this is nowhere

I work for a relatively large, well-respected nonprofit organization in Nashville. The organization...

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 23:12:36 -0500

I work for a relatively large, well-respected nonprofit organization in Nashville. The organization has been around for quite some time, serving a particular sector of Nashville, where mainly people of the lowest socioeconomic status reside. The organization carries out several programs and processes to better these people. One such program focuses on ensuring that children receive a quality education and have all the tools they need to meet academic success. This happens to be something I believe is essential to personal and community success.

After months of job searching with no luck, I applied for a tutor position with the aforementioned program. Initially, the pay is what caught my eye. So I applied, was fortunate to be called in for an interview, and eventually I was offered the job. Never in my wildest dreams did I picture myself here. Never.

What I signed up for was to help lead and carry out an after-school program in some of the city’s poorest performing schools. The poorest performing students of these select poorest performing schools comprise the body of the program. These kids, I am affectionately known as “Mr. Jonathan”. Yes, me with the long hair who jams out to psychedelic rock music with no experience in education. I am responsible for teaching children a curriculum to help them improve their math and reading score to appropriate levels. There are days I wake up and still laugh to myself in disbelief that this is my job. That they selected me of all people to carry out this mission.

While driving to the elementary school for my first day of work, I remembered that I have no formal training or any real experience working with kids. You’d think this would be a basic prerequisite, but apparently, it wasn’t. Go figure. My little cousins don’t even know my name. I’ve barely talked to them. Hell, I don’t even know how to talk to them. I realize that my grandmothers and aunts have mastered the art of talking with small children. This is something I still have to work on.

As I enter the school, horrible premonitions of completely defiant children fill my head. I am in a classroom struggling to assert my authority as they make it rain crayons and goldfish. A pencil ends up in someone’s eye, sobbing ensues and I’m left to establish harmony.

Luckily, this nightmare has not come to pass…yet. I enter the tiny halls of the elementary school, walls littered with poorly completed finger paintings and multi-colored coffee filter art. Perhaps they were supposed to be flowers? I make my way down to the room where my supervisor is. Justin is a younger male, in his late 20s, well groomed and speaks a mile a minute with a strong Michigan accent. We barely finish introducing ourselves before he lays on me an onslaught of pertinent information and gossipy minutiae. After a few minutes, it becomes harder to separate one from the other. “You’ll eat snack together and then take them to the bathroom, but make sure you hold Max’s hand, and if Grace starts to cry just ignore her. You’ll want to separate Joey and Brandon, and make sure they clean up after themselves. 4:30 is reading and you’re supposed to read each book twice, but make sure they understand it. Try to ask them how their day was, but remember you’re not there to be their friend. First and foremost, you’re a tutor.” It was one hell of an orientation, and I assumed there would have to be a large portion of on-the-job training.

I walk down the hall as fast as I am nervous. Justin leads me to my particular group of kids and introduces us. “Hi. I’m Mr. Jonathan” was all I could think of to say. Their blank stares mimicked my own. Silence fills the air. A girl, most likely a first or second grader blurts out “Why your nose like that?” This question was a real stumper. I had never really been asked about the shape and size of my nose, nor did I know how to give an appropriate answer to a seven year old. “I don’t know. It just is,” I reply.

I like to go ahead and take the time now and disclaim that as a non-Education major and being one that has virtually zero experience with children, that getting them to do anything exactly how I want them to do it is practically impossible.

Clybourne Park

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:50:17 -0400

This weekend, Jessica and I went to see Tennessee Repertory Theater’s production of Clybourne Park. This intense, two-act play by Bruce Norris was a fantastic social commentary on race, urban development, and gentrification. I’m no theater critic, so I won’t go too much into detail, but the Tennessee Repertory Theater did a wonderful job.

The first act is set in the 1950’s in Clybourne Park. A white, middle class family is set to move out of their white, middle class neighborhood, only to learn that a black family would be moving in. This stirs quite a controversy among community members. Act two finds the same house in same neighborhood fifty years later. Only this time, a white family is set to move in to a predominantly black neighborhood. As the conversation develops, racial tensions fly high.

