The Observation Deck

Jim,

I feel your pain.

I worked damn hard for my 2.1 GPA..

and not in school, of course.

but I'd rather take the roof over my head and helping my parents with money so they don't have to work 3 jobs and being happy than finishing High School with a 3.5+ GPA.

2.1 or 3.9, I'd still go to Lorain County Community College to tell you the truth.

And community college isn't bad. It doesn't stop people from being successful.. look at my brother. He went from getting a low-class Plumber/Electrician/Maintenence worker sentence in Germany after being denied his right to pursue an education to working for a NASA contractor and the sky is the limit for him. Literally.

It's all about the drive and passion. If you love what you do, and surround yourself with people that don't doubt you and provide support, you'll go as far as you aim.

Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.


But back to the prank thing, I think I have the perfect prank for the administration..which is... I'd show up to school every day!

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:hahahahaahahaha no he didn't. I'd love to hear about this.

Maybe instead of girls, we can do dunk Dr.Estrop in an inkwell

Ivor

Back when Ken was in school they had these things called quills. A young lad like Ken would be allowed a pen knife to keep the point sharp as he practised hours of Cursive writing styles, and his multiplication tables. The Scopes Monkey Trial was the news of the day. Little Becky leaned back...

Also I wouldn't be so hard on Dr. Estrop.


DL

yes, I have the pay stubs from Carmichael Industies.

I'm not being hard on him at all.

What he's brought to the District is hard to duplicate. If it wasn't for NCBL he'd be a hero in Ohio. The thing is, I have to freeze my butt off when they don't turn on the heat in the first 3 weeks of winter because we can't wear hoodies.

Layers don't work. Last year I went to school with 5 Layers and a coat. I'd get to the door and take my jacket and hoodie off because you were allowed to wear a hoodie to school, and then I'd get this cold chill and breeze that fills the depressing hallways of LHS.

As the security guard greets me and says good morning, I reply "damn, it's cold out there" and we'd chuckle.

Next time you have lunch with the guy, tell him he can pay my antibiotics and moonshine the next time I freeze to death INSIDE the building and get sick for a week.

to quote a legendary science teacher at LHS who just retired this past year. we asked him if moonshine was illegal, and he replied "well, I see the moon shine every night and I'm not getting in trouble."

And my disliking of Dr.Estrop goes far deeper than the no hoodie rule. His fascist way of thinking and controlling 3000 people doesn't fly with me. When I win the National PTA Reflections contest 2 years in a row this year, it will be the 2nd year in a row I haven't even gotten a handshake and congratulations from the guy. But he can still go and boast about other winners in several articles all he wants, because I don't need him.

If I was a Superintendent and one of my students from the District I work for beat over 480,000 students nationwide and came up two spots short of 1st place I'd be damn proud to have him as a student in my District.

It's not the recognition that counts for me, I can provide my own recognition by getting satisfaction from my work whether I win Nationals or not.

It's the respect. I'd swallow my pride and stretch my hand out to shake his hand every time. But if he won't give me that respect in return, I have no desire to speak to the guy.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:DL

yes, I have the pay stubs from Carmichael Industies.

Nice redirection.

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:And my disliking of Dr.Estrop goes far deeper than the no hoodie rule. His fascist way of thinking and controlling 3000 people doesn't fly with me. When I win the National PTA Reflections contest 2 years in a row this year, it will be the 2nd year in a row I haven't even gotten a handshake and congratulations from the guy. But he can still go and boast about other winners in several articles all he wants, because I don't need him.

Ivor

I am telling you, you have got Dr. E. wrong on this. I have to admit I was not sure of Dr. E when I first met him. He is a good guy, and really cares about the students more than anything. It has to be an overisght on his part. Of course it might be who you hang around with?! I hear that big Irish guy is not good for anyone'e reputation.

Ivor I thought I told you. You and I are karate guys. Karate guys bleed on the inside.

.

Jim you have me on your side on everything but this.

It's inevitable that he cares for the schools and students because he's put so much effort into making our schools the way they are now.

I'll give him credit, he's done a great job.

BUT-

you're right- the swim upstream is really refreshing.

and don't worry I'm not calling him a fascist- it's just that word comes to mind when remembering last year and how teachers and students felt about the administration.

In doing my interviews for my lovely editorial piece on the dress code and school for the Times last year, I got a clear image of how annoyed everyone was of the "higher ups".

I do swim upstream, I'm a member of the Lakewood Times- we're taught to disagree and rebel

and how can you eat lunch with the guy?

I hope you don't pay the tab.