Digging in Deeper

We've been through a bit of a boring stint. We pretty much know how to get around, we have our routines. But every now and again we get a wild hair to do something a little different. Two examples:

First, my example, is less what I decided to do, and more what was thrust upon me. It appears I am going to get the honest-go-goodness JET experience (as I have only had described to me, but never experienced.) Team-teaching English with a native Japanese teacher in a high school.

Now, I have met my team teacher. He seems awesome, and both super competent as a teacher and an English speaker. This already makes my situation 100% better than the true horror stories I have heard of. That said, from first blush, it looks like my job is to step in and read the scripts that would usually be played by a CD. There has been some mention of thinking up a few topic-related questions to throw in "spontaneously" along the way too. Its Halloween late, this year. I'm going as a CD.

Alas.

The lesson itself is fine, its just a little disappointing to have one 45 minute block at a high school and be told my job is to read a script and ask a few questions. I mean, why not do something the kids can't do on any average day? Like think of their own questions and engage in authentic conversations? Maybe that would be too much for them... or maybe the class is just too big, but with some preparation...

I shouldn't complain. At least I don't have to spend hours agonizing over how to get the most out of my 45 minute block. I should also look closer at the lesson plan I was given. Maybe there is more room for inserting my own personality than I first saw.

Russell's adventure is way cooler.

Russell has finally taken the plunge and made contact with a local band in need of a guitar player and vocalist. Today he met with the leader of the band to find out more information.

Ready for this?

The band is a Green Day cover band. The band leader is in his thirties and apparently was all style, (think white wingtips with no socks). He explained that the other members of the band are a 24 year old bass player and a 57 year old drum playing grandmother. Awesome!

Russell is worried he wasn't quite the personality the leader was looking for in terms of a guitarist and vocalist. Apparently he was less than social, and less than enthusiastic about the band to be covered. He was also wearing his wrinkled kakis and yellow Ray's Place Buzz Mustard T-shirt. He did shave and clean up his goatee - though in retrospect he wasn't sure that made him any points. He is hopeful that he will at least get an audition with the band. I think he mostly just wants to meet their drum player.

In anticipation of a possible call back, he has downloaded a variety of Green Day and is busy practicing away. Keep in mind, this is the music that was TOTALLY popular when we were in Middle School. It was also the kind of music we both avoided like the plague. I think Russell was in his Folk music funk and I was pretty sure nothing beat Beethoven. I don't think Russell ever anticipated he would be revisiting this particular chapter in music history.

Keep your fingers crossed on that call-back. If this goes as far as a live concert, there will totally be pictures!