The Post in Which I Say Goodbye to Marching Band

After not registering for marching band by the orignal deadline of Dec. 5, or the extended deadline of Dec. 29, I made the difficult decision last night to forego marching band this year.

I really like marching band. The people are friendly and helpful. The music is challenging for someone who hasn't played in more than 15 years. The Grand Floral Parade--especially the adulation of the fans--is incredible. But it involves driving from Vancouver to Beaverton each week. Mind you, it doesn't look like a chore from the map, but the 25 minutes they estimate--unrealistic. It's a hassle. Gas is expensive. My business travel schedule will interfere with rehersals and then that challenging music will be impossible.

I alternately feel liberated by my decision and guilty. I don't want to be a quitter. But I also have a lot to deal with already: work, the household chores, the kids, The Artist's career, my own art projects, bills, and, as Eustace would put it on Courage the Cowardly Dog, "anything else I can think of."

So, for this year at least, I'm putting my saxophone away in order to focus on other important matters.