What might have been lost
Some days I wish I didn't have this infernal "real job" that kept me from doing things like going to Eau Claire for two nights during the middle of the week to catch a reunion of one of my all-time favorite bands (DeYarmond Edison, for those of you clueless ones). But alas, I was geographically isolated, and forced to be satisfied with seeing the band's modern incarnations (Bon Iver and Megafaun) at the Uptown Bar on Saturday night. Which, by the way, was amazing.
What's also amazing is the simple joy that can be had from playing a good video game. I'm currently immersed in Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Wii, and I can say that it is one of the more fluid and natural games I've played. Very little of it seems forced, and the controls are extremely intuitive. Bless your heart, Nintendo.
What's not quite as amazing is the fact that next week is the end of the first quarter at school. It's taken me this long to get my kids going on the whole SmartMusic thing, but it's starting to pay off. After a quarter of troubleshooting and routine-forming, I think they're really going to benefit from its use. Hooray for learning! Equally as funny is the fact that I'm having my middle school general music kids write formal business letters from the viewpoint of J.S. Bach to the Margrave of Brandenburg, expressing disappointment in the light of him not having the Brandenburg Concertos (to whom Bach dedicated the pieces to) performed, and the fact that we live in an age where I have to tell kids that formal writing is not akin to text messaging, so leave out the "l8r"s and "OMG"'s. Sigh.
4 comments:
Next, you should have your middle schoolers write to all of the 40s and 50s beboppers and tell them not to do drugs. Basically, you'll kill two birds with one bird (Randy quote) and get them to avoid heroin while learning about Miles Davis!! (Get them to pee their pants, too - I hear that's really in style these days)
Genius!
Dear Mr. Coltrane,
Drugs are bad. They make you bloated, unreliable, and scary. However, they seemed to improve your music making skills. Maybe I should give them a try too. You're my hero.
Love,
Li'l Jimmy
Dude, if you want to play like Bird you gotta shoot like Bird.
Sounds like a good project, Pat. You, unlike me, really get this whole education thing. I laughed out loud (and almost woke the baby up) at the "l8r" and "OMG" comment. Damn kids and their text messages.
Joe
hell yes I wish Ida been there. dammit. that would have been so sweet. was it?
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