1) Welcome to my readers in Taiwan and Switzerland, the 36th and 37th countries to log into my blog! Found them this morning on the way around my sites. Please feel free to respond to what I've written.
I'm becoming resigned to the fact that not everyone loves me and my work in the library world. I'm officially on the outside looking in to what is proving to be a very small, parochial, insular community which looks upon outsiders and newbies who don't fit their preconceived notions of what a library professional is with suspicion, derision, and dismissiveness. Here's hoping my next interview goes better. I'll let you know.
*--Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo for the TV show, Cheers (1980-91)
Friday, March 11, 2016
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Waltzing Matilda* and what makes ME squeal (with displeasure)
Just a quick shout-out to "the land down under"--Australia! Welcome!!! I can't believe this is the first time in three years of doing this blog.
The adventure goes on, and as one wise man said, "When God closes one door, he opens a window". More details when I have them, but it's a good sign.
On a totally UNrelated subject--I used my KitchenAid food grinder attachment to make a few pounds of breakfast sausage. I had a good solid starter recipe, and obtained pork scraps from a local butcher to add to the cheap pork loin I bought at Shop-Rite. Tasty and fresh. I think I'll get some chuck steak or sirloin to grind for hamburgers in the near future.
The negative in this post has to do with customer service. I went to the local upscale grocer in search of the aforementioned pork fat to make sausage. I went to the meat counter and asked where I could find a couple of pounds of pork fat.
"We don't have that...we have bacon down the aisle there (points in the general direction of the display case)"
"Would you know what store I could go to to get (pork fat)?"
"No"
(and this is where I began to lose faith in that store)
"I wouldn't even know what number to sell it under"
Which tells me a) she's not a butcher, b) she couldn't be bothered with such a piddling request, and c) the much-vaunted customer service at this store has a few yawning gaps that should be rectified. If you've seen the movie "Miracle on 34th Street" (the good one, not the modern one), you remember that the "us or nothing" model of retailing went out with mechanical cash registers. I would regularly tell customers where they could find what we didn't have, especially if it involved a local business. If the item was requested on a regular basis, and it fit in our merchandise profile, I'd either start inquiring up to management or if I was in a position to do so, place the orders myself. I'm not going to give the name of the store for the simple reason is that it's the first such experience I've had there. Won't tell on IM or private message, either...
More later. Cheers!
*--Lyrics by Banjo Patterson; March music by James Barr, 1818.
The adventure goes on, and as one wise man said, "When God closes one door, he opens a window". More details when I have them, but it's a good sign.
On a totally UNrelated subject--I used my KitchenAid food grinder attachment to make a few pounds of breakfast sausage. I had a good solid starter recipe, and obtained pork scraps from a local butcher to add to the cheap pork loin I bought at Shop-Rite. Tasty and fresh. I think I'll get some chuck steak or sirloin to grind for hamburgers in the near future.
The negative in this post has to do with customer service. I went to the local upscale grocer in search of the aforementioned pork fat to make sausage. I went to the meat counter and asked where I could find a couple of pounds of pork fat.
"We don't have that...we have bacon down the aisle there (points in the general direction of the display case)"
"Would you know what store I could go to to get (pork fat)?"
"No"
(and this is where I began to lose faith in that store)
"I wouldn't even know what number to sell it under"
Which tells me a) she's not a butcher, b) she couldn't be bothered with such a piddling request, and c) the much-vaunted customer service at this store has a few yawning gaps that should be rectified. If you've seen the movie "Miracle on 34th Street" (the good one, not the modern one), you remember that the "us or nothing" model of retailing went out with mechanical cash registers. I would regularly tell customers where they could find what we didn't have, especially if it involved a local business. If the item was requested on a regular basis, and it fit in our merchandise profile, I'd either start inquiring up to management or if I was in a position to do so, place the orders myself. I'm not going to give the name of the store for the simple reason is that it's the first such experience I've had there. Won't tell on IM or private message, either...
More later. Cheers!
*--Lyrics by Banjo Patterson; March music by James Barr, 1818.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
One Step Up*
The job front comes forward today. I've had several nibbles lately. Mansfield U, as I suspected, no-hired their 2nd semester temporary job and will post again for a fall semester start. U-Scranton gave me a phone interview for a Cataloging assistant position. No word on that one--the silence is deafening. This particular song title from the Boss seemed apropos.
As for new postings, I've seen humble and great postings crossing my desk and piquing my interest. I'll let you know if anything comes of my applications. Cheers.
*--Bruce Springsteen, Tunnel of Love, 1987
PS: welcome to my readers in the Dominican Republic! Country #34 heard from. Please leave opinions and comments as you feel moved to.
As for new postings, I've seen humble and great postings crossing my desk and piquing my interest. I'll let you know if anything comes of my applications. Cheers.
