I just read that Don Knotts has passed on. Like most of you, I will always remember him in the role of Deputy Barney Fife and as Mr Furley. Recently, my girls came to know him from "The Incredbile Mr. Limpett" and "The Apple Dumpling Gang." The last film that we "heard" him in was the forgettable "Chicken Little" voicing the role of the Mayor.
The report in the LA Times stated that Knotts died of lung cancer. I was touched that "life-long" friend Andy Griffith was one of the last visitors that he saw.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Science Makes New Discovery
Saw this story entitled Furry Remains Shake Up Jurassic Thinking about the role of mammals during the jurassic time.
The discovery of the remains of a furry, beaver-like animal that lived at the time of dinosaurs has overturned more than a century of scientific thinking about Jurassic mammals.
The discovery of the remains of a furry, beaver-like animal that lived at the time of dinosaurs has overturned more than a century of scientific thinking about Jurassic mammals.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Coffe Mugs: fine!
Here is the final posting of coffee mug series. Trivial Pursuit was the game that got the most play time with my High School pals. Julie L. gave each of us this mug for Christmas, and somehow, it has remained unbroken for twenty years. Perhaps I have unknowingly taken better care of this mug, because like the stone pile near the Jordon, this mug is a memorial of the friends that God gave to me when I needed them the most.Cindy and I pray about friendships. I have come to discover that in order for friendships to grow, you have to spend time in that garden: working it, watering it and weeding it. These are skills that I have, but I like so many people, I just don’t know where the time can come from. You know the chorus to this song: I work, I have kids, I’m tired (and so it goes). So I look for those “couple friends.” We have a “couple” friends that God has literally moved back into our lives and our neighborhood. We don’t seem to have the time to invest in the friendship because I know they are singing the same song! Sometimes, I am the arrogant one who only half wants to be there and half wants to be somewhere else. How stinky is that?
I have lost my friendship building skillz. I am not talking about work friendships. Those are easy to maintain because so much of my day is spent with them. Not virtual, online relationships that I have with other BF2 Gamers. We have a common interest and we enjoy sharing in that interest. But, people that I know casually through Church or in the neighborhood, that’s a different story. Those are the ones that are ripe for growing into something much more meaningful than just a friendly wave and a nice smile.
P.S. Just saw todays Dilbert. Oh, how I relate.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Disappointment
What I am going to write about is a bit different from usual, because tonight I am a bit melancholy. I think that I am coming to a parting of ways with a group of guys that I have hung out with online for several years. We got to know each other because of an online game (Battlefield 1942) and have been playing on thursday nights for a couple of years. One of the guys I know from a previous job, and everyone else somehow knew someone else in the group.
I realize that meloncholy is a bit dramatic. Ok, use bummed then. No matter. Part of the realization is that, beyond the game, I have little or nothing in common anymore with these guys. I don't really enjoy the game anymore. I really don't have relationships with other people outside of work. I admit that I am a home body, and so these online friendships have been really "convenient."
Things will look better in the morning over a hot cup of Joe. I've taken the day off and will take the girls out and about. Myabe take them out to a flick and give mom some much needed "Cindy Time."
Also, tommorrow I will post the last of my coffee mugs. This one will be a "nostalgia" mug that I have had since my senior year (1986).
Night!
I realize that meloncholy is a bit dramatic. Ok, use bummed then. No matter. Part of the realization is that, beyond the game, I have little or nothing in common anymore with these guys. I don't really enjoy the game anymore. I really don't have relationships with other people outside of work. I admit that I am a home body, and so these online friendships have been really "convenient."
Things will look better in the morning over a hot cup of Joe. I've taken the day off and will take the girls out and about. Myabe take them out to a flick and give mom some much needed "Cindy Time."
Also, tommorrow I will post the last of my coffee mugs. This one will be a "nostalgia" mug that I have had since my senior year (1986).
Night!
Coffee Mugs Part Deux
Ok, so the mug I posted yesterday is my favorite all around. I like the shape and size. It holds enough coffee, but not too much. Too much coffee tends to turn into cold coffee. I use to "heat it up" with fresh from the pot coffee, but, isn't that simply diluting the good stuff from the pot (man, there is a sermon in there somewhere).
Anyways, I got these two mugs last year at the Magic Kingdom. The Coffee itself was not that great, but, I am a sucker for cool marketing and this can was cool. The "Mickey's Coffee" is too tall, but it has a nice concave shape to it that makes it interesting. The Character mug was cool because it contained most of the "new" Disney classics.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Post Your Favorite Coffee Mug!
