tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21428257397299652302024-03-13T14:45:29.455-05:00The Musing Teacher"I don't teach music. I teach kids through music." - Eph EhlyDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-994903395397986282010-09-02T08:41:00.002-05:002010-09-02T08:50:01.853-05:00Kickoff<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">For the last two years, I've paused at the beginning of football season to thank the football gods that another season is upon us. Then, I blink and the season is almost over. I look around and it's almost time for the Iron Bowl! What happened? It flies by. So, today, I want to take a moment to dwell in the eager anticipation that precedes the first college football game. Isn't Christmas Eve almost as fun as Christmas? Wanting so badly for something to happen, that you know WILL happen eventually. It's another story if you're unsure whether or not that for which you pine will come to fruition. However, football WILL happen. Thus, I want to record with written word this moment. On the tail end of a long, hot summer; it's about to happen. I flirted with soccer to try to ease the withdrawals (see previous post). But, there's no substitute for the real thing. It begins tonight. Southern Miss against South Carolina at 6:30 CST. A new season of football, a new season in our lives. Bring the cold weather, long sleeves, smack-talk, warm beverages, and ardent cries of WAR DAMN EAGLE! </span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-5873110192588317612010-06-23T11:28:00.003-05:002010-06-23T11:52:33.868-05:00Lando Can't-miss-ian<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm hooked. Soccer is awesome. As you know, I have made an effort to be a soccer fan for the 2010 World Cup. So, I went to a local bar here an Auburn called Quixote's to watch the match this morning at 8:30 a.m. Mimosas and breakfast burritos were flowing and patriotism was high. I felt like a true soccer fan watching a match in a bar in the morning! In the seventh minute, Algeria hit the top bar on a shot that scared us all to death. Later, a Clint Dempsey goal was discounted because we were called offsides, which we weren't. Thus, after 90 minutes of play, the score was still nil-nil. At the time, England was up 1-0 on Slovenia. If those results had stayed, England and Slovenia would have moved on to the round of 16 and we would have gone home. Things were looking grim. The official added four minutes of extra time. In the 91st minute, Algeria made a rifle shot on our goal, but our monster of a keeper stopped it. He quickly threw it out to one of our players in just the right spot. It was then passed downfield and we were on the move! Landon Donovan passed it to Jozy Altidore who shot, but the ball was blocked. As the ball came bouncing out, Donovan smashed it in. The place went NUTS. The country went nuts. All hell broke loose. Beer was spraying everywhere. It was better than an Auburn win. In a split second, we went from going home, to winning our group and moving on. (By the way, we haven't won our group since 1930!) Elation. Pure joy. Check it out. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzsI6RfT5cE3l0qyBZBJh5EfETunqwE3FTTzHY7zBTz8VX_3QSQz-iICNlJuiVxUuf4GB7oe0wrTMcuHC3Avg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After the initial celebration the bar broke into a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. It was the "War Eagle fly down the field" of our entire nation. What a cool moment. Go USA!! </span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-32221674081315961352010-06-20T13:54:00.002-05:002010-06-20T14:28:34.333-05:00World Cup of Football Soccer match games<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've never liked soccer. I was never cool enough to play soccer. I was never athletic enough to play soccer. Why watch or play soccer when there's hard-hitting, high-scoring American football to watch? </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm changing my tune these days. I've made a commitment to be a soccer fan throughout this 2010 World Cup. I'm trying to understand the game and all its weird rules. So, here's a list of things I like about soccer, things I don't like, and ways I would improve the game. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Things I don't like: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. The fact that the officials can penalize a team for something... and not even have to tell the team WHAT for. Case and point - USA v. Slovenia. Are you freaking kidding me? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. The acting. Because they give officials so much power, whenever a player hits the ground they have to whine and cry and grab their face and pretend to be more injured than they've ever been. Dumb. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. The low scoring. I know, I know, it's just the nature of the game. And I am learning to appreciate the little things (takeaways, good passes, etc.) instead of focusing solely on goals. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Things I like: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin... I like how the clock just runs. You will not have to watch commercials until half time. That's pretty rad. It also speaks to the athleticism of the players that they have to continue playing for 45 mintues! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. The globality (new word) of it. I'm a huge fan of the olympics because it brings the world together. For those three weeks, most of the world's attention is focused on the games. I always dismissed the World cup. But, soccer truly is a global game that brings hooligans from all parts of the world together. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. The simplicity of the game. Kick the ball into the goal. Easier said than done, but that's how you win. Done. