New House in Riverside

About this time next week I will be moved into my new residence in Riverside. While I have enjoyed my time at 815 W. River Blvd, when the chance to have an entire house (with garage) all to myself at not much more than my current rent presented itself--I had to jump on it! All of my contact information will remain the same save my address. Email me for it!

The Grapes of Wrath

I will be performing a number of small roles in the upcoming Wichita Center for the Arts' production of "The Gapes of Wrath". This show is being directed by my old friend Shaun Michael Morse and has lots of terrific people in it!. Dates of production are April 16, 17, 18 & 19 at 8:00 pm and a 2:00 Matinee on Sunday, April 20. It promises to be a beautiful production!

PAX!

Small blessings....

Ahhh....to be 40+ and FINALLY learn how to tie a full-Windsor neck tie. All of my professional life I have used the simple knot that I knew from youth--the half-Windsor. But, due to the fact that I wear a tie almost daily now, I was getting sick of the wimpy look my knots had...so, with great humility I approached our young CAD instructor, Jeremy, and asked him to teach me the fine art of FULL-WINDSOR. May I say, that I am a terrific student and after just two attempts I feel prepared to wear the knot I have right now home. There, I shall practice all weekend until I am able to do this new knot with ease. I bet you didn't know that Friday afternoons at work could be so productive! Viva la Knot!

My mother's paintings

In the living room of my little Riverside apartment there are two special paintings on the walls. Both are creations of my mother. Both are beautiful. Both speak volumes about how far this woman has come in life. One on wall is a lovely, woody setting--green and tree-filled--and when mom gave it to me, she mentioned about how my father Earl would go bow-hunting for deer and that she painted this as a remembrance of those happier times. Mom knows how important Dad was in my life. The other is a painting of trees in Autumn. It is such a colorful contrast to the first that it actually sits on the opposite wall. I love the beautiful pumpkin matting that she chose to bring out the palate in the painting. I've been thinking about these paintings (and the quilts that she has made me over the years) and the love that we have for one another and I realize what a lucky, lucky man I am to have this amazing, complex woman for a mother. Not only did she create and nurture me...but she continues to create and nurture life and love in her art and her home.

My tribe...

My buddy Quentin posted this pic on his blog and I wanted to post it here. That's my tribe up there!

Some more training....

OK- So I have been an educator and trainer for almost 20 years, yet in the past month I have attended over 60 hours of intensive training from 4 different organizations! Who knew I had so much left to learn! LOL. Mostly it was learning how to deliver their products and services, but I actually got tons of good stuff about facilitation skills from all 4 parties. The biggest thing I learned (which I hear after EVERY class I teach) is that I need to slow down. Well, maybe you all need to speed up! HA! Anyway, I know that I perceive things in a quick manner and I just assume that everyone can keep up....bad assumption. I have asked my friend Trish here at the college to make a big banner to place in the back of all of my classrooms that reads...PAUL--SLOW DOWN. It is a skill I will work on diligently as I begin to provide training to our new clients. PAX

Thoughts on my training--Our Whole Lives

OK-My minister and our Christian Education director asked me to be trained in Our Whole Lives--a sex-ed training program designed for all ages, but specifically for our middle- and high-school aged people. The training was held last weekend at Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, Mo (near St. Louis) and it was an terrific experience. Our CE team at UCC has some decisions to make concerning parts of the curriculum, but over-all it is a terrific program designed to teach basic values concerning our bodies, sexual health and the part faith plays in relationships. Another facet of the training I enjoyed was meeting clergy and lay-people from both the United Church of Christ and some Unitarian Universalists--terrific theology and both congregations have such a calling for justice and inclusivity. Just my cup of tea! Oh yeah, and on the return trip to Wichita, I had Karen drop me off in KC and I got to be with my tribe for about 18 hours--a perfect tonic for me! PAX

Dinner with the Parson

My new minister and his family had me over for dinner last night and I had such a great time. They have purchased a farmhouse out in Walton, Kansas, about 10 miles north of Newton. It reminded me so much of my sister's farm in Eudora that I was instantly comfortable there. They have some horses, goats and chickens and two large furry dogs. We spent most of the dinner talking about UCC and where they met and how they came to Kansas and how I managed to find my way to UCC and tons of other important topics. I left there feeling even more confident that our congregation is in very capable, caring hands and that the difficult changes that lie ahead will be met with concern and compassion and we'll get by just fine. Not bad for a meal of spaghetti and fresh bread!

