Pages and a Flick

Here's an update on the current readings.
Hurt : inside the world of todays teenagers. Chap Clark pgs 195
Great book on the state of teenagers. As someone that spends almost as much time with teenagers as adults I can vouch that much in this book is right on. Unfortunatly it gives few ideas of what to do about it, other than the good ol fashioned spend time, get involved in their lives, love them where they are not where you want them. I was hoping for something much simpler. Like giving them a nugiiee.

The Wastelands. Stephen King pgs 590
This is number three in the Dark Tower series. It was not as good as number 2. I'm content with reading the rest of the series on the library's dime this summer.

A Drink Before the War. Dennis Lehane pgs 277
Author that wrote Mystic River. I liked the movie so I thought Id try out the author. This is the first book of a series he has written about a male and female private detective duo. All occuring in Boston. Fast read, pretty intense, looking forward to reading more.

Brighton Rock. Graham Greene pgs 288
Story about a young gangster thats much tougher in his mind than in reality, with a nice dose of short mans disease and you have a wreck waiting to happan. This book was written in the early 1900's and I was surprised how intense it was. I was also surprised at how by the end of the book I'm rooting for the guy not to make another idiotic choice but to no avail.

Mission Impossible 3
Now it could be that I haven't been to the movies in three months and that fact has weakened my critiqing skills but I really enjoyed it. Enough mindless action, with a splash of good acting when Philip Seymor Hoffman shows up to keep things moving along. It was a good ride.

This and That

First off, apologies for how long it's been since the last post. It's not good to realize you post even less than the people you like to read and who you get pissed at when they go to long without posting. Sorry

Two more weeks of school and another year in the books. This year has been eventful on the work front. Many "counseling" issues. Sometimes I forget that counselor is my job title but not the last few weeks. Yikes! The end of the year always brings transition issues to the forefront for the students. The good thing is that it gets them in front of me and ready to listen. The bad part is it's really painful for them. So it's nice to be needed.
Next weekend I take out ninth graders on a last fling together down for a night at a resort in the south of the island. It is always a good time and an emotional one for them. Next year they will be spread out all over the world so we try and force them to bring some closure to their lives.


I'm looking forward to make the trip back to the states for our summer holiday. I think were getting used to all this travel. The first couple times there is alot of anticipation as you think about the plane and packing. Now it's become so routine it's like driving to Portland for the weekend. Riley is trying to walk. Scout is turning 16. Karen and I are just trying to keep up. Scout starts Kindergarden next year, which seems really weird.

We hope to see all off you in a few weeks.