year1buick

That’s great to hear! Hopefully I’ll get to go home tomorrow. I kinda feel bad that I didn’t find anyone who could use my ticket. Early on, before I made the decision to go on to the ER, I’d held on to the (rather irrational) hope that I might still be able to catch part of the show. I’m REALY glad I didn’t try it, LOL.

Thanks, Terri. I’m still in the hospital but feeling much better. I really wish I could’ve seen Regiment live— it sounds like they really threw it down last night.

Super bummed I missed the show. My daughter and I were on the way but I had to make a little side trip to the ER. (She got a friend to take her.) I couldn’t even watch on Flo because of, well, twelve hours of misery. But I’m feeling better now. Hopefully next year!

LMAO

Ha, had to look that one up!

There are times when I’ve wondered “what if” in regards to having gone the music education route, especially over the past few years of watching one of my kids go through four years of band. (Somehow I managed to go UNT and march three summers of drum corps and still avoid it.) Once I hit 30, it all came to a head and I pulled a 180 degree career change like you’re talking about— I left my full time job, went back to UNT for more undergrad classes and started applying to professional school. It’s no picnic, but can be done. (I have the crushing student loan debt to prove it.) I still haven’t decided on my third career choice...

To borrow an old quote, “If you want to send a message, use Western Union.” Otherwise, stick to cool music and fast, innovative drill. I don’t know if it’s enough to satisfy the sheets these days, but I still dig it.

Somebody stole my helmet once and danced with it. But I got it back.

Ditto. Our oldest daughter is about to be a senior and marching her fourth year in color guard (and going to the show with me on Saturday.) Her 15 year old brother barely knows what drum corps is. But he’s pretty much an expert on literally everything else.

I got to sit down low last year but I waited too long to get tickets this time around so now I’m stuck in “high cam” territory. 🙂

LOL, hell no. I once had to put toothpaste on the inside of my mask during an exam just to keep from gagging.

It’s the smell, mostly. 😐

Bluecoats and SCV are at such an insane level that I honestly have trouble even judging who I think is “better,” only who I like more. (Leaning towards SCV at the moment but I really liked Bloo.)

All the better. (I’m just here for the entertainment, really. And I don’t mean that pejoratively.) I wasn’t so much expecting rants (though I knew there would be some) but more along the lines of 100 pages by midnight. We shall see. As for myself— I’m fairly ambivalent, to be honest. I didn’t march there and feel that they should be able to do whatever they feel is right for their corps.

My kid’s band did an Us and Them show a couple of years ago that was really cool.

https://radar.weather.gov/Conus/southeast_loop.php

That radar loop doesn’t look very encouraging.

Once again, I can’t believe how good the field is this year, from top to bottom. It’s crazy.

Nicely done, Boston— congratulations.

I’ve seen June iterations of the Cadets that were dirtier than dollar whore on Sunday, only to go on to medal in August. That’s not to say Regiment is in position but... they’re, like, three or so shows in. No, it’s not where you want to shoot for but, c’mon— I’m, personally, happy to recognize that they’re at least improving and give some credit where credit is due. Sheesh. Keep on pushing, Regiment! SUTA!

Nice improvement, Phantom Regiment! Keep pushing! SUTA!

They made us have a physical exam (during the course of one of the winter camps) back when I marched at Regiment.

The more I see and hear of this year’s members, the more I’m reminded of how proud I am of this corps. Even if it doesn’t happen this summer, I do think things will start to turn around. I also think they still have a fighting chance of making Finals. It’ll be tough to pull off— the competition to make it in is as fierce as ever— but I hope they don’t lose hope, because I think it can be done.

All other things remaining the same, you could’ve swapped out the entirety of membership between Madison and SCV in the preseason and Madison would still be placing low. It comes down to design and instruction. Always. Nail those two down and the rest will eventually follow.