Hey dogs its been a while. Being a Senior in highschool is eating my time but things are going to free up a little I think. I thought the yard should know whats been going on.

Its finals week in my school (We are on the block system). This means I don't get to sleep. This is my third day in a row without sleep <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />, it kidna sucks but once its over I can sleep again so thats kinda exiting.

I am trying out for ALLstate on trumpet and the auditions are this weekend. ALLstate is a honor band where only 8 trumpets in the state get in. I have been working on the pieces for a few months but they are starting to sound really good. I am also in marching band and plan to try out for Jazzband too. On the weekend I teach trumpets and have 5 students right now.

I finally finished fundraising for my Eagle project for boy scouts, I had to raise 850 dollars. I don't turn 18 until April but I want to finish it as early as I can. My project consists of making 5 Leopold Benches for the College campus which I live on. They are going to be installed in a prairie area which the sustainable living department is constructing.

I went camping last weekend with my class (I go to a private boys school) so we get to things like this every once in a while. I didn't bring my camera but I'll see if I can find some pictures.

School is cool except that it takes 13 hours a day (7:30-6:30) + homework which means I don't get to sleep literally. I found caffeine no longer has an effect on me which I am slightly worried about. I like to joke that I will never have to work so many hours again until I become a parent or start a business. Because we are on the block system we have 4 quarters and I am finishing up the hardest one. Atleast I think its the hardest one from looking at the schedule. I am hoping some time will free up to spend on the forums. My plan is to ween myself off of caffeine once finals are over and start to get to bed by 9:30 like I want to. I am going to start checking regularly if I can. Its good to be back

~Boots the very busy dog.

Hey Boots, good to hear from you. Good luck with Allstate and jazz band for trumpet. Seems we have manny musicians here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I play the drums, tried my hand at guitar for a while and now am thinking about learning to read piano and play. I know it's not the "guy" thing to do really, but it is good exercise for the brain and now that I've completed my masters, I need to keep the brain sharp. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good to hear everything is okay - Good luck on your finals! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

WOW Boots - you ARE busy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> Good thing you can go camping for a "sanity break"! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Check in here when you can but concentrate on the studies. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Great to be young Boots <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> !! Just make sure you take time to eat right and exercise on a daily basis. VERY important stuff. Luck on all your endeavors <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Glad you are well boots, though busy. I highly suggest that you finish off your Eagle Scout project as soon as you can. I literally submitted my Eagle packet the day before my 18th birthday and man were those last couple weeks stressful. Good luck with finals.

Good luck with that hellacious schedule, Boots. I play bass, but Trumpet is probably my next favorite instrument. Huge fan of people like Roy Hargrove, Dave Douglas, Tomasz Stanko..as well as the classic players like Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Donald Byrd, Diz etc. KnotSlip is right...there does some to be quite a few musicians in here.

good luck with your finals!

I love Clifford Brown he is my favorite trumpet player of all time.

you have great taste, Boots. It's amazing to see what kind of influence Brownie has had considering he died so early at the age of 25.

Need to form a Scrap Yard band and have everyone play together. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I just would like to know what would have had happened if that time traveler hadn't killed him. In all seriousness thought his Night in Tunisia was one of the most fantastic pieces ever performed. I love how his tone is kinda similar to Miles Davis, but just a little brighter. Brownie makes it sound so effortless and smooth I am amazed every time I hear it.

Good to hear from you, hang in there. Enjoy this time, even if your are strung out from no sleep.

Good to hear from ya again--