That's All Folks

Many of you know that this fall I chose to take on just a little too much in regards to my schedule. Not only did I make it into the National Lutheran Choir, I had the joy and privilege of auditioning for and making it into the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Choral conducted by Dale Warland. Both of those choirs have had a huge impact on me but it was really the full-time school work and four additional part-time jobs that thrust me into stress level 10. This last Friday I sent in my last exam for the semester. Saturday I flew to St. Louis for the NLC's last Christmas Concert for the Fall. On Sunday my church choir was amazing and added to a beautiful song service at St. Peder's. And today...

I AM DONE.

Sure, Christmas services are around the corner but my choirs know the music and I am ready to conduct them. I have no books to read (accept the bible), I have no papers to write, I have no music to learn (at this moment) and most of all, I don't HAVE to do anything.

Of course I am going to go tune some pianos, finish a sound system bid for a church and drop off some equipment from the trip. But that's stuff I LOVE to do so who's complaining. I'll leave you with some pictures from the Trip.

Beechcraft King Air 350 (amazing!)

The inside.

Welcome to the St. Louis.

The amazing alter at Christ Church Cathedral

70 Rank 1965 Aeolian-Skinner

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Enjoy the break.

~soundguy

Cold

My mom stuck me on a Ski Bus when I was in junior high. I remember packing a duffle bag with extra layers that I would start to throw on as the bus got close to Mt. Hood Meadows. We usually left the rainy 40 degree valley and climbed up into the cascades so you would roast if you wore all your gear on the bus. Instead, as we watched the trees fill with snow the excitement on the bus would build and everybody would scamper to get bundled up.

I will always remember that moment when you climb off the bus into the cold crisp air. The crunch of the snow under your feet and the winter wonderland waiting on the other side of the lodge. I would always take a real deep breath and fill my lungs with the fresh mountain air.

The return of winter and the snow outside in Minnesota for me is a return to the mountain. It's 3 degrees outside with piles of snow everywhere you look. I probably will not be happy to see those same piles in April but right now, sitting in the warm apartment protecting me from the winter wonderland outside but knowing I can cool off at a moments notice makes me happy. I don't think it's that I like being cold. Just like Oregonians don't like being wet but we love the rain. Braving the elements between the apartment and the Seminary is simply refreshing and wonderful.

The crunch of snow, the bitter cold wind bitting at your exposed face and the silence that permeates the air. It's a welcomed and drastic contrast to the 110 degrees this summer in Corvallis. Now if only there was a mountain to ski down I'd be in heaven.

~soundguy