Friday

Friday is an off day for this dude! Well, at least for the director stuff. Around this time is my annual thank you to my former employer, Kroeschell Engineering: it's when they send me my annual ESOP shares installment. I am hoping this is the last year we take the $. The next few years it should hopefully be going to our 401k. I'm kinda glad that maybe I held off this year! Last year we did a major overhaul in the house - at least major to me. We finished putting in the Pergo floors in the rest of the house, thus finally getting rid of the disgusting carpet. When you have a mini zoo with a dog and two cats, the fur piles up. At least with wood floors, you can sweep it up. With carpet, man, what we tore up was way disgusting! Nobody has been as sick here at home. Hmmmm...

This time around we got a new couch for our basement. It actually arrived last week but today it was about getting some shades for the basement windows and rearranging the room. The windows open into window wells and look real ugly. It made a huge difference. After six years of living here we are finally going to see if we can make that room more welcoming. I think we are making headway. Much of the rest of the $ we got, however, ultimately went to 3 places in this order: a nice tithe to the church, beginning to pay off Mary's parents who so graciously helped with getting this house six years ago, and getting a savings account to where it should be. Although it is starting to look like there are going to be things sucking up some of that savings: the water heater is giving signs of decay, a new car battery, etc. - you get the idea.

I did close the evening out watching a western of sorts: "The Assasination of Jesse James by that Coward Robert Ford". Long title for a movie. Started a little slow but picked up about midway through.

KTUU 2008 Sarah Palin turkey interview

A weekly log commercial break...

I don't know if any of you saw this yet. Ah, good ole' Palin just can't catch a break. Pay your attention to what goes on behind her (the poor turkey and the poor guy not knowing what to do!). You can't write stuff better than this! That is what makes it so funny -it isn't scripted! It is disturbing yet hysterical. I can imagine another SNL skit about this but I also can't imagine it being any better than this!

Thursday

I try to make Thursday my "fix it/repair it/etc." day. We have lately moved our campus staff meetings to Thursday mornings. It didn't work well for me so I alerted them that there could be times I don't make that meeting (too many meetings spread out over the week!). Today it was cancelled. The early morning consisted of a meeting I had with Vanessa regarding possibly having her vocal diva class through School for the Arts. It has been real successful for her on her own and, to be honest, that might just be the best thing for her. Our campus has had a few vocalists come out of her class and ended up on stage (either STUCO or Adult). It is more of a pop vocal style as opposed to classical (which seems to be more what SFTA has). The diva class, I think, is very important considering where many people's interests are in this day and age. We might have her do a workshop or two next year. I hope so.

I spent most of the late morning and early afternoon at our Highpoint building troubleshooting some sound issues (most of which we corrected) and checking out a possible rear projector for as a replacement for what we curently have. Greg Eichelberger and Mike Wdovech were there at various times to help out. Mike is a great "Mr. Fix-it" guy - particularly with electronics. Greg was there for a short time to look at the projector he has that we might buy off of Waterfront (if it works). We couldn't set up the projector where I wanted to since the lift at that building is broke and in for repair. The image on the rear projection screen (a screen that has been there for the 10 years that building has been up and never been used) was naturally small since we were close up. We will try again when the lift is back. Otherwise, the image was great! If it works out then I will sell the other lemon that we have been using: an Eiki projector that has been sent back 3 times in the 1.5 years that we have had it. The hope here is that we could sell it at about half what we paid for it (maybe $7000) and purchase the one from Waterfront (the one Greg has) for $1500. As time moves on, we will see how things work out.

The rest of the day I just spent at home with everyone. Later in the evening I did get to working on the TSO songs we will be doing this Christmas season (I think I can play Carol of the Bells in my sleep now - I am not kidding!). Thursday night I do catch up on some shows I like: Survivor (wow, this was one of the best episodes in some time! I loved it!) and The Office. I do like watching Smallville. Some episodes are hit and miss, last night was a definite hit.

