Tunnel 23

I’m working on writing a story for the Blue Thunder Book… here’s what I have so far… Im sure I will re-edit it over time and add more, but here’s what I’ve got so far.
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I can still remember it now- the roar of the drums echoing through the underside of the stadium, the line beginning to move, and suddenly exiting the tunnel and running onto the blue. It could have been running out to 30,000 plus Bronco fans or a half-full stadium of high school band kids that wanted to be me. Every time I came out of the tunnel- it was a rush.

Being a member of the Blue Thunder for three years gave me the opportunity to experience the rush of running out the tunnel and as well as many other things I may have not been able to otherwise. Due to the family nature of this book- I can’t repeat many of the classic stories I experienced- but there are a few that I can.

I joined the Blue Thunder in 2005- the last year that the bands home & office was located under the stadium before the band hall was constructed. That first year, experiencing what every band member had experienced before me, is an experience I won’t forget. You can’t really tell band members that have come along since what it was like- meeting in the “Blue Room” or the five foot door way that led too and from the uniform room. Things weren’t necessarelly harder back then, it was just different.

I dare say that the 2006 Mellophone line was one the best ever assembled. The 10 of us just clicked and we knew we were good. We won section of the year that year, but that’s not what I use to judge our place in Mellophone lore. It was during sectional rehearsal one day practicing the Mainline feature, “Gee, Officer Krupke”. All 10 of us stood in a straight line, Reached underneath our own horn and then over the top of the next persons horn and played the opening mellophone phrase. We did it at practice the next day- and every time after that. Being able to pull that cemented in my mind that the 2006 Mellophone line wasn’t just good, we were something special.

Treasure Valley Festival of Bands, 2009.

Yesterday was the Treasure Valley Festival of Bands Competition.
I don’t really have much to say about it…

Except that I am SO proud and impressed with the progress that the Homedale Trojan Marching Band has made. Where they are now and where they were a year ago are miles apart. See for yourself:

Homedale High School in 2008
Homedale High School in 2009

The majority of the band (basically everyone except minus the Drum Major) is either in Middle School or just entering High School. It’s been amazing to watch the progress and evolve. I will never say that it is my doing- I feel all the credit in the world belongs to their band director, and my friend- Mr. George Kerrick. He was the one who gave me the opportunity to write their show. Im fairly sure I been taken away as much from this opportunity as the Homedale Band program has, if not more.

I’m more than sure that even after this Saturday, DIII, I won’t forget about about this group of kids. Like your first kiss, you don’t forget that first band that gave you a chance to do what you’re passionate about. I almost feel like I owe them more than I have given.

The Impossibility Clause

The performance of this agreement by either party is subject to acts of God, war, government regulations, disaster, strike, civil disorder, or other emergencies making it illegal or impossible to provide the facilities or hold the function.

Yup… I’d say that pretty much covers everything.

Continuance

I’ve never felt so happy for someone, yet so sick to my stomach after getting a singular piece of news.

Nothing’s Harder

Nothing is harder than telling someone that you care about more than most to go ahead and do something that you do not agree with.

And sadly, I’ve done it more than a few times in my life. It’s a strange pain. It’s a mixture of that “If you love them, let them go” concept and the “This isn’t good for me” ideology. People keep telling me, “Sam, you need to look out for yourself- make sure YOU’RE happy”, and I want to be happy- and be happy with someone else. The Thing is, what makes me happy- is making others happy- pretty much regardless of cost or well-being on my end. Which is the road often less taken by most people- yet the one I travel most often.

I was talking to KP, a co-worker, last night about my love life (we were discussing both of ours) and she described something that really is what I need- but yet to find. And that is…

Finding someone who wants to make ME happy as well as be made happy.

Truth is- She’s right. That’s what I need.

Someone’s Facebook Status

Alcohol and Religion are pretty similar. People turn to them on weekends, before they go to bed, and when times are tough. They give you a good feeling, and build friendships you may not have had before. But…at least with alcohol you know when you’ve taken it too far.

The Last Dance

“When the devil himself is offering the thing you want most- you dance with the devil.”

- Micheal Westen, Burn Notice

-And sometimes it’s a bitch trying to get away when you’re done.

More to come… stay tuned.

FU**edited for content**K!!

I hate it when I get [_THIS_] close and someone has to go and fuck it up!
Timing could never be better to be worse.

These are the feelings I’d normally internalize… but I’m tired and just want to say-

FUCK!

(ps. expect this to be gone by sometime tomorrow, probably when I come to my senses)