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Tuesday, December 4th, 2007
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8:35 pm
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Peter Krause
December 4, 2007
AP Language
The inner-city: impoverished, neglected, notoriously crime ridden and structurally decrepit. Something avoided by those who live elsewhere and constantly an issue here in Baltimore. Living in such an environment is bad, attending school there is worse, and trying to balance the two in such an unaccommodating setting is nightmarish, especially for school-age children.
With their home life often plagued by poverty, drug abuse, and absent or incapable parents, school children in Baltimore City frequently lack motivation and interest in school. In poor neighborhoods such as Mondawmin or parts of Central West Baltimore, where education is not strongly advocated, it is not uncommon for a child’s pursuit of academia to be greatly hindered by broken homes, family, and personal issues that take precedence over school.
Mrs. Sylvia Hebron-Furbush, a seventh grade school teacher at Booker T. Washington Middle School, located in Bolton Hill, has seen this first hand.
“Some of these kids honestly go through a whole lot in their young lives” she says, “I see them come in tired, sleepy, and with no energy, and sometimes they are even angry.” (Houppert, pg. 75.) Exhausted and angry is no state of mind to be in when tasked with learning. If getting to school means dragging one’s self out of bed, tired and knowing poverty, only to “survive” the streets of Baltimore and whatever they may bring early in the morning, it is no surprise that youth are not enthusiastic about the school day. (Houppert, pg. 75.) How can someone, especially a young seventh grader, possibly hope to comprehend the material at hand if their mind is elsewhere, asleep, or aggravated?
One of her students, Hebron Fur-bush explains, is late almost every day, “because she has to dress and feed and take all her younger brothers and sisters to school first.” (Houppert, pg. 75.)
How can a child find time to get their homework done, study, or even get to school on time if they are tasked with caring for multiple younger siblings? How can a child even afford to be a student at all in some of the roughest parts of Baltimore, what with their less-than-desirable home lives encroaching on their academic performance?
By setting “rigorous standards” is CEO of New Leaders for New Schools, Jon Schnur’s answer. (Haddod, pg. 58.)
By asserting standards of quality of education for not only the students, but the teachers and school system as a whole, the importance of an education would make itself more apparent to parents and students alike. If, by some means or miracle, families became able to separate troubles outside of the classroom with the learning possible within, the grave importance of an education might make itself apparent on street corners and in Section 8 housing alike.
A realization and then a shuffle of priorities is all it would take in a utopia; a serious buckling down, in a sense. This is not a utopia, however. This is Baltimore, and the habitual problem of disinterested students living lives at home that never allow them a chance at genuine interest is here to stay for a while.
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| Thursday, January 4th, 2007
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11:00 pm - I still write 2006 at the top of my papers...
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I started off the new year amazingly well. I finished all my homework in school, practically enjoyed school, and then this evening I really got to use my longboard. Dont get me wrong, almost every night since I aquired it at christmas I have gone out and flown through the streets at night. It is incredibly fun. Tonight, however, I decided to really break it in. I grabbed lots of warm clothes, a CD player and Bob Dylans greatest hits and ran out the door. I rode around the usual streets like the one along the park and some of the quieter parts of towson until I came to a street I (Notice the I!) drive down everyday to get to school but never really associated with longboarding. Its a very steep, winding, dark, one way and most importantly: not a very popular street. Perfect. I put my board down and started, just like that. I picked up speed and was most immediatey certain I was going to die. It was insanely fast and terribly dark. I kept glancing behind me while flying down to check for the inevitable car. My feet rattled and I grinded my teeth but it was awesome! At the end the street is brand new and nice and paved and smooth. What a feeling to come tearing down that road and the coast the last football field or so to Mr. Tamberine Man. Quite something. Anyway, thats my skateboarding story.
For the new year I resolve to keep doing well in school and to see those people I care about a lot, more... as well as riding that hill again.
Bye.
current music: ?
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| Friday, December 29th, 2006
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5:03 pm
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Well finally, despite the efforts of bad luck, communist math teachers, and more bad luck, I have my license!
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, December 27th, 2006
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12:43 am - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
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My phone took a swim. It was sad. It drowned. It could not swim.
