Feeling Like A Celebrity At Staples

I had to pick up something at Staples this evening for school.

Parked in the parking lot, I talked to a friend from school about several different things. She's been at our school about 10 years, but she'll be leaving the end of September to take a full-time training position with our school system. She has more than 40 years in education, so this won't be the first time she's tried something new. She just plans to put her talents to use in different ways. Her son just moved to Chicago to study. Though I've passed by her the last couple days, I've barely had time to say "hello," so I gave her a call during after-school hours.

After we'd finished talking, I started walking to the store's entrance when my cell phone suddenly started vibrating. I answered it, and it was a good friend who's already left my school. I miss having her at our school, but it was good to hear that she's enjoying her new job a lot more. The ways things are going so far, she said they'd have to double her pay to get her to think about returning to what she had done at our school the last two years. It's just been a lot less stressful and a lot more positive for her than last year was.

While I was on the phone, standing to the side of the entrance, a woman and a high-school-aged female walked past and waved. I recognized them as a student I'd taught a couple years ago and her mother. I finished my phone conversation, hung up, and entered the store with two missions in mind: 1) finding and purchasing what I'd come to buy and 2) finding and saying hello to the student and her mother.

Before I made it very far, a woman stopped me. I didn't recognize her, but she quickly identified herself as a Southwest Guilford Middle School parent of a seventh grader. Her daughter had recognized me and pointed me out to her mom, and it just so happened that even though we'd never met before, this lady had wanted to get in touch with me. Someone had mentioned my name to her, and she had wanted to ask me a question. She'd planned to get in touch with me at school, but suddenly running into me, she'd decided to take advantage of the opportunity. I enjoyed talking to her and discovered that she's one of the parents we're particularly fortunate to have at our school: she's active in our PTSA and wanted to talk to me about how she could better communicate with and assist our staff members. Since her daughter's in the seventh-grade, there's a chance that I'll teach her next year, and now there's already a connection in place, which is always positive to have.

Then, after getting what I needed to buy, I stood in line, waiting to have my item scanned and to pay for it. The seventh-grade student and her mother, whom I'd just met, had also finished shopping and were right behind me, so while we waited to move up in the line, we talked some more. While we were talking, a young lady called out from near the entrance, "Mr. Floyd!" It was another former student, one I'd just seen for the first time in a few years when she had dropped by our school to visit. I didn't get to talk to her, but she had a beautiful smile on her face, and even though we didn't get to talk, it was still a positive encounter.

I made it to my car without running into anyone else, but already, I'd been reminded of just how small a world ours actually is sometimes.

Schoolhouse Rambles

With two new administrators and approximately 30 new staff members (out of approximately 115), Southwest Guilford Middle School has gotten off to a very good start the first two days of this 2007-2008 school year. Under the leadership of new Principal Beverly Wilson, Assistant Principal Gloria Ramsey, and new Assistant Principal Billy Hardy, things have run smoothly. (Doesn't Mr. Hardy have a great last name?)

The worst thing for some of us has been dealing with uncomfortably hot classrooms. I've worn a long-sleeve shirt and tie these first two days, and I've been drenched with sweat at times. From 10:30 AM-3:45 PM (with a break from about 12:48-1:15 PM for lunch), I've been in near-constant motion in my classroom, moving back-and-forth as I speak, listen, ask, answer, write, monitor, and observe. (I admit that I'm usually sitting while writing on the overhead.) Somthing's wrong with our air conditioning, and yes, there's some suffering going on. The only comfort I can offer my students is to point out that I'm probably even less comfortable than they are, wearing hotter clothes and moving around more than they are. But it's all good. I've just come to realize that for all our amazing technological advances, the people who develop the systems designed to cool and heat our buildings still have light-years to go. Buildings are always either too hot or too cold; they're never just right. Ms. Wilson has visited my room two or three times so far, and when she visited today, she let me know that she's aware of how hot the rooms are. I appreciated her taking the time to do that, and though it's made the day slightly less pleasant, I know they're working on getting it fixed for us. There are some things that you just have to deal with and make the best of, and that's as important a lesson as any other for us all to learn. Mixed in with that lesson is the one about it being pointless, senseless, and mindless to dwell too long on certain things or to complain about them. Too much wasted time and energy involved that could be put to infinitely better use elsewhere. Some things are just beyond our complete control, and we just have to accept that.

So far, I love our team's students! "Love" probably seems like too strong a word here--I realize that it probably comes across as hyperbole. By "love," I mean that it's been easy to enjoy, appreciate, and respect our students so far. The negative signs of potentially bad things to come have not shown themselves so far. I'm just hoping that the positive vibrations are real, that the love is going to last the entire school year. Because if that's the case, there's going to be a lot of higher learning going on, and the results are going to be positive for everyone.

I haven't dealt with any major issues so far. By this point last year--if not very shortly after--I'd already had a student "MF" me in class, to the delight of some of his classmates. ("MF" doesn't stand for "Mr. Floyd.") I felt like the effects of that incident haunted that class all year long, stirring an ugly, unpleasant energy that was challenging to overcome. Unless my memory's failing me, I think my primary sin against that student was to ask him to do what all the other students were doing: to keep his head off his desk and write what I was asking them to write. There were negative signs with that student the very first day, and I was left wondering if I'd have any positive moments with him. There were actually a few positive moments with him, but they weren't lasting. And he always was within a second of flipping--it didn't take much to provoke him. He didn't stay with us all year, and I don't know what ultimately happened to him, but without some major changes, he was heading in every negative direction you can think of, seemingly eager to become a part of the horrible statistics we don't seem often enough capable of reversing.

You don't put 1000 students together and expect that there aren't going to be some students with some problems. What you try to do is control the environment as much as possible and try to figure out how to help or change the students who have problems and/or are causing problems. You try communicating with those stuents, and when necessary, you follow up with proper discipline. I've already heard of some students getting into trouble, with at least one or two directing their negative energy toward their teachers. Some of those students have a history of doing that, and whatever the solution is for turning around their attitudes and/or behaviors hasn't yet been discovered. Maybe we'll figure out those solutions this school year. For the sake of those students, for the sake of our school, and for our sake, let's hope so.

I'm excited and curious right now. Excited about how well the year has started and how much positive potential seems to exist right now. Curious to see if the positive energy can be maintained and magnified. How far can we go? How long will it last? How far and long will it extend?

While I've looked forward to these last two days, I've also finished both days feeling exhausted. I'm drained by the energy that has to be put forth to keep it all moving, to accomplish all that needs to be done. There's a beginning-of-the-year "To Do" list that stretches forever, it seems. With teaching, once the school year begins, it doesn't end until the very end of the school year. Between the first day and the last day, there's not a single day when you leave school knowing that you've done everything that needs to be done. Not if you're honest. There's always one more step that could have been taken: one more record you could have read; one more lesson you could have developed; one more decoration you could have added; one more meeting you could have scheduled or held; one more phone call you could have made, or one more e-mail you could have sent; one more field trip you could have planned; one more speaker you could have scheduled; one more note you could have written; one more set of papers you could have graded; one more text you could have studied; one more incentive you could have created; one more bulletin board you could have changed; one more activity you could have coached or sponsored; etc. Don't think there's not even more that I could have listed here. There's no peace during the school year for a school teacher, no luxury or relaxation. Even the moments you take for yourself require more work and greater preparation, and they leave you feeling guilty and unrelaxed. When you take a day off, for whatever reason, your mind still travels back to school, worrying how all's going for your sub, your teammates, and your students. You're praying and hoping that all went smoothly, that the students were better for your sub than they've even dreamed about being for you.

There's so much more to say. And of course, there's stuff that can't be said. But it's all there. It's all going on everywhere right now, in every school. Stuff most of us don't even have a clue about, though we think we do. It's everything positive and everything negative that you can possibly imagine.

My mind's spinning, right now, trying to figure out how I'm going to keep up with it all.

