Journey into the Highlands

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Today Sucks
2008-03-14 17:13:00
Well, I just got cut from the Legion Band. The conductor called me today and told me that the board was concerned that I wouldn't be a contributing member since I can't see the music or the director. It just sucks. I try so hard and this crap is what I get. Oh well, at least I have my pipe band and bugle corps, and I'm expecting a call from my USAF Aux recruiter today, so hopefully that will work. I just can't believe this is happening again. I'm gonna have to find some other way to play trumpet I guess. I will miss the friends I had in that band very much. I'm not letting these leaders get away with discremination though. I am having someone help me write a letter to them. Well, in a few hours my assistant is coming to hang out, so that will be fun, and tomorrow I get to perform all day with my pipe band family. I am really looking forward to talking to my recruiter too. I'll let you all know how that goes.
More About: Today , Sucks

Throwing A Puppy Off a Cliff
2008-03-10 04:59:00
Recently on the news, there was a video online of a soldier throwing a puppy off a cliff. Here are my thoughts. I just don't understand why people hate military service men and women and the people that support them. I'm a bugler for honor guards, and I'm just so sick of people talking crap about this country where they take for granted the fact that they actually have the freedom to do so! I'm just so sick of those Bush bashing, funeral protesters, flag burners, and people who treat vets like crap! Be thankful for your freedom for once! Freedom isn't free!As for the baby being thrown off the cliff, I don't know if that's real, but there's bad people ever where you go, and just because of one person, we're all not bad! I mean, would you people react the same way if it was a civilian that did this? Come on! Military members aren't perfect! They're humans too! And no, I don't condon animal abuse in anyway, I volunteer at animal orphanages all the time and am a cat parent. ...
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Concerts!
2008-03-07 03:58:00
Wow, I just love the American Legion Veterans' Band! Tuesday's Legion meeting concert went well. Tonight was the greatest though! We got to perform at a home for old people. They really enjoied the music. We played jazz tunes, and a medly called Jersey Boys, and a few more fun ones. Then we got to have cookies and stuff after. Amy is one of the greatest conductors ever! She takes me to rehearsals and concerts and brings me back home. We were talking about how when we rehearse at the legion, our instrument cases and clothes smell like bar smoke and how every time we come home we smell like we've been smoking like a chimney haha! I was saying that when ever we smell bar smoke that we should think of rehearsal and how we should practice haha! Oh fun times! I love that band!Well, the next thing is the Irish events with my pipe band. We're playing for a grand opening of a bar next Thursday, so that should be fun. Well, signing off for now.
More About: Concerts

Stuff
2008-02-29 15:45:00
Well, on Tuesday pipe band rehearsal went pretty well. We played tunes to prepare for the Irish days coming up. Work was good the next day too. Nothing remarkable happened though. I got to go to pipe band rehearsal yesterday, and that was okay too. Not alot happened much there though. It's starting to sound boring I now, but I will probably have something more interesting soon.
More About: Stuff

Notes on OpSec
2008-02-24 23:09:00
I found out the hard way, that even as a civilian bugler supporting the families of veterans, security is important online. I wrote this article to educate those who serve our nation, and those of us that proudly support them to keep all of us in this big family of patriotic Americans safe. My research has come from military sites and leadership. People that hate America, want to be mean or even hurt the ones that give their lives for our freedom. A site I thought was harmless because it was for people with my disability was really full of people that hate America and what we stand for. They try to say anything to make you feel like crap about serving your country. The moment I told someone what I do on that site, they called me bugler of a military that murders inocent civilians, some even wished I would die, and a whole bunch of other stuff about our military.Luckly it wasn't really dangerous though, just not good to be around negative people like that. I spoke to one of my leade...
More About: Notes

Website Review
2008-02-23 16:10:00
Zonebbs.com is the worst website ever. It is meant for the blind, but the content is outrageous. It is a chatroom sort of place. The only part I liked were the games. First of all, if you have anything to do with the military or the USA, they rip you to shreds. It is a place for immature, heartless people. I would never suggest going there. I'm currently looking into different ways to play online games. Second, you can't delete your account. I told one of my leaders about what people were saying about America there, and she said to never go back again, because it's a bunch of crappy people. Yuck.
More About: Website , Review

