My Drumming Journey

Fifth grade was the first time that I started to play the drums. I followed in my brother's footsteps when he started playing in fifth grade too. We were the Soulsbyville Marching Falcons, and wore white shirts, white pants with green sequin suspenders and belts, and cowboy hats. It was pretty spiffy. Anyway, after eighth grade, I moved on to high school to be a part of the Sonora High Golden Regiment. (I'll get some pictures soon.)

My freshman year was a rough one. I didn't start out playing on the drum line. Instead, I carried and cleaned the equipment. Not a very fun task but halfway through the season, I earned a spot and was able to continue playing. That year our 250-member band marched in Seattle for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Throughout high school, I had the privilege to play the National Anthem at a San Francisco Giants game and march in another St. Patrick's Day Parade in Denver. It was in high school that I had the desire to play in a collegiate marching band. (Pictures will be coming)

My desire wasn't fulfilled right away, however. After graduating high school I served a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Italy. By far, it was the best two years of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. After I returned, I taught the drumline at Sonora High School for two years. It was toward the end of my second year that I was accepted to Brigham Young University. I had a chance to fulfill my high school dream.

In my first semester at BYU, I auditioned for the drumline. I would've been happy if they gave me a cowbell, but they gave me a bass drum instead. I was super happy. I couldn't believe that I made it onto the BYU Cougar Drumline. It was a one of the happiest moments in my life. 

The very first home game I was really nervous. But as soon as I stepped onto the field, all nerves were gone. I smiled the whole time during the pre-game show and probably looked like a doofus. I couldn't believe it. It was such an awesome feeling and experience. We played at all of BYU's home games, including the Miami Beach Bowl. 

Patience and persistence pay-off. I am so glad that I stuck to my dream, and I look forward to continue playing in the Cougar Marching Band. 

Waiting to step off to lead the football team to the locker room.

Halftime Show. 

ESPN did a special all about me...it lasted 5 seconds. 

Birthday Smash!

When I came home from my mission, I wanted to start a birthday tradition that was unique to the time of year. I could have started by jumping in a pile of leaves every year. I don't know if you have ever jumped in a pile of leaves, but it hurts. When I watched cartoons as a kid, they showed children jumping and swimming in huge piles of leaves. What they don't show is the pain in the rear end and all the dirt that flies into your eyes. So that was out of the picture. I needed something different. Something like a piñata. But I don't like to be blindfolded and put in a circle with a bat trying to hit a cardboard box filled with candy. Honestly, it's public humiliation. But I do like the smashing idea.

I finally decided that every year on my birthday I would smash old Halloween pumpkins instead. There is no humiliation, just the sheer joy of smashing pumpkins with a baseball bat. The only difficult part is timing the carving of the pumpkin. If it is carved too early then it just becomes all soggy and mushy. When you hit a pumpkin like that, it is messy. Chunks of mold and fungus are sprayed everywhere. Just close your mouth and it's all good.

Yesterday, was the fourth year in a row that I have done this tradition. We had one little problem, though. We didn't have a bat. So I went to a thrift store to find one. With any thrift store you never know what type of people you are going to see there. After I found my choice of bat, I wanted to browse around and see if I could find some thrift store treasures. At first I felt awkward carrying a bat in a store. Maybe someone would speculate something. The more I thought about it, the more I felt safer. So I came to the conclusion that if you feel unsafe in a store and someone is following you, go to the sporting goods section and pick out a bat. Just carry it with you until you're done shopping. By then the threat would be gone. Anyway...

The birthday party was a smash. I had the privilege of hitting one of those moldy and mushy pumpkins, but I was smart to close my mouth. My wife and friends were the lucky ones who got a nice spray of old pumpkin. This is by far the best birthday tradition ever. Here is a video of my wife and I smashing her pumpkin. She carved Olaf, but that doesn't mean we don't like Frozen. She loves it in fact, and I am a proud hubby that she was willing to introduce Olaf to a baseball bat. Enjoy!