iPod Essentials #107: "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"--Gordon Lightfoot

I will be hearing this song performed live when Gordon Lightfoot comes to my town on November 11.

This song haunts me every time I hear it. A true story about the sinking of the freighter The Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in 1975, Lightfoot's song deals with the final hours of these 29 men. The guitar motif that bridges each section of the song clenches the haunting.

Gordon Lightfoot has one of the most distinctive voices in folk rock.

iPod Essentials #106: "Time"--Culture Club

A pleasing pop song by a great pop band (Get help for those demons, Boy George), which deals with two lovers whose time to be together was off, cut too short. Isn't it strange how we find the ones we want to be with, and they are not ready to reciprocate their interests? I'm going through that one right now.

Anyhow, time is a strange thing. We never seem to have enough of it, especially since most of us are working so hard. Timing can be off, as in the example I mentioned above. Timing can be lousy: people murdered by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Perhaps we should just accept that time is fleeting and not a given. We should make the most out of each hour. Get things done. Live in the present. Be aware.

iPod Essentials #105: "Beth"--KISS

KISS drummer Peter Criss wrote this song for his wife years ago, but they eventually split up. Marriage is hard for everyone, I suppose, especially for musicians, actors, and the like, since they are away from their homes and lives for days on end.

It is a sad simple ballad: life vs. wife. The life wins out in the end.

I Did It My Way, and It Still Wasn't Enough

Today I had an interview for a rare full-time teaching position at one of the colleges where I work. I don't believe I will get a second interview. When you're a seasoned pro in the classroom, you can sense a connection with your interviewers. The connection left the classroom like a draft seeping through a windowsill.

If I were ballsy, I'd rant about the screwy hiring processes at colleges, but I need to eat and pay bills, so I must keep my knowledge and opinions to myself.

Instead, I'm going to talk about the stress-inducing teaching demonstration. These range from 8-20 minutes. The interviewers are your students. Today I taught magic realism to my "students," and they remained silent, fearfully unengaged. I had been so certain they would have really valued this unique approach to Aimee Bender's "The Rememberer."

Silence.

I strove for an original perspective, to stamp the teaching of this story with my take on it, unlike no other applicant.

A few voices.

Why aren't I proud of my originality in the demo? Why do I suddenly crave to teach the story in the same way as another applicant?

iPod Essentials #104: "A Girl Like You"--Edwyn Collins

The only good thing to come out of the movie EMPIRE RECORDS. This classy pop tune has everything: intelligent lyrics, synthesizers, and a vibraphone..."know that I'm talkin' metaphorically...Too many chorus singers...And now you come along."

With such a killer pop song, you'd think that Edwyn Collins would have had hit after hit. No, this was it.

March Madness

Why so much infidelity in the news today? Why can't certain successful men save it for their wives--and only their wives?

Perhaps I'm too much of an idealist--probably one of the reasons why true love has eluded me over the years--but I don't understand people who cheat on their spouses, either men or women. If the cheater is unhappy in the relationship, perhaps it's time to talk to the cheated. Be honest. Sometimes the couple can save the relationship; sometimes they can't.

Too many people enter lightly into relationships. This is one of the primary reasons why California has a less than stellar successful marriage rate for first marriages.

I've been cheated on. It's a pain that lingers and truly jeopardizes my trust in any relationship. I'm not one to lie down and give up, though. Like many others, Sandra Bullock, Elin Woods, and the like will wipe away the tears, stand up, and craft their lives better than they were before the end of their relationships. They will be strengthened and hopefully will realize that they don't need the cheaters. The cheaters will be alone in their own time. And they should be left alone.

iPod Essentials #103: "Flood"--Jars of Clay

Yes, a Christian rock song, but it's a good one from a good band. How to keep faith in a flood of world and personal events. Timely. Inspirational.

iPod Essentials #102: "Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky)"--Bill Conti

So there's no boxing at the Winter Olympics, but this powerful film anthem conveys the spirit of every athlete, Olympians and Plain Joe. When we watch Rocky Balboa complete his run through the streets of Philadephia, we cheer him and value his drive and determination to train to try to beat Apollo Creed in the ring. Yes, Rocky loses, but he wins because he goes the distance and gives Creed a hell of a fight. Rocky learns that he is not a loser but a winner.

Regardless of the USA medal count over the next two weeks, all of our Olympians deserve this recognition. Most of them will never get rich from endorsements or win medals. They just compete for the love of their sports or because they thrive on training and pushing themselves to do their best.

Go USA!

Death by Anthem Blue Cross

Like millions of other Americans who can't afford or dislike their employer's health insurance policies, I must have an individual policy. The other day Anthem Blue Cross announced that as of March 1, my premium would increase by $101 a month. An outrageous fee, yes, but not as bad as some other subscribers.