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ways I would improve soccer: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Coat the ball in bacon grease and periodically release a pack of dogs onto the field. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Have "hotspots" like in NBA Jam. If you score from the small circle with a 3 on it, you get three points instead of one. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Flaming soccer ball. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Those are just a few of the ways soccer would be more interesting. I think FIFA will have no problem implementing those simple suggestions. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Go USA! </span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-69796346751608991592010-06-15T10:40:00.002-05:002010-06-15T11:13:02.234-05:00Who Knew There was a Water Park In Auburn?<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Who knew there was a water park in Auburn? Ok, I knew. But, I thought it was like trashy, run down, gross, dumb, nobody goes there water park. Turns out it's none of those things (except for the nobody-goes-there part). With the summer off, some coworkers and I decided to get season passes to Surfside water park. It's pretty rad. There's a wave pool, a lazy river, six slides, and delicious chili-cheese dogs. We got the "family package" so it was a much better deal. We spend our afternoons sliding, floating, and generally lazing around the water park. On a crowded day, there may be a two-person wait for the best slides. On an average day though, there are as many lifeguards as patrons of the fine establishment. What a hidden gem in the sediment that is Auburn. </span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-30665462744371278032010-06-14T10:09:00.004-05:002010-06-14T10:36:35.817-05:00Lions<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In 2nd Samuel, a man named Benaiah is in the woods on a snowy afternoon. He spots a lion. Most of us would wet ourselves, then run. Not Benaiah. He charges the lion and the lion runs! Benaiah gives chase until he comes upon a deep pit. He walks up to the edge, looks down, and sees two huge yellow eyes staring back at him. Benaiah turns from the pit and walks away. However, he's not walking away for good. Instead, he's getting a running start. He leaps into the pit with spear in hand to kill or be killed. After several minutes of roaring, grunting, and screaming, Benaiah climbs out of the pit.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I bought a book yesterday called <i>In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day</i> by Mark Batterson. I thought I was done with these Christian self-help, inspirational books. However, something about this one peaked my interest (and it was only five bucks at the Cornerstone bookstore). I've read four chapters and am loving it.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It's not NORMAL to chase a lion into a pit and try to kill it. God doesn't call us to sit by and be normal. The lion represents our seemingly insurmountable fears, and the only way to overcome that fear is to face it head on. That defies all that is within us though. Our rational minds say, "Are you crazy? I'm not going into that pit after that lion!" But it's an integral part to becoming who God wants us to be. Imagine you are on a boat in the middle of the ocean. You've never really sailed before, but you thought it'd be fun. You ask your captain, "Have you ever been in a storm before?" Wouldn't you feel much better if your captain's response was "Yes, I've weathered many storms at sea" rather than "Nope, never sailed in a storm before"? The adversity makes us better, stronger, wiser. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So this image of a lion is stuck with me right now. It represents those fears that we normally would run away from, but God is calling us to chase, charge, and kill. I like that. I like the thrill of overcoming a fear. I've been wanting a tatoo for a while now. I couldn't ever think of a phrase that I would want on me forever. But a picture is worth a thousand words. I think I want a lion tatoo. So, yesterday I drew one on my arm just to see what it would look like. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAKTIGtom1w-vhNkboG1p9jT4aDI4n_read3lu6r0t-y5syHkP5TFsk0y_QE8YrYhp5trxNUYzShunnMhoNo8K6C0TRB3IMpIkuXVXeMzZ-in5TGxwGFfXweXqW7yZG2spUe8zMnPZ28/s400/x2_19db4f9.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482651299751174034" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">I would probably go about two-thirds that size. It's called a "rampant lion" and it was used in medieval times on shields and crests. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">We give lions so much respect because of how much we fear them. Our fears in life don't deserve that much respect. They can rule us if we don't chase them down and defeat them. The thing to remember though, is that we don't fight them alone. Our God is fighting alongside us. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-61470842640313175702010-04-22T14:53:00.002-05:002010-04-22T15:02:53.278-05:00Whiplash<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Things have been crazy around here! I'm sure you've been busy too. In the last few weeks I've put on four performances of our Spring Show "Willy Wonka Jr." and had two choir concerts. I've also been up to my eyeballs in paperwork for our spring trip to Atlanta. Most of the time I like being busy, I feel like I work better and harder when I'm under the gun. However, it was nice to get home at a normal time yesterday and be able to have a life after work! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Here's a thought (totally seperate from the above statements) that I've been pondering today: If we all know and understand that nobody is perfect, why is it so hard to accept when we fail or do something stupid? I'm not saying we should just be ok with messing up, but why is it SO difficult to admit when we're wrong and apologize? Is it pride? Are we too prideful to admit that we messed up? I'm trying not to be. Derek Webb once said that the greatest thing that could ever happen to us is for our greatest sin to be broadcast on the 5 o'clock news. Scary thought huh? But maybe he's on to something. If everyone knows the depths of everyone else's struggles, weaknesses, and failures, maybe we would be more inclined toward understanding and forgiveness. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">I'm not a great person that screws up every now and then. Rather, I'm a screw-up that gets things right every now and then. </span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-72937523566146716702010-03-30T20:30:00.004-05:002010-04-08T08:08:42.854-05:00Hello?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Hello? Anyone there? Does anybody still read this? I sure don't. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Anyways- if you happen to stop by and read, I'll write some things just for you. Life right now is grand. I'm (generally) happy at my job, there's an extra hour of daylight every day, I attend a great church, I've been lifting weights (to get swole for warrior dash... which is a topic for another post), my car runs well, my dog runs well... life is good. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Rehearsals for Willy Wonka Jr. are in the stage where they are actually fun now. Don't get me wrong, they are still work. However, I enjoy it. I actually look forward to it. I don't mind that it keeps me at school until 5:30 or later. The kids know their lines. The props are coming in. Costumes are getting finished. The set is being finalized. Things are coming together and I'm really excited! We bought our own lights and they came in today! In the past, we've rented them for just a little less than it cost to buy them. So, we bit the bullet, did a fundraiser (talent show) and bought them! Let there be light! If you're in the Auburn area (or even if you're not) on April 13th, please come to Drake Middle School to see our production. These kids (and teachers) have worked SO hard!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Easter. Of all the crazy things in the bible. He died. His enemies sat back and laughed, washed their hands of him. Then, our God raised him from the dead. BAM! In yo face. If I had to pick one event from the bible to actually witness, it would be His resurrection (well... if I'm honest with myself it would probably be his crucifixion. I daily need to be reminded that it was MY sin that he took upon himself... and also MY sin that he overcame and MY life he died for). But... in terms of sheer AWESOMENESS... resurrection all the way. I would freak out. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So, count your blessings this week. Including, but not limited to, the fact that our God has a plan that we cannot even fathom. Crazy ole Yaweh... what'll he do next? </span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-4887187473810024832010-02-15T09:39:00.002-06:002010-02-15T09:55:18.862-06:00A Huge Mistake<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm so angry. Citadel Communications has decided to pull Live 100.5 off of their frequency and replace it with some bull**** news-talk show. This is egregious in so many ways. Radio in Birmingham has suffered in mediocrity for years. The X was a glimmer of hope, but it got moved around and eventually settled in the mire of Nickelback, Three Doors Down, and the like. Then, Live 100.5 was born. Radio was good, really good. The DJs were knowledgeable, the music cutting-edge. It was a station I could rely on to play some of my favorite music, as well as introduce me to great new music. I travel often from Auburn to Birmingham and back. I had landmarks picked out that told me when I was close enough to Birmingham to tune in to 100.5. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm frustrated, angry, and mostly just disappointed. The worst part? The station that's taking it over is being SIMULCAST on an AM frequency! It just makes no sense. Birmingham is doomed to forever wallow in crappy music and conservative talk radio. It was good while it lasted and I wish them all the best. I can only hope that the spirit of Live 100.5 will resurface on another frequency some day. </span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com71tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-10283576024069947732010-01-22T21:45:00.002-06:002010-01-22T22:22:01.146-06:00A Holy Frustration<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I just got back from AMEA. Alabama Music Educator's Association Conference in Tuscaloosa. Professional development opportunities for music teachers are non existent at the local level, so we get together at conferences like this once or twice a year. It's always so good to see my colleagues from Birmingham. These are choir directors (most of them middle school) with whom I share a vision and passion to teach kids through music. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While it's good to hang out and cut up, we also attend concert sessions and interest sessions. Here's where things get thick. I found myself intensely frustrated today. By what? I'm not even quite sure that I've processed enough to know yet. However, I think it's rooted in the disparity between where I am and where I want to be. All of my colleagues have these wonderful, flourishing choral programs renowned throughout the state. Me... I'm bashing my head against the wall trying to build one up. The choral music "scene" or "culture" (if you will) doesn't exist in Auburn like it does in Birmingham. People "get it" there. There is an expectation from the community, parents, teachers, kids, etc. that ___________ Middle School has a great choral program and your kid should go there and be in choir because they'll have a great experience. That doesn't exist in Auburn. Well, let me pause and say that it does somewhat exist at the Junior High and High school level, but not at my school. