big benford

I think the Cadets actually pulled a door again this year but since this one wouldn't open, they decided to make it into a window....

Wow, a bit Bitter...Betty? I guess every party's gotta have a pooper!

Then don't read them....

I had my camera with me but just didn't use it. Heck, it was at the top of my backpack when I opened it but since it was in a nifty case that didn't look like a camera case, it wasn't questioned. Two things that cracked me up were: 1. No re-entry. My friend forgot his stadium seat in the car and when he went to go get it, he had to be escorted to the car and back in by a volunteer. So you couldn't go check out what was going on in the lot and come back in. Kinda silly but I'm guessing the Athletics Department just doesn't know drum corps and they were upholding their rules/policies. 2. No photography or recording of any sort..."BY LAW". Law? Really? Is that like the 79th amendment or something? Maybe when we host the Texas Drum Corps Preview again next year, I'll try an announce that and see the reaction from our crowd.... LOL ~C

I think it was either 2003 or 2004 when a judge got hit on the nose pretty well by some guard member. Talk about a point deduction!

Bump.

No, he exercised his right of choice.... *gawd* ~C

Having worked administration for a fairly new corps in the recent years, money (and money management) is a huge issue. We had several staff members (including me) work the entire summer on a volunteer basis. We were always short cook, souvie, pit volunteers because although tour fees were kept to as much of a minimum as possible, parents were having to work extra hours to keep their kids on the road and couldn't come with us. There was no cook truck so equipment had to be built and rigged and hauled in with the equipment. Thank goodness our truck driver didn't cost us too, too much and was a lot of fun to have around! We had a blast of a summer but there was tension with the staff because we were constantly having to face juggling all this stuff. Lots of people supported our efforts and were behind us all the way in spirit but not many stepped up to the plate and followed through with physical efforts. I won't mention the name or year of the corps because we're going to put some things that surrounded that year behind us but they are still on the road and doing a great job. Lots of friends and bonds were made that summer and I wouldn't trade it in for anything. It's all well and good to have an opinion but if you're not willing to put forth the effort to help implement it (if it in deed is a viable opinion), then it does no good. No back seat drivers! /soapbox ~C

I read through these posts and I didn't see anyone mention beef jerky. It was a corps fav when I worked Revolution. That and Gatorade, of course. Ooh, batteries (AA & AAA) are usually well appreciated. Div II/III (and even some Div I) staff members are usually college kids or professional drum corps folks that get no income during the summer. I know many instructors/techs who volunteer their time or work the corps for very little. Don't forget them when baking cookies. My buddy Ken & I are baking cookies for one of my ex-students who is marching Crossman right now and we'll bake a batch for the drum staff because I have friends teaching there. The kids are getting the bigger batch. ;) Getting stuff in the mail on tour is always fun! ~C

"We eat all we can, and we sell the rest!"

Dang it, that's what I was gonna say! :P ~C

I love that this is still anyone's game. This should be how the pros work! ~C

I don't necessarily have a caption for this one but I did notice that the judge is in step with the corps. ~C

In honor of both the upcoming book and movie: Ron: Wingardium leviosa! Hermione: Stop, stop stop! You're going to take someone's eye out. Besides, you're saying it wrong. It's Levi-OOO-sa, not Levio-SA!

Wow, Tower of Power, Chicago? Those are great! If you're ever looking to get your degree in music education, you should think about Arizona State. The guy that does the marching band and some music ed classes there is totally into that in his designs. Writes his own arrangements and drill, too...and did for a lot of Texas for a while. Very cool taste for a guy your age. Kudos. ^OO^ ~C

And this will be broadcast (commercial free, of course thanks to our sponsor Walt Disney, himself) on NBC, CBS, ABC, BBC1, BBC2.... Also on tour live starting in 2010 through the next millenium! ~C

I think the colored saxes are about the only colored instruments that sound decent. All the other ones I try at conventions each year continue to be aweful. ~C

Maybe I've watched too many episodes of M*A*S*H* but my initial (and trying to be humorous), reaction would be to say that maybe we should put the spear through the eagle. Too tacky and really not funny? I kinda think that about the ill-defined military aggressions and police actions and like I said earlier, I've just watched too many episodes of M*A*S*H*. Oh, and did I mention I'm of British descent and have inherited my dad's dry humor? Nevermind and carry on. ~C

Or in a civil court of law.... Yeah, any non-military case that takes place in one with a gold fringed flag can be thrown out. Or something like that. But I digress. ~C

Rant away, my friend. I miss it! ~C

Hey, we do have XXL shirts after all! We found them in the mix of sizes. I'll save you one for the SA. Come see me at the souvie booth!!! :)