City Living scored a point for using their cops in places other than watching stop signs like overzealous hawks.
But tonight, Small Town Living comes from behind to tie the score for having a better view of the stars.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Used Books
I'm well aware that posting has been few and far between lately. That's partly because I've been trying to find the time to further digest Where the Wild Things Are here, and partly because life has been wringing us at a rate that leaves little time for rumination.
Several exciting things are on the horizon in the next two weeks, like hosting Thanksgiving in our big room, seeing Do Make Say Think in Philadelphia (listen to the new album here), my friend Dan's crazy new art show, and my friend Kyle opening a used bookstore in Emmaus.
But it's the bookstore that's inspiring this post. I don't talk much about literature here because I don't read as much as I'd like to and I don't really like to read as much as I'd like to. (Although, I have been really really enjoying reading The Phantom Tollbooth with my kids. Maybe I'll post some thoughts on that soon.)
But I know I've got some well-read friends--you know who you are, don't be shy now--who check in on this blog from time to time. In efforts to spark a little life around here and help out Kyle and Matt as they keep working on their inventory, the question is this:
What books would you want to find on the shelves of your new favorite used book shop?
Answers from any and all genres are accepted and encouraged.
Several exciting things are on the horizon in the next two weeks, like hosting Thanksgiving in our big room, seeing Do Make Say Think in Philadelphia (listen to the new album here), my friend Dan's crazy new art show, and my friend Kyle opening a used bookstore in Emmaus.
But it's the bookstore that's inspiring this post. I don't talk much about literature here because I don't read as much as I'd like to and I don't really like to read as much as I'd like to. (Although, I have been really really enjoying reading The Phantom Tollbooth with my kids. Maybe I'll post some thoughts on that soon.)
But I know I've got some well-read friends--you know who you are, don't be shy now--who check in on this blog from time to time. In efforts to spark a little life around here and help out Kyle and Matt as they keep working on their inventory, the question is this:
What books would you want to find on the shelves of your new favorite used book shop?
Answers from any and all genres are accepted and encouraged.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Fighting
In the past two days, I've dealt with boys who have thrown punches. Relatively speaking, neither scenario was a huge deal. One was matter of invasion of personal space. The other happened after someone stole a churro off another's cafeteria tray. Citations were issued, lessons were learned, and one tough guy welled up with tears admitting, "My mom's gonna kill me."
Boys will be boys, but the thing is, this never happens at our school. Besides a few playground scuffles that never amounted to anything, I'm pretty sure these were the first fists I've seen after 2+ years.
To have it happen two days in a row jolted me a bit, especially because both times I had to drop what I was doing and rush over to the situation before things escalated.
What's been most surprising is that it's instantly taken me back to my former school, bringing vivid flashbacks of some nauseating fights I witnessed there. Two boys rolling over desks in the back of math class, punches to the face, splatters of blood and clumps of hair laying in the hallway, the girl who showed so much promise one afternoon and was never seen again after she beat up another girl the next day. The stress seemed to rise with the flashbacks, a heart heavy with the burden of the darkness inherent in senseless violence.
The school's been on my mind a lot lately after interesting discussions at grad class, some contact with former colleagues, and now this. I can't say I regret leaving, but there is some regret that I couldn't stay, some regret that I couldn't do more. And maybe it's just a mourning of kids who have lost their way and resort to lashing out.
Even if it is just personal space or a stolen churro.
Boys will be boys, but the thing is, this never happens at our school. Besides a few playground scuffles that never amounted to anything, I'm pretty sure these were the first fists I've seen after 2+ years.
To have it happen two days in a row jolted me a bit, especially because both times I had to drop what I was doing and rush over to the situation before things escalated.
What's been most surprising is that it's instantly taken me back to my former school, bringing vivid flashbacks of some nauseating fights I witnessed there. Two boys rolling over desks in the back of math class, punches to the face, splatters of blood and clumps of hair laying in the hallway, the girl who showed so much promise one afternoon and was never seen again after she beat up another girl the next day. The stress seemed to rise with the flashbacks, a heart heavy with the burden of the darkness inherent in senseless violence.
The school's been on my mind a lot lately after interesting discussions at grad class, some contact with former colleagues, and now this. I can't say I regret leaving, but there is some regret that I couldn't stay, some regret that I couldn't do more. And maybe it's just a mourning of kids who have lost their way and resort to lashing out.
Even if it is just personal space or a stolen churro.
