So. I was pied in the face for our Fall Festival last Friday... and all that whip cream got in my ears, my nose, my mouth, and even my eyes. OH: and my hair.
BUT here's the catch: I didn't go home and shower: I went to the JFWebb Homecoming game, and it was cold and rained. So then I went to bed. And woke up at 6:30am and couldn't breathe. My body was trying to clean itself out, and my sinuses filled up, and my chest felt like I had 100 lbs on it. So I had some TheraFlu, and I felt better... But I've been steadily losing my voice ever since. Great for a music teacher....
I'm going to bed early... Teacher Work Day tomorrow means no planning tonight.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Maturing
I got a flight last night. Turns out Cheaopair takes 24 hrs to update their page. LAME.
So today I learned a lot about being the "more mature" individual. I have mentioned that I am the instructor for the local marching band? Well, the Drum Captain and I have been at odds, but nothing has manifested itself. Until today. Its an interesting experience to be an adult teacher and have a student (a junior even) tell me that in order to get respect I need to give it. Interesting. I have been nothing but respectful... Unless maybe I was a peer? As an instructor you instruct. A peer would not instruct... so then maybe I wouldn't be? I have no idea. But as I was being chewed on in front of the entire drumline by a sixteen year old, I felt like I had cotton balls in my ears, and that my vision was narrowing. I'm not going to lie: My feathers were ruffled, but from everything I play back in my head, I was calm the whole time, and rather complacent. I just wasn't going to let him get a rise from me. He undermined me about 8 other times, and at multiple points I thought about just walking out today.
None of the drummers realized I was there as a volunteer. They all thought I was being paid. Trust me: if I were being paid, I would NOT allow many things that happen to happen. If I were paid, I would instruct, and the line would listen to ME. I would TEACH, I would INSTRUCT, and my word would be LAW: Much like the way that I grew up in Marching Band. But this is a small town AAA band: the captains have a lot of leadership: I respect that, and I think its great. I'm there to support more than anything else: give pointers: I've been around, I've seen some GREAT marching bands from high schools all over: I was taught by Drum Corps members... Blue Devils, Cavaliers... I don't know, I just feel like regardless of my experience, I should be respected because I am a TEACHER... an adult... there of my own free will: for THEM. For no reason other than the fact that I want to see others filled with the joy that I experienced in Marching Band...
I went home frustrated for the first time. Ever.
I graded my students' tests today. Oh jeez... Maybe I bit off more than they could chew? Some in every class get it though... So its not the content: they all can access it... I suppose its just overwhelming to some of them.
I'm excited today though: Two of my classes BEGGED for Christmas songs today. Well, 5 more days!
So today I learned a lot about being the "more mature" individual. I have mentioned that I am the instructor for the local marching band? Well, the Drum Captain and I have been at odds, but nothing has manifested itself. Until today. Its an interesting experience to be an adult teacher and have a student (a junior even) tell me that in order to get respect I need to give it. Interesting. I have been nothing but respectful... Unless maybe I was a peer? As an instructor you instruct. A peer would not instruct... so then maybe I wouldn't be? I have no idea. But as I was being chewed on in front of the entire drumline by a sixteen year old, I felt like I had cotton balls in my ears, and that my vision was narrowing. I'm not going to lie: My feathers were ruffled, but from everything I play back in my head, I was calm the whole time, and rather complacent. I just wasn't going to let him get a rise from me. He undermined me about 8 other times, and at multiple points I thought about just walking out today.
None of the drummers realized I was there as a volunteer. They all thought I was being paid. Trust me: if I were being paid, I would NOT allow many things that happen to happen. If I were paid, I would instruct, and the line would listen to ME. I would TEACH, I would INSTRUCT, and my word would be LAW: Much like the way that I grew up in Marching Band. But this is a small town AAA band: the captains have a lot of leadership: I respect that, and I think its great. I'm there to support more than anything else: give pointers: I've been around, I've seen some GREAT marching bands from high schools all over: I was taught by Drum Corps members... Blue Devils, Cavaliers... I don't know, I just feel like regardless of my experience, I should be respected because I am a TEACHER... an adult... there of my own free will: for THEM. For no reason other than the fact that I want to see others filled with the joy that I experienced in Marching Band...
I went home frustrated for the first time. Ever.
I graded my students' tests today. Oh jeez... Maybe I bit off more than they could chew? Some in every class get it though... So its not the content: they all can access it... I suppose its just overwhelming to some of them.
