Words Are Worlds I Sailed Upon

Sunday, December 4, 2011

"What Sarah Said": a lo-fi, live action web comic (episode 13, #occupy #education #occupyedu )

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Like most Americans, I have seen a fair amount of media coverage surrounding the whole Occupy movement, but know very little about the ideals propelling the whole revolution. Lately I've busied myself watching the tweet grid #OCCUPY, yet I know little more than the whole "We are the 99%" notion about the 1% possessing the lion's share of money and power.

The more I read, the more I wonder about the possible intersections between #OCCUPY and what is happening with the current state of education. The political mandate of "No Child Left Behind" and so-called education reform "Race To the Top" constrains public education to test prep readiness, suffocating anything that cannot be measured through multiple choice and a #2 pencil. Of course there is the whole matter about who really stands to profit from all this.

The random Google Search of OCCUPY and EDUCATION led me to Occupy Education's tumblr and Facebook websites. I love how the sentimentality of the site empowers students and teachers to express their voice in speaking out against testing culture. There's more. Like Jersey Jazzman at Blue Jersey wrote a very sarcastic op ed piece about "Occupy Education Reform". Though, I often turn to Bob Barker's "School Finance 101" for a quantified analysis, or Diane Ravitch for a rallying cry.

There is a healthy counter-revolution forming in response to heavily politicized ed reform. I hope resistance to standardized testing culture takes hold before my own children attend public school.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

"What Sarah Said": a lo-fi, live action web comic (episode 12, Happy Thanksgiving 2011)

*** Click image to enlarge. ***

By the time I had finished explaining the design concept behind this week's Sarah comic, my wife looked at me dumbfounded. It only seemed like a natural progression to attempt 'on location' staged photos as a means of developing this strip.

"You could get arrested taking photos from inside a supermarket."

Huh? I Never heard such a thing in my life... Besides, what's something like supermarket security to stand in the way of art. OK, well maybe not art, but definitely a work... A work in progress!

"Yeah. Something about preventing competition from stealing ideas for product placement. Listen. I'll pretend that I don't know you in the event you get escorted into some security room."

Now there's a thought for you. Getting cuffed by the Shoprite Fuzz for taking pictures of a lawn ornament in the frozen foods section. For a moment, I daydreamed how that might read in the local police blotter.

"And oh, I need to head up to the BIG Shopright, not the one around the corner."

This store was conveniently located right by my place of work. Double the odds. Now imagine being carted away in front of the middle school students I teach and their parents. Imagine the cafeteria talk the next day if anyone was to spot me. High risk, but do-able. Very worthwhile.

"Yeah, count me in," I replied. There was no backing down.

So I suited up: an outer shell with a breast pocket for quickly stashing my iPhone, and an over the shoulder one-strap backpack to conceal Sarah. After several practices, I mastered grabbing the phone in one hand and lawn ornament in the other. This action must have appeared surreptitious to say the least.

For all my anticipation, nothing could properly prepared me for the obstacle course of the Frozen Foods aisle. Did I say aisle? No. Correct that: one of those grocery floor refrigeration units, flanked on every side by supermarket clerks. And oh, this was right after rush hour the day before Thanksgiving; the place was packed.

All of my life experienced prepared me for this moment. Don't hesitate. Don't look suspicious. Work with purpose. Make it appear as if it was my business to take digital photos of lawn ornaments situated on bags of frozen peas and corn. Otherwise somebody might actually stop and ask me exactly what was I doing.

Ooh. All this AND my three-year-old son speaking at top volume, "Daddie, what are you doing? What are you doing Daddie?" over and over.

I snapped my three photos and walked out of the supermarket with my family... never to look back. And this is my way of saying, "Happy Thanksgiving" to you all!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

P-Finn's Observations of the Wedding & Reception

As the bride and groom entered the room, my son P-Finn turned to me and inquired, "Daddie, Jon is marrying a princess?" I nodded my head in a silent affirmation and thought to myself, Yes... he is marrying a princess.

At the reception, my 3-year-old son danced... all... evening... long. He grew indignant whenever the crowd meandered away. "Cmon every-body, get on the dance floooor!" he commanded.

On more than one occasion, he took the bride by the hand and escorted her back out to dance. Each time the bride elegantly accepted his request. I swear that child had more face-time with the bride than her husband.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Songs I Want to Learn: "Let My Love Open the Door" & "Question" Acoustic Covers

Today one of my best friends is getting married in the Mohunk Mountain House up in the New York Catskill mountain range.

Over the past year, we had knocked around the idea of an acoustic performance-- Jon singing in his "James Taylor meets country twang" voice, and me accompanying on acoustic guitar. For all of our good intentions, we were all talk... until a month ago. Jon asked me sincerely, "So, are we really going to do this." I nodded, and we set to task.

We both pitched ideas for songs: easy enough to learn, good vocal range, thematically appropriate. The six song selection was quickly narrowed down to three, and again to two. It's better to perform a few songs well than to have a larger set at the risk of mediocrity. Besides, it's the thought that counts.

Tonight we will perform Old 97's "Question" and Sondre Lerche's "Let My Love Open the Door." As usual, finding good source material to learn from was a critical part of our process. Here are two YouTube videos that helped greatly.