Monday, November 09, 2009
if research means to search again, i think i'm rerereresearching by now.
the wife's away, which is usually when my productivity level takes a major nose dive, and it's just in time for two grad class assignments due thursday and another due sunday. i haven't really started on any of them. i've known about the two due thursday since the beginning of the semester. just now started trying to find the resources to complete them. i'm coming up mostly empty. glad i finally figured out how to search databases through my local library, but still not finding what i need. not sure what to do. i'm getting sick of boolean phrases. i want to get out of this barnes and noble, but i know if i go home, the couch will suck me in and never let me go. anyone have the text "american education" by joel spring? i'll get it back to you by friday. maybe i'll pull an all-nighter at some point this week. or fake the swine flu.
is this a blog entry from 2003? seems like it.
is this a blog entry from 2003? seems like it.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
City Living: 1 -- Small Town Living: 0
I lived in the city of Bethlehem for four years and never once got pulled over by a police officer, as they were all busy doing things like chasing bank robbers, controlling drunken Musikfest crowds, or corralling the middle schoolers I used to teach.
I've lived in the town of Hellertown for two weeks and started my Friday morning off with a $100 fine for pausing too briefly at a stop sign, despite the fact that we graciously gave an officer permission to time from our driveway the other week. Welcome to the neighborhood, I guess, where the cops have to get paid to do something. And just be sure to watch those stop signs and speed limits.
I've lived in the town of Hellertown for two weeks and started my Friday morning off with a $100 fine for pausing too briefly at a stop sign, despite the fact that we graciously gave an officer permission to time from our driveway the other week. Welcome to the neighborhood, I guess, where the cops have to get paid to do something. And just be sure to watch those stop signs and speed limits.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Costumes
American Gothic and Pinnochio and Geppetto
Michael Phelps and Nancy Kerrigan, Scooby Doo and Shaggy
The Beatles
Captain Canada and a Bag of Jelly Beans
Lady Gagas and the Baker's family
Karl Blau as Father Nature
Monday, November 02, 2009
Heaven
Tried to post this a while ago, but couldn't find an embeddable link. Here it is! Even more fun to watch now that they played in our living room! (A little disappointed they didn't play this song though.)
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Happy Halloween
So the Fifth Annual Shorb Family Halloween Costume Extravaganza is history, but it was a success.
To be honest, the past two weeks have been a huge source of stress, a whirlwind of busy days and late nights with literally never an hour to pause and relax. The move has taken up most of the time really, but work, graduate homework, extra meetings, church responsibilities, and the rest have packed in whatever holes would have been left open.
The party seemed to be the culmination of it all (although if I realistically look at my calendar, the stressful schedule will no doubt last through November), the goal to which we were working towards, the deadline to get moved in and settled to a certain extent, not to mention more free holes filled up with costume design, sound system set up, decorating, food prep, etc.
Wes and Roshelle agreed to be costume partners this year, the duo expanding to a foursome. Without their help, I’m not sure costumes would have happened for us, at least not up to typical caliber. And so, with their super hard work, four Mighty Morphin Power Rangers showed up to the party, costumes chosen mostly for their ridiculous nature.
When we laughed and laughed just picturing it in our minds, we knew there was no turning back. But on Friday night when we were all exhausted the costumes were still in haphazard pieces, it was evident that morale was low. We were a little late to our own party, but it all came together in the end.
On Saturday morning, running last minute errands, I grew a little bit anxious about having a “house show” and hosting a band and whatnot. It’s a little intimidating inviting a band into your house without knowing them, not knowing exactly what they want or need, how they’ll behave, and not knowing how friends will enjoy it.
But the seven of them showed up and were immediately so kind and friendly and respectful and gracious and appreciative and sweet. They were content with the modest PA system I provided, they had prepared costumes earlier in the day, and they didn’t think twice about putting plywood or cardboard underneath their amps to protect the brand new hardwood floors. And they stayed that kind and friendly and respectful and appreciative all the way through their stay when they set off for Baltimore this afternoon.
Karl Blau and LAKE played their sets and played them well, turning our “great room” into a legitimate venue. People seemed to really enjoy them, dancing ensued just like I hoped it would, and everything clicked. It was officially a party.
Then, even the Beatles played! Stan, Kyle, and Matt closed the evening out with 5 Beatles covers and they sounded great. It was fun to see them rocking out.
It felt good to throw a party. I was so excited and contented after it ended, and that’s lasted into today. People don’t throw enough parties. Maybe we don’t know how to party. Maybe we can’t find reasons to party. But I think my life would be a little more joyful if we had a few more.
Maybe the word in itself has too many harrowing connotations, with all of its illicit drugs and booze and sex and rock and roll, and of course that’s not at all what I’m referring to. I suppose I mean coming together to be joyful, act a little sillier than usual, enjoy one another’s company, laugh, eat some good food, and let all the other worries drift away for a few hours. Yes, more of that. If it takes getting a good band to play in your living room, then by all means, get a good band to play in your living room.
