More ArtShots from GAR the Magnificent

http://garphoto.com/faire/faire_index.html

Friday was the Faire School Day, thousands of students (mostly teenage, and a few elementary age) and teachers descended upon the Faire Site and learned about Elizabethan history. The Court danced and the students were able to greet Her Majestie, there were 3 jousts and it was really great to see how the majority of kids were really enjoying the experience.

I lifted this from an email from my Sweetie, we are trying to plan time together with our St. George friends, and time for some singing at St.Ives. This is what we do all day:
10am I saunter up to the front gate, visiting folks on the street, with whoever wants to accompany me. 11am - 11:30am is the dance set in glade. I have to be there. The Queen arrives sometime during that. After that is free time to eat, gig in glade - or elsewhere - till 1pm when I go to do swordwork at the Maypole. 1:45pm is progress. I have to be there. The 1st leg is to the tournament. I believe we arrive there around 2pm or so. I go off during the tourney to hang out at the good Bishop's (Shawn's) tent. Lisa comes over there sometimes but John Hertz has a dance set during that time on the grass area nearby that Lisa usually joins. The tourney etc. lasts about 45 minutes I believe, including the Queen coming over to the military for a snack as well. We then progress to the stage for the Queen's show that lasts about 20 minutes or so. It's over around 3:30pm. Then it's back to the glade for a little dancing and other acts till the Queen goes off to
"tea" at 4pm (don't ask). I then have free time till 5pm when I need to be at glade to prep for the 5:30pm privy council gig we're doing. Lisa goes to see the Poxy Boggard's family show at 5pm. I expect Privy Council to go for about a 1/2 hour or so. Then it's whatever till 7pm.

Port Deptford Stroll

photo by Ariston Collander

Decisions, Decisions

What are we going to do? How can any good come of this election? America really knows how to entertain the world.

A perfect weather day

Doug took a day off to spend with me! We had our favorite traditional lunch at the DCA Trattoria, Caprese sandwich on a Pretzel Roll, and a Pizzetta salad. The day was so beautiful, the grape vines are filled in and there are blooming flowers everywhere. We only had time for a quick 2 rides at the N'awlins Square, but it was great. There was a young couple in line in front of us and I thought they had something a bit peculiar about them, then we heard them conversing in a European language (specifics withheld, so as not to offend) and suddenly I knew that was what was different about them. I love peope watching. Fascinating sport.
We rushed back for piano lessons and a trip to the library for an event with an Argentine woman who did a bilingual presentation of children's music and rhythm instruments. Good times.

As a parent

My experience in the public school system and my opinion on parental involvement.

As a parent of a college freshman, a 10th grader and a 3rd grader I (we) have always had the attitude that education is very much a team effort. Our plan started with a decision to live in the best school district/neighborhood we could find, in the least expensive rental we could find. We have always supported the teacher's efforts and taught the kids to have respect for their teachers. We have taught them that they will spend their lives dealing with all types of personalities, roll with it. Our school had an extremely involved principal and there were only a couple of teachers that were way off track. I still knew parents who did the best they could to make things work with said psycho teachers, trying to smooth things out for their kid's sake. The ethnic makeup of the school was a good diverse mix, but not really any illegal immigrants that I knew of. (I've had several friends who taught in other schools in the district in the lower income neighborhoods, and experienced great difficulty in gaining parental support). My overall experience through the years was that the principal and parents were all very supportive of the teachers. We moved last year and the school my 3rd grader attends is brand new. I am on the School Site Council and have been very impressed with the principal and quality of teachers. There is still a good diverse mix, but definitely a higher number of students who have less parental support. My point is, I believe that a weak (or strong) link in the parental support of fulfilling assignments, attitude toward teachers and all other aspects of school holds MUCH significance in the outcome of student success, and undeniably, the home environment as well. As for the whole NCLB issue, I have not seen much more than huge amounts of pressure and accountability on teachers' shoulders and unqualified students still being pushed forward, my college student's opinion also. Our old school has had the top API scores in the County for years. When my son was in 6th grade, his (amazing) teacher had recently transferred there, and was really working the class to bring their writing skills up. She felt our school was sorely lacking in this area, that they were concentrating on other skills for the test scores.
I gotta share this memory that I love:
One of my favorite teachers and most beneficial HS classes was called Future Studies, a creative writing class taught by Mr. Hooper, a (more sedate than) Robin Williams type guy with a big white guy fro and tight tan Angel Flights. His goal was to inspire us to envision the possibilities of the technological advancements burgeoning on the horizon of the 80's, and to teach us how to BS well in college. One day he wrote on the board "Compare and Contrast the working class..." I don't remember exactly, but he named a title we had never heard of. The class protested, no one had heard any assignment to read THAT, he replied that it didn't exist, just BS it. He kept a roll of toilet paper on his desk, to staple on your essay as part of your grade. I got three squares.

I miss these guys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsBq_K1WLsE&feature=related

and some good political commentary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvy0wRLD5s8

there's even some Shakespeare.

Let the Revels Begin

Opening weekend of the Faire exceeded expectations. It is so amazing to watch the frenzied madness of so many people pulling together an enormous production, and the transformation that takes place as everything begins to actualize. I enjoyed so many memorable moments, Courtly dancing in the morning, singing at St. Ives with friends, the breeze and the leaves floating down. The afternoons at Ives always remind me of Autumn, and with the fyne English weather it did even more so. I am still smiling and laughing at the conversations I enjoyed with so many interesting people. I live for the laughter and silliness, the singing and the drums, and there was an abundance of it all. Almost had to miss the PBoggards after only two songs, save for Lady Derby who listened to my whining and took over my duties for a few minutes, so I could enjoy five more songs. Looking forward to the next few weeks, come visit.


The second week we enjoyed a "Madrigalpalooza", we sang "Il Bianco e Dolce Cigno", the H.S. Choir sang "Fa Una Canzone", MWOWindsor sang "All Creatures Now", PoxyBogs sang "Of All Jolly Pastimes, Ladies of Commedia and two young ladies also sang (didn't know the songs, both Italian and well done).

A serene little spot in what is left of the countryside nearby

Sir Edmund Blacklabber and Howard

Here are the long awaited photos of the mischievous duo, while the photo shoot was in progress, Ed decided to walk in the garage and help himself to a little snack. The garage is NOT your personal fridge, Ed.

Some 20 Years Ago Doug Created This Caricature

http://www.mildredgoldberger.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=9

Only a few weeks before our wedding, he was commissioned by a Caltech professor to attend a private party for the retirement of the President of Caltech and draw the guests in caricature. It was an amazing group of attendees, a few very reknown nobel laureates among them. I enjoyed a conversation with RPFeynman who was well known to be very personable and humorous. I asked him if he knew how to navigate the steam tunnels under Caltech, and offered him a tour. I also confessed to parking in his designated space, as well as Murray Gell-Mann's, when visiting friends on weekends. He talked about his first wife, his true love. He really did have a very personable, affable way. It was several years later that I read his "Surely you're Joking" book.
Besides being so happy to see this drawing again, this woman who the site is dedicated to was remarkable, very inspirational.

Trevor's in NY

The Toad sent Nessie a text that he had just landed in NY! He is so far away... but they will be returning Monday, so not a very long trip. Live it up, Toadie! Love always, Mom

Shakespeare's Who's on First

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaGHVWKrcpQ

and for the Scooby Doo fans...

http://www.cord.edu/faculty/sprunger/e315/hamlet.html