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EDWARD JACOBS

Category: Living

  • Wednesday, April 15

    Kona, day 25

    Surprisingly, N95 masks arrived in the mail from an order I thought I’d cancelled.  Straight from China (only 2 weeks after originally ordering!).  Took those masks out for a test run for the few things we need to get through the remaining few days (Peet’s Coffee!), and a few little trinkets. 

    3am wakeups are the norm now, followed by a 30’ nap at 7.  That’s been the routine for about 4 days now, and I wonder if that’ll continue when we finally get back to Gvl.  Would prefer not.

    A nice treat arrived in email, as a couple in the Detroit area sent a home recording of On Balance.  That was written for a festival in Amherst, MA in 2013, to be played by a duo of pre-professional violinists.  Never heard the premiere, nor a few other performances that have happened in the NY area.  In the fall of ’17 I was contacted by a group in Ukraine that wanted to do it as a violin/cello duo, so I made an arrangement and, I’m told, the performance of that went off successfully—haven’t yet heard that, either.

    So, hearing these very fine players, Ran Cheng (can’t find an active link) and Eliot Heaton, put together a scratch recording was a real treat.  They’re kind enough to share that recording to get some feedback before doing a final take.  It’s a home recording, just made with the equipment they have on hand, so the recording itself is just ok; but their playing is very fine, indeed.  I really look forward to their response to my comments, musically or otherwise, to seeing how they make this little <5′ piece their own, and to hearing their final version. I’m so happy to have been connected with them.

    This is a part of the ACA “Shelter Recordings” project, and Ran and Eliot are able to take on this duet as their sheltering together as a couple.  Another piece, Anima/Animus for marimba solo, is being taken on by Chris Nappi.  As I wrote it for Chris, and it has yet to be premiered, this will be a great opportunity for he and I to work out the kinks in prep for the recording.  He’s suggested there won’t be edits/corrections needed, but that’d be a first in my experience, so I’m definitely looking forward to hearing his thoughts and making adjustments as needed.

  • Tuesday, April 14

    Kona, day 24

    Kona, day 24

    Spent the morning in a scuba-related rabbit hole that took me through youtube videos, equipment shopping (no buying) and most productively, a few tutorials on color-correcting videos.  After spending well over an hour and trying a few software trials on just that color-correcting topic, I realized that I already have the necessary software on my computer (iMovie) and it does just fine.  Some pretty drastic corrections with minor adjustments.  The example below, some blue snapper from (if I remember correctly) a Full Fathom dive in Kauai, was edited with a single click adjustment…I’m sure a pro could do a ton better, but this is enough for me right now.

    before color correction…
    …and after.

    Maybe i’ll correct everything in this blog and repost–that’d be a good way to kill a day, no?

    Between that little learning-morning, and the online Stanford class on Max, I’m enjoying some learning moments when not reading or writing. 

    Four more days here.  And am certain that our final leg, from CLT-PGV, will be cancelled and we’ll either be rerouted in a very bizarre way, or (preferred) they’ll pay for a rental car and we’ll drive it.  Not sure in what way the trip will get more taxing, but we’re both resigned to the likelihood that it will.

  • Monday, April 13

    Kona, day 23

    Only five days remaining on this stay in Kona, on this wonderful exploration of the Hawaiian islands. We’re feeling so very grateful for the incredible time we’ve had on our 2 weeks on Oahu, 2 on Maui, 1 on Molokai, 2 on Kauai, and 7 on Hawaii (2 in Hilo, 5 in Kona) but also feeling both eager and anxious about getting home. 

    We’re eager to get back to our own digs, to put the house back together after the weeks of packing so much and putting it in the attic, but unsure about our travel home.  We’re not concerned about the exposure to covid on the trip home, as the planes/airports will be nearly empty, everyone will have masks, etc.  But as everything is in constant flux, as industries change policies almost daily, as I check flight status of our flight numbers and see they’re often cancelled…I am becoming increasing sure that the already lengthy and tiring trip home (Kona to Honolulu to SF to Charlotte to Gvl; two airlines; 24 hours) will get more lengthy and more tiring.  Have a call in to American to see how they’re handling the constant cancellations of flights from CLT to PGV; they’re listing 2 flights/day, but I have yet to see a flight status for either flight that doesn’t note ‘cancelled.’

