mybugsyisblue

Why? So Cavies dirt will be highlighted and Phantom's would be hidden? Better yet, put them both in white (or black) and see what happens. It would definitely come out showing who was REALLY cleaner.

Or switch to black pants so the dirt isn't as noticable.

I would like to weigh in on the CR situation from a parent standpoint. I refrained from chiming in on the original post as I felt as a parent of a former marching member my experiences would not be timely or relevant. My daughter spent two years marching with CR 2003/2004. From the initial visit to CR (which my daughter made accompanied by myself and my wife) we were drawn in by the passion for the activity that was so evident within the organization. Rick Bays was personable, and approachable. Bryan Tracht, who was serving along side Rick, gave me and my wife the confidence that CR was being led by a sound business decision maker and compassionate, caring educator, and parent (Bryan, not Rick). The staff, Dave Tippett, Bryan Kraft, Jason Rhinehart, Marleita (sp?), Jamie Oakley, Tony?(trumpets), many others whom I can no longer remember names, all showed the enthusiasm you would expect for the next great corps coming out of Ohio. And then the tour began.......We travelled extensively chasing after the corps trying to stay involved in what was such a foreign activity to us all (no marching history at all in the family, just fans). And the luster began to show some signs of fading. I discounted what I saw as the trials and tribulations of touring, and I am happy to admit that my daughter's experience of 2003 is always recalled with fond memories. When 2004 came around, Rick Bays now had that seasoned, maybe tempered is a better word, air about him. Maybe this is how everyone perceives him after that first impression fades away. He seemed to me more direct, less approachable, more burdened. Correct me if I'm wrong Bryan, but did you take some time away from CR in 2004, for some more classes. Not sure maybe that came about in early 2005, foggy memory. Anyway it was obvious that Rick was taking more on his plate. The enthusiastic staff that my daughter sang such praises of from August through November, were gone now, replaced by heavy hitters in the activity. Welcome Chad Pence, and Jay Bocook, Michael Floyd, and others; the staff that was going to take CR to that elusive finals performance. And then the tour began.......My daughter recalls to us experiences of hot temperatures and bus breakdowns, undelivered mail, and more bus breakdowns, poorly handled discipline issues, and more equipment issues. Our travels that summer took us to several stops along the DCI trail where we might stand in the shadows before departing and see our daughter in tears. When we inquired as to the various issues we met with the reassurance that this is typical, nothing out of the ordinary, and my daughter is just handling it as any 15 yr. old would. Sadly 2004 is not remembered favorably. It was a surreal homecoming when after about a week talk of tour faded and school began. Decisions were made that she would move on to pursue her dream of marching in Canton, and as it turns out we have now seen the polar opposites in the drum corps activity. That rant is over, now on to what I believe needs to be done to right the ship at CR. mobrien is exactly right (despite being a sox fan), the board of directors in place at CR is a board devoid of authority, and in place not to provide oversight to the director, but instead to support his leadership direction. I am not party to the financial or managerial decision making processes that took place this past winter at CR but I have to call to question the purchase of new uniforms, and the acquisition of a new equipment trailer. What must the board be thinking, when for the past several seasons you have struggled to keep an aging fleet of equipment on the road, maintain quality staffing, and evidently properly fund summer touring needs. The Board of Directors needs to go. It is time to take away the enablers, cast away the crutch. I don't know how such a dissolution takes place, or by whose authority. Rick Bays, you should step down as director, in hopes that you will be able to remain at CR in some role in the future. Admit that mistakes have been made, and take responsibility for those mistakes, ultimately it lies with you. There is talk of visionary leadership, and mention of having passion for the activity. I honestly believe that at one point Rick Bays had that vision and passion. I have to imagine that he still does. I think that he must be overwhelmed by the demands of the position, teamed with the other multitude of responsibilities that he seems so unwilling to delegate. How many other Div. 1 directors will you find leaving a show site behind the wheel of either a bus, or a semi? This is a serious question, a year has not past since I have come to know CR, that Rick has not spent a period of time as the principal driver for one of the fleet vehicles. I cannot imagine that this is a responsibility that you will find many other directors performing. CR needs to seek out leadership that has Div. 1 experience that might be able to take the reins in this time of turmoil and facilitate a complete review, both financially, as drumcorpsguardmom has suggested, as well as logistically. Is it at all possible for CR to take a corps on the road in 2007, remember we are going to California? Any competent leadership will recognize the importance of quality staffing and programming, all attempts to retain tha talented staff that has served there in the past should be made. Recruiting, Recruiting, Recruiting.....if ultimately CR is to take the field in 2007 then they must make every effort to retain and atttract talented young people who will carry the CR banner with pride onto Pasadena. They can start with effort to make amends with those that served so devoted in 2006. I personally believe that several key components lie right at the feet of CR, Wayne Dillon has proven a qualified an dedicated leader, throughout all that has happened I believe he could still draw in a design team and staff that can push CR forward. Bryan Tracht, as I said before showed me that he cares about this organization, and with a daughter who has now marched a couple of seasons, needs to be asked to serve in some capacity as his career and family will allow. Scott Edens, with all that you have been through, I think that you have something to offer CR in the area of transportation and logistics, I'm not sure what your health will allow these days but I do hope that you will be there for CR when all has shaken out. I know that you have been a big supporter of Rick through the years and I can only assume that your loyalty would survive his departure from the role of director.

