Friday, November 10, 2023

Aloha, Kailua!

 Pella in Paradise
Day 1: Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Travel Day - LAX to HNL

My dad dropped me off at Bro and V's house the night before our very early flight so that I could leave my car at home.  Thanks, Dad!  Somehow I was able to wake up for our early departure to drive to LAX.  We had some time to relax, so we went to the Admiral's Club and had some breakfast as we watched the dawn begin to form. 
 
That is not a UFO in the sky.
It's a reflection of the light inside the club.



Once on board the plane, we got ourselves ready for the 5.5-hour flight to Honolulu.  I ended up reading my entire book for Book Club at work, "Home" by Toni Morrison.  It was too early for me to have a cocktail just yet, which is too bad because I would liked to have used that particular perk on our first day of this trip.  No worries, Sher, you'll have plenty of cocktails later!  

The Honolulu airport is the most beautiful one I've ever seen, mainly because of the really nice plaza that we saw on the way out.  I mean, that's what I call "setting the mood"!  


Even the planes are prettier 

Happy faces after a long flight

Backdrop from the photo above



Our rental car was a Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Bro tried to get us a smaller vehicle, but none were available.  More room for me in the back, I guess, which is fine because you know I need to be equipped with snacks at all times.  The ride to the rental car was a short one, but the driver said that we would see a waterfall.  V was not as amused as Bro and I were about the waterfall itself.

In front of the waterfall on the 1st floor

I think hers is a courtesy smile, but I'm laughing anyway.



The highway is also gorgeous, with all of the lush green flora on one side, and the ocean on the other.  It's good that Bro was driving for this whole trip, because I would have slowed us down by pulling over at every turnout.  But we wanted to get to Mona's house in Kailua, our home for half the trip.




So let's back up.  What actually is going on here?  Several months earlier, my friend Cindy texted me and asked if I was going to see Rockapella in Hawaii.  I have not been very active on social media lately, so I had to look that up and saw that they would be in the Aloha State for 5 shows.  Well, there's a motivation for me to pack up my luggage and get to traveling again!  Unfortunately, most of the core PellaPosse was unable to go with me, but, happily, Bro said, yes, he and V would love to join me.  I bought my tickets for all 5 shows.  I called in a favor with my friend Mona, who has a house there, and although she would be out of town, we were welcome to stay at her place!  Bro did all of the other booking, like the flights and the hotel in Kauai, and the rental car.  Thank you, Bro!  Then the wait until October.  I'm sure glad I had drum corps to keep my brain occupied for the time being.  

We arrived at Mona's house and marveled at the beauty of it all.  The kitchen area had recently been remodeled, and I wish it was my kitchen at home.  The place is just a couple of blocks from the beach and they have a swimming pool.  Mona is the best host and equipped the entire house with all of the toiletries we needed, and told us to help ourselves to all of the alcohol.  Uh oh.  We unpacked our stuff and needed lunch, so Bro looked up the places that Mona had recommended.  I called Mona after texting her to tell her we had arrived, and she told us stuff about the house and recommended a hike up to the Pillbox, as we were close to the start of the trail.

Plumerias are my favorite.
Look at all of the flowers on this tree!

Closeup of plumeria blooms



We went to The Food Company, which is a takeout place only.  I found a Bento Sampler and also got some Banana Mochi.  Because MOCHI.  AND BANANA.  I mean, I already like banana bread, I already like Mochi Cake.  Combo?  YES, PLEASE!  OK, I'm going to stop yelling now.  Bro and V got an egg salad sandwich, some soba, and some pineapple with some kind of topping called "lihi".  We also went into the liquor store next door because there wasn't enough at Mona's house.  I kid.  I was happy to find Hawaiian Sun drinks, and got a 6-pack of Lilikoi Lychee flavor because they didn't have my favorite one, which is Green Tea Lychee.  I also got Turtle Chips, because I wanted them to try some.  I also wanted to try the sweet corn flavor because I hadn't had that yet.  I've had the chocolate churro flavor.  It is too good!

We decided to eat our lunch on the lanai.  It was yummy, especially that banana mochi bread, which is now on my list of recipes to make someday.  While we ate, we saw a couple of geckos on the lanai, as well as a little heron.  Or maybe it was an egret.  I didn't get a photo of it, but maybe V did.  

He did not try to sell me insurance.
That I know of.
Flowers in our Hair
Because Hawaii.


