31 January, 2009
Alabaster crashes down
After the disasters of practice on Friday, my great cheering mood - all week - fled. This nite - my birthday, I'll finally out myself - I was surrounded by frenz who I love, celebrating Vitos return (and his bday) @ a kick ass restuaraunt, seeing people I haven't seen in awhile - and all I could think about was todays conditioning.But it was important that I had people about me last nite. It was a great nite. i was often staring off into space - not the usual reason, for for that there was none reason - because I just kept replaying the incidents in my head.
However, what A nite. We eventually met @ Osteria Via Stato (about 600 N. State) @ 8.15, and y I was on time.
But first: After practice, even though I was 1/4 of a mile from where I would meet GF to carpool up to the North Loop, I had to drive to my house just so .......... I could have some motherly love from MOM. (Note to parents - please don't baby yr boys of they'll end as an embarrasing failure comme moi). But yeah - I wanted to see Mom. It was hard to leave too - "Bye Mom", i yelled out to the kitchen - but through the crack of the open door, i watched as MOM stuggled to eat, stand, drink, etc etc ... and I didn't want to leave. So I ran back in, decided if this was the last birthday I would even have w/ MOM, I should desperaley try to document it - so her, not understanding my deep distress, placated me by posing w/ her only still living son.
And then, bases in Mt. Greenwood released it's raiders - me in the Strasser* - to wreak havoc in the nite. The ride to collect my Love and then to eatery was well steamed, and I dropped of Gf and seeked a mooring shed. Oh, they were there. The Drawinas, the Patiences, the Shipleys, Liz Bustamante, Kahla no O, and old friend Sistuh (et mari), and latecomers the di Lammermores and - I didn't think y'd make it- Papaerplane. Others were there, but if y think I talked the these strangers, w/ Pearl Harbour breaking out in my head and me trying to raise steam on Neveda - well, let me hit y w/ 15 Vals, 15 Kates, one squadron of Zeros providing top cover and another squadron strafing the AA sites.
Dinner was as large as Bari is south. I knew I'd be eating, so I kinda starved meself. It was all great - meatball-itos, fancy onions, duck pasta, main course off a bone. I ate as much as I can, but since I'm basically an aneorexic (no, Im not- don't worry), I didn't eat way much.
Vito was a little woried in the run up to to-nite. He wanted to make sure that celebrating his bday on my bday was kool by me - of course. Our plan was to keep it secret so no one would know - but Gf had told shipley last week and then Shipley -not knowing it was a secret - blurted it out. no biggie. He wanted to get a correct restuaurent - shamedly, he was concerned about my cheapness and making sure I was kool w/ the $$. But it all went well. The place was perfect. Food was beyond perfect (but, again, I'm no food expert critic - yeah, Jackson?), people were happy (Even this temporary Captain of the Neveda was happy enough), and it was fun.
And more. Vito and Rocky haven't gotten along in years, but they were to-gether this nite again. Fact is, there were four of the six Sisters there last nite - one is 500m south in a border state (c. 1860) and the other was ...... where? Where was he? Since Rocky and Vito have mellowed their friendship - well, started to- the Sixth
Sister vacancy to me indicated a gap of some sort in our lives. Listen: We all read this blog, and I damn well know all of you are reading these words. Please - life is too short - please, get it done. Pas raison.Aloft went NS1 again, rising into the atmosphere for a cruise to base. On returning to The Exchange, Gf and I watched this mini lapin bounce about concrete city sniffing this or that past midnight on a below zero degree nite. how do these rabbits live? Or the birds?
And I worry about..... wait, what I worry about is real. Fuck the lilies and the sparrows!
..............................................
*=sometimes the NS1 Peter Strasser is a WW1 naval ship - ususally a capital ship - and others it is a Zepplin. My call, always - ya just gotta deal, yeah?
Football au Printemps : on failing and losing all confidence,
In some instances, practice was great. Got great show ups, was able to network w/ both boys and girls BB coaches about available space - and just the supreme talent of the girls displayed. But also, my confidence was so shaken, and my 'life a a fraud' coach exposed, and there is no future for me as a productive individual in this world (despite the image of Nevada and the smoke and the flag fluttering @ the bow).