The most unexpectedly transcendent moment of the night was when LAKE played their song “The Places We’ll Go.” Erica and I spontaneously took the center of the dance floor and sang along as we danced in one another’s arms and all of a sudden it felt like we were in a room completely alone. There we were, just two goofy Power Rangers dancing like we were in love or something, literally like no one was watching, and the words we sang took on new meaning at what appears to be our last Halloween party for the foreseeable future for obvious reasons: “Oh, the places we’ll go…Oh, we don’t actually know.”
The next year will be a whirlwind in itself no doubt, but in that moment there was a sense of calm, peace, joy, and rightness about it all. Where the world will see just two weirdos carelessly dancing, may we find a sense of meaningful belonging in the stage God is setting for us. We don’t know where it will all lead, and that’s OK.
This new house is a pretty amazing one. People seemed to love it last night. It’s our hope that we’ll be able to use it to its fullest potential without getting too attached. Last night was a great start.
And finally, give LAKE and Karl Blau a listen, or check to see if they’re coming to your town. Not only are they really creative and talented musicians who believe in what they’re doing, but they’re super nice people, too.
To be honest, the past two weeks have been a huge source of stress, a whirlwind of busy days and late nights with literally never an hour to pause and relax. The move has taken up most of the time really, but work, graduate homework, extra meetings, church responsibilities, and the rest have packed in whatever holes would have been left open.
The party seemed to be the culmination of it all (although if I realistically look at my calendar, the stressful schedule will no doubt last through November), the goal to which we were working towards, the deadline to get moved in and settled to a certain extent, not to mention more free holes filled up with costume design, sound system set up, decorating, food prep, etc.
Wes and Roshelle agreed to be costume partners this year, the duo expanding to a foursome. Without their help, I’m not sure costumes would have happened for us, at least not up to typical caliber. And so, with their super hard work, four Mighty Morphin Power Rangers showed up to the party, costumes chosen mostly for their ridiculous nature.
On Saturday morning, running last minute errands, I grew a little bit anxious about having a “house show” and hosting a band and whatnot. It’s a little intimidating inviting a band into your house without knowing them, not knowing exactly what they want or need, how they’ll behave, and not knowing how friends will enjoy it.
But the seven of them showed up and were immediately so kind and friendly and respectful and gracious and appreciative and sweet. They were content with the modest PA system I provided, they had prepared costumes earlier in the day, and they didn’t think twice about putting plywood or cardboard underneath their amps to protect the brand new hardwood floors. And they stayed that kind and friendly and respectful and appreciative all the way through their stay when they set off for Baltimore this afternoon.
Karl Blau and LAKE played their sets and played them well, turning our “great room” into a legitimate venue. People seemed to really enjoy them, dancing ensued just like I hoped it would, and everything clicked. It was officially a party.
It felt good to throw a party. I was so excited and contented after it ended, and that’s lasted into today. People don’t throw enough parties. Maybe we don’t know how to party. Maybe we can’t find reasons to party. But I think my life would be a little more joyful if we had a few more.
Maybe the word in itself has too many harrowing connotations, with all of its illicit drugs and booze and sex and rock and roll, and of course that’s not at all what I’m referring to. I suppose I mean coming together to be joyful, act a little sillier than usual, enjoy one another’s company, laugh, eat some good food, and let all the other worries drift away for a few hours. Yes, more of that. If it takes getting a good band to play in your living room, then by all means, get a good band to play in your living room.
The most unexpectedly transcendent moment of the night was when LAKE played their song “The Places We’ll Go.” Erica and I spontaneously took the center of the dance floor and sang along as we danced in one another’s arms and all of a sudden it felt like we were in a room completely alone. There we were, just two goofy Power Rangers dancing like we were in love or something, literally like no one was watching, and the words we sang took on new meaning at what appears to be our last Halloween party for the foreseeable future for obvious reasons: “Oh, the places we’ll go…Oh, we don’t actually know.”
The next year will be a whirlwind in itself no doubt, but in that moment there was a sense of calm, peace, joy, and rightness about it all. Where the world will see just two weirdos carelessly dancing, may we find a sense of meaningful belonging in the stage God is setting for us. We don’t know where it will all lead, and that’s OK.
And finally, give LAKE and Karl Blau a listen, or check to see if they’re coming to your town. Not only are they really creative and talented musicians who believe in what they’re doing, but they’re super nice people, too.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Getting Used to the New Place
I know I promised to keep this sort of content to a minimum...but how could I refuse this?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Where is My Mind?
We learn a lot about the brain in fifth grade, and one project was to create model brains at home and bring them in for a presentation. I created a little slide show with pictures of all of them, part of which was set to The Pixies singing "Where is My Mind?"
When it was shown this morning, one boy got really really excited when the song started and said, "This is my dad's favorite song!!!"
Guess who earned a few scene points.
When it was shown this morning, one boy got really really excited when the song started and said, "This is my dad's favorite song!!!"
Guess who earned a few scene points.
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