More from Dallas....

...even though I am too relaxed to really post anything important--I will attempt it:

Games, hot tub, the pool, eating too much, a ridiculously fun trip to Chuck E. Cheese (Where Q's daughter Julia has a job) and more eating....Today we will be joined by some additional members of Q's family (some of whom really bother me but I am a guest and will be polite--ugh) and then we begin the prep for tomorrow's insane New Year's Eve. I am actually going to be ready to return to my routine I believe! pax

Yummy Dallas

Ok....So my friends Q's brother-in-law has been staying with him and going to culinary school and we get to sample his assignments, right? We just had pork scallipini and gnocchi and this Italian gellato for dessert....OMG...great food. And we have done nothing but eat and swim all day. Such decadence! We are getting ready to go out for a midnight swim in the heated pool. Don't you all just hate me right now? I know I do! Peace.....Paul

Fun Christmas in Derby

Well..the annual gift exchange and food binge was held at my Mom's house in Derby on Saturday. The weather was awful trying to drive down there (think white-out) but was much worse on the trip back....anyway....safe at home and looking forward to the rest of my break.

In Memoriam-- Orin Shank

Orin Shank (48) died suddenly last week of a hidden heart ailment. He was sent off with a lovely service yesterday and leaves behind a large empty space in all of our hearts.

So I recall the lovely words of the Mancini family:

Sometimes, not often enough
We reflect upon the good things
And those thoughts often center around those we love.

And I think about the people
Who mean so much to me
And for so many years have made me, so very happy.

And I count the times I have forgotten to say:
Thank you. And just how much I love them

Busy week...then...ahhh

I have my consultant in town again as we continue building my Online division at WATC. I really enjoy when Amanda is here because a) I can see exactly where we are through her fresh eyes and b) I can see exactly what needs to be done for the same reason! Amanda leaves tomorrow and then my last day of work is Thursday. I am taking some time off to refresh and regroup after this exciting, busy and very productive fall semester. I am lucky to get to spend Christmas morning at my mom's house and then the entire New Year's holiday in Dallas...in the pool....the heated pool....ahhhhhhhhhhh

A Weekend of Music

Last night, at my third church concert of the day, I was chatting with Pastor Rob (he is the senior minister at Covenant Presbyterian Church where I sing when I am not at UCC (which is rare, but nice for me because I really like Rob's theology)....anyway, I mentioned to him how lucky I was to be able to sing an entire Sunday--and still have a voice at the end of it! It started at UCC, my home church, where we did some really lovely four-hand piano and choir pieces. Then I performed with Ron Daray and friends at Grace Presbyterian in his annual "Christmas Soiree". This was some of the finest singing I have been involved with for a long, long time. My usual church work is solid and part of worship, but singing with Ron and friends, because it is his hand-picked team, we get a rich, full sound. Anyway, if you missed it this year--you can catch another version next year because Ron just booked me for next December! LOL. Anyway, I finished out the day singing at Covenant and just really enjoyed all of the fun music and fellowship. It is nice to be a casual attender there, because I can objectively look at the service and the congregation and I must say--it's a strong congregation and an enjoyable (although long-ish for this quick Congregationalist) service. Carpe Diem!

I am re-printing my holiday greeting that I send out college-wide because some of it pertains to everyone in my life!

SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM ONLINE LEARNING!


I figured, since you know—this is ONLINE LEARNING—that I could get away with an electronic holiday greeting—so here it is:


First, I can’t thank enough those of you who have supported me and my efforts this past semester:

The valiant instructors who came forward and showed their class and style in an online setting—there’d be no Online Learning without each of you!
The same instructors who diligently worked to get Online Learning up and running in time for a September 17th launch! I am still very proud of that one!
My WATC friends who have stayed by my side as I moved into my new roles here at WATC.
The new friends I have made on a new campus!
The old friends I miss (and still see often!)
The WATC leadership team that has placed such tremendous faith in me.
That same team for providing resources, direction and passion for my work.
Our talented students who have ventured into this brave new world of online instruction—and succeeded.
The Wichita community which has embraced Online Learning with excitement for what we’ve done and anticipation of what we’ve got coming.

To each of you I wish Happy Holidays and a very prosperous and joyful New Year!

