Fancy Day at DCI West

DCI West

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Stanford Stadium

Palo Alto, CA

Bro and I went to breakfast at Starbucks before heading out to Palo Alto.  Their tables had phone chargers in them, so I put mine there because I could, even though mine was already at 100%.  At Stanford, we saw that a race was occurring, so there were a lot of people on campus.  We had a VIP Pass because we were being fancy, and were directed to the lot next to the stadium.  We saw the SCV Horn line doing some stretching and Bro parked the car pretty much right there.  As we waited for check-in, I realized that we didn't have a picture of his new shoes beside his license plate, so we did that.  

Old shoe, new shoe, license plate

We watched the horn line warm up, and Bro wanted the same shorts as the baritone section wore.  I kept hearing the announcer at the race nearby and it confused me when he talked at the same time that the horn instructor was talking, because I couldn't hear the horn guy.  I'm glad SCV was able to focus on him.  

Horn Line

We saw SCV's props and I wanted to sit on them, but that wasn't going to happen.  We walked into the stadium with our Ourobos badges and they let us sit wherever we wanted.  We sat in the top row of the bottom section and enjoyed watching rehearsal with the other VIP donors.  

No uniforms this afternoon!

Rehearsal is fun for people like us because we get to see the inner workings of the show.  I felt bad for the kids every time they reset the props because they're so big, and they worked on a few parts multiple times, which entailed moving the props around.  This show is very fluid, so the props move around A LOT.  The director encouraged the corps to drive the horns so the judges could feel from way up at the top of the stadium.  So far, they had been playing in small venues, so this was a change for them.  I kept focusing on one guy in the color guard that wouldn't hit his spot on the field.  Bro eventually thought that maybe he wasn't meant to be where I wanted him to be, but then he moved over at one point.  I'm picky about lines, if you haven't noticed yet.  We also got to hear the director tell some folks in the small ensemble to play different notes the next time.  As an alto that had to do this all of the time, I smiled knowingly, however, they didn't have music in their hands to read.  Instead, they had "dot books" at their waists which show them the different spots on the field where they should be at certain times.  I decided that I want to have a dot book at work and that I'd ask the staff to raise their hands to acknowledge that they're listening, just like the kids do when the director (from the top of the stadium) asks for their attention.  

Love these flags

Under the Prop

Between takes, corps director Charlie talked to us a little bit and had the drum majors say a quick hello.  We got to see a full run-through of the show at the end and then left so the Blue Devils could start their rehearsal time.  We weren't invited to that one.  

Bro and I shopped at the souvenir stands and bought stuff from SCV.  Since the car was nearby, we placed our stuff inside (very neatly like he was making a store display), and walked to the nearby shopping/eating center.  We knew we would have BBQ at 2:30, so we had a snack from Mayfield Bakery and Jamba Juice.  I asked Bro if Bananaman was in Jamba Juice, but he was not.

On our way back to the stadium, some of the SCV staff saw Bro's new SCV shirt and we also showed them his shoes.  I wasn't looking at them and didn't realize that they were bigwig staff.  We walked around to find a restroom before going to the BBQ, which hadn't started yet.  A whole slew of kids from a school got in line in front of us and I wondered if they were at the right BBQ until Bro told me they were in a band.  The line went very quickly and we were able to finish our meal before SCV started to play.  During BD's performance, two of the auction winners conducted the corps on their F-Tuning and Space Chords niftiness.  

I thought that I could buy a shirt from the BD booth, but they had put their clearance stuff away, which was weird.  Maybe I'm not buying anything from them this year.  I do have stuff planned for most of the other corps, though.

We went to our seats...in the Skybox!  I told you we were fancy.  The seats were very comfy and padded and had the Stanford "S" on them.  We were seated in Skybox Level 2, Section 2, row B, seats 18-19, on the right 20-yard line.  Bro gave me his seat because he knows I prefer that number.  Thanks, Bro!  They had snacks (chips, crackers, Oreos) and drinks available.  Yes, there were Doritos!

On the way to the Skybox

View from our seats

Richard and Diane, whom we sat with at the gala, ended up seated next to us.  Diane asked if we were stalking them.  Bro told them that they were stalking us because we got there first.  They're such nice people.  We didn't have programs, so Bro told Richard the title of each show as the corps entered the field.