Wednesday

I wish I could tell you today was one rip-roaring, exciting day. It was productive during the morning and afternoon. Wednesday is mostly spent with me being at home doing some of my administrative stuff. I do things like setting up the cue sheet for 3 weeks out, listening to the big idea podcast (it is probably more entertaining than informative - I get more from being at the big idea meeting); and working on other things like scheduling, picking songs for some of the other dates in December and, compiling in a readable format, the Christmas Eve service at Romeoville. I also spent a lot of time assisting some of my fellow arts directors in developing things on the artists website. Many of them have to create a separate space for Christmas Eve. I could have probably done it for all of them (it would have taken about a half hour) but I think it was best for them to struggle through it. We did have a step-by-step help page on how to do it. After you get it, it really doesn't take more than 5-10 minutes to create (it is always hardest the first time). And, with them knowing how to do it themselves, they can create spaces on the site for any special events that might be unique to their campus.

I do give two guitar lessons to a couple kids that are Jr. High/STUCO age. So, what did I work on with them? Classic rock stuff, naturally. One kid is fine tuning his acoustic guitar chops. I have always considered stuff from Led Zepplin for that material. Jimmy Page was never my favorite gutarist (expecially on electric) but as an acoustic player and writer he was awesome. So we have been doing stuff like Ramble On, Over the Hills and Far Away, and The Ocean (ok, actually an electric tune but it does go into odd time signatures - a good thing to learn). The other kid is the one who is learning Back In Black (AC/DC). That is always a popular one amongst that age. He is having a tougher time with keeping time (tempo challenges), so we have to work harder at that. To some it doesn't come easy. However, I do think that, over time, it can be overcome. I am one example of that.

After all that I had a visit to the eye doctor in the early evening. Katrina and I went. I haven't gone for quite some time and had a feeling I was going to need some kind of new prescription. We went to a place called Plainfield Vision. Everyone there was very nice and helpful. They also seemed quite thorough in the examinations. However, I left there feeling rather down (after arriving in an upbeat mood). The doctor during the examination got a little carried away with his "humor" regarding the "old" jokes towards me. Much of it revolved around how my eyesight was going to go super downhill over the next handful of years. He just kept at it. At first it was funny (and I do tend to blow off those "old" jokes - old is only based on a number and attitude). But it was becoming too much. As an example, there was one point where he did a dilation of my eyes for part of the examination. One short term result of that is not being able to see clearly close up. There was something he put in front of me that I couldn't read (because of the solution in my eyes) where he then said "that is what it is going to be like for you in a few years, (giggle, giggle)". Uh, ok, thanks. I feel so much better. It kind of was like that the whole time there. Yeah, I needed new glasses but man, lay off that stuff. Katrina did help me pick out a new style of glasses. Both of us were so picky, we were there for a while! They won't be the kind where I have to wear them all the time: just distance stuff (driving, maybe watching a movie, etc.) and reading (no, not bifocals! they called them progressive lenses). Most of the rest of my time they wouldn't be on.

For some reason I was tired early on. I was out by 10:30. That is early for me!

Tuesday

Tuesday has always been a meeting day for me (except for a certain 3 months :)). Now it isn't as much. I do attend the big idea meeting in the morning but it is more as an observer now. That is fine. In the new climate it is the best way for me to best understand all that is planned. At the lunch hour is the monthly Arts director meeting. It basically is a review of stuff past and coming up as well as some things to know to help us be better at our job. This is one of the few times that we all come together face to face. Most of the afternoon then is really spent catching up on a lot of administrative stuff like scheduling, song selection and such. That is where I work at home. I did spend some time charting a song. I do enjoy that as well.

Through all of this there is still some down time at home. To be able to find that time is priceless and valuable.

We did have a meeting tonight about a C the J event planned for the end of December. I have to say that I have such a good Arts Leader over there (Craig Vokac) that I usually stay out of most things going on over there. He really does an amazing job. We need more Craig's in this world. He did, however, have some challenges in the planning of this event. So, I did attend and participate in the meeting. It actually went well. All we needed to do was hear all the ideas, take the best and then make it all come together. Kind of like the big idea meeting that started the day. So I kind of came full circle.

After spending a little time with the kids and Mary I had to catch up on another great Monday night show. I am into the Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles. It has been getting real good lately and this one was no different.

Monday

Monday is supposed to be my "School for the Arts Day" in my daily work routine. Nothing is routine at CCC. Monday ended up being nothing typical. The day started after breakfast by paying bills. I do it twice a month - it works best for me to organize that way. I do like autopay options with some of the bills (the ones that are the same amount every month).

