....while you are busy making other plans.
I attended the funeral today of one of my students--19 years old--tragic death--boating accident. It reminded me (as all funerals do) of the brevity of life and the importance of relationship. Right relationship. How often do we fail to live in right, honest relation with one and another. My journey is my journey. And you are welcome to join me on it, or wave as I move on.
Pax
Paul
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Upcoming Theater Work
Red, White and Tuna! Wichita Cowtown Theater, July 30 & 31st Inaugural production of the new Vagabond Players! I will be playing a variety of roles in this very funny show. Jean Cusick directing.
Karen Robu's Theatre Piece University Congregational Church, Early September, 2010. I will be writing and arranging the incidental music for Karen's Masters project. Karen Robu directing.
Lost in Yonkers Wichita Center for the Arts, September 16-19, 2010. I will be playing the role of Eddie, the boys' father in this touching Neil Simon play. Shaun-Michael Morse directing.
Violet University Congregational Church, February 10, 11, 12 (Tentative). I will be music directing and conducting this amazing piece of musical theatre. Karen Robu directing.
Karen Robu's Theatre Piece University Congregational Church, Early September, 2010. I will be writing and arranging the incidental music for Karen's Masters project. Karen Robu directing.
Lost in Yonkers Wichita Center for the Arts, September 16-19, 2010. I will be playing the role of Eddie, the boys' father in this touching Neil Simon play. Shaun-Michael Morse directing.
Violet University Congregational Church, February 10, 11, 12 (Tentative). I will be music directing and conducting this amazing piece of musical theatre. Karen Robu directing.
Monday, May 03, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Lessons learned from OKC
I spent almost a complete year as an active, useful citizen of Oklahoma City. I worked hard at my job and joined a number of community groups to support my new home. I had every intention of remaining in Oklahoma for at least 5 years. I had taken the job with that plan in the back of my head and so I was creating a lasting life for myself down there. Needless to say when the exact same job opened at our Wichita campus, I had a choice. I chose to return home.
While living in OKC, I often returned to Wichita to sing with my church and play with my friends. I also spent most of the Summer of 09 driving back and forth every other other weekend to catch all but the last of MTW's offerings last summer. Since my return to Wichita, I have traveled back to OKC to spend time with those friends, speak a meeting I'd been contracted for during the move, and chant with my Buddhist friends.
Of the three primary groups I became a useful part of one was the OKC region Sakka Gakai movement. A Buddhist lay organization that promotes chanting and Buddhist study as a way through life. I was immediately welcomed by these lovely people and found my self chanting and studying with them throughout the summer and fall of 09. When it became evident that I would be moving back to Kansas after Thanksgiving, this group, through the encouragement of my mentor, presented my with a Gohonzon--a type of mandala used in SGI practice. I received my Gohonzon on Sunday, December 6 at 10:00 am and was met at my apartment by about a dozen Buddhist to "enshrine" my Gohonzon in a specific ceremony. I was deeply touched by having this important event handled so lovingly and seamlessly knowing that I was moving in about 2 weeks. There is nothing like having 12 die hard Buddhists chanting their hearts out in a long form daimoku. It was one of my favorite memories of OKC. The enshrinement took place at 1 on that same Sunday and I had to be a the OKC Civic Center by 2:00 for a dress rehearsal for the Canterbury Singers. The second group I worked with while living down there.
The Canterbury Singers are a semi-professional chorale group, one of the largest in the nation. I auditioned for the group in August and was singing with them that next Saturday at their big workshop prep. I loved this group from the very first notes we sang. Just a big, robust, chorale sound. We did a challenging concert of Russian Romantic in October and then on December 6 we performed a traditional Christmas concert. I looked forward to singing with this group each Monday and they are still one of my favorite things about OKC.
The 3rd group is a bit more private, but probably the most important. Live and Let Live Fellowship. I made dozens of very important friends during my work with this group and I look forward to seeing some of you on my trip to Dallas in April. This is the group that packed me up and helped get me home. Great people who are on a great journey. Love them all.
The biggest thing I learned about myself from this move is....I can do this. I can move myself to a strange place and build a life. Not only build, but thrive and work to improve the lives of others in a community.
