Computers are wonderful/horrible things

Posted on June 20th, 2004 by Neal Locke

I have two laptops, and neither one works. So here I am at the ancient dinosaur (Amy’s college computer, circa 1996) in the study. Both the dinosaur and the study are soon to be extinct–the study will become the baby’s room, and the dinosaur will make its exit at our garage sale.

Thank goodness the dinosaur hasn’t keeled over yet–perhaps there’s something to be said for gigantic desktop computers over little fragile laptops. Or maybe I just have bad luck with laptops. Come to think of it, maybe I just have bad luck.

I finished an interesting week of writing standardized tests for DISD (sorry kids, the ACP is here to stay for good), and next week I’m off to the Pre-AP institute, where I can learn a few new tricks to torture the next batch of freshmen. (The last Pre-AP institute I went to was the birthplace of Mr. Locke’s infamous “DJ Notes.”)

Next weekend I’m going to Washington, DC for a conference on “Model Schools,” paid for by our benevolent benefactor, Sunset High School. I’ve never really been to DC (just through it), so I’m looking forward most of all to visiting Arlington National Cemetery–the final resting place of my favorite president, JFK (and a few others).

Between Project Pass, Test Writing, Pre-AP Institutes, and the Washington trip, I don’t feel like I’ve had much of a summer vacation yet. Come on, people, where’s the sympathy???

One bright oasis in the midst of my non-summer: Last weekend Amy and I drove down to Houston and got to visit one of my best friends from high school, John Feighery, his wife Annie (you know her from her blog The Same River Twice) and their two little kids. It was a fun, relaxing weekend, a preview of things to come for us, and proof that life goes on after the baby invasion.

Today was my first (sort of) father’s day–Amy got me a card, some fingernail clippers (long story behind that one) and cologne. Then we went out to eat at Olive Garden. I feel a little bit strange celebrating my “fatherhood” when I haven’t really done anything yet. With Amy for Mother’s day, it made sense–she’s been carrying the little guy around with her and putting up with his pre-natal karate training. I just put my hand on her stomach every now and then and say “Hi, kid. Take your time.” But perhaps that’s the essence of fatherhood these days.

Well, the laptop calls. I have erased its brain and re-installed Windows. I hope it works, but I’m not going to hold my breath…

Posted in Autobiographical, Family, Fatherhood, Friends, Technology | Leave a comment

Since Everyone’s into “Makeovers” These Days…

Posted on June 10th, 2004 by Neal Locke

I’ve been meaning to do this for some time now, and at 1:11am, I think I’ve finally got a new blog layout that I can work with. The “three-column” thing was tricky. The eventual goal of this layout (and of this blog) is to replace the main website page at www.mrlocke.net and serve as the entrance to my class web pages. Let me know what you think. Sorry–the floating spheres didn’t fit.

Also–check out the new Sunset Academic Decathlon blog, and leave a comment or two. Especially if you’re in the program.

Next big event? Mrs. Grimes and I (and Mr. Spring) are working on the development and launch of a new website: The Sunset AP Network. Imagine if all your AP teachers at Sunset had blogs.

(creepy twilight zone music begins to play…)

It must be late. Sweet dreams, bloggers.

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Sorry Mrs. Grimes, I’m Taking Them All Back…

Posted on June 3rd, 2004 by Neal Locke

After careful consideration, and almost one week of observing several of next year’s freshmen at Project Pass, I have come to a decision. I have decided to keep the class of 2007. You will all have to take English I again next year, and Mrs. Grimes can wait.

I know that you will (as all freshmen do) turn into evil sophomores with attitude. But at least I already know and like you. Besides, it appears the freshman class already has a sizeable attitude. Not a good one. In fact, I’m growing less and less impressed with each PASSing day of the PROJECT.

My great hope for next year is that this year’s Project Pass class is not representative of the whole class of 2008. Or that a few punks in the crowd are somehow mind-controlling the rest, and the spell will be broken by August.

I love freshmen. I love their energy. I love their innocence. Their creativity. But I’m NOT impressed by:
1. Rude comments directed at each other.
2. Rude comments directed at me.
3. Thuggishness. Gang Glorification. Red. Blue.
4. How much you’ve “partied” at age 14.
5. What a “pimp” you are at age 14.
6. How many boyfriends you’ve had at age 14.
7. How “cool” you THINK you are, as demonstrated by any of the following: apathy, cruelty, purposeful ignorance, or laziness.

