Updates

I. Duck Duck Goose
In James' funny little world whichever parent first does an activity with him is the only parent from thence to eternity who may do that activity. This is axiomatic for him--The Law of Immutable Non-transference. For this reason I'm not allowed to help him do pages from his coloring book or read him certain Elephant and Piggie books. But I am the only parent who is allowed to play Duck, Duck, Goose with him.
He wanted to play Duck, Duck, Goose a few days ago, but of course had to wait until I arrived back home from rehearsal. We went into the living room and sat down on the carpet, preparing to play with just the two of us, as we usually do. (This really takes the suspense out of who the "goose" is going to be.)
Owen came and sat down too.
"Do you think we should teach Owen how to play?"
Owen nodded.
James went around the two of us patting our heads and saying "Duck..duck...duck...duck...GOOSE!"
We all popped up and ran around the house, then tumbled back down into the living room.
"Owen, do you want a turn to be the ducker?"
<nodding>
"Duhhh...duhh...duhhh...DUDUH!"
<Owen takes off running.>
He pats himself on the head in his rotation also, which makes it even more adorable. Unlike James, he's happy to play with anyone.

II. 1,481 miles
On Friday morning I drove to Buffalo to play a 10:30 concert with the BPO. That afternoon I drove to Columbus, Ohio, which, accounting for the traffic snarl around Cleveland, took about 6 hours.
On Saturday morning I drove into downtown Columbus and played a preliminary round audition, learned that I advanced, and then immediately got back in the car and headed towards Buffalo. I arrived back there about 6 pm, took a walk and picked up some coffee, and then played an 8 PM concert. Once the concert let out (about 10:30) I got back into the car and drove until about 1:30 in the morning, stopping to spend the night outside Cleveland.
On Sunday morning I drove three hours down to Columbus and arrived around noon. I played in the semi-final, final, and section rounds of the audition, and received word that I wouldn't be offered the job around 6 pm. I got back into the car and started driving again. I ended up getting into Rochester about 1 AM.
Do you know what's really wonderful? Airline travel.

III. College Life
I'm on a college campus right now, sitting in a Starbucks and looking out at the students passing by. They're such a funny mix of grown-up and child. It's hard to remember that they're all Martha's age, but I guess that looks about right. I've missed college teaching this year a bit more than I thought I would, and I was contacted about a possible adjunct job yesterday that would be (of course) a ton of driving, but probably some pretty good money.
College is such a formative time. You learn all the facts you're supposed to know to complete your classes and exams, but you also learn how to get yourself up in the morning, get assignments handed in on time, dress respectably, and look after yourself in the wide world. Two young men in nice-looking suits just walked by me. One of them has some nice looking dress shoes, and the other is wearing sneakers that apparently have gum stuck to the bottom of them. That was essentially my college experience. In fact, I'm not even sure that I owned black dress shoes during my freshman year. I certainly performed at least my first two chorale/wind ensemble concerts in a tux with brown shoes.
I hope Martha's enjoying her college time. Eventually you start to get fined if you show up to the concert with brown shoes.
(I have black shoes tonight, but it doesn't matter. We're going to be in the pit.)