Ich bin ein Bellinghamster. Bellingham uber Alles! Mein deutsch ist sehr schrecklich. Ich liebe mein alt Heim (fur drei Monat) in Ost Berlin, in Friederichshein. Ja, Simon-Dach Strasse ist gern!6

Freakin' overdemanding OKC! They want to encourage creativity in different languages, but then they tell you it's not enough! Jeez whiz! Even my folks didn't pull that one. In fact, what kind of parents are these OKC? Oh, wait a minute, they are probably so busy tweaking the website that there is no time for breeding, let alone romance.

Kind of ironic, eh?

Geez, it is still not long enough! Should I uncontract all the contractions? I don't want to completely spill my guts in German, because then some Fraulein/Frau would get the idea that I could communicate truly deep concepts and emotions in German. I'm just not to that point yet, so it would not be fair to either one of us.

However, I can say important things like, "Enshuldigung, wo ist die U-Bahn?" oder, "Ein ander Bier, bitte!"

That should read "SpikeinBellingham." But you can't change your handle on this website.

My most recent experiences include:

Living la vida loca as a substitute teacher, mostly in the Dale of Ferns and the Ham of Bell. Continuing my volunteering at the Pickford Cinema, and having a great family visit this summer with the Japan nephews and others.

In the last few years:

Moving back to quiet Bellingham. Spending quality time with my folks, especially my father. Losing my student teaching position Moving to Berlin to carry out said student teaching Loving life in Berlin despite the crummy student teaching experience (Oh, post-modern Alexanderplatz!) Completing Western Washington University's Master in Teaching program, Moving from Seattle to beautiful Bellingham go back to school. Surviving life with a delusional housemate.

Otherwise I'm a regular,?normal, living, breathing humanoid earthling going through life with some routine and some adventure. In 2004 I took 8 classes in three quarters, which changed my lifestyle a tad; my pile of books went from from novels and bios to history and econ. In 2005 I finished most of the academic requirements for the master in teaching program except for the most important one: student teaching. In 2006 I lived in Berlin, which is one hell of a town. In 2007 I completed student teaching, sub teaching, and hopefully job hunting.

So far, I have worked at a few community radio stations, including the cool one in Bellevue, (yes, it's hard to believe it's in Bellevue, but KBCS is one of the best stations in the Seattle area, or anywhere.) BY THE WAY, a very cool way to help the folks in New Orleans is to get their community radio station back on the air. Go to www.wwoz.org for details; it's been a hell of a story so far.

Over the years I had a few interesting jobs, both by design and by accident. It was an interesting feeling to have the keys to the different floors at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.

The traveling is happening again; I lived in cigarette choked, dogpoop littered Berlin! Many moons ago, I spent a semester in Dublin, taught for a year and a half in Godzillaville (a.k.a. Tokyo,) and travelled around Southeast Asia. In between, I travelled around the United States, Eastern Canada, and Alaska. There will be more adventures in the future.

These days,I bike, swim, study, walk, eat out when I can, and occasionallly do other stuff. I would play more floor hockey, but I twisted my foot in the first game of the tournament. Humbling. Now, I'm happy to be walking and swimming again.

Also, I was very happy for the Pittsburgh Steelers to have won their first superdooperbowl in 26 years. It warms the ventricles of my heart that a team which does not ditch its coach after a rough season is finally rewarded.

As far as organized sports, I don't obsess over it, but I decided to follow the young and scrappy Pittsburgh Pirates this year. They are having an up-and-down time of it, but there is some talent on that team. I wish them well. Fortunately, I'm also a Mariners' fan, so at least one team made it over .500.

And speaking of baseball, allow me to put in a plug for "Diamond Cuts," which is a series of musical compilations centered around baseball. Best thing besides the tunes is that the money goes to a non-profit foundation called "Hungry For Music," which gets musical instruments to kids who otherwise could not afford them.

