Why not everyone has.

Let's talk about the weather last Tuesday night. For me personally I don't give a shit about if the weather gets bad. After living in the middle of nowhere and being trapped in the house with your family for several days because the Ice Storm has sealed you in, all other storms mean nothing to me.

When the sirens went off I was in the middle of BGB rehearsal. I heard them I figured, "We are in a basement as long as the lights don't go out we are golden." Of course everyone freaked. People were running up to look outside, calling people, pulling up the radar on their cell phones. I on the other hand kept play. I felt like the musicians on the Titanic, as everyone ran around in histarics I just kept playing. Severe weather doesn't bother me. What does bother me is people freaking out for no reason. Which brings me to the next thing that happened that night.

The sirens stopped and people came back in and we continued playing. The storm had passed but more was on it's way. In the form of a bat that had gotten loose in the rehearsal area. It just wanted in fom the storm could you blame it? It apparently had been flying around for sometime till the giant black man squealed like a little girl. I mean come on we are gay but do we need to be that gay. I think my favorite were the guys who got up like they were going to catch it. They would start walking toward the area it was flying in and then it changed course and moved closer to them and they turned, screamed, and ran back the oppistite direction. Unless an animal is in a stance of protecting itself or attacking chances are it will leave you alone. If it doesn't in probably means it was scared and accidently ran into you and is just as freaked out as you. So running around with a flag in your hand trying to capture it (btw that plan would have worked if you could have brought yourself to go within 30 feet of the animal.) was not helping the situation. I am sure the thoughts running through the bats mind were. "Damnit I thought it was a mating call but it was just a piccolo." and "Damnit homos." After that fiasco the evening was pretty much done. We were not going to get through any more music that night.

I swear I am still rolling my eyes at that one.

Sidebar Speacial K stop talking to me. I am trying to blog here.

Ha ha

Titsworth

ha ha

Memo to my place of employment

From:Me
To: You
Subject: Seriously can we remove our heads from our asses please.

In regards to the volunteer work(forced volunteerism) we as a faculty will be participating in on Wednesday I just have a few clarifications and issues to address.

1. I am all for volunteering, I am a strong advocate of it. However when it is mandatory you really can't call it volunteering anymore. Volunteering should be for something you have a desire or interest in helping. When things go from a great idea you personally have to one that has been told to you to do by another party people tend to get testy, which brings me to the next point.

2. Is it really a good idea to make a decision to cancel classes with less than 3 weeks notice to do this wonderful day of giving. Many of us plan our semester to the hour and when we lose days of instruction for things outside of school we find it... whats a good way of putting it, frustrating (see also FUCKING ANNOYING). Also when many of the shifts end well outside our normal work day it really effects our personal routines. When people have things planned for 5pm or 4pm and they normally have that free that too becomes frustrating.

3. Consultation would be a wonderful thing. Many of the staff as you might have been aware at the faculty meeting, were less than pleased this had been decided. (see also FUCKING PISSED OFF) had we been let in on this decision or been given options I am sure this would have flown a bit smoother.

4. I am not sure how my times can be changed around at the last minute. Just this morning I had received an email from the event stating I would be working from 8-12:30. I just received an email from you say I would be working from 12-6:00. Please understand had this come two weeks ago I am sure I would have been fine with it and have dealt with it just fine, but less than 26 hours before said event. I say, and I hate using the word again, is just frustrating. (Or I say what the fuck people seriously can we get our act together.)

And another thing you justify this by stating that you do not see us doing volunteer work. Have you ever asked what we do I am sure you would be surprised at the amount of things we volunteer for every year. Our charity may manifest itself in many different ways and for you to make the assumption that we do nothing because we don't state it out loud its a bit offensive. But whatever what the fuck do I know I just teach here.


Sincerely
Your employee

Homo says what?

Netflix is one of my favorite things in this world. I watched this weekend a fun little piece of cinema called Girls Will Be Girls. Every "female" role was done by men in drag. So you can imagine the dialogue would be campy and bitchy, and it was. Example, one of the characters asks another one if she had had an abortion her reply" An abortion? Honey I have had more children pulled from me than a burning orphanage." I give it two fake tits up.

