Not too long ago, it seemed like I would have enough time to catch up on my blogging. Unfortunately, I went on vacation, came back and went to work, and school is kicking my butt. What else is new.
The new job is more than a challenge. It's only week three and I've already spent more hours than I care to count sitting at my desk, crying, and trying to figure out how to teach these kids the GLE's and lay the foundation that they're lacking. It's taken us 5 days to write numbers in word form. They have trouble recognizing numbers and they don't know the words for numbers. Tomorrow, I'm supposed to teach them exponents - but we don't even know basic multiplication facts. I'm trying really hard to stay positive, but tonight is the first night I've been home from school before 6:30 PM or later. I'm getting there at 7:00 AM. I'm tired and getting ready to go to bed. Yes, I have my own homework to do, but I can barely organize my thoughts to type this post.
Before I sign off for the evening, here are a couple of highlights from the end of my summer:
1. Nashville - We got to stay at the Opryland Hotel which is just insane! The beds in our room were amazing. I kept asking Kenny if we could figure out how to get four matresses down the elevator, strapped to the top of my car, and back to MO without getting caught or noticed. The hotel was neat to stay in, but very expensive. If it hadn't been for his having a conference there, we wouldn't have ever stayed there. We did a lot of the nerd stuff (plantations, historic tours), we did a bit of the tourist thing (we escaped to the Wild Horse saloon one night - I was hungry for "real food" instead of the "gourmet fair" being offered at all of the dinners at the conference - a barbeque sandwich and fried pickles did the trick - plus it was free admission with our room key) and of course, we did the country fan stuff. The Grand Ole Opry tour, a show, the Ryman, the Country Music Hall of Fame - I had a blast. Kenny was more diplomatic - his comment was it was nice to finally see pictures of all these people whose strange music I force him to listen to.
2. Dolly Parton - Yep, I finally got to see her at the Fox. It was by far one of the more bizarre concert experiences I've ever had - even stranger than CSNY with the clouds of pot smoke wafting through the night air. The Fox was packed and the crowd was mixed. There were people with oxygen tanks and walkers along with young families. Teenage girls and drag queens. Beside Kenny was a young teenage girl who spent most of the time crying and yelling "I love you, Dolly!" To my right was a drag queen who was of Latino origin, singing all the songs along with Dolly in accented English (think Hank Azaria's character in The Birdcage), and then there was Dolly. I love Dolly (not as much as my friend Kevin) and the first record I ever owned wasn't Alvin and the Chipmunks, it was 9 to 5 - and yes I love the movie too. She definitely still has it. Kenny was impressed with how many instruments she played and seemed to enjoy himself. This is great strides from someone who basically just listened to Classic 99 for the first few years I knew him. Then he moves in with me and it's Dolly Parton, Pink Floyd, Bill Monroe, Aretha Franklin..... Let's just say he's getting an education!
3. Having been to Nashville several times, I have always been disappointed that I have never been able to catch Vince Gill in concert. Any time I've been to the Opry, he's either been there the week before or the week after. However, that's all about to change. He is going to be here in the St. Louis area on Sept. 19th and Kenny got me tickets. Okay, I love his voice and his musical talent, but I think he's cute too. As I told Kenny, if I could have one get out of marriage free card, I'd have to reserve it for Vince Gill. I'm sure Amy Grant wouldn't appreciate that, but oh well. I'll post about the concert. Reviews have been positive. From what I've read, it's mostly acoustic, with him telling the stories behind how some of the songs came to be. Since I'm a die hard fan, I'm hoping for quite a bit of his bluegrass offerings. Yeah, I'm a nerd, but what can you expect from someone who grew up listening to Bill Monroe with my Grandpa and the Opry on Saturday nights? Now, if I can just convince Kenny to let me go to Bluegrass at the Ryman next summer, maybe I'll get to see Allison Kraus and Union Station.....
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1 comment:
Kevin will be so jealous! tell Kenny not to feel alone, Kev dragged Laurie to a Dolly concert in Kansas City. she was just as mystified as he is. he sang through the entire thing and yelled like a fool. one of the highlights of his life so far. still loves her as much as ever!
i'm jealous about the Vince concert...i once told Steve if Vince or Clint Black ever called i was gone!
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