Dr. Who Season 6

A NOISELESS, PATIENT SPIDER

 NOISELESS, patient spider,

I mark'd, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated;

Mark'd how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding,

It launch'd forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself;

Ever unreeling them--ever tirelessly speeding them.

 

And you, O my Soul, where you stand,

Surrounded, surrounded, in measureless oceans of space,

Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing,--seeking the spheres, to connect them;

Till the bridge you will need, be form'd--till the ductile anchor hold;

Till the gossamer thread you fling, catch somewhere, O my Soul.




by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

Twitter has just busted open for me

There are many things in the Web 2.0 world that are simply "cool".  The geek in me is attracted to websites that let me paint the screen like Jackson Pollock, or calculate my daily caloric intake, or send little messages out to the cyber world about what I'm doing at any given moment.  But it's really an exciting moment when I find a web application that truly makes my life simpler, more efficient and/or better in some way.  I've experienced this with Evernote about nine months ago.  And while I've been using it for well over a year, Twitter has now transformed from fun pastime to indispensable professional tool.

The difference? Hashtags. I've always sort of used them, but have never seen them in all their glory until recently.  For those of you who may be unfamiliar with all things Twitter, hashtags are keywords that are preceded in your post by a # (or hash) sign.  Searching for specific hashtags allows users who may not be following each other to follow all of the comments of a specific interest group.  Following hashtags bring you into contact with others who hold common passions.  When I started on Twitter, I followed people that I knew away from the computer.  Recently I've been following those whom I have never met, but share a love of Music Education.

Specific applications? Mondays from 5-6PM Pacific, search for the hashtag #MusEdChat.  Music Educators from all over the planet (primarily the US, but not entirely) begin a discussion on a predetermined topic (via web poll) with every post including #MusEdChat.  It is that simple.  The results are amazing.  I've never had such an interesting, relevant, collaborative discussion in my 11 years of teaching music.  I've always taught at small schools with either one or two music teachers.  The choir teacher at my school and I talk daily about a number of things - music related and not.  But the intensity and rich diversity of experiences, ideas, & perspectives found on #MusEdChat is unparalleled.  Even in the setting of a state or regional music educator's convention, you just don't get the steady free flow of ideas from so many contributers.  The basic mechanism of Twitter encourages this sort of collaboration.

So what?  Is this really useful or am I just geeking out?  I believe this is truly a turning point in communication between music educators (and others - there are Twitter groups for every subject of teachers out there!).  I plan to continue my participation in the weekly discussion.  I'm looking forward eagerly to the new Music Professional Learning Network (MPLN), created by Dr. Joseph Pisano, that is going public Monday, July 19th as another way to share ideas, methods, successes, failures, stories, and encouragement.

My suggestion for other teachers out there: Sign up for Twitter right now. Treat it as a professional tool - so your profile should reflect you as a teacher.  Start following people.  I'm @MrAhrens.  I'd be happy to follow you back if you follow me.  I would suggest reading Twitter using one of many clients.  These add functionality to the basic service.  I use HootSuite for day-to-day use and TweetGrid to take part in group discussions.  Do a search for hashtags that you may be interested in.  (#MusEdChat #EdChat #ElemChat, etc.)  Cybrary Man has put together a large list of educational hashtags here.  Play around, you'll get the hang of it soon enough.

I'm using Twitter to communicate with parents and band members, but I'm now thinking there is probably an even more effective way to share band communication.  Perhaps our own hashtag could be developed?  What about Twitter collaboration for all teachers at my high school?  Or school district?

Twitter was fun when it was me telling my wife that I was getting lettuce at the store.  Through the creativity of its users, it has become an incredible communication and professional development tool.  It's a great time to be a geek!

Artwork: "Autumn Rhythm" by Jackson Pollock

#MusEdChat Monday Discussion

I had an interesting day today.  Divided between deep cleaning of the garage in 90+ degree heat and looking into this new phenomenon in my life: the #MusEdChat discussion on Twitter and across various blogs and websites.

At 5PM I took part in the actual weekly chat of this group.  The topic was regarding the definition of a "Successful Music Teacher".  I need to find a way to archive the twitter feed so I can blog about what was said with clarity.  That may start next Monday.  It's kind of a crazy thing.  I'm not sure that I ever got my bearings.  If you've ever experienced a chat room - with the posts flying by very quickly - it was sort of like that.  Except that it was on Twitter and every post was relevant.  This made reading and digesting what was being said and responding in a timely manner difficult.  The frenetic pace was fun and definitely raised my heartrate a little.  This all aside, it was really fantastic to see so many music educators sharing in a way that showed their passion for their students, their art, and each other.  I'm excited to be a part of this.  I truly look forward with eager anticipation to the opening of the Music Professional Learning Network website on July 19th.  I'll be on the road to Utah that day, but will somehow find a way to register for the site.

Painting: Amy Sacksteder "In All Sincerity"

Viking Expansion

I'm sort of a tech geek. It's part of my being; I don't need to try real hard or anything. So I believe I have a total of 9 or 10 blogs somewhere out there on the internet. Most of them barely begun and then abandoned - not intentionally. They have simply become victims of my busy schedule as a high school band director coupled with my ever advancing need for change and newness. I have a great idea for a blog. It turns out to be somewhat one dimensional and I lose interest and start another. I'm still quite fond of each and every one and (for some silly reason) am somehow convinced that I'll end up showing them due attention once "I get some free time". (ha!) So, what is the latest thing, you may ask? Well you're staring at it. Viking Resurgence is not going away. I love this blog. Granted, it's primarily because I'm proud of my Scandinavian heritage, I love the graphic that I made for the header, and I love the quote by the Viking King Knut. The difference will be that I would like to include more entries regarding music education. I have my daily Twitter digest. That stays. I have the periodic poem / painting combo that may suit my momentary fancy. That stays. Ok, well it all stays. I'm just adding the music education stuff.

