Reading, Writing, and well more Writing

The semester is off and running smoothly. Some of the classes I have are covering material that seems like an old hat, but hoping I will find some nuggets along the way that will renew or at least add a new dimension to way I view the subject. I am reminded of a post from a former teacher that explains this quite well, Click hear to view the explanation  (yes hear and see it's a video link) in this link Chimamanda Adichie explains her view of a single story. All this becomes relevant when we set in our minds, that we have the lock on all the ideas and knowledge, "the keepers of the knowledge, the all knowing." Even when we become so called experts in the field, there is still much to learn. What good is knowledge if we only ever view ideas from our own experiences limiting or dismissing the views of others? Coming from a lineage, a long lineage of "know it all's" and having even been surrounded on all sides by "know it all's" and well on my way to being a future "know it all" or as a true "know it all" I have learned you can  NOT know it all if you have but a single story. Well I do NOT know it all and in fact the more I learn the the more I realize just how little I know, but I am learning even about things I already know. Last semester we learned about "scaffolding" (not a raised working platform) and if I do not really learn any new material from these classes, I may learn how to scaffold or model scaffolding to my classmates. This would be a great outcome for those classes. I also have a couple very good and engaging classes, they are being taught by very knowledgeable and engaging professors, each very passionate about their field of study. Both of these classes are giving me more than a single story, challenging what I know and pushing for more abstract "cause and effect" answers. My longer life exposure (age) to some of these concepts gives me an advantage over some of my classmates but the comments from youth offer a different and sometimes enlighting viewpoint. Here are some questions for you to ponder as you drive down the road or find time to debate lofty thoughts over a friendly glass of your favorite "spirit." 
Why do you do the things you do? 
What would you have done or decided if you were the leader contemplating war?
How would you have fixed the economy in 1932? 
How would you have implemented a peace treaty?
How do you know something is true?
What justifications does a new idea have to go through to become real to you?
What does it really mean to be thinking about thinking?
How did you come to believe the things you believe to be true?

This should keep you busy for awhile, I hope you comment with either insights or questions of your own. Please check out the link it is worth the few minutes of time needed to watch.

Semester #4 Starting

Well the first day of classes for the spring semester has come and gone. Five classes all on Tuesday / Thursday starting at 0800 and finishing at 1930, and one online class, for a 6 class 19 hrs. total for the semester. I was able to CLEP a class over the break and I am now a Jr. with a total of 68 hrs completed. The first day is usually filled with syllabus details and expectations and this was the case with all five classes. I am excited to get started, as all my classes look to be very interesting and full of educational nuggets. I didn't really know I would enjoy college this much, I have always liked learning new things, but this has been an even greater experience. With every class I take I find further validation in my decision to embark on this journey. I really do have a passion to learn and teach others, and while I know some of those qualities have always been within me I am also keenly aware that many of my past teachers are the ones that have inspired me (THANK YOU!) and my current teachers are challenging me to learn even more. I know the days will be long and the work will be tough, but each day is a day closer to realizing my goal. I will give further details of courses as the weeks progress, as for now I need to finish some prep reading for class tomorrow.

Semester #3 is in the Books!

I finished my third semester on 16Dec2011. I now have a total of 65 hours completed and well on my way to finishing at least one semester early. I had seven classes this past semester and earned seven A's, and one of the classes was my 30 hour clinical I (teaching experience). I had a great experience observing and teaching middle school students, social studies. This clinical was tied to my growth and development class which by far was one of my toughest and best classes to date. We covered large amounts of good and useful information that will provide insight and understanding into the things I will do as teacher. I'm looking forward to next semester and concentrating on CLEPing two classes during the break. I have enjoyed a wonderful family filled Christmas and New Year Holiday, I am truly blessed. I plan to keep writing and sharing some of the stories and information I am covering in my classes, this is a great exercise and I find it to be beneficial outlet to express my thoughts and aid in my understanding. I encourage and welcome any and all comments.

