The summer is officially over for me, tomorrow I head back in to start another year of teaching. Granted the kids dont arrive for another two weeks, but I know this is my last night as a "free" man. Summers have always been special to me, warm weather and me seem to go together hand in hand. It has been an odd summer for me as well, for the first time since I can remember I did not go and see any live shows at all. Maybe it is the old age setting in, maybe it is the fact that I have been too busy to worry about going out at all.
Its not to say the summer was a complete bust, ended up adding some nice records to my collection that I would not have heard about if not for MOG. Yeah, it has been good to be back in these parts and I hope the next teaching year is easier on me than the last one was. I wanted to make a list of the top 10 albums I got this summer because of moggers so that is just what I will do.
1. Albert Hammond Jr. - Como Te Llama (thanks jox)
2. Vic Ruggiero - Something In My Blindspot (thanks Greg)
3. The Kiss Off - Brace (thanks Dale)
4. Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords (thanks Fistula)
5. N.E.R.D. - Seeing Sounds (thanks Frost)
6. Johnny Cash - Folsom Box Set (thanks Molfire)
7. The Game - L.A.X. (thanks Troy)
8. M83 - Saturdays (thanks watchbatteries)
9. Black Lips - Black Lips (thanks Mackenzie)
10. Leslie and the Badgers - Greetings From (thanks Mike)
Yes that is what MOG is all about, the love of music and finding new stuff along the way. From here I must begin to get my things ready for a full day of learning. Looks like we have a full days lecture on how to better service our ELL students which means a lot of note taking on my part. While I am going back to school, I do not plan on leaving MOG anytime soon. I had forgotten just how great this place can be, and what it is like to talk music with the likes of all of you. I will leave you with this, a song that makes me excited to go back to school because of the promise of a new year. It's an oldie (ok not that old) but like I said, listening to it should make anyone want to head back in for another year of learning.
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MAN...that summer went fast, and I am not even a teacher!!! Must have felt five times as fast for you!!
Have a great year Kevin....
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thanks Blair, and yes this summer seemed to be a bit of a blur
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Yes, much too fast. Please don't be a stranger! I know there's always M, but it's good to have you back. HA! I just realised that the sequel of both your avatar/handle and Blair's were having a conversation, some how that struck me as funny.
Good luck with the school year, your a fantastic teacher! I know cuz I've read the blog!
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You have two weeks of pre-year work? Dang. We started back on Monday and our kids come back tomorrow.
It's a bittersweet feeling, ain't it? I've really enjoyed MOG this summer, too, and while I don't plan on going anywhere, I know that soon I'm goign to have a lot less time around these parts.
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We'll be missing you on here. A friend of mine just went back to teaching last week. Hope to see around these parts again in the future.
Take care broski'!
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Contra - thanks and I do not plan on being a stranger. Last year, well you read about it and it was tough. I have seen the kids coming up to my room and it looks like we will be doing a 180 and then some.
Groon - actually its more like a week. My lovely principal called a meeting tomorrow with 2 days notice. Not sure how many people will be there, this is the week most teacher travel here in minnesota. Next week is the big one with an open house on thursday.
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NICE RGM! Love that Halen song and it fits perfectly!
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Yup, it's gone fast. Don't be a goddamn stranger Tripbro! Moderation, moderation, moderation!
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They've played Hot for Teacher on the local morning radio show the entire summer - it's almost made me feel like I am back in school ;) Haven't yet decided if that is a good or a bad thing ;)
Enjoy, rock it hard & stick with us Kev !!!
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Thanks for checking out M83. In other news, I have a display of the album art for <i>Seeing Sounds</i>. I'm also gonna go see The Hold Steady for the third time this year in November.
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August - Moderation? Not sure what that means
Lizzie - Thanks, and as for the song..........not sure if I want my fourth graders to be thinking that when I take the stage in September!
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probably not... that would be kinda scary actually...
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No problem Watch, also picked up Why? as well, another great suggestion!
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Why? and the new Hold Steady album have been my most played this year. I really like verbose lyrics.
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Why? is growing on me daily, and the hold steady, well it is freaking awesome!
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have a great school year kevin!
i just facilitated a new teacher induction seminar today and will do the same tomorrow
the horror of waking up and working all day hopped on coffee
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I have already planned a stop at my local Caribou Coffee......... not sure if it will help though!
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I met all of them after the show I saw last week, and they're all really cool guys.
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been nice having you back around this summer...hope you can find some time to drop by from time to time
good luck with the school year
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thanks mang, dont worry you will see me around these parts come hell or high water..........or something like that!
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Train 'em up right, Kev!
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So are you deleting the account entirely or are you just turning off notifs?
Have a great year...Soon I start as Treasurer for the PTA, on the School Site Council and assisting with the Drum Corps....the fun doesn't end for us parents, does it?
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do not delete your mog page!
miss ya
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Wow... number one! What do I win???
