“Insights Coming from Observations While Focusing on a Pane of Glass at the Bus Stop” (28 June 2011)

Shadows dance

across the plate of glass,

intertwined

with the sun’s rays.

The lower panes reflect,

Distort, or illuminate

images of passersby, revealing

reflections, interpretations

of reality—the bright

reflection

of a truck cruising with

more paint and bling

and noise than substance,

the darker slant of

a pony-tailed blonde, hustling

to class, her teal shirt

attempting to mask

the worry and doubt seen

only through the shadowy

reflection.

The breezes shift, and

the enhanced clarity of

the glass captures her

exuberance

for life.

The shuttle pulls up and

blocks the play of light

and dark, freezing

the moment, eliminating

the shifting patterns of

light and dark, capturing

a second where the ever-

changing influences of the winds

die.

This protected moment

shows the scene for what

it is—no guesses,

no façade,

no deceit. But

when the respite

passes, when the bus

pulls away from the hard curb

of reality, the endless

possibilities hidden in the

changing light

come alive.

Sometimes nobody else

notices the flashes

of potential, sometimes we try

to hide

in the inconsistent movement

coming and going

in the breeze, insecure

in the truth trapped in the still

silence of the reflection;

the stillness,

though,

sets the truth free.

If possible, I'd like some feedback on this rough piece I threw together this morning during a class activity.

More of a Bluish-White Than Anything

In one of my doctoral classes, we've been discussing/playing/analyzing different leadership styles and methods. Quite a bit of leadership depends on who you are as a person as well as understanding those foolish enough to follow you (hence my contentment for junior high. J/K).

Today we looked at The Color Code by Taylor Hartman. There are some books that explain the categorization of identifying your personality type, but here is the link to his website. We've all taken several different variations of these tests, perhaps you've taken the Hartman test, or the Meyers-Briggs assessment, or maybe just a self-made fortune teller on the bus ride to fifth grade.

In the past, I have usually been pretty equally balanced across the categories, colors, shapes, acronyms, whatever. Even back in 9th grade when the counselors came in to help us determine what career path we should undertake, I was never dominant in one personality trait. Nothing ever really stuck out. By the way, the test results said I should be a clergyman, a middle school teacher, or a summer camp counselor. How'd'ya like them apples?

This morning, however, two of the Hartman colors sort of emerged from the other two, leaving them in the dust so to speak. The two-horse race labeled me as predominantly white, followed closely by blue, thus leaving my red and yellow selves somewhere in the past. Now, I don't believe all these things, as I do Miss Cleo and her tarot cards (remember her?), but it was interesting for me to ponder the way I see myself. And it made me wonder how others perceived me. So I ask you, my dear friends, a favor (yes, again), to help me with a little self-research.

Here is a link for a version of Hartman's test that doesn't have you create a profile with the website. Would you take a look, and while you take the test for yourself, shoot me a comment to let me know if you think I fit the bluish-white profile that I fell into today.

Here are a couple of descriptors I found about my particular combination. There are other more detailed interpretations. See if they fit. Also, if you can't find (online) how to analyze your score, let me know, and I'll send you another link.

Blues love to give of themselves to others. Intimacy, connecting, creating quality relationships and having purpose is what drives these people. Their natural gifts include quality and service. Blues can be counted on to be loyal, sincere, and thoughtful.

Whites are peacekeepers! Peace, or the absence of conflict, is what motivates a White. Clarity and tolerance are White gifts. Whites are also known for their qualities of kindness, adaptability, and patience.

If you are a Blue-White combination, you are comfortable. You express yourself softly and sincerely. Your personality is easy to read. People find you determined, yet flexible. You are someone with whom almost anyone can get along.

Is that me?

What is a Moron?

A week or so ago, my department colleagues and I hung for two days at Kaye's family cabin up Hobble Creek Canyon to work on writing standards for our school. AS part of that, I decided to write several examples on a spectrum to show how a paragraph on a given topic could progress from bad to not completely horrible to bearable to decent to acceptable to worth reading. I've included some of the examples here. See if you can guess the order (from worst to best). They are not necessarily in order.

Today I’m going to tell you what a moron is. A moron is a dumb person. Being dumb is bad. You are a loser. Don’t be a moron. Because morons are dumb.

A moron is someone who is stupid and not smart. They do not follow the rules. They can’t do things right. When they’re supposed to be listening to the teacher they are goofing around and doing stuff. An example of a moron is Spencer who sits next to me in Mr. Anson’s class on my right and he never does anything he is supposed to. He even picks his nose and when he thinks no one is looking he sneaks it into his mouth and he slurps it. A moron is not allowed in class. It’s against the rules to be a moron. Mr. Anson hates morons. They can’t pass his class. Being a moron is bad.

There are morons all around us. You know them. You may even be a moron. But what is a moron? A moron is someone who doesn’t make good choices. Don’t be a moron.

A moron is someone who does not make the best choices when they know better. Morons act stupidly in class. Morons do not listen to instructions. Morons have no common sense. Morons are bad.

What is a moron? The dictionary states that a moron is a person who does not make the wisest of choices. Morons can be seen all over the school. They act stupidly in their classrooms and in the hallways. They never listen to instructions when they are being given. Also, they have no common sense. Being a moron is bad.

The number one rule in Mr. Anson’s class states: “Don’t be a moron.” But what is a moron? The dictionary states that a moron is a person who does not makes the wisest of choices. Morons can be seen all over our school. They act stupidly in class like drawing instead of taking notes or talking to a friend. They don’t listen to teachers or principals or parents. They don’t think about the end of their choices and have no common sense. Being a moron is unwise.

The most important rule in Mr. Anson’s class is to not be a moron. So what is a moron? Most people can understand by looking in a dictionary: a moron is “one who cannot learn, behave, or communicate appropriately due to mental capacities.” In Mr. Anson’s class it means more than that. He defines being a moron as making unwise choices, most of which refer to student behavior. Morons choose to act immaturely during class and in the halls even when they know better. They also decide not to listen to instructions by resorting to various distractions such as talking, doodling, or making mischief. Common sense doesn’t exist in a moron’s world. These imbeciles think nothing of the consequences their actions bring to themselves or to their classmates. All around, being a moron is one of the worst things you can be in any classroom.