the space into which I type things

13 September 2011

I went to the doctor yesterday.  It was just a check up.   As a new patient with this particular doc, I had to fill out a lot of paperwork.   Under occupation, I instinctively wrote Computer Programmer.  I paused, then drew a line through that and corrected it to read Music Teacher.   This made me smile.

I just received word that my student teaching assignment begins tomorrow! 

This morning I'm scheduled to attend substitute teacher orientation at a nearby school, but not the one where I will be student teaching.  Although I can't substitute teach while I'm student teaching, I want to be able to do so when I'm done.  I'm not sure how long it will take me to find a full-time job at the end of this.  Preparing to sub seems like a wise course of action.  I began the substitute teacher application process before I realized I'd be doing student teaching.  I'll need to speak with someone in HR to see if they will still want me to attend if my earliest available time for assignment is mid-December.  Until I hear otherwise, I plan on ploughing ahead full steam!

It's been almost three weeks since the university eliminated my position.  I've been so busy, that it feels more like months.   Today is my last completely flexible day.  Tomorrow I begin a new "routine".  I'm happy at that prospect.  Routines can be nice.  They give us the opportunity to tweak and refine a process -- for instance: finding the optimal route to work, do I bring a lunch or eat there, where is the most convenient dry cleaner along the way, what filling stations are on the route who have the best price, which child will I bring to school with me, what will my afternoons and evenings be like (most likely filled with lots of preparatory work), and so on.   My daughter's school is on the way, more or less.  This means we will likely be commuting  together.  The prospect of this makes me happy.  I may also be able to arrange to pick up my son for the return trip home at the end of the day.  I'm very proud of both of my children and their efforts in the classroom this year.  Having some one-on-one time with each of them is always special.

12 September 2011

I spent a few hours with my good friend and fiddle coach Steve Bing this afternoon.  Steve has a few fiddles for sale and graciously agreed to carve out some time from his schedule to let me try some of them out.   I brought two of mine to use as control standards.  As you play, you begin to get a feel for an instrument.  Then to go back to a known fiddle, it makes it easy to ask "Do I like this more than what I'm playing on now?"  Or so I thought.  The thing is, violins to me are like people.  They may be gritty or sweet or shallow or deep or complex or superficial... but when you really get to know one, you appreciate it.  You can see the good and the shortcomings.  You make the determination "I can work with this one" or "I don't think this one and I will get along." 

Cutting to the point, I think I auditioned seven or eight violins. Perhaps it's my personality, but I had a very hard time choosing.  There were five that I really liked.  There was a very nice Chinese violin that blew them all away with regard to purity of tone and brilliance.  I thought that it would make a great orchestra instrument.  BUT, I just wasn't looking to buy another Chinese violin.  In the finalists circle was also a poorly-varnished VSO (Violin Shaped Object).   Well, it was one step above a VSO, but let's just say it was definitely a mutt.  It did have a decent tone and lots of personality.  I thought it would make a great backpack/camping fiddle.  But I don't need another VSO and I already have a designated backpack/camping fiddle.  The 5-string was nice and had the low C...  but really wasn't what I was looking for. 

The two finalists at the end of the day were both from the late 1800s -- an OLE BULL and a Steiner.  Both of them with VERY fat bodies.  I played and played and played, still unable to decide.  Steve suggested that I take them home and try them out for a week, play everything on both in every key on every string, record them, listen to them, really get a feel for them.  So that's where this story ends.   I've narrowed my choices to two, but the money I have to spend (from the sale of another instrument) will only allow me to buy one.  If I were working full time, I'd buy both with no hesitation.  But for now, I've got to choose.  I'm leaning toward the Steiner.  But the OLE BULL has it's good points as well. 

I've spent a lot of time learning to play lots of different instruments.   With no other family of instruments have I experienced such a profound manifestation of "personality".   One of the more famous quotes of Will Rodgers is "I never met a man I didn't like."   While I can't say EXACTLY the same for every violin I've held, it is true that with the exception of some VSOs, I never played a violin that I didn't appreciate.

10 September 2011

The Houston Texans will be having a "Back to Tailgating" even at the Academy store in Humble (9805 FM 1960 East) today starting around 10:30 in the morning.  The Bull Pen Pep Band will be performing a 30-minute set at 10:30 and then a 15-minute set at 12:45.  Hope to see you there!

I'll be hurrying trying to make MJ Milford's funeral at 2:00pm at First Baptist Church - Alta Loma (in Santa Fe).

09 September 2011

Received word that I've been placed with a K-3 music teacher with 15 years teaching experience.  I'm very excited about this.

08 September 2011

Still waiting to hear about my placement for student teaching...

