Thinking Out Loud

Insurance Premiums Public Service Announcement

2008-07-25T14:22:00.002-04:00

This morning I had an appointment with Larry, my insurance agent. I thought my premiums were creeping up a bit. He was more than happy to look at that and see what he could do to get the cost down. After looking at my auto and home owners policies we were able to trim about $80 off of my premiums. Sometimes just asking can save you some money.

My final resting place.

2008-07-12T08:38:00.002-04:00

I came across this article on espn.com. I think I would be alright with this as my final resting place.

Cub's fans only cemetery.

I tell you what

2008-05-19T11:45:00.004-04:00

You know one of my favorite shows on T.V. is "King of the Hill." As I sit here on my lunch break at school, I reflect on the past couple of months and realize that life just keeps going no matter what you may want it to do. Well, watching "King of the Hill" or even T.V. in general has been a nice escape from the stress and the reality of life. So, I'm here thinking why do we spend so much time wanting to escape from reality? Life can be so much more entertaining and definitely more rewarding. I have recently decided to challenge myself to spend more time living life than trying to escape it. Less T.V., more walks with my dog and saying hello to those I see along the way. Less complaining more embracing. It is way to easy to complain and honestly, who's it helping. As a teacher, I tend to spend too much time on the negatives (such as people being late, not practicing, or just plain not showing up for rehearsal or even performances). I am actually really looking forward to marching season. My goal is to embrace the positives. Some things in life you just have no control over. I've found that I spend too much time worrying about those things instead of taking control of the things that I have the power to control. So, less worrying more positive thinking!

Okay, so you're thinking well that sounds great, but come on, really? Hey, I didn't say that I have this stuff mastered and I will falter, but hey, wouldn't this just be cool if it worked. This world isn't as bad as we think (it's no heaven...but...). Wish me luck on this and hopefully this will start to rub off on others.

Gift Card

2008-03-08T15:36:00.002-05:00

An unexpected itunes gift card has found it's way into my hand. What should I do with it? Is there any music out there that you think I shouldn't be living without?

Snow Days

2008-03-05T09:59:00.003-05:00

As a teacher, I tend to find the little things exciting. This morning the call came in that school was cancelled today. Now, the reason I like these days have nothing to do with getting away from the students. I really like all of my students and enjoy interacting with them on a daily basis. However, there is nothing wrong with a break every once in a while. The best day to get a snow day is a Wednesday, it breaks up the week and rejuvenates everyone for a stellar final two days before the weekend. It seems that these days bring a better attitude from myself and the students.

Well, after watching Nash Bridges, I look forward to whatever this day brings!

p.s. A great gift for me would be "Nash Bridges" on DVD (just for future reference).

2008-02-29T20:55:00.003-05:00

Tonight, my sister, Lindsey has officially declared her engagement to Mr. Brice Ledyard. He is a good man and I am happy for the lovely couple.

Holy cannoli! My baby sister is getting married!!!

Yoga Dream

2008-02-03T14:36:00.001-05:00

Last night I had a dream in which I was doing yoga. This morning I woke up sore.

I wish I could have watched me sleeping to see what I was actually doing.

Changes

2008-02-02T22:37:00.000-05:00

I have decided to take some things off of my plate. I've never known what it is like to be only a band director and I don't think that it has been fair to my students. So, after February 17th I am taking a sabbatical from College Park. I feel that I've just been going through the motions lately anyway. This will be a time to renew and refresh that part of me and give myself completely to my students. I am really looking forward to being the kind of teacher that I've always wanted to be. It will be a strange feeling for me to not be pulled from different directions. I'm also looking forward to hearing about the rumors as to why I'm not leading worship! Get creative people...

Overextended

2008-01-22T20:04:00.000-05:00

I've overextended myself. Something is going to have to get cut. I can't quit teaching...so... the decision is which one will have to go? I have to let someone down, I hate to do that, but if I don't let some down then all will suffer.

Oh yes...I will be gutting my basement.

Current reading:
When the Game is Over It All Goes Back in the Box by John Ortberg.

This could help me get back on track.

I'm a lost shepherd

2008-01-20T20:08:00.000-05:00

I was thinking about the "Dukes of Hazzard" today. Bo and Luke would call to Uncle Jesse over the CB, "Lost sheep to shepherd, lost sheep to shepherd." Uncle Jesse would then respond and be there to help his sheep out.

Well, working in a church, I am supposed to shepherd the worship band. I must admit that I have not been doing a good job of it lately. I am typically in a bad mood on Sunday mornings and find myself being short with people and impatient with minor things. I've been trying to figure this out. Why am I behaving this way? In thinking about this I recently had a conversation with a good friend, Josh, who is a men's pastor, and he told me that he recently joined a small group. I asked, "do you have to lead it?" He said no, that he just needed to be involved in something in which he didn't have to be the shepherd. How can you expect to shepherd others if you aren't being shepherded, yourself? And then it hit me, I think that's where I am. I am not involved in anything outside of worship band and, therefore am not being shepherded. I am at a place in life right now where I need some leading and shepherding. Now how do I get it? A small group you say? Well, I don't know of any to join and have not been invited to be involved in one. I guess it would be because all of the current small groups are "full?" Now, to be fair, it would be nice to be involved in a group that I actually had some things in common with. Meaning, it seems that everyone I know is married or further along in life than I. I would really like to be with a group of people that are in the same place in life that I am. Am I asking too much? Am I missing the point? All I know is that I cannot continue this current pattern in my life.

