August Blues

Hey everyone!

So I know it's been a while since I last blogged, and I apologize.  I've been in this mood lately that I don't really want to expend too much effort into anything that I do.  It probably has something to do with the constant go, go, go of my earlier summer.  I only bring this up because for the past couple of months, every time I try to log into blogger to post something, firefox will not let me log in.  I don't know why, It's always the same deal.  It says "Not Found Error 404"... I think it's 404.  And then it doesn't let me do anything with blogger.  Any suggestions?  Now, when this started happening I would just go and use IE and everything would be fine and whatnot.  Lately, I just haven't felt like doing that.  And thus no blogs.  From this point in time, it will stop!

I just listened to this neat little podcast by one of my favorite podcasts, WNYC's Radiolab, about choice and the rest of your life.  It was very interesting, as I find the vast majority of their podcasts to be.  I'm not really going to go into it, because I'd rather you listen to it yourself.  It's entitled "Shorts: Mischel's Marshmallows" and was broadcast on 3/9/2009.  I tend to listen to them out of order, based on the context of the show.  If you're interested in this gem of an informational source, you can check them out online at their website or you can look them up through iTunes Podcasts.  They are completely free and I highly recommend all of their shows. 

Now, my main purpose of blogging at this time is to lament over what is basically the end of my summer.  I move back in to uni tomorrow, well I guess that would be later today, 8/29.  Move-in was supposed to be yesterday, but due to hurricane Irene, the whole process was postponed a day, as were all classes.  Now, instead of heading down Saturday, staying in a hotel, moving in Sunday and seeing my parents off, we are driving down tomorrow (that's around 7 hrs without any storm-caused issues) moving me in, buying a few last minute things and then they get to drive all the way back home in order to work on Tuesday.  I feel pretty bad about it, but what can I do really?  I could get a car, which would be totally useful in this and many other situations, but sadly I'm still pretty broke after all of my NZ adventures.  That's okay though, I start working again on Wednesday, yay!

In other news, I just have to share one thing with all of you.  The joys of birthing.  Or should I say lambing?  It is currently lambing season in NZ, and through my wonderful contacts there I have been a very long distance witness to this absolutely adorable occurrence.  I won't show you any of the actual birthing images, simply because I don't have them.  But I can't keep the wee lambs to myself any longer!!

Now THAT is what I call adorable.  Soooo disappointed I'm not there in person.  There's always tomorrow! ...Or two years from now!

Undergetting (un)Square

Well folks, it's August.  August 16, to be exact.  It's been almost an entire month since my last blog.  The reason for this delay was, of course, my going on tour with the 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps.  It was a pretty typical tour, about the same as the previous four years.  We were placed in some nice schools, and some not-so-nice schools.  We had good and bad fields, showers, and weather.  Although this year we did not have any sickness.  I don't mean injuries, I mean illness.  Every year I remember there has been some prevalent illness at some point on tour, but not so this year.  Way to go!

Anyways, there are so many subjects I could discuss on the matter of tour.  To keep us all sane I will only discuss the outcome, because, let's be honest, that's all some people can understand.  In the end we placed 7th in Open Class Championships for the year with a final score of 86.150.  You can watch our finals performance here- 7th Regiment Finals 2011  We had yet another awesome year of marching music and self-improvement.  I am extremely happy that I decided to push myself and march this summer, even though I missed the majority of the season by being across the world.  On another note, the 7th regiment also had eleven individuals/ ensembles compete in the 2011 I&E competition.  I performed once again with my darling friend Victoria Smolenski.  We placed second in our category with a score of 80.0.  Another great experience for the both of us.  You can watch the video here- Caitlin & Tori I&E 2011.  You should also check out the links to the other videos of 7th participants. 

If you have any other questions about our season or drum corps in general, feel free to send me a message!

 I got to see my lovely friend Kristen while in Dayton, OH

 Yay rehearsal in PA!

 Kevin Thompson performs his I&E for the corps

 Liz Walek perform her I&E on mellophone.

The brass quintet performs (they won their category).

I pose with one of my co-captains, Erica, while awaiting full corps retreat to receive our scores at finals.

 Captains Rachel and Erica show off our lovely instructor, Dana.

 Time for the underwear run- through!

 The 7th Regiment performs in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.

 Miss Daisy receives her volunteer of the year award.