Gordy Wilson's Blog

ACU-YOGA

2007-10-16T10:33:00.000-05:00

ACU-YOGA
Maybe I could do this...we'll see...

StumbleUpon » Home Theater Network ...The Ultimate Con...

2007-10-16T08:12:00.000-05:00

StumbleUpon » Home Theater Network ...The Ultimate Con...

It's simple, really!

Nefarious Doings of the Class of '57

2007-01-17T22:01:00.000-06:00

It has always been my understanding that you painted the water tower (the statute of limitations has run out). The question is was Keith Fletcher also involved or someone else?
I've got you down for a T shirt.
Bill

Ah, yes, the water tower and the effigy dummy of Principal Apwisch! If you can get hold of Curt Beckner, there may even be a snapshot of the culprits posing with the dummy that his mom took after being sworn to secrecy. The deed was done by our Ricky Rat (evil cousin of Mickey Mouse) Club. Members were Bruce Drees, Bill Tucker, Keith Fletcher, Curt Beckner, and Jerry Young. I’m not certain which ones actually participated in the prank, but I’m pretty sure it was the first four listed and me. There were really a series of pranks. I’m not sure if they were all perpetrated on the same day, but my memory says they were. If not the same day, I’m sure it was the same year. I remember distinctly climbing up the tower with a pint can of red paint strapped to my leg. There were no spray cans available in those days. Halfway up, the lid came off the can, so my leg was soaked in red paint. The water tower was also speckled with red paint from top to bottom since it was a windy night. According to Bill Tucker, a village official later came into the clothing store where he worked. Bill overheard the gentleman tell his boss that he would like to know who painted the tower because it had a fresh coat of paint thanks to insurance. The official said that he would gladly spring for steak dinners if he only knew who to thank. Sensing a trap, Bill kept silent. That prank probably happened around Halloween. The other component must have been close to graduation. We were foolishly unable to sense a trap when the constable offered to let us into the high school. Our artistic pursuits included placing a coffee can of cat excrement in the science teacher’s drawer and stacking of desks in the corner of a classroom. But the coup de grace was placing the lab skeleton, feet on the desk, reclining in the principal’s chair. During commencement rehearsal some of us were summoned to the principal’s office over the intercom. Yes, our hearts really did sink to our feet. After sailing effortlessly through high school we were now to be denied graduation. We were ushered into the outer office to cool our heels for what seemed like an eternity. Principal Apwisch came in and sat silently looking at his hands for another eternity. Finally, he spoke: “I didn’t mind when you stacked the chairs. I didn’t even mind the excrement in the drawer. But, when you insinuate that I’m a bonehead, that’s too much!” Laughing heartily, he sent us back to our rehearsal.

I have found me!

2006-12-19T00:19:00.000-06:00

I have found me and I will be back shortly...

Gordy Wilson's Blog: I have been inexplicably discomblogulated!

2006-04-25T21:40:00.000-05:00

Gordy Wilson's Blog: I have been inexplicably discomblogulated!

So much has happened!

2005-10-17T10:39:00.000-05:00

The plans for the end of September and the beginning of October 2005 were mind-boggling (bloggling?). Apprehension was heightened still more by the fact that my family is nationally far-flung and seldom able or willing to communicate. Could we really do all that? We did it and I'm glad!

Here's the story:

On Wednesday, September 28, my brother, Ken, flew from his home in New York City (I always hear the Pace Salsa cowboys when I write that) via Detroit to U of I Willard Airport in Champaign. Connie and I met him on the only rainy day of our adventure. Ken turned out to be a delightful traveling companion for the entire journey.

The next day the three of us left (by car from that point on) for DeKalb so we could get settled and I could rehearse with my son, Gavin, for the third annual benefit "Gavin Show" we have done for DeKalb's Egyptian Theater. I was afraid Ken would be bored while I was busy, but he was fascinated with every moment of our putting the show together, even missing dinner at Gavin's Hillside Restuarant.

On Friday evening the show went off well if not without a hitch (examples: this old man trying to find his way down the unrailed steps off the stage and starting to wander off after our (awww!) three generation barber shop quartet number. A quick jerk of the head by Gavin prevented my straying too far.

One of the things that made that week even more wonderful was the fact that Gavin based the show on a fantasy around the lives of my parents, Millard and Rebecca Wilson.

