Crazy thoughts? We all have them from time to time. But this weekend, I had a doozy. Sitting in rehearsal with The Symphony of the Mountains for our side-by-side concert of Movie Music with area high schoolers, I was playing along when—like all brass players must—I needed to empty my slides. (“spittious-accumulatious” for the uninitiated.) I looked down at the fresh pattern on the floor left by my most recent…ejection…and a thought struck me. (Naturally, I had to share it with the second … [Read more...]
Archives for 2025
Feedback – two way street
This is a copy of a post I placed on LinkedIn. Feedback its a Two-Way Street: The Gift You Must Be Ready to ReceiveAt work we often hear and read complaints about the lack of feedback. Team members claim they crave it, and we as leaders, strive to provide it. But there’s an unspoken truth: many of those asking for feedback aren’t truly prepared to receive it. They dismiss it as invalid, blame external factors, or simply aren’t open to hearing it.I've come to the feeling that feedback is a … [Read more...]
Snow-pocalypse… and Cold
January 19, 2025 – 9:45 AMDiary of a Snowbound Visionary, Volume II: The Cold Strikes Back Dear readers of frostbitten chronicles, The week since Snow-pocalypse 2025: January Edition has been one of reflection and stubborn snow. Despite temperatures attempting a feeble rebellion midweek (a balmy 50 degrees on Thursday, practically tropical), stubborn patches of icy defiance clung to shaded corners, taunting anyone who dared dream of dry pavement. A little rain on Saturday tried to help. It … [Read more...]
Snow-pocalypse 2025 – part 6
January 12, 2025 – 8:57 AMDiary of a Snowbound Visionary, Day 6 (Officially Day 3) Dear future generations, The saga continues, but the storm has weakened. Yesterday, driven by duty and the promise of overtime, I embarked on my greatest mission yet. Though my previous road reconnaissance convinced me that caution was unnecessary, I left early to gather a fellow musician. Preparation was key. In my arsenal: walnuts, cheddar cheese slices, and the true elixir of life—Diet Coke. Forget lightsabers; … [Read more...]
Snow-pocalypse 2025 – part 5
January 11, 2025 – 11:04 AMDiary of a Snowbound Visionary, Day 5 (Yes, Still Day 2) Dear chroniclers of these trying times, Before departing on my epic quest to test the road conditions, I made a bold move: I fetched a ruler. This precise instrument of measurement confirmed my suspicions. The so-called “storm of the century” has left us with just shy of three inches of snow on my truck. Pathetic. I captured photographic evidence to mark this moment for posterity—and perhaps future meteorologists … [Read more...]
Snow-pocalypse 2025 – part 4
January 11, 2025 – 9:37 AMDiary of a Snowbound Visionary, Day 4 (Now Actually Day 2) Dear survivors of Snow-pocalypse 2025 – January Edition, The snow continued its half-hearted assault well into the evening yesterday. Like a toddler trying to flip a table but only managing to nudge the salt shaker, nature’s performance was… underwhelming. Now, as I peer outside on this frigid morning, I estimate a grand total of approximately three inches of snow. I haven’t officially measured because let’s be … [Read more...]
Snow-pocalypse 2025 – part 3
January 10, 2025 – 3:42 PMDiary of a Snowbound Visionary, Day 3 (Still Day 1) Dear future generations, After my harrowing return to basecamp (home), power was fully restored, and I resumed my mission: working like normal, fingers dancing across the keyboard while the outside world succumbed to the fury of nature. The snow, I assumed, continued to fall—but who has time to watch the slow erosion of civilization when there are emails to answer? Hours passed. When I finally emerged from my … [Read more...]