"It's been a long December and there's reason to believe that maybe this year will be better than the last." ~counting crows

*This post has been edited (twice) because I'm a forgetful idiot.*

I know I recently used that opening quote, but it's only appropriate so often and I feel like I should make use of it while I can.

Okay, it is time for my favorite albums of the year. I'm not saying the best albums of the year because it's completely subjective; these are just the albums that impressed me. Those 'Best Of' lists published by different organizations usually bug me because they're missing some of my favorites, but my list is probably missing someone else's favorites. (I'll probably get called out for not having TV on the Radio on my list, but I just couldn't get into their album. And I've seen them live and that didn't really make me a fan, either.)
I couldn't narrow it down to 5 albums this year, so I listed 10 11 12 (crap...I had 10 but I forgot one two and can't decide which to remove now, so my list has 11 12). They are in a vague order but I don't feel comfortable numbering them. The first three are my three favorites and the rest are somewhere close to the correct descending order (depending on my mood). So without further ado, here you go (click on the album cover to go to it's page on amazon.com):

Claire's 10 11 12 Favorite Albums of 2008
1. Frightened Rabbit - Midnight Organ Fight
2. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
3. Counting Crows - Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
R.E.M. - Accelerate
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Kings of Leon - Only By the Night
The Killers - Day & Age
She & Him - Volume 1
(You can't really blame me for leaving out She & Him the first time because it was released in March, which was a long time ago.)
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
(This one was released in January, so I think it's even more excusable that I forgot it.)

"We are the theatre, they are the people—dressed up to be seated, lookin’ upwards and dreamin’. We’re the projectors, we’re hosting the screening. We’re dust in the spotlights, we’re just kinda floating." ~the hold steady

I love doing nothing. I finished two books yesterday. That's all I did. It was wonderful. I read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which won the Pulitzer Prize last year, and I absolutely loved it. I cried, even though I knew how it would end. It's such a detailed portrait of a family whom I felt like I knew after reading it. There was a lot of Spanish in the book and I understood some of it (I was proud of how much I understood). It's about a Dominican family, so I felt like I could relate because I recognized pieces of my students' lives in it (my students are Dominican). I highly, highly recommend it.

I also read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie (he is such a talented writer). It was funny and heartbreaking and a really quick read. It won the National Book Award. I laughed aloud often and didn't want it to end but didn't want to put it down at the same time. It's his first book for young adults and I hope he writes more, because some eighth graders at my school read this and loved it (and kids at my school don't like to read).

Hm, apparently yesterday was my day for reading award-winning books with really long titles.

I'm leaving you with this video just because I'm in the mood. Chess is my favorite musical (and I am familiar with a loooot of musicals). I collect Chess recordings, and I have a lot (when I narrow my iTunes music library to "Chess," I have over 400 songs, from various sources: the Danish cast, the Swedish cast, different London casts, different American casts...). Anyway, this is a good recording of Judy Kuhn as Florence singing "Nobody's Side." Judy Kuhn is awesome, even though I'm still not sure whether I prefer her or Julia Murney as Florence.


Something to look forward to: I'll post my list of the year's best albums tomorrow. I've been thinking about it.

"I want to roll around like a kid in the snow. I want to re-learn what I already know. Just let me take flight, dressed in red, through the night, on a great big sled. I want to wish you merry Christmas, Ho Ho Ho." the killers

Merry Christmas!

My arrival yesterday went okay. My mom and I seem fine now, after some arguing and lots of crying. Last night my mom, brother, and I went to the 11:00pm church service. My mom played in the bell choir and my brother read a passage. I got to see lots of church friends whom I haven't seen in a long time, and it felt good to be there and spend time with them. My family and a few other families with kids around the ages of my brother and me are pretty close, so it felt like a big family reunion because we were all there. It was extra special because after the service, as we walked out of the church at 12:30am on Christmas morning, my friend's boyfriend stopped on the church steps and proposed to her. We (all the families) were gathered around, her family members had cameras out (they knew), and it was an incredibly sweet moment. She said yes, of course. I've known her since we were both really little and I'm so happy for her. My mom knew he was going to propose for at least a week and she managed to keep it a secret, which is impressive for her. My friend Alex and I stood together, happy for the friend we've had for many, many years, and also very aware of the fact that we're grown up now. Neither of us is anywhere near ready to settle down, but those around us are; another church friend who is our age (well, a year older than I am), is pregnant right now. It's very weird to think about.

