Home› The Porch
Options

The Long Road...

gfnk001gfnk001 Posts: 652
in The Porch
I know this is a long shot but to me it's worth a try. I am currently in my 20th year of teaching and in the midst of a job search to change directions. It's not the kids, they're the best part of what I do. But what it is, really, it's the exhaustion. I'm tired. I've built a huge theatre program at the school where I work and we are recognized as a superior program at the local, state, and national level. I have many students who have begun to love Pearl Jam due to the constant playing of it in my office. In fact two students will be attending their first show in Hampton in seats as I'll be down front, hopefully on the rail, with a teacher friend. Pearl Jam is constantly playing in my office, posters hang in my office, kids joke, but my passion is real. So what I'm looking for, before my career changes is my swan song, The Long Road. Ed wrote the song for his mentor Clayton Liggett and feel I am the same to so many of my students that hearing it live would be one of the most meaningful and highest levels of communion I could reach. I don't know if I will be teaching in August, but if I am I will do my best to continue to be that mentor to my kids that Clayton was to Ed. Teaching this subject is unlike any other you can imagine. My kids never leave my office, room, or the theatre itself. We spend more time together than I do with my own family, but again I'm tired. So Ed, Jeff, Mike, Stone, Matt, Boom, whoever may hear of this selfish request from a selfless theatre teacher, I'm going to do my best to be on the rail in Hampton. I'll have a theatre shirt to give you. My little offering for my all time favorite Pearl Jam song. You'll recognize me as the guy crying once I hear those magical opening bell-like chords....


living in the present tense.

http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&

Comments

  • Options
    PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,277
    gfnk001 said:

    posters hang in my office

    +1 :smiley:

    I really hope you get to hear your favourite song! I hope someday I get to sing Ghost with Eddie! :smile:

    Check out this thread, if you haven't already: Eddie Vedder's graduation ceremony.

    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • Options
    maryjayne127maryjayne127 Jacksonville, FL Posts: 55
    I really hope you get your song!
  • Options
    gfnk001gfnk001 Posts: 652
    Easter bump
    living in the present tense.

    http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
  • Options
    LukinFanLukinFan Florida Posts: 29,009
    One of my favorite openers. I hope you get it.
    www.RLMcDaniel.com

    1996: Ft Lauderdale
    1998: Birmingham
    2000: Charlotte, Tampa
    2003: Tampa, Atlanta, Phoenix
    2004: Kissimmee
    2008: West Palm Beach, Bonnaroo, Columbia
    2010: MSG2
    2012: Music Midtown
    2014: Memphis
    2016: Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Jacksonville, JazzFest
    2018: Wrigley 1, Fenway 1
    2022: Nashville
    2023: Ft. Worth II
  • Options
    hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    Long Road was the opener at my first show. 10/25/2000, San Diego.

    We were already over the moon at being in the 13th row (really? Will always thank the 10C for that), and hearing those embracing notes - while neither expected nor hoped for - were perfection and bittersweet.

    Guess many of us have strong ties to the song, as well as to the emotions it exposes and soothes.

    I hope you get yours, and wish you luck and peace on the new path chosen.
  • Options
    jjflashjjflash Posts: 4,841
    LukinFan said:

    One of my favorite openers. I hope you get it.

    +1 :smiley:
  • Options
    gfnk001gfnk001 Posts: 652
    edited April 2016
    Well I just spent 4 days at our State Theatre Festivl and my kids performed better than ever and gave me reason to rethink my career shift. They have reinvigorated my drive and passion. So maybe I'll stay. The Long Road may still be travelled by me.
    Post edited by gfnk001 on
    living in the present tense.

    http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
  • Options
    SVRDhand13SVRDhand13 NYC Posts: 25,872
    Good luck. Wish I could make it to Hampton.
    severed hand thirteen

    2006: Gorge 7/23 2008: Hartford 6/27 Beacon 7/1 2009: Spectrum 10/30-31
    2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
    2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
    2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
    2017: RRHoF 4/7   2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4   2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18 
    2022: MSG 9/11  2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
  • Options
    gfnk001gfnk001 Posts: 652
    Thursday bump in anticipation of the tour.
    living in the present tense.

    http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
  • Options
    MalrothMalroth broken down chevrolet Posts: 2,485
    hedonist said:

    Long Road was the opener at my first show. 10/25/2000, San Diego.

