I listen to alternative, and that's it.

"Everything except rap and country."

--The typical middle class-upper middle class response to "What kind of music do you like?"

Before I wrote this, my brother made a good point--that it was an uninformed answer that threw out the possibility of exceptions in two massive categories.

But the first impression that the answer gave me was a rejection of two very extreme cultures: one typically urban and one typically rural. So everything in between is the music of the burbs?

Not quite... because if someone doesn't like country, it's safe to say they don't like Western (die-hard fans swear there's a difference)... and might not enjoy Zydeco and Swamp pop either. And if someone doesn't like rap, maybe hip hop turns them off too.

The answer REALLY means, "whatever's on the popular 18-25 radio station." They can't literally like everything outside of those two genres. If they did, then exotic world music would take up more at the Barnes and Noble music store than half a rack. Jazz and blues would be huge. Weird fusions of reggae, bebop, and death metal concerts would sell out.

But they don't. Because "everything but country and rap" is a thin, thin blanket under which most people sound the same.

Maybe I'm wrong about the people who answer this way. Maybe they're just afraid of being too specific.

summer's over

We're always asked to give our reason for wanting to teach on the first day of class. There are always these really happy-looking girls there who had a clarifying moment after working as nanny or a camp counselor. I've never wanted to work with children in any other way but education. I'm fascinated by their inability to stop asking questions. I think that they deserveto have teachers who will never get tired of hearing those questions--at least the good ones. Anyone would get tired of hearing "can I go to the bathroom" 20 times a day.

I didn't like the look I got today after class. A woman--a perfectly nice, smart family woman who came back for her degree--addressed me when we were dismissed. I was already on my phone discussing something important with someone back home. She saw the phone on my ear; she saw I was talking, but she kept asking me the same question. I couldn't hear her. I pointed to my phone and made a mildly apologetic face, even though she was starting to annoy me. She said "goodbye" in a very put-out tone that annoyed me. I didn't pick up the phone during a conversation; I was already in it!

The first day of class went very smoothly. I like my teachers so far, although one of them might have the flu.

You're a grand old flag

http://news.aol.com/article/tattered-us-flag-angers-california-mans/604857?icid=main|aimzones|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Ftattered-us-flag-angers-california-mans%2F604857

Patriotism. I'm not against it. Inane bumper stickers and car flags probably help to stimulate the economy. I'm not against the military, either. They're just doing their jobs, and I'm grateful that someone will do it. I certainly don't want to.

But my God... obsessing over these slogans and symbols is destructive. Men didn't die for a flag. What they died for was a set of ideals. I don't like the idea of having laws or even unspoken rules attached to a piece of cloth that might as well be polka-dotted yellow and pink for all it moves me. This man's gesture moves me. A man's son is in Iraq, and he keeps a promise that their flag won't be taken down until he returns. Isn't that more beautiful than a perfectly-pressed Old Glory?

Purposeful destruction of a flag is disrespectful, but this man's actions are not. I wish people would get over it and listen to his story. It's respectful towards soldiers, or at least to one in particular.