Fog

There is definitely something inherently creepy about fog. Yet, it is very fun to walk in (notice I said walk, not drive). Yesterday NE Ohio was blanketed in fog for more or less the entire day. Especially the areas right by the lake. The commute to work was awful because of visibility of less than 100 feet most of the way, however, I made a trip to the lake to take some photos at around sunset/dusk and it was a ton of fun. I felt like I was in some movie set in Chicago or at a major port on the Atlantic.

I believe my resume is finished now and I can begin applying anywhere and everywhere. I feel pretty good about the resume, but will probably continue to work on it as time goes by. It is actually fairly impressive how much there is to put on a resume when you think about it. I don't really feel like I've done so much until I see it on paper.

The Cleveland Orchestra has some concerts this spring that I really hope I can pull in some student tickets for and spend 10 dollars for a night of amazing music. Seeing Chris Botti perform with them, or Bruckner's 8th Symphony could be two of the best opportunities. Time to find someone to attend with me. A recent relief in my stress level has led to my listening to much more instrumental and largely instrumental music over the past two or so weeks and I have to say that, without knowing it, I missed it a lot.

Half day tomorrow and then Spring Break! Probably means more work at the dreaded fast food job, but a little extra spending money never hurt anyone. Though, I probably should save most of it for looming loan payments, sadly.

The weather is improving a lot today from the past few days of cold and damp. Sun and 61 and then even hitting the 70s by the end of the week means I'll be trying to get outside as much as possible over this break.

Heart Surgery

How can a 90 year old man recover from a Triple Bypass surgery at all, let alone in the week that Ernie, the bassist from the community orchestra I've joined, managed to recover in? That is simply amazing. I think it is a testament, both to his personal health and to medicine these days. Not sure how much longer that type of medical attention will be available, but that's neither here nor there and I don't pretend to fully understand the massive overhauls in policies occurring.

We passed around a get well card for Ernie in our rehearsal last night...which can I just say, isn't it totally awkward to have to sign/write a note on a card for someone you don't know? I've been subjected to this numerous times throughout my life for Birthdays, Surgeries, Thank-Yous, and it always sucks. Get well soon...signed, the guy you don't know. I've only been in the ensemble for a month or two, I don't sit by the bassists, he's been out for several weeks in preparation and recovery from the surgery...oh yeah, and there's a 70 year age gap too.

I recognize that it is only a community orchestra, and that it probably falls last on the list of importance in most peoples' agendas because of this, however, don't you think that if you aren't going to show up for 4 rehearsals in a row, you might at least let the director know that you don't intend to play in the ensemble anymore? This is the situation that the trumpet section finds itself in as the 2nd trumpet for our last gig hasn't shown up since said gig and apparently hasn't contacted anyone to let them know if he still intends to play. This isn't all bad, because it has earned me the opportunity to sit 2nd regardless of whether he comes back or not and this ensures me a part on many more pieces, however, it is still just difficult to not know who will be playing the other trumpet part with us on the concert with that only being a few short weeks away.

A foggy commute this morning, and several long class-periods later...today is actually going fairly well...hopefully it will continue that way.

The Weekend

The weather...as has become my traditional update...was great on Friday and Saturday so I made my way outdoors to enjoy it a bit with trips to metroparks and such. Friday night I attended a concert in which my nephew played trumpet in an honors band for the district. They were really good for 8th graders and it was fun to see him perform. Saturday I worked, but got off early and managed to go to the Castle and take some silly photos which may or may not surface on Facebook. I also found out on Saturday that I was bringing my trumpet and playing for the Palm Sunday service the next day. That service proceeded to last for forever because Confirmation ocurred, Sunday School Children sang, and my father picked a lot of hymns...oh yeah, and the organist played them all too slowly. I played wedding music pieces as the Prelude, Offertory, and Postlude, not sure who got married though.

Upsets continue

I have to say, even though I hate Butler, I'm very happy to have Syracuse lose to a Horizon League opponent two years in a row. I also always like to see the 1 seeds fall. The more 1 seeds fall the better I like Ohio States chances to make some noise in the tournament.
I watched the game at quite possibly the worst establishment I've been to in Mentor. The service was slow, the fries were soggy AND greasy, both...and we were basically sitting on lawn chairs indoors. Still enjoyed kicking back, watching the games, and having a beer with a few friends though. It was needed after the debacle of a bell practice. Counting to 4 shouldn't be so hard, I swear. I deal with that all day long, I don't need to deal with it in the evenings too!

Figured I wouldn't title this one Weather Part 4 to avoid complete monotony in a monotonous week. However, I will comment on the weather again. Today it is both Sunny...and...Cold. A better combination than snowing and cold like last night. I should not be scraping snow off of my car when it is nearly April. The song title is not...I'm fairly certain..."I'm Dreaming of a White Easter." That being said, I should be more used to this sort of fluctuation in weather from Northeast Ohio even into late March. I just haven't been home for it in several years. My sinuses and general comfort level don't deal with 60 and Sunny one day and 35 and raining the next very well. Throw in 26 and snowing overnight and a day of intense fog and 45 and you've got a runny nose, sinus headache, and a nasty itch in the throat as you head into the weekend.

