August 2010
I miss the things pushing me to become better. People who tell me like it is. People who understand that the music world isn’t a guarantee- it is a risk for anyone who takes the leap of faith and makes the decision to become a musician. Where’s that inspiration when I need it most? I have a lot to think about, and one more trip to take before I can make my decision. I hope I’m...
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DO NOT let your egos inflate, but I’m proud of how rehearsal went tonight, and you should be, too. Very proud. Our last two rehearsals, as everyone is aware, have not been good. We were not practicing at our full potential. But tonight, tonight was different. After a successful leadership meeting, we started the right way. The pep talks were given to each section, (which I thank the section...
People are way too quick to judge, especially when they don’t know the whole story.
I shouldn’t care. :/
Look Around.
Today is the epitome of beautiful. I couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting to relax in. Barely any homework today, which will give me time to practice. Really sit down and practice. I can never explain properly the feeling I get when I have a beautiful day in combination with playing music. I feel incredibly happy right now. :) Eight days until my birthday, which means I’m getting...
For the record..
I’m happy. Very happy. “Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Motivated again, seeing some old friends again, playing again, being myself again. Fun night last night, glad I saw Brooke, too! :D
To Jordan Jones- Your compliments make me feel like a million dollars. I’m always here for you and you know that. <3
To Brooke Wallace-...
My Next Move
“The first day of school was a blur. A stressful, surreal blur.” -Mean Girls
Replace day with week and you have the very first bit of my junior year! Not to say that I’m not excited- homecoming is in two months, marching band season is here, we get to go to prom, and hey, we’re upperclassmen, now. I can honestly say that I’m pretty pumped for the beginning of the school year and the end, which...
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WOO, Marching Sequoits!
Proud of all of you. I don’t know how many of you actually read this, but seriously. The energy and enthusiasm is getting better. I can feel a good season coming.
Just don’t forget to smile. :)
Another Goodbye, Another Night
Said goodbye to my best friend tonight before he leaves for U of I. I know he doesn’t want to leave, but I’m happy he’ll be getting out of here. We’ve had our highs and lows together, particularly this summer, but it’s reassuring to know I’ll always have him around. He’s moving on to bigger and better things, and I know he’s going to be someone...
Promises broken, lies told, secrets shared, forgetting it all.
Goodbye.
Time
I have so much and so little, and none of it makes sense.
I spent the night seeing some of my best friends for the last time before they leave for college. We sat around the fire, sang songs, laughed, cried, and I feel terrible and amazing all at the same time. This is one of the hardest good-byes I’ve ever had to say. It’s not just one, not two, but several good-byes, final hugs, (at...
"Florida Boy"
S: Please smile. :)
A: I miss you, this paper isn't done, and it's beautiful out.
S: You'll finish the paper, go outside, and I don't know about the remainder.
A: I don't like my chances.
S: I like you. :)
A: Touche.
No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Things happen for a reason. Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it all before.
Often in movies in which time travel is possible, a protagonist uses the time machine to go into the past to try and alter the future. The protagonist does as he/she wishes, traveling to the past and does what they ultimately feel is going to change everything instantly. However,...
All State, Weekend #1.
After a total of 15 1/2 hours with the All State pit, crew, cast, and staff, I’m terribly excited and motivated. The talent level is incredible, the energy is high, the jokes are hilarious, and we’re all pumped up about doing Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. Our director, Bernie Gerstmayr, is hilarious but motivational and constantly talks highly of the pit. The cast is...
I had a wonderful day at All State.
And now this crap is coming up again. I’M SO DONE WITH THIS.
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We did it, guys.
After a total of two weeks out of our summer with water breaks, learning how to roll-step, reading drill charts, not understanding drill charts, working on dot books, popsicles, Rig-a-lig’s sarcasm, “AND DENNNN,” comments, crazy drum majors, hitting sets, pressure cooker, JAZZERCISE!, running to our sets, new (and improved) backwards march, buying change points,...
Camp-Day4
Me: How many counts?
Band: 16!
Me: AND DENNN!?!?
Band: 8!
Me: AND DENNN?!?!?
Band: Alex... Riggs is behind you..
Me: Oh, heeeey. :)
30DAYCHALLENGE: DAY10/11/12
(I feel bad I haven’t been keeping up with this.. crap.)
Day10 Songs you listen to when you’re happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad, etc.
Happy The happy music changes from time to time; my taste varies. On and On and On by Streetlight Manifesto, anything Jason Mraz, French flute music, the list goes on.
Sad Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber, Is It Real by The Seatbelts, Details in...
First movement is on the field, everyone. We’ve done it! A shout out to the drumline- (if any oef you guys read this) days like today make me feel incredibly proud to be your drum major. You guys stepped it up a TON today, attitudes were much higher, and you earned those stickers. ;) Overall, the band’s attitude improved on the day that is supposed to be the hardest. Keep up the good...
I LOVE BAND DAY TWO OF BAND CAMP = SUCCESS
Well, for the most part.