Paul Jackson
Paul Jackson, Director

A Christmas Soiree'

For a number of years now I have been singing with Ron Daray and a host of folks to present a Christmas concert. Ron's musicality is top-notch (he's one of my favorites) and it is always a joy to sing with him and his various choirs and ensembles. Ron was unable to offer Wichita this Christmas concert last year due to a number of issues, but he's back this year and he has asked me to join the fun.

What: A Christmas Soiree--solos, duets, a terrific choir and brass quintet, also lots of fun congregational singing.
Where: Grace Presbyterian Church, 5002 East Douglas, Wichita, KS
When: Sunday, December 16th at 4:00 PM

Come and partake of the season!

Paul's Upcoming Theater Schedule

For my many fans who read this blog (HI MOM!) I thought I would let you know my upcoming theater projects:

Feb. 14th through the 16th COTTON PATCH GOSPEL at UCC. I am music directing and playing keyboards/vocals.

April 16th through the 20th GRAPES OF WRATH at Wichita Center for the Arts. My old friend Shaun-Michael Morse is directing and we are still negotiating my role(s). Should be terrific-

A draft of a paper for my doctoral studies.....

The Ideal of the Educated Person
By Paul Jackson
EARLY DRAFT
To begin any discussion on an “ideal” of an educated person, one must begin with a frame of reference. As this is a doctoral program utilizing the Great Books, my frame of reference will be reflective of that—I will look at a classical version of the ideal; a historical perspective rooted in what those authors chosen by Adler et al have at their heart to be the ideal.1 I shall also address my personal biases within this frame; that even though there is much to be garnered, studied and even emulated in the Great Books, my practice as an educator inevitably informs my “ideal” of an educated person. That my personal biases often intersect with the theories and thoughts from our Great Authors is only indicative of that reason I was attracted to Harrison Middleton in general and this program in particular—I admit to a certain elitism; nay, I embrace it and celebrate it.

To begin, let’s look at the frame from Adler’s perspective. Not only is education to be striven for, but it is to be striven for in a manner that challenges notions of rank and hierarchically structured systems. Adler wanted to create a way in which the common man might achieve a liberal education using the great thinkers from the past. By creating a system of syntopical cross-referencing, Adler and his team were able to transform the ancient Trivium and Quadrivium forms of the curricula into a practical form able to be utilized by today’s “common” man, as it were. Deducting out from this then is Adler’s ideal of the educated person—one who was able to navigate, manipulate and discuss the Great Authors in a manner that assists one with their educational goals. That this comes from one enmeshed in a higher education system (University of Chicago) is ultimately surprising and downright heretical. What Adler is actually calling for, in its purest form, would lead to the demise of higher education systems. That is, if people were to become truly self efficacious, there would be little or no need for a hierarchical system of education. However, given my personal experience with human nature, it would be some time before this would become a major issue. Perhaps the internet will assist in this endeavor?
Cite: Hutchens, Adler, Aristotle

Then one major feature of our ideal must be self-efficacy; an ability to teach oneself, to evaluate where one is in relation to one’s educational goals, and then to plan where to go next. The autodidact is the classical embodiment of this ideal. The down side to this is the potential for “false” learning—that is, by isolating oneself entirely from a community of learners, one may learn something incorrectly, or even develop habits that allow for the continual learning of wrong information. Where the Great Conversation assists with this idea is just that—it provides a sounding board for “correct” learning or “right” learning. The Great Conversation keeps one on an even keel, while allowing for movements in dangerous directions—by having a conversation with another versed in the curricula, we are able to steer our ship of learning back on course.
Cite:?

The previous ship metaphor provides us with another major feature of our “ideal”: Flexibility and comfort with ambiguity. The educated person must be able to navigate the murkiest of waters and be satisfied with perhaps never reaching the shore of their objective. Delicate shades of gray inhabit the palate of the educated person while they search for the shore of knowledge. They can be satisfied with not knowing, but that very fact of not knowing often leads them onto a different path in their search and they are able to perhaps discover other things on the way. Comfort with ambiguity and a dislike of dogmatic, reflexive knowledge allows the ideal to be creative in their search for knowledge. Of course, the downside of this is that an educated person without the rhetorical faculties to fight off the dogmatists often causes their arguments to add fuel to the dogmatists.
Citations: ???

