Empty Chairs at Empty Tables

I am really trying to stay away from the endless political fray that is already poisoning the airwaves and will only get worse in the coming weeks. I tire of the tactics and propaganda and long for something with truth and clarity.

Therefore, when something presents itself with a bit of humor into the arena - I jump all over that. Thus the fuel lit by Clint Eastwood at the RNC last night in Fla. If you have not heard - and how could you not - our man Clint charged Obama with his inefficiencies in absentia. Doing so in his theatrical style, he delivered his stoic and stammered remarks to a vacant chair on stage. Onlookers were not sure how to respond.

I am loving even more the official Obama response to it with his daily tweet.

Glee 2012/ 2012

As always, I remain a stalwart fan of the Series and just caught the beginning glimpse of the coming season. I am a bit cautious of the way last season ended and the possible sprawling storylines as the original cast ventures off to every corner of the globe. But open to the ride.

I also have yet to watch the last two episodes of the Glee Project on Hulu. Sadly, copyrights have it on a 30 day delay. I have seen spoilers thanks to several teen connections on Facebook, but still look forward to the unveiling and how the winner will introduce themselves into the season. Any other fans feel free to chime in.

What Goes Around, Comes Around

It is with great excitement, privilege and challenge - that I am starting a brand new job with Youth Performance Co. This is the youth theater were I began some 20 years ago in the basement of TRP. I have taught there, staged shows, and won milk carton boat races with them. Now I am stepping into a role of Education Director and Outreach. I am working with people I respect so much. They value what I bring to the table and we will continue to redefine who and what this company will become. In addition to the financial security it will afford, I look forward to conquering new mountains that are now in front of me. Yeah!

http://youthperformanceco.org/

Back to School

Since everyone is back to school; here is a shout out to all the Fall marching band programs taking the field and the people behind them. Saw this article today featuring local friend and colleague Mike Ferry.

Why the Marching Arts are Important

National Dog Day

 

From postings on Facebook, it is apparently a day to celebrate our canine friends. Who knew? And I have been a "dog guy" since childhood.

Anyway, I did the mandatory posting of Waylon and then had a friend direct me to a site called Dog-shaming.com. Ridiculous photos owners have taken of their pets when they have done stupid things that only dogs are meant to do. Here are 3 that made me laugh. Find the site - there are 100s.

Getting Old Sucks

Gearing up for another birthday next week. 51 this year does not seem as monumental as 50 last year. That mattered, this one doesn't seem to make any more difference. Another day. By luck I stumbled onto these two Facebook posts that grabbed me in different ways.

The 1st is from a photography collection by Tom Hussey entitled Reflections. It shows aging Seniors caught in the mirror looking back at their youth in promise. I find them juxtaposedly sad, haunting and inspiring. An inspired vision. I am including a few that struck me the most and then the link to the posted collection.

             Reflection by Tom Hussey






And then in all silliness, another video clip of Senior men at a retirement home spoofing the synchronized swimming event from the recent Olympics. It goes on a bit longer than needed - and maybe it misses something to being there live. But the effort is infectious from their mock seriousness, the rag tag uniforms and goggles and the attempt at staging. I would hope I retain that sense of humor in another25 years. Enjoy.

Today would have been Gene Kelley's 100th birthday. I was always in awe of him even before I understood his impact on American film or could even identify what charisma is. He just had IT. I read his biography and he was also a very fierce man with strong political opinions and harbored no guards when naming them. He had modest roots like me in Western PA, although I would have had no idea at the time. He was a tireless advocate of the arts and his close circle of friends. Work hard, play hard. The old question where "if you could bring any one person to the dinner table for a conversation........" it would likely have been Gene at the top of my list.

Meryl, Meryl on the Wall

I came across this unusual graph today and thought it was worth both a look and a share. Is there anyone who doesn't love her? And with her scope of work and range - it is interesting to look at them in tandem and compare. Check it out.

Last of the Olympics

One last look at some of the gratuitous fluff that came from the Games.

Swedish specimen Bjorn Barrefors and his large track suit.

            Britains's nude mermaid Swim 

      Team.

 

A very cute and cozy Dannell & Mathew.

                                      The infamous boner shot of our USA Rowing Team.

Drum Corps Archives

Since it was the 40th anniversary of DCI, there was a bit of tribute during the championships. But both Eric and I commented that much more should have been done to delve in the heritage and make it more of a monumental celebration.

