Quite honestly, 2010 has been the most challenging year of my life. I thought last year was bad, but last year mostly seemed bad because of the letdown after such a strong start to the year and the fact that I had very lofty expectations for the year. I never thought there would be a year worse than 2005, but there was. The whole year has felt entirely Sisyphean to the point that a lot of the months started to run together. I apologize in advance if my month-by-month rundown seems lacking. In this post I am making a concerted effort not to dwell on the negative and accentuate the positives of 2010.
January: I realized the year was going to be difficult almost as soon as it started. I had some of my most challenging experiences as a sub during this month and started my American Lit. class at GSU. The highlight of the month was a job fair in Rosemont.
February: A cold and relatively uneventful month. I began to like that class, as the professor was great and some of my classmates were highly entertaining and amusing.
March: While I was unfortunately unable to go to Phoenix for WrestleMania XXVI (and to meet up with Jessica) as I had planned, I was able to watch the event for free with my Uncle Jerry and Aunt Lisa. I was also able to see my old buddy Hoover for the first time in five years.
April: Had a great birthday/Easter. Got to hear from a lot of people. Did a lot of subbing at High Point with a great group of kids that I really loved. Also, I finished the literature class and got an endorsement in middle school Language Arts.
May: The highlight of the month was going down to Champaign to see my cousin Andy graduate. The food afterward was interesting to say the least, but it was a fun day with a fun guy.
June: Launched HireJakobDuehr.com, which got me a decent amount of attention in the Illinois educational community for a short amount of time but unfortunately did not net me any full time position.
July: Spending the 4th of July in Michigan was a nice change from the norm. Swimming at my grandparents’ pool brought back good memories of my childhood.
August: The end of the summer proved frustrating, as I was once again without a full time job. Meeting up with a friend in Oak Brook was fun, but it was a rather unmemorable month on the whole.
September: I unexpectedly had to take a road trip to North Carolina. It was not one of the finer times of my life, but I once again proved my resolve by driving the entire trip straight through by myself, only stopping for gas three times and one bathroom break. At the end of the month I had the opportunity to meet WWE’s Chris Jericho as well as some other neat people at an autograph signing in Chicago Ridge.
October: By far the best moment of the month was seeing The Graduate in concert with Dan. The venue was certainly odd and off the beaten path, but it was a great night full of great music.
November: I was able to have some good work experiences and had the opportunity to go back to TPHS to see a competitive football team for the first time in years. I also grew a pretty awesome beard, which lasted until an unfortunate accident right before Christmas.
December: As usual, the year ended on a good note. It has gotten to the point that the best part of the holiday season is the opportunity to see my closest friends. Most of them have moved far away from me, and the chances to see them are fewer and farther between. Christmas was enjoyable as well.
This year failed to meet my expectations. Some mornings it was a struggle to even get out of bed. Though a lot of things were outside my control, I failed in a lot of ways. I need to regain the focus and sense of self I had from mid-2008 to early 2009. Success is not impossible, but it requires taking the brass rings. They are not simply given. On the bright side, I was able to meet a lot of new people (mostly a lot of Stickammers that it would take forever to name them all) as well as renew acquaintances with old friends (the Huntleys, etc.). I do not know what is to come in 2011. I do know that things are going to change, and hopefully, they will change for the better. There is nowhere to go but up.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Apparently Unprepared to Succeed
As far as my goals for 2010 went, it was a mixed bag. There were some successes, but as far as the greatest goals, there were a lot of failures. Here’s a rundown.
Physical Goals
-Get an abdominal six-pack. Were it not been for my own lack of drive I would already have been there. *FAILED*
-Continue in the workout I’ve established for myself. My original beginner’s workout brought me a long way, but it is time to take it to the next level. I feel and look like a winner at this point, but I want to feel and look like a champion. *Completed*
-333 push-ups in one sitting. Like my crunches goal, some would think this is ridiculous, but I don’t like aiming low. I hate hollow victories. *FAILED. I lost interest and only got up to 125 or so.*
Maturity/Adulthood Goals
Since I am now a college graduate soon to live on my own, I need to increase my self-sufficiency. As such, there are some things I need to learn how to do.
