Aiden Deis: My Subset of Reality

Friday, August 26th - 2011

08:05 We marched through the drills a final three times before tonight's big game. I messed up badly all three times.

The first time I forgot when I was supposed to turn, and went into a state of internal panic. As we were marching of the field after the the entire drill was over Mr. Crumb calmly, but loudly announced too me "Good job Adrian"... I couldn't hear any sarcasm in his voice. Holly confusion.

When I got of the field, Millyn, the drum major closest to where I get of the field (we have two drum majors, Millyn and Pyrla) said to me "That was amazing Aiden!" Couldn't hear any sarcasm in her voice either, so i just smiled at her sheepishly in confusion. While I was walking away, heard someone asking Millyn something... couldn't make out what the question was, but the answer was "Well... he messed up on the block and then he did an amazing recovery, it was incredible, I couldn't have done that!" That made me feel better, although I was in to much shock when I made the mistake that I really didn't know what I did and how I did this 'amazing recovery'.

Seems the 'the amazing recovery' was a one time deal because I made the same mistake in the following two run-throughs, only my recoveries weren't as graceful, in fact they were near disastrous, but luckily everyone was busy enough making sure they weren't screwing up that only a couple of people saw my failures.

14:50 Mrs. Onion(School secretary) announced over the intercom that all band students have to go to the band hall to get their instruments for the pep-rally.

I got my trumpet, my liar and my music. Followed the crowd to the gym and as I was walking to find a seat, I looked at my trumpet and realized that in the midst of all the nervousness I had forgotten to bring my mouthpiece!

The pep-rally went by flawlessly, mainly because I forgot my mouthpiece.

15:35 As I was walking out of the gym to go put up my trumpet, Mrs. Gebrecht walked up to me and she had Melvin with her, she gestured Melvin over to me and made sure that I was also informed about the fact that Melvin was ridding the bus with me. I assured her everything would be fine.

Melvin walked with me to the band hall, on the way about four kids asked if he was my brother, I told each of them "He's actually my cousin." thinking they would just assume that he was my STEP cousin. That worked pretty well until I was busy putting up my trumpet. Victoria walked into the room where the trumpets are stored and asked "Is this your little brother, Afrikaan?" that's the way she say's it-"Afrikaan". I said no he was my cousin, Melvin. Obviously the first thing she wanted to know was "So does he also speak like you?" I said "No, he's my step cousin, he's American." For whatever reason, she didn't believe me and started trying to get Melvin to talk, the more she said "Say something Meeeelvin..." the more he blushed and looked away. I know Victoria was just being nice, trying to play with Melv... she really is sweet, but Melv wasn't having any of it. I hastily finished finished putting up my trumpet so I could get Melv away from Victoria who was now playing with Melv's ear. She is strange.

On the way out of the band-hall Mary Jane started walking with us and tried to get a conversation going, he was still in distress from all the attention he got earlier though and wasn't feeling very talkative. Mary Jane asked him if he remembered when she used to babysit him, his replay was "I guess..." Mary Jane told me that she used to babysit Melvin when Rashal was pregnant with Ben. Still don't know how I'm related too her. I've made peace with the fact that I'll never find out, unless I ask someone.

17:13 Dad came over to wish me luck for tonight

17:15 I wanted to be early (I always do), so Kari took me into town.

17:26 We arrived at the band hall. Kari took of her sunglasses and turned to me, she had this expression of empathy, pride, and pleading on her face, with a hint of a smile. She clearly wanted this to be a 'moment'. I freaked out... I DON'T DO 'MOMENTS'. I smiled sincerely (a skill I've mastered), said "Thank you for the ride." as I got out of her car. She bent over, looked up at me and said "Good luck hun." and smiled, I couldn't tell from looking at her face, but I was sure she was nervous after having just called me 'hun' and though if I handled this wrong she might regret it. I smiled, said "Thanks..." and walked of. I did look back as she was driving off.

17:30 I wasn't the first one there.

18:15 Mr. Crumb had us line-up in the order that we were going to be marching in, too our seats. It was a mess.

18:19 All lined-up. Victoria started beating on her drum, and after four counts, we started marching out. It felt very good being part of the band.

22:13 We've just finished marching and I'm glad to report... I made NO mistakes... NO noticeable mistakes, that is. That being said, by the end of the drill my hands were shaking, and the only thought in my mind was "WHATS NEXT WHATS NEXT WHATS NEXT WHATS NEXT" and then Victoria's drum saved my life, she struck her drum four times and we started marching off the field.