Pole Dancing for Christ???

One of my friends, Jen Curran, just posted this to my Facebook page and I found the whole concept extremely odd.

On last week's episode of Glee, one of the judges in the regional show choir contests was a nun, who happened to have a past as a pole dancer/ stripper. One of the most hysterical moments on this episode was when the woman, dressed as a nun, in full habit, stated, " I came to the convent to stay off of the pole." HYSTERICAL!!

Does this whole thing not seem like an oxymoron? I know for a fact that there are some pretty amazing Christian Music performers out there who have some up beat, toe tapping, "get you in the spirit" types of music that I could see lending themselves to the whole aerobic workout craze. But most certainly not the toe-tapping that requires 6 inch stilleto heels.

I am thinking, "That's just plain RAUNCHY", as I sit here typing in my short shorts, tube top, and highly over-teased hairdo...

Thank you Jen for bringing this alarming trend to light. Always the trend setter!!! :)

Taking time to listen and Value their opinions

SO as many of you know...I blogged about a special unit of instruction I was attempting with my advanced acting students. To refresh your memory, it was a unit on social issues and how theatre could be utilized to bring about awareness and possible help effect a change.

My kids were instructed that they needed to present a 10 to 15 minute presentation on a topic of their choice, work together in a group, utilize technology in their presentation, whether it be to create a movie or even use a power point, include factual evidence, and modify the performance to a middle school mindset. Lots of requirements it seems. Their performances were scheduled for the last week before Spring Break and they have had the entire class time since January to help facilitate this unit. Even though they procrastinated their use of their time to achieve the end product and each performance showed a lack of rehearsal time, the outcomes were just as diverse and were extremely powerful and moving.

One group decided on a "reader's theatre" style of delivery and had planned on using Youtube videos to enhance their performance. The title of their selection was "Everything a Freshman should know to Survive High School" and included topics that ranged from sex and drugs to bullying and overeating. To say the very least, it was very powerful and memorable. It was chock full of factual evidence that no one could refute. And the scenes the student writer had put on paper were very connected. Awesome job!

Two of the groups dissolved into smaller groups for various reasons. One issue was that the folks voted to be the leaders in their group decided that they just could not get to class on a regular basis. The other dissolved over personal issues. What came out of this were mini performances involving 2 or more students.

One performance in particular stood out and had everyone in the class in tears and on their feet upon completion of the performance. The young lady stood up and announced that she and her partner would present a performance on verbal abuse and rape and that this was very hard for her as it was about her scary experience. What ensued was a horrifying, loud, angry, back and forth fight between two people struggling to make it work and going to bed angry after tearing the home apart. It then turned into a soft, quiet, very honest moment, where the young student read a poem she had written to him while he slept about how his words hurt, his hands across her face stung, and how it was not right, nor was it ever right to take something that was not rightfully his. In tears, she poured her heart out there for all of us and was probably the most amazing moment I have yet to experience in my minute teaching experience so far. Absolutely eye opening and honest and raw and so powerful. SO as the tears rolled down all of our eyes, we stood and applauded them both and thanked them for their strength to bring such a personal experience to us.

I am always in awe as to what children these days bring to the table to have to work through with all the pressures we as adults put on them to "succeed". What I am most proud of is that this entire group brought such maturity of thought to the table. Granted they have things they need to work on (i.e. procrastination, rehearsal time, using class time to the best and fullest it can be) but I have found that students of today have many profound things to say if only we will just take the time to listen and value their opinions.

Friends like these...

I have so many wonderful friends in my life. God has blessed my life and has provided me paths where I have had the chance to meet amazing spirits who have so richly provided me solace, a strong shoulder to lean on, hours and hours of laughter, and put up with my rantings and ravings.

I am going to start a blog post centered around friends of mine and how we have met.

These two are quite the pair!!! This is Mr. Geoff Carlson and Mr. Wai Yim. Since moving to Little Rock, I have lost that strong sense of core friends I had in Omaha. The moment this photo was taken was in O'Hare Airport in Chicago over Christmas Break.

