I photographed a wedding last Friday – my first time photographing one! – and was rather nervous about getting ‘all the right shots’. Lots of moments to capture during those ceremonies/festivities. Still sifting through the close to 2,000 photos I snapped over the 5.5 hours there, but here are a few as a preview.
Just a few tracks that have been streaming through my earbuds as of late.
And, of course, my shameless love for Lily Allen (and her collection of dresses) continues, most recently with this video.
My senior year in high school, my marine biology teacher gave us a ‘safe seafood’ card – those you can eat, and those you should avoid for the species’ well-being. I’ve since lost it, and have been on the hunt for a replacement. Finally found it on the website for “End of the Line,” a new documentary about overfishing. It’s screening this Friday in Woods Hole for all interested!
Finally got those photos up from World Pillow Day 2009, hosted by the Banditos Misteriosos (Boston’s very own flash mob) in Columbus Park downtown. Feathers everywhere! Full set here.
So what kind of teachers could a school get if it paid them $125,000 a year?
…an eight-teacher dream team, lured to an innovative charter school that will open in Washington Heights in September with salaries that would make most teachers drop their chalk and swoon; $125,000 is nearly twice as much as the average New York City public school teacher earns, and about two and a half times as much as the national average for teacher salaries. They also will be eligible for bonuses, based on schoolwide performance, of up to $25,000 in the second year.
The school, called the Equity Project, is premised on the theory that excellent teachers — and not revolutionary technology, talented principals or small class size — are the critical ingredient for success. Experts hope it could offer a window into some of the most pressing and elusive questions in education: Is a collection of superb teachers enough to make a great school? Are six-figure salaries the way to get them? And just what makes a teacher great?
An interesting project to keep an eye on. See the full story from the New York Times here.
On my way back from lunch yesterday, I passed by some people with some pretty inflationary signs, eg “Stop Obama’s Nazi Healthcare Plan,” “Halt Obama’s Hitler Healthcare Policies.” I had seen them down the street, too, and so this time I worked up the courage to pull over and ask what the heck this was all about.
Turns out, I had no idea what I was up against. They’re from the LaRouche PAC (checking out their website when I returned to the office later clued me in to where exactly they were coming from), and after five minutes of disjointed conversation with them, I said that we’d just have to agree to disagree and headed on my way.
The good that came out of all of this was that it motivated me to read up on Obama’s healthcare plan – which is what they were protesting about. This article from Politico does an excellent job outlining the components of the plan, with some of its potential benefits and pitfalls. If I find anything else good on my hunt, I’ll stick it up here, too.
We are mourning the terrible loss of our beloved friend and peacemaker, David Cartagena, whose love, mentoring, intelligence & humor changed lives, inspired, and reminded us how the most loving & exceptional person can come from the hardest of circumstances. We love you David!!!
Photo: David Cartagena and his daughter Jada at Waterfire event for the Institute. (by Rishwanth Jaypaul)
Tentative: Wake Wednesday 4-8 at Bell’s Funeral home on Broad Street Providence. Funeral this Thursday at 10am at Saint Michael the Archangel on Oxford Street, Providence (next door to our former location.)
I had the honor of meeting David through the IGL; he was at the Global Poverty and Inequality symposium last year, where he spoke beautifully on his past experiences as a gang member, and how he came to be a streetworker at the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence. Afterwards, he joined our breakout session, where his presence and insightful comments absolutely lit up the group. I have no doubt that such was the norm with David. He was an incredible person and an inspiring non-violence worker – and he will be dearly missed.
Nudity at its cleverest.
(via Ezra.)
Just developed a few rolls of film from last semester to find such hidden treasures: portraits of Jessie B., Cantwell & Laura at les Halles, alum-filled trips to Grasshopper. & that’s just to name a few!
The Stories We Tell 