Sometimes life is unfair.... (rant)

bandman · 01-10-2007, 10:50 AM

Sometimes life's priorities just suck. I don't smoke, drink, gamble, party, go out on the town, etc. My great vices in life are travel, and spoiling my daughter. We also love eating out, but we don't do that as often as we did in the past.

I save $6000+ for my medical bills every year because I have a heart condition (that includes my medications). Now my daughter needs $4800 in braces, and my brother had a heart attack and needs some financial assistance from me. This week we realized that the house needs about $1200 in repairs, and I need either a new Bb trumpet or to send mine back to be totally overhauled. It is an old Bach Strad that has just been played and played until it just needs some TLC. One problem is that if I send it back I don't play any Bb gigs for a while, so I'll lose a little cash that way as well.

So what decisions will I make? My daughter got a total of about $200 in Christmas gifts (not much by today's standards) and we canceled one of our big family excursions for this summer. The braces will be paid for as that will affect my daughter for the rest of her life, and a check for $612 went out in the mail today to help my brother pay off his deductible at the hospital. I’m doing the house repairs myself, so I’ll do it at the cost of the materials. I’ll continue to save for my next heart procedure – it is not a matter of if, but when it will happen.

So what gets left off the list? My horn will never come. I know I’m doing the right thing. The family must always come first, and I believe that if you can’t pay cash for something (especially at my age and in my health condition) that you don’t buy it.

Sorry for the rant – I needed to put it into writing and tell it to someone. You guys won the prize. I do feel better knowing I’m doing the right things, but I sure would love to pick up on more super horn in my lifetime. I only have the horns that are in my signature – the old horn collection has been liquidated. I’m not looking for a collector horn, just one to play on my jobs so I can continue to do a good job.

So now I’ll say what I tell my students when they are down about something. Keep doing good things, and if it is truly needed God will provide. My old horn has not let me down on a job, and the time it plays the best is when I’m on a gig or when I’m playing in front of my students at school. So, I’ll live my life as I would tell others to do, and I’m sure all will be fine!

BTW - I'm not asking for a hand out -- I just think that putting things in writing and sounding things off of friends is good for a person's mental well being. Also, I'm far from losing the house, I'm just fussing about having to have priorities in my life. It would just be more fun to go buy the new horn and noy do things the right things to do for the entire family. Thanks for listening.

A.N.A. Mendez · 01-10-2007, 01:04 PM

I can lend you a suitable horn while you get yours fixed! Let me know, I have most Olds models, what do you prefer?

Eclipsehornplayer · 01-10-2007, 01:33 PM

Ahhhh,

Life's wonders eh? This is a post that anyone under the age of 25 should pay close attention to. This is what life is really about.

I not unlike anyone else I'm sure; am faced with just as many hurdles in my day to day life.

I wont bother to lament them here; this is your BBQ and I'm a guest!

But I do agree; one must have his/her priority's in order.

I recently received some semi-bad news from my doctors regarding heart health. All kinds of bad crap runs in my family and I'm trying to head it off at the pass. Sadly; I can't afford the medications that are being prescribed for me. I may have some very tough choices to make in the very near future.

So rest assured you're not alone.

Without my faith in God I'd be lost; it is this that gets me through each day!

Keep on; keeping on!

Tootsall · 01-10-2007, 01:45 PM

Anyone.... and Everyone.... who has had heart problems in the past should read this article carefully before making decisions on medication! This report was just issued this week.

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/...art-drugs.html

Basically it says that those who follow their doctor's regimen for heart drugs rather than stop taking them increase their chances of long-term survival by 25% and those who take their medication "religiously" rather than "sporadically" improve their chances by 12%.

Those stats aren't to be sneezed at.

bandman · 01-10-2007, 06:23 PM

You people are amazing! Today I received multiple offers for horns from people on this board through Emails and PMs and even one posted on the thread. One even came from a fellow TMer that has been a friend since high school proving that some friendships last forever.

Today Heather came home from school informing us that her school is offering a 5-day trip to the Grand Canyon Next November at a cost of $1500. The cost is very high, but the activities in a group setting are perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity. Of course I'll find a way for her to make this trip, so let's add more to my financial woes right now.

AS for my horn, I'm going to hit the local music store up for a horn as a loaner while I send my horn off. At the worst they will sell it to me at cost, and after a few months I should get that back via an Ebay sale with little or no loss.

One of the major repair people saw my post this morning and emailed me an offer to work on my horn at half price. The person is one of the more respected people whom is mentioned on this forum, and also on the oTHer forum.

I'm so touched that people are still nice to each other, even when we are just cyber friends. Over the years I've often given horns to kids who couldn't afford to be in band. Now that the financial crunch hit home it means a lot that others are there standing beside me.

One more time -- I'm not about to be in the poor house, but this is the first time that the amount of money going out is seriously more than the mount of money coming in. This shall pass -- I have confidence in that fact.

Thanks again for all of your offers! You are truly wonderful friends!