Now that we were energized after our yummy lunch, we walked up the street to take the trail up to the Pillbox.  Well, they took the trail up.  I had already slipped a little bit at the start of the trail, and told V to go ahead without me.  In typical Bro fashion, he had not waited for either one of us and was halfway up the hill by the time I told V not to wait for me.  I'm not very adventurous anymore, so the slip had me quite hesitant to go up very far, but I did go up a couple of landings just to try to see if I could do the "slow and steady" thing.  But I'm out of shape these days, and scared of heights.  Well, mostly I'm scared of falling down and messing up my face so close to a Rockapella concert.  I did watch other people climb up and come down the hill, sometimes on their butts.  I marveled at the different footwear (or no footwear) that people thought they could wear, like flip flops.  I needed shoes with more traction, not my sneakers.  But there's that whole going downhill thing.   

In front of the hill I did not go up.

How far I did go up, no zoom used.

They were taking a while, and I felt lame just standing there and watching people go by me, so I texted them to tell them I was going back to the house to spend some time in the pool.  Hey, I may be a wuss, but at least I didn't have mud on my butt like that one girl in the cute romper because she slid down the hill pictured in back of me in the above photo.

I got in the pool and started to swim and immediately got a cramp in my leg.  Stupid hill.  So I mostly stayed close to the edge since I was alone at the house and didn't want to drown without anyone to save me.  There was a teeny tiny gecko in the pool!  I wasn't sure if he was dead, and I wanted to get a photo of him, but I was not going to get out of the pool just to get my phone and take that picture.  


Love the tile work of the tortuga!

About to go in

Another plumeria - love this color

Bro and V came down the hill intact, and Bro joined me for a swim.  He was able to get the teeny tiny gecko out, and it was alive!  While we were swimming, V received a facetime call from Miss O.  She and her friend were freaking out at home about a spider and wanted to show us the contraption they made to get rid of it.  The conversation was quite hilarious.

They were hungry from their hike, so we got dressed to go to our hosts' favorite place nearby:  Buzz's Original Steak House.  We had a little bit of a wait, so I took pictures of these torches.  For some reason, my camera kept making the flames purple.




I ordered too much food, because I wanted garlic mashed potatoes.  I really enjoyed my lychee martini.  This is when I learned that my phone camera has "Food" mode, and it has spoiled me for all food photos.

Lychee Martini:
New Amsterdam Vodka, Lychee Liqueur
 shaken with Lychee juice, served up

Starter salad choice: Spinach

Grilled mongchong w/
garlic mashed potatoes & vegetables

I wish we had room in my tummy for dessert, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.  We thought of maybe coming back just for dessert, but it was always too crowded when we passed by.

We drove back to the house and relaxed for the rest of the night.  First day done, already having fun!

Next up:  Shopping Day

Cheers!


Sunday, August 27, 2023

Spectators of a Cutouts Victory

DCI Finals
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, IN

My friend Amy picked us up in the morning, and we went to breakfast at Black Leaf Vegan.  I had a BEC Bagel and it was very good.  I also enjoyed my Dragonfruit Berry Smoothie.  This was Amy's first time to meet V, and since she works at a science museum, and V is in the STEM field, they started to make plans about a future outreach at the museum.  I totally forgot to tell Bro to get Amy a ticket for this year's DCI shows, but she will probably join us at Semifinals next year.  Bro, don't let me forget to remind you!  Or something like that.  The cafe is on the ground floor of a hotel or apartment building, so we were able to sit there for quite a while as we enjoyed our conversation.  The only trouble about that is that Amy lost track of time and ended up getting a parking ticket.  She had just missed the time by just a few minutes.  Sorry, Amy! 

Vegan Bacon Egg and Cheese Bagel



Amy dropped us off in front of our hotel, and I saw that the comic book store across the street was open, and was able to find something I'd been looking to buy.  It's a little bit big, though, so Bro offered to pack it in his luggage and bring it home for me.  I might have found it on Amazon, but I do try to support small business when I can.  When we got back to the hotel, I finally got pics of Bro with the NASCAR race sign.


We can see the Spirit from our elevator lobby



We had a little bit of time to eat, so we thought we would go to Tastings for an hour, but they were closed for a private party.  So this was our first year since we discovered it that we didn't go to Tastings.  No Vanguard, No Tastings, our traditions have been obliterated, and we were not happy at all.  We remembered that we liked Nada (the restaurant, not the translation), and we were able to get a table there.  We told our server that we were kind of in a rush after she said for the third time that she'd be with us in a moment.  I had the trio of tacos, and she said that I could get the side that V was going to order separately as part of my dish since all I wanted were the tacos.  I also ordered a sangria blanco.  It was all tasty.




