TAKS Season and Texas Cuts Education

It's the beginning of TAKS Season again. I wonder how many casualties we'll have this year? Will the socio economically disadvantaged be left behind or will it be our English as a Second Language students? From what I'm hearing, we in the great state of Texas will all be left behind, due to pending budget cuts.

According to our state legislatures, the administrators of education need to trim down their education budgets by 10 percent. Of course, the powers that be, believe that this "trim" back would be the cutting of "unnecessary" non-teaching jobs.

“Local school district officials are in process of making some very difficult and very painful budget decisions. Leadership is about making choices. We strongly urge them not to be shortsighted by sacrificing the classroom in favor of bureaucratic education establishment.”

But isn't that exactly what our state government is doing? Sacrificing education in order to keep the status quo of bureaucratic education establishment? Isn't all the unnecessary spending actually due to the increasing efforts to improve an antiquated system of assessment? Aren't we now, changing directions and creating a whole new testing system, titled the STAR? When is this testing madness going to END? Oh, yeah...that's right, it became law under George W. Bush.

"HEY, President Obama! Do us a favor and REPEAL the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND!" Want to make your presidency count for something or are you really the puppet of the Republican party after all?

HEY, Honorable Shapiro...I'm thinking that maybe our lovely state government should do a bit of cutting back as well. How about you fellas and gals make your own phone calls, pick up your own lunches and dry cleaning, mail out your own letters and important documents, lick the back of a few stamps, make copies of valuable propaganda rhetoric, kill a few more trees in the name of TAKS, vacuum the carpeting in your offices, clean the windows, take out your trash, scrub the toilet down the hallway and a few of those other "can't survive without" functions. Then and only then, I'm sure you will possess the ultimate wisdom, the empathy and passion to address the state budget deficit. Since when did becoming an elected official allow one to be an elitist?

Oh, and don't think Shapiro was working alone, she had a bunch of support, here are a few of the names: Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston), Sen. Troy Fraser (R-Austin), Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Southside Place), Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock), and Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls). And if you'd like to watch the atrocity of a crime against the children of our great state...be my guest. Once you're there, click on Press Conference: Senator Florence Shapiro.

Brutus, The Flying Dingo Turns Eight

It's not often, I suppose, that a dog (especially in our care) turns eight, but our Flying Dingo has made it! Princess Annie informed me that we will be throwing a birthday party for our birthday boy Friday night between the times of 6PM and 8PM. She even made invitations with some suggestions for gifts for the amazing Flying Dingo...an old shoe, tennis ball or even an old sock. He's rather easy to please.

In preparation of the big event, I cut and made ready the side lot. The side lot always is home to our own natural prairie, fire pit and totem pole. Spring and Summer evenings spent around a small tidy fire make way for magical memories and Friday will not disappoint.

I received an email from Mr. Robins informing me that he received some information from the man that runs the Orbison Museum in Nashville. Seems that the curator also has a daughter that writes songs and sings. He sent me a link to a little ditty with a touch of country and a bit of rock. It's lively and upbeat and a real gem.

Roy Orbison's 75th Year

This is Roy Orbison's 75th birthday year. Now, I wouldn't have even known if it hadn't of been for my good buddy, Durango. See, he really does Know All about Texas. He directed a Mr. Wayne Robins my way, who happens to be writing an article about Orbison's birthday bash and what everyone around the world is doing to celebrate. He wanted to know what exactly Wink, previous homestead and mecca to the legendary rock n roll icon, had in store for the annual Roy Orbison Festival, that is usually held in June.

And sadly enough, I haven't a clue. I did direct Mr. Robins to Mrs. Mayberry, who is on the festival's committee for lining up all the events. I sure hope they knew it was his 75th birthday. When I did mention to Mr. Robins about the Pretty Woman contest, he said he might be able to send some of that perfume my way! He even thought I was pretty enough to enter the contest myself! Those New Yorkers...such charmers.

