Pam Webb

a writer's journey as a reader

Archive for the category “reflections”

01 Oct 2013
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Male Bonding


50 years of Bond films
is definitely a time of reflection.

The six James Bond actors of EON Productions f...

The six James Bond actors
of EON Productions films, as they appear in their individual gun
barrel sequences, from left to right – Sean Connery, George
Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel
Craig. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last night The MEPA and
I rented Skyfall to celebrate that I arrived
home with absolutely no papers to grade. Perhaps the first time
since school started.  Although we experienced
Skyfall in all its IMAX wonder, there’s
nothing like cozing up on the sofa in my IKEA robe with a handful
of chocolate macaroons, watching a Bond flick with my favorite guy
next to me. Who needs to wait for the weekend?

Bond. James Bond.

English: James Bond films

English: James Bond films
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He is part of the culture. An
icon. An institution.  And he’s held his age quite well,
considering he’s been shot at, tortured, survived impossible
reckless encounters with cars, rockets, really big men with iron
teeth–let alone his penchant for fast women and fast cars.
Drinking martinis alone should have aged him. I’m thinking the
choice of Bond reflects what we expect of our male ideal. Sean
Connery: THE James Bond–cool, calm, quick with a well-place quip.
A man’s man, and every woman’s ideal. Connery reflected the
sixties male of being in control of his environment, and that
included women.

Sean Connery at the private party after the pr...

Sean Connery  (Photo
credit: Wikipedia)

Roger Moore: It must have been tough following Sean’s footsteps. Sean exuded capability, while Moore
attempted charm. He tended to mistake panache for pandering
and I just couldn’t warm up to his lack of physical prowess.

English: Sir Roger Moore

English: Sir Roger Moore
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Timothy Dalton: Dalton had the
looks, charm, and physicality of the suave secret agent. I had
hoped for a longer run.

Pierce Bronsan: A great
transition from Remington Steele to steely nerves and smooth demeanor.  Bronsan brought class to the series and reflected the nineties male who still showed a bit of chauvinism towards women, but also respect–once they earned it.

English: Brosnan Pierce at Cannes in 2002.

Pierce Bronsan (Photo
credit: Wikipedia)

Daniel Craig: When Bronsan got
bounced from the series the pressure must have been tremendous for the next Bond in question, yet this blonde Bond has transcended and
redefined the role. He epitomizes the tough male who is willing to show his compassionate side. I see Craig’s Bond as the modern King Arthur, tough yet revealing a vulnerability. Bond. If you think about
it, he is a reflection of what we expect out of our males for that
particular era. So, bond today?  No pressure, guys. Just
be good with a punch, be it verbal or physical, and don’t forget to shake your martini. Oh yeah, it’s okay to shed a tear for a fallen comrade, should the need arise. Any votes for
your favorite Bond?

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Posted in Movies, reflections, reviews, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , ,
25 Sep 2013
2 Comments

There is no rhyme nor reason to poetry…


at least according to some of my freshmen.  I can understand their point. Who wants to study grammatically incorrect phrasings and try to make sense of what they are talking about when you are doing all you can at trying to get a handle on whether it’s “A” day or “B” day and what lunch you have (“ummm, first lunch on “A” day or was that “B” day?). But we’ve made a commitment to Common Core and it’s full speed ahead.

Cover of "Dead Poets Society"

Cover of Dead Poets Society

Actually, I’ve always been a proponent of poetry.  I’ve brought cowboy poets into the classroom, Beatle songs, clips of Robin Williams doing his crazy wonderful teacher in Dead Poets Society, and provided recipes for poems.  I had football players writing love poems and entering contests, mud boggers writing sonnets about their trucks. We’ve explored performance poetry through Taylor Mali’s incredible YouTube videos and we’ve participated in a packed-out community program of youth performing their own poetry.

Common Core though, I’ve noticed, has dented my zing. I’ve been having students prepare for their SBAC (I should know what that means) by writing up reaction paragraphs to each poem as a means of them practicing their critical thinking skills. There is nothing wrong with understanding and recognizing how, or what, or why the poem works, yet poetry is so different from prose. It should encourage the soul to sing. I’m afraid in my zeal for my students to do well on their tests by getting their writing skills up to stuff I’ve lost my way towards my original goal of greeting me with “What’s the poem today?” with that anticipation of a new flavor to relish.

