Unicorn Band UIL Contest for Region, San Antonio, Heroes Stadium, Oct. 23, 2010

Unicorns in UIL Contest for Region (I Believe), in San Antonio, Heroes Stadium, Oct. 23, 2010

Again, I’m going to use those much venerated “bullets” here.  But, as a preface, let me say it was a long event, and one which Colin did well in standing in his Super Shadow Mode on the sidelines.  It was also a long afternoon, followed by a long night that his parents got him out of. 

Though Colin is a "Super Shadow," he’s also a "High Functioning Autistic Super Shadow," and so after his morning of sitting and waiting for a contest in which he participated by standing in full costume on the sidelines, asking him to wait an afternoon and an evening for the results seemed too much, both to his parents and his band director. 

And here are the bullets, and a bit of dialogue from Colin, followed by a fabulous Colin drawing and a couple of uninspired, coffee deprived photographer’s photos:

• 24 other bands at UIL at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio: 10 made the cut, and only 5 went to state.

• Morning for me:  tripping in my vintage “roach stomper” cowboy boots on an exposed root in the yard, spilling my coffee, stopping at Starbucks and getting espresso, having to drink it all at once at the gate because you could not bring outside drinks in.  I must have looked appalled when informed of this, as the ladies working the gate looked worried at my unconscious reaction (of “appallment”), which I tried to make up for by being extra gracious and polite.

• After the UIL competition on Oct. 23^rd, Colin told his section leader Amanda, “That was great.  You were awesome”

Amanda:  “Really?  That’s good.”

• What was more, when I went to pick him up at the break, he wanted to eat lunch with the band and went over and _sat with his band friends in a circle_.  Amazing.  This from a kid who, last meal I remembered with the band during Unfair day, was roaming the hall restlessly between lines of kids leaning against the wall eating.

Not our band, but an example, by no means the most elaborate of the pagentry involved in these competitions.  What is more puzzling is how my coffee deprived brain did NOT take photos of the crazy props some of the bands use (blinking railroad lights and tracks, for example, that were then replaced by color guard members dressed as railroad workers slinging "mallets" (props, but still) at ties, more blinking lights and clectric guitar, etc. 

Our band ready to go on field.  Colin in line at front getting ready to go stand.

Our band, minus band member shadows, performing. 

And no, unfortunately, the Unicorns, perhaps they are a “young” band (most of the members not seniors), did not place.  

After we took Colin home early (unlike his neurotypical band members--including the other Shadows--who stayed till 9:30 p.m. when the winners were announced), I had him draw this picture—by far more exciting than the photos I did take.

Colin Jones.  His caption says the rest.