>One thing that keeps me judging music festivals is this: festival managers treat their adjudicators (judges) like gold. They provide coffee, snacks, water, and more. Even when I’ve had a rough week at my regular teaching job, when I judge I feel like my time and my expertise is valued. This weekend was unusual even by those standards. At my most recent festival, there was a gift bag donated by one of our local music stores. Advertising aside (I’m already a faithful customer!), it outdid anything I’ve ever seen. In fact, it was almost overboard.

Here’s the basic inventory.

I can’t complain about advertising when it’s on free and usable supplies. Most of the above will go to school with me or find a use at home (the chocolate? ahem). I must admit, though, even though I laughed out loud at the huge batch of goodies, it sure was nice to know they appreciated my work.

Photo from my new cell phone. Please excuse the blurriness; I’m still learning the ins and outs of the new phone and its camera.