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My continuing series of how I am getting through COVID-19.  I had a friend encourage me, “head on out Paul and tell us how it goes.”  And I thought to myself, that is a great idea:  Go out and tell folks how it goes.   And, then I thought, “Paul, when you head on out, your [...]

This is part of my series focused on the “inevitable”  “The End.”  My end.  Possibly your end, as well. This is the third in the series.  The first one was “Be Kind.”  The second one is “Be Respectful.”  Now, if I was to re-write “Be Respectful,” I would change it to “Be Respect.”  There is

I am going to make a “KNOW SANDWICH.”   Here is what I know.  I started to write this on May 7, 2020 at 1:49pm. 1:51pm - just as I got all comfortable, I had to go to the bathroom… okay. Now, I am back… I love Wyton Marsalis’s album with the English Chamber Orchestra.. Listening

I am writing this on May 2, 2020.  It is the day following a very large protest in Sacramento at the state capitol.  I live in Roseville, California which can be twenty minutes north-east of Sacramento.  I was taken aback by the pictures of the protest to “RE-OPEN CALIFORNIA.”  I was glad not to see

HOPE YOU ARE WELL. For “fun,” I have begun a “FACEBOOK NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PATROL.”  The idea came from seeing vulgar language towards people, name calling, and wishing people were dead or would get COVID-19.  Yes, unfortunately, this poor behavior was around political topics.  On FACEBOOK, I enjoy presenting topics for discussion.  I appreciate folks participating

On Friday, March 27, 2020, I had three great phone calls. My “Chaplain” – In June 2016, my “Chaplain” and I met one another on a cruise to Alaska and have been friends ever since!  At that time, my “Chaplain” was a Chaplain for a jail.  So, he is an ACTUAL Chaplain.  LOVE HIS KNOWLEDGE

As usual with my blog, I want to remind people the blog is written with my students in mind.  I was asked not to share stories with students during class time.  “Work bell-to-bell and only on the subject.” Just a directive I respect.  I do my best to respect the directive and follow it, to

Whenever I express my opinion, I realize I risk losing another friend or client.  It seems to be easier / simpler to lose a friend or client than to get either.  How I get through this fear of losing a friend or a client is telling myself:  I love my friend.  I believe in God. 

In January 2019, I was informed by the "powers-to-be" to spend less time on “non-music-subject(s).”  So, what I would have said to you during class regarding life, I will write on my blog and hope you (my students) will share this “letter” with as many students on and off Oakmont’s campus.  THANK YOU.  On February

If I was ever going to get the “equivalent” to the Oscar for being a high school music teacher, I would be AWFUL / HORRIBLE / TERRIBLE if I did not thank my wife for all she GAVE-UP so I could be an award winning high school music teacher.  SCREW IT.  I don’t need to