Those kids from the BBQ, the Alisal Drum Line, played during the pre-show, as did the Freelancers Alumni Corps.

David Smith of the Blue Devils performed the Star-Spangled Banner.  We were annoyed by the speakers because they caused an echo.  I felt like I was listening to a round, like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat".  Somebody from the Skybox audience went looking for someone to fix that. 

GOLDEN EMPIRE

I like how they dance to the syncopation of the word "yesterday" during "Someday I'll Fly Away".  The song itself still needs work, though.  Bro thinks maybe it's the arrangement that's off.  I don't know, but it is a difficult song to play anyway.

GE

BLUE DEVILS B

One of the CG girls dances around during the pre-show, acting as if she is looking for something.  We decided she was looking for the sound engineer to fix the electronics.  Well, they've fixed them.  Bro thinks that's all they practiced after Friday's debacle, and we joked about them resetting to measure zero in their dot books all day.  They have narration throughout the show, though I couldn't really hear it from our vantage point, nor did I want to do so.  The drum feature got big applause.

Legs in the Air

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD CADETS

Sounds like there are microphones were working on all of the kick drums this time.  Nice sound from all of the corps.  I like the iridescense on the flags.  That color guard is PINK.

I like the shadows on the background

BLUE DEVILS C

Nice job, drums!  The little girl on the right side platform is adorable, like Miss O.  Great solo on "Staying Alive"!

Cutie

<Intermission>

Bro and I wandered around the Skybox section, which wasn't very big, and there wasn't really anything to see.  I did want the chairs with an "S" on them for my office, though.  I wish the concession stands had been open in the Skybox, because I didn't feel like going anywhere else to get food.  Also, we didn't have that much time before the next corps.

PACIFIC CREST

They did not have that gold thing the other day, nor did they have the color guard uniforms. Did they form the PC logo?  I'm waiting to see if they form the shape of California.  They showed much more emotion this time.

Leaning

MANDARINS

The CG faces aren't covered anymore and they're more sparkly now.  Bro thinks maybe the judges thought it was too creepy before.  But I like the darkness of the creepy.  I would like one of each of color rifle, please.  Somebody's plume fell off.  Or it's an ink spot.  You decide.  They beat the hell out of those drums at the end of the show.  

Ink Meet

THE ACADEMY

Oh, the rabbits end up tying the hunters' hands!  I get it.  I like when the corps does the high kicks.  Cool that the props nest into each other like Russian nesting dolls, as Bro pointed out to me the other day.  A couple of the flags look like a piece of the Looney Tunes logo.

Gun Flags

BLUE KNIGHTS

I like show more now.  Bro said he'd be obsessed with it soon.  I like when the brass trades off runs when the CG is using the spiral props.  They spell out "Who Sees Me?", then later "hide" in backwards letters, like the reflection inside our eyes before the brain turns it around.  Whoa.  We're starting to understand the show.  Like those yellow spirals:  I told Bro that one of my colleagues saw a woman's eyes briefly turn yellow when a client changed from one personality to another, and the corps does go a bit insane.  I didn't notice the blinking eye's eyeball shift back and forth until now.  Creepy.  

PHANTOM REGIMENT

I like the white robes.  I still wish there was more "Finlandia" at the end.  I guess I wish the Shostakovich would end sooner to give more time for that.  I mean, it is referenced throughout the show, but I guess I want more of a happy ending.  I guess that's not what they were going for.  Oh.

Corps helping with mask removal

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD

They enter the field in a serpentine line.  When the CG follows each other with their flags to form a snake, I wonder if it represents the shedding of the skin.  They sure listened when the director told them to drive their horns to play up to the top fo the stands!  Great transition from one formation to another.  It is crazy good.  The intensity of this show overwhelms me and I'm exhausted now.  This was such a good vantage point for formations that I took a bunch of pictures.

BLUE DEVILS

Oh, that's a diamond formation to symbolize their 60th anniversary! I feel like I can see their closets under the stairways because that is where they hang their jackets.  When they march to the backfield after they take off their jackets, the flaps on the sides look like little wings.  

Blue Diamond

While the next performance was being set up, the scores were announced.  It was the quickest turnaround of end of show to scores ever.

