A Thousand Words or More...

I'm watching something on VH1 about Kerry and Bush, telling about how much stuff they own... cars, houses, boats, planes, whatever else. Crazyness.

Another thing that makes me sick is my ear. I have a HORRIBLE earache. I was stupid and put hydrogen peroxide AND swimear in it. I dunno what I was thinking that would do for it. Now it is just full of liquid and irritating. Oh and not to mention my balance is shot, I really can't do anything except lay in bed other wise I get dizzy.

Classes are going well. I love the no classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I get a lot of work/rest on those days. Now I hope this earache goes AWAY before Wednesday.

I wish I got to go on a band trip in high school.

***

MHS Band Chicago-bound

Thursday, August 26, 2004
By Chris Post/Senior Staff Writer

This year the Marshall High School band is performing the music of the band Chicago at events including home football games. This spring they will travel to the city that inspired the band's name.

When the trip was originally proposed to the Marshall Board of Education in June, board members had several concerns they wanted to see addressed. A proposal dealing with these issues was presented and approved at Tuesday's board meeting.

Class attendance

In June, board members were wary of a school trip that would have students missing additional days of school. A suggestion had been made to take the trip over spring break, but this would have separated band members from their families during the Easter holiday.
After reviewing the academic calendar, March 17 through 20 was selected as a possibility for the trip. March 17 is the Thursday of parent-teacher conferences and is only a half day of classes. There is no school on the Friday of that week. Students would also return to Marshall early enough on Sunday to have time to properly rest before returning to school.

Fund raising

The board also had concerns about the stress fund raising for such a trip would place on the district's patrons. The fundraising plan put together by the band will still ask Marshall residents for their assistance, but also looks outside the community.
Locally, the students and their parents will volunteer to work at Dairy Queen, sell Sonic discount cards, sell butterbraids and musical Christmas cards and host a chili/soup supper. Outside the community, the band will work the concession stands of Kansas City pro sports games. This project is estimated to raise $3,000 for the trip.

Supervision

Taking any group of students to another state comes with its share of inherent risks and board members wanted some assurance that the students would be properly supervised during their trip.

To accomplish this, the band is arranging for nine adult chaperones to accompany them. Band director Sarah Cavanah said she is trying to meet the board's request that the chaperones be staff members, but may have to rely on band parents to fill out the ranks. She noted that the parents have been strong supporters of the band and count useful professionals such as paramedics among their numbers.

Learning opportunities

Finally, the board wanted to make sure that, as a school-sanctioned event, the trip would be an educational experience for the band members.

In addition to visiting educational sites such as Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum and Abraham Lincoln's home, the four-day itinerary also includes three possible performance engagements for the band.

This will not only provide playing experience for band members, but will also give them an opportunity to warm up for the district music festival which take place the week following the trip, Cavanah said.

Not that I don't miss other people/things, I just REALLY miss them right now.

Erik brought Sophie to the apartment this afternoon. I think I made a big mistake by letting her play with Hallie's and Boo's toys. This besides the band thing has been about the only two crappy things that have happened to me in a while, way better than the crappy-thing-a-day deal that was going on at home.

I'm really going to like having no classes on Thursday. It feels like it's a Saturday when it is only Thursday. Amazingly enough I am way ahead on my homework, great stuff.

I think I need to call Domino's and see if they sent my check, it's been two weeks since payday and I haven't got my check yet. GRRR.

I haven't been posting much since I've moved to Oklahoma. Probalby because I'm once again surrounded by people and classes have started. I got out of my Calc 2 discussion early today because we don't really have homework to look over so I'm sitting in the union. I need to add money to my sooner sense so I can get a soda or something to eat while I'm on campus. But anyway, I'm not sure how the back to back classes from 9:30 to 3-20 is going to work out, frankly it kind of sucks because I'm running around campus trying to make it to class on time. I keep telling myself and others that I'm going to get a 4.0 this semester, I really hope I do, even though that is probably setting my goal just a tad bit to high. Oh well that's sometimes a good thing. I've been meeting a lot of cool people over the last few weeks which is nice. I plan on joining a lot of clubs and other things, so maybe I'll have to cut the job search until next semester. Speaking of the job search, I got an application for Mazzio's. I don't know if I really want to go back into that realm of business, but it is what I know the best. Who knows really.

I'm really going to like my philosophy class. Nothing like pondering the reasons of things, which I often do. I hope calc 2 and physics will be easier the second time around. And as for my music class, HAHAHAHA. We were supposed to read the first 3 chapters, I looked at them and put the book away. Too bad I already know my note names and what the symbols mean, among other things, many other things. That is going to be an easy class. So is my government class. Hopefully everything goes well.

Ok time to go to class now.

I didn't make the band. That really sucks, but oh well.

I had a REALLY CRAPPY audition, I pretty much started to cry in the middle of it because it was so bad. The marching audition went well but when it came down to who was in and who was out, well I was out. It really sucked because I really wanted to be in Tau Beta Sigma. I plan on trying out for concert band in the spring, maybe I can join next fall.