Hence, from Montana I wish everyone the best of the bestest holidays! Here on lj...
Alec, merry christmas! I hope you laughed and were happy today. How was xmas in your new place?
Katie! I hope you danced and were happy today. Were still on for a uber-writeoff?
Rachel J, I hope you had a ball being home and were happy today. I ran into you at Record and Tape traders! It was cool. Merry christmas- have you heard the new 'The Who' cd?
Rachel M, hi, merry christmas. I hope life is excellent and you were happy today!
Jon, your sitting in the same room as me now but I wish you a great christmas none-the-less! I hope you beat the level in Monster Hunter you are playing right now and are happy!
current music: Endless Wire
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| Thursday, December 14th, 2006
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7:36 pm
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La de da de da so lately I....
Bought new shoes FINALLY
Watched Forest Gump
Ran 500 paces in 1:39
Wrote some for the first in a while
Read some Hemingway and decided he is a genious
Listened to some really, really good acoustic Metallica
Realized that in like a week I will be drowning in snow in Montana
Got a 87 in science; an improvement from last years 65
Read The Armour of Contempt again
Talked to my mom, shes in the islands where is warm and expensive
Baked a yummy cake
Wandered around Towson and decided that they sky is nice
Ate a yummy cake
Took an interest in Michail Kalashnikov
Got something published in a magezine put out by the alumi of my school. Its the main article and was mailed to like 1000 people which was pretty cool
Wrote this and thought about stuff
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| Monday, December 11th, 2006
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10:24 pm
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Trancendant. Going everywhere he wishes. Getting past the restraits and struggles of now. Confident. Trancendant.
current mood: There are 5 of them.
current music: An amazing acoustic version of Fade to Black
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(comment on this)
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| Thursday, November 30th, 2006
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6:29 pm
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As of today, 1979 'The Wall' released in America. Thank god for this day.
current music: The Wall
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| Sunday, November 26th, 2006
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11:29 pm
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Happy belated thanksgiving. This is a nice time of year, you get off school.
Yesterday was possibly the best day I have in a long, long time. It was it was it was.
current mood:  thoughtful
current music: The Battle of Los Angeles!
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| Thursday, November 23rd, 2006
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9:49 pm
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Almost all of his officers were already there when he reached the command room, but not a single one questioned his tardiness. On the contrary, they greeted him with the highest respect after seeing and hearing about his courageous actions. Juniper Ark, who had been up on the wall watching the horrific spectacle with four platoons, saluted, shook his hand, and then dumbly saluted again, as if that was all he could think of that would sum up his admiration. Theomore Tomb, the iron disciple who had kept the internal wall guns and fire-slits running like clockwork, saluted and congratulated him on what he heartily called “a swift and sudden strike at the most opportune moment possible.”
Lean unshaven and lanky, with a perpetual squint about his gaze and a cheap cigar forver in his teeth, Armor Commander Svern Thresaman leaned in, unorthadoxly giving him a very sincere bearhug as well as a salute.
“Good to see you see up an intact, mate. Awful lot ‘a raucous we’ve been hearing from the lines, sounded like quite the engagement you boots cooked up.” The man had a rugged, priceless grin.
“That it was, commander. I heard from 4th platoons vox man that you kept the communication lines open- offering to try an get around an reinforce us from the flanks more than once. For that, I thank you. The time will come where your machines will prove invaluable; I have no doubt about that.” He managed a grin in return. “I fear you damn treads will be our saving grace and I will have an embarrassing dept to repay when this is all over and won.”
‘Boot’ and ‘tread’, age old nicknames of friendly competition between the Infantry and Tank divisions of the Emperors mighty legions. Atbash embraced the man and pulled away, certain now he could like and trust this man to be his armor cover.
Atbash was glad to see his command staff in one place, and for the most part- one piece. He took all their hands and returned all their salutes, acknowledging the handful of corporals and sergeants present as well.
“Where’s Vanivun?” he asked, looking around. “I know he was still in surgery a couple hours ago.”
“Still there, finishing up.” Said Juniper. “He lost a good deal of blood from the head wound, but he should be up shortly. He’s stable and recovering.”
