text:
Last month I was honored to participate in the closing keynote panel at BlogHer 2014's 10th anniversary conference. This was my 9th attendance of BlogHer and my writing has changed in the nearly 10 years of having a blog.
My fellow panelists were Feminista Jones, Kristen Howerton, Grace Hwang-Lynch, Patrice Lee and Natalia Oberti Noguera and Cheryl Contee acted as our moderator. In my introduction I mention having learned the power of my voice and how I come at it from an educational perspective. (And I mention having a Big Mouth. This surprises no one.)
I must admit, however, that I get asked to speak on this issue everywhere but home. Many people in my town are not aware of what it is that I do on the Internet and there is, ironically, some intersection involved there. In October I will be speaking again on the issue of feminism and girls for the ONE Foundation and that's so important to the work I've been doing at home and abroad.
I keep learning that our voices need to be amplified and that speaking up is something I consider my duty.
This is important now, more than ever, with all the things our nation can talk about with regards to race with what is happening awfully close to where I live and that's in Ferguson, Missouri. I'm not going to stop talking about that anytime soon.
Let's Get Resources for the Ferguson Public Library
This is what libraries do. They provide a safe place where people can find out more about who they are, what they love, and who they want to become.
The Ferguson Library has been there for the people of Ferguson. I'd like to see what we can do to ensure that the Ferguson library has the resources they need to support their patrons in the weeks, months, and years to come.
We Need To Talk About Silicon Valley's Racism
These wealthy Silicon Valley tech investors gain access to a level of influence that far outstrips their public visibility. Like celebrities, they have the ability to broadcast their opinions to millions of people because of their position in the tech industry but, unlike celebrities, they can remain out of the public eye, speaking loudly from hidden podiums. And given the rising financial and political power of the tech industry, the racial homogeneity of this elite group of investors is troubling, especially in light of their occasional public comments.
Sacca, for example, recently used his own podium to publish a blog post entitled"A few thoughts on race, America, and our President" on the official Lowercase Capital website. In reaction to President Obama's perceived discomfort with his role as president in the Ferguson situation, Sacca speaks out against racism, chides Obama for his lack of energy, and urges him to "be brave" in his public comments on the Ferguson shooting. This blog post is marked by an overwhelming paternalism as Sacca, a wealthy white man, advises Obama on how best to navigate his precarious position as a black president. Even though Obama supposedly told Sacca last year in a private conversation that he needs to avoid the label of "angry black man," Sacca nevertheless claims that "what we need now is for our President to be angry," adding that "the fact that he is black is even better." Sacca puts himself in position to judge the political value of Obama's blackness with no acknowledgment of his own social position as a wealthy white man.
#31 The Problem We All Live With by Normal Rockwell
This is a fascinating, visually pleasing look at Rockwell's painting of Ruby Bridges. Art teachers will love this and all educators can use it in their classrooms.
Driving up I could see the crowd, but living in New Orleans, I actually thought it was Mardi Gras. There was a large crowd of people outside of the school. They were throwing things and shouting, and that sort of goes on in New Orleans at Mardi Gras. I really didn't realize until I got into the school that something else was going on. – Ruby Bridges Hall
Teachers should also be following the #FergusonSyllabus on Twitter for resources. Click here.
New York TV Stations Disproportionately Cover Crimes Committed By Black People.
Cartoonists Who Paint a New Picture of Racial Injustice.
This one mentions a great graphic novel titled The Silence of Our Friends, a semi-autobiographical novel set in 1967 against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
By Pete Souza [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons]]>
Yet, I woke up with a name in my brain as if I dreamt about her. I cannot remember all my dreams so if she was there I don't know. But Fannie Lou Hamer repeated over and over until I said her name aloud.
"Fannie Lou Hamer. That's what this is."
In the last couple of years I have paid attention to manifestos and storytelling and the narrative. What is most powerful to me, then, is that whoever controls the narrative controls the story and in the case of Michael Brown and the disastrous reaction of the Ferguson police and the Missouri governor sending in the National Guard to protect the police and not the people, their narrative is full of character assassination, non-transparent information, and straight up bullying.
Which is probably how Fannie Lou Hamer's name came into my head. Her famous words rang all throughout my brain: I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Not long ago, PBS showed this on American Experience. This is just a clip of it.
Fannie Lou Hamer was an evicted sharecopper removed from her plantation when she was a part of a group of people who tried to register at her county courthouse. Fannie was to be taped on live television to give her testimony about those events and President Johnson, that weasely terrorist betrayer of his own country, did the unthinkable: he came up with a bogus excuse to have a press conference to make sure the cameras weren't on Mrs. Hamer and her testimony.
Last Friday's press conference in which police chief Thomas Jackson began with him detailing a robbery. Think about how that narrative has altered for just a moment. First, the story began with Michael Brown fighting with an attacking an officer, then it was that he reached for the gun (from 35 feet away?) and then it was that he was blocking traffic. IT TOOK POLICE SIX DAYS FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH A STORY.
Listening to that police chief felt like watching President Lyndon Johnson work up his own narrative about what was important.
No wonder people are confused. But, let's not sugar coat the fact that race and racism are factors here, too. (If you don't think this has to do with race I'd like to ask how you feel about a Black actor playing Johnny Storm in the Fantastic Four because IT SEEMED TO MATTER AN AWFUL LOT THEN.)
As an activist, Mrs. Hamer was arrested on false charges. She was beaten, threatened, and those in power and office worked to cover it up and silence her.
The owner of the plantation where she worked got angry at her for trying to register to vote. He threatened her to withdraw her registration. To vote. In America. As a citizen.
In 2007, Naomi Wolf wrote Ten Steps to Close Down an Open Society and it is eerily coming to fruition right now. I urge you to read it and align it with the events of the last 11 days. Wolf writes:
Because Americans like me were born in freedom, we have a hard time even considering that it is possible for us to become as unfree - domestically - as many other nations. Because we no longer learn much about our rights or our system of government - the task of being aware of the constitution has been outsourced from citizens' ownership to being the domain of professionals such as lawyers and professors - we scarcely recognise the checks and balances that the founders put in place, even as they are being systematically dismantled. Because we don't learn much about European history, the setting up of a department of "homeland" security - remember who else was keen on the word "homeland" - didn't raise the alarm bells it might have.
It is my argument that, beneath our very noses, George Bush and his administration are using time-tested tactics to close down an open society. It is time for us to be willing to think the unthinkable - as the author and political journalist Joe Conason, has put it, that it can happen here. And that we are further along than we realise.
Conason eloquently warned of the danger of American authoritarianism. I am arguing that we need also to look at the lessons of European and other kinds of fascism to understand the potential seriousness of the events we see unfolding in the US.
There are a lot of things happening in Ferguson, Missouri right now that are too close to our Civil Rights history in America and many words are rolling over and over in my head.
Sick and tired. False narratives. Police brutality.
Of course, I also hear this, loudly:
Fannie Lou Hamer's words ring too true in 2014.
via Wikimedia Commons]]>
That was the year of the Stars. That's what I called them. They were superior in every way, this group. A ton of talented, brilliant students who challenged me daily and made me a better teacher. Before the Stars came along I didn't know I wanted to be an excellent teacher. I just knew I wanted to teach. Every project I assigned them came back with suggestions.
"You know what would be super cool, Mrs. Wickham? If we did this project but added THIS."
They were innovators, explorers, and rebels. Every last one. I loved that group. I cut my teeth on that group.
Once they paired up and then again to create a group of 4 they browsed the book selections I chose for them and decided, as a group, on what to read.
Wouldn't you know it? I had some serious readers in that class and they'd read everything I had already picked out but it wasn't their sassy responses to me of "Ugh, we READ these already" that comes with developing adolescents that surprised me; it was my response to them.
"Fine, then the four of you go to the library and find a title with 4 copies and read whatever you want."
I had never gone off script before as a teacher. There were rules and I followed them. There were best practices and I tried them. But to find my own voice and release some autonomy in my own classroom? That was just unheard of at this point.
They came back with Lois Lowry's The Giver and instead of coming back with 4 books they came back with 5. One of them, Jill, sashayed up to my desk once they returned and said, "Here. We got a copy for you to read, too."
Those turkeys. They roped me into reading a YA book that would become, for me, my favorite genre of all time as a reader. Since those girls challenged me that day I realized that I loved these selections the most. After that year, I became the Department Chair for Language Arts. A very sexy title with a ton of work and a small stipend of money.
Just last weekend while The Cuban and I cleaned out the garage I found a purchase order from a book company when I worked at that school. Taking it out of the box I gasped and immediately walked over to him, pointing at the paper I was so proud of long ago.
"Do you know why I saved this?"
He studied it for a moment and quickly raised his eyebrows. "Because it reads Kelly Wickham, Department Chair on it."
"That's right. I was important. And I was only 25 at the time. The youngest department chair they'd ever had."
My first order of business was buying a school set of The Giver. There are several reasons for it not the least of which is that it is a fantastic piece of literature. Over the last week 2 of my former students have mentioned it to me in social media spaces because the movie is coming out and they commented that they remember reading it in my class. Two girls, now women, that I taught at different schools (I move around a lot and made it a priority to continue teaching it) who recall the power in it.
I'm thinking about that power a lot today. The power of a teacher is immeasurable. My life is made up of these stories of kids who let me falter in the classroom. They allow me the grace of not knowing what I'm doing.
They let me teach them about some distant dystopian future where life is controlled for us and, more than that, they let me do another first: talk about racism. Lowry's book isn't set up that way, but it lends itself to discussions of creating perfect societies and how humanity ultimately fails at that.
Today, of course, I'm thinking of Michael Brown and Ferguson, Missouri.
I'm thinking of where I was last year at this time and I was angry and filled with incredulity over the murderer of Trayvon Martin getting off in a stunning moment for Black Americans, especially those who parent Black boys. Last summer I was also losing a nephew to illness, a Black young man himself. The anniversary of his death is creeping up on me but I won't let it. The acute awareness of the date bongs daily like a giant clock.
Grocery shopping with my boyfriend yesterday, I passed the Coca-Cola with names on them. Share a Coke with Kyle one of them read.
It stunned me to see his name. When I hear a song that reminds me of him or look back at my text messages with him or come across his pictures still hanging in multiple rooms in my house I say aloud, "Hey, Kyle" because I assume he's trying to get my attention.
We lose Black boys too quickly in this country. No matter how they go away from us.
When I taught The Giver to my final class of students before I became an administrator I used to tell my students about the racism I've witnessed and experienced. They were off-the-cuff moments that caught me off guard. Can I talk about this in the classroom? Am I going to get in trouble if I speak a reality to this mostly-White group of students?
I wondered that a lot at first and then, magically and quickly, I stopped wondering. What would I get in trouble for? Stating facts? Exploring history?
When I consider how scared I used to be I roll my eyes at my younger self.
The greatest thing I did in my classroom with The Giver was to allow debate. [Spoiler alert for those who haven't read it.] After I read it the first time I put it in the mail for my mother who was living in California at the time. We did that often if we liked a book so I sent it with a note that she was to call me once she finished it. Our conversation went like this:
Mom: I loved it and was so sad at the end!
Me: Sad! What? No. Why were you sad? Jonas and Gabriel got away and were free!
Mom: Mmmmm, you could be wrong, Kelly, because they both die.
Me: WHAT? NO WAY THEY DIE. What book did you read?
We went on like this for a bit and argued our points until I picked up another copy of it and we read the ending together. Upon the 2nd reading I noticed that the ending was ambiguous and that her points were well taken. I could see how she thought that and she could see my side as well.
The next time I read that book with my class I made them read the last chapter for homework. When they returned the next day I stopped them at the door and had my room divided into sides.
"We're having a debate today and you must have your books to offer textual support for your opinions. Go to that side of the room if you believe there's a happy ending. Go to this side of the room if you believe they don't make it at the end."
They let each other have it. It was amazing to witness. Passions came out, accusations flew, sides were compromised (you could move once and only once to the opposing side if they convinced you) and I wouldn't find out until later that I was allowing them to use the Socratic Seminar approach to debate. (Look! I was a good teacher and I didn't even know there was a name for what I was doing!)
It was this structure that I would employ, later on, to talk about the hard stuff. To talk about race and use historical support and real feelings. It's what I would do in person, with passions and compromise for understanding. It's what I do.
Lowry, the author, would later come out to say that he doesn't die and she even wrote a sequel to it proving her point. (Haha, mom. I win that one.)
I'm currently not in the mood for compromise. But that doesn't mean that absent a classroom I no longer teach.
Go read that book if you haven't. I'm unsure about the movie because I treasure the words and chapters and memories of my students' debates. That singular book reminds me of the control I let go of in my powerful role as teacher and it gave me permission to go off script.
It's a glimpse into the perfect world we know won't ever exist no matter how much we want that.]]>
Two months ago I found out that I was a nominee for the Illinois Women in Leadership Award. They call it the *Athena Awards to honor those women who encourage, support, and assist women in reaching their leadership potential. Some of this just comes naturally, for me, by virtue of my job. Not only do I come into constant contact with young girls on the cusp of womanhood, but I have made a mission out of supporting causes that allow girls the permission of agency in their lives.
I support my local Girls on Track and have been a running coach as well as a keynote speaker at their fundraising events. Just last week I returned from my second Coca-Cola sponsored trip celebrating women. Online, I fight for that on a fairly regular basis especially in social media. I religiously follow Amy Poehler's Smart Girls at the Party.
What I'm saying is that it happens in a lot of spaces for me and I'm grateful to have an online voice that turns into real-life activism for women wherever it is that I lend my voice.
So getting this chance at being an honoree at the Athena Awards was pretty special to me.
Most of my work with the ONE Foundation has been focused on that and my trip, in 2012, centered around seeing what Federal Aid dollars were doing as well as what the Ethiopian government does in cultivating spaces for women. I've shared this video before, but it's worth a watch to see what ONE is doing for women.
Today, the ONE Foundation is launching the ONE Girls & Women Initiative on which I am an Advisory Board member along with some of my blogging contemporaries.
This is work I am immensely proud to do and be a part of and my relationship with ONE continues to grow which makes me wonderfully happy.
At the end of this month, I'll be on a panel and joined by some powerhouse women on a panel at BlogHer's 10th Conference discussing, among other things, how these issues of race, gender, and feminism intersect on the Internet where we all do some of our work:
Feminista Jones (on Twitter, where a lot of magic happens)
Kristen Howerton of Rage Against the Minivan
Grace Hwang Lynch (again, her Twitter page)
Natalia Oberti Noguera, the Founder and CEO of Pipeline Fellowship
Patrice Lee, Senior Fellow at the Independent Women's Forum
moderated by the founder and publisher of Jack & Jill Politics, Cheryl Contee, who is also a co-founder of Fission Strategy
Through all this, I remain as on fire for this work for women as I have ever been. Each time an invitation to speak is offered or a nomination is bestowed I wonder if I should bother mentioning it. But I've been a part of this work long enough to know that, while they are very nice, they are also somewhat necessary to building a body of work online.
Let these flames continue to burn in my life because there is no way I thought I'd be here, at this time in my life, doing such things.
*If you want to learn a bit more about the Athena Awards, this is directly from their website:
The ATHENA Leadership Award® was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment—qualities embodied in the ATHENA Leadership Model®. The Award is unique in both scope---local, national and international---and the ATHENA mission upon which it is based. The ATHENA Leadership Award® is presented to a woman ---or man--- who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. Since the program's inception in 1982, more than 6,500 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Award in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, Unite Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Leadership Award® Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.
