Happy Wednesday!

Some days are just simply "good days" and some are "awesome days." Many times the difference is in the attitude I decide to have. Even if every little thing explodes, falls, squeaks, cracks, burns, or breaks doesn't mean I have to follow suit. A wise man once said, "They can take everything away from me, but they can't take away my attitude." This man was a Jewish man who had been held in a horrifying concentration camp during World War II. He made this comment after being held in said camp for a long time (months, or years I cannot remember).

The story of Job from the Bible explains the countless hardships and adversities a person can go through and yet still be an optimist in a field of pessimism. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord!"

I have avoided using steroetypifying "good" and "bad" because I am trying to mold my attitude and thinking into a more optimistic lifestyle. Some days are harder than others to accomplish such a task, but I can see the true joy that radiates from those who have that bubbly, bright, positive, and smiling personality. They are a beacon to me on those harder days and my motivation to keep smiling.

Some such band-siblings of mine (I tend to think of most of my fellow band members as my second or third families) act as those beacons. Whether it be sharing a good laugh over what might happen if we brought our kitties to school and kept them in our band lockers, rejoicing over a "good" reed (which in some boxes tends to be quite rare), or finding that sometimes it might just be easier to sleep overnight in a practice room due to late night/early morning band commitments (don't worry, only speculative) they can always lift my spirits and bring a needed smile, hug, or snack during the school day.

Other days I feel as if I can be my own radiator of cheer and try to spread it in my own little quiet way, but I still have miles to go before I master that skill. One of the biggest contributors to my happy furnace is music. My brother said one day that whatever song he might play, with time he can find aspects of that song that he likes; therefore leading him away from disliking songs. I have felt the same way since I started playing, at first I may be indifferent to some songs, but after rehearsing them for so long I can't help but find things I love about it. Other songs leave me thrilled after one hearing.

Most of my High School band years were spent in the later circumstance. Whether my band director shaped all of his students to be like him or whether he just brought out that part of us naturally I am not sure. Probably some of both happened, but either way I instantly, or close to it, fell in love with every piece we played (which I attribute to the awesomeness of my band director's taste). This year has been different; new director with new tastes, and new band siblings. I do still enjoy many of the pieces we play, but only one or two so far has caught my love like the pieces of past years. Every time I play any of those songs I can't help but look like a smiling fool for hours. They give me an Adrenalin rush that only they can and boost my spirits up with the clouds.

I see now that I have gone off on a tangent and not gotten to any of the list of happy things I had ready to post on for the day. I will leave the list as is for your imagination to run away with and to not make any longer this monster post.

-tuner-clock invention

-essay paper turned in (relief! Hooray!)

-good reed

-happy music

-WARM sun sitting and reading

-Prospective Kite flying field=no power lines/poles!! Rules against flying kites on campus?=cleared!


I love you all!! Be safe!

-The BandNeeek

Week's Worth

So. This week had been a happy week. That is what I have decided. Let's start from where I left you...Monday? Yes, that'll work. Monday it is! (Warning: This is a rambling and non-centralized post! Read at your own risk of becoming bored and/or lost in silly little stories)

MONDAY

Sunny weather and unseasonably warm. Learned about the geography of Germany in my German class, and how cows live in the fields/pastures in the agricultural areas of Germany. I remember the silly things my friends and I would come up with in our Jr.High and High school german classes, most of which included a dead cow head (hurray for making use of our very limited vocabulary!). Fun times.

In my Calculus class we took notes on calculus concepts (all of which are still review for me, as I took the class in high school, but review is good). Oft times my mind wanders when taking notes on things that I already understand confidently. It started when we began "Decomposing Functions" at the beginning of class. My imagination immediately bounded off in tangential angles, leaving my eyes and hand to finish taking notes from the board. I will let your imagination roam from there as I have just deleted my sorry attempt at explaining my own random thought processes...I am sure you would have been quite lost.

In the evening I found out that my Seester (sister) is getting married! My Seester!! I am so excited and happy for her!! (as well as still in denial, I can't believe it! It is so cool!!)

TUESDAY

Today was also quite warmer than February is supposed to be (around 50 degrees), in fact I think it is the warmest it has been all year! Cool! I rolled down my windows on the way home and thought about marching band practice when I passed our practice field (the girl's soccer team was out practicing on the 'plowed' (?) field...I didn't know they plowed astro-real turf...).

Switched some seating placements in band. Now the first players are on the inside/in the middle while the thirds are on the outside (for flutes and clarinets anyway). Wonder if/how long that will last, but it is very interesting to hear the band from a different place. Neat stuff, acoustics.

