Mr. Know it all

I defend South Floridians, too, MHSmirage...!!! As a resident of South Florida for nearly 10 years now, I'm a defacto native. I've pretty much seen it all down here. From West Palm Beach to Key Biscayne, I've been there and done that. And aside from the occasional, uh, "hand signal" that you might get on I-95 during peak traffic hours, I think South Floridians are definitely a great bunch of people. I wouldn't stay here if that weren't the case. South Floridians, unite...!!!

Just now noticed this Florida-related thread, so I don't have the pleasure of reading the initial "review," which sounds as if it must been particularly classless. Yeah, MHSmirage, I bet you're right. The person who made that post probably was about 15 years old and was honked-off because his/her guard finished 4th out of the five guards in their division. We'll get a couple more of these during the course of the season, I'm sure. And how much do you want to bet that the ugliest ones of all will be from some "parent" or "supporter" of an otherwise well-respected group who can't stand the fact that their kid's guard "got beat" by such-and-such guard from across town. Unfortunately, it happens every year. Believe me, I have plenty of "opinions" about the guards that I get to see each season. And some of those groups simply "aren't my cup of tea." But there are plenty of ways to get that point across without being intentionally malicious, antagonistic and cruel. And that's not to say that every post needs to be candy-coated and sprinkled with warm, fuzzy thoughts. Seriously, it's okay to NOT like something. You can even be "upset," if you like. Real people certainly do experience a legitimate range of emotions. Just show some class. If as an adult or parent you simply can't do that, then don't join this community. Go take out your Freudian aggression on someone who can defend themselves right to your face. Don't use this forum to trash a group of 15-year-old high school students who have neither the ability nor the low-standards necessary to confront you. Thanks, Trish, for monitoring these discussions and deleting that kind of hostile, belligerent garbage. Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Allow me: THX1138 was the first feature-length film directed by George Lucas. It's set in a totalitarian, futuristic society wherein the populace is 1.) monitored continuously and controlled by the Gestapo-like national police force and 2.) numbed intellectually through the use of a mandatory, government-dispensed drug that suppress all forms of social deviancy - mostly emotional responses - such as love and sexual desire. One citizen, named THX1138, decides that he wants for himself something more fulfilling than this oppressive, regulated non-existence. So he fights the system, ends up in jail and, subsequently, attempts to escape. Released in about 1970, the film was bomb initially but through the years it's become a cult classic. That's THX1138. Now, THX3838. That's an entirely different story - a tale too complicated for me to tell. Here's what I suggest: go to youTube and type in THX3838. (And don't worry, it's neither pornographic nor another stupid "Rick roll" viral video.) It's just easier to explain this way. Enjoy...!!!

Some thoughts: Stoneman-Douglas Just expressing my own personal opinion, but I would LOVE to see Stoneman-Douglas put a different spin on things, so to speak. They're always one of the best guards on the circuit - and their placings in WGI Finals confirm that. But I'd kinda like to see them try something new and different. They could really shake-up the SW community if they came out with a totally fresh look and design while maintaining the wonderful level of technique and performance that they're know for. And how fun would THAT be for SW fans both near and far...??? (Answer: totally, totally, TOTALLY fun...!!!) Premonition Oh, my gosh. How could I forget to mention my favorite up-and-coming South Florida IW ensemble...??? With this group, too, I'm more than just a little eager to see what type of a show they put on the floor this year. Loved the excitement and energy they had last year. Soooooooo fun to watch. Hopefully, they're tapping into that same energy this year, too. And, of course, I'm keeping al of my fingers crossed that the "Double-rifle Diva" again will treat all of us to her truly crowd-pleasing talents. She was definitely one of the highlights of last year's show. (And she sure as heck earned it, too...!!!) By the way, I absolutely love rhinestones. Can anything ever bee TOO sparkly...??? I hope that everything thing in this show - including the floor - is so totally bejeweled, beglittered and 'bedazzled' that the audience has a really good shot at incurring permanent retinal damage. Flanagan If Flanagan is 'slacking' this year, they could be in big, huge, massive, gi-normous trouble by the time Dayton rolls around. First, you can bet your very last dollar Avon is going to work like the dickens to line themselves up for one of those VERY top spots in SW again this year. And they'll probably do it. Right now, it's about 20 degrees below zero in Central Indiana. Those Avon ladies have nothing else to do but spin and practice and spin and drill and spin and run through their show and spin and work on technique and spin and - well, you get the idea. Second, James Logan is back this year. 'Nuff said. Expect this guard to be every bit as amazing as they've been every year for the last decade. Third, Miamisburg is turning up the temperature on their program. They completed their entire show waaaaaay back before New Year's and they've been cleaning and fine-tuning and reworking it ever since. They are serious, serious biz this year. So, if Flanagan is in any way 'slacking,' the time to de-slack is now. But for the record, I seriously doubt that Flanagan is 'slacking.' Seriously, does that even sound like the Flanagan program that we've come to know...??? I'm sure that the Flanagan staff wants to be on top of the SW class every bit as much this year as they wanted to be there last year - and we saw what they did last year. Good night, nurse...!!! I'm just really curious to see what type of a program the field. They could go any way. They could go the route of "If it worked last year, maybe it'll work this year, too." Or they could go with the "Been there, done that" approach ad try something completely different for Flanagan. They certainly have the staff to make anything work. Nothing would surprise me from this incredible group. But suffice to say that no matter what they do, certainly they'll do it well - EXTREMELY well. Can't wait for Saturday...!!!