Back-to-School Open House at SWGMS

Southwest Guilford Middle School held its first Open House for the 2007-2008 school year earlier today. We usually have three Open House dates every year. Two are held on back-to-back dates right before students return to school--one for sixth-graders, and a separate one for seventh- and eighth-graders. The third one is sponsored by our PTSA and is usually held about the middle of September; it's for all three grades.

Tonight's Open House was for seventh- and eighth-grade students, and it was held from 4:00-5:30 PM. It's an opportunity for parents/guardians and students to drop by and meet the teachers.

Just slightly before 4:00 PM, our team's first family arrived. Donna Navey (math), Scott Pugh (social studies), Steve Russillo (science), and I (language arts) decided that we would each greet parents and students individually in our own classrooms. The first family to arrive stopped in Mr. Pugh's room first, and since I didn't have any visitors yet and am diagonally across the hall, I joined them for a brief conversation. Since no one was waiting behind them, we were able to visit with that family a little longer than usual.

Very shortly after that, the waves of families began arriving. Until slightly before 5:30 PM, there was no break, with a constant stream of families coming into and out of our individual classrooms. It's a chance to see the faces and hear the voices of the students we'll be teaching this school year, and it's also an opportunity for us to meet their families.

This was my eleventh beginning-of-the-year Open House, and just like all the others, it was a blur. The hour-and-a-half goes by very quickly, and for almost that entire time, as a teacher, you're talking, introducing yourself, saying "hello," answering questions, briefly discussing your class and subject, and going over the information we're handing out. I should figure out a system to track how many hands I shake and how many people I meet and talk to each year. It's important not to talk too long to individual families because you usually have a line of other families waiting to come in the classroom and meet you. I still manage to slip into longer conversations, and I have to be careful to keep that reasonably under control. In some cases, it's the one time I'm guaranteed of seeing certain parents face-to-face.

Many years, we've tried to hand out a bunch of paperwork during Open House. We made a smarter decision this year (I think). As a team, we only gave out two pieces of paper: 1) a back-and-front letter of expectations from all four teachers on our team and 2) a slip stapled to the letter, listing all of the known documents we plan to send home the first day students return to school (Tuesday, August 28, 2007).

More papers go home with students the first two weeks of school than the rest of the school year. (That's probably a slight exaggeration but only by a bit.) This year, our administrators have secured red folders for us to put all those papers in for our students. In addition to sending all of those papers home, we need to get a lot of them back as soon as possible, and hopefully the red folders will help students keep up with those papers as they take them back and forth between school and home.

The sixth-grade teachers will meet and greet students and their families between 5:00-6:30 PM tomorrow evening (Monday, August 27, 2007). Earlier, I recall wishing I had had an extra day like them to get ready for Open House. Now, I'm glad I won't have to worry about Open House tomorrow and that I'll be able to focus on getting ready for our first day with students.

These beginning-of-the-year Open Houses are our best attended. Most years, we've also had a PTSA-sponsored Open House in September. I haven't heard yet if we'll be doing that this year. Usually, far fewer parents come to the September one. I wish more would come. By that time, we've had a chance to get to know the students some, and at the September Open House, our team's teachers meet will everyone all at once for about 20 minutes. It's a chance for us to share some of what we're doing in each of our classes, as well as some of our team's plans for the rest of the year. It's also a time during which we're able to share any general concerns that have arisen and to answer parents' questions. It'd be great if more parents also chose to attend this Open House.

Thanks to all of the parents, guardians, and students who came out to tonight's Open House. It was a pleasure meeting all of you, and we're looking forward to a great year!

Am I An Idiot?

I like to think that I'm not an idiot. But every year, as school begins, I'm reminded that I might be one. How else can I explain failing to accomplish everything I needed and wanted to accomplish before school starts up again? Those things I needed and wanted to accomplish include school-related and non-school-related tasks.

On the whole, this has been a great summer, and I'm happy about what I did accomplish. But now that the full-time pressure of a brand-new school year has kicked in, I can't help but regret not having accomplished even more.

Over the last few weeks, I've done some Spring Cleaning in my classroom. I'll only confess to close friends that I had report cards dating back to the 1997-98 school year stored in my classroom. That's in addition to report cards and other documents from the years between then and now. Remember: it's now August of 2007.

Needless to say, I've spent some time shredding and throwing away. I started doing this even before our official Teacher Workdays began, but I wish I had started earlier and/or gotten more done sooner. Whereas I earlier approached this Spring Cleaning in relaxed mode--casually looking over documents and reflecting on staff members, parents, students, and experiences--I'm now in panic-mode, trying to get everything ready for a Sunday evening Open House and Tuesday's "Return of the Living Students."

Guilford County Schools didn't schedule Saturday as a Teacher Workday, but for me, it was one. There was some comfort in being in Good Company: all three of my school's administrators spent a good chunk of the day at our school, as did some other teachers. Can I get a Shout-Out from any other Guilford County Schools staff members who also spent part of Saturday at school (or working on school-work at home, which also certainly counts)? Our new principal, Beverly Wilson, indicated that her former school system scheduled about 7 Teacher Workdays before students returned. I didn't offer my two-cents when this year's school calendar was being developed, but it would be potentially healthy and helpful in multiple ways for our school system to consider adding at least a few Teacher Workdays to the beginning of future school calendars.

I know I'll be at our school tomorrow (technically now later today) for Open House. Parents and their seventh- and eighth-grade children have been invited to visit our school and meet their teachers from 4:00-5:30 PM Sunday afternoon. Then, we'll just have Monday to put the final touches on plans for the first day and first week of school.

As with every school year, there's that strange combination of excitement and anxiety. What will our students be like this year? What challenges will pop up? What memories will be formed? How will it all go, and how will everything work out for everyone involved? These questions only broadly cover the thoughts currently flying through my mind. I'm optimistic and hopeful for a positive year, as I am at this point (almost) every year. (If my class rosters don't change much or at all, I will have by far the smallest class sizes that I've had since my very first year of teaching. That doesn't mean we have fewer students at my school, but for the eighth-grade, we have the most core teachers I believe we've ever had--16!--and apparently that has so far led to smaller class sizes, a definite plus. I hope that stays true.)

To balance the stress of spending most of Saturday at school, I made dinner plans with a few friends from school. We had dinner at Natty Greene's, which has always been a positive experience. There was already a good crowd inside when we arrived slightly past 6:00 PM, so we chose to eat outside. Wondered if it might be a bit too hot, but it was near-perfect. There was even a slight breeze that visited us occasionally--it felt great!

Besides Natty Greene's, I also recommend the Idiot Box, an improv-comedy club a couple blocks down on Elm Street. I've only been three times, but each time has been a great experience. I went today because it will be the last time one of my former students, Zach Stinnett, gets to perform there for a while. He's heading to Chicago to study with Second City. It's a very cool thing to witness a former student doing so well in life. I laughed a lot and thoroughly enjoyed tonight's show. Zach was great, as were his cohorts.

If you haven't been before, pick a Friday or Saturday night and visit the Idiot Box. Whether you're an idiot or not, there's a good chance that you'll laugh and have a great time. The cost is between $5.00-$8.00 per person, and you also have a chance to purchase drinks and snacks. It's also worth noting that there are Saturday Matinees at 5:00 PM that are geared toward families. One of my teaching teammates took his daughters, and from what Zach's mother told me--(she was at both the 5:00 PM show with them and the 8:00 PM show with me)--they had a great time.

Southwest Guilford Middle: 2007-2008 School Year Begins

Here is a list of our staff at Southwest Guilford Middle School for the 2007-2008 school year.

Here is some biographical information about my teammates (Donna Navey, Scott Pugh, and Steve Russillo) and me.

Our Midnight Riders team (eighth grade) was going to be an all-male-teacher team, but Adam Duncan decided not to return. We'll miss Adam, but we're certainly happy to gain Donna.

We started our first official workday with a half-day retreat at the Woman's Club of High Point, which is not too far from our school. Although most of our staff members returned, we have several new people on our staff, including Beverly Wilson, our new principal, and Billy Hardy, our new assistant principal. Gloria Ramsey, our other assistant principal, has been at our school several years.

