Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The "Hey"
I've only seen a pack twice since I started riding, the same group of three guys both times. I've seen some families riding together, but that's it, no bike clubs or groups of riders. Either there are no packs on the west side or they ride early in the day. The afternoon crowd is made up of lone riders, including me. There's some freedom wrapped up in that.
The dynamic of the active community is intriguing. A few riders and runners, only a few, pass others without saying, "hey." Families just smile or say a variety of things from "Merry Christmas" to "It's a beautiful day for a ride, isn't it?" It's their way of acknowledging that you slowed down to a crawl to avoid their kids and dogs.
Cyclists and runners just say hey or nothing at all. That's it. So what is in that greeting? Is it just a courtesy, a friendly hello because we just can't pass another human being without saying something? I don't think so because, otherwise, we would say it to everyone. We usually don't say it to the people we pass or who pass us going the same direction. We just shout a warning, and if we're nice, a thank you for not getting the themselves injured. And we never say it to people who are just out for a stroll.
Maybe it says, "I know why we are riding on this miserable day. It's the same reason we rode yesterday when the sun was shining. We ride because there is nothing in the world like it; and even if the only place we have to ride is the same path up and down the river and through the same park, we will continue to ride it every day that we can."
Maybe it says, "Good. You are still riding even with that crappy bike." Maybe it says, "Yep, I rode into that same headwind 20 minutes ago." Maybe it just says, "Hey."
Yesterday, I saw another rider coming up to the pedestrian bridge over the river on the east side of McLean at 9th street. I found it mildly interesting that at our current pace, we would both pass the bridge entrance at exactly the same time. There, the path is interrupted by a sidewalk. With little care taken to make it a smooth transition, they essentially created a very shallow table. I've passed this same rider dozens of times. We watched each other move right, passed each other on the sidewalk, tires not quite touching the pavement, "Hey," and gone.
The dynamic of the active community is intriguing. A few riders and runners, only a few, pass others without saying, "hey." Families just smile or say a variety of things from "Merry Christmas" to "It's a beautiful day for a ride, isn't it?" It's their way of acknowledging that you slowed down to a crawl to avoid their kids and dogs.
Cyclists and runners just say hey or nothing at all. That's it. So what is in that greeting? Is it just a courtesy, a friendly hello because we just can't pass another human being without saying something? I don't think so because, otherwise, we would say it to everyone. We usually don't say it to the people we pass or who pass us going the same direction. We just shout a warning, and if we're nice, a thank you for not getting the themselves injured. And we never say it to people who are just out for a stroll.
Maybe it says, "I know why we are riding on this miserable day. It's the same reason we rode yesterday when the sun was shining. We ride because there is nothing in the world like it; and even if the only place we have to ride is the same path up and down the river and through the same park, we will continue to ride it every day that we can."
Maybe it says, "Good. You are still riding even with that crappy bike." Maybe it says, "Yep, I rode into that same headwind 20 minutes ago." Maybe it just says, "Hey."
Yesterday, I saw another rider coming up to the pedestrian bridge over the river on the east side of McLean at 9th street. I found it mildly interesting that at our current pace, we would both pass the bridge entrance at exactly the same time. There, the path is interrupted by a sidewalk. With little care taken to make it a smooth transition, they essentially created a very shallow table. I've passed this same rider dozens of times. We watched each other move right, passed each other on the sidewalk, tires not quite touching the pavement, "Hey," and gone.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Galena Revisited
Christmas Ride
The last post was actually about my Christmas Eve ride. Today's ride was a bit different. I checked the weather and wind and decided to try the Galena trip again. It was a lot easier to get around the construction knowing where to pick up the path again on the other side.
I had forgotten how much I love the view of the John Mack bridge over the river. To get to the southeast section of the path, you have to go under the bridge, come up the other side, go back north over the new bridge and then wrap around to the path. Once you get past all of that, there is one of my favorite old railroad bridges.
It's only about 8 miles from home to the end of the path so I wasn't really ready for a break, but I wanted to see what was on the other side of the park. There was wide sidewalk that led down to the river and a canoe launch point. It's a good place to stop for just a minute to think.
The last post was actually about my Christmas Eve ride. Today's ride was a bit different. I checked the weather and wind and decided to try the Galena trip again. It was a lot easier to get around the construction knowing where to pick up the path again on the other side.
