Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy!

by James Dickey

I am surprised that this is considered one of the top one hundred novels by Random House. Since my mother and I have taken on the challenge of reading every book on the list, I have be introduced to some amazing books. Without this mission I probably never would have read anything by John Steinbeck other than what was forced upon me in high school, and I know Salman Rushdie's beautiful story telling would have remained unknown to me. Why then was Deliverance put on this list?

We all know the story; four white suburbanites take on the unknown. Each face life changing challenges to different results and it is the challenges and the way each man emerges (or does not) drives this story. The most satisfying being the narrator's who must scale a cliff and is rewarded with the most spectacular view he had ever witnessed.

by Deborah Blum

Blum does an excellent job introducing the coming of age of forensic medicine by using poisoning as a template. She aptly describes Charles Norris (chief medical examiner) and Alexander Gettler (toxicologist) mission to legitimize forensic medicine with criminal poison cases dealing with ten different poisons.
 
I enjoyed the combination of science with history and learned much about the evolution of science as a way to prove guilt or innocence. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes that type of journey

Charlie said: I am a Decemberist fan.  I still find myself returning to The Crane Wife their strangely simple but beautiful first album.  The Decemberist remind me of some of my favorite bands, Uncle Tupolo, REM to name but a few.  Even thought the Decemberist take a different approach to their new album The King is Dead, they have not lost what makes them great.  Simple smart tunes that stick with you like a great meal.

"All Arise!" has that punk country feel of Uncle Tupolo.  "Calamity Song" takes me back to when I loved REM, back when I had hair and I could swim a 50 meter fly without pucking. "Down By The Water" and "Don't Carry It All" reminds me why I love the Decemberist.

This is, once again, a great Decemberist album.  On the Tina/Charlie deny it, lend it, promote it scale I would promote even Regicide.

Tina said:  I purchased my first Decemberists album in 2007, when it was highly recommended on a radio talk show titled Sound Opinions. Since 2008 I have enjoyed their harmony and their use of instruments. I was looking for to what would be my third Decemberists album titled The King is Dead.

The King is Dead reminds me of an alt country album. These songs are heavy on the lyrics, heavy on the guitars, some harmonica, and maybe a little bit of banjo. This album has a little bit more twang and is a little bit jammier than their other albums.

This album sat really well with me as I was listening to January Hymn on one of those Minnesota winter mornings. These lyrics painted a clear picture of the Minnesota winter that we were having, but yet it was so pretty, peaceful and made me enjoy the beauty of the winter.

On a winter Sunday I go
To clear away the snow
And green the ground below
April all an ocean away
Is this the better way to spend the day?
Keeping the winter at bay

As I listened on, wondering if the winter was ever going to end…the Decemberists gave me hope with their song titled June Hymn. This song was a little faster, and it gave me hope. Hope that the winter might soon end, and June (which not only is summer, but the start of summer vacation) might be just around the corner. How can it not be when t first stanza of the song is….

Here's a hymn to welcome in the day
Heralding a summer's early sway
And all the bulbs all coming in

I like the Decemberists, I like their sound, I like their lyrics. I like how this album makes me think that winter is on it’s way out. I would like the Decembrists to continue their alt country sound, on the Tina/Charlie deny it, lend it, promote it scale I will promote it!

It is traditional at the ALC for each graduating senior to pick a teacher to present them at graduation.  It is a special time for the teacher who get to say something about a student whom they connected with, as well as for the students get a chance to publicly receive praise. 
Being the mathematics teacher I rarely have the opportunity to introduce a seniors. Who would you pick, a mathematics teacher or your physical education teacher?

I had the opportunity to present a senior yesterday.  Here were my words:

I have the honor to present a very deserving senior, Brianna.

When Bre first asked me to speak for her I felt pleased. Bre had always done well in my classes, asking great questions and staying caught up. But it just dawned on me why she wanted me to speak for her. It is because I look exactly like John Cena.

Bre has been a part of this school for two years and has shown traits that make her an excellent student. She is smart, independent, and did not ever believe a word I said in class. She made me prove everything we talked about. She would look at me not with puzzlement, but with doubt, like it was my job to defend mathematics (which it is!!!). She would always jump on any mistake I made as proof of why she could not believe me. Bre, you are what is called a skeptic and is the reason I enjoyed you so much in class.

Being a skeptic requires those around you to be accurate and precise, and allows for depth of understanding.  This can be a great characteristic to have.  It can help you dig beneath the surface to find the root of what you are searching for.  I hope you continue to be a skeptic and truly understand what is around you.

Bre has big plans after graduation. She plans to attend Ridgewater College in Wilmar, MN to pursue a Psychology degree.

I am going to remember Bre for many reasons:

• The way she would say she could not do something but always did.

• How she would question me about everything!

• And the way she always acted like she hated me but in the end, she didn’t.

Bre, good luck, I wish you the best with your life moving forward.