On My Way to "Band" Camp

I am writing to you all from the airplane...wireless in the air, pretty fantastic!


I'm on my way to my first Star camp. In case I haven't mentioned it before, I marched in a drum and bugle corps in college called Star of Indiana. Drum corps is like an elite form of marching band minus the woodwinds. It's only brass instruments, percussion and color guard. I was in the front ensemble or "pit" which is similar to an orchestra's percussion section, but we are on the front sidelines while the corps marches behind us. I marched Boston Crusaders in 1992 and then Star in 1993. That year, we lost by 1/10th of a point, but won best percussion....in the world. A triumphant moment!! After that year, Star left the drum corps activity and toured with the Canadian Brass for two years before launching a show in the West End of London and then on Broadway. This year is their 25th year since they first entered the drum corps activity so they are doing one performance at the world championships this year (in August) in Indianapolis - the stadium where the Colts play. Originally I wasn't going to sign up. I was fat, I was not motivated, I was feeling bad about myself. Then I got diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer and decided "F!*K that, I'm in". Today is my first camp....73 pounds lighter. Pretty excited about being there. I met up with two of my friends that I marched with at the airport so the first day jitters are lessened a bit.


We rehearse tonight from 7-11pm, tomorrow from 9am - 11pm and Sunday from 9am - 1pm, then I fly home. This is serious stuff people! ;-)


I rented a car and am staying in my own hotel room (thank you Marriott points), so I don't think food will be a huge issue. I plan to stop at the grocery store and there is a refrigerator etc at the corps hall.


My band has definitely loosened up but is still a bit strange. I haven't slimed since the day before Thanksgiving thank goodness. Last night my girlfriends and I had a dinner party, which meant ordering in Mexican food. I took a small bit of veggie enchilada, one slice of a veggie quesadilla and a handful of chips with guac and was able to eat pretty much all of it. Today, I had one turkey roll-up (one piece of turkey with about 1/2 teaspoon of hummus), got stuck. It went down eventually, but I felt it there. However, I was then able to eat a string cheese, a few nuts and two mini biscotti cookies on the plane. Weird. I'm still keeping things in control and am not as hungry which is great! I have a fill scheduled for Dec 16th, so I'll determine as I get closer whether or not I actually need one. At this point I don't think I will, I just hope this fill holds for a bit!


Hope you are all great! I'll post about my experience back at camp as soon as I can. Oh and for you New York ladies, Carla, Yana, Jacqui, Heather and Colls, let me know whether you're definitely in to join Catherine and I for brunch next Saturday 12:30pm, Dos Caminos. Would be so great to see all of you!