The Daily Poop - Sat, 20JUN09

Last night I started getting clothes ready for the NMA reunion. While digging around in a rarely-used basement closet, I came across my CPO khakis. I'd forgotten I kept them after I left the Navy.

I wondered if I'd dare try them on. I still wear my peacoat once in a while, but those bulky things hide a lot of sins. The khakis, I knew, would camouflage nothing--they were "tailored to the sailor."

The experience of trying on your old uniform has been compared to attempting to squeeze a 16-oz. salami into an 8-oz. casing. How much did I want to degrade myself?

What the hell, I finally said. I pulled the khakis out of the closet, made a wish and put them on for the first time in a quarter of a century.

Well, shipmates, all I have to say is:

The Daily Poop - Fri, 19JUN09

-- As I mentioned last week, I'm going to downtown Rock Island, IL, this morning to see a concert by a contingent of Navy Band Great Lakes. "Horizon" is a rock band, although this morning's performance will be a jazz concert. The band is busy--it's Navy Week here in the Quad Cities, and, as you can imagine, Navy bands are a big part of it. Unfortunately, Illinois has been plagued by rain and thunderstorms for the last week; I hope a little water won't get in the way of the show.

-- I keep hearing about more old friends who will be at the Navy Musicians Association reunion next week, guys I haven't seen since active duty. Today, I've learned that John Pastin, with whom I served on staff at the School of Music, is coming. Dennis Jansen, I believe, is also on his way. Perhaps he'll bring his steel drums.

-- I've got to get over the fact that Lee Hudson will be at the reunion on Friday and Saturday. I've been looking forward to the reunion for a year; why should I let it be ruined by this lowlife, sack of swill, Demster Dumpster excuse for a human being?

The Daily Poop - Thurs, 18JUN09

The real reason I've been posting about former MUs who can't make the Navy Musicians Association reunion next week was to encourage my enemy, the tedious and egocentric Lee Hudson, to stay home. I figured I'd make it easy for him to manufacture some half-baked excuse which I would graciously accept.

But, no. Instead of an apology for missing the reunion, I get a long, incoherent message from Fleabag plastered all over my Facebook page. He's coming, although only for two nights, thanks be to God. To make things worse, he's bringing his toilet tuba, urinal eupohium and firewood bass.

Couldn't we alter the NMA membership requirements to read "All past and present members of US Navy bands, with one small exception"?

The Daily Poop - Wed, 17JUN09

-- I just wrote to Marshall Hawkins and am hoping to hear that he'll be at the reunion. Hawk had to miss last year, and we missed his presence as well as his archives of Navy band memorabilia.

--Speaking of missing the reunion, I recently mentioned that John Vasquez won't be with us because, as newly elected head of his local American Legion post, he has to attend the state convention.

This is the level of patriotism and service that qualifies an NMA member for a NavyLyres Certificate of Approved Absence. Similarly, I now give a pass to Milo Wood. His grandson, a National Guardsman, has only four days at home--the four days of our reunion--before shipping out to Afghanistan, so Milo needs the time to spend with his soldier.

See the pattern? Lame excuses like "I have to bring the cake to my niece's Sweet 16 party" and "That's the week of the Polka Club Singles Barbecue" don't cut it around here.

If you're planning to write me with your excuse as to why you can't come, make it good.

The Daily Poop - Tues, 16JUN09

If you're new to NavyLyres, or haven't been here in a while:

-- Now begins the season of "Live-blogging the Navy Musicians Association reunion. For a demonstration of this exciting technological innovation, you may peruse the archives of last year's blog season here, in reverse chronological order.

-- The reunion season is NavyLyres's busiest time of year. I hear from those who are coming, those who can't come this year, and those who haven't made up their minds. (For those of you in that last category, take a look at the counter on the right--chop, chop, buddy.) I'm glad to get your news; it's often worth passing on to everyone. What's up? Are you coming? Who are you looking forward to seeing? Drop me a line.

-- One of this site's most popular features is the Navy Musician's Lexicon. Stop by for a few updated laughs.

It's been a challenging year for many of us, our complicated lives further stirred up by economic worries. All I can say is, I am so ready for this reunion.

Calling all guitarists.

Now that the NMA Rock Band is getting off the ground, let's hope a talented, versatile guitarist will be at the reunion this year.

Some things, as we learned last year, are not pretty.