Ahhhh.

The title indicates a "sigh" of contentment, not "HELLLPP!" At least not yet.

Well, I dunno whats to write this time. I hope Notre Dame beats Michigan. There. Oh yeah, chancel choir starts up again, which is awesome, and JuBellation is getting into a good routine with rehearsing and performances. Can't wait for Forte to sing at Mayfair Village in October.

Nervous but hopeful about kick-starting Youth Choir! We can do it!

The Cubs are dead.

Okay, now this is turning into a random thoughts post.

Listening to the song "Coca-Cola" (that's not how it's spelled though) right now by the Clash. Please tell me I'm not the only one at NWUMC who has London Calling on their iPod.

Shocked that the six-inch oven roasted chicken sub from Subway hasn't tided me over.

Chilly weather=awesome for running.

Wearing a brand new shirt from Banana Republic that Junghwa bought for me. It is fantastic. I'm wearing it again on Homecoming Sunday.

(No, I'm not wearing my ND jersey, because I don't think you want Rocky Boiman playing the organ.)

Yes I'm still here!!!

Okay, so it's not good to leave a fledgling blog alone after you've just started it.

In my defense, my wife and I have just finished relocating into a MUCH more comfortable, garden-style apartment in Northwest Columbus and we couldn't be happier about it. It's now possible to live in a space where we can be in separate rooms at the same time.

Anyways, a lot has happened over the past three weeks: JuBellation's clinic was great, Forte keeps chugging along, and the chancel choir has gotten back to rehearsing and will return to the church on Homecoming Sunday, 9/12. Very excited to get things moving along.

Don't forget about the Youth Choir either! That'll return on 10/24.

I'll be more proficient on this here blog, I promise...

The first of many Cubs rants

1-0, Padres leading Cubs, bottom of the ninth with two outs, runner on first. Our guy (didn't catch his name) hits a line drive deep into right field...and it's snared by Ryan Ludwick right at the ivy.

Two years ago, that ball goes out of the park. These, unfortunately, are the real breaks of the game.

Oh yeah, Forte.

Last night was the first rehearsal for Forte Men's Chorus in about three weeks or so. Forte is an ecumenical men's group with singers from Hilliard UMC, Maple Grove Methodist, Meadow Park Church of God, Resurrection Lutheran, Northwest and many other places. It's a great group, and we sing both sacred and secular material.

Upcoming gigs include the Clintonville Day of Peace in September, and the Hilliard Hollyfest in December at Hilliard Davidson HS, I believe.

Join us! I'll have some pics and vids up here soon too.

And now, the Pumaman Video.

And these are the kinds of things I will not be able to get away from if I'm going to regularly contribute to this blog.

This video has changed my life, and it will change yours. Enjoy.

The official Handbell Choir-Clinic Posting on This Here Blog

I suppose it's time to put an annoucement of some sort.

On Saturday, August 27th from 9:30-2:30, we will host a handbell choir clinic for anyone interested. People from within and beyond Northwest UMC are encouraged to join us for this function--and it's free and it includes lunch.

Join us! Email me if you have any questions. Let's get JuBellation rocking and rolling on Sunday mornings.

Well, hi there.

This will not be a typical blog, to begin with.

I was urged by Jean Miller, our building manager at Northwest, to broaden the music network at our church by expanding into cyberspace through updates on our website (www.nwumc.org) as well as using blogging to make announcements and keep people informed on what's happening.

When Jean told me about this, the first question I asked her was, "Is it okay if I sometimes rant about the Cubs?"

"Absolutely!" the fellow transplant from greater Chicago replied.

And that was enough of a tipping point to get me going on this. I'd actually done blogging before a few years ago, back when I had way too much time on my hands in the summers between graduate school and had a couple of favorite sports teams (besides Ohio State) that were actually successful. But with more going on at age twenty-seven than before--a new home, a marriage to a beautiful woman and amazing pianist, and fledgling careers in both church music and music education--I know that these posts will be frequent and fun, but also quick and to the point.

So that said: if you attend Northwest UMC and haven't met me yet, I'm the guy on the far left of the stage behind the organ, trying to guess which pedals to play during each of our hymns. Every now and then I get in front of the organ and flap my arms around. And yes, I do enjoy it.