Being a Rookie isn't actually as bad as I thought it would be. And I actually didn't mind the marching part until 4:00 to 5:30 because it was 96 degrees today and it felt like 109 degrees. At least next week, during band camp, it's supposed to cool off.

So today Rookies met at 9:00 in the auditorium and Mr. R explained everything to us and told us all the rules. Like no correcting upperclassmen even if they're wrong. And if you do anything wrong, such as move while at attention, you get laps or push-ups. And things like not spitting, vomiting, or tearing up the field. Then at 9:30 we met with our section leaders (mine's Cathy!) and went over the basics of marching. (I love Lee! Even if he wasn't at pre-camp he took us out one day and showed us how to march!) Then we made a "Rookie Line" and praticed as a group. We all got push-ups for not being loud enough when we were called to attention. First ten, then four, then two. Then we finally got the picture and screamed "HUT!" rahter than "hut."

Now the Drumline does some thing different from the rest of the band, like marking time. So I was doing it the way Cathy told us to do it and Mr. R corrected me. I looked to Cathy who wasn't looking. During that time Mr. R decided that the only way to make me learn was to physically move my feet himself. So he lunged at me. I forgot all talks of staying in line no matter what and jumped back. Cathy then saw what a predicament I was in and told Mr. R and the rest of the section leaders who were trying to correct the Drumline that we do it differently. Mr. R, being very self-diciplined, got down and gave himself ten push-ups...not an easy feat for him...hehe. We breaked for lunch at 11:30. Almost everyone walked up to Subway, me included. The full band met in the cafeteria at 12:30, we talked a bit more. Then from 1:00 to 2:30. We met in the cafeteria again (instead of outside because it was too darn hot...not that the cafeteria wasn't sweltering) and went over out competition music. We did that until about 3:30 and took a half hour break. Then at four we went outside to pratice marching without our instruments. Oh my goodness was it HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT! We took a water break every 30 minutes, so it wasn't like we wern't hydrated. And if it gets to where people are fainting we move it up to 15 minutes. Oh, and he said if we feel faint, get off the field. He'd rather have us break a command then pass out. We stopped at 5:30, but I had to stay for the Rookie/Parent of Rookie meeting. I was out of the place by 6:30.

Then...finally, I got to go home and take a shower!!!!!!! THAT MAKES ME SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!! I have never sweated so much in my entire life! I swear, I'm still dehydrated although I must have guzzled six waterbottles throughout the day and another two when we stopped. Well, I'm eating dinner and going to bed. Yes! SLEEP! PRECIOUS SLEEP!

Insane Me: What an exciting expereince...just makes you want to get up tomorrow morning and do it again!
Sane Me: NO!
Insane Me: And then agan!
Sane Me: THE HORROR!
Insane Me: And then...
Sane Me: Don't say it!
Insane Me: BAND CAMP!!! YEA!!! WAHOO!!!
Sane Me: ...(faints)...