Geoff works in the airport as a chocolatiere. He and his partner Keith have been together for years and have served as a huge model for me on how to "make it work". When life throws curves your way, how do you make it work and do it together? Their relationship speaks absolute volumes to me on how to have a successful relationship with one partner in a job that requires you to move around form contract to contract.

I have known Geoff for many years and appreciate his ability to be a wonderful listener. He is always there for me and is one of those friends that no matter how long we have been apart or chatted, we just pick up from where we left off and not miss a beat. I appreciate the certain sparkle in his eye, his humanity towards mankind, and his ability to grace this world with his amazing spirit.

The other glowing electricity next to him is my dear friend, Wai. I have known Wai since 1999. I remember Wai when he was still struggling to develop his English and struggling to learn our language. Originally from Hong Kong, Wai has worked as a flight attendant and travels all around the world. True story. Wai flew into Chicago because he knew that I would have a lay over and that Geoff and I were planning on being together for that time. So he hopped a plane and flew over to be with us.

Wai has this innate ability to light up a room upon entering. He has an enviable sense of comedic timing and jokes that we are all like the Sex and the City gals...him being Samantha! :) I would stand in line to see Wai in any show he is cast in as he has a strong sense of who he is when he is on stage and is not afraid to step outside the box and create amazingly hysterical, human characters that are grounded and well-rounded.

Wai struggles so much with juggling his strong sense of responsibility to his family, his job, and his craft. We all do to some sense. How do we not feel guilt for exploring our creative sense of self at the expense of others...when it comes to time and effort to make things work.

I love these boys so much and appreciate their love and friendship so much. I would not be the man I am today without your love and support.

Zach Wahls Speaks About Family

And the debate continues...

My kids in my Advanced drama class continue to make me extremely proud. How is it that a group of 30 kids from last fall, who in my mind's eye, had been labeled as Heathens and Loud-mouths and "THAT CLASS" can now turn around in the Spring of our year and bring me such joy and excitement?

I have found that they have the most amazing insight into things that are going on around them. As I had previously spoke about, this class is in the middle of a unit on Theatre for Social Change. I began the class with this basic statement: You are going to put together a 10-15 minute presentation on an issue that you think needs to be brought to the minds of America's children for the purpose of learning and discussions. I don't know what the end product could be, that is up to you. I could see this as a live presentation. I could see this as a filmed movie. I expect you to work together and have set you due date as follows. You are to create characters, come up with a theme, and present it in a fashion that middle school kids will understand. GO!

And from there, I have not ceased to be absolutely blown away. The video I have added right before this entry is of a young man in IOWA named Zach Wahls and is probably one of the most eloquent speakers I have seen in a long time... with the exception of the I have students, just like Zach, in my Advanced Drama class...and for him and them I consider myself to be the luckiest man in the entire world.

Zach's words give me hope. My student's views give me great solace for I know that change is inevitable...we just have to help them find their voice and teach them to shout it from the rooftops...that THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. That they CAN be raised in a family with gay parents and CAN make a profound impact on those around them and in the world. It does not matter if you are gay or straight, black or white, gifted and talented or special needs, we all CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE in someone else's life or in the life of our country...

What scares me is that someone has the "right" to dictate how others can be labeled "second rate" or "not equal". Perhaps "Marriage" is the wrong term. Perhap "civil unions or partnerships" is better choice. Whatever term they decide to choose, I just want the civil liberties that other folks in this coutry receive...those of life, liberty, and the pursuit of a bridal registry...or adopt. I refuse to be second rate. I am not sick for yearning for love. I am lovesick!!

I for one would someday like to be able to bring a young one into this world. I want to know that they will turn out just like Zach. Proud, strong, smart, kind, respectful, and willing to stand up for what they believe in. Willing to make a difference in someone else's life and not afraid to speak their mind. We need more like Zach and my students in this world...

It is a PROUD time in my life.