Honor Guard Today!
2008-02-23 03:54:00
Wow, today went much smoother than I thought. My friend and I really got to know each other riding in the car together. It was really nice of her to take me. Her name is Holly and she was a sergeant in the army. She has lots of wisdom and advice. The funeral for my friend Lial went pretty well. There wasn't a full honor guard though, just flag detail and me the bugler. I performed Taps inside at the church, then I was asked to perform at the cemetary. It was a beautiful day for it too. The sun was shining, and it wasn't that cold. The family really enjoied the whole funeral, and Taps. His wife liked it so much that she invited me to her family reunion in May. Aww, I love this job. I am so honored to have been able to provide my friend with this last request. Lial, you served your nation extremely bravely, and I will always remember you.
More About: Today , Honor , Guard

Serving My Country For the Rest of My Life!
2008-02-14 17:21:00
Tuesday I made some huge life changes. I decided to withdraw from this semester at school and go back next Fall and major in social work to help veterans and minor in music. So from now until Fall, I can dedicate my life to honor guard and all of my other bands and volunteering at the VA. It was a really difficult dicision though. It sounds like it's gonna be pretty soon when I have to perform at the out of town funeral. That's going to be a bit hard since he's my friend, but if I just think about my job then I'll get through it. Well, I'm off to try to learn some more drill and ceremony stuff.
More About: Life , Country , My Life , Rest

Honor Guard!
2008-02-13 23:04:00
Wow, once again, it was a great pleasure to serve my country with Taps again today! Both of the events went well. The greatest part was when our commander changed the order of drill commands and he didn't think I would be used to them. The first time he said "present arms" the rest of the guard salutes, and it was funny because he thought I would start playing Taps and he didn't know what he would do. Haha! My bugle corps training has paid off big time. I just kept at attention. The best part, I remained at attention when the guns fired and didn't move at all and remembered to return to parade rest after playing Taps! Yay! Finally made it through the guns! I think now that I know no shells are going to hit me and that I talked to the guard members that shoot them, I'm not scared anymore. My ears hurt though. After both of the events he told me what a great job I am doing. After the second one, there was another blind person there that wanted a picture of me and my commander whic...
More About: Honor , Guard

Live Taps Honor Guard
2008-02-10 21:04:00
Yesterday was another day where I was honored to serve this great nation with Taps. I got to the funeral site a bit early, and as a guard, we listened to the service. It was a very nice tribute to the veteran whom I knew from volunteering at the veterans' hospital. Then we presented military honors. I got to play Taps inside though while the rest of the color guard was outside which was okay because it was pretty cold. Following the end of the service, the family thanked me and someone even blessed me for what I'm doing for my country. I felt so uplifted and inspired. It's a great way to serve without going into the military, which if I could, I would enlist right now. As I go through this coming week, whatever happens, country will always come first, no matter what. If it comes to it, I will even give up every day of my life to perform Taps for our fallen if it means the families and veterans won't have to hear the awful, fake sound of the digital bugle.
More About: Live , Honor , Guard

Concert
2008-02-09 02:52:00
The concert went very well last night. We played lots of tunes, and some I haven't memorized yet. There was another third trumpeter there, so I felt not as nervous. The nursing home residents seemed to really enjoy it too.There is going to be a snowstorm here tonight, so funeral detail might be postponed for tomorrow. I have just been hanging out with my baby Sable today. I haven't written much about her lately. She is a perfect cat! She loves it when it's time to go to bed, and she never leaves my side. She really loves her Back to Basics cat food too. It's all natural and human grade.
More About: Concert , Cert