Hmm, some Walt  Whitman and Song of Myself might do it…

Cover of "Song of Myself (Shambhala Centa...

Cover via Amazon

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Posted in creativity, education, Literature, Poetry, reflections, Teachers, Uncategorized, Words, Writing and tagged , , , , , , ,
20 Sep 2013
6 Comments

The Morphing of the Omni Narrator


Right now we are toughing out poetry with my freshmen. *sigh* “We study poetry because oral storytelling came before the written language came into existence, plus many of the elements we study in poetry exist in fiction–you know, like imagery, diction, syntax, metaphors, analogies–so get to know poetry and you’ll understand and enjoy fiction that much more.”  And the question? (Jeopardy music, please)

Why do we study poetry?

Returning to the anticipated second quarter…(quick, quick, I’m losing them)

Once I get to short stories in the curriculum it’s pretty easy sailing, since my students are versed in plot, characters, setting, and such. Theme sometimes throws them; however, point-of-view gets them pondering. For instance, trying to explain the omniscient narrator is tricky these days. Back when, I used to say, “The Omniscient narrator is a lot like God–you know, everywhere and knowing everything about everybody.” I’m getting less comfortable about using that analogy in such a forthright manner.  I still believe it’s a valid analogy, yet don’t want to offend any of my students.  Let alone get the ACLU or other NSA types coming after me.

Cover of "The Long Winter"

Cover of The Long Winter

Another problem with trying to explain the omniscient narrator is that the old-fashioned version of the narrator filling into the details has changed into something quite different. For instance, I recently reread The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder (don’t snicker, it’s a great read, besides it’s for research–really) and Wilder includes in the story what’s happening to the town’s people and to Almanzo and Cap who are all caught up in a grueling blizzard, in an inclusive fluid manner.  I rarely come across this type of narrative style today. As Bob Dylan once said, “Times they are achanging.”

In the last few years I have noticed a trend where the omni narrative is now designated as separate chapters.  This at first proved quite annoying because the point-of-view kept changing. One chapter would be one character, the next a completely different one.  I felt like I was juggling characters to the point of wanting to run an Excel sheet to keep it all straight.

The last few novels I’ve read have run this narrative style, and every new book I’m pulling from my suggestion list and review newspapers seem to be pandering this new style. I keep checking them out though.  I’m either getting used to this new kaleidoscopic style of story-telling or I’m so starved to read I’m willing to put up with it.

Here are some examples of recent titles with the switch-hit character changing technique. Enjoyable reads all, but fret and nuisance, doesn’t anyone write in the old-time omni narrative style anymore?

http://www.goodreads.com

http://www.tumblr.com

http://www.tumblr.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any thoughts, Book Boosters?

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15 Sep 2013
1 Comment

What We Say: #6


The house is at sixes and sevens
from morning ’til night over the
child! I want some peace here, I
don’t care how, but one way we
won’t have it is by rushing up and
down the country every time someone
hears of a new quack.

–Captain Keller from the William Gibson play The Miracle Worker

This is the first, and perhaps only time I’ve heard the expression “sixes and sevens” used. Looking at context clues I figured it meant to be in some sort of disarray or confusion.  Turns out I’m not too far from my figuring.

History
Apparently in Olde England, even going back to Chaucer’s time, there once existed a dice game that involved throwing the nearly impossible combination of sixes and sevens and was referred to as “on six and seven.” Eventually the phrase turned to “sixes and sevens” meaning the recklessness of trying for something that is difficult to obtain. Today it generally means to be in a state of confusion.

English: A pair of dice Español: Dados cúbicos.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Application
Although it is not a popular phrase today, at least I don’t hear it much, it does make sense.  Its use is perfect in The Miracle Worker since it definitely describes the chaos that comes with having to cope with Helen Keller’s frantic and undisciplined state of behavior before Annie Sullivan arrives to become Teacher.

My Thoughts
If a situation starts to get out of hand and sense can’t be found, I tend to say, “I can’t make heads nor tails of this!” or “This is crazy!”  Saying the situation is “sixes and sevens” just doesn’t cut the mustard. for me.

Hmm, chasing quacks, making heads nor tails, cutting mustard…I have more research to do about What I Say.

