Back in the Saddle

Today starts Summer Session 2 and I am excited about tackling another round of Hip Hop Classes. The activity on Facebook with my first class from Summer Session 1 is quite lovely to see. The students writing on each others walls, posting pictures and attending events. I know it was their demeanor going into the class, but I hope to recreate that ensemble quality with BOTH classes this time around.

I also had a bit of a wake up call with the realization of time. Now that the summer is half done, I really need to get working on my thesis and Dada. I have not written in my thesis comedy journal in quite a few days and I don't remember when I read or even thought about Dada last. For the latter project I feel I really need to get my personnel on board and that's not going to happen until the school year begins. However, I would like to get some more research done.

Since my teaching schedule now starts at 12 instead of 2, I'm trying to get myself up earlier and on a more regular schedule. I also have 2 hours BETWEEN classes now that I could read or write or go to the library. I will check about space availability in the office today so I will be able to start playing with things physically, as well.

In terms of Miss Lonely Hearts, that may start to ramp up as well, since we may have a gig THIS Saturday at Crepeville and we are on the books at Sopha's on September 18 -- the day I get back from my Atlanta trip. Just to update, Wyatt and I are in disagreement as to the origin of the band name. All of the research says that the book in question was by Nathanael West not Terry Southern. That being said I did a search of MySpace yesterday and found TWO other bands (one in CA, the other in Canada) with the same name. So, it looks like Wyatt will be looking for a new name.

We had a good rehearsal on Saturday and I'm very proud of myself for finding some great rhythms and harmonies. In the garage band recordings, I have to say that I don't sound half bad. However, the collaborative elements are not as strong as I'd hoped. I really do think it's due to the fact that Wyatt is just so young and doesn't know how best to lead the group. Besides being a back up singer, I feel that I am also an advisor and creative consultant. That may be my biggest asset to the group. Wyatt was supposed to meet with a lap steel player yesterday and is in talks with a percussionist. I'm curious to see where this all will go.

And lastly, I finally did some job searching yesterday. I looked for university positions, as well as education directors in the non-profit world. I'm going to have to keep this search up in earnest because jobs will be posted in a few months for the time I graduate.

This makes me want to hide under the covers, but I will in fact get out of bed and head to Starbucks to use one of my gift cards and get some journalling done.

Now, I just have to find my glasses...