Speaking of tits I guess it is time for me to grow up. Why you may ask well I have an incoming freshman next year and her name is... wait for it...Titsworth. Thank god I didn't interview her. Every time I see her name I laugh out loud for 5 minutes solid. (Yes I am laughing now.) I really hope she decides not to join the band because I am not sure I can successfully suppress that laughter for 4 years.

Favorite story of the day. A student last week tells me that he tried out for the school musical. Not a big deal lots of people do, but this year the musical is Thoroughly Modern Millie. First of all terrible musical but whatever. Secondly it involves a lot of Tap and everyone had to try out on tap. This boy goes on to tell me he took tap from 4th grade to 8th grade. I raise an eyebrow. Friday he comes up so excited. "I got a major role and I didn't even try out for it." "Good for you." I reply. He goes on to say "I am so happy I could cry if it wasn't so unmanly." I raise an eyebrow, and say "Seriously, you took tap lessons for 4 years and crying would seem unmanly?" He turned and walked away.

Was it something I said?

To be so well spoken at that age.

I was marveled today. The school I work for interviews every student before they are admitted. So three Sundays in the month of January some of the faculty volunteer to do interviews. I enjoy it and I do get a small stipend for it. They are usually tedious and the kids usually offer one word answers to everything. But really what do you expect from 13 and 14 year olds.

Today however I had probably the best interview. He was so well spoken and was very articulate in the way he answered. I really had it figured out about 8 minutes into the interview that I wanted to recommend this kid. However you keep going because it wigs out the parents when you cut things short. So I asked a lot of questions and he continued to answer well. Then I closed with my usual last question and boy did he nail it. I asked what he thought of this whole interview process, application, essay and testing. He looked at me and said, "Well I think it's real good because I am going to have to do this all again for college and this is good practice and also for a job someday." Then he said the best thing "And if kids go through this then they must really want to come here and work hard and get good grades and who wouldn't want to do that."

I don't have the heart to tell him that isn't necessarily true. So many of our kids get in because they are a legacy and we almost always let them in no matter the quality of students and then you have some that have the money and so many of those kids do not realize or appreciate the opportunity they are getting. So many outside of the school think this is a wonderland of well behaved and studious kids. So not true. They are just as disruptive and ill behaved as any public school. In a way these families are being sold a bill of goods.

Don't get me wrong we do a lot of good work and the good kids do out number the bad ones but to think there is nothing but good will be a shock to the system.

Budgets, Budgets, Budgets

Here is a question for the general populous.

I have worked in several places and I have always found the business office to be the most anal retentive, on top of things, pain in my ass because of it departments. I mean you really have to be to do that kind of job. I am actually grateful they are that way. It keeps me honest and on task when it comes to financial issues involving my job. Now with all this in mind I am terribly frustrated with my current business office. They sent a reminder to have budgets to them and asked a very simple question. I asked if I could separate out the orchestra budget from the rest of the instrumental budget. Special K has a tendency to spend, spend, spend without regard for whether she is in her budget or not. So if mine was completely separate it would be great then I wouldn't have to worry about her spending money for my classes.


*Sidebar* Special K is telling her class to sit tight because she has to catch up on her grading from last Friday!!!???!?!?!?!? Are you kidding me. The rest of us can't do that why are you. Ridiculous I say. *end of sidebar*

So I sent the email like 3 weeks ago and got zero reply. I have also been asking since November to get an expenditure sheet to me for this fiscal year. I got zero reply. She sent a terse email from her yesterday demanding the budget. I replied that I needed to know what to do with splitting or not splitting before I can send it. I got zero reply. So today I sent A full music budget with both band and orchestra, a band budget, and an orchestra budget. I got one reply. Basically it said WTF? I calmly responded back what it all meant and just to tell me which one(s) I need to use come July 1st. This is the most disorganized business office I have ever worked with in my life.

Am I wrong in thinking this is odd for a business office? Of course this is the same business office that has allowed Special K to go over her budget by thousands of dollars for years, so I really shouldn't expect much.

Everywhere I go, There I am.

After spending much of this week banging my head against the wall and having headaches sneak upon me I have to ask myself, "How did I get to this place in my life?"