*--Bruce Springsteen, Tunnel of Love, 1987
PS: welcome to my readers in the Dominican Republic! Country #34 heard from. Please leave opinions and comments as you feel moved to.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Changes, opus II
Plus ca change!
The more things change, the more things stay the same.
You've read previously about my travails and issues with the Norristown (PA) Area School District and their mishandling of various things, from too few seats at the newly constructed stadium, to the attempted dismantling of the performing and visual arts departments, to the ineptness and bumbling of the superintendent, the human resources department, and school board. I point to the recent posting for an extra-curricular marching band director (http://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/Page/116 for those playing along at home), and offer Dr. Samuels, Mr. Smith (NAHS principal) and anyone within earshot the following questions for consideration:
1) While the job description does state "...(the successful candidate) will function as a team member of the NAHS Music Department" it goes on to say that the successful candidate "will report to the NAHS Principal or designee". Who is that designee?
2) "Lead staff preparation and pedagogical employment of a technique program for wind and percussion instruments". Can we assume that this is done in cooperation with existing NAHS instrumental music staff? A common terminology when dealing with students across ensembles is desirable, and anyone who joins the staff should assimilate.
3) "Order, organize, and maintain all equipment and supplies". Is this a line item in the existing instrumental music program's budget or will this be independent of that budget? What is the funding source?
4) "Select appropriate competitive circuit(s) and complete all necessary paperwork for chosen circuit(s)". Wow. This leaves a lot unsaid.
For those who aren't familiar with the various high school marching band "competitive circuits", here's a brief (and I hope accurate) list of organizations. Typically, high schools and colleges host competitions with classifications based on band size and school enrollment.
*--David Bowie, Hunky Dory, 1971.
The more things change, the more things stay the same.
You've read previously about my travails and issues with the Norristown (PA) Area School District and their mishandling of various things, from too few seats at the newly constructed stadium, to the attempted dismantling of the performing and visual arts departments, to the ineptness and bumbling of the superintendent, the human resources department, and school board. I point to the recent posting for an extra-curricular marching band director (http://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/Page/116 for those playing along at home), and offer Dr. Samuels, Mr. Smith (NAHS principal) and anyone within earshot the following questions for consideration:
1) While the job description does state "...(the successful candidate) will function as a team member of the NAHS Music Department" it goes on to say that the successful candidate "will report to the NAHS Principal or designee". Who is that designee?
2) "Lead staff preparation and pedagogical employment of a technique program for wind and percussion instruments". Can we assume that this is done in cooperation with existing NAHS instrumental music staff? A common terminology when dealing with students across ensembles is desirable, and anyone who joins the staff should assimilate.
3) "Order, organize, and maintain all equipment and supplies". Is this a line item in the existing instrumental music program's budget or will this be independent of that budget? What is the funding source?
4) "Select appropriate competitive circuit(s) and complete all necessary paperwork for chosen circuit(s)". Wow. This leaves a lot unsaid.
For those who aren't familiar with the various high school marching band "competitive circuits", here's a brief (and I hope accurate) list of organizations. Typically, high schools and colleges host competitions with classifications based on band size and school enrollment.
h http://www.pimba.org/pimba/site/main/ Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association
http://www.njatob.org/ Tournament of Bands
http://www.musicforall.org/who-we-are/bands-of-america Bands of America
Corps-style marching is the predominant style in these organizations.
In my limited research, I only know of one state--Texas--which has a competitive division for show-style bands. There may be others--North Carolina for one, and Illinois has been considering it--but the style first popularized in HBCUs has made its way down to the high schools, and there are those who will at some point organize a competitive circuit for show bands here in the Northeast.
5) "Work
with Music Boosters to establish a student quota"
Please elaborate.
6) "Attend
monthly Music Boosters meeting...Attempt
to contact the family and redirect all communication to the Music Booster
officers in instances where financial contributions have not been received from
students"
Again, I have to ask--what is the funding source? If this is referring to fundraising by the students and their families, how much is expected?
7) "Date Posted: July 30, 2015". Really? Posted where? It's not on PAREAP, and it hasn't been on the district website until now. What does the PA Department of Education require regarding job postings?
I really hate to be Debbie Downer here, but we expect better of our district administration.
*--David Bowie, Hunky Dory, 1971.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
The Shrine of St. Cecilia*: reflections on the Pope's visit and the World Meeting of Families
I've been trying to think of something profound to say about the events of the last week. I'll probably get to it some day but right now I'm still processing everything. I think the best I can do is start by categorizing everything.
Logistics: People, 'fess up. You didn't leave your house soon enough to get in to see the Pope. Stop blaming the infrastructure. You had weeks and even months to prepare. Be assertive and plan ahead next time.