It was a very emotional play. Billed as a comedy, at times the plot was incredibly dark and conflicted. It was hard to laugh, despite the actors’ comedic performances, due to the awkward racial tension and serious subject matter. Perhaps that is one goal of the piece, to stir the thoughts of the audience, and question their preconceived notions.

The debates over gentrification and urban development, as told by the play, are nothing new under the sun. I do, however, wonder if solutions are possible. How do you encourage ethnic and socio-economic diversity amongst a geographic community? And are racial tensions really dissolved from 50 years ago? Or do we perpetuate this tension only by using different terminology and such? The play ends in chaotic irresolution, which might elude to the current state of society. Solutions are…not easily visible and change is not readily achieved.

What I found most interesting about Clybourne Park was the context surrounding the work. When I learned that it was written as a companion/response to the classic A Raisin In The Sun, my mouth fell agape. The first act occurs simultaneously with events from A Raisin In The Sun, and they share one minor character that opens the door to the other conversations that were going on outside of the Younger family. This innovative connection really makes the play shine and stresses how important the original work is for American Literature.

Munichception (2012) Photoshopped a photo I took of the Munich...

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 22:28:44 -0400

Munichception (2012)

Photoshopped a photo I took of the Munich Skyline in December 2010.

Tongue Tying and Bilingual Blogging

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:08:52 -0400

I am now an intern for Progreso Community Center. I’m excited to be a part of a local, nonprofit organization. Progreso is dedicated to empowering the Hispanic community of Nashville, and this is my first time working directly with such an organization. I have volunteered before and attended functions sponsored by nonprofits, but until now, I have yet to actually get my hands dirty and do some work.

Primarily, my internship will focus on communications and outreach through social and web media means. I’m also at the disposal of Progreso, so my duties expand as needed. So far, I’ve gotten to help assemble a recording studio and a computer lab. Pretty fun stuff, if you ask me.

I don’t want to be selfish in saying so, but perhaps my favorite part of working with Progreso is the bilingual environment. I relish the opportunity to practice Spanish, and the staff make me feel more than comfortable doing so (Win!). With that said, even though my role is part-time, my brain thoroughly exhausts itself after a day at Progreso. Going back and forth between the two languages leaves me on the tip of my tied-tongue, straining to remember that certain word or proper direct object pronoun.

One of the projects I’m spearheading for Progreso is a bilingual blog. Every organization has a story to tell, and I’m here to help Progreso tell theirs. For now, the blog has been named Nuestro Progreso / Our Progress. As Progreso is predominantly populated by Spanish-speakers, it is only right to provide a Spanish version of the blog. Therefore, for each blog I write, I will translate it into Spanish. This is definitely a time where my translation coursework comes in handy. I’d like to research more about similar efforts and similar organizations. Bilingual blogs and social media practices for nonprofits are definitely on my radar right now.

I’ve got a big to-do list and still quite a few stories of my own to tell. Sooner or later, I’ll get around to posting about Canada and other stuff, but for now, I’m going to go cook some food.

Where to Begin? (Again)

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 16:38:25 -0400

My last post was from June, and a lot has changed since then. I no longer reside in my hometown of Lexington, Kentucky and I no longer work at the University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences. I have transplanted to Nashville, Tennessee and I’m currently seeking job opportunities here. More specifically, I’m kicking it over in East Nashville, and I’m loving it. Nashville as a whole is great, but East Nashville is where it’s at. I’ve only been down here a month, but I’ve already stumbled upon some great food, coffee, bars, and a sweet nature park, all in my neighborhood. Now if I could just find a job in East Nashville…..

The move is quite an adjustment. Going from a population of roughly 300,000 to over 600,000 can cause quite a stir sometimes. I’m not used to living in a city where the interstate lays over the city like arteries over an organ. Although it is much more efficient for such a large population, it can be stressful at times. Also an adjustment…..Tennessee’s generous sales tax. Wowza. Coming in at just over 9%, it’s definitely putting extra strain on my spending.