There were two 'incidents' @ practice. One was a disagreement w/ one of the captains about conditioning. @ Led and @ Nek, we had the kids going in the gyms all winter playing soccer on BBall courts for hours. But these girls - they actually wanna RUN instead of play indoor. Their argument is is that we already know how to play - we've (Varsity) been playing all winter - but we need to run to get into better shape for the season. I counter argued my usual argument - i've been coaching before you were alive, I've coached @ Led and Nek, I know what i'm doing - but sometime between the early AM and the afternoon, it was like a sneak attack by he Japanese inside my head, and the disagreement w/ one of my captains rocked me badly. This is my first time running a program, and usually I'm so confident. Disagree w/ me, kids? But look @ all the work I have done for you, starting our conditioning TWO FUCKING MONTHS ahead of last year, getting FIVE EXTRA GAMES FOR YOU TO FUCKING PLAY IN - not the goddamed seven of last year.
And, again, I realised that= I have to listen more and learn more and get better all the time.
I took two of my favourite varsity players aside and asked them what they wanted - and they instantly responded RUNNING!!
Disabused. They want to run on Monday? I will have to change practice for them. There is a delicate balance between running the team but also listening to yr charges. There is also the very noted (books and book and books) difference betwixt coaching boys (jus' scream @ them) and girls (Now, girls - are we all agreed? We're all in this decision to-gether? We can move forward ?)
I have to remember to learn as well.
The second incident was terrible. Last year I coached the JV @ this school. It was, w/out a doubt, my favourite coaching experience ever. Ever. i did well, and it inspired tall confidence in me that can do something in this world instead of just collecting Love, I can help create the condition for it to be manufactured (it's really fun to be part of a team - really fun). I loved - loved that experience (read last Avril and Mai's posts on the team). Deeply moving for me. That last game against the Premier League Champion in the city quarterfinals when my star put us up 1-0 in the second minute? Wow!
And one of my precious players - and remember I'll never have children, so this is as close as I will ever get - was deeply upset w/ me after practice. She asked to speak w/ me. She'd been hurt by an off remark that'd said yesterday. I was totally caught off guard by her being so upset - she not only being a great kids who I loved on last years team, but who I also teached for two months last year when I subbed for her teacher.
What she was mad @:
2d coach is unfamiliar w/ the players, so he was asking me whose on V. (mine) and who were to be on his (JV). When it came it the girl in question, I remarked something along the lines that she'll never make Varsity this year. This is what she got upset about. Now, understand: she hasn't a chance to break into the starting lineup this year. No way. She's not only gotta have an ENORMOUS amount more seasoning - BIG TIME seasoning- but also if she thinks she's gonna get anything more than 5 minutes a game on varsity - actually, if she thinks I will actually put her in any game that isn't a rout - she's pretty much mistaken. Our starting defenders are beasts, and I have full confidence in them. For her - I actually have A STARTING POSITION ON VARSITY waiting for her - but it's next year, after she has learned more - much more - on JV.
She's such a mild mannered kid - an honors student who is on time and works hard - that it was shocking hearing her explaining why she was upset w/ me. She thinks she deserves a spot - if she can win it - but I so want her on V next year -deeply need her - since everyone is graduating. So - this precious child, upset w/ me w/ how I assigned her to JV.
But she's gotta understand - I do have a plan. I've been working on it since last year.
However, I gotta understand, as well. They're just kids, and there are to be about 60 of them. They are all different - as am I - and I realise that there is so much more work I don't even know about still to be confronted. I want my program to steam towards open seas - and not get stuck in the channel.
There were two 'incidents' @ practice. One was a disagreement w/ one of the captains about conditioning. @ Led and @ Nek, we had the kids going in the gyms all winter playing soccer on BBall courts for hours. But these girls - they actually wanna RUN instead of play indoor. Their argument is is that we already know how to play - we've (Varsity) been playing all winter - but we need to run to get into better shape for the season. I counter argued my usual argument - i've been coaching before you were alive, I've coached @ Led and Nek, I know what i'm doing - but sometime between the early AM and the afternoon, it was like a sneak attack by he Japanese inside my head, and the disagreement w/ one of my captains rocked me badly. This is my first time running a program, and usually I'm so confident. Disagree w/ me, kids? But look @ all the work I have done for you, starting our conditioning TWO FUCKING MONTHS ahead of last year, getting FIVE EXTRA GAMES FOR YOU TO FUCKING PLAY IN - not the goddamed seven of last year.
