Traveling on the 13th: Yikes!

Rockapella in Boston

Day 1

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Finally!  A trip to see Rockapella in concert.  It's been far too long since I've seen them.  When they announced that they were going to perform a new show entitled "Motown and More", which included something by Stevie Wonder, I got on my phone and sent a text message to Liz straight away and bought us tickets.  Liz and I have been waiting for this for about 10 years now, and I needed her to be beside me when it happened.  Despite her busy schedule, Liz said yes, and we made plans to go to Boston. Just don't tell my (late) grandfather that I rode on a plane on the 13th of the month.  He didn't even want to go outside on those days, much less leave the house.  Ah, but it's for Pella, Papa!

I had already packed the evening before so that I could go get my nails done in the morning.  I had the gelish manicure done at my new go-to place, Peridot Nails and Spa.  (I would have a link to that place on here, but it seems that the link isn't safe to use right now).  The first time I was there, it was to celebrate Lo's birthday, so they gave her complimentary champagne.  I was driving, so I had water.  They didn't offer any of that this time, but it was a weekday and that particular manager wasn't there.  Not that I could handle champagne anyway at that moment.  This time, I got a nice ruby red that had some sparkle to it, but not too much.  Henry did a beautiful job.  I just wanted something that would last me until the event on the weekend after Pella, and it still looks good if you can get past the fact that my nails grow really fast, so the nail bed portion is growing out now.  Anyway, I really like it.  

Then I went to my ophthalmologist's office to finally pick up my prescription reading glasses that I had ordered months ago.  I tried to visit Dr. Mo while I was there, but she wasn't available at the moment.  It's just as well, since I needed to get some food in my tummy before the journey. So I had brunch at Nano Cafe and it was enjoyable.  I love their chicken and spinach scramble.  I had enough left over to make a sandwich for later, which ended up being a genius idea.

I made it to LAX with plenty of time to spare, which was good because their security lines are always long.  Liz was already there with Jordan, because she had an earlier flight to catch to get back to her college home.  Despite our B-level boarding passes, we were still able to sit together, which was nice.  For some reason, one of the SWA flight attendants was grumpy, so we giggled at her impatience during the flight to Chicago Midway.  Liz and I caught up on our recent trips without each other.  

When we touched down at Midway, we were early for our gate, and had to wait until the other plane pushed back.  Well, that plane pushed back late, so Liz and I ended up having very little time to get to our connecting flight.  We all had to get to a bathroom, and pretty much all headed there before getting to our respective gates.  All except for the one chick who decided to go to the bathroom while we were still on the tarmac, therefore delaying our plane even further because the captain didn't want to move the plane without everyone seated.  Sigh.  They finally decided to just resume taxiing, and Liz and I laughed when I suggested that the captain probably wanted to jerk the plane forward just to piss off whomever was in the lavatory, but despite the grumpiness, they were complete professionals and didn't do so.  After our very quick restroom stop, we jogged over to the other gate for our connecting flight.  It was NOT close by, but at least it was in the same terminal wing.  We still somehow got seats together in the back of the plane, because there were people who boarded later than us.  I was glad to have my leftover sandwich, because I really needed protein at that moment.  Thank goodness the flight attendants were not grumpy.  As I sat and thought about that experience, I wondered if our luggage made it onto the plane.  I didn't voice my concern to Liz, though, because I didn't want to worry her needlessly.

Due to the late departure of our plane, we arrived late to Logan Airport as well.  Luckily, I had called our hotel in the afternoon to advise that we would have a late check-in, because I didn't want to have any problems with our hotel (I had booked through Priceline.com).  Well, my other worries ended up having some basis, as Liz's bag never got onto the carousel.  Mine came off almost last, and when the carousel stopped, we groaned with displeasure.  Liz reported the missing bag, and I reminded her to ask for an emergency toiletry kit from the airline.  Good thing she did, because that was the last one there.  They must lose luggage a lot, Liz said to me.  Poor Liz.  There she was, all worried that in her hasty packing, had not brought any pants, and now we had to worry about her entire weekend wardrobe.  They told her to call them at 1:00 p.m. if she hadn't heard from them yet, and the first flight from Midway would be in the morning, so they would check that flight.  Which makes me wonder why the heck we have bar codes on our luggage tags.  Shouldn't you be able to scan our receipt and find out where the heck the bag last got scanned?  At least the toiletry bag was nice: it had plenty of amenities, and had a hanger on it, and it was black and had pockets.  