I say this not out of hating where I am and what I am doing but out of mild curiosity. Much in the same way I marvel at how in 5th grade I picked an instrument to play. I wanted to play drums but no one would let me. I couldn't play brass, my brother did that and I could never be like my brother, so I was left with woodwinds. I had no clue what a Bassoon was so that was out, I couldn't play Clarinet because people would beat me up and take my lunch money, I couldn't play Oboe, people would beat me up and take my lunch money, and I couldn't play the Flute because people would just beat me up on principle. Fair enough, so that left me with one option the Sax. I actually dislike this instrument and the fact I went into music despite that baffles me to no end.

I had never taken a lesson in my life, I really wasn't that good. How I got into the school of music is beyond me but there I was. I had plenty of other interests aside from music in High School. Why did I choose it? I still don't know. After leaving school I taught even though I wasn't in music ed. I worked in a ticket office, and then an advancement office doing fundraising. I hated that and yet there I was. Now I am back to teaching, again without a degree in education. How I got this and why I stay I don't know. I am perfectly fine with working other jobs and to do many things but I stay.

It's crazy how some choices we make put us where we are. I am sure had I not gone to the university that I did I would still have friends I wouldn't have the friends I do have. I am sure my life would be very different or maybe not. It's funny I really don't even think of the road not taken. I do think of the roads I could be taking in the future.

So here I am teaching at a private school, not just any private school but a catholic private school. I believe in public schools I believe that everyone should have the same opportunity in education. I don't believe that religion should be a main focus of an education unless you are in a seminary or something like that. I believe that religion should be part of your home life or part of your church or synagogue. So why am I here in a religion based private school. I don't know. I really don't. All I know is that I am not wanting to make this my life's pursuit.

I love destroying New York

That should be the mantra of the film industry this year. This last weekend I went to see "Cloverfield". It was very good I completely enjoyed it, though there were moments where I had to close my eyes and refocus on the scene. It was shot much like the Blair Witch with a hand held and it was very shaky. I don't get motion sickness but damn.

But really poor New York, after watching "I Am Legend" a few weeks earlier I never want to live there bad stuff happens. If it's not a plague either killing you or turning you into a vampire like creature it's a raging 50 story monster playing kickball with the head of the Statue of Liberty. It's terrible what New Yorkers have to go through. It so often in Movies New York getting the shaft. "Independence Day" Aliens took one of their first shots there. "Spiderman" tore it up plenty. I am telling you I am glad I live in Indianapolis. No one is going blow up the RCA Dome... well not yet anyway. Aliens, monsters, bad guys, plagues, Mothra, are all going to step over us on their way to Chicago. We will all be watching WGN and have plenty of time to evacuate before those things hit us. They are always going to go for the big 3 New York, LA, and Chicago/DC (it's a toss up on those two) well before they get to us. Now I am actually fine with clearing out LA. But yea Indy we are so far down the list we have plenty of time to make it to Canada, no one is going to bother with Canada haven't they suffered enough.

Dear Body

So last night at the pride mixer I said it was ok to have a few drinks. I thought we had an understanding, apparently I was wrong. I said a few and decided to take the night off. I know my bad; however there no need for all that went on last night. After waking up at 4am because some invisible hammer was hitting I discovered that we were still a bit tipsy. My first thought was what the fuck? I leave you alone for an evening and this is what happens. It's a school night you know that. You were not to be reached at that hour so I consulted with the liver. He said something about 5 or 6 Jack and Cokes. He couldn't talk long he was still busy with that cirrhosis thing and processing a lot of booze.

I then heard a rumbling noise and went to see what was up with the stomach. He was pretty pissed off. After calming him down he filled in a lot more blanks Saying you hadn't had anything to eat all evening until 9:30!! Now I know we have had this discussion about eating that late. I don't like it and ultimately you don't either but you seem to forget that. I will give you that none of it was fried but still that late and potato chips. Come on.

Fearing the worst I went to the mouth to see what I might have said. He was hard to understand a little cottony. He also have very little to add when you could understand him. He said something about being loud and Blanche had to remind us of our inside voice. Unacceptable, that is all I have to say. God knows what else might have fallen out. Thank god I didn't let us drive, I guess that was the only good thing I did all night.

Well this just proves I can not leave you alone ever again. I am saddened and a little disappointed I expected better from you.

