Newseditor44

LOL! WOW, in less then two minutes, I've drawn responses from two of my favorite people in one post (Kelli and Ryan!). I need to do this more often! LOL

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana (AP) - In a last minute deal to help bolster their quest for a World Championship in 2008, the Phantom Regiment has acquired Brett Favre from the New York Jets for Spartacus and a forth round draft pick. At a press conference called early Friday morning, corps director Rick Valenzuela said the addition of Farve to the 150 member roster gives the corps more depth, specifically in the later parts of the show. "We know our assistant drum major has had a difficult run to the podium. Having to deal with the emotion of offing another corps member is tough. With Brett's accuracy and arm strength, this gives us more of an "impact" at the end of the show without the run." Drum Major Will Pitts, who is on the podium at the end of the show, is very excited to have Farve as a teammate. "Who wouldn't want to be on the end of a Brett Favre spear.... I mean spiral!" Also part of the deal, the Regiment has released it's the volunteer staff member that drives their tractor that pulls the pit equipment to the field. Farve will now handle those responsibilities. "He's say's he's good with a tractor" said Valenzuela, "but we had to make it clear that he couldn't drive it during the show". According to Valenzuela, the corps will change the color of its uniforms to green and yellow, and next years show will include a reference to cheese and a sing-a-long number "Build Me Up Buttercup". ###

I think I already mentioned I was in the theater... I saw what I saw, and those are my opinions. There is nothing wrong about an opinion. What you saw live, and what I saw in close up's might have been two different things, but I am positive I saw some pretty sloppy feet on BD's behalf. I've been around this activity for 25 years, and have seen BD do worse. Quarters is a chance to get to see the playing surface for the first time and get the bugs worked out. I don't care how many shows you do all season, it's much different walking into a stadium during champs, seeing the World Championships banner on the back sideline, and stepping off for the first time. You have to get past that initial show before you can fine tune. I expect that all of the corps will have the nerves worked over tomorrow night and take it up a notch. I'm also pretty sure we won't see the sloppy feet from BD tomorrow night either... but you never know.

Here's my two cents: BD - Feet were sloppy as hell! The visual judges were out to lunch tonight. As much as I hate to say it, Cavi's whopped BD in marching, ain't nothing more about it. After the shgow ended tonight, there wasn't even any applause, and half the crowd was wearing BD gear. The crowd was VERY underwhelmed. But then again, what do we know, eh? Cavaliers - I hated this show at the start of the season, but it's growing on me. IMHO, their visual show is awesome, and they performed the hell out of it tonight. I had them a full point in front of BD. Regiment - OH MY GOD! Did you see the lady that nearly jumped off the grandstand at the end of the show (behind the drum major after he killed off the original DM). I thought she was going to have a baby and run it out to the 50 yard line to have it sacrificed. What a show, what a performance. Not sure they have the gas to win it all, but they are going to really push BD and Cavi's! My favorite show of the year... maybe the past ten years. Crown - Welcome to the big-boy table. This year, you pays your dues in the elite category, next year you go for the title. Hell of a show, hell of a corps, you've won the hearts of everyone in the drum corps community. Next year is going to be your year, just sorry to say this year is way to top heavy.

Here's my two cents: BD - Feet were sloppy as hell! The visual judges were out to lunch tonight. As much as I hate to say it, Cavi's whopped BD in marching, ain't nothing more about it. After the shgow ended tonight, there wasn't even any applause, and half the crowd was wearing BD gear. The crowd was VERY underwhelmed. But then again, what do we know, eh? Cavaliers - I hated this show at the start of the season, but it's growing on me. IMHO, their visual show is awesome, and they performed the hell out of it tonight. I had them a full point in front of BD. Regiment - OH MY GOD! Did you see the lady that nearly jumped off the grandstand at the end of the show (behind the drum major after he killed off the original DM). I thought she was going to have a baby and run it out to the 50 yard line to have it sacrificed. What a show, what a performance. Not sure they have the gas to win it all, but they are going to really push BD and Cavi's! My favorite show of the year... maybe the past ten years. Crown - Welcome to the big-boy table. This year, you pays your dues in the elite catagory, next year you go for the title. Hell of a show, hell of a corps, you've won the hearts of everyone in the drum corps community. Next year is going to be your year, just sorry to say this year is way to top heavy.