This move was not a spontaneous decision, but it did seem to come up all of the sudden. I’ve found myself explaining my situation a thousand times over to people both new and old. I’m excited to be down here. The city is vibrant and there’s always something going on. Nashville is a great city for young professionals looking to start their careers and it’s great for musicians looking for gigs. Since I fall into both categories, this is what you’d call a win-win situation.

In Lexington, my lease on my one-bedroom apartment was up, and my time at Arts & Sciences was coming to an inevitable close (I graduated). Packing it all up and heading out seemed like a great idea. And I still maintain that belief. It helps to have a handful of great friends in Nashville to make me feel welcome. They’ve made the adjustment sooo much easier and I couldn’t be more thankful.

I’ve been practicing a lot more lately. I feel I’m going to need to be on top of my chops if I’m going to compete with all these Nashville musicians. I’m determined and optimistic about my professional and my musical life. Nashville has no shortage of opportunities, it’s just about find the right ones for me.

Until next time……

ummhello: Steinway & Sons piano factory, Christopher...

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 12:49:03 -0400

Rim conditioning room

Rims in conditioning room

Key polishing

Soundboards

ummhello:

Steinway & Sons piano factory, Christopher Payne

whoa.

After a loooong hiatus.....

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:32:51 -0400

I’m back! And with lots to share. Transition, death, life, traveling, Canada, culture, music and more - coming soon!

For now, here’s a picture of Paul playing a Rickerbacker similar to my own. I’m left-handed as well, but play right handed. #funfact

Welcome to Life.

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:29:52 -0400

Welcome to Life.

I have a cool job. And cool coworkers. uk-arts-sciences: Brace...

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 21:01:10 -0400

I have a cool job. And cool coworkers.

uk-arts-sciences:

Brace yourselves, Quiet Storm King Shuffleboard Scott is coming.

Meet one of our Drupal Developers, Scott Horn (podcast), otherwise known as Quiet Storm King Shuffleboard.

daily cup of weird for the day

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 23:40:21 -0400

daily cup of weird for the day

dig it! uk-arts-sciences: spectator > spectacle, a recent...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:15:42 -0400

dig it!

uk-arts-sciences:

spectator > spectacle, a recent piece by A&S Hive videographer Natalie Baxter.

uk-arts-sciences: UKSAB Springtime campus shenanigans.

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:14:30 -0400

uk-arts-sciences:

UKSAB Springtime campus shenanigans.

Know Your Own: KYO / 017 - Mr. Moose & The Stache

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:14:08 -0400

Know Your Own: KYO / 017 - Mr. Moose & The Stache:

knowyourown:

Did you see those youtube videos of the guy playing cover versions of Depeche Mode songs with his children? Adorable. It seems that parents are spoiled for choice when looking for quality music to listen to with their children these days. Like every other genre of music, kids’ music has benefitted…

the jam

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:32:11 -0400

Last week, after the Final Four game Sundown Service geared up for a monthly gig at Lynagh’s Irish Pub in Lexington. We had just come off a rough gig (my opinion) the previous night at Al’s Bar. It could have been the victorious Wildcats, it could have been the energy from the crow, it could have been the familiarity of our favorite hole-in-the-wall bar in town - whatever it was, Sundown Service was clicking on multiple levels. I think people have many euphemisms to describe the phenomenon of musicians playing really well together. We all were on the same page. We were on. We killed it. Chemistry. Call it what you want. The easiest and most prevalent indicator of how well we are playing together (my opinion) is how the jams -the improvisational sections - sound. At Al’s, our jams were sloppy, loose, and lacking direction. The next night, it was the complete opposite - super tight, communicative, and dynamic. Logan, Todd and I have played together for so long that we almost know what each of us is going to play next, and we always try to listen to one another to play something complimentary.

