Elevation is elevating

We're back from the west. Colorado was as I remembered it, except, Denver has this really awesome contemporary addition to their art museum. Last time I visited, they had plans drawn up, and I think there was even a little construction going on, and now it's this massive silver building that takes over the entire area. It's pretty great though. They have a lot of temporary exhibits, and a few permanent ones.

I was able to take pictures of some of the permanent exhibits, and I'll post them later.

We also ate some nice meals. Particularly, at this great Italian place down off of 16th street. The meal was very good. I had a pasta stuffed with squash in a butter sage sauce...yum. But I have to say the salad I had ordered for a starter was the best salad I ever had. I'm not sure if I could re-create it or not. A baby salad of pears, walnuts, goat cheese, drizzled with a balsamic and honey glaze. Oh, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The only problem with this high-end restaurant was their wine prices. They called themselves a wine bar too, which I guess gave them license to jack up their wine prices. It just seemed way out of price for all the glasses they were serving. Oh well, the meal made it all worth it.

The next couple of days we spent with my friend from high school... Karin. We drove down to see her and had a nice but way to short visit. There were beautiful vistas, and a visit to the majestic Broadmoor Hotel. I will try to explain to you just how beautiful it is.

The hotel was built in 1917. It's beautifully decorated, the grounds are amazing. The people are so friendly you wonder how someone can constantly smile like that all day long without going insane. Which makes me wonder.... if you work at this complex for too long, might you go insane (a la Jack Nicholson in "The Shining") ?

There's something about the Broadmoor that exudes elegance, charm, and the feeling that you might actually be a part of some aristocratic family.

So we sat in the bar, where we relaxed in beautiful leather chairs, sipping our beverages, letting the altitude have it's way with our consciousness. Soaked in the scenery of the mountains behind us, and had some delicious snacks...and possibly the best nuts you've ever tasted.

We watched the bear-like squirrels search for food, birds fly in and out, and swans (white and black) find their way around the little lake. Probably one of the most serene places I've ever been where there are so many people moving about. J and I walked around the lake took some pictures and went back in as soon as the chill got to us for a delicious hot chocolate.

We also went to the Garden of the Gods. A really interesting area that jets out into the foothills near the city of Colorado Springs. The red and yellow tones of the rock, the sharp shapes that drastically change from each angle. Just beautiful the way the light played of the rocks.... -sigh-

The elevation didn't play too much into our daily routine, I think we both suffered from a slight headache on the first day, but we tried to keep up our liquids (all kinds of liquids). I kind of long for the day that I can actually get into some real elevation. For some reason these high desert cities are places that I connect with. I really miss being out there, but I know that I couldn't live in those areas. I'm definitely an east coast girl and really love where I am at the moment, but I always long for it, I always want to be there, and when I am there -- it's almost like coming home.

I voted!

And Virginia must have it's act together, because it took be about 60 seconds. I didn't have to stand in any line, and I voted on a paper ballot. Easy as PIE! Unlike Floridians, who can't seem to get their act together.

I'm so excited for the change. I am actually tempted to get my hair chopped off this week, but I think I should really wait for the Inauguration Day. That is the official change of power. THANK GOD. And if all goes according to plan, it will be Obama.

Not that it matters if I vote for the president, because I don't hold the key. The stupid electoral college does.

Anyway, must go finish my grading, and lesson planning. In this district we have no school today, only a teacher work day. Which is great for us. But what about the rest of the country? Why don't we vote on the weekends? Or make it a national holiday? It's ridiculous.

Tonight I'm definitely watching the results. I hope we know by 9 pm!

YES WE CARVE! or at least i do.

I hoping they'll post it on the yeswecarve.com site!!!

BARACK the Lantern!!! oh yeah, and vote too....

Almost there

It's the end of my Thursday. Just need to prep for tomorrow and I can go home.