Thermos · 01-10-2007, 08:16 PM

Hope everything works out for you in the end!

After reading about you as a person and band direct, I must say that I am very jealous of the kids in your band! They are very lucky to have someone so dedicated and sincere.

silverstar · 01-10-2007, 11:36 PM

Bandman,

I'm sorry to hear about that! Financial troubles really are the pits, as I'm finding out with having to come up with about $3000 by the end of this semester...and paying for books and food and other things that tend to pop up (like getting hit by a car door while on my bike...that wasn't pretty.) out of nowhere.

*hugs*

I have my Xeno that I'd gladly lend to you. PM me if you're interested. Much better than renting a loaner from a music store!

Don't worry, things will work out. They always seem to.

Lara

bandman · 01-11-2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverstar

Much better than renting a loaner from a music store!

Being honest, what I'll get from the music store is a brand new horn. It will give me a chance to play a horn from a line that I have not been particularly kind to in the past. Maybe this is a chance to re-evaluate the way I feel about my students playing those horns. After I'm done with it they/or I will sell it at cost to recover my being allowed to try it out. No cost out of pocket for anyone (I hope)

I can’t believe how many people are still making offers to me to lend me horns. I wasn’t posting for that, just kind of voicing a personal lament at this time. One board member even offered me money.

I’m getting near 50-years-old and have saved all my life for the “rainy days” that we all know will come. I just never knew that it would flood. This puts things really into perspective for me as to how the people felt last year when they lost everything from the storms, or when other people lose everything from a fire. I’m not going to lose everything, I’ve saved for to long, and I’m to smart for that.

Yesterday and today I again realized how lucky, and rich I am. I have great friends, and you can’t put a price on that. Yesterday ay school I was working with my students realizing once again just how lucky a guy I am. I get to work with great kids at my school. After school I got to come home to an amazing family. I truly am a blessed person, and I feel very rich in many ways!

Siegtrmpt · 01-11-2007, 08:24 AM

Glad to see you counting your blessings! As to the money issues....most places will work with you if you explain the situation privately and have a good track record. Check out "Penny Pinching" by Lee and Barbara Simmons (How to lower your everyday expenses without lowering your lifestyle) and "The Millionaire Next Door" by Dr.'s Stanley and Danko. Lots of good ideas in there. Notice I suggested "check out" rather than "buy". Good luck.

01-11-2007, 09:53 AM

01-10-2007, 10:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
bandman Forte User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lafayette, LA, USA Posts: 1,056	Sometimes life is unfair.... (rant) Sometimes life's priorities just suck. I don't smoke, drink, gamble, party, go out on the town, etc. My great vices in life are travel, and spoiling my daughter. We also love eating out, but we don't do that as often as we did in the past. I save $6000+ for my medical bills every year because I have a heart condition (that includes my medications). Now my daughter needs $4800 in braces, and my brother had a heart attack and needs some financial assistance from me. This week we realized that the house needs about $1200 in repairs, and I need either a new Bb trumpet or to send mine back to be totally overhauled. It is an old Bach Strad that has just been played and played until it just needs some TLC. One problem is that if I send it back I don't play any Bb gigs for a while, so I'll lose a little cash that way as well. So what decisions will I make? My daughter got a total of about $200 in Christmas gifts (not much by today's standards) and we canceled one of our big family excursions for this summer. The braces will be paid for as that will affect my daughter for the rest of her life, and a check for $612 went out in the mail today to help my brother pay off his deductible at the hospital. I’m doing the house repairs myself, so I’ll do it at the cost of the materials. I’ll continue to save for my next heart procedure – it is not a matter of if, but when it will happen. So what gets left off the list? My horn will never come. I know I’m doing the right thing. The family must always come first, and I believe that if you can’t pay cash for something (especially at my age and in my health condition) that you don’t buy it. Sorry for the rant – I needed to put it into writing and tell it to someone. You guys won the prize. I do feel better knowing I’m doing the right things, but I sure would love to pick up on more super horn in my lifetime. I only have the horns that are in my signature – the old horn collection has been liquidated. I’m not looking for a collector horn, just one to play on my jobs so I can continue to do a good job. So now I’ll say what I tell my students when they are down about something. Keep doing good things, and if it is truly needed God will provide. My old horn has not let me down on a job, and the time it plays the best is when I’m on a gig or when I’m playing in front of my students at school. So, I’ll live my life as I would tell others to do, and I’m sure all will be fine! BTW - I'm not asking for a hand out -- I just think that putting things in writing and sounding things off of friends is good for a person's mental well being. Also, I'm far from losing the house, I'm just fussing about having to have priorities in my life. It would just be more fun to go buy the new horn and noy do things the right things to do for the entire family. Thanks for listening. __________________

