The first day of the last week has done come and gone

Mercifully, the school year is winding to a close. Between having a student teacher in the Fall (not a bad guy, just not me - can't help but get in the way) and some lackluster teaching I'm sorta ready to get away for a little while. As stated yesterday, I'm not looking forward to completely stepping away: planning an setup are the orders of the summer, so a bit of a break is all I plan on taking. Hoping I can get more motivated about the physical health thing, too. I certainly have some vices, but there is evidence that I'm ready to get into some positive routine changes. I believe the practice thing will remain a more or less regular part of the weekly ritual; adding an hour or so of exercise during the offseason shouldn't be that big of a stretch for me. Practice today was okay: plodded thru a few Schlossberg exercises and 9 Bach Inventions (right hand only part). Had to remind myself that the best way to play is just to relax and let it happen - the Shires doesn't need to be forced or coaxed; it'll take care of what needs to get done. Hopefully gonna work on that continuing lower-middle articulation issue I've been having and maybe even start shedding a few more jazz standards. Working on transcriptions wouldn't hurt, either....okay, tiger, slow down - this summer work program is beginning to resemble real work. Bought a couple of gruner veltliners, sauvignon blancs, and petite syrahs today. Really want to keep the beer to a bare minimum: I'm not exactly going on a weight loss binge, but I'd like to see some gut reduction and beer ain't helping that one bit. Gal has been really working the toning stuff lately and I gotta admit she takes off weight maybe faster than anyone I've ever seen (not that she was big at all to begin with - you can just tell that she's toned up now and looking great). My brother's wife and my BBF both dropped significant weight and seem to be trying to maintain (although sis-in-law wasn't shy at dinner yesterday afternoon). Hoping to watch a little movie, eat a little dinner, have a glass of wine, and hit the hay early. Been burning the midnite oil lately (for no reason) and I'd like to not feel like Mr. Sleepyhead tomorrow. One last thing: the Macon Miracle stuff was hilarious! My brother shared the pipe dreams of the resident loony in Macon who wants to completely revamp the school system. Sure, everything he says seems like a better deal than what they are currently doing; but all at once? Does this guy have a track record of innovative AND SUCCESSFUL educational leadership (besides getting run out of his last job in Massachusetts for wasting too much time galavanting to conferences)? Speaking of conferences, nice work for this Bibb dummy by arranging to travel overseas to a CONFERENCE in BELGIUM to present his plans (plans which, as of yet, haven't accomplished anything). Public education is doomed with morons like that being worshipped and not recognized as the charlatans they really are.

And the first thing I have to say is.....

Greetings, oh denizen(s) of the www that stumble upon this humble blog. About me: yes, I teach band and, also yes, I play trombone. I am not exceptional at math or chess, however, so I think I'm a pretty low-grade nerd - but I still enjoy being part of the nerd world.

Starting this blog at the tail end of another school year (15? 16? who the hell keeps track before 20 years) might give me some momentum moving into the summer. Haven't made any concrete summer plans yet besides 2 jazz and 3 (THREE!!!) marching band camps. Girlfriend and I will make a trip to Florida at some point to visit her daughter; otherwise, plenty of opportunities to do....nothing. And like it!

Actually, that's not entirely true. Some odd desire to really invest in summer activity that will make the next school year run more smoothly seems to be manifesting itself within me. 5 years ago, I stopped doing some of the summer work that used to really get things going well at the beginning of the year; was it burnout? Laziness? I seriously couldn't tell you. Suffice it to say that I am seeing the results of uninspired "management" as opposed to teaching that can occur in the 2nd decade of teaching. Maybe simply existing for a few years was necessary to give me time to sincerely desire a better quality teaching experience. All I know is, business as usual will have to end if I'm going to enjoy myself next year.

As far as trombone playing goes, I have a friend and colleague to thank for my renewed interest in playing. He invited me to join him in a group years ago; the group folded, but he and I still remain in touch and he asked me to solo with his band last Fall (Rimsky Korsakov - I know, I know, but being out of shape it was more than enough for me). I really worked hard to get into some kind of playing condition and since then I've picked up a "jazzyish" gig that gives me a few opportunities a month to perform. The results? I'm starting to feel like I want to take up playing as a true hobby again rather than just unpack it for gigs. I have shed some "unpack only" commitments and intend to focus more on things that require a bit more thoughtfulness and preparation. Maybe I'll finally work up the Bach Cello suites that I always hoped to tackle....

That's enough for now. I don't wanna make this a long, droning soliloquy (TOO LATE). Hope I keep active with this. The stuff I posted about will be the running themes throughout the blog (girlfriend, band, bone) with random access stuff mixed in.