Best in Show

Gina's pictures have brought back so many memories of our performances. Who remembers standing as straight as possible until your back ached, and exaggerating each roll-step as much as possible until you got toe cramps? Byron told us we had to do this so our upper body would be still when we played. Or even high-stepping and making sure our toe was even with our knee? It was amazing how we mainitained our formations and remembered every note to our music. Now that's multi-tasking! I remember feeling so proud after our drum majors performed their "welcome routine" or when one of our soloists brought the house down.

The one show I remember the most because of its details was show where we had a lollipop-type paddle with a different color on each side, we used our capes like wings for a flash of color for the judges, and the band members put down their instruments and caught flags tossed to them by the color guard. I don't remember what song we played, but I believe all of this took place during the drum solo. What a show.

Guys Just Don't do That!

A group of us were talking in a chat room last night, and we came to realize that there are some things that a girl would do, that a guy would definitely NOT do. Here are a couple we came up with:

Two guys will not share the same umbrella.
Guys do not take their shoes off to run in the rain.
A guy would not compliment a friend of the same sex on their looks.

Are these true? Is there anything else that a guy would definitely not do?

Comfort Foods

OK, I almost hate to admit this, but felt it would be an interesting post...I just had dinner: Tostitos and Chocolate chip cookies and a glass of orange juice. YUM...nutritious. I know we ALL do this and so do you guys, too. So, what are some of your faves, crazy concoctions, binges or midnite munchies?

Pictures from E!

Hey Gang!

Before I give out this URL...I just threw these pictures up to the site, which will end up being our new website...just a note: I did this quick and dirty to get the pictures out. The final website will look nothing like this and will be quite the elegant site...so no griping allowed ;>

http://www.hmlbandalumni.com/

Enjoy, E!

TRUTH

Alright. It's back, by popular demand. The Truth Game. Here goes. Each person is given one pass card. You can toss it in whenever you like. All you have to do is type in "Pass Card." You only get one pass, so use it wisely. Each of us will ask one question, any question in the world, about anything. Each of us MUST answer that person's question. No hiding and not commenting. Just answer it. As soon as each of us answers the question, the next person asks. How will we know who gets to ask the next question?? Well, we won't. It's basically whoever comes up with it. Question: What is the biggest misconception people had about you in high school?

Music Notes

Do you remember how we wrote notes during every class and passed them back and forth to each other all day long? We used all sorts of shorthand like, BFF, ttyl, LLL, NNN, and so on. There was also a lot of code in them, just in case one of these notes got into the wrong hands! Of course, most of our writings were about boys, so I'm not going to get into any of those secret codes. Some of you guys are reading here now. But, there was also a lot of talk about music and concerts. There was mention of all kinds of bands. What concerts did you go to in the 80's? Which ones were your favorites? Why?

Workin' for the Weekend

I was talking to this man recently about jobs we've had. He was telling me about one of his first jobs, and you'll never guess what it was. It is the nastiest job I've ever heard of. He had to shovel pig's lungs into this machine, so that it could be processed into hot dogs. He is about 20 years older than us, so I told him I don't know anyone my age who has had a job like that one. But, then again, I don't really know. Have any of you had a job as gross as this one? What has been the strangest thing you've done to make a buck?

DANGER LIST?

There is some talk going on about a Danger List and I was asked to Post this: The night before the reunion, one of our former band-ees asked another one of us if they could escort them to the reunion as only a" FRIEND."! The girl offered what one would think is the best turn down ever:? "I'm sorry, but I can't go with you. You are on my danger list! "The guy didn't feel the least bit slighted. He actually felt proud. But, it does raise an interesting question. Is there really such a thing as a danger list?? If so, who is on yours?

To Web Site or Not To Website

That be the question. Hey ya'all. So now there is lot's of activity on this Blog, lot's of content being found and shared, and new folks popping up every day. I have a question for everyone.

I shared at the reunion that I was thinking about starting a HML Band Alumni website with Blogging, Gallaries, Directory Services, annoucements and whatever you folks would like to see there.

So before I incur the expense to acquire a url and a hosting service capable of the potential traffic I want to make sure this is something you folks would like or is this blogspot sufficient. Having our own website would provide great flexibility for us since we'll "own" the content and design, be able to secure areas to members that we feel necessary, as well as allow us to continuing growing.

Thoughts and comments?

Here's more.....

Well, we know it's not a Band picture without a 'wacky' group shot!









OK, what are these guys up to NOW!

Our very own Rockin' DJ

---Thanks Mike!

Is it really one of the Belushi Bros...
nah.....it's Albert Parron ;)

Peter's "Truth" Question

I think Peter had the best question in our game of Truth that Saturday night. I've been thinking about it ever since. He asked, "Who are you really happy that showed and who do you wish would have come to the reunion?" Everyone pretty much had different answers with different reasons. I said I was really happy that Niki showed up, of course. And then I said that I wished Byron would have been there. Well, the next day he was there! Well, if it worked once, maybe it will work again. Who do you wish would have showed up at our reunion? Let's get the names on here. Maybe one of us will know where they are.

Where'd everybody go???

Come on people....cat got your tongue? Or are we still recovering? I've been trying to post pics, but for some reason they are not coming up....has anybody else tried? I've got nice ones and I know we had a paparazzi of cameras going off. Any suggestions on the easiest way to load them... CD or from computer?

