At long last II

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It’s Finkday. It has been a heck of a long week, fiends. Like two weeks stuffed into one — and I’ve only had school four days. Monday’s snow day feels like forever ago. Maybe it’s because of the marathons of Tuesday and Wednesday.

Last night was nice. BFF Kay and Bob came over for our customary Thursday night dinner and movie, and they brought delicious gnocchi with beef. We watched Goblet of Fire. Maybe we can get Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince in over the next week or so, and then go to the theater to catch Deathly Hallows before it falls out of circulation and into waiting-for-DVD purgatory. Then we’ll be all caught up.

Perhaps the next Movie Night series should be the Narnia films. I’ve never seen any of them. Are they good?

OK, time to go make the donuts. And tomorrow — the Chocodoodles. Yay!

The good, the bad…

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…and the Scrooges.

Take a hundred-fifty 10- through 14-year-olds and put on a fun, uplifting and (if I do say so myself) quite musical performance, and all some folks can do is complain.

I felt bad for my superintendent last night. He couldn’t even watch the first choir because he was trapped out in the hallway, cornered by people who thought 7 p.m. was a great time to jaw about the lack of seating space in our phony little excuse for a theater. (Look up the word “cafetorium” or “auditeria.”)

“Why can’t she do concerts in the gym?”

Because, dear fiends, of little things like the repeated schlepping of sound and lighting equipment, the need for an acoustical shell to be set up/torn down every time, scheduling conflicts with athletics (because I’m not allowed to do concerts on Sundays), and a couple of other reasons. Ain’t nobody gettin’ paid enough for that noise. So there you have it. I’m going all diva and saying the unsayable: My students deserve better, and until they get it, we can just deal with things the way they are. I’m not above adjusting concert times and the like (though I am convinced you cannot please everyone, and the super will get even more phone calls and impromptu meetings in the hallway), but moving the venue? Uh-uh.

Of course, the opinions expressed above are that of Rat Fink, and not necessarily of anyone in my school district. So, um…please don’t call my superintendent. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to hear about the choirs for awhile.

But here’s a fun thing: the concerts went well and I’m DONE for another Christmas. Today, we start on spring music.

They love me, hahahaha

FO

New attitude: check.

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Not an attitude check, but attitude — check.

I knew last night was going to have a couple of rough spots, but I chose to not worry about it, and it was lovely. The kids came through, and I was proud of one and all. Two were out sick (both went home from school during the day, so at least they made an effort to be there), but everyone else showed up in the single-digit temperatures, and the audience was great.

There’s something to be said about the conscious decision to stop fretting. It took me a lot of self-talk. You know, the out-loud kind, when you’re alone. They’ve done their best; just about everything I’ve asked of them. There might be some cracks in the mortar, but no one will notice but us. Just relax and enjoy the experience of a bunch of teenagers actually choosing to make art. And it worked. Imagine that.

Those who know me also know that the above comes at a great price. In music (though not in life in general), I’m a fixer. I will go to almost any length to get “the sound.” Well, short of calling evening rehearsals before concerts. Even I have my limits. :-)

Regardless, it’s all over with for another Christmas season after one more, and I’m certain I’m not alone in my relief. Every music teacher in America feels my happiness. Tonight is grades 5-8; should be fun.

Until the flip side…

Snow falling on maples

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…and on sidewalks, driveways, and streets in my town. I love the quiet.

I don’t love the missed rehearsals the day before a concert, however. This was going to be our last one. Oh well…we do what we can, and hope everyone enjoys it. My normal reaction would be to flip out and stress and get all apoplectic about it, but I’m trying a different approach this year. We’ll do our best, and hope everyone enjoys it. And that’s the ticket. My mantra for this performance: Let it go. It’s all good.

Worst part about snow days? I can’t go back to sleep like seemingly everyone else can. Hiss. But hey, there’s always Netflix on the TV and my electric blanket (yes, I have an electric blanket on the living room couch because the Thriller is awesome), and coffee and my Nook and the Christmas tree lights. What’s to complain about? Feh.

Yesterday’s chocolate craziness was ten kinds of fantastic. We made all the goodies and set them out on the sideboard in the dining room. Then we all “went shopping” and filled up our goody bags and gift boxes with stuff to give away to family and friends. This is becoming a yearly tradition — what fun!

Speaking of fun: off I go to not stress about tomorrow night.

FO