Not too surprisingly, the jet-lagged Riordans took it easy for the first few days back. We both made it to school on Thursday, which was the first day of the second semester. Three of our thirteen London students made it to school that day as well – the rest stayed home and rested. In the evening, Mer and I watched the older original film version of Twelve Angry Men, which was really excellent.

Friday evening Mer and I went to the Root Cafe, which is a cafe run by a local Methodist church. I had never been before – it is a very nice space, and they have excellent hot chocolate. We were there to see a CVCA-based concert. Our friend and fellow teacher Eric taught a J-term class called “Meaningful Music,” where he helped eighteen students start to learn how to craft songs. The concert at the Root Cafe was the product of the students’ work. The students grouped themselves into five bands (I think one band was a non-class band that one student was also a member of, so I think four of the bands were class bands). They played anywhere from one to four songs each, so the concert lasted about ninety minutes, counting changing bands out and brief sound checks.

Mer and I probably would have gone to the concert just to support Eric, but Mer had several students who were in the class, and three members of the Royal Fools were in the class as well, so we both had relationships with some of the students in the class. They really did an excellent job. The bands had a good sound, especially since they had only been together for two weeks. Some of those kids can really really play their instruments – I was especially impressed by the guitar players since I know a little about the instrument. The songs sounded good, and the singers were very talented. Oh – and the place was packed. It was standing-room only; I’m guessing there must have been about a hunderd people on hand, from students to teachers to grandparents. The evening was also used to raise funds for supplies for the Dominican Republic, so it had a ministry aspect as well. It was a good evening, and the jet-lag made me and Meredith low energy, but we were able to stay awake.

Saturday was another mellow day. We had a late brunch at Wally Waffle in Akron, and then went for massages at Massage Envy. I did not think I could handle the pain of a deep massage on my back and neck, so I went for the medium massage, full body. I had not realized how sore my arms and legs were. The massage was most welcome.  We ended the day by going to Perkins Restaurant in Hudson. We bumped into a CVCA parent and one of my Fools (and an excellent guitar player from Meaningful Music). We chatted with them briefly, and then found out when we went to leave that they had picked up the bill for us. That was a real blessing to us, and was very thoughtful.

Sunday was second service at church, so we got to sleep in. I’m in the upcoming church play, and we practice after church, so Mer and I have been going to the late service to facilitate that. After church and practice, we went over to Zach and Londa’s house. They had been kind enough to invite us over to watch the Jets-Patriots game with them, and I was pleased to be able to go. I love the Churchills, and we had a great time, which included way too much food.

Monday was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and so was a holiday for us. Mer spent the entire day grading, while I ran for the first time in two weeks, and then puttered around the house, which included falling asleep on the couch with Jackson (one of our cats) asleep on my chest. The extra day on the weekend pretty much put an end to the last of the jet-lag.

So, things are pretty much back to normal here in the Riordan household, which is still pretty great to me. Maybe not as exciting as London, but I’m fond of it anyway.