originally my essay of introduction for ap lit, i decided that this should go up. why here instead of with the band stuff? because nothing has been added to the star wars part in a loooong while. that's why.

marching wars

What do you get when you cross a Star Wars fanatic with a band geek? You get me. I am not ashamed of this fact. There is nothing better than being the ultimate geek of the band. And what band rehearsal would be complete without stealing a freshman’s flute and challenging the flute section leader to reenact the duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader? And there’s nothing like the looks I get from people when I say with pride, “I can play the Main Theme from Star Wars on seven different instruments.” Their expressions are truly priceless, a combination of revulsion and shock, with a dose of twitching for good measure.

There’s no need to hide my obsession from the band. What’s the worst they could do? Make fun of me? They wear uniforms that make them look like disco cowboys. They—and I admit that I do it too— rejoice in dancing to the drum cadence like crazed morons. They are in no position to say who’s strange and who’s not. My unrealized dream for the band is to march Star Wars on the field, have the drum majors dress up like Jedi, and have the color guard do battle with their wooden sabers.

That, unfortunately won’t happen until far off in the future, if in fact it ever does. I will be long gone from this place, trumpet packed up and shelved, uniform hung with the creases just right. I’m not disappointed, though. Band has given me my best memories of high school, Star Wars often intertwined with them. This is my last year to do all I can do for the band, to boost underclassmen morale, and I know how I’m going to do it.

I’m bringing my lightsaber to the football games.

--aiko (thanks for the title thom)