Alan Hooker was our keynote speaker, and he gave a great motivational speech. I remember reading about Mr. Hooker's accomplishments as the quarterback for N.C. A & T State University's football team. (Click here, and scroll to page 14 (of 20) to see a photograph of Mr. Hooker speaking.)

We returned to our school after a great lunch at the Woman's Club. With today now nearly over, we have three workdays to get ready for our students, who return Tuesday, August 28th.

Australian Abstractimals

Click here, scroll down, and check out some Australian abstractimals.

Home page here; artist information here; discovered abstractimals Down Under, earlier this summer.

Giving Bellamy-Small Undeserved Momentum

The results for the recall effort appear to be in.

Who's going to step up and take the blame for giving T. Dianne Bellamy-Small momentum heading into the primary election?

Alcohol on the Brain

A Sunday News & Record article raised the issue of how far we're willing to punish DWIs that do not result in someone being killed.

That same day, the News & Observer pointed out how drunken-driving suspects are sometimes arrested, processed, and shortly turned loose, allowing some of them to be caught a second time for the same offense within hours of their release.

Today's News & Record included an editorial on the subject.

Joe Guarino's thoughts.

Some of my own.

Open Space Cafe Theatre Worth Checking Out

I discovered Greensboro's Open Space Cafe Theatre earlier this summer, learning about it from a review of "The Mystery of Irma Vep." Leslie Mizell's review had made me curious about both the play and the theatre where it was being performed. While "Irma Vep" finished its run August 4th, the Open Space Cafe Theatre has since moved on to its next production.

"Vanities," a play by Jack Heifner, offers this basic plot: "Three women grow, or not, in this comic but biting look at the transformations from high school in the sixties, to college life, to real life in the seventies."

"Vanities" runs through September 1st, with these dates and and times remaining:

• Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 8:00 PM
  
• Friday, August 24, 2007 at 8:00 PM
  
• Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 8:00 PM
  
• Sunday, August 26, 2007 at 2:00 PM
  
• Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 8:00 PM
  
• Friday, August 31, 2007 at 8:00 PM
  
• Saturday, September 1, 2007 at 8:00 PM

Call the box office at (336)-292-2285. When I've gotten voice mail and left a message, someone has promptly gotten back in touch with me.

The theatre is located at 4609 West Market Street in Greensboro. (This is what the theatre looks like from outside.)

Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $17.00 for seniors and students.

There are special rates for groups of 8 or more. Also, there is a Student Rush--students can show up 30 minutes before show times and purchase tickets for $10.00 each (as long as there are still tickets left).

I'm thankful to Irma Vep introducing me to the Open Space Cafe Theatre. It's a small, intimate theatre, with small round tables facing the stage. You're welcome to arrive as early as an hour prior to the performance, with desserts and drinks available for you to purchase and take back to your table.

After "Vanities" finishes its run, the Open Space Cafe Theatre has three remaining shows for its 2007 inaugural season:

• "The Fantasticks" (September 13-October 6)
• "Death Trap" (October 18-November 3)
• "Plaid Tidings" (November 29-December 15 & December 27-31, with a special New Year's Eve Gala Performance)

Performances are Thursday through Saturday (at 8:00 PM) and Sunday (at 2:00 PM).

This theatre is a welcome addition to Greensboro's theatre community, and I encourage you to make plans to attend one of its plays and see how you like it for yourself.

Leslie Mizell pointed out that one of the theatre's weaknesses is not having its own website; for the time being at least, this post contains the basic information about remaining peformances, and hopefully the theatre will add its own website in the future.)

Let's Reconsider Our Love Affair With Alcohol

There are certain love affairs that we are better off ending--or better yet, never starting.

America's love affair with alcohol comes to mind.

I'm not naive enough to suggest that we try Prohibition again. Just as it didn't before, it wouldn't work now. Trying to implement it would only produce an ugly backlash and make criminals out of otherwise decent human beings. It'd end up doing more harm than good, just as it did the last time we gave it a try.

But wouldn't we be better off gradually changing the culture that leads to our childlike infatuation with alcohol?

There's already a road map in place for where we might go with this. Think about where our culture has gone with cigarette smoking. Rather drastic changes have occurred, even in my lifetime, that I'm sure once would have been regarded as impossible and even foolish to try to bring about. And I'm even talking about in North Carolina, a land well-connected to tobacco.

Let's start with advertising. Cigarette ads used to appear on television and radio, but by an act of Congress, they stopped shortly before I was born. Just as it's difficult for us now to imagine a world without beer commercials, I'm sure some people never expected a ban on cigarette TV ads to succeed. (I don't know if cigarette TV ads were ever as entertaining as beer ads, but if we ever do away with beer advertisements, I hope their creators transfer their energy and enthusiasm to advertising soap or other innocuous products.) After getting rid of alcohol advertising on television, we can look at getting rid of its advertising elsewhere.

Smoking doesn't occur in a lot of places where it was once commonplace. That's because it's not allowed in those places anymore. Gradually, rules/laws against smoking in different public places have taken over. Many businesses have taken the initiative themselves to ban smoking. While there are also some limits on when and where alcohol can be purchased and consumed, maybe we can find other ways and more places to curtail drinking. We've already managed to make smoking even less socially acceptable; maybe we can do the same with drinking.

On more personal levels, maybe we need to reconsider the messages we deliver to our children and fellow adults about alcohol. Do we wink knowingly and too easily at the notion of underage drinking? Do we celebrate and encourage drinking more than we should? Is our complacent approval of excessive drinking responsible for the horrible consequences that sometimes result (even if we don't drink excessively ourselves)?

I'm not saying that we need to get rid of alcohol. But might we move our society in a better direction by discontinuing our glamorization of alcohol use?

Think about Tolly Carr and other unfortunate drunks who have made the fateful decision under the influence of alcohol to drink and drive. And who, by so doing, have managed to harm and kill themselves and others.

Think even more about the far greater victims (the innocent ones) who have been hurt and killed by drunk drivers.

Think about the men and women who have found themselves in compromising sexual situations that one or both otherwise would never have chosen. And who sometimes suffer the future unintended consequences of such loveless encounters.

Think about the people who are--with the help of a little alcohol--able to sacrifice all inhibitions, including the one that would prevent them ever ignoring a sincere, perhaps desperate "no!"

Think about the people who find themselves without their usual strength to resist an undesired sexual pursuit.

Think about the otherwise good husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, lovers, friends, and strangers who manage to become human monsters under alcohol's influence, inflicting pain and misery upon anyone in their drunk path.

Think about the individuals who find themselves incapable of adequately responding to life's unexpected emergencies because of the condition in which their drinking has left them.

Sure, there are countless people out there who drink without ever becoming a burden or a menace.

But we too casually accept the problems alcohol too often creates.

And I'm not sure if our society has adequately analyzed its own responsibility for alcohol-influenced tragedies.

We casually cheer and promote a drug that we know changes people and affects their decision-making, sometimes drastically and sometimes for the worst. Alcohol's impact on a person can't be predicted prior to its use. So in a sense, we encourage a game of Russian Roulette: will you be one of the people who can handle his booze responsibly? Or will you be one who turns into a drunk menace to our society?

We've already proven our ability to change our culture's acceptance of an unnecessary, damaging, but legal product.

Maybe it's time we begin changing our culture's unquestioning embrace of another unnecessary, too-often damaging, but legal product.

Only 4 Days Left To See Patsy Cline . . . Live!

(Scroll to bottom for information about remaining performances and tickets.)

I'm not a big fan of country music. I've enjoyed some country music over the years, but it's not the kind of music I turn to on the radio or that I usually choose to listen to.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed "Always . . . Patsy Cline."

Playing at the Broach Theatre in downtown Greensboro, "Always . . . Patsy Cline" is a cross between a play and a live-action concert.