So then we had to deal with transportation.  I only knew that the hotel didn't have a shuttle to the airport, but had not done any other research because I was being hella lame in the planning of this trip.  I found the taxi pickup area, but wasn't sure if I should get the one that arrived, because I hadn't actually called one.  But that was the only one there, and he wasn't picking up anyone else, so he brought us to the beautiful Hyatt Regency in Cambridge.

The desk clerk was a little sleepy and didn't understand me at first when I asked for two beds instead of one king bed.  But then he woke up and got us a room with a view of the St. Charles river.  Even in the dark, it was lovely, because there were plenty of lights from across the way.  I'm going to love waking up here in the morning!

Up next:  Pella Day!

Mine! Mine! Mine!

Last week, I met up with Linda at the AMC at Westfield Santa Anita to watch the TCM Event Series showing of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds", presented by Fathom Events.  Thanks to technology, I actually made it there in time, because Linda had sent me a text message saying she was there early.  I had just arrived at home and was about ready to cook dinner, having completely forgotten about our tickets.  So off I went, and on the way, saw that they were still filming at the parking lot of the Santa Anita race track (they're filming "The Lone Ranger" there).  Cue Sherry daydreaming about Johnny Depp.

Anyway, while we were sitting on a bench in the theater lobby, a woman walked by with a stuffed bird on her shoulder.  Funny and creepy at the same time.  I've seen "The Birds" many times on my TV.  Anyone that knows what has happened around my house lately with the fauna probably wonders how I'm brave enough to watch this movie at present.  But I do like this movie a lot, so there you go.

• Before the film itself, Robert Osborne had clips of interviews with Tippi Hedrien, Suzanne Pleshette and Rod Taylor.  I was digging Tippi's cool birds broach, then she mentioned that Hitchcock gave it to her when he told her she'd be starring in this movie.
• I like seeing all of the Bodega Bay scenes, remembering when I went there on the Girls Trip to Napa.
• The restoration of the film is beautiful.  I wish I had money for the Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection on Blu-Ray.
• Do you know that in the attic scene, prop guys were actually throwing real gulls at Tippi?  She was not warned that this would happen.  Yikes!  I watched that scene and cringed.  She was really shaken up after that, as most people would be.
• When Melanie (Tippi's character) was playing her joke on Mitch, I felt like her antics were pretty much like a stalker.  So I called her Stalker for the rest of the movie.  Linda agreed and did the same thing.
• That shot of the first bird attacking Melanie was done in one take.
• There were several moments where I was really tense, but didn't realize it until the scene would be over, and I had to shake out my hands from all of the clenching.
• All of the seagulls made me think of the gulls in "Finding Nemo" (see title of post).
• Dude, that woman would have thought that I was evil too, what with the hawks hanging out at my house.
• You know what's REALLY creepy about this movie?  NO MUSICAL SCORE.  Just silence.  And birds tweeting.
• So, really now.  WHY the heck were all of the birds attacking the people?!?!  Eerie.

Couch Couple

Last night, Linda and I watched "Hope Springs", starring Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell.  The other movies opening this weekend didn't look as appealing to both of us.  As usual, when we have time before a movie starts at the theater we frequent, we also browse around the toy store next door, The Dollmakers' Kattywompus.  I like the store because it has all kinds of different things that are not always found in the big chain toy stores.  We met their new dog, Tutti Frutti, and I bought a couple of items for gifts.  I refrained from getting myself a hippo, though.  Anyway, on to the thought bullets!

