Just got home from Honors night at Mount Mansfield. Gabe and a bunch of his classmates were getting recognized for having decent grades this year.. The gym was packed with students and parents.. which was kind of scary, as I was the speaker tonight. Our freind Elizabeth had invited me to give the Honors talk last year, but I had to bag out due to work travel I wasn’t going to miss it again. I had 15 minutes to give the students something to think about.. a hard task really. I was more nervous about this talk than I am for most of my big work talks. i think sucking in front of a bunch of strangers is not anywhere near as frightening as sucking in front of a bunch of people you know and love..
Luckily I didn’t suck.. it went pretty well. (Thanks to great help from Diane and Gabe helping me prep) I told the students that while they did need to work hard and have goals, they need to hang on to their ability to play. At the end of the talk I did a quick demo of the newly restored musical tesla coil.. it worked great.. that is until it set off the school fire alarm.. Luckily, we didn’t have to evacuate.. but the fire department did eventually show up.. it was just a too funny way to end my talk.. I think folks thought it was part of the show..
Anyway.. it was fun giving the talk.. and we were really proud to see Gabe and his freinds get recognized.. A good night overall..
ok.. I have some work to do.. so signing off. More tomorrow.
Nite all, nite sam
-me
Very peaceful day.. We spent it working around the house.. I spent it thinking about my talk at the high school tomorrow. It’s funny how hard im thinking of what to say to high school kids in the way of advice. What would you say ??
High point of the day was when gabe had the student council kids over for a small party.. Such nice folks..
They decided to test the effect of dropping a huge super ball out of the tower window.l I was there to document the results.
Though it’s a little hard to tell for the movie, the ball bounced clear to the peak of the second story.. Not bad….
And not a bad way to spend a Sunday, I think
That’s it for today.. More after my talk tomorrow.. Wish me luck
Nite all, nite Sam
-me
9pm on a cool and rainy Saturday. It has been in the mid to low 50’s all day. I’ bait embarrassed to say that we even started the heat for a bit.. But I love days like this.. It was a perfect day for us to workin the house. I spent most of my day thinking about a talk I have to give at the high school on Monday. It’s funny.. I give talks all the time.. Sometimes to 1000’s of people.. But I’ve rarely been this nervous.. Or excited about giving a talk.. Must be the home stage …
Diane took advantage of the day to finish painting gabes old room.. It was great watching her work . As she did, she helped me tons with my talk. As she often does.
It was fun.. And I admit.. A little sad … Watching the bright green and purple of middle school give way to the stayed and elegant grey blue (snow ballet ?) that Diane has chosen.the room looks great now.. I have to admit…
Now it’s time to curl up under the down comforter and forget the fact that it shoud be hot right now..
More tomorrow..
I made it to another Friday ! Actually it was a short week with Sam/memorial day but somehow I am just pooped .. I was so glad to knock off for the day and go see gabes teams last (it turned out) lacrosse playoff game.. Hey caught valiantly but lost.. But lost well… It’s been a great season for gabe and for the team
Now back home trying to unwind. . I can remember many times of my life where I worked harder.. But something about how full my days are now is particularly exhausting and exhilarating. I’m trying a new experiment by working at home most of the time… I work in the bell tower which is a really great place to concentrate.. Theres a great view, good breezes.. And no distractions.. Just four walls, 7 windows a floor and a roof..and a chair the rooms About 8 feet on a side.. My own little work world. If it had plumbing, I’d never have to come downstairs…and I rarely do.. This past week there have been days when I went up there at 8 and came down at 6 with only one trip down for food/drink etc… It’s the kind of place a poet should work.. Or an artist…. Not necessarily the kind of place made fore a technocrat (if that’s what I am)… But I love my life up there.
..
Ok.. It’s a weekend. Time for bed.
Nite all, nite Sam
-me