The play part focuses on Houston housewife Louise Seger, who discovered Patsy Cline's music on the "Arthur Godfrey Show" in 1957. Played by Lee Strickland, Louise provides the play's narration and comic relief. With sassy spirit, honesty, and humor, Louise makes us interested in learning how she and Patsy got to know each other. There's some interaction between the two characters, but the play more often relies on Louise's storytelling skills to fill us in on the action.

When Patsy's around, she does what she's best known for: she sings. And performs.

Lisa Dames, a real-life country singer herself, pours enthusiasm and confidence into her role as Patsy. Whether Patsy's performing live or on the radio, we get to see and hear the results. While Louise wears the same outfit throughout the play, Patsy regularly changes costumes, starting with a beautiful purple dress and matching purple high heels. Just as you'd expect a high-quality performer to do, Patsy connects with her audience, making eye-contact, encouraging audience participation, and even stepping out into the audience to dance and flirt with a man or two.

The other performers in this play are the band members. They provide the background for Pasty's voice, and occasionally, they even become part of the conversations with Louise and Patsy. While always visible on-stage, they remain in the background and do not distract the audience from paying attention to the two women at the center of this production.

I can't imagine any country-music fans not having the time of their lives during this approximately two-hour performance. But I also think a lot people who don't typically gravitate to country music would have a great time. (I did!)

You only have four days left to see "Always . . . Patsy Cline":

• Wednesday, August 22, 2007
• Thursday, August 23, 2007
• Friday, August 24, 2007
• Saturday, August 25, 2007

Each of these performances begins at 8:00 PM, with a fifteen-minute intermission.

Call 378-9300 for tickets.

If you get voice mail, just indicate your name, phone number, the date you want to attend, and how many tickets you want.

Tickets cost $15.00-$20.00 each.

The Broach Theatre is located at 520 S. Elm Street in downtown Greensboro.

(Avoid procrastinating, and get your tickets today! Just as it did during its 2002 Greensboro run, this play tends to sell out its performances.)

Sub's Creative Writing Serves Practical Joke

A NOTE LEFT BY A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER:

16 April '99

I don't know where to start. Things were rough to say the least.

AA [homeroom] started the day--no one sat down. No one was quiet, and I'm not sure if roll was taken completely. I could barely get a word in over the loud din of screaming kids.

First period wasn't very cooperative either. A skirmish broke out to start things off. Worksheets were passed out--no one finished all that work. Hopefully you'll get some of it Monday. I told them it was due Monday, but I don't know if they heard me.

I was glad for the short break between first and fourth periods--I subbed across the hall for 20 minutes--they were angels.

Fourth period went like first--there wasn't a skirmish though. Instead, some kids threw some things out of the window. When they tried throwing a chair out, I screamed at the top of my lungs--the chair stayed in the room, but I'm really sorry about the girls who started crying from fear.

Fifth period kept playing jokes on me from the get-go. They laughed so loudly I could barely get the assignment passed out to them. Again, hopefully you'll be able to get work from them Monday--hopefully!! This class also misbehaved during Enrichment period. They flipped the TV station and started cursing each other--I couldn't wait until it was finished!

Sixth period was the worst. 2 kids wrestling. I had to call Mr. Floyd to help me get them off each other. The remaining time was spent with 20 + upset kids, so no work was accomplished.

Sorry, but I will not return to teach for you again. I just want to leave ASAP.

* Please see the attached message.

** This note was inspired by Mr. Floyd

BACKGROUND DETAILS

During the 10 years that I worked with Mr. Sparks, I pulled 2 or 3 practical jokes that really worked. This was one of them.

Mr. Sparks had to be out on a Friday, and he had a substitute teacher, a lady who had not previously subbed at our school. We had a good team overall that year, and she ended up having a great day. After confirming how well things had gone, I asked her if she would consider doing me a favor.

The note above was that favor. I asked her to leave Mr. Sparks two notes: one telling how well everything had actually gone, and another indicating that the day had been filled with miniature disasters. With only that prompt, this substitute teacher produced the note I've typed above. Her perfectly craftly note delicately balanced describing a nearly out-of-control situation with maintaining a somewhat upset but still reasonable tone.

When Mr. Sparks returned to work Monday morning, he was first greeted by the "bad" note. Had it accurately described how her day had gone or had he been left too long thinking that the worst had happened, the practical joke wouldn't have been funny at all. Such a practical joke would also have been ill-advised during the middle of a difficult school year. As it turned out, Mr. Sparks figured out that he had been "got," and he too appreciated the "humor" involved.

Keep in mind that such practical jokes should be reserved for friends who will not mind--and who will even appreciate--humor at their expense.

Most importantly, be ready, willing, and able to endure and enjoy the favor being returned some day.

Bellamy-Small's Opponent's Newsletter

In her on-line newsletter, Tonya Clinkscale reveals what inspired her passion for and interest in running for the district 1 seat on the Greensboro City Council.

Her campaign website is still being developed.

This Carolina Peacemaker article is also worth reading.

2/3 Of Council Candidates Still Lack Web Presence

Less than two months away from the October 9th primary elections, only 11 of the 33 Greensboro City Council candidates have known web presence. (Tonya Clinkscale's website is here in case it hasn't been added to the News & Record's list.)

Six of those candidates do not have to worry about running in the primary; the two mayoral, two district 2, and two district 4 candidates will automatically advance since only two candidates are running for each of those offices. While they have an extra month of breathing room, three of those six candidates already have web presence, including both mayoral canidates.

But of the 27 candidates who face potential elimination in the primary, only 8 candidates currently have known web presence. That means the other 19 "primary" candidates currently are depending entirely on the local media to provide them any coverage. That means that there is no way for citizens to connect on-line with those candidates. It makes one wonder how serious those 19 candidates are. Several of them are unknowns or lesser-knowns for much of our city.

It also makes one wonder if the better-knowns take it for granted that they will advance and that they do not need to put forth the effort it takes to create some web presence for themselves. Some of the better-knowns who are trying to make a come-back in local politics should know better than to take anything for granted. But at least as of now, it seems many of our city council candidates are taking their time with their campaigns, failing to realize that precious time's flying by. And that they might be wasting it.

Check Out Candidate Clinkscale's Website

Tonya Clinkscale, a district 1 candidate for the Greensboro City Council, now has her campaign website up. I believe it's still in development, but it provides some background information about Clinkscale, as well as additional contact information.

Time will tell, but Tonya Clinkscale may be the best candidate to replace T. Dianne Bellamy-Small.

Loosely Connecting St. Cassian, The Lottery, and Half-Nelson

Eric Fink, associate professor at the Elon University School of Law, brought this image and description to my attention.

More background: "St. Cassian, like all good martyrs, was executed for refusing to renounce his beliefs. What's interesting about his case, though, is that he was sentenced to die at the hands of his pupils, whom he taught to read and write (and, apparently, to use shorthand)."

Even back then, students apparently had strange ways of showing their teachers respect and appreciation.

The barbarism toward St. Cassian reminds me of Shirley Jackson's The Lottery. In both cases, children are encouraged to participate fully in cruel and unusual acts. Though unpleasant, The Lottery has the potential to make us think more deeply about ourselves and our ways. We might want to argue that nothing in our culture even remotely compares to what Jackson describes, but we too have our own modest traditions that we tend to accept unquestioningly. If you haven't already, I'd encourage you to read Jackson's short story.

Much less directly, I thought of a fairly recent movie about a teacher who punishes himself through drug use. An otherwise inspiring teacher, Dan Dunne leads a lifestyle that puts his life and career in jeopardy. Though also unpleasant, "Half Nelson" features impressive acting and challenging issues for us to consider. It's well-worth renting and watching.

I've Felt Love's Pain! (It's Like Having A Baby)

Davis Love III has withdrawn from the Wyndham Championship because of kidney stones.

Having experienced a few stones myself, I fully sympathize. The summer after my freshman year of college, I developed an excrutiatingly painful tummy ache. Never having felt anything so painful before, I thought I was dying.

