The Holiday Concert

Tonight is Tyler's big night. It's the holiday concert and he participates in both band and chorus. While he is not so happy about the music chosen for chorus, I am very pleased that he loves band. It should be nice to hear the music that surrounds the trombone rather than just the trombone. I wonder if Tyler is better than his classmates in band. He sounds quite good at home. I suspect that since he likes it and is doing well with it he enjoys playing the trombone. (Next year we have to come up with the chips to purchase one.)

They are calling for rough weather this evening. I enjoy the cold and how it brings the holiday to mind. The prospect of snow, cold air, and a holiday concert just make me embrace the holiday. (Only 16 shopping days left.)

Lack of Intelligence

I often wonder why people my age have such apathy toward the future of the country. Many I know don't give a hoot about recycling. Many don't care about what's ahead for the young people of the country. Some, because of their closed-mindedness, just don't know the difference between boring and dislike.

Case in point: when the President spoke at West Point last week, several of the cadets in the audience were sleeping. Rod and I spoke about this and how it made West Point look bad. Let's face it, the President was speaking about the war in Afghanistan. A war, by the way, that these same cadets would be fighting in. Still, because of their schedules and the rigorous life they lead at West Point, sleep was too strong a pull. When we watched the news, Rod and I knew something would be said at West Point the next day. It was. The powers that be were not pleased that their students were sleeping.

My friends' reaction? "I'd have slept through the speech too." Or, "the speech was boring." Boring? What about the continuation of an already long war is boring? What about the steps that are next in asking Americans to give life and money for an already costly war is boring?

I have never heard a President speak in person. Rod did (GW). Although he did not like Bush's politics, Rod still found the opportunity to be a highlight.

The bottom line is this. While I recognize that speeches can be boring, I suspect that if the speech is about your future, the ability to listen with attention should be there. When I attended a sports awards night at the local high school, I found the entire process to be long and boring. Right up until I realized a coach was talking about my daughter. Then the three hour evening seemed less difficult to get through. When I have attended faculty meetings that talk about finances, I find my mind wandering. The minute I know jobs may be on the line, however, I am focused and listening for any message that may be between the lines.

The cadets in attendance at Obama's speech last Tuesday night should have been able to muster an attention span that indicated they knew how important the speech was for their future. My friends who claim they'd have slept? I guess they just lack the intelligence to realize that our future is on the line too.