My family and I had a wonderful Christmas morning. we sat around eating homemade cinnamon buns and opening presents. The best gift I received was tickets to see Guys and Dolls on Broadway (starring Lauren Graham, my favorite actress). I also got a great new digital camera. I'm looking forward to seeing my aunt, uncle, and cousins who are coming from NYC for Christmas dinner with us. The family of the girl who got engaged last night is joining us for dessert, so we'll have a nice gathering. I have a lot to be thankful for.

My family this morning (I think we might also be using this as our Christmas photo; we're a little behind schedule with that):

"Strung out like some Christmas lights out there in the Chelsea night. Strung out like some Christmas lights out there in the Chelsea night. Strung out like some Christmas lights out there in the Chelsea night. Strung out like some Christmas lights out there in the Chelsea night." ~ryan adams

I don't have much to say. I'm glad today was the last day of school for awhile because it's been crazy lately. I'm heading home to NJ tomorrow (Christmas Eve). I'm not looking forward to Christmas as much as I usually do. I've been in a funk lately. My mom and I haven't really been talking. I don't want to have to deal with her. Maybe we'll be fine, I don't know. I'm afraid it's going to be weird. It'll be a really hard Christmas without Josie. I'm afraid I'll start crying when I don't see her stocking hanging over the mantle, where it's been the past 15 Christmases. It will be our last Christmas in this house where I grew up (my parents are moving to Colorado), and that also makes me sad. One nice thing is that I'll get to see my brother. He spent the semester abroad in Scotland so I haven't seen him in a long time. Still, right now I don't know how I'll get through more than a week at home.

Some pictures I've taken recently:

A (freezing) wintery New York evening near my apartment (I love the lights that decorate Columbus Ave):

The tree at Rockefeller Center:

The view from my classroom window today (yes, it is in Manhattan; we're in Washington Heights across from a park):

It's going to rain tomorrow and wash away all the snow.

"It's been a long December and there's reason to believe that maybe this year will be better than the last." ~counting crows

I suppose it's a little early for this, but I'll post it now anyway and amend it later if necessary. It's time for my list of the best films of 2008. Obviously I can only list movies that I've seen. The one movie I still want to see that might make my list is Revolutionary Road. But here's my current list (along with their trailers):

1. Slumdog Millionaire

2. The Wrestler

3. Frost/Nixon

4. Milk

5. Doubt


Maybe later I'll go back and add commentary about each film, but I think I've written something about all of them already. I highly recommend each one, but it was incredibly easy to choose a favorite. Seriously, go see Slumdog Millionaire if you haven't already.

On an unrelated note, snow hit the city today. Lots of snow. It started during school, and by the end of the day only half of my class remained because their parents came throughout the day to pick them up due to the storm. It looked beautiful, but I really don't like snow. I hate trudging through it and I hate when it turns to slush and fills the streets and sidewalks.

I ushered at a show tonight, Prayer for My Enemy. It was not a fun trip getting there, but I enjoyed the show (and of course I can't complain because I saw it for free). The acting was particularly strong (the play stars the very talented Tony winner Victoria Clark and Tony nominee Jonathan Groff).
Tomorrow night I'm ushering at a play about which I'm particularly excited. It's The Cripple of Inishmaan, written by my favorite playwright (Martin McDonagh). I'll report back about it.

"Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free? If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me. Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street? If you've ever seen a one-legged dog then you've seen me.
Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door. Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before. Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor. Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more? Tell me can you ask for anything more?
Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat? If you've ever seen that scarecrow then you've seen me. Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze? If you've ever seen a one-armed man then you've seen me.
Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door. Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before. Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor. Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more? Tell me can you ask for anything more?
These things that have comforted me, I drive away. This place that is my home I cannot stay. My only faith's in the broken bones and bruises I display.
Have you ever seen a one-legged man trying to dance his way free? If you've ever seen a one-legged man then you've seen me." ~bruce springsteen

In the last two days I went to three movies. I saw Doubt, Hotel for Dogs, and The Wrestler. Some quick thoughts:

I did enjoy Doubt, despite my reservations. I'm still digesting it so I can't really say much. I feel like Meryl Streep's character was inconsistent, but that may be John Patrick Shanley's fault (or Scott Rudin's). I didn't see the degrees of doubt in her that needed to be portrayed. In one article Meryl speaks about a scene that she wanted to have cut (a scene that wasn't in the play). She had "knock-down, drag-out fights" to have it cut. She says, "To me it destroys part of Sister Aloysius's doubt about what she has done. And that was hard for me." So maybe it wasn't her fault that I had problems with her character. At any rate, I liked the movie for the most part.

