Midwest and Christravegansmas, Part One

Midwest was exciting, though quite frustrating at times. One of the people I was staying with was... less than pleasant. Oh well. On the brighter side, I saw the Boston Brass, the Navy Band and The Blue Man Group--twice--second and fourth rows! One of their musicians, Jeff Somethingorother, held a clinic titled "From High School Band to Blue Man Group" and the Blue Men (is that the proper pluralization?) designed a routine just for Midwest. It was amazing. I spent a little less than $200 on registration, travel and a hotel room, but I could have easily paid that just to see the Blue Man Group with much worse seats, so it's all ok. I went to a lot of interesting clinics. We mostly went to the conducting ones and I know even less now what I want to do when I grow up, because I want to do everything. I guess I'll be happy no matter what, though, since I can't seem to make up my mind on what I want the most.

Day One of Christravagansmas is over. I suppose Day Two, really; yesterday was the Christmas Program at church which I have successfully not been involved with for almost ten years. It was cute, though. I managed to get myself sick while I was in Chicago, though, so I skipped out on Post-Christmas-Program lunch and took an eight-hour nap, followed by sleeping 13 hours last night. Today was Christmas with Jody's family, which included many a gag gift and inappropriate comment. Good times all around. I got Life is Beautiful, which I am thoroughly excited about owning, as well as Velvet Elvis which I'm looking forward to reading. I haven't actually read anything by Rob Bell yet, but I figure it's about time since everyone I do enjoy reading seems to be BFF with him, and the Nooma series is pretty decent. Christravagansmas continues tomorrow with Katie's family, which always promises to be entertaining.

Merry Christmas, the Internet!