A Moment of Reflection -- One Year Later

A year ago today you were returned to the earth from which men were fabled to have been made. Much has changed in that time -- memories have grown faint, life has moved on and all in all, the world has continued to turn. Despite that, the lessons you taught me remain ever present, so I take, if only a moment, to remember the impact you had on my life.

--

Thank you.

The Teachings of a Cup of Coffee

I don't think I'll ever understand your addiction to coffee. This morning I had my first cup in what must have been at least a year. I took it black because I feel like that's how you usually drank it. From my first sip I was immediately reminded why I don't often drink the stuff.

I find it interesting that someone with as large a sweet tooth as yourself could like a drink so bitter, though I suppose one could argue the bitterness made all those sweets you enjoyed taste that much better.

Perhaps that's one of the secrets all you coffee fiends shared amongst yourselves. Though I may be just missing the obvious reason of the energy kick it gives. I don't know, I wasn't a follower of yours in that regard.

Choice of beverage aside however, (I never got the Diet Coke thing either, but I'll concede that preference on behalf of your diabetes) you did instill in me the foundations for becoming a respectable adult. In that respect I was a follower of yours. This was a task you had striven to accomplish in most of your students, I'm sure. I'm also fairly certain you achieved that goal time and again. I would like to think, however, that I gave you more trouble than the average brat that walked through your classroom doors, which, of course, made the outcome all the more rewarding.

Through the 9½ years I've known you, I've come to understand a little more about you. Most of this can be summed up by simply saying "you never stopped changing,". With the courage to always try something new (we all uttered a collective gasp when we first witnessed your use of the common instant messaging shorthand "LOL") you continually planted and replanted yourself in the midsts of younger generations; building and maintaining a strong relationship with the mere seedlings so you could guide them as they sprouted, budded and eventually bloomed. Creating a relationship through mutual understanding, it was an action you performed seemingly instinctively and those lives whom you've touched because of it were introduced to its importance.

I still don't get the coffee.

For My Country Day 1

Some Screen Grabs

More later

Obama School Speech AKA More Politics

Read First: In school speech, Obama says education key to country's future

Again, I normally don't comment on politics but this, which has been going on for several weeks now, steps out of the realm of politics and just into the realm of plain stupid. Can someone please explain to me why president Obama making a speech to students telling them to stay in school is such a big controversy? Should he, instead of telling kids that an education is valuable tell our youth that their education is meaningless and their time spent in school is better squandered at home playing video games? Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is.

I realize that there are concerns of Obama trying to use the address to push a partisan agenda, but honestly, is that even a legitimate concern? Aside from the fact that the speech is typed out on the White House's web page for everyone to read, the idea of Obama using an address to students to stay in school to push a partisan agenda is just stupid. Are we really that concerned about our country's leader corrupting the minds of our youth? Really?

Another thing that got me pissed with this issue, and I guess with people in general is this quote I read from this CNN article:

"'The president's speeches tend to be [about] what's wrong with the country and what can we do to fix it,' said Bill Hogsett, a parent from Dallas, Texas. 'I believe this is the greatest country on Earth, and I try to teach that to my children. ... I don't want them hearing that there's a fundamental flaw with the country and the kids need to go forward to fix it.'"

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what's wrong with this nation.

During my trip with friends to go visit Mr. Holtzman we talked about the degradation of the education system and the blatant dumb-ing down of material being taught so we could make our youth "feel better about themselves". This, quote from Mr. Hogsett is a clear example of the kind of dumb-ing down that we subject the minds of our youth too. We don't want to hear that the nation has issues (which, clearly it does) because it's too difficult for us to accept our country as a great country without it simultaneously being perfect so we ignore the problems its facing. Is that something that should be taught to our kids?

Why would we teach our kids something like that? Rather, since we're not actually teaching them anything, why are we shielding them from a simple truth? Why are we preventing them from thinking about problems? Problems don't solve themselves and ignoring them certainly isn't going to provide solution to any of them. Is that what we do now as a nation? We ignore our problems? When did we become like this?

I'll tell you one thing that I just realized. the movie Idiocracy is wrong. People aren't getting dumber because of genetics (lack of smart people reproducing) people are getting dumber because we're not teaching our kids to think for themselves.

The answer to a problem is worthless unless you can use it to figure out a solution to another problem.

Visting Mr. Holtzman

INT. BASEMENT. DAY

MATTHEW, 22, stands by the doorway facing MR. HOLTZMAN, a santa-like 66 year old retired teacher. JOYCE, 22, MIKE, 22, and DEE, 21, make their way outside under the porch of a three floor house that very much resembles a tree house. The smell of nature and trees is exemplified as the pouring rain pitter-patters off the trees of the surrounding forest.

Matthew and Mr. Holtzman hug before Matthew makes his exit. The discussions held only moments ago resonate deeply in each of their minds. The degredation of their old school district as well as the nation's education system remain meaningful because so much of it was the foundation for their relationships, the chain that linked them all together.

Matthew puts on his cowboy hat and prepares to go.

Mr. Holtzman

Which way are you facing? This way?

(pointing to his left)

or that way?

(pointing to his right)

Matthew

(Thinking for a moment)

That way.

(pointing to the right)

I'm facing your trash cans.

Mr. Holtzman

Ok.

(Pointing out of his doorway)

You can back into that clearing there and

turn around. On your way out take a look

at my bumper sticker.

Mr. Holtzman smiles and pats Matt on the back.

Matthew

Thanks. I will. Next time you're in

Bloomfield give us a call.

Joyce

Yea, we'll go to Nevadas or something.

Mr. Holtzman

Sounds like a good idea.

The four of them walk out from under the porch, waving goodby to Mr. Holtzman. Matthew takes out his car key and unlocks the car remotely, doing the same with the trunk. Joyce runs over and drops Apples to Apples in the trunk as everyone else hops in the car.

Matthew starts the engine and heads down the road. As they pass Mr. Holtzman's Jeep Cherokee they pause and look behind them. On the back of the car is a bumper sticker that reads "God, please save me from your followers". Matthew shakes his head and laughs.

Dee

Mr. Holtzman's awesome.

Matthew faces forward and takes his foot off the break. The car begins to move from its place in the road and continues on into the distance.