around me

Randomness:


Obama: Interesting article "THE LONG RUN; The Story of Obama, Written by Obama" on how his writing has been an integral part of his political ascent.

My theory is that Hillary is still in this to make a case for making her the VP nominee...interesting quote:
''Two weeks from now, we will know who wins the Democratic nomination,'' Mr. Obama replied. ''I don't want to jump the gun. I will tell you though that my goal is to have the best possible government -- and that means me winning. So I am very practical-minded guy.''

Somtimes political strategizing is so obvious--releasing McCain's health report the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend, making a big deal about potential VPs attending a private BBQ, both to take attention off the report. I admired the NBC medical commentator for pointing out the many chronic conditions he's dealing with and not just saying he's in great shape.

From a NY Times Op-Ed on Teach for America:
"Critics have challenged the program’s usefulness, pointing out that the teachers it places are neophytes and that a majority leave the classroom after two years. But the new study suggests that talented young people can have a lasting effect even if they do not make a career of teaching. According to the study, Teach for America participants who worked in North Carolina between 2000 and 2006 had more impact on student performance than traditional teachers did, as measured by end-of-course tests. The difference was observed in several areas of science and was strongest in math.

The findings are especially significant because Teach for America teachers worked in schools with the neediest students. The results suggest that states that want students to do better in math and science need to focus recruitment on more selective colleges instead of on traditional teacher education programs, which are often little more than diploma mills."

I thought this was quite a diss on traditional teacher ed programs, but maybe because I only know "selective school" friends who become teachers through them? It doesn't seem like a good idea to have such a high turnover of teachers. But could you really recruit teachers from selective schools to stay long-term?

Recent purchases I'm enjoying:

Orange umbrella from a company called Kikkerland--Sport Umbrella: "PONGEE FABRIC WITH STURDY FIBERGLASS RIBS. INCLUDING PONGEE CASE WITH ROPE SHOULDER STRAP." It's very light and bends well with the wind. Is that the secret of life--being able to bend but not break? My orange one is much prettier. It also comes with a bag that has an adjustable carrying strap.

My navy and white crocheted hat by Wooden Ships. I like how you can adjust the brim with the poseable (better word) wire. I can fold it up and put it in my purse--like those nylon frisbees!


I'm excited to see a Boston-LA NBA Finals!

Back in the day:


Have been thwarted in my attempts to see SATC movie so far...hopefully Tuesday will be the day.

I'm reading about Solomon in the OT...not quite finding the inspirational posts to put up here but will keep my eye out.

Fiction I've enjoyed...

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
"In Jordan's prize-winning debut, prejudice takes many forms, both subtle and brutal. It is 1946, and city-bred Laura McAllan is trying to raise her children on her husband's Mississippi Delta farm -- a place she finds foreign and frightening. In the midst of the family's struggles, two young men return from the war to work the land. Jamie McAllan, Laura's brother-in-law, is everything her husband is not -- charming, handsome, and haunted by his memories of combat. Ronsel Jackson, eldest son of the black sharecroppers who live on the McAllan farm, has come home with the shine of a war hero. But no matter his bravery in defense of his country, he is still considered less than a man in the Jim Crow South. It is the unlikely friendship of these brothers-in-arms that drives this powerful novel to its inexorable conclusion."

Short story in The New Yorker by Hari Kunzru called Raj, Bohemian. "Contemporary short story on hipsters, citizen marketers and the very thin line between talking about the things we love and selling our souls to the devils."