Let's keep this going.......

Still our favorite section leader...

Things I loved at the reunion besides seeing everyone:

A huge group of people doing the Time Warp.

the MUSIC!!!

Singing the Alma Mater at the end.

Seeing everyone hang out together, just like the old days-no cliques.

Sleeping with Niki again. Thanks, Herman. :)

Watching our kids play together on Sunday.

Now, how about you?

Dominic's story...

OK people, Incase you were wondering... We've talked before in the blog about life's little challenges. Some are more obvious than others. We do not consider ours a challenge, it's just life... read on

THANK YOU * THANK YOU * THANK YOU *

Cookie and Cathy---Well, what can we say! You guys have pulled an amazing reunion together. All your hard work, wonderful creativity, and continued persistance has made this an event to remember. Sure we would have loved to have SEEN more people there, but we know they were; in our conversations, in our memories, in our slide show, in our hearts.

Eric---Hon, gotta thank you for my aches and pains...specially my lower back! I wouldn't trade it for anything right now. I didn't think the "BIG MOMMA" would come back to haunt me in some 20 years.
***please don't make me do that again ;}

Tim---Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I promised you a POST, so here you have it! ***don't worry there WILL be more---time to absorb everything right now***

Well, what happened?

It has been a whirlwind of activity these last two days, but it was well worth it. It was so wonderful to see everyone so happy just to be together again. Everyone has improved with age. I'll fill you in on some of the details, but I'll leave the really good stories to all of you. Of course, there are stories to tell. It WAS a band party.

It started out with plenty of "Oh, my God! Look who it is." Some people didn't recognize their old friends (Alfie!). Next, people looked at all of the things on our memorabilia table. Those things really started the memories flowing. While we ate, everyone voted for the different categories, like best section leader, most influential person, the funniest, and even the Wet Willy award. Then, Mike Berrios kicked it off with some incredible music. He made the party. We did not stop dancing. As a matter of fact, the party was so good, we went our time by an hour! We didn't want the night to stop, so we moved on to Flannigan's where we played a game of truth. We learned some interesting things about each other there. For example, we learned about Mike's previous employment, Eric and Peggy Sue, and Peter in the Daquiri Depot!

The fun continued at the picnic today. People were coming out of the woodwork. Bill Stadelmeyer, John Wargo, Joe Williams, Lydia and Isis Loyola (both are have married names), James Vanhorn, and even Byron Williams showed up, along with many others. We ate, talked, and brought back a lot of memories. The best part was, our kids became friends. Now that was surreal. It was a great weekend.

Warning!

To those of you attending the HML Band Reunion this Saturday, we have an urgent warning. It has been brought to my attention that there have been some MAJOR changes in the past 20 years. Some of us have gained quite a bit of weight, gotten a few wrinkles, and even noticed gravity take it's toll on our bodies. There are others, who have gray hair and some, yes it's true, have no hair at all. If you would like to warn any of us, before the actual event, now is your chance. Let us know what we should expect, so there will be no surprises.
Can't wait to see all of you, no matter how you look!

'Twas the Night Before the Reunion

'Twas the night before the reunion,
when all through the town
Everyone was stirring, and none with a frown;
The clothes were hung in the closet with care,
Thinking about the fit, and the optional underwear;
The bandees were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of friends danced in their heads;
Ladies with fresh polish, and men cleanly shaven,
Band in the mid 80's was their little haven,
Hey buddies, friends, and that former crush,
Watch Cookie to see, who still makes her blush;
In the past 20 years, we all may be scattered,
The experience we shared is something that mattered.
Some of us band geeks can't make this bash,
Has anyone checked Debby for her bass drum stash?
Heal toe, heal toe still rings through my head
Has "Band Sister" Cathy really found Fred?
Let's not forget the game of quarters
And Band Parents, our friends, and other supporters
Kara "Allure"put it best on the blog
How'd she remember, to me it's a fog
"We all walked into the awards ceremony with"..our 'ethnic diversity'
We stood proud and strong, with a touch of perversity
More rapid than time all old friends came,
Peter whistled, and shouted, and called us by name;
"Now, Drums! Now, Woodwinds! Now, Percussion and Brass!
On, Flags! On rifles! Hey Dancers, Move your ass!
To see OLD friends! To see their mates!
Now get some sleep! The reunion awaits!"

Paula

Band Reunion Countdown

Today is the day! Oh my goodness, this is getting exciting.
For those of you who have called and told us you will be there for sure, but just haven't paid yet, it's not too late. If we HAVE heard from you within the last two weeks, we have reserved your spot. Please bring your check to the door.
For those of you who would still like to attend, we need to hear from you no later than tomorrow. Please call either me or Cathy.

Family Day

You may have noticed that the location for our Family Day was changed. But, it is for the better. We were never happy with the shelter we had reserved orininally, but we kept on working on another option at Amelia Earhart Park. Believe me, it is for the best. So, our Family Day will be at Amelia Earhart Park in Shelter G on Sunday, July 16 from 11:00-Sunset.
Family Day is for your whole family. You may bring your children and parents. The more the merrier. We only ask that you pay an extra $5.00 to cover the cost of the food for each additional person.

One More Shot

Alright guys. I know I've already asked this question, but maybe some of you didn't see it in the May Archives. Our DJ is now asking that everyone post about their favorite songs from back in the day.
Think hard. Make it good.