Mag Wheels and Jordache Cool

I can't believe I still remember my ck6000.  What kind of pretentious name for a bike is that?  It was a previously owned (we just said "used" back then) gift from my dad he picked up from who knows where.

It was a BMX beast.  I can still see the rust on the welds between the crossbeam and the handlebars.  It had these awful faded yellow mag wheels.  MAG wheels.  That was cool back then.  Jordache cool.
 
Those mag wheels were heavy too.  That whole bike was ridiculously heavy.  Mine had a black replacement vinyl seat with the diamond etched cross pattern that would always get all sweaty.  

It was the first bike I learned to do tricks on.  I'd go all the way out to the beginning of our farm's gravel drive way.  My chubby fourth -grade legs would pump as hard as I could go.  When I was just past my dad's workshop, I would slam my right foot down to brake and let my left leg slide out on the ground while that big ol' ck6000 would come whipping out from under me in the most bad boy powerslide I could do.  I probably practiced that move for two hours straight when I first learned how.

That was when a bike meant something.  Not only was it freedom and travel, it was status.  Curb jumps were requisite.  Not a bike.  My bike.  It was hideous.  I loved it.

Somebody stole that bike right out of my front yard a few years later.  I was crushed.  That bike was a boyhood love.  It took me to many a sleepover and countless trips to the video store to re-rent Final Fantasy for the seventh time in a row.  I hope it's still out there... somewhere.

[Photo courtesy of BMXmuseum]

In My Empty Room

See the full gallery on posterous

As I asked our wonderful custodian to unlock my classroom, I realized it had almost been two months to the day since I had been in my room.  That doesn't sound like long, but in teacher time, it feels like a lifetime.

I stepped through the door and set my things down on my empty desk. I started to glance around the room.  Empty.  Empty walls.  Empty whiteboard. Empty counters.  Empty desks.  Empty chairs.  Just empty.

Then a very strange thing happened.  I began to be overcome with emotion.  It was almost to the point of tears.  I was not expecting that.  I looked around and I swear I could hear them.  The laughter, the questions, the chatter. . . it was almost audible.

I had two pretty amazing groups of students last year.  It was a difficult year in many ways.  The first year of teaching a new grade level always is.  But, those students made it something special.

I couldn't sit down just yet.  I had to walk around, and look and touch.  I had to relive the old before I could begin the new.  I let my fingers lightly drag across the desktops.  I glanced out the window.  I didn't stifle the memories.  I let them flood back naturally and unencumbered.  I paced the room for fifteen minutes before I took a deep breath and finally sat down at my desk.  It was time to move on.

*     *     *
Today is a blank slate, much like the current state of my room.  I have no expectations.  I have no list.  I have no agenda.  I simply want to be here.  I want to feel the space.  I want to look at it with fresh eyes and an open mind.  I want to causally leaf through the pages of possibilities and not limit my thinking.  I want to see this room for what is possible instead of simply what is.  It's empty now, but it won't be for long.

Posted via email from Pursuing Context

Musings- Financial Crisis

Politics have never been a strong interest of mine. I've always felt it should be though. I mean, it's important, right? The problem is, I have lots of great excuses-

It's too hard to follow.
I don't know where to get my information.
I don't understand most of it.
Who do I trust?
How does this affect me?

That's why I'm so thankful when simple things come along to make it easier for me to figure out what is going on. Check out this video below. It is about how America got into this financial crisis. It is simple with LOTS of visuals- my kind of video. Give it a view, it's only 11 minutes long. (Don't worry, I'm still going to have to watch 4 or 5 times to take it all in.)


The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Musings- Wal-Mart

I'm not sure if it's the shady business practices, the poor customer service, or the general uncleanliness that keeps me feeding the beast that is Wal-Mart. Oh, I remember. It's my um... er...frugality.

Here are some pictures from recent outings:

The carts were so far out into the lot, that it was almost impossible to drive through the lane. (And heck yes that is my sweet ride in the background)



A common Sunday afternoon sight. Chicken anyone?

I got to bare-hand a toilet seat down to the customer service desk to make a return today. It was great walking in with that bad boy. The packaging had a handle at the top so I got to carry it in like a plumber's attache case. There were quite a few stares and I saw some smirks from the peanut gallery in the McDonald's area. But, I nabbed $6 of store credit for my return. Dip that in your ketchup Greasy McGee.

The trip was topped off by an extended check out session. I wanted to pay with my new $6 Wal-Mart credit card, then cash, then my debit card. My poor cashier had a very hard time getting the Wal-Mart card to read. It really wasn't her fault. She tried all kinds of stuff. I especially enjoyed watching her wrap a plastic bag over the card and then try to run it through the scanner.

She finally had to call her manager. By this time the lady behind me in line just sat down to rest in the aisle. The manager, who looked young enough to be the cashier's son, came over, put a key in the register, punched two buttons, and gave the cashier a dirty look. I felt bad for being such a nuisance, but a $6 toilet seat return is a $6 toilet seat return, you know?

Some other choice photos from the last excursion to the big W:

No cheapo crackers, No macaroni & cheese, No strawberry pop-tarts




No cookie dough for the Mrs., No green bag chips for lunch

I just thought this was funny. Nice work whoever you are.

Going to Wal-Mart is like gas station coffee, you know it's going to be bad, but it's so cheap you can't help yourself. And, I mean, where else are you going to get fishing lures, garlic bread, an eye exam, Pepto Bismol, and a movie rental, all while getting the oil changed in your car and enjoying a Big Mac?

I know where I'll be next weekend. You?

Musings- holidays

We just went through the lobby of a hobby type store that will remain nameless. I saw Halloween pumpkins and Christmas trees side by side on the shelf. I'm not sure why it bothers me, it just does. I also overheard one guy comment to another guy that "This tree looks cute." But I know why that bothers me.

It's October 11th and this display has probably been up for a while. I guess it just adds to the rush- rush, never-get-caught-up feel of life. Let the holidays breathe a bit. I don't want to be thinking about Valentine cards while I'm finishing my Thanksgiving turkey.

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