tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985Fri, 01 Nov 2024 06:57:50 +0000AMERICAEducationIOpenersIntermittent efforts to talk.http://claguespot.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)Blogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-6626032168637732044Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:55:00 +00002011-08-30T12:55:20.334-07:00Coming up on Labor Day 2011.  We've had a hot few days, but overall it's been a very moderate summer in these parts.  School's been in session almost a month now.  *Whew.*  As I get older, it's getting more intense.  How do you guys who teach really big programs even manage?  First couple of days, I thought I was going to blow up!  I'm letting Labor Day pass, http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2011/08/is-it-fall-yet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-5208719778011441079Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:44:00 +00002011-08-30T12:45:26.670-07:00Can the Middle Class Be Saved? - The Atlantic This is a great article that is non-aligned. Maybe if we had more articles like this one we wouldn't be so polarized in this country. I want to believe that some of the things he suggests could work. Are they likely to happen??#fbhttp://claguespot.blogspot.com/2011/08/can-middle-class-be-saved-atlantic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-1734319964833432549Sun, 17 Jul 2011 16:54:00 +00002011-07-17T10:14:19.294-07:00again.  2011 now.  I'll just do this for myself and if I get a reader...cool!  (I suppose that's what its all about anyway) :-) I've just completed a summer angling trip to McCloud, Pit, Feather, Truckee, and Walker rivers in California.  The water was very high so (except for McCloud) the angling (and the angler!) were somewhat marginal.  But the solitude was http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2011/07/rivers-in-summer-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-1211370346063229267Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:37:00 +00002010-01-24T08:53:13.769-08:00Here we are: another year! Amazing. I'm in San Diego with my father and my niece Lisa...enjoying her company. She is an amazing young woman and I love her so much. She's taken an assistant professorship at NSW University in Sydney, Australia. SO BRAVE, so willing to embrace change. Dad is really happy that we are both here, and next weekend my brother John and sis in law Lexi will be herehttp://claguespot.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-2957732645851214015Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:29:00 +00002009-10-13T18:42:23.737-07:00Hello friends! I write from Bandon Oregon, where I am spending the EUHS intersession week relaxing and recharging. It's a beautiful place where we usually get a head start on cool, wet weather. From the sound of it though, Central Cal is every bit as rainy as it is here. Well, go for it. The water will be welcome.This is not the best pic, but I'm still working on my digital camera skills.As http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/10/bandon-vacation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-2125108729503954251Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:17:00 +00002009-09-20T11:18:05.260-07:00To see to my Dad. He just turned 89 years young-amazing guy. He is definitely showing signs of his age, and it's a bit hard to see. But he still is aware and active, just very very slow.I've been trying to stay on the happy side of things but am finding that more of a challenge than it has been in many a year. The causes could be many, but the cures seem few. I am trying to keep from http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-san-diego-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-112420907832819116Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:27:00 +00002009-07-07T00:10:09.424-07:00to all of you for your good wishes for Dad. It's been a tough week but he's had some good moments too, like when he got to watch Ryan, his uber-cool GREAT GRANDSON as he explained trucks to us all. Or having all of us kids with him at least one more time.I'm grateful to my friends for all your prayers and love.I ALSO, when I could, attended a very fun family reunion. Here are the players:Nowhttp://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/07/thanks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-5998478414400734995Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:32:00 +00002009-07-05T19:43:25.421-07:00Had a scare at the conclusion of my raft trip...My father had a fall in his house and was admitted to the hospital for four days. Hard on an 88-year-old. He had a TIA (mini-stroke) and it has thrown him for a loop. Drag...he's needed us to be on him 24-7 since late June to be sure he stays on meds and doesn't fall again. We've been wrangling out a new care deal for him...he is *understandablyhttp://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/07/in-san-diego-past-few-days.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-300684011034251115Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:57:00 +00002009-07-03T16:04:36.571-07:00....since many of you do actually are asking:I haven't been posting. Shame on me! I've been having a great summer! As soon as school got out, I took a group of eleven friends for an 8-day float on the beautiful San Juan River in Utah. It was so very much fun. My first attempt to run a group as trip leader. I had good coaching from my Brother in Law Olie, as well as Julia McIver and Mike "http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/07/summer-09.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-6139241533014636854Sun, 17 May 2009 03:49:00 +00002009-05-16T22:55:33.747-07:00Hi guys. I wanted to write to all of you and let you know what a joy it has been to make music with you and to get to know you all. My students, as I told the attendees at our concert, are first-rate people first and pretty darn good musicians too. Is there more to do? Sure. Welcome to being a musician. Can we celebrate this wonderful year and last nights successes? You bet!!!Seniors: http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/05/note-to-my-2009-students.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-2355958960263880827Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:05:00 +00002009-04-04T08:38:21.674-07:00I haven't written in awhile. Finally have some vacation time, and among the relaxation (ahh) I've had time to read a bit of "what's out there." I am simply floored by the level of vitriol I am seeing leveled at the new President. Over here in Bishop, the bloom is definitely off the rose. Probably that way in my hometown too.Used to be that we could disagree like gentle-men and -women. Like http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/04/amazing-level-of-hate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-282523151312055326Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:29:00 +00002009-03-01T12:24:13.231-08:00Very cool concert, thank you to jazzfresno. People make fun of that city, and sometimes they have reason, but lack of a committed jazz corps is NOT one of them. so, I suggest all lovers of our music in my area subscribe to the website: jazzfresno.org and try to attend. It sure has gotten easier to get up to Fresno from the South Valley, so really...http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/03/amina-figarova.