  • Sunday, April 12

    Kona, day 22

    Kona, day 22

    The first few hours of the day were good and productive; a little writing and idea-generating, and then some listening and writing an evaluation.  The music I’m hearing for this evaluation is very different than mine; much more extreme in technique and color, a style often labeled ‘new complexity’.  Labels do little to reveal the magic created by a composer’s choices, but such terms do, I suppose, provide a vague grouping of aesthetic approaches.  At any rate, it’s been an interesting few days of listening to this music and appreciating what the composer’s accomplishing dramatically and gesturally.  The music’s quite compelling, really, and I’m growing from these repeated close listenings.  It’s taken up some time, but I’m glad to have had the exposure; time very well spent.

    A phone call came in at 8, and I thoroughly enjoyed an hour’s visit with Jason, in Miami.  Wonderful to just catch up, talk books, life, family, crazy-current-world, etc.  What a great way to spend the morning’s coffee.  Definitely a highlight of the day.

    The remainder of the day continued productively with cooking, yoga, writing, finishing the evaluation, and some relaxation.  A good, good day.  But we’re definitely looking forward to getting back…

  • Saturday, April 11

    Kona, day 21

    Walks, phone call connections, listening to music and writing a professional evaluation, listening to podcasts, and writing.

    We’re definitely feeling ready to head home now.  Nice to be here, but everything we’re doing here we could do at home—and save lots of money.

    Re Surf City, feeling as though we might be only a few more turns before we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Getting pictures with lots of things in place, now just awaiting replacement of the flooded floors.  Is that the last thing?  Who knows.

    Diversions today include lots of internet scuba-related rabbit holes.

  • Friday, April 10

    Kona, day 20

    First sight of the day in the NYTimes:

    Worldwide Toll of Confirmed Virus Deaths Nears 100,000

    100000 deaths in just the past few months. 17 million people out of work in the U.S. in just the past few weeks. How will our worlds change after all of this? I don’t have faith in those in charge.

    Today will be about getting some things sent home in the mail, and trying to get some more work done. Hopefully a walk around the neighborhood to just get in some movement…

  • Thursday, April 9

    Kona, day 19

    Thursday, April 9

    Kona, day 19

    A few strong resources for both diversion — https://artatatimelikethis.com/ and https://www.nytimes.com/article/short-films.html — and reflection.  Found this last essay particularly helpful.

    Today not terrifically productive , but did get a few things done.  A few notes written in the morning; and thoroughly enjoyed a lesson with a very bright and engaging perspective student. That hour of teaching helped me focus on why I continue to be in academia, and to let go of yesterday’s interaction with asinine colleagues. [I don’t understand why that word isn’t spelled assinine.]

    Also got in a very quick trip to the grocery, and packed up some things to mail home to save checked-bag space/weight.  [One would think the airlines won’t enforce weight limits on empty flights, but we’re not betting on it.]  Began writing a letter of reference for a fabulously talented colleague who’s evidently nearly hired by one of the strongest programs in the country (for many years); as most universities are clamping down on hiring just now, this hire seems close to concluding and it’ll go through.  He’s a massive talent, the program is world-class in every way, and they’d be a great match, I think.  Finished with a bit of the online course I’m taking, just about an hour’s worth. 

    I look at this little list of what the day’s doings, and it seems reasonable.  Yet it felt like I spent the day watching movies and doing crossword puzzles. 

    I have no sense of these days, the passage of time; rather just the feeling of floating through without sustained focus, touching base with the horrid news of the hour and feeling the misery of the state of things.

    Which, I suppose, takes me back to the NYTimes essay I noted earlier.

    Still, though, as ever, fortunate to know that all in the sphere of my loved ones remain safe and healthy.

