I had my first interview last Thursday morning at a small county high school. I met with three out of five of the other English dept. members and the principal, who was starting her job that same day. The interview was great, and I was really impressed by the dynamic among the ladies of the English department. Monday morning, I had my second interview, and although I liked the folks there as well, it really added some contrast and brought into clearer focus what a rare find the first school was. At about 6:30 Monday evening, as I was on my way out to play Viking riff-sludge with my heathen pals, I got the call and offer. Tuesday I called back and accepted.
And that concludes the thrilling story of how Austin got a job. Now Austin has to go mow the lawn.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Small Comforts
I wrote this poem when I was observing the classes I would later student-teach, as an example of the assignment they were doing (based on a poem by Nikki Giovanni). It pretty much came right out on the spot, but I like it.
"Small Comforts"
I like the possibility presented by a fresh blank page in a brand new notebook
I like my warm bed on a cold morning just after the alarm goes off
I like bent-note blues guitar solos and Muddy Waters moans
Deep slow John Lee Hooker rumbles and
Crackin’ cacklin’ Howlin’ Wolf shouts—
‘Cause I’m built for comfort I ain’t built for speed
I like wearing hoodies on the beach at the deserted Jersey Shore misty cool mornings
Just before spring
(Where Springsteen used to walk his talk between boardwalk hot spots that are cold now, Sandy)
I like hot coffee in my cupholder on long drives across the open eastern American spaces
that stretch between my place and my home
I like my baby’s big soft purple couch and tired Friday nights at home
watching movies
Worn out from the week’s work and knowing there’s nowhere
—and no way—
I’d rather be.
(10/28/08)
"Small Comforts"
I like the possibility presented by a fresh blank page in a brand new notebook
I like my warm bed on a cold morning just after the alarm goes off
I like bent-note blues guitar solos and Muddy Waters moans
Deep slow John Lee Hooker rumbles and
Crackin’ cacklin’ Howlin’ Wolf shouts—
‘Cause I’m built for comfort I ain’t built for speed
I like wearing hoodies on the beach at the deserted Jersey Shore misty cool mornings
Just before spring
(Where Springsteen used to walk his talk between boardwalk hot spots that are cold now, Sandy)
I like hot coffee in my cupholder on long drives across the open eastern American spaces
that stretch between my place and my home
I like my baby’s big soft purple couch and tired Friday nights at home
watching movies
Worn out from the week’s work and knowing there’s nowhere
—and no way—
I’d rather be.
(10/28/08)
Monday, June 22, 2009
The only Boss I listen to...
At the request of an old friend, I'm trying to put together my very own "best of" Bruce Springsteen compilation. So far, it's a two-discer with each disc clocking in over 70 minutes, and I still feel like I'm leaving out some really important stuff. More problematic, it seems that far too many of my favorite Springsteen songs are the down-tempo sad ones. Mixing in the rockers strategically has been quite the challenge.
Here is my tracklisting:
Disc 1:
1. Kitty's Back [from The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle]
2. Further On (Up The Road) [from The Rising]
3. Back In Your Arms [from the "Tracks" box set]
4. Worlds Apart [from The Rising]
5. The Promise [from 18 Tracks]
6. Spirit In The Night [from Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ]
7. My City of Ruins [from The Rising]
8. Point Blank [from The River]
9. For You [from Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ]
10. Drive All Night [from The River]
11. Meeting Across The River [from Born To Run]
12. I'm On Fire [from Born in the USA]
13. Prove It All Night [from Darkness on the Edge of Town]
Disc 2:
1. Thunder Road [from Born To Run]
2. Adam Raised A Cain [from Darkness on the Edge of Town]
3. New York City Serenade [from The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle]
4. Independence Day [from The River]
5. Cover Me [from Born in the USA]
6. Paradise [from The Rising]
7. Lost in the Flood [from Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ]
8. The River [from The River]
9. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out [from Born To Run]
10. The Fever [from 18 Tracks]
11. When You're Alone [from Tunnel of Love]
12. Stolen Car [from The River]
13. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) [from The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle]
14. Backstreets [from Born To Run]
No, there is nothing from Nebraska, because I don't like Nebraska, except maybe for "Atlantic City"and "Reason to Believe" (but if I were going to put "Reason to Believe" on there, I'd use the version from Live 1975-1985). This is my best attempt at succinctly compiling my favorite Springsteen tunes into a listenable compilation, and you'll probably learn more about me from listening to it than you will about Springsteen--although I did try to pull some things that might make people go, "I didn't know Springsteen wrote songs like this!"
