Summer Eyes Online continues to promise to deliver the following: 1) a cheap substitute for holiday cards; 2) a lofty tradition of impersonal, self-laudatory, and infrequent correspondence; 3) a pun on the word " summarize," 4) a guarantee that this newsletter will not be sent before Christmas so that it can also serve as a single mailing of holiday cheer as well as serving as an inexpensive thank you card to gift givers (and to serve as a gentle reminder to those who fail to realize that it is better to give than receive), and 5) a method of avoiding printing, copying, paper and postage costs, i.e, being cheap. (Eyes by Quinn)
Omaha, NE--David Corbin and Josie Metal-Corbin are completing their 40th year in teaching and their 28th year at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (almost as many years as Summer Eyes has been in existence). In 2008 the couple will also celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. The "R" word (retirement) has only been mentioned in passing so far, but grading papers and exams and listening to students complain is much less thrilling as time passes.
Josie has been very busy this year choreographing and/or directing dances at Joslyn Museum, Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery (in Lincoln), Omaha Public Library (OPL), the Holland Performing Arts Center, and the Durham Western Heritage Museum. For the company that Josie directs at UNO (The Moving Company), David performed two songs that he wrote and another old folk song for the OPL dances that took place on the street in front of the library. This dance featured three dancers from Metal-Corbin and Corbin's neighborhood, but most importantly the dance featured Corbin's 1985 Ford Ranger pick-up truck. If any of Summer Eyes readers are desperate for something to do, you can hear the accompanying songs at: http://www.omahareads.org
By now, most of SE readers are familiar with Corbin's "Bagdaddy" dance with plastic bags with an environmental message at the end. Corbin hoped that his first foray into youtubeland would reach 5000 views but thus far he is not quite half way to his goal. Therefore, it is up to SE readers to boost the count. Click on the "Bagdaddy" link below and tell your friends to do the same. For the dancer's safety please refrain from taking flash photos and please turn off your cell phone. Viewing this video might just save the world. If that video doesn't change the world then try one of these: "Global Worming" or "We Don't Own the Sky." Merely clicking on these links will deduct 1000 pounds from your carbon footprint and will add inches to the icecaps.
You have, no doubt, heard of agoraphobia: "an extreme or irritational fear of crowded spaces or enclosed public spaces," but do you know what the fear of global warming and global climate change is? Algoreaphobia.
Inspired by the Edward Hopper painting in the Sheldon Museum in Lincoln, David Corbin created two modern versions of Hopper classics. They can be seen at: http://members.cox.net/dcorbin/hopper21.html
Josie will be on sabbatical (or as UNO refers to it-Professional Development Fellowship) in the spring semester and has travel plans to visit Mazatlan, New York City and Buenos Aires. David will join Josie in Buenos Aires for an early anniversary celebration, since as you all well know--it takes two to tango.
Artist view of Corbin's pick-up truck and dancer Kyan * * * * * * * * * * Collage of dances at the Sheldon Art Gallery
Omaha, NE--Quinn Corbin switched jobs from being a teaching assistant at South High School, working mostly with Latino and Sudanese students, to trying a stint in the corporate world. She is now one of the managers at the new Urban Outfitters store in Omaha. The store is in a new building complex built by famed independent music moguls at Saddle Creek Records. Omaha has become famous for its independent music scene (and sadly this year for the mall shootings).
For those of you who are not in the Urban Outfitters' demographic, this store has been deemed "bohemian, retro, ironic, kitschy, and funky." They have quite a following despite their policy of not advertising. Interestingly, some of the styles are the same as the styles worn in small town, Estancia, NM, where Corbin and his family lived. Little did they know that Estancia was setting the trend for the syles of today's youth.
Quinn and her boyfriend Eric Thomas joined Josie & David for a trip to New York City in the summer. Eric is working on a masters in creative writing at the University of Missouri. The SE writers and editors are non-masters in non-creative writing.
San Juan, PR--Don E. Corbin, Sr. will be 90 years old on January 6. David and Quinn visited him and the rest of the Puerto Rican family in August. Dr. Don Corbin is a man of many faces and disguises as evidenced by the collage below. Dr. Corbin is old enough to agree with George Burns who said: "I remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty."
Atlanta, GA--Josie and David flew to Atlanta to surprise longtime friend, David Sleet, for his 65th birthday. Sleet's wife, Louise Gobron, planned the appearances of the surprise guests, including Julie and Bruce from Pennsylvania. The couples played charades in a mountain cabin in Georgia, but it's just not the same as it used to be now that so many charades players are on steroids and human growth hormones.
Export, PA--Josie's youger sister, Charlene, retired this year from her job as Executive Director of the Armstrong-Indiana Drug and Alcohol Commission. Char's husband Ted was already retired. Josie asked: "How can this be that my baby sister has retired, and before me?" The answer: "Now you girls stop this or I'll turn this car around right now." Quinn and Josie were able to be at Char's retirement party in Pennsylvania.
New Brunswick, NJ--Dr. David E. Corbin, a lifetime member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists, has been appointed to the Sex, Etc. Medical Advisory Board. "Sex, Etc. is an award-winning national magazine and Web site on sexual health that is written by teens, for teens. It is part of the Teen-to-Teen Sexuality Education Project . . . ." and is affliated with Rutgers University. Corbin will specialize in giving advise regarding alcohol and other drugs as they relate to sexuality. He has vowed to promote an absinthe only curriculum.
