The Band Bus

Another turning point a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist directs you where to go
So make the best of this test and don't ask why
It's not a question but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life

So take the photographs and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while

It's something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life

It's something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life

It's something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life


So, why the forshadowing lyrics? 'Cause I really did have the time of my life. Green Day concert plus my first oboe lesson. There's no way that anyone could be happier. Ok, happiness at a Green Day concert is pretty much a given, but happiness at an oboe lesson? Well, you'd have to be a band geek to really appreciate it. Also, there's a guy that has lessons right after me and he's REALLY hot! Plus, he plays oboe too! The only bad thing is that he goes to West Linn and he's probably a senior or junior. Probably a senior, because he has a letterman jacket (he lettered in band!). But, hey, I can still dream.

Okay, so now for the big event of the night: the Green Day concert. It was the best fuckin time I've ever had! Hence, Good Ridance (Time of Your Life). The only downside was the unknown liquid that hit my head several times, but it was hot in the stadium so it felt good. I just ignored the fact that it was probably sweat that flew off while the dude was head-bangin. Billie, Mike, and Tre were hotter then I thought (as well as crazier). Also present was a pink bunny who, I believe, stole the show. There was a screen on either side of the stage that would show text messages when sent to a certain number. We couldn't find the second half of our group (Spaz, Megan, and Jacob) because they came in a second car so Bre paid Lacy's brother $5 to send a text to the number. After about 10 minutes, our message, telling where we were (66), finally came up and a few minutes after that they came over and we were never seperated again. W00t! The lights dimmed and out came the band. Everyone was on there feet and the excitement was as thick as fog. I tried to call Andrea and let her know what she's missing (I know, I'm so nice) but it was too loud and I couldn't hear a thing. Billie wasn't the only one to sing. Tre Cool also got in on the fun and sang "I was alone" or something like that. I don't remember. It was hillarious. The most gut busting moment of the night was when Billie, while making the crowd say random noises, started to touch himself. It was great. The most poetic moment was during Queen's "We are the Champions" (yup, they did more than just their songs. Other remakes included "Shout"). He told us to take out our lighters and our cell phones and soon the Colliseum was alight with thousands of gold and blue jewels. In that moment, I was about to cry. The emotions were too much...

Anywho!, the whole night was fuckin awsome. I can scarcely talk after screaming for 2 straight hours. I'm about to fall asleep also. Even though I got the same amount of sleep that I usually get, I'm about to collapse. I'm running on pure sugar. Andrea gave me this goop that bicyclists eat when they need a quick pick-me-up but I don't think it's working. I'm still tired. Hell, I don't care. I had the time of my life *cue music*

(That's a platypus)

THIS WEEKEND HAS BEEN A BLAST!! I went to the Blues Festival, Andrea's B-Day, and my first high school dance. So, naturally, I'm as depressed as hell. My mind can only endure so much happiness. There must always be balance. The higher (happier) I get, the harder I fall. A jedi (yes, the Star Wars references have returned) knows that there must be balance in the force in order to achieve overall tranquility and peace. My typical day is: I go to school (blah), I come home (meh) and I glue myself to the computer screen. When that pattern is disturbed, such as a party or concert, things get all messed up. I go into Super Hermit mode and become a total recluse. Sometimes, I don't even go online! LE GASP!

I usually blow off steam by beating the crap out of the CIS and Empire on SW Battefront or ruling the world as the Japanese on Age of Empires. After a couple hours of senseless violence, I often return to my normal, don't-give-a-damn-about-anything self.

But why does it have to happend every damn time I show even a kernel of emotion!? I guess I'm just a girl of routine. Routine feelings, mind you, not activities. I was constantly traveling this summer but I never found myself stuck in the glass cage of emotion (thank you, Anchorman, for that lovely line). I guess I'll blame it on my usual scapegoat: hormones. Hmm...yup, that fits. Damn them all!

I may start this new tradition of posting something during Journalism. It has the perfect combination of boredom and internet access so to not take advantage of it would be a crime.

