The Daily Poop - Mon, 14JUN10

I came across this while poking around in the Navy Lyres archives. I feel the same today as I did when I wrote it in 2008.

--------------------------------

I found sea duty difficult.

As the band's chief, I was the referee of a Texas cage match among sixteen professional wrestlers.

I was the marriage counselor for the sax player who got the bad letter from his wife.

I was trip planner who had to beg for an admiral's barge so the combo would be ashore in time.

I was the guy who sucked up to the laundry petty officer so the trio would have clean whites for the captain's reception.

I was the whipping boy for the MCPOC who hated the band and would have reamed out my boys if I didn't let him unleash it all on me.

I was nursemaid, babysitter, tour director and music theory teacher.

Sometimes I was even the chaplain, the shepherd who brought comfort to the desolate.

And when I got the call in the Indian Ocean that my father was dying, my boys did the same for me.

At times, I wanted to crawl into the nearest empty locker and hold my breath until the cruise was over.

And there were times I felt sorry for everyone in the world who was not, at that very moment, on a ship of the United States Navy in the Indian Ocean conducting this ragtag collection 16-piece bagband through "Anchors Aweigh" during unreps.

Most people, despite their love of country and their respect for our service, cannot understand this.

You, my shipmates, understand.

See you soon in San Antonio.

The Daily Poop - Sun, 13JUN10

The NMA reunion won't be the only hot action while you're in San Antonio. You might want to slip away for one of these events listed at the online source of news and culture, San Antonio Current:

• -- Wednesday night. Live at the White Rabbit: "Upon A Burning Body." Also "Haste the Day" and "My Children My Bride." I guess these are bands. Kind of makes you long for the days of "Four Jacks and a Jill" and "The Melodymen."
• -- Thursday night. At the Jump-Start Performing Arts Center: "As Filthy as it Gets." The promo says it all: "The rowdy, raunchy Methane Sisters try to regain their former rock fame with a hot new band, live rock concert performances, racy music videos and lots of feminine hygiene product giveaways."
• -- Friday night. Who wants to sit around with those boring old men and their clarinets when you could be at The Mix, thrilling to the melodic strains of Boxcar Satan and Martyrhead?
• -- Saturday night. Cap off the week with a deep, meaningful evening of professional wrestling at Burro Land Ice House.

Come to think of it, maybe you'd be better off sticking around in the hotel lounge with the rest of us. A few more choruses of "Satin Doll" or "Fly Me to the Moon" is starting to sound better and better.

The Daily Poop - Sat, 12JUN10

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

- - - - - - - -

The 2010 Navy Musicians Association reunion--June 23-26, in San Antonio, Texas--is just over the horizon. If you haven't registered, chop chop, Do the Hustle, get with the program. Information on registering for the reunion, reserving a room, etc, is available at the NMA website.

- - - - - - - -

The Daily Poop will appear, well, daily, until the reunion begins. Sometimes, more often. This 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. 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 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.

San Antonio Chow Call

Musicians, as anyone who has ever watched a Navy band attack the hors d'oeuvres table during breaks, need to eat.

Our hotel has a restaurant, of course, and San Antonio, no doubt, has fine places to dine. But we're often interested in slipping out to a nearby spot between rehearsals, for lunch or an evening meal.

Here's a partial list of restaurants within walking distance of our hotel--a half-mile, mas o menos. (That's Spanish for "You need the exercise.")

• - Smokey Onion
• - Texas Land and Cattle Steak House
• - Applebee's Neighborhood Grill
• - Sea Island Shrimp House
• - Thai Lo Restaurant and Sushi
• - Church's Chicken
• - Chick-fil-a

and my two personal favorites:

• - The Cheesecake Factory
• - Bubba's Burgers and Steaks (really)

The Daily Poop - Thurs, 10JUN10

A number of first-timers ask about attire at the Navy Musicians Association reunion. Please allow the Chief Fashion Advisor (FAC) to promulgate information concerning dress.

Wednesday through Friday is decidedly casual. We dress comfortably and informally for rehearsals, jam sessions and impromptu get-togethers in the lounge.

You'll see a number of members wearing NMA shirts and caps. These items, the closest thing we have to a "uniform," are optional and available at our small stores.

While there are no strict rules of dress, tradition provides us guidelines, particularly for the last official function of the reunion, the Saturday night Banquet.

Members tend to dress up for this occasion. It is solemn, as we sing "Eternal Father" in honor of departed comrades, stirring, as our band performs patriotic favorites, nostalgic, as we suddenly snap to attention when the service medley reaches a climactic "Anchors Aweigh, and a damn lot of fun when the bands play for dancing. We are, uniquely, both performers and guests on Saturday night, and dress accordingly.

Toting jackets and ties around the country, however, is not always easy, particularly for those who fly. I, the Chief Fashion Advisor (FAC), who usually sets the standard for correct, appropriate attire at NMA reunions, will be traveling by airplane, and may leave my jacket at home this year. 

In summary, pack for a few days of relaxation, culminating in a meaningful and enjoyable evening of remembrance, nostalgia, dinner and dancing.

The Daily Poop - Wed, 9JUN10

NMA Officers Planning 2010 Reunion. 

Two weeks until the NMA reunion officially begins in San Antonio. Two weeks of incessant blogging. Welcome to Year Three of The Daily Poop.
- - - - - - - -
NMA member Juan Villalpando, of Corpus Christi, is rounding up Texans. Paul Bowman, also of Corpus, may come, gig schedule permitting. Juan is also on the trail of two suspects in San Antonio: pianist John Sheridan, formerly of the Commanders Trio, and Ernie Jimenez, former Naval Academy Band drummer.
- - - - - - - -
I have never been to Texas, so I can only judge its people based on my acquaintance with Doyle Church and Tex Waldron. By this reckoning, Texans are warrant officers who talk funny and play the trombone.