Alright, I love the radio. I can listen to the radio and practice. I can listen to the radio and study. I love to just find something going on on the radio and listen. When we've made our recent pilgrimages to Disney I've used the FM band on mp3 player to just find whatever I can get a signal for. (You'd be amazed how many sports talk stations there are in Florida!)
Anyways, back in the day I listened to NPR all the time. Not really for the music (let's face it, whoever program directs NPR stations is required to only like the Haydn Complete Symphonies or the Complete Works of Telman Susato...can we say, BORING!!!) I have only one time turned on NPR during the day to hear music I thought was cool. One time! Yikes! The good thing is that their talk shows don't suck. In fact, they are the best thing on radio. Prairie Home Companion, Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me, Car Talk,(all of which I highly reccommend!) and more. There's some I only rarely hear, can't remember the names of, and I can't find them on NPR's website. It's that colorful!
Out of all those my favorite is, BY FAR, This American Life. Ira Glass has the smoothest voice I've ever heard and his shows are so well put together that it makes sick, like in a "I wish I'd thought of that" kind of way. They do the best storytelling anyone can find.
In honor of this show I thought I'd post links to the podcasts of my two favorite episodes of my favorite show:
The first one is an episode called "Detectives." I remember distinctly listening to this episode in the car on the way to visit Heather where she went to college. It was dark when the show came on and if you're in the car and listen to Act 3 in the dark, it takes on a whole new meaning and significance.
The other is pretty depressing, but it's a really smart commentary about what happens when there is imbalance in a relationship. Alot of it is sad, but they should've been fair and titled the episode "The Decay of Society." That's just me. Act 3 is especially good. Starley Kine talks with her Dad about his marriage to her mother (who completely steamrolled him) and about how she always wanted her parents to get a divorce (isn't that sad!?) Anyways, it's telling and that's what makes it good.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Superior Performances 1.30.09
I know, this is pretty close to the last one, but I realized that I waited 16 days between the last two, so I figured I should stick with Fridays.
I'm actually posting a link and hoping you'll go there to listen.
This is the final movement of David Maslanka's Symphony no. 2. I actually played this at All-State in H.S. and thoroughly enjoyed: It's also the hardest thing I've ever played. Apparently, he was working on the piece when the Challenger exploded and he tore a great deal of it up and rewrote it. It rocks. I promise. Don't fear the link, it's just a Rhapsody player.
I'm actually posting a link and hoping you'll go there to listen.
This is the final movement of David Maslanka's Symphony no. 2. I actually played this at All-State in H.S. and thoroughly enjoyed: It's also the hardest thing I've ever played. Apparently, he was working on the piece when the Challenger exploded and he tore a great deal of it up and rewrote it. It rocks. I promise. Don't fear the link, it's just a Rhapsody player.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Ooooh, this is a good one
Heard this one at a men's group and couldn't pass it up.
In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a
new voice came over the asking for a carry out at check register 4.
Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and
decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand
a distant smile caught his eye, the new check out girl was beautiful.
She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he
fell in love.
Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock
to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at
him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card,
BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road.
Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered
her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted.
When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again,
outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible. He pressed and
she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-
sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she
accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday.
That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him
that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and
canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, lets take the kids
with us."
She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but
again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda,
brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter
who was just cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out
her son, in a wheelchair, he was born a paraplegic with down
syndrome. Kurtis said to Brenda, "I still don't understand why the
kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would
run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had
disabilities. Just like her first husband and father of her children
did.
That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner
and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take
care of him. When he needed to use the rest room, he picked him
up out of his chair, took him, brought him back. The kids loved
Kurtis.
At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was
going to marry and spend the rest of her life with. A year later, they
were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children and since then
they have added two more kids.
So what happened to the stock boy and check out girl? Well, .....
Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner, now live in St. Louis, where he is employed
by the St. Louis Rams and plays quarterback.
Let me add an addendum to this:
Now he's on his 3rd Super Bowl already had his 2nd MVP and is probably going to the Hall when he's done. You know you want to pick the Cardinals now. Come on, admit it. That's a good story.
In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a
new voice came over the asking for a carry out at check register 4.
Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and
decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand
a distant smile caught his eye, the new check out girl was beautiful.
She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he
fell in love.
Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock
to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at
him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card,
BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road.
Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered
her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted.
When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again,
outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible. He pressed and
she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-
sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she
accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday.
That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him
that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and
canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, lets take the kids
with us."
She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but
again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda,
brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter
who was just cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out
her son, in a wheelchair, he was born a paraplegic with down
syndrome. Kurtis said to Brenda, "I still don't understand why the
kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would
run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had
disabilities. Just like her first husband and father of her children
did.
That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner
and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take
care of him. When he needed to use the rest room, he picked him
up out of his chair, took him, brought him back. The kids loved
Kurtis.
At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was
going to marry and spend the rest of her life with. A year later, they
were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children and since then
they have added two more kids.
So what happened to the stock boy and check out girl? Well, .....
Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner, now live in St. Louis, where he is employed
by the St. Louis Rams and plays quarterback.
Let me add an addendum to this:
Now he's on his 3rd Super Bowl already had his 2nd MVP and is probably going to the Hall when he's done. You know you want to pick the Cardinals now. Come on, admit it. That's a good story.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Peyton or Kurt? Larry or Jerry? Optimist or Pessimist?
Down here I listen to 790 AM and the midday show is great. Actually, the midday show's always been great, it just changes hosts alot. The other day they posed an interesting question(actually they do that everyday.) Who's better? Peyton or Kurt?
Well dang, I had to think about it. Peyton's been to 2 AFC title games. Kurt's been to 3 NFC title games. Peyton's won 1. Kurt's won 3. Peyton's won 1 Super Bowl. Kurt's won 1 Super Bowl. Peyton's won 2 MYP's. Kurt's won 2 MVP's. Peyton's had a gazillion more chances than Kurt Warner. Peyton's never been a journeyman. He's never had to be cut by the team he took to the Super Bowl and then be the "old guy" who can develop the "kid". Then, be cut again to be the "old guy" again to the "kid" and then take over for the kid and take his team (who has never been to the Super Bowl) to the Super Bowl on his BACK! I'm not saying they don't have other players, but him being in there was what made it for the Cardinals. Kurt IS clutch. Peyton has been clutch ONCE. Dangit, I love Peyton Manning, but he's not AS good as Kurt when you are simply looking at postseason success (which is what most people use to judge professional athletes.) The comparison is almost unfair to Kurt, and yet he still comes out looking like gold.
Hoooooowever, if you take into account a FULL career, regular season and everything, then Peyton Manning is BY FAR the better quarterback. (You see why I'm so conflicted?( Peyton Manning is 3839-5960 for 45,628 yds and 333 TD's for his career! He's only 32! If he's doesn't suffer a major injury he can play probably 4 or 5 more years. Look out Brett Favre and Dan Marino! Kurt's not even close to that. Granted, he hasn't started every year of his life like Peyton, but Peyton's numbers are sick! How can you argue with that? Even before Peyton won the Super Bowl everybody crapped on him, but I was always thinking "But, he's sooooooo good. Give him a break." Who do you choose? Let's call it a pick 'em and call it a day...
Larry or Jerry? Well dang again. Jerry Rice is probably the best FOOTBALL player ever. Regardless of position. He's the man. I would post his career stats, but they may stop your heart right at your computer. (No, really. Ok, here's the link, but I warned you. If you're infirm or have cardiac problems, don't look!)
Is Larry looking like Jerry right now? Ummmm, yeah (Well, except for the coronary part.) What happens if Kurt's no longer throwing him the ball? What happens if he suffers a major injury (which Jerry never had?) Can he make it to more Super Bowls with the Cardinals? I don't know. But yeah, right now, he's looking like Jerry. He'll get a little bit closer if he blows doors on that incredible Steeler secondary.
Then, another interesting question was posed. Barack Obama's got 4 years in office (at least.) Do you have hope that your team could meet President Obama in the next four years? I kind of seized up thinking about it. The Lakers (ummm, yeah, but I don't want to jinx them), they have the best record in the NBA as of today, I'm feeling pretty good.
The 49ers? I'm feeling better because we have a new coach (who doesn't love Mike Singletary?) and the team is being turned over more to football people every year(like, they're about to hire Dan Reeves as the Offensive Coordinator), but the Super Bowl? I don't know *can't you hear the teeth gritting?*
The Braves? Yikes! We went to the World Series 5 times and lost 4(with, perhaps, the best staff in history) (although the Kent Hrbek pulled Ron Gant off first base, so really it should be lost 3, but I'm not bitter, promise.) Do I think we can go back NOW, with all of the parody in Baseball? I don't know *I know, the teeth gritting sound is bad, sorry.* But, you never know. The Arizona Cardinals are in the Super Bowl. The Tampa Bay Rays went to the World Series. The Celtics picked themselves up out of the basement and won The Finals. The Hawks took the Celtics to 7 games in the playoffs. George Mason went to the Final Four. Anything is possible.
So, yes, we have reason to be optimistic. Reality may set in at some point during a particular season, but that doesn't mean that things won't pick up next season. I said last week that Donovan McNabb is not clutch. I may say that again next year and he might prove me wrong, you never know.
I think sports are a venue for optimism. The rare sports fan finds their team to be reprehensibly far behind before the season even starts(you know, Sox fans, Cubs fans, Lions fans), but most are optimistic and ready for next year. I don't get too sucked in because I don't want to get majorly disappointed, BUT, I do think each of my teams has at least an outside chance of meeting the President.
Come on, you know your team has a shot. That's my challenge to you. Who are your teams and how much hope do you have in their chances? I'd be interested to see who REALLY thinks their team has a chance and who completely disagrees and cannot shake the feeling that their beloved team is sunk before the season has even started.
Well dang, I had to think about it. Peyton's been to 2 AFC title games. Kurt's been to 3 NFC title games. Peyton's won 1. Kurt's won 3. Peyton's won 1 Super Bowl. Kurt's won 1 Super Bowl. Peyton's won 2 MYP's. Kurt's won 2 MVP's. Peyton's had a gazillion more chances than Kurt Warner. Peyton's never been a journeyman. He's never had to be cut by the team he took to the Super Bowl and then be the "old guy" who can develop the "kid". Then, be cut again to be the "old guy" again to the "kid" and then take over for the kid and take his team (who has never been to the Super Bowl) to the Super Bowl on his BACK! I'm not saying they don't have other players, but him being in there was what made it for the Cardinals. Kurt IS clutch. Peyton has been clutch ONCE. Dangit, I love Peyton Manning, but he's not AS good as Kurt when you are simply looking at postseason success (which is what most people use to judge professional athletes.) The comparison is almost unfair to Kurt, and yet he still comes out looking like gold.
Hoooooowever, if you take into account a FULL career, regular season and everything, then Peyton Manning is BY FAR the better quarterback. (You see why I'm so conflicted?( Peyton Manning is 3839-5960 for 45,628 yds and 333 TD's for his career! He's only 32! If he's doesn't suffer a major injury he can play probably 4 or 5 more years. Look out Brett Favre and Dan Marino! Kurt's not even close to that. Granted, he hasn't started every year of his life like Peyton, but Peyton's numbers are sick! How can you argue with that? Even before Peyton won the Super Bowl everybody crapped on him, but I was always thinking "But, he's sooooooo good. Give him a break." Who do you choose? Let's call it a pick 'em and call it a day...
Larry or Jerry? Well dang again. Jerry Rice is probably the best FOOTBALL player ever. Regardless of position. He's the man. I would post his career stats, but they may stop your heart right at your computer. (No, really. Ok, here's the link, but I warned you. If you're infirm or have cardiac problems, don't look!)
Is Larry looking like Jerry right now? Ummmm, yeah (Well, except for the coronary part.) What happens if Kurt's no longer throwing him the ball? What happens if he suffers a major injury (which Jerry never had?) Can he make it to more Super Bowls with the Cardinals? I don't know. But yeah, right now, he's looking like Jerry. He'll get a little bit closer if he blows doors on that incredible Steeler secondary.
Then, another interesting question was posed. Barack Obama's got 4 years in office (at least.) Do you have hope that your team could meet President Obama in the next four years? I kind of seized up thinking about it. The Lakers (ummm, yeah, but I don't want to jinx them), they have the best record in the NBA as of today, I'm feeling pretty good.
The 49ers? I'm feeling better because we have a new coach (who doesn't love Mike Singletary?) and the team is being turned over more to football people every year(like, they're about to hire Dan Reeves as the Offensive Coordinator), but the Super Bowl? I don't know *can't you hear the teeth gritting?*
The Braves? Yikes! We went to the World Series 5 times and lost 4(with, perhaps, the best staff in history) (although the Kent Hrbek pulled Ron Gant off first base, so really it should be lost 3, but I'm not bitter, promise.) Do I think we can go back NOW, with all of the parody in Baseball? I don't know *I know, the teeth gritting sound is bad, sorry.* But, you never know. The Arizona Cardinals are in the Super Bowl. The Tampa Bay Rays went to the World Series. The Celtics picked themselves up out of the basement and won The Finals. The Hawks took the Celtics to 7 games in the playoffs. George Mason went to the Final Four. Anything is possible.
So, yes, we have reason to be optimistic. Reality may set in at some point during a particular season, but that doesn't mean that things won't pick up next season. I said last week that Donovan McNabb is not clutch. I may say that again next year and he might prove me wrong, you never know.
I think sports are a venue for optimism. The rare sports fan finds their team to be reprehensibly far behind before the season even starts(you know, Sox fans, Cubs fans, Lions fans), but most are optimistic and ready for next year. I don't get too sucked in because I don't want to get majorly disappointed, BUT, I do think each of my teams has at least an outside chance of meeting the President.
Come on, you know your team has a shot. That's my challenge to you. Who are your teams and how much hope do you have in their chances? I'd be interested to see who REALLY thinks their team has a chance and who completely disagrees and cannot shake the feeling that their beloved team is sunk before the season has even started.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Superior Performances 1.27.09
Alright, this is The 1999 Concord Blue Devils Bass Drum Ensemble. I discovered them when I got a CD of the Blue Devils percussion line. This is the last track on the CD (like number 22) and discovered it by accident because I actually had time for the whole CD to play through. Yay for me!
Essentially, this is what drum corps members do when they're not busy (in this corps' case) winning titles. These kids won the I&E Bass Drum Ensemble World Title AND marched the corps that tied with Santa Clara for the Div. I championship that season. All that is band nerd code for....they can flat, stinkin' play. You'll see what I mean. Enjoy!
Essentially, this is what drum corps members do when they're not busy (in this corps' case) winning titles. These kids won the I&E Bass Drum Ensemble World Title AND marched the corps that tied with Santa Clara for the Div. I championship that season. All that is band nerd code for....they can flat, stinkin' play. You'll see what I mean. Enjoy!
Monday, January 26, 2009
This is not REALLY about Basketball
I remember when Albert Haynesworth stomped on Andre Gurode's head. He got 5 games without pay. He even copped to it almost immediately (which I respect.) Now, I don't remember when Kermit Washington essentially broke Rudy Tomjanovich's face (since I wasn't born yet)(apparently, it was determined later that Rudy almost died) but I've seen more than one story on it and Rudy has long since forgiven Kermit, and I think he's even railed against the idea that Kermit should be defined by this one action.
So, now we're onto a new I-hope-it's-not-defining-moment. Chase Buddinger's face was stomped on by an opposing player today.
Do I know the long term ramifications of what's going on? Do I know why it was done? Do I know if Buddinger will ever forgive? Or if the other player will ask for forgiveness? No. I do know this. I hope that we can take a page from Albert Haynesworth, Kermit Washington, and Rudy Tomjanovich. Accept your responsibility, ask for forgiveness, and stand up and say "this one thing does not define me, God does."
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15
I'm not saying forgiving is easy. But I am saying that it takes a strong person (imagine how strong Rudy Tomjanovich is)(or how hard it was for Albert to say after the fact "What I did out there was disgusting") to forgive. I don't know if Rudy, Albert, or Kermit are Christians, but this sure is a good example of how to deal.
So, now we're onto a new I-hope-it's-not-defining-moment. Chase Buddinger's face was stomped on by an opposing player today.
Do I know the long term ramifications of what's going on? Do I know why it was done? Do I know if Buddinger will ever forgive? Or if the other player will ask for forgiveness? No. I do know this. I hope that we can take a page from Albert Haynesworth, Kermit Washington, and Rudy Tomjanovich. Accept your responsibility, ask for forgiveness, and stand up and say "this one thing does not define me, God does."
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15
I'm not saying forgiving is easy. But I am saying that it takes a strong person (imagine how strong Rudy Tomjanovich is)(or how hard it was for Albert to say after the fact "What I did out there was disgusting") to forgive. I don't know if Rudy, Albert, or Kermit are Christians, but this sure is a good example of how to deal.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
It's Basketball Time!
