Hutch off the cuff

I needed this today.

We read this as a family this morning. Awesome, and a spiritually and emotionally filling passage—just what I need with my impatient waiting.

waiting.

waiting.

D & C 128:22

There's a lot of good stuff there, but I really like that verse.  Happy day.

Still Waiting

I learned today that the search committee for the position to which I'm aspiring is deadlocked—3 votes for each of 2 candidates.  Well, at least they were Tuesday night, which means Thursday would be fast for a job offer.  It's a good thing I have sources for such information, or might just feel crazy.

There were three candidates, and assuming/hoping that I'm one of the two, I have mixed feelings about this revelation:

1. I didn't win them over entirely.  That's a disappointment, but quite frankly, it's not that important to me if my supporters can win the battle.
2. Its possible that the other candidate has a PhD, and I merely a MM.  The fact that I'm still competitive in the position is good news, although it's also possible that it's between an MM and an MM, in which case I'm friends with the other, and I'd be happy for either of us.  It wouldn't be so bad at all.
3. It's going to be one  l o n g  weekend, and then the crazy run to the phone thing will start all over again. I'm not sure I can handle that for much longer!
4. Strangely, I'm confident that everything will work out regardless of the outcome of this particular position, although I really want this one.  Really. 

There you have it.  Any prayers/thoughts/splendid vibes can be forwarded directly to the search committee.  Sway the vote, folks! 

Daily Weighing

I've had a bit of a weight loss slow down.  It is to be expected with the amount and intensity of the travel I've done over the last month and a half, but still, it gets me down.  Since the middle of May we've travelled almost 7,000 miles in our new car (yeah, that's the way to keep the miles down . . .) and had a glorious time exploring the West and South.  Staying with family, being on the road, and general summer delight have not, however, been friendly to healthy and sensible eating.  I've not really gained—I'm still where I was at the beginning of May, but I'd really rather be losing, you know?

So, to combat the difficult complacency of the summer, I instituted daily weighing in my life.  I've never been a fan, always insisting that the weekly cycle is more important than the daily numbers, but I've noticed two important things.

1. When I have a weigh in every morning, I think about it the night before.  This unquestionably helps curb my night time eating.  The awareness is great, and while I don't eliminate it, I've been bulking up my meals earlier in the day so that I don't have as many points to squander.  Also, no eating after 8 if I can remember; I think I'm sleeping better from this as well.
2. Previously these mid-week weigh ins have only frustrated me, with strange peaks and valleys, sometimes 5-7 pounds between.  I've heard of fluctuation, but this was like adding a small child to the scale with me, and it always made me mad.  Since I've been daily weighing, which is really only like five days now, I've consistently been lower than the day before.  In five days I've lost over three pounds, but not had any upward fluctuations.  While this is great, and may not always be the case, I think it's a direct reflection of good old #1 up there. 

So, I think I'll keep it around.  I'm participating in the Healthy Lifestyle Challenge Rachel set up and keeping a nice spreadsheet of my daily weight, and I think this summer will be a healthy and promising one.  

Back to Tennis

After nearly a year hiatus because of school, weather, and general business, we returned to our beloved tennis this morning.  OH, what a return it was, and how great it feels to be out in the open air sweating like a fat man!  Liz and I played two sets, of which I won two (6-1, 7-5) and we had a spectacular time together.  The boys played din the moist volleyball court, which they interpret as the world's largest sandbox, and it only took a couple of minutes to clean them off when it was time to go.

A few things I observed:

1. It takes Liz longer to warm up than it does me.  That bodes well for my first set.
2. I don't get as tired as I did last time I played.  I think I've lost some weight since he last time, and I like the new freedom. 
3. When the boys need a little attention, especially Jacob, it's a great opportunity for the non-helping parent to do a little jog around the court to keep the heart rate up. 
4. I still really don't play worth a crap.  It's like my typing—I'll probably never do it correctly, but I've become rather proficient with what I've got.  Now that I think of it, that's also how I play the piano, and cook, and decorate my house, and the list goes on and on . . .    
5. It's fun to exercise together.  We're not particularly starved for time together (see previous post) but it's nice to do something we enjoy and be productive at the same time.  Bonus—the boys get to go to the park, and that makes us SUPER PARENTS in their eyes! 