Wait..
He didn't call my name. He called other peoples' names but not mine. Am I that invisible? Are they gonna call my parents and tell them that I've missed a class? Haha, I wish. That would be funny. Then again, I might get banned from the computer so that might have a dark side. LIKE THE FORCE! THE FORCE ROCKS!! I FEAR NOT THE DARK SIDE!!

*sigh*

It's been too long since my last random Star Wars outburst. BATTLEFRONT 2!! REVENGE OF THE SITH!! BWAHAHA!! God, that felt good. I wish we lived in a society where those who visit starwars.com in public are not shunned. Oh well. I don't give a damn about sunning. OF TO STARWARS.COM!!

Why is it that, on certain days, sleep lingers in the air like a foreboding mist? And why does it have to be today? I have work to do but no will to do it. ARGH! I'm gonna fall asleep, I know it. The circumstances are too perfect not to. Why didn't I drop Resource when I had the chance? Naw, most Resource days aren't like this. I need a good Monty Python or Will Ferrel movie. Better yet, make it Star Wars! Ha, not even a pod race through Alderan with Wookies and Jedi could widen my eyes. The thing is, I got no more or less sleep than any other school day. Now I'm left to ponder why 97 degrees is too hot even though the temp. of our bodies is 97. Ponderings, ponderings...

Teehee. This post is number 69. Teehee

Falling no more
I dropped too fast
They've locked the door
And these words are my last

Tears in the night
This is my fun
Aching from fight
Now I'm undone

Smile withought meaning
A love unknown
Pain that I'm feeling
We're all alone...

Possibly to be continued...

The string of perkiness continues in World History with Mr. Arend. Last class, we discussed Bangladesh and how New Orleans is nothing compared to what they go through EVERY YEAR! Every 4 seconds, a child is born there. Every 7 seconds, a person dies there. This is too much of a population increase for a country that can't even feed the people it has now. And the worst part of that country is that the people can't go anywhere. To the north lies the foreboding Himalayas, to the south lies the Indian Ocean, and to the east and west is India, who'd rather kill them.
Today was a bit better. We talked about how, if a major earthquake happened (7.5 or higher), 30-40% of RPHS's population would die. If the possible death of about 560 of my friends and peers is BETTER and HAPPIER than the daily life in Bangladesh you know they're living in nothing short of hell. Also, were a major earthquake to happen, we discussed what would we would do and what the school would do. The hall outside our classroom could fall out (it's a long way to the ground), the walls would collapse in, the pipes that run throughout our room are filled with BOILING WATER which would no doubt break, and the people in our classroom that are certified for First Aid are the people that I would, under no circumstance, trust. To put the crowning piece on this senario, the desks we sit at aren't large enough for us to fit our whole body under so we either save out heads or save out butts. Either way, it's a loss.
Despite all of this, the mood remained fairly light. All one would have to do to put a smile back on their face is to glance over at Spencer, who was adorned in full pirate garb coutesy of Value Village. Is it wrong to think that when he has a plastic hook and a stuffed parrot that he's the sexiest he's ever been?

These are some things that had me thinking...

1)Wait, do we have to actually wear dresses at the dances cuz I am NOT cool with that?!

2)Why do formulas and equations come easy to me when symmetry has me confuzled

3)How heavy are the letterman jackets?

4)Does every citizen in Oregon own an Entertainment book? (what that has to do with school: We're selling 'em in band but everyone's excuse for not buying 'em is that they already have one or two)

5)Is there some way to get out of PE?

6)How come everyone's a dork during the "coolest years of our lives"?

7)How come we all feel like we're in hell during the "best years of our lives"?

8)Why do they block out Albino Black Sheep? WHY!?

9)How did the population of preps multiply?

10)Why do they all wear the same thing?

Bonus Question 11)Why are teachers dumb enough to let teenage girls online during work time? They don't work and instead look for dresses for dances or post on their blogs.

Hard to believe that it's been 4 years since the September 11th attacks, what with the president mentioning it in every damn speech he's ever given. Now, we're faced with a new tragedy, an even worse tragedy. Why does the president care so little about the people of New Orleans and those like them? Why did the terrorist attacks get so much more attention then this hurricane's getting by the government? Is it because we don't have someone to blame this time? Is it because our world has suffered so much tragedy in these past 4 years that we've learned to cope? I pray it's not the latter. We should never grow accustomed to death and tragedy. To feel, to hurt, is human. To loose our tears, we loose ourselves.