07 September 2011

I was very saddened to learn this morning that my dear friend and mentor Mary Jean "MJ" Milford passed away yesterday in her home of an apparent heart attack.  MJ has been a constant well of encouragement and wisdom as I pursue my teaching certificate.  She and I played together at First Baptist Church-Alta Loma from 1999-2002.  We have been involved in a number of projects together including "To His Glory..." (free music for church choirs) and Scalesthenics - a revolutionary method for teaching sight singing. We were on the verge of launching an all new Scalesthenics site.  While that is on hold for now, I'm confident that the two projects will continue into the future.  Right now my prayers and warmest wishes go out to her son and family.  It warms my heart to see the outpouring of love from her former students on Facebook.  http://www.hayesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/mrsmaryjeanmilford.html

06 September 2011

Had a wonderful time at a jam session hosted by Debbie Forrest and University Baptist Church.  This was my first time to attend this particular jam session.  I was very pleased that lead sheets were provided for the songs.  This helps a lot, especially for unfamiliar material.  I heard a lot of new (to me) music as well as some old music reharmonized in new and exciting ways.  We had 3 guitars, a bass, a piano, a percussionist, a handful of singers, and me on fiddle.  It was very nice.  I look forward to the next time we all get together to play.  Jam session meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm.

28 August 2011

One of teachers’ roles in learning in the 21st century is to become the “guide on the side” instead of the “sage on the stage.”

19 August 2011

Houston Texans Bull Pen Pep Band Playlist 2011

*Tunes in orange may be pulled this year.

16 August 2011

Note to self:

• http://www.luonline.com/index.cfm?PID=20989 
• http://www.luonline.com/index.cfm?PID=14284
• CERT

15 August 2011

I had a very good time playing fiddle last night at the Cajun jam at the Mangum Rd Pizza Inn.  I know Cajun music may not be everyone's cup of tea, but that music really gets into my blood.  It's very fun.  

Steve and Donna Bing weren't able to make it.  However Chuck Sneider did a great job running the show.  Was a pleasure to meet and perform with James Thibodeaux and Mike Alessi from the Houston band Pure Cajun.

Every 2nd Sunday at 6:00pm you can come and hear great cajun music free of charge.  Musicians are invited to play along  - Cajun accordions, fiddles, guitars... whatever (no percussion instruments please).  Non-musicians - There is plenty of room for those who just want to sit and listen, eat some pizza, and pass a good time with friends.   The location is at Pizza Inn, 1801 Mangum Rd, Houston, TX (Corner of W 18th and Mangum Rd, just outside of the NW 610 Loop).

Speaking of great music, here's a video of DL Menard Playing on of my favorites "The Back Door".

11 August 2011

Someone at work told me to check out the Round Top Festival Institute.

11 August 2011

USCG AUX Links

• http://www.d8cr.org/pdf/newmembers/a7001f-Jan%2008.pdf

• http://www.cgaux.org/departments/

• http://www.d8cr.org/pdf/newmembers/New-Membe-Reference-Guide-06-08.pdf

• http://www.d8cr.org/pdf/newmembers/New-Member-Course-Exam-06-08.pdf

• http://d8cr.org/pdf/newmembers/Exam-Answer-Sheet-a7010.pdf

10 August 2011

A friend from Dr. Pepper, TX shared a few alt-country/Americana blogs with me this morning.  I will, in turn, share them here.

• http://twangville.com/

• http://amberwavesoftwang.blogspot.com/

• http://www.nodepression.com/

Twangville has free downloads.

It wasn't until satellite radio came out that I came to realize that there is so much good music out there which never gets any radio airplay.  Now I know better.  And while I no longer subscribe to satellite radio, I know where to find new music to enjoy. Alt-country was an entire genre that almost passed me by.  If you hate what Nashville has done to country music, consider looking into the alt country genre.  Here's a great starter album:

That is all.

Bb

10 August 2011

I am very excited to see the Angels & Airwaves movie "L)VE" tonight.  The tickets have already been purchased.  One friend who was hoping to attend with me had to back out.  I had hoped that he'd be able to go, but alas, no.  It looks like one that is best experienced on the large screen.  Here is the final extended story of characters that make brief appearances in the film.

"EPIC HOLIDAY" LOST FOOTAGE FROM THE ANGELS & AIRWAVES FILM "LOVE" from Angels And Airwaves on Vimeo.

"The vignettes are not just character back-stories, but that each one represents some of the more pertinent themes explored in the film: communication, isolation, relationship, and fate vs destiny.  Which one explores what, is up to the viewer..." - William Eubank, Writer and Director.

I sure hope the film isn't a terrific letdown. -Bb

09 August 2011

"Child Circumcision: An Elephant in the Hospital"

Ryan McAllister gives a half-hour lecture on child genital cutting in the United States.

What is infant circumcision? Why is the practice common in U.S. hospitals but not other countries? What does it remove and how does that affect the child? Does scientific data suggest that circumcision has benefits? What are the potential complications? How does it affect sexuality? Is it a medical procedure or a social surgery? What about contemporary bioethics principles?

Includes possibly disturbing images and video footage. 

Link: http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/262125/detail/
Supplemental Material: http://physics.georgetown.edu/~rmca/Elephant_in_the_Hospital/

08 August 20111

I've decided to stop using traditional social media outlets to journal/blog.  First off there is the pressure to pander to, or censor for the audience, especially with family and friends reading.  Second, some things are better left unsaid in social circles (politics, religion, money, etc.).  Instead of doing a traditional blog where people can respond, I simply plan to write here on my site and invite people to email comments (which I may or may not post). 

This site has been the dumping ground for lots of material over the years.  So who knows what you may unearth by doing search.  Just keep in mind that most pages here aren't actively maintained.

There are a few categorical things about which I hope to write more.  These I will group under the headings at the top of the page, in addition to posting here.