• First shot of the movie is of Meryl Streep getting pretty for her husband.  Too bad her husband is not in the mood.  It was heartbreaking to see her get rejected.
• Oh, Tommy Lee Jones.  You're so good at not showing emotion, and then showing it,and then hiding it.
• But he must love her, or he wouldn't have gone to Maine to try to make her happy, right?  Sweet.  
• Steve Carell is not funny in this movie.  This is not an accident.  Yet I still love him, partly because he's so very good at acting in scenes with uncomfortable situations.
• Oh, and how uncomfortable were those therapy sessions were?  Quite uncomfy.  Especially the parts where they were asked to talk about their sex life.
• Great way of showing the different phases of the intimacy by the juxtaposition of Kay and Arnold on the therapy couch.
• At many times during the therapy sessions, I looked at the movie from a therapist's point of view.  So this is what I would have been doing had I not gone a different way in life.  It would have been difficult to deal with a client like Arnold, but I hope that I would have handled it as well as Dr. Bernie.
• During the scene in the grocery store, Kay picks up a tube of cookie dough.  S: "Girl, that's too big!"  
• I had a weird Men in Black moment when Arnold said Kay's name.  Isn't that HIS name?  
• That nose that they broke looked like a model of Carell's nose.

Sweet movie.  I hope that when I get lucky enough to be married that long, my husband (whomever he is) and I don't have these problems.  But if we do, I hope that we find a therapist like Dr. Bernie.  

DLR LotD 09/02/12

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, September 2, 2012

"No Daisy." -- Sherry, looking at a scene from "Bambi", during World of Color

DLR LotD 08/30/12

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Special Robert Craig Winery Catal Wine Dinner Edition!

Amuse
"Pan con Tmate" air bread, Manchego cheese espuma, Jamon Iberico de Bellota
2008 Mont-Marcal Vinicola, Brut Reserva, Cava

"I'm melting!" -- Jenn, on the terrace

Hokkaido Scallop Crudo
Raw Hokkaido scallop, aji amarillo emulsion, cancha corn, cucumber sorbet, micro cilantro
2010 Robert Craig Durell Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley  

"That's dangerous.  I didn't even see that being poured." -- Table Mate Barbara

Liberty Farms Duck Breast
Roasted duck breast, mountain huckleberries, pumpernickel crumble, mache
2010 Robert Craig Mt. George Cuvee, Napa Valley

"Which one is full?" -- Jenn, looking at all of the glasses in front of her

Suckling Pig Confit
Soft white polenta, market cherries, cacao nibs, wild arugula, smoked pork jus
2008 Robert Craig Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

"Eat your pig." -- Valerie, to Sher

Prime Hanger Steak
Coffee dusted hanger steak, pommes puree, market vegetables, smoked oxtail relish
2008 Robert Craig Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

"Oh, no." -- Jenn and Sher, simultaneously, as the 5th bottle of wine was being poured into Sher's glass

Bonus Tasting
2009 Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

"Prepare to want more and be disappointed." -- Sales Rep Adam, who was not wrong

Arroz con leche
Rice pudding, market fruit raw and roasted, micro tangerine lace
2008 Alvear, Pedro Ximenez de Anada, Mantilla Moriles D.O.

"You're as cute as she says you are." -- Jenn, to Chef Webber


It was all quite wonderful, and we were quite tipsy.  My favorite dish was the scallops, and favorite wine was the Mt. Veeder Cab.  Thanks to Jenn for getting us a room within walking distance!

DLR LotD 08/17/12

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Friday, August 17, 2012

"I feel like a craft project." -- Linda, on the humid Catal balcony

Dada, Ta-da!

DCI Finals

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Lucas Oil Stadium

Bro and I had breakfast downstairs at Pullman's Restaurant.  Why do restaurants always serve so many pancakes at a time?  I can never finish...except, sometimes, at Cracker Barrel, because those are my favorite.

Then we made our way to watch the Indy Arts! parade.  The weather has been unseasonably chilly, so Bro was wearing his jacket.  I was wearing white pants and a tank top, and wanted to sit down, so I sat on my hoodie and braved the chill as we sat in the shade.  Cascades APPARENTLY found their plumes, as they were wearing them with their shakos.  The Colt Cadets had their morph-suited cymbal players, and I still wondered how hot they felt, even though we were in the shade. Pacific Crest was the only corps to actually play real parade music instead of their show, and the color guard also had a routine, so it is not surprising that they eventually won the Grand Champions trophy of the parade.  I forgot to look for the horn player whose arm was in a sling last night instead of holding his/her instrument.

