Marc Tyler Nobleman's Blog, page 35
February 20, 2018
"The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra" in Guatemala
On 2/10/18, I flew to Guatemala, which didn't take as long as I was expecting. (Probably because I was comparing it to my last international work flight, to Vietnam.) This was only my second trip to Central America, first time being Costa Rica in 2013 (for a vacation, not to work).
My book The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra got to Guatemala before me. I went to spend a week speaking to all ages at the American School of Guatemala in Guatemala City, courtesy of the supremely nice librarian Brandon O'Neill, who had several of my books.
Let's zoom in on that partially obscured sign between us.
Before exiting the Guatemala City airport, everyone has to push a button on a small console that looks like a prop from a Cold War doomsday movie. It's attached to a stoplight without the yellow. If the green lights up, you proceed out. If red, you've been arbitrarily selected for inspection. I got green. This guy didn't.
According to the guide/archeologist professor (no, not Indiana Jones) who took me around the cobblestoned city of Antigua for a few hours, Guatemala is the wealthiest country in Central America. According to strangers on the internet, it's not. No matter—both Antigua and Guatemala City (where I was based) felt clean and safe. However, feels can be deceiving, at least if you're to believe the pickled Texan in my hotel elevator who told me "Don't go out after midnight. Someone will shove a gun in your face and rob you."
Needless to say, I did not go out after midnight. Also because my daily school pickups were between 6:40 and 7 am.
My first talk each day started between 7:45 and 8 am. The school was only 15 minutes by car from my hotel (Biltmore) in the more well-off Zone 10, but because roads are typically one- or two-lane there, one accident can back up hundreds, so the school wanted to get me on the early side. (In the end, none of my five morning commutes took more than 20 minutes.)
The school, as with so many I've had the privilege to visit around the world, was picturesque and meticulously maintained. The jungle gym looked like a beehive.
The school teaches half the day in Spanish, half in English—but I couldn't adhere to that split. I started my talk with "buenos dias," followed by "That's all of my Spanish." The kids laughed, in both languages.
Day 1, presentation 1 was to an auditorium full of preschoolers, kindergartners, and first graders. Five minutes in, the room went dark—but it wasn't a full outage. Weirdly, the microphone still worked… The kids managed to not riot and power was restored within a few minutes.
Because my books skew older, at any given school visit, I typically see preschool only once (if I see them at all) and for no more than 20 minutes. But here, in a first, I spent most of the first two days almost exclusively with that age range. Monday in particular required additional stamina—one 30-minute assembly, one hourlong professional development workshop, and in between, nine classes of chicos!
The city is in the shadow of three volcanoes, one of which is active. I woke up every day to a hotel room view of one.
But the more frequent danger here is earthquakes. The last big one was in 1976 and killed 23,000. In 1773, the country suffered a catastrophic earthquake and several aftershocks whose effects can still be seen today at the Santiago Cathedral in Antigua.
Other views of the grounds:
These kids were happily exploring. I assume their parents were nearby.
Two preschool teachers asked me if I know comic book writer Tom King. I said not personally but he's one of the current A-listers, so I know his work. Turns out they are both cousins of his wife! I was less stunned to meet people in Guatemala who are connected to Tom King as I was to meet two American cousins who work at the same school in Guatemala.
More sights around Guatemala City
A statue/art installation that reminded me of "The Awakening" sculpture at the National Harbor in DC:
Another dramatically posed statue:
How the check came at one restaurant:
More sights around Antigua
Hill of the Cross (with volcano in the background):
Le Merced church:
Saint Catalina Arch:
A market (with Hill of the Cross in the distant background):
A side street:
Adios and gracias. (Okay, so "buenos dias" wasn't really all of my Spanish…)
My book The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra got to Guatemala before me. I went to spend a week speaking to all ages at the American School of Guatemala in Guatemala City, courtesy of the supremely nice librarian Brandon O'Neill, who had several of my books.
Let's zoom in on that partially obscured sign between us.
Before exiting the Guatemala City airport, everyone has to push a button on a small console that looks like a prop from a Cold War doomsday movie. It's attached to a stoplight without the yellow. If the green lights up, you proceed out. If red, you've been arbitrarily selected for inspection. I got green. This guy didn't.
According to the guide/archeologist professor (no, not Indiana Jones) who took me around the cobblestoned city of Antigua for a few hours, Guatemala is the wealthiest country in Central America. According to strangers on the internet, it's not. No matter—both Antigua and Guatemala City (where I was based) felt clean and safe. However, feels can be deceiving, at least if you're to believe the pickled Texan in my hotel elevator who told me "Don't go out after midnight. Someone will shove a gun in your face and rob you."
Needless to say, I did not go out after midnight. Also because my daily school pickups were between 6:40 and 7 am.
My first talk each day started between 7:45 and 8 am. The school was only 15 minutes by car from my hotel (Biltmore) in the more well-off Zone 10, but because roads are typically one- or two-lane there, one accident can back up hundreds, so the school wanted to get me on the early side. (In the end, none of my five morning commutes took more than 20 minutes.)
