tired, but here is recent news. 

Saw the neurosurgeon today at Hopkins.  He said that i have hydrocephalus. Right ventricle is not draining cerebral fluid at the foramen of Monro correctly.  Good news is that I'm not dead.  If it was a complete blockage, I would be dead, because it was seen on an MRI in 1995 and no one then thought it was a big enough deal to look into.  Bad mistake.  There is no visible mass.  Dr. isn't sure what is blocking it.  Has to do more research on my films and speak with collegues.  Most likely treatment - a shunt.  First a catheter gets put in my brain to test pressures and then if the tests come back with high pressure readings (my eyes feel like they are going to explode, so likely this will be high), then they do surgery and put in a shunt.  The shunt drains the excess fluid from the brain to another spot in my body where it can be absorbed.  Basically, I will have a plastic tube installed in my head.  Suppossedly this is a routine surgery, but it is brain surgery.  I've never had surgery besides wisdom teeth.  I'll know more after another appt after the review of the films.

Well, we are now from York!  This is a nice present because I always wanted to be from York.  Yeah!  We are using two different sites as part of the York City Parks and Recreation.  If you are starting a corps, contact Parks and Rec because they can be a BIG help.  These people are amazing!

Now, I have to mail the same 70+ band directors back and notify them of the change.  More postage...bleh.  Have to develop our timeline calendar for this year, 3yrs and 5yrs.  Then the 21st Century paperwork will be ready for revision!  Yeah!! 

Going to FL in January!!!  DCI directors meeting!!!  Judy and Mike!!! and maybe Mickey Mouse!!!  Woo Woo!  Don't know which one I'm most excited about...well, that's not true!  Seeing Judy will be the best part.  and being able to see her share in something that is REnaissance's.  Beastie:  You really deserve to be up here working your butt off with me.  lol.  We miss you. 

Fundraising trip to NYC is Dec 18th.  Want to go see the sites in New York City?  Want to ice skate in Rockefeller Center, catch a matinee, see the Christmas tree, Christmas windows, or SHOP!?!?!  Let me know!  Space is limited!

The drum corps director's role is calling.  Must do more paperwork.  See ya!

Ah, the life of the drum corps director.  I was up until 1:30 this morning working on the 21st Century application.  Both of the kids were up before 7:30.  Sleep is a former friend that I would like to reconnect with.  On a positive note, the paperwork is almost finished.  I still have to do the budget for 3yrs and 5 yrs.  This year's is done except for important information like where the shows are going to be.  I think it's looking very good.  I hope they give us horns or something.  But horns would be GREAT!  Please let the drum corps gods shine upone us. (Fingers crossed)

Next I have to get going on finding a new rehearsal site.  The Armory called to tell me that they probably can't adhere to the schedule I presented.  They might not even give us the first day.  The Sgt. did say that he would guarantee us Hershey if Harrisburg isn't going to work.  They have had a bunch of deployments recently so they've been much busier than they thought they would.  They are going to use the drill hall to house people for two weeks before they ship out.  Ok, the war needs to end so we can have our rehearsal site!!  Yeah, right, like the president's going to end the war just for us.  haha

Then I have to work on the website because it still sucks.  A website designer, I am not.  I actually need to add a lot of meat to the site.  Right now it only says a few things.  I need to give more detail as to who and what we are. www.renaissancedbc.bravepages.com go easy on the site.  I'm still learning.

Then there's the DCI Evaluation.  That beast is well, a beast.  I have a great start on it because of 21st century's paperwork.  It's still tons of stuff.  Lots more typing and reading ahead.

This list never seems to end.  I think we have the staff finally figured out.  That's a good thing.  We don't have much money because we spent it on the recruitment info.  70 band director packets later, we have about 25 kids interested so far.  We need 30 to field the corps.  Hopefully more show up.

On my health side...no more drs. appts until the 26th.  Then they get to hook me up to wires of some kind and test how my nerves work or don't work.  Not looking forward to this.  On Nov 1, I meet with the neurosurgeon.  Maybe then I'll get some answers.  Feels like I have to wait forever...It's funny.  I've been waiting for answers for 9 years.  Now the reality of a real answer is right around the corner...i can see it...but I am so impatient.  I want to know right now what's wrong.  I hate waiting......  My arms fell asleep about 4 times last night.  I slept in Nathan's bed until he wet it.  Usually, I sleep well in his bed.  Not last night.  Then I moved to ours and woke up with bad eye vision and more stiffness.  Well, I wanted to stay asleep, so I reluctantly got up.  I think i need to sleep for a week.  mmm.  That would be nice.

i often wonder, why me.  I do good in the world, i try to be the best person i can be, i try really hard to be nice, i try to do what is expected of me.  i would think i should be rewarded for that.  but it seems like i just keep slipping away physically.  the more i put into this, the more my health fades.  this is a pattern that hopefully will end with the drs. visit in Nov.  why does my body shut down like this.  can't it see that all i want to do is live.

Currently Playing Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite/Mississippe Suite By Ferde Grofe, Leonard Bernstein, Andre Kostelanetz, John Sr. [violinist] Corigliano see related

Well, it's been awhile...long summer is finally ending.  I start school next week.  Wow, that went fast.

My books only cost $264 dollars, not bad.  I have one more to buy for but have to wait until class starts.  I am really excited about this semester.  I get to reremember theory (scary thought) and I get to take a fundraising class.  That's the cool part!  I also have math, bleh. 

I now have 6 students.  The three new ones start in Sept.  Yeah me!  Being the teacher is weird.  It requires so much more than being a student.

I have an audition in October with the York Symphony Orchestra.  This is an audition to be a soloist with the orchestra.  I am soooooo nervous already!    I've never done this before.  They are hearing me which is AWESOME!!!!  The fact that they didn't throw my resume away is great!  How cool would it be to sing in a new theatre with a real orchestra, but this time all by myself!  If it was that cool with the chorus, this will be awesome.  I have to start practicing like yesterday!!  WOW!  Can you tell I just found out---holy lack of focus, Batman!

Brian is sick, some funky eye fungus.  He's contagious and tired a lot.  no fun.  Nathan is better from his high fever week last week.  Now, Nick has a fever.  Go figure.  I think Nick's is his teeth.  Funny, I don't remember what it feels like to be sick. 

Got some free shingles over the weekend.  Now we can finish the roof.  Yeah.  Also got a free table for the Ren stand at band shows.

Random thought:  can one still sing about changing the world and making it a better place?  or are we left with some of this crap that's on the radio forever?  hmmmmm....ideas galore.

Peace, love and hugs to all!

nite!

This update is for you Judy....

I am soooooooooooooo proud of you for finding yourself.  You now can define yourself from your own perspective and not in the name of someone else.  I honor you for that.  You have grown so much in these past few years.  You know who you are now.  I don't think you knew before.  You are an inspiration to me everyday.  When I don't think I can finish school I look at you.  You have done amazing things with your life and you aren't through yet.  You are going to determine why we are as crazy as we are.  I am going to miss you more than I think I can even imagine.  ANd I can imagine a lot.  Good luck in Florida and with the Wave.  Good luck in all that you do!  Just remember that there are little people up here in PA that love you.  Everytime you see that bright sun shining on you down there, imagine it is your mom shining down on you and telling you how proud she is.  It rains every day in FL, that's her tears of joy for you.  She has got to be telling everyone in heaven about her little girl.  You make all of us proud.

Congrats to you!  COngrats to you!  Keep Dreaming!  And don't forget where you've been and the people who love you!  Love Ya, Sweetie!  (DNQ)