Way to go, PC!

Then it took a long time for the horn players to assemble on the steps of the war memorial, and the Blue Stars' DM conducted them in a special arrangement of Simple Gifts.  Bro and I were not thrilled with this arrangement, but it was still really cool to see all of those horns in one place.

Bunch of Brass

Mike, Kaitlyn & Bro

When we returned to the hotel, Bro's friend Mike was there in the lobby with his daughter, Kaitlyn.  We went to Saigon, a Vietnamese restaurant, for lunch.  That was yummy, except Kaitlyn didn't like one of the spices in her shrimp fried rice.  The rest of us enjoyed our bun (cold vermicelli) dishes.  The Brickyard was on our way back to the hotel, so Mike took us inside the Indianapolis Speedway.  That place is friggin' huge.  We were able to watch some motorcyclists speed around the track.  I'm really glad that we finally made it there, because we'd been talking about it ever since 2008, but haven't rented a car these past few years.

Mike and Kaitlyn were also going to attend Finals, so they bought their tickets, and then we walked over to the place where the corps would be warming up before their shows.  We were too early, though, and saw one of the buses arriving just as we were walking back to LOS.  It's nice that the convention center was right there, so that we could walk through the huge air-conditioned building to get back to the stadium.  It had finally warmed up a bit, so we were grateful for that.

The seats where Bro and I were sitting were in the 5th tier, along the 15 yard line, in row 1.  Do you know what that means?  Yes, we had a desk!  It's the simple pleasures, people.  I like to have a place to put all of my blogging supplies. :)  When I bought a bottle of water at concessions, they took off the cap.  Little did they know that I had brought my own.  Thanks for the tip, Bro!  

Unfortunately, the USMC drum corps was unable to attend due to transportation issues.  That was quite a bummer, because Finals is not as great without them.  So the Hellcats played for us yet again.  They played patriotic songs, including "Over There" and "This is My Country", then played that arrangement of the "Star-Spangled Banner" that we don't really like very much.

The directors of Blue Devils B and Madison Scouts won leadership awards.

InPact played "Live for Music" with American Idol contestant Shaun Canon.  That was a lot of set-up and work for just one song.  Shaun Canon does a lot of performances around the country to support music education, and he used to be in a marching band in high school, so he naturally likes drum corps and supports the activity.  Another big supporter is Janina Gavankar from "True Blood", whom actually auditioned for Phregiment back in the day, but was accepted to Yale and  went there instead.  She has a bunch of pictures from Finals weekend on her FB site.  I love that she's a drum corps fan.  I don't even know her, but I watched True Blood for a couple of seasons before it got to be too much for me.

Oregon Crusaders, Open Class Champions, performed their show in exhibition.  I like how the bass drummers bow before their final push.

The Sun Will Come Out for Martha

DCI's sponsors were recognized.  There was a special recognition for Fred J. Miller, of the uniform company in his name, whom passed away this year.  His widow was present, and I tried not to cry during the standing ovation.

Now, on to the big show!

XMEN

XMen's Signature Marquis Cross

I really like how those blue double flags look like water when they wave them.  Oh, those animal print flags represent animals!  And the rifle guard members are the hunters.  I love how I didn't figure this out until I was watching from our farthest vantage point of the weekend.  Duh.

SPIRIT 

Lucky Sevens

They formed a bunch of 7s because they are Vegas.  In their opening formation, they formed a triangle at center field, and we decided that it was the Luxor, with the Colts helmet as the beacon.

BLUE KNIGHTS

Phoenix

I love how they do the change in their shakos to the bright red color.  Congrats, Stravinsky winners!  They were the only corps that played Stravinsky to make it to Finals.  Oh, no.  A horn player fell down.

