So we had another rehearsal this past weekend. We got some new music including the opener - "Julius" by Phish. I really like it and it's fun to play. I suppose the most noteworthy part of rehearsal involves the picture below.
As you can see we rehearsed outside for a little bit. I think we actually went around the lot three or four times. Just enough times for me to play the parade tune twice and have my valves completely frozen the third time. Overall it wasn’t that bad. My feet were very warm even though we were marching on ice, really it was just my hands and lips that felt the brunt of the cold. Since that day though I have discovered that I can wear my skiing gloves and still play which made me very happy. The lips, there is no solution for that really, cold horn, wet lips, it’s just not a good combo. As far as the valves freezing, I think I worked on a semi-solution for that, but I’m not quite ready to share that yet. Maybe I will after the parade if it really works.
As I type, the temperature is 20 and it feels like 20
Sometimes things just make me laugh and I thought I would share one with you. I just think it's funny how often new words are created with "iffic" or "tastic" added to the end. For example, I say craptastic a lot. I think that comes from a Cromerism, but I can't even remember anymore. Of course there is the most annoying example, "Its Comcastic," but I think this one is now my #1 favorite. How can you beat Butteriffic?!? So for once I can honestly say marketing worked on me.
About a week-and-a-half ago the Govenaires officially opened their 80th Season. The Govenaires are the oldest competing Drum and Bugle corps (consecutive years) in the world. As many of you know it has been my privilege to be a part of this group for the past three years.
2007 Recruiting Video
This year I have decided to leave my semi-comfort zone with the guard and enter the world of the horn line. Some people have been a little shocked by this and it is kind of difficult to explain. I love the guard. Performing is finally becoming a little better for me and technically I know I’m much better than I was 3 years ago. However, part of me knows that I cannot move to the next level. I know I will never be graceful, nor do I “perform” that well. (smiling has never been a strong suit, you can ask the pom pon group I did in jr. high) There are so many reasons, but that is basically the root of it, plus I just miss marching. So I started teaching myself how to play Baritone in October, made my public debut in December, and attended my first rehearsal as a horn member the first weekend in January.
I entered that rehearsal full of excitement and extreme nerves. On one hand, I know most of these people and they all support this decision. (some more than others) I know that no one expects me to be any good at this point. I expect more from myself than others do. It’s just unknown territory for me. How do I hold the horn? How do I use valve oil correctly? How do your hands hold this thing? When will my arm stop hurting? When will I finally be able to hit that note? (always a changing question) These were the thoughts going through my head as the first rehearsal approached.
Thanks Guse for teaching me the right way to oil the valves
This is what I can say now. I feel better. I like the new horns although they make me quite nervous as far as hurting them goes. The notes are getting better and each day I practice I feel a tiny bit better. I know it will be slow going, but I also know that I will put 100% of myself into becoming the best I can.
I'm the Tone third from the right, with the bad horn angle (I'll fix that)
I’m sure there will be many more posts about the season this year, but I just kind of wanted to get you all up to speed on my switching etc. The next post about it won’t be so serious. (or long)
As I type the temperature is 1 degree, wind chill –15 degrees.
Actually a cold day in July might feel pretty good right now. Winter has finally arrived in Minneapolis and boy is it cold. It snowed a couple of inches last night and everything looks pretty again. In the mornings I enjoy my walk four blocks from the parking garage to work. It’s fun to see how quickly my nose hairs freeze. Simple pleasures I suppose.
There have been many times in the pas few weeks I have thought of things to write about. Sometimes I just run out of time, other times I decide it was a stupid topic. Today I’m going to get a few things out of the way with general updates. So this is the classic “bulleted” message. I think everyone needs one of these every few months.
What we’ve been up to since our last real post (12/6/06)
The second weekend in December we drove down to Columbia, MO and visited Brandon’s parents and even drove down to Mooooonnnneeett (Monet) to visit his Grandma. It was a good visit, Missouri had more snow than Minnesota, and the smoked meat was spectacular.
The next weekend I mad my debut on horn and joined the Govies Christmas Caroling outing. It was good and a great way to break into trying to play Baritone (and my first and last time on a G)
Christmas was lovely. Brandon had to work, but we still managed to celebrate in our own way. You can check out our Christmas Toy Box here. (as well as some updated pictures of the house)
New Years Eve Day we went to the Rams/Vikings game….RAMS WON!! I was all decked out in my Rams gear (including a Rams santa hat) and Brandon was Nellied out in his Blues jersey and Cardinals hat representin’ the Lou.
New Year’s Eve we drove through a heavy heavy snow storm to a friends house for a small gathering. It was a lovely time, pretty low key, but very nice. The picture above is from that night.
The next weekend marked the first Govie rehearsal for me, but I’m going to do a separate post about that tomorrow (I promise)
I’m still helping out another guard with their winter program. I’m not in charge is which awesome and a great learning device for me to see how others work with high school guards. I’m continuing the same job and enjoying it still. We went to a benefit organized by a co-worker just last night, it was a great time. You should check out the pictures.
Brandon continues to work too far from home and too many nights. We have had several tough weeks of not seeing each other, but hopefully that will all change soon. He had a pretty good interview just recently and we’re discussing the pros and cons of the job. More on that later.
Well, that’s it. I hope you feel informed now.
Brandon ends his posts with “as I type this listening to…, “ well I’m going to start ending mine – As I type the temperature is 3 degrees, wind chill –7 degrees.
