Krump'n

I'll occasionally give in to my classes on a Friday afternoon before the bell rings for the weekend when I know the regular Tech Ed projects/lesson just isn't going to hold their interest...actually, nothing often does at that point in the week. Being in a computer lab, I do have the option to let them visit other sites. I learn a lot from this...more than they realize.

Sixth graders love to visit their favorite game sites...usually some mild-mannered "Super Mario" or "WebKinz" games. It fascinates me that some of the girls at that age love to visit this paper doll, dress-up site where they put different outfits onto paper doll cut-out figures...some things never grow old, I guess!? My 7th graders, depending on what they're into will get into a little more sophisticated games. "I know, I know...no guns, shooting, blood and violence." They all know that rule by now...though I have to keep a close eye, as what doesn't have some of that these days?! (From "Webkinz" to blood and gore in the short little skip and a jump of one year!)

8th graders find their way onto MySpace which even though it's officially blocked by the school filter these kids are savvy enough to find their way around it. The latest entry point is something called "VTunnel". I quietly stand behind them as they navigate to their site and observe what pictures they've posted. Most are reasonable as far as how suggestive they look. However, I find the girls, especially the Hispanic and Brazialian girls, offer some rather provocative poses - lips all fat and pouty, chests out, shoulders and stomachs bare, and they've got the bedroom-eyes look down. All a mere 13 - 14 years old, mimicking poses that you see from any of today's latest teen music stars and movie heart-throbs.

I recently watched as some of the boys showed me some You-Tube videos that they've posted. Again, You-Tube is blocked from the school site, but these guys find their way around it.

They showed me a recent "Krumpin' Showdown" that they were a part of at some local Portuguese-American Club. Being in this population for awhile now, I actually know what Krumpin' is! (and I'm probably giving it far too many letters by spelling it that way...probably "krumpn"!) Anyway, the video showed one kid at a time coming out onto the floor and doing their moves...arms flailing, hands flashing "signs", legs bouncing and kicking to the rhythm of the hip-hop music in the background, and every now and then a little dive to the floor with some old-school break dancing moves. As each guy finished, a kid from the other team came out and countered with his moves. I couldn't really tell which moves were better than others, but every now and then the boys in my room watching would say, "Ooh!" or "Ahh!" or, "That's mad sick!"...all at the same time, so I took that to mean somebody threw down a good move (HA! listen to me!).

Apparently the term "krump" comes from - Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise...and was developed in LA as a way to vent anger and help alleviate violence between neighborhoods and gangs. Not sure that my guys know where the name came from, I'll have to check in on them with that. But, the moves I saw them doing - arm throwing, chest thumping, kicking, poppin', lockin', and power poses, definitely made me think and feel like there was a battle of sorts going on. As long as in the long run nobody gets hurt, I guess it's okay. ..?

Of course, that said, one of the kids proceeded to show me what he feels is really the latest thing with them and that's some kind of all out fighting. Apparently called mixed martial arts, it has some rules...though, it seems more like no holds barred, everything goes. I couldn't look at that for very long...it is violent and yes, it appears that they do get hurt in the end.

Just relaying an observation of the world I work in and what's important to them...

Turkey Trot

We live in a town that used to be farms and wooded areas that in the past 25+ years has given way to being a comfortable bedroom community outside of Boston. (More than comfortable for some folks when you see them drive by in their 4 miles to the gallon Hummers and Land Rovers with big cargo carriers on top and "safari rhino guards" on the front-end of them...I mean really...is all this so necessary for the BIG wildlife we might encounter around our area?!)

Anyway, morning and afternoon commuter traffic hours fill up our roads earlier and earlier, as a normal 20-30 minute commute to or from the city can take as long as 1 and 1/2 hours if you don't get started early enough.

However, my commute to work is in the opposite direction, which is fine by me...through the towns, not the highways, is how I like it! It can cause for some snowy, unplowed terrain in an early morning snowstorm in the winter. Or, sometimes the road hazard of an occasional family of deer gracefully leaping across the road in front of me as I skid on the morning ice to avoid them. And, sometimes a traffic tie-up as we all try to navigate water at mid-hubcaps as the spring rivers overflow and turn some low-lying roads into small ponds.

