After a long hiatus, recovering from travel-related deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs), I started my traveling again this week. (My trip to Chicago last week to speak to MLA didn’t count, but I can’t recall why. Arbitrary.)
I am speaking at the University of Florida in Gainesville on Wednesday at 7 pm.
The plan was to fly to Gainesville on Wednesday morning, via Atlanta.
But life does not always work according to schedule.
On Monday morning, I got a robo-call from Delta informing me that my Wednesday flight had been canceled. A major snowstorm was on its way to New York City, would arrive Tuesday morning, and would dump 8-12″ of snow.
My travel agent booked a flight out on Tuesday at 10, changing in Charlotte, NC. A quick transfer, with only 45 minutes between flights.
By the time I boarded my NYC flight, the snow was coming down fast. We were an hour late taking off, as the plane had to be de-iced. Missed the connection. Next flight out of Charlotte to Gainesville at 6 pm. Had good NC BBQ for lunch.
So here I am in the Charlotte airport. Wishing I had landed in Raleigh so I could go join Moral Monday, maybe have the honor of being arrested with good people living Martin Luther King’s dream. But then I would miss the other flight and be even later to Gainesville.
Forgive the rambling, but I felt like talking to friends and I just remembered why I avoid connecting flights and hope never to take one again.
Go treat yourself to a nice dinner and a few drinks–when life gives you lemons…;)
You make a lemon martini.
Thinking of you. And of the fact that I just booked connecting flights to and from Austin for the NPE conference (thus spending almost as much time traveling as actually there). But, yes, do find the best airport food possible and safe travels!
Safe travels. Thank you for keeping the message alive…and media present.
Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays Diane Ravitch from the completion of her appointed rounds!
I can’t afford to pay for non-stops. I’m a teacher.
Safe travels. Hope your audience is receptive!
Heading south was a very smart move. You may not want to rush your return flight back to New York until it warms and all the snow melts. Enjoy the journey, and travel safely, Diane.
Welcome to NC! Go sit in one of the rocking chairs. Someone is probably playing piano too.
Snow falling up the road in Asheville too. Hope you make it here sometime. A wonderfully moving prayer breakfast on MLK day (33rd annual) showed that while NC might hAve been asleep at the wheel last election, we are waking up. Our mayor spoke, a grown man wept over our new election laws, and the creator of Gideon’s Army documentary spoke.
The money grab that is education reform (with its various geo-specific rationale–that in the south being more religious, I think, than union targeted) is becoming more clearly distasteful, I believe. Often folks don’t realize what they have until staring down losing it. New candidates are gearing up for November!
Safe travels. Hope you had your barbecue down east style–that’s the real way. Vinegar and red pepper so as not to ruin the flavor of the meat!!
Our Bishop (Episcopal church) preached on the false religion of “making people behave.” What a sorrowful reason (making people behave) for the disruption of the public’s asset that is our schools.
We will figure this out. We will overcome!
Look forward to hearing you in Raleigh (and I am bringing my mother with me to Durham). Upon reading your book she said, “there isn’t anything I’ve read in it that I don’t agree with.”
Selah!
http://turnerfornchouse.com/
You are buoyant, Diane. Hope the audiences and weather are warm and friendly. And if they’re not, I’m sure you’ll heat things up. May the force be with you.
Thanks, Bratcher!!
Sounds like one of my nightmares! Glad you at least got some good BBQ!!
Diane, You are amazing. Ramble any time you want. Although I live across the bridge in Staten Island, I am enjoying the southern warmth of my Marco Island, Florida home right now. Gainesville is much further north or I would have loved to come sit in the bleachers and meet you in person even though Brooklyn, my hometown also, would be so much easier. You inspire me. I love reading your posts and tweeting them on… Enjoy NC and yes, do try to get to Asheville, an amazing cultural city 😀 Glad you’re out of the snow.
Right on!
Thanks, Mary Biz, better to be out of the snow. And the airport BBQ is good.
It’s good if you are in an airport.
Just now I am heating up barbecue brought in by a friend from Lexington NC yesterday. We travel for good barbecue when given the chance.
Basketball, barbecue and banking. That’s what NC does do right.
While you’re stuck in Charlotte, maybe try to educate some of the people there! From what you’ve written, North Carolina sure could use your help.
Good barbecue in Gainesville, but no direct flights from New York! Sunny but unseasonably cool weather forecast. Go Gators!
Stay healthy, safe, and happy, Diane.
Other than that, GO GET ‘EM ! ! !
And readers, let me tell you first hand that I saw Diane speak on January 16, 2014 at Fox Lane School in the Bedford School District in Westchester County, NY.
She received THREE standing ovations.
Full of charm, wit, and a walking endless encyclopedia of facts, facts, facts on public education and the reform movement, you absorb Diane’s lectures like a multi-vitamin.
If you EVER have the chance to hear her live, you will walk out at the end of the lecture glowing, fortified, armed with critical thought, motivated, and thoroughly, thoroughly empowered.
