Pastimes with a PellaPusher: July 2014

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, July 20, 2014

"That's my favorite drink." -- Jesse, a few times, regarding different drink orders, at the salon

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/19/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, July 19, 2014

Catching up with folks from my very first office in our department

Friday, July 18, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/18/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, July 18, 2014

Catching up on my drum corps DVDs

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Thursday, July 17, 2014

"Fireworks!" -- Sherry, distracting everyone from one of the many debates of the evening, at Carthay Circle

Happy 59th Birthday, Disneyland!

Simple Gifts 07/17/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, July 17, 2014

Disneyland

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/16/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Jerry Seinfeld on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/15/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Weird Al, schooling the internet on grammar. This is now my favorite Weird Al song.

Diverged in a Yellow Wood

So Cal Classic

Rants Stadium at Gahr High School

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Cerritos, CA

I don't know why I don't know the difference between Cerritos College and Gahr High School. I used to spend a lot of time in Cerritos in my young adulthood, but for some reason, I got their locations confused in my head, so when I went looking for Gahr according to Google Maps, and found it, I was, like, "That's not what it looks like." That's because you imagined a picture of CC in your head, Silly Sherry. Well, anyway, I didn't enter the gate to the parking lot like I was supposed to because I was looking for another one, and ended up getting back on the freeway and going around the block again. Silliness. I was really early anyway, as the gates had not yet opened by the time I arrived. I picked up my tickets at will call, and went back to my car to move it closer to the stadium. Then I called Jen to tell her where to park so that she wouldn't have to do the same thing.

Jen arrived with her daughter Rebecca and Rebecca's friend, Leyla. They are both about to become freshmen in high school, and will be joining the marching band. Their future band director is currently the corps director for the Boston Crusaders, so Jen thought it would be a good experience for them to watch a show, and be able to relate to their director. Jen used to march in high school, and was their band's drum major. We ate lumpia (!) and I had a chicken skewer while I waited for the watermelon aguas frescas to be done. I waited longer than I needed to, because I thought that they had only made the strawberry, but that's OK because we were in the shade. One of the DCI guys (Bro knows his name, but I forgot it) told us to go over and sit in the stands, but we were enjoying our shade under a canopy, so we waited a while.

The seats were General Admission, and we were in the Premium section, so we were able to acquire seats about 10 rows down from the top, on the left 45-yard line.

The Jim Ott Brass Ensemble gave a standstill performance of "Georgia", "Our Father/Naval Hymn", and "Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor".

Bill Ott Brass Ensemble

They were then joined by the Freelancers Alumni Corps and they played the Star-Spangled Banner. Well, it's about time, folks! We didn't have a flag, but I've recently learned that if the flag is not present, the correct etiquette is to face east. We were already facing that way, so that worked out just fine.

Hi, Mr. Turner!

INCOGNITO

Oh, the CG got their dresses, and they're fancy! Also, the corps has gold scarf-ish things on their uniforms that seem to get in their way when it's breezy. Still some intonation issues, but better, especially during the Romeo & Juliet pieces.

Carmens

I asked Jen if Rebecca knew about the field judges. Rebecca mused what it would be like if ice skating judges skated on the ice during competitions. I said that the first slice on the neck from a camel spin would stop that right away. Yeah, I'm demented.

BLUE DEVILS C

Repertoire: "Surfin' BDC" - School's Out (For Summer) by A. Cooper; Surfin' USA by B. Wilson; Wipe Out by B. Berryhill,; Fun, Fun, Fun by B. Wilson

Jen: "The drum major looks like he's 9."

Sher: "He probably is."

They have a lot more CG members than they did last year, but none of them are boys. I miss that little boy from last year. I love the pink flag poles. I was sitting next to a CG staff member, and she kept telling her companion about every step out of place and all of the things that went wrong. Yes, she did cheer for certain things, too. Great sound and fun show, BDC! Yay -- an outgoing cadence!

BD - C with pink flag poles

WATCHMEN

DM's salute includes three fingers over the heart, like a "W". Still some intonation issues, especially in the first piece. Jen concurs that their hair is fake because the blond girl's hair (not the purple bangs) doesn't match her ponytail. They have more marimbas than they have CG.

The Freelancers Alumni Corps entertained the crowd during intermission, playing selections such as the Beibl "Ave Maria" and Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". I got a hot dog. I would have bought nuts from the Impulse booth, but I didn't bring enough money, and I couldn't find my companions.

