salience

Eons, friends. It has been eons since I have updated... Much has accumulated, and naturally, I have much to say.

Band camp is finally over. Although, I am not sure if finally is the right word to use. It's not like camp was a burden. Mostly I think we all just wanted to see the finished product, to feel like our hard work was paying off. Our show this year has a Lord of the Rings opener, followed by the Robin Hood theme, and then the Gladiator ballad and theme. In summary, our music is awesome. What's great is Dave hired a young kid to write the drill. It's all very DCI, and with the group being student funded and run, things are fantastic. Being a section leader has helped me to value the BCMB even more, 'cause I have been able to see just how strongly students impact the band. The season has taken off. This past weekend we gave two performances, one at a pep rally for the Wake Forest game, and then the game itself. Although we lost unexpectedly, it was hard to feel down about the game. It was so marvelous to see everyone having such a great time. Our away trip is this weekend to Penn St, and I can't wait. I had to miss the trip last year 'cause of a ROTC FTX, but this year, there is nothing holding me back.

Tonight we had our first concert band student leader and scholarship meetings. I am psyched for the season to start. Our first rehearsal is next Monday and I think I just might pass out from the adrenaline. Our first concert centers around social justice--we're playing many things played at All State those many years ago: some Camphouse, Ticheli and others. It will be gorgeous!! Seb warned us that we will be playing Rhapsody in Blue for our Arts Festival deal, and I am seriously thinking about arranging lessons at the NEC (Conservatory), if I can get Seb and the Bands Program to pay for it.

Michelle and I are all moved into our suite in 90. We're living with Kirstin, Flora (our girls from last year), Diane and her friend Jenn, Kelly and another Maria. So far, things have been pretty segregated. Anna is staying with us for awhile before she leaves to go to Italy for a year, which is wonderful. The bad thing is, we don't really include the other girls. I do feel guilty, but at the same time, it would take many hours to explain all of the jokes and memories. Today we went to go see American Splendor at Coolidge Corner and then headed to Anna's for some greasy Tex-Mex. The more we all get back into the BC groove and catch up, the happier I am to be back. It's so comforting getting reacquainted with faces and places I hadn't seen in months. It's good to be back home.

I suppose you could say I am moving on, improving, strengthening. There have been a few rough days/nights, but thanks to Michelle and fun times with the girls I am making it through. The most painful thing has been to let go of all and any expectations I had clung to for so long. I haven't been single in a really long time. Figuring out who I am as an individual has been a rockier road than I could have ever imagined or anticipated.

The first day of classes is tomorrow, and I am psyched to start my junior year. After working my finance internship at GE, I understand what I'm studying which makes it that much more intriguing.

I know this is all very abrupt and the antithesis of elegant. There are just too many thoughts right now to coherently express anything...