Learning to eat...

I fed Lucy today and most of the food went down! I still cannot get myself to change a diaper...

I made a couple more show entries... and worked more on a project...

Also received the new ICP course catalogue in the mail... I am thinking of actually taking one of their one or two session classes...

Spent some time looking up music based on record reviews. Well, I still think record reviews stink. I remember a time when I could rely on a review to know if I should check something out or not. Not anymore. While the internet takes the fun out of the record hunt, it saves me a great deal of money because reviewers have horrible taste! And the comparisons to existing or defunct bands is so far off... I am also having a hankering for record shopping. Hubby gave me a book on record shops... oh so nice... We have been thinking our town needs a good independent record store. Forget all the oldsters who shop at the Wal-mart and don't set foot on main street. Open a shop that caters to to the newcomers who spend more time improving the town... heck yeah! Now I am all fired up....

Ho hum...

So laundry is almost done, the radiator in the upstairs bath is scrubbed - last one to do - I spent a couple hours on art, read like crazy yesterday, and I now think I deserve a nap... I found a couple more art shows to submit to and started working on scanning stuff to enter in them. My negatives from the Diana Mini are better than the photos printed from them. I wish I could have Walgreens just process the film without printing the images. I could just bring the film to another place that would do just that, but it would be expensive...

I have my sister's old iMac and worked on the images on that. It is weird... I have to use the mouse on the right b/c of the table it is on and the monitor is smaller than my Dell, but then on top of all that, the Mac-isms are hard to get used to again. The last time I worked on one was at the job in NYC and that was before teaching! Heck, that was on Photoshop version 3, for crying out loud! Not really frustration, just ssslllooooowwwly learning how to work on a Mac again... I am thinking it would be easier to have the two computers on a network so I do not have to transfer images on the flash drive all the time, but heck, why spend the money?

Speaking of spending money... Kino Video has a sale going on and I shopped and bought - they are two different things, you know... I ordered the restored full Metropolis, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and a DVD of 100-year-old Christmas footage! I can't wait until they come in. I missed the Caligari showing at the NGA one year in DC and have never seen it... I am thinking of getting the special Nosferatu set too and this German Expressionist box set and an American Horror box set... all silent films, of course! And then I can bring them all in for the Photo students to watch when they claim they have nothing to do!

I tend to get itchy when I have nothing to do or read, so it suits me to have lots of little projects this break. I am also testing the right arm/hand situation. The doc upped one of my prescriptions because it is something that can also relieve physical pain. This work will enable me to test that... all I know is it makes me soooo tired at night. So doing more art will use that hand more... with the benefit of not being bored and getting things out of my brain and into the physical world....

Plans? What plans?

So there is a blizzard coming. Apparently if you do not have cable TV, you have your "head in the sand" - as sister lovingly put it. Three phone calls around 9 am wanting to let us know about the blizzard coming. You see, this was the day we were going to New Hope to see the Vasa's for Christmas. But, silly people, I have... internet and knew about the impending weather! Ha ha! And brother-in-law even called to see if we need anything! Good grief... We do buy food and necessities...

So I wore a Christmas top that was a gift last year and everyone at Christmas Eve loved it! The food was good and none of the non-fun relatives were there. That made it pleasant... then watching Lucy ham it up on Christmas morning was a trip! Not that I like other babies, so do not get the wrong idea. The students are still going to be my only children... but Lucy is a barrel of fun, when she's not screaming...

I was wondering about some of the gifts students received since some mothers contacted me about gifts... so I am hoping to see some posts... now to shop for silent films on the Kino Video site. Heck, I may even buy something!

Can't wait to shovel....

All set...

Spent last night watching The Nutcracker on PBS, drank egg nog before bed, wearing a fab holiday outfit for the Christmas Eve bash tonight at the parents' house. I won't be able to hold the fart machine aka Lucy because of the cold that will not quit.

Super delighted that all classes - except most of period 7 of course - worked with no arguments yesterday! I don't mind being in the minority of teachers not showing Christmas cartoons on the 23rd. I think the classes do want to be in the darkroom!

But I have to buckle under and get period 7 back on track. I let the little things like Scholastic and portfolios get the majority of the attention. First, I will be making sure those who don't work, get bothered by me wanting to have art discussions, so they will be bored into working! Then I am bringing in my DVD's of silent films to have students watch to get inspired. I should probably order a couple more over the break. If I find them inspiring, I am sure the students will too!

I will miss the students an awful lot but I need a break and Millie has been super twitchy lately and she needs some time with me and some love....

Time to go look up some stuff then read with the Mill-Mill....

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Snow!!!?!

There might be snow Christmas weekend! Woo hoo!!!!

I am nearly done with all the grading. One thing that was disappointing was that the Photo I classes didn't really get the idea of formal portraiture. Did they get lazy about it or did I not convey the idea strongly enough? So I cannot grade that too harshly...

This is the week of gluttony because of the goodies for the teachers all week and my tummy felt it last night! I couldn't even eat dinner! but I do not do the Christmas party thing in my classroom. We always get a not telling us not to. I know most teachers do, but I do not want to get caught breaking rules...

Excited to do some art this break and cuddle with Millie...

but the sore throat is back with a vengeance and that is not good... and I need to be able to yell at the students not working... ugh.....

Baking...

After stress last night, I decided to bake right away this morning. Managed to get three recipes done in 2.5 hours!

I was hoping to wake up to snow and no such luck.

Santa comes through town on a fire truck. I heard the truck and saw it one block up. Got Millie to show her Santa and... there he goes, turning left down the hill, skipping our block! Just like when the ice cream man started to come up our street, the kids are out across the street ready to buy, and there he goes, throwing it into reverse back down the hill to turn around! Jeez... living on one of the steepest hills in town just stinks sometimes!

Usually I am really stressed out this time of year. I am way behind on baking and/or shopping. But without yearbook, I am not behind! It feels so strange... but good. I am almost done with grading too... I really like this...

Extremely aggravated with Scholastic right now...

I need a Lucy break....

And Millie found her present... now Daddy has to put in in the attic...

Yes, the tree in all it's glory... The only thing missing is the occasional tree base dweller, aka Millie...

So, tired of the sore throat - and I guess lecturing about a new assignment wasn't a good idea - I stayed home today. Slept, sucked on throat drops and drank egg nog all day. Millie was super happy.

Read the last journal entries. I guess I was expecting more responses relating to other countries where this has happened. Do the PV students know this is currently the situation for the residents of some areas of the world? Do they know of the times it has happened over history? I wonder. All the answers were the same... But if they really thought about it, if the government controlled art to that extent, they would also be controlling the art you see - museums - and other arts such as music and dance. So that means they regulate the music you can hear... they control the radio... and some of you think it stinks that I control my radio!... The answers just didn't dig deep enough... I remember reading about things like this is certain Eastern Bloc countries in the 80's and just being amazed that bands even formed and played without getting caught and that it meant jail for them if caught. But the secret underground network and support was amazing... So now I wonder how to get people today to understand that all they have access to doesn't mean everyone has the same access... and those people are not necessarily living in some jungle or on some savannah....

On a happy note, without yearbook I am able to fully enjoy this holiday season. Usually I am tearing my hair out right about now. I have talked to some staff who are very frustrated. They may think it is the new advisor, but what they truly do not understand is that that is how it was for me every single year. I took on the aggravation so they were not affected... but I received little to no help from the administrator then in charge.... the stress they are experiencing was my life for 8 years... and it took its toll... at least they will find support if they speak up...

Ick...

Supposed to have friends over with their two kids, go for lunch, walk Main Street. This is not the weather for that...

I also have a sore throat for the second day in a row...

Have to check on Gimpy and Ernie at my parents' house because they are away... they stalk professional ice skaters, I mean go to ice skating competitions...

And, the last three of my right hand fingers are moving real slow... like they are on a time delay... it makes typing a you-know-what...

Now for breakfast...

Hmmm....

I do wish students did not procrastinate. The pressure from this is giving me chest pains... And then I get cranky and snippy because I can't stay after Thursday and possibly Friday to help and then I feel bad about that and I have a sore throat and I want the students to take all this seriously and not be pulled in directions they should not be pulled in and .....

Oh dear, I think I need and egg nog (non-alc), Millie on my lap and a good Christmas special... Millie is on my lap right now but I am still stressing over work and the apple cider in the glass is gone...

At last night's town meeting, I sort of was acknowledged for bringing up the litter issue to the town and getting them to up the fines. Of course they could not say my name and thank me but there was that brief comment and I was happy. I would be happier if they actually adopted the rewritten codes I submitted, but that is not acceptable as an outsider.

Been thinking quite a bit about this outsider status I wear like a noose. I will always be one at PV because I wasn't here "back then" - so 9 years isn't long enough? - and will always be one in town because I wasn't born here - though it is a freak town and by definition I should belong - and I feel like I belong in DC.... Just do not make the money needed to live there.... sigh....

Oh well... dinner time...

Phew!

The tree is done!!! I finished today using a mix of old Shiny Brite glass ornaments dumpstered and Grandma and Grandpa Berry ornaments. Had to borrow lights from sister... I give it a week before a string goes out...