Posted in Blogging, reflections, Uncategorized, Words and tagged ,
10 Sep 2013

An Encounter of the Stein Kind


Celebrity spotting can be fun and definitely livens up conversations as people trade their “I saw —- at —–,” quips and crows.  Spotting is one thing, encounters are another.

Encounters are where you actually get to have a conversation, or spend some time with the person of celebre status. For instance, I’ve spotted Viggo Mortenson signing autographs at an art gallery showing (promoting his North American photo art), the Portland Blazers at the airport (wow–they are tall), Ralph Nader giving a speech, but never conversed with them, hence no encounter checkmark.

Ralph Nader, speaking at BYU's Alternate Comme...

Ralph Nader (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fotografía de Viggo Mortensen en la presentaci...

Viggo Mortensen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This summer while vacationing, The MEPA and I were walking in a park and I tend to get annoyed when the people in front of me are moving too slow.  I would not be a good candidate for Disneyland action in summer. I am about to pass this older gentleman in front of me, when I hear The MEPA speak up, “Would that be the famous Ben Stein?” and I do a double-take when I hear, “Yes, it is.” And it IS Ben Stein! I think, “Cool, Ben Stein,” and begin to give him his space, because it must get tedious to have the public pester you just because you are famous. But then he starts talking to us and not wanting to be rude we match stride with him and before you know it I’m walking next to Ben Stein around the park.  Here’s what I basically remember:

Ben: And what do you do for a living?

Me: I’m a teacher (this is where he got interested)

Ben: Really? What do you teach?

Me: Freshmen English and Senior AP Literature (then he got really interested)

Ben: I would love to come to an AP English class. Could I come to your class? What would I have to do? (he was serious!)

I then explained about security measures, about how he would have to let the high school knowing he is coming and how he would have to sign in, and at this point I’m thinking “Do I really want Ben Stein watch me teach?” It’s a bit intimidating, if you think about it.  Here is one of the most famed teachers (at least of popular culture) asking to drop in on my class:

As we continued to walk Ben expressed his concerns about students and literature:

Ben: I don’t think kids today read enough. Do you teach The Great Gatsby?

Me: Actually, that’s taught at the junior level.

Ben: Do the kids like it?

Me: I think they like it better since Leonardo di Caprio is in the new movie.

Ben: Have you seen the movie?

I replied I hadn’t, explaining it looked a bit too hipped up for my taste, and considering I didn’t like  Baz Luhrman’s version of Romeo and Juliet I didn’t think I would be seeing his version of Gatsby anytime soon.  Ben agreed he didn’t care for Luhrman’s R&J either, but floored me by saying he’s seen The Great Gatsby thirteen times! Thirteen times! I didn’t even watch Star Wars more than five times when it came out in the theaters (yes, my age is showing again, darn it).

Our walk ended because we were continuing on and he wanted to return and walk back to the park entrance. Since that encounter I wonder if I will ever get a phone call from our principal saying Ben Stein is in the office and says he is ready to be my guest for the day.  I’ve decided to create a Ben Stein lesson plan should the event arise.

First of all, I can’t resist attendance. I go by class seating not alphabet.

“Bronson, Taylor, Reynolds–oh, Stein. Yes, you must be new. Welcome to class.”

Of course, there would be introductions: “Class, this is Ben Stein. He is interested in AP Literature. Mr. Stein, I believe you were a teacher once?”

Maybe I would turn the class over to him.  As long as he didn’t talk about economics, I think my students would be interested in what he had to say.  Maybe he would talk about The Great Gatsby. This could actually have possibilities.

So, if you are walking in the park and have an encounter with Ben Stein, could you please tell him I’ve got the lesson plan ready?

English: Ben Stein speaking at Miami Universit...

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05 Sep 2013
3 Comments

Sippers, Dippers, and Flippers


Now that it’s back to the 5 to 9 world of teaching (yes, 5 am to 9 pm–hi, ho, hi, ho work is all I know), I’m reflecting a bit on my splurge of reading over the summer.  I ever so did try to balance my reading and writing, but I admittedly succumbed to reading way more than I intended [see Writing Goals *lol*].

My reading proved to be rather eclectic and I found myself segmenting my choices into three distinct categories:

Sippers: Books I tend to read at night before falling asleep. My mainstay sipper has been Da Vinci’s Notebook. Unfortunately this is an abridged version so it does not have any illustrations. However, it still captivates my attention and I find myself sticky flagging all sorts of amazing insights. This man’s genius is truly astounding. Quotes of note:

The natural desire of good men is knowledge.