MADISON SCOUTS

Madison Reframed

Oh, Scouts, why do you have to disappoint me so with not forming my favorite fleur-de-lis?  The dude in back of us says they should just do Malaguena every year.  Their choir corps sounded really good.

BO CRU

My fave flags from this show

Go, guard!  They were excellent.

CAVALIERS

Swaggerific

The bass drummers set their drums down and stand beside the tenors to play them, too.  

<Intermission>

It's weird to see the Cavaliers prior to intermission, instead of way afterward.

Awards from the parade were announced:

Best Visual: Academy

Best Dressed Color Guard: Music City

Best Cymbal Line: Pioneer

Best Drum Major: Legends and Glassmen

Grand Champions: Pacific Crest

BLOO

Masque

The thing is, they don't have their shakos off for very long, so you can't see the masks on the corps for a long time before they throw them off.  Oh, I think those flags during the talking portion are from the movie "Mask".  Bro feels like they were flat today.  They tend to lose me as soon as they start with the talking.

SCV

SCV Shield

I had post-show teariness.  It started with "Music of the Night", and then it just kept going.  I'll miss this show.  I'll be wearing out that portion of the CD for sure.

CADETS

O Tannenbaum

Even their pit tractor is decorated with Christmas lights.  One of the solos was a little flat or something.  They formed two bells.  It's amazing how much more you can see from up high.  While the color guard does their awesomely unison drill with the silver flags, they are in a formation of a Christmas tree.  I was concentrating so much on the beauty of their spinning that I didn't notice that before.  

PHREGIMENT

Phreg Chev

I remembered to yell for Mike before the show started.  They entered the field from all four corners to set up.  I don't think that they did that on the other 2 nights.  Still no kick at the chevron?  Bring it back, please.  Beautiful "Nessun Dorma" solo.  The phans yelled "SUTA!" after the costume change.  

CROWN

Crown's Crown

If they could win on audience noise alone, they would totally get it.  Wow.  They only use 2 flag designs throughout the show.  I see a bunch of Superman symbols in the show now that I'm looking for them, even on one of the flag designs.  Also, Batman, and maybe Spider-man.  Ohhhhh.

BD

Those horns are incredible.  I forgot to watch the pit girl bang on that weird metal thing.  I like when they roll all the hoops to center field at the end.

FINALE

The Hellcats played as the corps took the field.  SCV didn't do their usual precision drum-setting, which disappointed me, but maybe it was for the better since I wasn't hearing the Marines' cadence.

The Cadets DM led all of the corps in that arrangement of Simple Gifts that we don't like.  Are you sensing a theme here?  I don't know why people mess with the classics when they really don't need to do so.  I told Bro that SCV Age-outs were probably thinking "Well, this is crap!  What the hell is this?!"  I mean, hello, their 2009 show was soooo much better than that dreck.

SCV playing Simple Gifts

Then they played a video on the jumbotron that SCV couldn't watch because they're so disciplined and just look straight ahead.

DCI Finalists

The caption awards were presented by the remaining founders of DCI.  "Here we go," said Brandt Crocker.

SCORES

12) 84.0 -- CROSSMEN

Jim Jones Leadership Award: Shawn Fay-Lynn of Madison Scouts

11) 84.4 -- SPIRIT OF ATLANTA

10) 86.7 -- BLUE KNIGHTS

Zingali Color Guard Award: Blue Devils

9) 88.0 -- MADISON SCOUTS

Visual Award: (in alphabetical order) Blue Devils and Carolina Crown 

 (So they both won visual at finals?  The rule is that the caption awards are calculated based on an average of Prelims, Semis and Finals.  If there is a tie, then the tiebreaker is whomever won the caption at finals.  The recaps tell a different story, which is that BD won visual at finals).

8) 88.85 -- CAVALIERS

Jim Ott Brass Award, presented by Harold Ott: Well, first Mr. Crocker announced that BD got it, but it was actually Crown.  Oops.  That announcement led to a very loud cheer from the Crown fans.  I felt sorry for BD at that moment.

