Have you ever had one of those moments when you simply could not control your laughter? One that wasn't triggered by one too many beers or a comedy club or TV comedian? Occasionally thats happened to me. Actually, way more than occasionally. When a human mistake cascades into a situation beyond control or someone tells you a joke that just tickles your funny bone in such a way that the laughter comes out of you like a volcanic eruption. Those things are so funny to me that I can't verbally repeat them without going into fits of laughter again. You can't look for those moments, they just happen.
It's been over a month now since I've run across anything as humerous as all that. The last time was a simple joke, add to that the non-expressive face of the joke teller and Wham! I was drawn in, blind sided by the seeming innocence and smacked up on the side of my head by a joke so hillarious I almost laughed myself silly. I love stuff like that. It takes me away from reality just long enough to catch my breath and get back to the tasks at hand. I've heard that laughter also acts as a short workout for the heart. I'm looking forward to the next time it happens. But, in the meantime I've been going over some old joke books from my high school days trying to glean a few bits of humor. My, how tastes have changed. I told a couple of the jokes to the younger guys I work with. Guess what? They didn't find them funny even though I could hardly tell them I was laughing so hard. The jokes appear to be outdated.
I've checked out the joke of the day sites but no surprises there. Oh wait! Did you tee hee, hear about, haa haa, the guy who, hee, hee, haa, haa, snicker, snicker, hoo, hoo, haa, haa, Oh never mind I'll have to tell you later. I'm laughing too hard right now.................
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Bernard Taylor
Bernard Taylor believes in kids. That's my observation anyway. I live in a suburb of Grand Rapids so I have no direct interest in that school system. But, what affects Grand Rapids has a great influence on the surrounding area too. I feel what Bernard Taylor, as the superintendent of the Grand Rapids public school system has done affected far beyond it's borders. I feel that what happens within our educational system is of major importance. I felt Bernard Taylor does too.
Being an outsider I didn't get caught up in any petty squabbles going on between the school board or teachers or parent groups. None of those mattered to me. I mentored dozens of young men that were the products of the Grand Rapids school system. One common factor of their at risk situations was "lack of expectations" both at home and within the schools. "You're not ever going to amount to anything so we're not going to waste our time trying to help you excel." I didn't get that feeling from Bernard Taylor. I've never met the man, don't know what he's like personally. I don't care either. What I saw in his attempts to do his job was a deep seated belief that if given the opportunity, most kids will buckle down and take advantage of it. He didn't appear to believe that the students weren't capable of learning. He moved forward by expecting them to learn and a belief that most children will rise to the occasion.
Bernard Taylor will be leaving the Grand Rapids school system soon. The system will carry on and he'll be faced with another challenge to overcome. Life will continue as before. But, the system will be different because of his efforts and optimism in those kids. That's my observation. I like to see people like him when it comes to dealing with the future generations. Expect, inform, assist, educate and keep moving forward. I wish Bernard Taylor well in his future endeavors.
Being an outsider I didn't get caught up in any petty squabbles going on between the school board or teachers or parent groups. None of those mattered to me. I mentored dozens of young men that were the products of the Grand Rapids school system. One common factor of their at risk situations was "lack of expectations" both at home and within the schools. "You're not ever going to amount to anything so we're not going to waste our time trying to help you excel." I didn't get that feeling from Bernard Taylor. I've never met the man, don't know what he's like personally. I don't care either. What I saw in his attempts to do his job was a deep seated belief that if given the opportunity, most kids will buckle down and take advantage of it. He didn't appear to believe that the students weren't capable of learning. He moved forward by expecting them to learn and a belief that most children will rise to the occasion.
Bernard Taylor will be leaving the Grand Rapids school system soon. The system will carry on and he'll be faced with another challenge to overcome. Life will continue as before. But, the system will be different because of his efforts and optimism in those kids. That's my observation. I like to see people like him when it comes to dealing with the future generations. Expect, inform, assist, educate and keep moving forward. I wish Bernard Taylor well in his future endeavors.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 11th, 2001
The horror of September 11th 2001 is printed indelibly on my mind. So is the heroism of that day. Ten years has not lessened the impact it had on our lives. It taught us there is no safe haven from terrorism and we forever must remain vigilant. I believe we also must continue to pursue our dreams of freedom by facing the threat and pressing on regardless. Paraphrasing words spoken on flight 93. "Let's roll!" The alternative is unthinkable. Pray today and always.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
