show_mellow

Ok, I believe you left this out when you quoted me: Your first point - Yes. In Sept a friend's mother died of cancer. Four friends recently had surgery due to cancer. More friends were diagnosed with cancer. Today my best friend's father (my pastor and friend) is having his third chemo treatment since being diagnosed in Feb. And last week a friend died of cancer (age 52, survived by three young daughters - 6th/12th/college - and a wife). I'm not saying cancer is something to turn away from. In fact I remember saying a couple of posts ago that any kind of cancer is never any fun. I also remember saying that people were allowed to put on their sunglasses as soon as they showed they consistently used their eyes. And I said I felt the staff was responsible in that decision. Part of the staff's job is to make sure the corps learns and utilizes knowledge to march their drill. Can you think of any other way the staff can make sure the corps members' use their eyes other than watching the eyes? And if the person is wearing sunglasses how can the staff see their eyes? As for the comment "all must be protected..." The direct purpose of my sunglasses is to protect me from an eye disease that results in blindness. It's comparing apples to oranges by saying that since some people have doctor's letters for one thing, eveybody should be able to wear sunglasses to protect from another thing. Don't misunderstand. I believe everybody should be protected but I don't believe you stated an acceptable reason. I ALSO believe that the staff are doing what they need to do. It may be different for other corps staffs, but all the staff that I ever worked with or have known have been pretty reasonable about the sunglasses thing. As far as thinking a tan looks healthy, good, etc. I don't buy that. There are many people that I've marched with that have survived the whole summer never taking their shirt off and always wearing tons of sunscreen. They ended the season just about as white as they started. In that case it was INDIVIDUAL choice - not staff. I would just like for all aspects of the situation to be explored which is why I brought up the different points and offered personal experience in my past posts. I'm not saying that you guys are being ridiculous for wanting people to be aware of the risks of sunlight especially relating to cancer or for thinking people should cover up and etc. It would just be nice if everyone took the time to consider each aspect related to sun protection during the drum corps season. Ethos, Pathos, Logos......not just ethos

Um...last I checked...nobody got medals for being in semis much less quarters... You have to make it to the big show on Sat to get that shiny piece.

Well, I most definitely agree with you that people should make informed decisions. I also agree that corps policies should not put members in a position of potential threat. Of course, if you look at different corps policies, I'm sure there is some way that a corps member can harm themselves by following it. I think what corps members need is some common sense and awareness. There is always going to be some factor of risk, especially in an activity like drum and bugle corps. But no worries. I'm sure there isn't a corps staff around that says, "Let's see. How can we harm them today?" Errrr...Actually, especialy in the case of visual staff, maybe they do! haha But that's different. I'm sure the corps staff doesn't sit around thinking up ways to put members' lives in danger.

I don't agree with this. You don't have to be totally covered or totally naked to keep your tanlines in check. For example, wear different shirts and shorts that will fit differently so that there are no defining tanlines. Your the different parts of the body are only exposed every once in a while when you wear that specific shirt or short. And at that time, you can wear sunscreen. This is what I did last year and the only defined tanline I got was around my ankles from my tennis shoes. I agree skin cancer is a very serious thing. I know many people with cancer and any kind of cancer is not any fun. But there is only so much people can do to protect themselves from things like that. If you want to get that crazy, we should all live in a bubble in a deep dark room and never take any risks.

Actually.... My post didn't imply that the guard was required to have a tan. They are just required to keep the tanlines in check. In other words, they shouldn't have a half dark and half white face, shoulders, and etc.

well, I've never had a chance to be a fan. I was auditioning for a spot in a corps about 2 months after I found out drum corps existed. And I've been a performer ever since. During the summer, I usually stay away from watching other corps perform because there are usually a number of things I need to do or could be doing for/with my corpsmates. Loyalty is to my corps. And as for the person who said something about being able to see the competition and realize that you really need to get to work... I don't really follow that philosophy because my goal from the very beginning is perfection. And if you're perfect, who can beat you? Although, I will say I have watched a couple of shows in the past after performing and I am glad I was able to see some of those shows live because they've become some of my favorite shows. And sometimes a recording doesn't do a show justice! In short... We only have until we're 21 (or 22) to be a performer, but we are able to be a fan for many years after that.

Actually, the colorguard is usually supposed to just wear bandanas or something like that...mostly because they have to watch their tanlines. They ARE the visual aspect of the show, you know, and their faces are usually in view of anybody and everyone. As far as the sunglasses thing goes... My corps staff doesn't allow us to wear sunglasses either. It's for the same reason somebody stated before. They need to see our eyes to make sure they are constantly moving and checking dress, DM, etc. Why? IT'S THEIR JOB. However, I am borderlined for a serious eye condition that is accelerated by the sun, so my eye doctor has directed me to always wear sunglasses while outside. In this case, he types a doctor's letter for me to give to the corps staff and they allow me to wear the sunglasses during rehearsal. As well, somewhere midseason, the staff finally said to the corps, "As soon as you consistently show you are always moving and using your eyes, you will be allowed to wear sunglasses." I believe, in that case, the staff are being reasonable.

That's not what 2 vet cavalier snare players told me... hmmm...conflicting information....it's mind boggling...

Crossmen played Fantasy as an encore tune for 2005. It's on the pre-season CD.