    We were already over the moon at being in the 13th row (really? Will always thank the 10C for that), and hearing those embracing notes - while neither expected nor hoped for - were perfection and bittersweet.

    Guess many of us have strong ties to the song, as well as to the emotions it exposes and soothes.

    I hope you get yours, and wish you luck and peace on the new path chosen.

    Aug 1998 Indianapolis, first show, first song. I was bawling by the third note and was hooked for life. lawn seats, by the way.
    The worst of times..they don't phase me,
    even if I look and act really crazy.
  • Options
    gfnk001gfnk001 Posts: 652
    Tour time bump
    living in the present tense.

    http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
  • Options
    red mosred mos Posts: 4,953
    I got this song my first show back in 2000
    PJ: 10/14/00 06/09/03 10/4/09 11/15/13 11/16/13 10/08/14
    EV Solo: 7/11/11 11/12/12 11/13/12
  • Options
    gfnk001gfnk001 Posts: 652
    Sunday bump.
    living in the present tense.

    http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
  • Options
    dpduke69dpduke69 Raleigh, NC Posts: 187
    Would love to see this open Greenville or Raleigh
    2013: Charlotte
    2016: Greenville Columbia
  • Options
    gfnk001gfnk001 Posts: 652
    One week away bump.
    living in the present tense.

    http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
  • Options
    gfnk001gfnk001 Posts: 652
    Night before bump. Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray Ed will see. . .
    living in the present tense.

    http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
  • Options
    The Waiting Trophy ManThe Waiting Trophy Man Niagara region, Ontario, Canada Posts: 12,158
    I used to think he was singing "in the west the sun cannot stay."

    My first live pj song and a personal favourite.
    Another habit says it's in love with you
    Another habit says its long overdue
    Another habit like an unwanted friend
    I'm so happy with my righteous self
  • Options
    javis el errantejavis el errante Buenos Aires Posts: 6,136
    just got home bump
    ... I am not in the business of being liked anymore ...

  • Options
    gfnk001gfnk001 Posts: 652
    Going in for sound check bump
    living in the present tense.

    http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
  • Options
    javis el errantejavis el errante Buenos Aires Posts: 6,136
    image
    ... I am not in the business of being liked anymore ...

  • Options
    javis el errantejavis el errante Buenos Aires Posts: 6,136
    Glad you got it
    ... I am not in the business of being liked anymore ...

  • Options
    DeamonDeamon Posts: 153
    Amazing that this stuff actually somehow gets to the band
    1998: Vancouver 7/19
    2005: Calgary 9/4
    2009: Calgary 8/8, San Diego 10/9
    2011: Calgary 9/21, Edmonton 9/23, Vancouver 9/25
    2012: Missoula 9/30
    2013: Calgary 12/2
    2014: Amsterdam1 6/16, Amsterdam2 6/17, Trieste 6/22, Berlin 6/26
    2016: Ottawa 5/8, Toronto 5/10, Toronto2 5/12
    2019: Dusseldorf 6/30 (EV)
    2022: Sacramento 5/18
  • Options
    PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,277
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x2j4wUQTRc
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • Options
    SmallestOceansSmallestOceans Posts: 13,542
    Happy you got it. That version last night mid set was unreal.
    Worcester1 13, Worcester2 13, Hartford 13, San Diego 13, Los Angeles1 13, Los Angeles2 13
    Trieste 14, Vienna 14, Gdynia 14, Leeds 14, Milton Keynes 14, Denver 14
    Central Park 15
    Fort Lauderdale 16, Miami 16, Tampa 16, Jacksonville 16, Greenville 16, Hampton 16, Columbia 16, Lexington 16, Philly1 16, Philly2 16, NYC1 16, NYC2 16, Quebec City 16, Ottawa 16, Toronto1 16, Toronto2 16, Fenway1 16, Fenway2 16, Wrigley1 16, Wrigley2 16


  • Options
    pdalowskypdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 14,713
    awesome
  • Options
    gfnk001gfnk001 Posts: 652
    Still absolutely blown away. It all happened because my student who was at the show. We were in for sound check, met Ed and she had a long convo with him including tears and multiple hugs. She wouldn't let me near when was talking with him.
    living in the present tense.

    http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
Sign In or Register to comment.