Guardwatcher

Wow, I guess we have a reached a truce. How boring is that? Now what do we talk about? How's the weather where you are?

'My daughter' is my step-daughter. I have NO children of my own. I like to think of her as 'my daughter' but she has a mother of her own who isn't so keen on the idea. Besides, she lives in South Carolina now and that's a bit out of school boundaries for Flanagan High School not to mean she's 22 years old! So no, I am not from Flanagan and I am not the 'mom' of a kid who was in or is in Flanagan. Sorry to disappoint.

Oh, I understand what you're saying and I agree. Winning a medal isn't the only measure of success, that's for sure. I suppose I should have prefaced my earllier post with reference to post #34. In a nutshell, it said that designers want the gold without the risk but it wasn't going to happen. Well, Flanagan has been accused of not taking risks but they did indeed win the gold .... and they still aren't respected by some people in the guard community. I was perhaps a bit inarticulate in my earlier post but I was in no way trying to diminish Avon or any other guard.

Nice try but as usual you're wrong. I'm not from FLANAGAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. And since I don't have any children I'm not the 'mom' of a kid who was in or is in Flanagan. But what about the people that ARE from Flanagan? Is this how you respond to them or to anyone that disagrees with you? THIS is how you WOULD respond to a kid from Flanagan that puts in countless hours of their time in their guard program? Very nice.

For the love of God .... get over yourself.

Being a chameleon and taking risks in design from year to year hasn't earned a gold medal for Avon, has it? Don't get me wrong, Avon is wonderful and a joy to watch. I'm not taking anything away from the lovely ladies from Avon, I'm just trying to illustrate that for all of the bashing that Flanagan takes from a couple of individuals here because they 'don't take risks', 'don't change their style', etc. they seem to do pretty well for themselves. Maybe the key to winning a gold medal isn't about about changing your identity from year to year, maybe it's about consistency. I have a feeling that no matter what Flanagan does these individuals will never give them credit where credit is due.

2003 - Flanagans' Scholastic Open wins the Bronze at WGI 2004 - Flanagans' Open class promoted to Scholastic World class and places 8th at WGI 2006 - Flanagans' World class places 5th at WGI 2007 - Flanagans' World class places 4th at WGI 2008 - Flanagans' World class places 1st at WGI What isn't going to happen?

Neither do I. Truth be told since Flanagan is the 2008 Scholastic World Champions they must have done something right last year .... in burgundy. I hear Flanagans critics say their shows are the same more or less every year, etc. What would they like to see Flanagan do differently .... a show about a rodeo complete with rodeo clowns, a show about Barry Manilow music ... they could reenact Copacabana, or how about a show based on High School Musical, a Braddock 'booty' show (which I love!!), no flag feature, a flamenco show, no diagonals, firedancing? Thank God judges don't hold having an identity or signature style against anybody ... otherwise Finals would be reduced to a 30 minute event. I

I agree with TKYR. I think Flanagan will take it again this year. I had the pleasure of seeing them last weekend and I have to say they are light years ahead of what has been seen from them on Fan Network. Their energy was super INTENSE and if there was a drop I didn't see it or hear it. One of their girls does a wicked solo rifle toss ... watch for it. The place went nuts!!!!! I, too, found Avons' show to be boring. I don't know what else to say except that I liked it better than Logans'. My Top 3: 1. Flanagan 2.Avon 3.Logan It pains me to say this because I have always loved them ..... I don't think Stoneman will make it to Finals. Hopefully, they'll come back strong next year.

You're right. Bad behavior occurs in all groups and yes, it isn't representative of the entire group. A friend of mine attended the Nashville Regional and he said that South Shore was amazing. I mean, he gushed on and on about South Shore. He saw them screaming with excitement when they saw their prelim score posted and was thrilled for them. BUT, he also made the exact same comments that mojo67 brought up. In fact, he also said that it was quite the topic of discussion among other performing groups there. I don't think that mojo67 was singling out one guard from another with regard to bad behavior ... it just happens that this thread IS about one particular guard.

Oh, I've been looking all over for Flanagan's and Braddock's show so that I can see them again. Where did you find them?

It's funny you mentioned the oohing. I heard it too. I was up high as well and I didn't notice the performers oohing but I DID notice people around me doing it. LOL!! I felt like instructions were given in class to ooh and I wasn't paying attention.

I attended the Ft. Lauderdale Regional as well and I couldn't agree more with your review. Quite frankly, Flanagan ROCKED THE HOUSE! I heard more than once that there are a significant number of new World Guard members on this years team AND here's the kicker, that a number of them are young and have never, EVER spun before. EVER! Are you in any position to know if this is fact or fiction? If it's true then I can't even begin to imagine what next year will be like.

Oh, I definitely agree. Just making an observation.

Wow! Circuit scores seem to be all over the place. Avon 76.5 Centerville 74 Miamisburg 78.5 Flanagan 73.6 Logan 73.3 Interesting.

Flanagan has used selections from Sigur Ros since 2007 ... possibly longer.

