10 years

Did I ever tell you that my dad was mad for the trombone?  He insisted that I play it in 6th grade band, so my buddy played it as well.  We both sucked monumentally so I quit after 6 months of hell.

I think you're supposed to blow.  That might be why it was such hell for you.

I think you're supposed to blow.  That might be why it was such hell for you.

Perhaps you were one of the flute players who’s chairs were under our spit valves? 

Perhaps you were one of the flute players who’s chairs were under our spit valves?

I was in percussion hitting things with sticks.

I didn’t think so.  I doubt you were the perfect little teachers pet flute players who actually stood up each time they played.

Sucking or blowing, it was an uphill battle.

I didn’t think so.  I doubt you were the perfect little teachers pet flute players who actually stood up each time they played.

Sucking or blowing, it was an uphill battle.

Haha, no.  I was never that student.  I showed up.  I didn't make trouble.  I didn't do much else, either.  I squeaked out a B+ average.

In my first couple of years of high school, I was in San Antonio, at a rather large school.  There I did a lot.  I wasn't in band then.  I was too busy going to maths and science competitions.

I was a total band geek.

I had a head start by learning piano when I was young so I played musical chairs in band, so to speak, starting on flute, moving to oboe, trying out tenor sax (the dog looooved that) and then on to piccolo (otherwise as a oboeist, I'd be stuck with glockenspiel in marching band season... piccolo is much easier to carry). I played piano in jazz band and was the pianist for swing choir and a couple other choirs.

My huge accomplishment was being accepted to All-State Band as a freshman on flute and as a sophomore on oboe. Our school had a good band programme but I was the first to go as a freshman and the first to go on two instruments.

I was pretty awesome in junior high and high school.

10 years ago, 9 October, 2007, I was just back in the USA after visiting Scotland ,interviewing and scouting the place out. I had never been here before.  I got offered a job not long after that.  Got myself a rare and elusive work permit, something that doesn't even exist anymore.

10 years, I have been on UKY, initially asking All. The. Questions.
I have hopefully answered many questions over the years. I know nothing of visas these days, so I stay off that board. I still like visiting here for the craic!

I have several friends off UKY, most who have long disappeared off this forum, sadly, but are all active on Facebook and I wouldn't have met them if not for UKY.

Yay for adventures.   

Congratulations, phatbeetle! I'm almost at a decade in the US. Been here since 2010 and many things have happened to the country that may or may not have been A direct result of me moving here.   Here's to many more adventures!

You go phatbeetle!


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many things have happened to the country that may or may not have been A direct result of me moving here.  

Would you consider moving back? 

Been here since 2010 and many things have happened to the country that may or may not have been A direct result of me moving here.  

 

Sounds like you've been having fun!!

Congratulations on the 10 years, bet you've definitely seen a fair share of highs and lows in that time.