I started off today by waking up at three in the morning and reading a biography on John Keats. By the time six rolled around me at special K and started getting ready for my work as an assistant teacher. As I arrived at work I had trouble finding where the class I was assigned to was but finally, they returned to the room and I spent the rest of the day reading to the children, answering their questions, helping them with their homework and supervising them at recess in one-hundred plus degree weather. At 2:30 my work day had ended and I walked back to my house in fifteen minutes, completely exhausted and starving. Overall, today was better than yesterday because I felt that I really helped some students who were struggling and lived up to my expectations.

The dinner I had last night was both quick and simple to make. I started by cutting a nice, large boneless chicken breast into approximately half inch cubes. While the chicken was heating in a light oil and garlic sauce on the stove, I boiled a pot full of water. Once there were bubbles rising gently to the surface of the heated water I threw in some angel hair pasta. After waiting about ten minutes I strained the pasta and then added the chicken in oil and garlic sauce. A bit of stirring the mix in the pot and dinner was ready. The final part of my dinner’s preparation was the easiest of all. I set out my silverware and a pretty plate to put the meal on. Then I put a nice, tall glass of purified tap water on the table and heaped a healthy portion of the still steaming hot entree on my plate. It was a tasty meal that took under twenty minutes to prepare.

The legend of Goodfellas existed for years before I had watched it for the first time. My mom would not allow me to watch violent movies, so I settled for a mini promo poster from the local video store. And a small promotional window sticker that I stuck on my skateboard. The movie was constantly referenced in popular culture at the time, I remember Mystery Science Theater 3000 quoting one of the famous Joe Pesci scenes (“Do I amuse you…?”). But what really piqued my interest was when the idol of my teen youth, Allan Havey, talked about the film on his late night talk show “Night After Night with Allan Havey”. He loved it. And if Allan Havey is down with Martin Scorcese, I needed to be down with Martin Scorcese. When I did finally see this film, it blew my mind. The film is rich with gritty, intelligent dialogue. And not only that, there isn’t one scene where the dialogue doesn’t ring true. You are totally transported to a different place in time, and you cannot help to feel sympathy for even the most despicable characters. This film is a classic, as is the original book “Wiseguy” by Nicholas Pileggi. I would suggest watching the film first. Then after multiple viewings, go read the excellent source material and compare the experience. It is a rare thing when a book and its movie complement each other so well.