I agree ... and if seeing such issues brought front and center gives pause for consideration and contemplation we are so much the better for it. Too many times young people are dismissed as being vapid and self absorbed ... it's refreshing and reassuring to see that that is not the case. Whether it's expressed delicately or in your face ... so be it!!

I'm glad to hear that it's just a rumor. I have always enjoyed Stoneman and they will always be one of my favorites. What do you mean by 'Less is more, on the floor atleast' ?

Well, take it for what it's worth because I'm hearing all of this second hand ..... but I was 100% correct about Flanagan last year ... this is what I've been hearing: yes, Flanagan is HOT, HOT, HOT again ... fascinating, since they're a fairly young team this year. Stoneman has gone through some changes and they will be a Scholastic Open team this year. But Stoneman is Stoneman and I love 'em. Braddock has also gone through some changes. I loved their show last year and I can't wait to see they they bring this year. I also heard that Fahrenheit is amazing. That's pretty much it. Anybody hear anything else?

Rumor has it that Stoneman will be Scholastic Open this year.

Well, I just got back in to town yesterday .... traveling because of work. I just wanted you all to know that I have the best daughter and husband in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD! They surprised me with a trip to Dayton and amazing seats for Finals. My husband didn't even say a word as I yammered on and on about registering for the live webcast! Santa just might be very good to him this year and put some new golf clubs under the Christmas tree! Well, all I can say is FLANAGAN FLANAGAN FLANAGAN!!!! But I'm sure that some of you knew that already. Please don't take this the wrong way but I TOLD YOU SO!!! I've also seen their JV guard and even with a young team next year Flanagan will still be in a top contender position. Now .... Center Grove, Miamisburg and Choctaw.... awesome!! Even though Stoneman placed 14th at Finals they placed much, much higher in my heart! FANTASIA!!! There are simply no words to describe them. 99.5 says it all!!! Pride of Cinncinnati, NEI, SCV and Braddock .... add me to your ever growing list of fans. I've seen Braddock perform live before (and yes, hip hop IS dance!) but I've only seen the others on RePlay but seeing them live was UNBELIEVABLE!!! Every guard unit that attended WGI should be proud of themselves. Regardless of placement they have achieved something that the majority of young adults today could only dream of. Leadership skills, teamwork, perserverance, poise and memories that will last a lifetime are but a small part of what they will take away with them. They should also know that they performed for thousands and thousands of people who watched them as though nothing else in the world mattered. Rock stars ... every single one of them!

I like it!!!! But perhaps as an alternative our distended dancer could daintily dab at the corner of their mouth with a napkin (white or color co-ordinated with the flags or floor) on the last count.

I wish I had been able to go to the Pensacola show. A friend of mine went and he thought Choctaw had a very nice show and that he enjoyed it very much. He also said that Flanagan just brought down the house. He echoed what you said about the connection they had with the crowd and said that the guard was also very gracious after their performances when people stopped them and asked if they could have their pictures taken with them. I can't wait to see Avon's show. I'm sure they won't disappoint. I saw Miamisburg on RePlay but I'm sure that the video doesn't do them justice. It's the same with Flanagan. I've seen them several times and watching a fuzzy video just doesn't cut it .... you can't see the sabres, etc. I haven't seen Cheshire's show but I hear that their reflections in the mirrors had a very nice effect.

You're right, people do tend to overlook or dismiss things when it comes to the performance of a group that might be one of their favorites. As it happens the person that was with me recently moved here from Portugal and had never been to a guard show before ...... hey, I'm trying to spread to word to faraway distant foreign lands about fabulousness of the Sport Of The Arts ..... anyway, she said there was A LOT of cheering, screaming, etc. at the time in question from all over the place and no one particular person stood out to her. If, as you say, word always seems to get back, then I imagine there won't be a repeat performance. Out of curiosity I'm going to pay extra attention at the next show and see what happens. By the way, did any of your guard contacts mention the lighting? I noticed A LOT of drops during prelims and during finals it looked as though the lighting was a bit brighter and it may have been a mere coincedence but the number of drops dropped ... no pun intended ..... significantly. Just wondering.

I'm pretty sure I know that I was at that same event and I know what you're talking about. Not that it matters but it wasn't the Director. I have seen the Director of that group lean over and talk to one of the staff on several occasions but that's about it and I've even seen him watch the performance without uttering a sound to anyone. I was there too and I never heard any individuals name called out nor was every toss or unison move recognized as you claim. Now, I DID hear "C'mon, girls" at ONE TIME and an occasional "yeah". To say that you aren't exaggerating AT ALL is an exaggeration unto itself. I was there, too. Trust me, if it was as bad you say it was there would have been repercussions. The venue wasn't that big and surprisingly not crowded at all. Perhaps the reason that no one else appeared as shocked as you were was because the behavior in question was not as egregious as you thought it was. Thinking that I was developing a case of early alzheimers I asked the person (a co-worker) that attended the show with me about the staff members' behavior. The answer I got was "What are you talking about? The staff member of which group? I must have missed it."