Well, the LHB marathon has finally come to a close.  After performing at our game on Saturday, the New Orleans Saints game on Sunday, and at a nearby school district gig on Monday, we're finally back to simply regular rehearsals until the Tech game.

It's pretty sweet those rare moments, when someone outside the music world or local fan base gives props to the Longhorn Band.  Allow me to quote a writer for Sports Illustrated, regarding our performance at the New Orleans Saints game in San Antonio on Sunday:  "The University of Texas marching band. Just terrific. Played a melody of Beatles songs while morphing into formations of the state of Texas, a longhorn, a star and the capital "T'' Texas logo. The standing O was deserved, kids."  See for yourself (scroll down to 3b).

Got a huge break today.  Two classes cancelled, back-to-back.  I probably won't know what to do with myself, other than actually eat lunch during a normal lunch hour and catch up on stuff that I'm behind on.

Can't wait for Texas Tech to come into town on Saturday.  ESPN College Game Day will be here, too.  Should be quite a bit of hype... and then we'll crush those suckers.  Moral of the story: Don't mess with Texas.  But it'll be good to see some folks from Lubbock anyway.

For those of you that asked, my grandfather is still hanging in there.  He came home from the hospital late last week, and is doing all right, despite not having much energy.  I'm still amazed he's still alive and kicking.  Thank you, God, for that one.

Still enjoying the busy schedule and all the fun that comes with it.

Hook 'em Cuernos!

Under the circumstances, I think the weekend was one of the most enjoyable ones I've had in quite some time.  Texas won, my grandfather won, so I won.  And of course, mellos always win.

Some thought the UT-OU game wasn't that exciting.  Give me a break.  Winning (no matter how poorly the opponent may be playing) is always exciting... some times more than others.  Not exciting?  Tell that to Rudy, a 6th-year member of LHB who witnessed his first victory over OU this weekend.  Five wins down, seven to go.

God's timing could not have been any more perfect.  I got to spend some immensely valuable time with my grandfather this weekend.  I first saw him on Friday morning when I went into the hospital for about 30 minutes.  We talked... well, mostly I talked and he listened.  But it was wonderful to see him.  I saw him again on Friday night, after the LHB rehearsal in Richardson.  At this point, his recovery chances were uncertain, and I honestly thought he'd die before the weekend was up.  When I saw him on Friday night in the critical care unit, he was very communicative and shared some of his fond memories of us, walking in the park in Houston when I was younger.  More or less, he told me everything he wanted to tell me before he died.  And I did the same.

Friday he moved from a normal hospital room to the critical care unit, and finally back to a normal hospital room.  They were doing all sorts of tests on Friday, and by the end of the day had gotten a few answers, but no solutions.  He has an ulcer somewhere in his upper chest area, where blood has leaked on at least two occasions over the past week.  They think the bleeding has now stopped.  Today, he had his first real meal since last Tuesday.

After spending all day Saturday with LHB and the mellos, I went to church this morning in Fort Worth, and then came back to Plano to visit him one last time.  It was hard being there, not knowing what to say, not wanting to say goodbye for good, and trying to encourage him and comfort him as best as I could.  I know that it is possible that I'll never see my grandfather again.  However, I also know it's possible I'll see him for several more years to come.  His recovery is completely in God's hands.

I had a hard time singing the last verse of one of the hymns at church today: "Rejoice in glorious hope!  The Lord our Judge shall come and take His servants up to their eternal home."  What a glorious hope my grandfather really does possess!  Especially when you're 85 years old, there's no greater comfort than that.

My family is still hanging in there.  We had a lot of family in town this weekend, some of whom have gone home.  My mom is staying at the hospital almost 24/7 and my dad is taking care of my sister at home.  My grandmother is managing ok as well, but is really hoping to be able to celebrate a 60th wedding anniversary next month.

And life goes on, for now.

I found out this morning that my 85-year-old grandfather took an ambulance to the emergency room last night.  This afternoon, he was moved to the critical care unit at the hospital while they try to decide what to do.  The story I have been relayed is merely bits and pieces, but apparently, he has an ulcer near his aorta and esophagus.  This caused significant internal bleeding last night, which prompted the ambulance trip.  They ran some tests (ct scans and an endoscopy) to better analyze the problem, but still have no great answers at the moment.  My grandfather has other health issues (including one non-functional and one partially-functional kidney) which complicates the matter.

My mom and little sister cut their fall break vacation short to return home today from Houston, bringing my older sister home as well.  My uncle is driving down from Colorado Springs tomorrow.  I'll be coming into town around midnight on Thursday night for the beginning of the TX-OU weekend.  Depending on the status of my grandfather's progress, I may try to spend as much time visiting him as I can, instead of being with the band (for parts of the weekend).

It's times like these when I thank God for getting to come home a couple weeks ago and spending time with my family, including my grandfather.  You never know when that visit might be your last.

Please keep my grandfather in your prayers.

My goodness, it's been too long.  Life has possibly become more busy than ever before (although I previously thought this impossible).  But life is good.  Classes are enjoyable.  Band is tons of fun, once again.  And life goes on.

This football season has granted me band trips to Ohio State and Mizzou so far, with road trips to Dallas (OU), Oklahoma State, Baylor, and A&M ahead.  I must say I love Texas football.  Return trip to Pasadena this January?  We shall see...

The UT Symphony Orchestra premieres for the 2005-06 season tonight at 8:00 PM in Bates Recital Hall.  Phenomenal music of Shostakovich, Mendelssohn, and Dvorak.  Guest conducted by Yoichi Udagawa (Boston Conservatory, Boston Pops), and featuring violinist Brian Lewis.  Click here for more information or to tune in to the live webcast.  I'm playing low Horn tonight, 2nd, 2nd, and 4th parts, respectively.

My family's doing pretty well.  My older sister is about 9 weeks pregnant with her first.  She and her husband remained virtually unscathed by the hurricane passing near Houston.  My brother and sister-in-law are happily married and settled into their jobs in Dallas.  My grandparents, parents and little sister are doing well in Plano.  And life goes on.

I'm really enjoying the music classes I'm taking this semester.  Intro to Recording Techniques is pretty sweet... good experience in a recording studio.  And music composition is rather enjoyable as well.  Nothing to complain about here.

Living an extremely busy life doesn't have to be bad.  When you've invested your life into what you love and enjoy, there's no place for regrets.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hook 'em horns!

Well, I'm finally back in central Texas again.  I got back from Ireland (which was amazing) a week ago, had a few days at home, drove down here for LHB section leader camp, and now it feels like school again.  It's strange to be back on campus and to think that it has only been one year so far... and many still to come.

LHB stuff starts back today.  I'm really looking forward to all of it, though it likely means long days and short nights.

*backtracking...* Ireland was pretty amazing.  I "learned" how to play the organ... actually I just got permission to use the organ at the church and taught myself.  It's crazy trying to control two hands and two feet at the same time.  There's nothing quite like pulling all the stops and absorbing the vibrations from a 1910 pipe organ.  I also played piano for more hours collectively than I have in years.  By the time I left, I had finally gotten accustomed to the sarcastic Irish humor.  I could definitely live in Ireland for a while.

The busiest semester of my life begins a week from Wednesday, when classes resume.  Until then, it's Longhorn Band 24/7.  Eating, sleeping, and breathing LHB.

12 days until the first UT football game of the season.  19 days until UT plays at Ohio State.  Hook 'em!

The Eyes of Texas are upon you.