The school, as with so many I've had the privilege to visit around the world, was picturesque and meticulously maintained. The jungle gym looked like a beehive.
The school teaches half the day in Spanish, half in English—but I couldn't adhere to that split. I started my talk with "buenos dias," followed by "That's all of my Spanish." The kids laughed, in both languages.
Day 1, presentation 1 was to an auditorium full of preschoolers, kindergartners, and first graders. Five minutes in, the room went dark—but it wasn't a full outage. Weirdly, the microphone still worked… The kids managed to not riot and power was restored within a few minutes.
Because my books skew older, at any given school visit, I typically see preschool only once (if I see them at all) and for no more than 20 minutes. But here, in a first, I spent most of the first two days almost exclusively with that age range. Monday in particular required additional stamina—one 30-minute assembly, one hourlong professional development workshop, and in between, nine classes of chicos!
The city is in the shadow of three volcanoes, one of which is active. I woke up every day to a hotel room view of one.
But the more frequent danger here is earthquakes. The last big one was in 1976 and killed 23,000. In 1773, the country suffered a catastrophic earthquake and several aftershocks whose effects can still be seen today at the Santiago Cathedral in Antigua.
Other views of the grounds:
These kids were happily exploring. I assume their parents were nearby.Two preschool teachers asked me if I know comic book writer Tom King. I said not personally but he's one of the current A-listers, so I know his work. Turns out they are both cousins of his wife! I was less stunned to meet people in Guatemala who are connected to Tom King as I was to meet two American cousins who work at the same school in Guatemala.
More sights around Guatemala City
A statue/art installation that reminded me of "The Awakening" sculpture at the National Harbor in DC:
Another dramatically posed statue:
How the check came at one restaurant:
More sights around Antigua
Hill of the Cross (with volcano in the background):
Le Merced church:
Saint Catalina Arch:
A market (with Hill of the Cross in the distant background):
A side street:
Adios and gracias. (Okay, so "buenos dias" wasn't really all of my Spanish…)
February 19, 2018
Best of the blog 2017
This blog launched on 2/19/08...10 years ago today.
Every February 19, I share what I feel have been the strongest posts of the previous 12 months.
This year's roll call:
interviews
Family Ties: an oral history as told by its guest stars
speaking
the problem with mentioning sexual orientation in an elementary assembly
"Nobody ever comes here"
six states in ten days
publishing
The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra: photo gallery of day 1
miscellaneous
the unveiling of Bill Finger Way street sign in the Bronx
a third letter written by Bill Finger (1966)
the only known video of Bill Finger's son Fred (1989)
Batman & Bill documentary: the public's response
the educational value of Batman & Bill
Batman & Bill gets the "Dear Photograph" treatment
Charles Sinclair (Bill Finger's longtime writer partner), 1924-2017
lesser-noticed 21st century changes in DC Comics
strangers moved to kindness for a rural Virginia school
teachers eating crickets
Every February 19, I share what I feel have been the strongest posts of the previous 12 months.
This year's roll call:
interviews
Family Ties: an oral history as told by its guest stars
speaking
the problem with mentioning sexual orientation in an elementary assembly
"Nobody ever comes here"
six states in ten days
publishing
The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra: photo gallery of day 1
miscellaneous
the unveiling of Bill Finger Way street sign in the Bronx
a third letter written by Bill Finger (1966)
the only known video of Bill Finger's son Fred (1989)
Batman & Bill documentary: the public's response
the educational value of Batman & Bill
Batman & Bill gets the "Dear Photograph" treatment
Charles Sinclair (Bill Finger's longtime writer partner), 1924-2017
lesser-noticed 21st century changes in DC Comics
strangers moved to kindness for a rural Virginia school
teachers eating crickets
February 8, 2018
This is how you fan
A kind fellow named Danny has tweeted compliments a number of times about Batman & Bill and my work in general. It's not every month someone custom-produces a T-shirt with art from one of your books:
Even I don't have a Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman T-shirt. (I do, however, have some Bill Finger ones. As do others. Including Danny.)
Thank you again, Danny. Keep up that positive spirit!
By the way, happy 104th birthday, Bill!
Even I don't have a Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman T-shirt. (I do, however, have some Bill Finger ones. As do others. Including Danny.)
Thank you again, Danny. Keep up that positive spirit!
By the way, happy 104th birthday, Bill!
February 1, 2018
"Crisp...engaging...fascinating" - "Horn Book" on "Fairy Spell"
March/April 2018"With a crisp and engaging style, Nobleman relates this fascinating story, providing ample context for readers by presenting information about the attitudes and conditions of early-twentieth-century England. Young readers are bound to be intrigued…"
January 31, 2018
"A rich overview...strong nonfiction" - "School Library Journal" on "Fairy Spell"
February 2018"Nobleman's text is a rich overview of this bizarre historical controversy; he deftly navigates topics like childhood in the early 20th century, the media and the influence of celebrity culture, and the history of photography, without ever weighing down the central narrative. Wheeler's illustrations are colorful and evocative… a strong nonfiction choice"
January 30, 2018
"Will leave children guessing until the end" - "Publishers Weekly" on "Fairy Spell"
1/29/18"An inviting layout combines Wheeler's delicately styled ink-and-watercolor illustrations with archival images of the girls' photographs ... This recounting of a fanciful, enchanting fraud will leave younger children guessing until the end, and many more readers will embrace the suspension of disbelief"
January 23, 2018
"Engaging...respectful...fascinating" - "Kirkus" on "Fairy Spell"
2/1/18"Nobleman introduces readers to this remarkable story in a compact, engaging narrative that's respectful to its young audience. ... delicate, detailed illustrations ... A fascinating introduction to one of the greatest hoaxes of all time, deftly pitched to elementary-age children."