ATHENA Leadership Award® Recipients are individuals who:
- Have achieved the highest level of professional excellence.
- Contribute time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.
Here's where the entire Essence Fest 2014 hit me in the heart: it became abundantly clear that my passion for girls and women is right on track both in the music acts and the actions of the companies I got to learn more about. Usually, when one goes on sponsored trips like these one can expect to hear about the brand non-stop, but Coca-Cola was truly committed to showing us women leaders who are change-makers and unveiling to us their 5by20 initiative which made me immensely happy for this project.
A few years ago when I was invited to attend a Coca-Cola sponsored blogging event I heard, repeatedly, the value they embrace from the African proverb: Lift as you climb and that theme is still in effect with 5by20. After having traveled with the ONE Foundation to see what female empowering initiatives look like in Ethiopia, this was heartening to see it happening here with Coke at the helm.
Leaders of all kinds took to this photo opportunity just before opening the festival. Do you see Van Jones on the right there? I SAW HIM. I SAW VAN. I have been following his work for a while, but I truly love the YES, WE CODE work he is doing with Cheryl Contee (with whom I'll be at the Closing Keynote at BlogHer this month!)
Michelle Ebanks, President of Essence Communications, at the press conference opening up Essence Fest 2014 and giving Coca-Cola some stage time as a 19-year partner of the festival to talk about the 5by20.
Reverend Al Sharpton at the press conference lending his support to the festival and the efforts to empower women.
Coca-Cola hired the best and most fun kids for this at the Coke Stage where I danced before 10 in the morning in front of strangers. I reserve this for my kitchen at that time of day.
Body by Denise is an amazing workout group that came to perform and with all the New Orleans food I was eating I should have jumped on stage and worked it off with them.
Ledisi has the sweetest talking voice as well as singing voice when I stood front and center for this interview.
The unbelievably wonderful Janelle Monaé owning the stage. She brought it so hard with Electric Lady and everyone was surprised when Prince joined her on stage playing behind her. You want to see a crowd on their feet quickly (if they happen to be sitting)? Then this is how you do that. It was amazing.
Nile Rodgers took the stage and immediately started taking photos of the crowd. Later, he owned his music and played a song he produced for David Bowie, Let's Dance, which Prince joined him on and the crowd went wild.
He turned up the funk and brought out Kathy Sledge (of Sister Sledge) and Janelle joined him on this one. As a kid I used to get tired of "We Are Family" but this brought me back to a time when I loved it so I love it again.
By the time Prince took the stage I was aware of just how many people were in the Superdome because of the noise level (and they graciously gave us earplugs which I refused BECAUSE PRINCE). I haven't been to nearly enough concerts in my lifetime since I was such a young mom and I plan on making up for that now. When I was a teenager there was The Big Three I wanted to see: Prince, Michael Jackson, and Madonna. I'll never see MJ now and I'm over Madonna but Prince has remained on my Must See list. Plus, Prince covered Don't Stop Till You Get Enough so I'm going to be happy with that.
The crowd wasn't disappointed when he opened up by standing behind the large white screen and saying two words that sent chills up my spine: Dearly beloved. During the concert his band (a bunch of serious badass musicians and, of course, all women as they're 3rdEyeGirl) was joined by Trombone Shorty and Lianne La Havas who did the most achingly beautiful rendition of his Sometimes It Snows in April.
He came to thrill us and he did just that and more.
I love when artists know we're going to sing along and back off the microphone and let it happen. When Prince did that he looked like he actually enjoyed us singing. The man is a serious performer and my favorite comment he made other than asking us to take out our cell phones (usually a no-no for him at his concerts) was when he said, "Look at how beautiful you look. You can sing along if you want." So sweet and unassuming.
The only thing I regret was missing him visiting my hotel (I KNOW JUST SHUT UP ABOUT THAT) and his subsequent visit to the House of Blues after his own concert to surprise jam with Liv Warfield.
Walking through the convention center I noticed that a crowd was forming on the Essence main stage so I stopped to see the lovely and refined Chrisette Michele (on the left) and Chanté Moore (on the right) talking about their new reality show (which I won't watch). Mostly, I wanted to see Chanté who has the NERVE of not looking any older than when I first bought Love Supreme in 1994. I had to buy it again in 1996 because I wore that CD out by listening to it so much.
No, really. Who does she think she is to NOT AGE AT ALL?
Speaking of stunning, I got to see Elle Varner in a live interview where she was disarmingly charming.
Then, my youth came to haunt me when I saw MC Lyte. I just love her so much.
She, along with Doug E Fresh and Monie Love, were being interviewed by industry giant Shanti Das of Press Reset Entertainment for the When Did You Fall in Love With Hip Hop? segment (Brown Sugar, anyone?). Shanti has a new book out, The Hip Hop Professional 2.0, that you can purchase here.
By the way, Doug E Fresh acted as DJ during the Friday night concert and was so fantastic at playing old school music that I was mentally making a list of all the music of my youth that I need to buy again but in digital form.
It reminded me of why I still love old R&B and hip hop so much. It's not that I hate all the new stuff, but I long for the days when crooners sang and called women 'baby' and not 'bitch'. Times. They have been a'changing for a while but it became so clear to me as a feminist and girl champion that I haven't fallen out of love with any of that music.
One of the panels I sat and listened to was about Black women and health and I was looking forward to hearing from the Black Girls Run founders (the two women on the left) about how they make time for fitness and encourage Black girls and women to get out and exercise. It was such an intersection of issues in dealing with Black hair and messages we hear. Go support their cause and follow them on social media. They're wonderful.
Of course, to my grown sons I do nothing cool ever but when I sent them a selfie of me and Tyrese I got a text message back from Mason that simply read: You have got to be kidding me.
Mom: 1, Kids: 0
Ledisi opened up on Saturday night and delighted her hometown crowd. I want this dress. Hell, I want her voice. She is a trained musician who writes beautiful music. My favorite remains the first I ever heard from her, Alright.
I had 2 favorite performances of the night and they belonged to Prince and Jill Scott. Not only can this woman blow serious sounds from her person but she is all at once powerful and vulnerable on the stage. She vacillates between the two. Perhaps my favorite thing she said was thanking the audience for "allowing a sister to grow" and I could tell that she's mature enough to look back at her career and see how she's changed but is grateful for it. She remains, to me, a perfect picture of feminism in what she does.
Finally, I got to see my other boyfriend, Common, join The Roots to perform The Light. In fact, The Roots invited a ton of folks to the stage to perform: Naughty by Nature, Biz Markie, Nelly and DJ Jazzy Jeff played with them all night.
Common was the only time I stopped texting The Cuban who was, suddenly, worried that I may not come home from this trip. Except I was reminded how much my own community of girls need to hear positive messages and how much work I have to do on the homefront. I know it seems like a lot of name-dropping in this post, but they were just the performers I was lucky enough to see at Essence Fest 2014. The real theme of empowering women just seemed to shine through all those other stars.
As an undergrad, I majored in English Literature, reading all the classics I was supposed to read like a good girl. Somewhere around the end of my Freshman year, though, I chose an elective English course in Afro-American Literature. That was where I read Terry McMillan, Maya Angelou, Ernest J. Gaines, and Amiri Baraka. Rita Dove, James Baldwin, Richard Wright, and August Wilson were new to me as well in the early 1990s. It was a profound moment to have discovered Amiri Baraka's Dutchman and I felt even more furious after our professor showed us the film version starring Al Freeman, Jr. and Shirley Knight.
Looking for symbols and deconstructing the text became my only way through literature for a time. It can take away from the pure enjoyment of a piece and I was guilty of that while entrenched in the academia of it all. Each time we read a poem or play or book in that class we had to discuss the inevitable: systemic racism in this country. That's an uncomfortable place to be but it's why I'm so comfortable with it now: lots of practice.
And each time we finished some text there would be a student, always a White student (for my courses were filled with more Whites than any other race), who would begin the deconstruction with the same phrase:
They filled in the blanks with so many things. I admit, however, that I had fantastic professors who anticipated this and deftly responded. What a relief when they wouldn't call on me or the smattering of other Black students to respond. That wasn't my role there. I was a student, too.
I find that phrase regurgitated when discussing a lot of historical points. One of my professors, a Black man in his 50s, taught a course I took that focused on the Reconstruction. He was blind and that fascinated me because he didn't ever refer to or read from notes. He stood up at the lecturn after making his way there with his cane or his TA and then launched into teaching. He asked us good questions and made us think and the history of America swirled around in my brain, connecting images and burning its way into the neural pathways and gray matter.
The first time a student tried to counter a fact of history with him the student began, "That's all well and good, but..." and I watched a master at work in his response. I wish I were one of those students who brought a tape recorder to class (did I just show my age there or WHAT?) because his rejoinder brought the house down. You want to talk about deconstruction of the Reconstruction? That man brought the thunder in a way that everyone could learn.
He made me consider American history and Black history in particular and how we teach it. We do a great disservice to this nation when we take 28 days to highlight the inventors and scientists and great performers. We do a magnificent injustice to the fabric of this country when we compartmentalize Black history as a quick jump from slavery to having a Black president and being "post-racial" and how everything is fair now.
It used to be that when someone labeled you a "racist" you would have to consider that you're in the same space as the Klan or David Duke. No one wanted that association so they quickly and vehemently denied culpability. If we are to truly look at it and teach it in schools then we're missing a huge part of the puzzle: we don't look at it in a linear sense of the systems put in place to continue new forms of slavery.
We aren't looking at or considering Jim Crow laws or "black codes". At least, we're not doing that during Black History Month. We're not connecting all the dots from separate but equal to the obstacles encountered by Black Americans seeking to use GI Bill to attain higher education. Or even how that very bill acted as a catalyst when it was challenged to include diversity, both in the number of Blacks registering for college and the fact that I could attend, decades later, and take a course taught by a Black professor. Intention is everything and our country, from the lawmakers to the law enforcers, aimed to stay in power and constructed societal rules to ensure it. When we fail to teach students about the Prison Industrial Complex as a continuation of slavery, then we simply fail.
There aren't many books that I would recommend be a part of a mandated curriculum in teaching History (because there are a great many to be sure) but one that I cannot stop thinking about is Isabel Wilkerson's The Warmth of Other Suns. It is remarkable in scope and one cannot help but consider that movement, The Great Migration, in shaping cities and labor issues and the construction of what came to be known as the ghetto and the gentrification of those cities later on in history. Wilkerson herself has called that Migration "the biggest underreported story of the twentieth century" and if you need a glowing report of what it contains then listen to Ta-Nehisi Coates of The Atlantic.
Those connections, they are all well and good to make, but if we're not teaching in this particular scope then we will continue to have the same discussions and sterotypes and Lazy Shaming that we've always had. It's all well and good that American public school teachers are making the effort, but I would urge any parent of a child to insist that school curriculum include a broader scope and use The Warmth of Other Suns as a piece of critical text.
A great many lives depend on it.
By David Shankbone (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons]]>
When I got my first job at age 14 (with a worker's permit from my school) I got a taste of what it's like to get critical feedback. And I didn't like it one bit. It was a bitter pill to swallow but, in hindsight, my boss was right to call me on something, have me practice doing it better, and then be a better worker.
That job was at an ice cream shop. One would think the same conditions would be applied to a professional setting where not just a bachelor's degree is required, but a Master's degree is. Yet, that's not what I have consistently found to be true.
One of the things I do for my job is carry a hand-held radio that clips at the hip. When I first started using it I noticed that people talked differently depending on who they were calling for and that didn't surprise me. However, one day, I was supposed to visit my son's school for a parent teacher conference (this time as the parent as opposed to the teacher) and hadn't left the building yet. Before I unclipped the radio and set it to charge in the cradle, I overheard 2 other administrators talking about me.
The tone was jarring enough that I listened in to the conversation. It was, after all, there on display for all to hear so how bad could that be for me to eavesdrop? I mean, was it even eavesdropping?
"Is Wickham back yet? Jesus, how long will she be gone? She needs to make sure she finishes that paperwork."
Reading that might seem benign at first glance, but the sound of irritation in the voice of the person saying it made me wonder how my co-workers talked about me when it wasn't for all to hear.
I went to my meeting, upset that the tone of the message I heard sounded as if I wasn't allowed to be gone from the building, that my child's education didn't matter but my presence there was paramount. I wouldn't mention any of this if another assistant principal didn't also have a conference to attend for her child and I could juxtapose a similar discussion over the radio.
Someone called for her by saying her last name and when she didn't respond (because she was gone) I answered back that she went to a conference. The response was this:
"Oh, that's right. I'll just take care of it myself then."
I don't know what he was "taking care of", but there was a gentleness to his voice about her absence that wasn't present when discussing me earlier.
This was during the same time when I was learning the craft of being an administrator and I noticed that there was a lack of teaching me from my superiors. I heard things like:
"You don't need to know how to do that."
"That's not something I can just teach you right now. I've been doing this a long time and I had to learn on my own."
"If you could just stick to this [some minutae or cumbersome detail] then I'll handle the other stuff."
At the time I wasn't sure if it was because people didn't like me or if I was incompetent or what. It took years before I put 2 and 2 together about other Black administrators throughout the district. When I thought about all the things people said about them or their reputation it started to add up for me. The covert racism going on was pervasive enough, at that point, for me to see how this worked.
It worked like this (a broad sweep of the brush, mind you): Black educators didn't work as hard, didn't know as much, and were lazy.
Do you know why this hit me so hard? I was watching them set me up for the same thing. In the midst of the constant comments about me and working I realized that I was getting that same reputation whether I wanted it or not. Keeping knowledge from me and openly questioning my decisions or motives was the foundation upon which those who came before me had already rested. I felt guilt about my own culpability in listening to my Black precedessors' work ethic without challenging it. I replayed every conversation in my head about what I'd heard about them and they all told the same story.
There were other things I noticed like when I was in an office full of administrators and we were discussing a large number of suspended students returning to school. In discussion, I asked questions and dropped a few "damns" and other bad words and was chastised for my language. Then, a White male counterpart did the same thing with no mention to him. [I never use that language in front of children, but I do tend to enjoy a bad word in front of adults.] I stopped doing that in front of colleagues after that which was probably a good idea anyway.
These moments, the ones that you notice, move forward in slow motion. It was that reflection that made me pause, again, to analyze the working class unspoken rules that converge at the intersection of race and gender.
Not long ago I had breakfast with a friend, a Black administrator with whom I've worked before. We tend to fall into the shorthand versions of these discussions and the unfairness but also how much we keep it to ourselves. I never tell my White counterparts about the inequity of my work. We both agreed, though, that it's much easier to discuss inequity in terms of students. But bringing up the -isms for ourselves is simply not allowed.
"But, you have a good reputation, Kelly," he told me.
"I have had to cultivate it. I write about my work. I've been profiled in the newspaper and written articles about education. I'm involved in social media and I tell my own story. That's the only difference. I just didn't want someone else to be the main narrator of my work."
There are a thousand more stories like this. I try not to be too sensitive to them, but sometimes they're obviously couched in some form of gender inequality or racism and I just don't bring it up for fear that I "brought race" or "blamed feminism" for it. Instead, like so many people, I tread carefully around them and work twice as hard to prove I AM WORKING, LOOK I AM SUPER WORKING.