Ok, I must admit my addiction to coffee. So, to celebrate, I will post one of my favorite coffee mugs.
This mug was given to me by Cindy for father's day.
Comon, show me yours!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
American Idol
Cindy and I like the television show American Idol. The current series has reached the final 24 contestant milestone. This year they did something different: typically, after “Hollywood week” the show has its final 24 contestants. However, to increase the drama, this year they left 20 extra contestants that needed to be cut. They did this by bringing each contestant, one by one, up an elevator and down a long hall to stand in front of the judges. There is a brief pause before the contestant’s fate is realized. That pause must last for an eternity, as they listen with heart racing and palms sweating for the words that will propel them to stardom. But, what they are told does not mesh with those hopes and dreams: “I’m sorry, it’s a no. You are not going on.” The contestant has this look of utter confusion: “What has just happened here?”
A good friend recently opened up and shared past encounters with various Christians. This got me to thinking about how many people go to a Christian church and even label themselves a Christian, but are indeed lost. How many Christian’s use the Grace of God as a license to sin? Do I ever do this? How many in that moment of judgment before Christ will hear something worse than “I’m sorry, it’s a no,” but will hear “Who are you? Leave.”
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV)
A good friend recently opened up and shared past encounters with various Christians. This got me to thinking about how many people go to a Christian church and even label themselves a Christian, but are indeed lost. How many Christian’s use the Grace of God as a license to sin? Do I ever do this? How many in that moment of judgment before Christ will hear something worse than “I’m sorry, it’s a no,” but will hear “Who are you? Leave.”
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV)
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Rest in Peace Phil Brown
If you know me, then you know that I love Star Wars. Not Episode IV, not "A New Hope" but the 1977 edit of Star Wars. It really sparked my nine year old imagination. This film cemented my future geekdom and was "my first step into a larger world" of Science Fiction and Fantasy.
So, I was a bit saddened to see that Phil Brown, aka Uncle Owen, has passed on. Harry Knowles over at Aint It Cool News has written a fitting obituary, and I shall send you there. Just, watch where you step over there.
Uncle Owen joins Aunt Beru...
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Earthworm Week!
This week was Earthworm Week at the Chesapeake Campus of the Bryan Academy. Everything that a child could possibly learn about a worm was unconvered. Did you know that a worm is both male and female? That a worm has five hearts? As Cindy was preparing her lesson plans this week, she included going to a bait shop so that the girls could get some hands on experience with really big-n-fat worms.
The grand finale of Worm Week was going to be a dissection. One of the lucky critters was going to be sacrificed in the name of science. So, Cindy was excited about this, the girls were excited, but something did not quiet sit right with me. It took me a while to figure it out, but it came to me at dinner tuesday night.
"Cindy, how are you going to kill the worm?"
She gave me that "thousand yard" stare that indicated to me that this was the one part of Worm Week that had not been thought through. And, at that moment, the girls realized that by dissecting the worm, they would be killing the worm.
The dissection activity was cancelled and replaced with a cooking activity: Gummy Worms and Dirt. Yummy.
The grand finale of Worm Week was going to be a dissection. One of the lucky critters was going to be sacrificed in the name of science. So, Cindy was excited about this, the girls were excited, but something did not quiet sit right with me. It took me a while to figure it out, but it came to me at dinner tuesday night.
"Cindy, how are you going to kill the worm?"
She gave me that "thousand yard" stare that indicated to me that this was the one part of Worm Week that had not been thought through. And, at that moment, the girls realized that by dissecting the worm, they would be killing the worm.
The dissection activity was cancelled and replaced with a cooking activity: Gummy Worms and Dirt. Yummy.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Friday Night Pizza
Does your family have any weekly traditions that will one day become a part of your children's memories? A weekly tradition that we have that is really dear to me is Family Movie and Pizza Night.
FM&P Night has it roots from my Mom and Dad. As a kid, nearly every friday night, we had take out from Shakey's Pizza Parlor. It use to be located across from the Toyota center on Airport Blvd in West Columbia. I think an auto-parts store is there now.
Shakey's was great. I can testify that, if not for Shakey's, I would not have the video game habit that I now have. They had a line up of pinball machines, a jukebox and video games (Space Invaders, Pac Man, Galaga...the classics). Rumor has it, that my dad would have become a millionaire if the quarters he invested in those machines had been invested in Wall Street. "Can I have a quarter" was essentially my catch phrase.
