One last entry for 2008

An excerpt from my journal entries of the week—

A special new year’s eve perspective…

Inwardly I draw deeper into fragmented hauntings

Of all unsuccessful trials sweet with errors

I resist the power of memory holding

True to the fact most eyewitness testimony is skewed

Burying my head beneath my pillow

The linen turns into a fabricated screen

Revealing deleted scenes usually hidden as DVD easter eggs

Voiced with screenwriter commentary

Despite the writer being replaced long ago

By a series of authors with extensive revisions

Scene 1:

EXT: Evening at the beach; gusty winds

People surrounding bonfires

Warming spirits in hand

Lead actor walks by all

Wearing poplin windbreaker

Faded jeans, barefoot

Scene 2:

INT: Brightly lit family room

Lead is alone at a table

Listening to the top 100 songs on the radio

Trying to record memories and

Attach them to melodies

Scene 3:

INT: darkened living room

Lead caught between worlds

Wishing for 21

Yet another calendar away

EXT: midnight passes; front of a 2 story home

Silhouette framed by French windows

INT: back inside

Dressed for a formal party

Holding a wrinkled picture

Scene 4:

INT: house dressed in roaring 20s décor

Partygoers dancing

Pearls flying with each spin

Until the hands point north

Everyone kisses everyone

Drunken sleep prevails

Scene 5:

Dick Clark missing from Times Square

Scene 6:

Alone in a room watching

The finale of Cinema Paradiso

Scene 7:

Slept through the whole night

Scene 8:

Rethinks and challenges the annual

Onslaught by getting Lost in Vegas

Twenty shots in and Jack D is the best lover

DVD freezes on main menu

Like it does every year

And plays only on that day

Like how certain characters

Only show up on certain days

On the old Simpson game

More scenes each year

More new commentary

Especially with the advent of Blu-ray

Old scenes seem crisper

And a gag reel plays after the scenes

I remove the DVD and take charge

And put in In Search of a Midnight Kiss

 * Oddly I was trying to add details about the actual film but apparently it is so indy that it doesn't exist as one of the films I can search for... so here's this: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0989000/

the movie is my kind of romance... dark, a moment in time captured

The Dilemma

Topic: Should I leave El Camino?

Post #1

3 replies

You wroteon May 25, 2008 at 4:16 PM

I've been at EC for 11 years now as the activities director, and for the first time, I have applied for another job to a full-time activities director at another high school.

Please don't post any comments about this on my wall. Another person applying for the job is one of my acquaintances and I don't think she knows about me applying yet.

The pros and cons are lengthy on both sides.
Some of the major pros to leaving...
1. I most likely won't get to teach the courses I'm best at next year at EC.
2. More time to focus on being a leadership teacher.
3. Time to do the job since I won't be grading a 100 essays every couple of weeks.
4. Anywhere from 8000 to 15000 more a year.
5. They called me to apply. I didn't look for them.
6. I would get a secretary and bookkeeper (sort of).
7. Starting my life anew with prospects for some serious change.

Some of the major cons to leaving...
1. EC is my alma mater.
2. I realized this week I still love teaching English.
3. I have job security/tenure and it's a cruel economy right now and could easily be "cut."
4. EC pays better on benefits.
5. I am trying to apply for low cost housing here in SSF because I teach in this city.
6. The pay increase would be a wash because it would take that much more to live there. I don't want to commute.
7. I would give up my giants season tickets.
8. I've been talking to local democrats and I need to decide whether or not to pursue politics, so I can be groomed for a city council position in the next ten years.
9. Trying to start a writing workshop through daly city park & rec which would unify Westmoor, Jeff, South City, and EC. We would put on area wide poetry slams and it would turn into a feeder to the National Youth Poetry Slam competition. Right now, students are semi-blocked out if they are not in SF or Oakland.

Please share your opinion. I need to decide by the end of May and I'm so screwed up deciding what would be best for me. Note: I have not been offered the other job yet. There is a chance they may not want me, for two other applicants are from within their district. Also, I don't know who else has applied other than us three. I would think any activities director in the bay area who isn't full-time would consider it. These are rare jobs.

