Congratulations! Woot!
The rehearsal I thought was going to be an absolute headache last night because of how difficult this program we’re performing on Sunday is was actually not bad at all. I guess either people practiced or we’re much better than we give ourselves credit for (or, more likely, all of the above). Either way, it’s a good thing.
Frakin-beauty mate!
But let me get this straight…
All those bad’uns what were sent down under to that penal colony have cobbled together a government! Crikey!
A Chuck “one time at band camp” story: At a large Texas 'camp I really wanted to play in the brass choir. Tryouts were difficult as there were only 12 trumpet seats and literally 300-400 people shooting for 'em. I made it, as second-to-last chair. Go me.
So we get the music in the first rehearsal, including one piece for C trumpet. Obviously we don’t have C trumpets, so we’re transposing. The director says, “Take a look at this tonight.” We, of course, don’t. We (unsuccessfully) chase girls and (successfully) play video games all night instead.
The next day rolls 'round, and after hours of rehearsals, lessons, and theory classes, we’re back sitting in brass choir rehearsal. The director points to last chair trumpet and says “let me hear some of [the piece, which I can’t remember].” Last chair: “What part?” Director: “All of it.” We sit while he fumblef—s his way through it. Director: “Get out.”
Then he points at me. Thankfully, having been suckered into playing in church a lot, this isn’t really a problem. Having looked through it a bit while the other guy sealed the end of his brass choir experience, I make it through pretty reasonably – while valves are frantically working all down the line ahead of me.
I ended up fifth or sixth chair by the time it was over. Heh.
BTW: I don’t remember the piece for C trumpet, but I do remember playing Fanfare For The Common Man, which was a glorious brass choir experience and something that I still remember and think of every time I hear the tune.
Fixed that for you.
Chuck! I never knew you played the trumpet! 
I did, too. I haven’t played since undergrad, though. 
Originally Posted by Chuck
A Chuck “one time at band camp” story: At a large Texas 'camp I really wanted to play in the brass choir. Tryouts were difficult as there were only 12 trumpet seats and literally 300-400 people shooting for 'em. I made it, as penultimate chair. Go me.Fixed that for you.
Pike, you snarky, glorious bastard, you!
(I love the story, Chuck. Reminds me of “challenges” back at Interlochen. Although, thankfully, being the only pianist in the orchestra meant that there was no one to challenge MY authority, so my seat was safe. And all bowed down to me. BWAHAHAAHAA!)
So some happiness, my spouse now has all the important documents that one needs to live here in the good ole’ USA. An actual green card (as opposed to the visa in the passport), a social security card, a driver’s license… I’m so relieved that those are all in our possession right now. Because some people don’t know very much about immigration (and I’ll admit until we went through this hell hole, I knew less than I know now), we had had some issues with people being rude and terrible about the passport visa/green card. And now we don’t have to worry about it! (at least, they can’t be all, well that isn’t the actual card on us).
You’ve dug up your slang phrasebook again, haven’t you!
Thanks all for the well wishes. I’m actually really happy that I got this particular job - government jobs in my area are actually on the cutting edge of research and development
America is on the top of my list of places I want to travel to Talos. I’d love to combine a trip with a visit to Comic Con
Please forgive the silliness.
And it’s no book, it’s:
“beauty mate” (most recently)[i] The Wiggles /i
“Crikey” (originally) Danger Mouse
And the rest, generic cockney/pirate phrasing from movies and TV.
Hope you didn’t take offense.
Congratz again though!
Nah, I don’t get offended that easily! Nice to see the Wiggles acting as ambassadors, even if they have replaced the yellow one
Congratulations!
Thanks!! It’s nice getting lots of well wishes from the other side of the world
picked up Animatrix for $3 at whatever the hell Pic N Save calls itself now
That’s an odd name for a store!
I was just thinking the same thing. I grew up with Shop N Save, and my ex’s home town in Wisconsin had a Pic N Pay (down the street from the Piggly Wiggly, of course). Kind of a combination of the two.
Ah… The Pig.
When I lived in Florida we had two grocery options: Publix (which always sounded a bit rude to me, but was a really clean, modern store) and The Pig (which was dirty, crappy, and carried virtually no recognizable food brands).
But… The Pig was waaaay cheaper. I mean like a quarter to half the price.
Guess where we shopped?
My ex’s sister worked at The Pig in Howard’s Grove. Out of “family” loyalty, I always shopped there for groceries when we were out that way. But in Sheboygan, we always shopped at Pic N Pay. The Pig nearest us there was a bit scary.
I was just thinking that “Whatever the Hell Pic n’ Save is Called Now” is a strange name for a store.
You know what? Nevermind. It’s funnier in my head. :o
Audra regularly points out that if I have to explain the joke it’s not funny. Which means that a good chunk of what I say isn’t funny.