Of course this would happen to me...

My barber got arrested while cutting my hair.
I could not believe it.

I am sitting in the chair and four sheriff deputies come in.

My barber goes outside and comes back, announcing that the police are here to arrest him for missing child support payments.

Instead of stopping in the middle of the cut, my barber kept cutting. Shaking and holding back tears, my barber cut my hair.

I thought that I should tell him to stop, to go handle his business and not to worry about my hair. That was my first instinct. But did I do as Oprah has advised me to do MY ENTIRE LIFE? Of course not. Instead, I sat there, passively holding my hands together, hoping for the best.

For the first time in my life, I have waves. The only thing is, the waves are not in my hair, but are across my hair and face line.

Another one bites the dust!

Another meerkat leader has gone on to the great beyond.

The Whisker family of meerkats has captivated audiences for three seasons. When leader and matriarch, Flower Whisker died violently at the hands (err.. fangs?) of a cobra, viewers mourned the loss. Now, Rocket Dog and Maybelline, the daughters of Flower, have jockeyed for power, with Rocket Dog coming out on top. Unfortunately, her rule came to a screeching halt with what some have deemed a hit and run accident.

Yes, Rocket Dog Whisker was run over in a car. Hell, I may have been driving the car. I never stop for animals. If the beast is stupid enough to run out in front of Frankie the Frontier, then the beast is stupid enough to die! I am sure that whoever ran over Rocket Dog kept it moving. Maybe dinner had to be prepared or the next episode the The Real World was getting ready to start. What is a meerkat when compared to a hungry child or a drunken Joey?

Amazingly, some people have a greater affinity for animals than they do for people. Flowers death received an actual memorial service. Some activist questioned why Animal Planet employees did not intervene when the snake entered into the Meerkat's borough or when the car ran over Rocket Dog. I guess. All creatures great and small, huh?

Until the Maybelline becomes road kill…

-Zack Kirk

The Z-Ko BET Awards version of "Lookin Boy"

Every year, numerous awards show attempt to recognize the accomplishments of the
entertainment industry and feed the super star starved masses. This year, as the song, “Lookin Boy” by HotStylz heats up the airwaves, I decided to bust my own rhyme style (okay, it doesn’t really rhyme, but you know what I mean….)

Chris Brown- too much bronzer, faux-mohawk, fronting like you date Rhianna, when you know… looking boy…

D.L. Hugely- not funny, has been comedian, wish you was Chris Rock looking boy…

Keisha Cole- why you on an elevated podium, dress and make-up don’t match, ridiculous background, Tammy Faye eyelashes looking girl.

Alicia Keys- need trim spa baby, Selisha biting bob from ANTM, Tarrance Howard looking boy.

Ne-Yo- Usher wanna be, did better than him though, Alpha Phi Alpha move stealing, twelve year old looking boy.

Rick Ross- circus elephant to match the scene, wearing all that purple, Barney looking boy.

Kanye- protruding grill, attention seeking, why you get a massage from lil wayne, looking boy.

Rhianna- lying about Chris Brown, you need to take a bow cause we all getting tired of you, psycho killer, in mourning Barbie looking girl.

Marvin Sapp- mistaken for Warren Sapp, not gonna talk about you and let got God get me looking boy…

Oh well.. that’s my attempt at rhyming, yo…

Until teachers make as much as rappers…
-Zack Kirk

The Passover?

This has not been the best week ever.

Last year, during the 2006-2007 academic term, I requested a transfer from my current school to a new system school. The main reason for the transfer was a desire to become department chair. While I was granted a transfer, I was not given the department chair position. The position went to a teacher with more experience. While I had more degrees, and maybe more curricular experience, I understood the decision to go with work experience.

Well, last week, I was once again denied a department chair position. My current school (my first and only school) had an opening, but the job immediately went to my co-worker and friend. While I was not informed of the reasons as to why I was not given the position, I have an idea. After careful contemplation I have learned some very valuable lessons.


Lesson One: Learn how to keep your mouth shut when drama arises.
Lesson Two: Learn who your real friends are.
Lesson Three: Learn that your boss is your boss. Support the boss’s vision or quit!
Lesson Four: Learn when its time to move on.
Lesson Five: Learn how to embrace change.

I love our new department chair. She is my friend and I am going to support her with all of my might. She was doubtful about accepting the position, but I know in my heart that she is the best person for the job at my school. The need for a peacemaker is greater than the need for what I bring to the table. The need for someone to bring the members of my department together is greater than the need for what I bring to the table. I realize this and accept this. I am still disappointed in the process and my faith in the system is shaken. The upcoming school year offers no excitement for me. I am worried about my future.

Until I learn how to move on,
-Zack Kirk

The Weekly Geography of My Life...

In the news:
Little Wayne sold 436,000 units on Tuesday. He pushed some major weight. He even brags about not writing his lyrics until he arrives at the studio. Hmmm… after listening to a couple of his songs, I don’t see why he is so quick to brag. He states:

Ima venereal disease like a menstrual bleed..
What is he talking about? This is an unapt analogy and kind of nasty.

Wayne also ponders, “what’s a goon to a goblin…” He’s calling himself a goblin- while I could think of many other things to call him, I do agree that he looks a little goblinish.

I am an admitted Kobe fan, but even I am getting tired of his antics, hysterics, and flat out arrogance. Statements such as, "I'm not changing my game whatsoever," and “what I’m doing wight now, I’m chasing perfection” are examples of this arrogance.