SCORES

Open Class

4) 44.10 - BD-C

3) 50.10 - GE

2) 56.80 - SCVC

1) 58.15 - BD-B

World Class

7) 60.65 - PC

6) 63.35 - Academy

5) 64.30 - Mandarins

4) 66.70 - Phregiment

3) 67.85 - BK

2) 71.05 - SCV

1) 72.00 - BD

Then Brandt Crocker announced that we were in for a treat.

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD ALUMNI CORPS

Repertoire:  "Send In The Memories"

Selections included themes from corps members' favorite shows, including

• Pictures at an Exhibition
• Great Gate of Kiev
• Festive Overture
• Les Miserables
• Appalachian Spring / Ballet for Martha
• Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
• The Canyon
• Scheherazade
• Phantom of the Opera
• Fiddler on the Roof

That's right!  I got to see the Bottle Dance!  

This evening's performance was a standstill for the corps, but they will be marching around at Semifinals night!  I was really excited about each song, and I know I'm going to lose my mind on Semifinals.  People in the Skybox went nuts.  People in the stands went nuts.  I was on the verge of tears already, so you know that night is going to be very emotional.

Richard and Diane were going to take Lyft back to the hotel, but we offered to drive them, since we were staying in the same place.  We later found out they were on the same floor, in the same hallway.  They WERE stalking us!  We won't be seeing them anymore this week (or so they say), but hope to see them at future events.

Next up:  Pacific Procession

SCV Golden Gala

Santa Clara Vanguard 50th Anniversary Gala

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Hyatt Regency

Santa Clara, CA

Bro and I had hotel breakfast and he told me a leprechaun story.  We then drove to Cupertino to meet up with his friend Chun for lunch at Islands.  I had the sliders.  They were yum.  We then went to our hotel and Bro found the perfect parking space:  right next to the SCV souvenir trailer.  

The Fan's Car and The Souvie Trailer

After we checked in and put away our bags, we picked up our early registration materials for the gala.  I was totally digging the tickets showing our meal choice.

Veggie, Beef, Fish, Chicken

Bro and Chun went to BevMo! for bourbon while I unpacked and did my nails.  When they returned, they drank their bourbon and did Bro/Chun stuff while I finished my blog from yesterday before getting ready for the gala.

SCV celebrated their 50th year by holding a gala.  Blue Devils is celebrating their 60th year, and they also held a gala!  We went downstairs and they had balloons.  I volunteered to take pictures with these!  Clearly, I love this corps and risked my sanity by standing by these things even though they kept hitting my head.

I somehow survived this moment.

 We took a look at the memorabilia from both corps.  My favorite items were the color guard uniform from SCV's 1989 Phantom of the Opera show, and my favorite BD flag: the horse head from their 2006 Godfather: Part Blue show.

SCV Flag

1989 Color Guard Uniform

That's a lot of championship rings, yo.

We went inside the ballroom and I bought champagne and shared a few laughs with BD's ScoJo, BD's percussion caption head.  We checked out the auction items, which included a whole bunch of stuff.  I wanted the wine purse, but since it didn't have anything SCV on it, I was able to resist.  I also wanted the wine refrigerator (which came with wine!), but it was beyond my price range already due to online bidding.  I did not want the NBA Golden State Warriors stuff, which was auctioned off live during BD's banquet.  Bro and I took pics with the cool logo backgrounds, which I have yet to figure out how to obtain.  Photographer Phil told us they were free, so I'm hoping we get a note from SCV soon so I can share them.  

When it was time for dinner, SCV and BD split up into adjoining rooms for our separate celebrations.  For everything we had that was red, we wondered if BD had the equivalent in blue.  We loved the table centerpiece topped with an Aussie, SCV's traditional headwear...which they're not wearing this year, so that's kinda weird if you think about it.  We each received a personalized program which included our name and bidding number. 

We were lucky and Voice of DCI Brandt Crocker was our MC.  Speakers included someone from the very first SCV; Rose Parade President Brad Ratliffe; Corps Director Charles Frost; local dignitaries; and the current SCV and SCVC drum majors.  We also saw some videos showing off the new uniforms and snippets of folks talking about the impact of the SCV Experience on their lives.  I liked hearing about how SCV came to be so well known for their class, which started because of someone in SCV being criticized for not having any class due to breaking the Anaheim Kingsmen ranks.  Oops.  Since then, though, SCV's classy reputation endures.  Mr. Frost's presentation included the status of the capital campaign for the new Miss Amana, their nickname for the food truck, as well as the new music facility.  He quickly obtained more donations from folks in attendance, and was happily surprised with the response.  When BD was finally quieted down and ready ("Hush!" Charles said to BD from our side of the wall, rolling his eyes.  "Always."  We all knowingly laughed.  We know he loves them, too), the walls were put away and each side cheered and waved at the other.

