Haul

I sometimes watch a comedic show called "Viral Video Film School." It's vulgar, so I wouldn't recommend it, but it definitely appeals to my dark sense of humor, featuring videos of people falling off of buildings or setting themselves on fire. (I know.)

One episode featured videos of people bragging about their shopping trips, bargains, and great finds. The modern word for bringing home loads of things purchased at discount prices is..."haul."

I'm amused by my own excitement over recent purchases at an estate sale. I had a rare day off and I spent several hours poking through stacks of things inside a historic brick mansion. It felt like a real treat just to go inside the house.

It was also the first time I'd purchased anything special for our new house.

So here is a picture of something from my haul. It's a green enamel roaster that we are now using as our bread box. I love the color, and the peculiar "clang" I hear when the top closes on the bottom.

I also found things for the boys like weights and Pokemon cards.

Those things, of course, are now strewn from end to end of the "man room."

Guess its time again for some V.V.F.S. and a good laugh.

Have you had a good haul recently?

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The Office

A year and a half ago, or so, my office at the college where I teach was moved. The department's secretary provided me with boxes for my books and files and a key.

I haven't spent much time there. My name isn't even on the door. I took most of my books home, especially my book of poetry signed by Father Cardenal.

On the door there is a cork board. There's a piece of lined yellow paper with the words "Keith Amarind's Office" written in pencil tacked on the board. There's also a silver crucifix hanging from a pin.

On the desk there's a lamp. It's usually left on when I come in to teach at night and the rest of the offices are dark. I wonder who leaves it lit.

There's a framed picture of George Donohue on the top shelf of the book case.

I remember him fondly. He had a heart attack and passed away on the first day of the semester in that same office. Keith found him there.

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We Love Lucy

Over break I took three teens to Jamestown, N.Y. to the Lucy Desi Museum.

We visited The Center, The Playhouse, and Lucille Ball's grave site.

Perhaps because I'm a Spanish teacher and a student of African drumming, I'm equally intrigued by Desi's life story as I am Lucy's.

I desperately hoped to see one if his hand drums on display. Instead, there were riding crops and a leisure suit.

We've been watching all the "I Love Lucy" episodes we can get our hands on, and I was thrilled to find a Desi Arnaz channel on Pandora Radio.

Babalu!

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New Year's Resolution

My goal for 2012 is to laugh and play more.

I realized, toward the end of 2011, that I'd practically forgotten how to relax and simply have fun.