School’s Out!

 

School's Out for Summer

Last day of school. The end of my 27th year in education. Bout two more to go in PubEd. It was a very good year. 

Tao

Completed another go-around through the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu. This edition was translated by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English. I read one chapter a day during my lunch break at school. Really calms things down during hectic days.

Eighty-one "chapters" so about sixteen school weeks. I read a different translation during the first half of the year. Very esoteric and abstract with a few practicalities thrown in here and there. The Dao was compiled between the 5th and 3rd centuries BCE and became the foundation for Daoism. Restful reading.

Retired!

Retired! 

Nationals

My son, on the left, competing at Nationals in the Quad Cities. 
 

Affair

The End of the Affair by Graham Greene is a strange book that follows the tortured self-reflection of a neurotic writer after an illicit relationship collapses. Questions about God, existence and the meaning of life follow. It's a fascinating yet depressing read. Some unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes when things fall apart it's best not to linger on the whys or you can drive yourself insane. Easier said than done, of course. 

Aviators

Went to see Top Gun last night at the theater. They were screening it in honor of the movie’s 40th anniversary. I believe I saw this movie in the theater when it came out in 1986 but honestly can’t be sure. Regardless, I remember how this flic took over that summer. The soundtrack was huge. And Tom Cruise was launched into his own stratospheric level of superstardom. 

It’s a classic summer popcorn movie. And the ending, when they show the cast with that Righteous Brothers song playing, the youthful possibilities of summer seem endless. Everytime when the credits roll a little bit of me is transported back to my 13 year old self. 

Topic

Town Topic is a Kansas City institution. Open since 1937 they serve great burgers and wonderful pie. There's only ten seats in the tiny place and they were famously open 24 hours a day. Until today. Due to recent criminal events in the area they are closing up nights at 8 pm. Temporarily the say in order to protect their staff and customers. Apparently a man was murdered in the adjacent parking lot last month and the neighboring property owners have done little to stop loiterers from causing problems in the area. This is very sad to hear and hopefully they can get the issues resolved quickly. Supposedly the mayor is on it. We shall see. 

Snow

 I don’t know how accurate this map is but it sounds right. 

The Voucher Scam