I had forgotten how much I love the view of the John Mack bridge over the river. To get to the southeast section of the path, you have to go under the bridge, come up the other side, go back north over the new bridge and then wrap around to the path. Once you get past all of that, there is one of my favorite old railroad bridges.
After that point, I only saw two groups of people, a dad carrying his daughter who yelled "Merry Christmas!" as I rode past, and a family of bikers at Garvey park. 
It's only about 8 miles from home to the end of the path so I wasn't really ready for a break, but I wanted to see what was on the other side of the park. There was wide sidewalk that led down to the river and a canoe launch point. It's a good place to stop for just a minute to think.
After I left Garvey Park, I finished the ride by going around Sedgwick County Park. It ended up being 29.4 miles in 2.5 hours. I guess I needed to ride one more time around the park to make it to 30. I ride because I love to ride, but for me, the scenery is important. I like having other people on the path if they are friendly, especially other riders going the opposite direction, but I don't like it when it is really crowded. It's just too hard to keep a steady pace avoiding dogs and small children.
Someone asked me once what I think about for two and a half hours. Today, I realized that I really don't think about a lot of things. I look at everything around me and watch the terrain to stay safe. I pay attention to my cadence and my speed and make decisions about shifting or muscling a hill. I watch the gulls and whistle at the suicidal geese on the path and say hey in response to the other bikers and joggers I meet. I wonder when they are going to allow water back into the river.
I marvel at the beauty of the sky and dodge lovers caught up in a romantic gaze in the middle of the path. It always seems so intrusive when I have to shout, "On your left" just as they are about to kiss. Ah well, maybe they should choose a road less traveled or just stand in the grass. That would be nice.
Most of the time, it's just me and the path and the changes in the wind and temperature. It's my stamina and my blood sugar. Did I fuel up enough for the ride? Did I get enough sleep? I started to feel weak at 18 miles, but at 22 my energy came back and home was just a few miles away. Today was a good day.
On the John Mack.
View from the John Mack.
Another view from the bridge.
Today's Ride
The Galena Path
I have been dreaming about taking the Galena trip for some time now and today I tried it. Negotiating the construction at the Lincoln street bridge was a pain and once I was south of Harry, the view turned olive drab. The little bit of water in the river was a nice change from the dried up river bed north of the Lincoln street bridge, but the earthy and scenic feel of the downtown bike path disappeared completely. After going under the John Mack bridge, I lost interest and turned around. The trip north toward Sedgwick County Park is so much nicer. Still, it was good adventure and once the bridge is finished, there will be a good long stretch with no hills or tight curves. Good for sprinting.
The rest of the ride was pretty typical. I had to walk through part of the construction because there were workers present and there were lots of families with small children on the path today. That really affected my average speed. And...I checked my blood sugar just before heading out and it was 76. I really didn't want to stop for a meal so I ate some crackers and peanut butter and headed out. The first 15 miles were not too bad, but after that, I knew I had to get home so I turned around and finished with 19.52 miles on the computer.
Most riders and runners on the west side go out alone, but they seem to enjoy seeing other people as they pass. I tend to see the same people repeatedly, which make sense since we all have our routines. Today, people were especially friendly. The weather was good and the wind was from the west, which meant a crosswind most of the time and no headwind either direction.
So here's my stats. Lots of stops, slowing down for pedestrians, and walking through construction.
19.52 miles
1:41 hours
11.5 mph average speed
20.9 mph max
32.9 miles on the odometer
I have been dreaming about taking the Galena trip for some time now and today I tried it. Negotiating the construction at the Lincoln street bridge was a pain and once I was south of Harry, the view turned olive drab. The little bit of water in the river was a nice change from the dried up river bed north of the Lincoln street bridge, but the earthy and scenic feel of the downtown bike path disappeared completely. After going under the John Mack bridge, I lost interest and turned around. The trip north toward Sedgwick County Park is so much nicer. Still, it was good adventure and once the bridge is finished, there will be a good long stretch with no hills or tight curves. Good for sprinting.