That means that, no matter what I do, I have to ensure that people know I am working. Deadlines, paperwork, and everything that is required not only has to be done, but I feel like I have to TELL people that they're done. It's exhausting having to work anyway, but adding this layer on top so people don't whisper affirmative action under their breath in my direction is a necessity.
Black administrators and women don't just have to work. We have to Super Work.
Edited to add: please be sure to read Ashley Ray's piece titled White Work to see her academic perspective on this same issue.]]>
Traveling as kids. I'm still digging the Americana pants my sister is wearing. Somehow it screams that we belong.
Conversely, when we stayed with my grandmother in Lemmon, South Dakota it felt very much like another world altogether. Gramma was a school secretary who also cooked meals for the parish at her Catholic church and she remained good friends with the priests and nuns throughout her life until she died a few years ago. We had cousins on both sides who didn't seem to notice when the local children asked us how we got so tan so fast in the summer while up North. Visiting New Orleans was another issue since many more people looked like us there. Still, the sense of color privilege has been something with which I've had to deal my entire life.
More than anything, I wanted my sister's hair. I wanted everything she got.
Once, while in college, I started figuring out the networking situation that many students seemed to already understand. I applied for a job with the Admissions office through their student work program and gave tours to visiting high school students who were interested in the university. There was a particular moment for me that defined my ability to speak up when someone else brought up my light-skinned privilege, though I never saw what they saw in me until that moment.
Kindergarten in the 70s when afros were all I could do with my hair.
While walking through campus and pointing out buildings to the high schools who all came from a city school in Chicago (where I had grown up) I overheard two girls whispering about me. It went on for some time and I felt caught in the middle of two places: being a professional with a job to do who was trying to make my own life different by earning a degree and being a mixed girl who identified as Black.
"She think she better than me with them light eyes and good hair."
It wasn't the first time I heard that. If ever I was in a physical fight as a girl this was hurled toward me with much venom. No girl I ever punched back understood that I, too, was caught up in the perceived beauty of women and that no matter how hard I tried I could not get my hair to "feather" nor could I pull off the same frosted pink lipstick of the blonde, White models in all the magazines. I couldn't swing my head back and forth to produce hair that "moved" like they did in the shampoo commercials.
You can still see the blonde hair I was born with around my forehead. That never went away.
But girls, I had come to understand, were always in competition with one another. I just didn't understand the game as well as others. As much as they didn't like my looks I didn't like them, either.
It went on like that if I tried using Standard English to speak while explaining what college life was like. The irony was how much I actually didn't know what college life was like. I never lived in a dorm or pledged a sorority, nor did I go out and party on Quarter Beer night as much as my contemporaries. My life was connecting with other single moms and sharing food at potlucks to stretch the food budget. My life was finding babysitters so I could not only attend class but also find time to study and research at the library.
After walking the length of the campus and realizing that the adult chaperone from the group didn't hear the same things I was listening to as the girls continued to suggest my uppityness, I stopped the tour and turned around toward the girls. Except, this time, the chaperone was nearby and heard my response to them.
"I don't think I'm better than you. I have as much trouble with my hair as any girl. My White mother didn't know what to do with it and these eyes? I don't think that they do anything to MAKE me a better person."
The chaperone, a Black woman, scanned the faces of the 2 girls as well as mine to get a handle of the situation. She breathed in deeply through her nose and closed her eyes. I'm sure she considered that traveling with Black students down to the country some 200 miles South of home was going to be an issue. I just don't think she thought that this would be the issue.
She said nothing and let my comment ride it out. The girls, only a few years younger than I at the time, looked embarrassed that I said something. Not that I heard them. That was done on purpose. I was meant to hear it. But I wasn't meant to respond.
Traveling down South gave me plenty of opportunity to hear those exact words from Black girls darker than I. They told me I could pass the Paper Bag test, a colorism issue for many Black folks, and they teased me for it.
Though the brown paper bag test is antiquated and frowned upon as a shameful moment in African-American history, the ideals behind the practice still lingers in the African-American community. Modern-day colorism rears its ugly head in the day to day lives of Black Americans every day. - Rivea Ruff
It would be the number one reason my sister and I would ever fight anyone and, believe me, girls went straight for my scalp to pull out my hair when that happened. We didn't tell our parents about every incident because we thought we'd be in trouble for it. It wasn't until Spike Lee's 1988 movie School Daze that I realized just how big an issue of colorism this was. That became even more clear after reading Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye while I was in college.
My mother likes to cut pictures out into shapes. More importantly, she helped me be proud of all my heritage.
It is why, even as light as I am, that I cannot wake up one day and forget about color. If I turned too brown in the summer months I was accused of "trying to be Black" or when the winter months of paleness got me teased in the other direction. "You are so White." or worse, "You're high yella."
*A Green Book from 1956 that helped Black Americans travel safely. The irony that there's a picture of a White family traveling in the car is richer than rich.
On our way down South we took sandwiches so we wouldn't have to stop. On more than one occasion my father would have to assess a situation before we stopped to ensure that we wouldn't be harassed for being with him. By the time the sun got to us at the end of the summer we looked more like we "belonged" with him and didn't get asked by strangers if we were supposed to be with him. There was freedom in our trips back home to Chicago and the nuance of that was lost on me as a child. Sure, it was exciting to finally be going home, but the freedom of the ride? I didn't understand that as a child.
The implication that our father kidnapped us was a constant reminder that this nation didn't recognize us as a family. Moreso this was an issue with me and not my sister who is darker with brown eyes. When it did happen, though, it only ever came from White adults, mostly women whose children were nearby.
I recall that both of my parents were questioned by friends or family about their intentions of raising us. What I didn't comprehend was the true meaning behind this question. "Are you raising them as Black or White?" was what they didn't say, but it was there. Both gave varied answers that ranged from "We're raising them as children in our family" to the pointed "We're raising them the way the world will see them: as Black."
Sitting on my grandmother's lap. I didn't get color until much later and even then I didn't get much.
Which is how it worked out even visiting our Northern relatives on farms throughout Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakotas. If I jumped in the pool and my hair magically changed texture I was forced to answer questions about it. Why it does that and what I can make it do and how come it looks so nappy.
All of this is why I see color in everything, good or bad. I'll take the accusations now because this shaped me and the space I occupy. It's why when, recently, a distant relative on The Cuban's side of the family, someone told a story about accidentally buying one of Hallmark's Mahogany cards. He was telling the story as if it were some joke because HA HA I BOUGHT A BLACK CARD FOR A WHITE PERSON and everyone, including The Cuban's parents, were immediatly uncomfortable and shifted in their seats because why was he telling this story in front of me?
I looked over at The Cuban who was instantly pissed and ready to fire back about the inappropriateness of the story but, having traveled this road before with clueless people, decided to shoot back, "That's nothing. I buy cards with White people on them ALL THE TIME."
It's a space with a long road stretched out in front of me, but I walk it. I teach, whether by sarcasm or true and serious concern, that this space is mine and that it's defined by me and not someone's perception of me. I travel while Black no matter how short the distance.
*Reference: The Negro Motorist Green Book in its entirety.]]>
This morning began my first full day of summer vacation (a mere 2 months that I am squeezing the life out of during this precious time) and one that began with exhaustion. It shouldn't have begun with a funeral but I think we can all agree that children shouldn't die. It is an unfortunate part of my job that I, as well as anyone with my position, feel entirely unprepared to facilitate for those remaining students. Sadly, it isn't my first. One year I went to 3 funerals for my students and I can't tell you how it was that I woke up another day and went back to work.
There is no college class, graduate or otherwise, that can manage the emotions of that.
Yet, seeing my students' very grown up, too-grown-up if you will, behavior last night was all at once heartening and heart-breaking.
With that said, I craved reprieve and emotional energy this morning. And I knew it was Friday the 13th. But, I wondered what the day would bring.
I was grateful that I already had a haircut scheduled because I love the feeling of getting my scalp massaged during a shampoo at the salon. It's a small thing that I turned into a big thing once I realize how lucky I am to even experience. After that, I called Mallory to see if she wanted me to bring her a coffee at work so I could visit her and she had just gotten one. Instead, she wanted a cookie from her favorite downtown place, Cafe Moxo. Naturally, I ran into Devin who I wrote about once before here. He was struggling to understand a man with a heavy French accent.
"Do you have a cahh-en-dahl?"
"I'm sorry?"
"A cahh-en-dahl? For a cupcake. A birthday?"
"A candle! He wants a candle!" I shouted, proud of myself for deciphering it.
The Frenchman and I exchanged pleasantries and he returned for a fork (I pointed out where they were) and some sugar (I turned around and pointed again) and finally a napkin. Devin laughed at me for acting like I actually worked there but I just happen to go so often that I know where everything is.
"I know, Devin. I meet people everywhere I go."
"That you do, Kelly."
Just prior to that I had checked in on Facebook and noticed that Heather posted something on her blog, Dooce, she wrote and I clicked on it because the title reminded me of something I've said and written before. Lo and behold, she had mentioned our conversation in Atlanta back in May and I was, honestly, thrilled that this conversation is still happening. Not just in the blogosphere, but online and in person.
After delivering her sweet treat, Mallory and I were able to visit and then I was on my merry Friday the 13th way. I had a few errands and was turning a corner when I noticed a man I'd seen a few other times. He was sitting in a wheelchair with a sign asking for help and I turned my car into the parking lot to stop and give him some money. Before I could, though, Mason called to see if we could have lunch. I rerouted to head home and told myself that I'd stop back by, maybe with more than the $11 cash I had in my pocket.
Far too familiar a scene that is like what I saw this afternoon.
A part of me felt really awful in that moment. Changing directions to eat a lunch with my kid instead of helping him. But I told myself I'd be back soon. There were lots of other errands to run on this side of town.
And then, my Friday the 13th turned sour.
We ate outside at a cafe and I couldn't help but overhear the (very) loud conversation at the table next to ours. It was a (very) privileged conversation and I was getting irritated. Mason noticed and gave me a look.
It said a lot, this look. It said, "Mom, please don't. Not today. Not right now." He was right. I tend to do that thing where I confront strangers. I mean, sure, they might be Frenchmen looking for a fork, but I still find a way to talk to people.
From what I gathered (and how could I not? he was talking so loudly.) he is a church pastor talking to a prospective church-goer and he was telling her about the church. The word "social beliefs" kept coming up and that rubbed me the wrong way because it sounded as if he was instructing her on her social life if she was to become a member. I know enough about some denominations to know that your life is THEIRS once you join, whether that is overtly stated or not. He went on to scoff at his "liberal seminary" but assured her that he was a registered Republican.
My head nearly exploded at this obvious church and state separation and my eyes kept getting bigger and Mason's kept saying, "No, mom. Not right now. Don't confront." It was a back-and-forth game we played for nearly 10 minutes. He was right. Who am I to interrupt the conversation of strangers even if I see clear problems with a pastor saying things with which I disagree?
And then he loudly proclaimed that his church believed what the Bible says about homosexuality and that it doesn't agree with it.
If I was near explosion before I was just blown to pieces now. The thought that your first conversation with someone who has questions about the church is focused on the "sin" of homosexuality put me over the edge.
Mason replied with a Look again.
This isn't the look he gave me. But it's one of my favorite nonetheless.
I should pause to say that my son is doing an internship at a church. Mason is a believer in a way I have never been. He runs Sunday School for teens and he heads up youth groups during the week. He prayed before our meal and I let him, not to placate him, but to allow him this freedom. Ironically, I wasn't as comfortable with the freedom of this pastor. The Cuban, I may have mentioned, comes from a church background as well and his father is a pastor. My own background is of the Catholic church and then a non-denominational one in college until my 30s.
I wasn't hearing any love in that pastor's speech. I wasn't hearing joy or the teachings Jesus would have been out doing in the streets. I had to change the subject quickly so I brought up where I was when Mason called me. I told him about the man in the wheelchair who is missing a part of his leg.
"Oh! That's Anthony. I know him. I stop to talk to him once in a while, mom."
Whatever it is that a mother's heart is capable of burst in that moment. Whatever love and admiration a mom has for her grown children, in continuing to watch them grow in powerful ways, stabbed outwardly from my heart. Big, fat juicy tears began to form and then Mason, my precious and kind son, said, "Let's get out of here. I want to introduce you to him."
That's when I saw the kind teachings of the church in my own child. My Friday the 13th, as superstitious as it may be, started to look up for me. That was the healing of a hurt this week happening in the flesh. It was the salve I needed.
We sat and talked with him on the corner and Anthony couldn't have been more sweet. He began by proclaiming that I couldn't possibly be the mother to this grown up man and then I asked him about his life, knowing that my son had already done as much. He needs XL shirts and pants and would be grateful for his blood pressure medicine. Anthony told us that it was at the hospital pharmacy, all the way across town, and when I asked him what would be most helpful he said he had a $2 medication he was in need of today.
Two dollars. A trip across town. A few clothes. That's it.
That's the church right there. Since when did we need a physical building for it? Since when did registering for a political party become a necessity for new member introductions? Since when did we admonish homosexuality AS A PART OF FAITH?
Since when did I raise a son, a man, to do this work? I asked myself that on the drive to the pharmacy.
Probably when I realized that Friday the 13th is just a day and that I have breath in it.
Church on, Mason. You're doing the work the way you're supposed to be doing it.
Ed Yourdon via photopin cc]]>
It was history, but it was storytelling, too.
When I was very little I remember watching a different kind of history take place anytime I went out in public with my father. As a baby I was blonde haired and blue eyed and didn't get color in my skin until later. I recall, on several occasions, when we were accosted by strangers who assumed we didn't belong together. To this day I have an irrational fear of a certain-looking White woman (they were always women) in her 50s because of this. It's probably not so much fear as it is distrust, but it created a sense of anxiety that I feel when I fear that a stranger might waylay me for something outside of my control. As a child, it actually made me consider that I didn't belong to my parents and that they kidnapped me. My therapist points to this as a prominent traumatic event that shaped me and I agree with her.
It's not a pretty story, but it's my history.
Storytellers get to do this. We have every opportunity to, since the gatekeepers have been removed with the introduction of blogs, to tell our stories and to tell the stories of others. When I consider the incredible stories I've already heard from the Tuxedo Men my heart feels as if it could burst with the excitement of sharing them.
When they agreed to hear me out and listen to my proposal it gave this project a sense of just rightness that I am grateful to have. My friend, Edie, pointed out to me that I was making Black history of my own and, in this journey so far, it is a seminal realization and honor that isn't lost on me.
Listening to some pre-dinner storytelling from the men.
The hostess of this dinner set such a lovely table that I long for my own dishes and silver like this someday.
The host listens to some important stories and ponders their importance. This is Hump so nicknamed for his last name. He very much reminded me of my father.
The Tuxedo Men patiently allowed me to explain my project proposal. I shouldn't have worn heels since I stood so much during the evening.
Hump is telling me stories about the other men. He's a charmer, this one. (All of them, really.)
Years of capturing the attention of 7th graders prepared me to get 11 men to listen to me. I used my teacher voice while I spoke, but they told me they'd listen to a pretty lady any old time.
Dinner had some serious talk, but there was a lot of laughter. These men are a tight knit group.
While I decide just when I was so interested in storytelling I will be taking this journey and figuring some things out for myself. I truly hope people will want to come along for the ride. I think I'll learn some things about them, about American History, about the Great Migration, and I want to tell it all.
History-making and story-telling are my new favorite things along with all 11 of the Tuxedo Men.
All photography courtesy of Raquita Henderson of Pinxit Photography. All rights reserved.]]>


