When I first started this blog, I honestly figured that I would talk about things that intrigued me...or annoyed me...or were etched in my memory. I even had readers that told me they enjoyed reading my posts because my stories were usually a "Tyler's view of the world" perspective, which really is weird at times.
Lately, there seems to be barely enough time to go to the bathroom, much less post on my blog.
Part of my problem is that blogger (among buckets of other stuff) is blocked at my new school. I would like this changed so I could actually use blogger as a educational dialogue tool with my HS band. I'm not going to go in demanding this. I am just going to go with the "spread the good news" approach. Ya know...just describe to the right people the immense possibilities. Probably slower, but more effective in the long run.
I apologize for not really expounding on the specifics of my new job. I started summer band rehearsals this week, and I am getting more and more excited about the possibilities every day. I'm becoming more and more convinced that Brazos is loaded with great kids! If you were to just watch my band for 20 minutes, you would totally agree. It's fun to work with them. They're wanting to get better, which is cool because that's what I can help with with!
Brazos is a 2A school, and I'm going to have about 40-45 kids in HS band. The reason I don't know exactly how many yet is because not all the kids have been able to come to summer band. Most of the ones that have schedule conflicts have let me know. It's very cool to get a phone call from a kid just making sure I knew they couldn't be there, even though I already knew the problem. I love these kids!
Hopefully this will serve as the beginning of a new era of blogging.
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Brazos, Here I Come...
Tomorrow, my family and I will be traveling back to Texas from Arkansas and diving into an activity that we have grown to hate over the last few years. MOVING!!! However, we've done it so much, we've gotten really good at it. This fact does NOT make the process more enjoyable or easier. We're keeping our eyes peeled for two things: 1) a moving company that packs up and moves people for free, or 2) someone feels enough compassion for us to send us enough money to pay for a moving company (one that actually requires money) to take care of the moving. If you are one of those, or know one of those, please don't hesitate to LET ME KNOW!!!
I find it difficult to describe how excited I am about working at Brazos High School. The more I talk to the administration (getting things ready for the year), the more excited I become. I'm looking forward to meeting all the kids and helping them dive into our show this year. I'm looking forward to getting the younger bands back into the habit of working hard. We're going to do great things this year, and I can't wait to get started!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Millennials Rising
Kelly and I just finished week two of Uplift here at Harding University, and we are both BEAT! I have no title, and very little real responsibility (#1 responsibility is to keep Brandon sane), but I still end up staying up late every night helping Brandon out with the "get the kids to bed" routine.
High school kids are fascinating to watch. I don't get much chance to just sit back and observe them much. But this is what I've been doing for about two weeks now. I'll watch them during evening worship, during lunch, during class, even rec time. I'm absolutely blown away with how different kids are fundamentally now than teens were when I was one. They think differently. They communicate differently. The world relates to them differently. AND, in effect, they relate to the world in a whole new way.
See, they're called Millennials. Also called Generation Y. They've grown up being told to "be yourself," and, by example, learned that their beliefs are what matters. This generation is currently entering the post-college workforce, and employers of the world are realizing that these kids play a different game. This generation is going to be the group that brings us out of the 20th century (which the greatest generation led us through and helped create the incredibly prosperous society we enjoy today), and they will be the front man in helping the world define a new era.
Sounds exciting, right? Being a part of a cultural shift that is going to redefine everything?
Not so fast.
What about the Church? In a time when the Church of Christ is on the verge of a fundamental identity crisis, seems to me that this generation is that which the Church of Christ has feared for 4-5 decades.
A week and a half ago I got a chance to see the group "Acappella" perform live in the Benson Auditorium. This was a group that brought together churches of Christ from across the country and gave them a unifying flag to wave that could be recognized and admired...20 years ago. In the 90's, this group ventured into the "vocal perc" discussion, and, thereby, lost a lot of listeners.
Now, the five members of this group all have full-time jobs that AREN'T singing with the group, and this is just a side job. They're not as famous among churches of Christ. They're no longer heroes. They're now just a group that sings in harmony without instruments.
Watch out, Church of Christ. You've got a group of people that are preparing to tear down your walls. We've all heard about the churches of Christ across the country that are "going instrumental." Well, to this generation, this choice is not a cerebral one. In other words, these churches are not necessarily sitting down to weigh options, using theology and scripture to direct their path. Instead, they're asking themselves, "Why are we doing what we're doing, and is it effective."
Where will our society be in 20 years? What will the church look like in 20 years?