They had this common room with big long tables for dining in. On Friday nights, a piano and banjo musician would entertain the commons. They showed silent B&W shorts (Three Stooges, Little Rascals, Laurel and Hardy) on a movie screen. In 1977, the owner had a B&W short of Star Wars: it was the first of many times that I would see Star Wars.
My Dad had, at some point, been employed there. He seemed to know everyone back there and all of the guys where really friendly to me. Men with colorful names like Hatcher and Parthemus (at least, that's how I remember them). We went there so much, that they had a pizza named after my dad, "The Dirty Dave." I believe anchovies were included.
The biggest thrill of the evening was "Who got to ride home in the front seat holding the pizza?" Near my house was a hill that my Dad would always goose the gas peddle on his Beetle so that we would experience the thrill of taking flight. These were days before VCRs and we had something better: we had the Rockford Files!
So, today, I look forward to FM&P Night. A co-worker ribs me when I call up the local CiCi's pizza and order a larger peperoni pizza because I am so predictable. We no longer have Jim Rockford and his dad, but, we have a wealth of Classic DVDs available to us on Netflix.
FM&P Night is more to me than just eating pizza, drinking pepsi and watching "The Swiss Family Robinson:" It is a part of my childhood that I am giving away to my children.
FM&P Night has it roots from my Mom and Dad. As a kid, nearly every friday night, we had take out from Shakey's Pizza Parlor. It use to be located across from the Toyota center on Airport Blvd in West Columbia. I think an auto-parts store is there now.
Shakey's was great. I can testify that, if not for Shakey's, I would not have the video game habit that I now have. They had a line up of pinball machines, a jukebox and video games (Space Invaders, Pac Man, Galaga...the classics). Rumor has it, that my dad would have become a millionaire if the quarters he invested in those machines had been invested in Wall Street. "Can I have a quarter" was essentially my catch phrase.
They had this common room with big long tables for dining in. On Friday nights, a piano and banjo musician would entertain the commons. They showed silent B&W shorts (Three Stooges, Little Rascals, Laurel and Hardy) on a movie screen. In 1977, the owner had a B&W short of Star Wars: it was the first of many times that I would see Star Wars.
My Dad had, at some point, been employed there. He seemed to know everyone back there and all of the guys where really friendly to me. Men with colorful names like Hatcher and Parthemus (at least, that's how I remember them). We went there so much, that they had a pizza named after my dad, "The Dirty Dave." I believe anchovies were included.
The biggest thrill of the evening was "Who got to ride home in the front seat holding the pizza?" Near my house was a hill that my Dad would always goose the gas peddle on his Beetle so that we would experience the thrill of taking flight. These were days before VCRs and we had something better: we had the Rockford Files!
So, today, I look forward to FM&P Night. A co-worker ribs me when I call up the local CiCi's pizza and order a larger peperoni pizza because I am so predictable. We no longer have Jim Rockford and his dad, but, we have a wealth of Classic DVDs available to us on Netflix.
FM&P Night is more to me than just eating pizza, drinking pepsi and watching "The Swiss Family Robinson:" It is a part of my childhood that I am giving away to my children.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Chariots of Fire
"I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure." - Eric Liddell
The first time that I saw "Chariots of Fire" was early in January. I watched the majority of it while exercising on the treadmill. Never has a movie so inspired me while running, and I really like period pieces. Maybe its the clothing, or maybe the romance of a time gone by.
I almost stumbled at the end, when Eric Liddell said the quote above. It pretty much brought me to tears: the kind of tears that you experience when God opens something up to you, that you might not have ever thought about before. God had a purpose for Eric Liddell's life: he would bring Gods word to China where, ultimately, he would be killed. However, God also gave Eric a gift: Speed. And that gift was not squandard or wasted. But rather, recognized for the gift that it was; recognizing that using this gift ultimately gives pleasure back to the gift giver.
Do you use your gifts?
The first time that I saw "Chariots of Fire" was early in January. I watched the majority of it while exercising on the treadmill. Never has a movie so inspired me while running, and I really like period pieces. Maybe its the clothing, or maybe the romance of a time gone by.
I almost stumbled at the end, when Eric Liddell said the quote above. It pretty much brought me to tears: the kind of tears that you experience when God opens something up to you, that you might not have ever thought about before. God had a purpose for Eric Liddell's life: he would bring Gods word to China where, ultimately, he would be killed. However, God also gave Eric a gift: Speed. And that gift was not squandard or wasted. But rather, recognized for the gift that it was; recognizing that using this gift ultimately gives pleasure back to the gift giver.
