It's a bit late, but I have too much energy to sleep (and yet not enough energy to move to my bed). I just hung up the phone with my sister. Yesterday was my brother-in-law's 30th birthday and I really haven't had a conversation with my sister in ages (I think December was the last time we spoke), so a phone call was necessary, right? I do this every time I hang up with my sister, the cheesy grin and the "I love my pookie" attitude (that's what I call her). With all of the warm-fuzzies she leaves, I should call her more often.
Tomorrow is the last day of the second term. Yippee!! I have officially made it through a second term at a British school. This one was a bit easier than the first (not including the Ofsted preparation/inspection). That leaves hope for the third term...
Next Tuesday I leave for my big Contiki Tour of Europe - 8 countries in 12 days!! Should be quite an adventure - lots of time on a coach (we travel on average 250 miles a day!)!! We will be sleeping in the following cities: Amsterdam, St. Goar (Germany), Munich, Hofgarten (Austria), Venice, two nights in Rome, Florence, Lucerne (Switzerland), then two nights in Paris!! I am really starting to get excited about this trip - I have dreamed of seeing Italy since I was a kid!
Until Tuesday I will be shopping, packing, muddling through my 2004 Income Taxes, relaxing and spending some time with the Brit (as Little A so nicely dubbed him). Whatever I do, school will be the last thing on my mind (at least for the next two weeks) - this is why I love my job!! [This is not the only reason I love my job, but after the Ofsted week we all need a bit of a break - kids and teachers!]
Anyway, I should really get to bed. Despite tomorrow being a half-day, I will be worthless if I don't get at least some sleep.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Monday, March 21, 2005
Come Gather Round...
Imagine 1992 and MTV's 120 Minutes. I fell in love with a man and his guitar that year. His name was John Wesley Harding and the video was "Kill the Messenger." I quickly bought the tape, "Why We Fight," and memorized every song. He told amazing stories, very imaginative and a bit odd (I think that's what I liked most about his lyrics). There was "The Original Miss Jesus," where lyrics claimed "Born before her more famous little brother Mister Christ. Sure, there were miracles but out of the public eye. So they didn't think even to have her crucified. She just wrote some novels and then she died. And only her family cried for her, The Original Miss Jesus." And my favorite line of all times comes from his song "Come Gather Round, "We're so convinced we're different, it makes us all the same."
In 1993, this British Modern-day folk singer came to Knoxville with Joan Baez. My sister and I went: my sister excited to see Joan Baez, myself excited to see JWH. It was an amazing show and the little theater venue (Knoxville's Bijou) made it quite memorable. Eventually, my JWH tape wore itself out (it was eaten in my car stereo) and I had a hell of a time trying to replace it. Last year, Krissie found a CD version for me (isn't she wonderful?!) so that now I again have access to my favorite songs.
Last week, while looking for something interesting to listen to while I marked papers, I visited Nashville's Lightening 100 website. They have a radio show on Sundays that broadcasts live from 3rd and Lindsley and they have mp3s from previous shows. John Wesley Harding was on that list. He has a new album, "Adam's Apple" out. So, in my attempt to find something to listen to while being productive, I spent the rest of the evening playing on John Wesley Harding's website (which was quite interesting - we're talking hours of entertainment!). The man is very creative and has recently published his own book under his real name, Wesley Stace. It sounds like a fun read, Misfortune. It is described in an LA Weekly article as a “Gothic soap opera, but clever, one that uses the conventions of 19th-century fiction and gives them a modern twist." (The website even has audio excerpts read by JWH! It's great!)
Check him out for yourself: www.johnwesleyharding.com or www.wesleystace.com
In 1993, this British Modern-day folk singer came to Knoxville with Joan Baez. My sister and I went: my sister excited to see Joan Baez, myself excited to see JWH. It was an amazing show and the little theater venue (Knoxville's Bijou) made it quite memorable. Eventually, my JWH tape wore itself out (it was eaten in my car stereo) and I had a hell of a time trying to replace it. Last year, Krissie found a CD version for me (isn't she wonderful?!) so that now I again have access to my favorite songs.
Last week, while looking for something interesting to listen to while I marked papers, I visited Nashville's Lightening 100 website. They have a radio show on Sundays that broadcasts live from 3rd and Lindsley and they have mp3s from previous shows. John Wesley Harding was on that list. He has a new album, "Adam's Apple" out. So, in my attempt to find something to listen to while being productive, I spent the rest of the evening playing on John Wesley Harding's website (which was quite interesting - we're talking hours of entertainment!). The man is very creative and has recently published his own book under his real name, Wesley Stace. It sounds like a fun read, Misfortune. It is described in an LA Weekly article as a “Gothic soap opera, but clever, one that uses the conventions of 19th-century fiction and gives them a modern twist." (The website even has audio excerpts read by JWH! It's great!)
Check him out for yourself: www.johnwesleyharding.com or www.wesleystace.com
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