entry #1

I learned a lot in my music history and choral literature courses (some days more than others) and continue to do so whenever I listen to Classical MPR about the great composers of Western Europe. I could tell you that it was Beethoven who is more or less singlehandedly responsible for the shift in musical style from Classical to Romantic. I could tell you that Bach, a devout Lutheran would write music in such a way that if turned sideways, his scores would resemble a cross.

While these tidbits are both factual and relevant when it comes to the study of music and its development throughout history, the one thing I really took away from my education is this: we can analyze the pants off of Mozart and Beethoven and Bach and Wagner and Brahms and Schumann and Schubert and Verdi's music, but isn't the really truly interesting history to be learned from their journals? I certainly think so, and I think a lot of other nerds would agree with me.

Did the journals of these famous people make them famous? Or was it their talent? Was it a little bit of both?
Were it not for the journals, we'd be left with none of the juicy details of the lives of composers that most certainly had an impact on their musical output.

I haven't yet lost hope that I'll be famous one day. For what, I'm not sure yet, but I suspect it has something to do with the wildly hilarious and as-yet-unwritten humorous memoir based on the sometimes absurd advice given to me/us by my mother. If not for my tendency for verbosity, then perhaps my 15 minutes of fame will be the result of my collection of photos in and around Minnesota (though I think someone has already done this). There is also my career in music. I suspect I'm past my prime in terms of making it big as a pop star, but perhaps one of my "offspring" (i.e., one of my students) has a chance. They have youth on their side, after all.

Anyway, the point to all of this: I'm going to journal/blog. If for no other reason than to leave a record of my ramblings, then I'll do it. Obviously, my wish is that excerpts of my journal land in some historical textbook, but for now, the anonymous readers of the worldwide webernet will suffice.

you've missed me, haven't you?

Wow. It's been quite a while since I posted. For those of you who dutifully awaited my each and every blog with bated breath, I profusely apologize. Much  has occurred in the almost 2 years since August 2011. I'll attempt to be brief (not my strong suit, as demonstrated by my earlier writings).

Disclaimer: if we speak regularly at all, you likely already know much/all of this.

• In August of 2011, I accepted a job teaching 1st-12th grade general and vocal music in a small town in Minnesota. It did not go well. I was very stressed. An 8th grade girl told me I was going to get shot because I confiscated her cell phone. Later, her friends told me that this same student often lamented that I was stupid and fat.This type of student-on-teacher bullying was not all an uncommon occurrence at the school district. Something happens to many kids when they get into 5th grade.  They go through their awkward/horrible person phase. Needless to say, with my stress levels increased (even beyond that of working in liturgy), my cortisol levels did as well. If you don't know what cortisol does in your body, I'll tell you. It makes you fat. I got kind of fat again. It's difficult to take care of oneself when you struggle just to stay above water in terms of your work. Thanks for the extra load on my heart, B. Area School District. 
• While I worked in B, I lived in Pine City, Minnesota, with my dear darling friend BM. He's a great friend to have (loyal, funny, intelligent, etc.), but a terrible influence on my drinking behavior. My liver hadn't worked as hard as it did in the 2011-2012 academic year since the most salacious semester I spent at St. Cloud State (Spring '08). That's saying something. Honestly, I can't totally blame BM for my temporary alcoholism, as it was due in large-part to self-medicating.
• Summer 2012 brought job and residence changes. I moved home to Glenwood with my mom and one of my sisters (7 years my junior) for the first time since 2004 (the summer between sophomore/junior year at Carthage). I'm not proud of the amount of time I spent playing Temple Run on my phone, mostly in an attempt to beat my 16 year old brother's high score. Nor am I proud of the fact that most mornings, I didn't get up until 9am or so, and waited until 12noon or later to put on pants. I'm not proud that I spent more time watching entire seasons of Gossip Girl on Netflix, rather than reading books. There was also that one time I went to A&W without having showered for a couple of days and wearing my brother's NASCAR t-shirt with the sleeves cut off.  I'm definitely not proud of that. It's a good thing I didn't run into anyone I know. Even my sister K was embarrassed. I'm sure my mother would still express her disgust at the memory of such days.* As such, I will be seeking employment this summer (2013), so as to avoid a repeat of the self-loathing/stupid-ifying summer of 2012. Also, my dad got remarried. His new wife is closer to my age than his. I'm still in the adjustment period, and probably will be for the next 20 years.
• I was offered a couple of elementary music teaching positions over the summer (PHEW! No more 8th graders! And don't even get me started on high schoolers!), and I ultimately accepted a K-4 music job in Perham, Minnesota. It was one of the better choices I've made in my "adult" life.
• Summer/fall 2012 also brought the more official launch of E.T.G. photos, my serious hobby/business adventure. I'm really enjoying taking pictures of babies and kids and families and documenting weddings. Preggo? Engaged? Hire me?
• I recorded an album of Christmas music with an extraordinarily talented friend and musician. We donated/will continue to donate proceeds to this amazing organization. Buy one (a CD, that is). 
• Since moving to the Perham, Minnesota area, I've been re-learning how to live in rural lake country. The closest Target store is 45 minutes away. It's always 10 degrees cooler here than in Minneapolis. Minneapolis... is 3.5 hours away. It might as well be in Canada for as often as I'm able to get there. Speaking of Canada- Canada is just 4-5 hours away from here. Dating here is difficult, even when trying to fish in the online dating pool, where you can easily filter out some of the less stellar choices. Most  All single men here are more than likely younger than me and are sons of coworkers or sons of friends of coworkers. They work for their dads and went to NDSU or Moorhead State. I'm not saying it's bad- but it's different. It's very, very different. For amusing anecdotes and horror stories, stay tuned into future blog posts.
• It's sounding as though I'll be in Perham again for another school year. That's a good thing. I like it here. The students, staff, work environment, and community are all consistently pleasant. The level of cortisol flowing through my bloodstream is at a much more healthy level than during my time at BAHS. Thanks for aiding in my 30+ pound weight loss, Perham-Dent School District. You are literally saving my life. Cheers!

*One afternoon, my mom "dropped trou" in the living room and exclaimed, "Look! I'm Erin!" just to put me in my place.

note from an Irishman

I just received the following message via facebook from my dear long lost friend John McCarty (I say "long lost" because since meeting him now half a decade ago, he has left Minnesota to pursue his doctorate in choral conducting somewhere near the Atlantic... Virginia? North Carolina? South Carolina? I forget. It's all the same place). I'm reposting it because it's simply too amusing not to share with friends- because if I took Mr. McCarty's advice and learned this aria of Wagnerian proportions (pun intended) and did in fact sing it each and every time I entered or departed a room, you, my friends on this (west) side of the Mississippi, would need some sort of explanation before having me committed.


So as not to confuse you (or even further amuse you): Gassett, Dahlly, Brownie and my brother and sisters are all but one non-musicians.

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Dearest Gaphknea-

I hope all is well in Minnesota. I just wanted to pass along an idea that I think would make the world a better place. I believe that if you would sing the attached aria each and every time you entered or left a room that the world's problems would be solved.
All you would have to do is teach Gassett, Dahlly, Brownie, and your brother and sisters how to play some instruments.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
John McCarty