Sunday, August 8, 2010

Part Nerd, Part Awesome



The last two weeks have been full of flash backs to my high school days. No, I haven't run upon a stash of mushrooms left from the eighties, it's just that my daughter has been knee-deep in band camp for the last fourteen days.

Ahhh, band camp. It's all sweaty teens full of hormones and angst. Now don't get me wrong. It's hard work. It's been ass-hot in Indiana this summer (and everywhere else, apparently) and stomping around on a school parking lot while carrying a heavy metal object is not for the faint of heart. In fact, most people would say it sucks. But sitting in the parking lot waiting for the kid...well can I just say that I was grinning like a fool just remembering what it was like for me.
But here's the thing. Now that the eldest is also in band camp, it STILL seems completely cool to me. Granted it's her third year for this, but I'm still not over the fact that just watching her play makes me giddy.

Yes, I was that girl. The band geek. And I have probably uttered the words " This one time... at band camp...". I played flute in the marching band and everything! I know! Total cliche' and I loved every minute of it. (I'm still a big noob, right?)


I spent a couple of years marching around playing whatever music the director was sure would win us some trophies (it's all about the bling) and trying to blend in with the others. Then suddenly, blending in wasn't enough. That's right. I tried out and became a majorette. MAJORETTE, folks. That's pretty heady stuff, right there. I'm talking pom-poms and batons and the whole nine yards. Not to mention the boots. Damn, I loved those boots. Still do.

Behold the awesome that is eighties hair and band uniforms.


That's me on the left. I'm probably sober.










But here's the thing...it hasn't changed. Looking at the pictures I've taken of the kid lately, I'm reminded of the pictures of myself as a marching kid. Mind is blown.

Me:















Her:















My band director:

















Her band director:













And although as a MAJORETTE, I performed at basketball games during half-time in cute outfits such as this:













...the kiddo totes has me beat. She is the DRUM MAJOR. And way deserves capitol letters more than her momma ever did.





3 comments:

Curiosity said...

We didn't have the marching band thing up here, but I was definitely a total music geek in high school anyway. There's a certain closeness in that stuff that doesn't come from much else, though. Totally fun.

Andygirl said...

oh wow! drum major is MAJOR!

oh, band camp. I know all about you. I was on the dance team. and as such, it was only acceptable to either date within the drum line or the drum major. oh yeah!

Dawn said...

Curiosity - I love to channel my inner band geek at random moments.
Andygirl - dance team! Love it! I can still do several of my routines and it's great fun at drunken parties. Especially when I break out the fire batons.

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