Greek Tragedy? or Old Fashion Stubbornness

Tragedy vs. Stubbornness? Antigone vs. Creon? Eteocles vs. Polynices? Tiresias vs Creon? Creon vs Haemon? Antigone vs. Ismene? Creon vs. World? Where does it end? Antigone (a link to a version of Antigone)
Tragedy in the Greek sense stems from a character flaw or what may be your destiny. Oedipus was "destine" to kill his father and marry his mother, so to undo the prophecy he was taken as a baby, by his real parents, to the hills to die; only to be rescued by a shepherd, oops. The shepherd took the baby to the king and queen in the next kingdom... later Oedipus finds out about the prophecy (he loves his parents and doesn't want to kill them) and he takes matters in his own hands and leaves the kingdom, oops. He finds himself in the neighboring kingdom and, you guessed it he killed the King, "dad" and then married the Queen, "mom" in hopes to bring harmony back to the kingdom, oops. He fathers 4 children, two boys and two girls, oops, "Eteocles, Polynices, Ismene, and Antigone." Oedipus is feeling pretty good about life and thinks he has beaten the prophecy, but it wouldn't be a tragedy if there is a happy ending and oh yeah, NOBODY beats the "gods." Oedipus finds out the the king and queen he thinks are his parents are not his real parents (this proves you should always tell an adopted child they are adopted), oops, and the king he killed was actually his real dad, oops, and he did in fact marry his mother, double oops. Oedipus then kills himself the queen mother kills herself and the boys are left to rule the kingdom. The boys decide they will take turns being the king and Eteocles decides he'll go first, he soon finds out "it is good to be the king," and when it is his brother's turn to rule he says no "I'm the king and you are not I like being king so I have changed my mind you do not get a turn at being king, SORRY." So, Polynices did the only thing any "self respecting heir to the throne" could do, he amassed an army and fought his brother for the throne. Irony has a way of coming full circle, and there are many examples in history of this, but that's another story, the brothers killed each other in battle and now NEITHER is king. Enter Creon, who now becomes king by default. His first declaration as king is to give Eteocles a full state burial fit for the king he was and to leave Polynices on the battlefield to rot and be eaten by wild animals, an act that will punish the traitor for eternity. Here is where our story begins, Antigone loved her brothers and wanted them both honored or at the very least given a proper burial. She asks her sister to help her bury Polynices; Ismene says the king's law forbids it (line 53) Creon has said, NO! line (line 58). Antigone says, Creon does not have the right to keep me from doing it (line 59).
The rest of the play is spent with Antigone trying to do what she feels is the right thing and ends up being punished for it, but I think the real story lies with Creon's actions. Creon is advised many times by different people to do the right thing and let Antigone bury her brother. He is even told no good can from his punishing Antigone. The prophet advises him, his son begs him, and I think even his wife offered council about how he should treat his niece, Oh did I forget to mention that Creon was family, sorry. All of these things are what the Greeks emphasised in their plays, "tragedies," a lesson to be learned. A tool of education, a story about how when people don't do what is right and how they lose everything is suppose to teach us that if we don't do what is right we risk the same. All of this caused me to keep coming back to one thought, what is good advice? and why do we choose not to listen? As a child everyone has been burnt by the hot stove or pan, and YES everyone of us was warned by a parent or sibling, NOT to touch it. Yet touch we do, we later learn that the very people that warned us did not head the advice when it was given to them and they too touched and were burned. WHY? Why do we need to feel the depth of pain before we realize we should have just listened. I don't want to debate all that Creon lost or if what Antigone did was right, but would rather leave you with a parting quote. " Life is too short to make all the mistakes yourself, learn from others."

Role Playing as Boy.