  • Wednesday, April 8

    Kona, day 18

    Kona, day 18

    Highlight of the day; connecting with Chris Nappi, knowing he’s well, and a good conversation about a musical collaboration.  We’ll find time to focus efforts on a piece I’d written for him, Anima/Animus.  Planning weekly video connections to work on it, develop changes if needed, edit, etc., in advance of the publisher putting it out in the world.  Thanks to a program/initiative by my publisher/ACA, we’ll also do a home recording and get him a bit of support to make up for the evaporation of so very many gigs.

    This initiative (“The Shelter Recordings“) strives to provide opportunities for sheltered musicians to earn a little money, benefit composers, etc.  That same initiative will fund the recording of another piece, the short duet, On Balance, for two violins.  A couple in the Detroit area is interested, and I’m thrilled at the prospect of getting to know them a bit.

    The lowlight; The past few months have, among other things, helped me refocus on why I do what I do—write, teach, explore the arts, live life outside of academia.  I’ve enjoyed a much-needed break from the few stuffed shirt, small-minded, noisy fools willing to file paperwork so that they can call themselves administrators.  Today, an email from one such person succeeded in wiping my focus from what matters, readjusting the lens to the idiocy of people with a title, but with little sense of the consequences of their own actions, their words, and their approach to problem-solving.  Academia’s a good home for hypocrites, and when they’re identified as such–they’re promoted. A troubling email from a student never bothers me, but leads me to a teachable moment for both myself and the student(s).  The b.s. of inept, ineffective, or completely ego-driven colleagues defies any more than the 22 years I’ve already put in.

    Tomorrow, I hope to awake with this awful taste gone from my mouth.  If, after these months of relief from this crap, I am still feeling this way tomorrow morning, then I’ll take that as a sign to go ahead and start the process of getting myself out of there for good. 

  • Tuesday, April 7

    Kona, day 17

    Pattie feeling a bit better, wanting to do some work around the house, and to get out for a (masked) walk.  So the day was productive, including a nice drive around, a walk in the area near where we used to depart for scuba trips with Kona Honu divers…

    and also a walk around the harbor downtown.  There, by the water’s edge, we say tons of fish and enjoyed identifying the few we’ve become familiar with through diving here.

    But the most productive part of the day was concluding our ongoing discussion of how long to remain here in Kona.

    Our isolation here, our feeling that, were we home, we could at least putting our house back together, be doing yard work at home, riding our bikes and even just feeling a part of our own community by just physically being there, even if isolating there.  I spent a few days researching some flight stats, and have learned that planes seem to be somewhere between 1%-15% full, and the airports are reported nearly empty.  With that information, and the sense that air travel will only pick up after April 30, we’ve elected to not extend our time here beyond the current April 18 reservation.

    So, airline reservations to return are now made.  Limited options, of course; a single flight/day from HNL to SFO or LAX, with SFO having a single option for direct to CLT then Greenville.  We’ll see how things ultimately work out, as some flights are being cancelled b/c no one is on them.  No matter what, it’ll be  24 hrs of travel; if there are delays, well, we’ll get there eventually.

    I read this article in the Chronicle, and found it one of the more helpful perspectives to try to digest.  A very worthwhile read.  Anything that might help deal with this is valuable.

    A good exchange with Jason re the cello diversion I’ve started and sent him.  I gather he’ll present some of it in an online presentation/recital later this week, and I very much look forward to that.  Rarely does one get to hear something in progress like this, so I think it’ll be an interesting process.

  • Monday, April 6

    Kona, day 16

    A bit of website maintenance today, catching up on lots of correspondence (a pleasure to feel connections with folks), and some writing.

    We’re both feeling that being here, as nice as it is, can’t go on much longer.  If we were home in NC we could at least keep occupied with re-settling into the house, doing lots of yard work, riding bikes (getting back on my m’cycle), perhaps get moved back into Surf City (though unsure about that just now).  Have begun looking into plans to return when this rental ends April 18, though not yet committed.  Only one flight/day from Honolulu to LAX or to SFO; and only one flight/day from SFO-Greenville with only one stopover.  So, limited choices, for sure.  Just a matter of deciding, committing, and making the reservations.  We’ll see.

    And another highlight arrives…

    Jackson, working from home today