The rest of the ride was pretty typical. I had to walk through part of the construction because there were workers present and there were lots of families with small children on the path today. That really affected my average speed. And...I checked my blood sugar just before heading out and it was 76. I really didn't want to stop for a meal so I ate some crackers and peanut butter and headed out. The first 15 miles were not too bad, but after that, I knew I had to get home so I turned around and finished with 19.52 miles on the computer.
Most riders and runners on the west side go out alone, but they seem to enjoy seeing other people as they pass. I tend to see the same people repeatedly, which make sense since we all have our routines. Today, people were especially friendly. The weather was good and the wind was from the west, which meant a crosswind most of the time and no headwind either direction.
So here's my stats. Lots of stops, slowing down for pedestrians, and walking through construction.
19.52 miles
1:41 hours
11.5 mph average speed
20.9 mph max
32.9 miles on the odometer
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Who I Am Part III
I Ride
Sometime around September of this year, I realized that I wasn't going to lose any more weight on my current exercise program. I grew up riding a bike but I never really thought of it as anything more than a leisure activity and a means of transportation. I just loved to ride. Ten years ago, I bought a bike. Not the best bike, but not a terrible one either. I rode for awhile and then just let it sit. I did a lot of sitting myself. Design work will do that to you.
August 4, 2010, I decided to make a change. I truly believed it was move or die. I changed my diet to follow the food pyramid and started walking at the gym. After 20 pounds, I tried Zumba, but didn't really like it. Next was yoga. Walking and yoga helped me lose another 20. Then, after losing 40 pounds and being stuck there for a few months, I decided that something had to change. I had been wanting to ride my bike for awhile, but was afraid that my weight and core strength would be a problem.
One day, a friend brought over an air compressor to air up Michael's tires. Michael is my grandson and had gotten a bike for Christmas. My friend informed me that there was still lots of air left and asked if there was anything else that needed air. I took him out to the patio and we aired up the tires. I rinsed off the dust, oiled the chain and gave it shot. I have been riding ever since. I ride every day that I can, but I am not a morning person. I do not get up in the middle of the night so I can ride 30 miles before work. I do ride nearly every day after school and weekends. Most rides are 1.5 to 2 hours. Sometimes I can only do 1 and sometimes I can do 3. It just depends on my schedule, sunset, and the weather.
Some people tell me that they wouldn't have time to do what I do, but I think that every hour on the bike is another hour added to the end of my life. It's another hour of feeling better and another hour of feeling totally free.
Sometime around September of this year, I realized that I wasn't going to lose any more weight on my current exercise program. I grew up riding a bike but I never really thought of it as anything more than a leisure activity and a means of transportation. I just loved to ride. Ten years ago, I bought a bike. Not the best bike, but not a terrible one either. I rode for awhile and then just let it sit. I did a lot of sitting myself. Design work will do that to you.
August 4, 2010, I decided to make a change. I truly believed it was move or die. I changed my diet to follow the food pyramid and started walking at the gym. After 20 pounds, I tried Zumba, but didn't really like it. Next was yoga. Walking and yoga helped me lose another 20. Then, after losing 40 pounds and being stuck there for a few months, I decided that something had to change. I had been wanting to ride my bike for awhile, but was afraid that my weight and core strength would be a problem.
One day, a friend brought over an air compressor to air up Michael's tires. Michael is my grandson and had gotten a bike for Christmas. My friend informed me that there was still lots of air left and asked if there was anything else that needed air. I took him out to the patio and we aired up the tires. I rinsed off the dust, oiled the chain and gave it shot. I have been riding ever since. I ride every day that I can, but I am not a morning person. I do not get up in the middle of the night so I can ride 30 miles before work. I do ride nearly every day after school and weekends. Most rides are 1.5 to 2 hours. Sometimes I can only do 1 and sometimes I can do 3. It just depends on my schedule, sunset, and the weather.
Some people tell me that they wouldn't have time to do what I do, but I think that every hour on the bike is another hour added to the end of my life. It's another hour of feeling better and another hour of feeling totally free.
Who I Am Part II
I Create
It is human to create. When God made us in his image, the very first thing he put in our nature was the ability and desire to innovate the world around us. Throughout my life, I have searched constantly for new ways to be creative. At times, that led me off my true path. I often wonder where I would be if I had not questioned my original decision to be a musician full time.
