I am delightfully pleased with the Academy Award nominations this year. I look forward to them every award season but this time more so than usual. Precisely because all of the Best Picture nominees are ones I want to see or have already seen. They're all films that I saw previews for and thought "That looks good. I'd like to see that." And trust me that is quite a rarity.
So, I highly recommend watching the Academy Awards on Sunday, February 26th 2012. Have a viewing party or curl up on your sofa in your jammies and fuzzy slippers. Or...if you're adventurous and financially able, fly out to Los Angeles and see the show from a comfy theatre seat. If you do the latter and need a travelling companion I'm volunteering!
As usual I will be hosting my own viewing party, complete with a themed menu. While I look forward to having lots of friends and family it may just be me and my immediate family. They'll come because there's free food. That's always a plus!
**Check out http://oscar.go.com/ for loads more fun and to learn about the nominees.**
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A Silent Voice
Working in the retail industry you learn fairly quickly that the “customer is always right”. Uh-huh, sure they are! But you nod, smile and tell them you appreciate their business. They can yell, complain and voice their opinion to anyone who’ll listen. There are those customers, you know the ones, who have no qualms whatsoever about vocalizing their opinions. They’ll rant, rave and cause a scene if that means they can make their point loud and clear.
But what about those of us who don’t shout from the rooftops, demand to see the manager or send scathing letters to the editor? We have opinions. We have a voice. We just don’t cause a ruckus like others tend to do. We take stock (not literally) of our surroundings. We pay attention to the actions of others. We listen, observe and make assessments based on what we see and hear. We have strong points of view on certain subjects like decency, respect and courtesy. If we don’t like the service we receive as a customer we’ll simply discontinue our business, without fanfare.
So, while there are many in our community who fill our editorial sections, public speaking forums and social media outlets with outspoken comments there are just as many who remain silent. And it is those individuals I wish to address today.
As someone who tries to avoid confrontation I tend to dislike controversy. If my opinion differs from the majority (which happens quite frequently as of late) I’ll take to my notebook and write feverishly all that want to say but don’t have the courage to vocalize in public. Sound familiar to anyone? I’ll get all riled up reading a newspaper article lambasting teachers and after some deep breathing exercises I’ll proceed with my day. When I hear a politician talk about stripping rights away from fellow citizens I shake my head and change the channel. But when someone negatively critiques a TV show that I love I’m immediately taking to my computer and writing well-thought out counterpoint arguments. Now, why do I hesitate on issues that hit close to home when I have no qualms making my opinion heard on entertainment topics? For one, speaking out about civil/human rights, respectful discourse, political issues and teacher negotiations means that while my opinion may be mine alone it doesn’t always stop other individuals from using my words to inflict harm on others.
I have not spoken up about my opinions on important subjects precisely because I worry that my words could be irrationally projected onto those I care about. As though they’re standing over my shoulder telling me what to type and think. Preposterous! But yet I worry. Rationally, I know that the majority of my fellow citizens understand and appreciate a person’s right to freedom of expression. But there are those who scour for reasons to cause trouble. To pick and choose your words and twist them to their own advantage. All you have to do is look at snippets from interviews with politicians and entertainers. It’s like a major cut-and-paste job. Then those whose words were misconstrued now have to scramble to explain themselves.
I like to think of this as the “witness stand” effect. You say the least possible as to not give the other person enough room to twist your words for their own benefit. But what does that say about us? I believe in a balance between freedom of expression and using your words with care. Language is an incredible way for us to communicate. It’s an art form really. Picking and choosing particular words, phrases and sentences to convey meaning and intention. Those who decide to use words to inflict harm upon others have violated the very language they so freely utilize.
And so…I implore those of you who may have very strong opinions to speak up. You may likely have resisted the desire to make your voice heard but in doing so we allow the words spoken in anger, hatred and frustration to fester within our community. Our opinions may not always be of the same viewpoint but when we choose to communicate with decency and respect then that helps further discussion and growth for us all.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
A Thankless Job
I am a daughter, sister and friend to those who have selected teaching as their profession of choice. I admire them. I respect them. I value them. I acquired those affections long ago; as a student in the Neshaminy School District. For fourteen years, I was immersed in education. Surrounded by educators of all different personalities, teaching styles and ages. But one thing that never changed was my appreciation and respect for them.
There was a time, not too long ago, when the education profession was viewed as valuable. The educators as hard working, dedicated individuals deserving of praise. Now, I can’t read the newspaper without someone in the community lambasting a teacher. It’s not an issue of behavior, morals, ethics or the job performance. Instead, the complaints have to do with economic strain. The strain that the school district, community, taxpayers and staff are under.
I will not deny that I am an avid supporter of teachers. And the public school system. I truly believe they are worth all they’ve been given and more. I work a 9-5 job. I don’t bring my work home with me. I don’t cut lamin on the weekends, grade papers until 9 o’clock at night or go to sports activities in support of my students. Clearly, I am very passionate about my support of the Neshaminy School District’s teachers. But one lesson that I took away from my time as a Neshaminy student was the value in communication.
In the conversations, or lack thereof, regarding teacher contract “negotiations” I’ve noticed a rather interesting omission; the student’s perspective. The issue of how working to contract or a strike will affect students is discussed fervently by those in opposition of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers’ (NFT) position. They claim the students will suffer more than anyone. I agree, but not as you may think. What’s been neglected in the conversations, editorials and venting comments is the realization that children are aware of much more then we sometimes give them credit for. Consider the following comparison…teachers and their district’s school board are the in the midst of an ugly divorce. There’s badmouthing, blame gaming, and hurt feelings being tossed around in the presence of the children. They’re being bombarded with negativity at every turn.
