corps_forever07

Likewise.

I don't know quite what to think of all that. If it's true, embarrassing. But how can it be? Unfortunately, I believe the hitting because it can easily go unnoticed, but anyone that has ever even seen Finals retreat knows that the staff stands behind the back sideline (VERY close to the drumline). If there was vomiting going on, wouldn't the staff step in? I guess my question for you, boatboy, is did they? That's not an easy thing to cover up and since you seemed to be the only one so preoccupied with the situation, I hope you noticed because I would truly like to know. Again, I'm not saying it didn't happen, and I will probably ask some people, but with the staff being right there and it having gone ten pages without being mentioned, I'm not sure. I guess I'd like for it not to be true, so I'm trying to put some logic in there. I'm not saying you're full of #### but I really, really don't want that to be true.

Tangent: I can't believe the technical word for a man's genitalia is censored, but the word for a female's is not. Censored on my own!

Don't you just exude class? If the Blooo hype were a problem, I'm sure someone would have been spoken to on the previous TWO nights it was done and something would have been done about it. Since you seem to be the only one with sand in your ######, I highly doubt it was as big of a problem as you're making it out to be. Back to topic: If you haven't marched a retreat this century (how's that for making y'all feel old? ), it's hard for you to understand what it's like. Retreat is a celebration. You get a feel for the personality of a corps through how they act in the line at retreat and on the field. That's part of the reason I marched Bluecoats after 2004, because of how CR was treated in the line-up and on the field by the Bluecoats one particular night in Columbus (when we broke 80 and Coats congratulated us immensely). Just because the Cavaliers are loose and poke a little fun doesn't make them any less classy. It shows personality just as does for Cadets with their stoic demeanor. I'm basing my decision for 09 partially off how I remember corps acting in retreat. I'm barely going to touch the AOC issue. I believe it because that corps is so young, but when I marched in a young corps, we strived for people to actually take us seriously, not act immaturely and be so obvious with it. That's embarrassing. The fact that they have their pre-show hype isn't, but that they acted immaturely in that way definitely, definitely is.

Prehype crap? Tradition is crap these days? I understand you being offended if it was too loud, but come on. Calling a tradition crap? For real? And that comment was totally off topic. That's all.

That crowbar doesn't mean that line took anything seriously at retreat. If anything, the total opposite. That crowbar was the demise of many water jugs on Finals day. Serious? Please.

Stop #####ing.

I didn't look at the recaps close enough to realize it could be called a "judge problem". Thank God. Now let's pull an 05 and rise up! (No NE Ohio sports pun there.)

Circle drill = #####. (Pee pee)

Thank you! Fun part in the show.

I agree and disagree. Mike Boo said it best himself in the QF blog - Bluecoats are putting out drum corps storytelling at its finest. The difference between the Bluecoats and The Cadets (and this is objective) is that the Bluecoats story has been effective to the show throughout the season. It's generated a decent response and enhanced the message that is there even without the narration. Bad analogy time - To me, narration is like cooking soup. The Cadets put in way too much garlic (narration) and when we first tasted (saw), we all had this bad taste in our mouths because most everyone didn't like it. And like garlic does, it stuck with us. They tried to scoop a majority of the garlic out of the soup and do so successfully, but we still have the taste left from the beginning of the season. That's why the narration The Cadets put on isn't well received even still. Looking at it from an unbiased standpoint and stepping back a bit, the show is so much more effective with less of the fluff. I think most people just need the off season to brush their teeth and get ready to be blown away by Holy Name and West Side Story in 2009. (And this may or may not be the most ######## post you've read all season. I tried! )

Sounds like it's time to happen again to me. Just sayin'.

Agreed. It would be nice to see Jersey Surf move up into world class and Capital Regiment's proposed return, so make that 2 additions.

Things happen. Technical problems occur. Shows don't turn out how a program coordinator or director expected. People try new things that aren't received well the first time out. It happens every year in one way or another. Narration is not dead. These corps are just trying it out and working out the kinks.

I can confirm. I saw it too. I love drum corps.

I bet not. Fifteen posts is not enough for you to be ruffling any feathers quite yet. Blooooooooo!

Great review! I agree with 95% of everything!

Too much - Blue Stars, Crown Too little - Bluecoats, Madison, Boston Just enough - Phantom, Blue Devils

That's mainly why I have to head up so early. Maybe us late starters will have to sit near each other.

Up at 8 a.m. and headed to Washington High School for a long day of drum corps with the Bluecoats, culminating at their home show tonight in Massillon. I hope to update periodically through tonight's show (at least) via iPhone. It should be an interesting contest between the 'Coats and the Vanguard tonight! If any of y'all are at the show, don't hesitate to say hello! The crowd should be hot tonight!

Good point, but many may argue that, when you get up near the ninety mark, every tenth or half a point makes a big difference. Go Blue. That is all.

Thanks, Scott. I see in your profile that you're from Ohio. Are you going to Massillon Monday?

Sorry, but I agree with Salad. Last year, they beat everyone at some point in the season, and were the highest scoring 7th place corps ever. In 06, we were contending for third and made fourth for the first time - edging out The Cadets. In 05, we were contending for fourth and made fifth for the first time - coming close to the Blue Devils. In 04, they came in sixth for the first time. Etc. Etc. The point is, the Bluecoats have been on the rise since they fell out of Finals in 1999, and had, especially, since 2004. The Bluecoats, over the past few years, have been known for pushing some of the big boys aside and putting themselves in the position to take over. Only they haven't. There was a lot of talk within the organization "promising" a championship by 2007. It DEFINITELY could have happened, but it didn't (and noooo discredit to anyone a part of the 07 corps - those people worked hard and there were some uncontrollable factors in all that). People may be disappointed to see the underdogs who contested the top for a little while prove to be second-tier for this year, albeit a great one and an entertaining-as-hell one. I love what the show is becoming this year. I was skeptical in the beginning, but I'm loving it more and more. I was having a conversation yesterday with another Bluecoat alumnus regarding where we would march today if nothing but the show factored in (nothing competitive or social) and we both said Blue would be it. The opportunity for entertainment in that show is great. I can see what FTNK is saying by calling this a rough year and, while I wouldn't call it rough, per se, I would say that it's probably not what people were expecting. If that's as rough as it gets, sign me up for 2009. I'm in.

Everyone just needs to own an iPhone! In all seriousness, it would be reeeally cool for DCI to find something out and at LEAST make the scores and recaps viewable by mobile phones.

We'll see. I broke both feet last summer and then again this summer and I reeeeally don't have the money to do it yet. I'll be taking my calcium, counting my pennies, and hoping! Most likely, I'll find a way to march.