The Longest Day of My Life
By: ~Ceili~
A long, long span of almost 48 hours and two competitions: LMBA and
NYSFBC Championships...please r/r
************************************************************************
*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*
I groaned as I rolled over and looked at the alarm clock. Or, rather,
attempted to read the alarm clock. The fact that it was glow-in-the-dark
only helped me to find it, not to read it. I sighed as I turned off the
alarm, rolled over on my bed, clutching the clock in my fist, and then
switched on the lamp. A blinding glare of artificial light flooded the
room. I blinked and then read the numbers.
"ugh...3:30...." I set the alarm ahead 15 minutes, rolled over, pulled a
pillow over my head and went back to sleep
*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*
I sat up straight, startled. I'd fallen asleep with the alarm clock next
to my ear. I looked at the clock again. 3:47. I struggled to wake
myself up enough to make coffee, take a shower, get dressed watch the news
and pack. I lugged my sleeping bag and my book bag out to my car and then
lugged myself back inside in search of food. Two bowls of rice krispies,
a can of Pepsi, and a granola bar later, I was back in my car. It was
almost 6:30 when I left my house, and it was 6:38 when I realized that I'd
forgotten my shoes and shoe polish. I hit the road again at 6:45 and barely
made it to school by 7. I pulled into a parking lot full of kids, instruments,
luggage, band parents, cars (duh), and, in general, mass confusion. I grinned
as I stepped out of my car and popped the trunk. A few of my friends
came over to say hi and more than a few band parents came over to say good luck.
I fought for a moment with the contents of my trunk, but finally managed to
carry my saxophone, blanket, book bag, sleeping bag, shoes, sweatshirt and coat
all in one trip. I dumped my stuff in the band room and then realized that I
had forgotten my keys in the ignition. I asked an underclassman to run and
get them for me, so that I could attempt to get myself in some kind of order.
"LINE UP!" Came the call from outside. Time to practice.
In a flash I was outside lined up and ready to practice, along with the rest
of the band. The members were in rare form that morning, acting like we were
on top of the world. The rest of us, mostly the older members, were quieter
than usual. We knew what was riding on today's competition. Two hours later
small groups of students walked back up to the school, hoping they were ready
for the show. We went back into the band room to make final preparations to
leave when we heard someone (probably one of the rookies...I'm not sure) yell
"HEY LOOK!!! There's the busses!" The band room went from organized chaos
to...well...non-organized chaos. Everyone, including the Drum Majors and the
seniors, dashed to the windows. Sure enough there were two coach busses
pulling into the parking lot. The parents of rookies started crying and
hugging their children while the chaperones, band kids, and directors started
loading the busses. About a half hour later everyone and everything was
loaded onto the bus. The directors were the last to board the bus and, after
telling us where we were stopping to eat, announced that it was time to leave.
The engines roared to life as the stereo behind me began to blast the familiar
melody of "Bohemian Rhapsody." We were on our way....
By: ~Ceili~
A long, long span of almost 48 hours and two competitions: LMBA and
NYSFBC Championships...please r/r
************************************************************************
*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*
I groaned as I rolled over and looked at the alarm clock. Or, rather,
attempted to read the alarm clock. The fact that it was glow-in-the-dark
only helped me to find it, not to read it. I sighed as I turned off the
alarm, rolled over on my bed, clutching the clock in my fist, and then
switched on the lamp. A blinding glare of artificial light flooded the
room. I blinked and then read the numbers.
"ugh...3:30...." I set the alarm ahead 15 minutes, rolled over, pulled a
pillow over my head and went back to sleep
*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*
I sat up straight, startled. I'd fallen asleep with the alarm clock next
to my ear. I looked at the clock again. 3:47. I struggled to wake
myself up enough to make coffee, take a shower, get dressed watch the news
and pack. I lugged my sleeping bag and my book bag out to my car and then
lugged myself back inside in search of food. Two bowls of rice krispies,
a can of Pepsi, and a granola bar later, I was back in my car. It was
almost 6:30 when I left my house, and it was 6:38 when I realized that I'd
forgotten my shoes and shoe polish. I hit the road again at 6:45 and barely
made it to school by 7. I pulled into a parking lot full of kids, instruments,
luggage, band parents, cars (duh), and, in general, mass confusion. I grinned
as I stepped out of my car and popped the trunk. A few of my friends
came over to say hi and more than a few band parents came over to say good luck.
I fought for a moment with the contents of my trunk, but finally managed to
carry my saxophone, blanket, book bag, sleeping bag, shoes, sweatshirt and coat
all in one trip. I dumped my stuff in the band room and then realized that I
had forgotten my keys in the ignition. I asked an underclassman to run and
get them for me, so that I could attempt to get myself in some kind of order.
"LINE UP!" Came the call from outside. Time to practice.
In a flash I was outside lined up and ready to practice, along with the rest
of the band. The members were in rare form that morning, acting like we were
on top of the world. The rest of us, mostly the older members, were quieter
than usual. We knew what was riding on today's competition. Two hours later
small groups of students walked back up to the school, hoping they were ready
for the show. We went back into the band room to make final preparations to
leave when we heard someone (probably one of the rookies...I'm not sure) yell
"HEY LOOK!!! There's the busses!" The band room went from organized chaos
to...well...non-organized chaos. Everyone, including the Drum Majors and the
seniors, dashed to the windows. Sure enough there were two coach busses
pulling into the parking lot. The parents of rookies started crying and
hugging their children while the chaperones, band kids, and directors started
loading the busses. About a half hour later everyone and everything was
loaded onto the bus. The directors were the last to board the bus and, after
telling us where we were stopping to eat, announced that it was time to leave.
The engines roared to life as the stereo behind me began to blast the familiar
melody of "Bohemian Rhapsody." We were on our way....