After a couple of years of college, I allowed people around me to convince me that music didn't offer a stable future. Having a real knack for technology, I studied electronics and computer programming. Later, I found that I was a better teacher, designer, and user than a programmer or technician. In 1987, I designed some of the first curriculum available for graphic artists based on real world situations. That was the birth of my instructional design phase.
Of course, I had to get through my graphic design phase. Notice that I didn't say graphic artist. I used other people's art, but had a great eye for composition. Graphic design didn't go away for a very long time, not until about three years ago. I used it in every job and volunteer position I held for the next 20 years.
Now, I am creative in the way that I was intended to be. My days and nights are filled with music and people who love it as much as I do, if that is possible. As a music minister, I have the joy of working with a small choir that produces sounds you would never expect from a choir their size. It is nothing for them to do four or six part harmonies with only 20 voices. They are amazing and wonderful.
I spend much more time playing, singing, and directing now that I returned to my true calling. Praise God that I finally listened and started teaching music again. I know why I left it. I know why I had to see what else was out there for me. I am so thankful that I never stopped completely. I was always singing or playing somewhere, directing or leading, or just singing for myself. There are struggles along the way to the triumphs, but this life is the one he intended me to live all along. I am so glad I didn't miss it altogether.
It is human to create. When God made us in his image, the very first thing he put in our nature was the ability and desire to innovate the world around us. Throughout my life, I have searched constantly for new ways to be creative. At times, that led me off my true path. I often wonder where I would be if I had not questioned my original decision to be a musician full time.
After a couple of years of college, I allowed people around me to convince me that music didn't offer a stable future. Having a real knack for technology, I studied electronics and computer programming. Later, I found that I was a better teacher, designer, and user than a programmer or technician. In 1987, I designed some of the first curriculum available for graphic artists based on real world situations. That was the birth of my instructional design phase.
Of course, I had to get through my graphic design phase. Notice that I didn't say graphic artist. I used other people's art, but had a great eye for composition. Graphic design didn't go away for a very long time, not until about three years ago. I used it in every job and volunteer position I held for the next 20 years.
Now, I am creative in the way that I was intended to be. My days and nights are filled with music and people who love it as much as I do, if that is possible. As a music minister, I have the joy of working with a small choir that produces sounds you would never expect from a choir their size. It is nothing for them to do four or six part harmonies with only 20 voices. They are amazing and wonderful.
I spend much more time playing, singing, and directing now that I returned to my true calling. Praise God that I finally listened and started teaching music again. I know why I left it. I know why I had to see what else was out there for me. I am so thankful that I never stopped completely. I was always singing or playing somewhere, directing or leading, or just singing for myself. There are struggles along the way to the triumphs, but this life is the one he intended me to live all along. I am so glad I didn't miss it altogether.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Who I Am
Today, I am many things. God put singing at the core of my existence. Throughout life, in everything I do, at the heart of it all, I know that I am first and foremost a singer. That does not mean that anyone or anything else is necessarily second to my music. It means that in everything I do, I do it as a singer, in the way a singer would do it, with the logic, forethought, creativity, and temperament of a singer.
I am a Music Teacher
Three years ago, when I stepped into the public school classroom for the first time, I thought it would be at an elementary school. I figured at my age (have about 17 years before I can retire) they would put me in an elementary school and leave me there. I knew I could work well with elementary and high school students, but middle school was not on my list of strengths. I had no idea when Don Gray called me to take the one job that no one else wanted that he would be doing me the biggest favor anyone has ever done for me. It is the most difficult thing I have ever done; and I once learned the function, features, location, and standard maintenance procedures for all the parts of the avionics system in the Boeing 747 in one week so I could teach a class on it. Middle school is harder.
I teach at Truesdell, one of the largest middle schools in Wichita, Kansas. In the coming years, we could have more than 1000 students. Most of our students live in poverty. That could change with the rezoning, but I am confident that we will still have lots of kids doing without. My kids are totally amazing. They are talented, passionate, and hard working musicians. They are not easy. So many of them don't get how valuable they are and give up on themselves before the age of 13. I simply can't let them do that without a fight. I have a great administration and the staff is outstanding. There is no place I would rather be.