Obviously, neither of us plan on having a bad night. Sometimes they just happen. Lynagh’s is probably one of my favorite places to play in Lexington. The “dancefloor” is so close to the “stage” that it makes the energies of the crowd and the band really easy to share. If no one in the crowd is dancing or digging the music, I directly absorb that energy, and it makes it a bitch to keep playing. But, on the flip slide, if everyone is out of their chairs, dancing up front, playing is a piece of cake. The more I think about it, it’s like the chicken and the egg argument: Are they dancing because we’re playing well together or are we playing well together because people are dancing? The cynic in me just laughs and points out that people are much more inclined to dance when they are drunk and that doesn’t necessarily mean they genuinely like the music. But I disagree. And I digress…

Jamming is something magical, and it is the single one thing that I love about music. I could explain this for days, and most of it I probably could not articulate sensibly.

There are moments in the jam that I can recall the next day or the next week or whatever, that are burned into my brain. The notes I played, the beat, the guitar riff, the atmosphere, the people dancing, all separate memories comprising a greater experience. When I’m actually in the moment, it almost feels transcendental. I am no longer thinking, I am just playing. I just am. I remember shouting out in approval/acknowledgement/confirmation of the guitar licks just played, or the drum beat, but the shout was involuntary. My hands do things that I never do in practice and I really really try to keep the groove going. On a group level, the jam takes itself wherever it pleases. We become focused, absorbing the crowd’s energy and remaining attentive to the music. Themes get repeated, we go loud, we go soft, the music writes itself.

TL;DR: I played a gig the other day and had an absolute blast jamming with some of my friends. Got the crowd into it, it felt awesome.

This is simmering on my stove as I type this and smells heavenly. WIN

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:49:00 -0400

This is simmering on my stove as I type this and smells heavenly. WIN

I am finally home from an awesome weekend in St Louis, MO. I’d never been to the midwest and...

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:51:32 -0400

I am finally home from an awesome weekend in St Louis, MO. I’d never been to the midwest and loved seeing the city. Of course, the impetus behind the trip was to see Radiohead live in concert. In a word, the show was incredible. First off, the opening band, Other Lives was FANTASTIC. When I saw that Radiohead announced them as the touring opener, I became intrigued. A band that opens for Radiohead has to be good, right? The band played an incredibly tight, lush, and textural set, all coming from their latest release, Tamer Animals. It’s definitely worth checking out, and they replicated it live almost to perfection. Their songs are very dramatic, with this almost cinematic-like ambiance, and the instrumentation and compositions were really hip and creative.

Radiohead. Where to begin. Just fucking phenomenal. They played a great mix of songs from various albums, although mostly sticking to The King of Limbs and In Rainbows (check out the full set list here).2 lengthy encores. 1 absolutely killer light show. This was my first time seeing a “big” band in a “big” place, like an arena. I had seen their light show from their previous tour, and became enamored with it. But what they have set up now really takes the cake. 12 floating video screens that change color and images of the band in sync with the performance, all in front of two huge visualizers. Super cool stuff that really added to the show, especially when you’re in the very upper/back section. The sound was surprisingly good as well. Although Thom did screw the lyrics up on Karma Police, every song was perfect, full of energy and perfectly executed. I left feeling completely numb. It was indescribable.

Before the show, we managed to check out St Louis’ most famous brewery, Schlafly for some great brews and then headed on over to The Good Pie for some of the freshest pizza I’ve ever had. Delicious, as per mi amigo Rosco’s suggestion (thanks, dude!).