I AM impressed by:
1. Manners
2. Virtue
3. Optimism
4. Virtue
5. Intellect
6. Virtue
7. Friendliness

OK, class of 2008. I’m waiting. SOMEBODY–Please impress me!

If not, just stay at your middle school, where perhaps you learned your current disposition. I’ll just keep the last batch…

Posted in Education, Rants, Sunset HS | Leave a comment

Calling all NEW Freshmen!

Posted on May 30th, 2004 by Neal Locke

Ok, Sunset family–if you have any younger siblings who will be attending Sunset as first-time freshmen next year (no refries), or if you even just KNOW someone who qualifies, please email me (teacher@mrlocke.net) so I can get in touch with them this weekend. We’re starting Project Pass this coming week, and we’re a bit short on names.

Project Pass is basically a one-week orientation program for new freshmen. It’s not “work” like school–it’s fun. We play games, give away prizes, make things, eat stuff, take a campus tour, etc. Some of you did Project Pass last summer, so you know what I’m talking about. Anyhow, we start Tuesday from 8:30 to 12:30, so please pass this information on to anyone you can. Thanks.

And yes, Patrick Vines, you too are expected to be there. You’re not going to Pinkston. We’ll take care of that. See you Tuesday!

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Haiku for my departed Freshmen…

Posted on May 26th, 2004 by Neal Locke

Silence fills the room
Desks presently occupied
by memories alone.

Somewhere their laughter
their shouts, footsteps, energy
bursting with summer

Somewhere their chatter
their smiles, silliness, childhood
shared in the sunlight

Somewhere their friendships
their hopes, fears, dreams and mischief
grow for a season

The room, still silent
whispers my freshmen to me
As I close the door.

Posted in Poetry, Sunset HS | Tagged | Leave a comment

Live From Sunset Graduation

Posted on May 22nd, 2004 by Neal Locke

Somewhere deep within the bowels of Reunion Arena, I sit with fellow teachers, waiting for this miracle of education called graduation. Apparently we’re all here early, so we have been shuffled into a waiting room while the school ahead of us finishes its ceremony.

This year’s graduating class carries a special significance for me: I taught many of them when they were freshman four years ago–my first year at Sunset, and also as a teacher. This then, is the first class I have seen through from beginning to end, and I have forged close relationships with quite a few of them.

Many of them will be the first from their families to graduate from high school, and most of them have overcome countless obstacles (economically, culturally, socially, demographically) to walk across this stage in a few hours. At the beginning of each year, Sunset takes in about 900 freshmen. At the end of each year, we graduate less than 300. It would be an understatement to say that many are, sadly, lost along the way. It does make it all the more of an achievement, however, for those few who do make it this far. Couple that with the even smaller number from this graduating class who will likely cross another stage four years from now as college graduates, and the great challenge faced by me and those colleagues sitting around me presently becomes readily apparent.

Truly, this is an awe-inspiring event, a humbling ceremony, a real educational miracle, I have the honor of participating in once again. Class of 2004, I salute you.

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Physician, Heal Thyself (Luke 4:23)

Posted on May 19th, 2004 by Neal Locke

As one of my clever little bloggies pointed out upon reading my last post, “Mr.Locke, the only silence around is that of your blog.” Oh, the irony and hypocrisy of it all. The worst part of it is that I could probably make all sorts of excuses about the crazy time of year, the piles of work, blah, blah, blah. And then I hear the little “Mr. Locke the teacher” voice in the back of my head saying (as if I were my own student) “All the excuses in the world are worth about as much as a refrigerator at the North pole…” and also “There are no emergencies–only failures to plan.” AAARRGGGH! Go away, teacher! “It’s for your own good–the habits you make now will follow you for the rest of your life!” No…I can’t take it anymore! I want to be lazy and bad and part of the mediocrity!

[Suddenly looks around and realizes the room has gone silent. Everyone is staring]

So…guess I need to get back into the swing of blogging, huh? Nothing like some good inner dialogue to put things into perspective. Oh, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. [smiles sheepishly and goes about business]

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