Gary Soto: Behind Grandma's House A link to the poem. Like any young boy outside with no one around, left to his own imagination, this young boy is set on the path to manhood. It starts very simply, "At ten I wanted fame." He knew at ten what Andy Rooney says we'll all have, "15 minutes of fame." This young boy even has an idea of what you need to get you there, "I had a comb And two Coke bottles, a tube of Bryl-creem." Let us examine these things he has, 1- a comb- a device used to straighten or detangle hair, 2- two Coke bottles (empty bottles), and 3- Bryl-creem - a palmate used to make hair more manageable. I think he may have had all he needed to get started toward fame. Everyone knows you need to look your best if you are going to be famous, and since this poem was written in the 1950's the most recognized hair styles for men were the flat top and duck tail. Both of these required hair gel or cream to hold the look in place. The duck tail required constant attention and a fair amount of cream. Bryl-creem was one of the first hair creams to be offered in a tube instead of a can. So we can see this boy has his looks taken care of and ready for fame. He has two Coke bottles, IE money, if you had soda bottles you could redeem them anywhere for the deposit, usually 2 cents to 5 cents, which means while not rich, he did have money, candy money. He also has a young boy entourage, " I had a borrowed dog." What else do you need I ask? This boy had necessities, money, and a dog; fame would surely find him if he didn't find it first. I really see a lot ties to "The Little Rascals" a popular show about a gang of little boys in a poor neighborhood. They had a dog with mismatched eyes and a ring around one, he answered to "Petey" a great dog by any young boy's standards, a clubhouse, a go-cart and adventures.
Then the poem turns to the little boy doing "manly" things like, acting tough or "Tuff."  Ruff and Tuff kicking cans and killing ants, rocking cats and shooing pigeons and finally cussing the priest. All these things are things this little boy knew from his culture as things that make a man seem tough. kids mimic what they see adults do and what they see in their culture, (TV, neighborhood, schools, church, ...) But reality sets in as soon as grandma steps into the alley. She says "Let me help you." when someone says let me help you, you expect them to do many different things but not what is about happen. She punched him, really, grandma punched him. You see if this boy was going to be as "tuff" as he was acting he would need some help "tuffening" up. Everyone knows when you are talking about that kind of "tuff" you need to able to take a punch. My guess is Grandma was trying to iron out some kinks, bad behavioral kinks, and the best way to do that was to get the undivided attention of her grandson. She got it!

Sonnets? By Billy S. and Others

Sonnet- type of poetry that consists of 14 lines and falls into one of two categories, Shakespearean or Italian. Interesting to note these categories are seemingly experts in the language of love. Iambic Pentameter is the other requirement for a poem to be a sonnet, simply put 14 lines with 5 beats / emphasis per line, not just syllables like in Haiku. Most sonnets seem to be 3 groups of 4 lines sharing a common thought and 2 lines to finish or summarize the thought.
Sonnet #116 Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds a link to the sonnet. I am not convinced I have a the right slant on this sonnet but would like to share what it says to me and my thoughts about love. In the first group of 4 lines we have "Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds." This is a deep and profound thought that begins to provoke other deep and profound thoughts. "Love is not Love," the statement says to me one must first be familiar with the definition of what love is; many scholars and philosophers have been trying to define this since time began. Love and the definition of love are seen through the lens of our own experiences and culture (as are most definitions in our vocabulary), but love is a more important definition because of the affect it has on our lives. Bill says love is not love when it alters after an alteration is discovered. The apostle Paul had to write a letter to the church folk in Corinth to define love for them, in this letter he starts with all the things love is not and ends with what love does. Other examples exist pointing to the true nature of love and the common theme shared by all these views of Love is, True Love is NOT conditional. It is true there are different types of love, like the love a parent has for a child, love between friends, love between intimate friends, or love for humanity as a whole, and even more examples.... All of these are different but have the same common thread, Love is NOT conditional. If there are conditions that have to be met then it is not love but something else, maybe not something bad, just different, meaning true love should not be confused with other feelings, though it often is. The other thing this group of lines points to is that in finding the alteration you feel the need to remove it. Does this mean when we discover something about the person we are in love with we either want to change what we discovered or change the way we feel? ... No! I contend we substitute or mislabel some feelings as love when they are not, when we are young we often confuse love with infatuation and lust, because we do not know yet what true love is.
The second group of 4 lines, start with what I think is the purest ideal of love, "Oh, no! it is an ever-fixed mark." this says to me more of what I have already said, Love, True love is pure and not based upon the idea that someone needs to earn it in order to be loved by someone. Nor that they need to act a certain way, have a certain amount of money, be a certain size, think only certain thoughts, no true love is mark beyond all marks and sets no precondition on who gets to give love or who gets to receive. True love is not tempted by every pretty / handsome person that walks by. Bill says it like this, if when you are asea and you are headed to see your true love then that is your path. you will not stray from your path to chase after every ship you see that looks worthy of chasing. I got all that from the second group, ever fixed mark, not tempted, ship that has been measured to determine if its carrying precious cargo. (Shakespearean experts look at these lines as they refer to a lighthouse and the north star, I'm not saying they are wrong, these are just my ideas of these lines.) No, love only looks to love and grows deeper, love is the greatest treasure known to exist. The search for true love takes us many places in the course of our life and when we really find it, we are engulfed feelings and emotions that hardly have words to fully explain.
The third group of 4 lines, speak to the enduring qualities of true love, "But bears it out even to the edge of doom." Love bears all, Love endures all, Love conquers all, even time.
Shakespeare ends this sonnet with if he is proved wrong about love then no man has truly loved and all that he has ever written about love were just wasted words and wasted time.