It always seems like its around this time of year that I can't help but think what things would have been like if Jason were here. I'm sure he's in Bloomington this week, hanging out with Spirit and waiting for the corps to belt our "Georgia" just one more time. If you have the chance, say a little prayer. It will be six years since we lost him this Saturday. For those that don't know the story, Jason was a regular here and on RAMD. He was an upbeat young man with a passion for drum corps. He could hype you just by looking at you. Sometimes it could be a little over bearing. But none the less, the kid loved drum corps. I'm not sure when he was diagnosed with cancer, but I know he battled it right up until the end. I was standing on the field at Semifinals in Buffalo in 2001 when Spirit was on the field. (as a member of the broadcast crew). I remember feeling that something wasn't right. Not with the kids, not with the show, but just in general. Later, I learned that Jason had passed. There is a lot to be learned from Jason's bravery. He faced each day with renewed confidence and enthusiasm. while fighting a disease that made him weak, caused agonizing pain, nd lived through the everyday fear of death. If any gold medal was deserved that year, it was for Jason. I know AI can't do his story justice, and there are peice's I am missing here and there, so please feel free to add and/or correct. The thing i miss the most were the IM's of support and his infectious smile. I never for once thought we'd lose him, and when we did, it felt like someone punched me in the gut. Be easy bro! We miss you. Photos from Jason's Website: http://jasonlowe.8k.com/photos.htm Here is a note Jason wrote to all drum corps rookies just before move in May of 2000: From: lowejh@bellsouthNOSPAM.net (Jason Lowe) Newsgroups: rec.arts.marching.drumcorps Subject: Dunno if you can make it? Read this. Organization: JPA Protection - "Cause we need tour money." Reply-To: lowejh@bellsouth.netNOSPAM Date: Thu, 25 May 2000 15:43:22 GMT Now that we're rapidly approaching move-in times for drum corps big and small, I know for alot of new guys n gals out there, it's getting pretty scary. "I dunno if I can do this." "What if I don't make any friends?" "3 months... I dunno if I can take it." "I hope I improve, I really feel behind right now." How do I know? Because I went through the same thing last season, and this season, to be honest. Yeah, I may be on home rest healing a major injury... but come June, we'll see what's going on... Anyway, I know this all can be really intimidating for you. Especially those of you who filled a spot late and haven't really had the time to make any new friends. I've been there, too. It's scary, you don't konw anyone, and you feel like everyone despises you. It's a bad feeling....and you may feel like what you're feeling is unusual...it's not. It's completely natural. I know alot of people that joined late, not even KNOWING what drum corps was, and ended up marching 2-3-4-5 or more years. I'm not gonna lie to you. It's hot. It's miserable. It's not Sesame Street. It's not a perfect world. You deal with everything you would in the outside world. Things are tough. Especially all days. Remember that thing called band camp? Yeah, I know, you think THAT'S bad... so did I... then there's the 2nd level of hell called all days. But, don't worry. That is the hardest part of tour, usually. Once you clear all days - it's smooth sailing. So don't worry. Last year, when *I* got through all days, I wrote it in my tour diary. "I made it! I made it!" I know it's scary. I joined a corps in late March last year, not knowing ANYONE. Hell, I didn't even know how to play mellophone. I couldn't do percussion because of my back problems, so I picked up the horn. Hardest thing I've done in my life. But well worth it. I'm going into my 2nd year, now. I was just as scared and confused as you are right now.....unsure if you can do it...unsure if you want to. Believe me, there's times on tour where I wanted to go home. There's even people in the big corps.....like Blue Devils, and Santa Clara Vanguard.. they want to go home too. It's normal! Just don't go home. You'll be glad you stayed. Sure, you may hear horror stories. Believe me, most of them are true. Getting sick, that parking lot brawl, seeing that fat chick naked in the bus next to yours... But when you experience them on tour, it's nothing. People WILL get sick, there WILL be parking lot brawls and there will ALWAYS be a fat chick naked in the bus next to you. You just gotta know how to handle it. I know the biggest fear of alot of rookies is.... "showering....with other guys?? (or girls)"... especially to younger kids, this seems like a big end of the world fiasco. Being naked with alot of the same sex. A few weeks into tour, you don't even notice. Trust me. Now, as for Pilato and Jones... we won't go into their shower fun. But that's low brass for ya. Anyways, never fear. You can do it. I did. And I'm the biggest pansy of them all. Even the ladies say so. Hey, in drum corps, any comments from the ladies is a sure