazing shows. Incredible.
The third time was in early December. They were opening for My Chemical Romance at Roseland Ballroom. They played a compressed set (they were on stage for about an hour). It was good and it was their only show in the area for sometime since they had been touring nonstop. It was nice but it seemed to lack an intimacy I felt in the previous two shows. Still special.
That's really it. I bought more sweaters and I also put on more weight. Sick.
Now, I continue traveling to my teenage years via the music I bopped around with then.
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