PusherPix 07/31/16

PusherPix
Sunday, July 31, 2016

Rose by my east porch

PusherPix 07/30/16

PusherPix
Saturday, July 30, 2016

Shakespeare Cookie!  Thank you, Linda!

PusherPix 07/29/16

PusherPix
Friday, July 29, 2016

Let the drinking and eating begin! 

PusherPix 07/28/16

PusherPix
Thursday, July 28, 2016

This is what I feel like doing on days filled with meetings.

PusherPix 07/27/16

PusherPix
Wednesday, July 27, 2016

The medals finally arrived!  They're huge and heavy and pretty.

PusherPix 07/26/16

PusherPix
Tuesday, July 26, 2016

The newest Smuggler's Bounty arrived!

From top left:
Boba Fett plush; R2D2 bobblehead; SB box; Janna mug; C3PO cap; Jubnuk and Leia patches

PusherPix 07/25/16

PusherPix
Monday, July 25, 2016

Horseshoes at LA Convention Center

PusherPix 07/24/16

PusherPix
Sunday, July 24, 2016

Mom planted a couple of new trees in my backyard this year.

The guavas are already starting to appear!

PusherPix 07/23/16

PusherPix
Saturday, July 23, 2016

Thanks to Disney's Emoji Blitz, I can now present to you: Ariel singing to a hippo.  It's like a dream come true!

PusherPix 07/22/16

PusherPix
Friday, July 22, 2016

Pretty elevator doors in Downtown LA

PusherPix 07/21/16

PusherPix
Thursday, July 21, 2016

This made me smile this morning while I was waiting for my Curious George flavored smoothie at Mrs. Winston's.

PusherPix 07/20/16

PusherPix
Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Full moon as seen from the Arcadia Gold Line Station

PusherPix 07/19/16

PusherPix

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

One year ago today, this man sang "Venus" in my living room.

PusherPix 07/18/16

PusherPix
Monday, July 18, 2015

One year ago today: Anticipation

DLR LotD 07/17/16

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, July 17, 2016

"I like it better when they just say 'Hello'." -- Cindy, on Main Street, after the Soundsational Parade

PusherPix 07/17/16

PusherPix
Sunday, July 17, 2016

Happy 61st Birthday to the Happiest Place on Earth!  Thank you, Mickey and Minnie, for the entertainment today.

PusherPix 07/16/16

PusherPix
Saturday, July 16, 2016

They must have known that I'd be there today.

PusherPix 07/15/16

PusherPix
Friday, July 15, 2016

The new Disney Emoji Blitz game.  ARIEL!!!!!

PusherPix 07/14/16

PusherPix
Thursday, July 14, 2016

It was hot today, but the yumminess of my Filipino Bifstek was worth spending time in the kitchen.

PusherPix 07/13/16

PusherPix
Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Happy National French Fry Day!

PusherPix 07/12/16

PusherPix 
Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Worked 11 hours today after less than 4 hours of sleep last night. I felt that I deserved this after dinner.  Thanks, Jenny!

PusherPix 07/11/16

PusherPix
Monday, July 11, 2016

Got a crapload of free stuff at the grand opening of Mrs. Winston's in my office building.  With it also being 7-11 day, there was much to be consumed.

PusherPix 07/10/16

PusherPix
Sunday, July 10, 2016

Didn't know that there used to be a Woolworth's on Colorado blvd and Myrtle Ave in Monrovia, but the tile is still there.  It is now a beauty shop.

Max = Gidget's MoonDoggie

My friends and I saw "The Secret Life of Pets" today.

There was a short prior to the movie, titled "Minion Mowers".

• Heart tattoo!
• I love that this is all because they want to get a blender for their banaNA.

As for Max and his friends:

