Friday, June 27, 2014

Who's Here?


I'm in the land of my parents, Hoosier Land. Mom would always tell the story about Indiana natives hollering "Hoooooosier!". but I digress. Show time  in Lexington, Kentucky. Pre show parking is like going to the fair with all the busses, trucks, and all other vehicles forming a maze of villages with all the tribes having their own customs and rituals. 
First we unload all the vehicles with all the corp members taking care if their assigned tasks. Props have to be carted, pit percussion unloaded, podiums put together.  The guard must get their flags, boxes, weapons to begin the final warm up. Here is my truck unloaded! 

Once again..... It rained..so we loaded again, in the rain.  It didn't take too long as we are getting into a routine. The equipment truck is really cool with room for all the instruments and uniforms. here's a look inside. 


We then traveled to Evensville, Indiana where we stayed at Bosse School, a school built in 1910.  The school is a beautiful building with a unique setting for marching.  And made more meaningful as I learned that a dear friend, Nancy Shepherd student taught at this school. 
The stadium was a mixture of history and and modern facilities. a really beautiful setting. 

We performed that night and traveled to a town outside of Muncie, Indiana where had a rehearsal day yesterday. Tonight we are at Ball State for the show. I got to sit a second in the "Polaris" before transporting props and such. 

Now it's show time at Ball State! FCO! 


We'll load later tonight and Drive to Madison, Wisconsin.  
TTFN! 
Robbie

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Rainy Days



The last week has been a blur. Last Thursday we moved out of Onalaska and prepared to debut the show.  Unfortunately It rained  and  it and rained, and then rained some more. We spent most if the day dealing with the aftermath. Unfortunately the performance was rained out. 
So we packed up and left early. It was my first time to drive through the night in a long time. I was concerned but I knew it was only a three hour drive  and felt confident. It was a great first drive! We arrived with no mis-haps. Everyone was excited because it was the  first contest day and disappointed they didn't get the run through done. We packed in the rain and we somehow it all got on the truck. 

I'm getting a new appreciation for the Midwest. So pretty when it's not covered in 20 feet of snow. It is so green every where. I guess all the plant are so eager to grow after all the cold.  (Just a random thought. 

Ok, cool things you see at drum corps shows. 
 First, Souvie Booths-...support your favorite corps and BUY! Also most corps have a little gas can you can contribute to defray fuel costs, help as you can! 2nd -You see good friends, like Dawn here 
Can you tell we love the Blue Stars! Dawn was just inducted into the Blue Stars Hall of fame. What an amazing lady! I'll tell you about all of the inductees later. And the third cool thing is the Horn Doctor. 
That's pretty cool! 

I want tell you about the members of this years Blue Star. They just might be the most polite and Apreciative young people I've ever been around.  Any small task I assist with gets a very sincere thank you. Very rare these days. 

I'm trying to get exersize every day. Usually I walk around wherever the corps is rehearsing, so I get to listen and walk. I'm doing that one stone / two birds thing. 

We were a bit disappointed last night because we were rained out again. So we packed up in the rain, again, and made our nine hour trip from Michigan to Kentucky. Last night was one of our longest trips while I'm on your.  I was nervous, but sure it would go well. I have a new friend, Shirley the bus Driver. Last night we agreed that I would pray over her, and she would pray over me. It's great how God answers prayers. 

Time to go. It's show time FCO! 

TTFN
Robbie 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Week recap

II think it's Thursday morning, nope, it's Wednesday.
It's early here's some random thoughts.
It's been a busy few days. 
The Grand Premier Weekend was off the charts.  
I even found my "home" in '78

 Went up to the top of the bluff. And had Father's Day lunch with some friends. 
Playing with the Alumni Corps along with the Jr. Corps was such a blast.
 Our first rehearsal together was so much fun with smiles all around. 

Then the performance! 
Amazing! Let's just say us old folks still have it and then the combined performance?
 Well, I can't wait to do it again in July. 
Sunday night I joined up with the Jr. Corps. My truck and I are getting to know each other well, I've spent over 14 hours driving already. 

Yesterday  I drove to Minneapolis to pick up a load of boxes. 
 Today we get to unload them and organize the truck.  Everything must get done today!  We hit the road tomorrow so it crunch time!
Time to go get breakfast.
TTFN- Tigger

Robbie  

Friday, June 13, 2014

Tower of Power Interuptus

Third jet of the day. 
First McAllen, then DFW, O'Hare to La Crosse. It has been an adventure already.  First a flight delay in McAllen. Land at DFW, Lunch at Pappasito's for brunch.  I had Cheese enchiladas topped with two eggs, sunny side up! Oh my! It was amazing!!!! But never again!  Then onward to the next destination. 

On the flight to Chicago, I was using the time to work on the memorization of the music the Alumni are playing. We will performing this weekend. To help with this I have the songs downloaded on my phone, to follow along. 
Well, somehow, after an hour, no ADHD jokes allowed, I ended up listening to Tower of Power.  You see the group of guys I traveled with and lived with when marched would listen to TOP everywhere we went, I can't listen to the group without thinking about my friends, two in particular.  One is my buddy, Alton. Alton and I roomed together in the basement of a duplex the summer we marched. Somehow we are still the closest of friends.  (Most have been the mold).  
The other is my friend Perry.  I sure wish I could share this adventure with him, but that is another blog for another day.   And.... "That's all I've got to say about that" - F. G. 
     I guess what I'm realizing, (once again) that I'm blessed.  This summer I have an opportunity to meet and be blessed by the people who cross my path whether it's a lifetime, or five minutes. If we've never met introduce yourself, take selfies, and trade  some stories, You will probably find me around the box truck. 


