Out of the Closet

Last Saturday, I was forced "out of the closet." We were at Autzen Stadium watching the Ducks totally beat USC (which was awesome by the way). It was half time, and I can remember the day exactly. It was perfect weather, the smell of marijuana was in the air, I was sitting next to Derek, and Raleigh was right behind us. The band was on the field marching their little hearts out, and I sort of leaned over to Derek and said, "I don't get the point of having the marching band on the field at half time every game because nobody even watches them." He then (with more volume than I would have liked) asked, "weren't you in the marching band in high school?" Raleigh kindly said, "I didn't know you were in the band." Then, Derek follows with, "yeah, she went to band camp and everything."

Thanks Derek. I was trying to keep this on the "down low." But, it's no use now. Yes, I was in the band. But, to my defense only up until 9th grade (and my 9th grade was at the middle school, so it was technically only in middle school). I played the french horn, and actually really enjoyed it. I wore the outfits, the tall hats with the feather, and even marched in some competitions. I was actually the drum major (the leader of the band) in 8th grade at the middle school (I actually enjoyed blowing the whistle and shouting "LEFT! RIGHT! LEFT! RIGHT!-- the ultimate dork, I know). And yes, I went to band camp. But, I blame my mother entirely for this. She convinced me it was cool. Raleigh asked if I had a boyfriend at band camp. And, I sort of did. I'm totally coming out of the closet here. I may as well admit it.

As I have blogged before, I was also a cross-country runner. And, running was my real passion. I loved the concert season of band, and really loved the french horn. Still do (although I no longer play). I think it is a beautiful instrument, and it's always my favorite in any symphonic music. However, as the years un-folded in my life, I came to hate marching. I hated the way my arms would shake as I tried to hold that dang marching horn up parallel to my head for hours on end. I began to hate marching in perfect rows, always to the beat of the music. I hated having to dress in those rediculous outfits, and sit with the band at the football games. And mainly, I hated that my band director would not let me miss band practice for my cross-country meets or practices.

So, I decided to quit. I had had it! I asked if I could just play in the band during the concert season and not have to march. He said no. I had to either be all or nothing. So, I decided to be all out! I guess you could say that my saving grace to my high school reputation was that I chose cross-country over band. I still at times, get angry that my band instructor would not let me play in just concert season. Because I really did love playing the french horn. I loved the classical music...well, all music if it had a part for the french horn. Anyways, there you have it. I'm officially out of the closet. I was a band geek in middle school (at least I can say that...good thing I got out when I did).