In these past 4 years, we've come to understand the meaning of hero. Edward W. Howe said, "A boy doesn't have to go to war to be a hero; he can say he doesn't like pie when he sees there isn't enough to go around." When I first heard it, I took no note of it. It, at the time, seemed like another naive thought by the innocent. Now I know different. These days, those types of heroes are the ones that really matter. I make no money. I get a $10 allowance every week which I've recently been trying to save for a video games. Even I have donated $40. Countries that can't bake bread have donated more then they can afford. The world is filled with heroes now. It's an odd feeling, being both consumed with pride and shame. Pride at the reappearance of the worlds humanity and shame that money is all I could give.

Well, I'm being yanked off of the computer so I'll stop the rambling...for now...

Well, today, we became freshman. Okay, actually, we really become freshman tomorrow 'cause that's when we get to be immersed with the upper classman. Most people I talk to claim that high school is awsome, but I just thought of it as another day of school. As I've mentioned earlier, I have no sense of time. One day bleeds into another like the convergence of rivers. Summer's now a fleeting thought and school seems like all I have left. Even the first day feels like any other day. It wasn't always like this. I used to be excited about the first day. I used to come home, extatic and down right bubbly. The start of my high school career should be the most exciting day of my life. Instead, it's just another day of my life. Blah. Nothing more. Here's how it went (in cronological order)...

-Got on bus (Route 66!)
-Realized that it's a different route (Holy S***! WTF!?)
-Got confused when we didn't go to Bilquist (I was there for 7 years so it's instinct)
-Realized that I couldn't hit my head on the wall because it's lined with rocks (well, I could but I'd probably end up with massive head wounds. Wait! I'll get Bre to try it)
-Followed mob to name tags
-Followed mob to gym
-Followed mob out of gym into another gym
-Found friends in mob
-Followed mob w/friends
-Found seats in mob
-Saw the Dr. Phil-ish counsiler
-Ignored the Dr. Phil-ish counsiler
-Watched a balloon popping activity
-Didn't take oath because I forgot which hand was left and which was right
-Formed a line with Andrea
-Got yanked into new line by Bre
-Formed a line by shortest to tallest and realized that I'm average *tear*
-Formed a line in order of shoe size and I moved a total of 5 feet from my previous possition (although I forgot my real shoe size and I just ballparked it)
-Did a thing in which we have to meet people. I met no one (except my Texan English teacher)
-Wondered when we get our schedules
-Got split, alphabetically, into groups (they took Andrea from me. Why? WHY?!) in order to meet people we already know and seniors we don't like or care about.
-Left stuffy gym to go to a stuffy classroom
-Got tour of school and got advise (pretty much, you can do anything as long as you don't get caught)
-Played "games"
-Still wondering when we get our schedules
-Went to bbq and saw everyone (talked to Jeremy about Chobits and remembered why I like him so much)
-Played a game with pieces of paper. Easily got bored.
-Our Link Leaders were given our schedules but forced us to finish the paper game.
-Got schedules. W00T!! HONORS!! AND NO PE!! (atleast not yet) Aww, no photography. Oh well, journalism is just as good.
-Went on a walk through of schedule and I didn't get lost ONCE! Ok...maybe once BUT THAT WAS IT!
- Went back to the big stuffy gym and saw a movie which was a total rip off of the one that Bre thought of that's about the RPHS Band
-Learned the Putnam fight song (On Wisconsin with Putnamized lyrics) but protested school spirit along with Bre and chanted doornob instead
-While everyone chanted Freshman Power, Spencer began to chant Fight the Power and then all of us began to chant it. We were the loudest so we recived some "looks"
-Got on bus (which was late)

Well, there it is. Boring, yes, but such is my life. Also, I know it happened 2 days ago but it was just so darn boring that my fragile attention span can only last so long.

