A different movie experience

Last night, or rather this morning, I went to a midnight showing of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End with a close friend and college roommate Jenny Kay. At 11:30, after standing in line for about 45 min. - 1 hr., we filed into the theater. As there we only two of us in our party, we were able to get decent seats. While we were waiting for the film to commence, Jenny Kay made on interesting comment. "There is a difference in going to a midnight show. You actually communicate with those around you. It is as if there is a camaraderie among the crowd."

She is right. The norms of going out to the cinema are thrown out the window. First, it isn't required to speak in hushed or whispered voices while either in line or in the theater while you are waiting for the start time. No one bats on eye if you begin shouting. Second, people strike up conversations with complete strangers. Clique-mentality disappears. Jenny Kay and I were fortunate to stand in line in front of this neat couple who are in a wedding later today and sit next to a group who were playing hooky today from work. We chatted as if we were old friends. Third, the whole crowd is drawn into the film and previews. Everyone cheered loudly after the Transformers preview and a standing ovation occurred after the film ended.

In short, we had a blast at this showing. A midnight showing is not just for the die hard crazies; they are for anyone who wants to have an awesome movie experience. If you have never been to an opening day midnight showing, I suggest you heed the call and go. Your movie experience will increase 10-fold.

Reading

My wonderful sister Liz posted on her blog about The Great Gatsby in response to another blogger's debate on what should be the 25 books read by age 25 of the truly literate person. She stated that the point is not just having read the greatest of what literature has to offer; it is the understanding of what the author wants his audience to see. Liz is correct; if you thought Arthur Miller's play The Crucible was a nice drama about the Salem Witch Trials - please Google Senator Joseph McCarthy.

There is a greater issue to consider. I graduated college with a degree in elementary/middle school education. Currently, I work at one of those Learning Centers whose primary purpose is to catch children up to where they should be in school. Every child that wants to enroll in the Center takes diagnostic exams so that we know what the current strengths and growth areas of the child are and at what level (i.e. reading level, math level) the child needs to begin. During those diagnostic exams, which I have administered, the students are asked questions about their family, school, themselves, etc. They are also asked this important question "Do you like to read?" The answer is usually a resounding "NO."

My sisters and I were very fortunate to raised by book worms who taught us the joys of escaping into a book. Thus, we brought with us to school good vocabularies, and a knowledge of main idea, supporting details and plot development. Many children today are being raised by parents who don't read for pleasure or for any other purpose. Children spent hours playing video games and computer games (and no, I am not against video games. Boosting hand-eye coordination is important, too). Asking them to open a book is foreign and met with a disgusted stare. It does not take a leap in logic to comprehend the reason why children struggle with reading and language arts at school.

Can you imagine what the future of society is going to be like in the United States? We look forward to a country filled with adults who can barely read at a sixth grade reading level and, as a result, are unable to communicate effectively at any higher level. The crucial question is not what are the 25 classics that the truly literate should read by age 25; it is: Can you name 25 books you have read outside of school by age 25? Literacy, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and speech won't improve if we don't start by opening a book.


On a lighter note, I want to say thank you to Liz for ordering us copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Also, kudos to Vox Day for including a P.G. Wodehouse novel on your list of 25 books.

Blessed Easter

"Alas my love you say goodbye
wipe the poison from my brow
alas my love this guilty night
it gives me up like a foster child
and in this moment I take my vow
these angels sleeping at my feet
and in this moment you do not know how
my spirit wants to flee."
One man, against the night
taking on the multitude
that had left him high and fry
no candle burning vigil
could light his way
darkness his the ground
like a fallen satellite
he wrestled until morning
with human souls and dark angels
and there he finished his work
on the third day - by Kevin Max Smith

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

Season Opener

The following is a fitting poem from a Twins ad in the Sunday, April 1, 2007 issue of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

"Ode to the Twins home opener"

Goodbye shovel

hello bat

"Honey, have you seen

my Twins hat?"

Goodbye slush

and ice and snow

Hello Mauer and Santana

and Morneau

After six long months

of light deprivation

Give the boys of summer

a standing ovation

Division Champs

not prima donnas

You have to be proud

of our little piranhas

Line drives and grappers

and balls hit a mile

Gardy and umpires

and Torri's big smile

Farewell sidewalk salt

Twins baseball is here

Warm up your vocal chords

and come down and cheer

Baseball Memories

Baseball has always been my favorite sport. I have many happy memories of watching games, either at home or at the Metrodome, waving my Homer Hankies, and cheering on my favorite team, the Minnesota Twins, to glory. I will always root for my Twinkies, regardless of how they play. They are my team and every year, I truly believe that we will win it all.

One of my recent joys of the game is heckling and being picked on in return by my brother-in-law, Josh. While my family has been trying to turn him to the light, his favorite teams are still the Cardinals and the Oakland Athletics. Every time the Twins play the Athletics, my sister Liz firmly plants herself between us, so that Josh (who is a foot taller than I am) doesn't get hurt. Josh loves to get my hackles up and I dish it right back.

As the 2007 season begins, Josh is being a hero by serving our country in Iraq. All of the good-natured teasing needs to be done via the Internet, instead of in person. I thank Josh from the bottom of my heart for his sacrifice, that is now so much more poignant now as baseball is starting up again. I will think of him throughout every game I watch and sports article I read, knowing that he too will be keeping tabs on the happenings and will hopefully be back in time to root for the Twinks as they enter the post season.

Just remember, Josh, you PROMISED to support the Twins this season!

3.14159265358979328462643383279...

Math nerds of the world, today is OUR holiday! Go out, celebrate, and have a slice of pie (don't forget to calculate the circumference of the whole pie based on the arc length of your slice!). Have contests to see who knows the most digits. Read Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander. Sing your favorite pi carols or pi rap. Live it up!

For my fellow teachers, this is a great site chocked full of ideas for teaching pi. If you don't have anything neat planned this year, start work to have a school wide celebration for next year.

Thank you for the teachers who already bask in the wonder of pi and make it fun for their students (especially those in Minnesota!).

Happy Pi Day, one and all!

You know you're from Minnesota when...

Today was an absolutely gorgeous March day in Minnesota! To celebrate, I wore sandals and a light jacket to work this morning. I listened to Disc Two of Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music (a compilation which I highly recommend) and had cold air blowing in my car.

The high was a balmy 49 degrees. Thank you, Lord, for sending some sunshine and reminding everyone that us folk from Minnesota are a might bit strange!