Watch out, Church of Christ. The millennials are rising.
High school kids are fascinating to watch. I don't get much chance to just sit back and observe them much. But this is what I've been doing for about two weeks now. I'll watch them during evening worship, during lunch, during class, even rec time. I'm absolutely blown away with how different kids are fundamentally now than teens were when I was one. They think differently. They communicate differently. The world relates to them differently. AND, in effect, they relate to the world in a whole new way.
See, they're called Millennials. Also called Generation Y. They've grown up being told to "be yourself," and, by example, learned that their beliefs are what matters. This generation is currently entering the post-college workforce, and employers of the world are realizing that these kids play a different game. This generation is going to be the group that brings us out of the 20th century (which the greatest generation led us through and helped create the incredibly prosperous society we enjoy today), and they will be the front man in helping the world define a new era.
Sounds exciting, right? Being a part of a cultural shift that is going to redefine everything?
Not so fast.
What about the Church? In a time when the Church of Christ is on the verge of a fundamental identity crisis, seems to me that this generation is that which the Church of Christ has feared for 4-5 decades.
A week and a half ago I got a chance to see the group "Acappella" perform live in the Benson Auditorium. This was a group that brought together churches of Christ from across the country and gave them a unifying flag to wave that could be recognized and admired...20 years ago. In the 90's, this group ventured into the "vocal perc" discussion, and, thereby, lost a lot of listeners.
Now, the five members of this group all have full-time jobs that AREN'T singing with the group, and this is just a side job. They're not as famous among churches of Christ. They're no longer heroes. They're now just a group that sings in harmony without instruments.
Watch out, Church of Christ. You've got a group of people that are preparing to tear down your walls. We've all heard about the churches of Christ across the country that are "going instrumental." Well, to this generation, this choice is not a cerebral one. In other words, these churches are not necessarily sitting down to weigh options, using theology and scripture to direct their path. Instead, they're asking themselves, "Why are we doing what we're doing, and is it effective."
Where will our society be in 20 years? What will the church look like in 20 years?
Watch out, Church of Christ. The millennials are rising.
Friday, June 13, 2008
These days...
I've been trying to post consistently for about 4 weeks now. No kidding. Everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) has been absolutely unpredictable/crazy/memorable/tiresome/exciting. I've decided that since there is SO much that I should post about, I'm going to just do a list of current goings-on, and then, if time permits, later I'll create a post specific to an important element of the following list.
1) We (Ganado Band) got permission to arrange the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory show. That's right. I began working on the arrangement in lat April, and I finished it last week. A later post will be dedicated to describing this fine musical craftmanship.
2) Right now I'm in Searcy, AR getting ready for Uplift. My great friend, Brandon Tittle, is the director of the camp, and Kelly and I come up to work/help out/spend time with Claira/pick on Joy/etc.
3) We just finished a big, fat road tour to make it to Uplift. It started on Friday to an Astros game (with Brandon and Joy), then to Mansfield for a couple of nights (sister and brother-in-law's house), then a couple of nights at Kelly's Aunt Norma and Uncle Jack's house outside of Pryor, Oklahoma. We hadn't been up there in 5 years, nor seen them in 3 years, so we had a fantastic time! Then we left to come down here in Searcy on Wednesday. Oh, by the way, Keynan and Parker both came down with ear infections along the way. Good times.
4) This one's probably the funniest if you know what Kelly and I have been through the last several years. Last week I accepted a position as Head Band Director at Brazos High School in Wallis, TX. More later. ;-)
5) Parker is growing up like crazy (becoming curious and involved in his surroundings, using his lips to mumble pseudo-stories, laughing at his brother, all the good stuff), and although Keynan won't turn two until August, he is already at the point that everyone describes as "terrible two's." It's not all terrible. He loves going around the room and pointing to an object and telling you what it is (couch, shoe, bug), and he becomes shy when you ask him to do it for someone else. He also is becoming opinionated on what he does/does not want to do. We've had to begin drawing the line in the sand. Poor kid. Both his parents are teachers. He's got no chance!
Like I said, look for more developed posts later on a few of these topics.
Peace.
1) We (Ganado Band) got permission to arrange the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory show. That's right. I began working on the arrangement in lat April, and I finished it last week. A later post will be dedicated to describing this fine musical craftmanship.
2) Right now I'm in Searcy, AR getting ready for Uplift. My great friend, Brandon Tittle, is the director of the camp, and Kelly and I come up to work/help out/spend time with Claira/pick on Joy/etc.