Alright, the NFL season is almost over and I've already made my Super Bowl pick, so I figure I can move on to the NBA. I'm not touching college basketball until it's time for the tournament. Let's face it, there's too many teams and too many players for me to even act like I even have a clue what's going on. When they get it down to 65 teams, then I'll have an opinion.
Let's just break it down to the teams that matter today(I almost tried to do a power ranking and then I realized they never take into account age, injury, or mental stamina):
The Orlando Magic... They made 23 3's in Sacramento...hmm, I think they can shoot. You know, you could analyze the heck out of this team, but let's keep it real. Dwight Howard is Superman. Even is he's not perfect every night, his presence still makes a huge difference in the lane. He's big and imposing, and he THREW his dunk into the basket last year at the Dunk competition. Jameer Nelson is turning into the man on the point everyone thought he would be when he took St. Joe's on that undefeated run. Can we say big guy, point guard combo? (Magic and Kareem people!) Oh, and they also have Rashard Lewis just hanging out and creating shots every night. Yeah, no wonder they're REALLY soaring right now.
Hope - That Dwight Howard becomes more like Bill Russell than he already looks.
Fear - That when Dwight can't keep it up Jameer and Rashard won't be ale to step up consistently.
The Cleveland Cavaliers... LeBron, LeBron, LeBron. Ok, a little Daniel Gibson sprinkled in there. Alright, I'll give you Anderson Varejao too. I love Kobe, but LeBron is the MVP today, tomorrow, and the next day.
Hope - LeBron keeps getting better
Fear - LeBron gets attacked by a Tonya Harding fan club member.
The Boston Celtics... As much as I have a distaste for the Celtics, KG can ball. He's not a guy who has to have the ball in his hands at the end of the game, but he's going to the Hall for sure. Ray Allen never really lived up to the major hype he got coming out of UCONN, but I think alot of it was unfair. Did we REALLY think he was going to be on the level of someone like Kobe or LeBron? Paul Pierce is the man on this team. AS much as I just don't like him, he took games into his hands in the Finals and he forced the Celtics to beat my Lakers last year.
Hope -Paul Pierce has the playoffs he had last season.
Fear - Someone else has to have the ball in their hands at the end of games.
The Los Angeles Lakers... Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. He should've already been the MVP at least 2 other times, he's one of the best to ever do it. Pau Gasol isn't the inner presence that can halt a team's offense all by itself, but he's so solid that I'll forgive him. Andrew Bynum is maturing very quickly (I mean, when Kareem's mentoring you all the suck better leave your game immediately.) He's the answer to the fact the Pau can't live in the lane all day.
Hope - Andrew Bynum becomes more like Kareem everyday
Fear - As Kobe transitions the team every so slowly to Bynum we all keep expecting 81 points a night
I think even the casual fan sees these 4 teams as the odds on favorites to win a title this season. There's a problem though..3 of these teams are in the Eastern Conference. If we keep this up until the playoffs someone is going to be genuinely upset before conference final time.
Can't someone step it up in the Western Conference? I know the Spurs are hot right now. They're also getting old. I don't think Shaqavich (yes, he decided folks should call him that because he improved his shooting and he said everyone whose name ends in -vich is a good shooter) is gonna get it done. He's old, out of shape, and has a bad hip. The same bad hip he had in 2003. Maybe Tracy McGrady and Yao can get past the 1st round this season. But really, who's going to bet on that given the fact that poor Tracy's (I actually do feel bad for him) never ben past the 1st round. Ooooh, maybe Portland and Greg Oden. He's the new........yeah, he's too injury prone to know what's he's the next new of. (I know, Brandon Roy's sooo great. Sorry folks, all the LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy in the world ins't makng them the sleeper right now.) DENVER! Melo is great! They dumped Allen Iverson (very smart, I like AI alot, but the train's left the station I'm afraid), picked up Chauncey Billups (HIGHLY smart. You think he's not upset that Detroit traded him? I'd be HOT!), and are playing well right now. Never underestimate the fury of a point guard scorned.
Dark Horse du jour: Denver
Worst move of the Week: The Grizzlies fired Mark Iavaroni. They gave him a year and half with a laughing stock team and they expected more? Are you serious? They must be looking back to '04 they were the 6 seed and thinking "How come we can't do that every year?" Ummm, hello, no Hubie + no White Chocolate (oh yeah, and that Pau guy the Lakers gave you a sack full of shredded newspaper (Kwame Brown) for) = no Playoffs. Now they have to pay out his entire contract (good for him) and find another coach. Well, they really wanted Avery Johnson but he told them "Hell no, I'm not taking that job." Actually, that's what he old his wife just to reassure her, but you get the idea. Now they're stuck with no coach, no good prospects, and a pathetic team. Good job Memphis! Don't you wish you could get Big Country back?
Let's just break it down to the teams that matter today(I almost tried to do a power ranking and then I realized they never take into account age, injury, or mental stamina):
The Orlando Magic... They made 23 3's in Sacramento...hmm, I think they can shoot. You know, you could analyze the heck out of this team, but let's keep it real. Dwight Howard is Superman. Even is he's not perfect every night, his presence still makes a huge difference in the lane. He's big and imposing, and he THREW his dunk into the basket last year at the Dunk competition. Jameer Nelson is turning into the man on the point everyone thought he would be when he took St. Joe's on that undefeated run. Can we say big guy, point guard combo? (Magic and Kareem people!) Oh, and they also have Rashard Lewis just hanging out and creating shots every night. Yeah, no wonder they're REALLY soaring right now.
Hope - That Dwight Howard becomes more like Bill Russell than he already looks.
Fear - That when Dwight can't keep it up Jameer and Rashard won't be ale to step up consistently.
The Cleveland Cavaliers... LeBron, LeBron, LeBron. Ok, a little Daniel Gibson sprinkled in there. Alright, I'll give you Anderson Varejao too. I love Kobe, but LeBron is the MVP today, tomorrow, and the next day.
Hope - LeBron keeps getting better
Fear - LeBron gets attacked by a Tonya Harding fan club member.
The Boston Celtics... As much as I have a distaste for the Celtics, KG can ball. He's not a guy who has to have the ball in his hands at the end of the game, but he's going to the Hall for sure. Ray Allen never really lived up to the major hype he got coming out of UCONN, but I think alot of it was unfair. Did we REALLY think he was going to be on the level of someone like Kobe or LeBron? Paul Pierce is the man on this team. AS much as I just don't like him, he took games into his hands in the Finals and he forced the Celtics to beat my Lakers last year.
Hope -Paul Pierce has the playoffs he had last season.
Fear - Someone else has to have the ball in their hands at the end of games.
The Los Angeles Lakers... Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. He should've already been the MVP at least 2 other times, he's one of the best to ever do it. Pau Gasol isn't the inner presence that can halt a team's offense all by itself, but he's so solid that I'll forgive him. Andrew Bynum is maturing very quickly (I mean, when Kareem's mentoring you all the suck better leave your game immediately.) He's the answer to the fact the Pau can't live in the lane all day.
Hope - Andrew Bynum becomes more like Kareem everyday
Fear - As Kobe transitions the team every so slowly to Bynum we all keep expecting 81 points a night
I think even the casual fan sees these 4 teams as the odds on favorites to win a title this season. There's a problem though..3 of these teams are in the Eastern Conference. If we keep this up until the playoffs someone is going to be genuinely upset before conference final time.
Can't someone step it up in the Western Conference? I know the Spurs are hot right now. They're also getting old. I don't think Shaqavich (yes, he decided folks should call him that because he improved his shooting and he said everyone whose name ends in -vich is a good shooter) is gonna get it done. He's old, out of shape, and has a bad hip. The same bad hip he had in 2003. Maybe Tracy McGrady and Yao can get past the 1st round this season. But really, who's going to bet on that given the fact that poor Tracy's (I actually do feel bad for him) never ben past the 1st round. Ooooh, maybe Portland and Greg Oden. He's the new........yeah, he's too injury prone to know what's he's the next new of. (I know, Brandon Roy's sooo great. Sorry folks, all the LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy in the world ins't makng them the sleeper right now.) DENVER! Melo is great! They dumped Allen Iverson (very smart, I like AI alot, but the train's left the station I'm afraid), picked up Chauncey Billups (HIGHLY smart. You think he's not upset that Detroit traded him? I'd be HOT!), and are playing well right now. Never underestimate the fury of a point guard scorned.
Dark Horse du jour: Denver
Worst move of the Week: The Grizzlies fired Mark Iavaroni. They gave him a year and half with a laughing stock team and they expected more? Are you serious? They must be looking back to '04 they were the 6 seed and thinking "How come we can't do that every year?" Ummm, hello, no Hubie + no White Chocolate (oh yeah, and that Pau guy the Lakers gave you a sack full of shredded newspaper (Kwame Brown) for) = no Playoffs. Now they have to pay out his entire contract (good for him) and find another coach. Well, they really wanted Avery Johnson but he told them "Hell no, I'm not taking that job." Actually, that's what he old his wife just to reassure her, but you get the idea. Now they're stuck with no coach, no good prospects, and a pathetic team. Good job Memphis! Don't you wish you could get Big Country back?
Saturday, January 24, 2009
What is a Tonal Profile Anyways?
Let's define this puppy. A tonal profile is the combination of the characteristic tone of an instrument and the unique qualities of the individual performer.
Alright, the Bass Clarinet has a characteristic tone. This, in and of itself, is a mystery since hardly anybody can teach this correctly. The Bass Clarinet is NOT supposed to sound like a big ole Clarinet. If it sounded like a big ole Clarinet then essentially what you would have is the sound of the left hand keys on an electronic keyboard with the Clarinet patch turned on. Yuck!
Actually, the Bass Clarinet should sound like a strong Ox in the field. A cross between the Bassoon (the double-reediness) and a Soprano Clarinet (the FIRM singing quality). Without the reedy quality (I like to call it "syrup") you've got the wrong bird. I get asked for this all the time "Can we take out the reediness?" Ummm, no! You want me to sound like a completely different instrument? Really? That's weird.
Reediness is inherent in the instrument itself. If you wanted to boil the tone down to one thing it's that. It's GOT to sound reedy. You've got to be able to hear the reed vibrating. It's the difference between a Mack truck and a Ford Pinto. You can hear that Mack Truck coming from a mile away.
Ok, so now you have the strong ox (or the Mack truck, whichever you prefer.) He's just standing in the pasture waiting to pull his weight. He never fails. Ever.
Now then, you have to add to that your unique qualities. Your embouchure, your air flow, your tongue position, the position of the mouthpiece in your mouth, your posture, the shape of the inside of your mouth, the shape of your throat, the expanse of your ribcage. Yeah, yeah, all of it. These things make you unique. They make you sound like you, assuming you are exploiting these traits. If you take alot of mouthpiece in your mouth you get a particular sound, if you keep your teeth high on the mouthpiece you get a particular sound. Creating more expanse in your ribcage gives the sound more girth. Moving these things around will reveal to you all sorts of sounds, many not pretty. The ones you find that are nice can be molded into something you like. The sound you really enjoy. Your sound.
Then there's the other half of your unique qualities. And really I think it comes down to this question:
What other instrument do you want to sound like?
Is it the Cello? The Euphonium? The Contrabass? The Horn? The Tuba? The Viola? Maybe a Tenor voice? Baritone voice? True Bass voice? What?
Make a decision!
Personally, I enjoy the Viola. I kind of feel bad for 'em, having to read in Alto Clef and all. There's something about the raspy woody quality of the instrument that I LOVE, especially a really big Viola. Oversized Violas(17") sound so COOL!!! The sound reminds me of Shostakovich...the 8th Quartet. A piece written in "memory of the victims of fascism and war." I cried the first time I heard it (at a recital in college, and it was played fabulously.) I still can't make it through in tact. It's powerful. Even if you're not into classical music, listen and you will be moved. Personally, I prefer my Borodin Quartet recording, but the Emerson Quartet plays it extremely well.
That's right, the Bass Clarinet is not this boisterous, happy instrument. We fit in during circus marches, but we don't REALLY belong. That's Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Trumpet and Alto Sax land. I mean, you can do that and make it work, but at it's heart the Bass Clarinet is...
a harbinger of gloom, of resolution of wrongs long since past, an old friend you thought long since gone coming out of the ashes of war, the friend who Dmitri Shostakovich asked "In whose hands do you leave me to die?" The Bass Clarinet is the path "In leaves no step had trodden black." (The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost)
This isn't pretty stuff. The instrument isn't pretty. It's gritty. It's harsh. It's intense. It's raw.
The timbre of the instrument is divided. If you are truly allowing to reed to vibrate freely you'll be able to hear two sounds. The pitch and the raspy undertones of the reed. Yes, two pitches. I can whistle two notes at once so this isn't a big deal to me, but if you've never heard or experienced that it might sound really strange. Mongolian throat singers perform in this tradition and do so to great effect. Manipulating the vibrations inside their mouths they can produce multiple pitches. Manipulating the innner shape of your mouth (Yes, you don't have to just use your throat) can produce a very complex tone that will continually reveal different components the more you refine it. Now that's fun!
Alright, the Bass Clarinet has a characteristic tone. This, in and of itself, is a mystery since hardly anybody can teach this correctly. The Bass Clarinet is NOT supposed to sound like a big ole Clarinet. If it sounded like a big ole Clarinet then essentially what you would have is the sound of the left hand keys on an electronic keyboard with the Clarinet patch turned on. Yuck!
Actually, the Bass Clarinet should sound like a strong Ox in the field. A cross between the Bassoon (the double-reediness) and a Soprano Clarinet (the FIRM singing quality). Without the reedy quality (I like to call it "syrup") you've got the wrong bird. I get asked for this all the time "Can we take out the reediness?" Ummm, no! You want me to sound like a completely different instrument? Really? That's weird.
Reediness is inherent in the instrument itself. If you wanted to boil the tone down to one thing it's that. It's GOT to sound reedy. You've got to be able to hear the reed vibrating. It's the difference between a Mack truck and a Ford Pinto. You can hear that Mack Truck coming from a mile away.
Ok, so now you have the strong ox (or the Mack truck, whichever you prefer.) He's just standing in the pasture waiting to pull his weight. He never fails. Ever.
Now then, you have to add to that your unique qualities. Your embouchure, your air flow, your tongue position, the position of the mouthpiece in your mouth, your posture, the shape of the inside of your mouth, the shape of your throat, the expanse of your ribcage. Yeah, yeah, all of it. These things make you unique. They make you sound like you, assuming you are exploiting these traits. If you take alot of mouthpiece in your mouth you get a particular sound, if you keep your teeth high on the mouthpiece you get a particular sound. Creating more expanse in your ribcage gives the sound more girth. Moving these things around will reveal to you all sorts of sounds, many not pretty. The ones you find that are nice can be molded into something you like. The sound you really enjoy. Your sound.
Then there's the other half of your unique qualities. And really I think it comes down to this question:
What other instrument do you want to sound like?
Is it the Cello? The Euphonium? The Contrabass? The Horn? The Tuba? The Viola? Maybe a Tenor voice? Baritone voice? True Bass voice? What?
Make a decision!
Personally, I enjoy the Viola. I kind of feel bad for 'em, having to read in Alto Clef and all. There's something about the raspy woody quality of the instrument that I LOVE, especially a really big Viola. Oversized Violas(17") sound so COOL!!! The sound reminds me of Shostakovich...the 8th Quartet. A piece written in "memory of the victims of fascism and war." I cried the first time I heard it (at a recital in college, and it was played fabulously.) I still can't make it through in tact. It's powerful. Even if you're not into classical music, listen and you will be moved. Personally, I prefer my Borodin Quartet recording, but the Emerson Quartet plays it extremely well.
That's right, the Bass Clarinet is not this boisterous, happy instrument. We fit in during circus marches, but we don't REALLY belong. That's Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Trumpet and Alto Sax land. I mean, you can do that and make it work, but at it's heart the Bass Clarinet is...
a harbinger of gloom, of resolution of wrongs long since past, an old friend you thought long since gone coming out of the ashes of war, the friend who Dmitri Shostakovich asked "In whose hands do you leave me to die?" The Bass Clarinet is the path "In leaves no step had trodden black." (The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost)
This isn't pretty stuff. The instrument isn't pretty. It's gritty. It's harsh. It's intense. It's raw.
The timbre of the instrument is divided. If you are truly allowing to reed to vibrate freely you'll be able to hear two sounds. The pitch and the raspy undertones of the reed. Yes, two pitches. I can whistle two notes at once so this isn't a big deal to me, but if you've never heard or experienced that it might sound really strange. Mongolian throat singers perform in this tradition and do so to great effect. Manipulating the vibrations inside their mouths they can produce multiple pitches. Manipulating the innner shape of your mouth (Yes, you don't have to just use your throat) can produce a very complex tone that will continually reveal different components the more you refine it. Now that's fun!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Man, this is awesome
Well, our Pastor is big on the word awesome. Actually, he's big on the fact that only God is awesome. I learned over time that he's right. Even our kids correct people when they say something is awesome. Usually with, "God is awesome."