I obey thee. O Lord, first because of the love which i ought reasonably to bear thee; secondly, because thou knowest how to shorten or prolong the lives of men.

Good literature proceeds from men of natural probity.

It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.

(And this is just 30 pages into the observations section. I need to read painting, anatomy, flight–and there’s more yet to explore! I may be sipping on this all year.

Dippers: These were titles I didn’t read cover-to-cover, only reading a page here, a section there, relishing a line or two, but not feeling the urge to sit down and absolutely, positively read it. This is the type of book to prop behind the cereal bowl, or lunch plate or pass the time with in the bookstore while waiting for the MEPA to finish selecting the perfect card for his sister. A fave dipper this summer:

and then we come to the major reads section, those books that I couldn’t put down, the ones where I meant to read a couple of chapters and return to writing. Uh huh.

Flippers: Flip. Flip. Flip. I’m flying through these books because–

A. The writing is soooo good I can’t stop reading

B. The storyline is amazingly riveting

C. I’m grooving on the combination of good read, soft breezes, comfy hammock

Titles that were so flipping wonderful:

These both claimed an afternoon each. And of course I had to read the sequel, and the other books in the series. And then write up my GoodReads reviews. Whoosh, there go those writing goals…

How was your summer reading? Did you also sip, dip, and flip?

Posted in Books, Libraries, reflections, time management, Uncategorized, writers and tagged , , ,
01 Sep 2013
8 Comments

Writing Goals *lol*


  1. Trying to create and stick to the writing goals I created earlier this year is like trying to  free throw a basketball into a Dixie cup 300 feet away. Or if you substitute “goals” for “deadlines” in this choice quote, it’s the same idea.
    I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. Douglas Adams English humorist & science fiction novelist (1952 – 2001)
    Actually there is no subsequent number of reasons of why I Laugh Out Loud when it comes to setting writing goals. It’s ridiculous that I even try. Every June once school is out I say, “Wow! I’ve got all this time to get some serious writing done now. Hah! and double Hah!! It’s summer, baby–time to play in the sun, get those house projects done, squeeze out some fun. Oh yeah, writing goals…
    I started out well. My basic goal was to get at least two projects sent out to an editor/agent/publisher every week.  It lasted about two weeks.  I tried this goal because I did manage to do so at one point in life.  I had about 20 projects floating out there in publishingland limbo at one point.  I was playing the odds that at least one project would make it.  Kind of like Charlie and the Golden Ticket syndrome (all I need is one to get me in!) Unlike Charlie who had to eat chocolate to obtain his ticket, I had to either paste on stamps or hit sent. Neither option proved tasty, but as I recall I did have a couple of projects get greenlit for publication which resulted in some greenbacks. I probably bought a chocolate bar to celebrate.
    After Labor Day weekend I return to teaching, which means not so much time for writing.  The two-project-a-week writing goal went to the wayside. I did get two projects published (with payment), so it looks like the results were the same. Even though I’m resuming my day job maybe I can squeeze in the goal of one project submitted somewhere to somebody once every other week.
    Hmm, that whoosing sound seems to becoming louder.
    I’m going for the chocolate. Golden ticket or not.
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27 Aug 2013
5 Comments

Greedy or Needy?


With school about to start I’m ignoring some areas of my life  (housework: wow, is that dust thick or what) and going into overdrive in others (library browsing:l’ll take that one and that one, and this one too). I can easily ignore cleaning, cooking, gardening, even writing knowing I have only a week or so left to read at leisure

Reading at leisure. That grand and glorious luxury of picking up a book anytime during the day or night and divulging in a session of indulgence. I’m on a zero pressure schedule currently. At least for now. After September 3rd I begin the nine month marathon once again and my leisure time gets yanked, oh so cruelly, away and becomes dry docked until further notice.

So, is it greed or need that I’m currently reading five, or is that six, books at present?

  • The Notebooks of Da Vinci–inquiring minds must know
  • Miners and Travelers Guide by John Mullan–research
  • The History of Idaho Territory–research, but Idaho is an underrated state
  • Edna and John–a love story of sorts from the 1860 Idaho Gold Rush days
  • Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde–been on my NTR list for some time now
  • The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister–fave librarian ET handed me this and said “read this” and so I am–I forcibly have to stop myself from reading it so I can get at least a little something done it’s so good!
  • Oh, then there is the assorted magazines like my newest Writer and stack of freebies one of my writer group cohorts passed my way.

