Friday Night Hockey

We just came from a losing Nanook hockey game. I'm sorry to say that we were only losing by one point when our goalie got pulled and we gave up another point. For me though, hockey is just about great skating, supporting a local team and the excitement of live sports. I have had offsides and icing explained to me many times, but I just don't pay that close attention.

I trace my lack of organized sports ability to my childhood. Growing up in Detroit in the 50s and 60s (i.e. before Title 9), the girls basically took the side field to the boys who were all going to grow up and be famous baseball or basketball players. When I was in grade school, the girls played baseball in a truncated rectangular space between the portables (temporary classrooms) and the boys' diamond. Right about that time, President Kennedy established the Presidential Fitness Awards (which I won one for pullups) so I wrote to him asking if he could do something about that. A few weeks later, I received a letter signed by him (or at least stamped with his name) that told me that although he couldn't solve my problem, he appreciated my letter. Imagine! He appreciated my letter. He created an activist single-handedly. I later went on to some activist actions, but that's another story. Later, when I decided to join the high school running team, I discovered that the girls practice was at 6 am so that the boys teams could use the track before, during and after school.

Here in Alaska, it is really ironic that kids don't play outside much and PE is only retained for all grades in very forward thinking schools. Even districts that have preserved PE only have it a few days a week in elementary school and as an elective in high school. No wonder kids are gaining weight. With pizza bread and nachos for lunch, "sit and get" classes and no PE, how can it be any different! Now, don't get defensive if this doesn't describe your school or your students. There are still many teachers (and some of them very young and new at the job) that make a concerted effort to teach nutrition and to get kids up out of their seats.

Tomorrow, there is supposed to be a 35 mile dogsled race from Two Rivers to Angel Creek. I was supposed to be guest ballast, but the lack of snow cancelled the passenger part of the race. We might get out there to see Wendy off, but probably won't stay. There is no better feeling than quietly gliding through a quiet dark trail, guided by the light from a headlamp. Unfortunately, I have only had this experience a few times. Dogs are lots of work- they keep you close to home, it's expensive and time-consuming to feed them and working prevents time to run them. In my next life.....

I went to a local high school today to mentor some of my collaborating teachers. They had received flowers from their principal. What a concept! They were thrilled and so was I! Shaun, you're the best!

I'm packing to leave on Sunday. I'll go to Bethel via Anchorage and on to Mekoryuk, then Toksook Bay, then Tununak. There's always a lot of action out there in terms of spunky kids and energetic teachers, not to mention the dynamic weather. Last time I was out that way, it was so icy that I had to resort to crawling at one point. Thank you Santa for the shoe grippers.