ThisBrownTeacher, M.Ed., Ed.D.

(A Running List As Inspired by Teacher Writes a Book ... A Real Life Event Already in Progress)

Both very beautiful people and Academy Award nominations and all, Humphrey Bogart and Barbara Stanwyck's jawlines are too similar. Which is why their relationship was destined to fail.

(A Running List Inspired by TEACHER WRITES A BOOK ... a real life event already in progress)

Does anyone else wonder if the reason Leona Stevenson was really so pressed to get in touch with her husband at Murray Hill 3-5097 was because she really, really had to pee and was not interested in ruining that fluffy little number she was wearing in bed.

her wheelchair was clear across the room,

the window was open- blowing in a cold uptown wind straight off the Manhattan bridge,

all she had for substance was a tray full of prescriptions, beverages, and cigarettes,

her nurse was gone out for the night (probably a movie or something, no way to know, as the couple said they had been waiting to go for three weeks now) and no one was answering her bell, and

as an invalid (her words), she was forced to do this unstable, hopping movement in order to move herself off the bed to the wheelchair or, goodness me, get herself all the way to the bathroom - wherever it may be in that spacious NY flat.

(A Running List Inspired by TEACHER WRITES A BOOK ... a work in progress)

Maggie calling Mae and Gooper's kid a no-neck menace is definitely worth the coast of admission.

(A Running List Inspired by TEACHER WRITES A BOOK ... a work in progress)

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.

Love it. But even I don't believe that Reporter Bro walked smooth off the plane, exited the Delta terminal, luggage in hand, walked straight to a car parked right at the curb, with the windows rolled all the way down nonetheless, then got right into the car and drove away.

Did we ever find out who put/left the car there in the first place?

It can't possibly be the New York Magazine reporter's car, can it? He said right off that he's from New York. He didn't even know where Miss Jane Pittman lived. Thus making it clear that this was not his hood. And let's say, some how, some way, that this was his vehicle ... Did he leave it on the curb with the windows down for the entirety of his trip to New York then back to Louisiana. I get that this was pre-9/11 but even airports had rules about straight up abandoned cars. left for days, with all the windows down (I cannot express the insensibility of this enough), parked parallel, left right smack at the door of the airport.

Plus why didn't whomever roll up the windows? I'd think even a rental car agency or whatever existed during the opening salvos of Louisiana's civl rights movement would care for their investment enough to protect it from, if not thief, at least the elements (rain, excessive heat).

The point is, just about every word, phrase, or expression every era thinks is exclusive to them (ie: the current slang), has already been around for decades and you just never even knew it.

A wise man once said: "There's nothing new under the sun."

The best part about Esther Wiliams, and there are many (that extremely subtle overbite being one, how she looks in a swimsuit (gorgeous, obviously) not being one), is the way she comes full out of the deep end of some pool and her hair is the opposite of dry.

Robert Walker (a budding, yet charming, psychopath) utilizing the US Postal Service to mail Harley Granger (a slightly scam-ish tennis pro he'd recently met on a train) a hand-drawn map (door key attached) with instructions facilitating the murder of his father is definitely wild work.

I know 1951 criminals (are going to) hate to see deoxyribonucleic acid and forensic science coming.

(A Running List From TEACHER WRITES A BOOK X ... a work in progress)

Nick and Nora Charles: Relationship Goals if you're paying attention.

My beef with Ida Lupino (as her characters, not personally) is unjustified and unfair and ima continue standing on it.

Esther Williams: Water-Adjacent Goals whether you're paying attention or not.

Dale Robinson: Wells Fargo Longevity Goals.

Luke: Cool Hand Goals.

Why does everyone get a hankering for long, drawn out soliloquies at the most inappropriate times? Conductor is calling his last "All Aboard" and you know if you miss this train you're probably going to have to wait a month until the next one. Wrap it up buddy!

Me: From All The Way Over Here, Knowing That You've Secretly Always Wondered If Those Numbers and Letters on Drumsticks Actually Matter.

