Talk To Scott

After spending 32 years of my adult life as a classroom teacher and coach, I retired to start a new career as a real estate agent. It has worked out pretty well and is a very cool job. But there a couple of times a year that I really miss the old job—coaching. The beginning of a new school year is definitely one of them. I used to teach English, Government and Economics, American History, and sometimes (when the principal was really desperate) Word Geography. As a result, I am a relatively good Trivial Pursuit player and not too bad at anything else that requires knowledge of the obscure. I thought that I would just make a list of the things that I miss about being a teacher. It’s somewhat like one of Letterman’s lists—as I am trying to save the best for last, but it won’t be perfect.
• Other teachers. Teachers get an unfair rap, actually multiple raps, and get blamed for everything from “Johnny can’t read,” to failing to teach values. Teachers come in all shapes and sizes, but they get in front of a room of kids every day because they love their subject and the kids.
• Fall and, believe it or not, football. High school football season always starts as a time of possibility. Kids believe that they can make something wonderful happen in their lives if they just believe and work. You know what? Often they can, and not just in football.
• Being a teacher. Teaching is a buzz every day when done right. Watching lights go on, seeing someone get excited about Shakespeare or understanding the Constitution is a special thing.
• The gym. I was a high school basketball coach for over thirty years. I spent about 200 days a year in a gym. There is nothing quite like a good one. The smell of crowds and popcorn, the sound of a leather ball hitting the wood floor, the squeak of pair of basketball shoes, and the sweet harmony of a tightly spinning ball swishing through a net. Gyms are great places. My ten-year-old son told me that the only bad thing about me retiring as a coach was that I no longer “had a gym.” He was right.
• Coaches. I miss them all. The football guys with their matching outfits; the track coaches with their ever-present stop watches; the volleyball coaches, who really have the best jobs, because not one of the dads has a clue about what is going on; tennis and golf coaches, and any other one you can name, because they have a passion for what they do. Great people
• Buses. Yellow dogs. Hounds. Getting on one always meant that you were going someplace special. Nothing is better than walking onto a field or better yet into a gym with a bunch of kids who were ready to give their all in pursuit of victory.
• Referees. Really good people. I have said some awful things to many of them. My only defense is that I was always right about the call—but not about them. By the way, I am kidding about that “always right” stuff.
• Players. Coaching kids was a blessing. I am glad that I was able to do it for so long and achieve some measure of success.
Anyway, that is what was great about being a teacher/coach. Hey, life changes, and my life continues to be great. I am thinking tonight about all of those students/players that I had the good fortune to be around and the special opportunity to be called “Coach” in my lifetime.

I have always loved music and like to listen to most of it…..unless the musicians are flopping about on the stage like a fish on a wharf. That’s where I draw the line. But I digress. We have some pretty cool musical things going on right in San Angelo, Texas, principal among them a fellow named Daniel Makins.  Daniel and I met a couple of years ago when he talked to me about him and his wife Claire making the move back to his hometown.  Well, he and Claire and his kids came home to the Concho and with him returned his passion for music. What kind of music is it? Folk, country, acoustical guitar playing good is what it is!  I recommend that you show up to any of his shows, but what I have enjoyed the most is his San Angelo New Folk Series.

Daniel has obviously spent some time on the road and along the way has met quite a few  talented musicians, many of whom he is bringing to our town.  It’s a good evening of music, maybe an adult beverage or two, and the wit and wisdom of Daniel Makins. He can really make that guitar sing and has a wide range of songs that are personal, poetic and wildly entertaining.  His guests are fun as well.  If you are looking for a great night out and something quite a bit different from dinner and a movie, try my favorite folk singer ( okay, aside from Woody Guthrie) some night.

I have included a link to his website and one of his tunes.  It’s just a taste of his music, but once you sample it, you’ll come back for more. http://www.danielmakins.com/calendar.html

Many of you are living in my world; we have kids at home and are always looking for something to do. Entertainment isn’t cheap and a trip to the movie theater puts a huge dent in the family budget.  Well, do I have a deal for you.  Actually, Angelo State University has it. I don’t know what they call it, but I call the “Family Four Pack.” For $100, you can buy general admission tickets for a family of four to every ASU sporting event for the year. That’s right, volleyball, football, basketball (men’s and women’s), softball,  and baseball. If a ball is bouncing, spinning, rebounding, curving, spiraling or whatevering—you and your kids can be there.

It’s a great family atmosphere—safe, clean, and more or less “small town.” What do I mean by that? I can let my kids go to the concession stand by themselves without worrying. It’s one more thing that makes San Angelo such a great place. If I lived in Dallas and wanted to take the kids to a Ranger’s game, how much would that cost? Here, I can nestle in a seat on the third base line and watch some pretty good baseball for a lot less money.

Of course, I forgot to mention one more thing that makes  this a great deal. All of the teams are pretty darned good.  The coaches are class people who conduct themselves in a way that brings credit to the community and university.  Most importantly, the student-athletes compete hard, act right and are good at what they do. If you like athletics (even if you are just a casual fan), this is the place to be.

See you in the bleachers, at the gym, or in the stands.

One of the things that I have discovered since I became a realtor is that everyone wants to talk about real estate. The general populace wants to talk about 3 things: how much their house is worth, what they can do to update their houses and make them more valuable, and home improvement shows. I’ve got to admit these things fascinate me as well. Like many homeowners, I lie awake at night hoping that property values go up—and that the tax appraiser doesn’t notice. Before remodeling our kitchen (which my wife can take the credit for) we thought about how the things we were doing affected our value. I’ll blog about that at a later date.  But who would have thought that everyone would watch HGTV??? Not me.

Boy, was I wrong. I can tell when people are going to remodel, update, sell or contemplate doing any of the above when they mention HGTV. The shows are cool, lively, entertaining and informative. In addition to the TV program, the website is an incredible source of information. Not only can you read about the national mania, housing, but you can also read blogs about kitchens, bathrooms, fabric, and the like. As a “guy” I admit to being challenged in this area. But I’m learning. Click on the link below to see more of this incredible site. See you in the blogosphere. http://www.hgtv.com/