I think we'll go again Monday.  And Tuesday.

Day 2 of . . .

NOTHING.

Nothing at all going on here.  Gratefully, it's the first such occasion since graduation since I really wondered what I was going to do all day.  First it was the trip to Utah, then the journey to Arkansas, then prep for Houston, then Houston, then coming home from Houston, then interview prep, then going to Houston again, then interview, and now that it's all over, I feel a little aimless.  I should hear about the job within the week, and once that's going, I'll be busier than, well, busier than I am now, and that will be a welcome change for sure.

It's interesting what you learn about yourself when you have nothing to do.  I learned that I haven't read a book for leisure for almost a year.  I'm due for another one, so I went to the bookshelf to pick out a treasure, but was quickly and rudely reminded that all of our books have been packed already.  I thought maybe I'd play and sing for a bit—just fun stuff, not the arias and art songs I've been preparing for a year.  I reached for the music books, but (you guessed it!) they're books and have suffered the fate of all other books in my house.  I considered doing some packing to get ahead and be ready for our eventual move to a yet undiscovered and therefore undisclosed location, but it turns out that Liz has already packed too much!  My second day home from Houston I was preparing dinner and found, to my great displeasure, that all of the herbs and spices had already been packed.  Maybe I'm the crazy face here, but who packs the spices before the last minute?  People who like bland food, that's who!  They've since been unearthed and restored to their proper location.  Funny stuff, really.

So here I sit, blogging to fill time and keep my mind occupied.  I think the next logical step is to keep my body occupied—exercise today, methinks.  We'll see if that really happens or if I'm just too bored to have the drive to do anything at all.  It's amazing how having nothing to do diminishes your desire to do.  Ah, summer . . .

Interview Day from the other end

It's all over.  From here out I wait and trust that the right things will happen.  For several weeks I was rather haphazard in my feelings about this position—no big deal, applied on a whim, and pursued other endeavors.  As I invested myself in preparing for it, however, I found that this really is something I want.  ant to stay here in Missouri, I want to teach in a college setting rather than in the public schools, and I want to do it at this school.  The interview went well, my presentation was solid and received excellent feedback, and in the end I felt like my professional desires and the goals of the college are well-aligned and that I'm still the ideal candidate for this position.  I can only hope they agree.  Enough about the things I can't control.  What could I control?  My wardrobe, of course!  Here's just a little sample.

Interview Day

It's been a long time since I've had to interview in person for something.  Over two years, in fact, and I'm a little nervous.  However, I look good, I've prepared well, and I'm ready to go in and show them what I've got.  Six hours of interview—does anyone besides academia go through a single interview of such amazing length?  Meet with the committee, teach in a classroom, meet with the President, meet with the Dean, eat lunch, tour campus, go all out for more than six hours straight.  Awesome.  If you get a chance, say a little prayer for me!

Why this year?

We're not big travelers.  We're not against the idea, but as our family has grown, we've chosen to spend our money on other things, like diapers and car payments and food.  We've had some great opportunities to visit family from time to time, although not frequently.  As we've become more stable, we've started to dream of other trips we could take, both to visit family and to, um, enrich ourselves, you might say (we call those VACATIONS.)

This year has presented us with many such opportunities, and by next week we'll have travelled to Utah once and to Texas twice.  The traveling is fun, and we enjoy it, but fuel has never been so expensive as the year we start traveling.  What's up with that?  Oh well—it's still cheaper than flying our entire family all over the place.  We're heading out tonight for Houston again, and it's going to be good times.  Expensive, but fun.

Morning Run

After two years in Columbia and falsely moving once already, I finally resolved to make better use of the extensive trails that wind, well-maintained, through our beautiful city.  This morning I jumped out of bed early, convinced Jacob to stay upstairs with mom, a task considering he'd been trying to get me out of bed since 5:45, and took off for a run along the Bear Creek Trail in the northern regions of the city.  I chose the trail carefully because as a runner I'm in an awkward place.  You see, the short trails, all 1-2 miles are too short, and simply despise having to do laps, regardless of the size.  Once I've seen a site, it's nigh impossible to convince me to go around to see it again.  On the flip side, however, the longer trails are not loops, but connect one area of the city to another, or bridge the gap between parks, or are now long trails made of several, previously separate trails.

