Resolutions and My Poor, Tired Girl

No, I didn't make any...I'm not crazy. I don't like setting myself up for failure, so I long ago resolved not to make any more dumb resolutions. Yet, on the TV right now, Jillian Barbarie is telling me that she lost 41 lbs with Nutri-System. Well, Kirstie Alley lost 75 lbs on Jenny Craig, and look at her now.

I read somewhere that trying to fight against your body's own natural inclination to be whatever size it's going to be is kind of ... pointless. Yet, we all keep trying. I've often wondered what life would be like if I didn't feel guilty about every bite of food I put in my mouth, unless it's a piece of broccoli.

In order to test this theory, I started my morning with three slices of last night's pizza. And I don't feel guilty. You know why? Because Oprah's Best Life shows don't start until Monday. And everyone knows that the new year doesn't really start until the Monday after January 1st.

Speaking of the new year, my oldest girl has been in a week of band hell. Her first week of Christmas vacation was actually a vacation. She did pick up a couple of extra shifts at work because she actually had the time, but it was mostly vacation.

This week though, the band has been practicing for their appearance at the Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship. When you click that link, there is no picture for Chandler band. I think this is the picture that's supposed to be there. I know it's too small to see any faces, but in the very bottom row where the guard girls are in their blue warm ups, Danni is second from the right. I think.

They were the honorary band selected to participate from AZ this year. The host band, if you will. The rest of the bands were from other states, and for the most part they were state champions. In other words, they were really good.


The band has been working towards this competition all year. Starting on Monday through Wednesday, they had 12-hour practices. Yes, 12-hour practices. Well, I think they let them take breaks for lunch and dinner. But she came home exhausted. Then yesterday was the actual competition out at Cardinal's stadium. The tickets were $26 each, but I'm so glad I went. Because those kids gave the performance of the year. Of their lives. They were absolutely fantastic. And they missed making the finals by 0.11 of a point.


As I said, most of the other bands there were state champions. Our band wasn't really expected to make the finals. But that they came that close just amazes me. I ordered a DVD of the whole preliminary round. It was kind of expensive, because "Mr. Video" likes to fleece you that way. But I didn't care. That was honestly the best show I've ever seen them do.


There was an article in the paper today about it here: "Chandler High Band Vies At National Championship". There's a little video with that story, and you can see Danni briefly at the 50 second mark, for just a moment, at the left side of the video. The actual DVD is supposed to come in the mail in about 4 weeks. I can't wait. My friend Kati went to the competition with me, and since has an awesome camera, she took a lot of pictures which I will hopefully have sometime in the next few days.


If that wasn't enough, their Fiesta Bowl week isn't over yet. This afternoon they will have a short practice, and tomorrow they will march in the Fiesta Bowl parade. If you happen to get the Fiesta Bowl parade on TV in your area, look for the Chandler high marching band. That would be them. I know it's on at 11am here. Then tomorrow night, they will attend an event that is being held for all the participating bands, which is a dinner...or more like a steak-fry...out at Rawhide. You know, if you travel to Arizona for a band competition, from say Illinois or New Hampshire, they have to do something to give you the impression that you're in a wild west, cowboy town. Even though Phoenix is the 5th largest metro area in the U.S., I think most of the country is under the impression that we ride around on horses, everyone is packing a sidearm, and tumbleweeds are blowing down the road. So they'll take them to a dinner out at Rawhide, where all that is true.


Then, on Monday, they will attend the Fiesta Bowl game between Ohio State and Texas. They will be there to help unfurl the huge field-sized flag in the pre-game show. This will also be an all-day event, as they will get to stay for the game. Then she will come home Monday night, stumble up the stairs and collapse into her bed. So she can get up and go back to school on Tuesday morning. I'm telling you, there's no rest for the wicked. Wait...if that were true, the above would all be Shannon's life.