Many Paths Converging into Chaos

We're in the throes of recital season, which is also final band and chorus concert season and finals prep season, which then leads into finals. Between getting all three girls to dance for dress rehearsal/photo nights, Margaret's band and chorus concert and Patricia's school art exhibition opening, this past week has left me exhausted. Next week won't be much better because there is regular dance class, Patricia's band concert and one of the "official" dance rehearsals at the venue. The following week -- another rehearsal and finally, four days of dance recital where we dance all four days. It's a crazy convergence of activity.

In the middle of all this craziness was one of the most drastic changes in our lives. Jack was offered -- and accepted -- a full-time teaching job at SUNY Plattsburgh in the journalism department. He has been teaching as an adjunct faculty member for the last five semesters -- this last semester he taught three classes (!) When an opening came up for a full-time instructor, he threw his hat in the ring and applied. Upon completion of the process, they told him no one really came close to him in terms of qualifications and experience. So, after 26 years at the Press-Republican, he's setting his sights on a new career challenge. He'll still work in a part-time capacity at the Press -- speaking from experience, you can never really leave news work -- and by working a few shifts and doing some projects there it will help him in the classroom. But he'll be a full-time member of the college faculty as of August.

The Press is going to be hard-pressed (hahaha) to replace him because he is irreplaceable. They are having a computer platform upgrade this summer, and he'll be on hand to lead them through it. It's another example of how helpless they'll be if he was to cut ties completely. But that's not something he wants to do, again, because it will be a mutually beneficial relationship. They'll still have him to rely on and to help out, he'll be able to bring new media and video expertise to the paper when he teaches those classes, and he'll stay current in the industry, which in turn will benefit his students. It's a little scary, but it's also exciting, too, because he discovered over the last five semesters how much he enjoys teaching and how very good he is at it. So everyone who reads this -- all three of you -- say a prayer or keep some good thoughts for Jack as he begins this new journey in his career.

And while you're at it, keep some good thoughts for me as I journey all over the North Country schlepping dancers and flutists and clarinetists and hula babies to their respective rehearsals and performances.... It's going to be a long four weeks.