Insatiable curiosity must also be a fundamental of our Ideal. When primitive or natural man (as Rousseau might call him) discovers ways in which to survive in nature, there is curiosity at play. Most mammals and all primates exhibit this curiosity when confronted with novelty in their environment. I am instantly reminded of Piggy and his friends from “The Lord of the Flies” and how those young men descended into primitive states during their ordeal. These boys instantly took advantage of their new freedoms and plunged into either the natural world (Jack and his band) or Ralph, with Piggy as his lieutenant, attempting to establish those institutions and power structures that they knew from civilization. Both of our groups exhibit curiosity (albeit necessary from the plot devices) that one truly believes one would experience in a similar situation. William Golding’s use of such a traumatic event actually forces us to consider the humanity within us—and the insatiable curiosity that could lead to either course being a potential choice for each of us. Curiosity did indeed kill the feline, did it not?
Cite: Rousseau, Bacon, Vonnegut?

When one thinks of the educated person, thoughts of refinement are often bandied about. I tend to think of the classic image from my cinematic and literary experience—the shabbily dressed and rumpled professor, late for a lecture, but brilliant in his performance of that lecture and somehow admired and emulated by colleagues. A theatrical image, but one that I think grows out of the tradition of the dons at Cambridge and Eton and Kent. And, as Americans with a rich tradition of cinema determining our common icons, this is only fitting. Of course, the downside here is one of elitism and stratification. That is—a perception that one who is educated will hold their selves in higher esteem and be set apart in society. I would argue that society has a tendency to place those who educate themselves into a higher category—and why not? We reward those whose studies in the end provide greater benefit to mankind. Whereas the Doctor of Philosophy may receive derision and calumny, he does provide a number of benefits to the society in which he lives and works. Granted, if this Doctor of Philosophy separates himself into his “ivory tower” and refuses to participate in his community, perhaps he deserves their injury. Either way, he does provide a number of benefits whether intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsically, he publishes papers, teaches classes and influences his colleagues for gain or naught. Extrinsically, he provides a model of the “ideal” that can be used for comparison and contrast with others in learned professions. His living example of an ideal of the educated person provides us with some sense of that ideal.

Perhaps if we were to dig deeper into this ideal we’d see a starker reality; deadlines to be met, grants to be acquired, a dean to appease and all of the trappings of modern academic life. In fact, he is much like any other in a modern American profession—bound to those tasks which identify and define him. And what of the academicians who inhabit everyday life but have not made a career out of it—that is; what of the CEO who is also an excellent philosopher or student of anthropology? Where does this person fit into my ideal or a learned person?
Cite: Eton College Website,

So what have I brought us? I have brought us a list of certain characteristics that the ideal of the educated person should possess; self-awareness, self-efficacy and an insatiable curiosity as well as an ability to be comfortable with ambiguity. I hope to link this fundamental set of skills to the later discussions and build further on my brief exploration herein. Knowledge is power—but only to those who understand that knowledge can be much more than a means to an end and that power is not always an end to a means.

Grateful

So...what am I grateful for? My family, my friends, my work, my studies, my church, my life, my mistakes and my talents. What are you grateful for?

Funerals

So...the older we get the more funerals we attend, no? I was deeply moved by the service for Larry Jones on Monday at the WSU Metroplex. I knew what a gem of a human Larry was as did all in attendance, but one forgets how many people he touched during his life. It was such a fitting tribute. The fact that we got most of the choir there to send him off in glorious song was a terrific feat in itself! We sang one of my favorite pieces by Danial Gawthrop and Jane Griner. I've included the lyrics here for they are gorgeous, but you really need to hear the amazing music to get its full impact.

Sing Me To Heaven

In my heart's sequestered chambers lie truths stripped of poets' gloss
Words alone are vain and vacant, and my heart is mute
In response to aching silence, memory summons half-heard voices
And my soul finds primal eloquence, and wraps me in song

If you would comfort me, sing me a lullaby
If you would win my heart, sing me a love song
If you would mourn me and bring me to God, sing me a requiem, sing me to Heaven

Touch in me all love and passion, pain and pleasure
Touch in me grief and comfort, love and passion, pain and pleasure

Sing me a lullaby, a love song, a requiem
Love me, comfort me, bring me to God

Sing me a love song, sing me to Heaven

Music

Those of you who know me know that my brain is wired differently than most....mostly in regards to music. Music is such an important part of my life that if you wanted to punish me, the most effective way would be to deprive me of music--any music! Right now I am listening to Annie Lennox and wondering what I did before Q got me my iPod! Rock On!