Hope you have a great year... although I do just have to (gloatingly)point out - I'm still on vacation till October 4th, bitches :P
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You're kind of like the coolest dad ever.
~Roxy
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Keep those Richfield kids in line, now, hear?
Have a fun year back in school!
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That's what this place is all about - finding some new music. Enjoy the commute. How long is the commute anyway?
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Rawk those younguns!
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Say it ain't so.
I miss being a teacher. BTW, another connection, I make standardized ELL tests, so yes I actually do work for the devil.
At least check in everyday or no one else will comment on my posts.
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I can't believe that it is the end of August already! Best of luck this year and as the consensus has already said, don't be a stranger
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I love MOG so much! Rawkiddoh, I'm gonna be writing to you this semester for help or hope or whatever. Yesterday I sat through a 7 hour seminar on student teaching. I start my first semester as a student teacher in Jersey City's Ferris High School. I think I have a Junior AP class and the other 4 sessions are seniors. I was actually told to "cover up my tattoos," before I go into the school by one of the university's directors! My HANDS are tattooed, how the f*#k am I going to manage that, and really do the kids care? I don't think so. In my past experience the tats and my knowledge of pop culture have only helped. And I don't mean have helped to make me "cool." I mean have helped to extract knowledge out of kids who have never learned how to think. My thesis is about using contemporary music in the classroom to promote critical thinking (meaning creating new knowledge out of known knowledge). When I listen to these old man, who have been out of the classroom for decades, tell me how best to teach these kids that they have FAILED it makes me wanna puke.
Anyway, I loved the White Stripes song, it made me teary eyed. Robin posted "Hot for Teacher" on my facebook account just to bust my chops. He suspects I'll have lots of volunteers for after school help, god help me- LOL. I have a feeling I'm going to have new found respect for you and the rest of the teaching community. In the past I have thought that after dealing with Queens of the Stone Age, the YYYs, Monster Magnet, Kurrupt (!!!), I can deal w/ an urban classroom, but I dunno. This is going to be a whole new trip. I agree with you about MOG, it helps to get turned onto the new Byrne/ Eno, Ebony Bones, M83... (and hell the Hold Steady record is amazing!!!) just to get you through. I'd like to stay in touch and hope you don't mind if I pick your brain a bit over the next few months. Try to enjoy the last little bit of the summer- k?
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Ow...
It's been fun hanging with you and I especially had fun on that celebrity post Eric did. Have a fabulous year although I hope to see you around in the meantime. Cheers Mr. Kiddoh!
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have a great school year
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have a great school year, hope you'll pop in from time to time! mo' often, mo' betta!
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Caribou Coffee, right on!
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wow.. already... well, you will be missed. Good luck on year 2. Keep us informed.
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Kev, good luck on year 2! I'll have to keep checking your blog on M to see how it goes. Feel free to mogmail me etc if you need anything.
Our kids return in 2 weeks but new teachers started yesterday with induction. I do love this time of year, it's like a new start, new year, new chance to do anew better what we did last year and help kids succeed.... cheers to ya!
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Thanks all for the kind words, now I am going to try and respond to each one of ya.............nothing like coming home from work to over 100 emails!
Dale - will do, just hope they are buying what I am selling
Annie - I learned the last time and there will be no deleting of any account. I am not even going to turn off the emails, I feel coming here after a days teaching will be a bit of a release for me
David - no worries, and most likely you will see me more than you think
Jox - had to rub it in didnt you. I put you at number one because deep down I think I should be living in london
Roxy - thanks, its kind of fun hearing a compliment like that........but you will never see me wearing a shirt that says that
P-wagz - I can only hope they dont eat me alive in the process
Eric - Its about 20 minutes, and that time in the car usually means music being played rather loud. Both to and from school
Ivy - indeed I will rawk on!
lakposhti - you work for the man do ya.............? This is where I delete you from my trusted!
ms - I will be around, learned my lesson last time, plus I dont want to piss of Hyman again!
Debbiess - feel free to drop me a line anytime. I remember my student teaching days, no matter what you think it gets a lot easier. This will be year 11 for me, and right now I have a second year teacher looking to me for all the answers. I do what I can to help him, its what teachers do
Sunshine - if there are anymore posts like that, you will be sure to see me sticking my nose in to try and win the title.
Steve - after last year it can only get better for me
brittany - I will most likely be on more than I should be.........
darmuzz - as far as I am concerned there is no other coffee!
Dzendvokh - I will try and keep you informed, hope my journal entries are not as long as this last year
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dharmachris- yes this time of the year has a certain excitement to it doesnt it? Too bad stores have to ruin it by putting out their school supplies in early July
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Glad to have ya back around, homie. And I'm not taking that "School has me swamped!" excuse. I still expect a post every now and again.
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troy you are stuck with my like a case of herpes
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Just catching up on this. Really. I am the Prince of Procrastination. Hope the school year is well in hand. Those young minds need encouragement, and you're the guy to give it to them.