The current corps played for their supporters, which was really cool.  The highlights for me, were, of course, Vanguard.  They played "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" and part of "The Canyon".  BD, ever supportive, allowed SCV to finish the evening with "Send in the Clowns."  My video of my favorite portions is of the drum majors, because they were righ next to us, and the corps was around the perimeter of the room and I couldn't get a good view of them without blocking others'.  

I went to the other side for a bit so I could get a picture of all of their championship trophies.

Wow.  That's a lot of trophies.

Then The Tommy Igoe Band started to play.  I saw SCV drum major Chris wandering around, and walked up to him to congratulate him on his performance.  He said thank you and hugged me.  As Bro and I were leaving, we saw Brad Ratliffe and said hello.  I told him how much I enjoyed seeing him participate with all of the bands at Bandfest this year, and thanked him for being at the gala.  He was thrilled to be there because he loves Vanguard.  We were given goodie bags and I was happy with its contents, especially the stemless wine glass (with both anniversary logos), a Zildjian Cymbal pin, a 50 magnet with the SCV shield, and M&Ms with the 50th logo.

We had a great time.  Thank you, SCV, and congratulations on 50 years of excellence!

Change is Inevitable. Change is Constant.

Mid Cal Champions Showcase

Friday, June 23, 2017

Veteran's Memorial Stadium -- Buchanan High School

Clovis, CA

It's drum corps time!!!!!  This year is a special year as Santa Clara Vanguard is celebrating its 50th anniversary.  Bro and I have been planning this trip for quite a while due to SCV festivities and special stuff.  More on that in the coming days.  

I packed earlier in the week.  Then stuff happened and I needed to think of another outfit.  Then Bro reminded me to bring the clear stadium bag for the Stanford show, which I couldn't find because stuff has been moved around in my house since I bought it.  So I did not get my nails done as planned and instead went to Rite Aid to buy another one and get more nail polish.  I drove to Bro's house and he, V and I had lunch at their local Vietnamese restaurant.  We said goodbye to V and hit the road, looking around for the BAT CRU car that we saw last year.  So far, no luck.

We arrived in Clovis and checked in to the Hampton Inn.  We wanted to get dinner before the show, and decided to go to Olive Garden so I could try some drink that I saw online that one of my friends had a few weeks ago.  But the nearby Olive Garden did not have the drink available because, well, they weren't quite open yet.  They would be open on the 29th.  Oh.  So we drove around to find other Italian places that Bro had seen online.  We ended up in a strip mall with a few restaurants, none of which were Italian.  He decided we'd try a place that looked kind of cool: Limon.  When we got closer, we realized it was a Peruvian restaurant.

They asked if we had reservations, but we didn't.  That was OK.  They had plenty of tables available.   Yay!  We took a look at the drink menu and decided to have Pisco Sours, which we had seen on a show a few years ago called "Three Sheets".  I miss that drinking show.  They had a few types of Pisco Sours.  Bro chose the Mango.  I asked our server, Fernando, his favorite flavor.  He said he preferred the regular flavor because he doesn't like his drinks to be sweet, and the others were too sweet for him.  Usually, I go for the sweet, but I wanted to try both, so I chose the regular flavor.

Sher and her Pisco Sour

Bro and his Mango Sour

Ooh, it was delicious, tasting almost like a margarita.  The mango was also good, and had we some more time and no show to watch, I would have had that in a second round.  We shared three plates: Anticuchos di Carne (grilled steak skewers), Pollo Empanadas, and Ceviche de Pescado y Camaron.  I asked Fernando what "cancha" and "choclo" were, and he explained that they were two types of Peruvian corn.  OK, let's go for it!

Fried Goodness

Big Ass Corn Kernels

Mmmm....meat.

Wow.  We were not disappointed in the least.  Everything was wonderful: the presentation, the taste, the just-right portion size.  Mmmm...I would definitely come here again if I was in the area.  We would have ordered dessert if we had time: we had our eyes on a Budin with Mango.  