3) We just finished a big, fat road tour to make it to Uplift. It started on Friday to an Astros game (with Brandon and Joy), then to Mansfield for a couple of nights (sister and brother-in-law's house), then a couple of nights at Kelly's Aunt Norma and Uncle Jack's house outside of Pryor, Oklahoma. We hadn't been up there in 5 years, nor seen them in 3 years, so we had a fantastic time! Then we left to come down here in Searcy on Wednesday. Oh, by the way, Keynan and Parker both came down with ear infections along the way. Good times.
4) This one's probably the funniest if you know what Kelly and I have been through the last several years. Last week I accepted a position as Head Band Director at Brazos High School in Wallis, TX. More later. ;-)
5) Parker is growing up like crazy (becoming curious and involved in his surroundings, using his lips to mumble pseudo-stories, laughing at his brother, all the good stuff), and although Keynan won't turn two until August, he is already at the point that everyone describes as "terrible two's." It's not all terrible. He loves going around the room and pointing to an object and telling you what it is (couch, shoe, bug), and he becomes shy when you ask him to do it for someone else. He also is becoming opinionated on what he does/does not want to do. We've had to begin drawing the line in the sand. Poor kid. Both his parents are teachers. He's got no chance!
Like I said, look for more developed posts later on a few of these topics.
Peace.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Drank the Kool-Aid
Kelly and I have officially become that which we've hated for years. Yup, we're now the proud owners of a MAC LAPTOP COMPUTER. If you're disappointed that we've crossed over to the dark side, you have my permission to stop reading now.
You should know that I'm not actually typing this post on our new purchase. No, instead my wife has it in her lap and she's either doodling online or discovering new and quicker ways to do whatever it is she does. :-)
We also setup a wireless network at our home. In this case, we means me. Therefore, Kelly and I are both on separate laptops about 4 feet from each other, and we're both wirelessly connected to, quite literally, the entire world.
We're both very excited.
You should know that I'm not actually typing this post on our new purchase. No, instead my wife has it in her lap and she's either doodling online or discovering new and quicker ways to do whatever it is she does. :-)
We also setup a wireless network at our home. In this case, we means me. Therefore, Kelly and I are both on separate laptops about 4 feet from each other, and we're both wirelessly connected to, quite literally, the entire world.
We're both very excited.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Dog tired
I promise promise promise to do better about posting later. May is just absolutely loaded with stuff to do, and when I'm not busy doing something, I'm exhausted.
A quick rundown:
Week ago Saturday (the 10th) - took HS kids to Schlitterbahn
Week ago Sunday (the 11th) - Mother's Day
Last Wednesday - Drum Major Tryouts/Color Guard Captian interviews
Last Friday/Saturday - Local Solo/Ensemble contest (7th-12th grades)
Yesterday - Region UIL Meeting in Rosenburg (3 1/2 hours long!!!)
Today - Teacher workday/Jr. High Band Concert
Tomorrow - High School Band Banquet
Thursday - Go to Rice Consolidated HS to judge color guard auditions
Friday - Take Jr. High kids to Schlitterbahn
Saturday - SLEEP LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW... and mow lawn
Two more weeks of school left, and I haven't slowed down yet.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Royal Waste of Time
I'm sitting here in my wife's classroom at 8:30am on a Saturday morning as a hired babysitter for high school kids that need to make up excessive absences.
That's right, everybody. I'm doing SATURDAY SCHOOL.
If you've ever watched The Breakfast Club, it's kind of like that, only the reasons for these kids being here are a bit less dramatic.
Most of the seniors that are here are here simply because they "couldn't wake up in the morning." There are several that are here simply because being at school isn't as important to them as it is to, say, someone who passes their classes.
My wife was nice enough to let them use her word searches and crossword puzzles to pass the time. There's even a couple of fella's that are drawing each other's faces on blank paper, then trading to decide which drawing was better. Shoot me in the face.
There's one student who is standing at the back of the room because "the doctor said he has a sore on his hynie and it hurts to sit."
What's driving me nuts is the fact that it's now possible to be a lazy bum and not take school seriously, and while the rest of us had to spend 7-8 hours studying, learning, working, testing...these kids can make up the time they missed from 8-10am on a Saturday morning doing crossword puzzles.
Welcome to our broken educational system, everybody.Ok, I'll say it. Today would be a WAY cooler if Molly Ringwald were sitting on the front row. That would be totally radical.
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