-Take responsibility and live with consequences. The time for having cake and eating it too has passed. *Completed, to a degree. Not an A+. Probably more of a C.*
-Become a better cook. I can boil water and put stuff in the oven and microwave. I'd like to be able to have one go-to meal so that I can impress my friends, family, and future significant other with my culinary skills. *Incomplete. I have knowledge, but have yet to put it into practice*
Professional Goal
-Obtain a full-time teaching job. I am much closer than where I was at this time last year, but I need to press on until the goal is reached. *FAILED*
Social Goals
-Make three new friends. You can never have too many friends. I met this goal last year, but social worlds should be ever-expanding. *Completed. Out of all my goals, this one was probably the one I did best with.*
Appearance Goals
-Add another tattoo or get the labret pierced (which has always been an interest of mine) while maintaining the professionalism required of a rookie teacher. While obviously not a “need”, it would be fun. Actually, I think I’ll get another tattoo once I get a teaching position (in a concealed location on the arms/shoulders of course). *FAILED*
Dating Goals
-Have one fulfilling dating relationship. I know what works and I know what doesn’t work. I also have a better handle on what I do and do not want. If the right situation comes along, it’s time to make it happen. *Completed. Had a bit of a “complicated” relationship that didn’t really go where I wanted it to go. You live and learn.*
Personality Goals
-Have patience with people. I get annoyed rather easily. I am not perfect; ergo I can not expect perfection. *Completed, though there is still work to be done*
-Maintain balance. I often am either too driven or lack drive. Balance is one of life’s two necessities. Time for me to make it happen. *FAILED*
Philosophical Goals
-Complete development of my worldview. I am in the process of composing the components for my belief system to better explain it when asked by others. Once I've completed it, I'll probably be better equipped to live it. *FAILED, though I am working on this and will finish it soon*
-Complete 25 blogs, essays, or small writings. Not all of them will be extremely heavy, but it always feels good for me to share what I have learned through my life experiences. *Completed with flying colors*
Miscellaneous Goals and Achievements
-Take a camping trip. I have the physical capacity to camp now and am no longer afraid of the outdoors. I wimped out on too many things during my teen years. It is time to live. *FAILED*
-Do something (legal) that no one would ever expect me to do. The days of being predictable and vanilla are over. Only good will happen. *Completed*
Physical Goals
-Get an abdominal six-pack. Were it not been for my own lack of drive I would already have been there. *FAILED*
-Continue in the workout I’ve established for myself. My original beginner’s workout brought me a long way, but it is time to take it to the next level. I feel and look like a winner at this point, but I want to feel and look like a champion. *Completed*
-333 push-ups in one sitting. Like my crunches goal, some would think this is ridiculous, but I don’t like aiming low. I hate hollow victories. *FAILED. I lost interest and only got up to 125 or so.*
Maturity/Adulthood Goals
Since I am now a college graduate soon to live on my own, I need to increase my self-sufficiency. As such, there are some things I need to learn how to do.
-Take responsibility and live with consequences. The time for having cake and eating it too has passed. *Completed, to a degree. Not an A+. Probably more of a C.*
-Become a better cook. I can boil water and put stuff in the oven and microwave. I'd like to be able to have one go-to meal so that I can impress my friends, family, and future significant other with my culinary skills. *Incomplete. I have knowledge, but have yet to put it into practice*
Professional Goal
-Obtain a full-time teaching job. I am much closer than where I was at this time last year, but I need to press on until the goal is reached. *FAILED*
Social Goals
-Make three new friends. You can never have too many friends. I met this goal last year, but social worlds should be ever-expanding. *Completed. Out of all my goals, this one was probably the one I did best with.*
Appearance Goals
-Add another tattoo or get the labret pierced (which has always been an interest of mine) while maintaining the professionalism required of a rookie teacher. While obviously not a “need”, it would be fun. Actually, I think I’ll get another tattoo once I get a teaching position (in a concealed location on the arms/shoulders of course). *FAILED*
Dating Goals
-Have one fulfilling dating relationship. I know what works and I know what doesn’t work. I also have a better handle on what I do and do not want. If the right situation comes along, it’s time to make it happen. *Completed. Had a bit of a “complicated” relationship that didn’t really go where I wanted it to go. You live and learn.*
Personality Goals
-Have patience with people. I get annoyed rather easily. I am not perfect; ergo I can not expect perfection. *Completed, though there is still work to be done*
-Maintain balance. I often am either too driven or lack drive. Balance is one of life’s two necessities. Time for me to make it happen. *FAILED*
Philosophical Goals
-Complete development of my worldview. I am in the process of composing the components for my belief system to better explain it when asked by others. Once I've completed it, I'll probably be better equipped to live it. *FAILED, though I am working on this and will finish it soon*
-Complete 25 blogs, essays, or small writings. Not all of them will be extremely heavy, but it always feels good for me to share what I have learned through my life experiences. *Completed with flying colors*
Miscellaneous Goals and Achievements
-Take a camping trip. I have the physical capacity to camp now and am no longer afraid of the outdoors. I wimped out on too many things during my teen years. It is time to live. *FAILED*
-Do something (legal) that no one would ever expect me to do. The days of being predictable and vanilla are over. Only good will happen. *Completed*
An Open Letter to The Graduate
NOTE: From what I understand, open letters are usually complaints or humorous. This will not fall into either of those categories.
Corey, Jared, Matt, Max, and Tim,
My feelings toward The Graduate could probably be encompassed in the simple phrase “Thank you”, but that would not do you justice whatsoever. I randomly stumbled upon you during my monthly browsing of the “List of Pop Punk Bands” Wikipedia page this summer, and I decided to give it a try. After hearing “Anhedonia” and “I Survived”, I knew I had struck gold.
As not only musicians but also fans of music, I’m sure there have been bands and/or albums that have affected your lives. The Graduate has been that band for me. Each time I listen to Anhedonia or Only Every Time I get something new out of it. At times I will be mesmerized by the outstanding musicianship exhibited by all five members. Other times I am drawn to Corey’s vocals, which have really grown. Still, other times I am floored by the strength of the lyrics.
Perhaps what draws me most to the music of The Graduate is how relatable and personally relevant it has been to me. In September I had to take an unexpected road trip from Chicago to North Carolina. The only music I listened to for that entire drive came from The Graduate. When “I Survived” played as I was pulling out to make the trek back to Illinois, it truly encompassed my feelings about the trip. Other songs have been so relevant to me it has almost felt as if I had written them myself, especially “Stuck (Inside My Head)” and the bridge of “End of the World Delight”. It feels like every time I give your music a listen I find a new song to put on repeat.
Listening to your albums helped the band to quickly ascend my list of favorite bands, but what put you at the top of my list was watching you perform live in October in Lisle, Illinois. After seeing two of my favorite bands (Relient K and Anberlin) perform together in 2003, I told myself I would not go to another show until it was a show I thought could compare to the other. Not only did The Graduate step up to the plate, you hit the musical equivalent of a grand slam onto Waveland Avenue. The energy and enthusiasm was unparalleled, and the quality of the show was amazing. I brought a friend with me to the show who had never heard The Graduate, and he was already a fan before you had finished the opener. As I told Corey and Max that night, it was the best 40 minutes my ears have ever experienced.
In closing, thank you. Thank you for being my soundtrack for 2010. Thank you for putting out amazing music. Thank you for putting on an incredible live show, and thank you for being gracious and approachable at the live events. You are my favorite band, and I do not see that changing anytime soon. While much of the world has not yet had their eyes and ears opened to The Graduate, I do not doubt that they soon will. The Graduate has that “it” factor, and I am doing my part to introduce as many people to the band as possible. The band name “The Graduate” is so appropriate. You are moving onward and upward and taking music to a whole new level, just as graduates advance to the next stage in life. I look forward to what is in store for The Graduate in 2011 and beyond, and I hope to experience as much of it firsthand as possible.
Thanks again,
Jakob Duehr
Corey, Jared, Matt, Max, and Tim,
My feelings toward The Graduate could probably be encompassed in the simple phrase “Thank you”, but that would not do you justice whatsoever. I randomly stumbled upon you during my monthly browsing of the “List of Pop Punk Bands” Wikipedia page this summer, and I decided to give it a try. After hearing “Anhedonia” and “I Survived”, I knew I had struck gold.
As not only musicians but also fans of music, I’m sure there have been bands and/or albums that have affected your lives. The Graduate has been that band for me. Each time I listen to Anhedonia or Only Every Time I get something new out of it. At times I will be mesmerized by the outstanding musicianship exhibited by all five members. Other times I am drawn to Corey’s vocals, which have really grown. Still, other times I am floored by the strength of the lyrics.
Perhaps what draws me most to the music of The Graduate is how relatable and personally relevant it has been to me. In September I had to take an unexpected road trip from Chicago to North Carolina. The only music I listened to for that entire drive came from The Graduate. When “I Survived” played as I was pulling out to make the trek back to Illinois, it truly encompassed my feelings about the trip. Other songs have been so relevant to me it has almost felt as if I had written them myself, especially “Stuck (Inside My Head)” and the bridge of “End of the World Delight”. It feels like every time I give your music a listen I find a new song to put on repeat.
Listening to your albums helped the band to quickly ascend my list of favorite bands, but what put you at the top of my list was watching you perform live in October in Lisle, Illinois. After seeing two of my favorite bands (Relient K and Anberlin) perform together in 2003, I told myself I would not go to another show until it was a show I thought could compare to the other. Not only did The Graduate step up to the plate, you hit the musical equivalent of a grand slam onto Waveland Avenue. The energy and enthusiasm was unparalleled, and the quality of the show was amazing. I brought a friend with me to the show who had never heard The Graduate, and he was already a fan before you had finished the opener. As I told Corey and Max that night, it was the best 40 minutes my ears have ever experienced.