The best laid plans.....

....ok...so I had planned to blog lots this week--the reality was that I was WAY too busy to do much of anything. This conference and its attendant symposia were interesting and lots of fun. I did manage to get over to the ocean a couple of times and spent this morning at Downtown Disney. Lots of good information to parse and get out to my folks.....peace all!

Postings from Florida

I am posting to my college's blog while I am in Florida for an Online Learning Convention. Check it out at watconline.blogspot.com

Working at the Perk

So....I am testing my laptop's connection, sitting here at the Riverside Perk. It is a nice little coffee shop a few blocks from my apartment. I usually walk down here in the evening and work a bit on my course readings--tonight, however, I am testing the laptop that I am taking with me next week to Orlando, FL for the Sloan C conference on Distance Education. I fly out of Wichita next Tuesday, 11/6 and return late on Friday, 11/9. Part of the trip is dedicated to meeting with my consultant from Georgia who is also attending the conference.....gonna be a busy, fun week. My downtime for this trip will be spent on Cocoa Beach! I've already got my plan mapped out....

Link to WATC Online

A few weeks ago I launched a blog for my College, the Wichita Area Technical College. So far the interest has been minimal at best, but growing slowly. It'll be interesting to see how this tool is received by the faculty and staff. Visit it at watconline.blogspot.com.

My Brother's Blog

If you want an idea of what life is like in China, visit my baby brother's blog at http://www.thegarrettblog.com/ It's a nice slice-of-life on the other side of the world....with a family connection!

Pax,

Paul

Uncle Paul

So....on my bike ride today I was contemplating one of my favorite roles in life--That of Uncle Paul. I am really lucky to have lots of young people in my life who honor me with the title of Uncle. From Natasha and her brother Cody, to Mattie and Ellie up in Eudora, to my honorary nephews Dominic and Ronan to the newest....Annabelle in China (and a soon-to-arrive sibling for her!)...I have lots of young people in my life--what a tremendous gift this is. I am a lucky, lucky man.

Marcus Aurelius

Ahhh...the other night I was working on my readings for my class and I had to read some of Marcus Aurelius....ahhhh....beautiful....my reading was on meditations of his on the examples in his life and what he has learned from them. Talk about the perfect ideal of humanity. Really terrific stuff.

UCC's Music Program

The Music Program at UCC is one of the best things about my life. I am so honored to be a part of this talented group of folks. The Armed Man performances today were powerful and thrilling.
Better is peace!

Join the UCC Choir and Wichita Symphony Principals for the Wichita Premiere of Karl Jenkin's "The Armed Man". Sunday October 7, 2007 at 10:30 am and 3:00 pm.

Axio Community Conference at K-State

I am writing this instead of paying attention to the current workshop I am in, but that's ok because my brain is buzzing from some of the projects I have been able to witness. Michael Wesch and Roger McHaney have specifically engaged my cerebrum. The concepts of Web 2.0 and the future of education and new models for learning needs to be at the forefront of what I am doing with our new Online Learning division at WATC.

The conference finishes up here in a few hours and I will be heading back to Wichita.

Lots to synthesize!

Busy Week at WATC

My consultant from Georgia is here Monday through Wednesday and I am in Manhattan for a conference Thursday and Friday....should be a terrific, busy week.

Art at Botanica

I just spent a few hours this weekend loading my mother's art in and out of Botanica for the Annual Art event. It was a beautiful day (both of them) and always delightful to see what my mother is working on. There were some very nice new miniatures that I liked very much. I have a terrific woodsy scene that she painted a few years ago hanging in my living room.

After joyfully hauling her work around, I am extremely thankful that she wasn't called to do sculpture!

Pax,
Paul

Online Learning at WATC

Hey....check out watc.edu to see our new online course offerings! The catalog will only grow as we continue to add courses, programs and instructors.

A New Day at UCC

My church, University Congregational, launched its fall programs yesterday with the return of the choir and the beginning of Sunday School. It was also our new Senior Minister's second Sunday on the job. We called Gary Blaine last spring and he spent the summer closing out his old life in Toledo and moving his family out here on to the plains. It was such a comfort to realize that we are going to be OK. That we are in capable, loving hands. That we were all along, but it took Gary's arrival to reinforce that for us.

