Andy Smallman

Today’s photo, for my money, is the best photographic self-portrait I’ve ever seen. I mean it. Ella took it in 2004, just moments before taking the picture of Melinda in yesterday’s post. She had the hand mirror out on the dining room table, caught herself in it, and snapped this picture (remember, click on it to enlarge it).

I like the expression on her face, like she’s not quite sure if this is going to work out. She looks a little self-conscious, too, like she’s not sure she should be taking her picture.

I like her hand on the mirror, holding it in place. And I especially like the fingernail polish. What color is that anyway? Turquoise?

Today’s Prompt: What’s your favorite self-portrait?

Ella took this picture of Melinda (click on it to enlarge it) when she (Ella) was 7 years old. I really, really like it. I like LOTS of pictures that the girls took when they were quite young. In fact, I made a photo album of Chloe’s pictures (with her help) back when she was just a single digit age.

I don’t know exactly what makes these pictures so appealing to me. If it’s because they somehow convey an innocence, or if there is something about the perspective, or it it’s the angle or … In the case of this one, it also has to do with the cheap camera Ella was using and the light. It all came together to get this shot, which Melinda even uses as her profile picture on her Facebook page.

Today’s Prompt: Is there a form of “kid art” that you like?

PSCS is on spring break this week. Normally when the school is on spring break, Melinda & I take off, having saved our nickels, dimes and quarters to escape the dreary Seattle weather at this time of year and fly south. This year we are saving for our return trip to France this summer, meaning spring break finds us at home.

So at home this morning, getting caught up on all things Internet-related (remember, we were offline for almost three days), I came across this link that includes video of one of my favorite singers, Nick Lowe. Watching it, seeing Nick with his thick white hair, got me thinking of Jean Valjean, the main character in Les Misérables. I’ve been reading the book aloud to interested students at school so it’s on my mind.

Not a bad comparison, Nick Lowe as Jean Valjean.

Today’s Prompt: Compare a real person to a fictional character that inspires you.

We’re back online at home after being offline since Friday night. It’s been a real stress-inducer, being without the Internet. It’s pretty interesting to see how much we’ve come to rely on having quick access to all kinds of information. But did I really need to know the final score of the Vancouver Canucks hockey game on Saturday night?

Anyway, in the midst of our Internet darkness last night, Melinda, Ella and I went to a little French café called Café Presse for dinner. I ordered a cocktail and Melinda snapped this picture of my first sip.

For your cocktail aficionados out there, this was called “The Normandy,” undoubtedly because it contained calvados, a brandy from Normandy. It also had Grand Marnier and cranberry juice, and was served warm with an orange slice adorning the rim. I think it’s a better after-dinner drink than before-dinner, like I had it.

I should have known that, though, having lived in France for a year…

This picture of me is from 1987. I’m including it not because I am in it, but because of the hat I am wearing. I can say with almost certainty that this hat is the oldest item of clothing in my current wardrobe, thus making it a significant thing, at least to me.

The hat was a gift to me from my brother, Scott. I think it was a holiday gift, perhaps even for Christmas of 1986 but it might have been even before that. Still, it’s at least 25 years old, meaning it predates Melinda and the girls in my life. It’s gone everywhere with me since I’ve had it, including to France last year (I dare you to try to find out in how many photos on this blog I’m wearing this hat).

Over the years I’ve had people tell me that they really like the hat, and people tell me that it’s gone out of fashion. Me, I see it as a sign of stability, it having been with me consistently for so long.

Today’s Prompt: What item of clothing do you have now that you’ve had the longest?

Given the picture, I first thought I’d call this post “Kid Art,” but I’m pretty sure I have another post with that name. Two things make that hard to determine, at least as I’m writing. The first is I’ve written hundreds of posts so it’s getting harder and harder to search for them. But that’s not the main reason. More significantly, we’ve lost our Internet connection at home and won’t have it back until some time Monday afternoon, at the earliest. Needless to say this makes for some frustrating hours.

Disconnected.

Clearly, however, I’ve somehow managed to connect to the Internet to post this entry. Yeah, well, I wrote it at home and am posting it from a local café.

Anyway, I’m disconnected and frustrated. And I cheered myself up by finding this portrait of me drawn by Chloe many, many years ago.

Today’s Prompt: What makes you feel disconnected?

On Wednesday I introduced the concept of Desert Island Discs, sharing one of the songs I’d take with me should I have the misfortune of being marooned on a deserted island (and somehow have with me a handful of songs). Every day at PSCS this week I have interviewed a member of the staff, having them share the 5 songs they’d take with them.

Today at PSCS it was my turn. I was interviewed by a student and shared my 5 songs, getting to play each one and tell stories about them. Considering this from the standpoint of being stranded with only 5 songs, I picked songs that I connect very specifically with Melinda, Chloe and Ella.

If you are interested in my choices (plus 3 “bonus” choices – the BBC program allows 8), even getting to listen to them, go here.

Today’s Prompt: Here’s another chance to share YOUR 5 (or 8) desert island discs.

There are a couple of big events happening tonight at PSCS, hence the early posting. The first, getting set up right now in the large room next to where I am typing at school, is our volunteer appreciation dinner. As a community school, PSCS relies heavily on volunteers to provide a wide range of activities to our students. Tonight, we’re hosting a dinner at school to show our gratitude. Several students have spent the school week catering the meal, with guidance and help from a member of our staff.

Learn more here about volunteering at PSCS.

After that, it’s the opening night of three straight evening performances of the school’s annual play. More than half of the student body is involved, including Ella, who is one of the performers. Tickets are sold out for tonight but remain available here for tomorrow’s and Saturday’s performances.

Today’s Prompt: How did/do you get involved in extra-curricular high school activities?

At school this week I’ve been interviewing members of the staff in front of interested students. My interviews are based on the BBC Radio program Desert Island Discs in which “castaways” are asked to share 8 songs they would take with them if they were to be stranded on a deserted island (I’m asking the staff for 5). In sharing the songs, they get to talk about themselves, the songs being a way to gain insight into the person. PSCS being based as it is on human connection, I thought it would be a great way for the students to better know the staff. And I’m hoping that in future weeks some of the students will allow me to interview them.

Anyway, the tables are being turned on Friday and one of the students is going to interview me about my 5 songs. That got me thinking, of course. One of these songs, “Why” by Annie Lennox, is being chosen by me because it takes me right back to the time illustrated in today’s photo, Chloe’s birth and the months just after. Becoming a parent is a pretty significant life change, and this song works about as well as a time machine would in taking me there.

Today’s Prompt: Identify up to 5 songs you’d take with you to a deserted island.

I just finished my Tuesday jog, and included the southern tip of Ravenna Park, right near our house, as part of it. I jogged through last Thursday, as well, amidst a significant police presence. Turns out a man was killed there in the wee hours of Thursday morning. And as I feared, it turns out the man killed was someone I’d regularly see on most of my runs through the park.

I never knew his name but his presence was unmistakable. Large and foreboding, he regularly occupied a park bench, yes, the bench in today’s photo. Like others, I saw him as a kind of park guardian, a superhero of sorts. And truth be told, I also found him somewhat intimidating and scary. I had designs on approaching him and talking to him, thinking his story might make a good story for my Kind Living blog.

Too late for that. Alpha Lake Rajai, Ravenna Park guardian, was killed while trying to defend himself. If you care to, learn more at The Seattle Times story.

This post is intended as a tribute to Mr. Rajai, much as is his bench in the park today.

Today’s Prompt: Share a tribute to someone you know.