It's been one of those weeks where nothing goes according to plan. My one saving grace is my Unit 2. As about as consistent as a class can get. They come on time, work hard, I get to interact with them individually, we talk about their work. It's great. I couldn't ask for a better end to any teaching day. Unit 2 is like a group of 16 year olds. Most of them have been here for a while, and it's not as transient as most other units. Maybe that's why? They're used to each other, they treat each other more like brothers. It's a comforting feeling I think. They're much more at ease.

Even with their artwork they're taking more risks than any other class. I never hear "I can't". So I have to say, the end of my days are a breeze. I'm glad I get to end with them and it makes me appreciate where I teach. Because, with them, at least I know they're doing more than just finishing an assignment, they're putting their own stamp on it, and creating work that is meaningful to them.....

I really need to post some pictures soon.... As soon as I find my card reader.

Anyway, tonight is pumpkin carving at home. And yes, I have seen yeswecarve.com. I LOVE IT! At least one or 2 of my pumpkins will be dedicated to the election. Most of them are really easy to do. I think the hardest part of pumpkin carving is the digging out of all the "guts".

Next week will be interesting! I'm going to really wish I had Wednesday off, because we'll be following the coverage at a bar... Iota, I think? Jolie Holland is playing (I love her) and of course there will be election coverage....and many beverages...

But, I shouldn't complain. All I have to do is make it through, and then it's of to Colorado for an extra long weekend!! I'm so excited. I can't wait to be out there, I hope we have a little bit of time to go on a hike, and make it to the Boradmor. We'll also be in Denver, I'll make a repeat visit to the Denver Art Musem (it's AMESOME) And this time I'm getting the DAM t-shirt (yes, pun intended).

Ok, so maybe this week wasn't so bad. Certainly there is always light at the end of tunnel.

Barack the vote everybody!!!

ain't nothin' but a GS baby...

Yes, they've coined a new word for me at work... I am a "GS" - gangtsa-socialist. I have no problem with that either. It's true, I'm respected by many on and off the streets while I seek social justice for ALL.

Damn right, you heard?

It's ridiculous that sometimes at work it feels like it's going ever-so-smoothly, and then BAM- it just disintegrates

Bottom line is that my students' work is getting censored. I'm not even being asked about it, or anything. People are just coming and taking down random pieces of work. WHAT? I don't get it? At least come to me and say," hey I noticed that this piece is gang-related, here's why...".

Not only that, but they're taking books from kids that are non-fiction pieces, written by former gang members or criminals that are sharing their stories so kids like mine can make better choices, or get the courage to get out. IT'S UTTERLY RIDICULOUS.

So, what's a d-home teacher to do? Well, the one thing I will NOT do is stop making my students think. I'm truly impressed by the work that my students churn out (if given the chance to finish). Most pieces are thoughtful, emotional, and just amazing. As I said before, some kids try to put gang symbolism in their work, but if I catch it, I usually give them a chance to change it, and you know what? They usually do without any problem.

Today that same thing happened. I saw a kid using blue- and only blue. I was handling the situation just fine when the detention specialist just flew off the handle about gang-this and gang-that. Normally, the kid would have just added something...that's the kind of kid he is. Is he connected? FOR SURE! But he's also a reasonable 17 year-old, which is extremely rare.

I know I keep going back to the same thing, but how are kids supposed to get past where they are? How are kids supposed to problem solve? I would rather have a calm, individual discussion with the kid first, than just tear right into the kid....ARGH~!

Gangs, totally serious issue, needs to be handled constructively. Not through even more aggression and hostility. They're used to that.

Ok, it really does exist..and interpretations

My students are doing a project with text. We've looked at a lot of art from all over-- especially at graphic design, and of course people like Jasper Johns, Jenny Holzer, and Islamic art. So they get the idea that they're turning their poetry, word, quote into a piece of art that carries across the theme of their words.

So this kid comes to me and says I want to do something about where I'm from. I'm like ok. He's from Florida-- so I figure his theme will be kind of sunny and fun...because he's like that, and he really misses home.