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mine is just a different circumstance that makes it more difficult to have a comparable middle school program to others in the state. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So what right? Quit whining. I agree. I learned a lot at this conference. I was affirmed in some of the things I already do and introduced to many new things and ideas to try. I've heard of a thing called a "holy frustration," a discontent placed in one's heart that urges them to change their circumstances or the circumstances that created said frustration. I think that's what I come away from AMEA with. Yes, I heard some great choirs and that's always a plus. But even more, I was able to see and be reminded of where I want to be. Why I'm doing the things I'm doing at my school. Why, when it seems like nobody else cares one way or the other, I'm pushing for sixth grade choir. Why I'm teaching kids classical choral repertoire when all they want to sing is what they hear on the radio. Keep in mind I'm not saying these things for MYSELF. This isn't because I want more fame or renown. I just want for my students the same opportunities and experiences afforded to those kids in more chorally conscious school systems. I'm young. I got time. I'm gonna make this happen. </span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-89518338208819264412010-01-05T21:27:00.002-06:002010-01-05T21:49:48.637-06:00Twenty Ten<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whadup. So I spent a couple weeks at my parents lovely home in Bluff Park. A warm fire, homecooked meals, the Christmas tree, my awesome family, a yard for my dog. What else does a man need? Nothing, but that didn't stop the awesome things from happening. Here's what they were. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cousins. I've got lots of them and I love them. They are like extended brothers and sisters. I got to see and catch up with them over the break. Some of them have offspring... which is weird, but really awesome too. We had our annual Cater cousin Christmas cookie bake. It was mostly the offspring throwing flour everywhere, but who cares. It was great. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Movies. I saw several movies at the cineplex. Avatar. Brilliant. Sherlock. Brilliant. Invictus. Always wanted to see Morgan Freeman portray Mandela. I love films. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Christmas. We give each other gifts to symbolize the gift that God gave us. Now, a shirt or green currency paper will never match up to a living God who sacrificed himself, died excruciatingly, and rose again. But... it's nice to get that stuff right? I was further reminded of how blessed I am. Christmas was great. My only regret? I didn't see either Home Alone or Home Alone 2. Travesty, I know. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My Dad's latest phase. Each year, my father becomes infatuated with something new. Running (although he did that for years), Cycling (also did that for years), sailing, etc. This year, his thing is shotguns. He bought a new shotgun and he and I and my brother shot clays a couple times over the break. Let it be noted that I outshot him both times. Still, tons of fun. He's also (probably) going to get a hunting dog. Time to shoot some birds. Here's a video I made of Cater Men Swing and Shoot 2009, an all day outing of my father, brother, and myself to Farmlinks in Fayetteville, AL. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz0Q9oLuphUz-g8AGk6yZFXPtFYMmpot8uxN6Bgz0JjQF5CteJA2i7mbsAtOb34mIRiCsjB90ij2cj4Tlehxg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New Years always sucks. I think it's because of the unusually high expectations we place on it to become the greatest night of the year. This time, it didn't disappoint. I partied with Daniel, Lee, Jake, Daniel's wife and lots of her friends. I danced the night away. Went to bottletree cafe. Danced more. Best New Year's ever. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next day Auburn played in one of the most ridiculous bowl games I've ever seen. We won three bowl games that day. Can we store those up and use them in the future? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So now I'm back in Auburn. I'm back in my small white house with my dog. The cat that lives under the house somehow managed not to freeze to death (unfortunately). However... I've got a plan! I ordered a small animal trap. I'm going to trap that cat, drive out to Tuskeegee and let it go. Get outta here cat. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Students come back tomorrow. Can't wait. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It might snow Thursday night. Great... I probably just jinxed it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm working on my 2010 resolution. Last year's resolution was to listen to more blues music. I can honestly say that it was the first time I've remained mindful of my new year's resolution all year. I'd say I succeeded. I'm kicking around a couple ideas for this year's resolution. I'll get back to you. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The olympics are soon. I love the Olympics so much. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I like even numbers WAY better than odd numbers. So, the fact that it's 2010 makes my soul feel at ease. At least for another year. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hope your 2010 is full of great things. </span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-34796451165857566182009-12-23T10:29:00.002-06:002009-12-23T10:39:34.460-06:00Falling Short<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's been quite a time of blog silence. I didn't win Auburn Idol. There. I'll just get right to the point. I thought I had it wrapped up. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I performed without flaw last Friday night. There was nothing I could have pointed to and said, "well if I had just done that better, I might have won." I did everything to the best of my ability. The judges just saw things differently than I (and those supporting me) did. Oh well. It really was fun while it lasted. It was great getting to be a "rock star" for a few weeks. I hope that my students had fun following the show and the results and coming to the hotel with crazy posters screaming their heads off. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And that's one of the things I'm most grateful for. The outpouring of support and kindness from friends and family has been incredible. People love any kind of "Idol" type competition. I mean, Simon Cowell hit the nail on the head with this concept! It provides entertainment as well as suspense and drama. I wish it could have gone my way, but I'm happy for the winner (and happy that he's going to buy the top five contestants lunch when we get back to Auburn!) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For now, I'm just going to enjoy time at home with family and friends. I hope you are doing something you love this Christmas season. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas! </span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-20962043139888041922009-11-30T21:18:00.002-06:002009-11-30T21:32:48.034-06:00Getting Out There<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I finally got fed up with myself and decided to do something about it. I've been saying for a while now, "I want to start playing in coffee shops and bars." But I haven't actually done it. So, I called up my friend Kelly who works at Toomer's coffee. I asked her when I could play and she said they were having an open mic night Saturday. So, I went. I played. It was great. New guitar. Sounds amazing. Here's a picture.<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmRQwzIVvbz4Bs1eb-9nrlG_mIOnsPflIFngv2qn_scJCmx9rAKGWqPc4DQkucJP_y0JW4HV_G9mer-sDJ85PMdgiaXGAAOWVcOjZCAzrnELywJF4vHYai6zA5j1P4F9cEUvyRTqiSgc/s400/2009-11-28+20.00.51.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410105412187724706" /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-18300319372407600052009-11-22T03:24:00.002-06:002009-11-22T03:29:29.465-06:00Inspiration<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. </span></span><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zi8beYR1iBQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zi8beYR1iBQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-54821316105280147992009-11-21T09:24:00.002-06:002009-11-21T09:46:56.426-06:00Top 15<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last night was the first round of Auburn Idol. The top 25 contestants battled it out and only 15 were left standing at the end of the night. Was I nervous? Kinda. Fortunately, my experience with AU Singers and other performances have increased my confidence on stage. I had practiced enough and knew my song really well. It was similar to the time I went skydiving. I wasn't nervous until RIGHT before I jumped out of the airplane. Last night, I wasn't nervous until right before I went onstage. However, I knew that there were a ton of people in that crowd that were supporting me. A week of shameless self promotion at school paid off. There were fifty students and probably fifteen teachers there screaming their support. It meant so much to me that all of them gave their Friday night up to come and support me! My time came up, I sang to the best of my ability, and it was over. The crowd was insane. They were screaming so loud that the MC and the judges had to wait for them to calm down before they made any comments. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After everyone had performed, the judges went into another room to deliberate. When they came back, the contestants lined up on the side wall to await the calling of the top fifteen. Fourteen names had been called, and I was still standing on the side wall. The thought crept in my mind that this could be the end. Then he called my name and the room erupted again. I had made it through to the top 15. The next round is in two weeks. See you then. </span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-64258796480321379302009-11-15T20:47:00.002-06:002009-11-15T20:59:36.756-06:00Top 25<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In a move quite out of character for me, I auditioned for "Auburn Idol" yesterday. No, it has no affiliation with American Idol. It's a contest put on by the Auburn Hotel and Dixon Conference Center and Mix 96.7. This was one of those weekends that I kept thinking I had plans on, but it turned out I had nothing going on Saturday. I went to the hotel at 9 a.m. and got my number. Realizing it was going to be quite a while before I auditioned, I went and got some food, went home, hung out with Jenny for a bit, then went back only to find that the judges were going to take a 45 minute lunch break! I waited it out. I made some new friends in the hallway. Then, at about 1:15 I finally auditioned. I sang "Magic" by Andy Davis. I was able to play my guitar, but not to plug it in. The song went well, and before I knew it, it was over. The judges were very kind and complimentary. I left and went about my day. I got a phone call around 6:00 congratulating me on making the top 25 contestants for the competition! The live elimination shows begin this Friday night at 7:00 at the hotel. If you're in Auburn and you call me your friend, come and support me! Oh, did I mention that the winner gets $10,000? Talk about motivation. So wish me luck, or a broken leg, or whatever is applicable and supersticiously appropriate. </span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-10207632782176027402009-11-09T19:31:00.002-06:002009-11-09T19:50:35.368-06:00I love my...