Well, in thought this occured to me and I found the verse I was looking for.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus ..." (Romans 8:1)
The whole point is...God is awesome and He's the only thing in creation that Is awesome because He IS the Creator, yet He is so merciful and loving. How does the song go? "Send your mercies down from heaven, sweetmercies from heaven, new mercies for today, shower them down as we pray" (aren't you proud, I did that from memory!) Everyday, He's raining down on us all that we need. We never want (though sometimes we forget that, oh, and we forget that He provides and all that other stuff too, yeah, I know.) We are never out of His sight. We are never far form His presence. We are resting under His Oak and we've got some pretty smooth shade.
Just one more short thought. When someone says "Dude, that's totally awesome!" (I know you love the faint "Bill and Ted" reference (Come on, you know you like Keanu Reeves)) think about this. When you come to God with your stuff there is no finger pointing, no "haha, we got you" because if you are in Christ you "have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1) Because, heaven knows, we all need grace to make it through the day.
Well, in thought this occured to me and I found the verse I was looking for.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus ..." (Romans 8:1)
The whole point is...God is awesome and He's the only thing in creation that Is awesome because He IS the Creator, yet He is so merciful and loving. How does the song go? "Send your mercies down from heaven, sweetmercies from heaven, new mercies for today, shower them down as we pray" (aren't you proud, I did that from memory!) Everyday, He's raining down on us all that we need. We never want (though sometimes we forget that, oh, and we forget that He provides and all that other stuff too, yeah, I know.) We are never out of His sight. We are never far form His presence. We are resting under His Oak and we've got some pretty smooth shade.
Just one more short thought. When someone says "Dude, that's totally awesome!" (I know you love the faint "Bill and Ted" reference (Come on, you know you like Keanu Reeves)) think about this. When you come to God with your stuff there is no finger pointing, no "haha, we got you" because if you are in Christ you "have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1) Because, heaven knows, we all need grace to make it through the day.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Things That Bug Me 2.0 (Ligatures and the mayhem surrounding them)
So, I LOVE ligatures. They're, by far, my FAVORITE piece of equipment. Why, you ask? They're not SUPER expensive, they're easy to change out, you can collect them in mass quantities without need for a storage unit, and they're cool lookin'!
I've always been a connoseiur of metal ligatures. ALWAYS. The first ligature I EVER played on Bass with a simple stock metal lig that was in the case of the school instrument I was playing in middle school. When I went back to Bass in High School I had a similar lig and a mouthpiece in a plastic bag that I took to Band Camp just in case I changed instruments at camp (which I did.) Honestly, I never thought any further than that. Ligatures are supposed to be metal, that's it. They're all metal, right? I got an inverted Bonade right after marching season my Sophomore year and played it until about halfway through college. At that point Rovners were all the rage. Now, I'm not knocking Phil's hustle. If you've got a good business and a product people like I'm all for it. Fabric ligatures just never appealed to me. By the time I graduated from college you could look down a line of any section of Clarinets and Saxophones and 98% of the ligs would be Rovners (Once again, not knocking Phil's hustle, I just never got into the fabric ligs.)
After I graduated I didn't play "hard-core-alot" for about a year. By that time I had acquired two GORGEOUS Gold Harrison-Hertz Ligatures. The crappy part is that they are no longer made under that name and are VERY expensive on Ebay.
Now, these ligatures are gold plated and respond like crazy! More than that, they have this robust sound that I can't explain. It may only make a difference to me, but it makes a DIFFERENCE! I've also acquired a Rovner MarkIII and a Bois (both of which are not horrible, but not robust like the Harrison.) I was really liking the Bois until I ran into reed issues (because it's like 20 degrees here and SEVERELY dry), and I discovered that, for me, the Harrison hits 'em outta the park every time. I played fairly regularly in ensembles for about 6 years and always stuck to the Harrisons. One has Gold that's still very bright and relatively untarnished while the other has a much darker finish and has a band that's been silver-brazed back together. They were (and still are) my work horses.
So, why is the metal ligature so responsive for me? I've always read and heard that metal ligatures are more responsive and that Gold plating makes ligatures even more responsive. Conversely, I've also heard that fabric ligs dampen sound and provide less response. Yet, people who produce fabric ligatures tout the robust sound of their ligatures and responsiveness. Maybe it's just a personal thing. I see and hear great response from kids who use fabric ligs all the time. Maybe, it's because I was brought up playing a certain way and it's hard for me to give up the feel of the olden days.
I'm gonna keep it real. I'm a monster (my high school band director likes the term "killer", as in "If you're sitting next to a "killer" then you might not be able to hear yourself.) I like playing that role. I've always been the beast. I've brought down whole brass sections. One time, the whole band. I've overthrown fascist dictators with my sound (well, not really, but it sounded good when I wrote it.) You get the idea. I can play REALLY loud. I can't remember a time when I didn't just blow my brains out in every rehearsal and performance. Everyday I'm searching for that sort of sound, just more refined and mature, but still BIG. I have this attachment to metal ligatures and the days of old when I did that everyday in rehearsal.
Nowadays I'm not in rehearsal everyday, in fact, I haven't been in a full-on band rehearsal of a group I'm playing in in a year and a half. I sit in the rehearsals of the band I tech and that's nice(because I get to work up a little bit of a sweat, but not too much), but I'm not "in charge", I'm trying to teach an upperclassman how to be "in charge". Which brings me to another point.
The sort of domineering tone I'm talking about is the kind of thing that can turn a band in the right direction. It can turn your section in the right direction. We always here that Bands are built from the bottom. Well, if you're playing Bass Clarinet, you're in the bottom of the band. You can't get much lower. On the other hand, Orchestras tend to be built from the top. The First Chair is taking the lead in everything. Pushing the section along. It's a different style of playing.
Playing Bass Clarinet is a combination of those two things. That "domineering tone" keeps the rest of your section in line. They can hear what you're doing and they follow you. If you're REALLY good, other people in other sections will follow you. Now, you control time in the group to a certain extent. In the case of a disaster you have a good chance of dragging enough people along that you can avoid a crisis(i.e. completely stopping in the middle of a performance.) Leading from the front is always a good thing. Besides having a certain amount of control over time you can control phrasing, overall expression, and expression of different melodic components in the music. While you're ducking in and out of the texture all the melodic components of the music get to shine around you. Now that's fun.
Back to ligatures. You may be asking "Do you make your students play on metal ligatures?" Nope. I don't intervene unless they have MAJOR issues that I think may be corrected by a small equipment change. 99% of the time you change you, not your stuff(Like in that new movie "Bride Wars", in the trailer Kate Hudson says "You don't alter Vera to fit you, you alter yourself to fit Vera!". When you get to a point where you know what you're doing then I think you can tinker with your stuff and look for something that fits the tonal profile you want. My point...you can affect your tonal profile with ligatures, even if people don't think so. Then again, tonal profile is a whole other post.
I've always been a connoseiur of metal ligatures. ALWAYS. The first ligature I EVER played on Bass with a simple stock metal lig that was in the case of the school instrument I was playing in middle school. When I went back to Bass in High School I had a similar lig and a mouthpiece in a plastic bag that I took to Band Camp just in case I changed instruments at camp (which I did.) Honestly, I never thought any further than that. Ligatures are supposed to be metal, that's it. They're all metal, right? I got an inverted Bonade right after marching season my Sophomore year and played it until about halfway through college. At that point Rovners were all the rage. Now, I'm not knocking Phil's hustle. If you've got a good business and a product people like I'm all for it. Fabric ligatures just never appealed to me. By the time I graduated from college you could look down a line of any section of Clarinets and Saxophones and 98% of the ligs would be Rovners (Once again, not knocking Phil's hustle, I just never got into the fabric ligs.)
After I graduated I didn't play "hard-core-alot" for about a year. By that time I had acquired two GORGEOUS Gold Harrison-Hertz Ligatures. The crappy part is that they are no longer made under that name and are VERY expensive on Ebay.
Now, these ligatures are gold plated and respond like crazy! More than that, they have this robust sound that I can't explain. It may only make a difference to me, but it makes a DIFFERENCE! I've also acquired a Rovner MarkIII and a Bois (both of which are not horrible, but not robust like the Harrison.) I was really liking the Bois until I ran into reed issues (because it's like 20 degrees here and SEVERELY dry), and I discovered that, for me, the Harrison hits 'em outta the park every time. I played fairly regularly in ensembles for about 6 years and always stuck to the Harrisons. One has Gold that's still very bright and relatively untarnished while the other has a much darker finish and has a band that's been silver-brazed back together. They were (and still are) my work horses.
So, why is the metal ligature so responsive for me? I've always read and heard that metal ligatures are more responsive and that Gold plating makes ligatures even more responsive. Conversely, I've also heard that fabric ligs dampen sound and provide less response. Yet, people who produce fabric ligatures tout the robust sound of their ligatures and responsiveness. Maybe it's just a personal thing. I see and hear great response from kids who use fabric ligs all the time. Maybe, it's because I was brought up playing a certain way and it's hard for me to give up the feel of the olden days.
I'm gonna keep it real. I'm a monster (my high school band director likes the term "killer", as in "If you're sitting next to a "killer" then you might not be able to hear yourself.) I like playing that role. I've always been the beast. I've brought down whole brass sections. One time, the whole band. I've overthrown fascist dictators with my sound (well, not really, but it sounded good when I wrote it.) You get the idea. I can play REALLY loud. I can't remember a time when I didn't just blow my brains out in every rehearsal and performance. Everyday I'm searching for that sort of sound, just more refined and mature, but still BIG. I have this attachment to metal ligatures and the days of old when I did that everyday in rehearsal.
Nowadays I'm not in rehearsal everyday, in fact, I haven't been in a full-on band rehearsal of a group I'm playing in in a year and a half. I sit in the rehearsals of the band I tech and that's nice(because I get to work up a little bit of a sweat, but not too much), but I'm not "in charge", I'm trying to teach an upperclassman how to be "in charge". Which brings me to another point.
The sort of domineering tone I'm talking about is the kind of thing that can turn a band in the right direction. It can turn your section in the right direction. We always here that Bands are built from the bottom. Well, if you're playing Bass Clarinet, you're in the bottom of the band. You can't get much lower. On the other hand, Orchestras tend to be built from the top. The First Chair is taking the lead in everything. Pushing the section along. It's a different style of playing.
Playing Bass Clarinet is a combination of those two things. That "domineering tone" keeps the rest of your section in line. They can hear what you're doing and they follow you. If you're REALLY good, other people in other sections will follow you. Now, you control time in the group to a certain extent. In the case of a disaster you have a good chance of dragging enough people along that you can avoid a crisis(i.e. completely stopping in the middle of a performance.) Leading from the front is always a good thing. Besides having a certain amount of control over time you can control phrasing, overall expression, and expression of different melodic components in the music. While you're ducking in and out of the texture all the melodic components of the music get to shine around you. Now that's fun.
Back to ligatures. You may be asking "Do you make your students play on metal ligatures?" Nope. I don't intervene unless they have MAJOR issues that I think may be corrected by a small equipment change. 99% of the time you change you, not your stuff(Like in that new movie "Bride Wars", in the trailer Kate Hudson says "You don't alter Vera to fit you, you alter yourself to fit Vera!". When you get to a point where you know what you're doing then I think you can tinker with your stuff and look for something that fits the tonal profile you want. My point...you can affect your tonal profile with ligatures, even if people don't think so. Then again, tonal profile is a whole other post.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
What's the word people?
What's the Word people?
I think it's great when people know what they want. In fact, I hope my kids grow up to be people of action who know what they want and are willing to get after it to get things done. Hoooooowever, I'm not sure that everything that we want is really worth wanting. I was talking to the TT yesterday and we were discussing the whole issue of kids making All-State and recognition of private teachers and the like. (Private teachers don't get mentioned in the program, just the school the kid goes to) Now, TT can teach. Straight up. The boy can teach (he's not really a boy, he's older than me, in fact, he graduated from H.S. when I was in 6th Grade.) Anyways.
The man can teach. He had a private student make All-State. Now, we do what I would call "low tier" music jobs, meaning that we aren't high profile H.S. band directors. Someone else who is vaunted around these parts as a "really good teacher" also had a kid make All-State, but below TT's student. Now, TT says "How come no one recognizes that my kid just beat his kid?"(Vesides the fact that some people don't audition well, or have bad days, or are lazy, or whatever) TT wants to receive more acknowledgement of his accomplishments as an educator, but at what cost?
People always say "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" and that's fine, but dang, I could only be so squeaky. Would I like to be hearalded more universally for my musical ability? Yeah. Am I going to go running around like a maniac (and seeming like I don't feel blessed to have the job I have) trying to get recognized? Nope. This reminds me of 2 things: 1) "You can't always get what you waaahaaant" and 2) "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it" Would I like to be doing something a little bit different from what I'm doing now? Yeah. Am I going to go crazy trying to make MY time work because I want it NOW? No. I don't know, I'm just not wired that way. Plus, the big thing for me is...it's more about the kid than it is about me. Yeah, you're teaching them, but ultimately when you tell them "Go do this" they actually have to go do it. I would say the same thing for myself. I had NO private teacher my Junior Year in H.S. and I was still first chair All-State. I had to buck up and do the work.
So, now TT is trying to figure out ways in which he can do something that would be more fulfilling to him professionally and, at the same time, garner a little more attention. I understand that, but I'm fulfilled professionally already. I have a job. That may sound harsh, but I like being able to support my family. (A side note to this is: TT knows this and would never think that I'm in the same position he's in. He's single. I'm married and have 3 kids. He knows I wouldn't dare take his line of thinking nor can I afford to.) Nonetheless, at what point do we seem ungrateful for our blessings? At what point do you stop and say "Where is God in this?"
Upon further meditation I found this: Isaiah 27:11 ......For this is a people without understanding, so their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor
Right about now I'm REALLY hoping I have understanding. Can you imagine all the time you spent apart from God and all the times He wanted to grant you favor, yet you had no understanding? Even so, you most likely received some measure of grace in that time. Now you understand and how much more does God expect of you? Of us? Grace is beautiful but it is not the only abundance in God's economy. Is He not also calling us to greater understanding and greater knowledge. Greater wisdom and greater compassion? Wow!
I think it's great when people know what they want. In fact, I hope my kids grow up to be people of action who know what they want and are willing to get after it to get things done. Hoooooowever, I'm not sure that everything that we want is really worth wanting. I was talking to the TT yesterday and we were discussing the whole issue of kids making All-State and recognition of private teachers and the like. (Private teachers don't get mentioned in the program, just the school the kid goes to) Now, TT can teach. Straight up. The boy can teach (he's not really a boy, he's older than me, in fact, he graduated from H.S. when I was in 6th Grade.) Anyways.
The man can teach. He had a private student make All-State. Now, we do what I would call "low tier" music jobs, meaning that we aren't high profile H.S. band directors. Someone else who is vaunted around these parts as a "really good teacher" also had a kid make All-State, but below TT's student. Now, TT says "How come no one recognizes that my kid just beat his kid?"(Vesides the fact that some people don't audition well, or have bad days, or are lazy, or whatever) TT wants to receive more acknowledgement of his accomplishments as an educator, but at what cost?
People always say "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" and that's fine, but dang, I could only be so squeaky. Would I like to be hearalded more universally for my musical ability? Yeah. Am I going to go running around like a maniac (and seeming like I don't feel blessed to have the job I have) trying to get recognized? Nope. This reminds me of 2 things: 1) "You can't always get what you waaahaaant" and 2) "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it" Would I like to be doing something a little bit different from what I'm doing now? Yeah. Am I going to go crazy trying to make MY time work because I want it NOW? No. I don't know, I'm just not wired that way. Plus, the big thing for me is...it's more about the kid than it is about me. Yeah, you're teaching them, but ultimately when you tell them "Go do this" they actually have to go do it. I would say the same thing for myself. I had NO private teacher my Junior Year in H.S. and I was still first chair All-State. I had to buck up and do the work.
So, now TT is trying to figure out ways in which he can do something that would be more fulfilling to him professionally and, at the same time, garner a little more attention. I understand that, but I'm fulfilled professionally already. I have a job. That may sound harsh, but I like being able to support my family. (A side note to this is: TT knows this and would never think that I'm in the same position he's in. He's single. I'm married and have 3 kids. He knows I wouldn't dare take his line of thinking nor can I afford to.) Nonetheless, at what point do we seem ungrateful for our blessings? At what point do you stop and say "Where is God in this?"
Upon further meditation I found this: Isaiah 27:11 ......For this is a people without understanding, so their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor
Right about now I'm REALLY hoping I have understanding. Can you imagine all the time you spent apart from God and all the times He wanted to grant you favor, yet you had no understanding? Even so, you most likely received some measure of grace in that time. Now you understand and how much more does God expect of you? Of us? Grace is beautiful but it is not the only abundance in God's economy. Is He not also calling us to greater understanding and greater knowledge. Greater wisdom and greater compassion? Wow!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Hope, not fear
President Obama today called on us to choose hope over fear. I would have said something stronger like "Hope in spite of fear", but I'm not the President, am I?
