Update Your Bookmarks. Again.

By Matthew in Uncategorized on July 22 2008

I think I finally was able to set this up the way I wanted to, so the feed location has been changed.

Again.

I’m going to re-enter this feed in my RSS reader. You should too.

Atlanta Lineup Analysis

By Matthew in Archives on July 21 2008

Winners:

1. Academy - If they want to prove themselves as a Semifinalist, they need to rock their show. On between Troop and PC, they’ve got to score big to stand a change in Indiana.

2. Madison - Best possible draw for them, and even thought they don’t get to go directly on before Crossmen they’re placed well for a possible evening show.

3. Bluecoats - From “they’re stuck in 7th” to going on in 4th.

Losers:

1. Troopers - While I doubt that they will be hurt by going on in 18th, it’s possible that they should show some weakness in Atlanta due to scheduling.

2. Santa Clara - Bloooo’s gain is their loss. On between BK and Boston? Ouch.

3. Cadets - Could they slide down even further? Bluecoats are on fire, Phantom still has things to add into the show and Cadets are on after the break.

How do I share my joy?

By Matthew in Archives on July 20 2008

One of the most difficult parts of the summer is trying to explain Drum Corps to other people. I can talk about it until I’m blue in the face, I can even show people clips of it, but it’s just not the same as seeing it live. I can talk all I want about Santa Clara’s magic trick/costume change, but it won’t show over the internet. I can talk about Carolina Crown’s 72-member horn line, but you won’t feel it until your hair is being pushed back by the sheer volume. There’s a reality to a live show that I can’t sell on my own.

And I have no more live shows to send people until Finals.

Finals is another problem. From what I’ve gathered, my group still has two open tickets for Finals Week and I don’t want to offer them to anyone. Finals Week is for me, and the last thing I want to do is babysit others who aren’t committed to the experience. Add in the venue change and the fact that anyone who goes is stuck at the stadium until the show is over, and there’s no real way to get people involved.

I’d love to have my friends over this weekend to try and explain it, to try and show it off through the final live internet feed, but will it really work?

I’d put Bluecoats’ boxing show up there with a lot of entertainment I’ve consumed over the last year. It’s so wonderfully constructed, the narration actually adds to the program, and when they finally kick into the Rocky theme I want to cry. Carolina’s Crown “classical in a blender” show is a sight to behold, but how do I explain to non-initiates that the ending is a mélange of classic endings from the past? That the rifle feature in the company front isn’t just cool, that it’s fucking brilliant considering the show? How do I explain that Cadets are still as fast and furious as in the past, despite the soul-sucking conversation over it? How do I explain that I actually enjoy Blue Devils this summer?

I think that everyone who goes to a show with me understands the Troopers thing. Besides the bumper sticker, the decal, the rope drum rear-view mirror charm, and my corps jacket, they know it’s a big deal for me. I just can’t explain it to others.

For one weekend out of the year, I’m surrounded by other people who honestly get it. My DCI friends and I speak another language that is impenetrable to outsiders. Others talk about RBIs, I’m talking about injustices in the Visual GE Content subcaption. It’s the rest of the summer that sucks.

When I finally get a serious boyfriend again, he’ll have to suck it up but I’ve never had things sync with DCI. Before the weekend I’m alone in my obsession, and when it’s over I’m along again.

I hate it.

Yes, it’s my own fault. I blame the job, which isn’t a problem anymore. The timing just sucks this year, and since I’m tipsy I feel horrible about it.

I had better get on that Game Show to lift my spirits.

San Antonio: Brain Tired

By Matthew in Archives on July 19 2008

Crown loud, tree pretty.

San Antonio: Almost Done

By Matthew in Archives on July 19 2008

Still like BD.

I’ll quote from DCP because I stated it there first:

I’m getting sick and tired of shows with stage combat that write such weak choreography. I know that it’s supposed to be somewhat stylized and a real-looking fight would probably be distracting, but if you going to chop into someone’s leg with a katana or be in a boxing match… I expect a touch more professional looking work from these corps. They put so much effort and time into every other aspect of the show, and then I’m thrown out because the sword work is pathetic.

Fix, plz.

San Antonio: Phantom

By Matthew in Archives on July 19 2008

I’ll give them time, as I never got into Faust until Finals week, but the ending is STILL not working for me.

It’s really not working for me.

And it’s clear that there’s a clean break between 5th and 4th. The Top 4 are fixed in place now, and no one shall challenge them.

San Antonio: Vanguard

By Matthew in Archives on July 19 2008

My friend told me about the magic trick/silks at the end of the show and yeah, they’re/it’s awesome. Can’t wait to see it live.

Much better than last year, I’m excited to see it again. I always feel bad when I’d rather do my taxes than watch SCV.

San Antonio: Cadets

By Matthew in Archives on July 19 2008

Much stronger tonight, and an almost horrific fall near the end. It would have been DISASTER.

The narration is getting better, but it’s not helping the show.

San Antonio: Bluecoats

By Matthew in Archives on July 19 2008

Firstly, the multicam focused WAY too much on the boxers. I didn’t mind, since I’m trying to see the detail this time so I’m free for other things in Atlanta and Bloomington.

Way to go, snare player. I’m sure you’re going to do push-ups after this. :) What is it with Blooo and San Antonio?

Bluecoats have certainly captured their new style and it works for them. Even then narration is appropriate. It’s a good show that’s going to be stuck in 7th.

San Antonio: Boston

By Matthew in Archives on July 19 2008

I’ve wondered over the years, “What happened to Boston? Where did their core go?”

And when I think back, they never really had a theme. So why start now?

They play harder stuff, but I’m happy that we’re getting into the corps with concepts again.