text:
Love it!! It's a great picture and I really think the black and white treatment is wonderful.
Thank you so much Michelle! With the dress that she had on made it look like the nineteen thirties. I thought that the BW treatment would look great!
– ZeeZeeshots
very beautiful woman, great for her!!! nice to have a friend like you too!!!
When she came out and spotted me she started to cry. I made her night! It was a good feeling! Thank you so much!!! You are truly so kind!!!
– ZeeZeeshots
beautiful capture! love that it is in b/w. she has such a classic beauty about her in this photo! well done!!!
Thank you Sweetie!!! Wait until she see her photos!!!
– ZeeZeeshots
Beautiful and great portrait….
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!!
– ZeeZeeshots
Is that the model that I love so much?? I've got to do a shoot with her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, Thats her! She was outstanding!
– ZeeZeeshots
awwww, that's great!! so happy for her and you both!!! some would be mad you were there, but I'm glad you made her so happy!!!
I'm glad that we was not!!! I was very proud of her. We have been friends for 10 years.
– ZeeZeeshots
Excellent shot!! How sweet of you to take these for her! I bet she's very pleased!!
I hope so!! Thanks Hollie!
– ZeeZeeshots
Now that is attitude, acting ot not she definately has it.
Sorry I didn't notices comment!!! I do really appreciate you commenting on this photo!!! You are the best!
– ZeeZeeshots

