August 30, 2013
I had been a veritable storehouse of poems…but…after Dr. J’s death, and the flight of my super ego — poetry inspiration seemed to dry up (though I have quite a few verses and stanzas scattered about on note paper).
My writing drought got to the point that Giti asked me how my book on fixing American education was coming along…and I had to respond: It wasn’t. Even Dante (who I haven’t seen in-a-couple-of-years – but is back in town) couldn’t fire-me-up to offer solutions to the American education paradox (at least at our initial reunion). Recall: Dante put out an e-book on classroom management that I gather did fairly well (I maintain this was because I wrote the original forward!).*
After a thorough self analysis however, I realized that my doldrums were the result of extreme contentment. I’m just plain-old happy! I have recently finished remastering the 30-year recording originally entitled Necronom; now known as Evermore, The Shadow Walk. I was very pleased with the Mighty Kahn’s production on the album and the Youtube postings. I am also very pleased with the Big B’s attention to my website; and, loved By George’s graphics’ work on the t-shirt and the album. But most-of-all, the Watchman suggested that my singing on “Ladders and Chutes” was passable.
In addition: I am teaching 4 classes at CSUN; the Rosenthal Wine Tasting Room across from Topanga is still standing and serving great wines; and, this Summer has been excellent for trunking. It also seems like I’ve balanced my PH: what with the gout, bone spurs and sinus pain having quite left me. I seem to have a new sense of clarity!
And then along comes Monica Ratliff; who recently won a seat on the LAUSD school board (that’s the Los Angeles Unified School District Board for those not-in-the-know). I have spoken to this crew before and they tend to be an assemblage of career bureaucrats; ladder climbing politicians; and dotty parents. No one on this school board seems to have a clue about educating L.A.’s children or the massive hurdles teachers face as they attempt to deliver the curriculum.
Enter Monica, an elementary school teacher (also a hottie [at least in my estimation]) who ran for a school board seat and won. In a recent interview with my beloved Times – Monica answered the interviewer’s questions like a savvy teacher should. It’s the first time that I can remember someone making sense about LAUSD’s attempts at education (aside from former mentor, Stephen Krashen) in a very long time. Monica’s responses were a breath of fresh air! Finally…someone who not only understands the classroom experience and the nature of a student – but also a professional who is aware of the union-smashing tactics aimed at privatizing American education (much like our prisons have been privatized).
*Then Dante returned a call I had put out to him and stated that we have to start labeling people as “retarded” again; particularly when LAUSD teachers are told by the Retards** that they can’t suspend students in response to open defiance: talk about putting one-legged people into ass-kicking contests!?
**This is not a critical Moi – I am just reporting Dante’s words…
I felt pedagogically reborn! I believe I can now write about education again; knowing that at least two people out there have some understanding about the educational concerns I’ve been writing about for the past 7-or-so-years.
I am am also bolstered by Thomas Kuhn’s belief that you only need 25 adherents to create a scientific community…I do believe I have reason to write…