And, again, I realised that= I have to listen more and learn more and get better all the time.
I took two of my favourite varsity players aside and asked them what they wanted - and they instantly responded RUNNING!!
Disabused. They want to run on Monday? I will have to change practice for them. There is a delicate balance between running the team but also listening to yr charges. There is also the very noted (books and book and books) difference betwixt coaching boys (jus' scream @ them) and girls (Now, girls - are we all agreed? We're all in this decision to-gether? We can move forward ?)
I have to remember to learn as well.
The second incident was terrible. Last year I coached the JV @ this school. It was, w/out a doubt, my favourite coaching experience ever. Ever. i did well, and it inspired tall confidence in me that can do something in this world instead of just collecting Love, I can help create the condition for it to be manufactured (it's really fun to be part of a team - really fun). I loved - loved that experience (read last Avril and Mai's posts on the team). Deeply moving for me. That last game against the Premier League Champion in the city quarterfinals when my star put us up 1-0 in the second minute? Wow!
And one of my precious players - and remember I'll never have children, so this is as close as I will ever get - was deeply upset w/ me after practice. She asked to speak w/ me. She'd been hurt by an off remark that'd said yesterday. I was totally caught off guard by her being so upset - she not only being a great kids who I loved on last years team, but who I also teached for two months last year when I subbed for her teacher.
What she was mad @:
2d coach is unfamiliar w/ the players, so he was asking me whose on V. (mine) and who were to be on his (JV). When it came it the girl in question, I remarked something along the lines that she'll never make Varsity this year. This is what she got upset about. Now, understand: she hasn't a chance to break into the starting lineup this year. No way. She's not only gotta have an ENORMOUS amount more seasoning - BIG TIME seasoning- but also if she thinks she's gonna get anything more than 5 minutes a game on varsity - actually, if she thinks I will actually put her in any game that isn't a rout - she's pretty much mistaken. Our starting defenders are beasts, and I have full confidence in them. For her - I actually have A STARTING POSITION ON VARSITY waiting for her - but it's next year, after she has learned more - much more - on JV.
She's such a mild mannered kid - an honors student who is on time and works hard - that it was shocking hearing her explaining why she was upset w/ me. She thinks she deserves a spot - if she can win it - but I so want her on V next year -deeply need her - since everyone is graduating. So - this precious child, upset w/ me w/ how I assigned her to JV.
But she's gotta understand - I do have a plan. I've been working on it since last year.
However, I gotta understand, as well. They're just kids, and there are to be about 60 of them. They are all different - as am I - and I realise that there is so much more work I don't even know about still to be confronted. I want my program to steam towards open seas - and not get stuck in the channel.
30 January, 2009
The Nevada's Run
One of my favourite stories from the world of war is the cover star of today - the run of the USS Nevada from it's moored position in Pearl Harbor - a sitting duck - to the time it was beached short of the entrance to Pearl. Always a favourite story - while the stunning shock of what was transpiring was washing over the embattled harbour, and people realised that we were now @ war - smoke, explosions, whirring Valentines diving onto our ships, Kates skimming the surface and releasing their stunning Long Lances, Zeros strafing everything that moved - and all around there was sinking ships , burning oil tankers, bullets and shells =CHAOS COMPLETE= and @ 0840 - 45m after the first attack - the Nevada, because of where she was moored (of the eight battleships @ Pearl that morning, six were tied to each other - you've see all the famous pictures of that day of 'Battleship Row'- Pennsylvania was in dry dock (Famous pic of USS Shaw exploding in the same area), was able to start maneuvering out of the harbour.
I know we are not supposed to praise war and all that - but we have our interests - and we are not supposed to praise falsely the greatness of America (an
d all nations): but whatever jingoism that was bred in me when I was six somewhat remains in picked places* still. The very idea that in the complete cacophony of sound and vision violence and disbelief that morning - and w/ Kates and Vals suddenly attracted to a MOVING target - the image of the this lone battleship, put - put - ting to sea while all around is madness - has stayed with me.