subset: commoncrawl


text:
• City officials started working on recent Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 compliance efforts in May 2011, said Tim Macyauski, Batesville operations director for street and building departments and ADA coordinator. The most important task has been establishing a grievance process for accessibility issues. After a pedestrian map is completed by engineers, a public meeting will be held to gain input.
Chaffee asked, "How many complaints a year do we get?" Macyauski replied, "A couple annually." Last year complaints were about sidewalks and a railing. Fledderman said, "We try to be very sensitive ... and as pro-active as possible while trying to remain within the budget."
• The council voted to allot Belterra riverboat revenue-sharing funds for two projects: $4,176 for a new aluminum pool diving board from Spear Corp., Roachdale. Last summer the "quite old" board was shut down due to an unsafe surface; $1,000 to help fund prize money and provide tech services and equipment for "Batesville's Got Talent," a Feb. 24 2 p.m. show presented by the Mayor's Youth Council. President Nick Wanamaker noted proceeds are spent on "projects … that will benefit the community." After making past donations for pool furniture, a stone park entrance, ball complex flagpole and the food pantry, this year's profits are earmarked for downtown planters.
• Next month the council will discuss two issues, according to Fledderman. He will present a redistricting ordinance based on the last U.S. Census. "I don't think these districts have been looked at this closely" in a long time. Each must be within 10 percent of others in population, but currently they are not: District 1 2,154; District 2, 1,454; District 3, 1,462; and District 4, 1,449. Citizens can view a proposed map in the Memorial Building's first floor conference room. A U.S. Department of Agriculture stormwater loan will be mulled, too. "We've been working on this for three years."


