Granny Smith

I acknowledge I have not looked through this entire thread, so this may already be being discussed... Is the video quality on the FloMarching lousy for others? Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful to be able to stream prelims, but the video quality is really subpar for me.

I'm so glad that the Blue Devils have put a powerful show on the field and I believe they will win. However, I do think there are a handful of shows this year that are more alluring than their's. I'm always a sucker for shows that may be a little less precise and raw but engage my emotions. #BAC

So, Laramie is where the University of Wyoming is and is where the Blue Devils had their spring training. Best I can tell it's about 2 hours from Denver's airport. I wonder why the Troopers don't do their spring training there? (Wait...probably because BD has more reserves of cash than the Troopers). I saw photos of the Blue Devils' free performance for this small university town and it was remarkable how many people turned out for it—probably as many people as a number of the smaller dci shows this summer.

I think the Troopers should embrace their location and make it a positive rather than a negative. Wyoming is an incredible state and aside from the distance from a major airport (which I think they solve by having camps closer to Denver?) there's nothing that beats the big skies and clean air—just ask the Blue Devils who did their spring training in Wyoming. Have the summer of your life in God's country! Weathered barn wood, hardened cast iron, fragrant sage brush, stunning sunsets, authentic people, untamed wildlife and muscular drum corps!

I'm nearly 60 pages into this thread...but I have to comment on one of the greatest drum corps EVER and their 2022 show. Dear Cadets, your show this year is spellbinding and you should really be proud of what you've put on the field. I am mesmerized by your drill and music and hope you have your best performances of the year in Indy. Don't hold back!

My kids say I have no filter...so to stay true to myself I've got to blurt out what I've been blurting since 2009: Blech! Drum Corps is meant to be watched in the open air. I still and will always hate drum corps in domes.

I think the Troopers really hit the sweet spot this year: A show that is distinctly the Troopers, has great general effect, that the members love to perform, and the crowd eats up. This recipe is what will help them in recruiting and member retention—hopefully. P.S. And...who wouldn't want to wear bad-### uniforms that aren't white and look like pajamas? #bringbackhats

You finally receive your Finals VHS in the mail and it only has five shows on it—which ones would you pick from 2022? (Because who really cares about scores when you're sitting on the davenport watching drum corps in hi-fi) Cadets (Dazzling) Troopers (Piloerection*) Regiment (Luscious) Boston Area Crusaders (Wonderful) Crown (Avant-Garde) *Lest you think I'm being naughty with my words.

Beer is a dollar at Lucas. Troopers surge to 11th place. Somebody "hacks" Crown's barcode on their podiums to link to this masterpiece. People throw toilet paper at the end of Regiment's show Cadets crack top 5.

The Troopers beat the Blue Knights by nearly a point (.8) at Allentown...but were almost a full point behind them last night. That's a nearly 2 point swing in one night. Did I miss something like penalties on either night that would account for that change in placement?

A few very small, itty-bitty thoughts/ideas: I think they have finally figured out what do do with the gold fabric on the derrick. I like that it simply goes vertical and even ties into the gold cello. I'm not as keen on the drumline storming the front like the brass at the end. It's a little too cluttered. I definitely think they should march forward, but with some kind of formation. It's tougher that way. This probably wouldn't work...but maybe as the drumline presses forward they kick over those barrels in the middle with oil coming out? Hornline should finish in the same general pose as the drumline at the end with their heads down and clutching horns. Makes the ending a little darker.

As you long-timers know, I have been a huge fan of the Troopers over the years. In my humble opinion they "lost their way" for a brief time by forsaking their identity to follow fads. However, they have rediscovered the secret sauce in 2022—Be. The. Troopers! I must admit that I pee'd a little in my undergarments when they revealed their uniforms. But that is nothing compared to the goosebumps I experienced watching their show for the first time on that flomarching channel. I rewound the show and watched it at least three times. Amazing! Yeah...it's been a little sloppy, but their performance is my favorite of the year. Their drum line is thrilling to watch and listen to. They are so tough and the way they drive through the second half of the show makes me want to throw back a couple shots of cheap Wyoming whiskey! The integration of the cello was not something I was expecting to like (you know how I feel about electronics, but I lost that battle a very long time ago), however it works so well with this show. I'm sad to say that I'm skeptical about them making finals. They seemed to lose their momentum when that Covid hit them pretty hard. But, honestly...I'm too old to give a darn. I'm mostly past caring about scores (except I do). I'm just so grateful that they think highly enough about me as a fan to put something on the field that captivates and entertains me. Having said that...there are times in drum corps history (ahem 2008) where a show is just so gosh-darned entertaining that it gets that little extra nudge from the fans that maybe...just maybe...influences the judges. Troooooop!

I think I must write a post about what I think.

Yeah, yeah...I admit that I've been playin' hooky for quite a long time, but don't blame me—my insolent adult children wouldn't let me out of the basement for the past two years—something about a super-germ that was killing all the old people (or so they told me). I was mostly okay with it as long as they kept me supplied with gin. Whatever. So, while it's nice to finally feel the sun on my face, I'm just a tad bit p.o.'ed and in a sour mood. I realize that the following drum corps questions have likely been discussed ad nauseam on the dcp, but don't forget...I've been locked away. I have many more questions than the following three, but I'm fully aware that long posts get ignored. So...Where did everyone's hats go? Gosh darned Bluecoats come out all bare-headed one year and now every other corps feels like they have to copy this dull trend. Bring back the hats/helmets (I'm looking at you Regiment!). Heck...it's gotta be worth a couple points in general effect. You're welcome! Are the Blue Devils still winning every. single. blasted year? I mean. There are some seriously nice folks running that corps, but it wouldn't surprise me if they're using a chunk of that bingo money to pay certain people off. What happened to George? and, did he sign off on those track suits!?

Your point is only a valid point IF there is more video that we haven't seen of Tim assaulting the other man first which based on the context of we do have doesn't exist. Even if we let our imaginations run wild that Mr. Snyder cussed the man and called his wife every rank and filthy name in the book that doesn't justify the stadium worker's physical response towards Tim. There is no moral equivalence. There's nothing to overthink here. Let's use our common sense without being polluted by weak-kneed sentimentalism. One man physically assaults a man and that man successfully defends himself. Not really any more or any less.

Nope. Equivalency is a fallacy. That's one of the single biggest ailments in our western cultural thinking.

Well, I think I must needs say something about all of this. Physical fighting is something that should make us all a bit squeamish and uncomfortable. But what should make us more uneasy is the idea of men not being able to defend themselves against violence and others sitting sanctimoniously behind their computer screens crying foul—as if you would sprout angel wings and blow kisses if another man began to assault you. P.S. Those who have invoked Jim Jones have no idea how he would have responded—Shoot, back in the day this is exactly how he used to handle marching members who repeated a mistake. I jest (a bit).

You can choose your placements, but obviously you're only going to have one show from each corps.

I'm back. Did I miss anything? I must admit this particular Old Fashioned is a bit sweet, but I'll choke it down (can't let a good bourbon go to waste).

I am in the minority I know. BUT...I am going to mix a drink (perhaps and Old Fashioned) in protest of the Bluecoats show. Is anyone joining me or am I the only one who feels like this?

Does anyone else feel like they're going to to more with that front platform. For the size and effort of it all, it feels like it's not utilized all that much.

Did anyone else pee their pants just a little bit?

This show is an engineering marvel! I was mesmerized at the team assembling that front platform the other day.

I love the Cadets show this year, but they must do something with those birthday cakes. DO YOU HEAR ME GEORGE! They are garish and ugly.

We've had two shows tonight that fit that description: SCV and Regiment.