Oui!

Warning, Long Post!

Where to begin, where to begin.

I suppose the big news is the trip. We ended up finding a reserve of cash in the band's name (thanks to FPS Paintball). So at the end of the day only three students had to pay $10, for the rest of us the trip was free!

My car had an enjoyable trip down there. We got lost briefly....twice...but eventually made it to the hotel. After a brief respite to change into uniform, we went to the arena.

We entered during halftime of the previous games (The Bison vs the Bucaneers). During the game we cheered both sides, and generally relaxed. Then the Chargers game. Although we lost, I can say that I've never been prouder of the band. Especially when we were 12 points behind and the Band turned up the cheering 3 fold!

But we lost the game. We had a pizza party at the hotel to celebrate the end of the band year, stayed up late, and dismissed the band to do what they want to on Saturday. My group did some shopping, and decided to outrun the rain back to Huntsville.

Suppose that's the main news...

On the bad side, as of March 5, I've been laid off of my job at Digium, and am currently and very ungainfully unemployed. Mine was one of 21~24 jobs eliminated (depending on who you ask). Right now I'm going through outplacement and job search placement Digium hired for those of us who were laid off. I'm only one of five doing that - as sad percentage of us new victims of the Recession.

It still feels kind of off - like I'll wake up tomorrow and go to work as if nothing happened. I know this isn't the case, and am working to fix that, but it's definitely and odd feeling.

I do have some good news. My clarinet is finally out of the shop (okay, so it's been out of the shop since about the first...). I've had to put lessons on hold until I can afford it...but I've been practicing on my own, and am picking it up fairly quickly. Don't worry, I still actively practice on my flute and piccolo too. Can't have me going back to Pep band next year not being able to play my own instrument.

Trip Ramp up!

Well, preparations for the trip are now in full swing. We've done what fundraising we can, and now we need to work on details. Right now we have a price break with $40 for those who didn't help out in fundraising, $25 for those who did, with drivers (such as yours truly) being refunded $10 per person. However that is subject to change.

We will leave Friday noonish, by the look of things right now. Now comes the part I hate: Trying to get through the week before the band trip. Oh well, see you next time!