text:
What makes ice skating blades glide over the ice?When an ice skate blade presses against the ice, a thin film of water is created and melts the ice. This acts like a lubricant and allows the blade to glide.
What is the difference between a hockey skate's blade and a figure skating blade?A figure skating blade has toe picks at the top and is usually longer and heavier than a hockey blade. Most of the time, a figure skate blade is separately mounted onto a figure skate boot, but hockey skate blades are riveted to the bottom of hockey boots.
Both figure skate blades and hockey blades are mounted to a boot in the same way, but rivets are used for hockey and screws are used for figure skating.
What are some of the most popular types of figure skating blades?Many intermediate, advanced, and elite figure skaters skate on the Pattern 99 blade manufactured by John Wilson. Other popular blades are John Wilson's Gold Seal and MK's Phantom. Many pre-intermediate figure skaters skate on MK's Professional model.
In recent years, Jackson Ultima blades and Riedell's Eclipse blades have become quite popular. The Eclipse Infinity blade is very similar to the Pattern 99 blade, but costs less.
Paramount Sk8s Inc. makes lightweight versions of blades which have the same profiles as Pattern 99s, Gold Seals, and Phantoms.
The blades ice dancers and synchronized skaters use have a shortened heel. The tail of a blade helps support jump landings, so a dance blade is not a good choice for single and pair skaters.
If a blade has large toe picks, does it mean it's better?The theory that big toe picks are best for advanced figure skaters and small toe picks are better for beginning ice skaters is not completely accurate. What really counts is the front curve of the blade where ice skaters spin, jump, and land.
For example, John Wilson's Gold Seal blades have small toe picks, but many very advanced figure skaters do triple jumps while skating on Gold Seal blades. Gold Seal blades or blades with the same profile as the Gold Seal blade, like the 440SS 12'' Tapered Paramount Blade or the 420SS 12'' Tapered Paramount Blade will work for skaters of various levels.
What materials are used to make a figure skating blade?Figure skating blades usually are made of tempered carbon steel that are first heat treated. The blades are coated with a high-quality chrome. In recent years, lightweight aluminum and stainless steel blades have also become popular. Carbon steel blades are softer than stainless steel blades. High-end blades, such as the Pattern 99 and the Gold Seal blade, are made with a better grade of steel than the less expensive models.
Wilson blades were once made of Sheffield steel, which was one of the best steels in the world in the 1940s. Over the years, new and more modern materials for figure skating blades have been designed and invented.
Unlike most skating blades, which are made from carbon steel, Paramount blades are made from a lightweight one-piece aluminum extrusion and stainless steel runner. These elements are stronger than carbon steel and make a high quality blade that needs to be sharpened less often than other figure skating blades.
Why do advanced figure skaters buy expensive blades?Expensive blades are usually made with a higher grade of steel which allows figure skaters to hold edges longer. Also, the more expensive blades don't need to sharpened as often as low-end blades. Expensive blades flow on the ice better which may improve jumps and spins.
Do expensive high-end blades make better figure skaters?Expensive blades do not make skaters better. Figure skaters should purchase blades that correspond to their skating level.
The idea that a beginning figure skater should not purchase expensive blades is incorrect. If a skater has the funds, he or she can purchase expensive blades if he or she chooses too. There are very little differences between blades. A larger toe pick may be the main difference.
What do terms like edge, rocker, and hollow mean?All ice skating blades have outside edges and inside edges. The edge on the outside of the skate is the outside edge, and the edge on the inside of the skate is the inside edge. For example, the left blade's outside edge is on the left side of the blade. The right side of the left blade is the inside edge. On the right blade, the left side of the blade is the inside edge.
The area between the two edges at the bottom of the blade is called the hollow.
When looking at a blade from the side, it is obvious that figure skating blades are not flat, but are curved. Rockers (curves) are different in length depending on each kind of blade. The way a blade is curved does have an effect on how the blade feels to a skater. A smaller curved blade (radius or rocker) allows skaters to do deeper edges and turns. Beginners usually skate on smaller curved blades; advanced figure skaters usually skate on larger curved blades, but not always.


text:
- Loading...
It's strange to think that Dookie will soon be 20 years old.
F@cking great album
Do you have the time...
This album is AWESOME AS F**K!
amazing album by GD
awesome as fu*k
Other things you might Fancy
Added to these lists
Recently Fancy'd by
- Laura Faa lplf Follow
- Natacha Fuentes fuentes_taco Follow
- Lewis Cakey925 Follow
- Deanna Marie Meoak dmeoak Follow
- Anto Maria antomarutz Follow
- Leila Carvalho leilabeatrizcarvalho07 Follow
- luka aude pyrogenium Follow
- Emma danhowell Follow
- Gabriel Gomes gabrielgomesch Follow
- ileanna flowers illgirly13 Follow
- Sofia Martin Sofi_Mec Follow
- kimi.bruce.biersack kimi_biersack Follow
- Natalia Alvarez PowkyaGreene Follow
- Viiii1 Viiii1 Follow
- Julianna Todd juliannatodd182 Follow


text:
- Gambas Al Ajillo
- * 1 kilogram of shrimp * 4 cloves of garlic * Olive oil * Pepper * Parsley * Salt Firstly, peel and cut the garlic cloves into thin slats, chop the pepper into large pieces, and chop the parsley. Next, peel the raw shrimp that you are going to use for the garlic shrimp. In a...
- Premium 330 Words 2 Pages
- My Document List
- large dice 8 potatoes, large dice 1 - 2 stalks celery, large dice 2 - 3 carrots, peeled, large dice 2 tsp. Vegeta Food Seasoning 4 cups water or broth parsley Instructions: In a large pot, put potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, and sausage. Add water (more if needed to cover vegetables) Add about 1 tsp....
- Premium 341 Words 2 Pages
- Siestas, by Leoplodo R. Serrano
- butter * 2 tablespoons flour * 3 green onions, thinly sliced * 2 teaspoons fresh minced parsley * 1/4 teaspoon salt * 1/8 teaspoon pepper * 1 cup half-and-half or light cream * parsley for garnish, if desired PROCEDURE: Heat oven to 350°. Melt butter in an 11x7-inch baking pan...
- Premium 1229 Words 5 Pages
- Recipes to Eat
- Onion 4. Garlic powder 5. Shredded mozzarella cheese 6. Parsley 7. Whole grain bread crumbs 8. Olive oil Directions: * Pre heat oven to 350 * Put spices into a small bowl ( thyme, chili pepper, parsley ,paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper) * Put tbl spoon of olive...
- Premium 915 Words 5 Pages
- adrian
- garlic (1 slivered, 3 peeled and sliced) 2 cups olive oil Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper 4-5 bunches each fresh parsley, rosemary and basil Dried oregano, rosemary, and parsley 1 bottle Balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing 1 - 2 loaves sliced white bread You will also need: Cotton twine A...
- Premium 713 Words 2 Pages
- Lemon Garlic Tilapia
- 4 servings 4 tilapia fillets 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes pepper to taste Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. 2. Rinse...
- Premium 305 Words 2 Pages
- Food Recipe
- finely chopped fresh continental parsley stems 6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked 2L (8 cups) water 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns Sea salt flakes 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh continental parsley, extra 1.Combine chicken, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, parsley, thyme, water and peppercorns...
- Premium 342 Words 1 Pages
- Nana's Meatballs
- eggs 112 tablespoons of parsley 114 cups of flavored bread crumbs 112 tablespoons of salt 114 tablespoons of garlic powder 14 cup of minced onions (place into water to soften) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine egg, bread crumbs, onions, parsley, salt and garlic powder...
- Premium 334 Words 2 Pages
- Bheb
- by the kidneys, which may be why this remedy is rough on the kidneys of sensitive individuals. When using vitamin c I like to combine it with Parsley. Parsley is one of my favorite herbs for bringing on menstruation when pregnancy is not the cause for delay. It is not strong enough by itself to cause...
- Premium 1244 Words 3 Pages
- Ingridients
- ------------------------------------------------- 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped * ------------------------------------------------- 2 tbs finely chopped fresh continental parsley stems * ------------------------------------------------- 6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked * ------------------------------------------------- ...
- Premium 454 Words 4 Pages
- Spanish food.
- potatoes and onions through a colander into a large bowl (set the strained oil aside). Beat the eggs separately, then stir into the potatoes with the parsley and plenty of salt and pepper. Heat a little of the strained oil in a smaller pan. Tip everything into the pan and cook on a moderate heat, using a...
- Premium 646 Words 2 Pages
- German Cusine
- chopped celery 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup vinegar 1 cup water 4 tbsp. flour 4 tbsp. sugar 3 tsp. salt 12 cups cooked potatoes, chopped pepper parsley Cook bacon till crisp; drain (reserving 1/2 cup fat), and crumble. Cook onion and celery in fat till just tender. Blend in flour, sugar, salt, celery...
- Premium 1189 Words 5 Pages
- Testing a Theory
- they eat it? In my experimental manipulation, I cut the spinach up to resemble parsley. I then add it to meals that I prepare often. While eating the children ask what the" green stuff" is and I tell them that is parsley and they eat it with no complaints. By telling them that an ingredient is different...
- Premium 319 Words 1 Pages
- If You Were to Plan a Menu
- onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 cup enriched white rice 1 (14 oz.) can beef broth 1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules 1/2 Tbsp. dried parsley 2/3 cup milk 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large, nonstick...
- Premium 834 Words 4 Pages
- Feast of Seven Fishes
- • 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/2 teaspoon pepper • 1 1/4 pounds cooked shrimp Preparation 1. Place garlic and oil in a small skillet and cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss with...
- Premium 931 Words 5 Pages
- Victoria's Secret
- also sold in PINK. It was believed that PINK is an introductory line to Victoria's secret, with the intention to lead teenagers to their adult line. (Parsley) Product Assortment and Store Design As Victoria's Secret has only entered Canada for less than three years, Canadian might not get the chance to...
- Premium 1354 Words 4 Pages
- Descriptive Recipe Essay
- are done with that this part follows with one pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced, a quarter cup of freshly grated Parmesan, and fresh basil or parsley leaves, for garnish You may now continue to the next step by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While that is preheating you are...
- Premium 471 Words 2 Pages
- Meatballs Recipe
- minced beef 1 lb 450 g Cracked wheat (Bulgar wheat) 4 oz 110 g Mango chutney 4 tablespoons 4 tablespoons Garlic clove 1 1 Egg 1medium 1 medium Parsley 1 handful 1 handful Vegetable oil about 1 pint about ½ litre Sauce Chopped tomatoes 14 oz 400 g Onion 1 medium 1 medium Garlic clove 1 1 ...
- Premium 482 Words 2 Pages
- Recipe
- flour. When the roux is a hazelnut color, add 6 cups hot stock, and whisk together. Add the vegetables, as well as a bay leaf, a little thyme and some parsley stems. Simmer the mixture for 2 to 3 hours, skimming off the scum that rises to the surface. Strain it through a fine strainer, and press the mirepoix...
- Premium 688 Words 3 Pages
- Spaghetti Sauce
- water (for a long period of simmering for flavors to meld. If you don't want to simmer it as long, add less) 3 teaspoons basil 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper...
- Premium 470 Words 3 Pages