Sincerely
Your Better Judgement

PS Where did this tattoo on our butt come from?

You like me you really like me.

The band is going to Ireland in March, yea!!!!!

We had our bus sign up posted today. Special K put us on two separate buses. As soon as she put our names on the list I knew that the senior class would all sign up for my bus. Understand I adore the senior class. They hold a special place in my heart because they were freshmen when I started so we have traversed this school together. Aside from that this is one of the most talented class of musicians I have ever seen at this school. They are also just really wonderful kids. So having them choose me over Special K really warmed my heart. As the landslide victory started K and I were standing there and she says "They are all signing up for your bus?" My reply "Well yea they like me better." I said it jokingly but not really. The senior girl writing at the time looked at me and shook her head like yea actually we do. Of course Special couldn't see that, but it made me feel good. And it's not because I act like a push over parent and let them get away with anything. Not because I cave to every whim they have, whether it is good or bad. But because I know what will make them better and I expect it from them. They know just because I am disappointed in behavior and I punish from time to time that doesn't mean I hate them. They know I am here to help them be better musicians. Not all of them get that and appreciate that but most of the seniors do and that is why I love them.

And I win. :P

In line with the dead or How I got a tasty treat.

Ok they weren't dead, yet. Yesterday being the good healthy eater that I am went to the nearby grocers to pick up some non fast food items for lunch. Yet again best laid plans seem to back fire on me. I grab my yogurt, banana and water and head to the cashier, see how quickly this story is going? Yea that's going to stop here soon.

I choose the only lane open at the moment. Not too bad only one woman in front of me. She has a lot of items but not too bad. I would characterize her in her late 60's early 70's as is the lady ringing up purchases. The cashier examines each and every item and scans it carefully before moving on to the next item. I would say about 30 items, yes I had time to count. I try not to look impatient so I browse the magazines, and look at the candy and other impulse items. See this is why I shouldn't be here that long had I just got in and out I wouldn't have been tempted by that sugary goodness that called out to me. *Item 4 beep* It looked right at me and said "You know, you have been really good with this eating thing and the blurry scale did say you lost a pound. So really what could it hurt." "And you deserve this."

I think to myself "I have been good and I do deserve this." *Item 6 beep* I continue with the candy "But I have been so good I should continue being good."

The candy bar gives me a knowing look *Item 10 beep* "But I am a reward and you know I will be really good." *Item 12...*

Cashier "damn this scale isn't working hold on I have to run back and weigh this banana." Shiiiiiit, Candy "You shouldn't swear it's not nice."

Me to candy "Shut up peanut buttery goodness." I look around and now 3 more people are behind me and no grocery store workers in sight. I think to myself that running one of the cash registers can't be that difficult. I could just jump over and ring myself up, oh wait shes back. Back to distractions. I wish they would redo this O'malias like they did the one downtown. 1. The one downtown looks so much better and 2. It smells so much better. I don't know what that smell was but it is in every O'malias. It's like rotting fish and spoiled milk. You know appetizing. MMMMM I am hungry. *Item 20 beep*

When did that other line open up and when did 5 people get in that line? Damn it!!! Ok this is truly getting tedious. "Eat me I am good"

"Leave me alone candy bar I have been good." *Item 24 beep*

"No you haven't don't lie I know about that pint of Ice cream you bought 3 nights ago. Just because there is still half of it left doesn't mean you have been good." Hmm the candy bar makes a compelling point.

It's coming down to which will finish first the other line or this one women's order. *Item 29 beep* Ok we are in the home stretch I think I can hold out. When did that other line close out and the cashier walk away. Damn it!!!!!

Only 2 people behind me now at least I am not alone in my suffering... wait last item... oh jesus christ grapes. Guess who is leaving to go weigh them elsewhere? Why could you not just take those the first time. Waiting, Waiting... oh some one is coming up She is telling us all to move over to another line because they are going to work on the scale on this register. "Ummm what other line?" O'malias representative looking around "Hold on" I have been holding on for 15 minutes are you kidding me. The original cashier is back and finishes ringing her up and start bagging. That's right no one has been bagging. And, and the lady is paying with a check?!?!?!?!?!