We started out the morning with jazzercise- the band absolutely loves it (which, of course, makes me incredibly happy and pumped up in the morning) drill was going well, but we MUST keep in mind that we have to keep our spirits up. I know that drill can be frustrating, especially with very few run throughs of the sets that get...
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The Band
I don’t know what I would do without our wonderful band. Being in front of them makes me forget everything. I feel important there. I’m always doing SOMETHING and it feels great. :) We have a blast together, and the intensity was SO MUCH MORE IMPROVED today. We must replicate the attitude/productivity we had today during the second half of camp and our season will be great. Jazzercise...
That’s that.
Jordan&DJ<3<3<3, don’t know what I’d do without you.
Skyping with Steven Evens makes my weeks worthwhile. :)
Fugitive, and other things that make me happy.
The famous quote of summer (but mainly last night), “Six calls… That’s a new record!” Had the time of my life with friends last night. The adrenaline rocked and I had a wonderful time. I needed it. Good sleepover with Joe and Sarah again. I love my friends. I’m so grateful for them. Got my school supplies, not able to go shopping but got new clothes from Sarah, so...
30DAYCHALLENGE: DAY9
Something you’re proud of in the past few days.
I’m working on getting rid of my “demons,” as I’d like to say it. Whether it be the idea that our band will not improve, my procrastination, or even a person, I’m cleaning out my life slowly but surely and it all begins now.
30DAYCHALLENGE: DAY8
Short term goals for this month and why.
-Summer assignment that I’m almost positive I’ll never finish. -Practicing, whether it be flute, piano, or sax, I gotta be consistent about it. -Get the drill done for the first football game! Go marching band! :D -Successfully wake up early for zero hour gym. Ohhhh boy. -BE HAPPY, OR ELSE. ;)
<3
Let’s face it, I told you I didn’t want you in my life anymore and as much as I want to mean it, I can’t find it in me to. But I’ll never tell you, and you’ll never know because you don’t ever care enough to read these things. Two more days of schoolwork and practicing and then band camp where I can feel useful again. <3 Thank goodness.
30DAYCHALLENGE: DAY7
A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you-
Earl Bush- The best band director I will ever have the pleasure of having. This man has taught me everything, from all of my major scales, to showing us middle school students that we weren’t just middle school kids, that discipline in a band takes us a long way, (3rd place in the NYC St. Patty’s Day Parade) and to...
“We spent our lives making livings.”
– Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Night is my favorite and least favorite time. Its’ calm and beauty make me feel crazy and alive, (it’s contradicting, I know) but the thoughts that seep into my brain scare me away from the world.
It’s bittersweet, really. One door closes and another opens. I have to stay positive and get through this because there is no other option. A part of me wants to hang on, and the other part is...
The Things That Bother Me -the lie I told myself for the past ten months -my lack of improvement playing flute -my constant procrastination with my school english project -most likely not seeing three wonderful people this weekend
The Things That Make Me Smile -Sims 3 -being outside in the sun on beautiful days like today, playing volleyball with my family, anything outside and being active in...
I can’t take this anymore. It’s gotten way out of hand this time.
I’m done. Forget this, and forget you.
30DAYCHALLENGE: DAY6
Favorite super hero and why.
Aw, hell yeah.
Link, from The Legend of Zelda videogames. He’s a hero, fa sho. Oh, and if you haven’t played these games, your life is missing a very important piece of media. Just saying. <3
30DAYCHALLENGE: DAY5
A picture of somewhere you’ve been to.
The Grant Park Symphony Orchestra is the shit. <3
Watchjuttermusic:
Forgive Me. By Joe Utter
Posted this before, but it was only a Facebook link. Now he has a Tumblr. Here it is. He’s pretty much the most awesome person EVER. :D
30DAYCHALLENGE: DAY4
A habit that you wish you didn’t have.
Hm. Hard to say. I suppose it’s getting attached to people. I have no problem building a relationship, but the instant the relationship changes in the slightest, whether it be less talking or feeling more feelings for them, it gets complicated and never seems to work right. Need I say more?
30DAYCHALLENGE: DAY3
A picture of you and your friends.
Paige, Kelsey, Me The Three Musketeers I had the fortune of meeting these two lovely ladies last year at my home, the Drum Major Academy at ISU. Although I didn’t know them very well last year, they both greeted me at the check-in this year with smiling faces and welcoming arms. Before I knew it, the three of us were inseparable. I love these two more...
30DAYCHALLENGE: DAY2
The meaning behind your Tumblr name?
Well, to tell ya the truth, when I was a lot younger (elementary school), I had a gym teacher named Mr. Amster. On my last day of fifth grade, (the last day of elementary school) he said, “Bye, Hoffie! It was nice to know you!” Then, in seventh grade, when I was in track, my track coach called me Hoffie when I was doing long jump. I’ve always...
Ok, I give in. 30DAYCHALLENGE: Day 1
Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Most recent that I could find. One of my brothers (CJ) and I. Um, interesting facts? I’ll try and find some that people don’t know already.
1. When on the phone with people, I pace, clean my room, and often notice how cluttered my room is. I also talk a lot.
2. My MacBook is three years old, and it’s my...