The Word says (1 John 4:18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. Now, I'm not saying Barack Obama is the second coming (because he isn't). And, I don't blame him for playing down the savior tag alot of folks are giving him. BUT, I think he's not just saying that. I think he's actually humble enough to know he can't do it all and it isn't going to happen overnight. To me, that's the closest thing we can get to love from our President. He's loves this country so much that he's not going to try to delude us with a false sense of hope, as if he believed he was the second coming. Like he thinks he has all the answers and it's his way or the highway. He knows better. I love that!
Yeah, I voted for him and this is why.
I just could tell he is a man of action. If something needs to be done, he's on it. No pussyfooting around. I love that. He's not going to fix things overnight, but by golly if he isn't gonna try.
I loved the way Bill Clinton spoke (and still do), but dang, Obama makes Clinton look like an amateur. You can feel the intense genuine quality of his heart's desire for the nation pouring out of his mouth. If you're not inspired on some level I don't know what to say. My hope is in the Lord of peace. The Lord who provides. The Lord who sustains. TheLord who protects us. The Lord who gives every perfect gift. The Lord who hears our prayers. Is Obama an answer to prayer? I have no idea. I can tell you this......
God puts people in places where He wants them. So, for right now, this man of action is asking us to hope because he ascended to office on God's shoulders. I really think he's that serious. I'll hope in the Lord and not fear as MANY have been telling us to do for so long. I just can't do that. How am I suppose to lead my family (learn to, anyways) if I'm constantly afraid of an unseen evil. I'll fear the Lord, for in that is wisdom. Wisdom to follow His ways and do so in His time. Wisdom to know His time is perfect. Since He's, you know, perfect.
On a lighter note:
I am VERY impressed with the Marine Band. They played very well in tune all day even though it was 4 million degrees below zero. That's not easy people. Plus, Itzhak Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, and Anthony McGill (playing his good setup outside and playing so beautifully). Personally, I would have never taken my horn out in that weather (I've got a plastic one), but he killed it anyways. It was great to see such fine musicians performing in front of the world. So often, the arts are pushed into the background and here they were right up front for all of us to enjoy RIGHT before an immensely historic event. Very cool. Maybe that Secretary of the Arts thing has a chance.
The Word says (1 John 4:18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. Now, I'm not saying Barack Obama is the second coming (because he isn't). And, I don't blame him for playing down the savior tag alot of folks are giving him. BUT, I think he's not just saying that. I think he's actually humble enough to know he can't do it all and it isn't going to happen overnight. To me, that's the closest thing we can get to love from our President. He's loves this country so much that he's not going to try to delude us with a false sense of hope, as if he believed he was the second coming. Like he thinks he has all the answers and it's his way or the highway. He knows better. I love that!
Yeah, I voted for him and this is why.
I just could tell he is a man of action. If something needs to be done, he's on it. No pussyfooting around. I love that. He's not going to fix things overnight, but by golly if he isn't gonna try.
I loved the way Bill Clinton spoke (and still do), but dang, Obama makes Clinton look like an amateur. You can feel the intense genuine quality of his heart's desire for the nation pouring out of his mouth. If you're not inspired on some level I don't know what to say. My hope is in the Lord of peace. The Lord who provides. The Lord who sustains. TheLord who protects us. The Lord who gives every perfect gift. The Lord who hears our prayers. Is Obama an answer to prayer? I have no idea. I can tell you this......
God puts people in places where He wants them. So, for right now, this man of action is asking us to hope because he ascended to office on God's shoulders. I really think he's that serious. I'll hope in the Lord and not fear as MANY have been telling us to do for so long. I just can't do that. How am I suppose to lead my family (learn to, anyways) if I'm constantly afraid of an unseen evil. I'll fear the Lord, for in that is wisdom. Wisdom to follow His ways and do so in His time. Wisdom to know His time is perfect. Since He's, you know, perfect.
On a lighter note:
I am VERY impressed with the Marine Band. They played very well in tune all day even though it was 4 million degrees below zero. That's not easy people. Plus, Itzhak Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, and Anthony McGill (playing his good setup outside and playing so beautifully). Personally, I would have never taken my horn out in that weather (I've got a plastic one), but he killed it anyways. It was great to see such fine musicians performing in front of the world. So often, the arts are pushed into the background and here they were right up front for all of us to enjoy RIGHT before an immensely historic event. Very cool. Maybe that Secretary of the Arts thing has a chance.
Monday, January 19, 2009
How to Play the Bass Clarinet Efficiently and Effectively 1.0 (or How to Play Fast Notes, aka, Acquiring Technique 1)
Well, here comes the diatribe. Things That Bug Me are just little things that probably only get on MY nerves. This series is about EXACTLY what to do in order to play better. If you've found this and you're looking for help...you're in the right place. If you're a "non-bandy" person don't stop reading! Almost everything I'm going to say is about how to process new information and quickly get better at processing that information more quickly. You never know, you might be able to apply some of this stuff to something you do that isn't even musical. Now, on with the help.
I love this zinger. It makes me want to laugh every time. "This passage just doesn't lay well on the big instruments." If you've ever heard that before you are not alone, and the person who told you this is wrong.
Granted, if you are not a technically well-developed player you probably won't have the best time learning said passage (or learning it at all.) But, if you start developing your technique now it will get smoother and silkier with time. By the way, this is not just for kids. If you are an adult amateur, do this stuff, we welcome you along for the ride.
People who have stellar technique have literally trained every muscle in their fingers, mouth, throat, and abdomen so that every note speaks perfectly, sounds good, and comes out quickly, and they had to start somewhere. Working slowly is the most tedious work you could ever do. It doesn't feel super fun. It's not like riding a roller coaster. However, if you get yourself to the point, mentally, where you know this is REALLY going to help long term: It will get fun really fast.
If you've ever been in a school band or orchestra program you are highly aware of the intense emphasis that is placed on Major Scales. Now, somebody who's reading this is thinking "Bleh, I spit the name of all Major Scales (especially the one's I don't like, you know, the hard ones.)" I know, scales are not "fun", but let me tell you, if you have these scales in your hip pocket you'll feel like a million bucks. So, step one, scales.
1. Find a print out of all 12 major scales for the instrument. On Bass Clarinet this shouldn't be hard. You can even use a Clarinet print out. By the time you learn to play them as high as I would recommend you won't need the print out anymore. Highlight the first 5 notes of each scale in only the lowest register. This is a 5-note segment. You play the pattern 1,2,3,4,5,4,3,2,1 three times. Slur the whole thing. You're done! (Actually, you're not quite done.)
2. Get a sheet of paper and a metronome. If you don't have a concrete metronome use this one. Start the metronome at 60. If you are VERY new play the pattern in 8th notes. If you are a little more developed play the pattern in 16th notes. Play through it a couple of times at 60. If you're ok, move up to the next metronome marking. When you get to a marking that you just can't handle, that's ok. Write down the FASTEST marking you could play the pattern correctly at. Move on to the next key.
3. Stop using alternate fingerings!!! You think I'm serious about this? I am. Do NOT use the right hand fork key. Do not use chromatic F#. When possible, use the sliver key. Avoid, at ALL costs, these ALTERNATE fingerings. They're alternate for a reason! The original fingering is technically more proficient in the long run. Fancy stuff is fancy (and occasionally helpful) but it's not solid like the original.
4. Rinse and repeat. Do this in ever major key. Don't fret about not playing the last 3 notes of the scale (or more if you're playing more octaves.) What you may not realize is that you're covering every fingering combo you need to play these scales.
5. Rinse and repeat again. This is the most valuable thing you can do to improve your technical response on the instrument.
6. Now you have a written record of where you started and where you've been in each key. If you're thinking "Man, this guy is a genius, why didn't I think of that?" know one thing...I didn't think of it either. I learned it from Bob Chesebro at Furman University. The man's a genius, and no, I'm not exaggerating.
7. Do NOT move on the minor scales. If you do not have Major Scales, as I said before, in your hip pocket then playing minor scales will mess with your ear.
8. Always play these segments with the fullest, most robust, billowing tone you've got. If you're thinking "But I don't sound very good." or "My tone doesn't billow." Fine! Now's a good time to learn! You're only 9 notes at a time in one segment. Voila, easy tonal practice time. Besides, every time you play your tone is improving if you're really thinking about sounding better.
9. Do NOT use the extended range on your instrument (if you have it.) I'll never forget this as long as I live. I was at another school talking with a fellow Bass Clarinetist. They popped up and said "Look, I can play the C Scale 3 octaves!" I said, "That's so cool, show me!" They proceeded to play the scale starting on super low C, using the extension, and playing up to thumb C. Now, I thought they were going to play it straight and play up to double high C...I was wrong. The point is...The extended range on your instrument is cool, but using it to practice is worthless. If you're really good, you ever need to practice it. You just put your hands on the instrument and keep going. Really. I promise. When I got my extended horn in 1998 I just took it out of the box and started playing it. No trip to the shop. No tutorial. Just "grab and go"
10. Don't get hung up on a particular scale. Everybody's got a scale or two that they just don't agree with. I never liked F#. If, at this point, I have a "bad" scale. That's it. Whenever you encounter your "Little Scale of Horrors" just do what you can do and move on. It WILL get better, it just isn't today. No big.
The simplest application of all of this is EASY sightreading. Read anything! Who cares? Don't try crazy hard stuff. Just do things that look simple and are in about every key. Don't get all technique happy and try to play something that's out of your league. Start slow. You'll get there soon enough. Virtuosic technique is a process and you're on step one. Enjoy the ride!
I love this zinger. It makes me want to laugh every time. "This passage just doesn't lay well on the big instruments." If you've ever heard that before you are not alone, and the person who told you this is wrong.
Granted, if you are not a technically well-developed player you probably won't have the best time learning said passage (or learning it at all.) But, if you start developing your technique now it will get smoother and silkier with time. By the way, this is not just for kids. If you are an adult amateur, do this stuff, we welcome you along for the ride.
People who have stellar technique have literally trained every muscle in their fingers, mouth, throat, and abdomen so that every note speaks perfectly, sounds good, and comes out quickly, and they had to start somewhere. Working slowly is the most tedious work you could ever do. It doesn't feel super fun. It's not like riding a roller coaster. However, if you get yourself to the point, mentally, where you know this is REALLY going to help long term: It will get fun really fast.
If you've ever been in a school band or orchestra program you are highly aware of the intense emphasis that is placed on Major Scales. Now, somebody who's reading this is thinking "Bleh, I spit the name of all Major Scales (especially the one's I don't like, you know, the hard ones.)" I know, scales are not "fun", but let me tell you, if you have these scales in your hip pocket you'll feel like a million bucks. So, step one, scales.
1. Find a print out of all 12 major scales for the instrument. On Bass Clarinet this shouldn't be hard. You can even use a Clarinet print out. By the time you learn to play them as high as I would recommend you won't need the print out anymore. Highlight the first 5 notes of each scale in only the lowest register. This is a 5-note segment. You play the pattern 1,2,3,4,5,4,3,2,1 three times. Slur the whole thing. You're done! (Actually, you're not quite done.)
2. Get a sheet of paper and a metronome. If you don't have a concrete metronome use this one. Start the metronome at 60. If you are VERY new play the pattern in 8th notes. If you are a little more developed play the pattern in 16th notes. Play through it a couple of times at 60. If you're ok, move up to the next metronome marking. When you get to a marking that you just can't handle, that's ok. Write down the FASTEST marking you could play the pattern correctly at. Move on to the next key.
3. Stop using alternate fingerings!!! You think I'm serious about this? I am. Do NOT use the right hand fork key. Do not use chromatic F#. When possible, use the sliver key. Avoid, at ALL costs, these ALTERNATE fingerings. They're alternate for a reason! The original fingering is technically more proficient in the long run. Fancy stuff is fancy (and occasionally helpful) but it's not solid like the original.
4. Rinse and repeat. Do this in ever major key. Don't fret about not playing the last 3 notes of the scale (or more if you're playing more octaves.) What you may not realize is that you're covering every fingering combo you need to play these scales.
5. Rinse and repeat again. This is the most valuable thing you can do to improve your technical response on the instrument.
6. Now you have a written record of where you started and where you've been in each key. If you're thinking "Man, this guy is a genius, why didn't I think of that?" know one thing...I didn't think of it either. I learned it from Bob Chesebro at Furman University. The man's a genius, and no, I'm not exaggerating.
7. Do NOT move on the minor scales. If you do not have Major Scales, as I said before, in your hip pocket then playing minor scales will mess with your ear.
8. Always play these segments with the fullest, most robust, billowing tone you've got. If you're thinking "But I don't sound very good." or "My tone doesn't billow." Fine! Now's a good time to learn! You're only 9 notes at a time in one segment. Voila, easy tonal practice time. Besides, every time you play your tone is improving if you're really thinking about sounding better.
9. Do NOT use the extended range on your instrument (if you have it.) I'll never forget this as long as I live. I was at another school talking with a fellow Bass Clarinetist. They popped up and said "Look, I can play the C Scale 3 octaves!" I said, "That's so cool, show me!" They proceeded to play the scale starting on super low C, using the extension, and playing up to thumb C. Now, I thought they were going to play it straight and play up to double high C...I was wrong. The point is...The extended range on your instrument is cool, but using it to practice is worthless. If you're really good, you ever need to practice it. You just put your hands on the instrument and keep going. Really. I promise. When I got my extended horn in 1998 I just took it out of the box and started playing it. No trip to the shop. No tutorial. Just "grab and go"
10. Don't get hung up on a particular scale. Everybody's got a scale or two that they just don't agree with. I never liked F#. If, at this point, I have a "bad" scale. That's it. Whenever you encounter your "Little Scale of Horrors" just do what you can do and move on. It WILL get better, it just isn't today. No big.
The simplest application of all of this is EASY sightreading. Read anything! Who cares? Don't try crazy hard stuff. Just do things that look simple and are in about every key. Don't get all technique happy and try to play something that's out of your league. Start slow. You'll get there soon enough. Virtuosic technique is a process and you're on step one. Enjoy the ride!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The "HAHA, I knew it:!" post
So, the Eagles just failed to convert on 4th and 10 and I have felt this smart few times in my life. I told someone this morning at church "I picked the Cardinals. Do you trust Donovan McNabb?" When the questioner had no rebuttal I knew it in my gut. I can't make this up, even though I didn't blog last year, I REALLY thought the Giants were going to win the Super Bowl....it was like they were a team of destiny. Say hello to your new team of destiny *Celine Dion accent* "Open Curtain. He are, the Arizona Cardinals." (As a reference, Celine Dion describes in a TV biography that when she fell in love with her Husband, Rene, that she wanted to say (in her best "I am the Greatest Singer in the World" accent) "Open curtain, here is the man I love" Sorry, that's funny)
As soon as the Eagles failed on the conversion I immediately called my Dad to say "The Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl baby!" Now, my Dad is 65 years old. He was 15 when the "Greatest Game Ever Played" was played. He remembers all the old-schoolers and reminds me on occasion how tough those guys were, just to keep me in check. He knows how much I love the 49ers (and, consequently, Joe Montana) but he'll remind me about guys like Sammy Baugh, Roger Staubach, Bart Starr, Dick Butkus, and the like. He's pretty much seen it all. His response was "Well, there you go son." When someone who's seen that much football has nothing to say you know something's up.
Bill Simmons (aka, The Sports Guy) mentioned in his weekly article something that was funny in regards to Kurt Warner (who calls on the name of Christ after every game and I LOVE it!) Someone told him "You don't bet against God and puppies." Well, I don't think God cares who wins the Super Bowl, but if He did, and He was a Cardinals fan, you need some sort of biblical point of view for "Don't bet against God and puppies." Job 9:4 "Who has hardened himself against God and succeeded?" There you go, your Super Bowl XLIII Champions, *Celine Dion voice again* "Open Curtain, the Arizona Cardinals!" Yes, I'm making the pick now. No, I don't care if I'm right about the AFC Title game. It doesn't matter. You thought the Giants were a team of destiny? I think we've found a 9-7 team that has an equal destiny (and a Hall of Fame Quarterback.)
As soon as the Eagles failed on the conversion I immediately called my Dad to say "The Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl baby!" Now, my Dad is 65 years old. He was 15 when the "Greatest Game Ever Played" was played. He remembers all the old-schoolers and reminds me on occasion how tough those guys were, just to keep me in check. He knows how much I love the 49ers (and, consequently, Joe Montana) but he'll remind me about guys like Sammy Baugh, Roger Staubach, Bart Starr, Dick Butkus, and the like. He's pretty much seen it all. His response was "Well, there you go son." When someone who's seen that much football has nothing to say you know something's up.