Count on me being there. And I'll probably be able to attend both prelims AND finals. Woo-hoo...!!! It looks as if all of the classes have some really good guards on the schedule. Like many folks here in South Florida, I'm probably most excited to see the 2008 SW Nation Champions, Flanagan high School. CAN NOT WAIT to see what they're putting gout on the floor this year...!!! Also, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Braddock Independent. Now, I've heard rumors that several members the Stoneman-Douglas staff have joined the Braddock staff this year. So, it'll be interesting to see if Braddock's production has any telltale Stomeman-Douglas fingerprints on it. (Exactly what would that look like anyway...??? Hmmm...) But I digress. As I said, all of the classes are going to be VERY competitive as well as a heckuva lot of fun to watch. Good luck to of the guards who'll be making the trip to Ft. Lauderdale...!!! (Actually, the Ft. Lauderdale regional is being held in Miramar this year, but who's counting...???) :)

I, too, join the chorus of those singing the praises of the illustrious Robin Shaw. What a dynamic, innovative thinker. And he found the perfect medium for his virtuoso creativity. I was always captivated by the shows he created both for Center Grove's winter guard and marching band. And to this day, I still love, love, LOVE the hilariously 'naughty' productions he staged for the City Slickers. ('General Hospital,' anyone...???) Talk about someone who was about 15-20 years ahead of his time. Wow. So, gladly I cast a gigantic 'Hall of Fame' ballot with Robin Shaw's name written in equally gigantic, bold, red letters.

Finally. Sebastienne St. Jacques has cleared the air about the emerging program by "Convalescence." I'm so excited about this production that I can hardly hold it in...!!! Best wishes in '09, Sebastienne...!!! This season is bound to be one of your most moving seasons to date...!!!

Yeah, I haven't yet heard anything about them yet this season either. Of course, everything moves a little bit slower up there in the panhandle. (Remember: in Florida, The further North you go, the further South you get...!!!) So, maybe the rumors/facts/details of their '09 program haven't yet trickled down to this part of the state. Although, I did hear that they've had - how to put this delicately - an "unexpected change in leadership" since last season. Not sure who's actually making the trains run for them now. But I'm sure that the talented Choctaw staff once again will deliver a really top-flight program this year.

Agreed: I, too, am eagerly looking forward to seeing Premonition. As a first-year guard, they had a really impressive season last year. And for a brand new ensemble to START in IW...??? With the big boys...??? Wow. Talk about daunting. But they delivered. And they almost qualified for finals, too, which is a terrific showing for a first-year ensemble. For me, though, the burning question that I need answered about Premonition '09 is, of course, will the fabulous "double-rifle chick" again display her AMAZING ability to spin, spin, spin, spin, spin, spin, spin. What an absolute delight she was. From the very first show of the season right up to prelims in Dayton, every audience lost their one and only mind when she got goin'. (Editor's note: I gushed about this fabulous performer several times last season, too. Guess I never did get it completely out of my system, huh...???) Here's an idea: I want someone out there in color guard land to make a t-shirt for that woman that says - on both sides and in great big, easy to read letters - "I'm the double-rifle chick from Premonition" and send it to her in Ft. Lauderdale. Seriously, if she were to wear a shirt like that in the stands at a WGI event, she'd be mobbed for autographs, photos, she'd be asked to hold babies, people would toss room keys at her, there would be fainting - you name it. So, yes: I'm looking forward to seeing how Premonition has grown and evolved since last year. There's always room in the gym for one more terrific guard in IW. Good luck to everyone in '09...!!!

