On November 5, 2024 many of you had the day off. You're welcome. This happened because it was my 52nd birthday. I'm not sure that I will be able to line that up again for all of you, but I will try my best. All joking aside, I am a student of history. When we … Continue reading 52 PICK UP
Author: Patrick Moeschen
COLLEGE JAZZ
My love of jazz music began in college when I actually began to understand how to listen to it. This truly American art form can only be appreciated in full when you know what to do with your ears. As soon as you realize that the soloist is making things up on the spot that … Continue reading COLLEGE JAZZ
THESE ARE THE TIMES…
These are the times that try men's soulsIn the course of our nation's historyThe people of Boston have rallied bravelyWhenever the rights of men have been threatened Today a new crisis has arisenThe Metropolitan Transit Authority, better known as the MTAIs attempting to levy a burden on the disabled citizensIn the form of too many … Continue reading THESE ARE THE TIMES…
IT SHAPED ME
Childhood. Everything that is right and wrong with all of us stems from it. Of course there are exceptions and growth can be made, but when we peel back layers and layers of armor that we all wear, we invariably come to look upon these formative years as the catalyst that has shaped the person … Continue reading IT SHAPED ME
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
I think that anyone who has raised children will tell you that anything can and does happen. Once upon a time, due to my physical condition and progressive nature of muscular dystrophy, I believed that having children was a bad idea for me. I had all kinds of negative thoughts about my physical ability to … Continue reading THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
ALL HEART
Recently I was invited to speak at a cardiac conference on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto California. Today I would like to share with you why this was a significant event for individuals living with different types of muscular dystrophy. First of all, there is only one way I am ever getting … Continue reading ALL HEART
TALES FROM THE HOME FRONT VOL. XXII
So I have no idea if this is actually volume 22 of funny tales from my house, but it reminds me of a little game a bunch of my teacher friends in middle school land used to play (you all know who you are). Each spring, our school would hold an outside olympic day(s) with … Continue reading TALES FROM THE HOME FRONT VOL. XXII
I THINK…
I think that I have finally figured out why I write each week. I tell people that it's therapeutic for me to put thoughts into words and then send them out into a place that will transcend time and space. Sounds pretty deep yeah? Bullshit. I write because it proves to me that I am … Continue reading I THINK…
DAY TO DAY TODAY
I am often asked how I come up with riveting words each week. O.K., that's a huge lie. No one asks me that, but I am going to answer the question anyway because I love to hear the sound of my own voice. Most of the time, I have clear thoughts for the blog in … Continue reading DAY TO DAY TODAY
ONE SMALL “YES”
I began teaching music in the fall of 1995. The following year, I took over the small band program at the middle school with orders from the principal to "try to grow the program." Item number 354 that a college education did not prepare me for. In a school of kids grades 6-8, there was … Continue reading ONE SMALL “YES”