Spun
Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 7:47PM Most recent Ohio State Marching Band post
I promised my mother that I would clear out the remainder of my father's record albums before leaving for a month's worth of research in Columbus on my book about The Ohio State University Marching Band. The devastatingly emotional nature of the job demanded that I split it-- for nearly all of my best memories of him are set to music, whether standing on top of his shoes as he taught us to cha-cha, or singing together to a Bobby Darrin CD in the company van. It is a task I wanted out of the way.
So I rose from behind the keyboard and began boxing up the Glenn Campbell and the Enoch Light Parade, the 50's compilations and Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. I had seen all of these before, either in my own hands as a little girl, or last year, when I separated them into small piles so that my father's weakening arms, wasted by chemotherapy, could manage them.
As I lifted a handful into a cardboard box, I found myself looking at an album I had never seen before. When I showed it to my mother, she couldn't remember it either.
Sharp-eyed The Readers will, of course, note this particular detail of the album cover:
I have no idea what's on this record. It was in no way part of my childhood; perhaps if it were, my life may have taken a different track. But it wasn't time for me to hear it yet.
There no sentimental connection whatsoever and zero memories of spinning on the living room floor with my sister to whatever sounds are within this sleeve, and, until six months ago, when I was first packing these away, I would have tossed it in the Goodwill crate with no more reaction than a perhaps a pair of rolled eyes. But now, I see Script Ohio on the field of the stadium, I am driven to my knees in gratitude, and I remember that there is no such thing as coincidence.
Reader Comments (41)
wow
Oh, MB.
"I remember that there is no such thing as coincidence"
No there is not :)
What a terrific present from your dad, just when you needed it.
That's an amazing story, Miss Belle.
a parade field trip to beautiful downtown Bucyrus, OH.
Oh, did you see Jason The Ridiculously Awesome Drum Major and the other guys perform?! Please tell me all of you ran riot through Bucyrus.
Oh, did you see Jason The Ridiculously Awesome Drum Major and the other guys perform?! Please tell me all of you ran riot through Bucyrus.
I saw Jason, Kyle Who Owns, Greg, and Alex Who Talks Real Pretty perform with the Alumni Band. Mrs. 54 was also there rocking the flugelhorn. I loved it and had a fantastic time. (YES, I took pictures, and videos, and more videos.)
I did stop up to say hello to Jason's terrific mom, and I also met his dad. Greg very kindly invited me to get dinner with all of them after the parade, but I was sort of getting the vibe that this was a "family-only" event, and besides my day wasn't over yet, so I lit out for Cincinnati :)
but I was sort of getting the vibe that this was a "family-only" event
MB much has been made of the emotional toll this book is taking and now we are seeing the physical side, but I am reminded how difficult this project must be for you given how awkward you tend to feel in social situations. That must add to the exhaustion factor.
but I am reminded how difficult this project must be for you given how awkward you tend to feel in social situations. That must add to the exhaustion factor
That is indeed a part of it, Jem. One of the most difficult aspects of this book is navigating the strong emotional currents of the Band and the Drum Major corps, the alumni as well as the current members.
I'm in a very weird place-- a bit more than just a spectator but definitely NOT a member of the band or even an alum of Ohio State. I do my best not to overstep my bounds but I'm sure I already have at some point and everyone is too much the gentleman/lady to say so.
Sometimes I get a heads up. I think Jason The Ridiculously Awesome Drum Major is in a bit of a pressure cooker right now, with several events crammed into a few days. the season a couple of weeks away, and a particularly wretched summer class winding up. He warned me that I wouldn't be hearing from him much over the past week, so I am respecting the extra space he seems to need right now. There's plenty to do and write about. It's a pretty big band :)
I had this record!!
amazing story.
Beautiful gift your father left for you. I'm constantly amazed at how our loved ones continue to care for us......it always leaves me speechless.
I'm constantly amazed at how our loved ones continue to care for us.
What a great way to put it, Wiser :)
That is cool beyond words, MB.
Thanks KD. As you so smartly noticed, my dad could be pretty cool too :)
Whoa...just when one is tempted to think life is one random incident after another, one finds something like this and says: "ohhhhhh".
Especially when it's totally unexpected, pointyhead :)
so I am respecting the extra space he seems to need right now. There's plenty to do and write about. It's a pretty big band :)
He's appearing at all these parades and stuff AND getting ready for the season AND running the Summer Sessions AND taking courses?! shheeeesh!
Jason The Ridiculously Young Drum Major = even more Awesome than previously thought.
I'm so glad you're chronicling all this, Mary Beth. You will be especially happy in future years as well.
"I'm in a very weird place-- a bit more than just a spectator but definitely NOT a member of the band or even an alum of Ohio State."
You are kind of in the middle, aren't you? I can see how that might be an issue.
CANNOT WAIT for the pictures from the show!
Back in my turf —where tinfoil hats are mandatory— we call those synchronicities :)
"Sometimes I get a heads up. I think Jason The Ridiculously Awesome Drum Major is in a bit of a pressure cooker right now"
It seems like these guys never get a break! If you have a sec to read this Jason, we are rooting for you to clear out those classes and practices just as much as we were for you to make Drum Major the second time :)
Mary Beth has really made us see that this job is a long haul. So: GO JASON GO!
"Back in my turf —where tinfoil hats are mandatory— we call those synchronicities :)"
Or, if you'd prefer to replace that tinfoil hat with a biretta, "signal graces": http://tinyurl.com/3ow6pu5
@ SMChick85: It's gooood! ;)
GO JASON GO!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
we are rooting for you to clear out those classes and practices just as much as we were for you to make Drum Major the second time
Yeah! Git it Jason :)
Jason The Ridiculously Young Drum Major = even more Awesome than previously thought
infinity, etc
aw! MB's FB status:
Today a member of the Ohio State Marching Band family said to me on our fourth lap around the football field, "What are you doing?! We HAVE to be out here!" I was concentrating on inhaling too much too answer, but what I wanted to say was this: I can't march, twirl, toss, drill correctly, or play a proper note, but I can put one foot in front of the other until I can't feel those feet anymore-- and THAT is why I'm out here, too.
"I can't march, twirl, toss, drill correctly, or play a proper note"
Or drive, don't forget the driving.
"we are rooting for you to clear out those classes and practices just as much as we were for you to make Drum Major the second time"
Is it OK if we take posters into the classroom during his exam?
Mine has glitter!
A beautiful story beautifully told. You really are letting us in on everything, Miss Tink. Thank you for that.
rah Jason!
Rip shit up!
ummmm... MB?
Where'd she go?!
The rest of that album cover is kind of hilarious. The cars in the parking lot!
Bobby Darrin CD
FTW
I eagerly await the next report on band practice and whether or not there is any Paul Anka-disapproved loose shit.
With Jason The Formerly Young in charge, I bet not.
Mary Beth is now in Columbus according to FaceBook.
tryouts are soon?
I demand the aforementioned Bucyrus videos and pictures!
OK, over a week now, Miss Belle. whereareya?
No BlondeChampagne for my Monday? BLONDEFAIL
Prayers to everyone trying out! Go DRow! (I assume they have to.)