Bill Simmons (aka, The Sports Guy) mentioned in his weekly article something that was funny in regards to Kurt Warner (who calls on the name of Christ after every game and I LOVE it!) Someone told him "You don't bet against God and puppies." Well, I don't think God cares who wins the Super Bowl, but if He did, and He was a Cardinals fan, you need some sort of biblical point of view for "Don't bet against God and puppies." Job 9:4 "Who has hardened himself against God and succeeded?" There you go, your Super Bowl XLIII Champions, *Celine Dion voice again* "Open Curtain, the Arizona Cardinals!" Yes, I'm making the pick now. No, I don't care if I'm right about the AFC Title game. It doesn't matter. You thought the Giants were a team of destiny? I think we've found a 9-7 team that has an equal destiny (and a Hall of Fame Quarterback.)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Memory Verse 2.0
We were newly commissioned for a memory verse. The funny part is that when we asked what our new one would be this Thursday our Pastor hadn't thought of a new one. He even thought some of us wouldn't attempt it. Well shoot. I'm all about the memory verse. Hiding the Word in your heart is MAMMOTHLY good idea. Just knowing it alone serves you quite well. A lady in our group, responding to the question "Why do you memorize verses?", said "Because you may not always have this" (holding up her Bible.) Yikes! Imagine being in a place where you can't even have your Bible on hand for fear of retribution or persecution. Imagine being in a place where you Bible has to be hidden such that NO ONE will find it. Even in that instance, you basically don't have a Bible. Wow! That one blew me away. God even says:
Proverbs 4:20-23(NIV)
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Alright, this is just me, but I find that "do not let them out of your sight" means "keep them within your heart" since you never know in what instance you won't ACTUALLY be able to see them on paper. I guess you could take that one further and practice writing your memory verse down when you think you've got it. You could (with years and years of work) manage to recreate in writing (if you had to) a fairly complete biblical account. Messiaen knew enough scripture(Revelation 10:1-2, 5-7) to write to "Quartet for the End of Time" That'd be nice if you lived or worked in some spiritually barren place where heaven only knows what happens to Christians. Yeah, I gotta start doing that. BTW - Here it is:
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 (NIV)
14For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Off to some private time to try and write this thing down.
Peace
Proverbs 4:20-23(NIV)
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Alright, this is just me, but I find that "do not let them out of your sight" means "keep them within your heart" since you never know in what instance you won't ACTUALLY be able to see them on paper. I guess you could take that one further and practice writing your memory verse down when you think you've got it. You could (with years and years of work) manage to recreate in writing (if you had to) a fairly complete biblical account. Messiaen knew enough scripture(Revelation 10:1-2, 5-7) to write to "Quartet for the End of Time" That'd be nice if you lived or worked in some spiritually barren place where heaven only knows what happens to Christians. Yeah, I gotta start doing that. BTW - Here it is:
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 (NIV)
14For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Off to some private time to try and write this thing down.
Peace
Friday, January 16, 2009
Superior Performances
So, I remembered a couple of things. I said I would work on getting a recording of myself up (which I am now researching). I've gotta get some kind of microphone (nothing too high tech, besides, anything sounds better than an old tape recorder) and work up something that doesn't make me sound like a kid. The cool thing is that you can download Audacity and record using their open-source software and do whatever you like to it. If you're a techno marvel you can even edit the program itself. Nice! I'll get there, eventually...
Another thing was that I'm a better Clarinet player than I give myself credit for. I guess this requires some backstory:
I started playing in 6th grade (like a ton of people who start an instrument) on Clarinet. Thennnnnnnnnn, I saw a Bass Clarinet on a poster in the band room in 7th Grade and I was like (insert dorky voice here) "I wanna play that." So, they let me play it. Only, the Bass Clarinet has tiny little vent hole on the first finger called the "half hole". If you don't cover it, you sound like a dying/severely wounded farm animal. Guess what genius here never did for all of 7th Grade. Yeah, you guessed it, I sounded like a sick dairy cow (like the one in those Calfornia Cheese commercials, you know, the Grandma cow that's remembering her horrible childhood in the snow(probably Wisconsin, yeah those California jerks defaming the image of that stout Midwestern cheese tradition) and the grandcows are trying to snap her out of her trance, yeah, like that.) Then in 8th Grade I figured out I didn't want to sound like Grandma Cow anymore and I got instantly better.
In 9th Grade I decided to switch back to the Clarinet because "Bass Clarinet is boring." Like I said, I'm an idiot. Big surprise here, I sucked. I wasn't the worst Clarinetist in a very large band, but I was close. Then in 10th Grade I got the chance to switch back to Bass and jumped at it. The rest is history.
The last time I touched the Clarinet seriously was in 1993 to take a District Honor Band audition on both Clarinet and Bass Clarinet. I attached an intense feeling of inferiority with playing the Clarinet and avoided serious study until 2005 (when I took on private Clarinet students.) I never felt like I belonged in the fold of a Clarinet section. Even when I was the monster Bass Clarinetist and all the other Clarinet players respected me I was like "Dude, I don't belong here." In 2005 I encountered a Clarinet section that totally took me in and I began teaching private Clarinet students there. So, I began really "playing" Clarinet again. A year later I got this smooth Selmer Signet "Mazzeo" System Clarinet. It plays better than my R13 (which is the Gold Standard in Professional Model Clarinets. It's like a tank really.)
Now I'm pretty good. I like that. I feel accomplished.
On to the Superior Performance. Santa Clara Vanguard 1999. They were behind all season and jumped in Finals and tied Blue Devils for the title. Yeah, this show is incredible. The commentary is from the PBS broadcast. Everybody loves Steve Rondinero and Mike Cesario. Enjoy.
Another thing was that I'm a better Clarinet player than I give myself credit for. I guess this requires some backstory:
I started playing in 6th grade (like a ton of people who start an instrument) on Clarinet. Thennnnnnnnnn, I saw a Bass Clarinet on a poster in the band room in 7th Grade and I was like (insert dorky voice here) "I wanna play that." So, they let me play it. Only, the Bass Clarinet has tiny little vent hole on the first finger called the "half hole". If you don't cover it, you sound like a dying/severely wounded farm animal. Guess what genius here never did for all of 7th Grade. Yeah, you guessed it, I sounded like a sick dairy cow (like the one in those Calfornia Cheese commercials, you know, the Grandma cow that's remembering her horrible childhood in the snow(probably Wisconsin, yeah those California jerks defaming the image of that stout Midwestern cheese tradition) and the grandcows are trying to snap her out of her trance, yeah, like that.) Then in 8th Grade I figured out I didn't want to sound like Grandma Cow anymore and I got instantly better.
In 9th Grade I decided to switch back to the Clarinet because "Bass Clarinet is boring." Like I said, I'm an idiot. Big surprise here, I sucked. I wasn't the worst Clarinetist in a very large band, but I was close. Then in 10th Grade I got the chance to switch back to Bass and jumped at it. The rest is history.
The last time I touched the Clarinet seriously was in 1993 to take a District Honor Band audition on both Clarinet and Bass Clarinet. I attached an intense feeling of inferiority with playing the Clarinet and avoided serious study until 2005 (when I took on private Clarinet students.) I never felt like I belonged in the fold of a Clarinet section. Even when I was the monster Bass Clarinetist and all the other Clarinet players respected me I was like "Dude, I don't belong here." In 2005 I encountered a Clarinet section that totally took me in and I began teaching private Clarinet students there. So, I began really "playing" Clarinet again. A year later I got this smooth Selmer Signet "Mazzeo" System Clarinet. It plays better than my R13 (which is the Gold Standard in Professional Model Clarinets. It's like a tank really.)
Now I'm pretty good. I like that. I feel accomplished.
On to the Superior Performance. Santa Clara Vanguard 1999. They were behind all season and jumped in Finals and tied Blue Devils for the title. Yeah, this show is incredible. The commentary is from the PBS broadcast. Everybody loves Steve Rondinero and Mike Cesario. Enjoy.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
It's time
Well, the time has come. Time to decide who's goin' to the Super Bowl. Ever since the games ended this past weekend I've had no idea which way to go. I think I've got it...sort of.
Here we go:
Philly is getting 4 points against Arizona. This is pretty simple from where I'm sitting (although it took me 5 and a half days to come to this conclusion.) Something's wrong with Brian Westbrook. He's the best player on the Eagles and the most impactful, including Donovan McNabb. Let me remind you that this is the Eagles 5th NFC Title game with the Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb configuration and they have only won one previously. Who did they beat? The Falcons. They were supposed to beat the Falcons back then and got no credit for it, because they really shouldn't have. Then, they got waxed by the Patriots in the Super Bowl, McNabb is puking in the huddle, he throws back to back interceptions, and he basically has the worst game of his life. Is ole Donovan clutch? Nope. Is he great? Yep. Just..........not when the chips are down. It's a shame too, because I really like him, but I know better than to think he'll come through when his team DESPERATELY needs it.
On the other hand...
Kurt Warner has been to 2 Super Bowls and won one. (Granted, he almost lost it and was saved by one of the best tackles in the history of football.) He's been the MVP twice and doesn't have horrid games in the manner or frequency of Donovan McNabb. Kurt's clutch. Ole Donovan just ain't. (Even though his little "phone call" thing looked cute, it wasn't. I really think he thought people would laugh. I can assure you, I like Donovan, and I wasn't laughing.) Does he think that stunt will make him a better clutch player? Hasn't he figured out that that's the only thing lacking in his game....mental stamina? Isn't there a better way to work on that than by acting like a turkey on the Giants sideline? Even if Anquan Boldin has his legs crossed like LDT did last week, it doesn't matter. Larry Fitzgerald plays the other side. The new Edge is a little honked off right now. (You think he's playing angry?) Yep. Jim Johnson is Hall of Fame Defensive Coordinator (he sits alongside his peers Dick LaBeau and Monte Kiffin as sheer genuises in the sport), but he don't have enough to contain Kurt Warner when the Eagles offense just won't be able to score. Without Brian Westbrook the Eagles are sunk. In this equation, when you divide by or subtract Brian Westbrook things don't turn out well for you. Yep, I'm taking to dog again.
Cardinals 30 Eagles 13
Alrighty...
Pittsburgh is getting 6 points against Baltimore. This game is going to be like a real "War of the Worlds". Two monster armies clashing. Even as I write this I have no idea who I'm going to pick. I'll have it figured out in a minute. The players you have to put into this equation are so beastly, so good, so respected (and yet so hated by their opponents) that you never know who's going to come out on top. From where I'm standing I'm looking for the X Factor. Who is the X Factor for each team and for the whole game? Big Ben? Willie Parker?(Who, consequently, gave his dad a new car(with his Super Bowl Ring in the trunk) after they won their last one) Troy Polamalu? James Harrison? What about for the Ravens? Joe Flacco? Ray Lewis? Ed Reed? (The Major Wright of the NFL) Bart Scott? Who is it? Who's the one factor that just makes you cringe when you want to pick against his team? Who makes you fear that pick even though you have no money on it because you know he'll make you look like a fool for picking against him? Who is this animal? Who do I speak of that makes all people picking this game cower in fear? Drum roll please............................. Hines Ward.
Hines Ward is the reason Pittsburgh will win. He'll pancake block someone, make a few crucial 3rd down slot catches and catch a much needed touchdown (or two)...and, if need be, he'll throw a touchdown too. Maybe he'll even take a reverse in for a 4th down conversion or a score. Yep. Hines is the man. There you have it. He wasn't the MVP of the Super Bowl for nothing. He didn't break some dude's collarbone by accident (well, it was an accident, but you get the point). Hines is a Hall of Famer. No amount of Ed Reed can stop him. No Bart Scott bounty can contain him. Not even Ray Lewis snarling and showing his teeth will prevent Hines Ward from winning this game for the Steelers. You get the idea.
Pittsburgh 24 Baltimore 10
So, I figured out how to work with someone yesterday. Basically, it was a revelation. A colleague that I work very closely with as a music teacher (we'll call him the Tennessee Tornado) and I had a discussion about how to approach your boss and tell them that it makes you VERY uncomfortable when they say "I need to talk to you...tomorrow." Yikes! Are you kidding? I'm a worrier and I can't stand it. I wouldn't have slept had I not dealt with this. Anyways, TT advised me to approach, and in a very kind way say "I'm sorry, I'm a worrier and I just can't take it." This was met with the warmest response imaginable and the assurance that A) It's not a huge deal, and B) To not worry so much (in a kind, nurturing sort of way.) It never occurred to me to look deeper into how someone relates to those around them (especially at work) based on their work ethic and family situation. Let's say you are unmarried and don't have any children, yet you long for that AND you work like a dog, then you will work to create some kind of family around you, at the place where you are the most. Work. That's all. There's nothing wrong with that. If only I had figured it out sooner.
God promised to multiply Abraham and Issac (Gen. 22:17, Gen. 26:24). In my opinion, God's promises are far-reaching. Sooooo, multiplication means different things, for different people, for different times in God's economy. Some people are multiplied by their "children" around them if they don't have children of their own. This may seem like little consolation for someone who is biologically childless, but there IS a promise of multiplication. They are given an avenue to use their innate parental instincts to impact those around them. Just because they are not dealing with their biological children does NOT mean that they do not have "children" in this world. Duh!!!!!! Like I said, I wish I could have figured this out sooner.
In conclusion, I'm a dummy, I went 3-1 last weekend, and the Cardinals and the Steelers are going to the Super Bowl.
Peace
Here we go:
Philly is getting 4 points against Arizona. This is pretty simple from where I'm sitting (although it took me 5 and a half days to come to this conclusion.) Something's wrong with Brian Westbrook. He's the best player on the Eagles and the most impactful, including Donovan McNabb. Let me remind you that this is the Eagles 5th NFC Title game with the Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb configuration and they have only won one previously. Who did they beat? The Falcons. They were supposed to beat the Falcons back then and got no credit for it, because they really shouldn't have. Then, they got waxed by the Patriots in the Super Bowl, McNabb is puking in the huddle, he throws back to back interceptions, and he basically has the worst game of his life. Is ole Donovan clutch? Nope. Is he great? Yep. Just..........not when the chips are down. It's a shame too, because I really like him, but I know better than to think he'll come through when his team DESPERATELY needs it.
On the other hand...
Kurt Warner has been to 2 Super Bowls and won one. (Granted, he almost lost it and was saved by one of the best tackles in the history of football.) He's been the MVP twice and doesn't have horrid games in the manner or frequency of Donovan McNabb. Kurt's clutch. Ole Donovan just ain't. (Even though his little "phone call" thing looked cute, it wasn't. I really think he thought people would laugh. I can assure you, I like Donovan, and I wasn't laughing.) Does he think that stunt will make him a better clutch player? Hasn't he figured out that that's the only thing lacking in his game....mental stamina? Isn't there a better way to work on that than by acting like a turkey on the Giants sideline? Even if Anquan Boldin has his legs crossed like LDT did last week, it doesn't matter. Larry Fitzgerald plays the other side. The new Edge is a little honked off right now. (You think he's playing angry?) Yep. Jim Johnson is Hall of Fame Defensive Coordinator (he sits alongside his peers Dick LaBeau and Monte Kiffin as sheer genuises in the sport), but he don't have enough to contain Kurt Warner when the Eagles offense just won't be able to score. Without Brian Westbrook the Eagles are sunk. In this equation, when you divide by or subtract Brian Westbrook things don't turn out well for you. Yep, I'm taking to dog again.
Cardinals 30 Eagles 13
Alrighty...
Pittsburgh is getting 6 points against Baltimore. This game is going to be like a real "War of the Worlds". Two monster armies clashing. Even as I write this I have no idea who I'm going to pick. I'll have it figured out in a minute. The players you have to put into this equation are so beastly, so good, so respected (and yet so hated by their opponents) that you never know who's going to come out on top. From where I'm standing I'm looking for the X Factor. Who is the X Factor for each team and for the whole game? Big Ben? Willie Parker?(Who, consequently, gave his dad a new car(with his Super Bowl Ring in the trunk) after they won their last one) Troy Polamalu? James Harrison? What about for the Ravens? Joe Flacco? Ray Lewis? Ed Reed? (The Major Wright of the NFL) Bart Scott? Who is it? Who's the one factor that just makes you cringe when you want to pick against his team? Who makes you fear that pick even though you have no money on it because you know he'll make you look like a fool for picking against him? Who is this animal? Who do I speak of that makes all people picking this game cower in fear? Drum roll please............................. Hines Ward.
Hines Ward is the reason Pittsburgh will win. He'll pancake block someone, make a few crucial 3rd down slot catches and catch a much needed touchdown (or two)...and, if need be, he'll throw a touchdown too. Maybe he'll even take a reverse in for a 4th down conversion or a score. Yep. Hines is the man. There you have it. He wasn't the MVP of the Super Bowl for nothing. He didn't break some dude's collarbone by accident (well, it was an accident, but you get the point). Hines is a Hall of Famer. No amount of Ed Reed can stop him. No Bart Scott bounty can contain him. Not even Ray Lewis snarling and showing his teeth will prevent Hines Ward from winning this game for the Steelers. You get the idea.