As a geek, I've been on Twitter for nearly a couple of years now. I enjoy it greatly, but certainly have not begun to harness all it can do for me. I use it to update my Facebook status. I use it to get quick messages to my students. Now I plan to use it more for collaboration. I've been aware of the #MusEdChat tag on Twitter for a while, but did not realize until very recently the large and supportive community of music educators that embody it. Wonderful! I did not realize there where weekly discussion groups. Fabulous! There are also, it seems, a large number of blogs and other websites of these individuals which can act as further support to the music educator (um, me). I would like to take part in these discussions actively. I would love to become a player in this ensemble (to reference @LindsayMorelli's blog.)

So I'll begin by documenting more of what I'm doing. My day to day operations. My successes and failures with discipline, administration, recruitment, oh - and teaching music to teenagers. Hopefully there will be more successes than failures. Hopefully lives will be effected for the good. Hopefully this active participation in #MusEdChat will assist me in being a better teacher. However the story unfolds, you'll read it here - under the Viking with the flag.

TweetNotes:

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• 12:34 is out & about w/ kid 4 while @tubamom & the other girls march in the Rancho Cordova parade. #fb #
• 13:46 Duck, Duck, Goose at In-N-Out. - moby.to/tkvxi2 #
• 15:49 Czech (Moravian) composer Leoš Janáček was born July 3, 1854. Here's the 1st mvmt "Allegretto" from his Sinfonietta bit.ly/cYrKQd #fb #
• 17:41 @HiBerke which opera? Any good pit stories? #
• 18:41 been practicing a lot of high horn stuff for the Independence Day Fireworks Concert tomorrow night. I may black-out. #DaddyTurnThatDown ! #fb #
• 19:16 RT @ColinTGraham: Here's another reason to keep arts programmes going: Classical #music moves the heart bit.ly/8XQLiR #musedchat #fb #
• 20:36 @stumpy6653 @tubachic Go to this website & follow all of these people. Great musEd resources! Look around. bit.ly/aX8RXx #musedchat #
• 20:45 RT @shaugland: Observation: the whole of human nature is contained in a diatonic scale. The universe must be hidden in th circle of 5ths #fb #
• 20:57 Great music phrase from one of my incoming freshmen: "Subdivide & Conquer!" This one's g oing up on the wall. #mused #musedchat #quotes #fb #
• 21:33 @gb1191 I think you will like this website: JamStudio bit.ly/dmzLNj Youtube help: bit.ly/cpsImU #musedchat #mused #

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• 00:52 Looking for a better Twitter interface? Try Brizzly. Multiple accts. Inline photos/video. Saved searches. Intuitive. bit.ly/27xvJj #
• 07:48 Smog Test time. The Jeep certainly enjoys its emmissions. I do not expect compliance. #
• 16:04 just finished a bug safari with Kid 4. She explored through the yard with magnifying glass, tweezers, and observation jar. #fb #
• 21:26 @RickJamez twitpic.com/21y3er - That is a great picture and a good looking dog! #
• 21:30 @pianotyk e not a Dr/talk to your parents, but I drink 4-6oz Aloe Gel w/ grape juice every day 4 arthritis. Works great! bit.ly/91sN97 #

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• 00:00 saw a few instances of ignorance masquerading as authority today. Is there a term for being confidently ignorant of your own ignorance? #
• 09:16 Summer Band in 45 minutes. You're all invited. #fb #
• 16:26 The Frog Princess - moby.to/ogj4ar #
• 16:44 @Birdiebot Amazingly no. Didn't "tire" this frog out. Was still hopping when we left. Sprinklers on the hill. She put him in a little pond. #
• 17:26 @dhlawrencexvii welcome back! #
• 17:29 Working on my high range. #horn #fb #
• 22:41 is using #Evernote to be productive... and eating potstickers (delicious frozen Ajinomoto brand from Sam's bit.ly/d9ngnz) #fb #
• 22:51 RT @ebertchicago: Siskel & Ebert play a video game. j.mp/c87BKj // Amazingly entertaining! Siskel was a real good guy. #fb #

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• 00:00 RT @nancygandhi: Silence is so rare, it has become a presence, rather than an absence. I miss it, when I remember that it exists. #
• 07:52 I keep reading about everyone watching the eclipse last night. I thought I missed an astronomical event. #
• 11:56 So the talking point key phrase of the day is "Great Reccession". I've heard it 3 times this morning already. #creatingthenews #fb #
• 16:18 @Birdiebot We use their maps. Good stuff. #AAA #

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• 00:47 Got GoogVox set in a way that it'll actually be well worth the hassle. Would be better on an Android phone, but that will have to wait. #fb #
• 09:53 I'll be a few minutes late. Sorry. #
• 18:35 Re-scoring an old (1853) version of the Star Spangled Banner I found for modern band. Originally Sax choir, Eb Trumpet, Baritone, Tubas #fb #