Restaurant owners and Mayor Nutter: Stop blaming the media. The fact that you put out the information doesn't excuse you from the consequences of the quality of that information. Why else would most media outlets be reporting the same thing?
Being a musician in the Archdiocese: I can think of few places I would rather have been than in the musical portion of the proceedings. Singing to God accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra was truly a small preview of heaven. I do have things to say about the particulars of the three Masses we sang, which I'll do in another post.
World Meeting of Families: It looked like an impressive lineup of speakers. I wish I'd had the resources for our family to participate. What I did hear moved me.
People watching: Possibly one of the best parts of the week. I met people from dozens of countries, including Portugal, Argentina, Australia, Nigeria, and saw people in dazzling native dress from every continent.
No matter where you go: I grew up in Holland, Michigan, a small city on the shores of Lake Michigan. Imagine my surprise when I was boarding the train and discovered that I was riding with people from the nearby cities of Grand Rapids and Muskegon! Reminds me of my honeymoon--Nancy and I were in Nova Scotia when I spotted a Vandenberg Buick sticker on a car. I asked the driver if they were from Holland. When they said yes, I responded that I'd grown up there. They seemed a little miffed. Oh well. Shout out to Petoskey, MI too.
No good deed goes unpunished: Word was that we were to get lunch. The CEO of Wawa Inc., a devout Catholic and member of the local delegation that petitioned the Pope to come to the WMoF, donated 500 small box lunches to the musicians. Good thing I packed my lunch; by the time we got back from warmup, they were gone. Because I didn't see the alleged eager eaters do this, I won't say who was rumored to have made off with them.
The Dunham bus fiasco: I don't necessarily blame the bus company for the overly long waits to get to and from our destinations. People were getting pushy and ugly, and the longer the wait, the more agitated we got. After a group of people who hadn't waited on line forced their way onto a bus, I remarked to a nearby priest, "Does this mean we can be Philadelphians again?".
So I didn't see Fr. Groeschel...but I did see Anderson Cooper and Bill Hemmer (Fox News), both of whom acknowledged the choir when we waved and cheered like mad.
Lots of nuns whose habits I didn't recognize...I started making a point of asking what order they were, and among them were an order from New York called the Sisters of Life, founded in 1990.
Librarian opportunities? I wonder if they ever considered setting up tents as reading rooms, or setting up a reading room at the convention center. Maybe they did, I don't know.
This is going to be more than one post...
To be continued.
Onward.
*--Carroll Loveday, c. 1951.
Logistics: People, 'fess up. You didn't leave your house soon enough to get in to see the Pope. Stop blaming the infrastructure. You had weeks and even months to prepare. Be assertive and plan ahead next time.
Restaurant owners and Mayor Nutter: Stop blaming the media. The fact that you put out the information doesn't excuse you from the consequences of the quality of that information. Why else would most media outlets be reporting the same thing?
Being a musician in the Archdiocese: I can think of few places I would rather have been than in the musical portion of the proceedings. Singing to God accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra was truly a small preview of heaven. I do have things to say about the particulars of the three Masses we sang, which I'll do in another post.
World Meeting of Families: It looked like an impressive lineup of speakers. I wish I'd had the resources for our family to participate. What I did hear moved me.
People watching: Possibly one of the best parts of the week. I met people from dozens of countries, including Portugal, Argentina, Australia, Nigeria, and saw people in dazzling native dress from every continent.
No matter where you go: I grew up in Holland, Michigan, a small city on the shores of Lake Michigan. Imagine my surprise when I was boarding the train and discovered that I was riding with people from the nearby cities of Grand Rapids and Muskegon! Reminds me of my honeymoon--Nancy and I were in Nova Scotia when I spotted a Vandenberg Buick sticker on a car. I asked the driver if they were from Holland. When they said yes, I responded that I'd grown up there. They seemed a little miffed. Oh well. Shout out to Petoskey, MI too.
No good deed goes unpunished: Word was that we were to get lunch. The CEO of Wawa Inc., a devout Catholic and member of the local delegation that petitioned the Pope to come to the WMoF, donated 500 small box lunches to the musicians. Good thing I packed my lunch; by the time we got back from warmup, they were gone. Because I didn't see the alleged eager eaters do this, I won't say who was rumored to have made off with them.
The Dunham bus fiasco: I don't necessarily blame the bus company for the overly long waits to get to and from our destinations. People were getting pushy and ugly, and the longer the wait, the more agitated we got. After a group of people who hadn't waited on line forced their way onto a bus, I remarked to a nearby priest, "Does this mean we can be Philadelphians again?".
So I didn't see Fr. Groeschel...but I did see Anderson Cooper and Bill Hemmer (Fox News), both of whom acknowledged the choir when we waved and cheered like mad.