One great feature was a historical archive of old footage and uniforms. It was a display that everyone passed on entrance to Lucas Stadium. Which is a shame, because it was a great homage going back over 50 years. The uniforms and patches shown here brought back vivid memories to me. It was unfortunate that they were just hung on coat hangers to a chained fence. There is movement to start housing a DCI museum where these can all be placed properly. Let's hope the organization can do this with a bit more honor and initiative.

Erie Thunderbirds next to original champions Anaheim Kingsmen

Legendary Audobon Bon Bons

Iconic Bridgemen's drum major jacket

Guardsmen, Precisionaires & Les Chatelaines

Classic 1967 Santa Clara Vanguard

Marion Cadets

Drum Corps Withdrawal

My first full day back today; leaving that summer world behind as I shift back to whatever my current life is. Great memories from an activity that continues to excite me. As large as the crowd of thousands is there, I always seem to manage to bump into old pals for a few short moments to catch up on our lives in the stands, in a parking lot or at a bar.

Here are a few shots from the 16th row of Finals.

Madison Scouts in their Picasso inspired opener

Phantom Regiment sets the stage for a beheading in their operatic Turandot

Blue Knights channel their inner avian Firebird with peacock plumes

Cadets have a reverent moment in their 12.25 production

Bluecoats show entitled UnMasqued relied heavily on optical themes

with a Warhol inspired concept; Cavaliers 15 Minutes of Fame

Crossmen's World Rhythm ecology show Fragile

I'm Going Back to Indiana

This weekend marks the end of the Junior drum corps season with the DCI Championships again being held in Indianapolis. This activity has been a part of my life from some of my earliest memories. I can still remember hearing the announcement in 7th grade @ East High School that the Erie Mavericks were looking for new members. They were the pinnacle of the annual Erie Zoo Parade. I spent six incredible years as the organization grew and we actually started to be noticed on a National level.

Then, still surprising my own determination, I drove across the country in hopes of becoming a Madison Scout. How lucky I was to be a part of that organization at that defining point in the drum corps activity. The people I marched with and who taught me, are now some of the cornerstones in DCI. College took me other places, but I have come back to these roots many times. As an instructor, a writer and now in the judging world. The passion for what happens on that football field is still amazing to me. 

I am so excited to journey down to Indy for the 40th anniversary championships. And also honored that so many of them in the past have played out with me being a part of them as well. I am traveling down with another old Erie Maverick and I am sure we will have hours of those "old days" to talk about. I was so very lucky to jump in during those formative years. I was there.

Swimming Doggies

My little Waylon has become quite the swimmer this summer. He had always loved the water, but was more of a splasher in shallow pools than an avid swimmer. I know he had a fall through the winter ice into a very cold Lake Calhoun two years back that may have set him back a bit. Last summer at Tamarack Lake was his first real venture into the deep end when he panicked as I took off in a floating raft and swam out in the middle of the lake to meet me; clawing my chest in the process as he scrambled to board the small inflatable lounge. He didn't really swim, but sort of splashed with his front paws to stay afloat.

Jeff has been a great trainer with me this year, often on the banks of the Mississippi. He is less likely to get tagged and ticketed off leash there than our city lakes. He loves a good tennis ball or stick and has gained confidence and skill. The last month he has also mastered speed; since there are many dogs at the river and if he wants control of the ball - he knows he needs to be at the front of the pack. Yesterday he was testing the deep and strong current of the mighty St Croix while we were out at Taylor's Falls. He is tireless in his quests. This pic does not show it because of the zoom on the camera, but he was yards out.

I then stumbled onto this similar lab in South Beach who is lucky enough to swim with the dolphins. Her name is Kira. And can only imagine Waylon in the deep ocean bays chasing them. I am anxious to get him to the North Shore where he can see what a real body of water is truly like.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Anyone reading this is likely to know that I am an avid baker. With the current heat wave, I have been reluctant to fire up the oven at any cost. But with the recent lapse I did a late night bake.

Zucchini has always been useless to me with its bland taste. Vegetable filler. But Jeff suggested I plug it into my Dinner Spinner app on my tablet. You put your food ingredients in, shake it and are given a list of possibilities. This one came up and I gave it a good try. Impressive and easy. The squash must it keep it moist and the dark baking chocolate gives it a richness. Munching it now with my morning coffee. So, if you have a crop of it coming your way - it is a good disguise for bland.

allrecipes.com - chocolate zucchini bread

In the Dog House

There was a time when this phrase referred to scolding and punishable consequences. But after reading this article in the Sunday Strib last week, it seems no longer the case.

I treat my dog well and give him all that is needed plus a bit more on special days. But I can't imagine the life of luxury that these pets are accustomed to. Their homes have more amenities than mine.