I am so very grateful for this day and the days ahead.

Somethings never change.

Perception: What is it?

We spend all of our younger lives trying to please everyone around us, trying so hard to please those folks who molded us, by getting good grades, bringing home the right person, listening to our peers on who is cool,who to hang out with...It all seems so awkwardly self-centered, with our enclosed view...not looking much passed our own home.

I remember the days when all of the old folks label us as "those young kids". I remember feeling that at my tender age I could not be taken seriously. I had dreams and goals at the age of 18. Who in their right mind was going to take me seriously, to envision what I had in mind and run with? Who in their right mind would even think of taking an 18 year old seriously.

During my tenure thus far as a "high school" teacher, I had thought that a majority of my students have this closed minded, "my entire world revolves around the friends I hangout with" mindset, the school walls that CONFINE me, the video games I play, and are entirely afraid to think outside the box and try new things. I have found that only part of this is true.

This passed week, my students have been learning about perceptions, how we form our views, what outside influences truly are in our lives, and how we view different topics. They are encouraged to express their opinions both on their own lives as well as worldly events and later on in the unit they will begin to formulate a performance dealing with social issues. How do we use the theatrical format to educate those around us?

After numerous discussions with my students, I could not be more mistaken on certain assumptions. So in check, my perceptions of today's student is wrong. Yes they do have problems expressing themselves outside of their comfort zone. I still struggle with my students using their own creative licence, writing in vivid detail, and using their creative imagination. Almost like they have lost their childlike vision for more adult responsibilities. It kind of makes me sad.

My students struggle with more responsibilities today. Having to be more like adults all the time. They have very adult views. Very adult discussions. And struggle with the very idea of what we all struggled with when we were their age. At the age of 18, how can I be taken seriously?

I am very excited about the next semester with my students. I am enthused to hear their views and help them find their own voice. I am excited to hear what they have to say!!

You can be assured...more to come...

SNOW!!!!

So I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Fargo for the holidays...

I always enjoy being with my family in Minnesota. Always brings amazing experiences, lots of laughter, shopping at Macy's, bits of tears when it all ends, and new adventures are always assured.

This trip was no exception.

Highlights:
~A perfect smile from nieces and nephew.

~The tasty hot toddy over excellent conversation.

~Hugs and cheek kisses abound. Playing plane and twirling around in the warmth of the Christmas tree lights. Childlike giggles and smiles. "Again! UNCLE!!"

~Frost on the window and two blizzards. 2 Interstates locked down to no travel almost statewide. Lots and LOTS of snow. Shoveling.

~Time with Mom. Sitting on the couch to watch NCIS marathon. Dominoes and cribbage.

~SNOWPOCALYPSE: 100 car pileup on the Interstate. Jack-knifed semis. Cars crunched. Heavy amounts of snow swirling around abandoned shells of cars. Talk of people's stupidity...talk of folks wearing Bermuda shorts into the storm, driving drunk in heavy snowfall, driving around barricades. SERIOUSLY??? Damn, people are stupid!!!

~And yes there is a LARGE amount of snow! The reports are saying that the snow levels are an inch below the levels before meltdown of the 1997 Fargo/ Red River flood. ONE INCH!!! And it is January!! That is just crazy!!!

~For those of you out there who actually read this blog, you may not be able to fathom what that looks like... When Steve and Mom took me to the airport on Sunday, we drove passed drifts that were taller than the suburban we were driving. It is CRAZY!!!

What I am most thankful for, besides family, conversation, and laughter? The blizzard forces one to just sit tight, forces you to relax and forces you to veg out! You have nowhere to go and I love that!! I got so much done! I read The Hunger Games (highly recommend), reread The Elephant Man (Fell back in love) and got semester test essays graded. I got re-acquainted with Ellen, Oprah, TODAY, the View, and Regis and Kelly.

The rat race began again today and I feel rejuvenated and revitalized! THANK YOU for a wonderful stay and a week of peace and contentment.