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Time for this week's installment of "I love my Mondays." Mondays are dominated by terrible thoughts, mostly about how much we hate Monday. Thus, I venture to detail a handful of highlights on everyone's least favorite day of the week. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. I love my students. This is the craziest week we've had yet as a choir. Today, we had a dress rehearsal for our big fall concert. This is when it all comes together. We decided last minute today not to use portable risers. Instead, we will sing in the choir loft. We haven't ever sung in the choir loft. They got up there, and that was it. Training wheels were off; they were big boys and girls. Seriously, they looked so grown up in that huge choir loft. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. I love my choir. Then they sang. I don't mean to get hopes up or anything, but they sounded so good! They were well mic'd and mixed. They sang with confidence and had fun. I can't wait for the concert tomorrow night! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. I love Monday night football. They had the right thing in mind forty years ago when they came up with this idea. Just like a blog post about Monday's positives, a football game on Monday attempts to make all right with the world. As the day wears on, there is a moment of clarity when you realize, "Yes! There's football on tonight!" </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. I love the Steelers. As I type, I'm watching said Monday Night Football. Tonight's matchup: Steelers at Broncos. Go Steelers. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. I love being busy. I know it kinda sounds weird, but I love being busy when I know what I have to do and I know how to do it. Two years ago, today was an extremely stressful day. Getting all those kids on busses, getting them to the church, getting them in the right places, running each piece, and making sure everyone gets home safely is quite a task. But this wasn't my first rodeo. It was actually enjoyable today! </span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-79084996799949453182009-11-05T21:51:00.002-06:002009-11-05T21:54:56.769-06:00She's Not Sick, She's a Dancer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">If you have any interest in education, set aside twenty minutes and watch this TED talk by Sir Ken Robinson. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><object width="334" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/SirKenRobinson_2006-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/SirKenRobinson-2006.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=320&vh=240&ap=0&ti=66&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity;year=2006;theme=master_storytellers;theme=how_the_mind_works;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=top_10_tedtalks;theme=bold_predictions_stern_warnings;theme=how_we_learn;event=TED2006;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="334" height="326" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/SirKenRobinson_2006-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/SirKenRobinson-2006.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=320&vh=240&ap=0&ti=66&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity;year=2006;theme=master_storytellers;theme=how_the_mind_works;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=top_10_tedtalks;theme=bold_predictions_stern_warnings;theme=how_we_learn;event=TED2006;"></embed></object>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-75936755880650420532009-10-29T21:06:00.002-05:002009-10-29T21:18:19.400-05:00Casting Call<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm in it from the beginning this time. Last year, I joined the production of Snow White well into rehearsals. This year, I've been a part of every decision from the beginning. Auditions were this week, in my classroom. Difficult, but in a good way. It's a good thing when you have so many talented people that you wrack your brain trying to find a place to put them all. If he goes here, then she can go there. But that would leave this role for him, which means that she couldn't go there. We debated for hours. We had three days of auditions. We heard at least forty kids. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The show is Willy Wonka Jr. It's not going to be easy. Lots of sets, dynamic characters, difficult songs. But we have the vision and the drive to make it work. I admit, it was hard to picture it coming together when there was only a box of librettos and cds in my office. However, after today's auditions, I have a more clear picture in my mind. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"If you want to view paradise, simply open up and view it. Anything you want to do it. Want to change the world? There's nothing to it." - Willy Wonka</span></span></div>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-63870491305563186672009-10-23T15:04:00.002-05:002009-10-23T15:15:34.460-05:00Seven Hours<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">I had a hard time going to school. No, I don't mean this morning. I mean starting school; when I was five. I cried every day. The counselor and I were best friends. It didn't help that I had the meanest woman on God's green earth as a KINDERGARTEN teacher! Every day was an insurmountable obstacle. When I got out of dad's van, I would never return. Every day. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">So, as I sit in the waning minutes of this Friday, with a raucous 7th grade team celebration having just concluded, I'm reminded of a piece of advice I received in that first year of my formal education. On a particularly rough day one morning, the assistant principal, Mrs. Fairweather, said this to me, "Honey, the school day is ONLY seven hours long." For whatever weird reason... it worked. How? I have no idea. Seven hours is an ETERNITY to a five year old. But, it was the way she said it "ONLY seven hours long", that got the job done. Once I knew this hidden gem of a scholastic secret, the days flew by. As each hour passed, I subtracted it from my grand total of seven, took a deep breath, and continued. This mantra continues to get me through the days that drag on. Most days don't. Most days, I have fun and the days fly by. However, every now and then I need to simply remind myself that, "the school day is ONLY seven hours long."