After getting some candy at the Save Mart, we drove to Buchanan HS.  We opted out of the $7 premium parking and parked on the street.  The line was pretty long to get in, even though we were in the "All Ready Have Your Tickets Line".  Yes, that's what was on the sign.  Yeesh.  We checked out the merchandise at the SCV booth, but didn't buy anything today.  I bought a program and we climbed the stairs to our seats after hearing the Star-Spangled Banner, played on trumpet by a member of the Blue Devils.  Very nice.

Well, what a nice start to the season!  Top row, 50-yard line.  Section CC, Row 32, Seats 10-11.  We could stand up, and I had a little desk behind us.  We would probably only be happier if it wasn't so darned hot.  When we arrived at the hotel, it was 108 degrees.  It was down to 96 degrees at dusk.  Every little breeze was welcome.  No matter.  Summer means drum corps, so here we go!

BLUE DEVILS C

Repertoire: "Come Fly With Me" -- Married Life by M. Giacchino; Come Fly With Me by J. Van Heusen and S. Cahn; Learn to Fly by D. Grohl, T. Hawkins, and N. Mendelh; Danger Zone by G. Moroder and T. Whitlock; Staying Alive by M. Gibb, R. Gibb, and B. Gibb

I normally don't take pictures on the first day of drum corps viewing so I can concentrate on the show, but we were in a prime spot, and we really liked the props for this show.

Da Plane! Da Plane!

 The color guard is dressed like old-school flight attendants and they have suitcases.  Cute!  Bro asked me if they seem to double in size every year, and I felt the same.  I enjoyed "Danger Zone", and not just because of the cool drum feature.  Nice solo on "Staying Alive"!  Well done, BDC!

GOLDEN EMPIRE

Repertoire: "Discovering Gems Within" -- 1. Emerald: Vetrate Di Chiesa (Church Windows): II. St. Michael The Archangel by O. Respighi; 2. Ruby: Bright Colored Dances: IV. Tarantella Red by L. J. Buckley; 3. Sapphire: One Day I'll Fly Away by W. Jennings & J. Sample; 4. Diamond: Palladio by K. Jenkins 

During the show, Bro asked me which movement we were watching.  I told him we were on the second one.  Then he realized that he could have guessed from the color of the flags.  The blue flags are very pretty, but the green ones are my favorite, at least so far.  The show is not yet finished, so we only go to the third movement.  Nice low brass sound.  I felt bad for the CG guy when he tossed his rifle really high at the end of the ripple and missed the catch, because so many people in the audience said, "Awwww!"  They need to work on the ballad because the show just kind of fell apart there, which is too bad because I like that song and it's even in my head the next morning as I write this.

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD CADETS

Repertoire: "In Pieces" -- Feedback by F. Gabas, F. Lomeňa, J. Martin, M. Abad, M. Wright, N. Sawhney, R. Giménez, S. Ramos, and X. Turull (Ojos de Brujo); Temen Oblak (Dark Clouds) by C. Tin; Kaleidoscope by F. E. Smith; Harvest: Concerto for Trombone & Orchestra by J. Mackey

We got to hear some behind-the-scenes action due to the sound engineer staff sitting next to Bro.  Nice opening saber toss by the ensemble!  Go, Drums!  I like how the cymbals get our attention on the stages, then the snares get on the stage and use the kick drums.  Nice gymnastics with the run of backflips on the stage!  The show is not done yet.  

BLUE DEVILS B

Repertoire: "The World the Children Made" -- Satellite by Above & Beyond; Spiritual Planet by W.Hokoyama; Pure Imagination by L. Bricusse & A. Newley; Original Works by J. Meehan, D. Glyde, and M. Peterson; Worlds (Narration and Voice Samples) by P. Robinson

They took forever to start because of power/issues with their electronics.  They even had extra time due to SCVC not finishing their show, and they still didn't have everything fixed by the time they finally started.  They didn't get a penalty, though.  CG does not have their uniforms or their silks.  I recognized their flags from previous shows, especially the one with the moon they used last year.  They have their legs in the air a lot.  I'm tired of hearing drum corps play "Pure Imagination".

