Last month I had a business meeting in Chicago (CDC) on a Thursday-Friday, so decided to stay over the weekend. Those first couple nights I stayed downtown at a Wyndam off Michigan Ave and was able to see my friends Wade Nelson and Ellen Warren for a drink, then go to Andy's jazz club. And just as satisfying, ambled around the area and hung out in cafe's writing. On Saturday, though, I headed out to my aunt's and then went to Bob Allen's and then Dan's to go over some "picnic" music. Dan was very helpful, if not a bit domineering.
Bob, however, has begun to seriously try my patience. He kept me in a discussion outside his house until 1:00 a.m. babbling on about 9-11 conspiracies, "chem-trails" and other nonsense. I've been brutally frank with him, pointing out that he's uneducated and has no ability to evaluate any of this information. Barely a high school education, no college; he refuses to read books, magazines or newspapers (the jaded mainstream media), has never been in any management position or position on responsibility...but understands how these things could take place by watching RT (Russian) television and reading internet blogs in his basement (?!). My inclination is try to persuade him that these theories are just lunacy, but I'm afraid he's beyond that. He's uneducated and doesn't know what he doesn't know.
On Sunday I went back to his house to practice with him and Matt. The practice was reasonable; but then Bob launched into a couple more delusions. They are embarrassing to even recount; but the first was that the recently arrested IMF leader, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, on charges of sexually assaulting a hotel housemaid was simply a conspiratorial trap by the banking establishment to keep him from pushing some monetary policies. Never mind that the guy has a history as a sexual predator or that both matching saliva and sperm DNA were found (but since Bob doesn't pay attention to the 'mainstream media' he would never know that). The other - which forced me to abruptly leave -- was an assertion that a conspiracy of bankers manipulated the Civil War and were responsible for Lincoln's murder. Now, I've read a lot of Civil Was histories, but I've never come anything that had any mention of the influence of bankers. But, in Bob's mind, everything is about manipulation of our lives and events by bankers.
I had been hopeful that Bob would tire of this nonsense, but I'm afraid he blew a mental circuit a few years ago; maybe because he's a frustrated, middle-aged white guy who feels victimized by forces he doesn't understand. So my respect and certainly loyalty have worn very thin.
I just went back to my aunt's house. When I walked in, she was cleaning up a plate of food she's dropped while trying to get back to her room. I had intended to talk to her about coming out to visit us in VA, but she was way 'into her cups' and beyond having a real discussion with -- at least that she'd remember. This is a problem that Jack and I are going to have to resolve eventually -- and there are no good answers.
Since I had to get up early, I excused myself, said goodbye and went to bed. The next day I was relieved to get on that plane and come home.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Spring 2011
An update on the last couple months: As shown in the video and pictures, Patrick was one of the leads in "Seussical, the Musical", playing Horton, the elephant. He and the other kids did a tremendous job and we were immensely proud of him. More importantly, he bonded with a great crowd of kids and also found a calling in drama; which really does fit his personality --(exuberant, joyful and loud!). And even more pride-inducing, he managed to maintain a straight A average. Nathan finished his basketball season as one of the best on his team (Trojans) and was selected for the Loudoun all-star team. This is really his sport. But following lacrosse try-outs it was disappointing that he didn't make the "A" team. That's shown during the season as he has outshined everyone on his lacrosse team. With some reluctance, we've agreed to let him play football in the fall. He's such a passionate jock and does so well at it; giving 110% all the time.
We are, of course, also proud of Christopher (17) because of his diligence and even disposition; working two jobs, volunteering at an animal shelter, playing in jazz band at school and maintaining a good B+ average. And like his brothers, continues to take both private lessons and work in a rock band in Loudoun Music. But he's also succumbed to some temptations that have gotten him in trouble. Smoking pot, for one thing, with some friends who had the hammer dropped on them. What's more, he's used his ADD medications in inappropriate ways. AND, during our drug-testing of him, found that he'd faked the results. Normally, we might be somewhat tolerant of this. But the zero tolerance consequences in his school would mean expulsion (then we'd have to pay for a private high school) and jeopardizing his college prospects. Not to mention the risk he might be taking with our vehicles. But the worst aspect was a feeling of loss of trust,and even betrayal. So we took away his phone, iPod, internet access and limited his mobility. We even canceled a college tour trip to the Tidewater to illustrate that we don't believe he's quite ready for that level of independence. After some store-bought drug tests have shown him to be clean (we hope), we've given most of it back. He recently took the SATs and we're hoping we can renew the prospect of college.
Matt Osterholt and his wife, Assunta, came to visit during the middle of April and I spent three days driving them downtown and around the countryside, including Harper's Ferry, Middleburg and Skyline Drive. They got a 'scratch the surface' kind of look - but a good one for the time they had. I probably talked their heads off, since it was nice to have a friend who shared some interests -- though it also included some anxiety-inducing discussions about musical performance and obligations that I've taken exception to.
For spring break the five of us went to Cacapon Resort in West Virginia, staying in an interesting rustic log cabin. We went hiking, golfing and skeet shooting (though Nathan got hurt with the rifle recoil). The whole experience was a nice reprieve for mom.
The more important things - my projects -- continue with springtime chores. I've gotten some trees and grasses for the hill, lilacs for the side, and rhododendrums for the back. I'd planned on doing more, but I've now hurt my foot (??) and am laid up. I'd thought it might be gout, but am now concerned it's a stress fracture from playing my bass drum pedal too hard. Hopefully, it won't disrupt my trip to Chicago next week(!?!)
We are, of course, also proud of Christopher (17) because of his diligence and even disposition; working two jobs, volunteering at an animal shelter, playing in jazz band at school and maintaining a good B+ average. And like his brothers, continues to take both private lessons and work in a rock band in Loudoun Music. But he's also succumbed to some temptations that have gotten him in trouble. Smoking pot, for one thing, with some friends who had the hammer dropped on them. What's more, he's used his ADD medications in inappropriate ways. AND, during our drug-testing of him, found that he'd faked the results. Normally, we might be somewhat tolerant of this. But the zero tolerance consequences in his school would mean expulsion (then we'd have to pay for a private high school) and jeopardizing his college prospects. Not to mention the risk he might be taking with our vehicles. But the worst aspect was a feeling of loss of trust,and even betrayal. So we took away his phone, iPod, internet access and limited his mobility. We even canceled a college tour trip to the Tidewater to illustrate that we don't believe he's quite ready for that level of independence. After some store-bought drug tests have shown him to be clean (we hope), we've given most of it back. He recently took the SATs and we're hoping we can renew the prospect of college.
Matt Osterholt and his wife, Assunta, came to visit during the middle of April and I spent three days driving them downtown and around the countryside, including Harper's Ferry, Middleburg and Skyline Drive. They got a 'scratch the surface' kind of look - but a good one for the time they had. I probably talked their heads off, since it was nice to have a friend who shared some interests -- though it also included some anxiety-inducing discussions about musical performance and obligations that I've taken exception to.
For spring break the five of us went to Cacapon Resort in West Virginia, staying in an interesting rustic log cabin. We went hiking, golfing and skeet shooting (though Nathan got hurt with the rifle recoil). The whole experience was a nice reprieve for mom.
The more important things - my projects -- continue with springtime chores. I've gotten some trees and grasses for the hill, lilacs for the side, and rhododendrums for the back. I'd planned on doing more, but I've now hurt my foot (??) and am laid up. I'd thought it might be gout, but am now concerned it's a stress fracture from playing my bass drum pedal too hard. Hopefully, it won't disrupt my trip to Chicago next week(!?!)
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