Yesterday he was working really hard on the lettering. He's doing all kinds of crazy graffiti, and it looks GOOD. But I look at it, and I say to him... "Plant City? You're from Plant City...ummm, I don't think so." He's like, " No Ms. I really am, it's an actual place, I'm not trying to be like that." I say,"Really, there's a Plant City? In Florida?" He goes, "Yea, Miss. And they have a strawberry festival and everything, I can't believe you haven't heard of it, it's true." So I say," Ok, I believe you, I just want to make sure you're not going to get into any trouble. Can you show me."

So here you go.... it may sound drug related...but it does exist:

http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com/

http://www.plantcitygov.com/

I'm pretty sure he has a lot of friends in here because they all know he's from Plant City.... but anyway.

I can't wait to hang it up and get all the grief. People jump to all sorts of ideas. I'm thinking about just hanging up a map that shows that this is an actual place.

About a month ago they took down about 4 pieces of art that they said was "gang related" (isn't everything?) without telling me. And when I went upstairs and asked them to show me just what actually was gang related, they didn't show me... They were just trying to censor the kids, mainly because they were putting out some kind of truth that they actually know about.

Makes my face turn a tomato color because I realize that it really is all about censorship.

Today a different student and I were saying that everything seems to get that gang-related-label. He actually was one of the kids who got censored --and FYI he's not even in a gang-- so it really wasn't gang-related, but more of a coincidence that someone else thought his artwork was. WHATEVER. He and I agreed that it's blown way out of proportion, and it's truly a shame when people go out of their way to find a reason to make objects, pictures, and symbols (most that are cultural) "gang related".

ARGH.

I realize that where I work I do need to know and be aware of what kids are doing. But one of the benefits of where I work, is that I actually get to see them everyday. I know who they are, they know what they can do and shouldn't do. Yes, there are kids that do put typical gang stuff in their drawings, and I do warn them that I have to turn that in. And I'm on top of that. I realize that kids are savvy and some things get put straight past me, but most often than not a kid is really trying to make a genuine piece. Free of "gang" paraphernalia. (whatever that is)

Not to mention the ugliest mural that I keep meaning to take a picture of... This summer students of ACPS were asked to complete a mural with an artist (who definitely got paid a lot). It is the ugliest mural ever, and it's already starting to fade.... But the real kicker is that there are blatant gang symbols in there. How did that pass? Even I recognized it.... I'll have to see if I can manage to take a picture and post it. You will probably see what I mean. I won't even tell you what it is... I'll let you figure it out.

Day by day I become more and more savvy. I need to start remembering the things I learn from my students. Maybe I should write them down and turn them into a book. "J" says I should be doing that already.... I just find every excuse not to. LAZY... I know. That's all it is.

Ok, rambling stops.

Sooo Cool!

They just found an old manual typewriter in the ducts in the basement. It must have been there for years, and it must have been from the original owners! It's a Smith Corona Skywriter Typewriter. I can't wait to use it. It obviously needs new ribbon, but I found many places that have it. What a cool thing to find hiding in your house.

Sure, it's not a million dollars, or old wedding rings, or a Rolex, but it's a piece of history.

I'm planning on using it in future art works... I think I just found my newest obsession!

YES!

The tides really have turned this weekend, haven't they? And by that I mean.... Colin Powell. YES! I have more and more respect for him the more and more I learn about him, hear him speak, and see his actions. Finally, it took Colin Powell to say it.. in a very eloquent way, he basically said... No, Obama is not Muslim you idiots....and it shouldn't even matter.

Props, he may have even changed my dad's mind... (I really do...)

So I'm really happy about that. REALLY happy. If everyone goes and votes like they say they are, maybe Obama will win by a landslide.

Ahh, elections....this one certainly is exciting.