Do you use your gifts?
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Happy Birthday Chunk
Last year I celebrated by 37th on May 19th, the same day that Episode III came out. So, my girls (Cindy, Katie and Megan) thought it only appropriate to give me a Star Wars Birthday. It does, however, pay to proof the cake before you bring it home. "Sloth loves Chunk!"
Fishing with Barbie
Another picture from last year that I have come across. Notice the manly Barbie fishing pole!
Megan and Daddy on Assateague Island
Going through some photos of last year and came across this one with Megan and Daddy on their trip to Assateague Island. And yes, we saw some wild ponies.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Thinking of Rick
Just read Rick's Current Vibe post over at Good Coffee this morning. Haven't you just been there? Frank Herbert's Dune had the saying that "Fear is the mind killer." I believe that "business is the joy stealer" and when my daytimer is at its fullest is when my joy is at its dimmest.
When anyone in my family is trodden down and worn out, I like to try and encourage them and make them smile. So, here is my attempt. I found this on Todd's Word this morning:
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
and for the humor (and keeping in spirit of Good Coffee):
When anyone in my family is trodden down and worn out, I like to try and encourage them and make them smile. So, here is my attempt. I found this on Todd's Word this morning:
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
and for the humor (and keeping in spirit of Good Coffee):
The Ins and Outs of It
"In it, not of it," the statement was made
As Christian One faced the world, much afraid.
"In it, not of it," the call was made clear,
But Christian One got something stuck in his ear.
"Not in it, or of it" was the thing that he heard.
And knowing the world was painfully absurd,
He welcomed the safety of pious retreat,
And went to the potluck for something to eat.
Now Christian Two, he knew what to do,
He'd show those fundies a thing or two!
How will the world ever give Christ a try
If we don't get in there and identify?
So "In it, and of it," he said in his car,
As he pulled in and stopped at a popular bar.
"I'll tell them the truth as soon as I'm able
To get myself out from under this table."
Now along comes Christian Three jogging for Jesus,
In witnessing sweats made of four matching pieces.
His earphones are playing a hot Christian tune
About how the Lord is coming back soon.
"Not in it, but of it," he turns down the hill
And stops in for a bite at the Agape Grill.
Like the gold on the chain of his "God Loves You" bracelet,
He can have the world without having to face it.
While way up in heaven they lament these conditions
That come from changing a few prepositions.
"Not in it, or of it," Christian One thought.
But who in the world will know that he's not?
"In it, and of it," thought Christian Two.
But who in the world will know that he knew?
"Not in it, but of it," thought Christian Three.
But who in the world watches Christian TV?
And Jesus turns to Gabriel, shaking His head.
"'In it, not of it,' wasn't that what I said?"
John Fischer
Thanks Amy!!
As Christian One faced the world, much afraid.
"In it, not of it," the call was made clear,
But Christian One got something stuck in his ear.
"Not in it, or of it" was the thing that he heard.
And knowing the world was painfully absurd,
He welcomed the safety of pious retreat,
And went to the potluck for something to eat.
Now Christian Two, he knew what to do,
He'd show those fundies a thing or two!
How will the world ever give Christ a try
If we don't get in there and identify?
So "In it, and of it," he said in his car,
As he pulled in and stopped at a popular bar.
"I'll tell them the truth as soon as I'm able
To get myself out from under this table."
Now along comes Christian Three jogging for Jesus,
In witnessing sweats made of four matching pieces.
His earphones are playing a hot Christian tune
About how the Lord is coming back soon.
"Not in it, but of it," he turns down the hill
And stops in for a bite at the Agape Grill.
Like the gold on the chain of his "God Loves You" bracelet,
He can have the world without having to face it.
While way up in heaven they lament these conditions
That come from changing a few prepositions.
"Not in it, or of it," Christian One thought.
But who in the world will know that he's not?
"In it, and of it," thought Christian Two.
But who in the world will know that he knew?
"Not in it, but of it," thought Christian Three.
But who in the world watches Christian TV?
And Jesus turns to Gabriel, shaking His head.
"'In it, not of it,' wasn't that what I said?"
John Fischer
Thanks Amy!!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Update on Tyler
Last week, I posted a bit about the Lindsay family with some links about their 10 year son, Tyler. Friday, The Virginian Pilot published an article about him with a link to some video. Friday, the Tonight Show contacted their family. This is really exciting! I will keep you up to date on the happenings.
