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The Long Road...
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....
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I really hope you get to hear your favourite song! I hope someday I get to sing Ghost with Eddie!
Check out this thread, if you haven't already: Eddie Vedder's graduation ceremony.
http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
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
2018: Wrigley 1, Fenway 1
2022: Nashville
2023: Ft. Worth II
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.
http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
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
http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
even if I look and act really crazy.
http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
EV Solo: 7/11/11 11/12/12 11/13/12
http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
2016: Greenville Columbia
http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
My first live pj song and a personal favourite.
Another habit says its long overdue
Another habit like an unwanted friend
I'm so happy with my righteous self
http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&
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
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
http://boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=948&