Adult Education

I am a firm believer in life-long learning. Perhaps it’s my publishing background where I collaborate with such smart authors and publishing professionals.  I try to challenge myself to try new things, and even allow myself to experiment and fail.

 

In Carrboro, we have a great art school called the Artscenter.  I’ve taken two courses and plan to take more.  Sadly, most of the classes that I am interested in are on Tuesday nights when my knitting group meets.

 

Here are the courses that I’ve signed up for this spring: 

 

2011: ADVANCED WEB WEAVING WITH DREAMWEAVER AND FIREWORKS

 

Explore advanced methods for creating Web sites using these two popular applications, with the emphasis on Dreamweaver.  Increase your familiarity with the HTML codes that underlie every web page and learn how to manipulate blocks of content through the use of common tags.  Go beyond the basics to learn how to use cascading style sheets and server-side includes to enliven your pages and easily control the look of an entire site from only a few files.  Learn how to incorporate media objects in your pages, and how to create and add graphic buttons and simple, layer-based animation.

2066: ABSOLUTE BEGINNER SEWING

 

Are you afraid of your sewing machine?  Do you try to sew but can't get past the tangle in the bobbin?  This class is even more basic than basic sewing.  Bring your sewing machine (or use ours) and learn how a sewing machine sews, all about thread, needles and much more.  You will learn how your machine sews and what to do when it doesn't work.  Turn that repair or costume project from a chore to a joy.

 

 

2021: WRITING AND DRAWING CARTOONING FOR ADULTS

 

A course for both writers and artists. Learn to write and illustrate your own stories or write and draw your own editorial cartoons, comic strips and comic books. We will explore the history and development of cartooning and learn the chemistry of humor and drama told in both words and pictures; learn how to visually design your characters so they fit their parts; caricature your favorite (or least favorite) public figures and visually editorialize your views of them; and study the direction and timing that goes into creating sequential art-from greeting cards and multi-paneled comic strips to comic books and graphic novels.

Our recent visit to Boston

A few weeks ago, I took my kids to Boston to visit my family. My dad's health is not doing well, so it was nice to see him.

My sister Marianne was very generous to buy us all tickets. We spent time with her and her boyfriend. My kids were very excited about the snow and her dogs.

We went to the aquarium together. It was hard to manage Owen there. My sister doesn't have kids, and she was surprised by my two. She offered to bring them to an orphanage. They are a handful to say the least.

We went to Tricia and Mick's house next. It was great to see them and their amazing baby Ian. Zoe had a great time playing mommy with Ian.



I left the kids with family for a night on the town. Four of us went out to the theater. It was very nice to do something adult for a change.

We took the kids on the subway. Owen loves trains so it was a special treat for him. It's amusing to me that my kids are such country bumpkins. I grew up in the city and my mom didn't drive until I was 10. She used to take us "downtown" on the bus and subway.

We went to have lunch at my friend Christine's place. She lives in the finacial district near the waterfront. Owen climbed on their sofa, tried to jump out the window, licked their windows, and nearly broke their blinds. Luckily, my kids didn't break anything. It wasn't for lack of trying. We walked to the Children's Museum. My kids were pretty rotten, and my friend who also has no kids was very tollerant. Very.

We had a family birthday party with cake and candles. The cake was amazing, from my favorite Boston bakery.

It was nice to see everyone and have a few days back home.

 

 

Owen's Diner

 

There's a little cute diner in Chapel Hill called Owen's 501 Diner. It's located on the 501 highway. We point it out to our Owen as we drive by. And, a few weeks ago we all went there for lunch. Now our Owen calls it "my diner." Every time we pass by it he says, "Mom, I want to go to my diner."

Some people think diners are greasy spoons. As America evolves into a place with a Subway franchise (28678 Restaurants In 86 Countries) in every strip mall, unique places like diners are few and far between. Give me a diner any day over the usual sprawl. To me, a diner is a welcome sight. You don't know what you miss until they're gone.

Recently, I was surprised to see the Englewood Diner in a movie scene. The diner used to be located in my neighborhood in Dorchester, Mass. When I worked at a local community newspaper, I used to sell ads to the owner of the diner. It was adorable. I used to visit it a couple times a year. The movie was featured in The Road to Perdition with Tom Hanks, Jude Law, and Paul Newman. While listening to the director's commentary, I was interested to learn that the Englewood Diner had been purchased on EBay for $20,000.

So, when I get a bit homesick, I can pop in the Perdition DVD and remember my favorite diner. It is nice to see the Englewood Diner forever captured on film, but I'd rather be able to have their home-made corn beef hash and poached eggs.

What is a Democrat to do?

What is a liberal, white, working class female Democrat to do?

Of course, any Democrat would be better than the current occupant of the White House. I would be delighted with Obama, thrilled with Hillary, and pleased with Edwards. It's fabulous to have three terrific top candidates. But, you have to pick one. It is a hard decision. Especially for someone like me.

Obama is very smart. I admire him. I would be so proud if America elected a black man President. I do wonder if his style has enough substance. Does it?

I read his memoir of his childhood. It was very moving. He has youth on his side. He could run again in four, eight, or twelve years. How wise is he?

Hillary is amazing. She is a woman. It's high time we have a woman. That could be reason enough for me, but there is so much more. She survived the Republican scourge and humiliating scandals. Clearly she is brave, and smart. She has wisdom. She has Bill.

A first lady normally concerns herself with writing books about dogs, or wearing nice clothes. Hillary tried to fix our health care system.

Edwards is a local. We live in the same town. As Tip O'Neill said, "All politics is local." He is a self made man. He is a champion for the working class and poor. He much like Al Gore was robbed last time.

Spoilt for choice for President?

Since today is the New Hampshire Primary, I'm getting excited about the race. One of my sisters lives in New Hampshire and we frequently compare notes. She is not very politically active, but she does vote. She has been called repeatedly for weeks. She has been invited to many political events. On the other hand, I have not been contacted by anyone.