I was surfing YouTube this evening, avoiding homework, when I came across this video. This guy has an amazing voice. Actually, he has two amazing voices. Watch with your sound on. You’ll see…or I guess you’ll hear what I mean.

The left lane is for passing, or turning if need be. That is all. Have a joyous day!

-G

I am a band geek. Specifically, I become obsessed with Indiana marching band every fall. From September through the beginning of November, I watch videos and look at scores and analyze things that no seemingly normal person would ever think about. What’s more, I’m not even the geekiest band geek that I know. There’s an entire world out there that few people know about. When most people think of marching band, they probably think of people walking around football field wearing funny hats and playing crappy music. That’s not the kind of marching band I’m talking about. I’m referring to competitive marching band. I’m also talking about something called Drum Corps during the summer, which isn’t marching band at all. It’s something that takes a lot of hard work. In fact, most people wouldn’t be able to do it because of the physical toll it takes on your body. I did it for five years and certainly couldn’t do it now. Watch this, from ESPN: (it’s only 3.5 minutes)

You should also watch this, at least for a minute or two, just to get an idea of what a competitive show looks like:

You try doing that while playing an instrument and remembering the exact spot you’re supposed to be on a field, making sure you’re exactly in line, in tune, in time, with your horn pointed exactly where it’s supposed to be and not to the left or right, too far up or down, that you are on step (using your left foot when everyone else is), etc. etc. etc. It’s tough! Plus, in the modern area of marching arts, you combine playing an instrument, running a 10 minute sprint, and doing modern dance and ballet.

I’ll leave you with a song that I enjoy listening to when I’m in a band (or corps) mood.

I hate public restrooms.

There. I said it. I’ll say it again. I hate public restrooms. I suppose that doesn’t really convey what I mean. I hate it when I need to use public restrooms. Especially at school. It’s bad enough that I’m spending hours and hours every day with my classmates. We eat together, study together, worry, plan, and sometimes swear we’re going to fail together. We listen to the things that come out of each other’s mouths. We shouldn’t also have to deal with things that come out of other places. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible.

We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of something and you feel that tugging in your stomach. Maybe a gurgle or two and you realize…”crap” (pun intended). If you’re in a room full of other people, you worry that they will judge you because of how long you’re gone. You feel every person stare at you as you walk out of the room and into the bathroom. While you’re there, you worry that someone will recognize your shoes or your bag or, even worse, will know who you are and comment about your choice of underwear because the stalls don’t go down to the floor. Perhaps you even worry that your phone will ring and people will recognize your ringtone. Should you reach into your pocket and turn your ringer off? What if someone sees you and thinks you’re playing on your phone while dropping the kids off at the pool. You’re not disgusting, you swear! In the meantime, you wonder why it seems like people aren’t washing their hands as you sit there, frozen, hoping no one will realize you’re even there.

Flexing your cheeks is, evidently, a very stressful act when it takes place in a public restroom. I suppose it could be worse. My middle school did not have doors on the stalls. That’s an entirely different story, and I don’t have time to talk about it right now. I need to close my laptop and flush.

More later.

-G

P.S. I’m not really in the bathroom right now. I swear. Stop judging me!