And BTW-- I picture Palin having some sort of conservative/crazy talk show on tv after the republicans lose... Maybe she could be on the outdoor channel, or have a food network show that revolves around how to make meals out of caribou or moose. I don't know, but I saw her momentary tv time on SNL this weekend, and I just keep thing about how she has no substance. None whatsoever. But it seems like she can read teleprompters very well. And that is key to talk shows.... Move over Sally Jesse Raphael.... time for some new glasses.

The Road

It's going to be a movie, so you better make yourself read it....if you haven't already.

I just learned of the filming locations, and it seems so very fitting for the bleakness of it all, check it out:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898367/locations

Bleak, I'm surprised they didn't venture slightly north to Clarion. Although Breezewood is bad, alright.

Don't like yard work today.

So, I hate roots. They are horrible things. There are so many going everywhere in the little garden patch. I can barely pull them out.

This garden thing is going to take a lot more work than I expected, and I'm half wondering if I can get a good amount completed by the time it rains (end of the week, they say). I think it will be fine, but loosening up this really hard ground is so difficult.

Don't even get me started on the grass. That's pretty much going to be impossible too. I bought all the stuff, but we need much more top soil, and then I think we might be able to get started on throwing the seeds around. I just hope they germinate before the first frost....

In the meantime, the contractor and his crew have torn out the walls of our basement, and have really opened it up. We're making the little bathroom downstairs full size, and redoing the staircase in wood, as well as putting in some more lights. It's going to be so much nicer, and user friendly....and ready for visitors in about 2 weeks!! I'm really excited. it's going to be so nice. We're even having shelving and storage be put under the staircase. YEAH for storage!!!

Tomorrow I head down to Richmond for an art/music therapist meeting. Should be interesting, last time I went I was glad to meet some peers. So hopefully I'll get to know them a bit more, and it will be a nice and easy day. Although, I'd rather be teaching right now.

My week has ended

Yes, I decided to take a personal day. I have a total of 8. So I figured I would give myself a little fall break. We do have Monday off, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to take an additional day that tags along with a holiday... but my principal said it was fine.

So today my prep time was filled with preparing for the sub. I think i left everything I was supposed to. Sometimes I don't even get a sub.... oh well. I'll be back on Tuesday, hopefully a little bit more refreshed and relaxed. I'm just way too tense lately.

I wish I could use my birthday gift sooner than later... I got a fabulous gift certificate to a fancy-schmancy spa in old town. Can hardly wait!!! I've never been to one before, never had a massage or a facial, or anything like that. I'm looking forward to a day of pampering... It's still a month away though... -sigh-

Ok- my weekend begins now... (which will eventually be filled with house work, but at least I can sleep in the WHOLE weekend)

WHY??

Why does my classroom have to be colder than the outside temperature? ARGH! So frustrated. We ask nicely, we ask nicely again, we beg, we complain, we cope, we compensate. Why is it so unreasonable that I can't have my room the same temperature as the rest of the building?

The thing is, I know the answer.... It's not the fault of the technology. It's the fault of the Principal's office....I love my principal. And I love our secretary...but it's all her fault. Here's why....

I have started bring my alarm clock with a thermometer to class. I take it to every room I go in. The education wing is cold. ALWAYS... too cold in almost every season. But especially this year. My room reads 4 degrees cooler than the upstairs part of the building, and the residential units. Fine. No biggie. Here's the kicker. Our secretary is using a space heater in the office, which must share a thermostat with the rest of the education wing..... ergo- cold! So, my answer has always been that maybe she should cut her heater off, and then the air conditioner wouldn't be running throughout the building. AND- we'd all be comfortable.

But this is the third year, and I think I'm going to buy a space heater. It's ridiculous. It's like 74 degrees outside, and about 67 in my classroom. That makes no sense at all.

ARGH! I think 72 (which is the temperature in the rest of the building) is quite nice. We would all be extremely comfortable if that were to be the temperature in our classrooms.

Sorry for the complaint.

