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EDWARD JACOBS

Author: Ed Jacobs

  • Tuesday, August 11, 2020

    First day of classes yesterday was surely an interesting experience. Didn’t sleep well, up before 2am, but was ready (after a nap) for things that officially began at 10am.

    Two students had trouble knowing how to log in, but everyone was there and on-screen by 10:08 and, frankly, I’ve had other first-days that got started much more than 10 minutes late. It was very nice, indeed to see the group of frosh, though I admit that the inability to be there with them physically was a disappointment for me. But a disappointment that’s just plain necessary.

    The tech was ready, and it all worked. It was certainly odd to see students’ dorm rooms as backgrounds, but all were there, and hung in there for the entire session. It felt surprisingly similar to normal teaching; the major exception was that I usually move around a classroom alot in the course of a class, moving towards people as they speak, or towards an area of the room that seems less engaged, etc. In this situation, of course, I can’t really move away from the computer’s camera, so that was an adjustment.

    But we did what we do, listening, talking, trying to engage the students, etc. Sharing documents was much like writing on the board (though I seem to lose view of the entire group while sharing documents–working on this one with tech support), so the major goals of the first class were accomplished.

    Second class is very small, and upperclass students. As that “introduction to composition with electronic music” is typically taught in our studio, introducing students to a wide variety of technologies that span the tradition’s history (from reel-to-reel tape machines, to patch bays, MOOG, digital synths, then on to computer-based apps such as ProTools and Max), there’s a fundamental adjustment in curriculum that required.

    Admittedly, i’ve put all of my prep work for this semester into the frosh music theory class, as there are just so, so many materials to produce, coordinate, etc. And because it’s frosh, i want to make this as smooth an easy as possible for them to dig into a compressed (7.5 week) curriculum.

    The e-music class will be a 15-week class with seniors, so they’ll adapt much more easily. And I think we’ll mostly work synchronously, with their being required to purchase two pieces of software on which we’ll focus, and doing projects on their own time. There will be lots to work out, mostly for us to figure out how to get reasonable sound out of their systems–in contrast to the powerful and clean setup in our studio at school. But we’ll figure it out.

    Started yesterday, though, with a lovely vid-call from Jackson up in Maine. He was romping around Marty/Carol’s (they not there), inside and out, and it was a joy to see. I think they’ll pack up today and head home tomorrow morning before others arrive to use the house. A shame, really, as this would be such an amazing opportunity for Michael, Cheng, Mia, and Harrison to spend time with Joe, Cristin, and Jackson…but these are times which are limiting too many such moments.

    Today, as every day, fingers crossed for a vaccine (perhaps the ill-tested Russian vaccine announced today) that’s effective and brings back some normalcy.

  • Monday, August 10, 2020

    As Joe, Cristin and Jackson had to head out of Westchester (no power since Isaias came through last Tuesday, not estimated to get power back until Wednesday morning), they headed up to Joe’s uncle’s place on a lake up in Maine. Some great pix of Jackson getting out on the water!

    Our beach damage turned out a bit more extensive, after insurance inspectors came through to do moisture readings…so we’ve packed up half the house, after enjoying the first 5 weeks there since Sept. 2018, and will away their process of pulling up the floors, drying, ordering and awaiting arrival of materials, then installation.  New crew and boss, who promises nothing like the process we’ve all endured since ’18…but, honestly, we’d be crazy to expect to get in there in less than a few months, I’m sure.

    So, had to leave Surf City and return to Gvl. Back to work at ECU (virtual though it is) today, for the first time since December, 2019. As usual, eager to meet the new students and to see what we can do together.

    But will dearly miss the endless time with Pattie over these past months. Nice to look forward to that when retirement is a reality.

  • Sunday, August 9, 2020

    Yesterday pleasant, yet with a big disappointment.

    The day began with the arrival of insurance estimators at our unit here in Surf City.  They were here, along with the HOA’s liaison with the insurance company, himself a mitigation and construction expert, to assess every unit post-Isaisas. 

    And with their moisture meters they found >25% readings from beachside sliding doors back into the (downstairs) living room and (upstairs) master bdrm, on the floors, about 6-10 feet.

    Also quite a bit around the window in the master bath.

    So, big dryer fans and dehumidifiers are coming in today; and floors being taken up in those rooms. Tile/wall removal around the mbath window.

    That, together with knowing that the deck will come down some down in the coming weeks (months?), and we know this is starting all over again.  We just finished putting everything back together about 5 weeks ago, ahead of Jackson’s arrival…just a big disappointment.