So, I entered the second minute of chewing on a piece of steak when it hit me like a well thrown brick: We're becoming high schoolers tomorrow. I can still recall 6th and 7th grade vividly. The past will always be "just yesterday". I've never been more overcome by time and its passing. Why can't we pick a day and live it forever, experimenting and changing it each time? I would, without a doubt, choose the Band All Nighter. Never has my heart been heavier than seeing the sun rise and knowing that that great night had come to an end and knowing it'll never be here again. I'd give all my earthly possestions to live that night one more time. Scott and Becca were still together, Bre still had a thing for Zack, and I was still head over heels for Jeremy. In 4 short years we shall all part ways, starting the hardest summer of our lives. But that day is NOT today and it won't be tommorow. When that time is tomorow, today, and then yesterday, I'll think back and, hopefully, feel I've lived it right.

Summer has come and past
The innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends

"Tye's coming over tonight for dinner. Won't that be delightful? He's such a lovely man," Mom sighed, clearly blinded by the shroud of love. A lovely man? Ha! A bloody prick's what he is. I ached to tell her this but loved her too much to do so. Instead of screaming about how fuckin' pompous he was, I just bit my lip and gave a meager smile. "Oh, c'mon. I know you two have your differences-"got that right "-but I really love him. Nothing would make me happier then to see you guys having a pleasant conversation. Maybe you could play a game on your little Play Box."

"Play Station, mom," I managed to mumble through the spoonfuls of soggy Cheerios.

"Right, right, of course. Play Cube."

"Play Station," I swear, she does this deliberately. Albeit, she does have a hangover, but, really, I shouldn't need to remind her every damn time!

"Oh, don't get snippy? Anywho, I'm going shoe shopping. Care to join me?" More shoes? Good god, she already had enough to give to every size 7 in Africa and parts of West Asia.

"I said no last weekend. I said no yesterday. I've said no for as long as you've been asking me. What on Earth would make you think I'd say yes?!" I hate answering stupid questions!

"Well, there you go getting snippy again."

"No, this is not snippy. This is just common annoyance. Snippy is me and Tye in a confined space," Harsh, but true.

"Alrighty," I cringe at the word, " Stick with those dirty, old sneakers. Your loss."

Not at all feeling as though I'd lost something, my eyes followed mom as she picked up her pink purse from the counter, ("Oh my god, look at this cute little bag! Wouldn't a little chiwowa look adorable in it!" It was at that moment that I realized why they didn't put the purse, lingerie, or jewelery shop next to the gun and knife shop. It would've been way too convenient) grabbed a couple pills (she claimed they were placeboes. I tried them and found otherwise), and walked out the door.

I knew the drill. In 3 hours she'd be back with new pumps, a dress that showed a little too much Mom then I felt comfortable seeing, and Tye, who she claimed "accidently" bumped into her while she was shopping. They would then both giggle, mistaking their pathetic stupidity for something that smelled like wit.

However, I'm an opportunity grabber in addition to being a pessimist and procratinator (the sneakers really were too old. I'm able to see my sock through even the leather parts) so I decide to live these 180 minutes of solitude to the fullest. Proceeding to my room, I found the most violent game I owned. In times of hightened family stress, I have found a way of venting through the art of gaming. It was so effective, I tried to find a way of writing it off as a medical expense. Throughout the game, I just imagine Mom and Tye's faces on my unfortunate victims and in just a few short hours, my anger has almost completely disappeared! Side effects may include, but are not limited to uncontrolable thoughts of violence, siezures, fingure numbness/soreness, rapid loss of braincells, and a thirst for blood. If erection lasts for more then 4 hours, seek immediate medical attention and/or Guinness Book of World Records and consider yourself one lucky bastard.


Well, ya. That's as far as my attention span would allow.

1) We work on fingerings
2) We reach climax in about 2 minutes
3) Some go to Sax lessons
4) The words, "Lets play together" are frequently heard
5) We work on blowing exercises
6) Boys and girls alone in "practice" rooms
7) They're masters at matching rhythms (that one's not as obvious. You gotta want it)
8) Boys+Girls+Close Spaces=The infamous band bus
9) "Put the sax between your legs and blow"
10) "Hey flutes, wanna come to my house and practice fingerings?"

