pinkeye, and more!

So this is what I get for vacation these days: a case of pinkeye, a teeth cleaning, a dermatologist's appointment (in which I have to somehow make sure that the dermatologist doesn't mention my tattoo to my mom), and a car search.

I went to LBJ High School yesterday to see everyone. By everyone, I mean the two teachers that are there that are actually interested in seeing me. My band director is the MAN, though, and he seems to have as much faith in me and pleasure in getting to talk with me as I do with him. They built a new theater in his honour (or, they built a new theater and named it after him. They're also going to be putting a gigantic portait of him in it), and he showed me around it and talked about how the band is going and whatnot. I really appreciate being remembered by one of my most influential teachers in high school, and especially as he (claims to) remembers me - as a strong leader in the band that had a big role in making us as sucessful as we were my senior year, when I was brass captain. I miss band, and I miss playing music, and I miss how much of a family everyone was with Mr. Haynes at the helm. He is a big black guy that likes to wear muscle shirts to show off his still impressive guns (he's in his fifties), but he has this incredibly sweet and fatherly disposition that goes along well with his big smile and slightly flamboyant habits. I thought he was gay until I found out he's married, and has 3 kids. Anyways, he deserves all of the recognition that he gets (which is a lot because he has been with the school for over 30 years and impacted a lot of other people in a similar way that he did me - probably a large part of why I am where I am today).

I am buying a Toyota Echo from a really sleazy dealer - some South American guy, I think, who doesn't know a lot of English and was selling this car out of an apartment parking lot - and I'm really excited about it. It gets something like 38 highway miles to the gallon, and over 30 in the city. It's basically the replacement for the Tercel, and the predecessor of the Yaris. One outstanding feature is the rediculous amount of headroom in the car. The roof is so high, apparently it's comfortable for 6'8" people. However, I think only small people are going to be able to sit in my back seat. It will be good to have something that I can drive around in Houston to get food, buy beer (when I'm 21 and supplying all of Long Hall, as well as Will Rice parties that I am coordinating), and in general be a senior in. It's a standard transmission car, and the only real technical upgrade from my Tercel that I used to have is that it has power steering (doesn't need it though, and I almost wish that it didn't). Also the interior is a lot nicer, and I'm assuming there is some better engine technology.

Can anyone tell that I'm bored? I'm going to go watch that Wilson brothers movie, I think.

PLAH (Peace Love and Happiness)