Entries tagged with “events” from intentional intimation

okay, i give up on this new cell phone--at least in jesse auditorium. it just can't handle the lighting like my old sony ericsson could. anyway, that's supposed to be david sedaris at a podium on the stage. he was funny. maybe i'll actually read one of his books now that he's demonstrated his worthiness.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra paid a visit to Columbia this weekend; Sarah and I were in attendance. The program of Glinka's Russlan and Ludmilla Overture (1842), Brahms' Variations on a Theme of Joseph Haydn (1873), and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor (1888) was exceptionally executed--technically superb and musically passionate--but so narrow in scope as to make the Tchaikovsky masterwork come off as a generally unmoving finale. I mean, was nothing written for orchestra outside this band of a mere four decades?

I was even more disappointed when I reviewed just this year's (right--all of two months!) repertoire on the orchestra's web site, which included some of these gems, any of which would have provided some musical variety and greatly enhanced the concert: Tippet's Suite in D, Elgar's Cello Concerto in D minor, Haydn's Symphony No. 92 in G major, Britten's Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances, or even Seven Early Songs by Berg.

Not to say the performance was lacking in any way. Just a bit too much of the same, if you get my meaning.

Okay, I know you can't tell from the terrible image quality, but that is the Canadian Brass on the stage. :P

Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.

Hello, all.  A quick update on what's been happening in these parts.

Well, your mid-Missouri friend has been busier than usual, as my workload has tripled or quadrupled over the past month or two.  I've accepted a new position as the district director of curriculum and instruction; this is a central office position with increased responsibility and (thankfully) slightly increased pay.  Of course, a transition phase is required, and this is the cause of my increased workload.  I'm still closing out last year's mentoring/lead teacher responsibilities.  At the same time, I've had to assume the duties of my new position--including the planning and implementation of our new curriculum camp a few weeks ago, and the immense amount of preparation for my New Teacher Academy initiative in August--while also training my replacement in the mentoring position.  Add full-time summer school teaching to the mix, and there you have it.

The increased school obligations have greatly reduced my extracurriculars, but we've still had the chance to attend a few great shows, including They Might Be Giants and "Hairspray" in March, a performance of Carmina Burana in April, and the Old 97's just last Friday night.  I've also been considering selections for this coming year's Concert Series events.  I'm currently leaning toward live performances of "Sweeney Todd" and "Oliver," along with performances by the Canadian Brass, Saint Louis Symphony, Charlie Daniels Band, and David Sedaris.  If I can put together enough cash for the tickets, that is.

Well, that's the news.  What's happening with you?  I would love to hear everything.

If you don't know Old 97's, for shame.

Twangfest @ The Pageant (St. Louis)

It's been quite a while since my last update, though you honestly haven't missed much.  With each passing year, I notice the shift from a life of novelty to one of routine becomes even more pronounced.  I suspect this is natural for most everyone, as the demands of career and parenting take hold, and it is probably even more true of men, as we find comfort in stability.  Or so they say.

I've spent the last few months focused primarily on work and Andrew.  More on my roles at work in a later post, and more on Andrew below.  Sarah and I have made an effort to attend more events this past semester, primarily concerts and comedians.  Wilco performed on the street in downtown Columbia last September, and we saw Spoon at the Blue Note in early October.  November was the busy month: George Carlin, "The Producers," Henry Rollins, "Cash: Ring of Fire," and Modest Mouse (photo, left).  December being what it is--with winter concerts, finals, and holiday travel--we took the month off, but will see "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the end of January.

An ice storm just before my birthday shut down mid-Missouri for several days, my rural school district for four.  They still haven't found a method for clearing ice from dirt and gravel roads.  By the end of Day Two, I was rested.  By the end of Day Four, I was begging to return to school, ice or no.

Andrew and I spent early December preparing for our trip to see my parents at their new Texas address.  Five days before we were scheduled to leave, a State Highway Patrolman was kind enough to inform me that my license plates had been expired for nearly three months.  Just what I needed on top of three concerts, an all-day field trip, and calling hours for a colleague.  I took my car for the necessary inspection--and failed.  "You need two new tires and a windshield wiper blade," the man said.  A windshield wiper blade?  Are you kidding me?  You actually fail people based on the condition of their windshield wipers?  That evening, the nearby Super Wal-Mart informed me they didn't have tires for my car.  Huh?  You don't have tires for a Ford Focus, arguably the most-driven car in America today?  Good Lord.  Three days later, my tires were replaced, my car re-inspected, my new tags purchased, and we were on the road.

If driving from Missouri to Austin, Texas ever sounds plausible to you, allow me a word of caution: bite the bullet and fly.  Kansas and Oklahoma are wastelands.  And Texans absolutely cannot drive.  I could vent for hours on this subject, but will instead summarize thusly: the last four hours of our drive took nearly eight.  'Nuff said.

Thankfully, we eventually arrived and enjoyed spending time with family.  Liz flew in from California, so I was thrilled to see her for a few days.  We visited church on Sunday morning to hear mom sing in the Christmas cantata.  Another evening, we drove to a city park for the Trail of Lights, a long walk through very complex light displays.  The photo at left shows the entrance to the walk: a long tunnel of lights that may or may not be responsible for my recent bouts of vertigo.  (Other photos from this event are available at my cell phone blog--see below.)

I am attempting to do better about updating this blog and my other online digs.  Here are some places to check out when you're bored:

eye spy (photos taken with the camera in my cell phone)
http://davidjdowns.com/blogs/eye_spy/

photogenic (online photo album; register for an account to see all the photos)
http://davidjdowns.com/photos/

Other stuff to read
http://davidjdowns.com/blogs/

feature presentation

horrific opening band (name unknown)

much more interesting and insane band (man man)