House of Ill

Monday afternoon, I started getting sick, and by evening it was clear I couldn't go in to work.  Mizz-err-ab-el!  I called in sick and spent Tuesday sleeping, reading, and watching TV.  Tuesday evening I was still not feeling great, but I didn't want to call in two days in a row, so I went in and taught in a low-key kind of way. Kala arrived home and said she was feeling sick, with my exact symptoms.  Sigh.  So she called in for Thursday. All this made for a busy household.  When one parent is sick, it means the other has to do everything.  And you're always behind.  For example, this is the first time I've been able to check e-mail, LiveJournal and Facebook since Monday!

School Harping

On the day before winter break, I always take Corey in to school and show him to my students.  A harper-as-teacher always fascinates them, though I always find the day tiring--performing is very different from teaching!

This year was a first--a large number of my students used their cell phones to record me.  They usually asked if it was okay.  "Yes," I said, "but you can't post it on YouTube--I don't own the copyrights to some of the songs I play in class, so it would be illegal."  I've never had so many kids recording.  Of course, not that long ago most cell phones didn't have video recording capability.

We also had a potluck for the teachers at lunch.  It was delicious!  And I took Corey down to play, just for fun.  I sat in the corner and ran through a few songs after I ate, and at one point, one of the teachers jumped.

"Steven!" he said.  "I didn't know that was you!  I thought it was a CD player."

Most of the student body knows I play the harp, but very few of the staff are aware of it.  :)

An Interview With Moi!

The Outer Alliance did a great interview with me about the Silent Empire and the Shadow Conpiracy.  Check it out: http://blog.outeralliance.org/.  Way cool!

Mackie's Present

I got home from work late today, and when I arrived, Maksim was squirming with agitation.  He had brought home a present for Kala and me and he was dying for us to open it. The wrapping paper he had decorated himself.  It says "To my parents. Love, Maksim." We unwrapped it and found this hand-made frame: How can anyone top this for Christmas?