BTW: Mark your calendars for "The Armed Man" on October 7th at 10:30 am and again at 3:00 pm. It's going to be powerful!

BTW: I love my family.....

I love my family too....just in a different way!

Time Away

The best thing about time away from work, the usual, school, and everything else....is the return. I have spent three days in the company of an odd assortment of people who recharge me, engage me and challenge me in the best ways. A few sad souls think that the reason we remain as close as we do is that there must be something wrong with us--we are stuck in the past or some such psycho-babble. However, as I age, I recognize the simple fact that these people are my family. Closer than blood ties, these are the people I choose to remain with in a manner that I never could with my family...an intimacy that transcends....that illuminates...that gently (and sometimes not so gently) teases and reminds one of one's past......that nudges....that feeds....that rests.....and not unlike the approaching autumn....it lingers on my heart as I drive north...to home.

Sunday in the Big D

OK....I have spent the ENTIRE day in the pool. I am not exaggerating. I woke around 8 and went for quick dip that lasted until a brief lunch and then I JUST dried off to check email and blog about 5 minutes ago. I have to drive teenagers around to various locales for a while, and then I will be BACK in the pool until midnight or later. Ahhhhhhhhhh. The Q Lagoon is remarkable. The food, as I have posted, perfect....and the company the greatest. It will be very difficult to say goodbye tomorrow. BUT, I will be back for New Years and beyond.

Sunny, Funny Dallas

I am writing this, sitting in my friend Quentin's kitchen, watching him and his brother-in-law Brian create their latest culinary masterpiece. These guys can cook! We got into Dallas about 11 last night and were met by a sirloin steak soup that was so good.....for lunch today we had steak kabobs and this amazing scallion summer salad. Brian has been accepted into a cuisine school...so we are his willing victims! Delicious...

Spent the day in the pool, so I am just a little pink...and water-logged...and very happy. I love coming down here and giving up all of my agenda and day planner and stuff....and just BEING with my good, good friends. Hey....a toast! Here's to us! Who's like us? Damn few!

This is my core group...my tribe...that I met on my first night of college at Southwestern back on that August night in 1981.....and here 26 years later we are still good friends. How lucky is that?

Damn lucky, says I!

Labor Day in Dallas

So....originally, my boss wanted me to launch my online courses on Sept. 4th,--so I cancelled all of my travel plans in preparation for THAT madness. It eventually came clear to her that it was an almost impossible task (although, I must say that yours-truly was and IS ready to launch)--but, our new website is not available until Sept. 6th and our marketing partners wanted a week to market so....our new launch date for fall online classes is Sept. 17th. When the date got pushed back, I had already told my choir director I could sing for the Labor weekend service, but was told last night (Wednesday) at choir rehearsal, that I didn't need to sing! Long story short....I am going to Dallas for the weekend and I can't wait! WOOHOO!

Director of Online Learning

Well...I was promoted last week to be WATC's new Director of Online Learning. The first week has been really quite excellent. I think I am in a position to be of great use to this college. Wish me luck!

Family Reunion

I just returned last night from a most wonderful family reunion hosted by my sister Teresa and her family in Eudora, Kansas. We ate too much, sang lots of great songs, watched the little ones play and play and play, hunted elusive coyotes and basically strengthened our relationships with one and another. It was just the tonic I needed to prepare for what is going to (hopefully) be a very busy fall semester. I interview TOMORROW for the Director of Online Learning at my college, so keep your fingers crossed!

Back from Vacation!

What is up with bad service?

It's not like there are not a gazillion restaurants in Wichita that I have to put up with BAD service.....tonight at an Old Town establishment (name rhymes with Parkspur) me and my friends had the worst service! The waitress actually rolled her eyes when I asked for a refill. Believe me all seven of us are decent guests and deserved FAR better than what we got tonight. The real shame is that few of us will eat there again...and we will be certain to inform our friends of the depressing time we had....

Biking in Riverside

The new foot bridges to the Keeper of the Plains have finally opened up and I was (I believe) the first bicyclist to cross--in the rain, early yesterday morning (Friday, April 27). It is a terrific structure and very interesting....I need to spend more time exploring it and then post some more about it.

Gentle reader....

...to catch you up.....