Hubby started on the outside but too cold to finish. We will have three light-up deer in the backyard, visible from the street!

I also just completed a submission to a gallery. This was so involved - artist statement, bio, resume, slide list - and I just wish there was a standard file size for all galleries. This way I could keep the digital files all set and just change the name. Some want 300 dpi, some want no bigger than 1000 pixels in any dimension, some want no more than 1 MB. Annoying and time consuming. I tossed two applications from the pile - my work wasn't quite right for them... I have another two I want to do this week. And about another 10 with varied due dates... And I still have a shoot idea jingling around my brain that I have to do...

But tomorrow night I go to the aldermen meeting at town hall. They are adopting higher litter fines courtesy of yours truly. I - with the help of the Design Team - rewrote the litter codes. But they don't seem to need they revamping. The only thing they agreed with me on was that the fines need to be higher. So I will show my face there as appreciation, but also to speak about enforcement... Let's see how well that goes over - two strikes against me are that I am female and not a "long-timer" in the town...

And now to go rest and read with hubby and Millie....

The tree is assembled and up, the lights are on, and I will begin decorating tonight. I am going with all glass balls and all colours. Now, as usual, once I have the tree fully decorated, about a week later, half a string of lights will go out... hoping to invest in LED lights for next year...

Also looked at the latest issue of Shots. The only time I have seen a publication with images of children that was not cutesy, cliche and nauseating. Just a really fantastic selection. I may require all Photo II's and III's look at it online...

Fatio...

Yes, another security word...

Funny, because I am going out to eat tonight. There is a town nearby with two gallery openings tonight so we will be going to those then to a nearby Thai restaurant. Wearing pants that will give me the room I need to fill the tummy...

So because I have been swamped this week - worried about getting the students to complete their Scholastic submissions, prepping work for another student show, HPC meeting, a sold item on Esty and dealing with the banking stuff and more! - I forgot to look at my pile of show submission forms. I missed 5 good ones! I am sooo ticked at myself. There were a couple I truly wanted to try to get in... But that is what happens when you fall asleep by 9.00 pm almost every night....


Also hoping to print a bit in the darkroom this weekend. Developed the 120 film from DC and they look good.

Wanted to go to a Christie Town Hall meeting in Parsippany today after work, but got out at 3.00 and it had started at 2.45. I couldn't expect to waltz in that late. He was there mainly because the town's school super recently signed a multi-year contract for well over $250k. And then this week, the Newark police force union stopped negotiations with the city and one reason was reportedly over not wanting to make concessions regarding overtime. Sigh... and teachers do not make anywhere near $250k and do not make overtime but we have the rotten reputation. Then I look at the pictures from my parents' trip to visit relatives in Italy this past July and see the gorgeous centuries old house mom's cousin has and he and his wife are retired teachers! I do not want a huge house - I like mine fine - but I just wish the respect and appreciation was a little more THERE..... The students learn to disrespect us because their parents see us as the problem and their governor sees us as the problem and we are robbing them blind...

I think I should have told the Cablevision guy at my door yesterday that I can't afford cable TV because I am a public school teacher, not one of the 2% some politicians think deserve more tax cuts....

Where is the fairness? And yeah, can you guess third period was rough and I was irked seventh period?

Soul-less

So I registered with Freecycle in the hopes of getting some things for the classes and getting rid of some stuff at home. I have managed to get rid of a pile of magazines - given to a DJ form my favourite station! - and acquire a pile of classical 78's. Nothing for the kids yet. I almost had a vinyl portfolio for them to transport their stuff and a Minolta camera. But I am always second or third in line.

But...

There are some freaky funny things offered. Underwear, pads, tampons.... but this morning I saw one that beat them all...

"Chicken souls any of them...."

Now I know what this person means - the chicken soup is good for the soul books - but..... this is just hilarious...

Do you think I could ask for some rocker souls? I'll take a Jim Morrison, Sid Vicious, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, and Michael Hutchence. Let me know when I can pick them up.....

In other news, my sister and I had our first Etsy sale! She sold a hand made book! Woo-hoo! Maybe sales will take off now.... not really.

Went to the Met yesterday. I had so much fun. The photo exhibits were amazing. I really do love the Photo-Secessionists. After much thought, my vote goes to Steichen. Then we ventured around and found the period rooms. Then... the open storage. I could barely contain my excitement! You have to understand, the museum does not always have all galleries open due to budget constraints. So every time I have been there, those galleries are closed. But, after over 15 years of trying to get in, I DID!!! Demsey is definitely good luck. All the beautiful furniture, the decor, the history! I was in heaven. And I think the students had fun too. They each received a free pass for the family, and they had better use it!

Almost done with the house decorating. I decided not to bother with the parents' house this year because mother always complains about having to put it all away - even though I do that too. So since they are both retired, they can do it themselves. I just have to put up my tree. But I am not so jazzed on using the free tree we have had all these years. I am really regretting not keeping my grandma and grandpa's tree. That had more meaning than the one hubby and I picked up at the curb. It is a nice 50's era fake tree, but it is short and rotund and I just wish I had the Berry tree. But, I may take my parents' tree - if they still have it and if it fits in our house. It was pre-lighted and taaaallllll. We shall see. I am thinking of going with a silver and blue theme if I have to use our tree; red, green and gold if mom and dad's tree.

We were supposed to paint the tattoo parlor in town on Friday but the rain predictions, cold and wetness from the night before squashed that. So hubby and I are doing it today. All the volunteers all have plans for today! I joked that I should get a discount for the labour. But, Vasa-rooney has no tats. Even if I did, I would do a Reggie Miller and keep it a secret! I always wanted to know what Reggie had on his back - the parts that peeked out of his jersey looked like a nice work of art! The nice thing is that we are treating ourselves to dinner out for the hard work.

Baby sat the parents' cats too. Two trips a day to clean litter boxes, fill tummies and scratch chins. Gimpy is the salty old-timer. But she seems to be handling the presence of the new one well. Ernie is a black cat with a large head, crossed eyes, and peeping meow that showed up one day. I think my parent should set up a group home for cats and try to get services from the state... Father cut a hole in the garage door and installed a keyed cat-door. Ernie will soon have a collar and locked entry that only he can get through! Life practically revolves around these two fuzzy disabled cats! I do not ever recall my parents being this accommodating for my sister or me.... ever! Hmph!

Oh, and had to purchase a new printer. The hp is not working out well. It jammed and then the new cartridge leaked ink all over the interior and hp was no help. So, I cleaned the whole thing and it prints but my color cartridge is a waste and it feeds the paper in a funny way. Not doing too well at all. I may donate it... But there was a great sale on an Epson with good reviews. After the "We can't help that our ink ruined your printer, but you can buy a new one" attitude at hp, it is back to Epson for me...

I did the horrible thing... I helped someone put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. But it was at sister's house and was to help her but I think all I did was make Lulu cry... oof... perhaps it was the smell of fixer wafting from me...

Four former students came by to say hi today! And I got two cards and cookies and a choco-pop! Hooray! I just feel bad that I couldn't chat more with the visitors. But Lulu was calling and I had to go...

Repainting the tattoo parlor in town on Friday, then relaxing aka submitting to shows...

So excited for the tofurkey!!! Millie has her own version of Thanksgiving Day dinner - it is actually called Thanksgiving Day Dinner and she loves this food! Four days full of cats! Oooh, I can't stand the excitement!

Happy Tofurkey Day everyone!!!

So Millie does not want to leave my side lately and when I am not on the same floor as her, she calls out looking for me. If the windows were open, all the neighbours would hear is "Millie!!! I'm up/down here!!!" Poor baby. AN I have to babysit the parents' cats this weekend... oof... more work...

So my response to the last journal question: I don't get inspired by any artists. I get inspired by things in my life. But the artists I most admire would include - but not be limited to - Annette Messager, Hieronymous Bosch, Kiki Smith, Brassaii, Andres Kertesz, Albrecht Durer, Louise Bourgeois, and an awful lot of Medieval, Early Renaissance, and many other artists... much of which also happens to depend on my mood... I have stood in the freezing cold to try to get into some in demand shows, traveled far and wide, and even called out sick from work to see some exhibits.

I find that lots of people assume that a person who likes art, likes all art. Hardly the case. Richard Serra, David Smith, Picasso, Mark Rothko... can't stand them. But they are all people who have had BIG shows or press in recent years and I just have to fake it when I have to hear someone blather on about how great these artists are. And I don't mean students... I mean adults, professionals... I know to not say "oh, I don't like that person's work" because they take offense. Kind of like when I say I do not like a musician/band someone likes - you would think I just insulted their mother! Better keep that opinion to myself - unless of course a student tricks you into playing that Rihanna junk - hello Swan! Well, that's just horrible and I am scarred fro life!!!!

A letter...

Dear Photo classes,

I was wondering if you could let my mommy come home next week. I think you call her Mrs. Vasa when you talk to her. I haven't seen her a lot lately. She comes home really late, grumbling about hating driving, cleans my toilet, feeds me, then falls asleep. Could you let her come home early for just three days? Please?

Love,

Millie

Aggressive Competition...