You know what...??? You're right. I hadn't thought about it until you said it that way, but I was kinda doing an "apples to oranges" comparison of LC's Indiana state finals score to other group's WGI finals scores. Indiana did, indeed, conduct their state finals in the middle of March. So, for that point in the season, an 89.05 actually was an amazing score. Thanks for bringing that point to my attention...!!!

- - - - - - - - - - EDITOR'S NOTE: If this topic already has been addressed in a different thread, mea culpa. I'm old and forgetful. - - - - - - - - - - Most people who saw Lawrence Central this year seem to agree that they were turning-in World-level performances all season. But Lawrence Central didn't compete at any WGI events in 2008. Can they actually be "promoted" by WGI at the conclusion of a season in which they never competed in the WGI circuit...??? And now that I think about it, I'm not sure that they achieved the minimum score for an "automatic promotion" within their Indiana color guard circuit, either. Sure, they easily won Indiana's Scholastic Open division. But they only scored an 89.05 - which certainly isn't a GIGANTIC number. Obviously, they'd do just fine in IW. I mean, that's where they always competed prior to this year. But I'm just wondering how/if a WGI "promotion" would be possible for a guard that has no official WGI scores. Discuss...

Bobbie has returned...!!! Don't leave us alone like that again - EVER...!!! Good to see you back in vintage "Bobbie" form. P.S.: If you abandon us again, we're sending April Gilligan to hunt you down and drag you into a dark alley. I swear to God, I mean it. I'm so serious.

I've seen Flanagan's show in person a couple of times this season. And while it might not necessarily be the type of show that I personally would design, those Flanagn kids perform it slicker than snot. (<--- And I mean that in the GOOD way...!!!) Granted, I'm not in Dayton right now so I haven't been able to see everybody's show, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Gold Medal still is VERY MUCH up for grabs. It could be Flanagan. It could be Avon. It could be a tie. All I know is I can't wait to see SW Finals on the DVD...!!! Continued goo luck to all of this year's SW finalists...!!!

Hmm... I didn't really notice any of the crowd responses being dramatically overappreciative or underappreciative for any of the SW or IW shows on Sunday. The only group that seemed to get a little extra energy from the "hometown crowd" was the University of South Florida guard competing in IO. But I was assuming that because the competition was taking place on their campus, USF probably had a few additional fans/family in the audience. However, I was feverishly scribbling notes between performances. (Yes, I'm that geeky.) So, I wasn't really paying too much attention to the appleause level for any particular guard. Plus, I was sitting way, way WAY up in the rafters. So, I was kinda above/behind much of the crowd. Course, the Replay video would more accurately tell the tale, I guess. As the saying goes, "The tape don't lie."