No time

I think I'm kind of realizing that I have absolutely no time to write. The house is for sure keeping me busy. I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. I basically go to work, come home and work. Someday we'll begin to feel settle, I'm sure.

School is going great. Students are working hard on their projects. They completed a symbolic timeline, narratives. And now they'll be doing a huge text project. They'll be using they're own poetry, found poetry, lyrics, whatever is meaningful to them.. and create an "abstract" (hate that term) painting using only text. The point is for them to create a mood that goes a long with the writing, but also to create texture and visual interest with the paint color schemes. MAN-- they sure love to mix paint. They can't believe how many colors can be made with just the primaries (plus black and white). And I can't believe they've never been giving the opportunity to do it. These kids are 15!! (at least)

I don't know what it is, but I'm really enjoying the school year this far (makes me want to knock on some wood). But we have super-small class sizes, and kids that who have been there for a while (which is unfortunate and fortunate at the same time). I really have been able to teach, coach, encourage, support, and explore what they're doing, and why. I need to start keeping track, and write a book.

In the mean time, I'm not really working on my own artwork.... And I need to. I think about it everyday, but the only artwork I'm making are examples for class. And even those are half-finished. I keep saying I need to get in gear as an artist.... and I haven't fully done it. Hopefully, now that I'll be in one place, it will be something that I can accomplish in the near future. I just have to make a plan.

Ok--- that is enough time, I suppose. Sure, i didn't talk about politics, or the economy... But we hear about it all the time.

Just one place

The merge is almost complete. I am only responsible for one house now. I was able to turn in my keys for the apartment yesterday. So now I only have 2 keys... not one for the laundry room, the mail room, entry key, and front door......... NO.. now I only have my house key and car key. It's a beautiful thing.

To make things EVEN BETTER--- they found someone to rent my apartment for October! I am NO LONGER responsible for it. Thank god, because there was no way I would have been able to pay for a mortgage and rent. But for some strange reason, they said I needed to give 60 days notice. Which is ridiculous, no one can give that much time when they're buying a house. You never know when it's going to happen....

But it's all good now.

I only have to focus on one place. We still have so many boxes lying around. For many reasons really. J just finished moving his stuff in last night, and we really don't have that much storage space. We do have a basement, however, it's going to get re-done in the next 2 months... Still, there is the attic, but alas, no ladder yet. And we need to get the mold sucked out of there too. So we are living in "cardboard box land".

I am getting used to sleeping there though. It's nice to hear the crickets and keep the windows open, especially with the cool/dry nights. (last week not so much). Hopefully in the next month it will look and feel like home, and not just be a house.

I'm really liking...

- the paint colors in my house
- our new bedroom furniture
- the fancy wine rack
- that everyday we get closer to the direction we're going with the house
- that I can turn in my apartment keys today
- that she can cook now
- the new "TV on the Radio" tracks...although this new stuff is so listener friendly that they'll be HUGE!
- my new dust buster and rug cleaner
- the dishwasher and washer and dryer
- that I'll be able to have trick or treaters!!

There is a lot to like, probably more, but it's so darn early that I can't think of anything else. I'm really tired. Basically I cleaned all weekend. Believe me, it's a good thing. I can't even tell you how much grime I've cleaned off the kitchen, and how much more there still is to do in other rooms. I don't think we realized how bad it was when we walked through. I think we had naive eyes. I tell you one thing---- next time (whenever that is), I want a move in ready home. It doesn't have to be new! But it can't be like how this is.

Ahhhh, the joys of home ownership. We haven't even started on the outside yet.

Long time no post...I wonder why.

Wow, I have no time for anything but work and house. It's fine, it's a good thing. But when you're spending less time taking care of you and more on things... it's kind of a head check. Why do we feel the need to own homes again? And what is really wrong with renting?