Writer's Block: Weekend Plans
2008-02-08 18:53:00
I am going to have to perform for funeral detail tomorrow, but not sure what else. What are your plans for this weekend? View other answers
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Patriotism
2008-02-08 00:10:00
Wow, what a day it's been. First I took an anthropology exam which was okay. Then I have been feeling really crappy today. I went home early to prepare for the concert tonight, and pluss I felt really tired and have been sneezing, but I didn't want to say I was sick. The choir conductor wasn't happy at all. He said that if I miss anymore class, then I'll get a bad grade. Well, here we go. It's gonna come, so I'm preparing mentally. I have Legion band concert coming up on a Thursday morning and funeral detail, so it's going to happen. I felt so upset because of this today. I talked to my mom about it though, and she agrees with me that country should always come first. It is my duty and my job to perform as a bugler. Our corps motto does say that our duty is to honor our country. So she said to just go and do what I have to do and people will just have to get over it. Ever since I have joined my corps and the legion band, I have truly realized how much people pay for our freed...
More About: Patriotism

Concert Night!
2008-02-06 03:37:00
Wow, concert night was great! The legion band is so much of another big band family! We had rehearsal in the beginning, and since I was the only trumpeter besides the firsts, I got to play first trumpet! It was just so amazing! It is so relaxing playing with the legion band. My friends in my section told me just to have fun and play and play what I feel. Wow! Just amazing! Thursday is going to be great too!
More About: Concert , Night , Cert

My Favorite Craft
2008-02-01 17:41:00
I like the activity that I did at camp last year where we can make stuff out of clay. Last year I made an instrument. What's your favorite arts & crafts project? View other answers
More About: Craft , Favorite

Legion Band Rehearsal!
2008-02-01 17:39:00
Man, rehearsal was just totally awesome! Man I just love that band! It's another big family! I earned my uniform jacket yesterday too! I'm so proud! It's lots of music to memorize though. I have to memorize 20 pieces so far! Next week we have two performances! The first is at the legion meeting, then we get to go perform at a nursing home! Yay!
More About: Band , Legion

Rehearsal!
2008-01-25 15:54:00
Rehearsal last night went great! I have about 20 pieces to memorize though, ahh! The Legion band is another great band family! It's pretty big though. I'd say about 60 members. The conductor is extremely nice too. I love it!

Wow, very busy and loving it!
2008-01-23 23:18:00
Well, Tuesday was my first day back at university. It went pretty well. Pipe band rehearsal went pretty well too. We played lots of familiar tunes, and I kept rushing.Today is my birthday! I had lots of fun at work today too! I got to hand out the donations that my corps gave to the vets. Tonight I am going out for a birthday meal with my friend from work, so that will be lots of fun! I also got my new corps trumpet yesterday too! It sounds awesome! Tomorrow's my first rehearsal with the legion band with it too yay!
More About: Loving , Busy

What Do You Have To Say? - A Profound Impact
2008-01-18 22:38:00
I would have to say my bugle corps. Who has had a profound musical impact? View other answers
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Funeral Detail
2008-01-18 22:36:00
I have just returned from funeral detail. It is always hard, but it went quite well despite the bitter cold. My commander told me I did a great job, and the family was really greatful. I moved a little at attention when the guns fired and I did shiver due to the cold, but that's the only thing I want to fix. As far as my playing, I couldn't have done better. I used my corps issued plastic mouthpiece and didn't crack one note! Well, I'm going to rest. I'm supposed to go out with a friend for dinner tonight, so that will be lots of fun.
More About: Funeral

Wow!
2008-01-18 15:33:00
I haven't updated in a while, so here goes. Work Monday and the other days were good. Nothing really interesting. Tuesday's rehearsal was pretty fun. We are learning new pieces.Last night was awesome! I'm a new member of the Veterans' Concert Band! They are so nice there. The trumpet section leader is a World War II vet! The pieces are lots of fun too! I get my corps issued trumpet next week too! Well, I have a funeral performance today, so I'm off to prepare.