I always said I would consider leaving EC for either a full-time spot or love.

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Post #2

Karen Datangel (S.F. State) replied to your poston May 25, 2008 at 8:12 PM

Wow, that's some heavy stuff. =/ Based on my personal feelings and what you wrote, I think staying at El Camino would be better. But the last point you make in your "Pros" really sticks out ... It's cheesy but true that life is all about taking risks, so if you feel like this is the perfect job for you, then just go for it. You should just jump at every opportunity that is presented to you because who knows if you'll ever have something like that again, and it's something you've been wanting for a while too, so that should make you even more passionate about it.

Just wondering, will you be able to return to El Camino if it doesn't work out?

Anyway, in the end, you should just listen to yourself anyway. =p I know you'll make the right decision.

Let us know what you decide and best of luck!

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Post #3

Rachel Ramirez (UCSB) wroteon May 25, 2008 at 9:24 PM

Against my original opinion, I say stay!!!

My sister says you should just go lol.

Yeah I wasn't much help...

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Post #4

Roy Villavicencio wroteon May 25, 2008 at 10:40 PM

9 cons > 7 pros

winner: stay.

math aside, its quite a complex question. its like saying, would you give up all other food to only be able to eat your favorite food? I wouldn't know what to do either...

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Post #5

1 reply

Serena Ip (UCSD) wroteon May 25, 2008 at 10:47 PM

i see roy's point in that your pros for staying outnumber your pros for leaving (and are more detailed, like you care more) but i think you should wait until you are offered the position (i bet you will) and see what you feel at that time. do you see yourself at ec forever? if not, an awesome opportunity just became available.

p.s. will you be at the grad ceremony this year? hope to see you there!

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Post #6

You replied to Serena's poston May 26, 2008 at 1:55 AM

i am definitely waiting until the interview... i am hoping that after talking with the selection panel my head and heart will know which direction to take... but i am preparing myself, since if it is offered i will likely need to decide within 24 hours...

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Post #7

You replied to your poston May 26, 2008 at 2:03 AM

some minor details i should mention...

pro...
a. the school has a cardio room with 40 elliptical machines and 40 exercise bikes... failry new rubber track... and they need a new track coach (don't know if i'd actually add that to my list)

b. san jose-sharks games, minor league baseball

c. won't need to cross a bridge to visit my brother in the east bay

d. health--maybe a healthier lifestyle (hopefully less stress)

con...
a. it's hot down there and i'd miss my state of the art air conditioning

b. being further away from San Francisco (one of the greatest city's in the world) and 138

c. who's going to visit me?

d. health--leaving my current doctor who is doing a good job of kicking my ass to fix my life (oddly, since i've focused a bit more on my personal health which makes me more energetic and focused, i've had one of the best asb/teaching years since those first three memorable years)

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Post #8

Samantha Paras (Berkeley) replied to your poston May 27, 2008 at 11:10 PM

Welll you know how I feel since I told you. But it just comes down to whether you think you'll be happier there or not.

I have a feeling that you'll really really miss El Co. You've always told us of job offers before and it just never worked out... maybe because you didn't really want to leave. =]

But it does take a lot more thinking and soul-searching.

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Post #9

Daniel Landicho (El Camino High School) wroteon May 28, 2008 at 8:42 AM

I wholeheartedly agree with Sam. Maybe you just don't want to leave this area, which has been your home for the past two decades already.

If I have a hard time choosing something difficult, I try to imagine what would happen to me if I chose every option that was possible. Then, I would choose the one that would benefit me the most.

Besides, if you do decide to take the job, if they offer it to you, I will visit you down there. That solves your "who'll visit me?" problem. ha ha ha!

