DLR LotD 06/15/19

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Saturday, June 15, 2019

"It's Chewie in the wild!" -- Sherry, to anyone within earshot, at Galaxy's Edge

It's Also Our Band Name

DLR LotD 06/14/19

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Friday, June 14, 2019

"I love your shirt!  It's so cool!  Muftak is my favorite!!!" -- Awesome Star Wars fan kid, to Sherry, awaiting entry to Galaxy's Edge

Me in my Muftak Shirt, hanging out with my squad

Take The World

I'm so behind on my blogging that I forgot that I saw another movie before "Godzilla: King of the Monsters."  That movie was "Brightburn", because, after celebrating a friend's milestone birthday with a fancy tea, why not go to the movies to see a horror flick?  

• I like the reference to Superman's red cape.
• Note to self:  if it looks like something in glass is going to blow up, DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT IT lest you get a shard in your iris.
• Yeah, a bit gorier than I like to see in my hero movies...even if this is a villain.  He's not an anti-hero, right? That's more like Deadpool or the Suicide Squad, right?
• I think I need to symbol out of the initials from my name.  I wouldn't use it to show that I was the one that killed a person, but maybe in more happy moments.
• It's really too bad that she wasn't able to kill him with a piece of the ship.
• So he didn't kill the girl that he liked.  I wonder if she would eventually be his assassin?  Somebody needs to tell her about that ship.
• The credits allude to antiheroes in the DC Universe, such as Aquaman and Wonder Woman.  Although I don't need to see this film again, I would be interested in seeing what they would do with those.

Interesting concept.  If it was shown in a style that wasn't so much like a horror movie, I would probably see it again.  It's not that I wasn't expecting horror, it's because I don't usually see those movies more than once because they're scary.

We Will Be His

I saw "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" on opening night with a couple of other friends that, like me, did not get to go to Batuu.  I'm not bitter; I just felt like a loser.  :)  We saw the film in IMAX, and I intended to go again to see it in Dolby, but there has just been too much going on, and I'm just now trying to catch up with everything.  I didn't watch as many Godzilla movies as my friends did growing up, but I do know that I like Godzilla movies. 

• I liked hearing the cheering from one of the people in the audience, who kept clapping whenever one of the monsters was shown.  
• Since I don't know much about Godzilla movies, I didn't know what the other monsters powers would be, and I liked seeing the different reveals to the humans.
• You see, people really shouldn't mess with what nature already put away...or aliens put away.  
• Speaking of which, I caught some of the references to "Jurassic Park" in there.
• I also saw similarity to "Game of Thrones" with the wings and the people running from fire.  Did GoT steal from the old monster movies?  Also, someone from GoT is actually in this movie.
• Vera Farmiga always does a great job with complicated characters.  I never know if I should like her or dislike her in a film because she makes a good case for both good and bad in everyone she plays.
• I totally wanted someone to say "Hail Hydra" at the end.
• Totally love that the monsters are listed as themselves in the credits!
• "I read it in a fortune cookie once.  A really long fortune cookie."
• Um, a Godzilla movie made me cry.

That was fun!  I'm looking forward to Gojira's face-off with Kong!

There's No Place Like NotSacramento

Pacific Procession

Monday, June 24, 2019

Santa Clara High School

Santa Clara, CA

We ate our leftover blueberry coffeecake from Hobee's in the morning, and relaxed until hotel check-out time.  Yes, we had leftovers.  Those slices are huge.

We still had a few hours to go before gates would open at SCHS, so we found a place to eat via Yelp.  I figured we could eat tapas and just get dinner later on if we wanted stuff from the food trucks.  So we went to Rootstock, which is a wine bar.  Bro decided to order a beer flight, so, not to be outdone, I ordered a white wine flight.  

A white blend from Pessoa in Portugal,
 a Riesling from Urban in  Germany,
and a Chenin Blanc from Foxen in  California

I don't know the order, but he ordered:
Bare Bottle Fjord Mustang Hazy;
 Booth LGBTQ Smoothie IPA;
and Drake's Aromacoma DIIPA

We both enjoyed our drinks and food, pictured below.  I don't know which ones paired well with which beers for Bro, but my favorite tastes are noted.

Cocino Melango Empanada Trio
The Riesling went well with all of them.
Bro really enjoyed the chimichurri sauce and
poured it over his arugula salad.

Bacon Balsamic Deviled Eggs
I enjoyed these with the Chenin Blanc.

Monte Sereno Flatbread:
 prosciutto, goat cheese, pear,
 arugula, and balsamic vinegar
This paired very well with the Portugal blend.

