I like doing this every year — reading to elementary school kids — but don’t let the school staff fool you: sixth graders are significantly tougher than younger kids. Younger kids don’t sigh and dangle their arms as you read (just a few in a class of about 30, but enough), and act as though you’re literally boring them to death.
I’ll get another chance, though: In addition to reading at Topaz Elementary School today, I’ll be reading at Hollyvale Elementary School on Monday and then, Monday afternoon, will be talking about newspapers at an assembly at Mission Crest Elementary School. (They’re using Read Across America as a kick-off to a month of reading.) Yes, I’ll be that guy at the school assembly.
I suppose this is Banana Republic‘s attempt to woo me as a customer: Liz Phair is one of a set of adult contemporary artists (apparently, that’s my demographic now, ugh; Banana Republic is not impressed by me listening to the Blakes or Honeyhoney on my iPhone) doing a series of “City Stories” promotions for them this spring.
There’s a mini-site featuring Liz, and it actually has some new content, as opposed to her official page and her MySpace page.
In May, there will be a new free song available from Banana Republic, the first from the newly re-independent Liz (other than Exile in Guyville bonus tracks included on the reissue of that album; all of those were 15 years old).
If Banana Republic really wanted to get me, they’d bring back the funky Indiana Jones chic that they started off with; I loved the old Jeeps they had sitting in the middle of their Tysons Corner store. I guess there’s only so many khaki cargo shorts they can sell, though.
James has started communicating more lately: In addition to “CAT!” and “ssssh” (fish), he’s begun signing “Daddy,” “cracker” (when he actually wants a cracker, instead of just imitating the kids on TV) and “more,” although he only does that when he wants a sip of soda from a straw, so he may not realize it’s used for more than that.
He will also tow an adult to whatever he wants and point at it, including getting a diaper when he wants to be changed. He’s even asked for a bath.
Friday, February 13, 2009, 13:08
Section: Journalism
Well, it was a good theory, but the “How to Save Your Newspaper” issue of Time Magazine was on sale a week before writer Walter Isaacson was on the Daily Show to promote the piece. So, ironically enough, I read an article about how free-to-read news is dooming print media for free, because I couldn’t find the print version to buy it. Excellent planning by whomever was responsible for Isaacson appearing so late on the show.
I like doing this every year — reading to elementary school kids — but don’t let the school staff fool you: sixth graders are significantly tougher than younger kids. Younger kids don’t sigh and dangle their arms as you read (just a few in a class of about 30, but enough), and act as though you’re literally boring them to death.