<Intermission>

We didn't have as long of an intermission than originally scheduled, so I couldn't get to the bathroom or buy water in time for the next corps.  So I remained thirsty the rest of the night and was jealous of everyone that I saw drinking out of water bottles.  Next year, I'm bringing my own water.

MANDARINS

Repertoire:  "Inside The Ink" -- Flow by K. Poulan, D. Van Derpoel, and B. Nungaray; Drip by K. Poulan, D. Van Derpoel, and B. Nungaray; Allure: Sound of Silence by P. Simon & A. Garfunkel; Ink: Crazy by P. Cline; Inside the Ink by K. Poulan, D. VanDerpoel, and B. Nungaray

Big Fountain Pen Nib

Those are some big fountain pen tips.  There was an "Ohhhh" response from the crowd when the show title was announced.  It made us giggle.

DARKNESS!  Ooh, I LIKE this show!  

Bro: "That's more than one person."

Love the ink stretching between the pen nibs.  "Sound of Silence" was awesome.  Marimbas!!!  I want those pants/skirt things the CG wears.  I would not wear the hoods that cover their faces, though.  Nice flag work by the CG while they are in the block formation.  

PACIFIC CREST

Repertoire: "Golden State of Mind" -- California Dreamin’ by J. Phillips and M. Phillips; Kaleidoscope of Mathematics (from A Beautiful Mind) by J. Horner; Arrival of the Birds (from The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos) by J. Swincoe (The Cinematic Orchestra); Alfonso Muskedunder by T. Terje; Moving On (from Lost) by M. Giacchino

Short narration at the beginning that I hope does not get longer as the season progresses.  The amp was way too loud during the recorded singing.  Great solos, especially on "California Dreamin'" and "Moving On".  I like the corps' balletic movements.  No CG uniforms or silks yet.  They seem to be having fun during the jazzy portion.  I know I was!  This is kind of a different feel for PC, and I like it, even though I always did love their darker programs.  After all, Dracula is the reason I became a fan of this corps.  Bro would like to see them put more feeling into the show, and I agree.  It would help the audience connect to them a lot more, which they deserve for this show.

ACADEMY

Repertoire: "By A Hare" -- Peer Gynt Suite no. 1, Morning Mood by E. Grieg; Hunting Wabbits by G. Goodwin; Overture to The Barber of Seville by G. Rossini;  Danse Bohéme by G. Bizet; Ride of the Valkyries by R. Wagner; Habanera by G. Bizet; Hungarian Rhapsody by F. Liszt;  Anvil Chorus by G. Verdi

That's a Big Prop

It's Wabbit Season!  Bunnies!  Cool to hear hints of Valkyries near the beginning of the show for "Kill the Wabbit".  Cool drum feature.  I love when they catch the rifle and go directly into shooting position.  Go, Guard!  Toss those rifles!  Marimba played by 4 people is very Bugs Bunny.  I guess they've conquered Disney and now it's Warner Bros.' turn.  The new uniform works with this show, but I do miss the old one.  

BLUE KNIGHTS

Repertoire: "i" -- Wave by Beck; Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra by J. Schwantner; 107 Steps by Bjork;  Hide and Seek by I. Heap

This corps sure does like their Bjork.  They also like their shiny, blinding props.  They're trying to blind us with their eyes!  Nice brass feature.  Eye formation!  I  guess they're trying to spell "hide" but the "h" is backwards and I was confused.  

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD
Repertoire: "Ouroboros" -- Interplay for Piano Four Hands and Orchestra by D. Gillingham; The Triumph of Time by P. Graham; Song of Eight Unruly Tipsy Poets by Z. Long; Into a Virtual World by A. Bhatia; Remembering the Future (from Wait of the World) by S. Melillo

Snake Eating Itself

Whoa.  Hey, where did the brass go?  That was reminiscent of 1989 SCV.  How are they doing that sound with the horns?!?  Very cool movements while the big props are being moved around.  The crazy stuff isn't done yet: that last piece is going to be insane; we can feel it.  

BLUE DEVILS
Repertoire: "Metamorph" -- Birth of Eternity, Dreamscape, Facing Future by D. Glyde; 
The Triumph of Time by P. Graham; Flight of the Bumble Bee by N. Rimsky-Korsakov;
Everything Must Change by B. Ighner; Crystal by S. Dobson

I love the start wth the CG sabers.  The snares play the intro to "Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor" as they march across the field at the opening.  Very cool, and a nice nod to the corps' legacy.  Those horns: wow!  Jazzy ballads are not my thing.  They have a lot of stairs, but I'm trying to figure out how they fit in with the theme.  The CG was having difficulty with the double flags while standing on them because of the wind.  Yes, the wind was a blessing to us, but a curse for them.

