Emotionally invested.

My friend, Val, hit the nail on the head when she said that I "get completely emotionally invested" in every job that I have applied for in my ten-month-long job hunting odyssey.

All of the positions that I've applied for have been ones that a) sound like a good fit for my skill set, b) sound like something I would enjoy and be successful at, and c) are at institutions for which I have a great deal of respect. I am not applying willy-nilly to any and all jobs out there; I'm choosing carefully and thoughtfully.

When I find that kind of a job description, I read and re-read it. I do a little organizational research if it's not an institution that I know well. I think about all of that, and I see if I can picture myself in the role. If I can, then I craft my cover letter, tweak my resume to best fit the job description - highlighting relevant skills - and fill out the online application. It takes time, it takes care and it takes thought.

By the time I'm done with all of that, I am, indeed, emotionally invested. Then I wait. Wait to hear nothing. Wait to hear "No, thank you, you don't have your Bachelors degree." Wait to hear that the position has already been filled. Wait to hear that I have an interview. Wait to hear that I'm "one of the top three candidates, but ..." Wait to hear that "it came down to you and one other, but ..." Wait and wonder. And try again.

When I first was laid off, I thought about going back to school and working on my degree. There wasn't much going on in the job market at that time, and it made sense to focus on finishing my education. Between that time and January, however, there seemed to be more activity in the job market, and I decided it made more sense to pursue getting a job instead of school. That was probably a mistake. I don't know how many positions I've applied for - I could check my records, but I think that would be too depressing - but I still don't have a job. And, I haven't knocked off any classes toward my degree.

I've been doing some freelance work, and I love that. It's just not enough to count on, not enough to pay the bills. I've had time to help with the Rochester Music Hall of Fame, and that is great, too. And, I've had time for me and for my family, which has been wonderful. But, eventually, I need to find a job.

I am currently emotionally invested in several positions. If I am not successful with any of them, then it will be time to make a decision. I have until September 1 to register for November classes. I think I'll continue plugging away at the job market while doing the prep work for returning to school. By September 1, I'll at least no longer be in limbo, and I will be investing in my future - one way or another.

yours in music (and job-hunting),
tracy

The Plateros

I stopped out to Ganondagan's Native American Dance and Music Festival in Victor yesterday. I was there to wander, but I also wanted to be sure to catch The Plateros. These three kids from the Navajo Nation in New Mexico are some very talented blues/rock musicians. They tore up the main stage with originals and well-done covers. I especially enjoyed a real slow blues tune they did, which I took phone video of, but my phone is old and does not do them justice. Check out their tunes on their MySpace page.

The group is comprised of Levi Platero on lead guitar and vocals, Douglas Platero on the drums, and Bronson Begay on bass. I can't imagine that these young men won't be hugely successful, not only on Native American music scene, but also in mainstream blues/rock. They've won awards and been recognized nationally. They've got energy, heart and talent.

Check them out today at 4:30 at Ganondagan. Get there early and try some food, walk the trails, check out the longhouse and see the beautiful art and native crafts. You won't be disappointed!

Yours in music,
tracy

Books and Records

Call me old-fashioned, I won't cry. I like books. I like to smell the paper and the ink. I like to feel the weight of the pages between my fingers. For the same reasons, I like magazines - real ones, not online 'zines - and newspapers. I love the smell of newsprint in the morning. It just isn't the same to read the morning news online.

The commercial for, I think, the Kindle cracks my daughter and me up. This guy is sitting on the beach with his Kindle, reading. What happens if he leaves his Kindle in his beach bag in the hot sun? What happens if he leaves it in his beach bag, goes into the water to swim, the tide rises, and his beachbag gets all wet? Or what if it's windy and sand gets in it? I know what happens to a book. The pages get endearingly crinkled, and sand gets stuck by the binding. And when you open that book again, months or years later, memories of that beach trip come flooding back. I can't imagine that the Kindle would fare as well.

I feel the same way about my music. I'd much rather buy a CD (what I still sometimes refer to as a record or album) versus downloading it via iTunes (or any other source). I like to fight with the shrinkwrap. I enjoy the frustration of trying to get that sticky "lock" off the top of the jewelbox. It's like getting a prize out of a treasure chest. This is why the songs I download onto my iPod are from music that I've uploaded (did I get those two verbs right, Caroline?) to my computer from actual CDs. I like owning a concrete thing versus owning the rights to have a song on my iPod. Some people actually still buy vinyl records and play them on a turntable! We used to call these record players. I think that is very cool.

