annnd we're off

The school is undergoing new things. We have a new principal, new superintendent, lost 3 teachers who because of funding will not be replaced. Two spanking new non traditional teachers and moved from the middle school, ought to be put out in pasture teacher.

Last year's seniors were the smallest class ever. This means that I have the largest group I've ever taught. Now I should not complain within hearing of larger school teachers, who have classes of 30 +, but it is not what I'm used to. I have 88 students this year, with two classes over 25 and a total of six classes. This may not seem like much but it does stretch my lab work area. I actually have to double the labs, half the students do the lab today, half tomorrow. I can make it work.

I scared the heck out of the chemistry class,.."you want to keep your honors courses? I heard the problems you gave the biology teacher last year. Do no think that if you give me grief I will not talk to your parents and principal and ask "why is this one in my class?"" they are working hard. And realized that "I don't know" is not an acceptable answer..."you can use your notes....page 10+ 11...." "I can small fear"

They put me on the leadership committee..why? I don't want to be a leader?....

God...*ahem*...God? If in the afterlife you have judged me a righteous person deserving of reward, I would like to be a tourist in New York for healthy part of eternity. Aside from plane issues in which 3 out of 4 of the planes had maintanence issues, it was wonderful. Okay the hotel had trouble giving us hot water, but they worked on it. The hotel was a block off of Times Square. We saw 2 Broadway shows, Wicked and 9 to 5. One off Broadway show, Stomp. Different food styles every night. Ellis island, where I swear I kept feeling somebody behind me at my shoulder. Museums, the people. Granted I stayed on the Manhattan the time.

And the scariest thing you can hear is your cab driver saying "I know short cut, okay."

after 80 days

My concealed carry permit arrived today.
This is not something I do lightly.

New York awaits. Airline tickets, bags pretty much packed, broadway tickets, tours picked, shopping planned...he loves me...he really loves me.

custom My little ponies

These are cute.

I do not know if I want one...okay maybe the Han Solo one. But they are cute and well done.

http://marikasurinen.com/sculptures_main.html

summertiiime and the teaching is eeeasy!

I volunteered to teach an ACT test prep class this summer. A few weeks of half days, teaching science so they score better on the ACT test. I'm very laid back with this. They are there because they want to be. Straight content knowledge is not tested in the ACT, but it helps. I review test taking skills, science vocabulary and the like.

There are practice tests we go throw, I also tell them what types of questions they will see.

On the down side, with the summer, my sleep cycle is all whacked. I come home, and I feel cranky and dragging. Can't really do anything. Try to nap, then the sun comes down so late and because of the nap I can't fall asleep when I need to.

Tony awards

I must say that the opening number was very high energy.

I just wonder about the creative process. Why? Because is there anything new?

We have Billy Elliott a musical based on a movie
Shrek, same as about
9 to 5 pete, threepet

Rock of Ages, Hey lets take the bad songs and fashions of the 80's and make a musical. We can slap together a story. (like All Shook Up and Ring of Fire)

Hair, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls--revivals. yes some different interpretation, talented performers, but still revivals. Especially I wonder if Hair is letting liberals repeat some never was childhood and be hippies.

Was Liza Minelli really worthy of a Tony for Special Theatrical Event or is the Broadway group so enamored of her that they would give her a standing ovation just for burping. It looks like the other contenders were original, not a rehash of Liza with a Z.
Did Angela Lansbury really deserve hers? or did she get a sympathy vote?

Next to Normal, who would write a musical about Manic Depression. There is at least someone trying to think outside the box.

If you think about the awards themselves are lock in time. Lead actress, featured actress, lead actor...this all implies the standard love interest story.

Nor have they taken on the complexity of the modern theater. Sure there are short runs. Some even intended to stay that way. But does the Theater Wing consider the long running shows? Changes that happen over time with casts that can change an audience member's interpretation of a show? One reviewer many years ago said that when Harvey Fierstein left Hairspray, Harvey was incredible, but the interpretation changed and it became an ensemble's show. If a revival can be judged because of interpretations, why not a long running show?

Now they did do a smart thing. They showed performances of long running shows that are on tour. That way those people in "fly over country" like me know what is available to them.

I realize it is hard to be creative. Some of the best musicals are based on fairy tales; Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. West Side Story is based on Romeo and Juliet, Shaw's play Pygmalion was turned into My Fair Lady. But come on guys, there are new creative and hungry people out there waiting for their chance.

Though if I make it to New York, I wanna see Wicked, 9 to 5, Hair, West Side Story, Chicago, South Pacific. Heck I might try rush tickets for Toxic Avenger.