fholin

So Democrat/Liberal politicians' comments aren't propaganda? Every political speech is propaganda. It can be subtle or blatant, but It is being uttered to change your mind or direct your thoughts somehow.

It seems there might be a clue to the meaning of "SPLOOIE" in the design for "Secret Society." Can you find it?

Here's what a fellow Cavalier alum posted on our alumni forum: "All sarcasm aside, it was an enjoyable broadcast to watch. To me it seems like more of the corps are doing actual drum corps shows and trying to entertain the audience as opposed to presenting pseudo-intellectual performance art pieces that attempt to explain our government's position on gulf coast oil drilling as it relates to the impact of the greek debt crisis on cuban-martian-swedish fusion culinary trends as interpreted through the historical lens of the art deco period and great unicorn extinction of 526 BC." I agree with him, because entertainment is why people go to drum corps shows. The artsy-fartsy shows of recent years were not designed or written for the audiences, IM not-particularly HO. They were what they were to impress the other designers, writers and drum corps intelligentsia (now there's an oxymoron for you.) I have been going to drum corps competitions since 1953, the first 6 years as a participant, the remainder as a spectator. While story lines are nice, when they aren't so abstruse as to be invisible, they aren't necessary. The same goes for "themes." Give us good-sounding music, precisely done drill, some "hits" to get the blood flowing and wake up Grandma, astounding percussion and guard work that amazes one and all and the activity will be better off for it.

The big silver thing on the sash reflects/recalls the iconic silver buckle that we wore on a wide, white belt back in the dim, dark days beyond recall. In 2008, the Alumni corps wore one on a black belt...it was felt that a white one would make all us old f---- look even fatter than we are. It is a traditional thing with The Cavaliers, and, I believe, that age outs are still given a buckle. As to the nipped-in appearance of the green on the front, it seems to emphasize the wide-shoulder, narrow-hip look of the ideal male body. Another thing to realize is that the effect on an individual will be different than the mass effect on the field, from a distance. Cavalier 1-valve G baritone, 1956-7-8 Cavalier Alumni Corps, 3d barione, 2008

If there's a La Niña in the Atlantic, the meteorological folks will be astounded. It's a Pacific phenomenon.

One of the folks who is part of the Cavalier Medical Group is a sports-oriented podiatrist who is also an alumnus. He very strongly advises the members to get cross-trainers (preferentially New Balance), and then suggests specific Spenco inserts based on his examination of their feet. Every Cavalier gets examined by him sooner or later. As an orthopaedic surgeon, I'd like to second the advice given a few posts ago: If the shoes don't feel good in the store, they will NEVER feel good. Other advice: buy shoes late in the day. Everyone's feet swell a bit when you're up and around, and a good fit in the morning might not be so good after 8 or 10 hours. Also, always wear the same socks you're going to wear with the shoes when you try them on. This is particularly important for women, some of whom buy shoes while wearing "footies", then wonder why the shoe is too tight when they put on a regular sock. Fred H. Olin, M.D. San Antonio

"I was almost impressed..." Paul Wiercioch, attempting to teach the Cavalier Anniversary Corps drill.

Indeed he did march with the CAC. What surprises me is that he's never told this story: he is never at a loss for words. He and I marched in the 1957 Cavalier corps. At VFW finals, in Miami, the late Ted Steinohrt had the soprano solo in "Sing, Sing, Sing", and started to fade at the end. Warren Alm (who also marched the CAC show at semis this year) was shadowing him, and faded in so smoothly that you can't hear the transition. In the era of the tic, that could have cost us our first ever national championship.

You aren't "Ms." Boo are you? Even 50 years ago when I marched the emphasis in The Cavaliers was "Do your best, then make it better." What happens on the field happens... Fred Olin Cavalier 1-valve G baritone 1956-7-8 SPLOOIE

The following was posted a few days ago by Bob Cannon, a Cavalier fan. I found it to be quite affecting. ******************************************************************************** ******** Posted by: Bob Cannon Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 3:25 PM As I sit here on the Forth of July remembering my day in the Dayton area this past Monday and our country remembers another birthday, one of the most wonderful traditions of the drum corps world comes to mind. The other evening at the show in Centerville, OH, I was on the field getting ready to watch the encore that would be performed by the Cavaliers. The scores from DCI were about ready to be announced and the drum majors from all performing units were "front and center". The scores were announced and the the Cavaliers and Bluecoats hornlines were in arc to perform "America the Beautiful". The announcer invited the drum major of the Bluecoats to conduct while dismissing the other drum majors. One other drum major did not move. The Bluecoats Honor Guard came to the front for the song. The other drum major still did not budge. After the song was played and the announcer said over the PA, "And now all other drum majors are dismissed" and laughed. This drum major was unaffected and stood ground. Others did not get it, but then it hit me. Tradition. The Bluecoats Honor Guard finally started to leave the field, and the "other" drum major followed. The "other" drum major was the young man from the Troopers following the honor and tradition of the respect of representing his corps and what his corps represents. If I remember correctly, the tradition is never walk in front of the colors when they are being presented, but to let them lead. It's so nice to know that some things don't change, and probably never will! It was my honor to witness this and would be proud to do so many more times! Thank you Mark Crimm. =

Furthermore, more than half the marching members are new this year. Those guys are still learning the system. As a member of the Cavaliers Medical Group, I can assure you that they are well hydrated...our amazing corps of nurses pay attention, and the instructors are smart enough to listen to them. We haven't had any heat-related problems that have made the rounds of the Group yet, and we are in fairly constant contact.

Note that they aren't finalized until tomorrow (Sunday) when the directors evaluate them and vote on them.

I don't think that going there permanently is a good idea. I believe that a significant percentage of those who go to finals include it as part of a holiday...whether it be a long weekend or a 2-weeker. While there will likely be a bump in attendance the first year, it is my unsolicited opinion that it wont hold up under prolonged exposure. How long will it take people to exhaust the tourism potential of Indianapolis and central Indiana? Maybe doing it every second year in Indy and going somewhere else in the alternate years would be a good idea...as long as "somewhere else" doesn't include Orlando, Jackson, Birmingham or Foxboro.

One benefit of auditioning for the Cavaliers and (hopefully) making it is that you then become a Cavalier. The eternal fraternal relationships have engendered lifelong friendships. I live in San Antonio, and this past weekend I had four different Cavaliers from 3 different decades staying at my house. You end up with "brothers" everywhere.

Put him on the Badger Bus. My wife and I have done it, and it's sweet. Takes you right to the departure area at Mitchell. You'll spend more than $19 on gas driving over and back.

I don't know if this has been posted before, but here it goes: I belong to a community band here in San Antonio. At our rehearsal last night, there were free copies of a magazine called "Making Music." It's about recreational music making, and they are trying to get subscribers. In the issue I picked up was an article about DCA. Here's a link to the article: Making Music Article It's a bit sketchy, but any positive publicity is good publicity.

I don't see enough shows each year to be a critic...I just enjoy the experience. However, I absolutely agree about the Cadets' marching, or lack thereof. I saw them a week ago in San Antonio, and this thought (more or less) went through my mind: "Scatter drills were cool in the mid '80s, but now they are a cop-out for continuity and thought, and really passe'."