hola mijo
Alrighty,
School has started for all the students in this university but me...seems like. The Cincinnati Symphony is lettin me audition for their 2nd/assistant principal trombone spot in a few months so this opportunity is all I seem to care about right now. Even my throws training has taken a back burner for now. This is my first real audition and more and more am I starting to realize how hard it is on my lips and embouchure muscles during this preparation phase (otherwise referred to as "face" in the catch-all terminology). It's also a killer when you factor in the trauma to the face experienced in rehearsals aside from practicing. It's gotten bad enough to where I have only played about 1 hr on Saturday and none today (Sunday) to let the muscles regain some structure and repair. Im finding out more everyday that I need to treat the face as I would my body as an athlete; exercise, rest, and treatment. Something I will have to be more disciplined in for the rest of my preparation in the next six weeks or so. My goal is to show them what I got...that's all I can control. To say that I am excited is a horrible understatement. Yeah, there will be more experienced players there...some of whose playing I admire very much...but again, all I need to focus on is showing them what I am all about...and that effort in itself can be a life-long study.
Teaching trombone has been good. My kids at Cypress Woods seem to be doing better and I think I have become a better teacher. I have one kid in particular who sounds real good and wants to major in music in college and I have absolutely no hesitance to encourage this path for her. Though music is considered a "get lucky" type of occupation, I think she has what it takes to give it a shot. I also have students at Cypress Springs High School and those are some great kids. Their band directors have all prepared them well for the new school year and I expect a large handful of them to make region band/orchestra. There, I also have a kid who wants to major in music and the case is the same with him. I honestly do have faith in his talent ambition to become a performer. I'm glad God has given them to me as I am excited to play a substantial role in their path to success and fulfillment.
I have not eliminated my athletics training completely, however. I have not been throwing at all lately (as it is still deep into the off-season for us) but I have altered my body slightly all while building more intellect on my events through coaching a local high school kid. It is absolutely true that, in many aspects, coaches will learn more from their athletes than the other way around. I got a high school sophomore right now taking some discus lessons from me and I think he's got some sort of potential. He's a smart kid, listens to me, and he lets me be hard on him. He buys into my coaching schemes despite his dad's slight concern with my approach. The kid is making some great improvements both physically and intellectually that is very impressive for someone of his age. His goals are to break his school's record and make the state trackmeet for the Texas private school scene otherwise known as TAPPS (as opposed to the UIL which governs the Texas public schools).
Currently, I am getting closer to my desired competition weight for next season which is going to be in the 278-280 lbs range. Right now I'm sittin at about 283-285 on any given day and I already feel better than the previous 296-298 range. Training has consisted of a "body balancing" weight-lifting regimen done four days a week. Cardio in the form of interval training is typically done 2-3 times per week. My diet has cleaned up only a little bit but for people like me (and others) who have spent most of their lives eating terrible food, that can help quite a bit. I usually keep it clean during the week with sandwiches, nuts, fruit, and a daily plate of food (prepared by my wonderful momma packed and ready to go for me in the morning) consisting of rice, meat (typically fish, chicken, or beef), and spiced cabbage ("kimchi")... and on the weekends I let myself have some fast-food(which is DELICIOUS) and restaurant food. Once I hit 280 I need o focus a lot more on building more muscle mass and leaning the body to maintain a very muscular 280. That'll be hard work.
Ok, need to get back to my social psych assignment so that just about does it for this study break...which seems to have lasted longer than any study session I have had or will ever have...by now, I think you know my positions on "school". Tomorrow, the usual drill...wake up, practice, class, practice, teach, practice.
yo momma,
Lee