It never made it to open sea. While the ship belched black smoke - and not just from the stacks - and headed to get out - the geographical feature that makes Pearl such a wonderful harbour - that narrow channel that separates the harbour from the sea - raised concerned alarm in the ship. I think Nevada caught six bombs and a long lance - and thefear was that the Japanese would be able to sink Nevada in that narrow channel. If this happened, Pearl Harbour itslf would be useless for along time i
n terms of shipping - it would take weeks or months to raise th battleship out of the channel to re-allow shipping to get back in. San Diego - San Diego, believe it or not - would have to base the Pacific fleet until Pearl could take shipping again. So - the decision was to beach the ship short of the channel.
But once again - that image - of disaster striking in the worst possible way, but something sailing for open water and out to fight. It reminds me of that scene in "The Sand Pebbles", when the flag is raised before battle and each of the crew looks @ it in their different way. So - even during disaster- "This is not a drill" - and the smoke and fire and death and disbelief of the day I would like to think I would be able to rally myself and those under me to try to make it to open waters - and , as the situatoion changed, that i would give the order to beach my ship for the betterment of the fleet. But so often....
.................................................................
*= I take no pride in , say, our attacking Mexico - Bush types are everywhere - for no reason and then cutting the country in half and taking it for ourselves. Again - for those of you who do not know - we attacked for no reason and then took half of Mexico - half of the fucking country - and incorporated it into our country. What - think Iraq was the first time? Shit - you all ave lived through Panama and Grenada - and that's not mentioning our funding of types like the terrorists who raped and murdered Roman Catholic nuns in Central America, Bin Laden in the 70's and 80's, and all the help to Iraq in making sure that in their war w/ Iran that they would have Weapons of mass destruction.
the way we are
One of the funner things about being an American - but loving pop music - is that when the giant bands -but still unheard of here by the general public - in tite places. I always knew the deal - that we were getting to see Pulp and Suede and Gene and Blur in impossibly small places that in Eire or England - they no longer played places as small.
So the word went out - the latest great from over there was playing the Metro - so, w/out knowing the bands name - or their music - we were there. Pretty sure this show - it is Oasis, of course, that I am writing about - was only half a dove - $10. Patience has remarked on this - she's not just a Brit, but a Britpopess - and I guess is really don't know completely our good fortune even then. But I realize now.
There were many other bands that the same mite be written about - but that Oasis show was phenominal. Out they walked, and the first song they played was "Rock and Roll Star". By now its a very old song - I can remember telling Q - in the refind period of a single summer - that this was the song that went through my mind when all was rite.
So, sorry. I know I can be a deep bit insufferable by sticking my deals in front of you all the time - but that's by and by a blog, yes?
So, for the last time this week - enjoy the lads. next week is "Hindu Times Week". Just kidding.
So the word went out - the latest great from over there was playing the Metro - so, w/out knowing the bands name - or their music - we were there. Pretty sure this show - it is Oasis, of course, that I am writing about - was only half a dove - $10. Patience has remarked on this - she's not just a Brit, but a Britpopess - and I guess is really don't know completely our good fortune even then. But I realize now.
There were many other bands that the same mite be written about - but that Oasis show was phenominal. Out they walked, and the first song they played was "Rock and Roll Star". By now its a very old song - I can remember telling Q - in the refind period of a single summer - that this was the song that went through my mind when all was rite.
So, sorry. I know I can be a deep bit insufferable by sticking my deals in front of you all the time - but that's by and by a blog, yes?
So, for the last time this week - enjoy the lads. next week is "Hindu Times Week". Just kidding.
29 January, 2009
Footbal Au Printemps: Improvise
It's funny - it's my baby, and I wanna do it my way. But the realization is that even though this is my baby - and the 55 girls to who it will be also 'their baby' - I really have to let some control out of my hands.
