Sunset over Homecoming 2014

I don’t usually go to our High School’s football games.  I’m not much of a football fan.  I went to all of them when I was in school from the time I started Marching Band until I graduated.  Tonight, was Homecoming.  A large contingent of Alumni from the Big Red Marching Band were gathering to salute Don White, the current Band Director.  He is retiring after this year.  I was invited to march or ride on an Alumni Band float.  My recent illness forced me to decline.  I just don’t have the stamina to get through that.  I volunteered to video the events of the evening, starting with the parade.

I took the video of both the regular Big Red Marching Band and the Alumni Band.  I then packed up the camera and headed for the football field.  Dad’s house boarders the school so its not a terribly long walk.  It was, however, the longest walk I’ve done while carrying a chair, camera bag and tripod.  By the time I climbed the ladder (more steep stairs really) to the top of the press box, I was whooped.  I set the camera up and then took a seat in my chair until the festivities started.

After recording the band’s portion of the Pre-Game and Halftime events, I climbed back down and went over to join the Alumni at the Bandstand.  I took a bit more video and some photos.  I hung around taking in how many folks I recognized and how many I didn’t.  The game finished up and the Band marched out of the stadium.  I didn’t march but tried to keep up.  By the time we got to the gate, I was starting to fall behind.  My strength had ebbed.  I felt it.  Rick was there.  He took his video camera and tripod.  We walked back to his vehicle at a normal walking pace.  When we stopped, I was done.  I leaned against my chair trying to scrounge some energy for my aching legs.

Rick dropped me off at Dad’s house.  I had left my truck there because of the ongoing parade at the time I had to head for the football field.  That was actually ok.  I don’t know where I would have parked anyway.  I stopped on the way home and got a snack at Circle K.  I hit the house and fed Tink then plopped down in my chair in the Living Room.  I sat there for a bit as I uploaded pictures to Facebook.  My legs were aching tremendously.  They weren’t rubbery feeling though like they had been at other times when I’ve tried to do things.

I was beat.  Surely, tonight I would fall asleep quickly.  I took a shower to help my back and legs relax.  This is something I usually do.  It helped.  I didn’t take my allergy meds, as those are the most likely to keep me up… IF its a medication that is causing me to not fall asleep until 5 AM.  As you can see by the time this is posted, that didn’t help.  I’m still awake at 3:30 AM.  I don’t know what is causing this, but I have to figure it out if I am going to make it through work next week.

I really enjoyed the evening.  I’m glad I went to the game.  There is an Alumni Band Picnic and Retirement gig for Mr. White tomorrow.  I hadn’t planned on going.  I might… That is if my body will move in the morning…  Oh wait!  It is already morning.  All in All, I feel pretty decent right now (save for the not sleeping thing).  We’ll see what daylight brings.

Good night.

~Cappy