text:
Free Yarn Patterns
Related Boards
Knitting Colorwork for Beginners
Diamond stitch blanket crochet pattern: step by step tutorial
Two crochet edgings by Anabelia ~ free pattern
Crochet Stitch - Photo Tutorial
This would be a fun pattern for a blanket - Moroccan Market
Moroccan Market Tote: Free Crochet Pattern - moogly
Waistcoat Stitch Photo Tutorial by Oombawka Design: An Old Crochet Stitch, Done in a New Way
Purple Chair Crochet: Sunburst Granny Square (Free!)
Purple Chair Crochet: Sunburst Granny Square (Free!)
Chainless Starting Double Crochet : Video and Photo Tutorial - used when continuing in same colour
Working With Multiple Colors
Crochet Like Knit - Tutorial ❥
Cyanne Free Pattern Crochet
Cyanne Coverlet
Videos | Yarn | Knitting Patterns | Crochet Patterns | Yarnspirations
Crochet Graph Pattern-making Tutorial
Afghan Pattern As promised, here is the pattern for the afghan. It's pretty easy if you know how to crochet. If Row 1: ch 122 Row 2: hdc in 3rd st from hook, hdc in every st to end of the row. Row 3: ch. 1, sc in first st., skip 2 st's, then make 5 dc's in next st, skip 2 st's, sc in next st, repeat until
Sarah's Never-Ending Projects: Living Room Afghan Pattern
Cute crochet scalloped dishcloth: MATERIALS: Hook: Size G Yarn: Sugar 'N' Cream 4-ply Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn (less than 2oz) Stitches used: ch, sl st, sc, dc. Difficulty: EASY ROW 1: Ch 40, (dc, ch 2, sc) in 4th ch from hook. * sk next 3 chs, (2dc, ch 2, sc) in next ch. Rep from * across. ROWS 2-18: Ch 2, turn. (Dc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp. (2 dc, ch 2, sc) in each rem ch 2 sp. FASTEN OFF. WEAVE IN ENDS
Crochet Dishcloths | Skip To My Lou
262 Patrones de crochet
Great free pattern!
Diagonales : English tutorial - Mam'zelle Flo
20+ pot holders knit & crochet free
New Super Easy Baby Blanket - the purl bee


text:
WEAR - Search Results
YOUR THREE CENTS: Are terrorists winning the war on terror?
Concerns about terrorism at the Winter Olympic Games in Russia have U.S. diplomats urging Americans to use caution if traveling there.
Two American war ships will also be on stand-by in case evacuations are necessary.
A rise in violence in Iraq has some lawmakers suggesting we send more troops back there to maintain order.
Last week, Taliban commandos stormed a restaurant in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing 21 people, including three Americans.
And the recent hacking of Target customers has been linked to a Russian hacker.
Is it any wonder that the newest Rasmussen Reports survey finds that just 39-percent of likely voters believe the U.S. and its allies are winning the war on terror.
Thirty percent (30%) believe the terrorists are winning.... the highest level in three years.
And twenty-three percent (23%) think neither side is winning.
Are terrorists winning the war on terror? Tell us what you think. You can vote on Facebook on the Connect 3 page or you can click here to go there now.


text:
The Leading eBooks Store Online
for Kindle Fire, Apple, Android, Nook, Kobo, PC, Mac, BlackBerry ...
Integral Closure
Rees Algebras, Multiplicities, Algorithms
Preview (read now) Add to my own site Give this ebook to a friend Add to my wishlist Author's page Publisher's page
moreIntegral Closure gives an account of theoretical and algorithmic developments on the integral closure of algebraic structures. These are shared concerns in commutative algebra, algebraic geometry, number theory and the computational aspects of these fields. The overall goal is to determine and analyze the equations of the assemblages of the set of solutions that arise under various processes and algorithms. It gives a comprehensive treatment of Rees algebras and multiplicity theory - while pointing to applications in many other problem areas. Its main goal is to provide complexity estimates by tracking numerically invariants of the structures that may occur.This book is intended for graduate students and researchers in the fields mentioned above. It contains, besides exercises aimed at giving insights, numerous research problems motivated by the developments reported. less
Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG; March 2006
530 pages; ISBN 9783540265030
Read online, or download in secure PDF format
530 pages; ISBN 9783540265030
Read online, or download in secure PDF format
More Mathematics
Teaching Numeracy 2011 US$ 34.95 241 pages
Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics 2013 US$ 85.00 953 pages
Secrets of Mental Math 2008 US$ 10.99 305 pages
Calculus II For Dummies 2011 US$ 15.99 387 pages
Subject categories


text:
Basalt Black / Stone Grey 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. Finished in metallic Basalt Black over a Stone Grey full leather interior, this... More
Seal Grey Metallic / Black 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. Finished in sleek Seal Grey Metallic over black with over $16,000 in options,... More
Low-mileage 2000 Porsche Boxster. Finished in optional Rain Forest Green Metallic over Black, this 2000 Porsche Boxster is a very attractive mid-engine roadster. The... More
Call 440-914-0000 or email [contact seller] 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera Arctic Silver Only 39,000 original miles 18 wheels One owner, 100% stock Incredible value... More
2003 Porsche 911C2 Coupe (VIN: WP0AA29923S623739), black/black leather, 6-spd. trans., 58,250 miles, 3.6L DOHC 24V water cooled flat 6 engine, 315 hp @ 6,800... More
Call 440-914-0000 or email [contact seller] 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S Arctic Silver Under 31,000 original miles Sport Chrono Plus Porsche PCM, Bose audio... More
Sold new here in the Washington, this 2000 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet is a well-optioned and highly attractive 996 convertible. It is finished in... More
Lapis Blue Metallic / Savannah Beige 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet. Presented in a fabulous Lapis Blue & Savannah Beige color combination, this 2002... More
Chequered Flag International is pleased to offer this 2005 Porsche 911 (997) Cabriolet in Seal Grey Metallic with Grey interior. 42,879 miles with clean... More
This 2001 Porsche Boxster is lot of car for the money. Emerald green with tan interior. It's very clean inside and out with just... More
CLEAN CARFAX--SPORT EXHAUST--BOSE PREMIUM SOUND--BLACK LEATHER SPORT SEATS--SPORTS CHRONO PLUS--PORSCHE CPO UNTIL JUNE 2015--HEATED SEATS--SPORT SHIFTER--CALL JEFF 205-542-7025.... More
**$558.00 Mo WAC Please Call For Terms 305-949-4100** Comprehensive Extended Warranty Available. Limited Edition, One Owner! Number 36 Of 250 Produced. Fitted With:... More
SFSC offers one wild and crazy Porsche 911 GT2 for sale. This 2008 Porsche GT2 has 9k miles from new and looks amazing in... More
The Classic Car Gallery is proud to offer this stunning 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 CABRIOLET. This is a stunning car, in rare and... More
2007 Porsche RS Spyder Chassis: 9R6-704 Here is a very rare opportunity to own a unique piece of Porsche racing history. The RS Spyder... More


text:
Hot Sheet training schedule.
Meet current competency requirements.
Prepare for exams and assessments.
Stay informed as a US partner.
Read the US Partner News Online.
Home | Training schedule | Practice Accelerators
Your online presence is YOUR personal brand. Are you making the impression you want in your social media network? Join our Ready-to-Go Marketing team for this informative web seminar, and learn how to extend your personal brand online, reach out and make the connections you want. 12/8/09, 10am PDT, 60-90min
The Partner Learning & Ready-to-Go Marketing Teams
Am trying to make Web Label Brand site Chidas targeting socialnetworking people with common background for marketing thru that media
Thanks an I need ur help abt this an ideas


text: 500 pts Celebrity Trivia <River Rewards Who spoke ill of the record label that signed them? Click here to see the answer. Sign in to Participate Category: Trivia Ends: Saturday November 9 at 9:59PM MST Visit our sponsor: Click here to see the answer. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter More Leave a comment Send to a friend! Print this page Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr! More Ways To Get and Use Points Win Your Way In To The Downtown Wedding Walk, And A Date Night At HQ BBQMusic TriviaMusic TriviaFunny TriviaMusic TriviaMusic Trivia


text:
- Sold between 100 and 1 000 dollars
- Exclusive Author
- Has been a member for 3-4 years
- Bought between 100 and 499 items
- United States
Section214 says
I'm new to the Envato publishing community and looking at publishing my first plugin shortly. My problem? I'm far from a graphic designer and things like the thumbnail and other product images, let alone my own profile graphics, are beyond me. Anyone have any suggestions as to ways to resolve this little… issue?
- Envato Studio (Microlancer) Beta Tester
- Europe
- Repeatedly helped protect Envato Market against copyright violations
- Contributed a Blog Post
- Author had a Free File of the Month
- Has been a member for 4-5 years
- Bought between 10 and 49 items
- Football Contest Participant/Runner-up
- Referred between 10 and 49 users
Stylius says
Go to psd.tutsplus.com and learn tricks from there, or you can just hire somebody to do it.
- Sold between 1 000 and 5 000 dollars
- Most Wanted Bounty Winner
- Has been a member for 5-6 years
- Referred between 1 and 9 users
- Envato Studio (Microlancer) Beta Tester
- Serbia
- Exclusive Author
aleluja says
Or go to mock-up category. There are plenty of easy and nice ways to present your product.