BUT don't go until after next season's Opening Day. You know why! =]

Vote for my co-worker Alicia Vosberg & EC wins $10,000

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jay dela Cruz

415-296-8900, jdelacruz@comcastsportsnet.com

COMCAST SPORTSNET BAY AREA ANNOUNCES FINALISTS

FOR 2008 ALL-STAR TEACHER AWARD

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area to Donate $10,000 to the Winning Teacher’s School; 2008 All-Star Teacher Announced Sunday, July 20

During Giants Pregame Live show

Online Voting for All-Star Teacher Begins May 23 on ComcastSportsNet.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 21, 2008) – Comcast SportsNet Bay Area announced today the five finalists for the 2008 ALL-STAR TEACHER Award.  This award was established to acknowledge middle and high school teachers in Northern and Central California for their dedication to go above and beyond to guide their students in school and in the community.  The finalists were chosen by a panel of community leaders for their hard work and dedication to helping their students stay in school.

The five finalists are Clyde Carpino of Fairfield High School (Fairfield, CA); Tommie Lindsey of James Logan High School (Union City, CA); Alan Nakamura of Alameda High School (Alameda, CA); Alicia Vosberg of El Camino High School (South San Francisco, CA); and Chris Wardlaw of Anzar High School (San Juan Bautista, CA). 

The five finalists’ biographies, along with videos, and photo galleries will be featured online at www.comcastsportsnet.com starting Friday, May 23.  Video vignettes featuring the five finalists will air on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area from June 1 – July 11 during select Giants and A’s pregame shows.

Members of the public can help select the 2008 ALL-STAR TEACHER by voting from May 23 through July 15 either online at www.comcastsportsnet.com or by filling out an official ballot form in the San Francisco Chronicle.  The winner will be announced at AT&T Park during a Comcast SportsNet Bay Area telecast of Giants Pregame Live on July 20.  The 2008 ALL-STAR TEACHER will be presented with a check for $10,000 for his/her school.

The ALL-STAR TEACHER finalists were selected based on their accomplishments in four areas: Overall Commitment, Excellence in Teaching, Rapport with Students, and Level of Distinction.  The elite panel of community leaders that selected the finalists consisted of Doug Bartlett, Senior Marketing Director, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), and former Bay Area teacher; Rob Jaynes, Director of Fan Development/The Sharks Foundation, San Jose Sharks; Detra Paige, Director of Community Relations, Oakland Athletics; and Sue Petersen, Executive Director of Giants Community Fund, San Francisco Giants.

Last February, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area sent ALL-STAR TEACHER nomination forms to over 200 middle and high schools.  Nominations for the 2008 ALL-STAR TEACHER Award were received from students, parents, principals, and teachers throughout the Central Coast and Northern California regions.

“Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and our partners for the ALL-STAR TEACHER Award are grateful to all the finalists for their dedication to their students," said Ted Griggs, Vice President and General Manager, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.  “Each of them exemplifies the commitment, loyalty, and service that make a difference in their schools and communities, and especially in the lives of their students, who have learned so much from them.  We applaud their efforts and wish them all the best.” 

The ALL-STAR TEACHER Award is sponsored by Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast Cable, KNBR 680 AM, and the San Francisco Chronicle.

The ALL-STAR TEACHER Award is a component of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area’s annual Stay in School Challenge.  The Stay in School Challenge is a community outreach program that rewards middle and high school students for perfect attendance over an eight-week period.  Students in grades 6-12 in the Northern California/Northern Nevada region who maintain perfect attendance (no unexcused absences) can win tickets to a 2008 Oakland Athletics or San Francisco Giants home game.  Since 1996, over 215,000 tickets to an Oakland or San Francisco baseball game have been awarded to students.

About Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reaches nearly 4 million households in Northern California and Northern Nevada.  Comcast SportsNet Bay Area's programming includes Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants baseball, Golden State Warriors basketball, San Jose Sharks hockey, San Jose SaberCats football, and San Jose Earthquakes soccer.

Comcast SportsNet operates 10 sports networks that cover more than 2,400 live sporting events annually and deliver comprehensive sports news and analysis to nearly 40 million cable and satellite homes.  Comcast SportsNet’s networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Comcast SportsNet West, SportsNet New York, The Mtn. – MountainWest Sports Network, and CSS.  These networks provide live game coverage of 18 professional teams as well as college, minor league and other sports.  For more information see ComcastSportsNet.com.

Currently Listening Essential Clash By The Clash see related

Still Confused

Hell must be freezing over