Seven weeks

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That’s all that remain.

And since everything’s basically over at school except for three middle school classes today, it’s time to start focusing on the 66 Odyssey plans.

First, I would like some of these, please and thank you. Send them to Rat Fink, Finkville. (Hey look — it’s me!) Thanks to Lars and Helen, I already have this. Fantastic book. Love me some Genuine Hotrod Hardware.

The Odyssey is beginning to dominate conversations between the Thriller and me. In 15 years, we’ve never taken a vacation — a “real” vacation, where you just get in the car and go, with a basic itinerary but lots of stops along the way to see cool stuff. This will be a first, and we’re as excited as a couple of 13-year-olds on the way to Cedar Point.

The hardest part is deciding what to do and what to pass by. Fortunately, we’ll be doing a little backtracking through Arizona and New Mexico, so hopefully we’ll be able to catch some of what we miss. Apologies to my fiends whom this might offend, but we have been planning this trip since September, and there is no way I’m missing out on Seligman, Kingman, and Winslow. It’s such a fine sight to see.

Now you all have a great Tunesday, and get your wish lists ready for R66 souvenirs. I’m yer huckleberry.

Fink (over and) out.

Memorable Day

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It is a good day to remember those we must thank for the freedoms we take for granted today. I know that sounds terribly cliché, but it’s no less true.

I wanted to check my facts on something, and turns out I was right. From the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs FAQ page, answering the question, “What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?”:

A. Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty.

You all probably knew that already, but it bears mentioning. Still, I say that today we honor everyone who served in a foreign war. Dad, Grandpa J., Uncle Fred, nephew Jeremy. I’m sure you have names in your head, too.

The other good part about Memorial Day weekend: all choir gigs are over. Nothing but cleanup, filing, hanging with some students, and checking out.

Awesome.

Happy holiday! Hope the rain stays away from your area of Finkville.

Sunkday

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So what does it mean when you wake up at 3:30 with your head feeling like it’s been crashed against a rock, and your stomach doing the high jump? Is it the rockin’ pneumonia? The boogie woogie flu? I just hope it’s not the ruin-your-weekend-with-Justin-and-Jake sickness.

Maybe it’s One School Gig Left Syndrome. Whatever it is, it’s nasty. I’m banking on it being the result of something I et last night, although I’m not sure what kind of damage a grilled cheezer, some fruit and a bowl of popcorn can do.

We’ll wait it out; decide this afternoon. As long as I don’t barf at graduation, I’m good. Fortunately, the choir stands close to an exit. Mavis, what’s that stuff you take for nausea? Phlegmogram? Pheromone?

Back to the hot tea.

*h0Rk*

Finkday fun

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And it’s finally here.

I’m getting ready for school to start, so I will be brief today (the boss reads the blog, ya know).

  1. Auditions for our fall musical were held last night. It’s going to be a great cast, fun show. Yay for talented kids from Hooterville.
  2. Tonight is movie night with my fantastic fiend Marcia. We’re watching It’s Complicated. I will love watching it a second time.
  3. I am done with all my high school classes for the year. It was a good ride.
  4. Something just made a scratching noise behind my printer desk. Oh dear.
  5. Two more gigs. Two.
  6. One last weekend of craziness, then I’m full time Grammie.

What’s your “Yay” list for today?

FO

Holy Facebook posts, Batman.

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I’ve had some lively discussions (or at least I’ve read them) on Facebook before, but nothing like right now on my profile. So I’m late to the RtB dance for this morning.

The topic of discussion: my middle school choir concert last night. The kids were wonderful; the crowd, not so much. I felt really terrible for my students and for the members of the audience who were subjected to adults yapping at full volume (think basketball or volleyball game), showing little or no respect for five months of work being presented onstage. It was tragic.

Back in 1999, when I started at my school, concerts were held in the same place they are currently held, except no lighting was used (the main “cafetorium” fluorescents were left on), the choir risers were set up on the floor, not on the stage, and people sat at cafeteria tables instead of on chairs. I thought that was disrespectful to our audiences. I wanted them to have more of an actual concert experience. So I asked my principal if I could set up chairs, unplug the vending machines, use the recessed lights on dimmer switches, and use the Fresnels already in place above the stage. Roger on all of that, and yay, instant concert atmosphere. I think it helped the kids, too.

Though we had some issues with “training” the audience, things basically smoothed out within two concerts. However, last night showed some major regression. It was the first time in my career that I have had to turn to an audience and ask for quiet. No joke. I had to shut a crowd up. I was nice about it (I really wanted to launch into a diatribe, but…), and it helped until I turned around and the choir began performing. Then it was back to business as usual.

And I’m not talking parents not shushing their kids or taking them out in the hall if they got restless (although they didn’t do that, either). I’m talking adults gabbing full-bore like they were at a ball game. I was like, “Wow, some of these people couldn’t care less about what’s going on onstage.” It was quite the disappointment on a night when my kids really came through musically. Bummer.

Oh well…I am determined to deal with it. All suggestions welcome! (But they can’t be felonious.)

:-)

Two May gigs down — two to go.