I’ve been drafted!
No, I won’t be shipping out to boot camp or anything – and
I’m sure that Michael and I had a lot more fun while he convinced me to help
out with the music for some of the younger kids than standard armed forces
recruiting methods would be. Okay, I was
actually already drafted before Michael got around to convincing me to keep
helping him when we had some alone time in the lounge tonight, and it isn’t as
if I would have turned him down anyway; but let’s not let those little facts
get in the way of a good story.
We found out about the need for a pianist before first class
when Michael was told that he’d be on his own for the two practices he had due
to a shortage of volunteers. The next
thing I knew; we were both getting out of class to help out with those
practices that were booked for the Kindergarten and Grade One kids. I had to do some acting while ‘learning’ the
songs even though I had them memorized after the first run-through; but
everything else about helping the younger kids was really great. Ryan Bassett was thrilled to have Michael
playing or his Grade One class; and his buddies seem to think that he’s done
okay in the older cousin department – even if Michael might have lost a few
points for bringing his girlfriend along.
That music time was the most fun while we were at school;
though we had fun at lunchtime too that included some Christmas-related chat
time while we ate and then some basketball in the gym. Most of the younger kids went outside to play,
but we decided not to bother with bundling up for the bit of time we had left
of our break by the time we were ready to leave the cafeteria.
Our after school studying was at Michael’s house tonight
because we were switching up our family dinner nights this week. His parents need to work at the Inn tomorrow to help out with a Christmas parties; so
they’re only taking one day off this week.
He and Rebecca still have Tuesday off; and I invited both of them to
have dinner with us – though Rebecca hasn’t decided yet whether she’ll join us
or not yet. Michael and I had a bit of
extra work to do tonight after missing most of two classes, but that really
wasn’t a big deal; and we still had some time left for video gaming before Tim
and Rowen headed out and Michael and I set the table shortly before dinner was
ready.
Jacob had gone all out with a new entree experiment; and I
really love getting to try out those amazing dishes – even when they get mixed
reviews from the critics. Anyone reading
this who knows Jacob understands that he’s his own biggest critic; and that he
wants his culinary guinea pigs to be honest when he tests out his new
creations. Our dining adventure tonight
was spicier than most people would enjoy, and there was a biting after-taste that
took a while to wear off; so Jacob is putting that recipe back into the
work-in-progress file.
Michael, Rebecca, and I took care of the clean-up; we had a
little visit in the living room with Jacob and Miranda; and then Michael and I
came over to my house so we could practice for the concert as well as do my
guitar lesson and a saxophone practice for both our music class and band
practice tomorrow. Mom did a Magi lesson
with us too and we joined in for the bedtime story and snack for Ethan and
Ehlana; so we were busy pretty much through until the cuddle and make-out time
in the lounge – I mean the draftee benefit program that convinced me to help
Michael with the Christmas concert music.
Whatever you want to call it, we had fun; and would have
liked to play for a while longer than we could under the constraints of a
school night curfew. That’s probably for
the best anyway because it’s closing in on three o’clock now; and the only
reason I wrapped up my studies and work for the night is because it’s so late. I’ll put in another long day tomorrow too,
but then I’m going to cut back for the rest of the week so I don’t burn out
going into the weekend.
The last thing that I should mention tonight is the latest
news from Violet, Stephanie, and Christina; since I haven’t really done a
college update in a while. The first day
of final exams went fairly well for them – and for Dillon, Jake, and
Josiah. It sounded as though the exams
were actually less stressful than all of the studying leading up to them; so maybe
they’ll all be able to relax a bit while getting ready for the rest of their
exams. Some of the stories from
residential halls are entertaining, but the only thing that really shocks any
of my favorite college freshmen is the continuing parties that are going on
even when every student should be focused on their studies. Home may seem downright tedious by comparison
to campus action; but I think we’ll manage to help all of our college students
to have a good Christmas even if there aren’t any all-night – or weekend –
parties; blaring music and non-stop noise; or any of the other craziness
they’ve been experiencing over the past four months.
There’s none of that going on here right now either, and
that works for me; since I’m ready to wrap this up and join Mandy and the rest
of my family in slumber land. Until next
time...
...Live long and prosper, fellow Magi of the Light!
