Christmas Wrap-up

We are finally done with Christmas. I know the actual date happened almost a week ago but that doesn't mean it was over. Cindy and I stayed home that day and watch the yard flood. We got over 3 inches of rain in about 2 hours. It was pretty cool. Then it was off to Goose Creek for the festivities with my family. Then just today was Christmas at the Pollard. That was fun too. At Christmas I will always take a few thoughtful gifts over quantity. This year I got both. Lots of thoughtful gifts.

Now the hard part of things. We noticed Monday that little Ted had a swollen mouth and upon further examination, we found a bad tooth. You see the best breed of dog in the world, the dachshund, has a few problems. One is their backs. They are just too long. The other is their teeth. They have the mouth of a doberman but the body of a...well a dachshund. So off to the vet we went. The Vet recommended an immediate extraction of the tooth. So, of course, we complied. Things were worse than expected. Ted had to have 13 teeth removed!. Before you get to upset though, he does have some left....the Big ones! He is back at home now and I can only say I wish I had a bit of his fortitude. You may know that Ted had cervical neck surgery about 4 years ago. This is major back/neck surgery. He played ball that very night and jumped. We have since trained him to not jump off things. Well today he came home and ran in the yard and pooped first thing. He has since eaten a bowl of food and ran more. I don't know if he just likes life or Cindy and me. Maybe it's both. Now Henry has been checking him a lot but we all hope and think Ted will just fine. That is the gift I want most.

My Favorite Day

Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year. I love it. I really like it more than Christmas I think. You see I like the slowity of it all I guess. No presents, no expectations, no much, just friends and family. There is also something very special about tonight. No...not Santa although that is great too. You see at midnight animals are able to speak. They only get a minute. It is Gods way of saying thank you for watching over baby Jesus on the his night of birth. So I think the Boyz have a lot to say so I will go now but I hope everybody will remember this. Christmas is not about the stuff you get or how much you give. It is about who you share it with. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Having a Good Time

The break is officially on now. Cindy is off work with me and we are having a good time. I haven't been fishing yet as I just have too much stuff to do and it is COLD! I suppose I will get out a few times though before we go back to work. I spent some time in the yard yesterday and will finish that up today. As for band, I have been thinking about the show for next year a bit. The inside of the house looks great and I can't take credit for that. I was never into Christmas decorations until Cindy started doing all that. Everything is always so classy. Here are a few pictures.

On the First Day of Christmas Break

I did what I wanted too!  I did not go fishing.  It was just too cold but don't call me a wimp unless you were out there today.  I went shopping for Cindy and took some stripped screws out of the wall.  I feel quite accomplished.  I thought I might put up a few links to some blogs I like.  Check them out!  Cindy's Blog and Travis's Blog.  Of course, I have been blogging way longer than both of these guys. 

Ready Set..Go!

In a matter of hours I will be on Winter break.  This one is well deserved.  If you are a teacher and reading this you know how much we need this but remember I started school 6 weeks before any other teacher!  Sometimes I hear about people saying things like, "It must be nice to get 3 months off in the summer and then 2 weeks at Christmas."  Really?  For one thing I don't know of any teachers that get 3 months off in the summer any more.  That is a thing of the past.  I get about 5 weeks if I am lucky and I work on band stuff most everyday.  As for the two weeks at Christmas, I challange anybody to keep up with my schedule in the year.  I basicly work two full time jobs they just happen to be at the same place!  Perhaps the weather will cooperate and I will get to go fishing some over this break.  I know the Boyz and I will have lots of time too.  Cindy even has off most fo the time with me too.  We are sure to have some fun.  I wish it would snow though but it is South Carolina.  At least winter won't be too long. 

The Chemisty of It All

It is a well know fact that I have worked in several different schools and school districts. I can tell you that they are all very different. I have seen very good band directors in certain situations that are not able to achieve very high goals. Or that may just be the perception, because you never know until you in their situation. All these situations have their own set of problems or difficulties too. In one school the trouble may be student motivation. In another, it may lack of facilities or equipment. In another, it may just simply be a lack of understanding. Many times things don't work out because of the chemistry of it all. People are people and we are all very different. I have several degrees in music and a very good understanding of how the educational system works. I also enjoy fishing, going to NASCAR races, and physical work. In some places, these things work well together in others they do not. One thing that has always eluded me though, is politics. I am not good at that and I hope to never be. I am direct and know what I want. This is an asset in some places and a hindrance in others. One thing is for sure though, I won't let the politics of it all get in the way of success. You can be mad, you can be hurt, or be willing and helpful. What ever the choice, be ready to work or get out of way. This the way things work in large, progressive organizations. It is just a fact. This is where the chemistry gets involved though. With strong minded people and personalities, some groups can not accept the way others work. This causes problems because people start forming judgements and taking things personally. What is the point of all this? Sometimes things just don't work out. It is not really any body's fault. It is just the way it goes. I have seen great band directors struggle with one group only to go somewhere else and have things work great. I think it is that way in many things. Not just band. A great football coach once said "I am sure this is not the only way to win, but unfortunately for you it is the only way I know how to win." His team won state that same year.