We sat outside, and it was a very nice day, so we decided to relax for awhile.  Also, Bro was in no shape to drive.  Then he wanted to get dessert at Meet Fresh.  He asked if there was a kid-sized dessert.  I wasn't ready yet for dessert, so I got a table for us.  Then this is what he picked up: a Q Mochi Shaved Ice.  It is not Devil's Tower.  It is Kid Size if by that you mean "the size of a small child".  I had a taste of the ingredients, which I think were mochi, jelly noodles, gelatinous rice balls, and shaved ice with condensed milk, and it was tasty.  Bro enjoyed it very much.

Aliens Are Coming

Bro had sobered up by the time he was done, and we made our way to Santa Clara High School for Santa Clara Vanguard Family Day, also known as Pacific Procession.  This year, SCV was not hosting another corps, as in previous years.  The corps they probably would have hosted is the Cavaliers, but they were already on their way down for a special show in LA.  

We sat in the same section as whichever corps members were not rehearsing at the time.  I enjoy this day because of the enthusiasm and support the corps give each other, even when I don't understand the inside jokes.  These kids give their all during the summer, and they make lifelong friends, and it's a joy for me to watch, remembering my camaraderie with my college choir folks.  I also love that it's my favorite corps, hanging out and being Vanguard.  

Happy Fans in our Happy Place

Dress Rehearsal

Vanguard Cadets

My bestie is here!  The current drum major showed him some video so that he would know when to do the "VANGUARD!!!" yell.  They did not just standstill during the last piece, but instead did some dance moves, so it looks like they are progressing with their choreography.  That was a loud VAAAANNNNNGUAAAAARRRRRD!!!! yell, what with 150 of their corps sisters and brothers plus some of us fans knowing when to do it.  

 I like those primary colors flags

Cymbals doing that shimmery thing

Somebody was being told to "put your guns away".  Bro said this means "put on your shirts".  I guess they were saying that to SCVC after their rehearsal, because lots of guys in SCV had just taken off their shirts.

SCV

As they were setting up the field, a group of SCVC members were yelling at the second DM:  "TURN A-ROUND! TURN A-ROUND!"  He turned around as he took off his shirt, and all were happy.  He smiled.  We got to hear the last piece of the show...maybe?  You never know with this corps.  

A bunch of them also yelled out, "GO, SCVC PRO!!!"

Mellophone Ensemble

Sousaphone Solo

Brass King

Trumpet Quartet

SCV Bass Drum Cadence

Then the two corps rehearsed their encore together.

Panorama of Encore Rehearsal
Both horn lines and battery

We had a long wait due to the dinner break, so Bro and I took turns walking around.  I bought new SCV sweats with a 67 on them, and got our snacks and water.  

The Santa Clara Big Band played.  Bestie!  He's one of the trumpeters.  Or at least he was a guest trumpeter, I don't know, because he graduated from this high school.  Bro told me that Corps Director Charlie is leaving CA, so this is probably his last performance in the Big Band for us.  Sadness.  I like Charlie, and he's done a whole lot for SCV.  I was pleased that they performed "Orange-Colored Sky".  I love that song.

Charlie and his Porkpie Hat

Can you spot Bestie?

Then it was time for the corps performances.

VANGUARD CADETS

Voice of DCI Brandt Crocker was present, so they asked him to announce the corps.  Then he said they were from Sacramento, California, and the entire audience groaned.  Uh oh.  Brandt, you are IN Santa Clara!  I forgot to do the yell.  Duh.  Perhaps I was thinking that I should be watching the Mandarins.  We saw the dancing again, this time in uniforms. It needs work to get in unison.  What happened to their props?  They had them for the rehearsal, and during the show they mimed like they were moving them around.  I found that odd until Bro told me later that the reason Bestie seemed to rush out on the field to help during rehearsal was that somebody didn't move one (maybe someone was missing), and another person tripped over it and fell.  Maybe someone was out sick or injured and they didn't want to risk another person falling down today.

Salute

Flags again, with uniforms

Dance, SCVC, Dance!

Brandt said, "I realized I pulled a big Stupid awhile ago.  I apologize for my actions."

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD

Brandt:  "From SANTA. CLARA. CALIFORNIA, just so we knew that he knew where he was.  We forgive you, BC!  Wait.  Leobardo also does the duet with the trumpet player before his trombone solo.  He's so busy, running around and doing solos, like, "Oh,hi, here I am, ready to play for your listening pleasure.  AGAIN."  I'll take it!  He's so freaking awesome.

Color Guard Start of Show

I wonder if their skirt things (aprons?) have stuff in them.
Like, you know, gum.

Mello ensemble, with uniforms

She's awesome

Mike & Leo Duet

That quartet again, with uniforms

Encore

My video isn't as good from this show because someone sat in front of me and blocked my view.  Nevertheless, here you go.

