Pete. Pat. I hope this note finds you well and enjoying winter in Long Beach. My Patriots continue to reign supreme, while all New York teams are awful so that's good right? I think I still owe you a steak, although it was great fun the morning that I had my drum class call you … Continue reading DEAR PETE,
HEALTH INSURANCE
I was recently denied for the purchase of a new battery for my ceiling lift. This lift allows my wife the ability to lift me from my wheelchair to the toilet, and the shower. It is simple to use, and I installed the ceiling track and lift in my home in 2010. Insurance denied the … Continue reading HEALTH INSURANCE
THE TRAIN
As a kid, I loved trains. Most kids do right? They represent power, travel, strength, and the rise of machine doing the work previously done by man. Indeed, trains were the first mass transit that connected our nation from coast to coast (google: the golden spike), and today still carry people, goods, livestock, and the … Continue reading THE TRAIN
THE SYSTEM
All over the place it feels like the system is breaking down. I'm not referring to the noise and noise and more noise of the national politics, or the turning of the Earth; I'm talking local. It's like the Seinfeld episode where they are waiting in the Chinese restaurant for a table that never seems … Continue reading THE SYSTEM
A LOST ART?
This one is for Brenda. Brenda went to the Catholic school up until 8th grade, and so our paths did not cross until freshman year, when I sat behind her (alphabet order) in Mrs. Jack's English class. During this time, her and I perfected the art of passing notes in class. I'm not going to … Continue reading A LOST ART?
IN THE MIND
I recently was asked an interesting question by a former student who is now an adult, married, and has kids of his own. In short, he is living a great life, and it showed in his smile. I'm paraphrasing here, but he asked me how it feels when I bump into old students. For those … Continue reading IN THE MIND
FRIENDS
Hello everyone. Have you ever been to The Grand Canyon? If not, put it on your list. I have had the pleasure of seeing it three times: July 1996, July 1997 and New Year's Day 2001. In the summer, I visited the Southern Rim, looked in, sat and marveled at this physically demanding terrain, overflowing … Continue reading FRIENDS
I SCREAM…
See Pat teach. See Pat have fun. See Pat have fun while teaching. See Pat connect with other fun teachers to enjoy teaching the kids meaningful life skills, such as the importance of being able to understand and follow directions. See Lisa. Lisa is one of Pat's best teacher friends (and friends in real life....cuz … Continue reading I SCREAM…
BREAKING BARRIERS
Today, September 7, is World Duchenne Awareness Day. This date was chosen because the gene that codes for the missing protein in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has 79 parts, called "exons." SO...the 7th day of the 9th month is 79....there you go. Clever no? If today is your birthday...then it's a double bonus. (I'm talking to … Continue reading BREAKING BARRIERS
AN IMPORTANT DEBATE
O.K. When growing up, I assumed that everyone lived like me. Actually, I didn't think about it until I started visiting friend's houses in elementary school. I learned that not everyone eats dinner at 6pm. I learned that some families have multiple floors AND multiple bathrooms. I realized that some families have 2 parents who … Continue reading AN IMPORTANT DEBATE
Moeschen! 