American Education...

This presidential season the focus has been on the economy. It bothers me a bit that not much has been said about education. There is a concrete, direct link between the quality of a nation's educational system and its economic development.

I was very lucky that I had access to quality education when I was young. Although Riverside does not have top performing schools, it did have very capable teachers who were able to challenge and prepare me for college and beyond. I thank all those teachers who took the extra effort to put up with an annoying, pompous kid, and recognized my potential.

This week Newsweek has a good article assessing the progress of education reform in the United States. This is a good read (link below). I recommend everyone to take a few minutes to read it. I will end with a quote from the article.

The American economy hasn't collapsed in the absence of public-school reform because its success is driven mainly by the small segment of the workforce that is highly educated.

LINK

Spanish Movie Review ....

Because I felt like writing in spanish ....

De vez en cuando me gusta ver películas extranjeras. Especialmente en español porque no necesito subtítulos. Esta noche decide ver “Y tu Mama También.” Después de ver esta película dos cosas son aparentemente. Primero, las película Mexicanas son mas graficas. Realmente entre mas viajo fuera del país, me doy mas cuenta que los Americanos son muy conservativos. Segundo, no crecer en un país español causo que hoy no entiendo la mayoría del español informal, lo que dicen los muchachos en la calle.

Esta fue una buena película. Se trata de un par de amigos que van en un viaje a una playa lejana con ana mujer mayor. Mientras viajan por todo el país, ellos ven la pobreza de la gente y la instabilidad social pero nunca le ponen atención porque esta preocupados con ideas y deseos sexuales. Cada vez que el narrador dice algo, la película se pone en silencio por un segundo antes, causando una sensación similar a cuando uno lee un libro. La recomiendo para cualquier persona, aunque no me gusto el final.

Termino con una frase de la pelicula: No hay mayor placer que dar placer.

Lyrics: Death Cab for Cutie - I will Possess Your Heart

This is their first single of their new album coming out next month. I am totally feeling this song right now.

----

How I wish you could see the potential,
the potential of you and me
It's like a book elegantly bound,
but in a language that you can't read

You gotta spend some time love, you gotta spend some time with me
And I know that you'll find love, I will possess your heart (2x)

There are days when outside your window,
I see my reflection as I slowly pass
And I long for this mirrored perspective,
when we'll be lovers, lovers at last

You gotta spend some time love, you gotta spend some time with me
And I know that you'll find love, I will possess your heart(2x)

I will possess your heart (2x)

You reject my advances and desperate pleas
I won't let you, let me down so easily, so easily

You gotta spend some time love, you gotta spend some time with me
And I know that you'll find love, I will possess your heart (3x)

I will possess your heart (3x)

Speechwriters LLC Write Back ...

Today was a long day with many errands all over the place, but coming home I found an email from Dave from the Speechwriters LLC.

Last month Becky and I went to see Dave from the Speechwriters at the Hotel Cafe. There he performed a brand new song (rap?) called "Sexual Professional" which the entire audience loved. When I got back home I emailed the band via the online comment form. I asked if there were any plays to release lyrics or recordings of the song. Dave finally got back to me and said he is working on a video for the song, and that this should be released on iTunes sometime this summer.

Hearing back from semi-famous people makes me happy. =)