So what else is new? I suppose it would be important to mention that I have been playing guitar for the first time in a long time. It is incredibly frustrating that skills don't really stay with you that well. In all honesty it seems like I didn't quit playing for very long, but it was about 3 years. I'm taking the time now to re-learn some things in a better way. The guitar playing can be directly linked to a resumed interest in music. For the past 3 or so years I just haven't been into music that much, which is funny considering how important it was to me for so much of my life. I would go through little fads of liking things, but I never really listened to it like I used to. No band or artist really excited me. This resumed interest owes its thanks to Parke Puterbaugh, a pretty awesome music journalist who teaches my History of Rock class at Guilford. He just comes at it in such a way that everything you hear has a new edge. It really makes you appreciate it. I suppose that's why he is such a great writer! He really knows how to present material.
I had a cool moment in class today when I was angrily chewing on a book by Gary Nash. My professor and advisor (sidenote: I never really knew why you sometimes used “adviser” and sometimes used “advisor.” The clearest explanation I can find is that the “English language is changing whether you like it or not and evolution does funny things to spellings,” and also that “advisor” usually has a little more weight) Alvis Dunn was saying that this book wouldn't make as much of an impact if the reader did not have a clear base of knowledge that they could mix it up with. He then pondered if current high school students were receiving that knowledge base anymore, and referenced one particularly great teacher at NW Guilford High that he had spoken/met with. I felt so great to say, “Oh, you mean Mr. Parrish right?” Even though I was a TERRIBLE student in Mr. P's class. I think I used the “My driveway was iced up” excuse for not being in class all the way to May. But anyhoo, Alvis thought I was cool. He didn't say it. But you know he did. I hope he reads this...