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• 01:39 Well, it's taken me 5 years, but my 30GB iPod is now full and I've got about 3GB of songs to add still... #fb #
• 02:20 @RickJamez no worries, it's just the Mob. #
• 02:21 RT @staffnotes: Welcome to hell.. Here's your vuvuzela ow.ly/23ZAv #fb #
• 12:49 is printing old marches for Summer Band tomorrow. Thanks Jeremie for the public domain website! #fb #
• 13:33 @rachelglassgrdn Starbuck's wifi is pretty simple and free right now. I think this is their campaign to make me feel not special. #
• 14:54 Garage Reclaimation Project day 46:It appears that below a certain strata of boxes is solid concrete. Just when success seemed so close. #fb #
• 19:33 Rio Americano band room is an oven!! But at least we have 5 horns today. #fb #
• 21:58 @Birdiebot sorry. Not this time. We're trying to get rid of stuff! :) #

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• 12:16 is shuffling boxes and creating emptiness. #
• 12:30 @Birdiebot @rachelglassgrdn Hope you sold all of your treasured crap. We'll be doing the same in a few weeks. #
• 13:26 I think today I'm going to pretend that I enjoy heat. I will not spontaneously combust. I will not spontaneously combust. #
• 14:49 just found a bunch of jazz CDs... uploading to iPod / MusicMonkey #
• 15:32 Kid 4 is watching the claymation Frosty the Snowman #wishfulthinking #christmas #cartoon #
• 15:52 cleaning the garage is actua lly starting to get fun. #heresy #swineflu? #organization #fb #

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• 05:29 Am now awake for some kind of parade or something that I'm apparently going to. I think it's still yesterday. #
• 07:51 Ready to march! - moby.to/lgg6zi #
• 08:23 in the staging area with Susie, #2, #3, & the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band. #
• 16:30 just watched "The Interpreter" with Nicole Kidman. Pretty good thriller. #
• 22:03 This has been a very unproductive, yet wonderfully relaxing day of movies on Netflix following the Citrus Heights parade. Ah, Summer. #

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• 12:07 trying to figure out some horn/tuba duets. #
• 15:06 at Kinko's getting Susie's parade music laminated. #
• 20:53 just finished playing Czech horn duets with @tubamom (we transposed to Eb, ftr) #
• 22:21 watching Alice in Wonderland. Who is it that this actress looks like? I can't quite place the resemblance. #

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• 08:29 with all this talk of iPhone 4, I would really like an HTC Evo - just to set things straight. And in case anyone would like to give me one. #
• 08:32 leaving for Summer Band at Bear River. Hope to see many of you there! #
• 13:15 Time out. - moby.to/50p3rr #
• 14:01 on to post-Summer Band lunch with Alissa Aune at Beach Hut... #
• 15:02 ok, the Pig Kahuna sandwich is extremely tasty. #BeachHutDeli #
• 16:48 My Father's Day rose bush. - moby.to/5k9kea #
• 17:59 Hair cut by the same lady that did No. 4's. Remembered her name & said she'd been practicing. Impressive! #

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• 14:47 Clean, Practice, Facebook, Clean, Practice, Facebook... #
• 15:08 Geeking out #
• 18:07 on the way to band practice with @tubamom at Rio Americano HS. #

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TweetNotes:

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• 06:15 BRHS Summer Band starts today! 10 - Noon. ... so WAKE UP!!! #
• 09:21 @BirdieBot Happy Birthday! #
• 11:58 Summer Band Birthday Party! - moby.to/c0rqus #
• 14:41 @Birdiebot Hurray for Tuba #
• 16:23 is at the Nugget Market for salad bar & FRS drink. :D #
• 17:41 RT @rachelglassgrdn: Ok the bassoon shook my house, but nothing like a tuba, Yonkers! #
• 18:20 On my way back to Auburn for brass quintet rehearsal. #

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• 10:36 Vacation's over. Productivity begins now. #
• 14:19 At Green Acres, picking out a rose plant for Father's Day. #
• 18:01 A fascinatedly bewildered neighbor kid came to the door as I practiced my horn. I played Luke Skywalker's theme & he left smiling. #
• 20:14 at 4th of July Community Concert Band rehearsal. #

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• 16:19 Father's Day for Poppy at On The Border - moby.to/f91p8p #
• 17:14 Bored with dinner, time to draw. - moby.to/y2esb2 #

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• 23:30 RT @bxchen: Plants exist for cats to eat them and puke out the leaves so you can buy expensive carpet cleaner. It's the circle of life #
• 08:23 Just treated to breakfast in bed (french toast!). Thanks girls! #
• 10:15 wonders what the best way to get 36 oz of coffee & milk out of the car carpet is. #
• 13:33 Lemonade anyone! - moby.to/5gpm67 #
• 17:18 Carseat she came home from hospital in. - moby.to/k2jjkf #

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• 23:08 Our girls discovered Mystery Science Theater 3000 tonight. Thought they were going to bust a gut! It was "The Crawling Eye" btw. #
• 02:05 I need to get a job or something. The Summer really wrecks havoc on my sleep. #
• 02:20 @klaudiiih He plays the organ? #
• 10:44 @klaudiiih that's too bad that he's getting rid of it. They have such a great sound. I'd love to get one some day. #
• 10:46 Ah, the first Friday of Summer... the weekend is almost here! #
• 1 3:14 Ok, the plan is garage, then back yard, then horn. We should seriously have the Summer in February though so it wouldn't be so warm. #
• 20:15 Lot's of progress taking territory in the garage today. I've seen parts of the floor now that I was not aware existed. #
• 21:50 playing Balderdash with the fam. #

