"Actually, Gramma," interposed Laura, "you are not married to the band. You are only engaged."
She's right.
I deal with three hour practice once a week, but games every Friday night are beyond the pale. Every week I read a new email asking for volunteer parents for concessions or bus monitors or some other fool thing. When pigs fly! This band grandmother will never be out in sub-cold weather on behalf of the band.
I found a lovely little web site that recaps the plays and scores--if there is a volunteer score keeper. I see this year the job has devolved to the coach to keep the site updated. It's the second quarter of tonight's first playoff game, and the score has changed hands three or four times. Must be exciting, jumping up and down and rooting for the home team.
But I keep an eye on the quarter and minutes so I have an idea of when to get in line at the high school to pick up our little trumpet player. In my defense, she knows less about football than I know, including players running on the field means the game started.
Married or not, band consumes a lot of time. This week, band and other stuff consumed so much of my week that a couple of projects at work were niggling my conscience. Tonight I dropped Laura at the band door, finally wearing sweats under her uniform, and went to work for a couple of hours.
The projects are put to bed, and I am home, and waiting to leave to get in line. It is 9:15 pm, the score board web site just posted half time. The home town boys are losing by three points! Be still my heart; for the first time in five years post season may end in one game! Another ninety minutes plus time outs, plus two bands performing, and I can leave.
When I left work, it was dark, dark, dark, and only a tiny sliver of moon. This tree had an eerie glow. Come back tomorrow to see if my relationship with marching band is over for this year.
Are we having fun yet?
ReplyDeleteAs a dad of three HS football players, I cringe at the thought of you rooting against the home team. I understand it, but I still cringe. Last year was the worst for me, my youngest (by 22 years) was a senior playing in Mass. I saw three games, the rest I followed on the internet, just the score of course...it was brutal, destroyed my nerves. At least the next day there was a site where I could view the games. I never realized how much work is involved in Band.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have an effortless break-up whenever it may be.
ReplyDeleteBeen there done that. I remember waiting in a parking lot at 2:00 a.m. for a bus of bandmates, with my toddler asleep in the back seat. Don't miss those days at all.
ReplyDeleteMarching bands are a much bigger deal in the States than they are in Canada. I've never had to go pick anyone up after a game due to band, but I might actually trade you a band practise for being trapped in a room filled with tap dancers on dance recital night! You're a good grandma. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteWe must be lazy people I never had contact with a Marching Band but you never know in the future maybe.
ReplyDeleteMerle.............
Is it wrong of me to hope that your relationship with the band ends early? Love that tree.
ReplyDeleteIts good she has a commitment like this, but hard when you have to help get her to the commitment and then pick her up afterwards. Hoping the season winds down for you tonight!
ReplyDeletebetty
I suppose it's poor sportsmanship to hope the team loses, but for your sake, I hope it does.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting tree.
Doing so much for your grandchildren Joanne, you are an inspiration for me.
ReplyDeleteSuper Gran ! I have been noticing the bark of silver birch trees in the dark - quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteOOOhhh I loved that tree - (it features over at MY TAKE in a couple of Fridays!) - I love that Laura loves band - but I'm kinda on gramma's side... here's hopin'... YAM xx
I was just saying at dinner last night (6:00 and pitch black outside) that at this point in my life once it's cold and dark out, my desire to go anywhere is dead in the water. Bless your heart.
ReplyDeleteWe don't do band here anymore. But mine sells programs for her FCCLA club and I had to get in line last night for our first playoff game. Unfortunately we won!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy an honest woman! So...did they win or did they lose?
ReplyDeleteWell, good luck to the team! Hope they have a winning season. It's so good that your granddaughter is in the band and gets to go the games. My husband did that too in high school as well as in college. He played the clarinet and majored in music education.
ReplyDeleteI always pit the band, a lot of the work and none of the respect. Ask the football team how much they like the band people. They'd rather just hit on the cheerleaders instead of giving them the proper respect.
ReplyDeleteI'm on your side!
ReplyDeleteJoanne -- Sycamore? You are a "whirlaholic" for sure. I am taking some time on my travels to catch up with bloggers. I am sure you are all moved in by now. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteAll in, thank you.
DeleteIt's some sort of decorative tree. It could be a sycamore variety; I'll check that up.
I think it's a paper bark birch. they don't grow down here but I have seen them when I am up north. if I was you I would be secretly wishing for a loss.
ReplyDelete