The first year was crazy difficult. The kids had had three music teachers in three years. The program had been shut down two years before I got there and the very talented music teacher who preceded me really wanted to teach at an elementary school. She did a great job with singing techniques, but the kids knew she really wanted to teach somewhere else. When I got there, they were angry. They were sure that I would leave them just like everyone else and they made sure I knew it. I survived and so did they. Relationships were built. Music was made.
The second year was so much better. The 8th grade class had more confidence that I would be there for them. The 7th grade knew me from the year before and gave me more of a chance. Still, there was not complete buy-in. They didn't try as hard as they could to learn the proper techniques and complained a lot. Numbers were up, but there were only about 55 in both choirs combined. Most of them sang so quietly, I could hardly hear them from where I stand. Still, we all survived, more than survived. The spring concert was a huge success and better music was made.
This year, my third, is still just as much work, but the students are so talented. I have about 90 students with the 7th and 8th grade combined. They are singing beautiful harmonies and try to actually understand the individual styles and intent behind the arrangements. There are so many talented singers, I am going to have a terrible time choosing soloists for the spring concert. My sixth graders this year are the best I have had. They are musical and cooperative. The are willing to try anything even if they aren't sure if they are going to like it. They celebrate their achievements, work to overcome their failures, and work well with the special education students. I can't wait to see what will happen next year when they join the choir.
So I teach music, but I also teach life. I try to let these students know that I love them even when we struggle. I care about everything that happens to them from not making the team to watching their best friends move away. Many of them need to know that someone is there for them who cares about more than just the classroom requirements. Someone who is there to celebrate or mourn. There to help pick up the pieces. If I can be that someone for at least a few of them, I will be who I should be.
I am a Music Teacher
Three years ago, when I stepped into the public school classroom for the first time, I thought it would be at an elementary school. I figured at my age (have about 17 years before I can retire) they would put me in an elementary school and leave me there. I knew I could work well with elementary and high school students, but middle school was not on my list of strengths. I had no idea when Don Gray called me to take the one job that no one else wanted that he would be doing me the biggest favor anyone has ever done for me. It is the most difficult thing I have ever done; and I once learned the function, features, location, and standard maintenance procedures for all the parts of the avionics system in the Boeing 747 in one week so I could teach a class on it. Middle school is harder.
I teach at Truesdell, one of the largest middle schools in Wichita, Kansas. In the coming years, we could have more than 1000 students. Most of our students live in poverty. That could change with the rezoning, but I am confident that we will still have lots of kids doing without. My kids are totally amazing. They are talented, passionate, and hard working musicians. They are not easy. So many of them don't get how valuable they are and give up on themselves before the age of 13. I simply can't let them do that without a fight. I have a great administration and the staff is outstanding. There is no place I would rather be.
The first year was crazy difficult. The kids had had three music teachers in three years. The program had been shut down two years before I got there and the very talented music teacher who preceded me really wanted to teach at an elementary school. She did a great job with singing techniques, but the kids knew she really wanted to teach somewhere else. When I got there, they were angry. They were sure that I would leave them just like everyone else and they made sure I knew it. I survived and so did they. Relationships were built. Music was made.
The second year was so much better. The 8th grade class had more confidence that I would be there for them. The 7th grade knew me from the year before and gave me more of a chance. Still, there was not complete buy-in. They didn't try as hard as they could to learn the proper techniques and complained a lot. Numbers were up, but there were only about 55 in both choirs combined. Most of them sang so quietly, I could hardly hear them from where I stand. Still, we all survived, more than survived. The spring concert was a huge success and better music was made.
This year, my third, is still just as much work, but the students are so talented. I have about 90 students with the 7th and 8th grade combined. They are singing beautiful harmonies and try to actually understand the individual styles and intent behind the arrangements. There are so many talented singers, I am going to have a terrible time choosing soloists for the spring concert. My sixth graders this year are the best I have had. They are musical and cooperative. The are willing to try anything even if they aren't sure if they are going to like it. They celebrate their achievements, work to overcome their failures, and work well with the special education students. I can't wait to see what will happen next year when they join the choir.
So I teach music, but I also teach life. I try to let these students know that I love them even when we struggle. I care about everything that happens to them from not making the team to watching their best friends move away. Many of them need to know that someone is there for them who cares about more than just the classroom requirements. Someone who is there to celebrate or mourn. There to help pick up the pieces. If I can be that someone for at least a few of them, I will be who I should be.
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