harper high school.

You may or may not have heard about This American Life's two part series on Harper High School in Chicago. Regardless of how much you know (or think you know) about  Chicago or gang culture, I urge you to listen to both riveting pieces. The reporters were given an extraordinary level of access to administrators, students, and parents, and the five months they spent immersed in the culture of the school paid off. It is a thoughtful exploration and rumination on violence, poverty, and how the two intersect. The aspect I was most grateful for, however, was how straightforward and honest the reporting was. It did not try to sensationalize or dramatize the subject matter, it instead let the facts paint a haunting portrait of a troubled area.

Find the first part here.

the one. the only.

Zomg. And I'm that excited and am totally geeking out so I feel no shame in saying zomg. But seriously zomg guys. I saw Ira Glass last night at the Sanders Theater and it was amazing. So amazing. This American Life is possibly my favorite thing ever and to hear, and see (which was really strange), the creator was surreal.

He talked about storytelling and how best to convey an excellent (or in honesty not so excellent) story effectively and suspensefully. Meanwhile he told some great stories of his own and was hilarious.

Too true.

If you get a chance to see him speak you should because he is completely charming and totally informative as well. What a combination.

drawing