Public School Policy (or: The Reason I Wanted to Kick a Perfect Stranger)

I think my children are cursed. They both get sick at least once a month and my oldest (who goes to public school) was sick w/ no less than 3 viruses in the month of January alone. Actually, since school started in August, he's gotten every virus that has gone around despite any precautions I have attempted to take. He is now being instructed not to touch his friends in any way, especially their hands, and also to keep his hands off their desks. I've also sent notes to his school that he please be allowed to wash his hands as many times a day as he wishes. A little too extreme? Am I teaching my kid to be Melvin Udall? Who knows? But I am at the end of my rope and at a loss as to what else to do.

Anyway, enter the school 'attendance policy'. According to the Smith County Truancy Board, each child is allowed five 'parent notes' a year without penalty. In other words, your kid can miss school for no good reason as long as the parent sends a note along w/ them to the school on their first day back. However, after that, a doctor's note is required in order for your child's absence to be 'excused'. Unexcused absences mean that the child cannot make up their work for the missed days and therefore received zeros for any assignments from those days. After five unexcused absences, the truancy board comes into the picture and the parent must attend a 'hearing' to explain the excessive absences. After that, if one more unexcused day is reported to the truancy board by the school, the county requires that the parent present themselves before a judge, pay extensive court fees, and possibly have their child turned over to 'Childrens Services' where 'whatever means necessary' will be used to get the child to school.(??)

Needless to say, Johnson used up his five 'parent notes' very quickly w/ viruses and an ear infection back in the summer. Since then he's missed eight days of 'unexcused absences' due to sickness. I do not take my kids to the doctor for viruses because, as we all know, unless there are dangerous symptoms that need treatment, there is little a doctor can do. Actually, doctors appreciate when parents don't bring their kids to them for viruses for this very reason. During flu season, there is also the needless risk of the sick child contracting something more serious simply from sitting in the waiting room. Plus, there is the expense involved in a needless doctor's visit. Due to the unexcused absences, Johnson dropped from a straight 'a' student to a b and c student because he had to take zeros for the missed days.

Yesterday I went to the smith county courthouse for my scheduled 'hearing'. I found myself faced w/ five women. Three of them were pleasant, smiling ladies from the Smith County BOE and two of them were frowning, evil looking women spilling over the edge of their bent plastic chairs and dressed all in black. These were the 'larkies' from 'Childrens Services' and their pockmarks and pale skin immediately put me on edge. The mild tempered ladies from the BOE started off by going over Johnson's absences and asking me to explain them to the best of my ability. I told them the situation, explained my reluctance to take him to the doctor when the doctor himself suggests that I not, and how the principle of paying 40.00 for a note just doesnt sit well w/ me. I noticed that the two women from CS were writing down my every word and this also got my 'back up'. The nice women from BOE proceeded to explain to me that the policy is not their idea and that unfortunately there is nothing they can do to change it. They told me that Johnson could not miss one more day or there would be consequences. I asked what would happen and one of the 'devil-women' bellowed, 'You could go to jail and your child could be taken from you!'. While I sat in stunned silence at this outburst (that seemed like an answer to a challenge instead of a simple question and which immediately made me wish I could indeed start blindly kicking the beast), one of the BOE ladies smoothed it out a little by stating, 'That is only under extreme circumstances and usually happens w/ older children. I'm sure this will not happen to you.' The meeting ended w/ them informing me that his attendance would also be monitored next year and if he had one unexcused absence, I would immediately be required to appear before a judge instead of being allowed another 'hearing'.

So that is the story. I guess I'll be taking my kid to the doctor every time he's sick now, which I feel is ludicrous, but is infinitely more appealing than the prospect of going through that mess again!

Home School is looking better and better.

Freudian Snips

I wanted to share a little of Lucian Freud's art. I was thinking of him the other day and did a brief google image search for some of his art. These are some of the best ones that came up. I think the old man might be Jackson Pollock but I'm not sure. I really think his portrait work is some the best I've seen. So much character in the faces-like you know them. Anyway, he's one of my favorite artists so I just wanted to share. The 'realism' of his nudes is almost disturbing at times, especially since he was apt to pose them in the most unflattering of ways.

