Real Men Sing (and apparently cry)

Today I took the men of my chamber choir to an event at San Jose State called Real Men Sing.It was an awesome event where they got to sing with 400 other men in a rehearsal and performance. It posed some interesting questions for me that I would love to hear comments on.

The clinician/conductor was Dan Earl from Santa Rosa High School. This is a great conductor and wonderful man. He is very vulnerable to the music and to teaching. He cried three times throughout this clinic because he was moved by the music, but also of what he was doing. Mr. Earl realizes that he has touched the lives of many musicians at this clinic.

Watching this male conductor cry was moving to me. It inspired me to be more vulnerable to the music. Watching my kids watch him cry was quite an experience as well. At least two of them looked like they were moved and rather than just being in the moment, they turned to their electronic devices to tune him out. Some of you might say that they were just bored and if you asked them, they would say they were bored. But I know that deep down inside, they were afraid of this vulnerability. Teaching Asian students, I have found that they will do anything not to become emotional. Probably because their dad beat them every time they cried when they were little. I know my dad did. I cried a lot when I was young and I wasn't afraid to let the tears go in front of people either. But lately, I have grown immune to it. I don't let myself cry. I hold it in. I was taught at a very young age that it is not manly to do this. I could never see myself conducting a men's choir of high school and college aged men and crying.

So I ask you, is it appropriate for a man to cry when he is moved by music? Or is that a pussy thing to do? Is it appropriate for me to cry as a conductor or would I lose power and respect? Is this gay? What does it say about you to say that its not okay? Are you afraid of being vulnerable to music? If you are woman reading this, what do you think? Should I be crying more? Should my male students be comfortable with this?

Some good eats: Chile Verde

Inspired by one of my coworkers, I made my first attempt at the classic Mexican dish that my mom does so well. Except I didn't take the shortcuts my mother does.

Salsa Verde:
5 Yellow Chiles
5 Jalepeños (I forgot these in this attempt, still was good, but lacked the heat)
8-10 Tamotillos (remove the shell)
1 white onion
3 whole cloves of garlic
Boil these ingredients in water for like 30 minutes, pureé in the blender

Prepare a pork shoulder by seasoning with kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin. Place in the slow cooker with all the salsa verde. Cook all day and enjoy with some beans, rice, and some fresh tortillas.

here is a day in the life of ME!!!

My day begins with my shower...I love the Axe

On Sunday and Monday nights, June crashes at my place because the commute is closer to his work since he starts at 7AM. So I wake him up since we leave for work at the same time on those days. Everyday he says "5 more minutes".
Some asshole parked in my spot, as you can see I parked close enough so he/she would have to go through the passenger side.
Here is my office, its rather clean cause I made my TA clean it


Here is what I do all day long...best job in the world!!!


When I go home, I cook. Today I made some fish tacos and some homemade salsa. The salsa is made by reconstituting dried guajillo chiles. Boil those with onions, garlic, and a tomato. Peel the tomato, chuck the chile stems, and blend for a delicious smokey salsa. Enjoy with your fish tacos!!!

The Chosen

You must all go see this play The Chosen. Its based off the novel by Chaim Potok about two Jews growing up together as best friends in Brooklyn. It played on themes of brotherhood, ethnic tensions, and everyone's favorite "having beef with your Dad." Very emotional scenes and good arguments for and against Zionism.

Speaking of "beef", I had an interesting incident with a student today. A kid was texting in class and I wanted to take his phone away. He argued with me, tried to make a deal, all sorts of shit to try to get out of me taking his phone away. Honestly I don't really care...I just don't want people texting while I am teaching them. Furthermore, there is a school policy to take phones away from kids even if they are out. Now its ultimatly my decision whether to enforce this. If the kid gives me his phone right away, I usually forget about the whole thing and he can pretty much just take it after class. But when the kid is argues with me, resists me, and is being outright defiant, what would you do? I just become an asshole about it and give the phone to the office. From an administrator prospective, I should always give the phone to the office. From a kid's prospective, I should let them do whatever they want in class. I think of myself as a compromise between the two. Its very simple, you break the rules, I enforce them.

Lookin through my iPhone pics

Trying to make my blog as cool as Matt's...so far not so good.

Breaking my AR-15 Cherry

Monique

Rachel's wedding

Hotpot ala Cambodian

Dinner at my parents

Bitch!

Gourmet night with Mr. Peterson. We had a Grand Marnier souffle along with some nice scotch, rack of lamb.

This dog just hopped in my car!!!

Cold day at the beach, this happened sometime this summer. Chauncey was over at like 5AM and I was like "why you wake me up?!?!" and I was like "You on my time now bitch..."so Chauncey, June, and I went to the beach at 6 AM, got some Gayle's in Capitola, watched some surfers, stopped in Los Gatos for some Soup at 10.



In Las Vegas. Vern, Romel, Mike, Paul, and I tried the local cusine. This is a fried twinkie and some fried Oreos. The next day for breakfast I had some Chicken and Waffles. Gained about 10 lbs. that weekend and clogged up all my arteries.