Recent mornings however, I've run into another seasonal delay that I tend to forget about from season to season. The local farm tractors head out to the fields in the early morning to get them turned in time for some spring planting. I'm often still sort of "asleep at the wheel" in my early morning commute, so it took awhile the other morning to realize that this tractor was not going to turn off the road anytime soon. I resigned myself that my morning ride was going at a bit slower pace than normal...and eventually enjoyed the sights at the pace that probably was meant to be.

Finally, Mr. Farmer found his field and everyone in the line of slow-moving traffic behind him stepped on their gas pedals to make up for lost time.

So, there I was zipping on a curvy, woodsy part of my drive when the car in front of me swerved to avoid something. I couldn't tell just what - until I saw exactly what the problem was...a wild turkey nervously trying to dodge cars as it attempted to run across the street and the guy in the car in front of me swerving to miss it.

In the split second that I realized what we were dealing with, I slammed onto my brakes in time to look down from my driver's side window and see Mr. Turkey's red head right below me...not quite eye-level, but it was definitely the closest eye-to-eye that I'd ever had with a wild turkey! He was looking to me like - "Hey! I'm coming through here!" Though, my thoughts were more like, "I'm so sorry...for sure you're a goner and in short time you will be "one" with my tire tracks."

yuck...

But, just as quickly, I saw in my rear-view mirror that, (fortunately no one was behind me), Mr. Turkey somehow miraculously trotted behind my car untouched, and made it to his destination on the other side of the road!

And, so was my morning commute ... no safari rhino-guard needed...though a close call with some big local wildlife!!

Eastern Wild Turkey

Trip to Boston

We had a great walking tour of Boston's North End and down to the waterfront while the sun was still sparkling and just before sunset yesterday.

After stumbling down the old narrow cobblestoned roads of Boston's "Little Italy", we came upon one of our destinations -
"Pizzeria Regina" - a place for Boston's tastiest and original pizza pies...since 1926.

We weren't the only ones who had this idea as we waited outside in line for about 20 minutes. Every time the door opened to let in the next party a wonderful aroma drifted out to remind us all why we were standing out there and not giving up for something less than the best!

We were coached to be prepared to place our order quickly and ask no questions, as the brusque waitresses had no time to dally around in the tight quarters where they spend their workday. A couple large pizzas, beers and only one waitress sneer of inconvenience later, we were more than satisfied and headed out the door for the rest of our impromptu walking tour of Boston.

Off through the Paul Revere Park with the spire of the Old North Church peeking through the newly budding trees. Then down to the Waterfront where we slipped over to the New England Aquarium for a visit with the seals frolicking in the outside tank.

A brisk and delightful hour+long walking tour of this part of the city. Thanks to our friends Jeannie and Wade!

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Funny, people come from all over the world to visit here. We live in the area and never take the time to do little day trips like this...glad we did.

I Love a Parade!

I never knew the fun of a hometown parade until I moved up to this part of New England.

Something about celebrating Patriot's Day right in the heart of where the "shot heard around the world" happened.

People from all over the world flock to see the Old North Bridge and love to don the tri-corner hats that the Minutemen of old wore as they fought the Redcoats for their independence from England.

Sometimes I think the importance of all of that history is lost on people and even I get caught up in enjoying just the pure beauty of watching all sorts of people --- "be the parade!"

Kids on their bicycles come zooming by to let us know that the parade is coming...young teenage girls cluster together, sharing tunes, earbuds hanging between them and self-consciously giggling at some boys oogling them in the crowd...flags waving...young kids standing on the side of the road waiting eagerly for "The Parade!"....vendors, loving the warm sunny day that brought out a good crowd who are hopefully ready to buy, buy, buy...armed with inflatable Dora the Explorers, SpongeBobs, balloons, flags, plastic horns tooting, and pop-guns...lots of horns tooting and pop-guns popping...mothers pushing baby carriages in a flank of 5, chatting away, not realizing that they are now the parade for those of us on the sidewalk watching...old folks coming up to the edge of the curb with their chairs ready to get a front row seat. The sun is sparkling and in the distance we hear the rat-a-tat-tat of the drums and a faint trill of the fife flutes a-piping.

Here comes the parade!

Motorcycle-flashing police lead the way....

Local Minutemen with muskets in arm follow...

Boy scouts, Girls scouts....

US Navy Band members...

Special town dignitaries...

