amhibious wildebeast
I had planned to post my long overdue update on burning man today, but alas, it's not gonna happen.
I completed my third day of music teaching today. It is ramping up very slowly. My first day was last Wednesday, then I taught again yesterday and today. It's going to be a few weeks at least before I have even a semi-full schedule. Hopefully things will be in full swing by the end of October. So far, most of my teaching has been subing for sick teachers. At this point, I've only taught 3 students who were actually my own. I'm teaching at 3 different music schools, one in Portland, one in Tigard, and one in Sherwood. I was never particularly nervous about my skills as a starting teacher, but there is always a little bit of that when you're doing something you've never done before. Today served to show me that teaching beginning and intermediate piano is fucking easy. I'm really good at this, and it feels really easy. Teaching comes naturally to me, and it's all very good for my ego as a pianist. It reminds me how much I really do know. Also, hearing the other teachers play, it reminds me how good of an artist I am. I really do have talent. It's clear to me already that I don't want to do this as a career. I can still imagine teaching music, but I don't think I'll be happy in the long run just working with beginners. Being back amongst musicians and actually starting to practice again have started stirring ambitions in my mind. I want to go somewhere, do something...but I don't know what.
I'm sad that the one voice student I had as already dropped. She has just started fifth grade, and was so excited to start voice lessons! The lesson was really fun, she was totally enthusiastic, and seemed to have a great time. I had a blast working with her. Apparently though, she is afraid/shy/nervous/whatever about singing in front of me. Which seems odd, because she did fine with it at her lesson. She told her mom that it isn't me, she likes me fine, but...I don't know. Must be some tweenage thing.
The other teachers I've met at these schools seem to be really nice. Maybe I'll make some new friends. The flute/piano teacher I met today, Jessica, is really cute. What is it with me and flute players? I will laugh hardcore if she and I ever ended up together. Or me and any flute player, really. In my limited dating experience, 2 out of 3 have played the flute. Speaking of dating, I could really use a date. I seriously miss companionship. Which leads me to this...
I don't think I ever posted about it, but Rebecca and I broke up just before she went to Thailand 7 weeks ago. We've hung out a couple times since she got back last weekend, and a couple nights ago decided to try the Friends With Benefitz™ thing. I regret it already. Crash and burn. Actually, I don't really regret any of my actions. I've been totally impeccable and honest and have done nothing wrong. Rebecca did not communicate clearly what her needs would be for such an arrangement, and so now she is pissed at me for not fulfilling the unstated needs. Talking with her on the phone just now reminds me a bit of why I wanted to break up. Her way of processing, while actually quite effective and admirable in many ways, also seems to drive me crazy when it involves me.
I'm thinking of going to hear Goa Gil this Saturday. I think this would classify as an honest-to-god rave, which would be a first for me.
I've come to the conclusion that Terry Pratchet is a git. I started reading Good Omens, his collaboration with Neil Gaiman, and so far it is just annoying to me. In every sentence, I can clearly see Pratchet's influence. His style is really quite distinctive and easily recognizable, even given that I've only read one of his books before. It has it's charm and humor, but at the moment it just seems annoying.
I'm going to go eat left-over pizza now and watch Lost on DVD. I know, I know, you're jealous. But here's the great thing: you can do it too!
I completed my third day of music teaching today. It is ramping up very slowly. My first day was last Wednesday, then I taught again yesterday and today. It's going to be a few weeks at least before I have even a semi-full schedule. Hopefully things will be in full swing by the end of October. So far, most of my teaching has been subing for sick teachers. At this point, I've only taught 3 students who were actually my own. I'm teaching at 3 different music schools, one in Portland, one in Tigard, and one in Sherwood. I was never particularly nervous about my skills as a starting teacher, but there is always a little bit of that when you're doing something you've never done before. Today served to show me that teaching beginning and intermediate piano is fucking easy. I'm really good at this, and it feels really easy. Teaching comes naturally to me, and it's all very good for my ego as a pianist. It reminds me how much I really do know. Also, hearing the other teachers play, it reminds me how good of an artist I am. I really do have talent. It's clear to me already that I don't want to do this as a career. I can still imagine teaching music, but I don't think I'll be happy in the long run just working with beginners. Being back amongst musicians and actually starting to practice again have started stirring ambitions in my mind. I want to go somewhere, do something...but I don't know what.
I'm sad that the one voice student I had as already dropped. She has just started fifth grade, and was so excited to start voice lessons! The lesson was really fun, she was totally enthusiastic, and seemed to have a great time. I had a blast working with her. Apparently though, she is afraid/shy/nervous/whatever about singing in front of me. Which seems odd, because she did fine with it at her lesson. She told her mom that it isn't me, she likes me fine, but...I don't know. Must be some tweenage thing.
The other teachers I've met at these schools seem to be really nice. Maybe I'll make some new friends. The flute/piano teacher I met today, Jessica, is really cute. What is it with me and flute players? I will laugh hardcore if she and I ever ended up together. Or me and any flute player, really. In my limited dating experience, 2 out of 3 have played the flute. Speaking of dating, I could really use a date. I seriously miss companionship. Which leads me to this...
I don't think I ever posted about it, but Rebecca and I broke up just before she went to Thailand 7 weeks ago. We've hung out a couple times since she got back last weekend, and a couple nights ago decided to try the Friends With Benefitz™ thing. I regret it already. Crash and burn. Actually, I don't really regret any of my actions. I've been totally impeccable and honest and have done nothing wrong. Rebecca did not communicate clearly what her needs would be for such an arrangement, and so now she is pissed at me for not fulfilling the unstated needs. Talking with her on the phone just now reminds me a bit of why I wanted to break up. Her way of processing, while actually quite effective and admirable in many ways, also seems to drive me crazy when it involves me.
I'm thinking of going to hear Goa Gil this Saturday. I think this would classify as an honest-to-god rave, which would be a first for me.
I've come to the conclusion that Terry Pratchet is a git. I started reading Good Omens, his collaboration with Neil Gaiman, and so far it is just annoying to me. In every sentence, I can clearly see Pratchet's influence. His style is really quite distinctive and easily recognizable, even given that I've only read one of his books before. It has it's charm and humor, but at the moment it just seems annoying.
I'm going to go eat left-over pizza now and watch Lost on DVD. I know, I know, you're jealous. But here's the great thing: you can do it too!