Parking at BCC

I recently heard a woman complaining about the parking at BCC. I had to grin and told her not to worry. The winds of November would surely clear the lot. She looked puzzled and I explained that by November a lot of people drop out and she will be able to park wherever she pleases.

Cambodia

I talked to my brother John (The journalist Denver's Rocky Mountain News) yesterday. He and my sister-in-law are going to Cambodia next week. His paper sponsors a program where foreign correspondents visit Denver and there is an exchange of ideas, maybe a lecture and then they go out and do their jobs. Well, a reporter from Cambodia came to Denver and stayed with my brother and his wife. I guess he was so taken by them that he invited them to visit him in Cambodia. I have to think it's the first time an Ensslin has visited Cambodia and not dropped 500 pound pieces of ordinance on the place. (My Uncle Kenny flew B-52 missions out of Thailand) But then Uncle Kenny wasn't worried about losing his luggage either.
I'd be more concerned about starving. Bon voyage bro!

Reunions

Great weekend! Connected with the family, two former colleagues, some quality time with my wife. Could I ask for more? Would have been perfect had the GIANTS won. On Friday I'm going to be at a reception for an art show/fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. It should be a lot of fun, truly a great cause and some rather decent art. Come join me - e-mail me for directions.

Working for the Weekend

I've been busy, but a fun kind of busy. But if I don't get some new wheels soon, I won't be busy at all. On Friday I had to go for some in-service training at the police academy. I don't normally enjoy those things and sometimes have some issues with the credentials of the instructors and their motivation for even being there. Being a graduate of that institution, I take those kind of things personally. But it was actually mildly interesting and presented in a pain-free manner. (911-mapping)

Then in the afternoon, it was my turn to lecture. I was doing this as a favor for the institute for Learning in Retirement at BCC, and for my own ulterior motives. I was half expecting the older crowd to be a bit difficult, but they were genuinely warm and a different kind of experience. Many times when I teach, my audience is less than enthusiastic. Some are there because they feel obliged to be there in order to get a passing grade. These people were there because they are genuinely interested. It made for a really pleasant experience.

Saturday, two photo shoots, yes, a return to the men's room. (see image attached) It's more than a little provocative but most of what I do is.


I got some e-mail over the weekend, two which really shook me up, one a notice from one of the Vice Presidents of the college. Apparently a member of the library staff was killed in an accident as he was crossing Paramus Road. His name was Anthony Karpi, and while I did not know this man well, I often would see him in the library, always say hello in the hallways. Whenever I had dealings with him he was pleasant, helpful and just seemed like a nice guy. He's going to be in my thoughts for a while.

The other e-mail was far more pleasant, so pleasant in fact I feel like I need to share it:


Mark:

In a spark of memory your name popped into my head--- why almost 30 years later I have no idea. With the marvels of the internet, a quick search brought me to your web site.
I don't know if you remember me. But, I believe you were my track coach in high school. Both you and Mike? ( last name eludes me). gave me some high school memories I don't forget. to this day I tell stories about running to the GW Bridge from St.Joes!
I've checked your portfolio and the photos are quite interesting. glad to see you're so multitalented.
Well, Just wanted to give a quick hello and let you know of a life you touched a long time ago.
Best Wishes,

Dave Dragonette,BA, MICP

Well, that should be enough for now, The weekend is not nearly over. The GIANTS Monday night against the Aints!
Go Giants!

What she does when you are not looking!

Behaving Badly

Having a Master's degree is no license to be rude!

Long Week

Pretty good week here... Sat in on one of my first photo instructor's (Back in the 90's - Frank Aiello) class at WPU. It was amazing, like a flashback he picked up right where we left off. So much to learn from that guy.
Then attended a reception for Allumni/graduate students. (I'm both) which was largely social, but I did meet some interesting people and Wendy Erickson's presentation was really good. Lots to be learned from her too!
I had to leave early as the reception/presentations seemed to be going on forever. Thursday, an in-service with the good people from CIT. I can't say enough about these guys. They really have their collective acts together and they have the numbers to prove it. I not only come away from them every time knowing something new and useful, but come away with the sense that I'm on the right track. I'm a believer! Thursday night I attended an opening of Mauro Altamura's in Jersey City. I went to high school with Mauro and now he is the Photo Department Chair at New Jersey City University. His work is genuinely impressive. And I got to hang with my good friend Meliisa B and my former lab assistant Lauren L. A glass of wine, two beautiful women, yeah, I can do that!
Friday evening I attended a wedding. One of my former students invited my wife and I.
I spent some time thinking about my relationships with students. The wedding was a hoot! Kevin's friends and family are like him, warm, generous, and fun to be around.
It occurred to me that I got an e-mail from one of my current students who was amazed that I not only allow her to call me by my first name buit give out my home and cell phone numbers. I had to smile and wondered what some of my colleagues would think of that.
Saturday, a bit fuzzy at first, but a photo shoot with two former students at WPU in the morniong. Amazing stuff, the afternoon spent moving art from one venue to another and the evening, dinner on the deck with my wife. Life is good.
Sunday is mostly entertainment. My mother-in-law's 75th birthday. Lots of guests, family and the like. My wife did an awesome job putting it together. I babrecued and successfuly didn't burn a thing including my pants.
Sunday gets better, The JETS lose, The Yankees beat those fakers from Boston and the GIANTS win.
Well, back to work!

BCC Bookstore!

I think the images tell the story...

Labor Day

I've been avoiding commenting on the disaster in the Gulf Coast. I'm not going to complain about the gas prices anymore either. I'm thinking about how lucky I am.
My heart is spread very thin. I think of both the men and women in Iraq and of the victims of this catastrophe.
I'm going to pray that the finger pointing stops long enough for the powers that be to get something done.

A dozen of my colleagues are going to go Missisippi as volunteers. God speed amigos, be safe!

Slow Start

School has officially started, but for me you would hardly notice it. I went to the adjunct conference last night and it was really ordinary. The food was pretty good, but the speakers while genuinely well spoken, were somewhat less than informative. I do have to admit the people from the center for instructional technology keep getting better and better. I'm really impressed with their efforts. But in the middle of a speech, a woman comes into the cafeteria and quietly begins handing out materials asking the adjuncts if they would be interested in unionizing. When she got near the table where some of the department heads and deans were sitting, she was escorted from the room. That was a morbid highlight to the evening.
The department meeting on the other hand was quite enlightening. I think it was as informative for the coordinator as it was for the adjuncts. I was kind of sorry to see that our numbers have dwindled. While enrollment is up in the other disciplines, it appears to be down in the art department. But that is beyond anything any ajunct can adress.

My students are slowly logging into the course and so far the response sounds positive. I hope they are even half as much fun as last semester's lot. I'm sure things will accellerate soon!