Oh look 3 lines just opened up so I grab the reese's and head to one of those lines. He weighs my one banana and scans my 3 items, beep, beep, beep and I hand my money over and get my change he hands me my bag and I am heading out the door and almost bump into the lady that was in front of me in line.

"Thanks for taking me home with you." Say's the reese's smiling up at me.

"Oh, you're not going home with me."

"Wait, maybe this wasn't such a good idea."

"Welcome to my day at least I have something sweet to eat. Thanks."

"Oh the humanity, NOOOOOOOOOO...!"

Looking at the week ahead.

So this next week is littered with days that Special K will be out for one thing or another. I am sure Student Teacher will come in and fill in for those classes because I won't. I actually can't but I won't either. There are two days she will be out on is for a conference on Friday and the other is to be a part of a group called the "Good Thinking Team" they are by no means the Algonquin Round Table. This is a collection of teachers, staff and administrators of the school. They are to think on a topic or problem, they are not to offer solutions or produce or create anything, just think. This is actually a great place for Special K she doesn't produce or create anything and by no means does she solve any real problems. She kind of moves them around on the plate in hopes that people think she actually did something. This is perfect except the fact she doesn't think. She has made a habit of giving me the topic or problem and think for her. I swear she just regurgitates what I said before. I don't really care except it gives the rest of the group the perception that she actually has half a brain. I am sorry that is unfair I am sure she has half a brain. The question is whether it is functioning or not. One of these days I think I will just feed her a line of crap and she if she will repeat it to the group. That would be pretty funny, if not a little mean.

If a tree fell in my living room...

Well today I finally took down the tree. I love decorating for christmas I have since I was little. My mother should have known then. Every year I go to my mother to decorate her house. I firmly believe that if I didn't it would not get done. But today it is all gone. Packed away till next year. Except the santa homer.




Greatest investment I have ever made.

Last night we went out to celebrate moms first week at her new job. Lots of booze and I was very good and didn't eat anything that was fried.

Get out the sympathy vote... and a tissue.

This actually started as a blog comment but got out of hand so I just moved it to a post. The blog entry I am commenting on. He tends to ramble so I don't blame you if you don't read it all. Lol I know that's like the pot calling the kettle black.

You know that is one of the things that I really has not been commented on. Now I don't watch my news I read of listen and in those instances they never really focus on the fact that the reality of a Black candidate or a woman candidate is most likely going to happen. Granted we are not the first nation in the world to have minority (in those countries) or women national leaders, but for being who we are, one it's about damned time and two this is pretty amazing. With Hilary losing Iowa and finally seeing her get her cumupins, so to speak those who have hated her I think really started to examine why. Those people kind of felt bad for her. It's much like when you saw Tracy Flick lose you sorta felt bad and then felt good that she actually did win. (The movie Election watch it. It holds true to so much of this years politics.) I actually think that showing vulnerability is not always good but in this case it was justified and good. I think that made all the difference in the world. In a way the other candidates may back off the attacks, the sympathy vote is a strong factor. Whether it is justified or not. I agree it was needed, she needed to show the softer side of sears. But it is not something that should be trucked out when the numbers are going down. I believe it was sincere and that's what it needs to be. I am sure some consultant will seize on this in a meeting and try to strategies more weeping moments. I say to that person, you are fired. Yes Mark Penn needs to go.

Best laid plans

So after turning Special K in she has been super pleasant and accommodating. I am waiting to get whacked later this week. The other thing that really shook me was that the passed two days she has come back to the office and worked. I am not sure if she felt guilty which I doubt I really think someone said something to her. So it is nice that she is actually working instead of just slacking off like usual however it is nice to have the office to myself. So yea in the end I won but it's a little bitter sweet.

If you were wondering

I did indeed go last night I came home so exhausted from the day that I sat on my couch and did a lot of nothing after the gym. Until around 8:30 when I was practically falling asleep reading. So I went up to bed a was up till 2am. Then the alarm went off at 6am I am so freaking tired right now. Only 5 more hours before I can head home and go to bed I believe I am skipping BGB tonight. But hey I went to the gym.

Motivation

gotothegymgotothegymgotothegymgotothegymgotothegym... I know that you are tired but... gotothegymgotothegymgotothegymgotothegymgotothegym... I know that it will be crowded with people who after two weeks will never be there again but... gotothegymgotothegymgotothegym gotothegymgotothegym... man a nap would be nice but... gotothegymgotothegymgotothegym...

