Don't do acid.

Holy crap. This chick came into Holiday tonight screamin' that she needed to go to the hospital and that she was just freaking out. Something about her schizo dad and she had purple hair with dye all over her hands. She kept saying, "oh my god oh my god" and swearing and pulling and twisting at her hair. SERIOUSLY having a bad trip so I just called the cops they came and then when her dad got there I was like, "oooooooh" because he is this huge greasy guy who used to come into Dollar Tree with her and some other girl (lesbians??) and they are totally gross/messed up. She was definately on something and the worst I've seen anyone ever freaking out. She kept hyperventillating and I tried offering her a paper bag and water and that just pissed her off. Maybe next time they come in with piss-drenched bills or pay in all change I'll get stabbed or something....oofda.

So what I meant to start off with was an update on my past week in Chicago. It was extremely hard trying to visit Joe and Stephanie and SAI convention at the same time. SAI was a neat experience, but one that I wish I had more sleep and money for. Singing the chorale with almost 900 people and seeing the new initiation ceremony performed by the NEB were definitely highlights of the convention. Also, Becky and I bought some cool things at Phlea Phlam. It's basically 2 huge tents full of chapter fundraisers and we totally should participated. One chapter raised over $700 and donated it to SAI Philanthropies, which is really cool. Another thing that I took away from the experience, besides a SAI fanny pack and lots of pamphlets, was that our girls NEED to be applying for these scholarships and grants. Some of the performance grants were given to people that girls from our chapter could have blown out of the water (think jazz). I think when I am applying for grad schools I'll look into the conducting graduate scholarship. There are so many music education grants that a school like UWEC should be applying for every year. It was also cool to see the NEB live and see hunched over old ladies in roses and red, who have likely gone to many conventions. At one session they had people stand then sit down after they said a certain amount of years...ladies with over 60 years in SAI! One had been in it for 67 years and when you think about the fact that she was initiated in college it reminds you how many women really do live SAI forever.
Joe's kids are really cute and holding a baby is one of my favorite things in the world! I am always amazed at how calm Stephanie is and so comfortable to be around, considering we never marched with her and didn't get to know her until last summer really. Like I said, it was hard to concentrate on both the convention and catching up with the Rodriguez family at the same time. Each thing made me more tired for the next! But all in all, a good trip. The only trip for the Soules sisters this summer. We spent a good amount of money, but who cares. I got a nice SAI bag and hand-painted platters with the SAI motto on them "Vita Brevis, Ars Longa" (Life is short, but art is long). PLUS, LOTS of food.
I've been teaching at Memorial this week and will be again next week. It feels really good to be back and, along with the trip to chicago, has served as a pretty good distraction from the job hunt. It feels like when you've been gone for a long time and get to come home and in a way that's not good because I need to realize that I don't teach there. I don't teach anywhere right now. Collin is teaching too, which makes me happy. He deserves a school to help out with to keep music in his life outside of school bus driving and Panera bread. So far things are WAY better than last year and I'm eager to see their show. They are moving more, playing better music, and much more disciplined in rehearsal. It's a shame I can't stay with them (unless I don't get a job). And...I'm getting paid (well)!!
I should get to bed because I have to get up early to teach again, but if I think of more things from the trip I'll write again. Otherwise, wish me well on the job front and have a wonderful day!