Mr. Robins not only writes/critiques for Billboard, he also has a few graphic novels in the works. He's one of those fellas that has a very creative imagination. One in which he rewrites some of rock history. It makes for an interesting read, if you're interested. I was, and I did read, for a few hours. Tell ya what, I'm hoping that Mr. Robins finds some time to put some of these ideas into a book.

In the meanwhile, I'll keep reading his blog and hoping that he'll send me some of the Pretty Woman perfume he's been telling me about. A Country girl needs a whiff of the big city every now and then!

Durango, My Tutor

This is my first attempt at taking a screen shot and blogging it. My Tutor, Durango, gave me explicit instructions in a comment right here on this very blog. He is such a fantastic teacher. Although, I think I'm having trouble with my photo software. I should use the one he suggested.

"Japan is a nation of 127 million people with a long history of disasters, both manmade and natural, from a 1923 earthquake that killed 142,800 in the Tokyo region to the country's doomed entry into World War II, which ended with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki."

This was my true purpose in blogging today...just wanted all the end of the worlders to see...this is not the first natural or manmade disaster Japan has experienced, nor shall it be the last. I don't overshadow this disaster by any means, but I just would like the vision prophecy seekers to lay off. There's enough to worry about without adding apocalyptic hysteria to the mix. And according to the know all of the internet...WIKIPEDIA... "Apocalyptic is a sub-genre of science fiction that is concerned with the end of civilization due to a catastrophe such as nuclear warfare, pandemic, impact event, cybernetic revolt, Technological Singularity, Dysgenics, supernatural phenomena, Ecological disaster, resource depletion or some other general disaster."

Did you happen to see the "key" word? FICTION. In case, you are unsure of what fiction means, it means...NOT TRUE! Take the earthquake for what it is...an earthquake. And take the human suffering for exactly what it is...human suffering. Now, get out there, roll up your sleeves, and lend a helping hand!

Woman Has Brain And Wants To Use It

"Really good observations lately, CT&CT.

These virtual realities and so called friendships certainly murky reality and true human relationship. Media, but particularly social media, has its up sides. However, for people lacking sophistication or critical thinking skills, like the younger set, it can be sort of de-humanizing. Something the world needs less of, not more...but in clever ways developed by creative but profit driven people of flesh and bones.

Again great posts. Sure miss the real life stories of the mom, teacher, and community activist on small town west Texas, though."

This was a comment that was recently posted on a little fluff piece I wrote about Face Book. I say it's fluff because it is...I didn't have to do any research, I wrote exactly what I thought on the matter. Sometimes, showing your intelligence only lands you into hot water, and if you're a bit attractive you sometimes get approached or treated as if you don't own a brain.

It's true, I haven't been blogging or digging up information on the misdeeds of the oil and gas industry as of late, so I decided to do a little activism tonight just by liking NADR's link. If you know anything about drilling reform then you know that NADR is a group that promotes just that...drilling reform.

And low and behold here come the threats:

Kevin Prather: Oh? You live in Wink, right? You would not even have a job, if it were not for oil & gas, baby. Just a fact.

I wish I knew how to take a snapshot of Face Book and put it onto my blog, but my good buddy Durango has yet to teach me such things.

Reality Check, Please!

I've been getting lesson after lesson regarding the "reality" of online characters. I use the word character purposely, because well, most of what you see people put out there "online" isn't real. Take for instance the women. I was just commenting the other day how every woman's profile pic on their blogs, Facebook and MySpace reeked of fantasticalness. (Yes, that's a made up word, but I'm an English teacher, so I'm entitled)

I'm in awe and speechless of how amazingly gorgeous all these women are. Then, somehow or another, I'll meet them personally and dang if someone didn't use photo enhance or fix it or a photo from the long distance past. Really? You're that desperate for attention and glory that you would "fake" it? I've heard about faking in the bedroom, but on Facebook?

So, I have this girlfriend of mine that is totally INFATUATED with this freelance writer that is a college student and single dad. He's constantly posting sly witty stuff on his wall as well as flirting shamelessly with every woman that he comes in contact with. He leaves a trail of bread crumbs that she devours without a second thought. I've tried to tell her time and time again, that he's just a house dad. Nothing special. He dabbles. He's not serious or even interesting, it's all a put on.