Ken, Connie, and I left Saturday morning to attend the coincidentally scheduled 75th birthday party for my oldest surviving sibling, my brother Norm. His real birthday was August 20. We enjoyed the reception at the Red Lion in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania on the evening of October 2. Norman had been grieving the loss of his wife, Miriam, for quite a while. He had reconnected with Margie, his junior high girlfriend, at a Martinsburg High School reunion. We were delighted to meet her and glad to see the renewed twinkle in Norm's eye. The next day we visited Norm's house on lake Wynonah.

After putting Ken on the train back to New York at Harrisburg, Connie and I enjoyed a tour of the Hershey factory and visited Martinsburg where I spent my elementary school years while my father was pastor at Martinsburg's Memorial church of the Brethren.

This is a long post. I hope you found it interesting...

Comments or questions are welcome!

Gordy

Labor Day Weekend Retrospective

2005-09-06T16:54:00.000-05:00

Well, UHS didn't do so well, but it was good to see Cory march across the field as an Urbana Football Alum.

Also saw the Illini/Rutgers game Saturday. What a game! My brother Ken was on the Rutgers faculty until his retirement, so that was an interesting sidelight. It may not be true that, as Cory said, "Rutgers invented football". But you can get the real story of the first intercollegiate game here.

Urbana vs. Champaign at Centennial High School Field

2005-08-24T13:58:00.000-05:00

On September 2nd, 2005, which also happens to be Connie's birthday, the 100th football game between Champaign (Central) High School and Urbana High School will be played at Centennial Field.

Jeff Isenhower, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Urbana High School told me:
Gordon-

We have tickets to the 100th game right here in the main office at Urbana High School. The tickets are $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for students. Let me know how many of each you need and they will be waiting for you at the front desk. Thank you for your support of Urbana Football and for helping us celebrate the 100th game.

...let others know to contact me either by e-mail or at 384-3533. The tickets are not reserved seating, but at the field (Centennial High School) they have two very small gates and it will probably take quite some time to get in the gates if you are purchasing tickets there. With buying them early you will be able to walk up and go on in. Children in arms do not have to pay."

Jeff

Jeff Isenhower

Athletic Director/Assistant Principal

Urbana High School

217-384-3533

jisenhower@usd116.org

Electronic Music Pioneer Bob Moog Dies at 71

2005-08-22T20:17:00.000-05:00

The end of an era!
Here is Bob Moog's obituary.
And here is the home page of his company, Moog Music, with another heartfelt obituary.

Polyrhythms

2005-08-19T16:54:00.000-05:00

In all the years I have been teaching, one of the most daunting tasks for intermediate to advanced students has been executing polyrhythms. (Word doesn’t recognize the word. Do you?) “Two against three” or “three against four” are common examples.

Definition, answer and MIDI examples may be found at The Wonderful Wikipedia Site.

I know you didn’t ask, but aren’t you glad I told you!

Yeah, I Think I'm Techlich, But Still Stuck on RSS

2005-08-19T16:06:00.000-05:00

The acronym stands for "Really Simple Syndication" which makes me feel even more like a dolt since I haven't found the handle yet.

Here are a couple learning places. A tutorial here and summarial articles here
and (don't you love Wikipedia) here.

Since you are smarter than I, I'm sure it will all be perfectly clear to you!

Double Sixes Today!

2005-06-14T14:43:00.000-05:00

Today is my birthday. I am now 66. I thought I would feel older at this age...

Here are links to the inevitable "What happened today in history" bit:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050614/ap_on_to_in_hi/history_1
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/today/today.html
http://www.scopesys.com/today/

Apparently not much happened on this day in 1939 except that I showed up. That fact will elicit various reactions from different people.

I am just glad I was able, and am still able, to be here.

Cheers!

Perfection

2005-05-23T16:23:00.000-05:00

Perfection is but an illusion. Though never attained, it is always worth striving for. The paradox concerning perfection is that, if we insist only on perfection, it is a pathology, and anxiety will prevent us from taking even the first step toward the dream. I would even say that petty distractions from our goal make the goal more attainable.

In music, memory lapses are caused by trying to remember. When you are "beside yourself" you can be an observer with "a warm heart and a cool head". So, my friends, zone out and enjoy your own performance!

More from Gavin...Come see the show!

2005-05-20T11:51:00.000-05:00

Hey, son!