Pittsburgh 24 Baltimore 10
So, I figured out how to work with someone yesterday. Basically, it was a revelation. A colleague that I work very closely with as a music teacher (we'll call him the Tennessee Tornado) and I had a discussion about how to approach your boss and tell them that it makes you VERY uncomfortable when they say "I need to talk to you...tomorrow." Yikes! Are you kidding? I'm a worrier and I can't stand it. I wouldn't have slept had I not dealt with this. Anyways, TT advised me to approach, and in a very kind way say "I'm sorry, I'm a worrier and I just can't take it." This was met with the warmest response imaginable and the assurance that A) It's not a huge deal, and B) To not worry so much (in a kind, nurturing sort of way.) It never occurred to me to look deeper into how someone relates to those around them (especially at work) based on their work ethic and family situation. Let's say you are unmarried and don't have any children, yet you long for that AND you work like a dog, then you will work to create some kind of family around you, at the place where you are the most. Work. That's all. There's nothing wrong with that. If only I had figured it out sooner.
God promised to multiply Abraham and Issac (Gen. 22:17, Gen. 26:24). In my opinion, God's promises are far-reaching. Sooooo, multiplication means different things, for different people, for different times in God's economy. Some people are multiplied by their "children" around them if they don't have children of their own. This may seem like little consolation for someone who is biologically childless, but there IS a promise of multiplication. They are given an avenue to use their innate parental instincts to impact those around them. Just because they are not dealing with their biological children does NOT mean that they do not have "children" in this world. Duh!!!!!! Like I said, I wish I could have figured this out sooner.
In conclusion, I'm a dummy, I went 3-1 last weekend, and the Cardinals and the Steelers are going to the Super Bowl.
Peace
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Old and Set in One's Ways and Yet Youthful
It's official. I'm old. (I know, I'm only 30, but stick with me here.) So I've played around with different setups on my horn for about 5 years now. I have THE setup and then I have all these other ligatures and reeds and blah, blah, blah. Every time I try something that isn't THE setup, I can play it, but it doesn't "zip", and it drives me nuts. I've been playing THE same setup since 1999 (yes, I know that's 10 years, or 1/3 of my life, I get it), but dang man, I'm really old and crochety when it comes to my playing.
I find myself saying things that were said to me in lessons when I was in school. I find myself repeating Band "Directorisms" to kids just to prove to them that the
"ism" isn't going away(This is always in response to the question "Why do Directors always say that!?") The part that's most unnerving...I know them verbatim! I'll say something and the kid will look back at me and say "Mr./Ms. So and So said that exact same thing today." Yikes! It's like I'm the Band "Directorism" Whisperer.
I'm still using the same Rose book that I got in 8th Grade. Yep, it's well-used and filled with notes from multiple teachers. I'm constantly referencing them and saying "YOU see that right there, so and so wrote that in there because it works." Like I'm an expert on Rose's arrangements or something (though I will say, I studied with a monster interpreter.) I'm turning 31 next month and I don't feel "old" but just settled in. I can only hope that I don't turn out like Job, getting called out by a kid. Elihu tells him:
Job 32(NIV)
6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: (Speaking to Job)
"I am young in years,
and you are old;
that is why I was fearful,
not daring to tell you what I know.
12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
I find myself saying things that were said to me in lessons when I was in school. I find myself repeating Band "Directorisms" to kids just to prove to them that the
"ism" isn't going away(This is always in response to the question "Why do Directors always say that!?") The part that's most unnerving...I know them verbatim! I'll say something and the kid will look back at me and say "Mr./Ms. So and So said that exact same thing today." Yikes! It's like I'm the Band "Directorism" Whisperer.
I'm still using the same Rose book that I got in 8th Grade. Yep, it's well-used and filled with notes from multiple teachers. I'm constantly referencing them and saying "YOU see that right there, so and so wrote that in there because it works." Like I'm an expert on Rose's arrangements or something (though I will say, I studied with a monster interpreter.) I'm turning 31 next month and I don't feel "old" but just settled in. I can only hope that I don't turn out like Job, getting called out by a kid. Elihu tells him:
Job 32(NIV)
6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: (Speaking to Job)
"I am young in years,
and you are old;
that is why I was fearful,
not daring to tell you what I know.
7 I thought, 'Age should speak;
advanced years should teach wisdom.'
8 But it is the spirit in a man,
the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
9 It is not only the old who are wise,
not only the aged who understand what is right.
Man, that had to sting a little. It makes you wonder how sanctimonious you're being with your students or your kids.
On the other hand, I feel like I'm kind of in the middle. I can tell a 15 year old (a sophomore in H.S.) "Dude, I'm twice your age" and that resonates. They think, "Man you're old. OK, you must know SOMETHING." On the other hand I turn to a teacher with 35 years experience and they say "I'm almost twice your age" and I think, "Yeah, but I've got a brain too dude!" So, I'm Music Man in the Middle. Woo hoo!
Maybe Paul said it best to Timothy:
1 Timothy 4 (NIV)12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Hmm. Someone's always watching your progress, AND, someone's always hearing you. Yeah, God thinks he's soooo funny.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday Madness
Well, I can say three things for sure.
1. I have no idea who I'm picking in the AFC and NFC title games.
2. Having American Idol and Biggest Loser on at the same time make TV watching difficult in this house. Whom are we supposed to choose?
3. Weird news is not hard to come by. An attorney was arrested for giving his client a piece of candy in court. Yes, you heard right. Check out the story here. Yes, our lawmen in uniform have nothing better to do. This only further increases my mistrust of such people....that includes the lawyers. I mean, really, who wants to be represented by a lawyer who gets arrested in court over candy?
In cheerier news...
One of my students made All-State today. YAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!! This kid spent their whole freshman year getting yelled at in rehearsal, their whole sophomore year in a musical growth spurt(which will show your improvement, but also makes you very awkward), and now it's "All-State here we come!" I can't attest to work ethic better than with this child. Literally every time I say "Work on that." the response is always "OK." Very matter of fact, no excuses. When something doesn't go well the response is always "Yeah, I know, that sucked, I'll work on it." To all this I say..."No wonder you made All-State!" Granted, the Bass Clarinet doesn't offer alot of competition, but it doesn't offer alot of opportunity either. You have to take it where you can get it. I was told today that I "got one." Nope, this kid got one today (all I do is beat 'em in the head with a stick) (Well, not really, but you know what I mean.) Complete with statewide recognition and two days off school in March to go to Savannah and play all day. I'm jealous.
1. I have no idea who I'm picking in the AFC and NFC title games.
2. Having American Idol and Biggest Loser on at the same time make TV watching difficult in this house. Whom are we supposed to choose?
3. Weird news is not hard to come by. An attorney was arrested for giving his client a piece of candy in court. Yes, you heard right. Check out the story here. Yes, our lawmen in uniform have nothing better to do. This only further increases my mistrust of such people....that includes the lawyers. I mean, really, who wants to be represented by a lawyer who gets arrested in court over candy?
In cheerier news...
One of my students made All-State today. YAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!! This kid spent their whole freshman year getting yelled at in rehearsal, their whole sophomore year in a musical growth spurt(which will show your improvement, but also makes you very awkward), and now it's "All-State here we come!" I can't attest to work ethic better than with this child. Literally every time I say "Work on that." the response is always "OK." Very matter of fact, no excuses. When something doesn't go well the response is always "Yeah, I know, that sucked, I'll work on it." To all this I say..."No wonder you made All-State!" Granted, the Bass Clarinet doesn't offer alot of competition, but it doesn't offer alot of opportunity either. You have to take it where you can get it. I was told today that I "got one." Nope, this kid got one today (all I do is beat 'em in the head with a stick) (Well, not really, but you know what I mean.) Complete with statewide recognition and two days off school in March to go to Savannah and play all day. I'm jealous.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Well Darn!
Tony Dungy retired today.
I know what you're thinking...oh my gosh, more football. Wait just a second!! For the record, Tony Dungy is a strong man in Christ and he feels it's time to devote more energy to his family and ministry. Wow, you don't hear that everyday! Tony has something BETTER to do with his life. From everything I've read he's involved in a prison ministry and works in a mentoring program with at-risk youth. Well dang, Tony has something BETTER to do with his life. Personally, I'm sad to see him go. He said about Super Bowl XLII that he thought the hallmark of the game was NOT that he and Lovie Smith were the first African-American coaches to coach in the Super Bowl. No. He found the crowning achievement was that he and Lovie are both strong Christian men, doing it with Christian values. Well dang. Tony has something BETTER to do with his life. Maybe all the coaches who sleep on cots in their offices should take notes. Somehow, I have the feeling Tony wasn't doing anything like that. Tony proved that shirking your responsibilities as the leader of your family is not "part of the game". He has something BETTER to do with his life and is, obviously, working hard to walk out his faith. I know Tony's not reading, but if he happens to....good journey to you brother, we all appreciated the ride.
In related news, I heard a great story on NPR the other day on the way to work. (Yes, I listen to NPR when I'm not listening to sports radio; prefer 790 AM down here.) The story revolved around friends (one Israeli and one Palestinian) who both contribute to a blog about life in and near Gaza. In case you've been living under a rock, Israel has invaded a section of Gaza and sparked what is being termed a full on war between the Israeli Army and militants firing rockets into Israel. Basically, people are having to live around gunfire, air raids, mortar attacks, and infantry incursions. Palestinian civilians do not have air raid sirens to warn them of air strikes and hundreds my have already died (no one's account sounds reliable.) Whilst living with that these two friends have crossed boundaries that are taboo on both sides to chronicle what's going on. Reading what they write we must remember that even though we should stand with Israel...God is a God of peace, not war. Do I know the solution? Nope. But God does. Prayer works!
I know what you're thinking...oh my gosh, more football. Wait just a second!! For the record, Tony Dungy is a strong man in Christ and he feels it's time to devote more energy to his family and ministry. Wow, you don't hear that everyday! Tony has something BETTER to do with his life. From everything I've read he's involved in a prison ministry and works in a mentoring program with at-risk youth. Well dang, Tony has something BETTER to do with his life. Personally, I'm sad to see him go. He said about Super Bowl XLII that he thought the hallmark of the game was NOT that he and Lovie Smith were the first African-American coaches to coach in the Super Bowl. No. He found the crowning achievement was that he and Lovie are both strong Christian men, doing it with Christian values. Well dang. Tony has something BETTER to do with his life. Maybe all the coaches who sleep on cots in their offices should take notes. Somehow, I have the feeling Tony wasn't doing anything like that. Tony proved that shirking your responsibilities as the leader of your family is not "part of the game". He has something BETTER to do with his life and is, obviously, working hard to walk out his faith. I know Tony's not reading, but if he happens to....good journey to you brother, we all appreciated the ride.
In related news, I heard a great story on NPR the other day on the way to work. (Yes, I listen to NPR when I'm not listening to sports radio; prefer 790 AM down here.) The story revolved around friends (one Israeli and one Palestinian) who both contribute to a blog about life in and near Gaza. In case you've been living under a rock, Israel has invaded a section of Gaza and sparked what is being termed a full on war between the Israeli Army and militants firing rockets into Israel. Basically, people are having to live around gunfire, air raids, mortar attacks, and infantry incursions. Palestinian civilians do not have air raid sirens to warn them of air strikes and hundreds my have already died (no one's account sounds reliable.) Whilst living with that these two friends have crossed boundaries that are taboo on both sides to chronicle what's going on. Reading what they write we must remember that even though we should stand with Israel...God is a God of peace, not war. Do I know the solution? Nope. But God does. Prayer works!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
This cannot wait
Two things swirling around in my head:
Had a great talk with Heather yesterday about being a leader in the household, etc. Very informative conversation. It just occurred to me...I never knew that most of the time that she wasn't emotionally invested in the "small things". She never said, I never asked, I just always assumed that they were a big deal to her. Instead of saying "Hey baby, do you REALLY care if we go to Applebee's or Chili's?" "No, I mean, REALLY care." "No, really." I just assumed that it was a huge deal and threw off the leadership robe in order to "please" when pleasing just wasn't necessary. In fact, I would have been "pleasing" if I had just stepped in and made the call so we could move on with our lives. Dang I'm stupid!
Less important, but still a little frustrating...
I didn't pick the Giants so they could run easy-to-defend and obviously-not-going-to-work running plays on 4th down that would be topped off with pathetic direct snaps. I mistakenly assumed that they would play like they did last year. Yeah, Reason #1 why I don't gamble on sports. Vegas is fickle, but professional athletes are even more fickle. Doh!!! Just imagine how good it felt when I actually got the Arizona pick right yesterday! Oh well, there goes 4-0 this weekend.
Had a great talk with Heather yesterday about being a leader in the household, etc. Very informative conversation. It just occurred to me...I never knew that most of the time that she wasn't emotionally invested in the "small things". She never said, I never asked, I just always assumed that they were a big deal to her. Instead of saying "Hey baby, do you REALLY care if we go to Applebee's or Chili's?" "No, I mean, REALLY care." "No, really." I just assumed that it was a huge deal and threw off the leadership robe in order to "please" when pleasing just wasn't necessary. In fact, I would have been "pleasing" if I had just stepped in and made the call so we could move on with our lives. Dang I'm stupid!
Less important, but still a little frustrating...
I didn't pick the Giants so they could run easy-to-defend and obviously-not-going-to-work running plays on 4th down that would be topped off with pathetic direct snaps. I mistakenly assumed that they would play like they did last year. Yeah, Reason #1 why I don't gamble on sports. Vegas is fickle, but professional athletes are even more fickle. Doh!!! Just imagine how good it felt when I actually got the Arizona pick right yesterday! Oh well, there goes 4-0 this weekend.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Memory Verse 1.0
So here's the scoop. Since we wanted more accountability on being in the Word we were commissioned to our first Memory Verse....verse....verse....verse(can't you hear the echo of importance?) Now, I know I can memorize music..."This one time, at Band Camp, I memorized all my show music the night before in like, 2 hours." Memorizing words on the other hand, yeah. Not so sure if I can do that, and I KNOW that memory verses are good for you and da da da, but dang, I'm not sure if I can do that. Anywho....
I used Bible Gateway to pull up the exact passage (very cool feature) and I had left it up on the laptop. This was especially important since I didn't have it ready for small group this past Thursday, but I was saved by....wait for it.....the BCS title game. What can I say, Pastor's like football too. I figured I should bang it out or I'll be the bad student in the group, and if anyone who's known me for a long time is reading, they know I'm totally NOT the bad student.
Here it is:
2 Peter 1:5-10
I used Bible Gateway to pull up the exact passage (very cool feature) and I had left it up on the laptop. This was especially important since I didn't have it ready for small group this past Thursday, but I was saved by....wait for it.....the BCS title game. What can I say, Pastor's like football too. I figured I should bang it out or I'll be the bad student in the group, and if anyone who's known me for a long time is reading, they know I'm totally NOT the bad student.
Here it is:
2 Peter 1:5-10
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, (NIV)
I am happy to report that, not only, is it good advice, but that I memorized it in about 20 minutes. Yay me!!!
Things That Bug Me (about Bass Clarinetists, Teachers, and Band Directors) 1.0
I'm a Bass Clarinetist, a really serious Bass Clarinetist. I've got 3 of them for goodness sakes! Basically, that's like saying "Yeah, I'm a total freak."
There have always been things that bug me about the way people approach MY instrument (I know I didn't invent it, but it's mine). I've heard everything from "I need harder reeds....no you need really hard reeds." to "This (name the brand) doesn't play well in so and so register" blah,blah, blah. I've also heard, "You can't do this and that, this doesn't "lay well" on a bigger instrument" and my personal favorite "Why would you do that on THAT ?!" Anyways, Things That Bug Me is dedicated to my rantings about how the Bass Clarinet is, generally, poorly taught, misunderstood, and poorly received.
My biggest gripes about my equipment are always about reeds. Most kids start in school using soft reeds, a 2.5 typically. Well, at some point they run into a Band Director whose whole mission in life, it seems, is to get them to play on harder reeds. It never fails, you always hear from someone "You need harder reeds so you can sound better and play in tune." Woo hoo! You mean all I have to do to play in tune is use harder reeds? How hard? 3, 3.5? Ok! I can do that Mr. Whoseewhatzit!
Now that the kid has the harder reeds they spend the next few weeks wondering why their instrument isn't responding like it did. Then they either A) realize it must be the reeds, but they brush that off because their Director told them they HAAAAAADDDDD to have those harder reeds, yet they don't sound better and they aren't really learning because they spend all their time paying a setup that is not tenable, or B) assume their instrument is broken (which is probably partially true, but if their setup didn't suck they'd be able to play throgh the 5000 micro-leaks on ther horn.)
