To The Carmel Marching Band
I just finished watching the DCI finals on TV. I then had to watch our DVD from 2003. Grand Nationals was one of those moments in my life where I was the person I wanted to be. It's one of those times that's beyond words to describe. To all my friends out there who stood with me under those fireworks during 2003, I will never be able to thank you for what you gave me that year. You supplied me with a bit of status and I hopefully respected you in return. I wished that I would be humble enough to say thank you to each person that stood on the field with me that year, but unfortunately, our time together was much too short. Before we knew it, the Dome was filled with smoke, the turf was covered in confetti, and we each had medallions around our necks and were headed one last time to change out of our uniforms and head to our buses. I swear, if there were one time that I could return to for just a few mins., that one would probably win overall.

To all those who marched with me and all those who trusted me enough to be their leader, I cannot thank you enough. To all those out there still in the Carmel Marching Band, good luck to you this season. I hope this year blesses you with terrific performances, outstanding accomplishments, and minimal greed for "the win". Time in the Carmel Marching Band is a surreal atom of eternity that will make you discover yourselves and truly love the people around you.

There will be a time soon when you will look at the RCA Dome one last time from the parking lot and wish that you could have just a few more mins. there. There will be a time when you step off the practice field one last time and think of the music you made echo off the leaves on those trees. They all will tell you it goes fast. Listen to them.

I am honored and humbled that I was able to wear the dark blue uniform that represents Carmel and I would wear it again--if I had the chance. Treasure this time. Good luck to you all from me this season. My your time at Carmel be as glorious and fulfilling as mine.

God bless,
--S.R.L.

For my first entry, I will just leave you with some food for thought.

"Is not the quality of art that mystical connection between our observed lifestyles and what we believe to be a more perfect world?"
--S.R.L.

My new on-line journal. I refuse to use this site as a forum for complaining about things that I possibly have complete control over like I used Xanga for. Instead, I will write about things that a reader may actually want to ready, even perhaps on a daily basis. My first entry is soon coming.