No, I'm very happy to have my own home. It looks like a hurricane went through the living room and dining room, and kitchen. But we're getting there. We're finding that it's taking a lot more elbow grease than anticipated. Which, is the good kind of grease, not the bad kind, which seems to be all over the kitchen. Did the previous owners do anything else but fry things? I don't think so. So there's the smell too. And it just will NOT go away. I think we have to replace the main duct, and fan that takes it out of the house. We are getting a new hood, and a new stove. SO I think that will help some.

Another thing is the disaster outside, called our yard (front and back). It's an overgrown mess, and there's some poison ivy I spotted (it's the only thing I can spot that's bad). So we need to deal with that (Gardening tips welcome).

Upstairs is live able, but the bathroom needs some TLC too.

We haven't cooked yet. So we're spending way too much eating out, and I really could go for something I actually cooked myself. I long for it actually.....

One funny thing is--- we got cable. And I was fine without it, but it's really relieving stress for both of us. Last night we just sat and watched an hour of Law and Order--- and I was completely fine with that.

I'll post some pictures soon, we just have a lot to do still-- but we're doing it. And very soon it will feel like our home.

Tender loving...cleaning

So we went to the walk-through last night at our very-soon-to-be new place. And it needs some major cleaning. I was debating whether or not to hire someone to clean it, but we wouldn't be able to get anyone in there until Tuesday... So I think we're going to just use our own elbow grease to clean it all up. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to clean up other people's residue, but the sooner I can get that house to feel like my own, I'm all for it.

We're going to have to get a new range. But the fridge is decent, and although the dishwasher has a blue side, it works well, I think. All these things can change over time. Phew. It's a lot though.

We will take pictures tonight, though. Just remember they're going to be the "before" pictures. So no comments that will make me cry.

3 more hours until we're homeowners!

Walk this way...

We get to go see our house for the walk through today. YEA!!! So I will take some before pictures and post them ASAP.

I drove by our little house last night and there were people still in there. Probably moving. So I can't wait until this afternoon. We go at 6 pm. Then tomorrow is the actual exchange of keys. SO EXCITED.

As you might of guessed I am surviving on very little sleep...indeed. I really need to figure out what to do about that. Nothing seems to be working in my favor. How much is it to ask for some decent sleep. Can I go to the bank or something and take out a loan???

I have no idea.

Maybe after this huge undertaking I will be able to calm down a bit and just take it all in. I keep telling myself to do that, but it's not working.

For your info

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/
News papers, polls, non-partisan for the most part


http://www.dailykos.com/
Definitely a blog worth looking at, very liberal, not necessarily factual, but opinion

http://www.factcheck.org/
All the facts you needed to know....those chain e-mails debunked, and news clears up things about all the p0oliticians

VOTE PEOPLE! VOTE

PA and VA both swing states!!!

Last minute.

Why do things wait until the last minute? Mainly I mean the mortgage company. I realize there are a lot of things they're trying to take care of, just like us. But they sent us a list of extra things on Friday night, after the banks close. How am I supposed to get what you need from my Bank when I didn't even get the e-mail until Saturday, after the banks were close. So cut to Monday and they're calling me at work. Fortunately for me I keep my phone off. Several e-mails were sent too, and I saw those. But I'm a teacher. I don't have any free time to get these things done until after school. In fact my prep is the first period. So at lunch, I had lunch, or I would have never eaten.

Frustrating. So now I'm waiting on 2 documents. A copy of check I have to pick up from the bank, and the DEC page (don't even know what that is) from the Insurance company. They're supposed to fax that, but haven't yet. And I kind of need that now, so I can fax it to the mortgage people, so I can leave to pick up the check, to fax to the mortgage people. Something tells me there will be a few more bumps before J and I actually get into the house. I hope not. But I'm trying to be prepared.

Buying a house turns out to be kind of stressful for me. I think moving will be a breeze, and I'm so ready to just zone out and paint. I really don't mind it at all.

Ok, enough complaining. WE'RE GETTING A HOUSE! And that's a great thing.