Do you plan to work the flaming bowling pins (they could have the faces of various women) into the act? They don’t like to be dropped.

Looking forward to the show is one of the highlights of my life. Yes I am free that night. I like the idea of a Friday night show.

I’m glad I love you because I wouldn’t like people telling me I am supposed to.

Totally clutch,
Da Dad Dude

P.S. I just turned down a chance to do a gig with the Diamonds (“Little Darlin’” well-ah-well-ah). They couldn’t meet my price…

_________________
Gordy Wilson - Blog: http://gordywilson.blogspot.com/
gwilson@keyboardstudio.com gordy.wilson@insightbb.com Links: http://www.keyboardstudio.com http://www.urbanagrace.org
From: Wilson, Gavin [mailto:gavin.wilson@countryfinancial.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 12:41 PMTo: Gordon WilsonSubject: RE: My blog

Hi, Dad!

I realized I haven't told you the date yet for the show. I just figured it out a week ago. It's Friday Sept. 30, and I am finally starting to put it together in my head.
Please tell me you are free that night.
How are you doing? I am busy but things are going well, and I am juggling without dropping many flaming bowling pins.
I love you,
Later dude,
Gavin

You Know How I Like to Quote Quotes

2005-04-29T09:43:00.000-05:00

If you look at the sidebar on this blog page, you will see a new link "Quotes of the Day". This link will take you to a quotes page on my main website. Quotes are divided into five categories. I really like the first quote for today: "Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it." As implied, the quotes rotate daily.

I like quotes because they inspire, amuse, energize or otherwise awaken some part of us. Also, please check out this link if you always like to dig deeper into subjects as I do. The links on the main site lead to biographical data on the author of the quote, quotes by others in the same field as the person quoted, key word searches, and so on.

I found the feeder site looking for Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's famous "God is in the details". I sought out this quote because I and some of my friends have been struggling with details recently in an effort to figure out what direction God wants us to proceed. Though I haven't yet found a specific reference, I believe someone also said "The Devil is in the details." I think we have experienced that (him?) as well. I love paradox (my idea of balance) too.

Appropriately, this is an opportunity to mention that our pastor, Mike Smith, is preaching a series of sermons in May titled: "The Devil's Obituary". I believe the sermon for May 1 is titled: "Satan: The Early Days". This could be very interesting! Watch for the text of April's series on anxiety (very provocative and helpful!) on the Urbana Grace United Methodist website. (http://www.urbanagrace.org)

As always, I welcome your observations, comments, et cetera.

It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown!

2005-04-23T22:12:00.000-05:00

Today was grandkids day again. This time Corbin and Joel went to Daddy's McDonald's with us.

Winter is back!

Then we went to Tuscola to shop for furniture. At least it was warm in the car.

Change in the Weather, Sea, and me?

2005-04-22T19:11:00.000-05:00

What can I say about cold, rain and gloom after many perfect sunny days?

I know why Starbuck's was founded in Seattle. It doesn't rain more inches there than many other cities (including Chicago). It just rains all the time. I had an espresso and my outlook improved. (I use Outlook, not Outlook Espresso). For a Seattle apologetic, see http://www.komotv.com/weather/faq/seattle_rain.asp.

I plan soon to set up a blog for my church. Am I churchy? Well, after nearly 23 years working at the same church, I suppose something might rub off. But, if I am not allowed to doubt, question, or use my reason, I kick and scream. The disciple Thomas would feel at home here as I do. Just as, in my opinion, good parenting enhances natural differences between siblings, you will find people with contrasting views at Urbana Grace United Methodist Church, all bound by love. Love: the subject of the greatest commandment! Oh, my God, I'm preaching!

My father was a preacher, as I said. But, in some ways, he planted the seeds of my rebelliousness. He would have no use for today's ultra-conservative religious right. He had no use in his lifetime for people he called "fundamentalists". When, on his deathbed, he was invited to a march on Washington, he brightened up and asked, "When do we start?!" Sadly, I wasn't there to hear his last words, but the woman who officiated at his memorial service related the anecdote at my father's memorial service. "Dad," I used to say, "you are a militant pacifist!"

When he was in his early eighties, I asked my father if his advanced age meant he was more ready to face death. "Don't you believe it!" he said, eyes flashing. But I could only wish to die a good death as was related concerning my father's last moments.

I always end up writing more when I think I have nothing to say. I guess that's what's good about blogs, at least for the writer...