I have been having to park in farther-away-parking-lot, which involves crossing one of the busier roads on campus instead of my happy parking lot which is right close to the "Band" building. I don't mind walking the extra bit, but sometimes it takes a little while to be able to cross the road when there are alot of cars going by. I wait patiently, a couple minutes won't kill me. Car, car, car, GAP!!...oh wait, car from the other way (should I call it "rac" if it is coming from the "other way?" -teehee-). Car, car, rac, rac, rac...Gap...wait, make sure it is a real gap...nope another rac was hiding...car car...Gap....still gap... speed walk across the street, head bouncing left, right, left, right with every step. (I don't want to end up as a smear in the asphalt)

Today, on my way back to my car after all of my classes, I stood and waited. Only a couple seconds passed and the cars that were coming (one in each direction of the three way intersection) slowed and stopped. I must've looked confusedly at the nearest car who waved me across the street. I smiled and I think (I hope) I waved back and said (or mouthed) thank you. I love when people are so kind and unselfish! It makes me happy.

WEDNESDAY

I saw and gave a happy "Hi" to a fellow marching band-er that I haven't seen since around marching band times last semester (said person isn't in Band-band), and received a happy "Hi" back. Ah, the joys of being easily made happy.

After school I got my oil changed (finally!) and felt so silly at my not knowing that you are supposed to drive your car up to the garage and wait there for an attendant rather than park and wander up looking for an attendant. All well. I am sure they will have a good giggle about my ignorance of "the system" of such places/things as I am. I like being able to laugh at myself, I get entertainment wherever I go!

REST OF THE WEEK

It was my brother's birthday on Thursday (I wished him a happy birthday in which he replied that I was his favorite BandNeeek, and I in return replied I was the only BandNeeek he knew...I love having a unique name : D), and on Friday we had sort of a family birthday party for him. I love my family functions. We have lots of fun together, plus I got to see my Seester (the one who is now engaged!!! I am still so happy and excited for her!).

I also got to play at a couple girls basketball games (Pep Band) and found out that the girls, even though they are doing just about as well as their male counterparts in basketball land, their games are vastly less attended. I am glad we were there to play, it was fun and I love to play.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! Stay safe and smile your face off!

--The BandNeeek

Happy First Week of the New Semester!

I made it through the first week of the new semester, YAY! Really, it wasn't too bad, in fact it was pretty stinkin' good! And now, whether you want it or not, I will proceed to tell you about it, because it makes me happy. Of the two threatened auditions (each for placement in different bands I am in) only one of them ended up being required, which is awesome seeing as auditions are far from my favorite thing in the world. Ironic seeing as band is up at the top of my favorite things list. Surely a band-hater wouldn't have soundtracks to their dreams, especially if said soundtrack included in-dream compositions, various band songs, and any other random song. I love it.

I got a reply from one of my local fire departments about possibly participating in a ride-along (which I have been wanting to do for some time to see whether wanting to be a Paramedic/Fire(wo)man is just a stage or something that I really want to do). That e-mail made my day, I am so excited! All I have to do now is call them back...I hate the phone. I love the freedom of time and editing abilities that writing allow. My thinking is slower on my feet and I often reflect to previous conversations I've had and fuss about things I should have rephrased or things I should/shouldn't have added. Perhaps I just need more practice getting out of my shy comfort-bubble and talking with people.

I attended a Health Fair over the past weekend with one of my best friends and, naturally, we had a blast! We got tons of anti-oxidant/energizing/health drink samples, lots of interesting information, a free (albeit short) massage, and entered into many drawings for fun prizes. By the end of the day we were on a healthy buzz of sorts and bouncing off the walls. I got a call earlier this week informing me that I had won one such drawing for two ski/snowboard passes. Awesome! Now I just need to get over my fear of going off the bunny hills... I have been on "real" runs, I just have a thing for the bunny hill. : ) Maybe some day I will grow out of it.

I have played in three Pep Band games, Basketball games for those of you more sport-watching oriented, in the past week. Pep Band is fun (although I have to admit Marching Band is more fun. Can't wait for Marching Band season!!). I get to play, I get to feel special by getting into sports functions with my instrument as a ticket, I get more band T-shirts, I get to play, I get to hang out with my band family, occasionally (like last weekend) I get really good half-off-of-real-tasty-Italian-fast-food coupons, and I get to play!

I have successfully avoided the on campus bookstore and only have one more book to track down and buy. Yay for finding cheaper used textbooks!

It snowed about six inches this past week! I love the snow. There is something about the way it makes everything so white, pure, and softens otherwise harsh edges. I love the way snowflakes fall so softly and gently. I love the taste. I love to be out shoveling the walks. I love having snowflakes stick to my hair and eyelashes. I love to be the first to walk/drive outside and see the flawless blanket of white over the world. I love the way the snow sets on the trees around walkways and roads weighing down overhanging branches. The snow just makes me happy.

Well, I think I have done enough rambling for now. (and I can't think of anything else of interest that I have done this week) Stay safe and have a happy day!