I know that this is no laughing matter, but I feel like I just went through Post Traumatic Syndrome this week. I had a very difficult couple of weeks, and once everything was finished and the last song had been sung and the last book had been put away on Easter morning, I was ready to crash. Not more than two days later, I got very sick. I somehow was able to have both a bad Flu virus and Strep Throat at the same time. I dont remember the last time I went from chills right into the sweats and back into the chills again. I guess I can be happy I had some sick time to take off from work and do some serious recovery. Now, all is well again, and I'm ready to take on the world. Last night, I just had to get out for a nice long walk... wonderful.
The School choir had its "return" practice yesterday. We had so much fun. Every one of those who came were in a great mood, and were excited to be back together again. (We're getting the band back together.) By the time it was over, my heart was racing, and I had to stop before I got to a couple songs I wanted to play with because we ran out of time. What a fantastic feeling. When we had mass this morning, that energy carried over. They were so good today, and I am so honored to be up there leading them.
So, now the tedious work begins, putting everything back together. My office is in shambles, my music files are seperated out into stacks from various days we sang, and I have a new season to tweak and primp so that I can offer the best possible worship experience. I have come to love my "creative" days as I call them. These are the days I can step back from the administration parts of the job, and really dream about what this music program can be. I think the rest of this week can be used for a bit of that time. I have some new songs I'm getting excited about. I have some young cantors that I am looking forward to seeing what their made of. It's a brand new day.
P.S. Ugh... wouldn't you know it, but I forgot to thank John, the fantastic guy who covered for my while I was sick this last weekend. He is definately one of my best resources, trusted advisors, and good friends. Thanks John.
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Inspiration and Perspiration
I just thought I'd throw in a quick update on all the fun things happening in my life these days.
With Holy Week being this week, I'm kinda out of my head with everything that I need to get done before Wednesday and beyond roll around. I forced myself to take today completely off. It's so easy for me to go in just to get something done, but right now, I need to take the time when I can get it. I know I'll be running around like a crazy person soon, so I enjoyed my time to myself.
I joined several people and we started a dinner club. Our first dinner was on Friday, and it was so much fun. We have 5 "families" involved and a total of 7 people. I was quite impressed with the creativity first of all. I think we were there till nearly 11 o'clock that night just talking and laughing the night away. I cant wait till our next one in April.
I've been arranging quite a bit of music these days for various instruments and voices. A few of my arrangements will be used during our services this week, so I'm pretty pumped about that. I am really getting into using Sibelius which my choir gave me as a surprise Christmas gift. It is much more powerful than my other program, and a lot more rewarding. I can potentially whip out an arrangement for four or five instruments in about an hour now. I've also been playing more piano these days too. To me, it feels like I'm just tinkering around, but people seem to like it, so I'll keep going. Nothing wrong with a simple improv once in a while. Of course, now their staring to ask for me to try playing the organ. It's kind of scary that I am the parish organist all of a sudden. Last I knew, I was brought in as a guitarist. Oh well!
Lets see... other things. I've been getting into baking, candy making and card making these days. I've run into a number of old friends lately... fun! I really feel like I need a spiritual director or something similar to help me stay on the right path. Life is terribly busy, but very good right now. I cant wait till this week is over.
I'll leave you with a few quotes I borrowed from one of my favorite websites, Just Plain Folks.
"Getting there isn't half the fun - it's all the fun." -Robert Townsend
"Grab a chance and you won't be sorry for a might have been." -Arthur Ransome
"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is give them a reason and an opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
With Holy Week being this week, I'm kinda out of my head with everything that I need to get done before Wednesday and beyond roll around. I forced myself to take today completely off. It's so easy for me to go in just to get something done, but right now, I need to take the time when I can get it. I know I'll be running around like a crazy person soon, so I enjoyed my time to myself.
I joined several people and we started a dinner club. Our first dinner was on Friday, and it was so much fun. We have 5 "families" involved and a total of 7 people. I was quite impressed with the creativity first of all. I think we were there till nearly 11 o'clock that night just talking and laughing the night away. I cant wait till our next one in April.