Imagine my surprise, when I visit this "celebrity's" wall and a he is bitch slapped by a REAL writer! Not just bitched slapped, but also told off that he only posts these "fluff" pieces for attention!

"Write a good story kid. Something we can get a grasp on, something that relates to our experience in life....or make your story so compelling we want to read it. You are young, you have experienced some of lifes pain and impact. You have ...not demonstrated that yet. Get down into your soul and write some stuff that has impact that your readers can relate to. Now...if your readers are your age maybe they can relate. The fact is, if you want to really set things on fire you have to transcend to stuff that has some gut wrenching meat to it. The stuff you put online is all fluff. Ya, you are a good looking guy and you put a lot of stuff up that is sexy. That is not going to make it in the real world. If you consider yourself a talented writer then develop a novel and work your ass off to make it work. I would read it. You have to do something that will ignite your public. I love big muscles so I enjoy pics of you. That was probably an improper thing to say.

You are frustrated. Either you have talent or you do not. Go write some stuff that you like. Ya, you can not be an idiot about basic sentence structure and stuff. Look back at what you have written before. Did it work, or not really at...track much attention at all? Good writing is not a Facebook thing. Facebook is good for being obtuse and or just making a splash with idiots. Go put yourself in recluse for a few months and right something serious, if you want to be a writer. Your stuff on facebook is fluff and designed to get attention. Not that we do not like it. It just is not going to get you accepted as a serious writer. You can still do Facebook, just work your ass off in the background...and do not say a word until your work is published."

Whew...I needed a good laugh, and DAMN, if it isn't a GREAT feeling to know when you're RIGHT!

The Facebook Saga, Part 1

"Flirting is cheating if you are in a relationship. It is lusting after someone that belongs to someone else. When a person can’t give up ex-lovers something is definitely missing in their relationship.————-"

Over the past several months, I've been "interviewing" people about our most favorite social networking site...Facebook and it's effects on "relationships". These are just a few of the stories related to my inquiring mind and now I'll share them with you!

A woman meets a guy. They hit it off quite fabulously. They become friends on Facebook. (Relationship killer number 1) So, he spends time going through his friends' list explaining who everyone is and what they are to him. Especially the female friends. Not much is going onto his wall. She also notices that he rarely comments on others' walls. She's curious and goes to the pages of a few women that post quite regularly on his wall. Foiled...all their walls are "hidden" and only revealed to friends. Then Facebook created this "see friendship" option. Interesting. One of the ladies posts something directly onto his wall instead of just commenting and the "see friendship" option appears. So, she clicks the option. And what she sees are countless posts and comments made by her fellow on this woman's wall. Not just "friendly" stuff, but things like..."I miss you, honey." "I love talking with you." "I love the way you make me feel." and so on and so on... These posts are dated within the time frame of when he was seeing her exclusively. (I used "was" on purpose)

What she figured out is that her fellow thought he was covering his tracks by deleting his comments and posts on other people's walls by deleting the recent activity from his, not knowing that whenever one of his honeys decided to post...they have opened up their comments and posts to each other to the world. What she also failed to think about or consider is the chat option and private messages. Come to find out through other means...he has been corresponding with multiple women in this such fashion.

Lesson? What you don't see doesn't mean it isn't happening. Also, men are ALWAYS looking for greener pastures. You are only the FLAVOR of the month, and you're awesome, but if he can get the one he's been after...lookout...you're leftovers.

To be continued...

Romping In The Playground In My Mind

Simply breathtaking. That is the only choice of words I have to describe this day of February. My previous day's company arrived mid afternoon and the wonderful relaxing times never ceased to abound.

Annie had a couple of her friends over to play. Yes, Annie is a girl, but her closest friends are boys. She's not one of them girly girl types. She would much rather play outside, climb trees and build forts. Last night, the trio built a campfire and then implored for it to become real. A real fire to roast hot dogs and melt marshmallows, I, of course, complied.

