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EDWARD JACOBS

Category: Living

  • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

    A fun call from Jackson this morning, which ended with he and Joe reading Jackson’s current favorite book, There’s a Monster in Your Book. I think this book is a bit of genius, taking interactivity to a more fun place than pressing buttons. The premise is exactly what it sounds like, there’s a monster in the book, and so the reader shakes the book, turns it around, leans it to one side, blows on it, etc., to get the monster out. Eventually, letting the monster stay in the book and go to sleep, quietly closing the back cover. And the glee on Jackson’s face as he did these actions–and on Joe’s face seeing the fun Jackson’s having…priceless.

    • The pre-reading pensiveness.
    • Then the shaking…
    • blowing…
    • turning…
    • screaming…
    • tilting…
    • and putting to bed.
    • And the post-reading happiness

    In other news, NC has now opened up the next sub-category of vaccine recipients. I’ve got an appt Friday afternoon to receive dose number one, and look forward to it, in a big way.

  • Sunday, February 28, 2021

    A little clip–nothing to see, just listen–of this morning in Greenville.

    morning sounds in Greenville today

    The past week has presented a real challenge at work; the part of work that is most divorced from engaging students, the part of the job that involves dealing with people other than students.

    It’s certainly not unusual to hear that there are people in administrative positions who are neither qualified to execute their jobs, nor have the awareness to realize how to improve, or to learn the necessary skills. We can all note that some haven’t the sense to be aware of issues, the smarts to understand problems, the vision or imagination to solve problems, or the integrity to work with others in an honest and constructive fashion. People like this rise through the ranks of every field, academe is not at all unique in this respect.

    There are some solid citizens in that administrative ether, and I’m very happy to have had experiences with a few at each of the schools where I’ve been lucky enough to work. But there are far more who are just ill-equipped. And profs are just a slice of the broad population; some are good folks, some aren’t so good.

    I’ve written about 1000 words to expand on this, but have deleted all of it. It’s all just a cycle that repeats–good folks, not-so-good folks, and downright nasty folks move in and out of our spheres. That’s the world we’re in. I’m not perfect, neither is anyone else. Just move on…right?

    __________________

    And so we have. A beautiful, light fog upon arriving at the beach this evening:

  • Saturday, February 27, 2021

    The many faces of Jackson, over the course of an hour+ video call this morning. I just couldn’t choose one among the dozen shots…

    And in addition to starting off the day with such a lovely, fun call from Joe and Jackson, it’s nearly 70 degrees today!

  • Friday, February 26, 2021

    Today’s date holds some significance for me, and perhaps for a few others. Thirty-five years ago was the day I first lost someone in my immediate family, in this case my dad. He was 62, had retired just a few weeks prior, and was with mom and a brother in Florida, setting up their condo for the years ahead. Mom lived another ~25 years in that space, and made the most of her years.

    I was 25 when dad died, having moved to CA for grad school, married the year before and, to use current parlance, in the early stages of ‘adulting.’ Definitely learning by mistake, but definitely learning, I was looking forward to getting to know my folks and siblings as a ‘grown-up’. In time, of course, that’s happened–with all but dad.

    As an adult I’ve come to know the dad I knew growing up, rather than the person he became as he aged further, how he would have responded to all that occurred in the world in the 90s, 00’s, etc. It’s unlikely I would have shared his take on many things, but I would like to have continued to learn from him, even if at times through examples I saw as negative. Of course, we all feel that way about those we’ve lost, or lost touch with.

    In reality, so much of who I am comes from him. Certainly, so much of who I am also comes from my mom and my siblings, no doubt about it. But perhaps I feel my dad-traits strongly because those traits are what allow me to maintain memories of him.

    I am now just two years shy of his age when he died. I know that my siblings have been as aware of reaching 62 as I am, and thankfully they’ve all passed that age with ease. Each is still living fully, their character, principles, and values intact. And each of us is so very proud of our children/grandchildren–just as our mom/dad were of us.

    I wish I believed that a place existed which would allow me to have another cup o’ Sanka with dad, to head out to a diner on the way to do maintenance on my grandmother’s house. Perhaps there is, and perhaps that explains last night’s dreams, but I admit that I’d like to feel a hug.

    A favorite of mine: Lillian, Honey, mom, and dad. I’d guess this is from mid-70s

  • Tuesday, February 23, 2021

    Gosh, mornings are nice here.

    A few spring-like days in store for us this week. Today low 60s, tomorrow high 60s. We’re heading back to G’ville for a few appointments tomorrow morning, and I think I’ll squeeze in a ride, since it’s so lovely out.