After the diagnosis came in, I was sent to a urologist. He gave me some pain medication and a strainer, telling me that if it hadn't passed by the end of the week, he'd schedule me for surgery. The week passed, but the stone did not. In the hospital, they stuck a needle in my arm, put me to sleep, and inserted a tiny camera inside me so that they could seek out the troublesome stone.

When I awoke, I was informed that the stone must have previously passed on its own without me realizing it. In other words, the surgery hadn't really been necessary. But because they had to mess with such a sensitive area of my body, the doctors also had to leave a tube inside of me. That meant that I would have to return to the doctor's office about a week later to have the tubing removed.

They didn't put me to sleep for the tube's removal. A numbing gel was inserted into the sensitive area. A nurse was also present for a very important reason: she had thick padding wrapped around her arm for me to squeeze as hard as I needed while the doctor removed the tubing. The entire process didn't involve as much pain as you might imagine. But there was definitely some physical discomfort. More importantly, there was mental discomfort--that's why it was so smart of them to have a padded arm available for me to squeeze. The idea of having that part of my body messed with was enough to make the entire experience rather unpleasant. After he had finished removing the tubing, the doctor asked if I wanted to keep it. I was so relieved to have the procedure over with that I told him he could keep it.

I've had a few stones since then. I found out that the worst pain comes from the stone moving around inside you. When the stone actually shoots out of your body, it might be a bit uncomfortable, but it's nothing next to the pain of having the stone manuever itself inside of you. It may sound sick and disturbing, but I finally broke down and saved one of my stones. I store that rough-looking little pebble inside a small plastic container. I don't keep it out in public view, but when people indicate an interest in seeing a kidney stone, I gladly pull it out to share.

When I had a kidney stone attack at school about 7 or 8 years ago, I tried to be tough and avoid leaving school early. I was giving a test that day, and though the pain was great, I paced the room, grimacing and trying to keep hidden how badly I was hurting. Around lunch time, I broke down and told my principal that I had to leave school and go to the hospital. Mr. Farkas drove me himself. As I bent over in the passenger seat, moaning, I'm sure that he thought I was dying. I'm still very grateful for that ride.

I've been told by some nurses that they've seen more men break down crying from a kidney stone than from any other kind of medical pain. I know what they mean. I've also heard some people say that the pain caused by a kidney stone is comparable to the pain experienced by a woman giving birth. Such a comparison could only be a made by a woman who has experienced both. If it's true that the pain is about the same, I have even greater sympathy for what a woman goes through while giving birth.

I still think that having a kidney stone is worse than having a baby. Even if the pain is as bad or worse, there's a very bright light on the other side of that delivery pain: you get to walk away from the experience with a baby to love and raise. After experiencing kidney stone pain, all you have to walk away from the experience with are some stories to share and possibly an ugly little stone to keep. Stones and the stories they inspire don't begin to compare to all the great things that come from becoming a parent. I'd much rather produce a baby from my body than a kidney stone.

I'm honestly not much of a golf fan, but I'm very much pulling for Love right now. I hope his stone passes naturally and painlessly, and if not, I hope the surgery goes smoothly. Best wishes bouncing back, Mr. Love.

Paideia Blogging

John Robinson has set up a third strand centered around how to create a more civil, more inviting blogging atmosphere.

Unlike the first strand and the second strand on this topic, John's asking individuals who have already commented to stay on the sidelines and NOT to add any more comments.

John probably realizes that some of us feel tortured by such a bizarre request.

It's an experiment of sorts, one suggested by Mark Binker.

Mark: "I don't know if that would create a safe enough space for others to chime in, but it's a thought."

A thought worth considering.

I don't know if this experimental invitation will bring in new voices by itself.

But the idea that more new voices might enter the conversation if some of the old voices would occasionally keep quiet is worth considering.

The dynamics in cyberspace are different than the ones in which people come face to face, such as in a meeting or in a classroom.

But I'm sure most of us have been in meetings and classrooms in which the same core group of individuals do all or most of the talking.

The primary talkers usually think that the listeners just prefer to listen and don't have anything to say.

That's probably true sometimes.

But what talkers don't realize sometimes is that more of the listeners might jump in if ever given real opportunity.

The talkers tend to think that that such opportunities are abundant.

What they sometimes fail to realize is that they and the other dominant talkers are "stealing" every opening into the conversation, leaving no meaningfuly "wait-time" for others to join in.

The space that is filled with your voice takes away from the opportunity to hear someone else's voice.

In a meeting or classroom, a good leader tries to make sure everyone is given opportunities to speak and that the environment is comfortable enough for everyone.

Some people have a lot to say, arguably more than others.

Some of those people have a seemingly infinite supply of great ideas to share.

But it's arrogant for anyone to think that he has a monopoly on those great ideas.

It's also arrogant to assume that the voices that never speak up have nothing to say.

It's healthy for talkers to step back and give room for others to enter the conversation.

Paideia seminars, in which a common text is explored and discussed, offer the opportunity for people to learn better communication skills.

Ideally, seminars have participants seated in a circle.

Everyone is invited to jump into the conversation at any time.

Usually a facilitator gets things started by asking an opening question that everyone answers by going around the entire circle.

After going full-circle, the rest of the dialogue depends on individuals jumping in, preferably without any hand raising.

The facilitator's job is to make sure everyone behaves well and that new questions are asked when the conversation otherwise stops.

Since hand-raising isn't permitted, the facilitator shouldn't have to call on anyone.

There's a fine line between encouraging absolutely open dialogue and preventing ugly communication.

Some people will shut down, sometimes forever, if they're given reason to fear how others will respond.

One interesting strategy with paideia circles is to assign an inner circle and an outer circle.

Individuals in the inner circle are the out-loud participants, the ones who can express themselves freely.

Individuals in the outer circle are the full-time listeners, the ones who have to keep their thoughts entirely to themselves.

The "outsiders" are often instructed to take notes about what the "insiders" are saying.

The dynamics for paideia seminars do not translate perfectly into the world of blogging.

But it's worth thinking deeply about how we each participate in blogging and how our participation influences and affects others.

Clinkscale Might Best Replace Bellamy-Small

I attended the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress's City Council District Candidates Forum on August 9th in the Nussbaum Room of the Central Library.

Four of the five district 1 candidates attended. (James W. Carpenter, Jr. did not show up.)

These are my current thoughts about these four candidates:

1. T. Dianne Bellamy-Small seems to understand many of the issues affecting her district and which city agencies can be used to make a positive difference.

Although I do not support the recall effort against her, voters should elect one of her opponents to replace her.

There have been legitimate issues raised about how she has handled herself in different situations.

She has tried to explain away criticisms instead of answering them.

If she is re-elected, I seriously doubt that she will have learned any lessons, despite the recall attempt.

Voters put their faith and trust in her to represent them, and while she may have served well in some areas, she has also behaved arrogantly and unilaterally, earning distrust and suspicion in the process.

2. For almost the entire forum, Tonya Clinkscale impressed me the most.

In her introduction, she emphasized economic development, affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, and private investment alliances.

She cited her experience as a self-employed project manager of construction and renovation projects and a licensed real estate broker, as well as her service on the Community Resource Board.

Clinkscale also pointed out her skills at bringing people together, successfully completing projects, and being active in the community.

She also promised to bring neighborhoods together.

She was honest about taxes, indicating that she didn't think we can afford to reduce taxes but that the council needs to be diligent about how money is spent.

Clinkscale's least impressive moment during the forum was when she indicated that she had reservations about RUCO but otherwise passed on the opportunity to elaborate at all.

This article is well-worth reading. From it, I appreciated learning about Clinkscale's personal efforts against gang activity; I don't believe she brought up those efforts during this forum. I hope she chooses to do so in the future. Reading about it made a strong impression; hearing about it might at least do the same.

3. Charles Coffey emphasized problems with crime, gang activity, slow economic growth, homelessness, and poverty.

He also referred to the revitalization of the High Point Road/Lee Street corridor.