• The opening aerial views made me kind of dizzy, although it was lovely to see New York from that vantage point.
• Duke reminded me of Chewbacca.  I keep wanting to call him "Chewie".
• Perhaps I should have pre-screened this so that I could warn Cindy that there were snakes in this movie.  Sorry, Cindy.  "Snake Bite! Snake Bite!"
• Loved seeing the poster for the Hitchcock's "The Birds" in Sweetpea's apartment.
• Also liked the promotion of Illumination's next flick, "Sing" on the bus.
• I think my favorite pet was Chloe, even though she's a cat and made fun of dogs.  I just loved her sarcasm.  "OK, so the short cut was death."
• Gidget is a close second, though.  She's a badass when it comes to protecting her future boyfriend.
• I love that they got high on sausages.  "We Go Together" was bonus fun.
• I'm horrible.  As soon as I saw that Duke's former owner was an older gentleman, I thought, "He's dead."  This is what happens when characters die in a lot of the animated movies that I watch; I just assume it's going to happen.  
• Linda and I both recognized that the part with Max and Duke stuck in the van and Max walking on the shattered glass was an homage to "Jurassic Park: Lost World".
• The Flushed Pets.  I get it.  But how is that bunny, that lives in the sewers, so pristine white?
• See what happens when you abandon your pets?  They become a gang and try to destroy humanity.  Be kind to animals!
• Hi, Joe!!!

This was a fun movie, but not the greatest.  I would like to see it again to check out the details in the sewer and on Tattoo's skin, as well as to laugh again.  

PusherPix 07/09/16

PusherPix
Saturday, July 9, 2016

This is the way I have to watch SCV for the next month.  

PusherPix 07/08/16

PusherPix
Friday, July 8, 2016

Basset Hound in a Big Mug

Am I Blue

Western Corps Connection

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Wheelock Stadium - Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Bro and I set off for RCC in the afternoon, and arrived early.  As we were walking in the parking structure, a guy pulled up a truck and asked us if we paid for parking.  No.  He laughed and said that he doesn't either, and never has, saying that the folks upstairs in line to pay "must be from Madison" and hadn't been here before.  I did see a guy in line with a City Sound shirt, so I don't know how true that is, but this could be his first show here, too.  We're pretty sure that they don't care about the parking situation on Sundays, because we've never seen any parking enforcement people there.  Save your money for food and souvenirs, people!  We briefly looked around for new merchandise but didn't see any because APPARENTLY we are blind (more about that later).

Bro was going to bring his own water bottle, but when he heard me say, "I'm going to get aguas frescas", he quickly changed his mind.  We got in line and he waited for the mango flavor to be available to have a mango/strawberry mix.  I got a cantaloupe/watermelon mix.  It was yummy.  I also wanted a hot dog for later because I didn't want to get into what would be eventually be a long time.  A group of people in front of me were standing around in the shade and wouldn't move away from the line even when they received what they ordered.  I was annoyed and told the guy in front of me to move up because they were just standing there.  Then a couple of the guys in the group realized that maybe they should have stood in line for food instead of standing around in a circle talking to the people whom were already eating theirs.  No, guys, you were not in line.  Go get in the back of this long one.  Thank you.  

Mmm...aguas frescas!

Rudy didn't get to the stadium in time for the Welcome, so I sat with Bro until he arrived.  Our seats were in row Q, seats 1-4, on the aisle, but not quite the top row.  The top row (row R) on the left side (facing the field) has desks.  I'm going to try for those next time.

The Star-Spangled Banner was sung a capella by Kim Lovett, whom was a RCC Marching Tiger.  Her rendition was nice and simple.   Great job, Kim!  Later in the evening, I saw her sitting near us in the stands and told her that I appreciated that she didn't go all crazy with it.  She said that she didn't believe in doing that because she respected the song too much for that.  Me, too!  

IMPULSE

The flag emoticons:

Blue :/

Yellow :D

Orange :|

Pink :)

I didn't catch the purple one.  Bro wondered about the lady in the blue dress walking around the field.  She was the brass judge.  I don't know why she wasn't wearing green, and we thought they weren't supposed to walk around the field quite yet, just on the sidelines.  There were times that she was REALLY close to the performers.  Maybe she'll stop getting so close once she gets hit.

Good job, Impulse, although I think you still need to show more energy.

Psychoanalytical Flags

I quickly found Rudy and brought him his ticket and wristband.  We saw him almost get to the gate right before they closed it.  We don't understand why they close the gate when the corps still has 3 minutes until the official start of competition.

INCOGNITO

The DM is a good conductor.  I liked watching him. 

Sher:  "I wonder how many times the rifle hits that tuba during the pre-show."

Bro:  "Every time."

Their drums are ombre.  "Above all, love each other deeply"....and then go to hell.  Bro pointed this out to me and I'm still wondering why they did the show in this order.  Why isn't it the other way around?  DARKNESS.