PHANTOM REGIMENT
Repertoire: "Phantasm" -- Finlandia by J. Sibelius; Symphony No. 12 by D. Shostakovich;
“Entering the Nightmare” from Dreamscapes by M. Jarre; Piano Concerto No. 2 by S. Rachmaninoff; Symphony No. 3 by A. Khachaturian

Scary red flags.  I need more "Finlandia" in this show.  The CG uniforms will have more to them, right?  It's weird to see them without a lot of clothing, except for the red cover on their faces.  I also think the show needs more drama, as with other Phregiment shows.

A lot of the shows this year deal with change.  I guess that is the theme for 2017.  Hence the title of this blog post, a quote from Benjamin Disraeli.  And now I have Rockapella's "People Change" in my head.  

SCORES

Open Class
4) 44,95 - Blue Devils C
3) 49.70 - Golden Empire
2) 55.15 - SCV Cadets
1) 57.85 - Blue Devils B

World Class
6) 60.5 - TIE between Pacific Crest and Mandarins
5) 63.65 - Academy
4) 64.65 - Phregiment
3) 66.00 - Blue Knights
2) 70.05 - SCV
1) 71.75 - BD

Abe's Adages 06/11/17

Abe's Adages: Week 16

On Justice:

"The severest justice may not always be the best policy."

Source: Gene Griessman, The Words Lincoln Lived By

DLR LotD 06/09/17

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Friday, June 9, 2017

"It's Spongebob Squarepants' house!" -- Sherry, explaining why Cindy's pineapple coconut sorbet tasted like fish, at Catal

Hello Again, Hello!

It's been five years since "The Book of Mormon" last graced the Pantages stage.  This June, it was back by popular demand!  I was going to get a ticket via Goldstar, but Liz's next door season seat neighbor wasn't able to attend, so he offered her his ticket, and she offered it to me.  Yay!  Then my friend Jen couldn't use her ticket because she didn't think the show would be appropriate for her younger daughter, so she offered that one to me, too!  So I got to see a show that I love two times in the same week!  Thank you to both of my friends for thinking of me.  

• This post joins the two performances together.  Both Elder Price and Elder Cunningham were played by different actors in each show.
• Kevin Clay (Price on Thursday night) resembled original cast member Andrew Rannells so much that I wondered for a while if it was him. He also sounded like him.  I preferred his portrayal over Gabe Gibbs', although Mr. Gibbs did a fine job, and was funnier.
• I also preferred Thursday's Jordan Matthew Brown's version of Elder Cunningham over Sunday's version played by Conner Pierson's.  I wasn't thrilled about Pierson's speaking voice because it was screechy at times, but he was funny.  Brown also had the Josh Gad hair going on.
• Leanne Robinson has a gorgeous voice, and it had me close to tears on my second listen.  I'd rather hear hers than the one on the OBC recording.
• PJ Adzima was probably my favorite cast member.  His portrayal of Elder McKinley had me in stitches.  "I've had that dream before.  Was I in it?"  Yes, you were, dressed in a lot of pink, and you were hilarious!
• On Thursday, I was in the Orchestra section, at house left, so I didn't get to see some of the stuff on stage.  But Sunday night, I was sitting in the Mezzanine, and got to see Joseph Smith's reactions to Elder Cunningham's telling of his story.  I especially loved when he talked about the frogs, and Smith just threw his hands in the air, like, "What in the actual eff?"
• Enjoyed the running gag of Cunningham not actually knowing Nabulungi's name: Jon Bon Jovi, Non Bon Jovi, Neosporin, Nicoderm CQ, Necrophilia, and Nala are the ones I remember.
• Liked the humorously approached seductive dancing for the baptism.  
• My companions on both nights had never seen the show before, but they all enjoyed it.  Unlike the couple in front of me on Sunday night that left at intermission. I thought I saw them laughing at the beginning, but maybe it became a little too much for them.  Or they wanted to go to Shake Shack.  Whatevs.
• Oh, food!  Liz and I went to Sushi of Gari, and it was very good.  They had warm washcloths on the table for us to wipe our hands, but Liz still used the restroom and talked about the fancy toilet when she came back.  Owner/chef Gari-san's face was on the tea cups and the chopstick wrapper!  I enjoyed the trout sushi with applesauce on top.  I definitely want to return there.