Of course, I'm writing about my new assistant. At first, I was kinda shocked that he wasn't all that into the - well, the amount of work that is involved in ....... well, my baby. When this first came to me - my first coaching job @ the high school - I also was deeply shocked @ the amount of deeply tiring work and time that is involved w/ coaching. That year, I only worked @ Saw HS for the first semester, so I only coached the boys team. But the combo of the workload on a teacher - those of y not in the gigg have no idea, although I'm sure many other jobs have tremendous loads as as well - and then the huge amount of time dedicated to coaching - it's an ordeal. Before this school, the two most touching coaching posts I had were @ Lit HS and Nek HS. @ Lit I was a classroom teacher - and the year was stunningly long death march between five classes and both Fall and Spring seasons - and twice a week off season conditioning sessions for 3 1/2 hours. It was murder. I had no life. Well, I developed a secret life, I guess - a decade gone - but it was a deep ordeal. @ Nek, the soccer got even more intense. Here I finally was a librarian - so no lesson plans, grades to do, papers to grade, etc etc etc - but @ Nek, there really wasn't an off season. So, although I didn't go lesson plans, during the season I still got up @ 5.20 AM and getting home on game days past 9pm. Basically, I couldn't even get a good nights sleep -like it was 1894 and I was fighting for the 11 hour day or whatever. When season ended - we actually did get some time off - two fucking weeks, before we started to go twice a week and then five days a week two weeks before Christmas.
But in both of these places I found a home. The teams were like little families. There were brothers and sisters, Love, laughter, and commitment. And I learned. I was going to retire from this school, and my name was to be added to the long list of coaches and players that played @ his school. And then I lost my job. But my involvement in the teams - the feeling and the experience - stayed w/me.
When I got to the school I am @ now, I didn't coach. I'll say it now - there is ZERO interest in the staff for soccer. Zero. I know i shouldn't write about work, but it does seems that no one cares. At least by the standards of the schools I was @. These were serious about soccer schools - well, among the soccer staff and students - and my school was a joke.
So, last year when I finally asked and said "HEY - I'M AN EXPERIENCED COACH - WANT ME?" - I was shocked @ this schools soccer program. Really shocked. Whereas I'm used to the coaches having filled schedules w/ opponents all around the area - bus trips to the North Side, the Suburbs, out West - this school, plays the bare minimum of seven conference games. Seven. And I knew that the boys side of things was equally in disarray. In all truth, I've been to the mountaintop - and was shocked by what I saw down below.
So- my aim is get this school's program to be one of its greatest assests. I love this school - I really love it - and I totally want the best for my kids. We all know the deep benefits of sports for kids - especially especially especially for girls - and I fully realise that one thing I can contribute to this world is this program for my kids. I want my school to have the same soccer rep as the top schools - so that when people think of girls soccer, it's not just the famous school that get all the ink. I smile thinking ahead to the future - 10 years, maybe - when I will be coaching this school deep into the state playoffs. I'm planning a run in state this year - but in ten years.....................
So - I know this is my trip. The assistant coach - a good kid - must really regret getting involved @ this point. He's suggested that maybe we have started too early - but I know for sure that Nek started rite after Thanksgiving (2m before us) and every other top school has as well. He wants to take Fridays off - shit, we were on the pitch every Friday of the OFF SEASON. But the deal is, after expecting to get another Pito or whatever to coach with, I got a young man shocked @ the amount of work that is involved in not just the working world - but in trying to change the world.
This is my aim. I'm understand that this is MY AIM, and not necessarily every ones - including my new assistant, a very good man. So, in trying to change the world, I will have to change myself and my expectations - otherwise it hurts the team.
Of course, I'm writing about my new assistant. At first, I was kinda shocked that he wasn't all that into the - well, the amount of work that is involved in ....... well, my baby. When this first came to me - my first coaching job @ the high school - I also was deeply shocked @ the amount of deeply tiring work and time that is involved w/ coaching. That year, I only worked @ Saw HS for the first semester, so I only coached the boys team. But the combo of the workload on a teacher - those of y not in the gigg have no idea, although I'm sure many other jobs have tremendous loads as as well - and then the huge amount of time dedicated to coaching - it's an ordeal. Before this school, the two most touching coaching posts I had were @ Lit HS and Nek HS. @ Lit I was a classroom teacher - and the year was stunningly long death march between five classes and both Fall and Spring seasons - and twice a week off season conditioning sessions for 3 1/2 hours. It was murder. I had no life. Well, I developed a secret life, I guess - a decade gone - but it was a deep ordeal. @ Nek, the soccer got even more intense. Here I finally was a librarian - so no lesson plans, grades to do, papers to grade, etc etc etc - but @ Nek, there really wasn't an off season. So, although I didn't go lesson plans, during the season I still got up @ 5.20 AM and getting home on game days past 9pm. Basically, I couldn't even get a good nights sleep -like it was 1894 and I was fighting for the 11 hour day or whatever. When season ended - we actually did get some time off - two fucking weeks, before we started to go twice a week and then five days a week two weeks before Christmas.
