MexicanDragon

JH16s **BRENT**

First off: G'luck, Thrice. My day started with the knowledge that today was my planned last day at work. I planned on talking to my supervisor about the possibility of an extension. I finally caught him, and regrettably, the budget was already blown for staffing at this point. I wished him well and went on about my day. Fast forward to two hours before the end of the day. I come back from break, sit down to do a little more work, then I get a call. Normally I just reach down to silence the vibrations when I see on the caller ID that it is someone from the staffing agency calling. I walk out and take the call and it turns out they have 3 positions open and I scored incredibly well on a test they used (50% higher than what was called for). They talk to me about taking one more test and I was able to fit that in just an hour later. I have an interview that will be scheduled for either Tuesday or Wednesday, but right now it is looking good. I found out I had a glowing review from my supervisor. This along with having 1/3rd of a year working for the current company + my past experience with the post office, it seems to be all but a formality. If all goes as planned, I'll have next week off (Zoe's spring break, so needed it off anyways), then should be back at the new position the following Monday. Good Friday indeed. **BRENT**

FTFY. You know, I'm kinda excited for the 2nd gen iPad. I didn't really want one that much previously, but now, I'm not as sure. **BRENT**

Here we go again!... | Facebook Game. Changer.

From what I understand, skip it. The D5000 seems to be the go-to "D40" level replacement. I think that, with the 18-55vr kit lens, just pushes the boundaries of the budget. A site that is recommended by many: KenRockwell.com Nikon D3000 - check out the headline Nikon D5000 - oh, look, refurb kit for 525$ INKD5000RD Nikon D5000 DX-Format 12.3 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Kit - Refurbished - by Nikon U.S.A. with Nikon 18mm - 55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX (VR) Vibration Reduction Wide Angle Autofocus Zoom Lens, - Refurbished - by Nikon U.S.A. I would defer to others, but I researched the crap out of this the past 5 months, and this is what I was going to buy before I decided to pick up something from someone down in SoFla. **BRENT**

**BRENT**

This happened in the city I live in. Good stuff. **BRENT**

:whale: **BRENT**

I think it's the same room, but let us know when you'll be there. I'm sure there will be some tables set up on the top. My rig these days is pretty portable, I'll bring it up for you to listen to. **BRENT**

^ This **BRENT**

What this dude said. We'll get you there, no worries. **BRENT**

Hippie. **BRENT**

Those bastards didn't even HAVE biscuits! They did have bread, however. Normally there is a litttle oil they put on a plate to dip it in... but guess what? That's right, they ran out of plates, bread plates, at least. Took about 20 minutes or more to get those from the time I walked in, but they eventually came. Good thing, too. I didn't eat breakfast and where we were at for lunch only took cash. Cash? WTF is that nonsense? **BRENT**

It's aboot bloody time. That was what, 2 months ago? Any good? **BRENT**

It was yesterday, but I was exhausted and went to bed. I went with the Mid-South Concert Band that I play alto sax in to a community band festival, of sorts. I got to listen to 3 other groups of varying levels. One were people of highschool age up through their 70s or 80s, and they did it for fun. Second group was the Vanderbilt Community Band, which really wasn't. It was comprised of students and professors. I figure it was something like their B or C concert band. They were good, but they were kinda "ringers". They played some pieces that were a bit esoteric and "new", which was probably performed well, but reminded me of some of the stuff that I saw John Sampen (classical saxophonist) do a year or so ago, and I, admittedly broadly, categorize it as more "noise" than "music." After that group we went to warm up and went on an hour later. We played about 8 pieces and had a really good performance. None of us were perfect, but i think we were all happy with it. Our group is comprised of former band directors/music majors/doctors/FedEx truck drivers/retired computer programmers/pastor's wife/former Navy band member/unemployed miscreants... largely, though, people who used to play and got back into it later in life. It's a decent group, run by a very good band director. We invite anyone who wants to play to come out, only requirement is being older than high school age, unless accompanied by a parent who is also a member. After that show, we had 15 minutes before the next group, the East Tennessee Community Band (or something like that). We put our horns up and came back for a listen. This group, however, doesn't let in just anyone. It is an audition-based band and it shows. These guys were incredibly professional and very very good. They even got to have fun with a piece and "props" were brought along. At the beginning of their closer the sound of a fly was written into the piece, and as it was distributed throughout the piece, various members of the band would stand up and swat at them with flyswatters they had snuck onto stage past the eyes of the husbands/wives/children and other band members which events like this tend to draw. It was quite interesting. I hope some of my pictures turned out. I was shooting ISO 3200 or 1600, so I'm not expecting wonderful results, but maybe I got something. It would be nice to play with a group like this, as the members tend to better understand "balance" and "dynamics" and many of the other things many of us were taught during our music careers, yet some (that are in our group, specifically) completely dismiss this in practice, and it has to be drilled repeatedly into the minds of adults who, really, should know better. Spending 4-5 hours on a bus with 50-80 year olds (with 3 younger people up front), however... not as much fun as the "band bus" of old. Heh. On the way back, though, we stopped off for dinner. We had an hour. Choices in walking distance were Jason's Deli, Moe's Southwest Grill and 5 Guys, that we knew about. I figured there had to be more, so I kept walking. I found a pizza buffet place, but kept going still. I walked up to Carrabba's and smiled. I got a seat at the pasta bar, had a chicken fettucini alfredo with a quartino of Italian sangria. I love a good burger, but I wanted dinner, ya know? It was an exhuasting day, and 3 hours of it was good. **BRENT**

But Mike isn't going to CJ, so it doesn't really matter... **BRENT**

Paranoid - Kanye West Paranoid - Black Sabbath Paranoid - Jonas Brothers Puff (The Magic Dragon) - Seal **BRENT**

MexicanDragon likes this. **BRENT**

They take paypal now... dew eet. Yes, I know that was just a hinderance for Dinny back in the day, but, I mean, "come on." **BRENT**

Heh. You're old. **BRENT**

Hope you get some new kicks for your b-day, my good man. Reebok Voltron Pack Insta Pump Fury - Red Tiger Edition **BRENT**

Covertly conspicuous up-skirt rig for parties? **BRENT**

Hold off a little bit and the Nexus One will be on Verizon. :whale: **BRENT**

Heh. That split is one exit from where I'm at. 8 hours, eh? Yeah, I don't blame you or him, that's a good bit of time for a 5 year old. Fitz was in the car for only 7 hours at DJ and you saw how cranky he was... **BRENT**

Heh. I'm pretty sure you passed through about 3-4 miles from where I live. Had I known we coulda met up for dinner or some nonsense like that. Alas. **BRENT**