They did use the story on the local telly. I just missed it, or they didn’t show it in Exeter, or something. So this morning as I walk down the corridors I hear ‘he was on the telly last night’ murmured by the year 7s (other years seem to either not have watched the local news – not that I can blame them - or to simply not care). There was also much hilarity in the staff room, with jokes about autographs and what have you. Some of it was even quite funny (thank you JRW).

This morning then was disturbed a bit by a press photographer in to take snaps of some kids working (and me talking to a group of year 7’s holding up a scrappy drawing of mine as example… they better not use that one…), which is all well and good, and positive publicity is at a premium in education these days of course, but oh, it does always seem a chore to drag the little blighters off their manic level of excitement afterwards and actually get some focused work done. I shouldn’t really complain though, should I?

Must remain positive… London tomorrow… 6.55am train… hmmmm.

posted by duke harringay at 11:56 AM

Discovered today that my school has succeeded in its application to become a specialist school in the visual arts… I guess I should be really pleased, but I can’t really summon the energy to be all that bothered to be honest. I’m not sure the whole thing means much aside from the (important) fact that I’ll hopefully now be able to really properly deliver IT in Art, something I’ve wanted to be able to do for years but which a lack of resources has always made difficult at best. The fact that we’re the first Devon school to be granted visual arts status doesn’t really touch me, nor does the fact that I guess it’s a reward for the hard work that Jenny (or Podge, as I called her to camera today when I was being filmed talking to my year 11 class for local TV – and incidentally I don’t think they even used the story. Either that or I blinked and missed it) and Mike and I have put into the dept these past ten years or so, raising those GCSE results to silly levels (92% last year), and blah blah blah… No, all I really bother about is the fact that I will be able to deliver some better lessons in the future, do more exciting things with the students. Which sounds clichéd and sappy, but what the heck.

On another note, I’ve been playing Jan and Dean’s Save For A Rainy Day album a lot since it arrived in a bumper Sundazed package at the weekend (a fifteen quid customs charge whacked on top, grrrrr). Great stuff, even though I don’t think Jan appears on it at all, does he? I haven’t read the sleeve notes fully, but think Jan was laid out in his coma after his brush with death on Dead Mans Curve when Dean and his mates recorded it… Whatever. It’s magical stuff, and although I thought that the Gary Zekely’s own version of ‘Yellow Balloon’ couldn’t be bettered, now I’m not so sure. I cant get this version out of my head, and gee, didn’t I read in the notes that Dean had a hand in both versions anyway, so he would be in a win/win situation? Again, whatever. ‘Lullaby In The Rain’ is proto-coy-indiepop magic, whilst it’s great to hear the original of ‘Like A Summer Rain’ that the Ladybug Transistor did so peachily a couple of years ago. Terrific stuff.

Also in the Sundazed parcel were a couple of Turtles albums (high point of the Simpsons last night was the inclusion of the Turtles, of course), The Choir and a double CD set by The Knickerbockers which is rip-roaringly grand in a marvellously obvious kind of US take on Merseybeat way. Or something. Oh, and the Cryan Shames. ‘Sugar and Spice’. That Cryan Shames.

posted by duke harringay at 9:25 PM

Finally managed to find the time to update the Tangents radio station... 28 new tracks available for your delectation right now, right here. I would type out the track listing, but you know I'm too lazy, or just don't want to, or need to go and do something more important... or something. Uh, but as a taster, there's Buddy Holly's 'You're so square', Wanda Jackson's 'Tunnel Of Love' (and Vitesse's song of the same name, but not the same song, naturally), Frankie Lyman and the Teenagers' 'I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent', Jan and Dean's 'Lullaby In The Rain', The Feelies' 'The Boy With The Perpetual Nervousness' and The Blue Orchids' 'Work'. Plus a track from the new Aislers Set album, one from the Guild League and the new Appliance and Lucksmiths singles, just in case you think it's all 'old' stuff. So there, that should have you drooling in anticipation... now i'm off out on my bike. In the wind. And the cold. Aren't I brave?
posted by duke harringay at 10:54 AM