Ombre Drums

WATCHMEN

Go, Drums!  Bro:  "The best part of the show is its flags."  So, seriously.  It can't be helpful when the catapults face *each other*.  How is that going to kill the giant?  Stupid Stormcorpstroopers.

GOLDEN EMPIRE

Nice sound, but the brass needs some tuning.  The pas de deux is really cool when they are holding hands while doing a tandem one-handed cartwheel.

Dancing Man Flags

GOLD

Nice opening blast by the brass!  I only saw them use that front ramp once.  They look like they're going to stab the soloist on the ramp when they're pointing their sabers up like that.  Way too many drops by the color guard.

Drum Major with Gold Detail

<Intermission>

A SoundSport group called the Edmonton, Alberta Sabers Marching Band played a few selections.  Group members are ages 6-14 years old.  I could see their cuteness even from my vantage point on the way to the restrooms.

PACIFIC CREST

I love that drumline opener to the show. I also like the train horn sounds by the brass.  Good CG work.  

Rosie the Riveter Pose

MANDARINS

Nice flag work!  I like when the brass plays in sections with their mutes.  Rudy really liked the last movement.

Mandarins Flags in Final Piece

THE ACADEMY

Dude, there are butterflies on the wall!  That's where they've been all of this time.  I love those skeletons: they make me giggle.

Brides with Rifles

BLUE KNIGHTS

On Friday night, Rudy and I told Bro about the Paper Reeds (by R. Thompson) that we had to emulate when on choir retreat a long time ago.  Now whenever I say "Paper Reeds!", Bro knows what I mean.  I said it tonight when BK started their show and the corps members were lightly swaying.  CG girl pops up behind the mirror at the end (currently), too!  Shimmer!

Bro:  "Oh what a lovely Knight that would be....this show is getting more and more crazy."

I think this shot of her is better than yesterday's.

MADISON SCOUTS

About a week ago, Bro told me that he realized that when the recording starts counting the lashes ("1...2...3...4"), the same number of rifles is tossed.  I was listening to him when he said that and couldn't see what he was talking about until tonight. Yeah, I'm slow.  The brass carry Judas then drop him and then run after him.  I don't remember them dropping him before like they did tonight.  

Star Formation

BLUE DEVILS

The trumpets played beautifully during the ballad.  Their bass drum heads have a silhouette of a hand as if someone is trying to get out of them.  They have butterflies on their final flags.  The CG still does waves with their bodies even when the music is done and the audience is applauding.  I still don't like the pink dresses.

Ariel Dresses

Scores

Open Class:

5) 39.50 -- Incognito

4) 46.95 -- Impulse

3) 47.50 -- Watchmen

2) 52.95 -- Golden Empire

1) 54.45 -- Gold

World Class:

6) 60.25 -- PC

5) 62.65 -- Mandarins

4) 66.40 -- Academy

3) 67.05 -- BK

2) 69.85 -- Madison

1) 77.55 -- BD

Rudy really liked the Blue Devils show and wanted a shirt, so we went to the marketplace.  I looked at the shirt that he had purchased earlier, for Gold's Dia de Los Muertos show.  The skull design has drumsticks and music notes in it.  Cool!  I hadn't looked at the detail of the shirt before.  Then while they were walking, I saw the new Drum Corpse Bride shirt from The Academy.  I called them over to look at it, and Bro pointed out that the "A" glows in the dark.  COOL!  I had to buy it, of course.  The cashier lady told me that they were going to debut them at their home show later in the week, but decided to give a sneak preview to us.  Thank you!  Rudy bought a BD shirt with the ship on it.  

We said our goodbyes and Bro and I went back to my house and ate yummy peach preserves courtesy of Dodie.  :)  It's going to be a long 2 months until we get to see drum corps in person again.  Until then, I'll be that blue flag.  At least we have the internet and social media to whet our appetites. 

Thank you to Bro for driving everywhere in California, for getting tickets and making hotel arrangements, and for being such fun to be with during our drum corps road trip.  Love you, 1scvfan!

PusherPix 07/07/16

PusherPix
Thursday, July 7, 2016

New Metro Bike Share racks have arrived near my office building.

PusherPix 07/06/16

PusherPix
Wednesday, July 6, 2016

L A Sparks guard Kristi Toliver shoots a free throw in a winning game against the Indiana Fever

PusherPix 07/05/16

PusherPix
Tuesday, July 5, 2016

The Dalmatian is cooking burgers.  In a chef hat.

