Old Bus Rides

The temperature is dropping. It makes me happy.

I know it's still the beginning of February, but I'm already trying to plan my Spring Break. Erik mentioned going somewhere, like Vegas or Disney World. Honestly, I'd rather go to Vegas. I've been to World and it isn't my kind of place. At least in Vegas I can gamble away all of my money and crash at a nice hotel.

I skipped CS 352 so I could practice and get an early lunch. Jimmy John's makes the best sandwiches. I like mine plain. Maybe a little bit of Mayo, but not Miracle Whip. That stuff is nasty.

So, I've been listening to Red Hot Chili Peppers. It reminds me of bus rides to football games. Back then, all I had was Californication, which was ok. When I first moved to Austin, all I listened to was By The Way. I would sleep to it. Well, now that I have it again, it really brings up memories. Things like sleeping downstairs in this apartment. At the time, we had no furniture and both bedrooms were taken. I didn't mind it though. For some weird reason, I prefer sleeping near the front door of any place. When I visit my parents back home, I usually end up passing out in the living room just because that's where the front door is. Also, the light from across the street shines in perfectly, almost like an artificial moon.

Yes, being by the door means that if there's a burglar, I'm probably the first to find out. But I'd rather it be that way. I want to take the first swings at the intruder. Eh, it's probably just my martyr complex.

But back to the bus rides. My first 2 years in band were great in a sad way. I always had a bench to myself on the bus. That's because I really didn't know anyone. Being quiet results in that most of the time. So I always had my CD player. The one trip that still sticks out for me was going to Wylie for concert band UIL. I would stare out of the window and just listen.

My junior year was something else. I spent the first few bus rides with my friends. But this was also the same time that I met a special someone. I ended up switching what bus I rode so I could sit with her. There were great times on that bus. That year, the best trip was to Sam Houston State. We were invited to some marching contest there, and it was a 3-1/2 hour drive. I think the trip to was mostly talk, but I clearly remember the ride back. It was late. I think we left at 10 or 11. Well, the point is that it was really dark. The sexual tension finally broke and we ended up 'wrestling around' for a good amount of time. Good times.

Because of her, I ended up missing a week of school. When we went our separate ways, I developed high blood pressure. I didn't find out until I had my physical. The doctor checked twice and told me to stay home for a while. Apparently I was close to having a heart attack. Eh, at least I got out of school.

After thinking about this for a second, I realized something. When I gave her that rose on the day of the marching UIL competition, a second chic saw the whole thing. Once she left, the second chic came up to me and said something like, "Aww, that was the sweetest thing ever!" I didn't realize it at the time, but that second chic had a thing for me.

My senior year is the one I want to forget. I hooked up with a chic just 'cause. Things happened on that bus that I dare not speak of again.

Then again, that's the year I captured hearts everywhere. Or so I found out later.

I really was great.