I was able to bring my camera in with no problem, thank you Lucas Oil!  We were there a bit early, so V took a nap in a comfy seat at the club area while Bro and I stared at our phones.  We all got something for us to eat later on when we would be hungry, because the lines are crazy long on Finals Day.  That wouldn't be such a bad thing if the intermissions weren't so short.  I FINALLY found the place where they had veggie burgers, but I didn't want that today.   It's kind of hidden in a hallway of the 300 level.

Our seats were in Section 343, Row 1, Seats 15-17.  We have a desk!  We were seated in the Carolina Crown seats this time, I think.  Or was it Boston?  I don't know.  I was wearing a Vanguard shirt.  And hoodie.  I should have brought my blanket on this trip, too, because it was chilly in those seats.  Also, my thighs kept getting stuck to the not-cushy seats, so I kind of had to peel them off every time I stood up, which was after every corps.  

It's Cold Up Here, but we have a desk!



The IN-pact band performed "Hooked on a Feeling" and "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman, with Al Chez playing along.  

That's a lot of kids!



The Commandant's Own US Marine Drum and Bugle Corps performed their show, ending with "Stars and Stripes Forever".  They also played the Star-spangled Banner before marching off the field to their theme song.  Semper Fi, Marines!




The judges for the evening were announced, and they showed their names on the big board.  I don't remember that happening before, but maybe I just wasn't paying attention in prior years.  

BLUE KNIGHTS
There was a guy walking around with a broken rifle before the show, and he was breaking it even more by pounding it on the ground.  Did that always happen?  I didn't notice that rotating spiral before.  They sounded kinda quiet from up in our seats.


BLUE STARS
We're already looking at the Troopers sun and it's not even this show.  Wait.  Are the straws actually supposed to be licorice?  Doesn't absinthe taste like that?  She's very starry.  Is she supposed to be Kylie Minougue when she was doing that Tinkerbell / Fairy thing?  (I just looked her up:  yes!)  When she was the green fairy in "Moulin Rouge"!   Because absinthe, right?  It's two week after finals and I think I"ve finally figured out this show.  I was going to ask my friends about this when I got home, but since I'm writing the blog before I see them: 
"The traditional absinthe service:  The serve is simple: place the spoon over a filled glass of absinthe with the sugar cube on it and sit it underneath one of the taps on the fountain. Slowly drip water over the sugar until it has dissolved."  Thank you, Google!  I want them to bring a spoon to retreat so they could just slide down it the whole time.

TROOPERS
Hmmm...why didn't the drum major get lifted up at the end?  Weird.  (We found out later that the mechanism wasn't working).  I love when they march and go down on a knee.  Very cool looking.  I'm going to miss that sun.




COLTS
I love the double flags with all of the pastel colors.  They're very pretty and effective for the visuals.

CAVALIERS
I love seeing the different props from their past shows in the four corners (also a name of a past show).  I like that show.  So many classic Cavaliers moves!

Green Machine Flag

Big Baseballs

The Step Over



PHANTOM REGIMENT
The thing about Phregiment is that they really know how to do a ballad with emotion.  That's why I heart them.

<Intermission>
Tom Blair of DCI DVD production fame is retiring after this broadcast.  He received the first-ever Legacy Impact Award.  I miss you already, Tom.  I also miss getting new DVDs every year.  Stupid streaming.

Dan Acheson and Tom Blair



V's challenge for intermission was to see if she could get Sherry a silk (flag) from the Academy merchandise booth in order to cover her legs.  Challenge ACCEPTED and she killed it!  Ooh, it's pink/blue and pretty!  Thank you so much, V!!!  My legs were warmer for most of the rest of the show, except when the air conditioner was blowing hard and it was like it was flying in the air.  We thought they would be five dollars.  Close:  it cost $25.00.  Oops.  We also think that the one she got for me is from this year's show, because it has stars on it.

MANDARINS
The last flags now has "SIN MAN" written on them!  Awesome job, Mandarins!  


CADETS
"Together, we rise".  Oh, those curved bars are like the bottom of the world that Atlas holds up!  I get it.


Atlas




BOSTON CRUSADERS
Yay!!!!  The whale won today!!!  That guard is soooo good!

The Whale is Spartacus!



CAROLINA CROWN
I think that opening formation is a fleur-de-lis, like, pointed toward the center of the field.  No?

