Part of the reason that writing a blog post hasn't been on my brain is that it is summer now and therefore it's "writing season." Now, if you're a teacher and you enjoy at least June and July off, you do things with your summer like take long trips, get caught up on reading or even take a second job to earn a little extra cash.
Well, I do those things too. For instance, I take a second job during the summer. Now granted, I'm the boss and I do my job in my pajamas (a lot!), but it's still income and it's still work. I write marching band music. Until this year, it's just been for percussion, but now I'm taking jobs writing for the wind players. It's been quite a blessing, but it's also been very busy! I'm not going to complain at all though!
I'm also getting caught up reading. Slowly (and I do mean slowly), I'm re-reading the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. Kayla and I read this about five years ago and got on board with Dave's plan, but I've just realized that I could use an opportunity to re-read what he wrote and to hopefully reenergize our efforts to be financially free. This side business is helping up do that by bringing in extra income.
And as for travel, well we are headed to Tulsa next week to see my parents, my brother and sister in law and their twin daughters as well as their new addition, Caleb! I'm very excited. Caleb was born in May (which is an impossible time for us to travel), so we won't have seen him until this trip. We were also supposed to have gone to another family reunion, but that was cancelled.
One other thing I've been trying to do is broaden my musical foundation. This came in the form of 75 free downloads from eMusic, I guess, for just being a great guy... Anyhow, I immediately downloaded the new White Rabbits album, "It's Frightening." I like it a lot, but sort of have to be in a particular mood for it. The sort of mood that says I want to listen to Coldplay or Radiohead but also break stuff... So, the best I can do is put it on when I mow the lawn. That's destructive in a way!
Also downloaded were two albums by The Bad Plus that I had let get away from me: Prog and For All I Care w/ Wendy Lewis. I love The Bad Plus -- they make me feel like I am simultaneously thumbing my nose at the jazz community, but also renewing my subscription to Down Beat...
And finally, I've downloaded the complete piano works of Alberto Ginastera. I'm not much of a piano music guy, but I can listen to this all day. He covers a wide variety of moods and styles. At times he is downright rhythmic and modern (like Stravinsky meets Van Cliburn) but other times he is melancholy and introspective. Right now I am infatuated with his Suite De Danzaz Criollas (Suite of Argentine Rural Dances). Within this five movement work, Ginastera goes from tonal, to wild and uninhibited. In fact, I'm amazed at how broadly he writes yet retaining a common theme that ties everything together.
Well, that better be all for now. Who are you listening to?