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-5071150551196496098Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:15:00 +00002009-02-28T14:34:48.502-08:00I know I know, I wasn't going to use this space for "teacher stuff" but here I am, proud of my kids again. What a giant part of my life my little music program has become. So, from my facebook notes, here this is:I am OH SO proud of the Exeter Winter performing ensembles...they represent our little school so well! Check the faces...how can you not smile? Win or lose, we have a great time http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-know-i-know-i-wasnt-going-to-use-this.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-6314786417711186946Sun, 08 Feb 2009 05:38:00 +00002009-02-07T21:50:38.851-08:00I think, in fact, that Mr. Lucckesi has a golden touch. My jazz ensemble has just returned from performing at the festival, held at Buchanan High in Clovis, Ca. I am proud of my kids, and especially proud and fortunate to have such a friend and colleague as Paul. His band sounds great, but his achievements in bringing a musician the quality of David Binney to our neck of the planet...THAT is ahttp://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/02/san-joaquin-valley-jazz-festival.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-3230181720697558912Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:35:00 +00002009-01-27T14:47:59.128-08:00An Open Letter to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Michelle Malkin(Posted by Robert Reich at robertreich.blogspot.com/2009/01/open-letter-to-rush-limbaugh-sean.html)"In a time like this, when tempers are riding high and many Americans are close to panic about their jobs and finances, you have a special responsibility to consider the accuracy of what you say and the consequences of inflammatory http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/01/rein-it-in-bill-oreilly-and-co.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-235852028447056109Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:12:00 +00002009-01-18T10:16:31.657-08:00And this, from Time Magazine's top ten videos of Bush: (we will miss this guy, if only to plumb the depths of ridiculous behavior):Made famous by Michael Moore's documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, this scene from 2002 of Bush following up a screed against "terrorist killers" with a golf swing spelled disaster for his reputation. Really, Mr. President? Suicide bombings in Israel and you're showing off http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/01/now-watch-this-drive.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-3639176624370475163Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:33:00 +00002009-01-18T09:38:44.164-08:00It is hard to imagine that the nightmare is finally over. More tough doings ahead, but at least we may not be an international pariah anymore.http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/01/1000-words.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-4690572356749268468Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:33:00 +00002009-01-04T10:43:52.638-08:00We are done with another year! The State Honor Bands are seated, the mailers are on the way. I should be rolling for home (via EUHS) by 1. This board works REALLY hard to make this thing happen smoothly. Now its on to start school. New class to take on...I'm excited. We will see how it all goes.http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2009/01/cbda-board.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-3146270532435257053Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:55:00 +00002008-12-30T12:08:54.240-08:00Man, it is so beautiful in my town. I loved seeing everybody and traveling to Chicago, but at the same time I am really glad to see a snow-filled Sierra and experience true quiet. No place like home; I guess Dorothy was right.Now I have a ton of back-work to do and a new class to prepare curriculum for! the downside of coming home is that all the work waits for you! Augh! Onward!http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2008/12/home-in-three-rivers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-8579111031912660223Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:45:00 +00002008-12-28T11:47:30.777-08:00Bacevich has some wise words and it goes with what "Three Cups" gently brings to Ameicans' attention:http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2008/12/problem-for-us.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-8020523008157036904Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:15:00 +00002008-12-28T11:23:09.974-08:00I forgot what a great pleasure it is to READ BOOKS. NoNo, actually I didn't forget; I just spend so much time flailing at work that I don't take the time. Things down here in S.D. move so slowly that I've been forced to slow down myself. NOT that there isn't a ton of work to do; have to get ready to teach a new class and grade all the junk from last semester...but oh, how nice it is to tuck http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2008/12/reading.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-797148530602208064Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:01:00 +00002008-12-28T11:14:11.479-08:00My niece Lisa turned me on to this book and I have to say, it is the BEST book I've read by far this year. Incredible adventure. Here's a quote:"Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time , Greg Mortenson, and journalist David Oliver Relin, recount the journey that led Mortenson from a failed 1993 attempt to climb Pakistan’s K2, the world’s second highest http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2008/12/three-cups.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-6323747335216841605Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:14:00 +00002008-12-26T10:25:15.917-08:00It was a great great Christmas...simply by chance all of my family was in San Diego at the same time. Weather conspired to keep my niece Lisa, sis Esten and brother-in-law Steve in town instead of in Seattle; My brother John and his wife Alexis were already in S.D. to visit dad: so we just had a few days to all be together. This is much as things were when Mom was alive. Just a joy.They've http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2008/12/home-for-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-1680672945302722525Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:16:00 +00002008-12-22T19:42:54.470-08:00Woke to one of the coldest days I have personally experienced...It snowed all day Saturday and then, as the front passed through, OH MY. It was -6 plus wind chill. Dang. I tried to walk around...went to the miracle mile: From Chicago 08but it was just too cold...my exposed face felt like it was going to melt off...and even though I had a greatcoat on, I had to get inside routinely.Finally http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2008/12/chicago-last-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063326329768496985.post-5530127030897762352Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:12:00 +00002008-12-20T08:26:02.231-08:00Well, yesterday was a day of great music! Went back to Symphony Hall to hear the full CSO play Weber "Oberon," Neilssen's Flute Concerto, and the hightlight: Berlioz "Symphonie Fantastique". This was *dare I say it* Fantasique! Symphony Hall is a world-class place: From Chicago 08Snowed here most of night before last and continued through the day. Quite chilly! A scene: From Chicago http://claguespot.blogspot.com/2008/12/chicago-iii.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (bandguy5686)3