The three laughed and ate hot dogs, drank Dr. Pepper, burned marshmallows and released into the dusk...tales of apparitions and ghostly visitors. As I watched from the kitchen window, a smile of contentment spread slowly across my face, because while she basked in the glory of being a child maturing into a teenager...I knew that way too soon, she'll trade her tennis shoes for high heels, her bubble gum for lipstick and her baseball caps for ear rings.

Be a story teller...captivate your audience, whether it be two ten year old boys or a coliseum filled with avid fans. Chance is a gift, so act on chance when given the opportunity.

The Dream

After devouring a most poignant work of writing, I pondered the essence and want to share the most vital parts.

A man, that is not old yet, experiences a terrible tragedy. This tragedy is the death of a family. His friends and parents do all they can to comfort and redirect his sorrow without success. After futile attempts of relaxing vacations, love, and compassion...they became despondent as they watched this man become the former shell of himself. They resign from everything because the man, who was not old, has aged prematurely and himself resigned from life.

One night, he has a dream. In it, he is sitting in a dimly lit room at a round table across from an elderly man who looks much like his late grandfather. They stare at each other in silence for several minutes and then the wrinkled man speaks.

“My son, tragedy is simply a miracle waiting to be discovered. Because within tragedy lie the seeds of love, learning, forgiveness, and empathy. If we choose to plant these seeds, they grow strong. If, on the other hand, we choose to overlook them, we prolong our tragedy and let somebody else to discover the miracle.”

He suddenly realized that instead of using the tragic accident to notice how precious life is, he prolonged the tragedy and ceased to live his life.

Look in the mirror...are you missing someone?

The Unbelievable Request

Have you ever experienced one of those weeks where you feel as if you've walked out of your front door straight onto a spinning carnival ride? I say carnival with purpose because you know that ride isn't maintained very well and anything could happen. Can you say...out of control?

Imagine receiving a phone call from a person that you have not spoken to in fourteen years. You know nothing of what he/she has done over the past fourteen years or if they are even the least bit trustworthy. Then also imagine that person asking for one of your most loved and valuable possessions. And imagine one more thing. Imagine that this person expects you to hand it over...willingly, without any qualms.

If you were able to imagine such a scenario, then you have imagined this story:

The Unbelievable Request

A young girl falls in love with a young man. The two are married and are given a very small gift. This gift is a house. The house is extremely small, only one room and needs a lot of attention and care. The couple gladly take the gift, even knowing all the while that eventually the gift will have to be returned one day to the original owner. A year goes by and the couple work hard to make the little house into something beautiful. The house is a lot of work and sometimes required a lot of time and attention. The young woman never quit. She labored day and night on that house, but she noticed that her husband began to lose interest. He no longer wanted to spend anytime in the house. He would make excuses to not help with the work on the house and then one day, a couple of years later he never returned to the house. She was all alone in the house that still needed so much time and attention. One would think that maybe she should of given the house back, walked away from the challenge, but the fact was...she loved the house.

Over the years she continued to nurture the house and create a unique dwelling unlike any has ever seen. Fourteen years, she cried, loved, hurt and worked until she had turned that little one room fixer upper into a handsome, strong, reliable, incredible home. Everyone talked about how wonderful her house was, and she was extremely proud. She also knew that very soon she would have to give the house up, because it had become to big for her to keep. The house needed to have new experiences and even transform into something more unique and incredible.

Then, right before she was able to set the house free...she received a call from the man that left her with the house fourteen years ago. Although he never cared for the house and walked away from it for his own selfish desires instead of making the necessary sacrifices...he still felt entitled to the house. He asked the most unbelievable request...
"I want the house. I know that even though I was never there to do any of the work, or even check over the years to see if the house was okay or if you needed any help with the house, I still feel like I should be able to have access to the house. Remember...it was given to me as well."

So, she looked at her home, with tears in her eyes and replied, "You are the home you are supposed to be because of me. I painted your walls, repaired your roof and fixed the broken windows, knowing all the while that this day may come. The choice is yours."

The house responded, "I have to know. Was it me? Was I not good enough for him? This, I have to know."

The woman replied, "Yes, you will have to find that out for yourself, but I already know the answer. He was never good enough for you."