Band Camp Day 7 & 8

Wow, a lot has happened during these last few days at band camp.  First, I got my braces off on Tuesday, which was the sixth day of band camp (I think).  I wast trying to get used to playing without them on my teeth.  Also, I got a really bad allergy attack.  I've had a cough the whole week, starting on the first morning of band camp.  On Tuesday, I was feeling out of it, and after our breathing exercises, I started to feel light headed.  I went to the doctor yesterday, and she said that it's probably allergies, post nasal drip, and maybe a virus.

Tuesday was not a good day for me at band camp.  It was really hot, which is obviously not enjoyable.  I was feeling out of it.  I feel really bad for the people around me, they had help me figure out where to go when I was totally blanking out.  I felt like I was merely going through the motions.  I'm happy to say that Wednesday went a whole lot better than Tuesday.  I'm not a very good marcher, but I'm getting there.  We learned some new drill, part of the closer.  When we do run troughs, I know basically where I'm going, I need to dress now, and get the music with the marching.

During the evening, we were picking apart and re writing sets.  The directors only got through two or three.  One person that was brought in to talk to us changing the beginning.  Instead of holding for twenty counts in the beginning, we now sit in arcs around the color guard props.  We do a simple, one arm pose until eight, get up until twelve, and use the rest of the counts to turn and get to our first set.  That was one of the best times so far.  The flutes were only needed for half of that time, so we just sat and talked, and I asked questions about high school.  Now, I'm really excited to get to high school.

People in the marching band says that being in the band is the quickest, easiest was to be considered a geek, and that people really don't care about the marching band, except for the people in the marching band.  Not that I really care, I'm taking computer programming and desktop publishing for some of my electives next year.  I've always been considered a geek.  It was weird watching my classmates walk to the high school for their freshman orientation.  At least they have another one before school starts.

I'm kind of worried about a few things.  I can never make set number eighteen in the opener.  It was originally twelve counts, but now it's move six, hold six.  I'm also worried about getting the music with the marching.  One sax said that the music will come in time.  I really haven't had time to practice.  Band camp is from four to nine, and by the time I take a shower and get ready for bed, it's ten o'clock.  I sometimes procrastinate practicing.  Another thing that I'm concerned about is keeping my shoulders to the sidelines, and using the correct foot at the correct times.  In the opener, sometimes it's a left foot step off, sometimes a right foot step off, and it drives me crazy.

One thing I'm not looking forward to is the uniforms.  I don't want to where that thing when the weather is like this, or when it's ten degrees out.  One girl said that sometimes it gets so cold that she puts hand warmers in her bra.  I don't like the uniforms.  They put a piece of elastic on the pants, to be like a stirrup.  The pants fit strangely, and I can't even bend over to put my shoes on and tie them.  I feel really bad for the drum line.  They have to wear the uniform and carry the heavy drum on them.  The drummers have sweat lines on their t-shirts from the drum strap.

The drum line.

My attitude for school and for marching band is "I'll figure it out... eventually..."