Another Hat

"I had a hat and it sunk, reached down,
Yanked it up, slapped it on my head"
-- R.E.M. "These Days"

I have now begun my third part-time job. In addition to teaching music at a small Catholic school across the river, and co-teaching a preschool music enrichment class at a preschool close to home, I am now once again a band director, this time for a brand new band program at another small Catholic school on this side of the river.

So far the kids are all wonderful. Pleasure to work with them and good to have another music responsibility to keep my skills fresh. It was quite a process getting the band started but am glad to finally be in the actual teaching phase.

In general, I feel very much like I'm in a balancing act right now - not so much balancing between the 3 jobs, but rather balancing between hope for a concrete future and acceptance of a likely prolonged present. I'm so ready for this year of limbo to be over, and allowing myself the luxury of hope, without going so far as to actually believe. To again quote R.E.M., "It's furious balancing."

I continue to be blessed with a wonderful family who supports me through this difficult time. And here's hoping that the future holds both a deepening and strengthening of current friendships and the forging of new ones.

There is hope.

Matt