winner, my friend. In the end, it doesn't matter where you placed, who you beat, or if you're on the CD's. The memories.....THAT'S what matters. From bus breakdowns and losing staff to meeting new friends (that last a lifetime) and mooning that "other" corps' busses as they pass by... that, my friends, is drum corps. Plain and simple. Oh yeah, kickin' a little ### doesn't hurt. My advice? Don't think about it. Just do it. Pick it up and go. "Don't let the roller coaster surprise you." Whatever you do, GIVE IT YOUR ALL. No regrets in the end. Now, what are you standing around for. Go kick some ###. Regards, Jason Lowe Americanos '99 ASpotSomewhere '00 August 9, 2001 **I ask you to refrain from passing this message along to the members of Spirit or other corps in competition tonight. Our kids need to hear this news from the people who spent the summer with them, and it would devestate them to hear it through the grapevine. Please, respect Jason's wishes and let them be told in person by Spirit's staff.** This is Ginger, Alan's wife. It has been a very long week here, and one with an ending I hoped would never come. I'm going to try to give you an overview of the last few days. Pull up a chair and some Kleenex, it may be a long post.... As you know, Jason has been back in the hospital this week. On Tuesday, Donnie (his dad) had to tell him that he wouldn't be going home this time. It was an emotional day for all of us, and we cried over the phone together as Jason told us that he "wasn't done yet". He had requested a recording from me of Spirit's hornline playing the arrangement of "With Quiet Courage" that Alan did in his honor, and we were having a hard time getting it to him. Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, we got the recording and headed up to see him. He was on heavy doses of morphine, so it was hard for him to talk loudly. We had to work to understand him, but he was still full of one liners and "#### and vinegar", and we all enjoyed a few laughs while we were there. Even though he threatened to kick his dad's ### for trying to help him eat, I challenged him to try and whip my ###. He knew that a dose of the "red-headed foot" was not something he wanted to tangle with, so he let me feed him and rub his head for a bit. When I asked if it was pissing him off for me to rub his head, he said, "Naw!! Can't you hear me purring???" He was very interested in what's going on with the corps, and asked me to give some messages to some folks when we get to Buffalo. He was determined to watch finals on TV Saturday night. On a "it's a small world" note, his respiratory therapist marched in Spirit's guard in 91 and 92...Lana Lamazales. She and Alan had a good chat. I passed along the thoughts and wishes from all of you here who sent me messages for him. He said to tell everyone hello and he misses you. We spent a little time alone, and that is time I will cherish always. He let me baby him a little bit, rubbing his head, helping him eat and drink, and then he just sat and talked while holding my hand. We were able to say those things that people usually don't say to each other out loud. Please, don't wait until a situation like this to tell your friends how you feel about them. That's been one of his biggest things lately....don't wait, do it now. I'm so glad we did. The evening was hard, but very good for us. He knew that this was not a battle he would not ultimately win, but as always, he was doing things on his own terms. As I've told him before, but also told him again while we talked, I love him dearly, and he is my hero. >>Here is a copy of the post I had to put on the Spirit alumni board earlier this evening.<<<< Unfortunately, at a time of such excitement for the kids in the Spirit, I have to bring bad news to our family. Last night, Jason started getting much worse. At about 4 this morning, Donnie called Diana to come to the hospital, and they said goodbye to him while he could still hear them. He held on all day, but was asleep and not aware of anything. On Tuesday, Donnie had talked with Jason about "when the angels come and hold out their hands, it's okay to take them and go". At about 5:35 p.m., our courageous friend flew with the angels. He wanted the kids in the corps to know how proud he is of them, and that he is with them in Buffalo. When I spoke with Donnie this afternoon, he said to be sure they knew he was with them. He tried as hard as he could to hold on until finals, but it just didn't work out. He did hold on long enough to hear their song for him, and he knew how much love went into that recording. Donnie also made me promise that we would go on to Buffalo, have a good time, and that Jason would be furious with me if we didn't. So that you all know, he was not in any pain at all, and was surrounded by the people he loved and loved him when he let go. When we saw him yesterday, I made sure he knew that his entire Spirit and Corpsvets family loved him. We were all so lucky to have shared in his life. He will be with us in spirit in Buffalo, and in our hearts forever. I'll post more when I can. - Ginger