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TweetNotes:

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• 00:10 Luck is not chance, it's toil. Fortune's expensive smile is earned. Emily Dickinson #quote #
• 10:10 is working out a system for the Summer, because that's just what I do. #
• 12:42 emptying out boxes and finding my garage. #
• 16:37 has wild thorny Honey Locust trees trying to take over the backyard. But I will best them. #
• 16:41 btw, chainsaws are fun. #
• 16:54 things are starting to turn purple and gold around here... #
• 16:58 @robby hey can you help me out with your TwitterSync app? #
• 20:23 Fisher for three! #
• 20:54 The World Champion Los Angeles Lakers - 4, The Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics - 3. Great game and great series! #
• 21:46 @NikkiDarko I'm trying to figure out how to get twitter to update myspace - opposite of you. How did you do it? #

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• 15:14 is relieved to have made the grade. #
• 16:55 anyone have an old keyboard that would work with a Mac IIsi? ... Hmmm, maybe there's one in the band room. #

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XXX. CANUTE

A PLEASANT music floats along the Mere,
From Monks in Ely chanting service high,
While-as Canute the King is rowing by:
"My Oarsmen," quoth the mighty King, "draw near,
"That we the sweet song of the Monks may hear!"
He listens (all past conquests, and all schemes
Of future, vanishing like empty dreams)
Heart-touched, and haply not without a tear.
The Royal Minstrel, ere the choir is still,
While his free Barge skims the smooth flood along,
Gives to that rapture an accordant Rhyme.
O suffering Earth! be thankful: sternest clime
And rudest age are subject to the thrill
Of heaven-descended Piety and Song.

Written by William Wordsworth

TweetNotes:

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• 15:08 Grades due tomorrow. Online grading website down. Working at the local purveyor of the bean to finish grades on Excel. On iPod: Mahler 3. #
• 16:56 listening to Gary Numan and slowly creeping away from the window as the sun invades my sanctuary. #
• 19:09 just stupidly cost myself about an hour of work w/ a tragic "non-saved work" incident. Now fixing it & listening to the Dave Holland Octet. #
• 19:14 @stumpy6653 I'm stuck doing grades, so "watching" the game through nba.com's auto update board. Game 7 is the one to watch, anyway. #
• 19:54 Gasol is close to a triple-double tonight. Boring game, though. At least by the numbers. #

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• 13:31 listening to Chris Potter's latest stuff on ArtistShare bit.ly/cn0MBK #
• 14:20 @Yelah214 I think your smie is just lovely the way it is. #

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• 00:02 @gb1191 you need to get flash for Chrome. That is an easy, safe download. Then everything will work. #
• 14:02 is already loving Summer Vacation - the nexus of relaxation and productivity. #
• 14:15 is craving some Stravinsky. #
• 21:06 Grading papers and listening to Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps (Bernstein/Israel). #

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• 00:08 after 17 graduation ceremonies now, I've got to say that the speeches tonight were quite excellent. Well done Renwick, Logue, and Crossen. #
• 06:15 1st day of Summer. #
• 06:16 @klaudiiih I loved that movie. #

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TweetNotes:

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• 09:18 No more school, but heading up the hill for a day of rehearsal, cleaning, grading, & graduation. Oh, and coffee. #
• 09:37 @birdiebot I'm not going to make 9:30, sorry, but I'm on my way. #
• 17:17 Wind, wind, go away. Blow over all of the music stands at graduation another day. #
• 19:20 Bear River graduation under way. - moby.to/y3qe5p #
• 19:31 The Band. - moby.to/7kp8ql #
• 22:54 @gb1191 Yes, Chrome is way faster and generally better. Loved Firefox. Looove Chrome. #

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• 07:20 @stumpy6653 I heard RH was Gladiator in tights. Yes? #
• 09:55 All classes finished for the year! (except for the Band final - which is playing for Graduation tomorrow evening). S u m m e r ? ? :) #
• 17:41 @Birdiebot I was planning on about 10. 9:30 is probably do-able. #
• 17:42 @gb1191 Another Aviary extension. You will likely spend hours with this. bit.ly/aIKo2C #
• 18:14 Pause on grading. It's LakerTime! #

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TweetNotes:

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• 10:37 One more final + graduation. Now let the grading marathon begin! #
• 17:54 @gb1191 ah, that's nothing. Just wait for Algebra 3! #

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TweetNotes:

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• 13:10 at Round Table with the Music Faculty following the first day of finals. #
• 17:05 Voting #
• 17:36 Before... - moby.to/7f4wlk #
• 17:49 Donating to Locks of Love. - moby.to/cq8nma #
• 17:51 Prepping... - moby.to/3ixtpb #
• 17:52 Chop Chop Chop - moby.to/74v1rh #
• 17:53 Ready to donate... - moby .to/q130su #
• 18:10 All done! - moby.to/5cgrvl #
• 18:13 The new Doo. - moby.to/fm679i #
• 18:38 watching Game 3 at El Azteca #

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• 06:52 Epic senior prank! - moby.to/jqcz9m #
• 14:15 No. 4 makes it into her first yearbook! - moby.to/0fuphm #
• 15:15 was proud to accept the award Saturday for "Most Likely to go incognito by shaving off his facial hair". #
• 19:20 Hu Tieu / Mi Hai San (@ Pho Vietnam) 4sq.com/9Ch9vr #

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TweetNotes:

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• 09:26 leaving for Carmichael Park & 8 straight hours of concert band music on a beautiful day. Come join us. Susie plays at Noon. I play at 3 & 5. #
• 18:52 RT @alyankovic: Eenie, meenie, minie... twitpic.com/1uj5b5 Oh man - for that giant accordion ensemble you've been dreaming of! #
• 18:54 @kerrymarsh When I read you were doing "I'm Hip" my brain read "What is Hip?" and rejoiced heartily. A mash up would be sweet! #
• 19:01 8 1/2 hours today at Carmichael Park for the Community Band Festival. Lot's of fun, friends, and great music! #
• 19:13 Lakers/Celtics tied up at 72 at the start of the 4th quarter. I love the Finals! #
• 19:29 @AndrewHitz yeah, I need to keep reminding myself to breathe. Hope it goes to 7... like the old days #

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• 23:22 great job tonight Bear River Bands - I'll see you at the BBQ tomorrow!! (btw, macaroni painting tomorrow from 10:30 onward if you can help) #

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• 23:03 @Yelah214 yeah. Seems like a good idea. I've been working on the program for two days straight. Just finished and sent off to Kinko's.zzzz #
• 23:04 @stumpy6653 you need a picture. #
• 13:38 @stumpy6653 you do that from your computer. #

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• 22:59 I am very, very tired. #

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• 23:11 Long day: Classes from 6:30, tutoring during lunch, prep for concert, judge Jazz Choir auditions until 5:30, SSW rehearsal until 9:30, email #
• 13:20 getting the program ready to print for Bruins of Note concert bit.ly/cXsOqj #
• 19:46 @tenorman8873 here's some reading about "Coltrane Changes" used in Moment's Notice and later perfected in Giant Steps. bit.ly/933NGn #
• 20:10 researching program notes and formatting senior pics and bios. #

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• 09:10 Remembering the fallen heroes; respecting those currently protecting us. #
• 10:34 at the Convention Center for day 4 of the Jazz Festival. #sacjazz #
• 11:49 Capitol Pops under way w/ Susie on Tuba - moby.to/4azzb5 #
• 12:34 Susie stands for her Tuba solo - moby.to/cgum9r #
• 15:40 working on the program for our 'Bruins of Note' concert this Friday: bit.ly/cXsOqj #
• 17:04 seems to be getting the hang of Publisher. I had always used somethi ng else to make programs. I can see how this will be faster, eventually. #
• 21:46 Just watched "The Road". Excellent film. Humanity's good triumphing over its very worst. #

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• 00:42 Trevor Ware, Bass; Molly Ringwald, Vocals; Allen Mezquida, Sax w/ Peter Smith, Piano; and Clayton Cameron, Drums ... - moby.to/w436mh #
• 01:04 Joe Getty & the Dead Flowers under I-80 - moby.to/n1g59b #
• 01:36 She begged for balloons ALL day... She danced with her balloon rose at the Bob Draga concert later on. Very cute. bit.ly/bRoyAx #
• 13:14 grabbing a burger and/or salad after church before heading down to the Jazz Festival. #sacjazz #
• 13:17 @bxchen read a book...? #
• 16:43 is at the Village Hat Shop. This place will be my downfall. #
• 17:48 "Fly Me To The Moon" La Descarga style is incredibly cool. Afro-Cuban is right up there w/ Shostakovich for me. #
• 18:13 La Descarga! Afro-Cuban local group. - moby.to/nahctt #
• 19:08 Now Playing: Bria Skonberg on trumpet w/ the Migrant Jazz Workers #
• 20:49 at Firehouse Restaurant listening to Louis Ford & his New Orleans Jazz Flairs w/ Andrew & Shannon. #
• 22:14 Fulton Stre et Jazz Band on the stage at the Firehouse courtyard. #

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• 14:54 Ophir Prison Band plays under I-5 - moby.to/rgv06q #
• 17:46 Good eats at the Crab Shack, Old Sac with Susie, Craig Murray, & #4. #
• 19:16 catching Bob Draga Quintet at the Hyatt Ballroom. #
• 20:22 Molly Ringwald Quintet taking the stage. Yes, that Molly Ringwald. #
• 20:26 @Birdiebot Congrats to you and the whole team! I guess I'll excuse all of those absences now. #
• 20:40 opening w/ Peter Smith Quartet sans Molly. Strong group. #
• 21:55 @stumpy6653 - Welcome to Twitter #
• 22:15 Molly Ringwald after jazz show - moby.to/4qi21j #

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• 00:16 Family time in Old Sacramento tomorrow at the Jazz Jubilee! #
• 09:02 @trombone_chick I'm sorry, Josie. :( #
• 12:06 Jazz Jubilee kickin off w/ parade - moby.to/r16r19 #
• 13:23 Old Sacramento - moby.to/e4mo70 #
• 14:28 Feeding the Alpaca - moby.to/8u1on0 #
• 16:39 Swingin hard at the Jazz Festival - moby.to/31gak1 #
• 18:18 Mmm.. Carne Asada at La Terraza, our traditional dinner spot at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. #
• 19:48 Jam Session at Old Sac Round Table - moby.to/c4rnd5 #
• 20:42 Evolution from North Bend, Oregon - moby.to/3znx8d #
• 21:24 Street musicians abound tonight - moby.to/iy6qf8 #

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• 15:47 Recording piano CD with Allie - moby.to/cbrhen #
• 16:28 Heading out... In the sprinkly stuff. - moby.to/7f0eal #
• 16:58 Weeds cleared and posts up. - moby.to/dgoec0 #
• 17:01 All finished! Join us June 4th - moby.to/k5pa3l #
• 19:05 Lakers are looking strong in the first half. #
• 20:41 Ron Artest for the win!!!!! What an ending. #
• 21:31 watching "Tin Man" with the girls. I love this mini-series. #

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The Rain

I hear leaves drinking rain;
I hear rich leaves on top
Giving the poor beneath
Drop after drop;
'Tis a sweet noise to hear
These green leaves drinking near.


And when the Sun comes out,
After this Rain shall stop,
A wondrous Light will fill
Each dark, round drop;
I hope the Sun shines bright;
'Twill be a lovely sight.


Written by William Henry Davies

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• 21:36 is going off the grid to do some reading. #
• 22:18 OK, trying the Smart Twitter FB app to see if I can start updating again... #

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• 23:03 @gb1191 the artist is "Nintendo"? Ah how sad, the decline of our art... #
• 15:11 Just finished adjudicating senior project presentations. Great job everyone! #
• 20:49 SSW rehearsal at Natomas HS, Sacramento tonight. Our new home? #

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• 04:36 bike ride in the wind this morning was fun & CHILLY! #
• 13:29 so I guess it's fleet day at the LubyLube shop. #
• 14:41 @birdiebot keep us updated on your adventures! #
• 23:03 @gb1191 the artist is "Nintendo"? Ah how sad, the decline of our art... #

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• 13:13 Costa Vida the busiest I've ever seen it - moby.to/yeh5cd #

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• 23:35 Excellent job Bear River choirs. Very entertaining performance this evening! #
• 09:16 In a dumpy mood. Time to load up the trailer with trimmings & garage junk! #
• 11:15 @rachelglassgrdn well that seems appropriate.  #
• 16:42 Why it's important to tune your piano. - moby.to/wbtnsh #
• 19:38 Block party! Um, where's the Sun though? - moby.to/lerdmu #
• 20:15 Singular focus. - moby.to/92z 0h8 #

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• 12:56 Coming Soon! - moby.to/ozhd8n #

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• 13:01 the school year is winding down. No more block days or study hall... #
• 19:29 No. 3 in the Dudley Elementary Band - moby.to/3bhojo #
• 22:14 Preparing roadside signs 4 Band Concert. - moby.to/ipzgex #

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• 19:38 @pianotyke Tim's Music, 2812 Marconi Ave, 916-925-9160 #
• 19:39 Band booster meeting? Check. Food? #
• 21:47 just heard Phineas chant 'owa tagoo siam'. I love that show. #
• 21:50 something about Lakers/Celtics just sounds right. #

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• 15:11 I'm sure it's old news, but KMFDM's "Material Girl" cover is disturbingly wonderful. #
• 18:21 Symphonic Winds concert tonight w/ Woodcreek HS, Roseville at WHS 7:30PM #
• 21:00 Excellent performance Woodcreek HS Band. Bravo! #

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• 18:49 Sacramento Concert Band rehearsal. Monday night therapy! #
• 19:07 @ArnoldJason it was fantastic! Plus my wife & I went out to dinner w/ Oystein Baadsvik last night. :) #

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• 00:53 @badbanana RT: You have to bust some moves to make a dance omelet. #
• 14:44 back at Sac State for more Tuba fun! #
• 15:41 Oystein Baadsvik takes the stage in moments. #
• 22:11 Great time at Down in the Valley this weekend - especially hanging w/ Susie, Taylor, the Katz's, Dylan, Portia, Julian, Natsuki, & Øystein. #
• 22:33 Following Mr. Baadsvik's concert at CSUS - moby.to/x8gpf3 #

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• 09:36 Picking up Down in the Valley programs then off to Sac State #
• 11:18 @pianotyke Oh no! You'll have to drink the punch instead... (sarcasm is a free service I provide) #
• 11:54 Sac Tuba Euphonium Choir dress rehearsal - moby.to/4jutao #
• 12:52 Symph Winds rehearsal w/ Oystein - moby.to/xl4nb6 #
• 14:20 got great video of Oystein Baadsvic serenading @tubamom. will load to FB soon. #
• 14:41 @PAGR ok www.amazon.com, iTunes, Best Buy... #

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• 23:29 has spent far too much time geeking out today. #
• 00:04 for those of us who don't quite have a smartphone, the Snaptu app is amazing. #
• 13:24 collaborating with @tubamom on Google Docs to make a program for the Down in the Valley Tuba extravaganza at CSUS featuring Øystein Baadsvik #
• 16:39 is listening to the Grand Horn Quartet, op. 26 by Jacques-Francois Gallay performed by the NFB Horn Quartet. #nowplaying #classical #
• 16:42 @HiBerke looks like a useful site. I use #Evernote for that already. With so much information coming & going, Evernote keeps me sane. #
• 22:00 was anticipating a Friday night that wasn't so tedious. #

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• 13:29 is painting the sky. #
• 17:47 Why is Twitter making wall posts on Facebook now & not updating the status? #
• 18:32 Getting ready to begin - moby.to/7bq9l9 #

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• 12:19 Band room visiter. - moby.to/hjjlhj #
• 12:20 Bassoon & football. Who will win? - moby.to/zneb7w #
• 12:22 Qnother visiter from Finland - moby.to/3hlk8u #

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Exhilaration is the Breeze (1118)

Exhilaration is the Breeze
That lifts us from the Ground
And leaves us in another place
Whose statement is not found --


Returns us not, but after time
We soberly descend
A little newer for the term
Upon Enchanted Ground --


by Emily Dickinson
Painting: Impression III (Concert). 1911, by Kandinsky

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• 10:29 May showers bring June showers. #
• 22:05 @gb1191 capitalism *IS* for the poor. That's what is so great about it. Potential is only limited by lack of ambition and hard work. #

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• 14:25 Mother's Day lunch at Rubio's - moby.to/wlqg2v #
• 17:39 Happy Mother's Day! - moby.to/dagywu #

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• 13:22 got fuel from our neighborhood purveyor of hot beverages to aid in our conquest of the final frontier. #

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• 16:07 What a great Friday! I'm looking forward to some quality time in the garage tomorrow doing research into space exploration. #
• 20:00 enjoying the Bear River dance performance. Great first half! #

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I. Life / XIV. The Secret

Some things that fly there be, --
Birds, hours, the bumble-bee:
Of these no elegy.

Some things that stay there be, --
Grief, hills, eternity:
Nor this behooveth me.

There are, that resting, rise.
Can I expound the skies?
How still the riddle lies!

by Emily Dickinson

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• 19:55 Carl's after 6th grade Band performance - moby.to/eh4mmp #

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• 22:03 enjoyed meeting a few of Susie's HS Band Geek friends & families at John's Pizza today. Ah, the quiet seclusion of the Cabin Fever room FTW! #

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• 15:14 Sacramento Concert Band 40th Anniversary Concert. Tonight 7:30 at Christ Community Church Carmichael. No Cost bit.ly/cnQHke #
• 19:10 at sound check for Sac Concert Band. Join us 7:30 Christ Com. Church, Carmichael tonight #

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• 10:42 playing with the Sac Symphonic Winds for the Deterding Elementary Arts Fair in support of their Arts Program 1:30 today bit.ly/cFa9mS #
• 20:24 Instilling good practice habits - moby.to/ksfkw6 #

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• 00:03 has narcolepsy. #
• 10:10 I'm a Buckethead!, says #4 - moby.to/xg2dcc #
• 11:22 is listening to "Junk Magic" by Craig Taborn #nowplaying #musicSaturday #jazz #music #
• 13:43 heading to Rancho Cordova with Kid #3 in search of a driver seat. #
• 15:33 Lunch at Fuddruckers in Citrus Heights - moby.to/u33l21 #
• 16:05 Crazy driver! - moby.to/6k7hug #
• 18:00 Taking a riding break at the playground - moby.to/wpisgu #

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• 12:35 listening to Pat Metheny Trio 99-00 and designing June's concert poster. #nowplaying #musicFriday #jazz #
• 21:49 watching Sherlock Holmes. Reserved on Red Box via the web & spent 20 seconds picking it up. Not that it's slow otherwise, but it was cool. #

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• 14:00 Have fun, safe travels, and break a leg Bear River Choirs in Los Angeles this weekend! #
• 22:20 listening to Finlandia by Jean Sibelius on @Grooveshark: tinysong.com/sPkg #nowplaying #

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• 13:29 begins 4 weeks of cleaning/organizing the Band Room today. #
• 15:54 fun giant rain and thunder in the 530 today. Woohoo! #

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• 22:26 No small amount of attitude! - moby.to/3nfh79 #

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• 09:11 a night on the town... - moby.to/hi5r34 #
• 09:12 my co-director. Look out music world! - moby.to/i6su6t #
• 20:32 Crazy music elephant @ Rio Band Room - moby.to/q701j2 #

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Running in Circles

There are seasons of my year when I am very busy, very stressed, and incredibly tired. Thankfully, these are balanced by time that I have to recharge, restructure, and relax.


The busy time of my year usually begins in August.  I am working at preparing plans for the upcoming school year. I am attempting to finish any Summer projects around the house or at school that may still remain. Marching Band begins. This period, that spans through October, is the busiest of the year as I have the most rehearsals, trips, and performances outside of the school day. We are also learning and recording audition music for the Western International Band Clinic during these months. Band, drumline, color guard, sectional rehearsals, occasional evening or weekend rehearsals. Not only is more time spent outside of the school day, but it is often spent outside in the sun - adding to my general fatigue.

Following Marching season, we have just barely over a month to prepare for the Winter Concert. This is stressful because it generally takes us a little longer than a month to prepare a concert. It is always rushed and the stress of not meeting the deadline is great. I'm actually putting in some scheduling changes in the 10/11 school year to address this and hopefully reduce stress.


December begins festival season for Jazz Band which carries through April.  This year, there has been a great deal of stress regarding the scheduling (and conflicts concerning) these events. More so than the stress of preparing the music to a high level, which is also felt. We had issues of conflicting dates with other organizations on campus, and then festival conflicts with our own events once they were finally set. Our big Swing Dance (a pillar of the band year) was knocked around like a pinball until it finally landed on the date of our favorite festival. The festival lost out - or we did on participating.  A sad attempt was made to attend another a week later, but so much time was put into the Swing program that there was really nothing appropriate to take to festival and we withdrew.  This sort of jockeying and uncertainty grows anxiety. The Swing Dance itself is 20-25 songs played in 3 hours by one group. This is no small feat and the band does a great job with it. I do always have a concern that it won't come together and I lose quite a bit of sleep during this time thinking about details and worrying about certain songs. This doesn't even address publicity, sponsorships, decorations, or refreshments.


