OK, I just a couple of weeks ago spent a week at my son's band camp.
Alpharetta High Band spent one hot and sweaty week at Rock Eagle near
Lake Oconee in North Georgia. Hot, but very awesome. My son is in
his second year in the band. He is entering 10th grade and I got a
chance to see how a higher grade feels about a lower grade (even
though I did this years ago, it all seemed new.) Go to
http://newbrew.smugmug.com/Alpharetta%20High%20Band to see all the
band galleries since last year. Man, I love this stuff. And guess
what, Mike Mitchell is now my 5th grader's teacher at Creekview
Elementary (Alpharetta, GA.) If you haven't guessed, I'm the AHS
photographer. I'm so damn glad I'm working on another startup here in
Atlanta. Sure, I'm living off of savings. But, I get to be at
football games and at my 10 year old's band concerts.

Now, I've been married for over 20 years and love to get together with
my in-laws, my family and friends (including my Sunday School class).
So, why don't we (the band) get together? Do we all hate Jax that
much? Sure, my home there (900 Sq Ft) doesn't compare to here (6,000
Sq Ft). My cars are better (just traded my Porsche for a BMW and I
don't even drive my second car, a GMC Yukon XL and not ever my wife's
mini van). My toys are better (watches, boats and more.) And yes,
Alpharetta High blows Sandalwood out of the water. But, damn, I miss
SHS band. We had great uniforms, great music. GREAT MUSICIANS. And
we didn't have no stinkin' band camp. We had SUMMER BAND. The whole
summer. Talk about rugged.

I guess I could just wait until my 30th reunion in 3 years. But, I
want to spend time with band folks. So, what can we do to make this
happen? Please respond with your thoughts. If you don't have kids
going through this and need something to inspire you, go to your local
high school game this fall. If that doesn't get you worked up, then
you're, well, OLD. And even for you, the cure is a great get together
to make you FEEL young.

Write me. steve.youngblood@...