</span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-53497293614031412592009-10-09T21:27:00.002-05:002009-10-09T21:37:14.187-05:00Caterfest '09<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I took today off. I got up super early and drove to Montgomery to meet my parents. I hopped in the truck with them and, a few hours later, was walking the white sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. It's time for Caterfest '09. The "09" might lead one to believe this is some sort of annual tradition. That simply isn't true. The Cater patriarchs, my father and his brother, simply decided it was time to unite the Caters under the banner of family, food, festival, fun, and fish. So, here we are. While not complete (we are missing some key members of the Cater Clan), I think we'll survive. Tomorrow, we're getting up early and going deep sea fishing. We will return from our four hour trip just in time to see the Tigers take on the swine of Arkansas. I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be.<br /><br />I hope you have an excellent weekend.<br /></span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-53916913979017708162009-10-05T20:36:00.003-05:002009-10-05T21:04:32.743-05:00The Dog Days<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">In the last couple weeks, Jenny has become THE source of my stress. Bless her, she can't help it (most of it). Warning: most of what you're about to read involves lots of poop.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I came home from work Monday and Jenny had exploded, from her butt. A butt explosion. She was in her crate, and there was canine catastrophe all over her, the crate, the wall... it was bad. I spent the next two hours cleaning the house and cleaning up Jenny. The next afternoon, I took her to the vet to get things figured out. No worms, but he gave me some special food to give her as well as a prescription medicine. She seemed to be getting better, until the weekend. While at my parents house, I noticed a little bit of surp</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">rise matter hanging from her nether-regions. A surprise to me, as well as her. Then, in the car on the way home. We pulled into my house in Auburn and I went around back to let Jenny out. Sure enough, there was a little soft-serve left on the rubber mat where she sat. She can't keep the valve closed. And without getting too graphic, I've seen it, it literally doesn't close. (I know, you just shuddered a little. So did I.)<br /><br />So that's an issue, obviously. Today, it was raining in the morning. I wasn't going to put her out in the rain while I went to work, so it was back in the dreaded cage-o-crap. I felt bad for her all day and actually zipped home at the start of my planning period to let her out. The rain had stopped, so I put</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> her in the kennel in the back yard and went back to work. When I pulled in at 4:00, Jenny came running up, covered in mud, happy as a clam. She had dug out of her kennel. Not a gold star day for the J-bird. Here's the little mud-puppy, realizing the fullness of my disappointment in her.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7iI7q6lafE0ACxAGXIs8uRMaHJA6WcF4Jx7nkCvW1kYMJmsVr-ywLlvhRHCtYN507GhR_nu7i7S-kCHJcfWMVLffuxtcm7dN8NNgoZJUjh08dM6y6aGbzmqZhO4Osp2NVsWrcmF6hB8/s1600-h/photo(3).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7iI7q6lafE0ACxAGXIs8uRMaHJA6WcF4Jx7nkCvW1kYMJmsVr-ywLlvhRHCtYN507GhR_nu7i7S-kCHJcfWMVLffuxtcm7dN8NNgoZJUjh08dM6y6aGbzmqZhO4Osp2NVsWrcmF6hB8/s400/photo(3).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389301220027772594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">So I took a trip to Lowe's, bought twenty cinder blocks, filled the hole, and lined the inside of the kennel with them. That oughta hold her (famous last words). Then, after a couple plays of Vikings v. Packers, I made another trip out to Tiger Town. This time, for diapers. Rediculous, I know. But she can't keep her butt closed. "Bottom" line. They say that owning a dog is good training for having kids.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I. Just. Bought. Diapers.<br /><br />She's making life very difficult for me, her single parent, right now. But, at the end of the day, I love her. No matter how frustrated I am that I have to bathe her AGAIN because she dug out, pooped everywhere, got into mommie's make-up bag, had a little too much fun with the fingerpaints, etc. She's still my girl and I love her, diapers and all.<br /></span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-51544107272315180672009-10-04T20:25:00.002-05:002009-10-04T21:16:43.339-05:00Frontman<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are good bands, and then there are great bands. One of the things that makes a great band, is a great frontman. I'm not necessarily talking about the leather-pant-wearing, crazy-haired frontman. I mean someone who a) has a great voice (a unique voice helps too), b) is energetic, c) gets the crowd going, and d) makes you wish you were them. The last two shows I've been to had those kinds of men at the helm. First, Elbow. Lead singer Guy Garvey MAKES this band. He IS this band. Yes, the music is excellent, but his interpretations of the lyrics, his range, his British accent, and his unique tone quality makes Elbow's music really stand out. The show was incredible.