Vanguard Cadets and SCV playing "The Canyon", conducted by the SCVC drum major

Vanguard Cadets and SCV playing "Send in the Clowns", conducted by the SCV drum major

We left so that we could get home, and saw this beautiful sky as we got into the car.

There's No Place Like Santa Clara

We also ended up behind this car for a little bit.

Wish I could have a pic of this car beside Bro's car

We made it to Bro's house by 2:00 a.m., then I drove home. Thank goodness there was no traffic on the way home, because I just wanted to get home and sleep.

Next drum corps post:  Corps at the Crest - San Diego

DLR LotD 06/06/19

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Thursday, June 6, 2019

"Rising Moons!" -- Multiple people, at Galaxy's Edge

Batuu Day 1

Dancin' at the Moonlight

DCI Moonlight Classic

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Hughes Stadium at Sacramento City College

Sacramento, CA

Thankfully, we had an uneventful morning: our car was intact when we got up to go to breakfast.  It's Hobee's Day!  Bro and I sat in the back section because the front was full with the Sunday Morning crowd.   I commented that I didn't see my favorite scramble on the menu, and Bro reminded me that this had already happened last year.  Oh.  Perhaps I had wishful thinking that it would return.  Anyway, as long as they have their yummy cinnamon tea and blueberry coffeecake, I'll keep coming back.  Bro had the sweet potato hash and let me taste it. It is tasty, but I'd ask for them to hold the bleu cheese.  Bro said that there was too much sweet by the time he was halfway through, so maybe a side dish would help cut that taste a little bit.  I had a basic bacon & eggs with hash browns breakfast.

We returned to the hotel to rest (and blog!) before heading to Sacramento.  Our late lunch was at Chando's, my favorite taco stand.  Bro enjoyed his fish tacos and carnitas tacos.  My carne asada taco was a bit overcooked, but my shrimp taco was tasty.  It had a little bit of a kick with the Chando's sauce, but I was still able to eat it (I can't eat spicy food due to a medical thing, so I'm not used to much spicy stuff now).  When we returned to our car, we realized that it was cooler in there than outside in the 98 degree heat.  

We went to Sacramento City College and this time, they posted helpful signs to let us know the floors of the parking structure where pay stations were available.  Why don't they have them on the first floor?  None of the spaces on the first floor were labeled as permit only or faculty, so this puzzles us.  Wouldn't people parking on the first floor also need to pay?  

The Star-Spangled Banner was performed by the Freelancers Mini Corps, which we heard as we started to go up to our seats.

Hi, announcer Ryan!

Our seats were on the left 40-yard line, section 9, row 23, seats 31-32, now quite at the top of the stairs, but right next to those seats.  Bro wisely did not select the top row because there is not a lot of space between the bench and the wall, which makes it very crowded for our legs.  The stadium doesn't give much room for people to get to their seats anyway, and some folks had trouble passing us to get to their seats. Bro said that he wouldn't buy seats to this show next year because a) it's always damn hot, and secondly, these seats.   I've heard him say this a couple of years in a row, so we'll see if that happens.  The nice thing is that our seats were in the shade.

Exhibition Performance:  Freelancers Mini Corps

Freelancers

BLUE DEVILS C

Nice California Girls solo!  Does the California Dreamin' soloist always have to leap across the field to get to his dot?  I didn't notice that before.  "Hooray for Hollywood" was better today.  I love that people get excited for Axel F.  I think they are people of my generation that know the movie, but these little ones won't (or shouldn't!) know it.  Maybe people are excited because the drummers are hitting their sticks on the rim of the drum, because that is fun.

Cute Drum Set Player

See, if you don't let go of the balls, they don't roll away.

Cute little trumpet player

My favorite guy in BD - C, dancing away!

BLUE DEVILS B

Very nice flag solo during the pre-show with the flagpole on his chest.  Great rifle work, too!  The color guard changes their costume during the show.  I didn't notice that before, but I'm sure they've been doing it since the first show.  Yay -- no ball drop!  It's the little things that make me happy.

Morse code patterns on drums

Pretty BD - B Flags

VANGUARD CADETS

I like the way the cymbal players come down the runway and do the shimmer roll thingy.  The motions are very pretty.  Their show is still not done.  While they were walking to their spots for the standstill of the last piece, the guy behind me said that he doesn't like this transition.  I don't think he was kidding.

SCVC Corps Back View

Plank Position

Announcer Ryan then announced that we were at the first intermission of the night, but didn't know what time we would be back.  First?  How long is this show?

We chose not to run over in the heat to look at stuff,
but look at the cool banners!

<Intermission>

TROOPERS

Great rifle and saber solo high tosses.  Was that the same person?  My prediction is that those red practice flags are substitutes for pretty yellow ones.  It's kind of the trend.  I love the color of their drums, a pale minty blue.  