I've been arranging quite a bit of music these days for various instruments and voices. A few of my arrangements will be used during our services this week, so I'm pretty pumped about that. I am really getting into using Sibelius which my choir gave me as a surprise Christmas gift. It is much more powerful than my other program, and a lot more rewarding. I can potentially whip out an arrangement for four or five instruments in about an hour now. I've also been playing more piano these days too. To me, it feels like I'm just tinkering around, but people seem to like it, so I'll keep going. Nothing wrong with a simple improv once in a while. Of course, now their staring to ask for me to try playing the organ. It's kind of scary that I am the parish organist all of a sudden. Last I knew, I was brought in as a guitarist. Oh well!
Lets see... other things. I've been getting into baking, candy making and card making these days. I've run into a number of old friends lately... fun! I really feel like I need a spiritual director or something similar to help me stay on the right path. Life is terribly busy, but very good right now. I cant wait till this week is over.
I'll leave you with a few quotes I borrowed from one of my favorite websites, Just Plain Folks.
"Getting there isn't half the fun - it's all the fun." -Robert Townsend
"Grab a chance and you won't be sorry for a might have been." -Arthur Ransome
"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is give them a reason and an opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Christmas reflections
Wow! What a rush. It's obviously been a while since I posted in here. With Christmas and New Years now past, I can take a deep sigh and brace myself for the next big season. Whew!
What a great time I had for Advent and Christmas this year. Working with our Adult Choir, School Choir, and all the cantors was a lot of work but so worth it. I was able to bring a number of new songs and experiences to the parish community here, and am quite happy with that. I was not able to do my Advent Lessons and Carols service, but I am already preparing it for next year. I think it could be a hit, if given a good shot. One of my fellow music ministers in the city wrote one and, from what I hear, it was absolutely phenomenal. I could only hope to do one half as nice. Props to Paul.
It's amazing how putting yourself fully into a church Christmas makes all the other aspects of Christmas seem so different. I started my Christmas shopping early this year, and felt very laid back and comfortable with the whole thing by the time Christmas arrived. I even had a couple extra gifts, that I dont know what to do with. HA!! Also, the woman who does our decorations, Jacki, did such a good job designing and implementing her ideas this year. I'll have to get some pictures and post them before they all come down. Being part of it all was such a privilage.
Christmas Eve was quite difficult for me this year. I think for the first time, other than being at Church, I was alone (other than my cat of course). After our late service, the Choir surprised me with a gift that just blew me away. I had no idea they even thought of it. Truely a gift in many ways. Thanks all!
Well, now we are getting ready for Lent and Easter which are coming up on us very quickly. Its funny talking about Lent when our Christmas decorations are still up. Here's to a great success and continued successes throughout the new year.
What a great time I had for Advent and Christmas this year. Working with our Adult Choir, School Choir, and all the cantors was a lot of work but so worth it. I was able to bring a number of new songs and experiences to the parish community here, and am quite happy with that. I was not able to do my Advent Lessons and Carols service, but I am already preparing it for next year. I think it could be a hit, if given a good shot. One of my fellow music ministers in the city wrote one and, from what I hear, it was absolutely phenomenal. I could only hope to do one half as nice. Props to Paul.
It's amazing how putting yourself fully into a church Christmas makes all the other aspects of Christmas seem so different. I started my Christmas shopping early this year, and felt very laid back and comfortable with the whole thing by the time Christmas arrived. I even had a couple extra gifts, that I dont know what to do with. HA!! Also, the woman who does our decorations, Jacki, did such a good job designing and implementing her ideas this year. I'll have to get some pictures and post them before they all come down. Being part of it all was such a privilage.
Christmas Eve was quite difficult for me this year. I think for the first time, other than being at Church, I was alone (other than my cat of course). After our late service, the Choir surprised me with a gift that just blew me away. I had no idea they even thought of it. Truely a gift in many ways. Thanks all!
Well, now we are getting ready for Lent and Easter which are coming up on us very quickly. Its funny talking about Lent when our Christmas decorations are still up. Here's to a great success and continued successes throughout the new year.
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