January 14, 2018
The 10 best gibberish pop song titles
Poppydash and baldercock!
There could not be a ranking more unscientific (or insignificant). But why so serious?
Parameters (four of 'em!):
this list ranks only the absurdity of the title, not the appeal of the song itself only hit songs were consideredthe title had to be multiple words, meaning timeless classics from "Sussudio" to "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" didn't qualify (try again next time, "Mmmbop")some of these songs have been covered by multiple artists; I singled out what I think is the most famous of the recordings (there's one tie)
10. "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye"—Steam, 1969
9. "Boogie Oogie Oogie"—A Taste of Honey, 1978
8. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"—The Beatles, 1968
7. "Be-Bop-A-Lula"—Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps, 1956
6. "Rama Lama Ding Dong"—The Edsels, 1958
5. "Da Doo Ron Ron"—The Crystals, 1963; Shaun Cassidy, 1977
4. "Do Wah Diddy Diddy"—Manfred Mann, 1964
3. "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da"—The Police, 1980 (a response to songs such
as the previous two on the list)
2. "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"—James Baskett (Song of the South), 1946
1. "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"—Iron Butterfly, 1968
As you see, most were not novelty songs. Title length is a factor (eight words are better than two). The most represented decade is the 1960s.
Honorable mentions:
"Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day"—Stevie Wonder, 1968 (inspired "Shoo-Bee-Doo" on Madonna's Like a Virgin album)"Yakety Yak"—The Coasters, 1958"Sh-Boom"—The Chords, 1954"Wooly Bully"—Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, 1965
Not released as a single but I feel like mentioning:
"Impacilla Carpisung"—The Ting Tings, 2008
In case you want to make your own list, here are more to choose from.
There could not be a ranking more unscientific (or insignificant). But why so serious?
Parameters (four of 'em!):
this list ranks only the absurdity of the title, not the appeal of the song itself only hit songs were consideredthe title had to be multiple words, meaning timeless classics from "Sussudio" to "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" didn't qualify (try again next time, "Mmmbop")some of these songs have been covered by multiple artists; I singled out what I think is the most famous of the recordings (there's one tie)
10. "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye"—Steam, 1969
9. "Boogie Oogie Oogie"—A Taste of Honey, 1978
8. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"—The Beatles, 1968
7. "Be-Bop-A-Lula"—Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps, 1956
6. "Rama Lama Ding Dong"—The Edsels, 1958
5. "Da Doo Ron Ron"—The Crystals, 1963; Shaun Cassidy, 1977
4. "Do Wah Diddy Diddy"—Manfred Mann, 1964
3. "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da"—The Police, 1980 (a response to songs such
as the previous two on the list)
2. "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"—James Baskett (Song of the South), 1946
1. "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"—Iron Butterfly, 1968
As you see, most were not novelty songs. Title length is a factor (eight words are better than two). The most represented decade is the 1960s.
Honorable mentions:
"Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day"—Stevie Wonder, 1968 (inspired "Shoo-Bee-Doo" on Madonna's Like a Virgin album)"Yakety Yak"—The Coasters, 1958"Sh-Boom"—The Chords, 1954"Wooly Bully"—Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, 1965
Not released as a single but I feel like mentioning:
"Impacilla Carpisung"—The Ting Tings, 2008
In case you want to make your own list, here are more to choose from.
January 8, 2018
Educational value of the documentary "Batman & Bill"
I am heartened to see more and more tweets/posts from teachers who have screened the Hulu feature documentary Batman & Bill for students in grades 3 and up.
Rather than delineate the growth benefits as I see them, I'll let educators do that in their own words:
Rather than delineate the growth benefits as I see them, I'll let educators do that in their own words:
January 5, 2018
"Batman & Bill": #1 on 10 best films of 2017 list
Thank you to Aaron Gleason who put Batman & Bill at the top of his list of the 10 best films of 2017, published on The Federalist. An excerpt:
I flipped and flopped over this because I know it wasn't actually the best film that came out this year. But it might be the most important, and it was certainly my favorite.
We live in an era where "facts" are supposedly up for debate, where news is suspect and partisan. But in the midst of all this nonsense there was a tiny flicker of truly bipartisan journalism. It was the myth-busting Hulu documentary Batman & Bill, the best Batman film ever made.
… it took the dogged guts of Marc Tyler Nobleman to finally bring the truth into the gloriously tragic light. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his journalistic work on this deep, dark secret.