Atbash nodded. “And everyone else, besides the ahh…obvious, is here?” It took a few seconds, but eventually the room understood that he meant Paxander. News and gossip of the battle: dead, heroics, horrific's, close calls, and most intriguing- deserters and cowards, traveled fast through the enlisted ranks, and the men swapped the latest chit-chat like giant schoolgirls with muscles and guns. Everyone knew of Paxander’s disappearance, and while a fortress-wide search had been conducted, they had not found a single trace of him. They had not pushed the issue; manpower was desperately low.
“Yes, everyone besides…him, and Corporal’s Vussbow and Tobias.” He turned to the small group of petty officers. “Vussbow- Emperor embrace his soul- was on the wall with me when he the rockets hit and Tobias was…” He looked at the petty officers, unsure.
“He was trying to unjam my auto for me when the orks came over the top.” Said one of the sergeants, a twang of pain in his deep tone. “Brave man, he killed one of the damn flamethrowers before he could fry us.”
The group remuniated for a moment.
“His loss, along with the many others, shall not be forgotten and shall not have been in vain”, said Atbash. “Their will be a time to reflect on our losses and contemplate the meaning of their deaths, it will be a solemn time and a grave time.” He paused, looking his officers over. He felt the twinge of both power and responsibility that comes with the senior staff’s pins. They were out there, coming for them…
“That time will come later, as for now; all who are able are here. That’s good; we have things to go over in lieu of the first offensive.” Time to address…
“With me, please, gentlemen. We have a fortress to hold and an enemy to address a second time; most likely more.” Atbash led them to the right side of the room, to the long silver council table where they all sat under hanging yellow lights. An aid brought him two folders full of charts and new information as it came. Another held out three bottles of chilled mineral water on a tray.
“Thanks” said Atbash passing the cold beverages and crystal glasses around. “For every bottle we drink, I want ten given to the wounded and twenty to the rest of the men. See that they get glasses, and you help yourself as well. We shall not horde any lavish commodity up here. If any man would like more, see to it he gets it or send him up here to receive it personally. No one who is willing to bleed with me will be refused to drink with me. It will be my honor to quench their thirst.”
current music: ...And Justice for All
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| Tuesday, November 21st, 2006
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5:57 pm
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"Chaos claims the unwary or the incomplete.
A true man may flich away its embrace,
if he is stalwart, and he grids his soul
with the armor or contempt."
Books are good, I like books.
current music: Chevelle
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| Monday, October 30th, 2006
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9:58 pm
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October 28th is a good day of the year.
Thankyou for such a good time, Katie!
Alec, still alive?
current mood:  chipper
current music: Bob Dylan
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| Friday, October 20th, 2006
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9:32 pm
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Boy Scout thing this weekend. Be back Sunday. Friends are good, I like friends.
current music: Guns 'n Roses cuz they rock. Take that Katie!
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| Saturday, October 14th, 2006
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4:05 am
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Boston was fun and school is not.
Alec, did the hotel manager ever call you back? Howd that go?
current mood: Tired
current music: Rage Against the Machine
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4:05 am
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Boston was fun and school is not.
Alec, did the hotel manager ever call you back? Howd that go?
current mood: Tired
current music: Rage Against the Machine
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(comment on this)
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| Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006
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10:31 pm
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“Hey, Mick.”
“Yeah, man?”
“I want you to do something for me, ok?”
“Sure.”
“You listening?”
“Yeah, man, what’s up?”
“Listen; if I’m ever working in some stupid cubicle, a slave to the system and bored outa my mind- outa my life, even- , I want you to kill me. Kill me, Ok?”
“Alright, man.”
“I’m serious, Mick.”
“I know.”
current mood: How do I get tickets for G 'n
current music: R concert at Nissan?!?!?!
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, September 27th, 2006
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11:40 pm
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*That warm fuzzy feeling when everything is fine and going well- even school; where you ejoy everyone and everything and everywhere, and are totally sick of ice cream.*
current music: Sad But True
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| Monday, September 18th, 2006
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12:02 pm
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Guns And Roses - Civil War
"What we've got here is failure to
communicate.
Some men you just can't reach...
So, you get what we had here last week,
which is the way he wants it!
Well, he gets it!
N' I don't like it any more than you men."