Bear Creek Trail one such longer trail, coming in at 4.8 miles total length, and connecting our favorite park on the East side of town with our tennis park in north central town.  I decided that I would park at one end, and run/walk for half the time I'd allotted, then turn around and go back.  It's one thing to have to run the same thing twice, but quite another to know you can't get home unless you go back the way you came.  So, in the spirit of adventure, I laced up my new Asics (one of the best purchases of my life) and took off along the firmly laid gravel trail.

The first thing I noticed is that it was cold—57º when I left the house this morning, and the normally welcome, rich shade of the overhead canopy did little to warm up my hesitant body.  The morning was fresh and dewy, and I was the only on the trail for at least a mile and a half.  I only know that figure because there are mile markers along the way; mile markers for which I was very grateful as I gauged my progress against what I presumed to be my abilities.  As I listened to Prince Caspian read thoughtfully and quite brilliantly by Lynn Redgrave (C.S. Lewis has become my welcome running partner—next is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader!) I marveled at the stillness of the morning and my presence, although along an established path, seemed an intrusion on the solitude of nature herself.  I took in the lush greens of the foliage, the clear water in the Creek along the trail, and the occasional morning web, not yet destroyed by the breezes of midday.  I reveled in the freshness of the dew as it tickled my nostrils and the frequent and surprisingly strong scent of cinnamon as I rushed along the path.

I didn't run the entire path and back, but did run the hour I had set as my goal.  By the end of next month I'd like to be able to take the whole trail up and back in a single event.  Today was 4.25 miles in just under 60 minutes.  I could have done it in 52 or so, but I took a nice relaxing cool down on the final half mile or so.  I had rushed enough, so it was time for me to take a little time to enjoy the journey a bit and let my muscles work in a different way.  I'll be back again tomorrow, and I hope to enjoy every minute as I once again bask in the glory of nature and prepare to set Caspian upon the Narnian throne.

A new look for a new direction

If you refresh your browser, you'll see that Houston is no longer gracing the head of this blog.  In fact, I'd say this new look has kind of a simplified reconstruction vibe, and that is exactly where my life sits right now.  There is a story to explain that, and it is here for those that care to click over and read the saga.  Suffice it to say here that I'm home, I'm happy, and we're moving forward in a big way.  Life is good.  I'm hoping that means I'll be blogging more regularly!

Feeling Better

I’m better in control today, and much better regulated. Sudafed seems to be keeping the pain out of my sinuses, although there are simply ghastly things still being expelled from my face. Enough of the yuck. Last night I enjoyed a great evening walk while I listened to C.S. Lewis and enjoyed a nice path along the Bayou here by the University. Note to self: even if it’s a casual walk, don’t wear jeans—it’s just too freakin’ hot. I’ll try it again tonight in my exercise attire see if it works out a little more . . . comfortably. In general I’ve already had a hard time staying invested in the work I’m doing this summer. While I do appreciate and understand the things being taught and the applications for future use, I’m using them this summer in a math classroom rather than my music classroom. While I will, no doubt, use many of these ideas, mindsets, and skills in the future, it’s discouraging to not have the immediate opportunity to use them as I will in the fall. The mandate to teach in one kind of environment here prevents me from preparing myself mentally for the upcoming school year. I am, however, excited to enter the classroom and start teaching—whatever it is, I do love teaching.

I think a teacher has to be just that—a teacher—before they can be anything else. Me? I’m a musician and a teacher, and it is this combination that makes me who I am professionally, and even personally in many ways. Without one of those components, I could not do what I do. If I weren’t a teacher, I’d have to be just a musician, and without a strong sense of musicianship and musical scholarship, I would have to teach something else. I wish that there was a way to impart this more clearly to aspiring teachers. Maybe one day I’ll find a way to explain that it’s not enough to love your subject or to love teaching. You must, simply must be proficient in and love both areas to really invest yourself in and effect learning for your students. 

And now I descend gracefully from my soapbox and feel a small bead of sweat trickle down my back. Isn’t this bus air conditioned?