text:
Town Square
Sneak preview of water documentary offered Saturday
Original post made on Apr 18, 2012
Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 9:24 AM
Comments (4)
on Apr 18, 2012 at 9:41 am
I'm looking forward to seeing this film at Trinity; Jessica Yu's films are always brilliant. By the way, she grew up in Los Altos Hills, not Palo Alto.
on Apr 18, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Hopefully, this movie will make people think about wasting water. Too much of it runs down the gutter during over-watering, gets used to hose off driveways, instead of sweeping, countless car washes, even having the water run while brushing one's teeth. Oh, and don't forget over-population. Isn't there a baby boom again. Great. Pile 'em on Mother Earth and see how long the resources last!
on Apr 18, 2012 at 8:11 pm
The "water shortage" is one of the most laughable environmental crises out there. Vast amounts of this resource fall on us every year for free. Only the government could so comprehensively mismanage the market for water so as to present the appearance of a shortage.
We have the technology to instantly solve whatever problem there is. It is called "the price system."
on Apr 18, 2012 at 11:52 pm
Mr. Davis - that's one of the problems, though - enough of it doesn't fall on everyone every day. That's why there's been widespread drought. I understand what you mean re the price system, but in some places, there's real lack.
If you were a member and logged in you could track comments from this story.
Touring the Southern California Ivies: Pomona and Cal Tech
By John Raftrey and Lori McCormick | 5 comments | 2,959 views
Chai Brisket
By Laura Stec | 5 comments | 2,123 views
Couples: Parallel Play or Interactive Play?
By Chandrama Anderson | 0 comments | 1,283 views
Sometimes "I'm Sorry" Doesn't Cut It
By Cheryl Bac | 7 comments | 1,197 views
SJSU Center for Steinbeck Studies to Honor Author Khaled Hosseini on Weds Sept 10
By Nick Taylor | 0 comments | 746 views


text:
Morocco move: Tangiers Petroleum warns of potential shortfall
Tangiers Petroleum hires new boss
15 April 2014 08:44 GMT
Galp secures Morocco rig
24 March 2014 07:36 GMT
Tangiers takeover flops
19 March 2014 02:47 GMT
Tangiers takeover remains uncertain
14 March 2014 03:13 GMT
Tangiers' Jacka takeover hits hitch
10 February 2014 09:31 GMT
Bill Lehane
28 April 2014 09:00 GMT
Your message has been sent
E-mail this to a friend.
Privately held US player Samson Energy plans to sell off its deep-water oil and gas business, a portfolio that includes stakes in a number of high-profile Gulf of Mexico discoveries and prospects.
Membership includes a subscription to our weekly newspaper providing in-depth news from the energy industry, plus full-access to this site and its archives. Still not convinced? Try our free trial.
Already a member?
News from other NHST publications
All material published in the newspaper and on upstreamonline.com are Upstream's copyrighted material. Redistribution of any kind without a prior written permission of Upstream (including but not restricted to, redistribution by e-mail, publishing in part on your company's Intranet and publishing on Internet) of any material published by Upstream, will violate Upstream's copyright, and is prohibited by law. You may, however, download material from Upstream for your own personal use.
To protect your subscription investment, we've instituted a security system to protect against the electronic redistribution of copyrighted Upstream Online content.
Read more


text:
|Thread Tools
|Rate Thread
|Display Modes
Earning My Ears
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 70
What? Last minute planning!!! 4 to 6 overnight!!!
I sure hope this one goes better than last years, but here is my 2nd attempt at a PTR. I will give you the cast 1st then some background and alot of catching up since our trip is in just 13 days. WOW!
1st off me. My name is Jan and I am probably one of the most Disney finatic people you would ever meet. I wear something Disney everyday, it might be shirt, shorts, dress, watch, earrings, shoes, you name it, I have it. I am a full time SAHM, with the addition to a PT job to fund my Disney trips, as you will hear about later, A collector of anything Disney, An avid scrapbooker, (mostly Disney but I do alot of work for other people to make extra money also.) Me and my DH love to travel and of course Disney is our #1 destination. I am also a mother of 3, Santana, Gus and Mattie, you will meet them in a few. I was lucky enough to make 4 trips to the World last year and have already went once this year with other trips planned for June, Oct, Nov and Dec.
As you can tell I am usually the photographer so there are no pics of me alone... this one was taken at our Disney Photo Shoot in Dec. 2009
And this one was on our family vacation in June of 2009
Next up is my DH and lover of Disney also. James is an overnight driver with a local company and will be able to retire in 2 years....hopefully to the Orlando area. He likes to hunt, fish and spend time with the family along with helping plan our trips to the World. He is also an aurthor, with one published book under his belt and working on another.
Next is our oldest daughter, Santana-21 and very much a Disney Addict like her mother. She is a fulltime student, studying to be an elementary education teacher and also holds 2 part time jobs to fund her trips to Disney. She also loves to scrapbook, travel, and collect frogs. Stitch is her favorite character and Tianna is her favorite princess. She has a miniature chihuahua and named her Princess Tianna.
Next is Gus, he is 13 and believe it or not LOVES Disney. He did not want to go last year, but one time and he was hooked. He was a very athletic kid, loving to play football, baseball and basketball. He had a spinal injury in his first year of football and now wears a body brace, trying to hold off surgery until he is at least 16. There is no specialist that will operate on this severe of an injury in fear of parallysis. But the Dr did give him a release to ride the rides at DW if he wears his brace.
Next we have Mattie she is also 13 and loves Disney. She is a cheerleader and also plays saxophone in the band. She has been going to Disney all her life and loves pin collecting.
Last but not least is my niece that we are taking with us on this trip and this will also be her 1st trip to WDW. Brooke is 16, a cheerleader and softball player, so needless to say we spend our time at the ballparks if we are not at Disney World.
We will be leaving 3 family members behind this time, Sophie, Zoey and Disney, that is our other children. All pomeranians, one male and two female.
That is the characters, I will do another post for the when and wheres....
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2482570 What? Last minute planning!!! 4 to 6 overnight!!! This is the link to my PTR...come join in....
Upcoming Trips:2010-June-SSR, Oct-MNSSHP-BWV, Nov-MVMCP-OKW
1984-Off Site, 2003-ASM, 2008-ASM, 6/09-SSR & AKV-Kidani, 9/09-SSR & BWV, 11/09-ASM, 12/09-BLT & SSR, 2/10-OKW
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
|Rate This Thread
Threaded Mode


text:
Terms & Conditions.
Happy Labor Day! Last day to get this product at 20% off. Add it to your cart, stat!
Terms & Conditions.
Some product exclusions may apply. See product page details for more information. Clearance items are final sale. Price matching does not apply to this or any promotion. Offer is valid on Tuesday, September 2 from 12:00 AM EST to 11:59 PM PST. May not be combined with any other offer/discount (unless specified), including invitation credits, promotional gift cards and/or special discount links. Discount applied upon checkout. Log in to your account to see your savings.
Tape knows how to do its job—so why do so many dispensers refuse to stay put when you need them? The StikIt Tape Dispenser has a genius grip bottom that won't budge as you pull piece after piece for that big project. Still, it can be moved effortlessly by simply picking it up.
Gel on bottom adheres to any surface tightly. Easily moved. Leaves no residue. Tape not included.
This product has no reviews yet. Be the first to review this product. Write a review
Sign Up and Enjoy 20% Off.


text:
Today's weather forecast: A Brief Respite
What: Like lobster? Put this on your calenders now because it's guaranteed to sell out. On November 7, the Lobster Roll Rumble—an event put on by TastingTable.com—hits L.A. for the first time. At the event, 10 of the West Coast's top lobster rolls will claw their way to the top to win the title of Best Lobster Roll: West 2013. Meanwhile, you get to taste them all with pints of Stella and Patrón cocktails. These fine establishments will serve you lobster, buttered and hot or cool and lacquered with mayonnaise:
Ticket price also includes unlimited beverages, sides, cheeses from Murray's Cheese and sweets from The Churro Borough, Kettle Glazed Doughnuts, Short Cake, Ramekin, and Crème Caramel L.A.
When: Thursday, November 7, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.Where: Cooper Design Space, 860 S. Los Angeles St., Downtown How: Tickets are $75 per person and will go on sale this Wednesday, September 18.
NOTE: This thread is moderated, comments will not post immediately.
Simply confirm your registered email address below and click "Reset Password." We will immediately email you a link back to the site where you can enter a new password for this account.
We've found your existing Los Angeles magazine account. Please login below to complete the Facebook login process.
Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved.