Whew

 

He Passed! 

Sigh…

I like my job. But man, I miss relaxing at home like Lola here. School’s back in session! 

16!

 

Sixteen!

W & P Update

My next long read project after Infinite Jest is Tolstoy’s War and Peace. I started in late October and have to admit the going has been slow. I’ve been reading during my lunch break but I haven’t read it during the Christmas break or weekends. But the New Year has me going and the story is beginning to pick up a bit. Today I start the Second Part. Only page 79 but it’s starting to move the needle. 

Jan 6

Back to work, teacher work day. I know January 6 now might mean different things to different people. But for me, it's my Dad's birthday. He would have been 72 today. So I drink green tea out of his mug and later I will go share a Mexican Coke (his favorite soft drink) with him at his grave site. Happy Birthday Dad. Miss you every day.

Last Day of Break

Last day of the break. I got no special plans. I will miss having more time to read, write and blog. I like my job a lot but I also like getting projects around the house done and spending time with family. I can't imagine what it's like for people who don't like their job. Teaching doesn't pay a lot, but it does give us time. And time is one of the most valuable things there is.

The Discography

 

Right before the New Year I began working my way through the Wynton Marsalis discography. Despite being a huge fan of his over the last twenty years, there's many many albums of his I have not ever had the chance to listen to. But with Apple Music, I can pretty much listen to any artist's complete released discography. Last year I burned through both Dylan's and Bowie's. Now to Marsalis.

Marsalis is the greatest trumpet player in the history of jazz. That's saying a lot for me because I'm a huge fan of Miles, Clifford, Morgan, Byrd, Dizzy, Chet, Terry, Louis and so many more. But Wynton's breadth of work and mastery of the instrument is beyond compare. I've seen him twice in concert and have left both times a different person. 

I'm currently in his early 90's period. Listening to his Soul Gestures albums. Phenomenal stuff. I'm enjoying this process a lot.

Pele

 

Rest in Peace, Pele. 

I know I'm a few days late. I remember when Pele came to the States to play soccer for the Cosmos. He was on the cover of National Geographic's World Magazine for kids. He gave tips on how to become better at soccer. I remember spending hours kicking a soccer ball against the brick wall of our house based on his article of tips. For a couple of years in the late 70's soccer was big in America. That was all due to Pele. When he left, interest in America largely faded again until the 1994 World Cup. 

It's hard to compare players from different eras. A few days ago, before Pele's death, I said Messi was the greatest. But when I watch the old videos of Pele, it makes me second guess myself. Pele was never given the opportunity to play for European clubs. He was forbidden by Brazilian government to do so. But anytime he played on the world stage against those club players, he dominated. 

So hard to know who truly was the greatest. Does it even matter? He's part of the triumvirate. Messi, Maradona and Pele. But he definitely helped the sport spread across the globe. When people think of soccer they usually default to Pele as the player they envision. At least in my generation, most likely.

Greatness.

In the Bitter Watches of the Night...

 

2023

We've had a good break and I'm optimistic about the new year. Got to see the tallest indoor Christmas tree in the nation a couple of days before the Galleria took it down.

My In-Law's Cat Stalking me with Nefarious Plans

 

Back on Christmas Eve

 

 

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at the First (soon not to be) United Methodist Church.

The Greatest

 

Shoulda wrote about this a few days ago. Yes, the greatest World Cup Final I've ever seen. Messi is the Greatest. Of All Time. Without a doubt.

Night of Legends

I happened to stumble on a video highlight package of the one and only FC Barcelona match I got to see in person while I lived in Barcelona in 1996-1997. The game took place at Camp Nou, one day before my birthday in 1997. It was a quarterfinal match in the Copa del Rey and normally would not have gained as much attention as it did.

But it was a legendary game. Camp Nou was packed. I had never seen anything like that atmosphere despite attending Chiefs games in Arrowhead and OU games at Owen Field. Atletico Madrid took a 3-0 lead. It looked like the match was done. But then Barca stormed back in a stunning comeback to end up winning 5-4. This despite a four goal night from Atletico's Pantic. Ronaldo (the Brazilian) scored a hat trick with Figo and Pizzi adding goals...Pizzi with the game winner. 

A lot of great players were on the pitch that night. Ronaldo, Pantic, Luis Figo, Luis Enrique, Pep Guardiola and more. That was the night I became hooked on soccer. I consider myself lucky to have seen such a match in such an atmosphere.

The Nutcracker

It had been a long time since I had seen Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. This past weekend our neighbors invited Ava and I along to see the Rockwall Children's Dance Company perform the suite over in Greenville. It was a fantastic performance. And I consider the Pas de Duex one of the finest pieces of music ever written. 

Musical String Theory

 

 

I discovered Jose Gonzalez a few years ago via the Mitty soundtrack. His music is entrancing and very relaxing. I especially like a project he did a few years ago with a musical collective called The String Theory. During stressful times I have found Jose Gonzalez and The String Theory a nice respite in the storms of life. 

Guess That's Me Now

 

Well, I guess that's me on the right these days. It does get annoying...

Everyday Things

It has been pretty stressful lately for a variety of reasons. It's in these times of stress I have to remind myself to do (or attempt to do) some or all of these practices every day...

Pray and Meditate

Read from the Bible

Write in my Moleskine

Read a book or magazine

Exercise

Kiss my wife

Hug my son and daughter

Play some music on my guitar or trumpet (I honestly don't get to this as much as I would like)

Drink green tea

Blog

Do a Duolingo language lesson.

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