    Moved deck furniture to carport, where hopefully it won’t be borrowed by anyone.

    Today we’ll move all furniture out of living room and master bedroom toward the streetside of the apt. 

    The liaison, who’s company is doing this work, promises it’ll be a different experience than what this previous 20-month process was; quick, easy, efficient, secure.  Would be nice, but can’t say we’ll hold our breath on that.

    Beyond that, a nice day which included an hour on jet skis with Stephen and Christine, visiting from VA for Christine’s b-day.  We’ve enjoyed their company these past few days, and it’s good that they were able to get away a bit; really their first foray (beyond their move from Norfolk to Suffolk) out of their home since February.  They’re healthy, well, and seem very happily married during this newlywed year.

    Joe, Cristin, and Jackson drove to Allan/Mary’s up in Maine on Friday, arriving late afternoon. The escape from their power outage in Westchester (out since Tuesday, not due on until 8/11, 11pm as of ConEd’s estimate a few moments ago) was a smart one. We were mulling over their coming to the beach and, now with this work being done, i’m so glad they went north. Their first day there was lovely, cool, restful; and I’m sure Allan hit it off big with Jackson in just a few moments. Joe notes that Jackson’s loving the lake, as much as he does the little pool at home; and is mobilizing all around the house and deck. Sharon arrives some time today, I think, and it’s great that they’ll all get acquainted a bit with Jackson. Marty/Carol not arriving until Thursday, I think, but J/C/J will have left on Wednesday to get back home.

    On to prepare another video for teaching—which begins tomorrow!  Definitely a different sort of butterflies in the stomach for this year’s beginning.  The idea is, in a way, ever more like a performance preparation than usual: set up everything, tech included, to try to assure the best odds at success for a good experience for the students and myself.  Can’t control how student connections will go, of course, nor their understanding of tech…but we’ll do the best we can, hopefully having an engaging experience rather than a tech support session.

  • Thursday, August 6, 2020

    More video-making, more learning about the importance of getting each vid’s screen-shots or slideshow, or music-files all lined up and ready before actually ‘shooting’ the video. The last few videos have gone smoothly, really just one-shot deals; but I’m finding that each 1′ of video takes about 1 hour of prep-time to properly set up.

    In the meantime, the NYTimes “no-knead bread” recipe has again succeeded in being both a welcome distraction and a source of wonderful aromatherapy. And it’ll be good eatin’, too. [It’s an easy, easy alternative to the more time-intensive loaves I make more often; and its crust is just so perfect.]

  • Wednesday, August 5, 2020

    Yesterday morning was a healthy half-day of debris removal in Greenville. This city boy does enjoy time with a chain saw–even if it is a little wimpy, electric one that sounds like its run by elderly gerbils. A few of the branches that landed in very lucky spots (between structures, really threading a needle) were about 8″ diameter, about 30′ long…just takes time. But it was a good workout, and the yard’s clean.

    We packed up and drove to Surf City; easy ride, no road closures. A bit of debris roadside as we got closer to the beach. Getting on the island was a bit eery, as the roads and yards were covered by sand. Looked a bit like a post-snow storm landscape.

    Here at the unit, we were pleasantly surprised to hear the a/c working when we arrived. We’d expected the power to be off, but though it had been off over night (Monday), it had come back on long enough to cool off.

    Water had seeped in through the beach-side sliding doors, soaking some rugs. A drag, but hopefully the dehumidifiers will do the trick, some time in the sun, etc. The new floors beneath only seem damp and, hopefully, we got here soon enough (probably about 15-18 hours after water came in), and the rugs wicked the water away from the floor…fingers crossed.

    The significant damage was outside, on the beachside deck. Keeping in mind that the decks were still damaged from 2018’s Florence, and due to be rebuilt at some point in the coming year, so any damage out there isn’t long term. The decks of the four units in this building are divided by privacy walls that project from the apartment’s external wall out about 8′ towards the water. As you’ll see in the video below, the privacy wall between us (unit D) and the one next to us (C) just blew as though it were a door towards C. You’ll see a light on the privacy wall; the wall is supposed to be perpendicular to the external wall…and you may also see that the privacy wall between C and the next unit (B), is also blown like a door. You’ll also see that the upper deck of C is just gone, but that’s from 2018’s Florence.

    The second video is taken from upstairs, from the master bedroom looking out at the upstairs deck. The privacy wall had extended the height of both stories and, as you’ll see, there’s now nothing there, no wall on that side of the deck.