<br /><br />Then, The Decemberists. I must make a quick aside to tell you that my brother asked me last weekend, "So who are you going to see? Wacky Christmas?" Awesome. Anyways, their lead singer is Colin Meloy. He writes witty, whimsical, narrative, awesome songs. He has an unorthodox voice, with some kind of speech "impediment" like thing as well. It may or may not ACTUALLY be an impediment, I'm not really sure. Regardless, it makes his pronunciation of some words very interesting. I saw the Decemberists last weekend and they were incredible. Again, the other band members are very talented, but his voice takes the music to a new level.<br /><br />Perhaps that's my beef with popular alternative music. So many lead singers sound like the same old raspy, Chad Kroeger (Nickelback) voice. A unique lead singer goes such a long way toward making a band truly great.<br /><br />-----------------<br /><br />As a post script, my grandmother turned 98 today! Happy Birthday Grandmama!<br /></span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-38953209492563668772009-09-20T20:19:00.003-05:002009-09-20T20:46:29.926-05:00So Much Water<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVzvDruNNTXlUOtwMwvpEyY4KKKEivQFQ-AxTGHShL0MHcQSC8hHAnYDCIPrBYpus4XgpdOe9QQNUvwlUO9EueNzq2HBSTpfyWMkXaVxZcrydkjiF31fY2m82oAsqw0grjTmd94jnmBY/s1600-h/photo(2).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVzvDruNNTXlUOtwMwvpEyY4KKKEivQFQ-AxTGHShL0MHcQSC8hHAnYDCIPrBYpus4XgpdOe9QQNUvwlUO9EueNzq2HBSTpfyWMkXaVxZcrydkjiF31fY2m82oAsqw0grjTmd94jnmBY/s400/photo(2).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383731106266647426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm sick of the rain. I'm reminded of the poetic words of an old song: rain, rain, GO AWAY. Pictured above is the scene in Jordan-Hare Stadium just before the bottom dropped out. I took the picture with my phone, then put it in a ziploc bag just in time for the monsoon. We. Got. Soaked. It was more rain than I've ever stood in (and I've stood in rain everywhere from Tulsa to Timbuktu). I was saturated. I wore a raincoat, but it didn't work after seventy million gallons of water fell on me. I was miserable.<br /><br />I have learned that I have a tendency to think that my current circumstances, whatever they may be, are permanent. Thus, I thought it would rain all night. I wasn't going to stay there in such crazy rain. There were even times I thought they might not play. I know that's dumb, but I thought it. So, I left. I rode my bike home and got dry. I watched the game from underneath my warm blue snuggie. Of course, as the game turned AWESOME I regretted my decision to leave. Spare me your comments of "How could you!" and "You call yourself an Auburn fan!". For there is nothing you can say that I haven't already thought. Waves of guilt wash over me like sheets of rain. But then I think of how comfortable and dry I was, and I'm like, "Peace suckers! Have fun with the flu." Seriously though, If I had it to do over again, I would've dried off and gone BACK to the game! They were letting people come back in. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20, until you smash into something because you were looking backwards.<br /><br />War eagle.<br /></span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-16089596478926106322009-09-14T21:38:00.002-05:002009-09-14T21:49:58.259-05:00I love My...<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Good evening, and welcome to another installment of "I love my Mondays". The post where I detail five things that, on a day when we hate everything, I'm loving right now. Despite the worst Monday weather in recent memory, I'll try to scrounge up five things I fancy.<br /><br />1. I love my Auburn Tigers. And I'm not afraid to say it. I think I swooned when Antonio Coleman made his first career interception and ran it in for six. As previously posted, I'm so pumped about the Aubren War Eagle Tigers of Auburn's plains this year.<br /><br />2. I love my seventh graders. I have a great group of seventh grade choir members this year. We have so much fun in class. I'm really looking forward to hearing them sing this fall.<br /><br />3. I love my new show: Defying Gravity. If you know me at all, you know I'm somewhat of a space enthusiast. This is a new drama on NBC that takes place aboard the space vessel Antares. It follows the crew on a six year mission to Venus and back. It rocks.<br /><br />4. Speaking of Auburn football, I love the new show "Auburn Football: Every Day". This is a documentary-meets-reality show about the day to day activities of Auburn's football coaches and players. There are interviews with players and coaches on a weekly basis. I got a little misty-eyed a couple times during the last episode. It's that good.<br /><br />5. I love Samuel Adams. Octoberfest brew is here. Drink one.<br /></span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142825739729965230.post-1677659310265199542009-09-13T20:21:00.003-05:002009-09-13T20:28:36.432-05:00The Chizik Era<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After two Auburn Football games, it looks as though the Tigers have an offense. What a sigh of relief this is for the Auburn faithful everywhere. After the offense-less struggles of the last couple years, there's nothing we like to see more than a team that can move the ball down the field. Not only that, it seems we have found multiple ways to strike. This week, Auburn had over 560 yds of total offense. It's a new era in Auburn football, and I'm happy to be here for it. I'm more fired up about Auburn football than I have been in quite a while. Everything seems more meaningful now. When the eagle flies, I get more choked up. When the team runs out, I get more fired up. I'll refrain from making premature, outrageous claims about this team and this year. Suffice it to say that I'm really pumped about Auburn football and the months ahead. War Damn Eagle!<br /></span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03246043145179781225noreply@blogger.com4