Our SFTA recital is coming up December 13th. This morning was spent working at home sorting out what student plays what at what level. We have about 35 students which is at the borderline of how many you want for one recital. I spent much of my time trying to go through the options of having one recital or two at the same time in different rooms. After consulting with my "mentors" (Jennifer Barrett and Becca Heye) I think that we will go with one recital with a 7th inning stretch in the middle somewhere. No matter how this ends up, it pales in comparison to planning for Fallapalooza!

Lunch was spent at a meeting with SFTA directors going over stuff.

After a little downtime in the afternoon I went to give guitar lessons (4-7pm). Some of these kids are really coming along. I pretty much went over their recital pieces. It is funny how the influence of Guitar Hero continues to this day. Here is the list of some of the songs the kids are going to be playing (all are between the ages of about 8 to 13): Green Manaleshi (Judas Priest version); Iron Man (Black Sabbath); Over the Hills and Far Away (Led Zepplin); Back in Black (AC/DC). As you can guess, this is easy for me to teach since all these songs are from when I grew up! But understand something here: these kids picked the songs, not me! I am still waiting for someone to want to play a riff from Muse or Mute Math or somebody newer like that.

The evening consisted of a meeting spent with most of the Romeoville Arts leaders at our house. It was great! The purpose of the meeting was to plan our Christmas Eve service. It was sooooo cool seeing all of them brainstorming and putting together the service! We did work from a template from Arts Catalyst team but it was an open book after that. some great ideas came up. This team really put their stamp on it and has some ownership in how it will look. Should be cool!

Before I went to bed I still had one important thing to do: watch Heroes. I think that it is finally picking up steam and getting better. I was wondering for a few episodes but it is now getting interesting:

"It's coming..."

Falla-praise

Oh, and by the way, I never let you all know how awesome Fallapalooza went a week ago Friday. It turned out to be better than expected. I learned a lot while putting it together and am already thinking of some new stuff for next year. My partner in putting this all together, YB Arts Director Sean Bublitz, has some pictures on his blog. Here is the link for you to check out:

http://seanbublitz.com/

So You Want to Be an Arts Director...

Today was an amazing service at Romeoville. We baptized 4 people - two of whom decided right then and there to get dunked! Later today, I was thinking of back when I did it. It was Mary, Katrina, and I. But what I was really reminded of from that day a number of years ago was the other person that was baptized at the same time. She was Jackie O'Connor - who eventually married my good friend Tracy Teague. The thing is that they have both passed on. However, I was smiling as I was thinking of all that. Someone who was baptized the same day as us is now with Jesus! I dunno, that somehow feels exciting to me.

The last 2-3 days have been filled with adversities with regards to getting ready for this morning's service. The highs and lows of being an arts director were definitely experienced by me. I am so proud and inspired by the band we had today. Everyone did an amazing job considering all that had happened. Here are some things of note:

1. One of our vocalists, Susan, experienced the passing away of her mom and literally had the funeral the day before our practice on Saturday. However, she was still there to continue to do God's work. She needed to do that, considering all that happened. She was an inspiration for all of us.
2. On Thursday we had to shuffle practice around. The artists doing the Beatles Christmas show found themselves with nowhere to rehearse on Friday/Saturday. They ended up rehearsing at the Arts Center big room. It could have worked out for us because everything would have been set up for the us when we arrived (and when they left) at noon on Saturday. However, that was not meant to be. Literally minutes after that was all arranged on Thursday I had a call from Grant (our drummer) who informed me that he had to attend a funeral at noon for the 19 year old daughter of a good friend of his. We scrambled last minute to get our rehearsal at 9am but had to quit at around 11 or so. The practice was good but a little rushed and we really had no time for any vocal rehearsal. I can't imagine how Grant must have been feeling. He was there none the less.
3. We had some bizarre technical issues Sunday morning with sound that delayed our morning rehearsal and kind of got things to a bad start. Thanks to Jeanne for just stopping all of us to pray! We later managed to get going and proceed with a quick rehearsal and cue to cue.
4. The aftemath had the good and the not-so-good. The good is what I am really holding on to. Besides the people getting baptized, there was a larger-than-normal amount of feedback regarding how people were touched by the worship. Wow! After all that God still does his work! It doesn't matter how much we try to screw things up! And then later I hear from unnamed sources that the backing vocals were really bad and that we need to take major action to work on it. Well, I think that as a leader you have to take it in and not react impulsively. Thinking now, I kind of take exception to that. I think it was a great service that had the results that we were ultimately after. You know, there are some weeks where things just don't go smoothly. We have to realize that we are not dealing with professional artists but rather people who are mechanics, office workers, mom's, etc. giving their time and talent to help people find their way back to God. Sometimes those people deal with adversities. But they still serve. They still do their best despite what the enemy puts in their way. Today was such a group that kept going. And, like I said, they did awesome!

