Since we are nearing the holiday season, I tend to think of this part of Dickens’s classic holiday novella. “At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer … Continue reading “Pro-Life” Also Means Taking Care Of Those Who Are Already Born
Excuse Me, Elected Officials? It’s Okay to Listen to Others
It’s OK to listen to others. On November 8th North Carolina elected/reelected to serve in the NCGA, and while I may bemoan the fact that there still exists a supermajority in the General Assembly for the GOP, I hope that the actions seen in other states’ races and ballot items might allow for some perspective … Continue reading Excuse Me, Elected Officials? It’s Okay to Listen to Others
Kurtis Blow and “Basketball” – Musings With Malcolm
Malcolm’s favorite sport is basketball. Hands down. When Kurtis Blow came up with the great song “Basketball” he needed Malcolm for the video. Actually, you should watch the video. Yes, we used to dance to that. We used to dress like that. But I didn’t play basketball like that, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_shxzlTRK44 Kid can dribble and … Continue reading Kurtis Blow and “Basketball” – Musings With Malcolm
Dear North Carolina General Assembly – Don’t Take Away The Arts and PE Because “Specialties Are Necessities”
Dear Members of the NCGA, I am sure that many of you are familiar with Don McLean’s famous song “American Pie.” It has been the subject of tremendous amounts of explication. Websites devoted to explaining all of the lyrics and all of the rumored allusions can take a day or two to just peruse, but McLean … Continue reading Dear North Carolina General Assembly – Don’t Take Away The Arts and PE Because “Specialties Are Necessities”
Poetry List For My Daughter – List #1
McK, Here’s another one of those posts that I hope you may read when you are older. Hopefully, I will still be around, but if not, then here’s another way for us to acquaint ourselves with each other. Poems. My favorite ones. And why they speak to me, not as a nerdy English teacher, but … Continue reading Poetry List For My Daughter – List #1
Bye, Bye Miss American Pie -Keeping “Specialties” in Schools
“A long long time ago I can still remember how That music used to make me smile And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe they'd be happy for a while But February made me shiver With every paper I'd deliver Bad news on the doorstep … Continue reading Bye, Bye Miss American Pie -Keeping “Specialties” in Schools
Elsa’s Disney Song For Pat McCrory – “Let It Go”
"Let It Go" The super moon hangs on the sky tonight Waiting for the election recount But the final results seem like Cooper’s lead you won’t surmount. That bathroom bill is nothing but a thorn in our side. But you just defend it, pushing Carolina aside. Avoiding questions, you just didn’t see How HB2 hurt … Continue reading Elsa’s Disney Song For Pat McCrory – “Let It Go”
Hallelujah! Why We Need Poets. Thanks Leonard Cohen.
We need our poets. Whether composed with rhyme or meter, or to music, or if it is just on paper in free verse for someone to interpret through cadence, we need their words. We need words put together to frame an emotion, an event, a doubt, a success, a life event, or something that never … Continue reading Hallelujah! Why We Need Poets. Thanks Leonard Cohen.
Dave Chappelle Is A Great Teacher
The following is the third prompt (open argumentation) from the 2010 AP English Language and Composition Exam. The suggested time period for completing the prompt is 40 minutes. Quick, eh? It reads, "In his 2004 book, Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton argues that the chief aim of humorists is not merely to entertain but “to … Continue reading Dave Chappelle Is A Great Teacher
Winter Is Coming – POTUS and The Game Of Thrones
Winter is coming. No, seriously. Winter is coming. December 21st. Winter solstice. Happens every year. However, for you Game of Thrones fans, winter has been coming for quite a while. The Wildlings have crossed through the wall, strange alliances made, and preparations for the coming apocalyptic standoff between the living and dead. It’s weird stuff. … Continue reading Winter Is Coming – POTUS and The Game Of Thrones
caffeinated rage 