So Mr. Meineke and I have similar commutes but his is muuuuch longer. We both agree that lately, the commute stinks. I have always agreed with all friends and family that my commute is the one from hell and that the drivers this far east are aggressive. But there was more to it. Then it dawned on me this morning as I experienced yet another typical driver... they are all acting as if this is a contest.

"I will get in the lane faster than you"

"I will beat you to your exit"

"I will make you feel small and vulnerable with my huge gas-guzzler"

So here is my new name for what I experience on a daily basis:

Aggressive Competitive Driving

And I hate it. Particulary after driving to Green Brook yesterday to pick up the hubby at traffic time. Let me tell you, 287 was pleasant, considerate, smooth sailing! What?!? I know he has to drive 45 minute to an hour each way, but I would love hubby's commute! No one forced me out of my lane to race around other cars, no one gave me the Jersey-stare for ... horror of horrors... driving 65 in a 65, no one rode by butt in the right lane to show his power to get me out of his way when he could have just passed me up to the left........

Ugh... no driving for me ANYWHERE this weekend.

Then at the doctor, nothing! Oh, a mention of something called neuritis... so I have to read what I printed out. Looks like it must be peripheral, obviously not the optic version.... But the neurological tests showed no compression or damage so at least no surgery...

The only good thing yesterday? The Corcoran visit. Oh, how I dreamed of going there in high school only to have those dreams squashed by mother.... but if just one student goes there and makes if her/his dream experience, it will make me happy. Not a fan of the snob schools. I do believe there are many other great art schools and art department out there than the well-known ones in this area. Gosh, Chicago, Oregon, Savannah, and so many other far-flung places that no one looks at! And Britt was to the point and did not mince words. Just what I like. She confirmed some of my beliefs and made me aware of things I did not know. Of course, I also love the fact that all people there are working artists... hearing that yet again! Hint hint....

Sure, this is an opinionated rant but it has been that kind of a week...

News to come...

Doctor's appointment tomorrow. Find out the results of the neurological tests. Ironically, the arm and wrist have been hurting like the Dickens.... real bad. I try heat, cold, a muscle rub... all to no avail... sigh...

And can I say that I wish I could get home in less than 45 minutes at least once this week? Car fire, downed power lines... as my family says, the commute form hell...

For the first time, I am offering the Photo I a choice of assignments - motion or portrait. I may regret this, but for the most part, I think they are mature enough to handle it. They seem to have developed very definite ideas of what they like to shoot and I want to test that with this next assignment.

And have I ever mentioned how I love thinking a student is absent only to find out they are not - they just came in and got to work in the darkroom so quickly I never saw them!

Career...

So not one person thought of a career that does not involve actually taking the pictures - such as gallery director, museum curator, photo editor for a magazine... Yikes!?! Does it reflect badly that no one even thought of teaching? Oh, that's right... no way of making a living on one's own doing that in NJ...

Went to New York State with friends yesterday... took the Diana 35 and finished the roll from DC... did not completely rewind the film prior to opening (do not walk, talk, and rewind film at the same time!) but I think it was actually the last pics that exposed...

There was a really nice place we went for lunch in Warwick called Tuscan Cafe. They have open mic nights, bands playing, and local artists' stuff on the walls. And the food was super! They have vegan options! Just really nice. Some of you students would love the place. Cafe Eclectic without the attitude... We ended up being out much later than expected so I will spend the whole day at home today to make it up to Millie...

Very aggravated that my printer is still not working and I have a great deal of submissions to do... I have a craft show in a week and wanted to print new business cards... obviously not going to happen...

There are some students who could not get into Photo III because of scheduling conflicts. A couple want us to have a Photo Club. Dems and I think we will do it as long as the students buy their own paper and film... Oh dear, no free time at all! But I may be quitting my town's Main Street organization. Not very happy with the way the Executive Director is running the thing... but I saw an article in the paper on this group that restores graveyards and I have had a burning desire to do that for a couple of the ones in my town. I thought I would have to do it guerilla style, but I may be able to do it legally now... Righting fallen headstones, trimming grass, pulling weeds... oh boy!

DC, how I love thee...

Third annual Foto Week began this past weekend... went to the National Gallery of Art to see an exhibit of Pre-Raphaelite photographs and was delighted to see watercolours and paintings included! Including - oh boy - a piece by Dante Gabriel Rossetti! Oh gosh, and photos of Lizzie Siddell and Jane Morris, and oh, it was just too much! Then on over to the East building and happen upon an unadvertised, not listed Edvard Munch exhibit! Prints and prints and more prints! I felt lightheaded and giddy.... So many versions of Vampire and the Madonna and it was just too much!!!!

Then on over to the American History museum and finally bought the book on photo booth photography... cannot wait to open that baby!

We tried to go to galleries open late for First Friday, but late in their eyes is 8 pm and we barely made it... did see a good one at Hillyer Art Space featuring photographs dealing with Central and South America and immigration within those countries... and by the way, the ginger tea at Teaism is fabulous...

Saturday was my first foray to the Phillips Collection... two photography exhibits there: Pictorialism and Coburn portfolios. Just amazing... so many ideas for the students and just more proof that digital cannot compare to film and older analog methods. And there were so many other amazing works we saw there too and we only made it to half of the building because some is still being refurbished. Just sooo good!

Then off to Georgetown for a visit to Foto Week's Satellite Central. I found my two thumbnails on the wall there... looked at some amazing self-published photo books from the Independent Photo Book Library and the display of other published photo books from the past year. Also saw a nice exhibit in a gallery in Adams-Morgan. The woman makes her own medium format cameras from parts and lenses and such. The images were so dreamy...

Oh and we went to the Punk Rock Flea Market and I bought a couple of books and had an amazing vegan cranberry and pistachio cookie and stood next to the singer of a good band from the 80's! Woo hoo!!! And discovered the beauty of Meridien Hill Park... Hidden DC is just so great!

After realizing I probably wouldn't get into the Bruce Davidson talk at the Corcoran because I did not register, I decided to go to a student photo exhibit at Georgetown University. Underwhelmed is a nice way to put it. Let's just say they do not compare to the PV students! Ha ha...

Then spent the rest of the night night shooting with the T1i in Georgetown... this time I did not try to shoot through peoples' windows....

Sunday in Baltimore.... blissful...

Shot two rolls with the Holga, one and a half with the Diana 35. I sense a trip back in the spring... I can't stay away...

Poke...

The tests did not even take an hour. The needles were like acupuncture. The other test involved sending an electric shock through my hand. That one hurt like heck. The claim from the doctor was that it did not look so bad. Ok, so then why is the pain constant and getting worse. I have a hunch it will be another round of occupational therapy. Woo hoo... it will work for a while then the pain will come back...

Decided to bring the Holga, Diana 35 and the T1i to DC. Oh, and maybe a mint green medium format camera... All packed and Millie knows. She saw the suitcase... There are photo exhibits at the Philips Collection and the NGA. There is also a good one on gender identity at the American Art museum and then all the galleries open for First Friday and the Foto Week festival.

Hooray for the HPC!!!

We had such a great meeting tonight. Sure, we were there for two whole hours! But, I brought Dunkin' Donuts and we stood by our town codes and we stuck together. We all agreed that we need to protect the integrity of our historic district and I just walked out of there with a great feeling tonight. And no one cried! Sure, someone was a little miffed at times because we weren't just accepting what he presented to us, but we all agreed to work together in the end. If we can do this, why can't politicians?

I know I sound like a real cornball, but I just love volunteering so much. I get aggravated when the two or three difficult people get in the way, but other than that, I really love doing something for my town. Until I became involved in these two groups, I had not volunteered since high school when I worked at the elderly care center in my town. I did not feel very appreciated by the volunteer coordinator there, but I did it for three years because of the patients. Here in freak town, I feel appreciated most of the time and it is just so much fun!!! Anyway, if I did not volunteer officially, I would be driven to go back to guerrilla gardening!

Trying not to think about the needles.... obviously not being successful....

Needles and pins...

Tomorrow at 9.45 I will have a bunch of needles in my arm and fingers for about an hour and a half. I think that will wall for a Dunkin' Donuts treat afterward! I need to sew some buttons back on some pants and cannot do it because I can't thread the needle... Hand hurts too much.... I did buy a gel wrist rest thing for when I ma on the computer. It feels neat but I hope Millie doesn't chew it.

I have an HPC meeting tonight. I have to remember to stand by my beliefs regarding what is historically accurate and what is not. I think tonight will be tough meeting. I also want to get the point across that we should be more than just the "sign police" and use our advisory abilities, but we shall see. There are some in town who like to disparagingly call us the "sign police" but will do what they can to block us from exercising any other type of authourity... grrr......

Also have to plan what cameras to bring to DC. Last year it was the Imperial, the Yashica 35 and the Nikon Coolpix. This year, the T1i and I do not know what else. I do have a bunch of 120 film on 620 spools ready to go, so no respooling in the museum this year!

Voting..

So apparently some 18 year-olds in PV expect the school to take care of their voter registration! Well, relying on people to do everything for you is incredibly lazy and you should have all taken care of that on your own. Having the right/ability to vote and not taking advantage of it is just foolish. Particularly my fellow women. We have not always been allowed to vote, you know. From the time I was 18, I only missed 2 minor local elections ant that was because of the limited polling hours and I was stuck in a studio class... What's your excuse?