Lots of nuns whose habits I didn't recognize...I started making a point of asking what order they were, and among them were an order from New York called the Sisters of Life, founded in 1990.
Librarian opportunities? I wonder if they ever considered setting up tents as reading rooms, or setting up a reading room at the convention center. Maybe they did, I don't know.
This is going to be more than one post...
To be continued.
Onward.
*--Carroll Loveday, c. 1951.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
A Day in the Life #3: World Meeting of Families, Philadelphia
So we're singing at the convention center this afternoon. I walked in to last night's rehearsal and was struck by just how immense the space is. Perhaps it was the sea of 20,000 chairs that were set up in anticipation of today's festivities.
I was struck by the focused, beautiful sound of the children's choir singing, yes, TRADITIONAL HYMNS. Mike Maresca, are you listening? If children are encouraged by exposing them to the best that church music has to offer, we don't have to do music that the "A Mighty Wind" gaggle likes to do on GEETARS and the future of hymnody will be more secure than it is now. I envied them their opportunity to sing "Rejoice, the Lord is King". What I wouldn't give to sing that or "Italian Hymn" or"St. Anne" or "Nun Danket Alle Gott" in my home parish more than almost never.
Well, off to shower, dress, pack, and head downtown. Cheers!
Onward.
I was struck by the focused, beautiful sound of the children's choir singing, yes, TRADITIONAL HYMNS. Mike Maresca, are you listening? If children are encouraged by exposing them to the best that church music has to offer, we don't have to do music that the "A Mighty Wind" gaggle likes to do on GEETARS and the future of hymnody will be more secure than it is now. I envied them their opportunity to sing "Rejoice, the Lord is King". What I wouldn't give to sing that or "Italian Hymn" or"St. Anne" or "Nun Danket Alle Gott" in my home parish more than almost never.
Well, off to shower, dress, pack, and head downtown. Cheers!
Onward.
Monday, September 21, 2015
A Day in the Life #2: World Meeting of Families, Philadelphia
Today's rehearsal will cover the music we're singing/chanting at tomorrow's opening Mass at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City. I'm assuming the Archbishop will preside with numerous co-presiders.
The Music, you ask?
Parry: I was Glad (Prelude)
Gouin: Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom (commissioned for the 2015 WMOF)
(This one reminds me of Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken by Haydn)
Gouin: Kyrie and Gloria from Mass of SS Peter and Paul
Alstott: Responsorial--Psalm 122
Chepponis: Good News Acclamation
Latona: Look up and Count the Stars on High (commissioned for the 2015 WMOF)
(This one reminds me of Gordon Jacob's setting of the 23rd Psalm, commonly known as "Brother James' Air")
Proulx: Sanctus from A Community Mass
Kolar: Cordero de Dios from Misa Luna
St. Meinrad Archabbey: Communion Antiphon--Ps. 33
Janco: Draw Near!
Cruger/arr. Rutter: Now Thank We All Our God
Karg-Elert/arr. McChesney: Nun danket alle Gott (Postlude)
It's been quite a challenge preparing all the little bits here and there. Some bits are far more substantial (Parry) than others (Janco, Cruger/Rutter) but it's all good. As I've been singing, I don't think that there's been a weak piece in the bunch, or one where I grit my teeth and smile till it's over. When it's over I'll let you know how it went. Singing in the Convention Center will not be a challenge, but listening and hearing my fellow singers will be. Focus, Focus, Focus!!!
Saints Cecilia and Gregory, pray for us!
Onward.
The Music, you ask?
Parry: I was Glad (Prelude)
Gouin: Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom (commissioned for the 2015 WMOF)
(This one reminds me of Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken by Haydn)
Gouin: Kyrie and Gloria from Mass of SS Peter and Paul
Alstott: Responsorial--Psalm 122
Chepponis: Good News Acclamation
Latona: Look up and Count the Stars on High (commissioned for the 2015 WMOF)
(This one reminds me of Gordon Jacob's setting of the 23rd Psalm, commonly known as "Brother James' Air")
Proulx: Sanctus from A Community Mass
Kolar: Cordero de Dios from Misa Luna
St. Meinrad Archabbey: Communion Antiphon--Ps. 33
Janco: Draw Near!
Cruger/arr. Rutter: Now Thank We All Our God
Karg-Elert/arr. McChesney: Nun danket alle Gott (Postlude)
It's been quite a challenge preparing all the little bits here and there. Some bits are far more substantial (Parry) than others (Janco, Cruger/Rutter) but it's all good. As I've been singing, I don't think that there's been a weak piece in the bunch, or one where I grit my teeth and smile till it's over. When it's over I'll let you know how it went. Singing in the Convention Center will not be a challenge, but listening and hearing my fellow singers will be. Focus, Focus, Focus!!!
Saints Cecilia and Gregory, pray for us!
Onward.
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