I guess this all makes me a fossil. The way of the world is electronic. But I, for one, will not be buying a Kindle, Nook, or any other e-reader if I can possibly avoid it. And I will be buying albums for as long as the world will let me.

yours in music,
tracy

Great Intentions

I had all sorts of great intentions to hear music this past weekend. And what a gorgeous weekend it was! The weather was perfect for the Corn Hill Festival, at which some of my favorite bands were playing - Teagan and the Tweeds, The Lawnmowers (who've been seeing some coverage in the D&C as of late), Tinted Image, The Coupes, Bob Henrie and the Goners, Steve Greene Trio, Gabe Condon, and Jimmy Richmond and friends.

I, alas, did not make it down there. Too much other stuff going on at home. I still have a chance to hear some music this week, though, and so do you. Tuesday night, at the Penfield Amphitheater, Bill Tiberio Band will be hitting the stage at 7:00 pm for a night of jazz. Then on Sunday, the 18th, BTB will be opening for Mindi Abair at the Glenora Jazz Greats Series, Part I, at 2:00 pm. In between the two BTB shows, Hot Sweets will be playing on Friday night at the Port of Pittsford Park (across the canal from Aladdin's) as part of Pittsford's Summer Music Series. They begin at 7:00 pm. I'm looking forward to it. Hot Sweets is a funky, soulful, danceable five-piece group that will make you want to get up on your feet and dance!

Hope to see you at some of these shows.

yours in music,
tracy

Whispering Pines and Marge's Lakeside

What do I like to do when it's 90 degrees in the evening? Well, I like to go to Parkside Whispering Pines miniature golf course - the oldest miniature golf course in the country - and then top off the evening with a drink on the beach at Marge's.

I have very fond memories of Whispering Pines (which may still have been called Tall Maples Miniature Golf Course at that time, I'm not sure) from my teenage years of going on there on dates and for an ice cream down at Seabreeze afterward. Those were simple times, yes? Anyway, I still love going there and playing miniature golf. No other mini golf place can compare. This is not Putt-Putt, it's not some "Disney-fied," commercialized version of miniature golf.

Designed in 1929 by Robert Ocorr, Whispering Pines was built and opened for business in 1930. This is the oldest surviving (and thriving) miniature golf course in the country. It is the old-fashioned, real deal - it has the windmill, two-tiered holes, mysterious pipes which make where the ball ends up rather unpredictable. It's amazing to think that before my parents were born, people were playing on the same course where I've taken my kids and still go myself.

Based on the fact that Marge's Lakeside Inn is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, it's another establishment that's been around longer than I have! I only found it a few years ago, but I do enjoy sitting on the sandy beach right by the water listening to the waves and enjoying a drink. You don't even realize you're in Rochester when you're sitting there. You can pretend you're on vacation. I would definitely recommend spending a warm, moonlit night on the beach there. If it's earlier in the week, it's less crowded, and could even be considered romantic. Fridays and Saturdays, and definitely this past Fourth of July weekend, were pretty packed.

The atmosphere inside at Marge's is pretty "Gilligan's Island," but that's okay. It makes the transition from being in the parking lot at Seabreeze to being on the beach all the more fun.

yours in music (and mini golf),
Tracy

Fourth of July at Tony D's!

I love fireworks, and I love Tony D's; what a perfect combination for the Fourth!

We enjoyed a great Fourth of July evening in the city of Rochester! Tony D's, for those of you who don't know, is a gourmet pizza and pasta (and oh-so-much-more) place in Corn Hill Landing. Their location on the water is just perfect, the service is good, and Jay's food is awesome. Met the owner, Tony, last night - very busy, very nice guy. Karen, the manager, always treats us as though she remembers us as special friends. Very, very nice. Try the Sunday Sauce (on Sundays, of course) or any of the pizzas, and you're sure to be pleased.

Last night, I tried the greens and beans because I want to figure out how to make mine like Jay does. They were excellent, and I have some ideas on how to improve mine! We had the white pizza, the special clams cooked in a beer broth with sausage, Sunday Sauce, lemon cream cake and lemon ice. Oh, and a Caesar salad.

Tony D's was slammed last night. The food was the usual high quality, and the service was efficient. This is something that many restaurants can't do on a regular night, let alone a night when there are double, maybe triple or more customers than usual.

We sat on the patio before dinner enjoying a beautiful breeze, ate dinner inside, and then went back out in time to watch the fireworks. What a view! The evening breeze kept us comfortable, there were no bugs, and our view of the fireworks was completely unobstructed. I highly recommend Tony D's any time, but I have to say it made the Fourth of July even more special than usual.

The City didn't seem to skimp on the fireworks in this year of budget cuts. There were still plenty of big booms, the whistlers, the sizzlers, lots of colors and designs. I thought it was a beautiful show. It filled my heart with happiness.

yours in music,
tracy