Tempus XX

 DCI Finals

Saturday, August 13, 2022

Lucas Oil Stadium

Indianapolis, IN

We slept in a little bit this morning, and then walked to Le Peep for breakfast.  On the way there, we saw that another place we were interested in looked really busy, so we put our name in, and were told it would be a 20-minute wait.  The restaurant is currently under renovation for HVAC updates, so they only had one restaurant available as a unisex restroom.  It was actually a men's restroom, so there was only one stall.  I ordered a Break of Dawn, which was a skillet with scrambled eggs, mushrooms, green onions, bacon, and cheddar cheese.  It was yummy.  Bro also enjoyed his Breakfast Burrito, as did V her Chai Pancakes.  

We relaxed in the hotel room before walking over to Lucas Oil.  We saw a long line wrapping around the corner from the entrance, which had never happened before when we were there an hour early.  V asked which way I wanted to go.  I figured we should try getting to the gates from the other side, which proved to be a substantial advantage.  Then when the guy scanned my ticket, he scanned it twice and let me in.  Then I opened the ticket to locate my seat, and saw that he had actually scanned yesterday's ticket (all of our tickets for the week said "Finals", so you had to pay attention to the date, which I didn't this time).  Turns out that Bro did the same thing.  So this guy was just letting people in after a couple of tries, I guess because he figured that dishonest people wouldn't be trying to get into some weird band competition.  Later, there was a post on social media from DCI, apologizing for the issues getting into the stadium, and adjusted the schedule.  So when we thought that line was unusual, we were right.  I wonder if it was a staffing issue, just like all of the issues with concessions not being open.  I went to the Troopers booth and bought a shirt that looks like it was splattered with oil, along with the Troopers "11".  Yup, a what-the-heck shirt!

We all got something to eat before the show because we knew the lines would be insane later on.  I got a veggie burger, which had a char on it and makes it look a lot like meat, and I wondered if I even had the right kind of burger before realizing that the one with meat also has cheese.  Our seats were in Section 238, Row 5, seats 10-12, on the right 25-yard line.  We used to get seats that were in a higher section, but Bro said that they were way off to the side, so he didn't get them.  I was good with these.

We spent our wait time taking selfies with different views of the stadium.  Which do you like best?

From the right of us

With big board 50

With the Field

They played a video of a bunch of the corps to start the event.  Dan Potter announced loudly, "IIIIIIT'S DRUM CORPS TIME IN INDY!!!!!"  It sure is!  There was a long pause.  We wondered if it had something to do with the fact that the IN-Pact band might still be outside in line, trying to get into the building.  They played "Take On Me" by A-HA.  Then Al Chez joined them to play "Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga.  Some of the band directors also joined in to dance along.  That was much more fun than in prior years.  I usually skip it because it takes so long for set up and break down and it went by quickly this time.  The band directors' choreography was done by director Michael Reynolds, who does a lot of the body work for SCV.

Al Chez, Dancing Band Directors, and IN-pact

THE COMMANDANT'S OWN UNITED STATES MARINE DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS

Bro saw Vanguard moving their props into the staging area at the same time that the Marines were bringing their pit instruments onto the field, which is from the same tunnel.  He thought for a moment that the Marines were going to use the props before coming to his senses.

They played their "Music in Motion" show, which included some Shostakovich and other stuff that I forgot to write down, ending with "Stars and Stripes Forever".  They also played the Star-spangled Banner and people behind us sang out of tune, but hey, at least they were patriotic.

The flags were brought in by current members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  The thirteen original DCI corps were represented by a local high school wearing uniforms in their colors. 

Two of the founding members of DCI were introduced and I got all teary when Dan thanked them for creating DCI.  Neither one of them wanted to provide their predictions for the evening.

Dan introduced Voice of DCI Brandt Crocker.  Brandt said that he has announced all 50 years of championship week, and is honored to announce again this week, starting with one of the founding corps of DCI.  I got teary again.

TROOPERS

"For the first time in 13 years, from Casper, Wyoming, the Troopers!"  This year, they played video of a little bit of history for each of the finalists.  I remember that 2009 year when they made it into the Finals after such a long time, starting with the smoke coming from the tunnel.  That was cool.  One of the pit guys uses a bowling pin on his keyboard during warmup.Oh, they DO use those oil barrels as drums!  How did I miss that when I was sitting up front?  I guess I was too busy taking photos of the oil rig.   I really like how the cellist goes from the Morricone into "Nothing Else Matters".  From our vantage point, we could see that the top of the drum major's hat had some shine to it, which was the black stuff that he smears on his face later on.  THIS SHOW!  I love it so much!  I wish I had seen this one as many times as the ones by the California corps.

Intro Video

Shiny Oil

OIL!!!

COLTS

This is the first time in 15 years that the Colts have been in Finals.  Last time was in Pasadena, 2007.  I miss those uniforms in the red/white. A nearby Colts fan was shouting out a list of names, cheering them.  The lady behind me (whom I sat next to yesterday), said their names, too, as if she knew them.  I giggled.   She talked to V before the show and said that she noticed me taking notes and photos and wondered if I worked with SCV.  Her son plays in the SCV pit. I've always liked the Colts soloists.  I like that they have them play up on the carts as a spotlight.