She is THE rock star of public education, even at her tender age of “45”. Ask Diane that means.
When Diane first walked out on stage and did not even utter one word yet to begin her lecture, all 700 plus people in the theater stood up and gave her a hearty round of long applause.
It was thrilling!
Gosh . . . I’m beginning to sound like a smitten groupie.
Diane, THANK YOU for changing all of us . . . .
Wow, what a great review. I wish I had been there. I am a groupie for sure.
I have to make an NYC event this spring and you will meet me Robert, okay?
Love to Diane..rest and take care of yourself too.
Linda,
My wife and I would like nothing more! We need some laughter!
My husband, our daughter, and I were honored to be in the Bedford audience, too.. Diane Ravitch truly is my hero, She “gets it.” Her books are eye-opening- if we could only get all our legislators to read them!
It was transforming, wasn’t it!
Corrections: (fast writing is a faux pas):
“Full of charm, wit, and a walking endless encyclopedia of facts, facts, facts on public education and the reform movement, Diane captivated the audience as they absorb her lecture like a multi-vitamin.”
” . . . Even at her tender age of “45”. Ask Diane what that means.”
It’s really cold in Buffalo. Enjoy the warmer climates while you have the opportunity. I know the people of Buffalo would love to hear you speak. I hope to see your name on the UB Speaker Series next year – Just sign up for an early Fall or late Spring date.
Welcome to the Tar Heel State. We’re honored to have you in our midst!
Ted and Sunny
No snow in Gainesville and the temperature is definitely warmer than in New York City.
Eagerly waiting to hear you at the University and “absorbing my multi-vitamins” tomorrow!
I am SO jealous that the Gator Nation gets a chance to see you! I hope they know how lucky they are. Have a great trip. You continue to be the hero to all teachers! Enjoy the Florida sunshine!
Be safe, Diane. Enjoy your NC BBQ. And know that we, your friends, read and travel with you wherever you are!
Help!!! DIANE. !!!! Can you remove the previous post from today… regarding Colo legislation on common core. We can’t post this yet. Can you please close this account? I think my account has been hijacked. thank you.
Done
Hope you got a chance to use one of the rocking chairs at the Charlotte airport!
North Carolina’s latest proposal for teacher pay . . .http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2014/01/21/latest-nc-teacher-compensation-plan-would-significantly-reduce-education-spending-encourage-teacher-turnover/
Robert Rendo: Marvelous comments on attending a Ravitch lecture and your (Education Reform: a Blog of Cartoons by a Nationally Board Certified Teacher) is a Great site!! Driving up from Tampa to hear Diane tomorrow:-)
Thank you, Maxine.
Safe driving always, and enjoy the lecture!
Take care of yourself Diane. If it were up to me, you’d fly in comfort in a private jet. Why not? You are more precious to our country than the corporate raider-types who ONLY fly by private jet.
Sending good thoughts your way…
Thanks for keeping us updated on your travels Diane. Stay safe and dry. I’m heading into “cold” Gainesville from Fort Myers to hear you speak tomorrow night and while I can’t expect any sympathy from a New Yorker to a Floridian about weather in January, I’m so looking forward to hearing you speak live 🙂
Diane, glad you know you have many, many friends to turn to on a bad travel day. We look to you for inspiration.
“I felt like talking to friends” — and we like hearing from friends.
Thanks for the update.
😎
Dear Diane,
Hope you are landed & comfy by now. You’re well out of it– blowing & snowing & 12deg in my NJ spot. Just want to say how very happy I was to see your friendly face beaming out at me from Ed’s show the other day– the only show covering the 5 fired principals but he gets the best to report on it!!
travel-related deep vein thrombosis
Take care, Diane.
And thank you for writing “What if Research Really Mattered?”
I recommend a companion piece by an associate of Dr. Deming:Clare Crawford-Mason Being Misread: A Lesson in Vigilance
Glad you’re on the road again, but you know to take it easy. Your words travel even when you can’t. Hopefully, you will return to Chicago, where we are building the resistance every day (including tonight, when our CORE comrades are sleeping at the Board of Education with the temperature at zero).
Chicago CORE members have already bought (and most read) 50 copies of “Reign of Error.” We have been reading and collecting copies of the first edition, hard cover, with the great blurb quote from Karen Lewis. Maybe when you get to Chicago, you could join Karen and jointly autograph their books.
I’ll be at the University of Florida tonight with a group of public school advocates. We can’t wait to see you! Travel safely!
It is kind of like “taking one for the team”! Hope you are safely and happy in sunny Florida. Wishing I could hear you speak at some point and think your speech from MLA was spot on. Have forwarded and shared and received great feedback from teacher colleagues.
Take care of yourself. We need you.
I thought I saw a blog entry in the last week or so with Diane’s spring schedule, but I can’t seem to find that now, has it been removed? I’d love to get a chance to meet Diane.
Howard
She listed her appearances on 1/21