I don't say that I am here for good--because this experience taught me that if I need to leave, I can.
It's just comforting to know that I can do it.
Who knows what will happen next?
Lots of love,
Paul
While living in OKC, I often returned to Wichita to sing with my church and play with my friends. I also spent most of the Summer of 09 driving back and forth every other other weekend to catch all but the last of MTW's offerings last summer. Since my return to Wichita, I have traveled back to OKC to spend time with those friends, speak a meeting I'd been contracted for during the move, and chant with my Buddhist friends.
Of the three primary groups I became a useful part of one was the OKC region Sakka Gakai movement. A Buddhist lay organization that promotes chanting and Buddhist study as a way through life. I was immediately welcomed by these lovely people and found my self chanting and studying with them throughout the summer and fall of 09. When it became evident that I would be moving back to Kansas after Thanksgiving, this group, through the encouragement of my mentor, presented my with a Gohonzon--a type of mandala used in SGI practice. I received my Gohonzon on Sunday, December 6 at 10:00 am and was met at my apartment by about a dozen Buddhist to "enshrine" my Gohonzon in a specific ceremony. I was deeply touched by having this important event handled so lovingly and seamlessly knowing that I was moving in about 2 weeks. There is nothing like having 12 die hard Buddhists chanting their hearts out in a long form daimoku. It was one of my favorite memories of OKC. The enshrinement took place at 1 on that same Sunday and I had to be a the OKC Civic Center by 2:00 for a dress rehearsal for the Canterbury Singers. The second group I worked with while living down there.
The Canterbury Singers are a semi-professional chorale group, one of the largest in the nation. I auditioned for the group in August and was singing with them that next Saturday at their big workshop prep. I loved this group from the very first notes we sang. Just a big, robust, chorale sound. We did a challenging concert of Russian Romantic in October and then on December 6 we performed a traditional Christmas concert. I looked forward to singing with this group each Monday and they are still one of my favorite things about OKC.
The 3rd group is a bit more private, but probably the most important. Live and Let Live Fellowship. I made dozens of very important friends during my work with this group and I look forward to seeing some of you on my trip to Dallas in April. This is the group that packed me up and helped get me home. Great people who are on a great journey. Love them all.
The biggest thing I learned about myself from this move is....I can do this. I can move myself to a strange place and build a life. Not only build, but thrive and work to improve the lives of others in a community.
I don't say that I am here for good--because this experience taught me that if I need to leave, I can.
It's just comforting to know that I can do it.
Who knows what will happen next?
Lots of love,
Paul
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
ABC Family is crazy--seriously--and I almost love it
So last night I turned the tube on for background noise after a long day (and while I was doing some serious surfing) and a really sweet episode of Greek was on. Granted, I have never watched this show before, but it was pretty well written and a little edgy--as one of the main subplots was dealing with a couple of gay fraternity brothers. But the really shocking thing was the program that followed--The 700 Club. I sat there stunned at the irony. Here was Pat Robertson spouting his hate-filled rhetoric not 30 seconds after two gay college men were patching up their relationship. It was a bit jolting to say the least. But then, I guess, that money is money regardless of where it comes from, no?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
UCC Spring Musical
Mark your calendars for February 11, 12 and 13 as UCC presents its annual spring musical. This year's offering is OMG II TSC. Or for those of you who are text challenged--Oh My God II The Second Coming. Last year's original OMG proved so popular that the management felt like giving you a sequel.
The show is a pastiche of songs from the musical theater that deal with spirituality or a religious journey. Karen Robu, UCC Director of Youth Ministries, complied the show and I am music directing. The VERY talented cast includes area college students and members of our congregation.
As usual, the show is being presented "dinner theater" style with a meal available in Fellowship Hall before the music.
Please call the church at 316.634.0430 for more information and for reservations.
The show is a pastiche of songs from the musical theater that deal with spirituality or a religious journey. Karen Robu, UCC Director of Youth Ministries, complied the show and I am music directing. The VERY talented cast includes area college students and members of our congregation.
As usual, the show is being presented "dinner theater" style with a meal available in Fellowship Hall before the music.
Please call the church at 316.634.0430 for more information and for reservations.
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