Granny Smith

Great performance SCV. Great Drum and Bugle Corps show!

Every year there are only a couple shows I absolutely love, a handful that are pretty good, some that are meh and a few that are not enjoyable. So, I was fantasizing (no wisecracks) about the ultimate season. It's not necessarily picking the best show ever by a particular corps, but rather choosing a finals night where the entire evening is unforgettable. You can pick your own top 12 and use one show for each corps from any year.

And we haven't even gotten to the Bluecoats yet. [which for the record is a show that I despise]

I am a lifelong Boston fan, but this narration did absolutely nothing for their show.

At what point in tonight's program will we not hear, "it's unfortunate they had to follow Academy"? My vote is after INT.

Boy and girls it's time to get over the Troopers uniforms. This corps is really quite amazing.

At this point in the season I would say that the Cadets are the dark horse. In the G8 show (otherwise known as Tour of Champions) in DeKalb theirs was the only show that prompted "Holy Expletives" when it was finished. Having said that, the birthday cake that sits prominently on the field It is garish and gaudy. Also, the the visual is too monochromatic for my liking. It's like eating a spoonful of flour. Overall I love the show and if they can clean it up it's gonna make a run.

Am I the only one who is steamed!? Hey judges, quit being fopdoodles and realize that when you stagnate a corps scores it's extremely discouraging to their staff and members! Okay. I'm off to bed and promise to be in a better mood in the morning.

This corps has consistently produced my favorite shows for years. Very few corps produce in me a visceral response like Carolina Crown does—but I am slightly irritated that I have to go to the public restroom after they perform to change my underwear (don't judge, it will happen to you someday too). But I must say something about this year's corps since I was finally able to see them live. WOW! That's all I gotta say about that.

First things first: For those of you who are unfamiliar, my vice of choice is Gin. However, on a hot humid summer day, I will hike up my skirt, lounge in a lawn chair and drink an ice cold PBR. #PBRisDope (Not sure what that means, but my grandson said I should type that). As I was browsing the Face Book I was reading a post by one of the staff members for the Troopers saying that the members are currently performing at the same level they were at Semi-finals last year. That's good news! My fear is that the guys in green are "locking" corps into their respective slots even though everyone acknowledges that early season scoring is goofy. I agree with Mr. 2muchcoffeeman about the uniforms. I personally felt a little queasy when I saw them for the first time. I still don't prefer them, but they seem to achieve the goal of making the corps look bigger. Also, as an aside I am grateful for the uniformity of the hats.

I essentially threw out the entire first week for the various corps I listed above. I started on June 29th and ended on the July 11th and did a random selection of corps from the top, the middle and bottom. The Troopers' show has been flat for two weeks. Their show has improved by a half of a point in two weeks. Let me repeat: in TWO weeks their score has not improved. Can you explain to me how that is when every other corps I checked has had significant changes in two weeks. P.S. Don't tell me not to worry. It's what I do and I'm very good at it.

I think I'm pretty sure you aren't reading my posts.

If you read my post you will know my problem. You need to at least dump that first score of the season for the Troopers. It's a wonky number and an anomaly that completely skews their numbers. I would contend that the first few scores for any corps are useless since everyone (judges included) are getting their legs underneath them.

June 29th my beloved Troopers score 66.60. TWO weeks later they score 67.10 for a grand total increase of .5 points. A random sampling of other corps in the same amount of time: Blue Devils: +8.35 Crown: +5.75 Crossmen: +7.95 Scouts: +6.85 Academy: +7.25 Pioneer: +7.05 I need someone to help me settle down.

It's seldom that fans have a chance to influence the outcome of a drum corps contest. But, this is one time that you can take all that frenetic energy you put into typing up a response to someone's imbecilic opinion and go over to help the Troopers beat the Blue Knights! I'm not entirely sure the Troopers have ever beaten their southern neighbors in this friendly showdown, but it's about time they did. Now...go DONATE dagnabbit!

I've seen Regiment several times and have watched their progress. I've been to rehearsals, standstills and full shows. I will summarize their show as simply beautiful and lovely! I'm fully aware that my adjectives aren't the kind most designers, alumni and fans want to be used of their corps. We want shows that blow the age spots off on our skin and make us tinkle just a little bit in our panties. The other night in Rockford, Regiment performed immediately after Crown (Relentless) and I initially felt nervous for them because I knew they didn't have the same raw power/volume that Crown does, but then I reminded myself that they have their own identity and the quality of their show was actually accentuated by the order of performance.

Thank you for asking. It's been a pretty rough past several months. The doctor said I need to try and keep my blood pressure stabilized, so I have had to stay off of this lovely forum for awhile. I'm starting to take a turn for the better though as the meds seem to be doing the trick, so I hope to get back on here and join in the fun.

Last Minute: My son-in-law has two extra tickets for sale. I don't know exactly where they are located but usually between the 40s. He said, if you're interested to text him at: 779-348-1184. $15 each.

Just passing on an email I received. The Troopers have been doing a lot of work on their new store and I'm happy to see it: http://us12.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2101ebaade194a1a9027f75e2&id=95026bb735

If I were a betting girl (and I am) I'd say the announcement will be that after 58 years they have finally decided to induct me into their hall of fame as their sexiest fan. It's long over due as I only have a few years left in my prime before I start getting saggy. The only thing that I ask is for a field pass to their shows and who knows...maybe I'll be able to sneak up on Mr. Hopkins and rekindle what once was.

Since the demise of Fan Network I have found myself almost totally disinterested in drum corps during the offseason and much less so during the summer. I think that it was a significant setback for Drum Corps.

As it is I'm only slightly over five feet tall, so perhaps I could appear taller with a lighter color bonnet—Thank you kindly for the suggestion. This is proof that DCP isn't just a place of griping and vitriol.

Barely.

Just saw this on the Troopers' Facebook page: "Tomorrow afternoon we will be announcing something that has been 58 years in the making. We're pretty sure it will make some of you happy."

It's been a good while since I have posted. During the off season I'm very busy with honing my bridge skills and playing in tournaments around town at the various homes. Also, I've found myself playing a lot of slots lately. My plan entering this drum corps season was to reveal the kinder, gentler me. Y'all may not believe this but I'm actually a sweet woman, but this year has been a real test for me. For example, this dadgummed election cycle has me all twisted. I mean! Seriously, I could go to my local WalMart and randomly pick better candidates than what we're left with. Heck, I'd even vote for Mr. Hopkins over these buffoons if he were running. But, I digress. With my ulcers flaring up, I decided to turn on this internet and read some drum corps news to brighten my day. Ha! Instead I came across this thread about the Troopers' new uniforms and I quickly realized this is one big elaborate ploy to lure me into being cranky again. My adult children are always telling me that I don't have a filter and I need to just keep my opinions to myself. I admit...at my age...that is very difficult. I think it's late enough in the day to get a stiff gin and tonic.