So the prognosis is? Well, self diagnosis is that I’m leaning towards reading for my current writing project (fictional novel set in the Idaho Gold Rush days), but I’m slipping in some goodtime reads (although Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde is not exactly Mr. Goodtime). Reading my Need-tos and slipping in my Greed-toos–isn’t that similar to a bite of beans along with my chocolate pudding (who says dessert must wait?)

Anyone else out there try to find a balance between Need to Read and Greedy Reading? As long as we are reading it’s all good, right?

Posted in Blogging, Books, reflections, summer, Teachers, Uncategorized and tagged , , , ,
24 Aug 2013
3 Comments

Biblio-ing


This week seems to be biblio week.  I’ve read a couple of different posts about loving books, but then that doesn’t seem too unusual when most of my post follows involve following other book lovers. Additionally, this week marks the 60th member join for the Book Boosters.  Say a “Hey! and Yay!” for  Radical Hope. Not a Book Booster yet? Well, if you fit these stringent requirements you should consider signing up:

  • Do you love books?
  • Do you have favorites you read, recommend, and even re-read?
  • Are you a frequent flyer at the local library?
  • Are you an on-line regular of book sites, be they promoting to buy, review, or boast books?
  • Perchance you operate on a need to read basis–you have to have a book in hand, by the bed, stashed in the car, or have one nestled in the backpack.

You then, my friend, are a Book Booster. And you are in good company. Request for your name to the list and then welcome to the shelf of those who appreciate and advance the cause of books. No dues, no newsletters, but I am working on a secret handshake.

Continuing on the theme of celebrating biblio-ing, here are some borrows form other book-toting bloggers:

Here are some pithy comments from Geeky Book Snob concerning things that book lovers dislike hearing:

Click to visit the original post

And if you aren’t totally clear on what constitutes biblio-ing then take a look at Cassie’s list, and then check out the rest of her post, because it’s a stunner of stream-of-consciousness:

Types of bookishness...and anti-bookishness

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Posted in Blogging, Books, celebrations, Reading, reflections, Uncategorized and tagged , ,
20 Aug 2013
1 Comment

The many faces of Juliet


image: fanpop.com

  •  I’m not quite in countdown mode, nonetheless, I am very much anticipating the new version of Romeo and Juliet which is FINALLY being released in the US.  I have been following its progress for the past two years, waiting, watching for news, photo releases, projected film dates. And finally, yes finally, the new Romeo and Juliet will be out in theaters in the fall. First they said February, then it was July, and then I heard September, and unless they’ve changed it again, it should be coming out about the time school is back in full swing.  Field trip, anyone?

  • image: thewallmachine.com

    • image:gnomeoandjuliet.wiki.org

    • Another reason I’m so excited about a new version of Romeo and Juliet is because it’s overdue for a freshening up. The 1968 version with Olivia Hussey had its moments, and although it didn’t follow the play exactly, it does give students a fairly good idea of the tragedy of the star-crossed lovers.  West Side Story is the classic sixties adaptation, and once again, it is not the true play. The 1990s version with Leonardo D. and Claire strays too far from the actual play to count as a true teachable film version. Interestingly enough, my ninth graders either love it or despise it, due to its style. Of course, they all adore Gnomeo and Juliet, which is cute, yet again, strays so far from the play I only serve it up as an inducement,provided they get all their R&J assignments in by the end of the quarter.

      Other reasons I’m looking forward to the new version:

      1. Hailee Steinfeld as Juliet.  She owned the part of Mattie in True Grit, and held her own against Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon, who were also impressed with her. I can’t wait to see what she does with Juliet.
      2. Updated cinematography. 1968 to 2013 means improvements in the quality of production.
      3. I’m really tired of the 1968 Zeferelli movie. I have taught ninth grade for 10 plus years with three to four sections each year, which means I’ve watched the film, oh about 40 times. Yeah, I’m ready for a new version.
      4. Paul Giametti as Friar Lawrence. I’m a Paul G fan, for sure.
      5. Julian Fellowes adapted the play, (Downton Abbey), and that in itself is a huge reason my anticipation factor is revving up.
      Anyone else anticipating a new Juliet with her Romeo?
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