Well, I think Lawrence Central's "reclassification" to Scholastic Open for this season might have been just what the doctor ordered in terms of getting their winter program back on track. If you look at the scores they were turning in during the past several seasons - both in their state circuit and at WGI - it seems as if they were finding the Scholastic World experience to be a little daunting. Not sure exactly why that might have been, though. Obviously, they continue to have one of the most talented design and instructional staffs in the country for both winter and fall. (Kudos to the above mentioned Grag Hagen, among others...!!!) And they've DEFINITELY earned and deserved everything for which they've become known. Any one of the girls (or guys!) in that guard probably could make the cut for just about any drum corps or Independent-level guard out there. Maybe they'll compete again in Scholastic World after a year or two in Scholastic Open. Or not. After all, it's not as if SW is the be-all, end-all of the winter guard experience. Ya know...??? Excellent programs DO flourish in other classes. :) And before I go any further, I know how easily bent out of shape some of you people in these forums can get. Maybe you didn't get enough hugs as a child. Maybe there's some event in your life that you need to work out with a therapist and an anatomically correct doll. Honestly, I can't imagine what type of psychological precondition would cause a person to react with the vitriol and rage with which I've seen some people in these forums react during casual discussions about color guard. All I know is that some of y'all can fly off the handle for no good reason whatsoever. (And we ALL know who you are...!!!) :) So, once more, let me state - up front and in kindergarten language - that I'm neither making nor trying to thinly veil any type of a negative, derogatory or otherwise less-than-complimentary statement about any aspect of the Lawrence Central program. I have no agenda, I have no ax to grind. I'm just an average person joining a discussion of a topic and of a group that interest me. Period. Can we just be 100% clear on that and move on...??? :) Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. I, too, think that it's a real shame that fans of the activity won't be seeing Northmont and Lawrence Central competing side-by-side at Dayton this year. That match-up really would add to the excitement level of finals this year, which already is going to be a TERRIFIC competition. Each of those shows really is Gold medal caliber both in terms of design and performance level. It's in no way presumptuous to suggest that either of those shows would/could place in the VERY top tier of this year's Scholastic Open finalists. It's always great when "everyone" makes the trip to WGI. But, that's not always possible for every group, every year. (Things like this DO happen in the real world...!!!) :) And to everyone out there in guardland, here's a simple request I'd like to make before I end this (rather) long post. (<--- I seem to be earning a reputation for that...!!!) Please, please, PLEASE let's NOT start squawking all through these discussion boards about how "If so-and-so group wins Scholastic Open this year, then it was only because so-and-so OTHER group didn't go to Dayton." What a horrible, disrespectful way to treat ANY program out there - particularly a program that WINS a Gold medal in their division. That conversation has been happening re: SW ever since Logan announced that their "big trip" this year was going to be performing during the opening ceremonies at the Olympics in Beijing rather than making the trip to WGI. Again, I'm advocating that this discussion NOT skip down that path. So, get back on your meds, vent to your shrink, break out your Bataka encounter bats - whatever you need to do - and let's keep this conversation focused in the RIGHT direction. Ok...??? My work here is done. :) :) :)

Hmmm... That must have been something else that you heard. Shirlee's no longer eating brie. It's a Lactose thing, I'm told.

Oh, great. The most interesting news I've heard ALL week turns out to be completely false. And I suppose the "rumor" about Fantasia's weapon line testing positive for human growth hormone is a great big lie, too...??? What's a person to believe these days...???

HOLY GUACAMOLE...!!! If that information turns out to be true - Wow. That would be absolutely HUGE. Anyone else heard talk/chatter/rumors about Logan's China trip possibly falling through...??? I'm definitely keeping my ear to the ground...!!!

Ummm, that's not quite it. The reason Shirlee Whitcomb won't return your phone calls or e-mails is because Shirlee doesn't like you. (Editor's note: I sincerely hope I haven't shattered any dreams you might have had re: filling the seat at the right hand of La Whitcomb.)

Well, of COURSE, Shirlee is going with them to China. After all, SOMEONE has to pull the rickshaw.

One point that I failed to make SIGNIFICANTLY more prominent in my original post is that fact the exuberance expressed by the staff member in question obviously was a very sincere, heartfelt testament to a job EXTREMELY well done by his guard. Understandably, anyone associated with the instruction and/or development of that group SHOULD have felt like hootin’ and hollerin’ during their show. The guard turned in an absolutely WONDERFUL performance in all aspects. And their level achievement was recognized both by their score as well as by the energetic reaction from the crowd. Everyone in the gym was blown away by that show: the crowd loved it; the judges loved it; other guards sitting on the back side loved it. (And, of course, I loved it…!!!) So, it just makes sense that the staff would be even MORE thrilled to see their guard turn in such a high-octane performance. Also, I do understand that it’s human nature to be very lenient and/or forgiving when we’re dealing with things associated with “our group.” I'm very much aware that I tend to view some situations that way. (Mea culpa.) So, perhaps if a representative of MY group were carrying-on a bit too loudly from the upper deck while MY group was performing, well, maybe I’d not be as bothered by it. That’s entirely possible. However, because of the excessive vocal reactions happening behind me, I did have a little difficulty at times focusing on the first-rate qualities of the show – and I’m a 20+ year veteran of noisy venues and overly zealous crowds. As was mentioned in a previous post, perhaps this matter already has been discussed by the appropriate parties and it won’t be an issue in the future. I sure hope so, because I’d hate to see the reputation of such a tremendously talented guard become in any way diminished or otherwise tarnished due to an avoidable factor that has nothing to do with the distinguished achievements of the guard members.