Tough Week, Spirtually Speaking
I was on a spirtual roller coaster this week. Work has been a real drain. I learned a new label: Christian Sub-culture. Just trying to find out the scope of that label and how it is applied got me wrapped around the axle Wednesday night. Bible study and orchestra rehearsal that night were zero fun because my mind was grinding on that phrase. Thursday morning I was on my knees in tears because I was convicted that I enjoy the safety of sharing my faith in Church and am not reaching out to the lost world. Thankfully, Friday was "Family Movie and Pizza Night." We (Cindy (wife), Katie (daughter - 8), Megan (daughter - 6 and I) watched Disney's "The Ice Princess." It was a sweet enough movie, and the CiCi's pizza was delicious. Saturday, I made the mistake of checking work email, but, committed to not take any aciton until monday morning.
And then Sunday.
It seems that the best worship I experience is when I get Chuck out of the way and just praise God. The music, that on wednesday night was so distant, elevated me into His presence. Yes, there were more tears, but they were tears of release and of...joy.
You alone are my passion forever
Song of my soul, desire of my heart
You alone are my passion, my treasure
I love You for all that You are
To the ends of the earth I will follow
There's nothing that I will not do
You alone are my reason for living
Jesus, my passion is You
My life, my love, my God
You are my life, my love, my God
========
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
And then Sunday.
It seems that the best worship I experience is when I get Chuck out of the way and just praise God. The music, that on wednesday night was so distant, elevated me into His presence. Yes, there were more tears, but they were tears of release and of...joy.
You alone are my passion forever
Song of my soul, desire of my heart
You alone are my passion, my treasure
I love You for all that You are
To the ends of the earth I will follow
There's nothing that I will not do
You alone are my reason for living
Jesus, my passion is You
My life, my love, my God
You are my life, my love, my God
========
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Multiple Netflix Queue
I see that Rick has posted a bit about his Netflix queue over at Good Coffee. I have been with Netflix since January of 2000: does anyone remember the yellow and black website (Irmo HS colors, yuck)? I miss the “it’s in the mail” feature. After you mail your disc back, you’d go online and select this feature next to the returned disc and your next queued disc was process. I know, personally, that I may have fibbed it a bit so that my delivery times would be quicker (after all, back then, there were no local distribution centers. They all came from California).
The feature that I like most is the multiple queues. I actually resisted queues. All of my movies went into one big stinking pile. The problem was, I would reorder my queue so much, some of my choices were in queue limbo. Not only that, if you put a series disc in your queue, you would get a deluge of that series (which, can get overwhelming).
I currently have four queues (I am still on the original four our at a time plan): New Releases, Series, Family Movie Night and movies Cindy does not want to see. Each one is limited to one out at a time. Before, I had to manage my Family Movie Night movies to make sure that an appropriate movie had been queued to the top. No longer to I get the series flood (and I am thankful, because the Greatest American Hero did not hold up over time). Cindy and I get to watch the movies that we couldn’t really afford to go see in the theater (tickets, $25…concessions, $25…babysitter for two girls for four hours $30…seeing a stinker of a film after paying $80…priceless).
So, if you are a Netflixer and have not taken advantage of the multiple queues, check them out.
The feature that I like most is the multiple queues. I actually resisted queues. All of my movies went into one big stinking pile. The problem was, I would reorder my queue so much, some of my choices were in queue limbo. Not only that, if you put a series disc in your queue, you would get a deluge of that series (which, can get overwhelming).
I currently have four queues (I am still on the original four our at a time plan): New Releases, Series, Family Movie Night and movies Cindy does not want to see. Each one is limited to one out at a time. Before, I had to manage my Family Movie Night movies to make sure that an appropriate movie had been queued to the top. No longer to I get the series flood (and I am thankful, because the Greatest American Hero did not hold up over time). Cindy and I get to watch the movies that we couldn’t really afford to go see in the theater (tickets, $25…concessions, $25…babysitter for two girls for four hours $30…seeing a stinker of a film after paying $80…priceless).
So, if you are a Netflixer and have not taken advantage of the multiple queues, check them out.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
An Idle Degree
I graduated from the University of South Carolina in December of 1990. I remember graduation night because, compared to my high school graduation, it was rather impersonal. I remember walking across that stage as my name was called, pausing to take my diploma (or facsimile thereof), shaking hands with the presenter and walking off the stage. It was done. Four and a half years, two majors later, I was the proud owner of a baccalaureate in Music Education.