I saw this on Bre's blog who saw it on Spencer's blog. It's a cool idea. Here's some messages I would like to give to my friends, anonymously, of course.

1. We might be drifting apart but I never had a better friend
2. You're awsome. You always will be awsome. If you ever stop being awsome, I'll write Not Awsome on a post-it and duct tape it to your forhead
3. I wish I had more friends like you that can do nothing and be perfectly content
4. I never see you anymore but you were one of the few things that made 7th grade enjoyable
5. You're a great guy and a great friend. I wish I took you when I had the chance.
6. You don't know that the high point of my day is talking to you, and you never will. I just wish I had the courage to talk to you more often.

Hungry for good literature, I decided to read a book. Having read all of my books and gotten bored with them, I turned to the only other place I could think of, Blogger. I added a post (Guy Trouble), checked my blog to see how it looked (and I just like looking at my blog. After all, it's so darn purdy, how could you not?), and then realized that there was a button in the top right corner that said "Next Blog". Happy that I don't have to read Spencer's Uber Cheerful Blog Named Exponents (it's kind of making me sick. No offence Spencer), I clicked it and was taken to a blog titled Christian Del'Aune. Scanning the list of recent posts to see if there was one that appealed to me, I found one titled Donnie Darko. A DD fan ever since Bre showed it to me during one Thursday in July, I was happy that someone else had come to the table just as late as I had. Here's the link...http://delaune.blogspot.com/2005/07/donnie-darko.html
I read the first few sentances, realizing that this person was really an older, male version of me, atleast when it comes to DD. Curious to see if I saw it before or after him, I looked at the date. The second I did so, my heart lept out of my mouth. I know, seeing a movie on the same day as someone else isn't a thing to get excited about but I, previously, was extremely bored and cursing at my shoe laces ("Damn you to hell!!!"). Thinking this was just too creepy, I ran downstairs to check the All Powerful Calendar, nearly crushing Dule on my way down. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that I was in Moab that day. No offence to this dude, but I'm not in the mood for a dopleganger right now.

Why the hell can't I find a guy? Honestly, I'm low maintanence, I won't drag them around shoe shopping, and I'd LIKE to spend a Sunday watching football. Dinner and a movie? Sure. As long as the movie's not a chick flick. I can't stand 'em! Shopping? As long as we hit Spencer's and EA games, I'm all for it. A romantic night out? Meh. If it's not to FNF or a football game, I'd rather stay home and play video games or watch Star Wars. Talk sports or computers and I'll actually LISTEN! I might even ask questions! As for a romantic get away, I'd screw Hawaii and go to E3 or Comic Con instead. I only have a few guidelines and they are as follows…1)No Raiders fans, Patriots fans, or fans of any team from Texas, 2)must be a Star WARS fan (sorry Trekkies, I just don't swing that way) and/or gamer and lastly 3)No MAJOR RPG fans. It's fine if you sort of like them, but I couldn't be with someone who plays them non stop. That said, what's the friggin problem? Why the bloody hell can't I get a guy?

BECCA BROKE UP WITH SCOTT!! EEEEEE!!

It's nice to know that our government is able to concentrate on the issues that really matter. It's been days since Katrina struck New Orleans and Congress still hasn't formed to help these people. One might remeber Teri Shivo, a while back. When her feeding tube was removed, Congress assembled the very next day like a large, deranged team of super villans. When it's one white woman, the government functions at lightning speed, but when it's thousands of blacks, they'll get to it eventually. Earlier this summer, when the London bombings happened, I declared that there was no world anymore. It was only America and Iraq. Well, I can narrow down that list even further. Now there's only Iraq and white, Christian America. Of course, this is the general vibe I get from the government and many of the news networks. The actual people, the unfortunate pawns, are infinately more level headed and kind hearted then their elected officials. Even if Congress does get off its ass and gives some money to the suffering, it won't even come close to the money given by each person individually. I donated $40, money which I've been saving for a while to get a video game. Even countries so poor as to scarcely afford milk have donated some money. Apparently the United States govenment is the last to jump on the band wagon. Lazy or ironic? I'm not yet sure.