The Big Benford Show

Relax. This is a NO SPOILERS post.
I just finished my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and it was an amazing book. I can’t believe that the series is now over…it’s kind of a sad moment, actually. And to think that J.K. Rowling has managed to write this whole series without even one paragraph feeling “phoned in”. It all came from her heart and brains…amazing.

If you haven’t read the series, I highly recommend it. It’s more than just a children’s book because it reminds us what it means to use our powers for good and not evil. Yeah, I know not all of us can have magic wands (I have three four wands…batons…in my desk and none have performed any magic yet) and are able to cast spells but these books are about so much more than that. It’s about friendship, loyatly and faith in others. Good stuff. If you have read the final book and want to talk, let me know. There are parts I need to go back and read again ’cause it got so chaotic, ya know?

Okay, no spoilers. Just go read it.

My friend Naomi sent me this link today. I think once marching band is over and the video camera & tripod can come home, I’ll have to give it a whirl. Stay tuned!

So, being elected to Secretary of IAJE, Texas is proving to be quite a positive for me and my school. Thursday’s Williamson County edition of the Austin American Statesman is going to run an article about my jazz program at SPHS. Some of the details are incorrect (Tiger Tunes Tuesdays have nothing to do with jazz band) but still, it’s a positive plug for what we’re doing at SPHS and that’s what matters. So, you can read the article here. You may have to sign up to read it but you don’t have to subscribe to any newsletters or pay for anything. Cool, huh?

This has been a very relaxing, yet productive summer. It’s almost time for me to get back to work full time and I think I’m alright with that after this great summer I’ve had. Ken being here all summer has been great, too. Having someone around to help with daily chores is so relaxing!

I have my garden boxes built but because of the rain, I didn’t get a chance to set up the soil and start any gardening. But I think I’m okay with that because the summer isn’t the planting season. But, if I had to build the boxes I wanted and do the gardening all during the spring, I’d never get it done. Also, this lets me spread out the cost of putting together this size of garden (I built two 4×5 foot boxes) will be fairly expensive. When it comes time, I’ll plant both seeds and seedlings. They will both be filled with edible plants.

Moving from the organic to the techincal, my iPhone is wonderful! There have been a few reports about things not going well for people but none of them have affected my phone. My favorite question so far from people has got to be, “Is it true that the battery is useless after 300 charges?”. And just so you know, no. It’s been reported that after 400 full charges from a battery that has been completely drained, the life of the battery is lowered to 80%. Tell me what re-chargeable device isn’t affected that way after 400 dead to full charges. *sigh* The only problem I’ve had would be keeping my contact list straight since I’m syncing it from two different places. When you sync from both Yahoo! Contacts and Plaxo, it tends to create duplicates in the Address Book software on my iBook. But I think I’ve got that straightened out.

I loaded everything back into my office at work on Monday. I’ve finally put certificates, etc. on my walls and realized how cool an office can actually look! LOL. I’m not quite done with putting all the papers in their places and I need a few picture frames but I’m back to a regular work schedule now.

So, Texas Bandmasters Association Convention this weekend. DCI San Antonio on Saturday, too. Seems like most of Saturday will be at the Alamodome ’cause there are so many corps I want to see this year. Good thing that there are only 2 clinics that I want to really go to I’ll miss during that time. Heck, those two are scheduled at the same time so I’d miss one of them anyways!

Speaking of drum corps, there is no telling who is going to win at this year’s World Championships in Pasadena, CA. Any of the top 3 corps right now could take it and any of the next 2 or 3 corps could push up to 3rd place. It’s a great season for drum corps and I can’t wait to see the shows on Saturday!!

Okay, I really should get up to work so I’m going to sign off. Have a great rest of the week and weekend!

I’m very proud of this but until I got a chance to do something with this, I wasn’t going to post about it. But, since RRISD found it fit to make me a headline, I might as well share.

Fishsticks

If I were going blind
You would be the last thing I’ll see
But if you were going deaf
I said I’d make damn sure that you listen to me
But I’m not going anywhere
At least, at least not yet
I said I might be going to a grocery store
But if I do, I won’t forget my–

If I were going to a jewelry store
I’d buy you a big diamond ring
But if I were going to a candy store
I’d make sure to get you some gummi bears shrinky dinks but
But I’m not going anywhere
At least, at least not yet
I said I may be going to a grocery store
But if I do, I won’t forget my

Fishsticks
I won’t forget my fishsticks
I won’t forget my fishsticks
I won’t forget my fishsticks

If I were going blind
You would be the last thing I’ll see
But if you were going deaf
I said I’d make sure that you listen to me
But I’m not going anywhere
At least, at least not yet
I said I might be going to a grocery store
Oh but if I do, I won’t forget my

Fishsticks
I won’t forget my fishsticks
I won’t forget my fishsticks
I won’t forget my fishsticks….

David Garza - vocals & guitar
Jeff Haley - bass
Chris Searles - percussion

Me So Twangy was my favorite tape back then. I’m surprised I didn’t end up wearing the thing out.

My friend Julie Zuniga and I used to religiously go see this band at Liberty Lunch when I was in high school. What a great band they were. Seems as though they had a few reunion concerts last December. I’m sorry that I missed them. I guess I need to read the Austin Chronicle more often. Their music is so light hearted and fun. On the way home, we’d always stop at the 7-11 by her house and get Slurpies then go jump in her pool. There was no A/C in Liberty Lunch, you know. Such good memories….