Time is flying … most likely due to the fact that I’m teaching three nights a week I guess. I alternately love and hate teaching. It’s rewarding wrapped in frustrating. I find it most worthwhile when I see a struggling kid’s lightbulb finally go on. You know that moment when you believe you can actually see the wheels turning in a kid’s head followed by an audible “click” when understanding finally dawns … and their face lights up with a smile. Those are the rare moments that make teaching really worthwhile. The money is nice, but it’s far, far, far from the best reason to do it.
Woodcreek High School invited me back this season to design and teach their parade routine. We had our third of four scheduled rehearsals last night and I walked away thinking that, even though it’s not part of the agreement, I’ll probably be going back for a fifth one. I won’t leave them hanging in the breeze. I will impart all of the knowledge it’s possible for me to impart about this parade routine before I ride into the sunset. The four (that’s right, just four) kids in this year’s guard are all working really hard and, with an entire month still in front of them before their first review, all five of us have high hopes. Right now I’m still watching them by peeking through my fingers but I expect to be really proud of them in another 30 days.
I’m also teaching Elk Grove High School a parade routine. The story is pretty much the same there but with three times as many kids. That just proves that bigger isn’t always better! It’s the same struggles in a different venue. I’m hooked on these kids too and am committed to dragging them, kicking and screaming if I have to, to the next level. The challenge is getting them to visualize what that next level is like so that they go willingly. It’s harder than it sounds.
Both bands have this weekend off so I’m using my Saturday to make the long-ass drive to Merced where I was invited to work with Golden Valley. I feel truly privileged to have been invited. Golden Valley is one of NCBA’s finest and has, in my opinion, the best equipment handlers in the NCBA circuit. (Yeah maybe it’s hokey so what) I’m honored that they value my input. Ok … intellectually I grasp that the invitation speaks to my growing rep but, cuz I KNOW me, it’s hard to make myself actually believe that. Make sense? Once again this season I find I have to keep pinching myself to make sure it’s all real.
I’m deeply embroiled in working on the Elkies field show. I’m overflowing with ideas but my creative juice is a bit damned by the kid’s abilities. It’s like trying to create a masterpiece using only three colors. No worries though. This year will be about building the kid’s skills and making Elk Grove a band/guard that kids want to join. Next year … damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!
The rainy, dreary day is making me a bit melancholy and introspective. Funny, I usually love cold and blustery days. Hmmmm. I think a bubble bath with a glass of wine and a book is definitely called for.
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