Thursday, 14 February 2008
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Currently Listening
OK Computer
By Radiohead
see relatedBack again...
Now I think I'm going down to the well tonight and I'm going to drink till I get my fill.
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it, but I probably will.
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but boring stories of glory days…Glory Days
Bruce SpringsteenI love that song. It’s slowly becoming my story, and I’m totally fine with it.
It’s been a pretty eventful last month or so since I last had a chance to update. A few weeks ago, we all experienced a bit of a scare as DeAnn landed in the hospital and had some surgery to fix a thing or two. A handful of us visited her several times in the hospital as she recovered from her ordeal, which lasted about five days or so. I’m glad to report that she’s doing better now and she’s back on her feet at work and with the Guard Band.
NDSU Jazz Festival came and went a few weeks ago, and I was able to get out to the concert. The band played well overall. It’s a young band, and it has a lot of promise and with some experience, it’s going to be a very good group in the future. They just have to put that air through the horn and make it really happen attitude-wise. Energy is what makes a band a great big band. I always reference Stan Kenton and Buddy Rich when I think about bands with attitude. I love a band that knocks my socks off from start to finish no matter what the chart. Intensity is what it’s all about, and I think this band will be learn more and more as time goes by. From what I understand, no one is graduating from that group this year, so we can look forward to an even better showing as time goes on. Anyhow, good work to the NDSU Jazz Ensemble and Dr. Mack. I miss playing in that group. I had a lot of good times there and made a lot of good friends and colleagues while in the band. A special shout out should go to the trombone section, which I thought was the spectacle of the night. Led by my boy Dan Hinman, they played the hell out of the trombone-rich arrangement of ‘My One and Only Love’. You made me proud, boys and girl. Keep up the good work.
The Super Bowl went down a week and a half ago, and it was one of the finest ever in my opinion. The only two that beat that for me personally were the two in a row for my boys, the Broncos. Though my Broncos didn’t even get close to getting to the big game this year, the game was incredible as I cheered on the New York Giants as they ruined the perfect season for the New England Patriots. DeAnn had just gotten out of the hospital that day, so Eli and she came over and we watched the game in all of its HD glory on Russ’s TV. (Russ went to the bar for the record…) It was an action filled game with one of the coolest fourth quarters I’ve ever watched on TV. Anyhow, I was glad for the result, and I look forward already to the new season. I’m counting down the days…
Last Tuesday, I had a Dixieland Band playing at Monty’s for Fat Tuesday. Al, Russ, Jeff, Eddie, and Jesse joined me in playing three hours of very fun Dixieland music. We only do this once a year at the most, and it was cool to get the group together to play. I always look forward to playing jazz and its cousins anytime I get the chance, and despite the small performance space that Monty’s offers us, I’m still happy to take the opportunity to play there.
This past weekend, I played a wedding dance for Annika Berg’s sister, Sara. She and her new husband got married the last weekend of December out on the farmstead in the cold winter weather. They saved the big party for this past weekend, where they hosted a dance some of the old boys from the former Patents Pending five-piece version group. Al rejoined us on stage with Josh, Eddie, Russ, and I. We played a bunch of our old stuff along with a few newer country tunes and had a really good time. It was nice to play with Al again, and it was good to play another dance. People seemed to enjoy the show especially the last third of the show, and the dance was a success. Thanks to Al and Annika for lining up that show for us.
Things have been alright aside from those things. Work has been very busy. We’re experiencing one of the busiest streaks in our young ten-month existence as we have performed honors for over 25 funerals to date. A good majority of those details have been conducted outdoors, so that’s been interesting as it’s been so damned cold this month. Nonetheless, we’re thrilled to be able to provide these important honors to veterans and their families. Every veteran, war time or peace time with an honorable discharge is entitled to what we do, and we’re glad to be able to be there whenever we are called upon. After nine months on the job with Military Funeral Honors, I am proud of what we do on a daily basis, and I hope to keep doing it for some time.