I need to find something to fill my time and make friends. I guess I probably lost the few band friends I made this week, which sucks because I am a band kid, and I like hanging out with other band kids. Maybe I'll get a job, I dunno.

Life is good in the apartment. Very amusing at times and sometimes boring, but we all get along which is what matters.

Maybe the whole sand volleyball thing in the front of our apartment isn't going to be that great.

Right now it is almost 11 pm and I have two headlights shining in my window and I can feel/hear bass of music in my room. This REALLY SUCKS for someone that wants to go to sleep. Maybe I'll go out on the porch and stare at them for a minute. Yes that is what I'm going to do.

Ok so I finally made it to Oklahoma, took two tries this time but I made it.

Yeah I made it 140 miles into my 450 mile trip and realized that I had left BOTH of my clarinets in my room at home, along with all four of my pillows. So I turned around and drove back home to get them. I went to sleep at about 8 and woke up around 2 and got out of town. The drive was GREAT, there was next to no traffic from 3 till 6. Really nice.

I've been up since 2 AM and only had about a hour and a half nap this afternoon. BLAH. I tried to practice a little this afternoon, sucks because I ruined my really good reed at the State Fair and now I have to break a new one in, in less than a day. Oh what fun. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day after I sleep in. Finally I get to sleep in, I haven't got to do that since I was down here last weekend. I'm really freaking out about the whole marching band thing now. MAJORLY. I don't think I'll be unnerved until The Pride is posted Wednesday at 5:30. Then maybe I can relax a bit.

Until then, I don't know what. Probably just a lot of clarinet playing.

It was kind of sad knowing that I probably wouldn't ever be playing in City Band ever again, and never be playing aside my friends again.

There never has been a REAL dull moment in City Band. Yes there were the times that I didn't want to go because after four years of playing pretty much the same music I got tired of it. But none the less I am really going to miss it. Mary Lou Porter came up with some good quotes from Mr. Lines throughout the season.. Here are a few I remember... (you may not REALLY appreciate them unless you know Mr. Lines or are a music person)

"No, Your not getting the attack I really want, I want an attack as if a cotton ball was being dropped on a marshmallow"

ok so I can't remember any other ones.. That sucks because there was some good ones.

Anyway, only two more things to do before I head back to Oklahoma: party and a wedding. I'm ready to get it done and over with.

I don't really care for Kelly Clarkson, but whoever wrote this song for her, wrote a song that I can really relate to. It's called "Break Away."

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I'd pray
I could break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jetplane
Far away
And break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I GOTTA take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging with revolving doors
Maybe I don’t know where they’ll take me but
Gotta keep movin on movin on
Fly away
Break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
Though it’s not easy to tell you goodbye
Take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away
Break away
Break away

This goes to all the people I'm leaving behind here at home. :*(

For the LAST time in a LONG time.

Ok so I've stripped my house of anything for me to do and take it to the apartment, 450 miles away. So now all I have to keep me entertained besides my friends, is the TV and my computer. So I'm at the kitchen table on the computer with the TV on. Jennifer Lopez is on dancing and "singing" the song "Play." Ok so as a REAL musician, this whole thing is ticking me of seriously. She is lip syncing. If you are going to claim yourself as a real singer/musician/whatever, make sure you ACTUALLY do what you are claiming to be. So she is a "singer," don't you think she should be SINGING??? Lip Syncing really ticks me off. Unless it's one of those lip syncing contests like we used to have in High School, then it's ok. I'm a clarinet player, I ACTUALLY play my music, I think faking it is just an easy way out. Whatever.

Ok so now I'm watching a show about beavers, much better than a lip syncing "singer." I'm going to be busy the next few days: Tomorrow is "a day with Lora" Thursday is "get books in Sedalia with Lora in the morning, go back to Marshall, then the fun city band trip to the State Fair in Sedalia from 11 am to 5 pm, then another/our last band concert at 7:30 pm," Friday is Angela's Bachlorette party out at Jennifer's House, then Saturday is Angela's wedding and get the heck out of here day. I'm ready for it all. I miss the free wireless internet. :)

Actually I think it's just time for bed.

I've been putting up my posters and decorating my room. I've ran out of ideas of what to do with all this space on my door. What really sucks is.... I've got one wall entirely covered with posters and a whole wall not, and I'm out of posters. It's not like I can run out and buy more, due to lack of money, so I don't know what I'm going to do with that space. Something needs to be done. I also need to figure out some clever way to hook my lightening plate, lava lamp, and blacklight together so I can turn them all on at the same time, like I did in my room at home, with a power strip. I don't know how that's going to work in here.

This post really isn't for your gain, more for mine, too much thinking about empty space. arg. Can't you tell it's really bothering me? HAHA I wish that's all that bothered me and all I had to worry about. Life would be sweet.

I got this in an email from one of my friends.


