Awesome!

That is a freakin' awesome idea! I'm all for it!!! I'm so looking forward to the Jam session. T hat should be either Saturday or an evening so more people can come... :)

The Missing Link

Hi Jon - can you put a link to the Summer Games Calendar o' fun? I can't seem to find it. Thanks in advance.

Come One, Come All

"I have an excellent idea: LET'S CHANGE THE SUBJECT!"
- March Hare

So... the idea is this: I thought it would be cool to post social/fun events on the Summer Games calendar and kick it with friends throughout the summer, but I've been busy/lazy and haven't really organized or posted very many things. So to rectify the situation, Cory and I came up with An Idea. It is to have a fun-filled three day Super Party in August (Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday all day and evening), and let everyone and their canine companion know about it. It's being announced far enough in advance that hopefully everyone can plan on being there for at least part of one of the days, although it's strongly encouraged to be there for as much of it as possible.

The dates are posted on the Summer Games Calendar. Following are a suggested list of activities and people to invite. If you'd like to suggest a different or additional activity, or if there's someone that I somehow overlooked putting their name on the list - please post it/them or email me. (And if I did forget you, I apologize profusely in advance. It was unintentional.)

Events

• hike (Waterfall, since it's nice as well as short)
• BBQ
• movie (probably at the new Megaplex @ the Junction) and/or games (board/Wii/whatever)
  
• laser tag
  
• Lagoon
• jam session
• swimming
  

People (in absolutely no particular order)

• Aaron and Lena
• Tim and Amy
• Jason and Kristin
• Kristen Kotter & hubby
• Cory and Tristin
• Ben and Hava
• Andrew
• Ricky
  
• Corey and Jen
• Matt and Tiffany and Robyn
• Jessica
• Brittney Bailey
• Jeff Johnson
• Mike Jessop
• BJ and Brandy
• Mark and Connie
• Mellissa Ward
• Derek and Sara
• Kelly Root
• Jarrett
  
• Kathryn and Ky
• Beth
• Lauralee
• Genie
• Heather-Marie
  
• Heather Williams
• Billy and Jessica
• Jasmine
• Katie Midgely
  
• Melanie and Dave

Just in looking at these lists, I am sure that I've left about 1/3 of the people that ought to be invited off, and the activities are certainly open. Please RSVP and such. When we get the events and people finalized, I'll send out a mass email and flesh out the calendar with additional events.

Here's to festivities!

Oh, so THAT's how it works!

Takes forever for the site to finish loading, and it's in Japanese, but... if you've ever wondered how your mouse pointer REALLY moves around your screen, this site will show you a close-up view behind the scenes of mouse pointer movement. After the site loads, mouse over the circle in the middle. Try clicking, also and you will see how that works as well.

Now you know.

Recital Attendance

I was recently checking out various universities' music therapy programs. Music majors at Pacific University in Oregon are required to attend 7 recitals per semester. SEVEN! Music minors are required to get 4. GAH! We have to hit one a week AT LEAST to make the required minimum, not including concert reports. My jaw hit the floor when I saw that.

On a lighter note, how many violinists does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Just one. He simply holds onto it and the world revolves around him.

Suite Deal

Cory, that's awesome. And I wish you luck with the bagpipes and all. I'm sure it will be nice to be teaching students who have been on their instruments a bit longer as well since you can get into more interesting music.

Fun stuff that's upcoming:
Corps Encore
Harry Potter VII
Fall Semester

Here's my first stab at a (eventually hopefully complete) virtual tour of the WSU Campus a la Myst: upstairs at Lampros Hall.

PRAISE BE TO ALLAH

For we shall have somebody good at BL. No offense to Carrie Maxson, of course.
I wish you luck and I hope you don't have to teach too much in those temporary buildings.
If you have questions about the bagpipes, I might be able to help.

New Job

Hi everybody! Just thought that I would announce that I am now a "Scot." I'll be taking over for Carrie Maxson at BLHS as the instrumental music teacher next year. So wish me luck on learning the Bagpipes. As a side note - this means that my position at Highland Middle School just opened up in case you are interested. (2 periods of beginning band, 2 periods of advanced band, and 2 choir).

another quote!

"Next to knowing when to seize an opportunity, the most important thing in life is to know when to forego an advantage."
-Benjamin Disraeli

Did I do that?

For any who were worried about global warming
you can relax and enjoy life, knowing that there's nothing you can do about it.

Bring It

http://bringsome.com/

Sunday - BOOM

So of course, all who can should attend this Sunday's yearly fireside/--works and pops concert at Lindquist Plaza (Which is to say, the Duck Pond) here at our own glorious Weber State University. I will appoint a place I am (or at least try -- would it be in bad taste to display a large South African flag? That is what I'll probably do)

FOR at this time a group of eclectic citizens will decide the future of Ogden and indeed the world (MWA HA HA) -- well, no. But it's always fun. And other summer events will there be discussed.

P.S. Y is for yeshiva (ha ha ha)

a

another quote - oddly enough, right now I have title trouble too.

Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.
--Alan Alda

quote:

"Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them. "
--Richard Wagner

Funny thing...I can't put any text in the title box. How very odd. :)

Thanks Jon!

If you haven't read the link that he posted about his friend, Juli, you need to read it. I know at least 3 people who have been or are being affected by cancer (one who is at the point of hoping he'll get to spend time with his family at Christmas next year). I don't know if you know only one person or many, until you know what they go through, you will never understand. I may never understand completely (I hope I don't have that opportunity), but I think everyone needs to lend their support to those who are affected by it, even if it is a word of comfort or encouragement. Thanks for sharing that with everyone Jon. :)

Understanding Cancer

I recently had a chance to attend a benefit concert for a friend who is battling cancer. Before the concert started they asked all cancer survivors to stand. Many people did, but when they asked everyone to stand who had a friend or loved one who had cancer the rest of the room stood up.

My friend's name is Juli Housholder. If you have a minute, she has written periodically about what it's like to have cancer and to go through the treatments, and I think it's worth reading. It gave me an appreciation for what she and others who face this are going through. Here's the link:
http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=221198

Even with what she's facing she still finds time and energy to try to help other people. She has organized two teams for the American Cancer Society's annual fundraising event, Relay for Life. If you're feeling generous, feel free to donate, even if it's only 5 bucks - every bit helps. If you don't, at least take a minute to read her story. If you never have cancer, chances are overwhelming that you either have or will know someone who will have cancer, and it's good to understand what they experience. Here's the link to our Relay team page (kintera.org hosts the online fundraising):
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=213972&lis=1&kntae213972=D2FCF0AAE923402D8ACAEED83A19C1FF&supId=0&team=1970332


Thanks so much.