I think that maybe this week I am going to do a 7 day log regarding what I do day to day as an Arts Director. It might be boring for you , maybe not. But, it might be fun and interesting to look back a week from today and see what I experienced in my life for those 7 days.

Economical Thinking

You know what, when you see pictures and hear stories of what is happening in places like the Sudan and the Congo, it kind of puts into perspective how "bad" our economy is doesn't it? I mean, they have NOTHING! We whine and worry while typing on our PC's and laptops under our own roofs while others in the world have nothing. Even in this economic climate we still have so much to offer! So much to give! I know I have to think of that here at home. Sure, we have to tighten the budget at home. But sometimes when I think of it, that isn't such a bad thing. We shed off some of the wasteful and unecessary things in our lives and our homes and focus on what is more important: family, friends, community. I don't know how much worse the economy will be, but I do know that there will still be many of us around to help the less fortunate.

A New President and Thoughts on the Election

So, we now know who our new president will be. The first African American president, Barrack Obama. I always thought that I would see a day like this in my lifetime - and I am glad to have seen it tonight. It kind of gave me chills watching it unfold on tv. To think of what this country went through just 40-something years ago during the civil rights movements. Yes, I did vote for Obama. To be honest, I did like both candidates but I felt better about him in office and much better about who the 2nd in charge will be. As I said earlier I consider myself an independent but did find that I voted about 2/3 Democrat for this election. Speaking of that, did anyone know who the Republican guy was that ran for Illinois senator against Durbin? I didn't even know until yesterday. I still don't recall his name. He lost big time - big surprise.

So now I wonder what all those ultra-conservatives are going to whine about now. I also hope those ultra-liberals don't walk around gloating. Both sides just drive me nuts. Today it was the ultra conservatives. I really take offense from some of those jerk radio guys when they have to label anyone who votes for Obama as "dumb", "stupid", "drones", etc. Man, when I heard that idiot that has the same name as my favorite band (Rush) say some of that stuff today it really angered me. What is more scary are the "drones" who follow crap that comes from the mouths of people like that. I feel sorry for those people. People who think that if you don't follow 100% of their ideas you are considered dumb and stupid. (this also applies to those on the other side of the political spectrum: the goofy, hard-core liberals). You know, it is OK to disagree. It is also OK to see if maybe someone with whom you initially don't agree with might have something good to say.

I thought McCain had a very nicely said concession speech. Clearly he was disappointed but he was quite gracious. If he had won, I wouldn't have been terribly disappointed. However, it was not meant to be.

It is amazing how many statistics and numbers people can come up with during an election: "did you know Charles that, based on our recent exit poll, at least 76% percent of people who like cats but hate hamsters voted the same as those who prefer ferrets over field mice..."

Speaking of stats, one that struck me was how many Republicans didn't vote! So maybe McCain was not your favorite guy. Maybe he did go against the grain a bit (one trait I do like about him by the way). But, not voting? Huh? Who are the ones not being so smart?

I was also struck by how interested Katrina was in this election. She is only one year away from being eligible to vote.

However, here is the best part of today: NO MORE POLITICAL ADS!!! At least for a couple years.

Now, off to bed...

The Scientist - Romeoville Campus

Here is another one from that day (it was 9/14/08). Amber's first time on a vox lead for the adult stage! At around 1:00 to 1:20 or so, there is a little sound problem (ignore the feedback). It does go away. Just enjoy!

TSO Flight of the Bumblebee - Romeoville

We actually did this a couple months ago but it just got posted now. I could have so many good things to say and compliment everyone who did this instrumental but I am going to let the performance speak for itself! You can't see him but Roger Segroves is on drums. The ones you can see are Mike Kochendorfer on guitar, Gerry Runge on bass, and Julie Bullock on keys (yeah, I'm on guitar too). Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Alec!

Today is Alec's 14th birthday! Happy birthday to the coolest dude on the planet!