It Just Keeps Coming...

More stuff ahead for the day. Today we will perform for school in the holiday assembly. It will consist of us, the band, the chorus, the orchestra, and dance. I kind of took the lead to get all this lined up since the person that did that last year is gone. We shall see how it goes. I miss Mr. Ridgley for sure as I find it hard to make friends at work and he was certainly my friend. It was nice to have somebody in which to complain and laugh. If you want to see something entertaining put 4 fine arts teachers together. I am sure it will be fine. Tonight is also the middle school band concert. I will going over there tonight to help. The end is near though. I do find it interesting that most think this is the down time for year for me. It is not for sure. I do wish I was in Chicago with all the other band directors too. Maybe next year.

Do You Remember Me?

I received and email this past weekend from a former student. His name is Chris and he asked if I remembered him. He said he was in my band at Buford and he played trumpet. The truth is that of course I remember you. Little red headed kid. Good trumpet player too. I even have a card you gave me one time at Christmas. I read it not too long ago. I remember all of you. I really do. Sometimes I wonder why I am a band director. I spend so much time at work and away from home. I know I could do other things and make more money and spend less time at work but I seem to be tied to this profession. You see, I was not even going to be a band director for long time. I was going to be a performer but 15 years later here I am. Your email reminded me why I am a band director. I will never be rich or be well known in the world but I do make a difference for many. Not a lot of people can say that. I can. So Chris in response to your email, yes I remember you. I actually just looked at your picture with all of your classmates from concert festival in 1998. We got straight 1's in the sightreading room that day. This picture is in my home office. I remember all of you and it humbles me to know you remember me too.

End of the Semester

This is a busy time for everybody but especially for those in education. Just this week we have had the fruit delivery, a school assembly in which the Symphonic Winds will play, the middle school concert, and I have to give each student an exam that I have to listen to individually. Of course, Friday afternoon it will all be worth it! Only 4 more days.

Great Winter Concert

The concert was great. The mallet quartet was a perfect start and they really played well for it being such a hard thing to do. They were the only students that had to stand up in front of everybody and play with no conductor. The concert and symphonic bands did very well too. They are far ahead of where we were a year ago. Perhaps some of them understand why we work so hard in class now. As for the Wind Ensemble, they were great. Many, many good things happened and as the program progressed a truly superior group come through. I have never programed such as difficult concert. Two grade 4's, a 5, and a 6. That is something considering we just finished with marching band. Things look good for concert festival. And to think it was all Holiday music except for Second Suite in F but then again the last movement does use a bit of a Christmas piece. My back is killing me but it is worth it.

A Great Weekend

We have had a wonderful weekend. I am sorry to see this one go. Last night we went out to eat with a great couple and then went to Cindy's parents house. They were great too. Then I went fishing with a new person (well new to me) and we had fun too except that we almost froze. Cindy has the house all decorated for Christmas too. She always does great. I can only hope this week goes as well as this weekend.

Ready for the Weekend

Only 2 more hours to go until the weekend. It is supposed to be kind of rainy and cold but that is ok. I really have nowhere to go. Sometimes it is nice to be unbusy. Next week will have plenty in it though. The Winter concert is Tuesday night so the first part of the week will be full for sure. After that we will have exams and then a nice long break. I have to say I really wish it would snow sometime this winter. It seems like forever since we have seen but things look good for it this year. Just think if one of this low pressure systems that are dumping 2-4 inches of rain happens to come through when it is cold. Wow! That would be a foot or more of snow. That would be fun...for a while anyway.

Lots to Do and lots has happened

So the last you heard is I was going fishing during my Thanksgiving break. I tried. On Wednesday morning, I hooked up the boat and went to the ramp. So far, so good. While I was unhooking the boat from the trailer my foot slipped off the cross bar of the trailer and I fell in the water. All wet but that was was not the bad part. As I fell, my lower back hit the cross bar squarely from about 3 feet up. I hobbled to reconnect the boat and returned home. I really didn't know how badly I was hurt until the next day when I could hardly walk. Today is the first day I really don't have a lot of pain when I sit and stand. It seems the worst may be behind. Also, we caught a mouse in our house. Really the attic but still a mouse was in the house. I will see if we catch more tonight. Strange stuff I guess. As for band, we are trying to get ready for the concert. It is disheartening when I asked the kid how many of them thought band was one of the most important things they did in school and only about half of them raised their hand. If you don't want to know the truth, don't ask I suppose. I really wanted to take the top group in grade 6 this year but that won't happen if it isn't a priority and I am not going to beat myself trying to make them play grade 6 music. The problem is that I hear all they time how the students want to do better but then they don't want to do the work associated with that level of achievement but then again isn't that just the way of the world. What I can't figure out is that in a school such as this where academics are stressed so much, is why isn't what I do stressed too. It is academic. Music is a legitimate area of study that enhances all areas of the brain. Look it up if you don't believe me! Check out the following link: Google Search