But something had stirred deep in my being during my final semester. Call it the effects of Student Teaching, but I awoke one day to the realization that my current course was steering me to a life of complete academia. One day I was a student, the next, a teacher. The sum and total of my life (professionally speaking) would equal school.
It was this epiphany that kept me working as an assistant manager for a local Blockbuster Video. This was the “glory” year: my first time out on my own in the big wide world. Earning a paycheck and paying rent, groceries and utilities. Rooming with one of my best pals and receiving free cable. Ah…life was good.
From Blockbuster, I joined the Air Force. I wanted to load bombs on airplanes (at least I thought). I became a crew chief on F-15s, and, got stationed in Okinawa Japan. Even though it was hard work, it was rewarding. It was guy work. You come home all stinky and smelly, hydraulic fluid still in your hair. And, I got to do cool stuff like help the pilot get strapped in, participate in launching and recovering a jet (you know, the waving your arms part) , refueling a jet an engine is still running. Arr! Arr! Arr! Arr!
After the Air Force, my wife was instrumental in pointing to me to my current career with computers. “Do something you love.” I was worried that I had no formal training in computer repair or programming. For the most part, it was self taught. I joke that I went to the University of Barnes and Noble, because many times I would run down there to look through one of the “dead tree” computer books for a solution (thank goodness for Google).
We home school our two daughters, Katie (8) and Megan (6). They are fortunate to have one of the best private violin teachers for a mom, and so our music appreciation is actually Violin and Piano lessons. Yesterday was Martin Luther King Day, and I was home. Megan and Cindy were finishing violin lesson, and I could hear some frustration over a rhythm. I asked Cindy if I could help and she let me take over. I realized what the problem was. The fist four measures of the music had a repeated rhythm pattern, but the last four were different. She was not transitioning to second pattern. Putting down her violin, I had her clap with me the pattern. I turned on the metronome and eventually made the transition. I had her then clap rhythm and sing the pitches together and then alone. Finally, she picked the violin up and played the correct pattern and we finished the piece.
Until yesterday, I never used my music degree. It may have been simple rhythms, but for me, it was dad’s integration into the home-school day that meant everything.
But something had stirred deep in my being during my final semester. Call it the effects of Student Teaching, but I awoke one day to the realization that my current course was steering me to a life of complete academia. One day I was a student, the next, a teacher. The sum and total of my life (professionally speaking) would equal school.
It was this epiphany that kept me working as an assistant manager for a local Blockbuster Video. This was the “glory” year: my first time out on my own in the big wide world. Earning a paycheck and paying rent, groceries and utilities. Rooming with one of my best pals and receiving free cable. Ah…life was good.
From Blockbuster, I joined the Air Force. I wanted to load bombs on airplanes (at least I thought). I became a crew chief on F-15s, and, got stationed in Okinawa Japan. Even though it was hard work, it was rewarding. It was guy work. You come home all stinky and smelly, hydraulic fluid still in your hair. And, I got to do cool stuff like help the pilot get strapped in, participate in launching and recovering a jet (you know, the waving your arms part) , refueling a jet an engine is still running. Arr! Arr! Arr! Arr!
After the Air Force, my wife was instrumental in pointing to me to my current career with computers. “Do something you love.” I was worried that I had no formal training in computer repair or programming. For the most part, it was self taught. I joke that I went to the University of Barnes and Noble, because many times I would run down there to look through one of the “dead tree” computer books for a solution (thank goodness for Google).
We home school our two daughters, Katie (8) and Megan (6). They are fortunate to have one of the best private violin teachers for a mom, and so our music appreciation is actually Violin and Piano lessons. Yesterday was Martin Luther King Day, and I was home. Megan and Cindy were finishing violin lesson, and I could hear some frustration over a rhythm. I asked Cindy if I could help and she let me take over. I realized what the problem was. The fist four measures of the music had a repeated rhythm pattern, but the last four were different. She was not transitioning to second pattern. Putting down her violin, I had her clap with me the pattern. I turned on the metronome and eventually made the transition. I had her then clap rhythm and sing the pitches together and then alone. Finally, she picked the violin up and played the correct pattern and we finished the piece.
Until yesterday, I never used my music degree. It may have been simple rhythms, but for me, it was dad’s integration into the home-school day that meant everything.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)