Anyway, I don't think anyone actually reads this blog, and the entire track listing is subject to change, but I needed something to do while I was listening back through the mix and blogging about it seemed like a good idea. If there are any readers out there, please don't comment to me about what I forgot or left off or what you would have done differently. Just make your own mix and send it to me. I'll listen.
Here is my tracklisting:
Disc 1:
1. Kitty's Back [from The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle]
2. Further On (Up The Road) [from The Rising]
3. Back In Your Arms [from the "Tracks" box set]
4. Worlds Apart [from The Rising]
5. The Promise [from 18 Tracks]
6. Spirit In The Night [from Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ]
7. My City of Ruins [from The Rising]
8. Point Blank [from The River]
9. For You [from Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ]
10. Drive All Night [from The River]
11. Meeting Across The River [from Born To Run]
12. I'm On Fire [from Born in the USA]
13. Prove It All Night [from Darkness on the Edge of Town]
Disc 2:
1. Thunder Road [from Born To Run]
2. Adam Raised A Cain [from Darkness on the Edge of Town]
3. New York City Serenade [from The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle]
4. Independence Day [from The River]
5. Cover Me [from Born in the USA]
6. Paradise [from The Rising]
7. Lost in the Flood [from Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ]
8. The River [from The River]
9. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out [from Born To Run]
10. The Fever [from 18 Tracks]
11. When You're Alone [from Tunnel of Love]
12. Stolen Car [from The River]
13. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) [from The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle]
14. Backstreets [from Born To Run]
No, there is nothing from Nebraska, because I don't like Nebraska, except maybe for "Atlantic City"and "Reason to Believe" (but if I were going to put "Reason to Believe" on there, I'd use the version from Live 1975-1985). This is my best attempt at succinctly compiling my favorite Springsteen tunes into a listenable compilation, and you'll probably learn more about me from listening to it than you will about Springsteen--although I did try to pull some things that might make people go, "I didn't know Springsteen wrote songs like this!"
Anyway, I don't think anyone actually reads this blog, and the entire track listing is subject to change, but I needed something to do while I was listening back through the mix and blogging about it seemed like a good idea. If there are any readers out there, please don't comment to me about what I forgot or left off or what you would have done differently. Just make your own mix and send it to me. I'll listen.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
On Rock 'n' Roll and Danger
I just found this neat little blurb I wrote a long time ago, in my former life as a rock star. The circumstances surrounding its conception are no longer relevant, either to my life or to its meaning. Still, I enjoyed it and wanted to put it somewhere where I wouldn't lose it again.
On Rock 'n' Roll and Danger:
Living out tired cliches is not revolutionary, no matter how hard you throw yourself at them. But here's another one for the list you live: The empty can rattles the most.
You are not dangerous if you pose no threat to anyone but yourself. Self-destruction is neither beautiful nor glorious, neither glamorous nor stunning. Like self-aggrandizement, it is only sad and ugly, and people only pay attention until it's over. Then they shake their heads and walk away.
I'm walking away.
On Rock 'n' Roll and Danger:
Living out tired cliches is not revolutionary, no matter how hard you throw yourself at them. But here's another one for the list you live: The empty can rattles the most.
You are not dangerous if you pose no threat to anyone but yourself. Self-destruction is neither beautiful nor glorious, neither glamorous nor stunning. Like self-aggrandizement, it is only sad and ugly, and people only pay attention until it's over. Then they shake their heads and walk away.
I'm walking away.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Life Instructions
The other day, in all the randomness and jumble of the internet, I came across this picture. I like it. I want to get it blown up and laminated or framed and hang it in my classroom. It says so much more than it says... don't you think?
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