I'm back.

Just got back into Ann Arbor, and I'm home, at my computer, and this means that when we unload the equipment truck, the Rose Bowl 2005 trip will be officially over. It was a much better trip this year, for all but two seconds of the football game. Even though there was less free time, and we got soaked at a practice in the pouring rain, this trip felt better - possibly because it wasn't a rout like last year.

Anyway - I can't say enough good things about the Longhorn Band. They were both appreciative of our efforts (as were we of theirs), and very polite to us in our dealings. The Texas Trombones and the MMBones got together to share stories and the like at In-N-Out Burger, and we talked for quite a bit about everything and had a good time. They were the opposite of USC's band in every regard - and they sounded good as well. The Rose Bowl got the best halftime show they've had in a long time. Thank you, Longhorn Band, for representing yourselves in a professional and positive manner. We appreciate it.

Other than that, the trip was mostly rehearsals and concerts. Yeah, I know, not much to go on, but that's the truth of it. Perhaps when the pictures are developed I'll think of more things.

So I'm waiting up to unload the equipment truck. After that, I may sleep.

And perhaps afterward, I'll do a year in review post. And the big sappy one about how much I'm going to miss the MMB, now that, well... it's over. The only thing left is the Spring Meeting to elect a new drum major, really. The last MMB stuff happened, last entries, last everything...

Today's material.

May as well get to typing up the daily deterministic drivel. Actually, it's really just a bunch of stuff, but the alliteration helps to keep me on top of my game. Assuming I had a game to start with, that is.

Early reviews indicate that the performances at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the snippet given during the halftime presentation of the Rose Bowl were of extraordinary quality - having seen both raw from the skybox, I agree, but I wonder how the regular cameras presented us. I'll know later tonight, when I watch the footage myself.

And wonderful things crossed my inbox again - again in connection with the Knights, and again someone accusing us of not holding true to chivalry's ideals. Since I might get wound up over this, I'll put the offense and the rebuttal both under cut:

( Assault and Riposte )

After that healthy diet of discourse from my derriere, a deluge of dirty tricks, dastardly deeds, and lovely links awaits... when you're gone for five days, stuff accumulates.

The Brits tell us brains is bad for women. What's my retort? Fuck You. (Actually, that's for anybody who thinks that geek tendencies are bad when it comes to dates) Did I mention that you may already be running Linux?

Some Quake-related news: Quake sped up time and may dump sea monsters out.

From left field to far out: Bumblers break-in but blew it, John puts Johnson and junk in gas tank, Buckminster Fuller rides again, fishing by hand, The Werewolf Solution (V), Coffee!, Liberals supporting the war? This, too, shall pass.