Yesterday, after posting my tribute to Cole Porter, I decided to put together a collected works cd of his music. I got some great songs for the collection-33 tracks in all. His songs have been covered by so many artists that I only had to duplicate two of them. Here's the lineup:

1. Sinead O'Connor-You Do Something To me

2. Ray Charles-Every Time We Say Goodbye

3. Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby-Well, Did You Evah

4. Peter Cincotti-I Love Paris

5. Peter Como-Begin the beguine

6. Peggy Lee- I Get A Kick Out Of You

7. Nat King Cole-Just One of Those Things

8. Michael Buble'-I've Got You Under My Skin

9. Mel Torme-Too Darn Hot

10. Maurice Chevalier and Frank Sinatra-C'est Magnifique

11. Marilyn Monroe-My Heart Belongs To Daddy

12. Lisa Stanfield-Down in the Depths

13. Kristin Chenoweth-From the Alpha to the Omega

14. KD Lang-So Inlove

15. Julie London-You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To

16. Johnny Ray- All Through the Night

17. Frank Sinatra-You'd Be So Easy To Love

18. Frank Sinatra-Night and Day

19. Ella Fitagerald- Let's Do It Let's Fall In Love

20. Eartha Kitt-Love For Sale

21. Dianne Reeves-I Concentrate On You

22. Robbie Williams-De Lovely

23. Ethel merman-Blow Gabriel Blow

24. Eartha Kitt-In The Still of the Night

25. Rosemary Clooney-You're The Top

26. Tony Bennett- Anything Goes

27. Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly- True Love

28. Billie Holiday- What is This Thing Called Love

29. The ANdrews Sisters-Don't Fence Me In

30. Fred Astaire- So Near and Yet So Far

31. Dianne Reeves- I've Got My Eyes On You

32. Ella Fitzgerald- Do I Love You

33. Bobby Darin- All Of You

24.

Songwriters: Cole Porter

Okay, maybe Cole isnt a 'singer/songwriter' but few would contest that he is one of the pivotal and most important songwriters in American history. I don't think many people realize just how MANY phenomenal songs this man has written. The movie 'De-Lovely' starring Keven Kline had some pretty great renditions of some of these songs by current pop stars and though the movie was depressing in the sense that it shed some unkind light on Porter's personal life, I'm glad it was made so that more of the younger generations could re-aquaint themseves w/ his wonderful work.

Porter wrote his first successful song for Broadway in 1915. It was entitled Esmeralda. But the successof the Hands Up review was quickly followed by a string of failures that resulted in the composer retreating to Paris where he lived modestly selling songs and living off a family allowance.

Cole Porter's return to Broadway, however, in 1928, reintroduced him to America w/ a bang. After his musical,' Paris', hit theaters, he was in for a decade that would long be referred to as Porter's Golden Age. The thirties saw song after song and show after show become rousing hits. His works hits included such popular standards as 'Love For Sale', 'Night and Day', 'Anything Goes', ' Just One of Those Things', 'De-lovely', 'I've Got You Under My Skin', and 'Easy to Love', all of which have been covered by artists ranging from Ethel Merman to Nat King Cole to Robbie Williams.

After a crippling accident in 1932, it seemed that his success and songwriting capablilities would have to slow down but it seemed they only increased. In the forties, some of Porter's most wonderful and exciting shows were written including Kiss Me Kate (featuring the vastly popular 'Too Darn Hot'), Can-Can, and Silk Stockings. He also began to be a staple of the Hollywood Musical, writing the scores for Broadway Melody of 1940, You'll Never Get Rich, The Pirate (starring Gene Kelly and featuring the song 'Be A Clown' that was more than coincidentally echoed in the Singin in the Rain tune, 'Make Em Laugh' ), and my personal favorite, High Society-starring the incomparable duo of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Every song in this film continues to be some of my favorites of all time, principally the wonderful love song 'True Love' and the jazzy 'Samantha'-featuring the great Satchmo.

Eventually, the great songwriter's injuries caught up with him and he died in 1964 of kidney failure. But his songs will live on as some of the most timeless ever created.

Lyric samples:

Anything Goes from Anything Goes (1934)

Times have changed/ And we've often rewound the clock / Since the Puritans got a shock/ When they landed on Plymouth Rock . If today, Any shock they should try to stem/, 'Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock/, Plymouth Rock would land on them/

. In olden days a glimpse of stocking Was looked on as something shocking, But now, God knows, Anything Goes./ Good authors too who once knew better words,/ Now only use four letter words /Writing prose, Anything Goes. /

The world has gone mad today/ And good's bad today, And black's white today, And day's night today,/ When most guys today That women prize today/ Are just silly gigolos/ And though I'm not a great romancer I know that I'm bound to answer /When you propose, Anything goes /When grandmama whose age is eighty/ In night clubs is getting matey with gigolo's,/ Anything Goes. /When mothers pack and leave poor father/ Because they decide they'd rather be tennis pros, /Anything Goes. /

If driving fast cars you like/, If low bars you like,/ If old hymns you like/, If bare limbs you like, If Mae West you like/ Or me undressed you like/, Why, nobody will oppose! /When every night, The set that's smart/ Is intruding in nudist parties in studios,/ Anything Goes. T
The world has gone mad today /And good's bad today,/ And black's white today,/ And day's night today, /When most guys today /That women prize today /Are just silly gigolos /And though I'm not a great romancer /I know that I'm bound to answer/ When you propose, Anything goes

If saying your prayers you like/, If green pears you like/ If old chairs you like/, If back stairs you like/, If love affairs you like/ With young bears you like, /Why nobody will oppose!
And though I'm not a great romancer/I know that I'm bound to answer /When you propose, Anything goes... Anything goes!