I'm excited today though: Two of my classes BEGGED for Christmas songs today. Well, 5 more days!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Christmas Tickets
Why can't I just book a flight!!!! ARGHGHGHGHG!!!
I have tried to book about 20 different flights, and for some UNKNOWN reason, I cannot. I don't understand why! Cheapoair.com and Priceline.com BOTH kick me off and say, "oops, you can't get this flight, it happens very rarely when the last ticket is bought"
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here goes try number 21!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Marching at ASU
While UW was busy with their pre-game for killing ASU in Arizona still in the fall heat, I was in the cold, wintry snow flurries of a different ASU: Appalachian State University. (Pronouced: "Appal-ah-chan")
I've been helping with the JF Webb Marching Band, specifically the Drumline, and I got to go with them on their "BIG TRIP" to ASU for their marching competition. I had a blast, except for the whole freezing part. I had a great time bonding with both instructors and students. At one point, one of the girls looked at me and said "No Offense Mr. Roeder, but you're pretty cool for a white guy!" I laughed and said thank you! However, it was interesting to see my kids' preoccupation with color. They judged every band who came out onto the field by their color, and automatically associated being white with having money and having a good band program. It's interesting how deep these racial stereotypes run, and a little disturbing too.
It was weird...'cuz some of them were saying oh white boys can't do such and such, and I looked at them and said "Excuse me... what color am I?" and they were like: "well you're different..."
What? I'm more that just my color? I'm a person too? Isn't that AWESOME. You are a person too. Everyone is.
I don't say this out of any malice whatsoever. In fact, everything that was said was said in jest or in a playful manner, but still the ideals and the prejudices are there. My kids have been persecuted, and they know it, and they strike out against it. And well they should. But I wish they shouldn't have to...
I've been helping with the JF Webb Marching Band, specifically the Drumline, and I got to go with them on their "BIG TRIP" to ASU for their marching competition. I had a blast, except for the whole freezing part. I had a great time bonding with both instructors and students. At one point, one of the girls looked at me and said "No Offense Mr. Roeder, but you're pretty cool for a white guy!" I laughed and said thank you! However, it was interesting to see my kids' preoccupation with color. They judged every band who came out onto the field by their color, and automatically associated being white with having money and having a good band program. It's interesting how deep these racial stereotypes run, and a little disturbing too.
It was weird...'cuz some of them were saying oh white boys can't do such and such, and I looked at them and said "Excuse me... what color am I?" and they were like: "well you're different..."
What? I'm more that just my color? I'm a person too? Isn't that AWESOME. You are a person too. Everyone is.
I don't say this out of any malice whatsoever. In fact, everything that was said was said in jest or in a playful manner, but still the ideals and the prejudices are there. My kids have been persecuted, and they know it, and they strike out against it. And well they should. But I wish they shouldn't have to...
Thursday, October 8, 2009
More on my life... haha
I haven't written for FOREVER!
I had a good trip to Charlotte, but it was exhausting. Shout out to Ben and Jimmie!
I've been ambivalent about our church here, but it wasn't until after I went to church with Ben and Jimmie that I realized how much I felt like I was missing. So I told Barb we had to go church shopping. So we started last week. And I think we're done. Our new church is BOMB. Actually, the church is a farm church: I really feel like I'm in the sticks, even though we're actually closer to Durham there haha.
I knew I loved my job, but today I realized how much I love my kids.
One of my kids got in a HUGE car accident yesterday. Apparently they're in the hospital. It was pretty bad. I was crazy worried this morning. I got really emotional. One kid was like "so and so cut in line" and I just wanted to yell: "Who cares? Your classmate is in the HOSPITAL. They were pinned under a TRUCK. GET THE BIG PICTURE."
wow.
I had a good trip to Charlotte, but it was exhausting. Shout out to Ben and Jimmie!
I've been ambivalent about our church here, but it wasn't until after I went to church with Ben and Jimmie that I realized how much I felt like I was missing. So I told Barb we had to go church shopping. So we started last week. And I think we're done. Our new church is BOMB. Actually, the church is a farm church: I really feel like I'm in the sticks, even though we're actually closer to Durham there haha.
I knew I loved my job, but today I realized how much I love my kids.
One of my kids got in a HUGE car accident yesterday. Apparently they're in the hospital. It was pretty bad. I was crazy worried this morning. I got really emotional. One kid was like "so and so cut in line" and I just wanted to yell: "Who cares? Your classmate is in the HOSPITAL. They were pinned under a TRUCK. GET THE BIG PICTURE."
wow.
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