Decoding Drumstick Numbers!

So what's the deal with all those drumsticks with those cryptic numbers and letters like 5A or 2B? Don't worry, it's not some secret drummer language (although it certainly sounds like one!). Here's the lowdown on what those codes actually mean:

The Numbers: The number on your drumstick (like 5 or 7) tells you how thick it is, kind of like a shirt size for sticks. A higher number (like 7) means a thinner stick, while a lower number (like 2) means a drumstick that is not so thin. 

Think of it like pencils: a 2B pencil is thicker and softer than a harder, thinner HB pencil. And just as different pencils work better or worse for different uses (a new writer, for example, may work better with a shorter, more squat, pencil while a more experienced child may prefer a longer, thinner pencil.

Drumstick Letters Matter!

The Letters: The letter tells you the tip shape and taper of the stick. Here's a quick breakdown:

A: These sticks have a rounded tip and a longer taper, making them lighter and ideal for softer playing styles like jazz.

B: These sticks have a rounded tip but a shorter taper than A's, making them a bit heavier and good for all-around playing.

C: These sticks have a larger, acorn-shaped tip and a short taper, making them the heaviest of the bunch.They're perfect for powerful hits and rock music.

D: These sticks have a rounded tip and a very short taper, making them ideal for drummers who need a lot of power and durability.

The Bigger They Are ...

Sound Check: Diameter and Your Tone

Believe it or not, the thickness of your sticks can affect the sound you get!

Thinner sticks: Generally make your cymbals sound brighter and crisper, and give your drums a lighter attack.

Thicker sticks: Produce a fatter, heavier sound all around – think crashing waves on cymbals and a more powerful boom on the drums.

Does Thickness Matter?

This plays a big role in how you sound and feel when playing. 

Thin Sticks (Higher Numbers): These are lighter and bounce back faster, making them awesome for delicate playing styles like jazz or if you like lightning-fast drumming. They also create a brighter sound on cymbals. Think chopsticks – light and maneuverable.

Thicker Sticks (Lower Numbers): These bad boys pack more punch, perfect for laying down those heavy rock beats. They also offer more control for playing both loud and soft, kind of like having more weight behind your hits. They create a fuller sound on drums and cymbals too. Think steak knives – more power for those intense moments.

In the end, the most important thing is finding sticks that feel comfortable in your (child's) hands. And that may vary based on based on what you're playing, how big or small your hands and fingers are, and more. Bottom line, a drumstick that feels and plays well in your hands, lets you play for longer, and helps you improve your skills ... is a "good" drumstick for you.

Remember,

Thinner sticks: Might be right if you have smaller hands or prefer a lighter feel.

Thicker sticks: Could be a good fit for drummers with bigger hands or those who like a bit more weight behind their hits.

Surprise! Shakespeare's Nowhere In This Article.

The best way to find your perfect drumstick is to grab some different ones and try them out! And accumulating equipment over time, I've found, is actually way more effective than making snap decisions after "trying a few out" in the middle of a music shop with a friendly customer service kid hanging in the background. Forget what "everybody else" does. Or what your favorite drummer's favorite drummer plays. Trying different things until you discover what works best for you in any particular situation is the best way to develop your (child's) confidence - with drums or otherwise.

To be fair, I get both sides of the issue. I understand the side that laments “no one ever told me” and I get the side that knows for fact that they did, indeed, tell, but no one was listening. I think both are occurring, simultaneously and irrespective of each other. If it were up to me, I’d say the huge disconnect is the gap that exists when there is information out there for the taking…

You cannot become what you WANT if you don't let go of what you THINK you are ...

Or, Quiet is Kept, My Husband Was Right The Whole Time. Sun Tzu Kept it 100. Teachers are invaluable. Teachers are treated as if they are valueless. The job of a teacher is not and was never designed or built to be completed within 40 hours per week. Super-Teacher-Over-Achiever is just bad business. A system set up to make you feel bad for leaving work at your contractually scheduled time…