Now the kid is in a quandry, do I stick with reeds that aren't working, beg my Director to get my instrument to the shop, or do I go back to the softer ones that I could play on? Hmmm. They're stuck and they don't know why. I do. (Just one aside here: It's a rare day when you find a teacher who's more insterested in how you sound and how comfortable you are than they are in the "way to do things." I had teachers of the former persuasion. They didn't care what I was doing as long as I could play well. Let's all take a note, because that's the only reason I got to where I am now.)
That Director looked at the Bass Clarinet and said (insert heavy hillbilly accent)(and yes, I can say that because I'm actually from the South. It's like when people pick on your siblings....they can't do that, that's YOUR job!) "That's just like a regular Clarinet." True, except for one thing...it ain't as high! Soprano(Regular) Clarinet players tend to need to change reed strengths relatively early on to help support to strength in their embouchure. It's a necessity, you can't play Soprano Clarinet but one way, and that dropped chin does all the work for you. A Soprano Clarinet embouchure is POWERFUL! You start running into intonation issues on OPEN NOTES!!!, and it only gets worse the higher you go, so you need the POWER!
Hooooowwwever, on the Bass Clarinet, you don't start having major intonation issues until you get much higher on the instrument. Well, if that's the case, using a harder reed to account for like 4 notes makes no sense, and those 4 notes aren't THAT hard to play........ And we all wonder why alot of kids who play Bass Clarinet can't play high notes very well and we have these never ending conversations from, of all people, ADULTS!, about which instruments "play high notes better." WOW!!!!! If you're a non-band nerd and you're confused, you should be, cuz this ain't hard.
The Bass Clarinet is rivaled only by the Saxophone in its ease. Ever walk down the hall of an Elementary School with a Bass Clarinet in your hand? I have. All the kids say the same thing "Wow, that's a big Saxophone!" (Except for that one kid who paid attention when you told them it's actually a Bass Clarinet and they go around correcting everyone.) I digress. From the mouths of babes to our ears. It's a big stinking Saxophone!!!!!!! Armed with this knowledge the instrument got a wholeheckuvalot easier.
Every Saxophone player I've ever met is always referencing the "embouchure wheel" from Larry Teal's The Art of Saxophone Playing. The embouchure wheel implies that no one point of your mouth is holding a majority of tension. Hmmmmmmm....that ain't like the "regular" Clarinet. All of their tension is held in the wrinkled upper lip (which flattens your chin).
Ever notice how a Saxophone, even with the clearest tone, has the slightest hint of breathiness, raspiness, reediness (I like to call it syrup)? Ever notice Soprano Clarinets just don't unless it's intentional? Hmmmmm........ I think we're on to something. The reediness comes from a reed/mouthpiece combination that is generally freer than that of the Clarinet. Saxophone players tend to play softer reeds because the instrument is quite responsive and you don't want to kill that responsiveness with insanely hard reeds, unless you're, you know, insane. Now, I'm not saying this is universal, or that no sax player uses hard reeds, or that all Clarinet players use hard reeds, but this is a good generalization.
Approach the Bass like a Saxophone. A little softer reed than you might think. 2.5's are fine! I played them from my Sophomore Year of High School to my Junior Year of College. I was first chair in every ensemble I played in during that time (I know, I'm a show off, but you get the point, I didn't suck.) Use a reed that isn't wearing you out after 5 minutes. Don't feed so much tension into the instrument, I doesn't like that and it doesn't need that to play in tune. Because the instrument is so low it settles into pitch better than a higher instrument. Open up a little bit, don't be shy. The instrument likes LOTS of air. I mean, I love me some Dr. Pepper, and air is the Bass Clarinet's Dr. Pepper..... can't get enough. Don't be afraid of some syrup. If you sound reedy, COOL!, it's probably a neat sound. The Bass Clarinet is not supposed to sound EXCLUSIVELY like a big Soprano Clarinet.
Now I know what you're thinking. "Yeah, if you're so good, post some sound clips or something and prove how great you are, dude!" Ok, I promise to figure that out so at least you'll have some entertainment to go along with me ranting like a maniac.
Now we have Alpha and Omega. Two different instruments that are very simlar. A(Clarinet) = B(Bass Clarinet. B = C(Saxophone), BUT, A does not equal C. A and C are related by marriage though. That marriage spawned my instrument, the Bass Clarinet.
There have always been things that bug me about the way people approach MY instrument (I know I didn't invent it, but it's mine). I've heard everything from "I need harder reeds....no you need really hard reeds." to "This (name the brand) doesn't play well in so and so register" blah,blah, blah. I've also heard, "You can't do this and that, this doesn't "lay well" on a bigger instrument" and my personal favorite "Why would you do that on THAT ?!" Anyways, Things That Bug Me is dedicated to my rantings about how the Bass Clarinet is, generally, poorly taught, misunderstood, and poorly received.
My biggest gripes about my equipment are always about reeds. Most kids start in school using soft reeds, a 2.5 typically. Well, at some point they run into a Band Director whose whole mission in life, it seems, is to get them to play on harder reeds. It never fails, you always hear from someone "You need harder reeds so you can sound better and play in tune." Woo hoo! You mean all I have to do to play in tune is use harder reeds? How hard? 3, 3.5? Ok! I can do that Mr. Whoseewhatzit!
Now that the kid has the harder reeds they spend the next few weeks wondering why their instrument isn't responding like it did. Then they either A) realize it must be the reeds, but they brush that off because their Director told them they HAAAAAADDDDD to have those harder reeds, yet they don't sound better and they aren't really learning because they spend all their time paying a setup that is not tenable, or B) assume their instrument is broken (which is probably partially true, but if their setup didn't suck they'd be able to play throgh the 5000 micro-leaks on ther horn.)
Now the kid is in a quandry, do I stick with reeds that aren't working, beg my Director to get my instrument to the shop, or do I go back to the softer ones that I could play on? Hmmm. They're stuck and they don't know why. I do. (Just one aside here: It's a rare day when you find a teacher who's more insterested in how you sound and how comfortable you are than they are in the "way to do things." I had teachers of the former persuasion. They didn't care what I was doing as long as I could play well. Let's all take a note, because that's the only reason I got to where I am now.)
That Director looked at the Bass Clarinet and said (insert heavy hillbilly accent)(and yes, I can say that because I'm actually from the South. It's like when people pick on your siblings....they can't do that, that's YOUR job!) "That's just like a regular Clarinet." True, except for one thing...it ain't as high! Soprano(Regular) Clarinet players tend to need to change reed strengths relatively early on to help support to strength in their embouchure. It's a necessity, you can't play Soprano Clarinet but one way, and that dropped chin does all the work for you. A Soprano Clarinet embouchure is POWERFUL! You start running into intonation issues on OPEN NOTES!!!, and it only gets worse the higher you go, so you need the POWER!
Hooooowwwever, on the Bass Clarinet, you don't start having major intonation issues until you get much higher on the instrument. Well, if that's the case, using a harder reed to account for like 4 notes makes no sense, and those 4 notes aren't THAT hard to play........ And we all wonder why alot of kids who play Bass Clarinet can't play high notes very well and we have these never ending conversations from, of all people, ADULTS!, about which instruments "play high notes better." WOW!!!!! If you're a non-band nerd and you're confused, you should be, cuz this ain't hard.
The Bass Clarinet is rivaled only by the Saxophone in its ease. Ever walk down the hall of an Elementary School with a Bass Clarinet in your hand? I have. All the kids say the same thing "Wow, that's a big Saxophone!" (Except for that one kid who paid attention when you told them it's actually a Bass Clarinet and they go around correcting everyone.) I digress. From the mouths of babes to our ears. It's a big stinking Saxophone!!!!!!! Armed with this knowledge the instrument got a wholeheckuvalot easier.
Every Saxophone player I've ever met is always referencing the "embouchure wheel" from Larry Teal's The Art of Saxophone Playing. The embouchure wheel implies that no one point of your mouth is holding a majority of tension. Hmmmmmmm....that ain't like the "regular" Clarinet. All of their tension is held in the wrinkled upper lip (which flattens your chin).
Ever notice how a Saxophone, even with the clearest tone, has the slightest hint of breathiness, raspiness, reediness (I like to call it syrup)? Ever notice Soprano Clarinets just don't unless it's intentional? Hmmmmm........ I think we're on to something. The reediness comes from a reed/mouthpiece combination that is generally freer than that of the Clarinet. Saxophone players tend to play softer reeds because the instrument is quite responsive and you don't want to kill that responsiveness with insanely hard reeds, unless you're, you know, insane. Now, I'm not saying this is universal, or that no sax player uses hard reeds, or that all Clarinet players use hard reeds, but this is a good generalization.
Approach the Bass like a Saxophone. A little softer reed than you might think. 2.5's are fine! I played them from my Sophomore Year of High School to my Junior Year of College. I was first chair in every ensemble I played in during that time (I know, I'm a show off, but you get the point, I didn't suck.) Use a reed that isn't wearing you out after 5 minutes. Don't feed so much tension into the instrument, I doesn't like that and it doesn't need that to play in tune. Because the instrument is so low it settles into pitch better than a higher instrument. Open up a little bit, don't be shy. The instrument likes LOTS of air. I mean, I love me some Dr. Pepper, and air is the Bass Clarinet's Dr. Pepper..... can't get enough. Don't be afraid of some syrup. If you sound reedy, COOL!, it's probably a neat sound. The Bass Clarinet is not supposed to sound EXCLUSIVELY like a big Soprano Clarinet.
Now I know what you're thinking. "Yeah, if you're so good, post some sound clips or something and prove how great you are, dude!" Ok, I promise to figure that out so at least you'll have some entertainment to go along with me ranting like a maniac.
Now we have Alpha and Omega. Two different instruments that are very simlar. A(Clarinet) = B(Bass Clarinet. B = C(Saxophone), BUT, A does not equal C. A and C are related by marriage though. That marriage spawned my instrument, the Bass Clarinet.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Superior Performances
So, I was spurred to do some kind of "musical awakening" post every week, but I didn't know what to do, then I thought of Superior Performances. Basically, it's something that I thought was just great. Following is the very first superior performance.
This is Spring High School's 1993 BOA Finals performance. At the time, they set the scoring record, were revolutionary, and were the first band from Texas to win a championship(to date, only 3 bands from Texas in 30 years have won, hmm, are we trying to say something here?)
They played the Hindemith "Symphony in Bb" and close with the "March from the Symphonic Metamorphosis" (which is in my top 10 all-time favorite musical works), also Hindemith. People don't do stuff like this anymore, mostly because playing difficult music isn't in vogue(which is code for "actual teaching isn't in vogue, but trying to win is.") I've played these pieces multiple times sitting down. Now imagine them...playing it backwards in high heels in 7th position.....or that's how it must've felt.
This is the first show I ever saw another band do and I went "Dang, they're good." Back then props were considered kitschy garbage that was a complete freaking waste of resources, hence there aren't any of note here. Nowadays this show would make Finals only because the playing is so incredible. Otherwise, they'd be blown away by some band that's playing music this group could have learned in a day and who has some stupid green balls rolling around the field or some crap like that.......because apparently props=general effect. Can you tell I have issues? {Note to non-bandlike people: I only rant because I hate when people underserve their students and get rewarded for it.) The demand that this show places on the performer would not be appreciated today by alot of people who are into band. That's an absolute shame and it shows how little some people understand the term "Marching BAND". You know...band...playing...but moving too. Yeah, playing.
This show is hard, you can tell, and if you ever meet someone who was in this group you need to shake their hand and give them a "Well done, Bravo!" They deserve it.
Spring H.S. Band, you may take the field in Grand National Finals Competition! (Thanks Chuck)
This is Spring High School's 1993 BOA Finals performance. At the time, they set the scoring record, were revolutionary, and were the first band from Texas to win a championship(to date, only 3 bands from Texas in 30 years have won, hmm, are we trying to say something here?)
They played the Hindemith "Symphony in Bb" and close with the "March from the Symphonic Metamorphosis" (which is in my top 10 all-time favorite musical works), also Hindemith. People don't do stuff like this anymore, mostly because playing difficult music isn't in vogue(which is code for "actual teaching isn't in vogue, but trying to win is.") I've played these pieces multiple times sitting down. Now imagine them...playing it backwards in high heels in 7th position.....or that's how it must've felt.
This is the first show I ever saw another band do and I went "Dang, they're good." Back then props were considered kitschy garbage that was a complete freaking waste of resources, hence there aren't any of note here. Nowadays this show would make Finals only because the playing is so incredible. Otherwise, they'd be blown away by some band that's playing music this group could have learned in a day and who has some stupid green balls rolling around the field or some crap like that.......because apparently props=general effect. Can you tell I have issues? {Note to non-bandlike people: I only rant because I hate when people underserve their students and get rewarded for it.) The demand that this show places on the performer would not be appreciated today by alot of people who are into band. That's an absolute shame and it shows how little some people understand the term "Marching BAND". You know...band...playing...but moving too. Yeah, playing.
This show is hard, you can tell, and if you ever meet someone who was in this group you need to shake their hand and give them a "Well done, Bravo!" They deserve it.
Spring H.S. Band, you may take the field in Grand National Finals Competition! (Thanks Chuck)
Football Night in Georgia
Florida won, big surprise. I saw the first half of the game last night and I have to say that I was bored stiff. I got SO tired of Sam Bradford looking to the sideline for a play change on EVERY down. It was so pervasive that Fox almost instantly had a graphic up listing how long it took between snaps. When you're constantly approaching 40 seconds on every single play you've got to get moving. I know Sam Bradford is the Heisman trophy winner, but is he simply a product of his system? He can't read defenses at all? That's how it looked. It seemed as if the coaching staff at OU doesn't trust him to read defenses. It was odd...and annoying. Oklahoma, obviously, ran out of gas at some point. The Florida defense looked fantastic during the game, but one player stood out over all the others.
#21 Major Wright, is a Sophomore Safety for Florida and he is a ball hog. Given the way Ed Reed is playing in the NFL, I'd say this kid is the Ed Reed of college football, and could be the new Ed Reed on Sundays. I felt like everytime I turned around the Florida defense was making a play and #21 was in the picture. He was cleaning peoples clocks, breaking up plays, and generally causing mayhem in the Secondary. I was beyond being impressed. It's not everyday that you see the SAME player in on EVERY single play, but that's how it looked. Everybody gives Tim Tebow props left and right for being a high energy guy and having a motor that never stops. That's great (he deserves it). But.... Can we get some love for #21. He's an animal, and I love it. So, count me in, my new favorite college football player is Major Wright. What a show he put on last night!
OK, official NFL playoff picks.
SATURDAY
Tennessee is a 3.5 point favorite over the Ravens. I see the game going this way...Kerry Collins vs. Ed Reed. Ed Reed is the Major Wright of the NFL... ;o)... and he will make life difficult all day for Kerry Collins. The longer Kerry Collins stands in the pocket, the longer the Baltimore DLine has time to get to him. Maybe the Ravens are a team of destiny.
PICK: Baltimore 21 Tennessee 7
The Carolina spread got a little bigger! The Panthers are 10.5 point favorites over Arizona. As much as I'd like to see Kurt Warner keep winning I just don't know if the Cards can keep up with Carolina, who is a very hot team right now. Hoooooooowever, Carolina's defense isn't this stellar-all-world unit. To the tangent. Vegas is hating on Kurt Warner like you wouldn't believe. Let's face it, he's the show in Arizona, and that's fine. We must be forgetting what he is CAPABLE of. I'm not saying he was his 1999-2001 self all these years since, but he WAS that and IS playing like that right now. When Joe Montana went to the Chiefs (which should've been a cold day in hell) everyone jumped all over him like he forgot to play football, he didn't win a Super Bowl in KC, but he didn't all of the sudden start sucking.
Steve Young became the heir apparent to Joe Montana in San Francisco and I bet all kinds of people were jumping up and down saying "Ewwwwww, he played in Tampa." Come on people. Give credit where it's due. Ok, let's say Kurt Warner throws for 350 yards. That's good for at least 4 touchdowns. Throw in one on the ground. Oh, and they have one of the best kickers in the league. Since we see where this is going let's just add to the manifesto. Reason #2 I don't gamble on sports. Taking the underdog and sweating it out on gameday is like getting that menacing Charlie Horse in the middle of the night. You can't scream or you'll wake up the whole house and you can't wake up your wife because she'll be too groggy to know that you're writhing in pain and trying to not scream. If you win the pick no one will believe you made it...if you lose it no one will understand how bad that Charlie Horse hurt.
PICK: Arizona 44 Carolina 31
SUNDAY
The Giants are 4.5 point faves over Philly. Simple math. New York + Eli Manning - Tiki Barber = Super Bowl. Philly + Andy Reid - TO = No Super Bowl. Super Bowl * No Super Bowl/Eagles away from home = Eagle frustration all day. Enough said.