you are responsible for me just blowing beer through my nose........ time to get another beer. It is intermission right? Scott

Any truth to the tale that Mr. Moto was going to make his presence felt around the stadium before the performance today? Can we expect something great from him this evening? Scott

Ryan are you forecasting a plunge by Blue to the #7 spot? If so, then maybe you should be smacked. Scott

Are you speaking in general or are you also broadcasting from Madison? Watching here on my webcast I also think they may have peaked visually only seem to move every 15 seconds or so.

Let me start by saying.......... BBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Knock em dead, it's time to dissappoint 270 marching members. nuff said. Love Dad and Mom

"To rein in costs, officials have been tweaking designs and making cuts, such as eliminating an elevator and using battery-powered -- instead of electric-powered -- self-flushing toilets. But that may not be enough." I would hate to be the guy/gal to have to be changing those batteries, especially since most end line users won't know before they go if the battery is dead. Just a bad situation. I think I would eliminate a second elevator and go ahead and order those electric self flushing toilets. Cost overruns are all a part of projects of this type. I'm sure the final product will still be something to behold, and a great facility for DCI's future.

If you mean season pass, yes mine is all messed up as well. I can read Mike Boo's comments but have no web cam shots, and my video clips and photo gallery will not load. probably just best to enjoy the commentary here, Thanks Chris! Scott

Word out of Bluecoats is that it was not a spider bite. Member had a blister that developed into infection and then cellulitis. He was hospitalized in PA. before the Allentown performance, as most of us are aware. reason has never been clear until now. Wish him the best in his recovery. I know your Blue brothers and sisters wish you were on the field with them in Madison. Scott

Go Bluuuuuuuuueeeeeeee! 92.975 :)

Bass#5 will not be back for any of the remaining performances. Scott

Mr. Lamb your support of Drum Corps in Central Ohio is always appreciated. I encourage anyone going to the show to slide down Route 161 to Newark earlier in the day and enjoy the rehearsals. Newark has many of the amenities of Columbus and since it is State Fair time far less congestion. All of the rehearal sites are easily reached and within 10 miutes of each other. Enjoy. Bluecoats will be practicing at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio, as they are not participating in the Columbus show. :( Scott Sines Allaina's Dad Dresden, Ohio

What is hard for me to understand is this. Mr. Costanza scored them as follows. In San Antonio, Evening DIVISION I The Cavaliers 9.2 9 18.2 Blue Devils 9.3 9.1 18.4 Phantom Regiment 9 8.7 17.7 Bluecoats 8.6 8.3 16.9 The Cadets 8.9 9.1 18 Santa Clara Vanguard 8.7 8.8 17.5 One week later in Atlanta, scoring went like this. DIVISION I The Cavaliers 9.5 9.3 18.8 Blue Devils 9.6 9.5 19.1 Phantom Regiment 9.4 9.1 18.5 Bluecoats 9.2 9.2 18.4 The Cadets 9.3 9 18.3 Santa Clara Vanguard 8.8 8.7 17.5 Mike Stone was the judge. We find ourselves in Allentown and Mr. Costanza scores the corps again. DIVISION I The Cavaliers 9.4 9.3 18.7 Blue Devils 9.4 9.4 18.8 Phantom Regiment 9.2 8.9 18.1 Bluecoats 8.8 8.7 17.5 The Cadets 9.1 9.5 18.6 Santa Clara Vanguard 8.9 9.1 18 (Sorry Excel doesn't paste in very well, or maybe I'm just a Rookie) I realize that scoring is subjective but how is it that 4 out of the top 6 scoring colorguards, gave up either wholly or in part any scoring gains made between San Antonio and Atlanta, not to mention that 5 out of 6 couldn't hold on to scoring gains made between the regional in Atlanta, and this weekends contest in Allentown. The lone exception being the Cadets. Cavaliers had joined BD in excess of 19 points, and Phantom was knocking on the door at 18.8. THIS IS NOT A BLUECOATS "ONLY" ISSUE! This isn't a Bluecoats are upset because thier colorguard score is lower than (insert corps name here), it comes down to one judge's inability to manage numbers. I don't profess to be all knowing, in fact the opposite is more true. This makes it all that more important to me that scoring can be justified by sound reason, or follow routine progression. When it varies from a predictive path with no justifiable reason (not according to reviews, video, and personal experiences) I just need someone to help me to understand. I would like to point out that given only Mr. Costanza's scoring, the gap between Bluecoats and BD of 1.3 points that Phantom&Phitch has alluded so eloquently to is actually a step in the right direction, since Mr. Costanza had BD besting the Bluecoats by 1.5 in San Antonio. So help me, is it really that hard to believe that Bluecoats colorguard got .2 better than BD in the last 2 weeks? I am still so confused............. Scott This post might reflect some Bluecoat bias