billarnold.typepad.com

Use the Mic!

When you are asked to speak in front of a group, and a microphone is offered to you, this is my plea: Use the mic! So many people refuse to use one because they think they're loud enough. There are two problems with this:

1. You probably aren't. Many people seem to think they have a loud voice and yet it turns out they do not project well enough for everyone in the room to hear them without straining.
2. Even if you know how to project, it's still easier on everyone's ears if you would just use the technology available to you.

I honestly can't back this up with scientific facts, but it seems to me that there is something about amplified sound that is simply easier to hear. It's not just about volume. I don't know if it's because the sound cuts through background noise better or what, but that is my observation. Maybe someone who knows more about acoustics can back me up.

I have decided to move this to the top of my pet peeve list, right above people who drive slow in the fast lane!

The Good Life

Popular music has helped to keep composers in touch with their audience—that is, until the mid-twentieth century, when composers turned away from their audiences (and from popular music), with disastrous results....I am concerned with maintaining good relations with the audience; I see the composer as a moral force, as an instructor, and as an essential contributor to the good life. (William Russo, Composing Music, p.179)

Teach a Man to Fish

I had my first day of orientation for my new teaching job today. So far so good. I especially liked one of the quotes they shared with us:

“Give a man a fish and you have fed him for today.  Teach a man to fish, and he will sit in the boat and drink beer all day.”

Places I've Been

Primo PDF

I highly recommend Primo PDF, an application that allows you to create PDFs for free. I've never used Adobe Acrobat or the like, so I can comment on the comparative quality. For the price, however, I think this is a great deal. I've used it to share sheet music that I prepared in my cheap notation program. Once it's installed, all you have to do is print your document, but select Primo PDF as your "printer."

An Authentic Witness

I think the story of the "Woman at the Well" (John 4:1-42) gives us a picture of an authentic witness. The woman is, on some level, anticipating the coming of a messiah and Jesus claims to be that messiah. The woman is impressed by the things Jesus is able to tell her about herself and goes back to town saying, "Could this be the Christ?" (John 4:29)

The way she phrases that question seems to indicate that she is not entirely convinced. Nonetheless, her "evangelism" is effective. The result of this whole interchange is recorded in verse 42:

They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

She was able to set them on the path toward personal faith by simply telling them what she knew. She didn't need to have a perfect life or a perfect faith, neither of which exist in my opinion! She wasn't even sure she totally believed what she was experiencing, but she was compelled to relate her experience to others.

How encouraging to those of us who don't have it all figured out! We need not be discouraged by our lack of faith or understanding. Christians often exude a sense of unerring confidence in the "absolute" truths they have learned about morality, spirituality, and the final destiny of human souls (to name a few topics). I think this may often detract from the authenticity of their "story."

Update on the Job

As of today I am officially certified to do alternate route teaching! We also found out that the school I'm going to be working for is willing to start me at a higher salary because of the credits I earned toward a Master's at Fuller. I met with the superintendent of schools today and now I just have to wait for approval from the Board of Education.