    Nothing remarkable to note; all good, work fine, feeling well. Simply appreciating the beauty around us here. (And doing some flood insurance research for updating…).

  • Monday, February 22, 2021

    An active ocean, with a windy/rainy day ahead.

    The weekend was full; ECU audition day (all remote, of course) on Saturday morning, then the afternoon was an extended Zoom-interview with Chris Grymes of Open G Records. We’d had a podcast-chat a few years back, but he wanted to do another in prep for the ‘release’ of recordings of four of my pieces next month. I’m sure the recordings will be good, as the sessions were great, the draft edits I heard were super, and the audio wizard who’s putting these together is just incredible. So while I’m not feeling that any delivery-date is guaranteed, I’m told that I’ll have the finals in hand by March 8, with an official ‘release’ on March 15. That will involve the art & liner notes, availability on different outlets, etc.

    Beyond that, just very busy teaching/preparing/providing feedback on homeworks. As usual, the highlight of the days involve seeing a new pic of Jackson!

    UNC fan in training

  • Saturday, February 20, 2021

    Another great few days at the beach; productive, fulfilling.

    Taking a break with Frankie at the beach
    This morning pre-dawn

  • Wednesday, February 17, 2021

    A blissfully calm night. Seems we’ll have more difficult weather over the coming days, but we really needed a good night’s sleep and, thankfully, we got it. Reading/hearing the headlines out of Texas right now makes me feel particularly lucky for our relatively mild weather.

    This morning’s walk with Frankie provided a good reminder of what we love about being here in Surf City.

    Pattie driving to New Bern this afternoon to receive her 2nd vaccine. A little nervous after hearing about some folks’ flu-ish days post-2nd vaccine, but are prepared with tea, honey, Bourbon… Really glad she’ll soon be fully vaccinated, and looking forward to my ‘category’ getting its turn. All in due time.

    Onward to prep for today’s teaching, and trying to sneak in a few minutes of writing…and hoping to catch up on some overdue correspondence. Always feeling a bit behind these days, I admit.

  • Tuesday, February 16, 2021

    Back in Surf City, after a quick weekend back in Greenville.

    Relatively calm weather here this morning, after a terrifically violent night. It felt like a hurricane, with very strong winds, pounding rains, and a very loud-roaring ocean. [Frankie didn’t care for it, at all.]

    It was clearly much worse about 40 miles south of us, where an EF-3 tornado touched down, killing 3, injuring 10, leaving many homeless. Just horrible, and evidently the tornado–a very odd occurance for this time of year–“came up in a heartbeat,” giving no one a chance to get any warning at all.

    ___________

    The weekend trip to G’ville was largely driven by my desire to take a scuba class. Saturday afternoon was spent learning about and getting a first taste of a full face mask–as opposed to the typical mask (like what’s used when snorkeling) and regulator (the thing used for breathing. Not so sure the FFM will become a regular thing for me, at all. But I want to become aware/ somewhat comfortable so that if I dive very cold waters at some point, i’ll be comfortable with a FFM which would keep my face from getting very cold.

    And, frankly, it was just good to get in the water again. Haven’t dived since July, and was a bit amazed at the rustiness. Like anything else, scuba demands practice and repetition; and I can’t wait until we’re able to get back in some regular diving. Pattie particularly likes the warm water, so we’re still crossing our fingers to get into the Caribbean waters in Bonaire…at some point.

    ______________

    Teaching continues apace. More at home with the technologies at hand, and finding this semester much closer to ‘normal’ than last. No surprise. Still, though, missing that all-important live interaction with practicing musicians!

  • Wednesday, February 10, 2021

    The days start early here in Surf City, as in Greenville, but it’s such a pleasure to was the sun rise over the water. Frankie’s now pretty much settled in here, comfortable with the sights and sounds/noises, and sleeping through the night (mostly). Whereas on the first day she really was skittish and wanted to be held the entire time, by now she’s found lots of favorite comfortable spots, and that’s both nice and helpful.

    The furniture is all back in place, most everything is cleaned to Pattie’s satisfaction, my office is fully set up and functioning. I’ve been getting all of my teaching done without any technical glitches or lags, so being here is working out in terms of meeting ECU-responsibilities.

    About 30 minutes before beginning teaching this morning, was happy to get a call from Jackson who was, as usual, all smiles. Often he calls before Pattie’s up and at ’em, but today she was readying to take Frankie to an appt, so Jackson got to say hi to them…with the living room’s resident marlin in the background.

    And another one while Pattie had a bite to eat…

    Another pic appeared on Cristin’s Facebook feed…

    Off to teaching a bit more today…