Early mornings and late nights

We met at 6:30 this morning after my restless night of sleep.  We had all already eaten our breakfast and gathered together our sack lunches, and we lounged about in the already oppressive humidity of the Houston morning.  Now it's after 10, and I have not stopped since that first sticky encounter this morning.  Fortunately I did get in a little jog around the area and made a run to Target tonight to buy some sinus medication, afternoon snacks, and water that doesn't taste like it was carried by dirty mules up to the 14th floor.  Thank you, Target, for having all these things in one place.

As I returned from my much-needed run to the giant store (everything really is bigger in Texas!) I listened as a band, probably at a summer camp here at the University, practiced in the "cool" of the evening.  As I walked across the parking lot, the sounds from their field reflected on the buildings I was approaching, and a curious affect spread over the area, as the sounds of two distinct bands emerged from the sound of the one behind me.  They echoed delay was such that one could not even connect the sounds to one another, and the effect was very Charles Ives as the sounds of receded and the second approached.  Musical nerd moment—glad to know I haven't lost it yet!

The Drive down

I arose at 3:30 sharp this morning, determined not to start the day behind the careful schedule I planned.  Google maps indicated a 13.5 hour journey, and I figured I could do it in about 12.  With time for fuel, bathroom, and food, I figured 13 tops.  So I set out in my sad little car that howls like the wind, and turn my headlights toward Houston.  The drive was uneventful, smooth, and I made it in 12 hours, 50 minutes.  A victory if I do say so myself!  The best part of my journey was the road signs, which I carefully noted and now have to share with you.  It's a shame I was in such a hurry, for there seemed a great many thing to do between Missouri and the Gulf of Mexico, but time pressed upon me, and I made haste.  Some gems of wisdom from the highways and byways of Oklahoma and Texas:

Jenks, America: Antique Capital of Oklahoma

My questions is whether Antique is a noun or an adjective.  I later drove through the city, but didn't get my question answered.  I remain justifiably curious.

No Tolerance

In reference to posted and consistently violated speed limits.  I thought we preached tolerance?

Drive Friendly

As opposed to drive bitterly and with disdain for your fellow beings?

Keep Our Land Grand

I hope Rodgers and Hammerstein are receiving royalties for these severally posted Oklahoma signs.

Hitchhikers may be escaping inmates

That's good to know.

Bridge Ices Before Road

Now, I know these are everywhere, but I thought we had fairly well ingrained that principle in middle school physical science.  Maybe not.

Don't Mess with Texas

There's really nothing significant about this sign except that it was my first that was actually about litter instead of the nationalism that is Texas pride.  Interesting note: while Texas speeding fines are among the lowest in the nation (really, everywhere is far away here, so you might as well go fast,) the fine for highway littering is $2000.  Yup.

Throckmorton Road

Only JP and maybe Sarah will smile at that.  It just conjured memories of a fun class and an obscene story.

Now, this last one is a mystery, and therefore I have saved it for your consideration and seek your wisdom.  At least four dozen of these beauties littered the roads of Oklahoma armadillo carcasses in the spring, which, coincidentally, I also partook of in spades.  The message?

DO NOT DRIVE INTO SMOKE

Um, what smoke?  With that many signs, one feels a bit let down at not seeing the smoke.  Really.

A Big Last

Well, tonight is my last night in Missouri, and comes at the end of a very long last day.  Errands, cleaning, packing, organizing, list-making, list double-checking, and the culmination of my day is merely exhaustion.  I did get a nice 3 1/2 mile run in this morning, and I've spent some nice time with the boys who I will miss dearly.  I think I can make it two weeks until they drive down to visit.  In honor of my temporary abode in Houston, I've refreshed my look again, and while I'm not really fond of the layout or design, it really does have the Houston skyline over it, and I think that's fun.  If you don't see it, try refreshing the page.  It's fun enough for a few weeks, and then I'm sure I'll change it again.  The last few weeks have been extremely busy, and last week we enjoyed a nice jaunt down to Arkansas to house hunt and check out our new area.  For a few days blog of that blessed event and some photos to go with it, check out our family blog here.  We enjoyed, and the blogs are definitely worth reading.  So, although I fully intend to blog daily through my Houston adventures, I will say I'm going to do my best.  We'll see how it goes!