I’m only going to put this little section in because a number of people have asked about my discontent of today’s “holiday” and they want to know why I reserve this night as one of the only nights I ever proclaim that I’m going to drink to forget. So, here’s my quick quip regarding Valentine’s Day. I don’t necessarily hate the “holiday” for the fact that it’s a holiday that celebrates sweethearts and all of that stuff. I don’t necessarily hate the “holiday” because it’s flower shops and Hallmark’s way of making a ton of bread over a one-week period. The reason I personally don’t care much for it is because of some of the past memories I’ve had on this particular holiday and the subsequent timeline that followed. The holiday for some reason seems to serve as a reminder of several good things that I once had in my life during this fateful day that were ended shortly thereafter for different reasons under different circumstances. There are two ways that it really gets to me. The reminder of personal mistakes that I made and opportunities I missed because of those prolonged mistakes come to mind. Secondly, the reminder of what others have selfishly done to contribute to these downfalls comes to mind. It’s not that I haven’t forgiven those people or let those moments go- I have. It’s just that at during this “holiday”, I am reminded of the principle of these situations and further reminded when I see those very people that I forgave unaffected to this day in their own situations, if not, doing exponentially better. But, that’s just life, and I’m not mad at them for how things turned out. I live a life of symbolism, and this little “holiday” plays into it in a harsh way from year to year. I can do just fine most other days, but this is one those days that bring back a host of skeletons that I rediscover from year to year. February 15th will be just fine once again with the exception of the massive hangover that I will suffer as a consequence for Valentine’s Day evening. And then it will be business as usual until next February. No need to worry about me, though- aside from this one particular day that I have self-sentenced myself to this sort of punishment, life is very good and I am content with the paths that have brought me to where I am today. So there you have it. I hope it makes sense.
Well, with that deep stuff off my mind, I can report overall that life keeps coming and going, and I’m feeling alright about things these days. For me, it’s still about work, the Guard Band, a few gigs here and there, and hanging with the friends when I have the time. As I get older, I find the rhythm of my life to be comfortable, and I guess I can’t ask for more at this time. I hope all is well in your world. More to come soon…
Short Random Thoughts
-Never blow in a cats face when you’re less than 12 inches away from his non-declawed paw.
-Congratulations to Tim and Sara.
-I want to play more Cake.
-The snow is falling.
-I voted for my first Republican ever this month. Lots of people are surprised. Hell- I’m surprised!
-Schwind = preggo.
-Does anyone really feel badly for the New England Patriots?
-I got immunizations for my online pets today. How weird is that?
-What were the Twins thinking?
-Valentines Day is here again. Remember what I did last year?
-Did she say yes?
-The NDSU Jazz Ensemble trombone section kicks ass. Keep it up!
-Welcome to the shop, Zach. I hope you can handle my cynicism.
-Congratulations to Mandy Smallbeck on the birth of her second child.
-Aaron who?
-What’s wrong with gift bags?
-I’m asking a lot of questions today.
-The writers strike is over. When will the new episodes of ‘Scrubs’ begin again?
-Roger is guilty, just like Barry is.
-Does anyone really feel badly for Randy Moss?
-What’s up with the three million Facebook applications? It’s confusing.
-Wayne Bergeron is not only one hell of a trombone player; he’s also a really cool guy.
-Keith Jarrett is my new hero.
-Ace Frehley is playing the Fargo Theatre. Wow.
-Puppers is a good addition to the household.
-I’ve been working on my Frank Anderson impression. I think I’m pretty good at it.
-Does anyone really feel badly for Tom Brady?
-I just added another Facebook application.
-Great audition, Mandy.
-Congratulations to Jen Melegaard on the birth of her first child.
-I miss playing with Al Berg.
-I did in fact buy makeup for my nose. What’re you going to do about it?
-John McCain is the man.
-No, I’m not going to put the Ace Frehley show on the Upcoming Events section…
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