The Deafening of America

Last sunday was our Church Sunday School Christmas Pageant.  Normally this is a pretty innocuous event where the children put on a small play, sing a few songs (usually out of tune), and the bells play their Christmas music.  This year, however, the program was an exercise in "how loud can you scream" when you"sing".  Now, I'll be the first to admit that I am a music snob, but the mere fact that the Sunday School teachers kept shouting "sing louder, sing louder" and "oh that was beautiful" proves to me that America is going deaf.  These kids were even mic'd so there was no reason to scream.  If there is one thing that I have learned this year from watching other master music teachers and watching my own classes with my student teacher it is that kids need to sing SOFTLY in order to produce a healthy and age-appropriate sound.  My 1st graders at school were having so much trouble matching pitch and finding their singing voices until I asked them to sing softly.  Bam! Problem fixed.  I have now transferred this to all my classes.  Whether it's singing, playing recorders or xylophones, or even just saying a poem and clapping a rhythm...when it's done softly and gently it become musical.  Now if only I had time to work with the Sunday School Kids.  ;) 

Prop 8 Video brilliance

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

One for the BLog

THis note written on an assignment handed back to me today from a parent:

"I'm deaf so I'm having a hard time hearing him, so I just watch him and follow the dots"

Classic. 

Bye Bye Betty Crocker

Growing up, the go-to standard cookbook was the good old Betty Crocker cookbook.  So when I began my obsession with cookbooks I naturally purchased it as the centerpiece of my collection.  It became my bible for everything from cakes to how to cook an egg.  I have always been a fan of America's Test Kitchen on PBS so about 6 months ago I purchased their Family Cookbook.  In the past 6 months we have made many recipies out of this cook book: chicken enchiladas, lasagne, soup, stew, corn bread, quiche, fried eggs, etc.  Each and every recipie was sheer perfection.  I am totally in love with this cookbook.  It's true that I'm a cooking geek, but if you are looking for THE cookbook either as a novice cook or more experience one like myself, this one is AMAZING!!

Happy Anniversary

I can't believe that it's been a year already since I married this wonderful lady. Our time together this past year has been better than ever and I love her more every day. It has been an adventure and continues to be one that we travel together with great success.

Happy Anniversary Elissa!

Stop Doing Tina!

Hilarious!

See more Kristin Chenoweth videos at Funny or Die

My Famous Sister

So I got an email from my dad last week with a link to a CNN news story. It was a video story all about my (step)sister Leslie and her family in Paris and how she is taking action in the upcoming elections. "Mamma's for Obama" is the group she started. Take a look. It's interesting even if you don't know her.

Awkward

Yikes, is all I have to say.

http://www.photobasement.com/awkward/

Super Summer Coolness

One of the great perks of being a teacher is access to technology. So, this summer I checked out an LCD projector from school for the purpose of using it at the various handbell events that I will be attending with Dean. Last Monday Elissa and I both had a tremendous idea to use this LCD projector to show movies on our garage. It was really the best idea ever! Last week we spent a couple of nights watching shows from Hulu on the "big screen" in our front yard. Future plans are to show a movie to friends celebrating my 30th birthday (coming up on June 22). Pictures to follow!

Karma is good

So I just found out that the music  minister that fired me from a church job because I was "living in sin" with Elissa before we were married has just resigned from her position.  The word on the street was that either she resigned or she was going to be fired effective immediatly.  Also, rumors are saying that her and her husband are splitting.  Wonder what her bible-thumping thoughts are on Divorce?  It's all very sad, and I do hope she finds happiness in her next endeavor but one has to wonder if this is Karma coming around to kick her in the ass. 

The life of Public Education...testing

Here's a brilliant little music video done by Tom Chapin about what public education is like today.  It's pretty fantastic!

http://www.notonthetest.com/index.html

Thanks to computers, now no one needs to be musically literate!