Fleur de Lis?

On FIRE!




BLUECOATS
I like that last pink/orange flag.  I ddin't know those flower stages turned around!  Cool.


BLUE DEVILS
Yes, BD, get it!!!  That was the first corps that was loud for me today.  No, I wasn't wearing my EAR-asers at all.  




Steve Rondinaro did a presentation for DCI CEO Dan Acheson, who retired after tonight's festivities.  His granddaughters walked onto the field and played around.  They're so cute!  Today was designated Dan Acheson Day in Indianapolis.  For the first time ever, in dedication of giving an experience of a lifetime, DCI honored him with the Lifetime Achievement in Leadership Award.  Dan is a former Madison Scout, so Steve surprised him with the Madison corps brass playing to Dan from the stands their corps song, "You'll Never Walk Alone", with the rest of the corps walking down the steps to honor him.  I'm crying again.  It was quite lovely.  Best wishes to you, Dan!  Thank you for all of the positive things you've done for this activity we love so much.

You'll Never Walk Alone, Dan

 "He now has his own Founder's Trophy." 



"The Commandant's Own is ready for retreat!"  




First up was the presentation of awards to the drum majors of Open Class medalists Gold and Spartans.  (Southwind had already left Indianapolis.)

Troopers brought their heavy lasso with them, and Boston Crusaders brought whale balloons.  There were no other props, so my dream of seeing BStars sliding all night did not come to fruition.   There were also no instruments on the field, which Bro presumed was to prevent the nonsense from last year when the kids wouldn't get off the field and played their contras and bass drums until what seemed like forever.  This is why we can't have nice things!  The Cadets wore their traditional uniforms, and everything seemed right with the world again.  

TROOP!

Cavaliers

Boston Guard  (White Whale!)

Cadets

Mandarins


Panorama View



Scores

12) 86.375 -- Blue Knights

Jim Jones Leadership Award:  Drum Major from Phantom Regiment!  That's my girl!!!!!




11) 88.625 -- Blue Stars

10) 89.475 -- Troopers

George Zingali Color Guard Award:  Blue Devils 
    Yay!  My friend from the airport and her daughter must be ecstatic!  BD has not won this award in 9 years, which kind of blows my mind because they're always so good.

9)  90.265 -- Colts
     This is the highest score Colts has ever achieved!  Awesome!

John Brazale Visual Award:  Blue Devils

8) 92.125 -- Cavaliers

Jim Ott Brass Award:  Carolina Crown
    Our section went crazy, so I guess we WERE sitting with them.  

7) 92.988 -- Phantom Regiment

6) 93.775 -- Mandarins
    This is Mandarins highest placement in World Class.  Very well deserved!

Fred Sanford Percussion Award:  Cavaliers
    See, you DON'T have to be in the top 5 to win percussion!  They were incredible.




5) 94.313 -- Cadets

4) 96.925 -- Boston Crusaders

Don Angelica General Effect Award:  Blue Devils

And then everybody held their breath, because the next two placements had been crazy all week.

3) 97.663 -- Carolina Crown

2) 97.738 -- Bluecoats

1) 98.975 -- Blue Devils

Yes, BD!!!  I'm so glad that the year I rooted for them, they won!  




Dan Potter announced the corps names one by one after a while as an instruction for them to leave the field.  Not everyone listened right away, but they finally did.  

ENCORE:  BLUE DEVILS
They did their percussion warmup, which is now called the "Tom Float".  Bro made me have tears in my eyes when he told me that.  The electronic warmup was just a lot of fun as they rocked out until the rest of the corps was ready to perform their show one last time.

Rockin' warm up

Tom Float Warm Up



They allowed the alternates join them all on the field for the end of the show when they all run to the front of the field.  Nice!  What a great moment for all of them.





There will be much Go Pro footage

With Alternate Brass Members

Such a happy color guard!



Congratulations on your Three-Peat, BD.  You have deserved the gold medal for the 21st time, and we applaud you loudly!

We walked back to the hotel and finished packing up our stuff.  Bro and V left early the next morning, and I left a couple of hours later.  My lyft driver was quiet, which was nice, because I didn't feel like talking.  It was just too early.  I guess the security line has added security measures in the floor, because they made us walk through the whole serpentine line even when there weren't even 5 of us in line.  Interesting.  Contrary to my travels to Indy, I didn't talk to anyone on the way home.  I was too sleepy. 

Until next year, Indianapolis!