My Final SMB Preseason

I don’t know if I’ve ever told any of you this, but I never had any intention of joining the Spartan Marching Band. I didn’t really enjoy marching band, I wasn’t ready for it, and I thought it would be too difficult for me to do. I did, however, have every intention of avoiding the footsteps of my father and brother, Justin. I wanted to forge my own path and do something incredibly different with my time at MSU.

Jus, Dad and I after a game.

And so I didn’t join the band, not my freshman year at least. And I can tell you now, as I’ve ended my last preseason as a member of the Spartan Marching Band, that I really wish I hadn’t decided against auditioning for the band my freshman year. I really wish I had one more year to spend here, because three years in the SMB is just not enough.

It’s not the marching rehearsals– sweltering hot and exhausting– or the music we play, the bruises we get, or any of the things that we do, really–although I can list off a number of traditions that we have that are truly worth all the work that we do. It’s the people that I’m surrounded with. The people that choose to commit themselves to this band, and it’s the things that they do to show that commitment. I not only have met some of the greatest, smartest, coolest people in this band, I have forged bonds that I have no doubt will last a lifetime.

Before our Freshman Dress Rehearsal this past Sunday, I found myself getting a little emotional (surprise surprise, I’m actually tearing up while writing this), and so I did what I usually do– I called my parents. The conversation had barely began and my dad and I were both bawling our eyes out on the line. I was remembering my freshman dress three years ago, and he was remembering his about a million years ago (right, Dad?) and apparently we just couldn’t get a hold of ourselves. He told me he was proud of my brother and I for joining the band and pouring our heart and soul into it, and I told him I was proud of myself for joining something that I never thought I could do, something that meant so much to him and Justin. The SMB has really helped me grow up.

All that being said, even though I’m an emotional wreck about this 90% of the time, I’m determined to make this last season of mine in the SMB the best I’ve ever had. I’ve got one more year to share with all of you, and it’s going to totally rock. Also– GOOOOOOO STATE! BEAT THE BRONCOS!

Creepy Sleepies

Yeah yeah I know, I have to stop with these Outback Bowl photobombs, but I found this one trolling through facebook today and it was just TOO FREAKING GOOD to pass up. What’s better than finding a picture of yourself sleeping while looking through a friend’s photo album? Finding a picture of yourself sleeping with a gaggle of your fellow mellos behind you photobombing the night away. Great job guys. I had absolutely no idea you were there.

Derpin’ Like A Champ.

Note: I do not remember this photograph being taken. I’m going to say that it’s because we took approximately one million photos in Indianapolis this weekend, and that this one just got lost in the shuffle. I don’t know what I was trying to do, but Pam and Devin sure photobombed like champs.

Stop the Madness.

Now this is a flashback to Michigan Week and Midnight Madness. Props to Chris Chaney for making an already awesome photograph, even better!

BCS is BS.

Sup readers!

I haven’t been very vocal in my vlogs or my blogs  about my Spartan football team. But I think the time has come for me, and many others, to call out the BCS rankings as a whole lot of BS. [That was clever…right?]. Now I may just be saying this as a scorned Spartan, but even if that’s true, I think I have some good points.  Here’s a quick list of reasons why I think MSU should go to a BCS Bowl.

1. We Beat Wisconsin. This doesn’t even need an explanation. We beat Wisconsin. BEAT THEM. And it was easy too. I mean, I don’t do well watching stressful football games. I plug my ears, close my eyes, and pray to God that we won’t screw up. But the Wisconsin game? Piece. Of. Cake. I wasn’t even worried. So what if it was earlier on in the season? We beat Wisconsin, and they beat Ohio State. Therefore… we also beat Ohio State. How do you like THAT logic?

2. We’re still #1 in the Big Ten. Yes, I’m aware that it’s a three-way tie. But one team shouldn’t be left out.

3. Our team is very attractive.

An award-winning smile, I'm sure.

Obviously the relevance of this is debatable. But have you seen Kirk Cousins? Have you!? Two words: Hubba. Hubba. What a cutie.

4. We have a record of 11-1. Seasons like this don’t come along very often. Like. NEVER. So, shouldn’t we be rewarded for our hard work? We had a tough schedule and we rocked it. Rocked. It.

5. We’re the underdogs, although at the rate we’re improving…not for long. As Spartans, I feel like we’ve always gotten the shaft.  I mean, could we at LEAST get a pity vote?

6. The Spartan Marching Band wants to travel somewhere new. Obviously this is the most important reason. (I really hope you can sense my sarcasm). We’ve already been to Orlando, and San Antonio. I would love to go to New Orleans. So come on BCS, gimme some sugar.

Yes, I did just vlog about it.