So unless you don't live in the midwest you've no doubt been affected by our recent snow storm!  It's been pretty wild just walking around town seeing people attempting to dig themselves out of literally tons of snow.  


Also, seeing people helping random strangers push their cars along and helping dig people out.  Not to mention how easy it becomes to strike up a conversation with anybody.  "Crazy huh?"  "Yeah!!!"  Immediately followed by their horror stories from the blizzard, which I personally always enjoy.  "Yeah, it took me 5 hours to drive what normally takes 25 minutes!!"  "So I spent 4 hours digging myself out of my parking lot, and finally got the car out, but realized soon after that the plows put up a 4 foot road block in front of the main street, so I just stayed home, played X-Box, and drank some beer!!" "Over by my house a bus got stuck for 3 hours!" 


For me it's reassuring to see that some people have some compassion, but more than anything can really just take a step back and appreciate this day.  They can take an unfortunate situation like this and make it into something sort of enjoyable, in some cases even a lot of fun!  


An update on my life:  I've been busy wrapping up the writing for the 2010-2011 Menomonie High School Winter Drum Line show.  It should be fully completed in a couple days!  I'm really excited for the show this year, the music is all original this year and I think it's turning out pretty good!!  The kids have been doing an absolutely great job as well and I'm just super proud of them and what they've done already and I have really high expectations for what they're going to be able to achieve this season!!


Playing wise: I have a couple recording sessions and a concert coming up for the Eau Claire Masters Singers which should be pretty fun!!  (I'm playing some mean snare drum and triangle!)


I also have a gig in St. Paul at O' Gara's with the Aaron Hedenstrom Orchestra!!  Aaron is one of my best friends and just an amazingly talented dude!  We've been through a lot together and it's always a pleasure playing with him and playing his music!  He's also donating all of the proceeds to the invisible children organization!  How cool is that?  Seriously!!  Check out a nice write up in the jazz police below and please make sure you get a copy of his CD.  


http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/9197/115/


We're also in the process of recording a new album with the Michael Rambo Project.  I'm not sure what the time line looks like for release but we'll be getting together in early-mid January to lay down some tracks.  


Then my grad school auditions begin and other crazy stuff!!


Keep a lookout on my gig calendar for other random gigs!

I sincerely hope that everyone stays safe in this crazy amount of snow and has an enjoyable holiday season!