Low expectations: spring break '11

I am entrenched in the opening weekend of a much needed spring break.  And while many of my students and colleagues are wrapped up in extensive plans for their week off, I've decided to take a more relaxing and less creative respite from the hustle and bustle of the working world.

Every August countless teachers and students head back to school and every August countless teachers and students circle this week on their calendar.  It is every student's dream to head to exotic locations with their best buds and collect the most boss facebook photos to show the world (and future would-be employers).  Of course, once the week is over, those photos serve as only depressing reminders that spring break was then and Mr. Nickson's class is now.  Boo-hoo.

In the act of circling this week by August, I am no different.  However, my excitement at doing absolutely nothing distinguishes me.  Of course my wife and I talk about going places and doing things.  But, when presented with the prospect of being somewhere at a certain time, spending X number of hours in the car, and knowing I could get away with doing nothing, I will choose nothing.

That is not to say I'm lazy, or that I dislike my job.  Quite the contrary.  But spring break is special in its lack of schedule and expectations.  This morning for instance, my dog and I ran seven miles due to the fact that I didn't give myself an expectation.  Where ever we got, we got, I said.  This week, I'll probably go up to work quite a bit and get stuff done while the students are away.  But, with zero expectations, it's all gravy.

So while millions of high school and college students and teachers rush to make their flights, wade in crowded lines to walk through x-ray body scanners, and experience Montezuma's Revenge in their all-inclusive paradises, I'll be playing it hour by hour, enjoying my impending schedule of absolutely nothing.  Speaking of which, I need to get back to doing.

(How I feel this week)

To the muses

Sadly, and most surprisingly, this morning I read of Suze Rotolo's death last week from cancer at the age of 67.  Rotolo, the one-time girlfriend of folk/rock legend Bob Dylan, is most famous for the album cover the two share on The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, considered to be Dylan's breakthrough album.

Rotolo never sold out arenas, recorded a great album of her own, or wrote a memorable song.  Her legacy, however, is far more than an iconic image captures.  For several years, Rotolo served as Dylan's muse.  "Tomorrow is a Long Time," "Don't Think Twice it's Alright," and "Boots of Spanish Leather,"  all trace their emotional angst back to Rotolo.  And while Dylan is quickly and rightly given credit for these beautiful songs, who's to say where any of us might be without our inspirations?  Here's to those who inspire us.

Hundred more years

Yesterday my wife brought my two boys up to work, along with a lunch for us all.  It was really special to share the afternoon with them, however brief it be.  My older son, Peter walked by my side through the halls where the students fiddled through lockers and socialized during their free time. Passing colleagues kindly joked, "new student?" 

Peter stands just above my knees and viewing him as a future high school student is a challenge to say the least.  However, soon enough his day will come in these same halls (hopefully) and I will watch him grow as I've watched five classes pass through this school already in my time.  I still feel like a new teacher sometimes, but now I'm running into college graduates whom I taught.

Peter's brother Thomas is our baby at home.  I barely remember Peter the baby, as he transitions to big boy gradually.  Soon enough Thomas will be big, too, and Thomas the baby will be but a memory.  Thankfully pictures and videos fill our hard drive at home to aid where memory fails.

The kids keep growing, and coincidentally the parents do, too.  A song over the radio expresses my feelings better than my written word ever could.  Francesca Battistelli "Hundred More Years."  Enjoy.

In due time

Several years ago I ran across a quite popular prayer and reflection by the Jesuit thinker Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.  The prayer serves as a lesson in patience and the promise of growth.   It reminds me, today, of how important it is to look beyond the immediate opportunity and onward to the things that may still be, but are very much hidden.  Often we desire so badly one thing of the present, only to be hardened upon its rejection.  However, years later, life goes on stronger and positively, full of a fresh and reawakened self.  I share it with this blog, as it remains a powerful reflection for me today.  Possibly, it may be welcomed for you, too.

Patient Trust

Above all, trust in the slow work of God.

We are quite naturally impatient in everything

to reach the end without delay.

We would like to skip the intermediate stages.

We are impatient of being on the way to something

unknown, something new.

And yet, it is the law of all progress

that it is made by passing through

some stages of instability - 

and that it may take a very long time.

And so I think it is with you;

your ideas mature gradually - let them grow,

let them shape themselves, without undue haste. 

Don't try to force them on,

as though you could be today what time,

(that is to say, grace and circumstances

acting on your own good will)

will make of you tomorrow.

Only God could say what this new spirit

gradually forming in you will be.

Give our Lord the benefit of believing

that his hand is leading you,

and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself

in suspense and incomplete.


Patient Love- Attached (to the left) you will find a podcast reading of the prayer.  Enjoy!

Hello, again

Well, I've been less than consistent when it comes to updating this blog.  It has been a busy few weeks with finishing up grad school, starting a new year at work, and keeping up with family happenings.  A good kind of busy, but busy nonetheless.

The other night my wife and I were trying to figure out what fun activity our family could do together over the weekend.  The discussion briefly took us to the topic of Chuck E. Cheese Pizza.  Although we recognize our kids are yet too young to enjoy the atmosphere, it brought back funny memories for me of Showbiz Pizza, its one-time rival and eventual business partner.

This memory took me to the web, where I quickly stumbled upon videos of the musical animatronics.  Apparently someone still has the old robots and is using them to create new performances of some of today's more popular radio hits.  And while I never saw the Rock-afire Explosion Band perform Usher's "Love in the Club" its humorous rendition brings back memories of birthday parties and post-soccer season celebrations.

Footing the bill to college!

Last weekend we were lucky to take the boys to an indoor soccer game at the new Independence Event Center with a few friends and their kids.  Ever since the game our boys have really been loving playing their own version of the fast-paced game in our basement.  Yes, it is true, our youngest has yet to even crawl, but he still loves participating with his very active, older brother.  I caught a quick excerpt from their last match- before, of course, a riot broke out in the stands.

As you can see, our youngest is anything but a push over, and quite clearly already a standout talent.  We have sent this video to several D-1 schools and have opted to forgo a college savings plan, judging by how likely it is he and, in reality, his brother both will be receiving full scholarships!  We just couldn't be happier.  

Winter blues

Even I have to admit there's a very brief period of appreciation for the freshly fallen snow and its pristine beauty.  But three minutes later I'm going crazy, ready to hop a flight to Mexico.  I would do it too if I didn't have the endless responsibility of shoveling and then reshoveling snow (yesterday I shoveled three times before nightfall.)

Luckily for me, today was a snow day at school.  And it's always great to get the call, or in this case, text, that school has been canceled.  This is the third snow day in two weeks, so we've had our share of rest.  Don't get me wrong, I love my days off as much as the next person.  But joy is only temporary as you begin to realize why you're actually out of school.  Reality hits when you want to get out of your house and off the property you've been shoveling for weeks, only to find you're snowed in!

I've about hit that point of winter madness or snow time blues.  It's taking its toll.  Real productivity and heavy snowfall seem to be inversely correlated in my life:  The more the snow falls, the less I seem able to get done.  I've created a chart to demonstrate my recent struggles, because everyone knows charts don't lie!