Fall is right around the corner, but until it arrives I think it's safe to say this heat won't subside. Superintendent Academy came to a close a little over a week ago and I now have time to kick back and RELAX which can be difficult for me to do at times, but I'm adjusting. I have a little over a week to rejuvenate, get my mind right for the upcoming school year and enjoy some well deserved time off.
I'm not too sure exactly how I would describe this summer. It's been hot. It's had its ups and downs. Overall, I guess I would say it is what it is.
The musical was a success. I was so proud to see my kids up on stage, performing, dancing, singing for a crowded cafeteria. They impressed me. It was one of the most taxing things I've done, but it was well worth it. I hope my young performers walked away from the experience with a sense of pride, confidence, and a new found love and respect for the performing arts.
I was able to keep my elementary music position within the district. Despite being at three different schools, I'm viewing the new school year as a new opportunity to teach even more children how amazing and life changing music really is.
Oscar Mike did a few shows, but I'd have to say the biggest success for the band was the gig we scored for September. We will be opening for Days of the New at The Pit. I've been on a song-writing kick this summer as well and we are consistently debuting new material now at every show. We were also able to get a new residency at this little place called The Derby House. It's hard at times to focus on my music due to the fact life can be so busy and methodical. I'm feeling better and better about the direction the group is heading. It feels like we're always progressing, never staying still. It seems like anytime I write about Oscar Mike I mention something about, "where we are heading." I don't know what I mean by that. I don't know the destination, but it's better than feeling stagnant.
When looking back on the summer of 2011, however, I'd be a fool not to think back on our little excursion to Orlando last week. I know, I know. Theme parks right? Well I think they are fun, and it was awesome bouncing from Islands of Adventure to Universal Studios to Sea World. The REAL vacation, however, occurred on our way back to Jax.
In a nutshell, we broke down on I-4. We were towed by a gentlemen from New York named Kevin to a small town called Sanford. We were dropped off at this auto shop around midnight, circled and harrassed by crack dealers, and were pretty much rescued by the police. We got to ride in the back of a police car to the nearest hotel. The next morning I was informed that I needed a new engine due to a massive oil leak. Hurray right? Well I knew that I didn't want to spend another night in Sanford and the mechanics told me that I MIGHT be able to make it back to Jax if I took it slow. We made it 12 miles, then my car completely pooped out. Luckily, Tiffany followed in a rental, Daniel and I jumped in with her, and we got a tow truck for my stange looking vehicle. It was towed by none other than the friend we made the previous night, Mr. "I can't go back to NYC because I was caught with a kilo of cocaine" Kevin.
Things are a bit crazy right now, but I kinda like it like that every now and then...