Mountain: The highlight of my week was summer pay day! With the regular academic term over, I was able to accept more courses at my second job, Westwood College. This, of course, meant more money. Seeing the money in the bank definitely served as the highlight of the week.

Valley: Spending fears… H&M just opened in Atlantic Station, I’ve just realized I need to upgrade my shoe game, and I have two vacations I want to take this summer, but due to constantly increasing bills (electric and gas keep going up) and the high price of gasoline, I am afraid to truly enjoy the fruits of my labor.

I’m watching: The Mole. Karen Perry, a co-worker, has me watching this reality show that seems to be going nowhere, fast. With challenges like the contestants losing a soccer match to pee-wees (5-10 year old kids), I can see why the program was previously cancelled.

I’m reading: The Kiss by Kathryn Harrison. I came across this controversial short novel while reading the New York Times Book Review on Sunday morning. I was immediately struck by the subject matter. A girl, age 20, willingly begins a sexual relationship with her father. The novel is beautifully sad and knowingly tragic. Don’t be mistaken. It’s difficult to read but not at all as perverse as the incestuous subject.

I’m listening to: Usher’s Here I Stand. As some may know, I am a dedicated Usher fan. My support of Usher’s artistry started when I was 14 and he released his first self-titled album. I own every CD, concert DVD, and have downloaded most of his live television performances. His most recent album is good. It is his most solid collection of music and represents his best album. He has had some better songs, but Here I Stand is his best album to date.

Obama and Ted Strickland go together like a horse and carriage...

The Vice Presidency “isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss!” –John Nance Garner

Now that Barack Obama has secured the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, major discussion is going into who would be the best nominee for Vice President.
Until the later 20th century, the Vice President has, traditionally, not severed a major role in the course of American politics. Several Vice Presidents (John Adams, Aaron Burr) lamented being given the position. One former Vice President (Franklin Pierce’s Vice President, William King) actually died before being sworn in and was rumored to not have been missed for several weeks after his unfortunately demise.

Some Vice Presidents have gone on to run for President, but this is a 20th Century trend (Truman in 1948, Nixon in 1960, Johnson in 1964, Nixon and Humphrey in 1968, Ford in 1976, Mondale in 1984, H.W. Bush in 1988, and Gore in 2000) and the trend may now be over (Clearly, Cheney’s time is over. He’s a heart beat away...)
When thinking of Vice Presidents, Dan Quayle comes to mind. Before being named as H.W’s right hand man, Quayle was a senator from Indiana. Infamous for his intellectual prowess (or lack thereof), Quayle made such claims as “We don't want to go back to tomorrow, we want to go forward," and "The future will be better tomorrow," and "I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix,” and my all time favorite statement, "It's time for the human race to enter the solar system."

As Obama looks for his Vice President, he should consider the candidate’s home state and the balance the candidate will provide on issues that matter to the American people. Lacking military service and experience may serve as a hindrance to Obama. Being seen as too inexperienced for the office could also hurt Obama’s chances. Obama needs a VP who’s experienced and knowledgeable, but who can also relate to the needs and concerns of the American people. Kerry did an excellent job of selected John Edwards, who balanced his awkwardness and lack of charisma. Hopefully, Obama will find a VP candidate who provides a similar balance.

The Washington insider state that Obama may be on the right track. Former candidate Wesley Clark, a retired Army general and former NATO commander is rumored to be on Obama’s short list. While Clark supported Clinton, he could provide the name recognition needed to get some of the Hillary fans on Obama’s side.

Another military possibility is Jim Webb, a first-term Virginia senator who served in Vietnam and was the secretary of the Navy. Webb would also assist Obama in a major battleground state, which probably matters more than military experience.

Having witnessed the 2000 and 2004 elections come down to a few delegates, battleground states will be just as crucial as ever in the 2008 campaign. With that said, Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Ted Strickland come to mind.

Richardson also ran for the democratic nomination, but had the common sense to get our early. A governor, Richardson could help Obama secure the fastest-growing segment of the electorate and a potentially vital voting bloc with Latino voters. A seasoned negotiator, the former energy secretary, congressman and U.N. ambassador would also bring foreign policy experience to the ticket as well as inside knowledge of how Washington works.

Finally, my personal choice is Ohio governor, Ted Strickland. An influential democrat with moderate views and conservative tendencies, Strickland has done an admirable job of working across party lines to move Ohio forward. With Ohio being a key battleground state, Obama may need Strickland to truly close the deal.

Georgia's low test results indicate that we are headed in the right direction...

Results of Georgia’s most recent admission of the CRCT has recently garnered major attention from both parents and the press. With 40% of students possibly denied promotion, the validity of these tests and the new Georgia Performance Standards are currently in question. As a veteran educator, I feel as though clarification may be needed.

The mandate of our state's public school system is that we will lead the nation in school improvement. The Georgia Performance Standards and the increased rigor of state mandated standardized tests are a step in that direction.

The process of making education in Georgia both rigorous and relevant is painstaking to say the least. The flawed thinking that what has been done in the past will work in the future seems to be dominate in too many homes and too many news articles.

To lead the nation in school improvement does not necessarily mean that every student will pass state tests or that every parent will be happy with test results. Summer school is a small price to pay for remediation. The goal of education is learning, not promotion or a score that will please parents and press.

The rigorous math standards and relevant CRCT assessments promote the critical thinking skills essential for higher SAT results and true college preparedness that too many Georgia students lack and desperately need. Without highlighting the areas for student growth and holding students, as well as teachers and school systems accountable, Georgia will remain at the bottom of the nation in regards to standardized test scores. Georgia will remain one step behind the rest of our nation.