Assignment 21: Aaron Geiger

     Three weeks before my high school started in August of 2016, I had very little grasp of what would become of the next four years of my life. There was no preparing me for what was to come. It just so happened to be that I had elected to participate in the marching band in 8th grade. I signed up for alto saxophone, as it was what I played at the time. Little did I know, that single class would affect my high school experience. I wasn't exactly sold on the whole marching thing - spending an afternoon on the pavement, being sucked dry of moisture by the sun, searing your skin instead of being at home, relaxing and playing video games, watching YouTube, or doing homework. Was it not for the effort I had to put into this activity because it was so demanding, I would not love it today. Now, thinking back to the first few weeks before Aug. 15th, I thought it was grueling - I hated it. But much like a runner's high, one comes to love it. Having to wake up early on Saturday mornings and go from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, grinding out a show that is months ahead with only an hour in between sessions for lunch. Spending every afternoon after school out on the pavement even though you know there's something more interesting you could be doing than working on fundamentals. Every bead of sweat that emanates from your body. The euphoria as a breeze sweeps through the field, squeezing out a collective sigh of relief from all people on that scalding pavement - only to snap back to reality a few seconds later.