Strange?

2008-01-12T22:56:00.000-05:00

Do you find it strange that I want to know what it feels like to have a broken heart?

What to blog about?

2008-01-11T13:20:00.000-05:00

I'm thinking that trying to come up with something to blog about everyday is a bit difficult. Let me try this...what would you like me to blog about? Do you have a question that you would like me to answer in blog form? Give it a shot, don't be shy.

Home Ownership

2008-01-09T21:56:00.000-05:00

I have to say that home ownership can be rough at times. It's never as easy as you would imagine. The biggest issue I've faced thus far has been water in my basement. Tonight I spent most of the evening with a shop vac trying to get the water out of my carpet. I think I am just going to gut my basement and put in a ping pong table.

Windows Down

2008-01-07T20:17:00.000-05:00

Today I drove home from school with the windows down.

"Why?"

65 degrees, that's why!

Routine Begins Again

2008-01-06T21:00:00.000-05:00

Well, tomorrow school starts again. This means that I will be busy...very busy. The hardest thing about being busy is keeping a proper balance between all of the things that I do. Beyond being a band director at both a middle school and I high school and a worship leader at CP, I will be taking on a the new task of being the jazz ensemble director at Huntington University. There is so much work that needs to be accomplished in order to turn that program around and I really want to have that ensemble be something that the college can be proud of.

Hopefully, I can manage my time between all of these things and honor God with all of my efforts.

What kind of things are you doing to keep that balance in your life?

A sweet hearted 4 year old

2008-01-01T19:49:00.000-05:00

Tonight my niece called me to tell me that she loved me. She wanted to do this before she went to bed. I must say that it doesn't get much better than that. Oh yes, I guess it does, she wanted to tell Gracie (my dog) that she loved her too.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T00:35:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!!!

New Year's Resolution?

2007-12-30T23:33:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'm not a big New Year's resolutions kind of guy. How about you? What resolutions are you going to make this year?

I guess this coming year I will do some things more and some things less. I'll let you know next year how that goes for me.

Feel free to take my poll!

A Day in Michigan

2007-12-29T00:35:00.000-05:00

Today was a good day. I woke up at 6:30 AM, on my own with no alarm and began my adventure. After some last minute cleaning around the house, I loaded up only the most necessary of items, cell phone, diet pepsi and directions, then began my journey to Lansing, MI. Now having grown up (well, at least until 4th grade) in Michigan and visiting my extended numerous times, I always love going back to the most splendid of all the states. It is amazing how much my heart can long for a place that I only spent the first 22.5 % of my life in, but I still get excited and begin to burst out in jubilant song "Yes Michigan, the feeling's forever..." every time I cross the border (Okay I may be exaggerating here, because sometimes the song in my cd player is much more exciting than a little jingle used as a marketing ploy to get people to visit the state). None the less, a smile does appear upon my face (I check in the rear view mirror;).

Well, today was no ordinary trip. Today was Michigan State University day. I was going to visit with Josh and we were heading over to the Breslin Center to watch the Lady Spartans play against Minnesota. I must say, it was not one of the best efforts of athleticism that I have ever seen. That, however, was just the opening act to the main event of the evening...we went over to Spartan Stadium and watched the Spartan's bowl game. Now, you may ask yourself, "I thought they were playing in Florida?" You would be right, but see when everyone is in Florida watching the game that means that you have the entire Spartan Stadium to yourself...and we did. We watched the game (on a plasma TV) from the athletic director's booth! Yeah, that was pretty exciting, we even had the restrooms to ourselves. It was quite nice, with the exception of the Spartans losing. But the time, just relaxing and hanging out with friends, made a sub par sports day seem almost irrelevant.

On another note, I also experienced Nintendo Wii for the first time...I am now a fan.

Until next time...Marvin

Christmas Break

2007-12-27T10:49:00.000-05:00

I must say that one of the joys of teaching is the breaks. Two weeks off for Christmas is amazing! It gives me time to catch up with family and friends and do some of the projects I just don't have time to do otherwise. Here is a list of things that I will be doing during this break:

Family Christmas
Lunch with Jeremy Nei
setting up my website - www.marvinmcnew.com
getting started on the website for Whitko Bands
Going to Spartan Stadium and watching the MSU bowl game from the AD's box - spending time with Josh
a day of Movies, Meat and Matt Maners...we are going to eat way to much...and that's okay
recording some more of the music I've been writing - check out my website for some samples
sleeping the full 8 hours each night
pondering life's biggest questions
play with my nieces - running and hiding is sure to be involved (hence the necessity of 8 hours of sleep)

Hopefully you will find any time that you have over these next few days will be lived to the fullest!