My last college concert....

Tonight was my final concert at NDSU. The concert band performed tonight with guest conductor Craig Kirchhoff from the University of Minnesota. We played some very great music tonight, one of them being the Holst Suite in Eb. I played the solo in the second movement, which made it also my last time I will play a solo in an ensemble at college. I cried at the end of the concert when Dr. Mueller gave me a hug just as I got off stage and said that he was proud of me...

A half hour before the concert I was just sitting in my chair thinking back on my freshman year. I was thinking about how I felt then being in college for the first time performing with people who were far better than me and of how much I was learning. I thought of all the people I have met, both peers and guests that have come. I thought of all the places I have been because of concert band tour. I thought of the band parties, my performances, and all my time in the music lounge. I have made so many friends from the band and I have so many memories, both good and bad. And it scares me to think that it is almost over.............

To all of my friends I've made here, I love you all very much!!! You all have a special place in my heart and I will never forget you!

Falling trees...

Do you know what's exciting? Exciting is when you are sitting in your room playing on the computer when you suddenly hear wood cracking. You look outside to see half a tree on the ground nearly missing the house. It was so windy today in Worthington that half a tree fell at our place. It was kind of neat...

Jazz tour was earlier this week. We went to Minneapolis, and we stayed at the Days Inn just across the street from the Mall of America. We only had 4 concerts in three days, so we had a fair amount of free time. Me and Aaron made a trip to Ikea where we got apartment stuff and food from the Swedish Foodmarket. We also took time at the mall going to the aquarium where I saw sharks for the first time. On Monday night we got to see Joan and Matt. They came to TGI Friday's that was just by the hotel. It was great to see her again and catch up with the both of them. Joan gave me a CD that had a song about her "unofficial" TBS nickname. It was damn funny...

I got into Worthington yesterday at about 3:00. I told my parents that I'm moving in with Aaron. All that was said at the time was by my mother, who said "Don't tell your grandmother." Daddy didn't say anything. That could either be good or bad....

We are having family over tomorrow for Easter. Grandma, Kristin & Aryah, Shawn & Mandy, and Tim are going to be here. I think that's all. So that means that Mom has become a cleaning Nazi since she got home from work. Oh well, at least I get to see more family.

I still have my moments of sadness knowing that I won't be home this summer. I think about all the things I am going to miss, such as my family, my animals, and my house. Aaron does not like it when I'm in those moods because he doesn't know what to do to make me feel better. I just have to let it "run its course" so to speak. I'll get better over time.

A few pics from the FMCT show

Christopher Hanson on bass... he hurt his fingers from playing right away on the first set..


Jesse, me, and Ed on horns...


Russ Pfaff on drums...


Tim Stine on guitar... wonder what he's looking at... maybe at the dancing lady who made him laugh during "I Wish"....


Al Berg on keys... wow, a picture when he's not making the classic "Al playing a keyboard solo" face...

Boo on this...

So today I got in a car accident. A minivan cab pulled out in front of me. I'm not hurt, and there was no major damage to my car, but I'm still not happy about it. I just don't want to deal with the insurance company.....

On a better note, jazz tour is in a week and a half and we are going to Minneapolis this year. I guess so far we only have 2 concerts. Several schools have replied back to Dr. Mack saying that their school will be on Spring Break during the time we are there. This should be interesting...

Tonight Patents Pending did a gig for the FMCT Days of Wine and Roses fundraiser. It went pretty well, even though there wasn't a big crowd for it. But the people who stayed said they really liked us, and that still feels good to hear.

Well, I better get to bed. I have to start finding a garage to get an estimate done and all that fun accident-related stuff....