Freelancers Alumni Corps

CITY SOUND

Their stage is painted now, in Mardi Gras colors. The DM threw down his gauntlets one at a time during the show. It's ON! Very much improved music! There was a napkin on the field and I got distracted. They threw beads into the stands as they passed by. I WANT ONE! Rebecca yelled the same thing. Jen felt like she was with 4-year-olds.

GOLDEN EMPIRE

I don't remember this narration, but it's loud. I do like the sound at the show's beginning of the winding clock or whatever it is, while the corps moves with each tick. Please fix your lines.

Beautiful Horizon Flags

IMPULSE

Repertoire: "Dusk to Dawn" -- Music of Ludwig van Beethoven: Fifth Symphony; Moonlight Sonata; Ode to Joy from the 9th Symphony

Their show DID have a name! Much better today, Impulse! Jen really digs the huge yellow flag with the exclamation point that they usually have on their golf cart.

Our hosts - I like those flags

GOLD

CG finally has their uniforms. Jen says that the corps looks like turtles. I told her about last year's show. She asked if it involved turtles. Uh, no. Their bendy sticks now have floaties on them for fighting in the swimming pool. Maybe that's where the turtles are. Nice arrow formation as the corps leans in a ripple and the point of the arrow is toward a solo CG who does a high toss (I can't remember if it was a saber or a rifle). Great guard work, especially the unison in their triangle.

They should be in a pool

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD CADETS

Repertoire: "The Road Not Taken" -- Kaval Sviri (Traditional Eastern European folk music); Meetings Along the Edge by P. Glass; Forbidden Friendship from How to Train Your Dragon by J. Powell; Test Drive from How to Train Your Dragon by J. Powell; Symphony # 5 by L. van Beethoven; I'll Stand By You by C. Hynde

Beautiful show! Their show opens with the corps making a path, reminiscent of the "A" corps' "Pathways" show. I love those metallic flags, especially the last green ones, and the way they reveal them with a big blast. I could do without the narration, but at least it's the source material and it's not paragraphs at a time. Gorgeous horn sound, and the drums kicked butt. I saw a couple of drops by the guard, but it wasn't ugly. The cymbals make their V at the end of the show. I thought that one of the drummers was going to lose his Aussie feather because it was drooping, but he didn't. I really dig the drums with the dirt path and the strip of green on the bottom to represent their show title.

Pretty SCVC Drums

BLUE DEVILS B

Repertoire: "NOIR [nuvo]" -- Scene 1: Opening Credits - Young and Beautiful by L. Del Rey;

Brute Force by M. Rozsa; Scene 2: A Dark and Stormy Night - Theme from The Usual Suspects by J. Ottman; Scene 3: The Firefight - Children’s Hour of Dreams by C. Mingus;
Asphalt Cocktail by J. Mackey; Scene 4: Flashback - Film Noir/Pursuit by Danny Elfman;
Scene 5: Finale - Reprise of Theme from The Usual Suspects by J. Ottman; Children’s Hour of Dreams by C. Mingus; and Young and Beautiful by L. Del Rey

I saw the many tall props at the back stands earlier in the evening and knew immediately that these belonged to BDB, and I didn't even know the theme of their show. They are street lamps. Wow, with that sound, BDB! The show is so very Blue Devils organization, with the props all over the place and moving them around, the hula hoops, the kickass brass and the kickass drums. I like the black drum heads. I also like that their theme is similar to the "A" corps' Fellini show. Those flags with the silhouette are very cool. Is it a law that every noir show has to include narration? Imagine Spirit's show from a few years ago, and you'll know the narration. I felt it was unnecessary. Also, it was loud.

BD B - check out those silhouette flags

Encore
Impulse played portions of their show. I was irritated that the color guard was not paying attention, then Jen saw them get in trouble and they watched the corps.

Leaders

Scores

Open Class:
9) 45.65 Incognito
8) 47.15 Blue Devils C
7) 50.05 Watchmen
6) 50.45 City Sound
5) 57.95 Impulse
4) 58.30 Golden Empire
3) 62.40 Gold
2) 67.25 Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets
1) 68.60 Blue Devils B

Jen informed the girls that these were Open Class corps, and there are others that are already on tour. Rebecca was quite impressed that there were more corps out there that were better than these. I hope that hey get to see some World Class corps next year. (They couldn't this year due to a scheduling conflict). Impulse was going to have their Age-Out ceremony after the show, but it was taking a long time for them to get that together, so I left. I would have said hi and introduced myself to Ryan, but when I finally got up my nerve to do so, I didn't see him. I did, though, go back to buy toffee peanuts from the Impulse booth. :) I did see Cerritos College on the way home, because it was just a couple of blocks past the freeway, and I laughed at my crazy self as I drove through an old neighborhood where I used to hang out.

