50 Years Ago

It is the 50th anniversary of the Beatles US invasion.  The NY Public library at Lincoln Center has a fantastic exhibit commemorating this and it is free!!!  Now through May 10th.

(sorry, I did not have my good camera)

 Paul's guitar

 George's guitar

 John's guitar

Check out the prices in 1964

 I took a drum lesson from Ringo on these drums--really cool

 John's glasses

Victoria Secrets

Gotta loves those freebees!  I don't know why they keep sending me coupons.  I don't shop there.

Just By Cancelling



When I finally convinced my husband to go for TimeWarner's Triple Play (no FIOS in my neighborhood), we got a year of Showtime free.  Well, the year is almost up and we got an offer to keep it at a reduced rate. Since we barely watched, we decided not to take the offer.  I just called to cancel and was given another year free!  Maybe now I will give it a try!

The Celebration Cathie and Michael Missed

I was glad I went to the Saturday session of the Celebration of Teaching and Learning.  I got lots of great freebees--enough hand sanitizers, pens, pencils and erasers to last until the end of my career.  I got tee shirts and post-its, key chains and notebooks.  Best of all, I got a flashmaster, a little hand held computer that drills basic arithmetic facts in a really fun way.  You might think, teaching high school, I don't need this, but you are wrong.

I didn't bother going to most of the workshops and lectures.  Spending my weekend listening to that stuff held no appeal.  I did go to the Town Hall meeting with Michael Mulgrew (got my ticket though a UFT contest writing an essay about effective teaching) and I got to speak!  I got to speak out about how Value-added evaluation will pit teacher against teacher and how I am a 36 year veteran teacher, still going strong.  The crowd seemed to love my comments, but I don't have much faith in any difference they will make.  The only other session I went to was one with Dr. Oz.  I refused to wait on line to see him, so I sat all the way on the side.  I didn't mind watching on the big screen since I'm not a fan.  (I never saw him before.)

I didn't notice Cathie Black or Michael Bloomberg anywhere on the progam, which seemed kind of strange to me.  You would think, the Education Mayor and the Chancellor would definitely be key note speakers at a conference hosted in the city they represent.  Could it be that people who celebrate learning see how education has been harmed under their leadership?  It is probably a good thing they didn't show up.  I bet they would have grabbed all the samples and left none for the people who need them.

Teacher Appreciation Day At Staples

I just went to Staples to pick up my free teacher appreciation loot. The stuff this year wasn't as good as last year's booty but free is free and I am not an ingrate.

While there I saw a demonstration of crayons Crayola just put out for dry erase boards. They were great. They have no smell, and no caps and cannot dry up when they are needed the most so there is no need to worry when the Principal or AP decides to drop in for an unexpected observation. The price was great too, $3.99 for a package of 8 plus an eraser.

My problem--I have no idea as to what room I will be in next term, whether I will have a chalk board or a white board or a smart board or any board so I put the purchase on hold. (No programs yet either. I was given one set of classes, and promised another but until I see anything in writing I am doing no prep work.)

BTW--my daughter showed up this weekend with a math nerd clock similar to the one Math Teacher Mambo just purchased. Since I don't have a classroom, I'll put it up at home. My girl really knows how to make me happy.

Grand Central Terminal

One of the best kept secrets in NYC is the FREE walking tour of Grand Central Station. The tour is run by an urban historian, Justin Ferate. He is bright and vivacious and makes the tour exciting. Beware if you take it. The website says it lasts 90 minutes but we toured and heard facts for three hours. Main entrance of Grand Central Terminal--note it is not Grand Central Station.
The 45th St exit leads to this building which is right behind the main entrance. A little known fact: Grand Central runs from 38th St all the way up to the 90's along Park Ave.
Ceiling lights. Grand Central was built to make people feel important.
Glass panels--if you look carefully you can see a man working behind glass. These panels were built so people could see each other from all angles and interact with each other.
Glass panel. (Met Life Building in the background)

Passing time with the ticket agent. Our guide--he did not mind getting down on the floor to illustrate a point.
Oyster Bar--supposedly great food but our guide said it is not a good place to find love.
Campbell apartment. John Campbell moved into Grand Central because it was the biggest single room in NYC. It was used for an office, a museum and many galas were held here. Today it is a magnificent bar, restored to its original glory.
Original glass jars
The paneled ceiling.
And last, but certainly not least, the train.