• 
  
  

  

  Chef Gari-san on cup

  
  

  

  ,,,and on chopstick wrapper

  
  

  

  Rolls of salmon and eel

  
  

  

  Trout with applesauce and apple slivers

  
  

  

  Liz's salmon with baked tomato

  
  

  

  Brown tea ice cream (made with roasted tea leaves)

• A great time was had by all.  Thank you for the tickets, everyone!  I have awesome friends.
  

You're A Wonder, Wonder Woman

After months of waiting...OK, years of waiting...I wasn't able to see "Wonder Woman" on opening night because I had other stuff going on.  I had to wait until Saturday.  SATURDAY.  That's a long time.  I mean, WW was my superhero when I grew up.  I wanted to be her whenever I watched Lynda Carter spin around to change her clothes.  I was in love with Lyle Waggoner as Steve Trevor.  How could I possibly wait?!?  But I figured I should be awake for this, so I waited.

I checked "To 3D or Not to 3D" on cinemablend.com and saw that yes, indeed, this would be a good film to watch in IMAX 3D.  So there I went.

• Loved seeing young Diana mimic the other Amazonians as they trained.
• Because I can't love Robin Wright Penn more, right?  What a freaking badass Antiope was!  
• Gal Gadot is a Goddess. 
• I saw that "The Little Mermaid" reference!  I half-expected Diana to start singing when she tried to revive Steve. 
• "It's really hot!"
• "I would say I'm above average."  I really liked Chris Pine's portrayal of Steve Trevor.
• Etta trying to hold the shield and the sword.  That's me trying to carry anything awkwardly shaped and heavy.  You know, because I'm often lugging around shields and swords.
• Love the homage to "Superman: The Movie" in the alley.  I had seen it during the DC panel at WonderCon, too, when director Patty Jenkins showed some clips.  What's even cooler about it is that Diana's outfit is much like Clark Kent's in the 1978 film.
• No wonder Steve calls it "Paradise Island", other than the probably reason that he can't pronounce "Themyscira".
• I'm really glad they finally let WW smile after 50% of the movie had passed.
• "SHIELD!!!"  Badass.
• I am such a shipper.  Loved the whole swaying/dancing scene.
• "You should be very proud."
• So who names her "Wonder Woman"?  And when does she get her invisible jet?
• There was crying involved.  

To borrow from the film: Thanks, DC, for bringing her back to me.  I hope I can see it again before it leaves theaters, because I loved it!

Goddess

I posted this video on FB because I had the TV theme song stuck in my head for a couple of days.

You Are My Treasure

Ahoy, Maties!  I watched "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" earlier this week.  I didn't make it to my planned showing (stupid people in the stupid Mickey and Friends parking lot -- mostly guests), so I saw it in IMAX instead.

• I like the pirate flag on top of the castle at the opening logo.
• On this journey, they're looking for Poseidon's trident for several reasons.
• Aw, Jack was named after his Uncle!
• I knew that song sounded familiar: "Maggie Mae".
• Nice casting for Henry: Brenton Thwaites really does look like a combination of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley.
• I like Barbossa's gold leg.
• "Do you even have a ship, a crew...pants?"
• "Does mummy ever ask about me?"
• Oh, Johnny Depp, I heart you.
• I have never seen a ship eat another ship before.  
• Ooh, zombie sharks. 
• "I saw her ankles."
• I did not know that I was going to cry at this movie.  

I liked this one.  I'll probably be seeing it a few times when it's aired on TV, unlike a couple of the other ones (I still get confused about the 2nd and the 3rd because I didn't like them as much as the 1st and 4th installments).  

We received posters when we left the theater.  Nice!  I thought of going to the ride later that day, but forgot all about it.  Maybe next time.

Abe's Adages 06/03/17

Abe's Adages: Week 15

On Influence:

"If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.  Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart, which...when once gained, you will find but little trouble in convincing his judgment of the justice of your cause."

Source: Gene Griessman, The Words Lincoln Lived By