March and April typically is the time the Symphonic Band attends festivals. We work very hard to present the most musical program possible. All of the work of these months is then distilled into a 20 minute performance for a grade. No pressure.

Well, now all of that has passed. May is a time of greater stress for students. AP tests, Prom, standardized state testing, Senior Project presentations, etc. But for me, it begins the second period of my year. The time that allows me some restructuring and regeneration. Yes, we still have our Spring Concert on campus. We still play for graduation. But these are considerably less anxiety-filled. I now feel I can breathe a little more freely. I begin looking at ways to refine the process for next year. I feel I can spend some time teaching music theory and not just pounding away toward the next performance. I feel I can afford to take time cleaning and organizing the room. And then there's my garage.


Once Summer hits, I still have Summer Band. We meet twice a week for a couple of hours and play as a pick-up band. It's fun. But there is time to work at home. Time to read. Time to sit in the sun and think and stop thinking. Time to play with my kids more. Time to vacuum my car. Time to work in the yard. Time to practice my horn. Time for a hobby. Painting? That's my goal.  This year, I intend on cleaning out the garage by the end of June and set up a little studio to do some painting. No stress. This is the kind of goal that will only relax me the more I work toward it. And then.

And then it begins all over again. The hope is, though, that each cycle I go through gains refinement through experience. Perhaps by the time I am set to retire, I will have learned how to productively relax and can finally take up golfing.


Paintings:
"Harmony" by Tony Broadbent
"Yin Yang Fish Portrait" by Yu Gong-Quan
"Wake" by Tony Broadbent

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• 13:29 I love this place! - moby.to/secw6v #
• 14:26 moby.to/zydd38 #
• 19:02 our front yard is a swamp. And little crocodiles age 4-11 are still running back and forth, screaming. #

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• 09:49 heading to school. Golden Empire Band Festival at Sac State today. #
• 13:11 The warm up room at Sac State - moby.to/yjfhct #
• 15:58 A stop on the way home - moby.to/9jrtzv #
• 21:00 two nights, two movies. The Hurt Locker yesterday (excellent) and the Blind Side tonight (jury is still out). #

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• 13:25 packing up the band ship for the Golden Empire... Tomorrow's program: Marquina, J. S. Bach, and Nelybel / 1:45 Sac State #
• 17:44 @bxchen whoops. fired for sure. Wait a minute - you've got a giant iphone that has a beer on tap app?!! doooood #
• 21:03 @egersis twitpic.com/1hxnqi - Drunk mascot. #

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A lesson in painting with words

Meanwhile a wide boundless plain encircled by a chain of low hills lay stretched before the travellers' eyes. Huddling together and peeping out from behind one another, these hills melted together into rising ground, which stretched right to the very horizon and disappeared into the lilac distance; one drives on and on and cannot discern where it begins or where it ends. . . . The sun had already peeped out from beyond the town behind them, and quietly, without fuss, set to its accustomed task. At first in the distance before them a broad, bright, yellow streak of light crept over the ground where the earth met the sky, near the little barrows and the windmills, which in the distance looked like tiny men waving their arms. A minute later a similar streak gleamed a little nearer, crept to the right and embraced the hills. Something warm touched Yegorushka's spine; the streak of light, stealing up from behind, darted between the chaise and the horses, moved to meet the other streak, and soon the whole wide steppe flung off the twilight of early morning, and was smiling and sparkling with dew.




excerpt from "The Steppe" by Anton Chekhov

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• 13:01 @billolen hey, I'm in Starbucks. Just saw the microChunk-mobile drive by. I suppose that was you! #
• 19:51 Has anyone created and/or used a ning network? Is there a compelling use that Facebook and other established sites don't offer? #
• 20:43 is reading Chekhov's "The Steppe". #

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Strings in the earth and air

Strings in the earth and air

Make music sweet;

Strings by the river where

The willows meet.

There's music along the river

For Love wanders there,

Pale flowers on his mantle,

Dark leaves on his hair.

All softly playing,

With head to the music bent,

And fingers straying

Upon an instrument.

by James Joyce (1907)
Painting: "Willows at Sunset" by Vincent Van Gogh (1888)

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• 12:54 @gb1191 Thanks, GB. Hope you're feeling better.  #
• 13:24 I'm expecting plentiful May Flowers. #
• 20:26 is helping Kid 3 research French/Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano. #

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• 13:19 BT: time to get big signs out of trailer and clean up the choir cargo while it's Sunny! #
• 18:44 Thunder Blooms - moby.to/j8di6j #

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Like Rain it sounded till it curved

Like Rain it sounded till it curved
And then I new 'twas Wind --
It walked as wet as any Wave
But swept as dry as sand --
When it had pushed itself away
To some remotest Plain
A coming as of Hosts was heard
It filled the Wells, it pleased the Pools
It warbled in the Road --
It pulled the spigot from the Hills
And let the Floods abroad --
It loosened acres, lifted seas
The sites of Centres stirred
Then like Elijah rode away
Upon a Wheel of Cloud.


Emily Dickinson
Painting: "Ocean Waves" by Connie Tom