Someone sent me this video about a new piece of software that allows users to sing a melody into a microphone and the software automatically adds a piano accompaniment to match it.    I watched the first part of the video and I thought, "hey, cool, this would be a sorta neat thing to use with my students."  Then I watched further and got to the testimonials:
"I wanted to write this jingle down, but I don't know how to write music"
" I wanted to sing my girlfriend a song, but I don't play any instruments"
"Thanks to MYSONG I don't even have to write a new song"
"I'm gonna be a big star someday, but I don't play any instruments"

.....I got very sad.

Call me a music snob, elitist, or whatever, but as a music educator I feel that EVERYONE should be able to read and write basic music and be able to play an instrument.   I would love to see how this piece of software handles someone who can't match a pitch or cannot keep a consistent beat.  At least with Garageband, you have the option of seeing it as actual notes on a staff and manipulating the melody that way. 

This piece of software is like giving a 1st grader a computer program that allows them to be in a "Shakespeare" play just because they can speak in a funny British accent.  Can they read the play?  Can the appreciate it?  Can they write their own? 

But, this did provide me with a good laugh.  Especially when the one girl sings her beautiful song "Bob's deli, we put stuff on your bread.  Bob's deli, our things don't have no lead".   Literacy?  bah, who needs it?

I have more...but my 1st graders are coming in.  Perhaps I'll just let them bang on the xylophones, record it and send it to Orchestra Hall.  Gosh they LOOK cute...
Thus ends my rant.  And Here's the Video:

Find more videos like this on Ramblings of a Music Geek

Blogged with the Flock Browser

The rules have changed

As a result of the crummy housing market, the mortgage rules have changed. No longer can you have 2 FHA loans. What does that mean for us? It means we have to either sell our house or find $12,000 for a down payment if we want to move any time soon. Anyone got that laying around and want to make a donation to a needy family?

*sigh* the waiting and hoping continues.

Gotta get out

It's official, our house is now on the market and ready for people to buy. We are even considering rental offers due to the current real estate climate. We are really motivated to sell it soon because we found a house that we REALLY like and we can't do anything until we have our house sold. So, here's the listing, give it to all your friends and help us sell it!

or you can rent it for $1400/mo

I'm totally missing the point

So lately, I've been watching clips of Godspell on YouTube. It stars Victor Garbor as Jesus and has some moments of real power, but the rest is completely silly. The main thing that I don't understand is why Jesus is portrayed as a "clown" and acts very scarecrow like? Does anyone have any insight into this? I find it completely mystifying. Is it a comment on that Jesus was seen as a clown or that no one took him seriously? It's very bizzare.

Sometimes I just need a laugh

Ya know how girls have the pants with words on their butts?  Here's a case of a word that probably was not the best choice:

Today I was teaching a 3rd grade class and I looked over at this girl who was laying on the floor and I noticed that her butt said "ASSY".  I began to say something to her about how inappropriate her pants were, and then she moved and I saw that there was another "S" at the beginning.  I had a good laugh to myself and found that I really needed to lighten up today.  Then I got to thinking, if that was my daughter, would I really want her butt to be a banner for words?  It's hard enough for boys when girls aren't wearing readable clothing...why do I think about these things when I have no kids and I'm teaching 3rd graders? 

Happy Friday!

Yeah, like I need one more thing to do

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you probably have heard me lament the fact that I have no creative outlet right now.  To an artist, this is a very big deal...especially a 'teacher-artist' who gives of my artistry on a daily basis but has no way of recharging my soul.  It is draining.   You may also have read about my thoughts on a revolutionary handbell ensemble that does away with tables and incorporates movement, dance, and organic elements.

Well, hopefully I am on the road to addressing both of these issues.  I am not yet at liberty to divulge any information on this new endeavor, only to say that it will be great, amazing, and creatively satisfying.  So, yay for me and I'll blog more about it when the details have been solidified. 

