Monday Morning

I just got to the office, looked at my calendar and really can't believe that Janauary is already gone. Life moves way too fast.....

Pax!

Cotton Patch Gospel

University Congregational Church will be presenting Harry Chapin's COTTON PATCH GOSPEL February 14, 15 and 16 in the Sanctuary of the church at 8:00 pm each night. There is a dinner available if you wish to eat before hand. Contact the church at 634-0430 for reservations and more details. I am music directing and playing the part of Matthew. It's a great little show with some terrific bluegrass music. Contact me for more info at pauljaxonks@yahoo.com!

Life is.....

....such a wonder.

The Amazing Ms. Peters

Tonight's concert in Dallas was such an amazing display of talent. Ms. Peters was fabulous...but the Dallas Symphony Orchestra really blew me away. What musicianship! I have had a great time at Q's.....and am ready to return to Wichita on the morrow....oh, yeah--when Bernadette sang "Not a Day Goes By" I almost lost it....and her rendition of "No One Is Alone" was stunningly simple and elegant and beautiful! Wow...I sound like a fanatic!
PAX

Bernadette Peters vs. Bette Midler

OK....so a lifetime ago I was in New York working on a show I had written some music for called Lafitte and while I was there my friend Q and I tried to see Sunday in the Park with George which we both loved. It was always sold out, so we thought we would at least wait backstage and get Bernadette Peter's autograph. Which we did. Which is where I ended up making a complete ass out of myself in her presence (imagine that!). As we were finishing up photos and chatting I mentioned to her that "Millwork is my favorite song that you do". To which Ms. Peters returned a patient look and said "Millworth?" To which my friend Q said to Ms. Peters: "Oh no, he gets you mixed up with Bette Midler ALL THE TIME". To which I am shrinking and trying to back away from one of my greatest social blunders.....anyway....
Q is taking me to hear Bernadette with the Dallas Symphony on Saturday--I'll be in Dallas Friday and Saturday nights and return early Sunday....
OMG-OMG-OMG!

A Political Statement

Obama makes me hopeful about my country for the first time in a long, long time. Is he our Kennedy?

Torchwood

OK....so the previous quote was by Captain Jack Harkness from the new BBC series Torchwood which my tribe and I watched 7 (seven!!!) hours of New Year's Eve. This quirky, funny, sexy show was too much fun for us to resist and we spent most of New Year's Eve glued to Q's tivo. Anyway, we had a great time and have a new favorite show.

The New Year is off to a terrific start--I conducted the UCC choir yesterday morning and we started rehearsals for Cotton Patch Gospel which will be at UCC February 14, 15 & 16. Work at WATC is so busy and exciting with lots of good things coming down the pike. Check out my WATC Online blog if you want to know what is happening there....also, watc.edu is the college's home page.

Pax!

Random Shoes and Captain Jack

“Life is full of near misses and absolute hits, of great love and small disasters.

"It’s banana milkshakes and loft insulation and random shoes.

"It’s dead ordinary and truly, truly amazing.

"What you’ve got to realize is it’s all here, now, so breathe deep and swallow it whole.

"Because take it from me–life just whizzes by and then all of a sudden, its . . .”

Thanks to Captain Jack and friends.....

Back in my little Riverside apartment...

....refreshed, relaxed and prepared for a New Year. Peace and blessings to anyone who may read my little blog....and may 2008 find you a better person and a more loving person. Pax!

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?