This Yellow Taxi Cab In Which I Ride

So, I took this muppet personality test. You Are Kermit Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know. You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems. Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green. Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies! The Muppet Personality Test Does anyone care to disagree?

Last night was excellent. I stopped by the Illium Cafe in Troy to see/hear a friend of mine play. He was great; he always is--there is no need for suprises. The suprise this particular evening, though, was that a bunch of other musicians were there watching/listening, as well. I was glad to see the familar faces and catch each other up on our lives a little. After the gig, we walked down around the corner to this swanky--I never thought I'd say swanky--bar where the best local band of like the last four years, as voted by our area's main music publication's readers, was playing. I had never seen them before and was definately interested. They really were great! Excellent, even. Tight, if you will. (tight is one of those hip words that musicians use to describe how well a group is playing together. loose would be the opposite. you definately want to see/hear a tight band rather than a loose one. although, tightness is difficult to achieve. it is the sign of great musicians w...

The Moon and River gig went well. I didn't play my best; I didn't play my worst. I just played. Stephanie took some nice pictures, which are now up on the picture page. (if any of my students are reading this, please note the use of "which" in the last sentence). I like the pics. You can see some crazy emotion in my face. I've always envied musicians who have had pics like that. Plus, you've got to like that angle! I can't describe it in words, really--you've got to see it. What I learned most about the Moon and River gig--life is, after all, all about learning--is that in order to succeed at being a performing musician, you have to be great. Being good may gain you a little bit of attention from the crowd, but being great is a necessity if you want people to really listen. I had some listeners; there was definately attention. But, you can't rely on mediocrity if you want super attentive crowds. Especially if you are a small time local dude who pl...

Monday February 13th : bought fish put fish in bowl Tuesday February 14th : gave fish as gift bought fish tank put fish in tank Thursday February 16th : fish not looking so good Friday February 17th : fish no longer swims So passes V (fish).

I have been trying to spend a good amount of time writing and playing; however, life has other plans for me. This is essentially okay because some of the "other plans" are of my own design. I am a student as well as a student teacher. Don't get me wrong, I love both of those things! I want nothing less than to be a great teacher; although, my personal time has been dwindled away to nearly nothing. Actually, that is not completely true. I have free time, it's just that I am so wiped from all the school (I teach during the day and then attend classes one night a week) that I can barely do anything other than sleep. Let us not forget the homework. The amount of work that teachers have to do outside of their job is insane. Especially for student teachers and first and second year teachers. We have not done this before so we need to spend more time preparing ... and less time on things that we enjoy, such as hobbies, such as music. What makes this situation most frustratin...