Now that I am done with my rant, I do wish the Photo III mope group would get on the stick and work. I think the class should be an escape from whatever bad thing is happening. When I have a rotten day/night/whatever, getting into 026, I drop whatever is going wrong and make the most of my time with the students. I have a million and one things to do, but I do my best to get them done. I have two volunteer groups that need things from me at home, I help my sister out with Lucy, my parents need me for things sometimes and I have to do my own art and work. All of that and have a social life. Yes, it is a lot. But I work to find a balance and not let anything slip by. To do that would be neglecting someone or something and I don't want to do that. Sure, I wish I could get by on only 4 hours of sleep. But that's not the reality. So, I make sure I give everything attention. Maybe not always equal attention, but at least I give it some. And here is a tip: in college, most professors think their class is the only class you have. Get used to budgeting your time.... no one person owns you...

To Do...

1. Get 3" screw to try to fix DR's free vintage tri-pod.
2. Update Wordpress site.
3. Esty work.
4. Re-do the portfolios.
5. Apply to more shows.

I can cross #'s 1 and 2 off the list! Looked up some websites of photographers I saw in the first Paterson Art Walk two years ago and was reminded of how great their work is. Inspired to shoot more. Now I just need the alone time to do it.

Went to Shrewsbury last night to see Czepiel's sculpture in an art show. The place was packed with people and the work accepted into the show was just amazing. It was about women whose lives have been touched by cancer. There were tissue boxes around - needed - and so many bad stories. Makes me wonder why cancer is so prevalent. Or did we just not title it that hundreds of years ago? But Czep's piece was so good. I am so proud of her and truly hope this will move her to find the time to make more of her own work.

I also just found out that my friend Randi had two of her paper sculptures accepted into a show at City Without Walls in Newark. This is a big deal venue. They have such great contemporary stuff. And, get this.... she is an art teacher in Newark! Her dad just passed away and this is something that is very good for her. Super proud of all my friends...

Sense a theme here? Yes, I firmly believe that if you teach it you should practice it. Look at some of PV's science and history teachers - some, not all - and you see people who love and live their subject matter. I can understand the first couple of years in the profession take a lot out of you and you never can make your own art. But after that? Sorry, don't just talk the talk, walk the walk...

Now let's see how many trick-or-treaters we get. Our hill is so steep, they ususally skip it, then we have all this leftover candy and hubby eats it all and I want more and, well, I think I may give out asthma inhalers for Halloween next year.... Just to get some foot traffic....

Lovely...

http://www.corinnebotz.com/Corinne_May_Botz/Corinne_May_Botz.html

Thanks to the Corcoran for cluing me in to this photographer....

Art!

The hubby and I are going to Shrewsbury tonight to an art opening. Czepiel has a sculpture in a show! The show's focus is on cancer and its effects on women - how cancer touches our lives. Her piece is soooo good. I cannot wait! Hooray for another PV art teacher exhibiting work.

Tried sewing last night. I do not like using a needle threader unless really desperate. I use the right hand to thread the needle. It hurt like hell. My hand cramped up... I am dying to be outside gardening - deadheading, raking, covering the beds with a blanket of leaves for overwintering. I don't like to verbally complain about pain - I like to just "suck it up" and move on - but this is too much... Dying to work on some sculptures but can't....

I have decided to re-do my portfolios. I have two and the art is just piling up in them. So I will spruce them up - take out the education stuff, because I think when I am done teaching at PV, I am done teaching - and bring them in to show the Photo II and III. Then I have to add more to my Wordpress and complete a few more submissions that are due while I will be down in DC for Foto Week next weekend.

And can I just say how excited I am for Foto Week? Now I have the T1i and more toy cameras, and gosh, it is just so exciting!!!

Skin...

... thankfully did not see much of it today... Why in the world do students want to show up with barely anything on in the name of "dressing up" for Halloween? At least my students kept themselves covered!

I read some of the answers to this week's journal topic. Here is mine: I don't have a shining happiest moment. I have content moments. In life - not school - I have little emotion. I prefer to keep those private. So I like to go to a happy place in my head. That happens to be when I listen to music. So many people do drugs to go places in their minds. I never did. Music takes me to my happy place and such in my mind. I have tried to capture that place with pictures - drawing and painting never worked. I am still trying to show what I see in my mind with the camera because it has not been a success yet. And by the way, the music is not the jazz I play in class. That is a secret part of who I am...

halloween...

So many things about this holiday... a celebration of life and death... I always found All Saint's Day interesting as a kid. Which was creepier- October 31 or November 1? Though as a teacher, I dread the day because of all the skin showing. Please, kids, cover up!!!!

But...

Lucy is dressing up as a black cat! And our friends are dressing one of their dogs up! I may try to dress Millie up... she didn't mind wearing a Santa hat last Christmas, so, what the heck. I might as well try.

I do hope it is nice weather. We live on such a steep hill that we barely get any trick-or-treaters as it is, and when the weather is bad, forget it!

Made the appointment for the neurological tests on my arm and hand. They are next Thursday. Fun, fun, fun...

Frontline...

Watched last night's episode on the recent history of BP. Happy I purchased I hybrid. Wish I could take more public transportation. However, if I have to have arm surgery, that may be a reality...

While trying to fall asleep, I realized why I am consumed by something people probably think is so minor. I use both hands all day, every day. I use them when I teach to demo, I use them for my own art - and, all teachers should be practitioners in their field (it is called walking the walk, not just talking the talk) - I use them when I work around the house, I use them when I garden, I use them to read... If I were the type to watch television a lot or read nothing but trashy, cheap magazines, I would have no problem. But it is over 70 degrees in late October and I cannot do a bit of garden work. I cannot finish some house repairs I need to do, I can't do the felting and sculpture work I have been planning to do.... Not devastating yet, but how will I decorate the house and bake for Christmas?!?

I am also stressing the importance of National Portfolio Day and prepping for college applications, scholarships, school visits.... Falling on deaf ears since September, I fear. Last year, only one person went to NPD. The colleges do not get back to me regarding visits, and the photography program is the only one that has had anyone receive a summer scholarship for pre-college, and we have three levels of classes now. Whatever is getting in the way, it is not detrimental to me, it is detrimental to the students. Some colleges are great and I appreciate that, but is it because we are not a "known" school? Please... take a look at the work coming from our Photo students... they are worth the time to visit....

Just getting very aggravated with complacency, laziness, excuses, sneakiness, competition, etc... Thank goodness for the excited students.

The hand...

... kept me up last night. Not the scary killer on Sherlock Holmes, but the hand.... Talked to a friend of the family about his cubital tunnel syndrome. Looks like that is what I have. He had same symptoms. Called the orthopedic doc today and the next step is the neurologist and nerve tests. Oh boy... needles, impulses, etc... At this point the hand tingles almost all the time and falls asleep easily.

But...

The Sherlock Holmes on Masterpiece Mystery was sooo fantastic! It is set in modern London but not hammy - the way the Robert Downey Jr. version appeared to be - and it had us guessing the whole time. I just cannot wait until the next episode Sunday night!

I spent an hour hunting down other shows to submit to and made one submission and will be making others. I also need to update my website, but that will be for another day... need to also rid my head of this shoot I want to do, but just do not have the block of time to set aside for it.

So, with the hubby home, it is now time to put the dust particle respirator on and dust the house. The only way to dust without getting a massive allergy attack. Need someone else home while I do this so Millie doesn't get the bejeezus scared out of her when she see's me...

...undchies...

Ironic security word if you read it fast considering how I detest when the students let their underthings hang out....

Had such a good time at the record fair yesterday. I have never been so wiped out from flipping records before in my life. Three pieces of vinyl, 4 cd's, and three rare UK magazines from the early 1980s! And most of what I found weren't just "oh, nice" but "whoa! been looking for that for years!" The only problem is that our Vegan restaurant guide was from 2008 and what we looked for was mostly closed. Went to Dojo's - flashback to college nighttime Village visits - and then Bruno's for the BEST cannoli and cappuccino. It is no mean feat to keep me up at night and this cappuccino did just that! Beverage to the rim, then at least an inch of froth! Delightful...

Today, replaced some rotted wood trim on a shop in town. Managed to only hammer one nail - right pinky - but banned by the hubby from raking.... Hand and all that....

Doing more research for the students and finding more good stuff online. Loved this photo book review magazine called Photo-Eye Booklist - www.photoeye.com. No longer in print but their website is a gem! And they provide links to colleges! Perfect! Then reading about independent publishing - by artists - and about the displays that will be out and about at the Washington, DC Foto Fest I am going to during teacher's convention weekend. VERY excited for that!!!

And, tonight, a new Sherlock Holmes on Masterpiece Mystery! Oh dear, does it get any better?

banicap...

...another security code...

Did not get home until close to midnight last night. Went to be with a friend and her family -after getting out of p/t conferences- because her father died Wednesday. Rough ride to her house on route 80 - a full moon and a crazy driver do not make a good mix. I really thought I could make it in today but once I got home, I just knew it was too much. We have the record fair tomorrow - WFMU fundraiser where I shop like crazy - and a volunteer facade project on Main Street Sunday. Too, too much. So my first sick day for the year. Barely a dent in the number I have racked up...