Wow. I thought I was the only person who was noticing stuff like this happening in the stands and around the performance venues. Let me share with you my latest story of lacking "etiquette." And away we go... (EDITOR'S NOTE: Certain details have been omitted in order to protect the guilty.) I had the privilege of attending "a big, important winter guard contest" on Saturday and I was shocked by the inexcusably classless behavior of ONE thoughtless spectator who stood out WELL above the rest. And for the record, "shocked" is NOT a word that I just throw around willy-nilly. In this case, however, it's the best word to describe my reactions. Consider just for a moment a few dictionary definitions of "shocked": • Something that jars the mind or emotions as if with a violent unexpected blow. • A severe offense to one's sense of propriety or decency; an outrage. • To strike with great surprise and emotional disturbance. • To strike with disgust; offend. My hand to God, the circumstances in which I found myself actually "shocked" me. The reason...??? The spectator in question was a member of the THE INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF of a guard that was performing at the competition. Here's the deal: When I attend a guard competition, I always try to sit as high up as possible and as close to the center aisle as possible. I did that this time, too. Ended up sitting in the top row of the center section, right next to the General Effect judge. (Literally, the left side of my body was touching the police tape that had been stretched out to mark off the "judges area.") Directly behind me on the deck or catwalk, I guess you'd call it, was the official videotaping area where Jolesch and 1-800-Video were taping the performances and taking still photos. Great seat. Great view. I can see everything that's happening on the floor. Well, as "Guard X" began setting up for their performance, one of the directors of the guard runs up the stairs and climbs over the rail to the videotaping area and picks a spot from which to watch his group. (Directors were given access to that area during their guards performance.) And the spot he picked was DIRECTLY BEHIND the General Effect judge. So, I'm sitting in the very top row, next to the GE judge. And now one of the directors of "Guard X" is standing directly behind the GE judge. Literally, the guy from "Guard X" could have leaned over and touched the GE judge on the top of his head, if he'd wanted to. Got the picture...??? And as the tarp was being unfolded and the equipment was being set, this director screams - and I'm not exaggerating - he SCREAMS down to his guard "GET IT, LADIES!" or some equally stupid interjection like that. The GE judge turns around and says to the “Guard X” guy, "I hope you're not going to do that while I'm judging." GE judge kinda chuckled a little bit when he said that because, I'm assuming, he THOUGHT that he was making a joke. I mean, no one - especially a member of the instructional staff of a group taking the floor in competition - would stand at arm's distance from a judge and SCREAM at the back of his head DURING A PERFORMANCE. Right...??? Wrong. On the first note of music, the director again SCREAMS down to his guard something inane like, "GO FOR IT!" The GE judges whips around instantly and “firmly” tells this guy "NOT behind me. OVER THERE," and he points toward the far end of the videotaping area. The guy moves and nothing more is said to him. But throughout the ENTIRE performance, he continues to SCREAM to his guard, sometimes using the performer's names: "THAT'S IT, DONNA!" "ALL RIGHT, KATIE!" "GO FOR IT, ROBERTA!" (<--- Not actual names) And trust me, I'm not exaggerating AT ALL when I say that every toss that was caught and every unison move that was performed in unison was recognized with some type of inappropriate, disruptive, SCREAMING acknowledgement from the top of the bleachers. He was also stomping his feet and shaking the metal railing, but that was hardly noticeable in comparison to the screaming. It really was an embarrassment for that program to have one of THEIR OWN DIRECTORS behaving in such a thoughtless, inconsiderate, classless manner during his own group’s performance. Again, I really was shocked by that display. But apparently no one else - aside from the GE judge - even thought twice about it. So, with that display of non-manners as a defacto example of “acceptable” behavior for spectators, it’s no wonder that most people don’t know how – or even attempt - to sit in an audience for a couple of hours and display a reasonable amount of consideration for a performance that, ostensibly, is being performed FOR them. End of rant. (Really, I promise...!!!) And I definitely agree with the above comment that perhaps its time for WGI - as well as the various other circuits around the country - to remind directors of the current "code of conduct" and, more importantly, THE PENALTIES for blatantly violating those codes. I mean, if we've reached the point where JUDGES are needing to tell DIRECTORS, in a matter of speaking, to back off and shut up - then, wow. Just wow.