Tour? Already?

The mutterings and musings started early this year.

Granted, I have had Tour milling around in my subconscious for some time now. I’m not sure it ever really leaves, given that we always seem to be On Tour, Just Home from Tour, or Planning for Tour. It is a very large part of what we do here. I know I’m not the only one with random Tour Thoughts popping into my head. But for some reason, all these random Tour Thoughts are already being verbalized by others.

Most of us were caught off guard when Public Affairs announced Guest Pass sign-up would begin the first day of August.

August? Guest Passes? Already?

We used to sign up for these in the final days of August, more likely early September, receiving them in time to mail them before the first concert. Is the Public Affairs Office on the ball, or what?

Last year when I showed up at 0715 for the 0730 opening of the Guest Pass Book, I was third or fourth in line. This year I was first. Granted, there was little or no traffic on the way to the Annex so I was early, but by 0725, only John Mula and a few Phase II personnel had joined me. People aren’t used to thinking about tour planning this early.

Usually, we race through the end of the summer, looking for that small break after the outdoor concerts and parades before Tour rehearsals begin. Usually, we shove Tour thoughts to the back of our mind until the Library posts the Tour Programs. Usually, we show up after the Labor Day 96 to find the Bus Points and Seating Charts posted on the bulletin board.

But Trox posted the Bus Points on Wednesday.

August? Bus Points? Already?

It didn’t register with me at first. I probably walked by the board a time or two without seeing them. It wasn’t until Trox tapped me on the shoulder after break and told me to check the board that I realized they were there.

Following rehearsal (for a summer concert, I might add), I could barely make my way down the hallway to the locker rooms, so many people were crowded around Trox’s display. (He has really outdone himself on the diagram details this year. Andy has the photos, but once Trox gets his hands on them, I’m sure we’ll see another collage on the bulletin board.)

It was a little disconcerting to see them so neatly arranged in the corner of the bulletin board before I was mentally prepared. A jumble of thoughts rushed through my mind; lists forming, schedules rearranging, mental post-it notes.

August? Blog? Already?

Piercing through the traffic jam forming in my mind was the thought – Blog! I have to get in Blog Mode! Everything is starting so early, I’m already behind!