Cinnabon Cereal

Okay, I'll be the first to admit it.  I'm a label reader.   Enjoy walking down the aisles of the grocery store and reading what they put into our food.  Mostly I just look, laugh, and return the items to the shelf as they all contain ridiculous ingredients that I wouldn't be caught dead putting in my body.  However, Sunday night Elissa and I found ourselves in the cereal aisle staring at the newest addition: Cinnabon Cereal.  I laughed heartily and picked up the box to read the label. 

I was shocked!  It was actually made out of good stuff:
INGREDIENTS: WHOLE OAT FLOUR, WHOLE BROWN RICE FLOUR, TURBINADO BROWN SUGAR, FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (PINEAPPLE, PEAR, APPLE, PEACH), WHEAT FLOUR, WHEAT STARCH, MAKARA® CINNAMON, HONEY, CANOLA OIL, NATURAL FLAVORS, CALCIUM CARBONATE.

No hydrogenated oils or High Fructose corn syrup.  In fact, Turbinado sugar is one of the purest most natural form of sugar you can find!  Then I compared the nutritional info with my beloved Honey Nut Cherrios. 

(Honey Nut Cherrios)

(Cinnabon Cereal)

I'm not saying that it's health food,, but no sodium, more fiber, not much more sugar, and better ingredients! Hello Cinnabon Cereal!

Blogged with Flock

Genius

So, I'm just now realizing the genious of the show 30 Rock...check this out:

Sunday Night

Momentary stupidity on Risotto night. Don't worry, no stitches.

Do you have a cat?

I love this video. It really makes me smile everytime I watch it...it reminds me of what ELissa and I go through every morning with sookie. If you have a cat, you understand.


Find more videos like this on Ramblings of a Music Geek

Safety has never been this much fun!

Recently on our trip to Washington DC on Sun Country, Elissa and I disturbed much of the plane by laughing at these hysterical images we found in the safety booklet. 



Two things come to mind:
1. If you are a ballerina and you are going to crash, do you have to put on the tu-tu?
2. Is it really recommended that you use your baby as an airbag? 





One has to wonder if WIlly Wonka was the cause of the crash and what did he do with all the oompa loompas?

Blogged with Flock

Huzzah for mediocrity

So last night was the vote for our teaching contract in District 11. The entire process of getting a new contract this year has been nothing short of disrespectful, manipulative, and frustrating coming from the district. It was a pretty dismal settlement with vague promises of "looking in to workload issues" and basically the same insurance coverage we had in the last contract. Add that on top of the way we were treated during the whole process and I was ready for many people to vote against it. Boy was I wrong. I never expected it to be voted down, but I didn't expect so many people to vote yes! It passed by 93%!!!! What is wrong with people?!?! Are they that blind to the fact that the administrators are totally playing with us and laughing all the way to the bank? This is ridiculous. I couldn't even get to sleep last night because I was so upset by the events of yesterday. It's such a powerless feeling knowing that you are in the right and have the law on your side but so many people just follow and do as their told without thought. Ack! Digging ditches is looking pretty appealing to me today.

Music teachers had planned a staff development meeting for January 17th. After it had been approved by many of the buildings, and certain administrators got wind of it...well, here's the email I got today concerning it's future:

Hi All -

I have heard that district administration has requested that the 17th be canceled. After talking with Sandy Skaar this is a violation of state law. There does not need to be district approval of site staff development dollars. Site development dollars should be controlled by a teacher dominated staff development committee. In other words, if teachers want to get together for collaboration and observation no district official or administrator has veto power.

Several buildings have already had monies approved and this SD does not need approval from anyone other than your team. I will keep you posted, as I have asked for clarification on this unilateral decision

Wow.

You know you're a music geek when...

you look at the rubber band you have just thrown on your desk and marvel at how it "magically" made a treble clef shape....really this is not a posed picture, it just happened.

Photos from New Years Eve in DC

Find more photos like this on Wassup Bitches!?