Terminal Resemblance? Death, Train or Bus Stations?

Louise Gluck, Terminal Resemblance This is a link to Amazon: The Norton Anthology of Literature by Women: The Traditions in English. You can find her poem in this book or search the Amazon site for other Louise Gluck titles. The title of this work either leads you straight to death or places. When you read the first lines you find the speaker on the phone and the father pointing at his watch... meaning it is time to go or we will be late. But then the poem shifts to... I want to talk to you before you go. Wow what a shift. You may remember those days when someone important to us says "we need to talk."
          I want to give you a few thoughts to think about as you continue to read. When was the last time you really had a conversation with your Dad? Mom? Brother? Sister? Grandma? Grandpa? ______? really had a conversation, not talking about current events, the weather, or how things are going. I mean, when, if ever, have you had a conversation about how that person has shaped and influenced your life? Or when was the last time you sat down and talked about the philosophies of life and how much you really like learning about the family history? Have you ever been at a family dinner where at the finishing of the last bite that everyone just continued to sit at the table and talk to each other about everything and nothing? Have you ever spent hours and hours looking through old family photographs? Have you really told the important people in your life just how much you love them?
          I want to start with a few lines at the end of the poem, "This time, he waved. That's what I did, at the door to the taxi. Like him, waved to disguise my hand's trembling." (36-38)  I wanted to start at the end so you get the sense of finality, that sets in when you realize all the things you wanted to say and do, if this would be the last time you had the chance to say or do it. Many will tell you that you can not go back in time and therefore do not dwell on the things you can not change, this statement is true. That's why it is ever so important to do things when you can, you may not have another chance. That doesn't mean rob the bank because the vault door is open and nobody is watching.  Question? What is time in the present if there are no more tomorrows?  I am just trying to say that I get the sense that this daughter wanted so badly to break down and hug her daddy and tell how much she loved him and he, her. She did not because that's not the way they did things, they did show openly what was really happening on the inside. Her mother was standing at the door with one arm in her husbands and blowing kisses with the other. Does this look just like the rest of  the neighborhood women standing on the porches? Bidding adieu to their own husband's as they were "going to work." (26) When I read this poem I was reminded of my own father's passing and all the things left unsaid between us, not regrets, just stories to be shared, assured understandings of pride, and thankfulness for helping to shape me into the man I am becoming. Yes, "becoming," because as long as I am alive I will continue to grow and change. Even though my dad is gone his influences are still present in my life.
           I like how Gluck uses the weather to help describe the heaviness of the "talk" that was about to take place, " It was the end of August, very hot, very humid." (9) I get the sense that the tension in the air around the house was just as heavy as the hazy, hot, and humid summer weather. Even amid all this tension on the inside, the appearance on the outside was normal. It was normal for the individuals, family, and community.
          One parting thought: How do we fool ourselves and those around us that things are normal when they are not? My answer is we usually don't. Our close family members and dear love ones (spouse) know when things are not normal on the inside.