Coffey seemed very sincere about trying to get people to get along together, citing better race relations.

When asked about how to promote neighborhood identities and ensure representation, he brought up the Glenwood area.

He also mentioned the need to "grow Greensboro," as well as the need for more revenue and to control taxes.

Regarding RUCO, Coffey pointed out that the biggest problem is enforcement, while adding that he wouldn't let a dog live in some rental properties.

4. Luther T. Falls, Jr. opened by talking about jobs and the increase in crime and gang activity.

While he mentioned involvement in the business community and in different activities, he was not very specific.

He mentioned making people more aware of existing services and focusing on small businesses.

Falls emphasized the importance of being aware of culture in neighborhoods, adding that tradition is very positive.

He expressed support for a gang unit.

He also said that RUCO has some merits but that it needed to be constantly reviewed to make sure it's accomplishing what it's supposed to achieve.

MY CURRENT IMPRESSIONS

If I had to vote today, I would cast my vote for Tonya Clinkscale.

I liked how she presented herself and her ideas.

Reading more about her in the Carolina Peacemaker, I'm even more interested in her potential as a city council member.

If Clinkscale had a blog, I'd be curious to read and learn more about her and her plans for Greensboro.

For example, a blog would allow her to explain her RUCO stance; her response to the RUCO question was her main stumble at the forum.

As mentioned, Bellamy-Small has been given a fair chance to serve.

But with at least three decent candidates running against her, it would be a mistake not to give someone else a chance to represent and serve district 1 and the city of Greensboro.

Coffey currently ranks as my second choice.

Falls needs to be more specific. He spoke too often in generalities.

At least as they presented themselves at the forum, I didn't think any of the candidates were unlikeable.

Some came across better than others, but no one inspired dislike.

All of these candidates expressed genuine concern for our community.

Currently, Bellamy-Small is the only one with any known web presence.

Any of the other candidates could do themselves a big favor by creating (and using) a blog or at least setting up a website.

Carpenter is at an automatic disadvantage, but since it's early in the election season, maybe he will make it clear later why district 1 voters should consider choosing him as their representative.

Don't Hate Us Because We're Beautiful!

When I saw the two creatures below, I immediately thought of Kelly LeBrock.

We love to create make-believe creatures.

But sometimes, what already exists is strange and unusual enough.

There's even a certain profound beauty.

Took these pictures at Underwater World in Australia.

What's It Gonna Take To Get You To Blog?

A fifth (and for now, final) question raised in this post and this post is how more people can be brought into our blogging community.

I'm now not as gung-ho about suggesting that others should blog as I was when I previously (and relatively briefly) blogged.

It depends so much on personal tastes, as well as on how much valuable time a person can sacrifice to do it.

Negatively judging people for not blogging is as bad as negatively judging those who do. (Not just bad--also unnecessary.)

I do believe that the blogging community--like any community--can be made stronger and better by adding more voices.

But some people just aren't interested in their voices being permanently recorded.

Many people just have too many other responsibilities and interests.

All of those reasons for not blogging have to be respected.

Still, it's not a bad thing to keep trying to bring more people in by:

• Educating people about the medium.
• Inviting people's participation.
• Focusing more on those who approach it positively than on those who insist on coming at it from a more negatively.
• Celebrating and publicizing its more creative efforts and greater successes.

Like all communities, blogging needs ambassadors, individuals who make newcomers and old-timers feel welcome to join and continue being a part of the discussion.

Just as in the bigger world, there needs to be genuine respect and appreciation for diverse views, topics, approaches, and voices.

How we each choose to express ourselves matters.

Just a few ideas to keep the ball rolling.

Why Are You Such An Ugly Blogger?

A fourth question raised in this post and this post centers around what can be done about all the ugliness in the blogosphere that likely turns off many potentially interested individuals.

One of the last times that I expressed myself over at the Chalkboard, I ended my post by suggesting that an individual focus on his/her arguments instead of attacking an entire community of people.

(I was not alone in noticing that this person had been engaging in this tactic for what has seemed like a blogging eternity.)

I tried to make my suggestion as inoffensively as possible without sacrificing the message that this person needed to consider a different approach.

At being inoffensive, I apparently failed miserably.

That person pretty much took my comments as an invitation to turn his/her venom on me a bit.

I started to respond a couple of times.

And I just decided it wasn't worth it.

What could be gained?

What could I possibly hope to prove?

That person has expressed the same ugly point so many times that any hope of regular readers being open-minded to his/her points is lost.

I actually think that person raises some issues that are worth discussing and considering. (A FEW)

But any chance for rational discussion with that person is lost in the chaos he/she stirs.

I wish everyone else who comments on the Chalkboard blog would just ignore every single comment made by that individual.

Sure, that person might continue to express disagreeable views disagreeably.

But without the back-and-forth interaction, I really think there would be the potential for that person to lose steam and either change his/her approach or stop commenting.

I didn't like some of what that person said about me, but I just decided that I didn't need to defend or explain myself and that I'd be wasting my time by getting into a discussion with that person, trying to make a point he/she would have resisted completely.

(One funny thing arose. Some parents who know me made comments in response to what that individual said to me. One person said he/she knew me and indicated that I was a black man. I figured that the person must have meant to type "white man" instead.)

Blogging did make me even more aware that there are some genuinely ugly people out there.

I didn't just wake up and realize this, but previously, I mainly knew that ugliness was out there from reading the news.

There are some beautiful people in the blogging community, but there are some ugly ones too.

Behind the cloak of not having to reveal their real names, these individuals seem more inspired to unleash their ugliness.

Finding yourself aggressively attacked by an annonymous commenter can leave you a little uneasy, more so than when you at least know the identity of the person confronting you.

Some have thicker skin for that kind of thing than others.

I do strongly believe in free speech.

But I also hate how ugly speech can silence some/many voices.

A student (or teacher) blurting out an ugly comment can have a similar effect on other students' comfort levels as an ugly comment on a blog often has on that community's potential commenters.

As a teacher, you respond to a student's ugly comment, but once the comment has been released for everyone to hear, at least some damage is pretty much ensured.

Same thing in a blogging community.

When I gave up blogging and didn't return for quite some time, the biggest consideration was time, not being turned off by ugly commenters.

But even two years ago, when I first ventured into the "universe of the narcissistic," I found some of the communication distasteful, even a turn-off.

Why Are Bloggers Like So Totally Narcissistic?

A third question raised in this post and this post is why anyone would choose to join the "universe of the narcissistic."

That universe includes pretty much our entire community of bloggers.

At least according to Marcus Kindley.

Is Kindley right?

Are most bloggers narcissistic?

Absolutely.

It's present in probably each and every individual who writes for any audience larger than one's self.

It's also present in anyone who thinks he or she is more qualified than others to lead an organization or a business.

Politics itself creates its own special breed of narcissists.

Each sport produces one or two narcissists a year.

But, is narcissism always a bad thing?

Is it always excessive?

I don't think so.

It depends on how individuals express themselves and how they treat others.

It depends on how it balances itself in a person's personality and in his/her words and actions.

Not to be unkind, but in response to the narcissistic challenge posed by Kindley, these things stuck out about his post:

1. "Reading this makes me pat myself on the back for ending my blog." (Isn't patting oneself on the back one symptom of narcissism?)

2. "Proudly signed"? (No comment.)

Like John Robinson, I think Kindley raises some legitimate points.

But there's also a bit of unnecessary baggage with those points.

You can do better and be better, Mr. Chairman.

So can I.

Maybe that's the best point for all of us to walk away from this with.

Why Haven't You Joined Us At The Blogging Table?

A second question raised in this post and this post is why more members of our community have not joined us at the blogging table.

In real life, there's usually a smaller community of individuals within the larger community who choose to be more engaged.

Voting in America demonstrates that point.

Within a school, the same group of students fills positions in a variety of activities (clubs, sports, etc.).

In workplaces, the same group of individuals volunteers to go above-and-beyond-the-call-of-duty.

Local government operates the same.