I always feel like I am playing hookey - I am the type who never cut a class, never had a detention, etc. - so I feel real bad being home.

So what will I do once I defragment my hard drive? Look up more indie photo zines for one special one, look up art colleges in the Carolinas for another sweetie, and any other stuff I can squeeze in....

Then I have to peruse my record wish list and get psyched for tomorrow. I did walk to sister's house to accompany her on a walk with Lucy. I did not get spit up on this time, but heck, there is always Sunday!

Meeting...

So we had our volunteer meeting in town tonight. It went so well. There is a member of our committee who is very negative, takes no criticism and contributes nothing at this point. His two year project is complete and he is a downer at each meeting and rude. Lucky for us he was at the Yankee game. It was so much fun and we discussed and planned so much in only an hour and a half! Woo hoo!

But...

I have not done a stitch of gardening, we have to change the urns in town over to holiday greenery on the 21st of November and my hand and wrist hurt the same, perhaps more, than when I started the medicine. This is aggravating. I fear I will not be able to help with the changeover and that I will let the director of that project down. Last year I caught cellulitis during the mums planting, now this... Jeez...

And I am winning the "most parents on p/t conference night" versus Demsey so far... Who will come out on top? Who knows... I am keeping my fingers crossed. Vasa - 8; Demsey - 6(?). Tee heeee....

Nova

I watched a Nova episode last night on the building of Cathedrals. I have a real passion for Medieval and Gothic Art. If I never found a permanent teaching job, I was going to consider going for my master's in Art History to specialize in that. I can sniff out a church in London like no one else - just ask the hubby.

This special went into the problems of achieving the heights and avoiding collapse by relieving stress on the supporting arches. The clincher was some new insight into where the builders came up with their measurements. There is now speculation that they devised their measurements by looking to the Bible. It was fascinating information - I learned that there were different measurements back then - but nothing else was new. I wanted them to delve so much more into it. Look at more than just two or three cathedrals in France. Look at the measurements and proportions around Western Europe, where this frenetic building boom took place.

I had also thought I would stream it and show parts to some of the classes - work into photo somehow - but hubby is the test. If the narrator is too dry to keep him from nodding, my students will lose interest. Great test subject!

Ugh...

Again trying to post comments on blogs and the finicky-ness of the system here is too confusing. Why some Blogger accounts and not others? This doesn't work well when I am falling asleep by 9.30 pm - way before the most important posts show up!

And by the way, the hand hurts like heck. Medicine not working at all....

Government funding...

Many students took last week's question to mean funding for arts in schools. Those students overwhelming agreed that the school should get equal funding. Interesting how the meaningful experiences shape a person's opinions! Others brought up a point - one of a few - that never dawned on me. With government funding comes government regulation. They see that as possibly too restrictive and not worth it. I am liking the way the students are thinking about all scenarios and possibilities...

A side note... the anti-inflammatory is not working. Even more pain in my hand and it even kept me up most of the night... and the irony is that I have barely used my right hand this weekend. Why don't I just do the gardening I want to do if the medicine doesn't help....

Rownhot...

Sold a five-pack of handmade greeting cards and a bottle cap pin at the fall festival in town today! $13 does not make me rich, but at least I was able to give out some business cards!

Orthopedic surgeon put me on a steroid anti-inflammatory to take care of the pain that is caused by the nerve issue. Three pills later and the pain seems greater and more intense though I am resting it. Let my alderman's wife know today that I have been ordered by the surgeon to take a break from working on the M-K House. She said it is ok and when I can start up again in the spring, I can do so even if they have the caretaker living there! Woo hoo!!! Not what mother and hubby want to hear, but made me happy. They thanked me for volunteering and I said "oh, thank you for letting me!" If the meds do not work, I will have to see a neurologist. I don't like that the pill will make me jittery - sis told me that means "anxiety" - so it is a very good thing I no longer do yearbook. I would be an absolute WRECK right now! Mother said that what I have is what their friend had in both arms and wrists and he needed surgery to fix it. Hmmm...

I saw that the protest the students went to yesterday went very well. So excited for them and need to go to flickr to see the pics. Extremely proud of students taking the initiative and not being lazy...

Now on to flickr and scanning images to submit for a show... Jeez my hand hurts...

I had a dream about an overcrowded middle room - aka 024 - including tons of props like a full fish tank. Then I was also demoing a flash. Should I be teaching them how to use a flash? Are my classes too crowded? Should I bee seeking out more props for the students to use during shoots? I saw someone on Freecycle was offering 200 plastic balls for a pit....

D-day...

I keep thinking about the appointment tomorrow... the great thing about a roller coaster ride of a schedule is that it takes my mind off it. But now that I am home... not so good. Going out to dinner though because Yahoo and Microsoft made me angry and I need a treat...

Registered for a chance to take a leader orientation trip over President's Day weekend to either Paris or Rome. So that means I can meet up with relatives in either locale. But not all of them speak English... and I have not used any French since high school and my Italian teachers in college were not of the quality that my high school French teacher was, to say the least... crash course in French (or Italian) time!

As I was looking at my students' images today (I, II & III) I felt like a proud mama. I can't believe how quickly the I's are able to know what they like and do not like. And how quickly some of them are grasping good composition! So happy. Then I see what the II's and III's are doing and I just want to show their work to the world. They are doing and thinking of such good things! Makes me really love this job.

No sale...

Sister and I worked a craft show last night. Our first one... There was very little traffic. No sales. The lady at the table across from us bought 5 boxes of our mother's cookies. Sigh... Have another craft shot Saturday. That one is all day. But I just found out my table is right next to the table for the town group I volunteer for. Do not really want to have to talk to anyone at that table b/c I am thinking of quitting the group. Not happy with the leader and how the money is being handled, among other things. People did like my pins last night, though. Perhaps I will sell some eventually.

Trying to leave comments on a number of the Photo II blogs, but I can't do it here at work. Grrr.... Then when I get home and on the computer, I get distracted by doing other work, so I forget to leave the comments... Don't bother writing a note to myself... I will forget to look at it.

Had a dream last night about checking into a hospital for a surgery. That was most likely because of tomorrow's appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. Most people would not like the prospect of being cut open, but if it relieves this pain in my wrist and hand, I want it ASAP...

Beaten...

So, my face is a mess - no smart comments, people. In my fury yesterday, I was reckless and let the branches rebound and slap me silly. Now I look like I was beat up. Upon seeing me this morning, my mother asked what happened to my face. Where do I begin? But this was in reference to the red streaks. Yes, I look like I was scratched and punched. But gosh, the property looks great and it was worth it. I just use first aid cream like moisturizer for a few days...

In desperate need of a hair dye session. Tried burgundy henna, but a new brand. It is a looong process - three hours to cure the solution, then put the muck in the hair, cover with a plastic cap and warm hair frequently. So I am on the computer with the plastic cap and this hair dryer/hair cap thingy I found in grandma's attic when she died. It's pretty 50's retro. I have the cap on and this vacuum hose going from the cap to the machine and all plugged in. When on, the cap inflates like an alien helmet. Then, the phone rings. It is the dj from a station I listen to. I do freecyle and she wanted some magazines and I have them and we missed each other during the day and, gee whiz, she is just 10 minutes away and can she come over to pick them up! Hubby laughs hysterically as I frantically wash the mud out of my hair. Can't answer the door like that! Made myself decent - as best as I could - before her arrival. She liked what I had, took a bunch, and I hoped that she did not smell the stench emanating from my hair. Henna smells a bit like wet grass clippings after fermenting for a few weeks. She was very nice, liked our town, left and I proceeded to wash the rest of the greenery out. Head up to the first floor bathroom to admire the colour and see... nothing! Four hours of work and NO COLOUR!!! Back to the chemical stuff from now on...

So today I did 2.5 hours at the M-K house. Filled one bag of debris, but made three piles of clippings and such that I could not fit into bags. There are vines that have been choking lilac trees and bushes for probably decades. I had a tug-of-war with those vines, falling on my butt a few times. But, I won. Piles of the cut vines attest to my success! Weeds and vines are no match for me! Mother sat in a car to keep me company. Yes, it is silly. Do not know how that kept me company, but whatever makes her happy... Still have only had one person involved thank me for all the work I am doing... but, the place looks great!

Since my hand is hurt, I figured I might as well go gangbusters and do all the manual work I can before the appointment with the surgeon on Friday. This also includes doing art. Last week I painted a ton of photos. Last night, I scoured and clipped from a newspaper, adding to my collection. Today, I plan to finish those photo collages. I also finished sewing the inserts to the greeting cards I made and made the packages for the two craft shows my sister and I have tables at this week. I tied the cards together with spare raffia. Good thing I never throw stuff out!

I saw an old friend in Portland had his photos in a gallery this week. The images look so nice! They must be taken with a toy camera - Holga? Diana? - and are not printed very large. But so dreamy and moody! I have a pile of shows to send work to. Would like to get into one in the area. The last few I got into were either out of the area or online. After going to two gallery openings near home Thursday night, I have a hankering for going to openings again.

Lots of work to do...

Snip snip?

