Keeping Tabs...

Well I have had quite a bit of time on my hands, so I decided to make a list of what I am reading and listening to. You can check in with me, and then share what you are listening to and reading. It could be very cool. My lists are found in the column on the right of this blog. I love finding new music and books, so come on over and share share share!!

Something Cool....

Public Art....

This is a tower, a replica of 30 Rock, made completely out of erector sets. Pretty Cool huh? The view is even better when you can see this tower lined up with the actual building. I couldn't really get a good shot though.

Just wanted to share something cool...

A New York Walk...

I have really gotten use to living in this great city. My surroundings are more and more normal now. I am starting this blog ,and more here after, so I can share and also continue my appreciation for the exhilarating experience of becoming a transplant New Yorker. I hope you enjoy.

This particular walk is one I make all the time. It is from our apartment on the outskirts of the Gramercy region of NYC down to the very happening and well-known Union Square. Here are some glimpses of one of my daily, yet favorite walks.

This is the highlight. The only private part in all of NYC, Gramercy Park. It is a beautiful and spectacular park, although I have only seen it from behind the iron fence. Even behind the barrier, the park is a worth a stare.

The only people permitted in this park are the residents of the luxurious homes that surround it, leaving the every day person mystified by what goes on inside. The most notable celebrities in the area are Ann Curry and Uma Thurman. I have seen John Legizamo a handful of times. He has a giant black poodle.

Past the park, I like to walk down my favorite street on the east side, Irving Place. It has many great restaurants and the ivy covered buildings and great landscaping make it quite a pleasure to trot down. In this picture if you look in this distance, you will see Pete's Taverns. This is were Miranda proposed to Steve over 8 dollar beers on "Sex and the City". I love that scene!!!

This stoic building is a classic New York school building. Why is this one special? Because the ultimate Diva, Bette Midler, attended high school right here at Washington Irving High right at the end of Irving Place before 14th St. Being a diva in training myself, I pay homage frequently. :)


I did not get a great picture of Union Square. It is pretty big and the only good picture would be from above. I will add a picture the next time I eat at the Whole Foods on the square, which gives a great view. The square is full of young artists, protests, demonstrations, and all kinds of nifty riff raff. It has a Trader Joe's, the above mentioned Whole Foods and all kinds of shopping. It also has the famous Union Square Green Market. I have blogged about this before. My gym "Crunch" is right off the square which might explain why I walk this way daily.

Home now!! Back up Irving Place, you get a great view of the beautiful Chrysler building. it is one of my favorites. Funny now, it is owned by the nation of Abu Dabi. What a hoot!! One of America's most recognizable buildings isn't even owned by Americans.

Well instead of walking by Gramercy Park and drooling like a dork, I like to turn down 17th and head toward a park that everyone can enjoy, Stuyvesant Square. It is split by second avenue, and mom and dad will be happy that a historical Episcopal church takes up most of the west side. It has many benches and lots of different people hanging out. It makes for great people watching. Well thats it, up second avenue and home, until I make the walk again.

Thanks for reading. You know, this blog is filled with many things. I am trying new things you can say. My family has some many new things to blog about. My brothers have gorgeous children and all the stories that go with that wonderful experience, and well, I guess I have NY. So I will share. I will share stories from the big apple. Keep blogging everyone, it is very connecting.

We went to Canada, Eh!!

Canada was great. We left last Thursday for Montreal. The drive is about 6 or 7 hours. We drove from the very bottom tip of NY State and drove North across the complete length of the state. It was quite the drive. I am amazed at how beautiful Upstate New York is. We drove past the Catskills and through the Adirondacks. The scenery really made the drive length seem short.

We arrived into Montreal in the late evening. We traveled with Gil's friend Ben. He made all the arrangements, and as we drove up we were interested in the hotel we were staying at. The impression was that we would be staying at a quaint bed and breakfast. Well.....

It was indeed a bed and breakfast run by two gay gentlemen who did not seem to own a shirt. The technical term was "guest house". That translates into many gay men staying in a huge house with shared bathrooms. To top off our surprise we were given a tour highlighting a "clothing optional" hot tub and roof deck. Now dont get me wrong, I am very liberal and believe in people being free to express themselves however. But when you are expecting a B&B, meaning bed and breakfast, and you get B&B, meaning, Bare-As* & Boozed up shirtless gay men, you are sorta kinda thrown for a loop. We made the best of it, meaning we were able to weasel our way of out 3 nights to 2 nights.

Montreal was groovy. Canada is all about their outdoor seating. Every meal we ate was outside, and the weather was perfect. We climbed Mount Royal and got a great view of the skyline, and we really enjoyed Old Montreal, which looked just like old Europe.

We then drove to Ottawa, which is Canada's Washington D.C. The town was energetic, gorgeous and amazing. Not to mention we stayed at a Holiday Inn, yah!!! They have great government buildings modeled after English architecture.

Next, we drove through Toronto and had dinner on our way to Niagara Falls. Toronto is groovy and I can't wait to spend more time there. The CN Tower was cool.

We ended our trip in Niagara Falls. The falls are breathtaking. The town surrounding it is breathtakingly TACKY!! There is like a town of everything cheesy...wax museums, Hard Rock Cafe's and all those other chains, loud music, and streets and streets of food chains. There are sky scraper hotels and 40 story casinos lit like Las Vegas. Not to mention a gigantic ferris wheel. A tourist circus indeed...

The Falls made it worth it. There was a great walking path giving such great views. There is a great mist all around. It was very cool.

We are now back in the City. Canada was a great road trip. I will be back and suggest it for others as well.

Here are some pics...

Canada

Taking a breath...

Whewwwwww....

Thursday was my official last day in my first year in the Bronx. 180 days of learning a growing and understanding something completely different is done for now.

I could write a book on everything I learned this year but now I am going to enjoy my summer break. In the past week, I have read three of the books on my summer reading list. The one I just finished was amazing. Right up there with the "Life of Pi" as my favorite piece of fiction to date. It is called "Song yet Sung" by James McBride. A truly great read. I have brought in the summer by listening to my latest music fave. Check out Justin Nozuka. Very talented musician for a teenager.

This summer is about returning to some priorities. I got my profession going now I need to concentrate on getting Jakey healthy. Can't wait. Expect more blogging this summer. Now that I have 2 months to chill. Got to love teaching!! (Photo is of my and some students on Crazy Hat Day, we are cats meowwww)

Republicans are ridiculous!!

For anyone else out there who is supporting the no flag pin wearing, refusing to put hand over his heart during the pledge, believes everything and anything his former pastor said with no educated opinion of his own, has a wife or shall we say "baby mama", and Muslim radical Barack (who's sane) Obama, here is a website that will help.

The Republican National Convention already said, out right truthfully, that they will begin very soon a complete smear campaign against Barack. They are going to make the junior senator look sketchy by associating with anything and everything left left left liberal liberal liberal radical radical radical.

Barack Obama has now created this website: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome/

It will tell you the truth about anything ridiculous thing you have heard such as:

Michelle Obama using the word "whitey" in a speech (come on, now that is funny)
Barack being a muslim
Obama refusing to say the pledge
and him refusing to release his birth certificate.

If you are tired of this type of politics then stay informed. John McCain is running a dimwitted campaign and his days of being a "maverick" are long gone.

I swear if our country falls for this again I am moving to Norway (where I can legally get married by the way). We were in a war in 2004 with an administration that has no respect for the law or constitution and everyone voted for Bushwacked because somehow gays wanting basic legal rights was somehow worse.

STAY INFORMED!!!!!!!

Your feeling political this Friday,
Jake

The Final Countdown!!!!

Thats right people, as of this Friday we have 9 days left. It is almost over!! Wooooohoooooo!!!!

Love my students, but the time has come. I am just beat. It has been quite busy with all kinds of end of the year data and cleaning up. Jakey needs a break. I taught all last year (yes most jobs work all year but not with 18 children), then we moved(kicked my a**), and then I have had my Boogie Down Bronx experience. I feel accomplished and proud with how the year ended. Next year, a new group of children.

In my spare time, I have been hanging out indoors. Our recent NYC heatwave was unreal!! Over a 100 degree heat with humidity. In the words of Paris Hilton "Thats hot". It finally cooled off with a wicked lightning and thunder storm last night. Today is much better.

While hanging indoors, I have been researching and writing poetry. I find it very relaxing. I have started with sonnets and cinquains. I will end this blog with a couple. I also have been listening to music. If you get a chance check out the British artist, Duffy, I have really enjoyed her. She is a way better version of Amy Winehouse, minus all the drama and crack.

That is all I have for now, Peace!!

Poem #1: Inspired by class 1-100. It has been an up and down year but these kids will always hold a special place in my heart.

Wating

They sing,
Just waiting, WAITING, waiting for our world to change
Walk to school amongst the wolves
Poverty playing out in front of them
waiting, WAITING, unaware.

Trash blows, music blares, horns blow
voices carry, cars speed, their world.

A school with no walls
filled with frustrated hollers
creating a choir deafened to them by now
mouths move, eyes narrow
they drift to that place where no noise is necessary
waiting WAITING, unaware

The battle to change their setting
A visionary, a prophet needed
it must walk amongst them
coming from within
going to the core then explode

A script etched across their faces
their needs "tagged" for all to see
always a missed priority
and them...
waiting, WAITING, unaware

They sing,
waiting, WAITING on their world to change
Walk to school amongst the wolves.

Poems 2 and 3: A couple attempts at Cinquain.

HOPE
constant necessary
uplifting comforting unyielding
between my thoughts and logic
belief

CHANGE
rocky uneven
winding freeing releasing
to follow ones heart to awareness
peace

Thanks, me