The Mono is gone!!!

That's right. I've been feeling like my normal self for over 3 weeks now, so according to me the Mono is gone. Now I can start going to the gym again and lose this weight I gained because I couldn't go to the gym...

Friday was our Festival of Bands concert. Jack Stamp and Ray Kramer were our guest conductors, and they were great guys to work with. Our concert didn't go too bad, but it could have been better. We still have work to do before we leave for tour next week...

Matt and Joan were in town Friday night, so several of us went to the Turf to have a few drinks and catch up. I saw Matt last at Homecoming, and I hadn't seen Joan since their wedding. I really have to get down there sometime...

Today I worked at the concert hall for the Midwinter Choral concert. The greatest thing about working at the Festival concert hall is the people there. I love sitting in the light booth and talking to people. Granted, there are a couple of choice people there that are usually the target of our conversations, we also talk about recent happenings in the area, country, and the world. I have been part of conversations such as homosexuality, politics, stories of travel, and many other topics. This is not a stressfull job, which will be something that I wll not every get to experience ever again after I leave.

Well, tonight will be a night of card games with Robin and Friedo. I just have to meet Aaron at work around 8:00. More later...

So, It's my Daddy's 50th birthday on Sunday. I've never been able to go home for his birthday, and this year I actually get to. And with it being a long weekend because of President's Day, I actually get to go home for the first time since I've been in college for his birthday.

This past weekend was the Intercollegiate Band Festival in Bismarck/Mandan. We sent six from NDSU (Chantel, Krista, Jeff, Anthony, Erin, and myself) and four out of the six of us got first chair (me being one of them). The main tune we played was Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana". Both me and Anthony had solos in it. I also got to see Martin those two days. I hadn't seen him since September, and it was great to talk to him again. We have to get together more often. There are lots of friends that I have to get together with... But anyway, in the end the concert went well, and my face hurt afterwards. I think anyone's would after rehearsing for 10 hours and giving a concert after only 2 days!!!

My mono is getting better. I think it's about gone. I'm following a pretty normal schedule with my sleep and schoolwork. I had a follow-up with the doctor last week and he said that I could start going to the gym this week. I plan on going tomorrow. I still have to take it easy at first and not do all the things I used to do, but I do need to get back to working out. I need to get back into swimsuit shape before band tour...

The Jazz Festival went very well this year. The guest artists could not come in till late Friday night because of a tornado that hit New Orleans that caused their flight to be delayed. So, what that meant is we did not get a normal dress rehearsal with them, but only a 45 minute quick rehearsal on Saturday after all the high school bands played. The concert went very well. It was the biggest audience I have ever seen for a concert ever! It was a great way to end my final Jazz Festival at NDSU.

Well, I think that's all I have for now. Off to do some reading for class....

This isn't so bad...

So, my time with Mono is going better than expected. I'm not as tired as I thought I was going to be. I do get a little run down in the afternoon, but I just rest for a bit and I'm good after a while. I just hope this is over in a bit...

Jazz Festival is this weekend, and I am very excited for it! With this being my last festival with NDSU, I just want it to go well... Again, the concert is this Saturday at 7:00 at the NDSU Festival Concert Hall, and it's FREE!!! Come! I promise you will love it!

Next weekend is Intercollegiate Band Festival in Bismark. I had a very good time last year, so I'm hoping for the same this year. I've heard that we are playing some really good stuff this year. Apparently the conductor this year is one of Dr. O's best friends from Bowling Green....

Now, just for fun, I'll leave you with this....