PusherPix 07/04/16

PusherPix
Monday, July 4, 2016

Happy Birthday, USA!

Respect

DLR LotD 07/04/16

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Monday, July 4, 2016

"I cut mine." -- Justin, during yet another banana discussion , at Smokejumpers

PusherPix 07/03/16

PusherPix
Sunday, July 3, 2016

The Academy's skeleton xylophones

The Tide (of Trombones) is High

Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl - Corps at the Crest

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Rose Bowl

Pasadena, CA

In the morning, I took a walk with my niece after breakfast and we searched for the helmeted guinea fowl that their dog, Presto, chased away.  We located them at someone's house, then went to the playground where we played "Talent Show".  I won tickets to drum corps and Vanguard.  I don't know why those were separate, but I was happy to get them.

Miss O

We walked back to the house and played Restaurant, and Dad somehow gave her the impression that he did not like the imaginary food that he was served.  The niece:  "Are you saying that my baking is bad?!"  He said something to her, and she whispered to me, "He's crazy."  I love my family.  We ate lunch and then Bro and I took off for my place where we rested for a bit while waiting for our friends to arrive.

Dodie arrived first, followed by Glenn. I had mentioned that I remember seeing people checking in their backpacks, so Dodie borrowed a purse.  Then Glenn read the Rose Bowl rules about bags and they were quite prohibitive, so we both changed to much smaller purses and she put her snacks in a clear plastic freezer bag.  We arrived at the Rose Bowl pretty early, so Dodie and I went to the ticket booth to place Tim's ticket at will call and tried to see if anyone with big bags was being told to return their stuff to their car.  We didn't see that happen, but you know that if we had brought our bags, we'd be the ones to get rejected at the gate.  We met up with the guys, whom were watching a drumline warm up.  They showed me that The Academy now had a limo service to provide their transportation.  Nice!  We got in line to enter the stadium, and saw that some people were being turned away before getting to the bag check, and then others just had to bring their personal water bottles back to the car.  It was inconsistent, and Bro and Glenn got stuck behind people with huge bags getting searched, when really, they should have just told those people to return their stuff to their car.  We shopped around and Glenn bought some tech polo shirts to add to his collection.  Dodie and I got food and met the guys at their seats.  Tim arrived shortly after.  I was excited that I'd get to sit by Tim to witness his initial reaction to certain elements of some shows.  While I was looking around the stands, I saw that the former band director and my orchestra conductor from our alma mater were up in the box seats.  Hi, Mr. Landes and Mr. Davies!

Paparazzi Shot

The Star-Spangled Banner was performed by the Pacific Crest trumpet line.  They sounded much better today.  Then Ryan T. asked us to remain standing for "America The Beautiful", which was sung a cappella by Brianna from UC Irvine.  Dodie thought she had too much vibrato, but I was fine with it.  She sang beautifully, and ended on a very high note, very operatic and I loved it.  "That's my school!!!!"  That's where I really started singing, at the UCI Vocal department, so I was particularly proud of her accomplishment.  Go, Anteaters!  I still don't know why we had to stand, though.

GOLDEN EMPIRE

The flags need to be more unison.  I like the decrescendo down to one snare when the horns move to the 50 yard line.

THE WATCHMEN

I just don't see how they're going to kill the giant if the catapults are all facing different ways.  Tim suggested that perhaps the giant was all around them.  No wonder David and his slingshot killed the giant: he probably had better aim.  I'm going to call the Watchmen the Stormtroopers if this year's drum corps season.  There is a battle scene during the battery feature, but they're still not aiming in the same direction.  I guess there isn't a slingshot formation.  Perhaps this takes place before David arrives.

INCOGNITO

Dodie lies the pretty flowy gowns.  I don't remember hearing narration yesterday.  Maybe if they'd have their repertoire ready in time for the program to be printed, we could just read about it and not hear about the different sections of the show.  Tim said it was like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride because we ended in hell.

IMPULSE

Sher: "I'm the blue one." :/  Dodie: "Are we being manipulated?"  Then there were Rorschach flags.  Or maybe they were the kind that is two pictures in one, like the 2 faces or the vase.  Nice solos.  Great Gate of Kiev was ruined by the talking again.  They had more energy today, thanks to the crowd's reaction to the first soloist's achievement.