Eh, not cool

Winner!

Thanks for your hard work all Season Mike... GREAT STUFF!

Not true, they have a great design staff and have had some GREAT programs in the past, but this year just stinks. A total miss.

IN case you didn't see the scores from this weekend, its very much a four horse race, I wouldn't get to comfortable with that tenth of a point lead.... Very boring and uninteresting show, IMHO. Oh well....

Not true...as of this year, the judges were asked to compare their scores to that of the numbers they gave last night. They were instructed to judge with the Friday scores in mind.

Oh my god... is there still time to get a ticket to Indy? This is freaking intense!

Yes there will be narration... can we just all agree that it will be there and get on with our lives. It's there, so what, big deal. It's not my cup of tea, but I'm over it... and some of you should get over it too. If you don't like it, go for a soda and a dog while they preform. The fact is, its here, its not going anywhere, and you either deal with it, or just leave while they perform. But don't spoil it for the rest of us.

LOL, Oh Michael, how you kid!!!

Not to be a downer, but thats a very serious medical problem, he won't be on the field for finals. But he will make it through, if not for anything, but the love and well wishes of everyone here. Looking forward to seeing Joe marching in 2009!!!

I think you are totally over reacting. I didn't read it like that at all, nor do I think that is what the poster meant. Stop high jacking threads. Hey Joe, GET BETTER BUDDY!!!

If it makes them loud, I can handle that!!!!

According to their schedule, they have three more shows, the rest is travel, rehearsal, and a day off in Washington D.C. (I think that was today).

Exactly!

Trying to achieve it and achieving it are two different things. If the staff had to be graded on this topic, they would get a c-, at best. The shows just haven't been engaging, and this is not just me talking, more than a few of my friends and I have had this same discussion. The frustrating thing is that the corps has the potential, and the staff has the potential as well.

Ask the Madison Scouts how doing it "their way" worked for them... Personally, I haev not enjoyed a BK show since 1999. The music is uninviting, and the show concept has been way to dark for me. But that's just y opinion.

On a side note though, if any of you get the chance, you have to visit the Speedway. It will only take you and hour or two, but the trip is well worth it. It is amazing.

Nothing really. The airport is kinda away from everything on the west side. There might be some places like Applebee's and such.

Aww, you guys are no fun! Seriously, I agree, during the day, it's actually a nice place to visit, some cute little places, but at night, it's nightclub city. I lived in INdy back in the late 90's and went several times, but those were my younger days. Although there is one club that was in an old theater that was kinda fun. Don't remember the name, but they had live dancers on stage for certain songs. Good show, cheap beer.