7) 89.1 -- BOSTON CRUSADERS

Sanford Percussion Award: Blue Devils

6) 92.55 -- BLUECOATS

General Effect -- Blue Devils

5) 94.45 -- SANTA CLARA VANGUARD

4) 95.05 -- CADETS

3) 96.55 -- PHANTOM REGIMENT

2) 97.65 -- CAROLINA CROWN

1) 98.7 -- BLUE DEVILS

You've gotta respect the execution of that show, whether you like it or not.  They are amazing.

ENCORE

Blue Devils, the field is yours!  

They got the BD faithful going with their F-tuning warmup.  I haven't heard this in forever!  OK, 2 years.  But still, that's a long time for that.  

Drums did some warm-up of their own.

Then the horn players sang something.

Dada.  One more time.  This is the last time I'll get to see that girl beat the hell out of that metal thing.  Crazy brass runs:  I mean, that DIDN'T win best brass?!?

BD's hoops and horsies

I still don't like their color guard hats.  I do like when they roll the hoop up the backs of 3 CG members, and the last one in the line catches the hoop.

S: I really don't understand this show.  (regarding the jackets) Why do they put them on?

R:  Because there's a hanger in a frame.

Well, that pretty much hilariously sums up their show!

We returned to our hotel, and I didn't sleep well, probably because I was worried that I would miss my early flight.

The next morning, I talked to a guy as we waited at the Indy Go stop.  He also goes to Finals every year, and he marched with Boston Crusaders.  He asked for my honest opinion about BD's show, and I told him that I hated it at first, then liked it, then hated myself for liking it.  He said that his friend feels the same way.  So I think that was all on purpose.  Well played, BD.  And congratulations on another successful year!

As usual, I had some drum corps folk on my flights home.  At the Las Vegas airport, I went up to a group of SCV guys, and told them that they made me cry...and that it was a good thing.  They smiled and thanked the crazy lady.

Now is the time for drum corps withdrawal.  

Stravinsky Fest

DCI Semifinals

Friday, August 10, 2012

Lucas Oil Stadium

I think that the concept of the live blog of Semifinals was a fun one. It was also a bit more work for me, because I was still writing stuff for this more complete blog.  But it's a good basis for today's blog, so I'll be using the comments from that night and embellishing a bit with pictures and more  comments.

In the morning, we got a little something to eat at Starbucks, then watched the Olympics for a while before going to lunch at our favorite place, Tastings.

I only had 3 tastes of wine, since I wasn't that hungry, and neither was Bro.  But they were all pretty good.  The food was also quite tasty.  We shared a White Pizza, which was a flatbread pizza with cheese (I think it was gruyere) , arugula and a garlic and olive oil sauce.  Delicious.  We also had some steamed mussels, in a broth made with wine and garlic.

The wines I tasted:

1) 2011 Villa Wolf Gewurztraminer* -- sweet and yummy.
2) 2010 Pennywise Pinot Noir
3) 2010 Discoveries Moscato* -- really like this one

So my favorite, not surprisingly, was the Moscato.  Also, I guess I go for the California wines, because the descriptions seem like I would like them more than the others.  

We got to our seats at LOS just in time to hear the Hellcats trumpet players play the Star-Spangled Banner.  I didn't really like the arrangement, but at least it was live.  For today's show, we were 18 rows up from the field, along the 30-yard line.  So we get to see faces of the drum corps members!

Top 12 scores, marked with *, advance to Finals

CASCADES -- 68.75

Cascades Drummers

Their intonation was off.  Where are their shakos?  I thought they wore them yesterday, at least the horn players.  Someone's heel got stuck on her flag for a moment.  Bro told me the next day that he read that someone forgot the plumes to the shakos, and they didn't want to look weird without the plumes, so they didn't wear the shakos at all.  So there was violence in the early afternoon without hats.  I like their martial arts moves.

SPARTANS -- 70.75

I thought that the dead person from the first show was still on the field, because the show starts with someone laying in the center, just like the other show ended.  We are about ready to see some real drum corps with NO MICROPHONES!  This is the first corps out of several that are playing Stravinsky today.  There were a couple of drops from the CG.  One of the guys playing the marimba was really into the last portion of the Firebird theme.

MANDARINS - 71.60

Chant Corps

The color guard members' faces were painted.  I don't remember seeing that before, but maybe I just didn't sit close enough to see that last night.  They should have used real stones for the temple.  That wouldn't have been heavy or anything.  The chant corps portions went well, and I like the battery feature.  

SCVC -- 72.75

The Queen and the Aussie

It's difficult to watch drum corps and take pictures when you have tears in your eyes.  I am totally in love with that show.  I like the...everything!  The CG was spot on.  I like how they taper the snare drum ensemble down to the center snare solo.  The mellophone solo for "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" was beautiful.  I've only seen the show twice, and I know that I'll miss it until I get the recording on DVD.

BDB -- 73.60

BDB Big Ass Drum

So now we're sitting close enough that I can hear narration.  The dude is saying something about when you pour water into a cup, the water becomes the cup.  I thought that maybe this was "Dada II".  Oh, those ARE rain sticks!  Bro rolled his eyes at me.  They have some big ass drums.

Dan Potter informed us that Lucas Oil Stadium is the first stadium to be built with the marching arts in mind.  They have rehearsal space and acoustic design and everything.  Impressive.

SURF -- 75.45

Bridgemen Junior

So. Much. Fun.  "Pure Imagination" was more beautiful than I've ever heard anyone play before.  I've never actually been fond of that song, but I love the way that Surf plays it.  "Have fun at your band show with the bugle corps."  Every day I'm shufflin'.

ORE CRU -- 77.45

Red Fans for Tango

Bro figured out that the girl was singing underneath the pyramid thing during the orange section.  I'm pretty sure that I told him about that yesterday.  I think that any corps that plays Simple Gifts should have yellow flags, so that it can be a tribute to SCV's "Ballet for Martha", whether they mean to do it or not.. Just like they did. And it was gorgeous.

TROOPERS -- 77.65

I like the steam sound effect that happens when they just blow air through their horns.  Other people enjoyed their hip action.

<Intermission>

COLTS -- 79.20

I'm now just convinced more than ever that those hats are bird heads.  A judge got hit by the green boundary while it was being formed.  Bro didn't understand why it's called "Boundaries" if they keep moving the boundaries around.  Another standing ovation for that awesome soprano solo of "All By Myself".  She played without any accompaniment, and the audience was dead silent, soaking in the beauty of the music, until she hit her high note.  Then we all went crazy.  So very nice.  One of those other soprano players looked to be about 5 years old.  

PC -- 80.25

Smiled.  A LOT.  I was almost to the point of Proud Mama tears.  I yelled out, "GO, ANDY!" for Mike's friend's son.  Then I thought that maybe his name is Adam.  So I yelled that name quieter.  I could see the soloist breathing in preparation for the solo during the rest.  

ACADEMY -- 81.90

Yelled Kyla's name.  Then I asked Bro if that was right, because I said the wrong one yesterday.  I'm so insecure about the names today! They do a move that looks like the "Back to Back" choreography in Rockapella's "Zombie Jamboree".  That only makes me like them even more than I already do.  They keep slicing that one girl's neck, but she's still alive at the end.  I like the tug of war, with her in the middle.  

GLASSMEN -- 82.25

I like the way they play the Saint-Saens.  I didn't know that they had a sound of shattered glass from the synthesizer.  They don't need it.  Actually, nobody needs the synthesizer.  

XMEN -- 84.90*

I watched this on the jumbotron because I needed to leave immediately after the Glassmen show.  After the center snare steps in front of his section, they throw him a stick.  I don't think the drummer needed it, but OK.  Pretty marquis cross formation.  

BLUE STARS -- 84.60

I thought that the first girl was a mermaid, but she was just a wave.  The mermaids came later, though, along with a prerecorded siren song.  I would have liked it more without the prerecorded singing.  They had red-headed mermaids on their flags, and an anchor painted on their rifles.  I also like the half-anchor props.  

SPIRIT -- 85.65*

There she is!