Militia troops from Wisconsin, New York and Virginia - no less?!

Bagpipers...

and, oh yes....the Redcoats...

"The British are Coming!"

The sun is shining...

Horns tooting and

pop guns popping...

Dora and SpongeBob float overhead...

the parade continues on...

and

Life is good....

: )

Mating Calls

There was finally a hint of spring in the air so I decided to walk to town to take care of my weekend errands. The sun was out, but that was about it for the "hint" of spring - the temp was only 40 degrees and there was a sharp breeze at my back.

I pulled my black beret down over my ears and forehead as far as it would go as I walked briskly about my business. I did stop for a brief moment to watch a pair of newly arrived robins flit about with each other in the still bare-leafed trees. A couple of grey squirrels were at the same business on the other side of the wooded area - one chasing the other, tails flashing as they jumped from limb to limb.

Ah, the mating rituals of springtime...even with the wind cutting down my neck, I had to smile at the thought that this long winter was finally looking like it was behind us!

Deep in my own thoughts I really wasn't aware of the character walking on the opposite side of the street. I heard something, but didn't pay much attention. When I heard a second loud whistle and a sort of "Yip!" I looked over and saw the guy whom Ace calls Rocky Raccoon and I call the Mongolian Dishwasher. We don't know him, but he looks Nepalese or Mongolian and often wears a turban-like towel around his head as he walks to and from his apartment and his job as a dishwasher at the local diner.

Today he had a dark beret-like hat pulled down low over his ears, sunglasses and a black coat and he was looking right at me as he stopped walking and once again whistled, following it up with his funny "Yip!" sound. As there was no one else around that he could be communicating with, I figured he must be acknowledging me, so I mildly smiled and nodded as I moved on with my errands.

It wasn't until I got home and told Ace the story, complete with details of how the guy was dressed. Ace started to laugh and said, "Well, look at you. Rocky Raccoon thought you were his long-lost twin - black beret pulled down, sunglasses on, black coat and boots...!"

And, that's when I realized that indeed I was dressed almost exactly like this guy and maybe that's what his whistling and "Yips!" were all about...either that, or remembering the robins and squirrels frisking around on my walk, maybe it's some sort of Mongolian mating call!!
Rocky you met your match!?

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Any other noted or not beret wearers to add to the list?!

Shel Silverstein

Did you grow up listening to and reading the stories and wacky poems of Shel Silverstein?
Remember "Where the Sidewalk Ends?" "The Giving Tree?" and "A Giraffe and a Half?"

Although Shel Silverstein died in 1999, they've put out a new publication of one of his earlier works. One great thing about this new/old work is his wonderful and wildly creative sketches are in color, not black and white as many of his works are. Silverstein's great humor and imaginative fun with twisting words and names around will delight you again in this new release - "Don't Bump the Gump."

Another great find that I'll bet you'll like is the Shel Silverstein website. It's animated, has audio and lots of fun things for readers of all ages to get a kick out of, turn a smile, and want to re-read again and again.

Click on the title above to get to that site and on the sidebar to find yourself back with Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who would not take the garbage out, and lots of other fun and funny characters you may remember!
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April is National Poetry Month...write a poem for yourself for the fun of it!

Mary A. Ellis

Mary A. (Arhondy) Ellis

Mrs. Mary A. (Arhondy) Ellis, 89, of Haverhill, MA passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2008, after a brief illness at the Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill.

She was born in Haverhill on March 13, 1918, daughter of the late Aristos and Elpida (Miserlis) Arhondy.

She was a graduate of Haverhill High School, Class of 1936 and attended Burdett College in Boston. She was employed at Polaroid as a secretary to Edwin Land and later the Mobil Oil Corp as an administrative assistant. Mary was active in the Women’s Traffic Club of New England serving as its president from 1973-74.

Mary loved to travel. She was an avid anglophile who over the years took numerous trips throughout Europe, Greece, Turkey, and parts of Asia. She was the wife of the late Christopher Ellis and is survived by her son Arthur C. “Ace” Ellis of Concord, MA. She is lovingly remembered by all of her nieces and nephews, their spouses, and their children.

Mary was a member of the Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Haverhill, MA. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral on Monday, March 17th at 10:00 at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St. Haverhill, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 in Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, Haverhill. Burial will follow in the Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill.