The first week in a nutshell

I apologize to the followers of this blog for not being able to post till now, but those who've been with me on this trip so far can testify that I've been a bit busy keeping things going and preparing for my classes.  I still don't have much time now to say all there is to say.  And photos will have to wait as well.  Suffice it to say, overall the trip has gone well so far.  Yes, there have been a few rocky patches and painful learning experiences, but everyone has survived and seems to have enjoyed the London field trips and the first weekend of free travel.  My own trip to Liverpool over the weekend was my first experience of the Beatles' home city, and I had a terrific time at the Ringo concert and then exploring the city the next day.  It prepared me well for our next visit with the entire group on June 28-29.

After two days of classes, I've learned that I have far more material to discuss than there is time for.  So I'm creating Powerpoints on each of the years of the Beatles' career in the 60s, from '63 to '70, which will be available to students via Blackboard, and they can get a feeling for the things we don't have time for in class.  That's a pattern with me that I'm still struggling to overcome:  producing far more than is necessary.  It happens not only in my teaching but also my writing.  Is there rehab for that?

That's all I have time for at the moment.  But I promise more as the program continues....

11 Days to Blastoff

We are now in the serious countdown phase of the program: 11 days and a to do list longer than my arm.  This is my call out to everyone: help me remember all the things I have to remember!

We have a great group and more fun planned than a serious academic program has a right to have, but learning SHOULD be fun, right?  No pain no gain?  How about replacing that with "Without pleasure, there's nothing to measure."  Does that work?  We shall see.  Stay tuned for the results of this study.

Fantastic Liverpool Field Trip

Yesterday we were taken by coach (our mad driver Terry), to learn all about the Beatles in Liverpool, and we got much more than our money's worth. Some even got the once in a lifetime experience of performing onstage at the famous Cavern Club, where the Beatles got their start. Here's a sampling.



The group at the entrance to Beatles Story museum.




Susan Landenwitsch on Penny Lane with Katie Tobin as photographer.




Professor Mark Otten and our Magical Mystery Tour bus.




Kim Krekeler at Strawberry Field.




Enjoying live Beatles music at the Cavern Club: l-r Mathea Harbaugh, Dennis Halpin, Anna White, Hannah Kutcher, Kim Krekeler, Nina Adams, and Christine Jagger.




And THEN! Kimberlyn Angelo, right, was invited up to play guitar with Two of Us, a Beatles tribute duo.

I have a video of her performance that I'll try to post separately.


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Location:Liverpool, England