I thought my wife was a former band nerd. I found out last night that she still is one.

[Tobin S.]

We went to the Indiana State Fair last night to watch the state competition for high school marching bands. My wife has gone to it every year since she was a freshman in high school. She was a member of her marching band in high school. Her band won the state competition her senior year. She has attended the contest in Indianapolis every year since then. Last night was my first time seeing it.

My wife said that there were about 40 bands in the contest at the beginning of the day. They all perform and the top 16 move on to the finals later in the evening where they perform again.

I will confess and say that I was mostly just going for my wife. She usually goes with her father every year, but he didn't feel like it this year. I originally wasn't going to go, then she said she wouldn't go...well, we couldn't have that.

However, after I got some Fair food in me and the sun started to go down and the bands started to play, I have to admit that I enjoyed myself. My wife was elated, and seeing her so happy was a big part of my enjoyment. She was actually moved to tears when our local high school played. They ended up placing third, but I think the top four bands were just about equally good. It was hard not to be impressed by what all of those kids were doing no matter where they placed in the contest. All of that coordinated moving and marching, and playing at the same time! it takes a good amount of talent and skill.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Tobin!

And now she's busy turning you into a band nerd too!

I'm glad you went with her. Shared memories are so good for a marriage...I remember a handyman we had do some work for us when we were still newlyweds. He told us to do stuff together, and not just the big stuff. Little stuff too.

And we did. Makes all the difference. Having fun together is important, and .....well, fun!

[Tobin S.]

4. I'm learning that

It's very difficult sometimes for me to find time to do something other than work and school work. I'm just so busy and it's been that way for over two years now. It stresses both of us out. But I'm going to try to find more time to do things with her. This suicidal schedule of mine will be coming to an end soon...and I will have survived! I don't know if either of us will have been able to handle it much longer.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. You are a Good Man, Tobin S.

[Tobin S.]

5. Thank you.

[UrbScotty]

3. As a marching band alum, I still like watching bands perform

It's fun to watch them, isn't it?

[Tobin S.]

7. Yeah, it is fun.

I know those kids work really hard to be able to accomplish what they are doing. My hat's off to every band that was in the contest. There's something about the feel of their shows. They come onto the field and you can just tell they mean business by their demeanor. It's really a sight to behold.

After the contest was over and while the judging was being tallied, all of the kids came out to the filed in more comfortable clothes and they were cutting up and goofing off. It really doesn't hit home how young they are during the show. Then you see...yeah, they're just kids still.

Before the contest, one of the organizers of the event took the stage and told the audience of the benefits of being in the school band. They go on to perform better in group situations, they have higher SAT scores and more of them go on to college, almost none of them drop out of school.

[shenmue]

6. I like marching bands

[femmocrat]

8. I cry when I watch marching bands, too!

I'm one of those nerds who cries at parades! LOL I don't know what it is, but I always well up with tears as they pass by.

[OriginalGeek]

9. Fair food and making your wife happy

win win!

[Kali]

10. awww so sweet!