After depression, comes acceptance

I have finally done it, I have finally joined an online social network.  From now on, I will be known to the Facebook community.  I suppose it will take a while to see how known.

Jazz

I went to a pretty cool jazz bar in Greenwich Village the other night.  A guy I know plays bass in a band and I went to see him as part of a quartet.  The place is called Smalls, and it would have been a smoky dive 30 years ago, but now it is a pleasantly air conditioned downstairs bar with $10 Jack and Cokes.  

I hear a lot of older people who have been here a while talk about "Old New York" and how much they miss it.    While I think they are looking back through rose colored glasses, and glossing over a lot of the important improvements the city has made, I can see their point.  

Kerouac never would have paid $20 just to get in the door and hear some jazz.  Of course he also wouldn't have been able to walk through downtown at 1 AM with no fear of being robbed or attacked.  He could no longer afford to live in Manhattan though.  Apparently the artist communities still exist, in Brooklyn and other places.  Safety, cleanliness, and a recycling bin on every corner are the symbols of "Today's New York."  It is certainly a trade-off many were willing to make.  I haven't decided yet if it is a trade-off I would have been willing to make.

Reflections

For the first time in five years I won't be enjoying a Labor Day picnic in the tropical embrace of Hawaii.  I am, of course, sad about this, and I miss our life in Hawaii, as well as Hawaii itself, a great deal.  I am trying to look forward though, to our new life in New York City.  There is certainly a lot more to do here as far as cultural and social events.  My sister has just moved here, and it is nice to be close to her after so many years spent thousands of miles apart.  

 

Growing accustomed to any new place is a time consuming and difficult endeavor, but I hope we are able to do so relatively quickly.  It is a great city, there is no doubt about that.  Today is a traditional picnic day though, and I can't help but wish I was eating katsu chicken with chopsticks at Magic Island.

DNC Speeches

I though Obama was very good.  Both Clintons were impressive.  Joe Biden was good, but if we are honest, Beau Biden was better.  Schweitzer was outstanding.  

I can't imagine the Republicans coming close to matching the emotion and excitement of this past week in Denver.

Validation

Over the last week, four or five of my students have told me that they are enjoying my class, feel like they are learning, and are having a lot of fun.  They have done this in different ways, but it seems the feeling was strong enough that they wanted to express it to me.  It feels good to be validated in this way.  It is basically why one becomes an educator.

A Long Friday

I had an interview at a third school in the morning.  This school pays more than the other two, and also pays its teachers for lesson planning time.  It went pretty well, although I drew a blank when asked a question about present perfect tense.  If they offer it to me, I think I may pick up one elective class there during the summer, and then transition there full time in the fall.  As for the job I took from my second interview, which I am starting Monday, I feel bad staying at a school short term like that, but hey, all other things being equal, sometimes you just have to take more money.

Third Interview?

This afternoon a third, very large school called me for an interview.  I already took the job with my second interview, but I decided to go in and talk to them, see what they have to offer.  They did tell me on the phone that they pay their teachers for prep time, which is the holy grail for educators.  Perhaps I can teach at both schools for a bit, then see which one I like better and pick up more hours there.  The interview is tomorrow, followed by an afternoon meeting with the director of the school where I will work starting on Monday.