Went to the dr. today to get the results of an MRI on my right wrist. His words? "You have a lot going on in that little wrist." A tear here, some fluid there, and a cyst and I now have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. And apparently possible arthritis. I whimpered "But I'm not even 40!" Pathetic. So, this does not look good. But, since it's already damaged, might as well keep on working with it. Mother, father and hubby will tell me to not do anymore work on the grounds at the M-K house. However, unless they lock me up, I will be volunteering this weekend! I have SO much more to do and it turns out that the possible tenant/groundskeeper backed out. They need me!!!

I had the Maine College of Art in period 7 today. I am so proud of my II's and III's! I like this school because of its small size and the ability to give individualized attention. I know it's not for everyone, but it just might be the one for one or two kids... The class was quiet and respectful and I really liked the film at the end of the presentation...

Then... period 8. Well, not good. Let's just say that after that class I get the news on my wrist. Thank goodness Millie is showing me love.

Now off the blog to do some research on this surgeon...

Ben Gay... I know you well...

Accidentally did three hours at the M-K house today. I heard the 12 o'clock whistle and thought "Oops!" I was ankle deep in poison ivy and only filled two garbage bags, but managed to clean out a lot. The boy scouts were there recently - and in the paper for it - cleaning out garbage from the grounds. They removed the swing set - good - but I found lots of garbage still there. Not impressed with their work and I have high standards. Hmph...

I untangled a big bush from a plethora of strangling vines and cut the stems of some vines strangling the trees there. Also unearthed some more nice plants in a small plot near the house. Not getting any thanks or recognition for this yet and on top of that, the organization I volunteer for is ticking me off for always relying on the same people all the time - me, hubby, etc. - and the aldermen are still delaying adopting my rewrite of the litter codes. Getting annoyed but still going...

My back kills right now but I can't put ben-gay on it b/c we are going to a fundraiser buffet at an historic Episcopal church in town. Our friends are members and even though we don't go there, they support good causes. We are walking there - ouch - but once we get home, I think it's ben-gay bath for moi!

Might close the pool tomorrow... if Millie ever gets off my lap!

Spitie

Today's security code... am I spiteful? Nah... however, once I have been treated badly, I do not forget, and I rarely forgive. Some have called the resulting behaviour spiteful... I call it watching out for myself and at some jobs, you gotta do what you gotta do...

But, I am extremely excited today... I go back to the M-K house to do more property work. The sun is finally out and all the rain should make pulling weeds a breeze. I am armed and ready - yard tools, gloves, long sleeves and long pants... woo hoo!!!

Sticky...

Are you familiar with that icky feeling when you touched something sticky and can't get to a sink or sanitizer to clean your gross hands? Well, that was the feeling in 024/026 today. I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to the heating workers who broke our best working air conditioner in June and never replaced it. I can almost hear the other a/c weeping and wheezing as it chugs closer to its death as we all melt in the humidity. I even brought my grandmother's beautiful pistachio green '50s fan in today to cool of the darkroom. It was not successful. I go into the rooms with new a/c - 149, 203 - and I feel clean. Back to 026, and I feel like a sticky, disgusting mess. And of course this makes the classes cranky and hard to bear. They all take it in stride - such troupers! - but we need the new unit ASAP!!!!!

A few more students signed up for the Paris trip! Woo hoo!!! And I have colleges lined up for visits. This year is moving along nicely and I love the feeling of being able to be there for the photo people. No crankiness on my part b/c other teachers let their kids out at all times to hunt me down to ask me a question. Now when I am asked a question, I know it will be art-related and relevant.

Oh, and the hubby is seriously considering a Mini Cooper. This is such a big deal b/c we have had our cars for soooooo long and buying a new car - or anything major - is a big deal for us. We are almost allergic to spending money. But my car died June 2009 and his is not able to handle his commute. He will keep Spiffy as a weekend car but get a commute car. That may sound super fabulous, but his GTI is destined to be a classic, if you know VWs. The price we found one for is really good too!!!!

Tonight, relaxing with a ginger beer - real ginger soda, not ick ginger ale and not alcoholic - and Inspector Linley. But first, submitting to two shows. Fingers crossed...

I have a prep first period for the first time since I was teaching elementary in Rockaway Borough. Very strange. I am an early riser and get here so early, I feel like the whole morning is a slow rise from sleep to mellow. Then... BANG! Photo!!!! All the photo classes are jam packed and everyone needs so much assistance that it is like a roller coaster ride to the end of the day. Very fun but I feel bad that I have to rush the instructions to everyone in an attempt to get to everyone and get everyone to do things... Still working on fixing this flaw of mine.


So my thoughts of good art versus bad art... I know what I like when I see it... kind of like when I am in a shop and I am asked by the shopgirl if I need help. No, I do not. I know what I like, know it when I see it and that's that. So, back to the art... I also know when I see "art" I don't like. So when thinking about these two questions, I feel my answer is really not about bad versus good. I see it as if it would be considered bad, then I don't consider it art. I can't judge someone's work based on their ability - how some define bad. I can't judge someone's feelings, mood, mindset at the time of the creation of the work. But I do have a fairly in tune b.s. detector and if the supposed art causes that b.s. detector to redline, then I do not define it as art. It may be beautiful and meticulously created, but there has to be substance, and not just interest in wowing people or massive concern for making millions. There was a "photographer" who received a lot of press in recent years for his images of humans with animals. He was so secretive about his methods - suspicious to many - and so full of it in his interviews. But supposed art lovers loved his schtick but I just smelled something funny. So it was not bad art, it just wasn't art at all.....

So there....

PARIS!!!

OK everyone... Here is the link to the Paris trip again. Let's get signed up so we can begin the fund-raising and packing. I don't like to leave things to the last minute, you know!

http://www.eftours.com/Student-Travel/MyTeachersTours/teachers-tour.aspx?salestour=596644

Oh, and even though I cannot reply to all your blogs - you tumblr people! - most of them were quite insightful. I will take tome time tomorrow to post my own answer to journals 1 and 2.

Enjoy the sun.... can't believe I was in the pool on the 25th of September, in the Fall, in New Jersey! Hooray for warmth or boo for global warming?

SUCCESS!!!!!

I have been trying for two years to make a large negative from a 35mm on ortho lith film. After countless experiments, I finally managed to get a good one!!!

At station 11, I put in a good density Kodak TX400 negative from London. After two tests, I did a third at an f-stop of 8, no filter, 20 seconds. No safelight on at the station. Developed in the A/B solution for about 3 minutes. At the last 10-20 seconds, the image appeared like magic! Stop bath and then fixer.... and total excitement!!! I then took the fully fixed film out to wash, and I wanted to do cartwheels but merely squealed with excitement inside!!!! A beautiful, high value, detailed positive. Then I can make a negative or just contact print from this. The best part, it is 8"x10"!!! That means Photo II can make - get ready - large cyanotypes! Completely in the darkroom without needing to use the printer and we save ink by using chemistry and film that is probably nearly as old as me!!! well, not that old...

So, while some of the supplies here may be old, like us teachers, they are young at heart and can still get the job done! I feel like treating myself to a good old cappuccino!!!

Issues with Holga?

Ok, so some of you are expecting greatness with the Holga from the get-go. Not going to happen! Here is an entry from the NYTimes photo blog you should see:

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/high-balinese-ritual-low-holga-technology/

Note the black halo around the image? Note the dreaminess? It will happen to you too. You just need patience. If you go to my flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/melvasa/ - the Washington, DC album is all Diana shots. With long-expired Kodak Ektacolor 120 mm film! In the London august 2009 album, there are two Diana images with the same film. See if you can find them. Note: I scanned and edited them.

I have failed miserably with some rolls in the beginning too...

dishiren

*security word*

Lots done today... realized how bad the asthma has gotten because of the trouble I had just riding the upgrade on a rail trail. Pathetic! And both asthma puffers are nearly out of puffs... vacuumed the pool but it was too nice to close it. There was a huge bee that looked like those killer bees. Decided to leave it and let it drown rather than do my usual thing - saving it. Well, stuck my hand in the water, there it was, and I get stung! Nature does not like me this summer...

Some truly good answers to the first assigned visual journal. I also like that many of the students posted images too.

Couldn't go volunteer today because the house was hosting tours today too. I have such an itch to get back there... perhaps one night this week... like Tuesday since I cannot have students stay b/c of a teacher meeting... hmmm.... hope the parents do not find me there... they both caught a nasty case of poison ivy last time...

Tonight's TV adventure: PBS' Masterpiece Mystery Inspector Lewis! Oh, dear, how I love the show! Lewis and Hathaway are soooo cute together. The scenery is to die for! Next visit to the UK must include a stop in Oxford! Nine o'clock cannot come fast enough!

posting madness...

So have managed to check half the posts! Each year the caliber of students taking Photo 2 gets better. Last year was such a high mark, I hoped this year would continue in that same vein and I think it is!

Drove by my project house and they were having an open house. I do hope the people who go there notice all the work I have done on the landscaping. Of course, now that the arms are better, hubby guessed I was probably planning when I would go back to continue the weeding. Perhaps tomorrow? Must wear long sleeves though. I deadheaded and cleaned up one side of our gardens today and my arms were itching like mad! And of course, the mosquitoes find me...