The Wrestler was fabulous. Mickey Rourke is getting so much buzz for his performance that you would think there's no way he can actually live up to the hype, but he does. I cannot say enough good things about him in this film. He really is Randy "the Ram" Robinson. I don't want to post spoilers or else I would write more, because I have so much to say, but I don't want to give anything away. Go see it, though; it's such a beautiful film. It doesn't matter if you don't like wrestling; it's really not about that, it's about a man struggling to find meaning in his life and looking for someone or something to hold on to. I'll post the trailer again just because it's so good. Bruce Springsteen's song "The Wrestler" also plays over the closing credits, and it breaks my heart every time I listen to it.

"Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry. So just look at them, and sigh, and know they love you." ~crosby, stills, & nash

I'm sure the rest of this week will be crazy, and after I write something good about my students they always seem to go downhill, but I'm making this post anyway. I can come back and look at it later this week when things are really insane to remind myself why I do what I do. Some things about my job that make me happy:

1. I get a lot of hugs. I get tears and anger and bad words, but I also get hugs. This one girl is an absolute sweetheart, and she hugs me every morning when she enters the room. No matter what kind of mood I'm in, her beautiful smile and kind greeting cheers me up. Her smile really lights up the room. She calls me her "favorite teacher in the world" at least five times a day. For example, when I hand out notebooks, she'll say, "Thank you my favorite teacher in the world." And it's sincere. She's so incredibly wonderful. I love kids like that. I get hugs from other students as well. My former students come to visit me, and they always hug me (even the boys). I think I must be doing something right if I can get seventh grade boys who have put up with a year of my teaching to voluntarily approach me and give me a hug.

2. I have a boy who's usually a complete troublemaker. He doesn't do work, he talks and sings throughout my lessons, he causes disruptions, he's rude to me, and he basically makes my life impossible. But the kids all have moments where they surprise me, and this boy's moment was today. We're working on our unit project; I've explained it multiple times and we did the first part in class already. He's done nothing and hasn't paid attention at all. Today I sat down next to him while the rest of the class was working and explained the project to him. He started writing. At the end of the period he said to me, "This is actually really cool, Ms. B." That may sound like something really small, but it was a big breakthrough for him. He worked and he actually enjoyed it. I hope he keeps it up.

3. It's scary but kind of cool to think about what a large role I play in these kids' lives. One of my former students was visiting me the other day during my free period, and she said that her younger sister goes around the apartment saying my last name. She just repeats my last name over and over. Last year the toddler was learning to talk. She heard her older sister and her mom talking about school a lot, and my name must have been mentioned often, so she picked up on it. I know my students must talk about me at home. Hopefully they say nice things (I think most of them probably do).

4. Related to point #3: I was helping out during my students' social studies class, and the SS teacher was talking about the ten commandments. He said that one of them is "Honor thy father and mother" and reminded them that we are essentially their parents while they're at school, so they have to respect us. They all started calling us Mom and Dad. Sometimes they call me Mom by accident. They're around me so much that it seems natural. I like that.

So even though my job sometimes drives me crazy, it has its perks.

Random comment: What is up with this weather?! It's 65 degrees right now. In December. I've been walking around outside wearing short sleeves and no coat and I'm perfectly comfortable. It's lovely but ridiculous. It's supposed to snow tomorrow. I can't deal with these drastic changes!

"And the sky is full of dreams, but you don't know how to fly. I don't have a simple answer, but I know that I could answer something better. This feeling won't go. Wait for it." ~the killers

Tonight I went to the opening night of Shrek the Musical on Broadway. It wasn't a perfect piece of theatre, but it was a fun night out. I love opening night. There were a lot of celebs there; I saw Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor, Joan Rivers, Cheyenne Jackson, and Bobby Cannavale (I encountered the last two in the lobby before the show and each one paused directly next to me to have a conversation with their guest; it was all I could do to stop myself from staring and drooling because they are both so incredibly gorgeous).

The cast consists of some of my favorite actors, people whom I've seen in many different shows and can't get enough of, and they didn't disappoint. Christopher Sieber, whose performance as Lord Farquad I was looking forward to the most, was hi-larious. I love him. Sutton Foster, for whose talent I have no words, was perfect as Fiona. She really is one of theater's true triple threats and I am convinced that there is nothing she can't do. Brian D'Arcy James gave a strong, nuanced performance as Shrek. Daniel Breaker was funny as Donkey. The acting was definitely the strongest aspect of the show. The book was weak in some parts, but overall I enjoyed the show (I think because I went into it not expecting too much).