De-Lovely from Red Hot and Blue! (1935)

I feel a sudden urge to sing the kind of ditty that invokes the Spring
So, control your desire to curse while I crucify the verse
This verse I've started seems to me the "Tin Pan-tithesis" of melody
So to spare you all the pain, I'll skip the darn thing and sing the refrain

The night is young, the skies are clear
And if you want to go walkin', dear
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's de-lovely
I understand the reason why
You're sentimental, 'cause so am I
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's de-lovely
You can tell at a glance what a swell night this is for romance
You can hear, dear Mother Nature murmuring low "Let yourself go"
So please be sweet, my chickadee
And when I kiss ya, just say to me "It's delightful, it's delicious, it's delectable, it's delirious, It's dilemma, it's de limit, it's deluxe, it's de-lovely"

You can tell at a glance what a swell night this is for romance
You can hear dear Mother Nature murmuring low "Let yourself go"
So please be sweet, my chickadee
And when I kiss ya, just say to me "It's delightful, it's delicious, it's delectable, it's delirious, It's dilemma, it's de limit, it's deluxe, it's de-lovely"


Too Darn Hot from Kiss me Kate (1948)

It's too darn hot/It's too darn hot/I'd like to sup with my baby tonight/and play the pup with my baby tonight/I'd like to sup with my baby tonight/and play the pup with my baby tonight/but I ain't up to my baby tonight cause it's too darn hot/
It's too darn hot/It's too darn hot/I'd like to stop for my baby tonight/and blow my top with my baby tonight/I'd like to stop with my baby tonight/and blow my top with my baby tonight/but I'd be a flop with my baby tonight/cause it's too darn hot, it's too darn hot
It's too darn hot/I'd like to fool with my baby tonight/break ev'ry rule with my baby tonight/I'd like to fool with my baby tonight/break ev'ry rule with my baby tonight/but pillow you'll be my baby tonight/cause it's too darn hot/it's too darn hot

*BRIDGE*According to the Kinsey report ev'ry average man you know/ much prefers to play his favorite sport /when the temperature is low/ but when the thermometer goes way up and the weather is sizzling hot/Mister Adam for his madam is not/cause it's too too/it's too darn hot, it's too darn hot/It's too too too too darn hot/

I'd like to call on my baby tongiht/and give my all to my baby tonight/I'd like to call on my baby tongiht/and give my all to my baby tonight/but I can't play ball with my baby tonight/ cause it's too darn hot/
It's too darn hot/I'd like to meet with my baby tonight/get off my feet with my baby tonight/I'd like to meet with my baby tonight/get off my feet with my baby tonigh/tbut no repeat with my baby tonight/cause it's too darn hot/
It's too darn hot /I'd like to coo with my baby tonight /and pitch some woo with my baby tonight/I'd like to coo with my baby tonight /and pitch some woo with my baby tonight/but sister you fight my baby tonight/cause it's too darn hot/it's too darn hot

According to the Kinsey report/ev'ry average man you know/much prefers to play his favorite sportwhen the temperature is low/but when the thermometer goes way up/and the weather is sizzling hot/Mister GOB for his squab,/a marine for his queen/a G.I. for his cutie-pie is not

Cause it's too too too darn hot/ Its too...darn...HOT!!

Archie is Ugly-But He Ain't No Sam...

So here is Archie. He is the 2006 'World's Ugliest Dog'. I suppose the protruding tongue, frizzled facial hair and hairless body are decidedly unpretty for a dog. But when you look back at last year's champion, Sam, little Archie looks like a perfect specimen.










See?




Poor Sam died last year or he'd surely still be the champ.

Useless Posts R Us

Me old friend Rachael colored my hair last Sunday. There is something about red hair that makes you want to drive faster and have the ability to manage quick-witted retorts to everyone you meet. It also makes me regret that I cannot raise one eybrow in lieu of responding to stupid questions. Oh well. Can't wait to get out the hot rollers!

