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Monday, June 29, 2009

detained for a video?

Now, I'm not one to normally complain about such things usually, but if you haven't heard about this, it's worth a look.

This link is to a video shot on a Jetblue flight of some passengers getting into it about unruly children. And...the grandma ended up being detained for shooting the video. I love it.

http://www.elliott.org/blog/heres-the-video-that-got-grandmother-detained-on-jetblue-flight/

I'm gonna have to agree that I think screaming children on a long plane flight is unbelievably annoying, especially if you're trying to sleep. Parents have to assume a measure of responsibility when it comes to that kind of travel, and not necessarily blame the airlines for it.

This one's also good:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/13712690/detail.html

I love how they were about to use 'restraining tape'. Whoopee!

Monday, June 22, 2009

4 hours of...hm...

I had another one of those interesting airplane experiences again last night on my way back...I'm lucky I always manage to get an aisle seat. The guy sitting next to me in the middle spot was...hm, how do I describe it...agitating the whole time? Maybe that's a bad word to describe it. He was just moving all the time. adjusting this, adjusting that. And of course he had to try to spread his legs out (since he was a bit taller) and that meant encroaching space of mine and the guy at the window. Another sign he was a space hog...he needed to have the armrest up, but just between him and me, and not the other guy. Oh, and he got yelled at by a flight attendant for not turning his phone off. Lovely.

Tomorrow I will get back into my workout regimen after being gone this last week. That'll be good.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Day #7

Good evening, all -

The final assemblies of the day have now passed, and overall everything went smoothly. The morning assembly was a standard one with the joint session of the legislature, and all went ok for the most part (until the music ran out on the guys marching in. Last night they ran up there, this morning they trudged. Whoops.)

Tonight's assembly and tribute to our veterans was very well received. The slide show of the week was excellent, and the overall tribute program went ok. A few small items:

1. Need to go over lighting again next year. A nice candle-lit retirement of the colors was interrupted by all the halogens coming on. Oops.

2. The flags were supposed to wait until the candles were lit, but instead they ran out. (chuckle) It was a nice candlelit circle though.

3. My band was perfect on the slideshow tribute. Right down the timing. Nice work, guys.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

and then there was Day #6

All in all, a very nice day - the rain stayed away for the most part, which was nice. Maybe it will storm later! I love storms...

I got to see my sister and nephew today too, which was very fun and almost unexpected (didn't realize they'd be home so quick this week). So we went and did lunch, and had a very wonderful time with Jack. And Uncle Rich.

Tonight was the big Inaugural - the band was simply spectacular. The guys did awesome. A few items of note:

1. Talking into a mic while people are loudly clapping doesn't work. Don't try it.

2. It's helpful to involve the color guard in all aspects of the program which do involve the color guard. That means, tell them what's going on.

3. Rehearsing in a space ahead of time always helps...not seeing the choir today at the end of my rehearsal made me a bit nervous.

4. The end of the program consisted of a last minute 'the band needs to get the color guard out...now' moment...and my guys responded. Flawlessly.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Day #4 and #5

Yeah, so Day #4 actually did not contain an assembly...lucky me! Mainly, since I was able to head down to Milwaukee and get together with Ang and Ben. Had a really great time, and a rainy drive back, but it was worth every minute. We're all very close and I never get to see them, and being so far away means I have to take advantage when I can.

Today, some small minor issues...nothing too horrible.

1. I only had 20 kids show up (out of 85) at the start of rehearsal today. Not good. Most were in sports or campaigning, so now I will reassess the schedule and make some recommendations.

2. We had the BBS picture today (all the guys in the shape of WI), which actually went pretty well. The assembly happened afterwards (running down the hill to get back to play, only to not have a speaker ready when we were done. Oops).

3. Then the speaker (who finally did show up) called to have the colors removed in the middle of the program - not as it was supposed to be, which mean the Color Guard was not ready and neither were we. When he asked the 2nd time (everyone still trying to figure out what was going on), the color guard ran into position, I ran to the podium, and up and out the flags went. Yep.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

an interesting Day #3

Yeah...see what you think:

1. At 2:30am yesterday morning, a drunk intruder was found in one of the Counties (ala Dorm buildings) and apprehended by both the County and City Counselors. Nevermind that the County counselor in that building happens to be a Dane County Sheriff...oh, and the guy admitted he was there to burgle.

2. During the day yesterday it was determined that a citizen was missing from one of the counties - a very rare occurrence actually. The boy was later found - a relative had picked him up due a family emergency, and didn't bother to tell anyone. Talk about a frantic main office...

3. Atty General J.B. Van Hollen spoke last night to the guys. Was able to say hi and goodnight to him before he left last night. : )

So much fun!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

that which was Day #2...

Happily, the group seemed to be much more put together tonight. Our pieces went much better, and overall, received several compliments.

Items of note:

1. The Color Guard still doesn't seem to know what a normal vocal cadence is. After I tried to help them, it got worse - now they have seemingly have no rhythm. 'forward, march' is not hard.

2. Charles Wiley's best observation of the night to the guys: "Life is tough. But it's even tougher when you're stupid."

3. Most interesting moment of the night: The Color Guard forgetting the Pledge, and having my band have to stand, sit, stand, sit (not knowing what's going on) and rush play the guard out. Ahhhhh. They did good.

that which was Day #1

Highlights from Day #1 up here in Ripon:

1. "Clear the Aisle!" Nothing like a little drama to start the first assembly

2. Registration went approximately an hour over. Translation: setting up an 85 member band like a madman

3. Saying thank you and goodnight to Scott Walker as I left.

: )

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

conundrum

So...what does one do when one is sitting in an aisle seat next to a person on an airplane who has to get up and go the bathroom every hour...

Grumble?

Swear?

Block their path?

Monday, June 1, 2009

thought of my day

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jer 29:11

I need to think about this passage more often.