That was the last competition in Southern California, so I'll just be watching the DCI Fan Network live webcasts until Indianapolis. Until them, drum corps fans, please send good thoughts to all of the corps traveling around the country, that they travel safe and have good weather for their shows.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/14/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, July 14, 2014

DCI Fan Network airing the Tour of Champions

Simple Gifts 07/13/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, July 13, 2014

Two more new drum corps fans...and they will be starting high school this year, marching with the band.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/12/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, July 12, 2014

They miss me. Swoon!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

They're So Sensitive

I've been excited about seeing "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" as soon as I heard that it was being made. If you don't recall how much I loved "Rise", here's the post from that one. So Glenn, Cindy and Mox joined me for a night of food and apes. We had dinner at T. Phillips Alehouse and Grill, then walked to the Krikorian for the movie, which we saw in 3D, in the back row. I pointed to the kids in the row in front of us whom should have been in bed (the movie started at 10:30 p.m.).

Nice opening and closing shots to bookend the movie.
Big Ass Spears. I want one.
Keri Russell, I still miss your Felicity Hair
Cornelia! There she is!
Et tu, Koba?
Cried about 3 times.
That baby ape is so very little! I want to play with him/her.
Apes No Kill Apes
Apes riding horses. Awesome.
Nice score, Mr. Giacchino!
Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbell were amazing.
I can't believe that he did that to his own son. It was like watching that one episode of "24" except that I liked the character that died in the movie.
Do you know what happens when you're watching in 3D and the CGI is very realistic? You get a little dizzy when the shots are from up high, looking down. I don't think it was the wine.
Great special effects. It's difficult to believe that those weren't actual ape actors.
Caesar is SuperApe.

I would see this again in the theater. Loved it.

Simple Gifts 07/11/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, July 11, 2014

APES!!!!!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/10/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, July 10, 2014

The big reveal of Sami's calculated revenge on EJ for his infidelity with Abigail on Days of Our Lives

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/09/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, July 9, 2014

An available seat on a crowded train

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/08/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Kate and Sami scheming together on Days of Our Lives

Monday, July 7, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/07/14

Simple Gifts
Monday, July 7, 2014

Having a Ralphs within walking distance of my office so that I don't have to lug a gallon of Arrowhead onto the Metro

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/06/14

Simple Gifts
Sunday, July 6, 2014

Leftovers from yesterday's party

Simple Gifts 07/05/14

Simple Gifts
Saturday, July 5, 2014

Doggies, one-eyed and two-eyed alike

Saturday, July 5, 2014

DLR LotD 07/04/14

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Friday, July 4, 2014

"Who needs a conscience?" -- Linda, to Dodie, on Pinocchio, right before the ride went down

Simple Gifts 07/04/14

Simple Gifts
Friday, July 4, 2014

The Star-Spangled Banner played by the United States Marine Corps

Friday, July 4, 2014

SCV 2014 Riverside - Clowns

The video below is from after the Riverside show this year. SCV played their corps song for Ray Velarde and his family. Ray and his brother, Art, were on their way to SCV camp one night in 1999 and were in an accident that caused Art's death.

I remember that year well, because it was the year that Bro and I first went to Finals, accompanied by his best friend, Chun. The corps tied the Blue Devils for the championship, and when SCV played their song in their encore, everyone's hearts, corps and fans together, were thinking of Art. It was a bittersweet moment for the corps as they celebrated their come-from-behind win and mourned their fallen brother. I remember seeing the emotion on drum major Michael's face, while the drum line watched arm-in-arm, with tears streaming down many, many cheeks (both Art and Ray were part of the drum line).

I never really felt the impact of this song because I never saw the show that it came from, "A Little Night Music". But 1999 SCV changed all that for me, and their rendition is the one I prefer over anyone else's.

15 years later, I still cry for people I've never met. We haven't forgotten you, Art.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/03/14

Simple Gifts
Thursday, July 3, 2014

Met another goal that we were striving for at work. I stayed later than usual to get it done, but it's done and on time!

Simple Gifts 07/02/14

Simple Gifts
Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Being able to walk up the hill again

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Simple Gifts 07/01/14

Simple Gifts
Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Achieving an office goal that hasn't been reached for a few months.