PICK: Giants 24 Eagles 7
Sooooooooooooo, Pittsburgh is getting 6.5 points on the Bolts. I don't have a fancy equation for this one, but suffice it to say that Pittsburgh is like, really good. San Diego's on a roll, but apparently LDT has ripped a groin muscle from the bone. (This reminds me of that scene in "Clue" where Madeleine Kahn {Mrs. White} is explaining to everyone how one of her husbands died, "He was always a rather stupidly optimistic man. I mean, I'm afraid it came as a great shock to him when he died. But he was found dead at home. His head had been cut off and so had his . . . you know . . ." and then all the guys in the room cross their legs at the same time! Yeah, that was me when I found out about this injury. Now, if you're San Diego your best player is walking around with his legs crossed, your coach is a much better coordinator than he is a coach, and you have an angry Quarterback. At least they have Darren Sproles and Quentin Jammer...that ain't enough. To oppose you, the Steelers have the Defensive Player of the Year (James Harrison), one of the top two defensive backs in football (Troy Polamalu), the player with the best hair in football (Troy Polamalu) and a whole defense filled with angry monsters who want to run you over and stomp on your still beating heart. Yep, I'm going with the Steelers.
PICK: Pittsburgh 24 San Diego 3
Enjoy the show!
BTW - Check out this article about a High School football coach who doesn't punt on 4th down. You heard right...he don't punt! The kicker is....he won a state title doing it.
#21 Major Wright, is a Sophomore Safety for Florida and he is a ball hog. Given the way Ed Reed is playing in the NFL, I'd say this kid is the Ed Reed of college football, and could be the new Ed Reed on Sundays. I felt like everytime I turned around the Florida defense was making a play and #21 was in the picture. He was cleaning peoples clocks, breaking up plays, and generally causing mayhem in the Secondary. I was beyond being impressed. It's not everyday that you see the SAME player in on EVERY single play, but that's how it looked. Everybody gives Tim Tebow props left and right for being a high energy guy and having a motor that never stops. That's great (he deserves it). But.... Can we get some love for #21. He's an animal, and I love it. So, count me in, my new favorite college football player is Major Wright. What a show he put on last night!
OK, official NFL playoff picks.
SATURDAY
Tennessee is a 3.5 point favorite over the Ravens. I see the game going this way...Kerry Collins vs. Ed Reed. Ed Reed is the Major Wright of the NFL... ;o)... and he will make life difficult all day for Kerry Collins. The longer Kerry Collins stands in the pocket, the longer the Baltimore DLine has time to get to him. Maybe the Ravens are a team of destiny.
PICK: Baltimore 21 Tennessee 7
The Carolina spread got a little bigger! The Panthers are 10.5 point favorites over Arizona. As much as I'd like to see Kurt Warner keep winning I just don't know if the Cards can keep up with Carolina, who is a very hot team right now. Hoooooooowever, Carolina's defense isn't this stellar-all-world unit. To the tangent. Vegas is hating on Kurt Warner like you wouldn't believe. Let's face it, he's the show in Arizona, and that's fine. We must be forgetting what he is CAPABLE of. I'm not saying he was his 1999-2001 self all these years since, but he WAS that and IS playing like that right now. When Joe Montana went to the Chiefs (which should've been a cold day in hell) everyone jumped all over him like he forgot to play football, he didn't win a Super Bowl in KC, but he didn't all of the sudden start sucking.
Steve Young became the heir apparent to Joe Montana in San Francisco and I bet all kinds of people were jumping up and down saying "Ewwwwww, he played in Tampa." Come on people. Give credit where it's due. Ok, let's say Kurt Warner throws for 350 yards. That's good for at least 4 touchdowns. Throw in one on the ground. Oh, and they have one of the best kickers in the league. Since we see where this is going let's just add to the manifesto. Reason #2 I don't gamble on sports. Taking the underdog and sweating it out on gameday is like getting that menacing Charlie Horse in the middle of the night. You can't scream or you'll wake up the whole house and you can't wake up your wife because she'll be too groggy to know that you're writhing in pain and trying to not scream. If you win the pick no one will believe you made it...if you lose it no one will understand how bad that Charlie Horse hurt.
PICK: Arizona 44 Carolina 31
SUNDAY
The Giants are 4.5 point faves over Philly. Simple math. New York + Eli Manning - Tiki Barber = Super Bowl. Philly + Andy Reid - TO = No Super Bowl. Super Bowl * No Super Bowl/Eagles away from home = Eagle frustration all day. Enough said.
PICK: Giants 24 Eagles 7
Sooooooooooooo, Pittsburgh is getting 6.5 points on the Bolts. I don't have a fancy equation for this one, but suffice it to say that Pittsburgh is like, really good. San Diego's on a roll, but apparently LDT has ripped a groin muscle from the bone. (This reminds me of that scene in "Clue" where Madeleine Kahn {Mrs. White} is explaining to everyone how one of her husbands died, "He was always a rather stupidly optimistic man. I mean, I'm afraid it came as a great shock to him when he died. But he was found dead at home. His head had been cut off and so had his . . . you know . . ." and then all the guys in the room cross their legs at the same time! Yeah, that was me when I found out about this injury. Now, if you're San Diego your best player is walking around with his legs crossed, your coach is a much better coordinator than he is a coach, and you have an angry Quarterback. At least they have Darren Sproles and Quentin Jammer...that ain't enough. To oppose you, the Steelers have the Defensive Player of the Year (James Harrison), one of the top two defensive backs in football (Troy Polamalu), the player with the best hair in football (Troy Polamalu) and a whole defense filled with angry monsters who want to run you over and stomp on your still beating heart. Yep, I'm going with the Steelers.
PICK: Pittsburgh 24 San Diego 3
Enjoy the show!
BTW - Check out this article about a High School football coach who doesn't punt on 4th down. You heard right...he don't punt! The kicker is....he won a state title doing it.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
John Smoltz to the Red Sox
Alrighty, I'm a Braves fan. Always have been. I remember when they beat the Indians in '95, a triumphant day in this city. It almost felt like getting the Olympics. "The Games of the 26th Olympiad are awarded to...the city of...Atlanta." I remember watching that on TV and I remember Marquis Grissom catching the fly ball that ended the '95 World Series. I remember Sid Bream limping to home plate in '92 "Braves win, Braves win!" God bless you Skip...
John Smoltz was instrumental in giving this city some respectability in terms of sporting achievement. He was there for all of it. Worst to first, a title, he won a Cy Young in '96, became a near Hall of Fame closer when he was needed in the bullpen, all of it! You can tell how little we've done ANYTHING by who my teams are...The Lakers, The 49ers, and The Braves. I don't know why I didn't cast them out with the Hawks and the Falcons, but I stuck with them. Probably my Dad. "You gotta root for the ome team son" For the record, I have stuck with the 49ers (who suck right now) and the Lakers (even when Kurt Rambus was the coach) (Although, I did take great pleasure in hearing some Pacers fans tell me they were going to kill us in the Finals, only to see their cute little Pacers get torched by my beloved Lakers.) (And, for the record, yes, I hate the Celtics. It's a requirement. What can I say.)
So, John Smoltz, a surefire Hall of Famer and beloved Brave wo ahs the most wins in the postseason in the history of Baseball, finally had to go. I can't blame him for taking a 1 year contract that has a total worth of $10 million (w/incentives). Plus, I can't blame Frank Wren for saying no to that when John's 42 and has a bad shoulder. But come on. Couldn't he have just retired. That's what I wish. Heather even said so. Coming from a fan of another club (the Reds) that says alot.
Now, we move on. Apparently, Derek Lowe's in town looking for a 4th year on his current contract offer. If the Braves give it to him he'll be a great addition, but he's not John Smoltz. It's almost like Smoltzy belongs to Atlanta...*sigh*
Since I'll be watching the BCS "title" game I should comment on it. This is pretty simple stuff. Oklahoma has 1 loss. Florida has 1 loss. Utah has none. Boom! Your National Champions are the 13-0 Utah Utes. Records don't lie. No amount of arguing about who plays in what conference and blah, blah negates the fact that Utah didn't lose any games. Period. Plus, this is the 2nd time this has happened to THIS program under this system. They went 13-0 under, yep, Urban Meyer...who coaches Florida. What a tangled web they weave! So, enjoy the game if you're gonna watch it. I have this to say to you...don't be surprised if some AP writers get a brain and vote Utah #1. That would make my college football year. Seriously, just one person smart enough to give them a first place vote.
Oh, Florida 35 Oklahoma 13, Florida will cover the spread, but make no mistake, that does not make Florida the National Champ. Runner-up for sure.
John Smoltz was instrumental in giving this city some respectability in terms of sporting achievement. He was there for all of it. Worst to first, a title, he won a Cy Young in '96, became a near Hall of Fame closer when he was needed in the bullpen, all of it! You can tell how little we've done ANYTHING by who my teams are...The Lakers, The 49ers, and The Braves. I don't know why I didn't cast them out with the Hawks and the Falcons, but I stuck with them. Probably my Dad. "You gotta root for the ome team son" For the record, I have stuck with the 49ers (who suck right now) and the Lakers (even when Kurt Rambus was the coach) (Although, I did take great pleasure in hearing some Pacers fans tell me they were going to kill us in the Finals, only to see their cute little Pacers get torched by my beloved Lakers.) (And, for the record, yes, I hate the Celtics. It's a requirement. What can I say.)
So, John Smoltz, a surefire Hall of Famer and beloved Brave wo ahs the most wins in the postseason in the history of Baseball, finally had to go. I can't blame him for taking a 1 year contract that has a total worth of $10 million (w/incentives). Plus, I can't blame Frank Wren for saying no to that when John's 42 and has a bad shoulder. But come on. Couldn't he have just retired. That's what I wish. Heather even said so. Coming from a fan of another club (the Reds) that says alot.
Now, we move on. Apparently, Derek Lowe's in town looking for a 4th year on his current contract offer. If the Braves give it to him he'll be a great addition, but he's not John Smoltz. It's almost like Smoltzy belongs to Atlanta...*sigh*
Since I'll be watching the BCS "title" game I should comment on it. This is pretty simple stuff. Oklahoma has 1 loss. Florida has 1 loss. Utah has none. Boom! Your National Champions are the 13-0 Utah Utes. Records don't lie. No amount of arguing about who plays in what conference and blah, blah negates the fact that Utah didn't lose any games. Period. Plus, this is the 2nd time this has happened to THIS program under this system. They went 13-0 under, yep, Urban Meyer...who coaches Florida. What a tangled web they weave! So, enjoy the game if you're gonna watch it. I have this to say to you...don't be surprised if some AP writers get a brain and vote Utah #1. That would make my college football year. Seriously, just one person smart enough to give them a first place vote.
Oh, Florida 35 Oklahoma 13, Florida will cover the spread, but make no mistake, that does not make Florida the National Champ. Runner-up for sure.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
All kinds of stuff going on
I was actually right about the NFL playoff games on Sunday! I'd say that's pretty impressive considering I was dead wrong about both games on Saturday. Currently I'm 2-2 for the playoffs, that's not bad. I'll make my "picks" later this week for the upcoming Divisional Playoffs.
Until then...
The Giants are currently a 4.5 point favorite over the Eagles (My initial reaction was "huh?") Had this line come out the last week of the season I bet it would be 7. Did a pretty good win at Minnesota impress Vegas that much? Let's start my own manifesto. Reason #1 why I don't gamble on sports...... Vegas is fickle, but professional athletes are even more fickle. My, my, what a difference a couple weeks makes.
Carolina's a 10 point favorite on Arizona. Really? Really? I mean, they're a really good team, but 10 points good? Do we see why I don't gamble? How on earth could you put money on that and expect the Panthers to win by 10 points? I suppose if you really like drowning yourself in the sauce for 3 hours praying that Carolina runs it up on the Cards then this game (and the spread) would be for you. Honestly. Is Arizona's defense that bad? What? Did Kurt Warner forget how to throw? Did Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald forget how to catch? Really? This kind of line is almost disrespectful to Kurt Warner (a two-time NFL MVP who has been to two Super Bowls). I'll save the tangent for the post where I "officially" pick the games.
In other news, Heather and I are reading through a chronological Bible this year. The readings are really well laid out and the chronological part is very helpful. It's amazing that Genesis, Chronicles and Job all fit together. Then Chronicles continues to be sprinkled throughout a good part of the early Old Testament. I just think its great. Honestly, I can't imagine an easier way to read through the Word. Plus, the chronology takes out alot of confusion. BTW - For those of you who don't know...I came to Christ in January 2006 and was previously totally unchurched. Basically what that means is I don't know nothin'. This oughta help.
Some final notes and a video:
As it says in my header I'm a Bass Clarinetist. Since I don't play "professionally" (meaning I don't have a full-time orchestra job and I don't solo for a living) I have time to mess around with all kinds of cool things to learn. I write for myself and about 5% of it is actually good, but I typically tend to not play Bass Clarinet music since it's either A) Really, really, hard and crazy weird modern (Don't get me wrong, I like crazy weird modern music, but that can't be the only show in town, you know what I mean Vern?) or B) Middle School level stuff.
So, right now I'm working on the Fantasia for Alto Sax by Claude T. Smith. For those of you who are not band nerds...Claude T. Smith (1932-1987) is a thorn in the side of many a musician who has played his music. His credits include some of the most intensely difficult pieces you can imagine. (I should say right here that I LOVE his music, I've actually played Festival Variations and Eternal Father and I just couldn't get enough of them, but I still have to keep it real. This mess is HARD!) Even MY parts are hard...trust me, if the Bass Clarinet part is hard, other people are having some serious problems. He wrote many commissions for Military groups at whose expense he was (essentially) attempting to determine what impossible music sounds like, or at least that's how it feels. The parts aren't impossible, but playing them all together FEELS impossible.
Now we have the Fantasia for Alto Sax. It's not impossible, but you wouldn't know by listening to it. Now try playing it up a 4th on Bass Clarinet. Woo hoo! I know, I'm a glutton for punishment. Enjoy this performance by Kenneth Tse.
Until then...
The Giants are currently a 4.5 point favorite over the Eagles (My initial reaction was "huh?") Had this line come out the last week of the season I bet it would be 7. Did a pretty good win at Minnesota impress Vegas that much? Let's start my own manifesto. Reason #1 why I don't gamble on sports...... Vegas is fickle, but professional athletes are even more fickle. My, my, what a difference a couple weeks makes.
Carolina's a 10 point favorite on Arizona. Really? Really? I mean, they're a really good team, but 10 points good? Do we see why I don't gamble? How on earth could you put money on that and expect the Panthers to win by 10 points? I suppose if you really like drowning yourself in the sauce for 3 hours praying that Carolina runs it up on the Cards then this game (and the spread) would be for you. Honestly. Is Arizona's defense that bad? What? Did Kurt Warner forget how to throw? Did Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald forget how to catch? Really? This kind of line is almost disrespectful to Kurt Warner (a two-time NFL MVP who has been to two Super Bowls). I'll save the tangent for the post where I "officially" pick the games.
In other news, Heather and I are reading through a chronological Bible this year. The readings are really well laid out and the chronological part is very helpful. It's amazing that Genesis, Chronicles and Job all fit together. Then Chronicles continues to be sprinkled throughout a good part of the early Old Testament. I just think its great. Honestly, I can't imagine an easier way to read through the Word. Plus, the chronology takes out alot of confusion. BTW - For those of you who don't know...I came to Christ in January 2006 and was previously totally unchurched. Basically what that means is I don't know nothin'. This oughta help.
Some final notes and a video:
As it says in my header I'm a Bass Clarinetist. Since I don't play "professionally" (meaning I don't have a full-time orchestra job and I don't solo for a living) I have time to mess around with all kinds of cool things to learn. I write for myself and about 5% of it is actually good, but I typically tend to not play Bass Clarinet music since it's either A) Really, really, hard and crazy weird modern (Don't get me wrong, I like crazy weird modern music, but that can't be the only show in town, you know what I mean Vern?) or B) Middle School level stuff.
So, right now I'm working on the Fantasia for Alto Sax by Claude T. Smith. For those of you who are not band nerds...Claude T. Smith (1932-1987) is a thorn in the side of many a musician who has played his music. His credits include some of the most intensely difficult pieces you can imagine. (I should say right here that I LOVE his music, I've actually played Festival Variations and Eternal Father and I just couldn't get enough of them, but I still have to keep it real. This mess is HARD!) Even MY parts are hard...trust me, if the Bass Clarinet part is hard, other people are having some serious problems. He wrote many commissions for Military groups at whose expense he was (essentially) attempting to determine what impossible music sounds like, or at least that's how it feels. The parts aren't impossible, but playing them all together FEELS impossible.
Now we have the Fantasia for Alto Sax. It's not impossible, but you wouldn't know by listening to it. Now try playing it up a 4th on Bass Clarinet. Woo hoo! I know, I'm a glutton for punishment. Enjoy this performance by Kenneth Tse.
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