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Note to readers: as of June, 2007. OKC tells me that I can reach 100% profile completion by filling in 554 (that is five hundred fifty four) more words. What a crock of sh-aving cream. This reminds me of a song from the musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," called 'The Book Report.' In this assignment, each of them has to write a one hundred word essay on Peter Rabbit. Of course, poor Charlie Brown has to procrastinate like crazy (to which I can relate; my Master's Project lies before me like an unmade bed with monsters underneath.)Linus takes on the task of psychoanlyzing Flopsy, Mopsy, and of course, Peter. Meanwhile, Lucy Van Pelt focuses on the extrinsic task of simply filling in the requisite number of words. "This is the stupid story/ about a stupid rabbit /who stole vegetables from other people's gardens / one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, forteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen. Eighty-three words to go."

Looks like I am doing that tonight. Except it is late, and I don't have the patience to finish this stupid essay about a stupid single who does not steal vegetables from other peoples gardens. When I update this, I'll see how many words I have left. But of course, Does OKC care about depth and quality of writing? Is there anyone grading this paper and providing formative assessment and useful feedback? NO! It's like a teacher that gives you a grade without comments, because that is the only thing that frikkin' matters! OKC, you have given in to the Lucy Van Pelt School of Fussbudgetry and Shallow Grading. It could make me very crabby, except I know I'm going to go to bed and drift off to the sounds of the Innocence Mission's latest album, "Brotherhood of Man." And I know that the amazing husband and wife team of Don and Karen Peris want to spread peace and joy throughout the world rather than people slugging others, even if they are blockheads. And I can respect that. Plus, shout-outs to their co-musician in the Group, Mike Bitts.

I love you all. Now go to bed.

I am intuitive, young-looking, and patient

I chucked my "career" to go back to school for teacher's certification. In June I polished off a lovely paper about classroom teaching strategies and became a Master in Teacher, at least in the eyes of a University. Being seduced had a major effect on my life. No, not by some raven haired harlot, but by Bellingham in the Summer. (You locals know what I mean; there is probably not a better place in the U.S. to spend Summer. It's such a glorious week!)

Forgetting about the rest of the year, I re-enlisted to stay in Bellingham, even as the weather turns to soggy chill, with the occasional beloved "sunbreak." Thus, I am languishing away as a substitute teacher. At least this brings some variety. I had a really good 5th grade class this week, which helped balance out a really "challenging" one I had last February. No wonder that teacher retired at the end of the year!

Also, it has meant the flexibility to travel guilt free. I made a trip to California to visit with my 84 year old piano teacher and see her former mentoree, pianist Brian Ganz, blow away several audiences with his heart and soul piano performance of Brahm's 1st piano Concerto. I knew he was good, but he smoked that performance like a Cuban cigar!

Also, I worked a booth at my first record show in Seattle. It was a good experience, but a lot of work. There are some record dealers there who descend like sharks. I know a few things sold for less that I could have gotten, but that's the breaks.

Although I don't recommend it, the two previous summers I took classes. Studying about Zapata and today's Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico is pretty interesting. Studying microeconomics is a requirement...

I used to be involved in the music biz and until recently volunteered for a community radio station. I may yet again. I still hang out with media activists.

For awhile, my current fascination, beyond required schoolwork, was to listen to Carl Orff's "Schulwerke." I still have a few volumes to go. Now that I am out of school and the weather is soggifying, I have started to read and get those videos out of the library.

Pulling a song out of my head for any occasion, ("I got a fuckin' song in my heart!")* eating food, cooking pseudo-Asian cuisine with soba and Thai curry, matching people with music, riding a bicycle, introducing various friends, some of whom become friends or associates in their own rights (but not matchmaking,) discussing non-commercial radio and obscure music, and seeing the big picture.

*Name the artist who said that, and I'll award you a Pickford Movie pass!

My hair or my eyes. Once a Japanese high school student complimented my nose. It hasn't happened since.

