It’s clearly been a long time since I’ve blogged traditionally (there’s a way to traditionally blog? oh, the quirks of the 21st century), but I feel like getting a few things jotted down for myself and for Alex to read.

I’m going to clean and rearrange my room. I need to…

• box up children’s books
• box up LOTS of clothes
• find and consolidate all CDs, books, movies, and games
• move computer from desk to storage
• move stereo equipment
• fix stereo equipment?
• clear windowsill
• dust and vacuum
• move bed under window
• make corresponding furniture moves to maximize space

I also need to work on my papers…

1. Final exam essays (two two-page, two three- to four-page)
2. Yezierska reading and five-page essay
3. Folk music research and eight- to ten-page paper

I need to and want to kick these papers’ asses, so I need to get going on them. Once I get my desk moved and room cleaned, I think I will have motivated myself. I’ve got the ambition and the plan; now I need to execute the plan. I’m going to read one folk music book over the next week and also read the Yezierska book in preparation to write that paper. I have two weeks until vacation, plus some time that week in Boston to work, then one week before the papers are due. That’s one month from today.

I feel like I’ve needed a shakeup in my life, something to get me going. Something to energize me. Something satisfying, too. I feel a bit listless (pun totally intended): a strange combination of stress, nostalgia, annoyance, boredom, and laziness. I want to be productive and to work towards a goal, but I also just want to enjoy time with my family and friends. I’ve got to find a good balance.

I want to get back to playing more, seeing as I’ve hardly touched my horn since I’ve been home. Once we get back to practicing regularly, I’ll remedy that a bit.

I also want to read more and listen to more music. Currently reading John Dos Passos’ 42nd Parallel, which is very good so far. Digging Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul Simon, and Genesis lately. Right now I’m listening to the short, Jewish Paul (to distinguish him from the veg-head, British Paul).

Maybe I’ll start writing creatively. I’ve always wanted to, but I find it incredibly difficult to put pen to paper, largely because I have no idea what I would write about. I’m generally a very boring person and couldn’t ever think of the words to describe how I feel.

I’m also rethinking teaching as a career—really, lifestyle—option. I don’t know why I’ve been so reluctant to accept the boundless enjoyment I get from talking to people about history and music and baseball and everything. Teaching high school would allow me to do some things I’ve always really wanted to do. Who knows.

The borders of our lives.

(via gwendolynliving)

katejamesflute:

Members of the Boston Symphony brass section explain their warm-up routines. Hilarious. There are maybe some things you won’t get if you don’t know the basics of brass playing… but there are definitely some parts that are funny anyway.

All I can really say about this is… brass players will be brass players.

lolololol

(via fuckyeahband)

Oh, isn’t that niiiice…

(via thatsanissue)

This guy fuckin’ rocks.

kingofthadot:

Miles Davis Quintet sans John Coltrane

Red Garland

Paul Chambers

“Philly Joe” Jones

(via thejazzmessage)

fuckyeahhistorycrushes:

Just Salvador Dali and Man Ray doing some crazy-wild eyes. Scary-cute.

Laughed out loud at this.

(via gwendolynliving)

(via gwendolynliving)

joeacollege:

Happy Birthday to the epitome of cool: Mr. Miles Dewey Davis

(via thejazzmessage)