American Legion Band!
2008-01-11 04:20:00
The audition went just awesome today! My friend and I went to have Mexican before. Everyone was so welcoming! The leaders were very nice. I mostly listened though, because they were going over new material. The coolest thing though is, I was invited back for next week! I can't wait! I'll let you know how it goes!
More About: Band , American , Legion

Oh I'm so Tired.
2008-01-10 02:59:00
Wow, what a week so far. Monday at work was rushed. Then a veteran that I got to know really well may only have a few days to live. He wants me to play Taps at his funeral. I am honored, but it will be really hard to play for someone I know.Rehearsal yesterday was just long for some reason. I just wasn't feeling it. I think I'm just run down.Today at work was pretty good. All of the vets wanted to talk, so it was fun. When I came home though, my baby Sable had an accident on my bed. Yuck, not fun. Then tomorrow I have an audition, and already from the emails that I've received, it seems that the leaders don't want me because I'm blind. My friend from work is going with me, so hopefully it will be better. We are going to Chinese before too, so that should be fun.
More About: So Tired , Tired , Tire

Stuff
2008-01-05 16:11:00
Work went pretty well the other day. Not much to it though. We got to host a bingo party for the vets, and they sure liked that.Rehearsal Thursday was just awful. I was so unfocused because I had staid up with Sable the night before because she was throwing up. The pipe major was upset, but understanding.Oh my little Sable girl is a blessing. She is constantly purring and meowing with joy. She was so happy yesterday when I bought her some new food and abed for the window in our bedroom. I bought her organic food, and hopefully the bed will help me train her not to wake me up at night. It was so funnylast night though. I was trying to practice, and she came up to me and meowed while purring at the same time, then she bit my instrument. So of coursefor my poor baby's sake, I stopped practicing. I've been trying to get her used to it all week, but she just hates it. So it makes me not practice. I toldmy leaders about the problem, and they said if it continues that I will have to take...
More About: Stuff

My New Baby
2008-01-01 22:06:00
Wow, it has been a great new year! I brought Sable, my new cat, back from the shelter yesterday. Awe she's a beautiful lovely baby girl. She loves to meow too. I got her a play house yesterday, and she's really enjoying it. I am really looking forward to talking with the vets at work tomorrow, and now that the holidays are over, I need to get back to my practice rutine. I haven't practiced in almost two weeks. Oops, did I just write that? Haha! Yep, I do feel guilty though.
More About: Baby

Oh Feeling like Still on a Plane
2007-12-28 04:47:00
I'm back home to Fargo. I left early due to the weather. It was a much smoother flight this time. I'm just hanging around and about to go to bed.
More About: Plane , Feeling

Christmas Day
2007-12-25 20:16:00
Yep, it's Christmas Day. I've been enjoying family. I got some really neat snow boots, a new jacket, and gift certificates. It's been fun, but I'm ready to get back to rehearsal and the vets. I know, I'm a work a holic. Vacations aren't my thing I guess.
More About: Christmas Day

Vacation!
2007-12-24 00:39:00
I'm finally here with my family for Christmas. There were lots of delays at the airport, so I got here at three in the morning on Saturday. I'll go back to Thursday first though. The performance for the Veterans' Christmas party went really well. After that, we performed at a different place outside.Today I am just hanging out with family. It is a bit boring because they are watching football, so I'm just doing stuff online.
More About: Vacation

A Christmas for Veterans
2007-12-20 17:30:00
Yesterday was amazing! I got to help hand out Christmas presents to the veterans at the VA. I felt bad because it was just regular toothbrushes and stuff that the hospital allows us to give, but they really enjoied it. Some of them even wanted to shake my hand. My friend, the really sick vet, got to go home. I was glad, but sad that I didn't get to say good-bye. Everyone really loves the work I'm doing, and I love it so much that I wish I could do it everyday.
More About: Veterans

Volunteering at the VA
2007-12-18 02:43:00
It was day two today. It was great as always! All of the veterans are extremely appreciative of what we do. I really connected to the one that I met last time that was really sick. It turns out that she was an Army bandsmen and even a director. She was amazing! I think she's one of my favorites. The next time we are handing out Christmas gifts to those awesome vets. It is going to be wonderful fun! I would do this every day if I could. I am not permited to write about a lot of the situations I experience due to protecting the sick veterans, but I'll try to tell you guys as much as possible.
More About: Volunteering , Erin