Cocoons and Raw Silk

Colts Delta Formation

Cart for Ensembles / Soloists

MANDARINS

Boyfriend Charles had his best performance of the season!  Wow!  V mentioned to us earlier this week that a lot of the movements were robotic, and wondered how that fit the theme.  I never really thought about that before, but seeing the show after she talked about it, it looks like they are emphasizing the metallic silver in the uniforms, and with Charles wearing the gold when the solo starts, it does seem like the robots want to know what it is like on the other side of the wall.  I don't know who I thought they were portraying before.  GUARD!!!!  Awesome.

PHREGIMENT

I don't know what's going on in this show and I don't care.  It's just beautiful.  I love that drill at the end, classic Phregiment, classic drum corps.  

CAVALIERS

Oh, THAT pendulum!  There were a lot of cool things that I didn't see before, like the tarp clock in the middle with the time of 10:22.  I agree with V: it should have been 8:22, because if it was PM, it would be 20:22 in military time, like the time on those final flags.

Pendulum to the right

Pendulum to the center

Drums

Cavies Guard

BLUE STARS

That's a lot of backflips in a row, sir!  Great horn section!  I like the black lining of their long coats.

Star Formation

<9-minute Intermission>

They cut the intermission short due to the issues at the entrance, for what is a bigger crowd than on the other nights.  This is why we eat beforehand and have snacks on hand.  V and I were fast, though, and were able to use the restroom before the lines got long.  I would have been OK missing the Cadets because of all of the talking, but I'm also glad that I got to see them.

CADETS

I like the portions when the corps is dancing.  They play with the sound system as the speakers are louder on the right side when he says "east", and on the left side when he says "west".  I like the bright yellow lining in their jackets.  

SCV

VANGUAAAAAAAAARRRRRRD!  I did the yell with the other SCV fans/family.  OK, I did most of it.  So those shiny dots give them some sparkle under the lights -- nice.  That ending is just bliss.

Nirvana Found

CROWN

Today's warmup song was "We Will Rock You".  Gosh, I love that horn line.  I forgot to post yesterday that at one point, a few of the color guard members say, "Let's go girls!"  Cute.

Peek-A-Boo!

Crown Formation

BLUECOATS

My ears hurt again.  Damn amps and keytar.  I like all of the hip action during the first segment with those 3 notes.  Remember how I couldn't figure out who was playing something?  Nobody was.  Nobody had their horns up, so it was a recording.  That bugs me, but I still cheer at that part of their "Tilt" show because it sounds cool and forget about the recording every time.  I just don't think they should win music / brass awards if that's included.  I'm thinking that it was a nod to that show.

Getting run over by a car

BOSTON CRUSADERS

I finally got to follow the storyline because I could see everything on the field.  That guard!  Wow.  Horns were awesome.  I just heard the hisses of the serpent.  That's a great show!  The apple reminds me of their 2009 show, "The Core of Temptation".  I loved the apple formation and the "crunch" sound effect back then.  They should have done that crunch again.

Drummers falling from Grace

Serpent Solo

Crunch!

Tango Ending

BLUE DEVILS

OK, I figured it out.  I don't like the trombone part of "Moon River".  Too much sliding.  Dude, why did you drop your sabre on Finals night?!?  They really could have left out all of the art and the talking.  It's a great show all on its own because they execute it so well.

Start of BD show

Dance Break

Retreat

The drum majors from the 3 winning Open Class corps were introduced.  They helped hand out the awards.

Gold, SCVC, and BDB Drum Majors

The guy next to me asked what "Retreat" meant.  "Should we leave now?"  Someone must have told him what it meant, because he stayed for the scores.  He knew a bunch of the shows that were in the videos, so maybe he's never been to Finals.  But marching band competitions have Retreat, too, so whatever.  

Before the corps marched onto the field, we tried to guess what props they would bring onto the field with them.  Troopers brought a couple of oil barrels.  Colts brought their moth wings.  Phantom formed their logo.  The Blue Stars brought their lounge chairs.  Cadets brought their suitcases and toilet-seat shaped chairs.  SCV brought a shield that Bro thinks usually hangs in their corps hall.  Bluecoats brought one of their car screens, and one of the guard members had the steering wheel and pretended to drive all crazy, with the other guard members pretending they were passengers.  BD brought their blue art things.  

Troopers

Blue Stars

Phregiment

SCV

Cadets

Photo Courtesy of V

Scores

12)  86.425 -- Troopers

Jim Jones Leadership Award:  Drum Major from Santa Clara Vanguard(!) -- Alexandra Pugh

11) 87.200 -- Colts

10) 90.013 -- Mandarins

George Zingali Best Color Guard Performance Award:  Boston Crusaders

9) 90.600 -- Cavaliers

John Brazale Best Visual Performance Award:  Blue Devils

8) 90.675 -- Phantom Regiment

Jim Ott Best Brass Performance Award:  Blue Devils

7) 92.775 -- Blue Stars

6) 92.913 -- Cadets

Fred Sanford Best Percussion Performance Award:  Bluecoats

This is Bloo's first win in this caption.  Great for their 50th anniversary!