We have become such a diverse religious nation but I believe that Christianity still prevails nation wide. I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas. So, if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words "Under God" to be on our money, then, so be it. And if that same Government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a Government installation, then, so be it. And since they already have prohibited any prayer in the schools, on which they deem their authority, then so be it. I say, "so be it," because I am a law abiding US citizen. I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions. I would like to think that those people have the American People's best interests at heart. BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE? Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot Post His Commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the Government and it's employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our Government is eliminating from so many facets of American life. I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter. After all, it's just another day. I'd like the US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter as well as Sundays. After all, it's just another day. I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives not have to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break." After all it's just another day. I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter. It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct." In fact... I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshiping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day.

Well I'm here, chillin in our apartment.

The 7 hour drive was pretty nice this morning. I left around 5 and got here around noon. Amazingly they let me have my room/apartment keys when I went up to the office. I figured I was going to have to go through all this crap about missing roommate papers, but I didn't, THANK GOD.

I have so much crap it's unbeileveable. Hopefully I can find room for it all or I'm going to be bringing some stuff back to Marshall. Oh, and our bathroom is the cutest little thing ever. Little duckies everywhere. :)

Anyway, I'm going return to unpacking all my crap. yay.

Oh and my internet connection tonight is provided by someone I don't know. Wireless internet is awesome. I think someone in one of the apartments around us has a wireless LAN because I can pick up the signal and thats how I'm on the internet right now. hahahaha. Thanks whoever you are.

I took Hallie and Boo to Moms today. :(

I am quite sad, that's all I have to say about that.

I finished most of my packing. All the small stuff. I'm waiting till tomorrow night to pack up the big stuff like my stereo, tv, printers, and whatever else I decide to bring along. Arg I'm NOT looking forward to the early morning/late day I'm going to be having Friday. Allthough it will be nice to get out of Marshall.

Now that I quit my job and found 100 dollars.

Yes I said I found ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. So this morning I went to the bank to cash a check Lora had given me and my check from work. I was searching through my checkbook for a deposit slip and I noticed the corner of something green, like a dollar bill. I was like oooo yes a dollar. THEN I looked and it had two zeros behind it. I was like OH MY GOSH!!! Then I had remembered I had put it in there during spring break when my mom gave me some money. I was hiding it from myself so I wouldn't spend it. Well good job there, It's been well hidden for six months. Good thing I found it because I'm sure I'm going to need it here in the next few weeks with all these utility bills. Yeah I got all of our utilities set up and ready to go. Kind of a major pain to get all that going but it's done. Now for this packing thing. NOPE, not much done than what I got done the other night. I ABSOLUTELY HATE packing. I like the thought of moving, but really it sucks. I have a lot of stuff. I dunno how I'm going to fit it all in my new room that is going to be half the size of my room now. Arg. At least I won't have to share this area with someone this time. (note: Amanda this is not saying I didn't like living with you in the dorms, it was fun and I had a blast, but you know what I mean by me saying this. It's not saying I hated living with you, I just like space.) Hahaha, I felt I needed to put that in there because it seems kind of harsh to say that.

I got a lot done the last few days, utilities, went by to see Grandma and Bobby, got my new plates. YES I FINALLY GOT THEM. I should post a picture. *I will later* I'm not for sure if I like them yet. They are different. I guess I'm just used to SG-FAN. It was kind of sad when I changed them though. But this time, instead of the person at the license bureau saying something stupid like "what's SG stand for.... Spice Girls..?" I got, "Weather girl?? Are you going to school to be a meteorologist?" How awesome is that?! Not many people know what WX stands for, but for the few that know, those are the people that need to know what my plates stand for.

So really the only things I have left to do this week are, take the kids back to grandmas, (hahaha that's what I tell my mom when I talk about bringing Hallie and Boo back to her house), go to band practice and the concert, and PACK. arg. packing..ugh.

So now I'm about to go to Sedalia with Lora.

I've been busy all of my awake hours. I've been packing a little each night, I really hate packing so it's taking me forever. I should just do what I did last time and wait till the night before I leave to pack. I think it's much easier that way, and also, you take less stuff because your packing in a hurry and you have time to take the essentials of living only. Anyway, I got the electricity and internet set up tonight on the internet, it's amazing what you can do on the internet now. I have to call tomorrow and set up our water. I'm thinking I'm going to call and confirm the electric and internet tomorrow just so I KNOW that it is going to be up by the 6th. Also tomorrow I have to get over to Carrollton to see Grandma and Bobby since I didn't do that today.

I haven't been practicing my music lately. I need to get back to that SERIOUSLY. Hallie and Boo hate it when I practice so I don't really like to when they are around. I'm dreading having to take them back to Mom's, but I have to, I have no choice. I'm really going to miss them AGAIN.

I went to see The Village with Lora tonight. I wasn't for sure that I was going to like it, I just wanted to go for the heck of it and spend some time with Lora that wasn’t just cruising around the Marshall strip. I didn't really like it. I kind of had this feeling what was going to happen at the end, and I was right. I hate it when that happens.

Well it's time for me to get some sleep. I hate sleeping pills but it's the only cure to my insomnia.