Thanks to a teacher.

I had a dream last night about an old teacher of mine. His name is Jim Beck and he was my Visual Communications teacher in 7th grade and taught graphic arts when I was in 9th grade.

Mr. Beck was one of the first teachers that made an impact in my life. His classes were fun and he really related to the students. This may have something to do with him graduating from the same school we were in, or that he was fresh out of college.

I remember the first time I met him. It was the second semester in 7th grade, 9th period, the last of the day. I walked in the room and it was "like" at first site. He looked just the guy the played "The Greatest American Hero."

He was nice, and us pimply nosed kids learned how to make really cool things. He had us design a stand (for lack of a better word) that we had to make out of manilla folders. This stand had to have "cells" in it like a bees nest and the end result would be that we would set weights on top of it and see how much weight it could hold. It was amazing that something made of manilla could withstand a 100 pound anvil.

That year, he and I become friends. At least as much as a teacher and student could. He would write me passes to come down to the technology area and I would hang out with the "gang" which were comprised of other teachers and students. I would grade papers and work on projects for the school. I call this the beginning of my brown nose years :)

As I went into 8th grade, I continued with "hanging out" with the gang, even though I didn't have Mr. Beck for class. This was the only place in school that I felt wanted, needed and appreciated.

9th grade was a blast for me, yeah I had him for class, but this is were I learned darkroom techniques. He taught us how to develop black and white photos, as well as color slides. He taught us the meaning of working hard for things you believe in and never selling yourself short.

I remember him coming to me one day to ask my opinion about something. He had been offered a job in Colorado with a firm, he wanted to know if he should take it. Heck Yeah!!! Yes, he could always fall back on teaching, but this was the opportunity of a life time. Off he went at the end of my 9th year in school. The day he said goodbye to me, he gave me his prized hockey stick, which I still have.

I think I saw him one other time after that and got a few letters, though I heard from others what had happened to him. He got married and went to Colorado. He was there for a couple years and left his wife. He moved to Bucks County, PA and started teaching again. He got married again and has a couple kids.

Anyhow, this man made an impact in my life. He made me appreciate art and school. He is one of the reasons I am graduating from grad school in two weeks. I want to thank him for that - so thanks Mr. Beck for making me the person I am today.

Cell Phones, Respect and What the Heck are People Thinking...

I am probably showing my age with this post, but at 37 I feel I have a right to gripe about this topic - talking on a cell phone at the library.

I have pretty much stopped going to the library at school because of the noise, yes, I said noise. The library at Point Park is beautiful. It's in an old bank with three story high ceilings and the acoustics that belong in a concert hall.

Last weekend I was sitting at the back of the library near the vault (way cool room to study in by the way.) and I could hear the conversations taking place at the front door. The building is approximately 3/4 of a city block deep, so this was a long way for the voices to carry. I can deal with all that, but what happened next shocked me. The girl at the next table whips out her phone and starts a 10 minute conversation with someone. Ugh... I am here to study, not listen to phone conversations.

Yesterday I was going to meet Mom for lunch north of where I live, I thought I would go to the library at Slippery Rock, my Alma Mater. I never had too many problems with noise when I studied there before, that is until yesterday. All was quiet in the stacks and I had whipped through two chapters of the advertising psych book I was reading when I heard music. It sounded twingy, like someone had a pair of ear buds shoved in their ears with the music turned up way too loud. After a couple minutes the music stopped and I could hear a one way conversation. This twenty something was talking on a cell phone. Again, this went on for about 10 minutes then she shut up.

Here's my gripe. If you're gonna go to the library, turn the damn phone off or go in the lobby to talk. There are people there for a reason and that is not to hear a one sided conversation while trying to study.

Have the youth in our society lost all respect for others or have they never been taught to be quiet in a place like the library? Are we such a self centered society that no one else matters but me and what my needs are at a particular moment?

Maybe I am a little old fashioned, but I was brought up to be respectful of others no matter how different they are from myself. I was taught to help others when they are down and need a helping hand. And I was taught that when in the library to keep quiet and when speaking, keep it at a whisper.

Enough griping, I'm off to the library where I hope it will be a little more quiet than it was yesterday :)