6December2008
Posted by nate under: fact; fantasy.
There’s no such thing as Fanta.
Last night I was talking to a Dad of one of my daughter’s classmates. Our girls go to a great public school in MN that has artist residencies as part of its curriculum. The conversation steered towards all the talk and excitement surrounding these artists and how at times we couldn’t tell when our daughters were describing what happened and what they imagined/desired to be happening. Or what some folks would describe as lying about what happened.
Nobody likes to be lied to. In the past I’ve found it very frustrating when my daughter says things that aren’t true, but this Dad changed my perspective a bit. He described it as a childs way of making sense or their reality. The line between fantasy and reality is virtually nonexistant. When they say they flew during dance class it’s not a lie, it was their reality. That’s a pretty great reality.
To take it a bit further I think this is the sort of reality that allows all of us to best live through the pain and promise of Advent.
If my goal is to have a Reality shaped by Faith than I must also admit that faith is no better friends with fact than it is with fantasy.
4December2008
Posted by nate under: edumacation; music.
Good Evening Class.
I’m hoping your studies have gone well. We’ve covored a lot this semester and I’m proud of the way you’ve kept up on your reading and handed in all your papers on time. Your parents must be so impressed. As your instructor I want to express how you’ve all exceeded my expectations. I came into this thinking that you’d be a bunch of zero potential screwballs, but now I don’t think you’re screwballs at all. What’s more, I’m cancelling the final.
You’re welcome.
And lastly, while I still have your attentive Ritalin gaze, I’d like to invite you to join me at a few spectacular upcoming shows.
When not teaching these online classes in steel string theory I moonlight as a rock and roll star. Yes, it’s hard for me to believe too. On Dec 16 I’ll play at the 400 bar with my rock trio Welaware. On Dec 19th there will be an Honest Folk/Micah Taylor show at the Bean Factory, and in January on the 6th Welaware will be playing at the Fineline.
There you have it. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. See on the 16th.
And by the way, you all flunked. Rark and Roar!!!
25November2008
Posted by nate under: family; travel.
I returned Sunday night from a great and busy weekend playing bass and mandolin for Jonathan Rundman down in OK. More on that soon. Monday and today have been very full days, and tomorrow the family heads to UT of all places for Thanksgiving. Thankfully Jodi’s on top of the laundry so I’ve got clean socks. Now I just need to repack my bag – which isn’t quite unpacked yet – and get ready for tomorrow’s flight and drive. Something tells me traveling with Elsa on my lap will be a little more challenging than flying with a mandolin on my lap… I’m sure I’ll have something to say about this when we get back next week. In the meantime don’t forget to say thanks!
You’re Welcome.