01-10-2007, 01:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
A.N.A. Mendez Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 688	Re: Sometimes life is unfair.... (rant) I can lend you a suitable horn while you get yours fixed! Let me know, I have most Olds models, what do you prefer? __________________ (Above) Alexanders ragtime band-circa 1960 "Baby, I'm already the coolest, and the hippist, now you want me to be on time too?" Buddy Love "We appointed all our worst generals to command our armies, and our best generals to edit our newspapers." Robert E. Lee

01-10-2007, 01:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Eclipsehornplayer Forte User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Flat Rock, Michigan Posts: 2,395	Re: Sometimes life is unfair.... (rant) Ahhhh, Life's wonders eh? This is a post that anyone under the age of 25 should pay close attention to. This is what life is really about. I not unlike anyone else I'm sure; am faced with just as many hurdles in my day to day life. I wont bother to lament them here; this is your BBQ and I'm a guest! But I do agree; one must have his/her priority's in order. I recently received some semi-bad news from my doctors regarding heart health. All kinds of bad crap runs in my family and I'm trying to head it off at the pass. Sadly; I can't afford the medications that are being prescribed for me. I may have some very tough choices to make in the very near future. So rest assured you're not alone. Without my faith in God I'd be lost; it is this that gets me through each day! Keep on; keeping on! __________________ Eclipse MHY Bb Trumpet with interchangable leadpipes Bach 229 25A C Trumpet Getzen Capri Bb Cornet GR & Monette mouthpieces

01-10-2007, 01:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tootsall Fortissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yee HAW! Posts: 4,641	Re: Sometimes life is unfair.... (rant) Anyone.... and Everyone.... who has had heart problems in the past should read this article carefully before making decisions on medication! This report was just issued this week. http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/...art-drugs.html Basically it says that those who follow their doctor's regimen for heart drugs rather than stop taking them increase their chances of long-term survival by 25% and those who take their medication "religiously" rather than "sporadically" improve their chances by 12%. Those stats aren't to be sneezed at.

01-10-2007, 06:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
bandman Forte User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lafayette, LA, USA Posts: 1,056	Re: Sometimes life is unfair.... (rant) You people are amazing! Today I received multiple offers for horns from people on this board through Emails and PMs and even one posted on the thread. One even came from a fellow TMer that has been a friend since high school proving that some friendships last forever. Today Heather came home from school informing us that her school is offering a 5-day trip to the Grand Canyon Next November at a cost of $1500. The cost is very high, but the activities in a group setting are perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity. Of course I'll find a way for her to make this trip, so let's add more to my financial woes right now. AS for my horn, I'm going to hit the local music store up for a horn as a loaner while I send my horn off. At the worst they will sell it to me at cost, and after a few months I should get that back via an Ebay sale with little or no loss. One of the major repair people saw my post this morning and emailed me an offer to work on my horn at half price. The person is one of the more respected people whom is mentioned on this forum, and also on the oTHer forum. I'm so touched that people are still nice to each other, even when we are just cyber friends. Over the years I've often given horns to kids who couldn't afford to be in band. Now that the financial crunch hit home it means a lot that others are there standing beside me. One more time -- I'm not about to be in the poor house, but this is the first time that the amount of money going out is seriously more than the mount of money coming in. This shall pass -- I have confidence in that fact. Thanks again for all of your offers! You are truly wonderful friends! __________________

01-10-2007, 08:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
Thermos Pianissimo User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 53	Re: Sometimes life is unfair.... (rant) Hope everything works out for you in the end! After reading about you as a person and band direct, I must say that I am very jealous of the kids in your band! They are very lucky to have someone so dedicated and sincere.

01-10-2007, 11:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
silverstar Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 892	Re: Sometimes life is unfair.... (rant) Bandman, I'm sorry to hear about that! Financial troubles really are the pits, as I'm finding out with having to come up with about $3000 by the end of this semester...and paying for books and food and other things that tend to pop up (like getting hit by a car door while on my bike...that wasn't pretty.) out of nowhere. hugs I have my Xeno that I'd gladly lend to you. PM me if you're interested. Much better than renting a loaner from a music store! Don't worry, things will work out. They always seem to. Lara __________________ email: Lara.Shema@gmail.com ***************************************** insert witty comment here

01-11-2007, 08:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
Siegtrmpt Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 554	Re: Sometimes life is unfair.... (rant) Glad to see you counting your blessings! As to the money issues....most places will work with you if you explain the situation privately and have a good track record. Check out "Penny Pinching" by Lee and Barbara Simmons (How to lower your everyday expenses without lowering your lifestyle) and "The Millionaire Next Door" by Dr.'s Stanley and Danko. Lots of good ideas in there. Notice I suggested "check out" rather than "buy". Good luck. __________________ Bill S.- NY Bach 6, 38 Mt. Vernon 43 Bach "C" cornet, NY Bach trombone 6vii Monette mouthpieces Last edited by Siegtrmpt; 01-11-2007 at 08:28 AM.

01-11-2007, 09:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Dave Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Sometimes life is unfair.... (rant) .. Last edited by Dave; 04-02-2007 at 03:58 PM.

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