You should thank Pebbles for giving you another view because there may be some parents you haven't heard from as yet who don't feel the way you do. It's important to understand that if you are to be effective in changing this situation. It may flatter your ego that you've been ask to "take it to the streets" as you say. I wouldn't go about it that way. I'd take a quiet, methodical approach and attempt to build a consensus with a specific alternative plan of how this *should* work -- a plan which is reasonable, will not sound like you are trying to take over the school and dictate how they should be running things (not your responsibility after all though you can certainly take your kids out of the band), and a plan that has a prayer of being adopted. You can make this into a diva vs diva situation, polarize the community, get everybody screaming, upset a lot of the kids even more and end up in a fight that goes on and on with everyone dug in. Because that's how these things usually go. Or you could quietly call someone who knows municipal and public law, an accountant, a travel agent, a child psychologist, a couple of other parents (maybe one a teacher) who know how to keep their mouths more shut than not, and produce something concrete. Figure out how to get your plan out there to be legally and logically considered, a plan that will benefit everyone and be reasonable. But I will bet that if you are emotional about this and go on about it and turn it into a crusade it will be less effective than it might be. We have a lot of that where I live. Somebody's always screaming about something and even when it's worthy you just tune them out. The bottom line for me -- and I say this as someone who has no children in the school system so I don't know what this sort of thing should/would cost -- it sounds very much like the school board members in our city who were having "meetings" in fancy hotels around the country and traveling there to meet with various educators on other issues and it was a complete reprehensible boondoggle -- free vacations. Or the school superindentant who ordered a $3000 leather couch for her office. In our community the tabloids get hold of the $3000 couches or the $125 catered lunches and people don't stay in those jobs very long because after 1 or 2 front pages and public humiliation and photos that make them look like they're taking the perp walk, there's pressure on the mayor and the school board to act. Public education in this country is a disgrace in many states. And while band is certainly an excellent and creative activity and a great experience I'm sure, I'd rather see that kind of money go into books, facilities, enrichment programs, special education. I'm sure many parents feel the same way (and of course some won't). But if it's not done in the right way the principal and band director are going to marshall their forces and roll right over you and the other parents without even looking back. Then it's your kids who will suffer.

I'm going to miss the goober on the weekends:( Like you all said though the economy is TUFF and if you get a paying job you had better take it! Even bands around these parts arn't hiring. This was a fluke thing that popped up. He is a blues baby at heart. He loves the blues and can frankly playthe hell out of them. While he was touring he did more southern rock-ish type stuff. He was glad to be playing but it wasn't really his style. The acts he played with and opened for where more Southern Rock so that's what he played. He would rather be doing world music,soul or blues. (Think Derrick Trucks,Robert Johnson,The Isley Brothers,The Allman Brothers,Muddy Waters,Stevie Ray Vaughn and Taj Mahal.) This band is actually alot different than anything he has ever done. It's more rock. Lots of 80's stuff. Some 70's. He isn't so much thrilled about the material but he is glad to be playing and making money. It will be more Ozzy,Poison, ACDC, Bon Jovi, G and R and Def Leppard type stuff. He is going to continue to try and get his blues project off the ground in the meantime. He would like to have his own band again so he can dictate when and where the gigs are. Right now he is hosting a local Jam Night which is how he got this job. Musicians do alot of networking at Jam Nights and with him being such an awesome player he has already been snatched up for this gig and also some recording gigs. Not only is the music aspect picking up for him but he called me and said he has had calls to mow lawns today! It looks like that is finally taking off too!!! It is so funny how you can have a totally terrible few months and then all at once things start going right. Unbelievable.

Though I've liked the "Baby, it's cold outside" song for many years ... I've long felt somewhat uncomfortable about the prolonged persistence of the guy ... who doesn't seem to understand a(n even half-hearted) "No". Isn't "No" ... supposed to mean ... "No"? It seems to me that, as a youth, I was supposed to respect a young woman enough that I wouldn't want to have her wake the next day to be smitten with deep regret ... or much worse. I'm sitting here thinking that that may be related to the lifestyle that many of us choose, that I'm to love my neighbour as myself ... and not abuse her/him. Ever. By the way ... did any of those of you who turned the radio/TV station off ... ... contact them to tell them that you'd done so? ... (and the advertisers)? ole joyfuelled

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