(Sandy Carmany said she had a hard time getting enough people from her district to volunteer to serve on boards. Usually, there are only a handful of candidates; in the past, some politicians have gotten free passes because no one's stepped up to run against them.)

You might want to label it elitism, but even when other people are invited to join the more engaged, a good many simply choose not to do so.

In many cases, it's a matter of competing interests.

Family.

Friends

Work.

Other real-life responsibilities.

Other interests and hobbies.

Do-nothing-but-relax-and-enjoy time.

So if you choose to do one thing, something else gets sacrificed.

If you choose to spend time blogging, what else could you be doing during that time?

I'm sure that's how many people look at it.

Even if there's some interest, there might not be enough to override other interests and commitments.

Some people simply choose to be interested in other things than we're interested in.

Maybe we ultimately just need to be happy with who is here and not worry so much about who's not.

Can Blogging Influence Our Community?

One question raised in this post and this post is whether blogging really has much influence in our community.

These are some old-school (*) examples I thought of:

1. I have no way of evaluating its impact, but on my previous blog (2005), I supported Guilford County Commissioner Skip Alston's opponent during Alston's attempt at re-election as the president of the NC NAACP.

Curmilus Dancy II (The Political Agitator), from the Rocky Mount area, discovered and linked to several of my posts against Alston's re-election and supporting his opponent, the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber. (Curmilius is still blogging away.)

Alston lost, which he had not previously.

I don't know if blogging contributed to that result or not.

But I do know that about that time, I was thinking that Alston was probably unbeatable and that efforts against him were probably futile.

I was wrong.

For the right price, I'd be willing to blog against Alston in 2008, should he choose to run for re-election as a Guilford County Commissioner.

Anyone who's thinking about running against Alston should just keep these two things in mind: a) Alston's now beatable and b) if blogging might have had an influence before, it might have an influence again.

2. Very shortly after first meeting some of our local bloggers, a group of us organized a candidates' forum.

It wasn't as well attended as I would have liked, but it did attract some attention, and each of the 8 at-large candidates for the Greensboro City Council attended.

3. I also blogged about supporting this museum. (I hadn't visited the still-unopened museum's website in quite some time; I do like the provocative nature of its current homepage.)

My efforts there must have not made too much of a difference; the museum's STILL not open!


* Two years ago is REAL OLD-SCHOOL when measured in blogging time!

Aggie Pride Stretches Back to Late '70s (for me)

When I wrote this, I initially provided this introduction (before recognizing that it prevented me jumping into that post's main subject more quickly):

N.C. A & T State University has been a part of my life since my elementary school years.

On teacher workdays and during the summer, my mom would sometimes take me to Ferdinand D. Bluford Library (its old building), where she worked.

I remember learning about this great man. (I'm hoping our Guilford County Schools will later take advantage of the opportunity to name one of its schools after him.)

And though I have very mixed opinions about this man, he's also a very well-known alumnus.

In high school, I had a chance to visit the campus and hear Dr. Benjamin Carson speak. (He's a talented neurosurgeon, the author of Gifted Hands, and an amazing speaker.)

I took a biology course at A & T one summer.

Both my brother, Brice, and his very-soon-to-be wife, Lynette Jones, graduated from A & T.

A couple years ago, I attended this event on A & T's campus.

And I'm leaving out other times that I've visited the campus and had positive experiences there.

It didn't take long to realize and appreciate how important A & T is to our community.

(I haven't even mentioned this particularly rich part of A & T's and Greensboro's history.)

With all this in mind, I care about A & T and its success.

I've cheered A & T's proud accomplishments over the years.

And when A & T has suffered set-backs, I've pulled for a quick and thorough recovery.

With this person at the helm, I'm expecting A & T to experience even greater success and many more accomplishments.

AGGIE PRIDE!!!

Dr. Battle Makes Positive First Impression

After listening to this interview, I'm excited about Dr. Stanley F. Battle serving as A & T's chancellor.

Dr. Battle comes across as a serious, purposeful man who plans to lead A & T to even higher levels.

He conveys respect, sincerity, and decency, as well as quiet enthusiasm.

His responses to Doug Clark's questions were very much to the point--my impression is that Dr. Battle prefers to be straight-forward and that he strongly values honesty.

Addressing what challenges he will face, Dr. Battle pointed out that "there's so many people to deal with. Each person is important on that campus."

I have the impression that Dr. Battle realizes how important it will be to connect with everyone on his campus, as well as with the broader Greensboro and Guilford County communities.

Knowing the financial irregularities that were recently exposed at A & T, Dr. Battle recognizes that "best practices" must be in place to ensure that future problems do not arise under his watch.

Doug asked Dr. Battle, "Who are the most important people to you?"

Dr. Battle immediately answered, "My wife and daughter . . . and God.

"But other than that, everyone is, quite frankly, because you can't shortchange anyone.

"And when you look down on someone, you never know when they're going to come back and get you.

"So the reality is to treat everyone the same way, and that is kind of difficult."

He added that he's "always telling someone, 'just come see me,'" indicating that his office staff has already told him he can't do that.

Dr. Battle's response: "We're gonna work on that."

(From the way Dr. Battle shared this exchange, I sensed that the office staff meant that it wouldn't be practical for him to see everyone but that Dr. Battle still wants to makes sure he's fully accessible to the A & T community and to the larger local community.)

He wants to "make sure everyone's treated the same way."

His comments and the way he delivered them strongly suggest that he recognizes the supreme importance of treating all people with respect and dignity.

(Dr. Battle may ultimately serve as a role model for some of our less impressive local leaders.)

I'm curious about the public school (K-12) initiatives that Dr. Battle plans to set up. (This is one such initiative that already exists on A & T's campus.)

As someone who thinks some leaders are much too arrogant, I appreciated hearing Dr. Battle say, "Four-year institutions must lose their arrogance because if we don't reach back, we won't have jobs."

My first impression of Dr. Battle is very positive.

Dr. Battle is a welcome addition to Greensboro, and I foresee great things happening for A & T and our larger community under his leadership.

Thanks to Doug and the News & Record for taking the time to conduct this interview and make it available for us.

GPD To Host Drug and Gang Awareness Forum Aug. 28

Currently advertised on the front page of the City of Greensboro's website:

Drug and Gang Awareness Forum

Parents, grandparents and caregivers are encouraged to attend.

The Greensboro Police Department is hosting a Drug and Gang Awareness Educational Forum on Tuesday, August 28 from 6:30 to 8 pm in Webb Hall on the NC A&T State University campus.

Parents, grandparents and caregivers of children and teenagers are encouraged to attend this free workshop to learn how to identify the signs of drug and gang involvement and how to determine the best course of action.

The forum will be presented by Detective Ernest Cuthbertson.

I've missed any previous announcements about this event and thought others might share my interest in knowing about it.

How Can You Clean Up the Mess You Made at the Candidates' Forum?

You're a candidate for the Greensboro City Council.

You've been invited to a candidates' forum.

It's the perfect opportunity for you to make yourself and your views better known.

It's your chance to impress the people whose vote you so desperately need.

You're a smart candidate, so as you're preparing for this big event, you get out your purple tie.

Or your purple dress suit.

(Remember: Fashion matters when you're campaigning.)

You practice speaking in front of your husband.

Or your wife.

Or your children.

If he's in a patient enough mood, you even get the dog to listen to you for a few minutes. (The cat's never in the mood.)

You study a little bit, and brainstorm the questions and topics that might come up.

Maybe you enlist a friend or two to generate some challenging questions.

If you're lucky, they might even take the time to drill you some.

Now, it's the big event.

You're ready!

The event begins.

Later, it ends.

In some areas, you did an amazing job.

You've even managed to impress yourself.

But you also messed up a good bit.

And you know it.

You forgot to say a few things you had every good intention of saying.

Your tongue got tied once or twice.

You stumbled to articulate a great point you were trying to make.

One or two questions really caught you completely off guard, and you were totally unprepared.

And you know it showed.