Bristol Parade is amazing...no competition nothing like miles of parade route littered with shouting drunks holding up score cards with "10" on it... B) As far as your quesiton about the parade... It is known as the largest 4th of July celebration in America, and I believe (although I may be wrong) all corps that compete in the show the night before are required to march in the following parade. But just being the largest 4th of July parade in America, it's likely to attract so many drum corps. EDIT: Does somebody actually know just how long that parade is?

Yeah, I didn't get any of those answer choices available. I just selected the one closest to my calculations, though.

really, jared?

This is amazing.

As much as I think it's ridiculous when people get into the debates about amps and stuff on here because it is always a selfish, attacking, smart alecky, demeaning post... I seriously laughed out loud at this. Kuddos. ~Mostly against amps...but with respect.

Holy cow...all I see is drama in this thread. Everything is going to affect different people in different ways. The main thing is to be respectful of each other. You can be respectful and still have your opinions. But, in the long run, does it really matter? I think it's pretty messed up that you guys are squibbling over something so petty. Some guy just wanted to know if Blast planned on continuing the show for a while. Then someone had to go and make an off color comment and then someone had to RESPOND and start up a pointless debate. Even if you converted people over to your side of the view, who cares? It's not a life and death matter. Chill out. Go enjoy some vids of your favorite shows, take a walk around the park, go bowling...enjoy life.

In 2004... Spirit didn't make finals and Crossmen did. Crossmen tubas made a delta on the field during retreat for Spirit. The Crossmen Cymbal line made an X on the field. In 2005... Crossmen didn't make finals and Spirit did. The whole Spirit hornline made a Cross on the field with their horns. The sweetest hornstack I've ever seen, quite honestly. There are pictures of both cases floating around the internet. Just goes to show the awesome bond between the two corps.

I marched 2003, 2004, 2005... I don't go outside much during the offseason because I'm always so busy with school and stuff like that, so I don't really keep my tan. In fact, one of my best friends jokes around with me about how white I am and eventually bought me some of that Jergen's Glow lotion stuff that makes you tanner. haha However, I do have extremely faint sock tan lines...and a seemingly permanent medium dark line all aroud my waist... Will it ever leave? Maybe if I go to a tanning bed someday...(which won't happen).

I started marching in 2003. My favorite show ever is Crossmen 1998 and my favorite show out of the three years I marched is Bluecoats 2005 followed by PR 03 and SCV 04.

One year, one of our vehicles got in a wreck on the way to a show. Everyone was alright, but we had to stop the whole caravan, of course. The vehicle was TOTALED and the trailer it was pulling was destroyed. As we sat there on the side of the road, the Cavies are passing us by (which is bad because they were performing like...second to last that night). We ended up getting to the show so late, event coordinators had to let a couple of other corps go before us. We only got a quick warmup (maybe 30 min total) before we had to go on. And we ended up having possibly the best show of the season. It was a really exciting night. For me, it seems almost a legendary story (amongst the members from that year anyway). And the school that was hosting the comp donated their trailor for us to use until the end of the season. :)

I just read the email....and I've forgotton to push my jaw back up... I'd most definitely buy all those DVDs....however, I'm still working on affording my tour fees... :( I haven't even bought any of the top 12 DVDs for the 3 years I've marched. *wistfully* Someday...

No. Phantom decided to pursue other endeavors mid-season. They will end the season with their award winning braodway show, "Regiment!"

I voted completely, but I'd be contented with just major shows like regionals and finals.

hey...I use firefox and it worked fine for me just fine. Maybe it's just testy. :)

It's a hype and very exciting to see bones - especially the first time of the season (you should see the rookies). I remember the first time I saw Bones. I wasn't even thinking about it. I was a rookie, of course, and it just hadn't crossed my mind. But as we walked away from the block to set up, I looked at one of my fellow rookie mello players who was trying to get my attention. Her eyes were sooooo big. She contained her smile, but she was excitedly pointing up at the back stands. As I looked up I saw Bones and it was like... "I'm here on the field..and Bones is watchin over me. I'm a Crossmen." We punched each other in the chest extra hard that show (hornline always punched each other in the chest while getting to our opening sets that year), I guess from the intensity we drew from seeing him actually there. As I looked around the field, I could see others with wide eyes and excitement. I don't really remember what show it was either, but wow. It was simply amazing and the talk of the bus afterwards. Some of my favorite Bones sightings are when we needed him most. He always surprises us at just the right time and reminds us of who we are and why we are. We are Bones. To answer your question. When the corps sees Bones in the stands, the field is absolutely electrified. And maybe that extra excitement could be said to contribute to a better show and some may argue it breaks the focus and makes for a worse show. But I don't think those people understand that (like Gary - I think it was Gary - said) to the members, Bones is always there. Bones can be seen in the cook trucks, working the souvie booths, sitting in the stands, on the tower, or on the field. Bones is in the hearts of Crossmen members past and present. That is where Bones can truly be seen.

2003 = I didn't even think of keeping a journal. 2004 = I kept a journal....but it was half a page long and ended midsentence. Conclusion: I've never been great at keeping up with a journal. 2005 = I have an immense amount of writing in a small notebook (the first journal I've EVER been able to stick with in my whole life). I put wristbands from shows, hospital visit, ticket stubs, reciepts, pictures people gave me during the season, etc right where I wrote that day, too. The most time I ever spent without writing was about 5 days I think...and that was only once. 2006 = I've already been keeping a journal with my thoughts after camps and etc. Conclusion: I'm definitely better at keeping a journal (even if it's only for drum corps...it's a step in the right direction! haha). KEEPING A JOURNAL ON TOUR IS THE COOLEST THING!