Look at your young men fighting
Look at your women crying
Look at your young men dying
The way they've always done before
Look at the hate we're breeding
Look at the fear we're feeding
Look at the lives we're leading
The way we've always done before
My hands are tied
The billions shift from side to side
And the wars go on with brainwashed pride
For the love of God and our human rights
And all these things are swept aside
By bloody hands time can't deny
And are washed away by your genocide
And history hides the lies of our civil wars
D'you wear a black armband
When they shot the man
Who said "Peace could last forever"
And in my first memories
They shot Kennedy
I went numb when I learned to see
So I never fell for Vietnam
We got the wall of D.C. to remind us all
That you can't trust freedom
When it's not in your hands
When everybody's fightin'
For their promised land
And
I don't need your civil war
It feeds the rich while it buries the poor
Your power hungry sellin' soldiers
In a human grocery store
Ain't that fresh
I don't need your civil war
Look at the shoes your filling
Look at the blood we're spilling
Look at the world we're killing
The way we've always done before
Look in the doubt we've wallowed
Look at the leaders we've followed
Look at the lies we've swallowed
And I don't want to hear no more
My hands are tied
For all I've seen has changed my mind
But still the wars go on as the years go by
With no love of God or human rights
'Cause all these dreams are swept aside
By bloody hands of the hypnotized
Who carry the cross of homicide
And history bears the scars of our civil wars
"WE PRACTICE SELECTIVE ANNIHILATION OF MAYORS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
FOR EXAMPLE TO CREATE A VACUUM
THEN WE FILL THAT VACUUM
AS POPULAR WAR ADVANCES
PEACE IS CLOSER" **
I don't need your civil war
It feeds the rich while it buries the poor
Your power hungry sellin' soldiers
In a human grocery store
Ain't that fresh
And I don't need your civil war
I don't need your civil war
I don't need your civil war
Your power hungry sellin' soldiers
In a human grocery store
Ain't that fresh
I don't need your civil war
I don't need one more war
I don't need one more war
Whaz so civil 'bout war anyway
Soooo busy being the hard working, A-striving student I've never been.
current mood: about war anyway?
current music: Whats so civil
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| Monday, September 11th, 2006
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5:07 pm
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"They look at me at work, when I'm giving the stock report or exchange talks in the board room- and my boos, coworkers and friends- in me, they see nothing. ...Except the guy with the lazy eye. He see's nothing and the vending machine."
current music: Three Days Grace
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| Tuesday, September 5th, 2006
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10:35 pm
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"So what'd you do over the summer, Peter?"
"Oh, I went to Mexico during the politcal protest. 75,000 people rioting in the streets, burning stuff and setting up roadblocks. Hijacking busses, positioning them across highways and lighting them on fire. Ya know, the usual..."
"...uh huh"
Mexico. I went to Mexico for the second time in my life. Not over-the-border Americana Mexico. Mexico. Real under Mexico City Mexico. Oaxaca, large city- lots of coffe and and great chocolate. Beautiful wedding. 5 star resort-ish type place. Flowers. Palm trees. Sunshine. More flowers. The works. Quite nice. The protestors though, fuckin scary at times. Really freaked me out. One guy was waving a burning poster. Another had a knife. Not the ak-47 weilding firebrands you see on tv, but not too too far behind. Nerve wracking. Quite a wedding though, both the bride- Rachel and the groom- Adrian, were overjoyed. I love weddings. Nice words said. Tears of joy, and off loss and gain by the parents and couples. LOTS of dancing. Fun.
And here I am, with school starting in a few hours. I'm impassive.
Good schedule.
Good teachers.
Good classes.
Hell, good kids- some of them.
Whats not to like?
Oh yeah, wait, its school.
Blah blah blah.
*Comment on Rachels journal* Hi, hows Boston? Between now and October, if there is any music you want- I'll bring the metallica strings- let me know, I'll bring it to Boston. Music is good.
current music: Polly
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| Wednesday, August 30th, 2006
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11:55 pm
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Tonight I laughed the hardest I have laughed in a while. I was scared as to wheather or not I still could REALLY laugh before that, so it was nice to do.
"No don't hit her!"
Tommorow Mexico. Then school. Cool...?
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