I got a picture of the sexy Jubilee dancer girl.  Too much talking and prerecorded singing.  

BLUE KNIGHTS -- 87.65*

BK continues the Stravinsky theme of the day (Academy also had a Stravinsky piece).  This  time, I saw them changing the plumes on their shakos.  The change in color caught me by surprise yesterday.  It's Firebird, in space!  Now I get that the flag is of a planet, maybe Saturn.  Love the Phoenix formation at the end, as well as the flags.  

MADISON -- 88.80*

Choir Corps

Fun show, love it.  I love their arrangement of "Pictures at an Exhibition". Also, they sing it.  If only they would make a certain formation...maybe tomorrow?

Dan interviewed the Madison Scouts director and asked about their food truck, which had burned down.  He said that as soon as the news hit the drum corps community, the leaders from both Carolina Crown and the Cavaliers offered to help feed the Scouts.  I love this activity!

<Intermission>

The Edge performed in a section of seats nearby.  Dan conducted a drum corps trivia challenge, sponsored by Zildjian.  Aw, no dizzy people?  Bummer.

BO CRU -- 89.30*

I like their "Pines of Rome".  I don't really feel emotional about their show, though.

CAVALIERS -- 89.40*

Pop Art

I like when they get their swagger back at the end, especially because the DM just stands there without conducting it, facing the audience and nodding.  I hope it crosses over to next year.  Too many rifle drops.  

BLOO - 92.80*

Bloo Masque Drums

Oh, the CG has writing on their chests at the end, after they've stripped off their other clothing.  Bro can't read the Chinese one.  I guess he's not fluent by marriage to second generation.  Oh, and I can't read it either.  I really don't need the adjectives being told to me via talking.  

SCV -- 93.70*

Starry Night

They got me that time with "Music of the Night": I got all teary.  The Whitaker piece so awesomely blends with the Jupiter.  I love the pose right before Mars starts, like they are using a bow and arrow.  I tell ya, me and archery this year...

CADETS -- 94.10*

Cadets Gifts

They made a Christmas tree.  Do you hear what I hear?

PHREGIMENT -- 95.70*

They continue to do their Chevron, but still have not kneeled.  Eeww...that's a really bloody big read flag.  I love those pretty solos.  

CROWN -- 97.45*

You've got something on your chin

I think this is about the Green Lantern.  Or Superman, without the cape.  Or Peter Pan.  Again.  I really need to see the program.  CUBES!  A kid behind us could be a drum corps commentator, he's so knowledgeable.  He's, maybe, 8 years old.  

BD -- 98.20*

Why do they have to be so good at such weird stuff?  We like it, but hate ourselves for liking it.  I asked them to stop talking, but they did not.  Yet I still like their show.  Bro and I decided that we're like abused drum corps fans, taking a beating then coming back for more, over and over.  Is that irony?  It's probably Dada.  Whatever it is, they've succeeded in making us like them and hate ourselves for it.  Anyway, they played the heck out of that show.  

Awards were given.  The Jim Jones Leadership award went to the DM from Oregon Crusaders.  I like her name: "Happiness Yi".  So cute, and her smile fits her name.  The volunteers of the year included a woman who has been volunteering with the Colts for 30 years, and a couple that tabulates the scores.  The DCI Hall of Fame alumni were also introduced.  Thank goodness, no speeches.  The remaining 8 living founders of the original DCI were honored.  Then the Hall of Fame Class of 2012 was introduced.  Congrats, Sco Jo!  Then a bunch of DCI alumni got on the field for the Grand Reunion, and they welcomed the 2012 Age-Outs onto the field to join them.  On the jumbotron, a list of all of the DCI corps scrolled on, and I realized how many corps I've seen before that are now gone, and I missed their presence.  Then the lights went down, and we heard 5 alumni play solos.  GREAT solos from right below the jumbotron.  They were incredible.  We were then all invited to go to the Grand Reunion party, but we were tired and didn't feel like paying to get into a party, so we went back to the hotel to sleep while watching the Olympics.

Next Up:  FINALS