Hey, have you ever decided that your breakfast menu was becoming a little on the dull side? Tired of eating the same thing every morning? Try this for a change! One banana topped w/ two tablespoons yogurt (vanilla or banana) and a sprinkling of granola. It's like banana pudding for breakfast! Mmmmmmm.

Does anyone else miss The ELectric Company? I was watching a special on it the other night. I think it was the smartest childrens' show ever! I was especially happy to see quality time devoted to 'Letter-man!', 'The silent-e song', 'Hey you guys!', and Morgan Freeman as the vampire who liked taking baths in his coffin. I think I'm gonna have to break down and get me the dvd's. I really couldnt care less if the kids are interested.

What a difference a year makes...

Last night was the 49th annual grammy awards. I usually watch the telecast because one: I like awards shows and two: I love music. Unfortunately, the industry's choices for the 'best' are rarely my picks. Last year was especially mediocre in this regard ( http://learnthebigapple.blogspot.com/2006/02/purrr-teee.html). I am a little distraught by how biased the academy is when it comes to who it chooses to honor with the awards. For example, there are nominees in the r & b category for female vocal performance, male vocal performance, group vocal performance, album, song, video...yadda yadda. The same goes for the pop category. However, 'metal' only gets one measley category for 'metal performance'. This is pretty important genre, people...even if it's not your cuppa tea...and the fact that there is no nomination for album or song is pretty crappy, really. Bluegrass also gets the shaft and there is not a single category that would support my personal favorites of the year, The Old Crow Medicine Show. In my opinion, their album Big Iron World was the hands down best of the year. But I digress.

I was about to say that in actuality, this year was a big boost from last year. Some quality music was recognized and I have to say that I agree w/ alot of the results. Though I'm not a big fan of Waiting on the World to Change, I really love John Mayer. His bluesy compositions and great lyrics really move me...so I was happy to see him honored. The same goes for The Dixie Chicks (love the brave lyrics in Not Ready to Make Nice), Gnarles Barkley, Corrine Bailey Rae, John Legend, Tony Bennett , Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Wolfmother, and the Red Hot CHili Peppers (though I confess I'm becoming a little bored w/ them in my old age). To a lesser degree, I also have respect for Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood, and Mary J Blige's emotion (though I detest her music). So yes, we're acres above and beyond where we were last year at this time when i was seriously wondering what just HAPPENED?

The show was really entertaining too. Lots of great performances, some that were pretty good, some that were just ok, and for once, none that sucked...at least in my opinion. It was an impressive lineup. Here are some highlights that I appreciated:

1. The Police-reunited and just as good as ever!

2. The singer/songwriter medley-consisting of John Legend, Corrine Bailey Rae, and John Mayer. All sang songs not popular on the radio and all did a fantastic job. The contribution each of the performers made to one another was also a great touch.

3. Christina Aguilera- wha? Didnt I just slam her performance last year? Yes I did. She ALWAYS oversings. But this time it worked! Her rendition of "A Man's World" -a tribute to James Brown- was nothing short of brilliant! I have to admit I was smiling like an imbecile by the end of it.

4. Gnarles Barkley-Loved the slow sultry version of 'Crazy'. Really highlighted his amazing pipes.

5. Justin Timberlake-the first performance was really good. He sat at the piano and utilized his 'blackness' really well. (I did hate the second part of that performance, however, when he decided to shove a hand held camera up his nose for our viewing pleasure. Yikes. And the bit at the end w/ the 'winning grammy girl' was just way to indulgent for Justin-who had already performed! Shame on you, academy!)

6. Carrie Underwood- she can sing, no doubt about it. Her version of Bob Wills' 'San Antonio ROse' was good stuff. (Too bad she had to go and ruin it w/ that mediocre cover of 'Life in the Fast Lane'. I HATE Rascal Flatt with a passion! His fat head just makes me want to hurl tomatoes .)

7. The Dixie Chicks-great performance, even if it did sound just like the record.

8. The r & b medley-Smokey can still blow, Lionel still makes me sigh, and even though I'm not a fan of Chris Brown, that kid can dance! And what about those little 'krumpin' kids?! Whoah.

9. Shakira and Wyclef-No, those hips DON'T lie. Sheesh! It's like she's detatched in the middle.

Nobody else struck me as particularly remarkable...but like I said, nobody sucked. Even Rascal Flatt was 'on', I guess. So that's a one-up for the 49th for sure!

New Review: Shattered Glass (2003)

www.movinpitchers.blogspot.com

A Song For February...

You gotta love a gal who sounds like she's got dirt in her throat when she sings.
Now everybody get to dancin' !
The Distillers-City of Angels

http://www.badongo.com/vid/284474