well, two more – here we go… i read “the last boy” about mickey mantle – on loan from mr. scott – last week – sad, sad book – mantle had a sad life – basically was bent on killing himself for the 70-ish years of his life – alcohol, women, etc. – having read a biography on willie mays two years ago, the differences were stark – the book chain of darkness continued later in the week when i started “east of eden” – well, picked back up after three weeks off – i’m 300 pages in – that book starts very dark too – i had read it a few years back, maybe 10, so i knew to keep with it – this time around, i can identify with the character “adam” a whole lot more – last time, i just liked the redemptive nature of the book – this time, so far, what i’ve liked is the story of a guy that is never really loved – and how he learns to cope in the world after years of just basically “going through the motions” because he doesn’t feel anymore – the book is 600 pages long so i have a while to go – not in too big a rush – i did get a “shakespeare for kids” book that i’m hoping will help me teach julie, st. k, and the gang (the gang being goth girl maddie and possibly cailea – but definitely not jerame or tyler – and definitely not any eighth grader left that’s still blogging – i don’t think any of them are though – they’ve contracted that work out to india or something)

you heard it here first – three journals this week if you turn them in thursday – any guesses how many will wait ’til friday and still turn in just three??? i’m guessing most everyone – although, i strongly suspect at least 25 percent of my students do the work right before class – anyway, you also heard it here first – come to my booth friday – the dash race – race your friends – it’ll be fun

mafeld