I Know I'm a Nerd

The word nerd has been thrown around for ages. Some see it as a negative term; some see it as a positive. I for one see the word as a positive. While I can't ascribe to be the traditional textbook case, I can say some behaviors that I have exhibited over the years could be considered "nerdy". Take for example my love of books. While lately I've learned that many people as teenagers wanted books on their birthday, I can't help remembering getting the "side eye" from a few family members and friends about this request. I'm not sure this would officially make me a nerd or just someone who loves books.

Anyway, I say all of this to put in a plug for This American Life. I absolutely love this show! It's a radio broadcast that's on NPR and over the last year or so has became one of the top podcast on itunes. Each week they choose a theme and do different stories on those themes. For example, one of my favorites is on Chicago's first African-American mayor (see podcast 11/9/07 "Harold") or the podcast "Houses of Ill Repute" (see podcast 2/2/07). The show has become so popular that it is now a show on Showtime.

I guess the appeal for me is that it is story telling at its best. We not only hear the story from the author but from the author's characters as well. In a world so caught up with "scripted reality," here is an example of reality in the purest sense of the word. So check it out, let me know what you think.

Here is the info for the web-site: www.thislife.org. You can catch a new podcast every week on their web-site or itunes. The best part is that it's free!!!!

So does this officially make me a nerd?

End of the 2007 Fall Semester

Today I had my last class of the fall 2007 semester. I made it. This was a tough semester. It was my semester of adjustments. I had to adjust moving to a new city, I had to adjust to a new university and I had to adjust to new students. However, I believe that adjusting for me is not as bad as it may be for some. As an educator, I get to meet at least 30-50 new people a semester, learn the names of all these people and try to figure out personalities, strengths and weaknesses all in a matter of months while preparing, lecturing, grading and teaching. I don't know many people who can do that.

So I've been reflecting on my teaching (we use this phrase in education all the time) and my time spent in education. I've come a long way since my first group of students in 1996 (they are the ones pictured above) and I must say that this journey gets better and better with each passing year. Even with the difficulties I've experienced (who hasn't), I can honestly say I love what I do. So, I challenge you to find your passion and make that your job.

"Chose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."-Confucius

My Cousin's Visit To D.C.

I know it's been awhile (almost two months) since I've posted. Well, no one has left any comments so I guess it doesn't matter if I've posted anything. Anyway, I thought I'd post pictures of my cousin (she's the one in the center of the first photo) and her friend who came to visit me in November. I had a great time taking them around D.C. (although I must admit I probably need someone to take me around D.C., I still need a map to get around.) We didn't get to visit everything (they were only here two and half days) but hopefully they'll come back and see more of Chocolate City. Please forgive the "grainy" pictures. I took them with my camera phone.

Pictures of D.C.

From time to time I'll post pictures that I have taken around D.C. These pictures here were taken September 8 at The Black Family Reunion http://www.ncnw.org/events/reunion.htm on the National Mall. There is also the obligatory White House photo that I took on the same day.

Jena 6

Today, on the metro I saw several people dressed in all black. I wondered did they do this in support of the Jena 6 protest. Today across the U.S. we were to dress in all black in support of the the 6 students in Jena, Louisiana. If you don't know about the Jena 6, you need to find out! Race and class issues have reared their ugly head in this city to the point where you would swear it's 1960 and not 2007. I encourage you to find out why I and others have worn black today.