But in both of these places I found a home. The teams were like little families. There were brothers and sisters, Love, laughter, and commitment. And I learned. I was going to retire from this school, and my name was to be added to the long list of coaches and players that played @ his school. And then I lost my job. But my involvement in the teams - the feeling and the experience - stayed w/me.
When I got to the school I am @ now, I didn't coach. I'll say it now - there is ZERO interest in the staff for soccer. Zero. I know i shouldn't write about work, but it does seems that no one cares. At least by the standards of the schools I was @. These were serious about soccer schools - well, among the soccer staff and students - and my school was a joke.
So, last year when I finally asked and said "HEY - I'M AN EXPERIENCED COACH - WANT ME?" - I was shocked @ this schools soccer program. Really shocked. Whereas I'm used to the coaches having filled schedules w/ opponents all around the area - bus trips to the North Side, the Suburbs, out West - this school, plays the bare minimum of seven conference games. Seven. And I knew that the boys side of things was equally in disarray. In all truth, I've been to the mountaintop - and was shocked by what I saw down below.
So- my aim is get this school's program to be one of its greatest assests. I love this school - I really love it - and I totally want the best for my kids. We all know the deep benefits of sports for kids - especially especially especially for girls - and I fully realise that one thing I can contribute to this world is this program for my kids. I want my school to have the same soccer rep as the top schools - so that when people think of girls soccer, it's not just the famous school that get all the ink. I smile thinking ahead to the future - 10 years, maybe - when I will be coaching this school deep into the state playoffs. I'm planning a run in state this year - but in ten years.....................
So - I know this is my trip. The assistant coach - a good kid - must really regret getting involved @ this point. He's suggested that maybe we have started too early - but I know for sure that Nek started rite after Thanksgiving (2m before us) and every other top school has as well. He wants to take Fridays off - shit, we were on the pitch every Friday of the OFF SEASON. But the deal is, after expecting to get another Pito or whatever to coach with, I got a young man shocked @ the amount of work that is involved in not just the working world - but in trying to change the world.
This is my aim. I'm understand that this is MY AIM, and not necessarily every ones - including my new assistant, a very good man. So, in trying to change the world, I will have to change myself and my expectations - otherwise it hurts the team.
The Gangs of the Second Floor / Aqua Man
Every fucking day they congregate - the young shaved headed young men wearing black or black and tan, every fucking day, every class time change, rite outside the library.
We don't have a gang problem - but like every school, they are there. There are lunchrooms rite outside the media center, so the kids tend to congregate around the entrances to the lunch room and ..... hang. I don't have a terrible problem normally w/ kids going late to class - oh, unless they are so late and they are ignoring my yelling @ them to get to class - but with these kids I do.
Now, again, there usually no drama - the kids hang out, and since no adults roust them out, they stay. So, since it's outside the library - and I hate to see the gangs alowed to just hang - I always go out and get them to move. I'm never mean and treat them w/ respect, so they do move easily for me. But to get them to move, I have to basically go to each one, look directly into their eyes, get the recalcitrant ones 'k'mooon, ya gotta mooove' , and then go back again to the ones that only moved 15 feet or so. Again, they move for me, and I always thank them and called them men - they don't get violent or even start to talk back.
There have been fights over the years - not too many, but they happen. I stopped a huge action about 5 weeks ago. Again, the epicenter was rite outside the library, and this time it was 30 boys squaring off against another 30, and me in the middle w/ a crowd of 400 watching. I was able to halt whatever was going on long enough for my calls for the cops to get there. This earned me the laughing nickname of "Aqua Man" - ah, yet another nickname.
But there are times when I gotta rush somewhere and it's classtime change and they are all hanging out. Sometimes it's just too much tom spend 5m getting the kids to move. And I hate that these fucks get to wear their colors and just stand there. So, Im going to one of the AP's to-morrow to see if I can get some police up there during class change time. I hope i'm not stirring up stuff - but I'm tired of it.