Oh God I have to go back!

As much as I have enjoyed the time off I am glad to be going back to work but at the same time I really don't want to. I like what I do but really there is too much of my outside time taken up by this job. If I were being financially compensated that would be one thing. Alas, I am not. I am trying to find a way to lessen my time at the school. So we will see.

Gym 1, My fat ass 2

As the new year has started I am mentally keeping track of how many days I spend at the gym verses not. So far and I am not counting New Years day because really who works out then? People who are not hung over that's who, and those people are not me. So of the 3 days of the new year left to me I have finally pried myself off the couch and went today. I am very glad I did some new hotties at the gym. And yes some old familiar things that just drive me crazy.

In the winter I don't go as much but from April till October I was pretty much going daily. So I can say that I am right in saying there are these two guys that show up like once a month or so. That is not the irritating part, they are built like me I would never say I am muscular and I would never say they are either but when they get on the machines and load it to the highest weight I have to think that's gotta hurt in the morning. I am no fitness expert but I have to think that when you have the machine for bicep curls set to oh let's say 150lbs and pull your whole body up off the seat and strain so much that you face is red and veins are visable that can't be good. Again I am no expert. They do one rep and then sit on the machine and gab for 10 minutes or so do one more rep at that weight, blow and o ring and then move on to something else.


Now I hate when people just occupy a piece of equipment and then never use but 5 seconds. I am fine if you are actually using it, but when you sit and just chat it up I have a problem. So what pissed me off more was when I was on a machine and those two actually stood and hovered over me while I was working out not once but twice. At most between sets I just rest for about 30 seconds so it's not like I am wasting time. The second time the hovering happened I had enough so I just took my time. During my loitering one of them left the gym area and when I got up the other one swooped in and stood over it, not to use but he was saving it for his friend. I know this because 5 minutes later his friend came back in and got on the machine. What the fuck ever. The up shot is that I won't see them again for a month or two.

Winter Break

Actually since I teach at a Catholic school so I can actually call it Christmas break. I have to say I have enjoyed my time off but I am ready to get back to work I am not however ready to get back to Special K. If by some chance the VP and the Dept Chair decide to talk with her she is going to be pretty pissed at me. But really I don't care cause I know I am right. I have done nothing wrong here.

Speaking of useless poundage I need to get back to the gym I think in the month of December I went a grand total of 3 times. Which I guess in regards to last year it's 3 times more. My last excuse for not going has gone. I have been trying to find my lock for the lockers. In warm weather I just go in what I am going to work out in and come back home in the same. But now that it's cold I like more layers when I go and shed them when working out and then bundle back up to trek home. So thus the need for a locker space and a lock. Last night I found it. Damn! Actually a good thing because now I can get off my ass and go. Which I will be doing once I finish this post. Of course I could make it go on forever in the spirit of procrastination.

But I won't.

Tonight we (Romeo,Alain, and Blanche) are going to a party. I am sure it will be super fun. The guest list is a bunch of people trying desperately to climb up their own butts. Most of them are nice people and I don't mind them but they are all pretentious with no foundation for that pretension. The thing is if they would just get over themselves they would probably achieve that which they want most of all, people liking them. It's much the same reason I can't stand the politics of the BGB. They all feel they were slighted in their High School band and therefor deserve to be in charge of something. I like the people in the BGB but when it comes to all that stuff I am over it. I thought about it the other day about why I didn't try out to be the director and the reason came to me. I don't want to go to rehearsal all the time. I enjoy coming and going as I please. I don't feel this need to be in charge because I don't want to be. Well that was an unintended side ramble and I really do need to get to the gym.

Drunk drunk drunkity drunk

I am so surprised I am typing this well. Granted it is just a few words but really I am in awe of my skills. I am sure this will come to a screeching halt. Like now. So today I got to see brooklyns baby and he is soooo cute it really makes me want one of my own. But alas I need someone to share the load with though my mother didn't blink twice when I jokingly said at christmas I could go pick up a Chinese or Guatemalan baby. Ah well still time.

Tomorrow we are off to pay for one movie and sneak into 2 more. I love doing that.