    Certainly could have been worse in terms of permanent damage–the rugs will dry or, worst case, are easily replaced. The external damage was due to be replaced, anyways, so… Still four months left to hurricane season, so lots of finger crossing left to do.

    Speaking with family in the NY area, hearing that there’s lots of power loss there. Joe in Scarsdale lost power in the afternoon, not sure if it’s back on yet. Others on the north shore of LI report outage yesterday afternoon and notice from the power company to expect power return Thursday afternoon! Two days without power…what a hassle.

    Back to work.

  • Tuesday, August 4, 2020

    Awake at about 2:45a, as the winds from Isaias reached peak strength here in Greenville.  Some branches falling in the yard, the impact loud enough to prompt my heading to reassure myself that they hit the yard—not the house.  Then the power started flickering, causing some electronics in the house to sing their ‘power on’ song as electricity came back on.

    The rain was already dying down by 3, really leaving the wind as the focus.

    Tried, and failed, to return to sleep, so just got out of bed at 3:20, deciding to make coffee before we lose power again.  Strong winds, for sure.  Lots of debris in the yard, trees dancing with very wide arcs of sway (is that a legit phrase?).

    We’ve lost trees here in the past, on two occasions big ones crushing the roof of our separate garage building; once just glancing the corner of our kitchen.  We’ve put a new roof on just about eight weeks ago, so feeling secure about resistance to direct wind damage of roof/shingles.  The garage, surrounded by trees?  Fingers crossed.

    At this point the storm’s passed Surf City, and we’ll head down later today to inspect and, hopefully, stay for the weekend.

    Got some wonderful pix marking the days around Jackson’s first birthday, and just love the smiles these bring. Cristin’s so good at capturing him (and dressing him in style!):

  • Monday, August 3, 2020

    Trying to get teaching materials made…have eight done so far, likely enough to get the course introduced, and cover the first one+ week of material. Experienced online teachers suggest a video self-introduction (followed by a first assignment for students to make one themselves). So here’s the quick one I made to introduce myself.

  • Friday, July 31, 2020

    A fresh disaster on the horizon: http://trackthetropics.com/isaias-2020/

    With COVID-19 raging, economy tanking and congress not taking action before fiscal help (unemployment, moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, etc.), our incompetent POTUS always ready to send out another idiotic message to the populous (the latest re postponing November’s moment to get rid of him)…and now a series of storms on the way.

    Our Surf City haven has now been put back into shape–for about 2 months now. Hoping against hope that we make it through the season without more destruction. Just don’t know if we can withstand another wipeout. At least it’s not our primary home, as much as we’d like it to be.

    The daily work is progressing. It’s challenging, very time-consuming, but is moving ahead step by step. Reconsidering teaching as a “flipped” model which puts all teaching materials on the server for students to access at their own pace; then using our synchronous meetings to review via exercises, get questions, work on problems, etc. And, to boot, reconfiguring a 15-week semester into a 7.5 week term. Lots of rethinking going on.

    Big hump these past days has been getting the synchronous tech (Webex) able to share all sound/video for other attendees. I think I’ve got it figured out, but… made an appointment for a tech consult this morning so that i can try it out. If it doesn’t work, though, I know that the consultant really won’t be that much help, as these music-specific tech issues are always beyond the knowledge of the IT and tech support folks.

    Fingers crossed.

  • Thursday, July 30, 2020

    Just last night received the url to this posting to Anton Miller‘s performance (and Rita Porfiris‘ video) of Six Humors, for solo violin. This was written as a series of etudes for Plus ça Change, a violin concerto for my colleague Ara Gregorian.

    Anton Miller, violin

    Working with Anton was a real gift—he was just so wonderful throughout.  And then on top of the superb interaction and top-notch recording, he and Rita put together this video!  Couldn’t possibly have asked for a better experience, no matter the conditions.   So grateful to both of them and, of course, to the people at ACA who made all of this happen.

    Just so gratifying.

  • Wednesday, July 29, 2020

    What a gift received over these past days, as Anton Miller sent a fabulous recording of Six Humors, and then followed up with a wonderful, intimately shot video of his session. Violist Rita Porfiris (Anton’s spouse, performing partner, and colleague at the Hartt School), shot the video, and really did a great job. It’s clean, crisp, uncluttered, and does an amazing job of making this into a house-concert-intimate performance. I can’t wait to share this, when it’s legit to do so.

    Now just waiting on one more recording from ACA’s Shelter Recordings Project. I know that one, too, will be great, and look forward to what Chris Nappi will do with the solo marimba piece Anima/Animus.