Pretty Troop Flags

More Pretty Troop Flags

ACADEMY

Oh, they're already playing "London Bridge" at the beginning!  It's the low brass (baritones?) that starts me getting teary during Troubled Water.  Did the trumpet soloist forget to turn off her mic, or are they supposed to be singled out during the reprise?  I like the hip action during the playful part of "London Bridge".

Pretty Water Flags
I think they need more of them.

Love that metallic orange lining peeking out

MANDARINS

Composer Key Poulan came up to our portion of the stands to watch them play his music.  This time I watched the intruder character for the whole show, and I understand more.  It also helps that I read about the show on the Mandarins' website, and we heard a little bit about it while we listened to the DCI Field Pass podcast on the way to Sacto.  Anyway, the intruder is holding a lantern at the start of the show, and happens upon the celebration.  They don't seem to like his presence at first, but then he does a pas de deux with someone during the ballad.  So, did they fall in love, and then the drum major got jealous, so they fight, and then everyone gets mad at him, and they kill him for their sacrifice?  I'm not sure, but it sure is entertaining.  By the way, the pas de deux is well done, and both partners have great leg extension.  That intruder guy can really dance!  The drum major is very proud of himself when he pushes the intruder off of the podium, beating his chest while turning around to face the audience.  Cool drum feature during "Run Boy Run" when they're attacking the intruder.  Oh!  I realized that when they shove the intruder against the wagon thing, he is impaled by a spiky thing.  Maybe.

Spiky Wagon

Congas

Intruder with Lantern

Celebration with a big pole ladder thing

Are those rifles in their mouths?

Upside Down Guard

BLUE DEVILS

They have a violinist in the pit section.  Why didn't they have violinists in field shows when I was that age? That would have been fun!  The portion of the play that is being recited isn't at the beginning of "Oedipus Rex", but in the middle.  I guess that's the more popular line so that people recognize it.  The guy that's talking is the same one they used for their Tempest show.  He must be some kind of Shakespearean actor.  Oh, they have a sousaphone solo, too!  He likes to spin around.  Nice high saber toss from the CG ensemble, great unison!  I paid attention to the shoe dance this time, which is fun!  Is the white/yellow color of their uniform supposed to represent the ghost light color?  Bro thinks that the light is on at the beginning of the show, and is turned off at the end.  But I can't see that the light has ever been on, so I don't know.  

Drama

BD Drums

BD Drummers Emoting on Ladders

Ghostlight and Solo Trumpeter

CAVALIERS

That brass feature at the beginning while the trombones are on the top of the train trestle?  It's crazy good.  I love it!  I tried to follow the story of the show, but I didn't know if I was watching the right character.  Is it a bunch of characters that are on the wrong side of the tracks?  Bro said it's just a bunch of Irish guys fighting, and there are no characters to watch.  Maybe I should have asked the Cavaliers staff guy (Evan Woods) that was sitting in our row, because they mentioned him in the podcast.

Trombones on a Train Trestle

Rifle Catch + Flag Toss

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD

Hmmm...did I hear a little bit of "My Body is a Cage" in the opening song?  Leobardo is the King of Brass.  He has TWO awesome solos with different instruments!  I love the duet with him and the trumpeter on the ladder, as well as the duet he has with the high note guy, whom I think is named Mikey, from what I heard from our neighbors in the stands.  

King of Brass

Upside Sideways Guard

Marveling at a Super High Note

Announcer Ryan told us to stay in our seats for a special encore.  I would have liked to see the rehearsal that was taking place on the track by the end zone, but then I'd have to walk over there and walk back and lose my seat.  (We had moved to the back row because other people were dumb and left).

Encore

The Cavaliers and SCV horn lines got together to play each others' corps songs.

"Over the Rainbow"

"Send in the Clowns"

It was gorgeous and special, and I'm happy we were there to witness it, despite the challenges with the seating and the heat.

SCORES

Open Class

3) 44.30 -- Blue Devils C

2) 56.65 -- Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets

1) 59.80 -- Blue Devils B

World Class

6) 62.70 -- Troopers

5) 65.75 -- Academy

4) 69.70 -- Mandarins

3) 72.10 -- Cavaliers

2) 73.90 -- Blue Devils

1) 74.30 -- Santa Clara Vanguard

The gap is getting tighter between BD and SCV, but SCV hasn't played their closer in competition, and we all know that BD won't provide their big ending for a while.  SCV is still tops in the nation, with the Mandarins scoring higher than the Cadets, which is WOW.

Bro drove us back to our hotel in Cupertino, while we listened to "The Book of Mormon". That has a very different "Hello" song.  

Next up:  SCV Family Day