Your friends failed to prepare you for those slap-you-upside-the-face questions they were supposed to get you ready to handle.

Your opponents also did a better job of expressing themselves on a few subjects.

Even you could tell, and if that's the case, audience members probably noticed too.

You're worried now.

The media was there.

Will they mainly focus on your mistakes?

Will they provide better converage to your opponent?

Will they only print part of what you said?

And will they quote you out of context?

Have the bloggers and editorial writers already decided to support your opponent?

Is it really that easy to slip and fall and have no way of pulling yourself up again?

Is there no way to fix the damage?

My friend.

All is not lost.

You have the ability to redeem yourself.

Don't you already have a blog set up?

(If not, can't you set one up? Or can't you at least visit some blogs and post a few comments?)

Can't you set the record straight?

Can't you elaborate on the points you didn't get a chance to finish making?

Can't you clarify yourself a bit?

Can't you take the time to explain yourself and your views in a little more detail?

Can't you control your own message?

The tools you need to help you win are out there.

So what's you gonna do?

Tips For Future Candidates' Forums

I attended the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress 's City Council District Candidates Forum earlier this evening.

First off, thanks to the organizers for putting on an event that was well-worth attending.

I also appreciated and enjoyed hearing from the candidates themselves.

I definitely think our city has some good options in the upcoming district elections.

This forum was a great way to get the campaign season jump-started.

A few suggestions for future candidates' forums (by the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress, or by other organizations):

1) Use a basic font for name cards. I liked the large name cards that stood on the table in front of each candidate. I think the letter size was fine, but I couldn't read them very well from further back in the room because of the fancy font that was used. That made it hard to read the candidates' names.

2) Begin on time. The event was scheduled to begin at 6:45 PM. Things didn't actually get started until 7:00 PM. What that ended up meaning is that hardly any questions collected from the audience were asked.

3) Avoid repeating similar questions. There are so many topics and issues that different people care about. Give the candidates the opportunity to address as many different topics as possible.

4) Emphasize that all electronic devices be turned off. At least once, a very loud cell phone went off--while a candidate was in the middle of speaking. Organizers of this forum did a great job of emphasizing conduct, but I don't think they mentioned turning off electronic devices.

5) Encourage candidates to stand up when speaking. A few candidates did this. And for them, it made a powerful difference. Since the seating is all level, people in the back often cannot see the candidates very well (or at all) when they're seated. Candidates can choose not to stand, but I'd suggest pointing out to them that it makes a better impression when they stand for everyone to see them.

6) Be sure you have enough copies of all forum documents. One sheet outlined Procedures for Conduct of Forum; another sheet provided information about the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress and future candidates' forums. Great information. Just not enough copies available for everyone who attended. (Both sheets were single-sided; back-and-front copies should have been made.)

7) Collect, print, and provide candidates' contact information. When you invite candidates to the forum, ask for their permission to print their contact information. It would have been great to have provided everyone a handout with the candidates' e-mail addresses and website/blog addresses. At the very least, provide audience members a list of the candidates' names.

Thanks again to the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress and the Greensboro City Council district candidates.

The suggestions I've made above are only to make future forums even better than this one already was.

Is Imani Graffiti Gang-Related?

Close to 6:30 PM tonight, I parked near the corner of Market Street and Church Street, across the street from the News & Record.

I was on my way to attend this event.

Walking along the sidewalk, I suddenly saw something to my left that made me stop and take a closer look.

At the site of the now-closed Imani Institute, this is what I saw:





Actually, I saw more than you just saw.

But the way the lighting worked, my camera couldn't capture the image as my own eyes saw it. (You can get some of the effect, but not the full effect.)

Not to worry.

Right about 9:00 PM, the Greensboro City Council candidates' forum ended.

After talking to a few old friends, I left the Greensboro Public Library and walked back to my car.

But before I made it back to my car, I stopped to see if I could take a better picture.

It was worth the time and effort to capture this powerful juxtaposition:



Does the graffiti mean anything?

Is it gang-related?

I honestly can't read it myself, so I can't answer my own questions.

Gang-related or not, it represents a public eyesore.

Either way, it seemed appropriate to post this after attending a candidates' forum that included some discussion about what appears to be a growing gang problem in Greensboro.

Looking Down on the Great Barrier Reef

The last time I visited the Great Barrier Reef, I snorkeled for the first time.

It's one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had.

This time, I added a helicopter ride over the Reef.

It was my first time flying in a helicopter, which was pretty thrilling by itself.

(You feel the need to duck as you approach the helicoptor, even though the rapidly spinning blades aren't low enough to hit you.)

The view from above is incredible also:

Beautiful Lake McKenzie

(Scroll down to see an absolutely beautiful photograph!)

Justin Horne and I traveled to Australia for two weeks earlier this summer.

Through People to People's Student Ambassador program, it was my third trip to Australia and Justin's first.

We had an amazing time!

We traveled with Barbara Brinegar, another North Carolina leader, as well as Trina Scanlan, a leader from Minnesota.

And whom did we lead?

Forty-one fifth- and sixth-grade students--30 from North Carolina and 11 from Wisconsin.

Justin's pictured below in front of Lake McKenzie. (Look carefully, and you can see my shadow holding the camera!)

Though slightly chilly, most of us went swimming here.

Lake McKenzie was only one of our wonderful experiences on Fraser Island.

Please Feed the Shivering Editorial Squirrels

Read this.

Then, enjoy this. (HILARIOUS!)

Too Much Pollution in the Blogosphere?

John Robinson made some provocative points in this post.

I posted my initial response here.

Tension Between 'Insiders' and 'Outsiders'

I think a lot of different truths have been expressed on a thread over on Hogg's Blog. (Worth clicking here and reading Hogg's post and its 20-something responses before you continue.)

I don't think it's a matter of one person being right and someone else being wrong.

There are different potential truths for readers to walk away with from the comments that have been expressed.

When I read this thread earlier (before several more comments were added), this comment by Ed Cone made a lot of sense:

“I’m not arguing that this inner circle is malevolent — it may be a natural product of the way people network, and it may sometimes produce effective and honest government — but it damn sure exists.”

He's simply acknowledging that the inner circle exists.

And while that certainly could be a bad thing, it also could very well be a good thing.

That’s where deeper analysis of individual “insiders” becomes necessary. (Who are the good ones? And who are the bad ones?)

Inner circles exist all around us.

In schools, in churches, in governments, in businesses, in families.

Just about everywhere, they exist.

By implication, those inner circles are where a considerable amount of power resides.

People with that power tend to think there’s good reason for them to have it and try to keep it. (As long as they don't go outside of certain boundaries and as long as they're not hurting others, they're entitled to try to keep that power.)

People without that power either accept that or think that things would be better if they (or at least other "outsiders") had it.

Although some people now argue that we should move away from it, the district system was set up as a means of giving some “outsiders” a shot at some of the power.

Arguably for better and for worse, the district system has succeeded at creating new “insiders.”

People who were once outside the system gained a passageway into the system.

Now, those people are a part of the “insider” system themselves.

“Outsiders” have to work to become “insiders.”

In local politics, I’ve gotten the impression that many “outsider” candidates have not worked hard enough to make themselves known and to earn votes.

I’m not sure if there’s enough creativity flowing into many campaigns.

If I was running and had any impression that the media wasn’t paying enough attention to my campaign, I’d be trying to figure out ways to make it impossible to ignore me. (I’d still be sure not to do anything stupid or illegal to gain that attention.)

Some candidates have run several times before without making the gains that you’d think they might be able to make--if they worked harder, smarter, and more creatively. Some candidates have been primarily responsible for their own lack of success.

There are examples of incumbents (“insiders”) losing elections. Some of them have probably taken things for granted.

But those examples provide evidence that “insiders” can be beaten. (I’ve been somewhat shocked a few times to see certain candidates lose. In this election, some former "insiders" are trying to make a come back so that they can be inside the circle again. From experience, they must think it's better to be an "insider" than to be an "outsider.")