GOLD

That's not the same drum major as yesterday.  Yesterday's DM had the gold accents on his uniform, and this one is female and doesn't have them.  Bro said that they switched.  I didn't even see him during retreat, so I don't know what happened to him.  They don't have their flags yet; still using practice flags.  They have openings for a baritone and a trumpet, if anyone out there reading this is interested and is eligible.

<Intermission>

The Freelancers Alumni Corps provided the entertainment.  Tim was happy because their corps is what made him fall in love with drum corps.   I don't know why Ryan T said "ChUck Corea".  Any musician that knows jazz knows "Chick" Corea is correct.  Tim said that the music they were playing was made famous for drum corps by the Blue Devils.  Now I know why the title of their show has the word "blue" in it.

MANDARINS

Dodie likes the flowy siren outfit.  The corps received a good response from the crowd, especially for the contras.  CG work good, especially with the flags at the end of the show.

THE ACADEMY

A bit dirty, but I just love this show.  I didn't see a ghost formation, so I guess there isn't one. This was Dodie's favorite show of the evening. I think it was Tim's, too.  He loves the choices that the corps has been making in the least few years, and they are becoming one of his favorites.  Their music is familiar but they skew it in a way that is unique.  I mean, who else would think to turn the Death March melody into "Here Comes the Bride"?  The Academy's shows are just so entertaining and understandable that they make it hard not to love them.  I wouldn't be surprised if someone from Disney was on the design staff.  If only they were cleaner, they'd probably make it to Finals night.  Bro is getting sad because he knows that he'll only get to see the show in person 3 more times.  

Wedding Ring Flags

PACIFIC CREST

Sounded much better today.  I wish the show was more entertaining, though, especially when you watch it after "Drum Corpse Bride".  Go, Bass Drums!  The train tracks looked good today.  I like it when the cymbals make a steam sound.

Final Pose

MADISON SCOUTS

Guy in a row behind us screamed, "JUDAS!!!!!!!"  So not what I was expecting.  Bro and I had been discussing the part when the horn players are doing the fancy steps, and that they need to clean up the movements.  They were much better today.  Glenn: "The horns always get the best dance steps."  Tim did not like the trombone solo, but thought that the inclusion of the trombone in the duet was OK.  Basically, the other instruments are made with a different sonority than the trombone, so it tends to clash instead of blend, but it was OK in the duet.  Glenn really liked this show.

BLUE KNIGHTS

They had more changes.  Now the second section ends with the horns back in the middle circle, with their feet up.  

Gotcha!

 BLUE DEVILS

Now they have pictures on their scaffolding, new color guard uniform changes, and a ship.  I like the light blue dresses that match with the corps uniforms and now the paint on the bottom of the scaffolding.  Bro likes it, too, calling it "the Ariel dress".  I still haven't heard "Come Sail Away".  Maybe they'll be using that when they add the pre-show.  They really do look like water at times because their movements are fluid and they move in wave-like motions.  Tim was OK with the BD trombones because they weren't even trying to blend with the corps.  They used them instead of the baritones most of the time, which is probably the reason because they usually clash with the baritones, so it works.  Tim actually wants to watch the show again, and it's his favorite BD show from recent years, and he's not really a BD fan.  I'm happily surprised that he likes this show.

Encore - Pacific Crest

• Eternal Father, Strong to Save (Sher's favorite hymn)
• America the Beautiful (They did not ask us to stand)
• Show music (from "Fix You" onward)
• Ave Maria (corps song)

Scores

Open Class:

5) 38.90 -- Incognito

4) 45.20 -- Watchmen

3) 47.55 -- Impulse

2) 50.60 -- Golden Empire

1) 53.00 -- Gold

World Class:

6) 59.65 -- PC

5) 61.70 -- Mandarins

4) 64.75 -- Academy

3) 66.60 -- BK

2) 67.70 -- Madison

1) 75.50 -- BD

BD had the highest score in the nation tonight.  

We said our goodbyes to Tim.  I wonder if he bought a BD Trombone section shirt.  Dodie bought the Mandarins tour shirt.  We went home and I asked Dodie to open her other snack bag because I wanted chips.  Thanks, Dodie!  

That was a fun evening.  Bro had withdrawals as soon as we got into the car, so it's going to be REALLY bad starting on Monday.

Next up:  Riverside