Saturday, we spent the bulk of the day in awe as we climbed, crawled, explored, wandered, and wondered about the wacky, intriguing City Museum. This was definitely the 2nd highlight of the trip. To anyone heading to or through St Louis, the city museum is an absolute must. We got there early and probably spent a good 3 to 4 hours there. Apparently the story behind it is some badass philanthropist bought a 600,000 sq. ft. old shoe factory and turned it in to a giant playground for people of all ages. Everything is made out of old/recycled materials. A lot of the decor reminds me of Park Guell in Barcelona. Super cool. There are slides and tunnels all over the place. A cave system, airplanes, giant ball pits, etc. I definitely felt like a kid again and went wild, climbing and crawling through narrow passages and not caring where I was going. There’s also a badass cafe/vintage clothing store on the 4th floor. Go figure. It’s something you have to experience for yourself. In a time where true philanthropy seems hard to come by, the city museum, and what I’m about to recount next really brightened my spirits. That factory could have been anything. It’s filled with art and all sorts of wacky stuff that may seem to serve no imminent, productive purpose (although I’m sure it generates good revenue), but it is a public space that encourages the arts, creativity, and the imagination. It’s something we don’t have in Lexington (not to say anything about Lexington, seriously), there’s the Children’s Museum, but it’s not really the same thing. Before I digress, just know that the St Louis City museum is incredible.

We really wanted to go the Schlafly Bottleworks for a tour, but they were full. So, we just ended up drinking more beer. Saturday evening, we met out with our CouchSurfing host, D.J. and his dog, Brooklyn. He was also hosting two more couch surfers from Mobile, AL. They also went to the concert. His apartment was, or should I say, will definitely be fantastic. The dude’s definitely a DIY guy with a vision and he’s in the middle of rennovating this sweet apartment in Benton Park. It was really cool to see the work in progress. D.J. was a super nice and hospitable host, filled with great information about the city and awesome stories. I really enjoyed meeting and talking with him. We went out for drinks and tapas at Yemanja, a Brazilian restaurant. Although their website kinda sucks….let me just say that IT WAS THE BEST FOOD I HAD IN ST LOUIS AND THE BEST RESTAURANT I’VE BEEN TO IN A LONG TIME, FOR THAT MATTER. Oh my god, the food was incredible, and I only had a taste of a few appetizers and a bite of an entree. It was so well-prepared and fresh tasting, absolutely delicious. Chicken and brazilian cream cheese croquetas with a spicy chipotle sauce and fried yucca root with curry sauce. Oh my god. And you know, had we not couch surfed, we never would have found this place, and even if we did, it’s just this smaller restaurant on the corner, I doubt we would have decided on it. Couchsurfing really gives you an opportunity to get to know someone and have them show you all the cool, local spots around town. The neighborhood, Benton Park, was fantastic. Really beautiful place with older buidings and lots of cafes and bars ( and bad ass Brazilian food!).

Sunday, we started our return to the Bluegrass. We made a stop at the Cahokia Mounds in East St Louis. Oh man. Such an awesome site to see. We saw a few of (and climbed atop the tallest) some 120 man-made Indian mounds. Built somewhere around 1100 years ago, the mounds were part of the huge city-state of Cahokia, which apparently was believed to have a larger population than that of London in 1250 C.E. We saw the mounds first, and then went inside the interactive museum, which really gave me a sense of perspective of the remains. 14 acres, 22 million cubic tons of dirt, all moved and made by hand. Simply incredible. You could see the St. Louis skyline from the top of Monk’s Mound. Super cool.

I realized that I am no photographer, so I won’t bother posting the few photos that I took, but you should definitely look up pics of Radiohead’s light show and check out the links I posted. It was a near-perfect weekend trip. I was with great company the whole time, and I think we really meshed well together and had a great time. Thank god for smartphones, I hate to say it. I’d love to go back to St. Louis and see more of the city. I was really fortunate to go and have such a great time. Seeing other cities is something I think everyone should experience, and something I want to keep doing my entire life.

kickass

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:03:41 -0400

kickass

Can’t wait to head to the gorge this spring. (assuming...

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:59:10 -0400

Can’t wait to head to the gorge this spring. (assuming this is the gorge)

reeserichardson:

Homesick.

Video

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:10:27 -0500

uk-arts-sciences: Time lapse of a stormy campus.

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:37:52 -0500

uk-arts-sciences:

Time lapse of a stormy campus.