WHERE THE HOKEY POKEY "IS" WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

so this is goodbye............

Posted about 1 year ago

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.

Comments (42)

  1. satisfiedmind2 says

    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....

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  2. Rawkkiddoh says

    thanks Blair, and yes this summer seemed to be a bit of a blur

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  3. contrabandwidth says

    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!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  4. Groon says

    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.

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  5. RGM says

    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'!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  6. Rawkkiddoh says

    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.

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  7. Rawkkiddoh says

    NICE RGM! Love that Halen song and it fits perfectly!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  8. Augusts1 says

    Yup, it's gone fast. Don't be a goddamn stranger Tripbro! Moderation, moderation, moderation!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  9. Lizziegreeneyes says

    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 !!!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  10. watchbatteries says

    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.

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  11. Rawkkiddoh says

    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!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  12. Lizziegreeneyes says

    probably not... that would be kinda scary actually...

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  13. Rawkkiddoh says

    No problem Watch, also picked up Why? as well, another great suggestion!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  14. watchbatteries says

    Why? and the new Hold Steady album have been my most played this year. I really like verbose lyrics.

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  15. Rawkkiddoh says

    Why? is growing on me daily, and the hold steady, well it is freaking awesome!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  16. NeilNathan says

    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

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  17. Rawkkiddoh says

    I have already planned a stop at my local Caribou Coffee......... not sure if it will help though!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  18. watchbatteries says

    I met all of them after the show I saw last week, and they're all really cool guys.

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  19. Lyrikhan says

    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

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  20. Rawkkiddoh says

    thanks mang, dont worry you will see me around these parts come hell or high water..........or something like that!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  21. Dale says

    Train 'em up right, Kev!

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  22. annieander says

    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?

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  23. david hyman says

    do not delete your mog page! 

    miss ya

    Permalink posted 08/20/2008
  24. Joxley says

    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

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  25. pinkertonwasbetter says

    You're kind of like the coolest dad ever.

    ~Roxy

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  26. p-wagz says

    Keep those Richfield kids in line, now, hear?

    Have a fun year back in school!

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  27. Eric5776 says

    That's what this place is all about - finding some new music.  Enjoy the commute.  How long is the commute anyway?

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  28. ivylander says

    Rawk those younguns!

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  29. lakposhti says

    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.

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  30. msquared64 says

    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

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  31. Debbiess says

    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?

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  32. HelenMarie says

    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! 

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  33. steve simon says

    have a great school year

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  34. brittanybf says

    have a great school year, hope you'll pop in from time to time! mo' often, mo' betta!

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  35. darmuzz says

    Caribou Coffee, right on!

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  36. Dzendvokh says

    wow.. already... well, you will be missed.  Good luck on year 2. Keep us informed.

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  37. dharmachris says

    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!  

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  38. Rawkkiddoh says

    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

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  39. Rawkkiddoh says

    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

    Permalink posted 08/21/2008
  40. TroyPowers says

    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.

    Permalink posted 08/25/2008
  41. Rawkkiddoh says

    troy you are stuck with my like a case of herpes

    Permalink posted 08/25/2008
  42. Mike the Knife says

    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.

    Permalink posted 09/16/2008

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