My absence

Well as the whole 2 of you know, I haven't been writing the past few days and that is because my unit went down to New Orleans to march a few mardi gras parades. Now before you act like that isn't a big deal, parades in uncomfortable shoes aren't that fun and mardi gras parades start and stop so much that it takes nearly 3 times as long to get them done as it would a normal parade. But it was cool nonetheless... here's a recap of the more interesting moments:

1) We took a wrong turn going into new orleans and ended up going out of new orleans and got to see the havoc that Katrina reaped upon the hardest hit areas... depressing
2) I ate sea bass for the first time ever... delicious
3) Heard a riddle that is usually only solved by serial killers and sociopaths... one of our people solved it... scary :-P
4) Saw some female surface anatomy :-D :-D :-D
5) Was told I was throwing beads to the wrong team when I threw some to one of the guys in my unit who hadn't seen me yet
6) Hand my first new orleans style hand grenade... it tastes like good vodka and margaritta mix
7) Made eyes and flashed a smile at old ladies on balconies to get beads... yes im totally shameless
8) Got to the parade sites ass early and just had to sit around for hours... both times... that's the army for you... hurry up and wait
9) SAW MY UNCLE!!! Ok so we were stopped because floats in front had stopped. I was talking and just looked over and saw my uncle Paul. He had just gone to buy some beverages for himself, my aunt, and my cousin. What are the chances?
10) Drank beer, ate two small pizzas, and went swimming in my underwear with some of my unit people after the parade we did yesterday... yes underwear, because none of us had swimsuits.
11) Formed the WHJ club (while at the pool)... it now consists of about 7 members from my unit and the hazing ritual is that you must drink beer from someones bra cup (with bra removed from body). Yes... i did partake.
12) Did the whole "flirting with my eyes" to some cute chick. She threw me some beads and we continued to glance back and forth at each other since we had stopped there for a few minutes. She couldn't handle the uniform lol :-P
13) Apparently i look good in wet boxer briefs and flexing my muscles... lol umm... yea... i was only slightly uncomfortable
14) Had my first Maker's Mark and Coke drink... very good!
15) Passed out on the bed when I was supposed to be studying (from fatigue, not liquor)
16) Ate waaaaay too much fast food.
17) Tried a beer at the local brewery that was a little too bitter for my personal liking and had a white russian instead.
18) The one night I told some of the crazier people that I would and could go out with them, they were all too tired to do anything except go grab something to eat.
19) Saw LOTS of very attractive young ladies!!!
20) Was told that I was gay for drinking a caramel frappucino from Starbucks, when in fact the only reason I was drinking said frappucino was because I wanted a cold and sweet coffee drink.
21) Actually worked out after the first parade
22) Had fried chicken for breakfast because nothing else was open besides Popeyes.

And one note to finish on:
23) Major Johnson (yes, his last name is Johnson and he is a Major) addressed us after the trip. He told us that he has a newfound appreaciation and respect for what the band is required to do under its mission statement. He mentioned that during the parade, his feet were aching and blistering and he realized that he wasn't even having to carry instruments or worry about playing. Some of the other non-band people that went along agreed.

Yay, the band gets a little more respect from the "head shed" people than it did before. That about wraps it up!