Millie seems just delighted that I am home and barely leaves my side. As I was gardening, she was at the window calling for me to come in. My neighbours must think I am crazy calling out to a kitty, but then, I am not the toothless alcoholic, am I? Oh the stories I could tell. Oh wait, I do tell them! tee hee...

Sad times...

I have to close the pool this weekend. That means summer is over. But if I lived down in DC, I would be in the pool because I see they are expecting near 90 degrees! Lucky devils...

Everyone is blogging and photo 1 kids are shooting and things are good because I can focus 100% on photo, not on yearbook. I can give all of myself to the kids who deserve it, not some random senior who ignored his portrait appointment then comes and interrupts my class to tell me I didn't send him the appointment and what was I going to do about that? I am so much happier and having less trouble breathing because of the stress and rushing and the asthma...

The cot...

So this week I have thought I am here so much I might as well just bring a cot, a pillow and a blanket. But then I wouldn't see Millie and the hubby. Millie is giving the guilt trips because I have barely been home this week. This morning, she sat on my lap for the first time during breakfast in a while. Then she tucked her paws under - signal that she intended to be there (or keep me there) for awhile. I feel real bad so my plan is to stay home all weekend. I also have a pile of art shows to apply for so that will keep me home.

Doctor's appointment today. I have been getting pain in my right hand and wrist for well over a year now. X-rays were made. Results today. My hand falls asleep a lot when I go to bed. Doc says it could be carpal-tunnel. Could be surgery. That means missing work... and I do not want that!!! So we shall see. I would try to get the work done on a weekend or a day off anyway...

The allergic reaction I got from ragweed burrs is almost gone. That means I can go back to volunteering soon! I drove by the house I have been working on and I realized I am doing a pretty good job! In a way, I don't want them to have a renter/groundskeeper until my work is done! I don't want to not be allowed to do the weeding there! Well, at least if something happens with teaching - cuts, RIF's - I think I could have a new career hiring myself out to weed people's gardens...

meh...

So this rain is sucking the life out of me. Guess most people watch TV on days like this, but we really don't watch TV, so there goes that... Could put in a movie, but I feel I would just fall asleep. Placed a bunch of photos on the work table in the basement to paint and stuff, then walked upstairs and ended up falling asleep with Millie - the cat! - for an hour.

Went to buy stuff to close the pool... not emotionally ready for that... sniffle.

I guess the best thing I should be doing in weeding at the M-K house, but the rain keeps me from being there. That, and my arms are still swollen.....

Not sure we could endure 9 months of this kind of weather in Portland... but then, we would probably have more social things to do than we have here... ugh.....

Might...

Back to the security words.

Might...

...I stop itching?
...I be able to do the weeding at the M-K house without getting stung or picking up a nasty allergic reaction?
...I be able to go there without the parents knowing and tsk-tsking me for putting myself in allergy danger?
...I be able to remember to enter the art shows I have a stack of entry requirements for and not forget all of them?
...it get to be close to 90 degrees one more time to I can swim?
...my swollen arms go back down to normal?
...I be able to walk slowly in the hall now that I don't have yearbook to rush around for?

Beats me what the answers are except for that last one... NEVER! I drive slow but walk super fast! Too much to do...

Time to snuggle with Millie...

c a n ' t r e s p o n d

Ugh... Mr. Meluso is soooooo swamped and I really need to be able to respond to blogs here at school. I normally respond at home, but now when I get home I want to dip in the pool - to numb my itchy arms and legs - then nap with Millie to avoid the dreaded 9.00 pm bed time. Grrrrrr.....

So Navajo and Simplicity, I have a response so grab me in class - figuratively Navajo, not literally....

Defeated already...

Tried - like other geeky co-workers (I'm talking to you Meineke!) - to work on the new gradebook portal and I could not login. Considering I was the trainer for the department for this, this is pathetic. I have also been unable to edit a thing in PBWorks from home and I have been trying for a week. Grrr... But what is really going on here is procrastination.

Two years ago my master's thesis was accepted for presentation at a conference held by the School Of Visual Arts in NYC. I was the only high school teacher among college professors in the arts and humanities. It was a great experience. After my presentation, one individual from Toronto had a few critical things for me. I got the distinct impression he did not like the conclusions I drew in my paper. Not that I think he was wrong per se, just that we do not agree.

So I was surprised to get a forwarded e-mail for a proposal of papers for a colloquium at the Ontario College of Art & Design in October. Guess he thought my paper would go well. So I have a great idea for a direction to move in from my original paper, but have been procrastinating writing the 300 word proposal. Don't know why... it doesn't have to be a completed work. The session is informal and they can be works-in-progress. And just like my show submissions, I know I may not get in, but jeez...

So I tried to delay it by working on school stuff... and that did not work out... so I think you and I both know what this means....

Heading off to write that proposal... sigh.....

Deered...

Quite appropriate, that one. At Miller-Kingsland on Saturday I found deer scat - common round here. But there was something different. Lumps of poop that were the size of large pine cones, segmented into pieces the size of the deer scat but still stuck together. What was it? My parents live around the block form there and dad claims he saw a coyote. But there are also bear around - saw a cub in my backyard last year.

So, I went online and looked up poop. I know, life doesn't get much more exciting than this kiddos! Well, after careful analysis of many images of doo-doo - in shovels, pointed at, next to rulers for reference, in HUGE piles - I have figured out that it is bear poopie. And it was fairly fresh.

Now, I also have these spots on my that are a result of my allergic reaction to being stung by that nasty bumble bee. And the spots are not looking better. As a matter of fact, they are going from pink to magenta to purplish.

So this little project of mine is becoming quite an adventure. But does the threat of bee stings and bear encounters mean anything to me? Hell no! My sister drove by the house recently and said it looked amazing! Just what I needed to hear. Planned on going by there for more punishment - I mean, work - on Friday but I see rain in the forecast. Bummer...

Oh, and I have one person signed up for the trip to Paris. So people, let's get saving and sign up!!! S'il vous plait...

Brudd...

So I thought I would use Blogger security codes for the titles of my entries...

I am itching like crazy!!! These hives are sooooo bad and I have an in-service tomorrow. Thinking of wearing shorts to it so that the male teachers who laughed at me last year at a meeting will think I have something contagious and not come near me. Oh, did I forget to write about that incident? Silly me. I'm feeling kind of salty so here goes...

At the last union meeting of the school year, we buy ourselves lots of pizza so it is a lunch get together and a meeting. Birds of a feather flock together so I am at a table in the senior cafe with art and music people and a couple of other great fellows and gals. Across the room, a table of all majority-testosterone-possessing teachers - aka male. All of a sudden I notice one-by-one they turn to look at me and my two female friends from the department. And they are laughing while looking at us or me. Couldn't tell exactly which of us got the gaze. No, none of us had cheese dripping from our chins or a need to use a tissue, if you know what I mean... So, I stared back for a bit, then went on with our business of enjoying each other...

My question... why must some people be this immature? No idea. But I have to say I have worked in a few different fields - publishing, paparazzi, a major sports organization - and in four other school districts. Never have I encountered this type of behaviour. Did it bother me? Well, they aren't my kind of people, so no. I don't really fit in with most people and I tend to stick with those who accept me for the unique person I am. Hence, the reason you will never see me take lunch in the teacher's cafe. But, if a teacher behaves this immaturely towards one of his colleagues - and this was a whole table of them - who's saying they behave maturely in the classroom? Just wondering...

Now, on the other hand, SUPER excited for the new school year and meeting three periods of new Photo I kids and seeing the Photo II & III kids. I just hope they are all as excited as I am...

Gotta go soak in the pool now and numb these damn hives before I scratch the bejeezus out of them!

Enjoy the picture of me with my "cutest baby in the world" niece Lucy...

Mistaken Identity...

So after some research, apparently certain bumble bees do not sting. The rest do. And the kicker... they do not have barbs on the stingers, so when the pull out the stinger, it does not break off, meaning they can sting you again and again! And the stings after the first are worse because there are now antibodies present, making the reaction worse! Ugh... and those who are allergic - me - can get a variety of reactions. Me, well, those weren't varied bites on me from bedtime. They are hives. Apparently stage one allergic reaction involves swelling, redness and soreness at the location of the sting and hives that itch all over the body...

Oh, and did you know that heat and sweat can make you itch even more? Ugh..... time to go back in the freezing pool to numb myself!

Bees...

So I thought bumble bees did not sting. Not only was I wrong, but my thoughts regarding stinging once then dying was also incorrect.

But let me step back a bit... went to Miller-Kingsland to do more work. Decided to magnify the impact of my clean up by working on the road side of the fence. Clearing out the dead decorative grass blades, the weeds, the maple saplings and the poison and non-poison ivy. Looking smashing - sarcasm - with my lavender elbow length gardening gloves and my flourescent yellow safety vest, I was a gal on a mission. Make the people of my town say "wow" when they drive past this historic house. Instead, it ended with multiple "ow's" on my part. Only six more feet of frontage to go and a bumble bee swarms up from the depths, latches onto my face an inch from my mouth and stings! I swat, it latches onto my hand, bites and I get it off. I decide I should clean up, more out of defeat than tiredness. As I am putting the the debris in the bag, the f-er comes back for more. Latches onto my ankle and bites again! Same bee, three stings! What the heck? This meant war, and only one of us was going to come out alive. I pummeled the bee.

