September 10th, Dad got in really late! So, while he slept in, I went to Reno to pick up David from the Greyhound Station. It was soooo great to see him! We made sure to pick up In n Out for my parents on our way back to Y-town. When we got there, mom and dad had already started unloading the truck. It didn't take too long to haul everything out of the trailer. We started putting things away where they belonged. We had to take dad and David to our Mexican restaurant for dinner. Sopapilla!!! :-D
September 11th, was more unpacking and putting everything away. We pretty much got everything put away. The bookcases are all built and everything where it belongs in the kitchen. So, when I get home from army time, things will be very easy. All I will need to add is food. At 6pm, I dropped Jake off at he's boarding place. I packed and got ready for my army trip.
September 12th, I woke up early and rolled out of Y-town with David around 7:15 am; we drove to Reno and I dropped him off at the Greyhound station before I parked at the airport. I got through security quickly and then had to wait forever because I was flying Southwest. Ugh... I hate not having an assigned seat! I ended up between two skinny dudes. The guy next to the window and I had great conversations from Reno to Salt Lake City and then onto BWI. I continued onto Norfolk. I got in around 9:30pm. I had about 8.5 hours on the same plane... it was rough. Apparently it was just as rough for the flight attendants because their jokes just got worse and worse. I tracked down my bags then went to find a cab to get to Little Creek (a Navy base) I ended up with the scary cabby... He had only one arm and had no idea where to take me. I had to call my friend Tim to come find me. I had to do late check in, but finally made it to where I needed to be. The rooms we are staying in are really amazing! Kudos to the Navy! I get my own room with an amazing bed and an amazing amount of pillows!
Monday, September 13th, I woke up crazy early to get to weigh in at 0600. Luckily, class is literally right across the hall from where I get to sleep. Weigh in was a pain :-( I've put on some weight so I had to get taped which was a blah. After weigh in and a bunch of paperwork, I had breakfast and then was back for more paperwork. We did the traditional break the ice stuff and got to know each other. We talked a lot about the "new" MPT concept the Army is going forward with and how we will be implementing in our class. I somehow ended up Class Leader too (which means I have way more responsibility than I want!) In the afternoon we started to learn ceremonial mace work. Then we all brainstormed and created our MPTs. I'm in a woodwind choir (2 flutes, 3 clarinets, 2 saxes and me on bassoon). We also have a trombone quartet, a brass quintet, a percussion ensemble and a ska band. We have to perform an hour long recital next thursday (its our big group project). I spent the evening starting to arrange music for our new ensemble.
Tuesday, September 14th, we had PT at 0600 (well, actually PRT, since the army has a new program...) Its a bit weird, but I guess I will get used to it. I of course, have to lead the formation and be responsible for everyone (being Class Leader sucks...) After showering, chow and morning formation, we did ceremonial conducting. We have to conduct right handed (stupid Elizabeth Green!) Then we had a meeting with the Commadant of the school of music, a command sergeant major. One classmate was talking about how soldiers want to listen to new and popular music but its inappropriate for us to play due to the content. The Commadant said that we were playing for warriors so it was ok if our lyrics got a bit violent. I pipped up and said that a lot of new music was misogynistic and with all the issues with rape, that having songs about banging bitches was not appropriate. It sort of slipped out. Luckily he didn't blink an eye. The rest of my class all were shocked though. I spent the night arranging Lady Gaga music for my woodwind choir.
September 15th, we had formation at 0800. We were supposed to have our formation for the national anthem. I had everyone at parade rest for a couple minutes. No anthem... finally the cadre came and said apparently no music this morning. So, 28 people got to stare at my ass for way too long. The day continued with conducting, MPT rehearsal, lunch, mace work, and more learning thrown in there. That night, I arranged a couple different variations for the Army song including a waltz version, a blues version and a version with the bass like of Kashmir. The jokes about "banging bitches" has continued. Quite a few people have wanted to name their MPT that or the Sergeant Major's banging bitches...
September 16th, we started the day with PRT led by our first student leaders. It was a running day with Indian Runs. I joined the fast group and fell out :-( It made me feel pretty crappy actually. We did more conducting and mace work. Then we started learning how to use Finale (which I have a good base in already). I also got to have a lesson with the bassoon professor here. I really enjoyed the lesson. Its been too long since I've had lessons. She said she was excited to have a student that was actually excited to play music. I really hope I can get another lesson before I go. This was the first night were I didn't have any arranging to do, so I was completely lazy and just watched tv.
September 17th, today, we woke up and did PRT. It was a muscle day. PRT consisted of in 1 minute you do 10 pushups and then in the next minute do 10 situps. Repeat 10 times. OUCH! Needless to say, I am sore as hell now. Today was more lessoning. Tomorrow we have tests on our conducting and our mace work. I feel pretty confident, but who knows?
Do you miss Ypsi? Is that why you call it Y-town?
ReplyDeleteThe only acronym I knew in there was PT.