An article in yesterday's edition of the LOS ANGELES TIMES announced that most of ABC's individual policyholders are facing a 30-39% increase in their monthly premiums. ABC blames it on "the rising cost of healthcare." Further, they mention in the letter I received that they will likely be raising premiums as they see fit. (Do I hear the AIG and GM angels singing in the background?)

Many, like myself, have switched to policies that have high deductibles and limited coverage. If I get seriously ill, I'm covered. If I remain healthy, I'm screwed. The philosophy of ABC is ironic and foolish. As a result of my high deductible, I won't visit my doctor unless I'm really sick, though I will continue to get yearly mammograms and gynecological exams because I don't want to die. (Gee, could it be that ABC really wants its individual policyholders to die off?)

The California Department of Insurance, which I contacted yesterday, plans to send me a form for more information. I fully intend to complain, and the DOI is launching an independent investigation. After all, ABC is trying to get away with murder.

iPod Essentials #101: 'Flood"--Jars of Clay

An appropriate song for a dreary rainy day, like today. This only mainstream hit from this Christian rock band deals with God, or a Higher Power, helping a troubled individual cope with life's trials. Also, another interpretation: God helping Noah steer his ark after 40 days and 40 nights of a flood. "Lift me up."

I Fought City Hall and Won

My seven-week battle with Pierce College to get my cancelled beginning ESL class reinstated for the Spring 2010 schedule ended this week. So far, there are 7 eager students enrolled, and I will be able to eat and pay bills this semester.

I stood up to the Board of Trustees and my department chair. Right now I am sure I am persona non grata around campus, but did these individuals have the best interest of my students and me in mind when English 82 was cancelled? The decision supposedly was based on budgetary concerns. This sends a terrible message to those who are non-native speakers: they don't matter.

Well, I've shown these misguided individuals that my students DO matter, that it is imperative for them to learn English so they can become productive, educated members of the San Fernando Valley.

You know the cliche. You can't fight City Hall. Yes, you can, if you put determination into your battle, and you choose it carefully. Actions, no matter how seemingly insignificant, bring reaction. It's the physics of survival.

iPod Essentials #100: "Promised You a Miracle"--Simple Minds

I think I'm one of the few people in America that doesn't really like Simple Minds's big hit, "Don't You Forget About Me," the theme of the BREAKFAST CLUB. It's an okay song. I prefer their less popular tunes, like this one from 1981. "Miracle" is a hopeful tune about love. Can't we all use some hope right now?

iPod Essentials #99: "Friday on My Mind"--The Easybeats

A 60's gem. Don't know much about the band, but the lead singer looks as though he's about 10 years old.

This is classic pop, light and danceable, like the first day of my weekend. Enjoy!

Choke on Your Stupidity, Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh

Shortly after the Haiti earthquake struck and devastated the island, the fools spoke.

Pat Robertston said that God caused the quake to strike because back in 1804, when the Haitians fought to claim their independence from the French, the Haitians made a pact with the devil. They also abandoned Christianity for devilish voodoo.

Rush Limbaugh put a political spin on the event: he claimed that President Obama showed bias for the people who shared his skin color. After all, he responded within one day to the Haitians but took three days to respond after the Underwear Bomber tried to blow up a plane on Christmas Day.

Where's the evidence for your claims? Some people don't like to think. These two men do not like to think. They never back up claims with evidence. The sad part is, many don't call them on this fact.

Bad things happen in the world. God doesn't cause them. Nature and, in the case of Haiti, poverty AND corruption cause them. This is the time to help, not appear on camera, smile, and say, "Neener-neener-neener."

iPod Essentials #98: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"--The Hollies

This song from 1973 always aids me in comfort, and with the tragedy unfolding in Haiti, coupled with the ongoing economic crisis, most of us need this comfort.

"Brother" reminds us that we're not alone in our fears or our losses, that it's our responsibility to help others. I'll never forgive Clear Channel radio for trying to "discourage" stations from playing this song during the aftermath of 9/11 for fear of upsetting its listeners. The management in this company failed to understand this song's message. We are all keepers of one another, rich or poor, big or small.

Why We Need Nick and Nora Charles

On New Year's Eve/Day, I watched all six of THE THIN MAN movies on TCM. William Powell and Myrna Loy went together like a violin and a Strauss waltz. Nick Charles was the wry, booze-loving former detective. Nora was his rich wife. Nick was the brains of the cases; Nora was the brains of their relationship.

Nick and Nora give those who are single hope in finding their perfect matches. They speak in their own rhythms, work together as a team. Isn't that what a relationship means?

iPod Essentials #97: "Jailhouse Rock"--Elvis Presley

Today would have been Elvis's 75th birthday. It seems like yesterday when I was sitting in my mom's bedroom, when the announcement of his passing came on the TV. We just looked at each other.

Elvis may be gone, but his music and films and legend lives on. How can you not dance when you hear this tune? Almost makes me want to be incarcerated.