My friend Mr. Hyde looks more like me than my brother.

BOOKS: Working on "American Gods" by Neil Gaimon and "New City Upon a Hill" by Joseph Rocco Mitchell, an accounting of the creation of my hometown of Columbia, Maryland that was written by my HS history teacher. "Bernstein" picture-bio, Howard Cosell's "I never played the Game." I wish I had read that book before the stadium wars in Seattle! Finished David Bradley's "The Chaneysville Incident." Pretty full-on, chock-full book dealing with race in America, particularly the eastern border states. Erwin Cooper's "Jokerland" was rough around the edges in terms of editing, but he gets his point across about clueless water/resource use.

Other faves include: "A Confederacy of Dunces," Charles Johnson's "Middle Passage," Leslie Marmon Silko's "Ceremony," and Jean Merrill's "The Pushcart War" "Up the Down Staircase," "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." And, I admit it, the first six Harry Potter books. Hey, I've got to keep up with the nephews!

MOVIES: "The Lives of Others" "After the Wedding." "Walk the Line" was fine. "The Last Days of Sophie Scholl was difficult to watch, but compelling as all and recommended. I want to see the new German film about the Edelweiss Pirates if it ever comes to the States. "Downfall" was heavy and Bruno Ganz was amazing. "Guess Who" sucked; I'll take the original any day. "The Corporation" was pretty full on and chockablock with information and food for thought. Watched Billy Wilder's "The Apartment" again; Fred MacMurray plays such a great sleazeball! Don't know how classic it is, but saw "16 candles" again. Not very ethnically sensitive, but still a few good bits. "The Harmonists, about 1920-30's German vocalists the Comedian Harmonists, "Supersize Me" and "The Control Room" are highly recommended as well.

MUSIC: Too many to mention all, but...Recent music finds on Youtube: P.S. 22 performs Innocence Mission's "There", and Leonard Bernstein explaining Mahler's 9th symphony. Finally got to see Francoiz Breut live in concert. Mon dieu! Nick Lowe's "The Convincer" just rules (2004 Bumbershoot!) Neko Case. Also, Laura Veir's "Troubled by the Fire." Jerry Lee Lewis "Live at the Starclub Hamburg." Stereo Total's newest was pretty interesting, as well. And, of course, The Comedian Harmonists. "Mein kleiner gruener Kaktus" has been going through my head recently, as has "Killer Queen." The Stranglers "The Raven." What a classic! Don't forget the Bonzo Dog Band! Old (i.e., first seven) Steely Dan. Fans of history-pop: check out Al Stewart's "Past, Present, & Future." Fans of classical piano should investigate Brian Ganz's rendition of Chopin Preludes.

FOODS: Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, including soba noodles, Indian, Mexican, cereal, good bread, peaches, salmon, watermelon, blueberries.

music, friends, food, a good laugh, sunshine, and catharsis.

Landing a permanent teaching job. Where will I work and live come the next school year? Will I end up in Radioland againg?How did that batty lady I worked for a few summers ago get so many hours out of me? (Oh yeah, she paid cash.)

How to spend my time here in beautiful but mellow Bellingham?

Staying organized, catching up on reading and writing assignments, reflecting on why I don't like to move (it's not the places, it's the packing up.) As a result, I'm striving to minimize the excess crap in my living space.

In Seattle I couldn't help notice ugly vs. good architecture.

Gallerywalks when possible.
Volunteering at and/or watching Pickford films.
Recovering from a week of teaching.
Socializing with friends, perhaps trying out a new restaurant.

It would be great fun to own and drive an AMC Pacer or a Javelin.too.
This goes much deeper than "Wayne's World."

-you appreciate the exchange of the written word
-you can make me laugh
-I make you laugh.
-You're mighty mighty.
-you can explain why there's a penguin on the TV.
-Some good reason that hasn't occurred to me right now.

** If I winked at you rather than sending a message, see if your mailbox is stuffed full.