My ride came to get me and that was that.I may have had a swollen lip, but I won... or did I? As of right now, my ankle hurts like the dickens... I limp and it is real red and it has been almost 24 hours. To add insult to injury, a bug found its way into my bed last night and bit me repeatedly on my upper legs. I am insanely allergic to mosquitoes and other sundry bugs and I may have to cut all my nails off to keep from scratching....

But I have to walk down the hill today to work on a clean up project at one of the gas stations. I would probably just soak in the cold pool and numb the bites all day, but hubby and I are usually two of the only ones that regularly show up for these volunteer things. And of course, I am just dying to go back to M-K to finish up the roadside job. I am such a glutton for punishment!

On a better note... developed the last roll of film from Portland and it is super! I shot some covert images at the legendary Burnside skatepark with my Yashica 35mm and some great stuff around the bridges. Can't wait to make the contact print. Also printed in the darkroom in the basement for about an hour last evening. The negatives I was printing are not good but I managed something. I have to say, I do not like the Kodak filters. I am just not getting the contrast from a #5 that I expect. I may have to buy 3"x3" Ilfords to fit my enlarger. We shall see...

Priorities...

Noticing a bunch of hullabaloo on the internet and the news about teachers conversing with students on the internet. hmmm......

Some thoughts:

• Many of us do lead lives that are positive and the classroom is not always the place to discuss non-subject things. Just not enough time. You will never find a picture of me at a wild party drunk or drugged out of my mind because I DO NOT DO THAT!!!! And perhaps it is good for a student to know that about a teacher... I tend to be of the practice what you preach way of thinking when it comes to this.
• Perhaps the reason for a lack of respect for teachers is the fact that many people - media, politicians, etc. - forget that teachers are people who are members of their community, part of a family, have friends, i.e. real people with real lives. We are not money grubbing thieves who steal from the tax-payers and crawl into a closet in our classrooms at the end of the day, to re-emerge in the morning. Knowing a little bit about us - note: a little, not everything - may break down some barriers.
• I like my former students to know some things about me that can enlighten them. For instance: I travel (not to the shore and Florida!), I read, I volunteer, I have friends of all genders, races, ages, and sexual orientations.
• I also do my own art out of work and like them to see it. I am a firm believer that you have to love and practice what you teach. That is most certainly conveyed to the students and helps them see the worth of what you are teaching.
• Keeping in touch can help in keeping an eye on those who need watching. I don't mean that in a Big Brother kind of way. But, just because the vulnerable student graduated, does not mean he is ok. He/she might benefit from knowing that there are still people who care about him/her.

A lot of the stuff I have read on this topic blames the teachers for being immature or trying to be buddies with students. One thing NEVER mentioned is that teachers did not cross a line of professionalism by becoming involved in students' lives first. When people started relying on the school system to raise the children, teach them the life lessons they were neglecting, making sure they were fed, watching for signs of depression and drug/alcohol abuse, and holding the educators legally liable for all the above, something in the game changed. Teachers no longer were merely responsible for passing on one's knowledge in a subject area. We were expected to adjust our relationships to the students in such a way that we could also be surrogate guardians. The good teachers are looked up to, not as buddies. But sometimes students confuse the two. And of course, some teachers don't know the difference. But they are not the majority.

I certainly do not mind looking out for students - especially since some at-home situations can't be blamed on a parent or child - but I don't like it when teachers who care about kids are made out to look bad. These relationships are just so complicated sometimes. In many cases, it helps to keep in touch. The students understand that we do genuinely care about them and their time with us is that much more meaningful. They know they will not be forgotten once July 1 comes around. Perhaps what needs to be done is some addressing regarding how to place parameters on keeping in touch. As for me, you will not find a picture of me with a beer - thought, note, I am legally allowed to have a drink - I do not partake in illegal activities that will find their way onto the internet, and I dump the "friends" whose posts are offensive. If I don't want former students seeing them, odds are it's not a person I really want to be friends with anyway...

End of rant... now if only the sun would come out...

Done...

Took two calls to get that jock party shut down, but we did get a good night's sleep. And, the sooner they get sent home, the less drinking they did and the lees the likelihood that they drove home drunk. Good deed done!

Developed three rolls of film today. One was totally blank! And I can't even remember what pictures I am missing, so did the leader go back in the cassette before I even shot it? Probably... and I didn't put a note on it so I may never know. But the last roll from London looks super! If it rains again tomorrow, I may actually print in the basement! It is kind of hard to do that b/c it's been so hot and to black it out, the windows have to be shut. And if daddy is not home, Millie cries for me at the top of the stairs... She's so cute!!!

Parties...

My neighbourhood is real quiet at night which is surprising because the kids across the street from me never shut up, their mother talks like she wants the world to know her business, and the guy next door is raving mad. But at night, you can hear someone sneeze two blocks away...

I have never been a party gal. The one big high school party I went to, I felt bad for the kid throwing it and spent the night cleaning his house and picking up the garbage. Not much tolerance for sloppy drunk people either...

So, considering the above two points, the raging party a block away is getting me p.o.'d. The kid's parents must go away the same weekend every summer. Last year, the party went until after 2 am. We waited for someone to call the cops. Neighbours all wimped out. There was a fight at the party too. You know the type - macho drunk guy hits on other macho drunk guy's drunk gal and macho boys defend their property. Blah, blah, blah... Even the president of our volunteer group couldn't sleep down the hill at his house last year b/c of the party. Sound carries in this river town...

So, when hubby is done watching his favourite actor - Cary Grant in "Bringing Up Baby" - on channel 13 at 11 pm, the cops are getting a call. Hopefully they can find the address, not like the time we heard a guy running down Birch Street screaming he had a gun and was going to shoot the first person he saw! The cop circled the wrong block three times before giving up... duh...

Whatta town!!!

Herbie...

In the beginning of the month, when I had that nasty allergic reaction to the squash vines, one of the rashes seemed to have a mind of its own. Hubby said, "whatever you do, just don't name it, please." So, naturally I named it Herbie. Well, as all friends eventually do, Herbie left.

Then I went weeding again Wednesday at Miller-Kingsland. And Herbie has a new spot on my inner right wrist. Whoa, this is one heck of a rash! I was pulling vines like crazy but they were 5-leaf vines - not poison ivy. So... what am I allergic to? Beats me, but Herbie or any other oozy, weepy rash will not keep this volunteer down.

So my two hour shift this morning was cleaning up the sides of the driveway/entrance to the property. Yes, i do structure my summer days into a schedule... It is fairly high profile, seen by all who drive that road and would make quite an impact. I was so pleased with the job when done and I was a stinky, dirty, sweaty mess! And as I weeded and pulled bad plants, they would brush up against my arms and by default, scratch the itchy oozy mess! Then the DPW came by to cut the grass. They were so nice and offered to cart away all the bags of weeds each time I am there! I know a lot of kids talk about how icky and rude the people are by them. And I know they are right. But that is why I live far from work. Because most of the people where I live are so nice. I walk into town and people say "Hi" on the street. I sneeze while driving and a man on a porch says "Bless you!" People compliment us volunteers on the job we do.

This is a nice way to end the week after the aggravation of yesterday. Because it is politically driven, I cannot write about it, considering the NJ ban on teachers expressing political opinions. So, I remain silent, but not ignorant...

Paris...

Ok Photo people, past and present... There is a tentative meeting for all interested students and parents/guardians on the 14th of September. There will be a representative from the tour company there. If I found out on our first day of work that I have to reschedule, I will post the new date here and on PB Works.

Also, according to Demsey, the "heating unit" - you know, the one that never really kept us warm in the winter - has been replaced. So.... could that mean we may reach a balmy 65 in room 026 this winter? One can only hope!

Oh, and I started shooting with my Diana 35 and I LOVE IT!!!! It is so cute and tiny - much like my first ever camera that took 126 film cartridges - and sturdy! Cue squeals of delight.....

Uh oh...

... I have a hunch the school year starts soon. My other teaching friends joke about not knowing the date or day of the week over the summer. The fact is, I am not sure what today's date is and that is okay with me. It is not because I am lazy. It is because I am just relaxing.

My version of relaxing includes squatting in the backyard pulling out all the bad grass by hand. Others would just spray with some terrible chemical. But you know what an environmentalist I am. And anyway, Little Lucy may someday crawl on that lawn... then put her hands or feet in her mouth... and ingest those chemicals. I also finished painting the rails on the back porch, the bottom of the back door sash and the repaired parts of the foundation in the basement. I also took pictures of some lavender sachets I made and hope to sell. used grandma's fabric scraps and my homegrown lavender! I feel I can take a nap that is deserved once I make a decision about what to make for dinner.

Also plowing through the David Sedaris book. Some advice: do not read in public unless you want the people around you to think you are a lunatic and do not read when a cat is sleeping on your belly unless you want your belly laughs to sent that kitty running... I can't tell you how many times I have wiped tears from my eyes reading this book...

Tomorrow's goals: more weeding at Miller-Kingsland and posting more things to sell on Etsy.