5) 95.00 -- Santa Clara Vanguard

4) 96.35 -- Carolina Crown

Don Angelica Best General Effect Award: Blue Devils

PAUSE.  This next one would be very interesting, given the tie for 2nd last night.

"Receiving the silver medals tonight..." -- the crowd went crazy.  What?  No bronze?  Had Brandt lost his mind?  Is this happening AGAIN?  Brandt also said, "Come on now!" with a chuckle to calm down the crowd.

2) 97.325 -- TIE: Bluecoats and Boston Crusaders

The corps members from both corps cheered and pointed to each other, and it was awesome.  Had the 1st place corps not been standing between them, they probably would have all done high-fives with each other.

1) 98.750 -- Blue Devils

Another undefeated season for BD!  "Blue Devils, the field is yours!"

They need me to proofread their signs.

Well, not for a while. Many of the drummers were drumming loudly on the 50-yard line.  Eventually, Blue Devils pit got set up, and the electric guitarist and drum kit players started to jam in order to try drowning out the drummers that didn't hear the announcer telling them to leave the field.  It made my ears hurt again.  It took a long time for them to stop.

Encore

Blue Devils performed their show again.  When they took off their jackets at the beginning, they threw them around like crazy.  Congratulations on your 20th Gold, BD!

We realized that we never bought anything out of the frozen yogurt machine near concessions, but they only had Very Strawberry flavor left, and none of us wanted that.  I was hungry, though, so I got some trail mix and candy at the Market in the hotel.  

We ate and debriefed before going to sleep.

The next day, Bro and V went to Jack's Doughnuts to get something for us to eat.  They got a peanut-butter iced cinnamon roll for me, which was enough to tide me over until the afternoon.  While they did that, I made sure one more time that the hotel was OK with me staying in the same room for the additional day that I tacked on.  Bro and V left to catch their flight, and then I went to Cafe Patachou to pick up my order, an egg salad sandwich on a croissant.  I wasn't able to get up the elevator with my card, though, so I had to go back to the front desk to have them update it again.  Luckily, the hotel clerk that I talked to during check-in was there, and she remembered me, so I didn't need to explain too much.  

Seen On My Walk

Indianapolis Home Base

Across From Our Hotel

For dinner, a friend from my college days, Amy, picked me up and we drove to a vegan place that she had been wanting to try.  Earlier that weekend, we saw that the hours were different on different pages of their website as well as Google.  So she called them that day to make sure they would be open for dinner, and they said yes.  When we arrived, though, there was a sign on the door saying that they were closed for dinner.  WHAT?!!?  I was totally set on trying some vegan food.  She saw that there was a King Dough in the area, and she loves a vegan pizza that they make, so we went there.  I had a Sweetie Salad that had blueberries, strawberries, candied pecans,and mixed greens.  I should have ordered a small, because that bowl was huge.  Amy and I enjoyed catching up, as we hadn't seen her in several years.  She moved to Bloomington in 2013 and I never had time to spend with her, so I never contacted her to get together.  She had seen my post on Facebook and I told her I was available for dinner, so there we were.  It turns out that she marched color guard in high school, so she is very interested in attending DCI prelims next year!  I warned her that it would be an all day thing, and she's fine with it.  I would love to introduce her to the wonder of drum corps!

Big Salad

The next day, I took a Lyft to the airport, and had a nice conversation with the driver about his upcoming vacation to the Dominican Republic.  I was happy that I didn't get any special attention at security.  While I was sitting at the gate area, I saw that one of the legs of my flight was canceled, so they rebooked me to fly to San Jose from Denver to change planes again.  Both the flights from Indy and from Denver were packed full, but the San Jose flight was only about half full, so that was nice.  I took a Lyft from ONT to my house, and we talked about his most recent trip to Hawaii, saying that his wife wants to move there now.  Well, they need math teachers in Hawaii, so I hope they can make it work.  Maybe the next time I'm in Honolulu, he'll be my Lyft driver there!

I survived my first trip taking a plane since the pandemic started!  I wore a mask whenever I was indoors in public (except while eating/drinking), no matter what the other folks wore.  I had been anxious about the trip and didn't want to have contact with strangers beforehand because I didn't want to be sick and miss an activity that we didn't have for 2 years.  I'm glad that we went, and we had a great time.  I'm already missing drum corps.  Withdrawal is real, people.  Oh, and I totally forgot to play "Indiana" while I was there!  So I'll just listen to it right now.

It's also time to put away my notebook.  I've used it for 3 full drum corps seasons, starting with 2018, when SCV won with "Babylon".  I wish I had bought more of these, because they don't sell them anymore.

My Trusty Drum Corps Journal

Until next season, I hope you Find your Nirvana, no matter what it might be.