In closing, thank you. Thank you for being my soundtrack for 2010. Thank you for putting out amazing music. Thank you for putting on an incredible live show, and thank you for being gracious and approachable at the live events. You are my favorite band, and I do not see that changing anytime soon. While much of the world has not yet had their eyes and ears opened to The Graduate, I do not doubt that they soon will. The Graduate has that “it” factor, and I am doing my part to introduce as many people to the band as possible. The band name “The Graduate” is so appropriate. You are moving onward and upward and taking music to a whole new level, just as graduates advance to the next stage in life. I look forward to what is in store for The Graduate in 2011 and beyond, and I hope to experience as much of it firsthand as possible.
Thanks again,
Jakob Duehr
Thursday, December 30, 2010
2010 by My Arbitrary Lists
Here are my ratings of a bunch of different things in 2010. You likely won't agree, but this will give you a better glimpse into my mind and my own personal pop culture.
Albums
5. Invented, Jimmy Eat World
4. Hear Me Now, Secondhand Serenade
3. Dark is the Way, Light is a Place, Anberlin
2. Habits, Neon Trees
1. Only Every Time, The Graduate
Bands That I Had Never Heard Of
5. The Wedding
4. The Getaway Plan
3. Neon Trees
2. Mumford and Sons
1. The Graduate (seriously, did you expect me to put anything else?)
Songs
5. Notbroken, Goo Goo Dolls
4. Holiday, Vampire Weekend
3. Nightmares, Secondhand Serenade
2. Stuck (Inside My Head), The Graduate
1. Sins of My Youth, Neon Trees
TV Shows
5. NCIS: Los Angeles
4. House
3. NCIS*
2. Psych
1. White Collar
*While NCIS is still my favorite television show, I felt that a lot of episodes were filler and that Season 7 as a whole was disappointing. I still expect big things from the show in 2011.
Sports Moments
5. Butler’s run through the NCAA Tournament
4. DeSean Jackson’s punt return vs. the Giants
3. Tracy Porter’s interception of Peyton Manning
2. The Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup victory
1. Scottie Pippen’s induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame
Websites
5. A World of Words
4. Hire Jakob Duehr
3. Yahoo! Sports
2. Stickam
1. Facebook
Personal Moments
5. Meeting up with Hoover at Woodfield
4. Watching WrestleMania XXVI with my uncle and aunt
3. The love and affection I received on my birthday
2. Seeing The Graduate in concert with Dan
1. The various opportunities to see my closest friends during the holidays
Favorite Classes to Sub
5. Ms. Godfrey, Language Arts, Century
4. Mr. Ruppert, Health, OJ
3. Mr. Carriel, 5th Grade, Meadow Ridge
2. Mrs. Mena, Communications, Century
1. Mrs. Stiehr, 5th Grade, High Point
Albums
5. Invented, Jimmy Eat World
4. Hear Me Now, Secondhand Serenade
3. Dark is the Way, Light is a Place, Anberlin
2. Habits, Neon Trees
1. Only Every Time, The Graduate
Bands That I Had Never Heard Of
5. The Wedding
4. The Getaway Plan
3. Neon Trees
2. Mumford and Sons
1. The Graduate (seriously, did you expect me to put anything else?)
Songs
5. Notbroken, Goo Goo Dolls
4. Holiday, Vampire Weekend
3. Nightmares, Secondhand Serenade
2. Stuck (Inside My Head), The Graduate
1. Sins of My Youth, Neon Trees
TV Shows
5. NCIS: Los Angeles
4. House
3. NCIS*
2. Psych
1. White Collar
*While NCIS is still my favorite television show, I felt that a lot of episodes were filler and that Season 7 as a whole was disappointing. I still expect big things from the show in 2011.
Sports Moments
5. Butler’s run through the NCAA Tournament
4. DeSean Jackson’s punt return vs. the Giants
3. Tracy Porter’s interception of Peyton Manning
2. The Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup victory
1. Scottie Pippen’s induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame
Websites
5. A World of Words
4. Hire Jakob Duehr
3. Yahoo! Sports
2. Stickam
1. Facebook
Personal Moments
5. Meeting up with Hoover at Woodfield
4. Watching WrestleMania XXVI with my uncle and aunt
3. The love and affection I received on my birthday
2. Seeing The Graduate in concert with Dan
1. The various opportunities to see my closest friends during the holidays
Favorite Classes to Sub
5. Ms. Godfrey, Language Arts, Century
4. Mr. Ruppert, Health, OJ
3. Mr. Carriel, 5th Grade, Meadow Ridge
2. Mrs. Mena, Communications, Century
1. Mrs. Stiehr, 5th Grade, High Point
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)