J and I are back at our home in S—port after spending the past two weeks at H—n College. (Forgive me for using abbreviations throughout; I would hate to endanger our friendly relations with H—n College by making public remarks about how there is absolutely nothing to do there. We have also had a recent scare with internet privacy…more on that below.) I practiced and attempted to stay cool while J taught flute students and nearly got herself removed from the camp faculty for performing this piece. I traveled back to R—ster several times to premiere a new trumpet quintet by Wes N. with various section members, and then to play it again at the E—man Brass Symposium. (pictured below)
I also played twice with the BPO, with J and my parents and grandparents coming the second time. Both were outdoor concerts in parks, and the conditions couldn’t have been more beautiful. We played Raiders and also some boring numbers in which the strings had the melody (just kidding) and entertained the little children on their picnic blankets. With RPO done for the season, I probably have just one orchestral concert (over in S—cuse) left before next season.
J’s best friend Jessica returned from overseas this week, and we had a joyous reunion with her. She flew in from a trip through southern Europe with her sister after leaving her African school, and within two days of returning she had already been offered a position in C—lotte. (With an upcoming audition there, it’s not impossible that we might join her.) Unfortunately she’s returned with baggage from her travels. A man she’d only met in passing has contacted J two different ways by googling information on Jessica. We have been thrilled to say that she is already spoken for.
It has been a busy few weeks looking for work; I was called up last Tuesday for an interview at Catholic school, and as soon as I finished was asked to come down to an interview in L—a for a Christian school there. The Catholic school wouldn’t add much beyond what I’m already doing, but the L—a school would be a full-time job with benefits and the freedom to preserve my gigging empire. I had also been prepping for two military band auditions this week, but it looks as if (perhaps fortunately, as I wasn’t feeling particularly well-prepared for or excited about the prospect of either) they might not happen.
In the midst of all of this job uncertainty J and I had a great conversation…one that probably deserves its own blog entry. I’ve long bit my tongue while Christians around me referred to perceived “special providences” as visible acts of God. It is fitting for me to preface any commentary on the subject by declaring faith in a personal God who acts decisively and recognizably in human history. With that said, I strongly doubt that this God resembles a tribal totem, and ought to be held as the personal and immediate cause for every minute good and ill. As J and I have looked for jobs and health insurance, we’ve come to wonder whether 1) direct and immediate divine governance is the sole and immediate cause of my being employed or not being employed, or 2) being a creature with free will among other creatures with free will, the immediate causes of my employment or unemployment are largely effected by myself and those around me. To put it another way, am I unemployed because God isn’t involved, or because he is involved and wishes it so? The truly frightening possibility is 3) that God is personally and immediately involved in working purposes which have little to do with our material comfort and prosperity…purposes of sanctification, discipline, and kingdom-service which must be learned through lowliness and want. Perhaps we shouldn’t be wholly surprised at being told by our Lord, when we ask to be blessed, that he says Blessed are the poor. (I know this is removed from its context…)
I had been preparing for several military band auditions this week, but (as I’ll explain momentarily) it looks as if they won’t be happening. Monday morning I got up early to drive our Neon in for an oil change before taking it south for the first audition. J came into the kitchen as I was getting my coffee ready with the news that our Buick wasn’t starting. I did get the oil changed in the Neon, and learned of several other infirmities. The Buick is currently undergoing a fuel-pump replacement in the shop, and I am still in New York. Blessed are the poor. (I know this is removed from its context…)
Though I was disappointed not to see my in-laws, it was pleasant surprise to see J throughout the day and to spend my birthday (26!) evening with my family. At turning 26, I’m inclined to remark on how old I’m getting (it seems particularly surprising that I’m five years removed from 21) but I’ve promised myself not to start this until much later. I’m in the bloom of youth and will not complain. I was blanketed with good wishes on facebook, and reminded again of my wealth of friends. If you are a friend who reads this sentence and I haven’t spoken with you in awhile, please be patient. I probably have your name written down on a list of people I want to call or email once I’m done practicing. The best greeting of the day was from the Haydenbaby, who has apparently learned to how to pronounce my name and now says it into the phone. Our own baby is growing bigger and kicking harder…every time I see my niece she puts a grin on my face.
Unfortunately my birthday ended up with a rather unpleasant (details omitted) of sickness all night. I am convalescing today by blogging twice and reading Mark, Livy, Plato, Homer, Aquinas, and Wright. I’m not sure whether last night came from my weak stomach (probably the fault of my NU diet) or whether my body never adjusted to not having an audition the following morning. Either way, I am happy to be healthy again. And I am thankful: for restored health, for friends, for my son, for J, and for blessings over-brimming.
No comments:
Post a Comment