Planning Another Father/Son/Grandsons Musical

2005-04-19T20:44:00.000-05:00

For the third consecutive year, sometime in September, there will be musical/magical/ventriloqual/dramatic evening at the Egyptian Theater in DeKalb, Illinois.

My son, Gavin, who owns the Hillside Restaurant next door to the theater (more info on my website) is producing the show.

Here is the advance plan for the show in Gavin's words:

"Good morning, Dad. I wanted to let you know I have been thinking about the show for September, and I am leaning in the direction of a scaled back personnel.
How do you think it would work to have just a jazz trio with one good horn player, and still using guest singers? The theme right now seems to be "As Time Goes By" a journey thru time to find out the secret that my grandfather tried to leave me about his life, and the adventure told with music.
Some of the songs I am looking at: As Time Goes by (duh) Young at Heart Days of Wine and Roses My Way Five foot 2 Eyes of Blue A Joplin piano rag for sure Just in Time You Do something to Me Barber shop song Minnie the Moocher style song And many more!...
Let me know if you have any thoughts about this. Date not picked yet, probably a Friday in mid-late September. Any conflicts so far?
I love you,
Gavin "

Curious? Stay tuned!

Today Is Grandkids' Day

2005-04-16T15:47:00.000-05:00

Corbin and Joel are our grandsons. We enjoy having them visit us every Saturday.

Today we had breakfast at Hardee's (even though their dad, Ryan, is a manager at the Urbana Philo Road McDonald's). Then we spent some time at the Urbana Free Library looking at books and toys and listening to Robin Kearton's Bow-Dacious String Band with Dorothy Martirano and Jordan Kaye and the Prairie Dogs sitting in.

Corbin helped Grandpa shop for lunch: Lunchables, two dozen cookies, french vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. How many food groups or pyramids?

Am I who I am?

2005-04-13T13:36:00.000-05:00

As I said, I am not a preacher. But I am a preacher creature since my father was a preacher. So I guess I have preacher features but not from a creature feature.

2005-04-13T08:51:00.000-05:00

Computers

The Door is Open. Come On In!

2005-04-11T10:08:00.000-05:00

Today a very smart and attractive person pointed out to me that my blog was very restrictive on posts.

Now I fixed it so you can even post anonymously if you like. And you don't need to register or anything.

But please, use a little taste. I only need a little taste...

Who me? Anxious?

2005-04-10T18:46:00.000-05:00

People who come to Grace United Methodist (my church) in Urbana often like it there and many decide to stay. Grace has had a rich, not always uplifting, history. But there is something undescribable just below the surface.

My wife, Connie, and I were talking about what might appeal to me if I was a little church shy and had never been to Grace. She felt that the best introduction to Grace Church and what we are about would be through the weekly letters from Mike Smith, our pastor. The best thing is that, if you are curious, you can read them all at http://www.urbanagrace.org/sermnltrbank.htm and no one will ever know you have been there! If you decide to come out of the shadows, I would definitely appreciate your comments here.

Hey, we have all types at Grace Church and we don't guarantee that you will instantly fall in love with all of us. But, I feel that you don't have to dig very deep to feel the love. All lovers disagree occasionally, right?

Oh, I almost forgot that I'm not the preacher. I'm just the music and information guy. But check us out sometime!

Where is the World Headed?

2005-04-09T21:50:00.000-05:00

What is the big philosophical question in your life? What do you believe? Really believe?

When people flock to a blog, are they floggers?

2005-04-08T16:54:00.000-05:00

Hope you are having a beautiful day as I am and enjoying it as I am!

I don't like to talk about myself until someone gets me started. Then it's hard to stop me.

Please check out http://www.keyboardstudio.com/gordy.htm if you are even slightly curious, or if you suspect you might know me from somewhere. I am my own webmaster, so if you would like to trade links and I like what I see on your site (is that a site sight?) we can trade links.

I work at a church but they still haven't been able to make me holy, so they just let me be me. I also do that website: http://www.urbanagrace.org so I would also appreciate a visit there and some comments here.

I am friendly but not too friendly. Let me hear from you!

Welcome to Gordy Wilson's Blog

2005-04-07T16:13:00.000-05:00

Does anybody read blogs? Will anybody read this one?

You can find more than you want to find at http://www.keyboardstudio.com and http://www.urbanagrace.org

More later...