When teachers are demoralized, criticized or publicly humiliated do we not realize how this affects their students? What kind of lessons are we teaching when we attempt to strip away the rights of the very people entrusted with their education? In an ever changing world, students have been put in an incredibly difficult position. What’s the message we are telling them when disrespect takes center stage?
Sometime during the aging process our society, in general, has forgotten what it was like to be a student. We’re so busy being concerned about taxes, the economy, politics, parental responsibilities and on, and on. That’s understandable. Of course, your primary concern would be the well being of your family, friends and your own interests. You need to be able to provide for your family, pay for health insurance and deal with the unforeseen issues that arise as a homeowner. There’s no doubt in my mind that you may be struggling. But while you are working through your stressors, issues and conflicts please don’t forget that so are your neighbors. The next time you are inclined to lash out at the “greedy, blood-sucking teachers” why not recall your favorite teachers instead?
And what about the other point of view? How does the school board fit into this piece? My initial reaction is a negative one but that stems from my perceived opinion on their “actions” in the midst of this contract disagreement. As a student my only concern with the school board happened when their decisions impacted my educational well-being. I attended my first meeting when they threatened to cut the music program, which meant losing our music teacher, and that was a major no-no for me and many of my classmates! Other than that, I didn’t have much opinion either way on them. They were sort of like an unforeseen puppet master who pulled the strings only now and again.
I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt. To believe that they are doing their utmost in a given situation and truly working hard to resolve complex issues. In that vein, I must give the school board credit for the work they’ve already done. The recent political race showed me that very few have stepped forward to willingly be part of the school board. In that respect, it’s a thankless job. Sound familiar?
Instead of negotiating a contract through the media, hurdling insults and crossing arms like stubborn children why not show that you mean what you say? Meeting once a month, with no progression, isn’t doing any of us any good. This situation will only continue to escalate in vitriol until the NFT and the Neshaminy School Board realize that communication and respect are keys to resolving this issue. When they start meeting every week, stop the mud-slinging and lead by example then hopefully the negativity infecting our community will lessen.
There was a time, not too long ago, when the education profession was viewed as valuable. The educators as hard working, dedicated individuals deserving of praise. Now, I can’t read the newspaper without someone in the community lambasting a teacher. It’s not an issue of behavior, morals, ethics or the job performance. Instead, the complaints have to do with economic strain. The strain that the school district, community, taxpayers and staff are under.
I will not deny that I am an avid supporter of teachers. And the public school system. I truly believe they are worth all they’ve been given and more. I work a 9-5 job. I don’t bring my work home with me. I don’t cut lamin on the weekends, grade papers until 9 o’clock at night or go to sports activities in support of my students. Clearly, I am very passionate about my support of the Neshaminy School District’s teachers. But one lesson that I took away from my time as a Neshaminy student was the value in communication.
In the conversations, or lack thereof, regarding teacher contract “negotiations” I’ve noticed a rather interesting omission; the student’s perspective. The issue of how working to contract or a strike will affect students is discussed fervently by those in opposition of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers’ (NFT) position. They claim the students will suffer more than anyone. I agree, but not as you may think. What’s been neglected in the conversations, editorials and venting comments is the realization that children are aware of much more then we sometimes give them credit for. Consider the following comparison…teachers and their district’s school board are the in the midst of an ugly divorce. There’s badmouthing, blame gaming, and hurt feelings being tossed around in the presence of the children. They’re being bombarded with negativity at every turn.
When teachers are demoralized, criticized or publicly humiliated do we not realize how this affects their students? What kind of lessons are we teaching when we attempt to strip away the rights of the very people entrusted with their education? In an ever changing world, students have been put in an incredibly difficult position. What’s the message we are telling them when disrespect takes center stage?
Sometime during the aging process our society, in general, has forgotten what it was like to be a student. We’re so busy being concerned about taxes, the economy, politics, parental responsibilities and on, and on. That’s understandable. Of course, your primary concern would be the well being of your family, friends and your own interests. You need to be able to provide for your family, pay for health insurance and deal with the unforeseen issues that arise as a homeowner. There’s no doubt in my mind that you may be struggling. But while you are working through your stressors, issues and conflicts please don’t forget that so are your neighbors. The next time you are inclined to lash out at the “greedy, blood-sucking teachers” why not recall your favorite teachers instead?
And what about the other point of view? How does the school board fit into this piece? My initial reaction is a negative one but that stems from my perceived opinion on their “actions” in the midst of this contract disagreement. As a student my only concern with the school board happened when their decisions impacted my educational well-being. I attended my first meeting when they threatened to cut the music program, which meant losing our music teacher, and that was a major no-no for me and many of my classmates! Other than that, I didn’t have much opinion either way on them. They were sort of like an unforeseen puppet master who pulled the strings only now and again.
I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt. To believe that they are doing their utmost in a given situation and truly working hard to resolve complex issues. In that vein, I must give the school board credit for the work they’ve already done. The recent political race showed me that very few have stepped forward to willingly be part of the school board. In that respect, it’s a thankless job. Sound familiar?
Instead of negotiating a contract through the media, hurdling insults and crossing arms like stubborn children why not show that you mean what you say? Meeting once a month, with no progression, isn’t doing any of us any good. This situation will only continue to escalate in vitriol until the NFT and the Neshaminy School Board realize that communication and respect are keys to resolving this issue. When they start meeting every week, stop the mud-slinging and lead by example then hopefully the negativity infecting our community will lessen.
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