mr holland

When I was 15 I saw “Mr. Holland’s Opus”. I was moved by the love and dedication he had and hoped that one day I would be able to have a teacher touch my life the way Mr. Holland touched the lives of so many. Little did I know my wish was going to come true.

Later that year I started my Sophomore year at Cottonwood and I was introduced to Mr. Frohm. Mr Frohm taught band and orchestra and I was lucky enough to have him as my teacher.

Although I had been “playing” the flute since I was 11 I was no prodigy. Frankly I was horrible. But rather than belittle me and make me feel completely inept like his successor would do Mr. Frohm encouraged me to always keep playing-and he didn’t hesitate to show his disappointment that I didn’t continue playing the following year when I saw him at the Holiday Concert as a member of the choir rather than playing in the band. He stressed that loving music and having FUN playing music was far more important than being perfect. He had an uncanny resemblance to Richard Dreyfuss and because of this he was affectionately known to most of us as “Mr. Holland”.

I have many fond memories of Pep Band, Concert Band, and numerous classes. Memories filled with his infectious laugh, the good-natured joke at many a drum player’s expense, and mostly the love of music he gave to everyone.

Unfortunately for me Mr. Frohm took a promotion with the Granite School District at the end of my Sophomore year so I was only able have him as a teacher for one year. When I look back at my High School career, the one year I had in his class is still what stands out to me most.

In 2008 I ran into him at a production of “South Pacific” where he was Conducting the orchestra. I am so grateful I took the opportunity to go say hello and tell him “thank you”. Had I known it would be the last time I would speak with him I probably would have been more eloquent.

Sadly last week Mr. Frohm lost his battle with cancer and returned home to our Heavenly Father. As sad as this makes me-both for the loss of a great man, but also the pain his family is experiencing right now, I know he’s up there, playing his trumpet and cracking jokes. "Mr. Holland's Opus" is still my favorite movie to this day-I'm sure that's in large part to my being able to say I had my own Mr. Holland.

I love you Mr. Frohm and you will be missed by many. Maybe I’ll pull out my flute tonight and play him a song or two. :)

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=146169163

fickle phone

(yes i know this is all in lowercase; my shift button is retarded today and i was sick of going back and trying to fix every other word.)

dear at&t:

it was a clear December day back in 2000 when you and i met. i was given the gift of mobility. i had a cute red nokia phone. you introduced me to the world of text. we went everywhere together, and i loved you.

after about three years of bliss you became cingular and the relationship got even better. more coverage! no roaming! ROLLOVER MINUTES! i was in love. you could do no wrong. until about 18 months ago and you stopped being cingular and started going by at&t again. dropped calls. dicey call areas. no access to 3g-the nation's largest internet carrier. i got an iphone thinking things would be better. they got worse.

dear at&t. we are now at a crossroads. clean up your act and return to the stellar service we once shared or i'm out. i don't spend $100 of my hard earned money every month for service that only works when it wants to.

much love,
kristen.