The Final Frontier

Today my class took their second field trip...to the Chabot Planetarium and Space Center.  Since I reserved too late, we were not able to take a class; we watched two films.  Solarmax in the Megadome- a fantastic film about the Sun and its effects on our planet.  The Planetarium show was about the Maya and their astronomy.  The kids seemed to enjoy the trip- they loved the hands on attractions and the gift shop.  The best line of the day was "when can we go on a field trip where we don't have to learn about something."  Oh, one day they'll appreciate these trips!!

Stormy Weather

Another icon of American entertainment has joined the celestial choir...Miss Lena Horne.  Such a sultry voice and such a beautiful person, physically and spiritually.  An actress/singer, she will be remembered as Glinda the Good in the film version of The Wiz.  She also starred in Stormy Weather back in the 40s.
She overcame many hardships in the entertainment world due to her color, but she became a bonafide success!
I got to meet her when my friend Frank had to go back to get her autograph after her one woman show back in the 80s.  We waited at the stage door and were allowed in and met the legend herself.  I took a book detailing a musical she starred in, Jamaica.  She was ever so gracious and talked about that particular production.  I wish I knew more about her, but I know she was a belter and a lady.  Not many entertainers today can claim that.

Behind the Glitz, Glamour and Showbiz Beats a Heart

Friday afternoon an assembly was scheduled.  The note in the faculty room said "Assembly: A Career in Professional Wrestling."  At first, I read it fast and thought it said "professional writing."  Sure enough, we were going to have a visit from a professional wrestler; his niece attends my school.  My kids kept asking who was the wrestler.  I was as much in the dark as they were.
So, at 2 PM our vice principal announced, in her loud and booming voice, "Ladies and gentleman; boys and girls!  Presenting the Tonga Kid!"  Well, he walked in- a massive bulk of a man- dignified, proud and not looking as rough and tough as his television persona.  It was an actual human being.

He proceeded to talk; I thought it was going to be about the sport and entertainment of wrestling.  It was wonderful inspirational talk about life, school, mothers and his career.  He emphasized staying in school and doing homework.  He admitted to the kids that he did not know how to read and write.  He has traveled internationally, but was illiterate in certain things- the basic things.  Then he talked about mothers.  He choked up a few times.  Made me choke-up.  Here is a man who has wrestled with Rowdy Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan, shedding tears about his late mother.  Now that is a man with feeling and humanity- a role model for those kids who think crying is for sissies.  He also made it a good point to emphasize he did not live the life of luxury we think pro wrestlers live...he lives in an apartment with his family and drives a van!
He also told the kids never to attempt the moves seen on TV- those are practiced, rehearsed and they know how to break a fall.
I have enjoyed wrestling as an entertainment- shades of the gladiatorial arena of ancient Rome, but I have a new respect for the men, because they can put aside their "Hollywood image" and talk like the rest of us and reach out and tell the youth of today how it is.  Bravo for Sam Fatu...AKA the Tonga Kid!!