I can show you the world...

Liz and I watched Aladdin last night while drinking with just the two of us. It was really fun. Truly, a new hobby. I realize that I haven't written since before convention and I'm sorry. Every time I get the energy to write, Liz writes a novel that already shares any half meaningful information about my life. Having a blog right now (as opposed to when I was younger), really highlights the fact that my life is going in directions that I never saw coming and is, in general, quite boring.
Convention was fun. We had a bunch of people staying here and I love to play host. It did however get old by the time the last people rolled out Sunday from Halloween. I can't believe how much convention costs when it's really not that impressive. I hope I can be one of the presenters some day. I went to only 2 sessions that I liked and did get to see some awesome concerts so I guess I won't complain. I went to a session on the drumset in big band charts. I was only one of like 15-20 people there and the only EC person. That's sort of disappointing. A lot of times in college (and now) I felt like the only person who wanted to teach secondary that realizes that a good teacher presents all genres of music equally. I am lucky to have strong interests in marching and jazz, but then small groups and other things should be available too. I feel like there aren't as many people graduating from UWEC that want to teach high school band, and those that are coming out aren't taking jazz band seriously. I was always bothered by people that say they want to teach high school and graduate and then get a job and they NEVER joined a jazz band. Especially if you went to UWEC, you are WASTING a major learning experience and REALLY letting your future students down. Rant. that being said, I also went to a session on swinging and such by the Sun Prairie jazz ensemble and I was really impressed, motivated, and driven to be like their band director. I liked how "real" he was with them. He had VERY high expectations, but was fun. Kids will want to meet your expectations if they trust your vision and learn to love challenges. I later watched their wind ensemble and was equally impressed by both the students and director. Knowing that they have a strong marching program, seeing their awesome jazz band, and then hearing their top-notch wind ensemble really reinforces my dreams and ideals that you CAN HAVE IT ALL. Can't wait to teach high school...

HOWEVER, that dream has certainly been derailed for this year hasn't it? I have even more news to share. I was unable to find a secondary band position for this year right? So I figured if I am going to sub, I might as well try a large district to stay busier and gain much needed experience in culture and diversity. It was a GREAT move. I have been staying busy every day, teaching music, and getting paid notably more. ($141 a day!). The only weird part is that I have been teaching mostly elementary and not only that, but the teachers were getting so comfortable having me that they we having me do my own lesson plans half the time. So in the back of my mind I've been sort of thinking, "What's the difference if I'm teaching an elem position or subbing for them every day? At least I'd know where I was going every day and I could learn the kids name, which helps classroom management." Back in early September, Julie Palkowski MMSD fine arts coordinator called me to interview for the .9 position that was open at Leopold. I thought about it and turned it down so that I could leave my schedule open to at least sub and help bands whenever I could. This was before I realized how much elementary music I would be doing. I accepted a sub position as soon as I saw it for Leopold last week because I was curious to see if they ever filled the position and MAYBE if I would like the school and other music teacher enough to call Julie back and see if I could change my mind a month and a half later on the interview.
They have been having a NON-MUSIC teacher there all year. It's mid-November! Now this teacher has also accepted a morning position as reading specialist so they have been hiring different short-term subs every morning and having her in the afternoons. That is just plain ridiculous. Especially because I know they have interviewed lots of people, including Tiller and K-Wood. I feel that having the kids basically not have a music teaching is extremely unfair and the kids deserve someone who will at least advocate for their needs and teach them SOME MUSIC. SO...I called Julie and we set up an interview for Monday morning and I'm already booked to sub there Tuesday-Friday full days. She likes Liz a lot and the fact that they called me before and I didn't even apply, makes me feel confident. Also that I already live here and have been to the school and subbed for some classes after which 2 SEA's went directly to the principal's office and told him to hire me. Knowing that my friends have interviewed and not-gotten it (for NO good reason, it's unknown I guess) makes me a little less confident. So we'll see. I'll update tomorrow after my interview or whenever they call me to let me know. They can't avoid me if I'm going to be IN their school all week.

To sort of backtrack, Halloween was a lot of fun. Had way too much to drink and feel sort of embarassed, but that's me so....whatever. The costumes were really fun and the only person I'm upset about not seeing was Yakkers. Don't act all excited on facebook for weeks and then not make a notable effort to see us dude! Makes us feel pathetic. Speaking of pathetic, I feel really single lately and that is never fun. Even watching Disney movies makes me jealous. I guess I just hoped that since my career wasn't moving in the direction I wanted this year that other aspects of my life just might. Apparently not. It sucks being 24 years old and wondering how many people question your sexuality or your effort or your personality even. I don't think I'm...well,I am picky, but it's subconscious. I just don't meet someone and evaulate their datability. That is starting to change here in Madison I guess though. I'm meeting more people than I am seeing people I already know so I'm finding myself being like, oh they're cute, let's find out what they think about education....then it fails when someone prettier lights up some other part of the room. I want I want I want...please?
Gonna go eat some foooooooooood. It's a nice lazy Saturday for us. Yesterday we only had to work the Badger game and today we NEED to work out, but otherwise it's TLC, chili, and the Biggest Loser Game on king.com. I'll try to write more. Comment to motivate the likelihood.