Getting to Brentwood

Another Sunday, another band show. This was a tough one. First, it was in Brentwood, coinciding AGAIN with Central American Day, meaning it was wall to wall people and cars waving mostly Salvadoran flags, jamming up traffic. Got there just in time Teenager’s show. Had to leave immediately to go do other things. Show was okay but it wasn’t the kids best—they’d just added a major element to the show the day before and it was obvious. But they worked hard.

Getting out of Brentwood was tougher than getting in but on my way out, I got a call from Teenager, frantic, asking if I was still there. I was jammed in traffic. The bus driver, who was supposed to remain at the field, had decided to enjoy Central American Day festivities, and left with the kids’ stuff, including their money (She didn’t steal it, just left the field with all their stuff, returning much later.) Kids with inhalers or other medicines were particularly upset. Everyone survived but it was a cranky, cranky day.

SAT Not Required

I'ts never too early to start freaking about college admissions and costs, is it?

Over at fairtest.org, you'll find a list of colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission. Some use the scores for research purposes, others don't use them at all. Along with a lot of no-name colleges are some pretty good ones--Holy Cross, Bates, Bowdoin, etc.

Get Working With eBay

If you're interested in starting or building your eBay business, here's a way to do so.

From eBay:

See you at eBay University September 28 - 30!

The day is fast approaching when eBay University will be in New York City. Don't miss your chance to learn to sell and increase your efficiency--no matter what your eBay selling experience. Choose from 3 course levels--taught by the experts on eBay.

Only $59! Choose the track that's right for you.

Attendees will also receive free admission to Digital Life -- the ultimate consumer technology, gaming and entertainment event.

eBay University Program includes:
3 tracks to choose from - Selling Basics, Beyond the Basics, and eBay for Business
Classes taught by eBay University Instructors who are experts in their field
An opportunity to network and share best practices with other eBay sellers and PowerSellers
Meet Jim 'Griff' Griffith, Dean of eBay Education and author of the Official eBay Bible

Register Now for just $59 for one day and bring a friend for free!*

Multi-day passes are available as well. Attend 2 days for $89 or 3 days for $119.



Jacob K. Javits Convention Center:
655 West 34th Street
(11th Avenue between 34th and 39th Streets)
5801 Southfield Freeway
New York, NY

Band on a Roll

Photos by Cornel Ghiban

The toilet-paper crew
from Walt Whitman High School's marching band
struck about 3 a.m. today. Freshmen got the welcome
from seniors. :)










The bear gets it.

Band on the Run Run Run

Zowie, our big day is coming tomorrow. The first band show, at Sachem.

The schedule has changed a few times but doesn't really matter--the kids are locked up for most of the day, practicing, reviewing, for the show and then performing. I had foolishly believed that she could get some soccer in earlier in the day because it was several hours before performance time. Ha!

But it's all working out. The seniors are coming over to toilet paper the house tonight, their way of welcoming freshmen to the band. I'm sure Teenager will help clean it up later. Yeah.

I'm Such a Failure

Teenager is nearly mute. I lost the photo form and yesterday was picture day. Called the school office, was told she could pick up the form in the morning and there'd be no problem. She was all dolled up. Got there, got her picture taken and then was told she'd have to take it again today since she didn't have her form.

So today, dressed in her soccer uniform for a game later, she has to go get her picture taken again during lunch. The form says that the company won't print a picture until the form (and more important, money) are in; she says she has to have her picture taken again and she, of course, is no longer wearing her favorite outfit. Oh, the shame.

UPDATE: Oh, my, clobbered by West Islip, 5-0. Yikes.

Remembering Sept.11

Ah, Sept.11 is a sad day, sad day, even as people turn to other things.

It's impossible to wipe away memories, even if we wanted to. Every time I pass the nearby house of one of the firefighters who died, I offer a little salute. His house, on a street near mine, always has an American and a Fire Department flag out on holidays.

And I remember, too, the day that Terry Farrell's funeral procession came past my street. Park Avenue had suddenly gotten very quiet, no traffic in either direction for a while. So I went out to see what was going on, and could see his cortege coming up the road. As it drew near, I could only cover my heart with my hand until it passed by. There seems little to do in response. I wish so much we'd figured out a way to pull together and actually accomplish something, instead of being told to go shopping.

The kids are having red-white-and-blue day at school, something of a tradition, apparently. We're new to this school, so I don't know. Seems like a good idea.

But there are other issues about 9/11 which have to be addressed, in particular the constant evocation of the date in political speeches, and the Rude Pundit reminds us of the many ways 9/11 has been abused.

And then, there are these morons.

Go See Bart!

Newsday reporter BART JONES will be speaking about and signing Hugo!: The Hugo Chavez Story, From Mud Hut to Perpetual Revolution Wednesday 8pm, at the Book Revue in Huntington. Based in part on interviews with key people in Chavez's presidency, this political biography details episodes from the history of Venezuela's infamous leader that have never before been told in full, from his impoverished childhood to his decade-long conspiracy in the military to the 2002 coup in which he was kidnapped and nearly killed.
Bart's a good guy, smart and well informed. If Venezuelan politics, or issues revolving around the oil supply, interest you, go listen.

Lunches

Is it possible that a school cafeteria is so bad that teenagers would rather take their lunch? That they don't get plates, just trays (I'm guessing they're sectioned) like you see in prison movies?

Man, I've been out of school for so long. In the good old days, kids couldn't wait to be able to buy lunch instead of take it in a paper bag.

Whitman Marching Band Show

Walt Whitman is having its marching band show Oct.13. I've never been to one but it's a huge, competitive production, featuring the following bands:

Garden City
Division Avenue
Malverne
Brentwood
Walt Whitman
Deer Park
Lindenhurst
Roslyn
Mineola
Huntington

Huntington High School is having its show the next day. Stay tuned; we'll have more details on both shows here.

I've been invited to help with the parking lot. This should be fun since I have less than zero sense of direction and may wind up directing buses to Syosset. But really, what an adventure! I can't wait to get my own walkie-talkie.