"Saw Cinderella in a party dress, she was looking for a nightgown. I saw the devil wrapping up his hands, he's getting ready for the showdown. I saw the ending when they turned the page, I threw my money and I ran away.
Sent to the valley of the great divide, out where the dreams all hide. Out where the wind don't blow, out here the good girls die, and the sky moves slow. Out here the bird don't sing, out here the field don't blow, out here the bell don't ring, out here the bell don't ring, out here the good girls die.
Now, Cinderella, don't you go to sleep, it's such a bitter form of refuge. Why don't you know the kingdom's under siege, and everybody needs you? Is there still magic in the midnight sun, or did you leave it back in '61? In the cadence of a young man's eyes, out where the dreams all hide." ~the killers

I am really loving The Killers' new album. The above song ("A Dustland Fairytale") is one of my favorites.

Gran sent me this article from Newsweek ("I Am Not a Babysitter"). It's a great piece on what we teachers put up with and the misconceptions about our profession. It's sad but true that teachers in America don't usually receive the respect they deserve. And it's frustrating.

I went to see the Broadway production of Pal Joey last night. Nicole got us comps, and we ended up with fabulous seats (front row center mezz). Martha Plimpton stole the show. She's fabulous. She was cast in Matthew Perry's new Showtime show, and I don't want Broadway/NYC to lose her, because she's most definitely one of the best (and hardest working) stage actresses working today. Anyway, Pal Joey was fine. Nothing special, but not awful. Christian Hoff was recently replaced by his understudy, Matthew Risch, and although Risch gives his all, I think the role needs more charisma. Stockard Channing's acting is solid in the show. I was glad I got to see it.

I've been trying to get my Christmas shopping done (I'm nearly finished), but I'm an awful shopper. I always end up buying things for myself.

Tomorrow I'm going to my aunt and uncle's apartment in Chelsea to help make/decorate Christmas cookies. I'm excited. My cousin D.J. is a freshman at Princeton and I think he'll be home, and Bess will be there, and I always love spending time with my cousins.

This coming week should be a busy one. On Tuesday I'm going to a screening of The Wrestler (I cannot wait) and next weekend I'm ushering at Prayer for My Enemy and The Cripple of Inishmaan (written by my favorite playwright, Martin McDonagh); they're two plays that I am dying to see. I'll report back. I hope I get through the school week, because the kiddles are getting crazy (even moreso than usual).

"Our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up." ~the arcade fire

Things aren't going so well right now. This has been a bad year for my family, and Thursday was a particularly horrible day (although I didn't hear about any of it until Friday). On Thursday my parents put my dog to sleep. I spent two days crying, and now I'm breaking down in spurts. I can't put into words how devastated I am. She's been my dog for 15 years. I loved her more than I can express. Also on Thursday, my grandpa had a stroke. This has been an awful year for both of my grandfathers. My Grandad had his leg amputated, broke his pelvis, and injured his shoulder. My Grandpa has been in the hospital for most of the year after breaking his hip. He's had pneumonia countless times and on Thursday he had a stroke. Neither one of them is in good shape at all. To add on to all this bad stuff, my Aunt Dot and my Uncle Henry (my great aunt and great uncle, from different sides of my family) both died last week. Like I said, it's been a really, really crappy year for my family. I don't know how much more I can take.

I went to a new church this morning. The people there were so welcoming and friendly. It's a very small church, which is nice. I'll probably go back there.

"All of the lights on Broadway come down and I see the flame that sits all around my dream. I watch the lights that shine down on Broadway, I watch the snowflakes tumbling down on me. I guess it's gonna be Christmas. I don't want to go home." ~counting crows

"Sometimes it snows in April, sometimes the skies are grey. Sometimes it all looks so familiar to me, sometimes it's just so fuckin' strange. Can't you hear me? 'Cause I'm screaming. Didn't I go outside yesterday? Don't wake me, please don't wake me, 'cause I was dreaming, and I might just stay inside again today. I don't go out much these days. Yes, sometimes I stay inside all day." ~counting crows

"I'm too old for Playboy, too young too die." ~the bacon brothers

I went to Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square tonight, which was an event with lots of very tasty, cheap food from nice restaurants (all food items under $4) sold at tents lined up on the sidewalks around Lincoln Square and music and a tree lighting. It was incredibly crowded, which was the main downside to the evening. The Bacon Brothers performed, and I managed to get a spot in the front row. I know Kevin Bacon is old, but he is incredibly gorgeous in person. And he can dance. I got a Footloose flashback. I took a video but can't upload it onto my mac, so that will have to wait. But here are a couple of pictures that I took:




Some snow flurries started to come down right before the concert started, but luckily they didn't last. It was a fun evening.