No major plans for the weekend...and I'm happy for that.

Weather...Part 3

And now we've returned to crappy cold/rainy weather. The students are surprisingly subdued today, so I have high hopes that today could be a good day. Yesterday was extremely long. Starting your work day at 8:30 and not being done until 10:45PM makes for waking up the next morning thinking you should still have a few more hours to sleep. I managed to get out of bed and get to school, though. Pirates of the Caribbean is a fun piece for the students, so even though I'm tired of hearing every HS, MS, and elementary school play it...I enjoy seeing the excitement out of my students.

A drink or two tonight, and hopefully a good weekend starting tomorrow night to look forward to, I'll survive the crappy weather and therefore painful commute home. I figure Buckethead will be the music of choice for the drive home...something with a good groove to it to make the miles pass quicker. A little job searching and then back to work today...fun fun.

Weather part 2

I am happy to report that as bad as the weather was yesterday, that is how good it is today. No headache, the kids are much better behaved and I'm hoping to do something outdoors in my small window of available before work but after school. Zydrunas Ilgauskus is making his return to Cleveland which is of course great news. I'm beginning to look forward to a service event I'll be taking the youth group to in May as the planning between myself and the other leaders is beginning to take shape. I used to go on this event when I was a member of the event, and every year tons of fun was had and yet you still felt like you were really accomplishing something to help this small camp stay open.

That is all for now...a single poorly written paragraph with several simple topical updates I could expand on, but don't feel require more explanation.

Weather

This weather today...terrible. There has been a thick fog all morning, and as I glance out the window now...it hasn't gotten any lighter either. The morning commute was awful between reduced visibility and a hard-driving rain. I woke up with what I am left to assume is a sinus headache which Advil has barely helped and to top it off....as one might expect...the students have been a pain today thus far. Halfway there though, just needed a break and didn't have anyone but you all to complain to. On the brighter side, many significant worries have been lifted from my shoulders over the past few weeks and I am finally completely focused on what will hopefully prove to be a fruitful job search. So it is difficult to be too down on the day.

Last nights symphony rehearsal led to me having claim to the 2nd trumpet spot after the previous holder's third absence in as many weeks of rehearsal. This is awesome because it means I will be able to play on my first Beethoven Symphony.

Well, without leading to politics or brackets, both of which I'm sick of reading about on Facebook...I think the only subject worth talking about I have left is wedding planning. Is my masculinity compromised by being excited about making wedding arrangements? I think not. Though none of them can be completely official as of yet, it is still fun to have the plan in place and talk about it often. Once we can set a date (are in the same place at the same time), this wedding will be as close to planning itself as is possible.

I made a mental note after my last post to try and keep future posts significantly shorter, but I think I may have failed today, and for that I apologize. Hope today finds everyone else doing well.

Family

Well, I realize I haven't posted in quite some time. There are two main reasons for this. 1. My brother arrived in town about a week ago with his family and i got to meet my newest nephew, Ethan, for the first time. 2. I got a really nasty cold that the Doc I saw refused to give me prescription grade drugs for despite my history of not having been to the Doctor's office in several years and the fact that I work with Elementary school children every day.

So here's your update:

I've begun the long process of looking for, applying for, and creating a resume for applications for...jobs. I'm not being terribly picky, because, frankly, I don't have a lot of room to do so.

I got really sick as you already found out. I've had a sore throat, bad head congestion, and an off and on frustrating cough for a week as of today. I missed two days of school this week, something I haven't done in years. My cooperating teacher heard my voice on the phone and said, we don't want you here, stay at home, haha. Fair enough, those kids don't need to get sick from their teachers.

My littlest nephew is really cute, but has confirmed for me once more that I can wait on children for at least a few years still. They are fun, if you can pass them to mommy and daddy when you've had your fill. I've been told by other people who feel this way that it is different once you have your own, and I'm sure that is true, but I have ample other reasons to wait too. I'm not married yet, I couldn't support a family yet, and I just like the idea of spending time with your wife before dealing with kids running around. Matt, the older of Jon's two kids has reached the inevitable stage children reach at which bedtime sinks to a level of evil previously only filled by hunger and thirst. He has been fighting his parents everytime pajamas or bed are mentioned and the volume level of our house when this occurs also reinforces my thoughts on waiting for children. These things aside, the visit has been great. I don't often get to see this branch of my family and my brother and I are quite close so every conversation, meal, and game are cherished by all present.

Lastly (for today), I'm going to be Cosmic Bowling on Saturday night as the sole leader of the Youth Group which sort of makes me feel like I'm 15 again. That, of course, is not to say that I'm not going to have a great time, it was always fun, so I'd presume that won't change except that I dread the music selection which is bound to play over the sound system all night.

I'm mostly recovered from my illness and will soon return to a home without added chaos so all is right with the world as I post this blog from Sunny and Warm Northeast Ohio.