Pax

A chilly Saturday

So....I finally have a Saturday without a rehearsal, training session or other required thing...and what do I do? I go to the office to work on something else! At this point in my life, my job has a nice central point--and for those of you worried about balance, don't worry, I assure that if the sun were shining and the weather any warmer, I would be on my bike and nowhere near WATC! Tomorrow I am watching the Oscars with some friends--it seems that I have put a self-imposed embargo on watching these for the past few years, (I used to have an annual party at the house on Coe Drive) and it is time to stop punishing myself!

PAX!

Why Every Atom?

Someone asked me why I chose that specific Walt Whitman line for the title of my blog. Well, Uncle Walt and I have a long history--my father used to read me selections from "Song of Myself" when I would visit from college, so it has that connection. But there is something eternal in the poet's line. I have a concrete love of the sciences that I balance as best I can with my philosophy and theology. Whitman's line to me captures the inherent science of our natural world, that the atoms that make up matter (and eventually life) are indeed basic materials belonging to all who abide on this planet. But then he hints at broader issues here, does he not? Socialism? As in a shared society and resources. Parity? As in we each get the atoms needed to sustain life (or at least those of us fortunate to be born in cultures where such substance is made possible). So the poet blends science and philosophy and art into one lovely little stanza, which means a lot to me. I mean, look at all of the energy and time I put into this post--when the Great Uncle said is with such economy and beauty--For Every Atom Belonging to Me as Good Belongs to You.

Friendship

So my friend Q called me yesterday with a problem that he needed help with and I was more than happy to assist him. And this led me to ponder why I have no trouble getting up at 2:45 am to pick up a friend at the bus station. I suppose it's because I know that these people would do the exact same thing for me. My friends (and family) have supported me in numerous ways these past three years...there is no way I could have come as far as I have come without their love, support and deep concern for me. Last night we had the second dress rehearsal of Cotton Patch Gospel and it dawned on me that Karen Robu and I have a terrific partnership in producing shows out at UCC--and that my friends at church are just as important to me as my tribe. (You KNOW who you are!) Four years ago we were producing Godspell and I was in the middle of a failing relationship and losing just about everything in my life. In June of that year I was out of the house on Coe drive and into my little Riverside apartment (where I still am). Three years ago Karen and I were producing JC Superstar and I was just making the most important decision in my life--and it has stuck! Last year we produced Children of Eden and that brings us to this year's Cotton Patch Gospel. What a terrific two years it has been--professionally, spiritually, emotionally and personally--I am a better person because of the OTHER people in my life who have chosen our relationship to be worthy of the time and energy and love it takes to maintain. I love you all!

Caucus

What a delightful time Shanna and I had tonight at the Democratic Caucus. We arrived at 6:30 (as we were instructed) to find a line all the way around the courthouse! Lucky for us, we stepped into line behind two delightful gentlemen (Soloman and Matt) and the four of us (plus assorted other fun folk) proceeded to make the most of our FRIGID circumstances. It was sooooo exciting to see the thousands of people out to change--out with hope for our country!!! At 8:15 we finally signed in and caucused and left. As we were driving away, NPR had just called Kansas for Obama. What a memorable night! OH--What made it even more memorable was that Soloman was participating in his first American vote. He just earned his citizenship two months ago and it was an honor to be in line with him. We take our freedoms for granted in this country and it was nice to be reminded that not everyone in the world has the same freedoms we enjoy. Thanks Soloman!

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.....