As a last cavaet, the Ap (assistant Principal) I'm seeing is always the same one - even though in this case I should be reporting to another one. She's just easier to talk to.
We don't have a gang problem - but like every school, they are there. There are lunchrooms rite outside the media center, so the kids tend to congregate around the entrances to the lunch room and ..... hang. I don't have a terrible problem normally w/ kids going late to class - oh, unless they are so late and they are ignoring my yelling @ them to get to class - but with these kids I do.
Now, again, there usually no drama - the kids hang out, and since no adults roust them out, they stay. So, since it's outside the library - and I hate to see the gangs alowed to just hang - I always go out and get them to move. I'm never mean and treat them w/ respect, so they do move easily for me. But to get them to move, I have to basically go to each one, look directly into their eyes, get the recalcitrant ones 'k'mooon, ya gotta mooove' , and then go back again to the ones that only moved 15 feet or so. Again, they move for me, and I always thank them and called them men - they don't get violent or even start to talk back.
There have been fights over the years - not too many, but they happen. I stopped a huge action about 5 weeks ago. Again, the epicenter was rite outside the library, and this time it was 30 boys squaring off against another 30, and me in the middle w/ a crowd of 400 watching. I was able to halt whatever was going on long enough for my calls for the cops to get there. This earned me the laughing nickname of "Aqua Man" - ah, yet another nickname.
But there are times when I gotta rush somewhere and it's classtime change and they are all hanging out. Sometimes it's just too much tom spend 5m getting the kids to move. And I hate that these fucks get to wear their colors and just stand there. So, Im going to one of the AP's to-morrow to see if I can get some police up there during class change time. I hope i'm not stirring up stuff - but I'm tired of it.
As a last cavaet, the Ap (assistant Principal) I'm seeing is always the same one - even though in this case I should be reporting to another one. She's just easier to talk to.
28 January, 2009
Footbal au Printemps: In space and time
So, after Mondays conditioning went great - that's three in a row - the bug a boos of time and space hit today. So - did you ever think that I would ever write that my schools Boys basketball team has a home game today - meaning I don't have to travel to some dangerous part of the city to get harassed - and that sucks? Nah - I'm gonna try and watch it - but I also now have to basically have the girls ruin after school instead of letting them play soccer in the gym. Of our three gyms, one is dedicated to the boys game and the other two will probably taken by girls basketball or the JV boys team.
The other is time: I have a 9th and 10th periods to cover today - for whatever reason, I am subbing all day (imagine that - a sub subbing!), so I'll have to rely on the other coach to cover 10th period. I know I was real worried last post on my first day w/ my new assistant - but my worries ghave faded a bit. He came to me yesterday and reitterated that he'd like to send his kids home on Fridays, but during seasons henwill make sure that he has them on fridays. This eased me tremendously. I can deal w/ him missing Frdiays preseason - it's such a damn grind that it is my aim to keep him and the girls fresh for the season. But, as head of the whole deal, I need to know that the girls entering our system understands the amount of work it takes to be a part of the team. For those of you who think I am an evil headstrong coach bent on touturing players for long hours of practice, I'll point out again that I think it very unfair that my girls do not get the New Trier or Nequa Valley experience -and I damn well will do in my power to change that. We also deserve what they get. But - I was a bit worried, and now I am much more @ ease. I understand that i am asking a lot of everybody. The V. girls are relishing the amount of work they have to do. The JV players have to be gulitridden into doing their work - we can't leave down Sweeper(1/2 of V. Captain) now, can we?
But - running today. Only 2m and some sprints.
But - running today. Only 2m and some sprints.
From Rolling Stone
I first stared reading Rolling Stone in the 1970's when my sister.4 started to subscribe to it. I picked up the subscription c. 1984, and carried it till 2005. My subscription lapsed, and I no longer felt compelled to pay the $12 /yr it costs - especially since every library I have worked @ also carries it.I still like it. I loved several writers who passed through - William Greider, Toure, and Pat O'Rourke (what's his name?). However, what got me into this post was my deep love of this photo of that famous Cub fan. Blaggy himself,Blaggy shitting, the shock on the faces of the asses behind him, the President and Rham's expression -and - finally - Roland Burris drinkingthe kool aid.
Story's not bad, either.
But that picture.......
27 January, 2009
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