Now the plane is taxiing out now.  What's left for today?
Hotel check in
Blue Stars Rehearsal 
Alumni Rehearsal
Socializing
Crash and burn
Miss you WonderWoman! 
TTFN - Tigger
Robbie 

Thursday, June 12, 2014

At this moment I'm trying to think of something much more clever than quoting the lines from "Jet Plane", yet my bags are packed and I'm .....  Sorry it's just too cheesy.  Speaking of cheese, this time tomorrow I'll be in Wisconsin, playing in the horn line with the Blue Stars Alumni Corps.  I'm very proud to be part of this group of people. 
We have members who played in the Original group all the way through to some of the more recent members. The stories, wisdom and talent are just too much fun!!!

Well, I'm packed. Again.  
I have packed, eliminated items, packed, repacked and packed again.  WonderWoman and the boys gave me a new duffle roller back for the tour which is Ginourmous!  
 I have finally reached the ultimate goal of 49 lbs in the belly of the beast! 
It is done.  
Tomorrow I'm getting it on the plane and riding. 

Tomorrow? 
McAllen, 
Dallas, 
Chicago O'hare, (1hour)
then 
La Crosse Wisconsin!


So for now, Shut eye.   5 am will come early!

I hope you guys are enjoying this.  Feel free to comment, let me know what you think.  Also as we get into this experience if you have questions are similar stories, join in!
Until next time.
TTFN
robbie 

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Almost there!

One of my many favorite movie quotes is from Star Wars .... it's the scene when they are trying to blow up the death star...   Garvin Dreis keeps repeating;  "Almost there.... almost there!".   Well, that's how I feel,  ready to go, lining up my shot.  I just hope Darth Vader isn't on my tail real to blow my ass out of the sky. 
 (BTW-  I had to look up Garvin's name, I'm not THAT, into Star Wars.)   

Well, I've been trying to take care of all of the home stuff before I leave. Making sure there are plenty of air-condition filters, the garage is clean, sort of, and yard stuff.  I still have a few projects to go, like today I'm going to fix the swing, practice, and take WonderWoman to a movie and dinner. 

Yes, I need to practice.  As part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, we are forming an alumni group to perform twice this summer. I have been able to attend two of the three camps and will participate in both performances.  This experience will be among the highlights of my performing career.  Once again, for me, it's not necessarily the thrill of performing, but everything that is part of the process. Don't get me wrong, performing is the driving factor. We will perform and it will be awesome! But before I quit this installment to go memorize my music I'll leave you with my top ten list of "Why I love my Blue Star Brethren".  Some of these will probably ring true of many drum corps, but this one is mine.

#10.  As a boy from the South I'm learning the proper use of "yep".
#9.    Blue Stars are willing to follow and take instruction.
#8.    What you see is what you get. Blue Stars are no different in public as what they are private.
#7.    Blue Stars STILL leave a place in better shape than when they first find it.
#6.    There WILL be a party involved!
#5.     The way ALL people are accepted.  I am humbled how ALL people are not only welcomed, but allowed and ENCOURAGED to be a valued contributor to the group. This world would be a much better place if everyone could utilize the model the Blue Stars demonstrate on a daily basis. 
#4.    The talent and history of the corps and is members is amazing.
#3.    Octoberfest
#2.    Bluffside
#1.   ROADTRIP!  "I wonder if we still play "wheel roulette"?

Saturday, June 7, 2014

6 Days to Go

I'm sitting here on "The Porch" at the "Ho House" tugging on a Nomad S-307 while enjoying the South Texas breeze. I'm taking a few minutes from my "activities"to begin this blog.  This has been a busy and rewarding weekend with "Pops" being here to visit the fabulous "WonderWoman".  We have had amazing food this week and have enjoyed Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice, "JalapeƱo Chicken", and steaks.  Tonight I'm going to smoke a brisket overnight because we will observe Father's Day while Pops is in town, and oh yea, me too.

You see, I've have started packing for my "bucket list" summer.  My amazing wife has encouraged me to pursue this as it's has been something I've wanted to to for years. volunteering for the "Blue Stars Drum and Bulge Corps".  Those that know me have know that I was privileged to march with this group in 1978. That experience has impacted my my life in such a way, both personally and professionally, that I've have always wanted to give back.  And as "L" says, "It is time."

This year we, The Blue Stars are celebrating 50 years of FCO, Finus Coronat Opus. The End Crowns The Work. Every last one of my students have heard this in one form or another, such as if we do our best every day, ratings, placement in contests, or results of any kind will take care of itself. But, back to this summer, the Alumni will be putting on two performances, one next Saturday, and the other in July in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  Between the two performances I will be driving a truck for the corps.  I have driven for countless church youth trips in my life so I am very excited to what the next 6 weeks will bring. My personal goal, is to serve humbly and hopefully have the time to have a positive impact on those around around me.

I hope in the blog to share the experience with those of you that are interested and hopefully maintain contact with those I love.  Maybe it will serve as an encouragement to those that have been interested in being a drum corps volunteer.  Don't expect me to comment on performances, teaching, or how the corps is run in a critical manner.  I will not do it. That is not my role, but I do want to share my experiences, if for no other reason, so I will have a record of it.

Ok, back to packing.
#1.  Being diabetic,  I'm really have to plan.
#2.  Being ADHD, being organize makes my brain hurt.
#3.  Blue Stars Alumni are a really fun group.
#4.  I am going to quit smoking cigars ....... for 6 weeks.
#5.  My wife is amazing.
#7.  We are mainly touring the mid-west.
#8.  I have a bazillion things left to do, so I better stop typing now.

I'll figure how to share this.

T.T.F.N.
ROBBIE aka Rowbeho.