My tolerance level for bullshit is really reaching an all time low.
My wife and I purchased a car in Delaware and were issued a temporary tag. They were supposed to submit our info to PA and have our license plate shipped to us. Yeah...this never happened and my temp tag expires tomorrow.
Dena called the dealer and ripped into them something fierce on Friday. Is it weird that I love it when she yells at other people over the phone? Anyway, I called today and killed them with kindness. They never submitted the info, but they'll do it on Thursday, and I should have the plate next week. We'll see. I have to pick up another temp tag tonight so I can actually drive my vehicle.
I just don't understand why it's so difficult for people to do what they're supposed to do. I get not giving a crap about your job, but if you're there anyway you might as well do the job instead of...well...nothing at all!
In other news, it was a good and interesting weekend with the drum corps. The show is still continuing to take shape, and it's going slower than I'd like. The majority of the drum corps is making amazing progress on the music and guard work, but the drill and visual portion of the show has been a much slower process. It's not really anyone's fault, it just is what it is. We were designing a show for a corps that didn't exist. We didn't know if we'd max out at the 65 member limit, or if we'd have a much smaller corps. We didn't know what kind of talent we'd have or how well they could retain the show. Now that we're much more comfortable with the "who" portion of this whole thing, the "what" is now able to take shape a little better. We learned some lessons and will definitely be making some changes to our approach next year.
All that being said, the show is going to be great. It's just going to take a little bit of time. Luckily, time is what we have this year. As a first year corps, we aren't guaranteed to get into any shows even though we passed our DCA evaluation. Unlike other circuits, DCA does not schedule corps at shows. You, as a corps, have to go to the show sponsor and request...or they ask you, and no one is exactly begging for a brand new corps to come to their shows. We're currently at 5 shows plus championships, which gives us a few weekends to work at our home rehearsal facility and clean/tweak the show as needed. It also enables us to give our members 2 weekends completely off, which was a big selling point with a lot of people this year.
The uniform fitting was this weekend, and we look absolutely spectacular. I'm very proud of what this is becoming. I may become frustrated with the pace of it from time to time, but I just need to keep reminding myself that this is the first year, and that everything we do has to be done the right way so that we can build a foundation for success in future years. Sometimes that process is slow. Some things that we've accomplished have come fast and easy. Some things not so much. It's all part of the process.
I'm completely finished writing the music, though. My second drum corps show (first was Fusion 2008's program "Momentum.") really has turned out pretty good. I'm pleased with the construction, the variety, the attention to detail, and the reaction of the members. I've received overwhelmingly positive reviews from some very discriminating individuals when it comes to arranging for drum corps. We did a full musical run through of the show on Sunday, and I couldn't have been prouder of the members and of what they're turning this show into. Yes, I wrote the notes, but the notes don't mean squat if I don't have performers buying in and giving their all to it...injecting part of themselves into the show and making the music truly come alive. It's such a fulfilling and satisfying process, and I just couldn't be happier with the group of people I've been blessed to instruct this year. I'm a really lucky guy for having them, and so is Windsor Regiment.
Welcome to Random Brain Food!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Beverages and Glands...
If you know me pretty well you know that I consume a lot of Diet Pepsi...or at least I used to. I gave it up on Friday for good, and I'm happy about that decision. It's tough, because I relied on it for my morning boost...and then my afternoon boost...and then again later on in the evening boost. I was a slave to this beverage and it was doing terrible things to my body.
Long story short, I've been seeing a chiropractor for the last 3 weeks or so. He was originally a bio-chemist and worked as one for 10 years before going back to school to become a chiropractor. So, I learn a lot at every visit about how the body works; enzymes, glands, the central nervous system, and how it all works together to intelligently heal the body. Well, when you're pumping toxins and chemicals into your body, all of these systems are working to rid you of the chemicals instead of dealing with other issues that it normally would be dealing with.
I was the drum major of a drum and bugle corps for 10 years. I guess you could say that I was a "violent" conductor; very emotional, very passionate, and very rough on my body. Over time, I injured my left shoulder pretty bad, and the muscles in my back had to compensate for the fact that most of my shoulder muscles aren't doing anything...ANYTHING at all, because they're injured. Well, the straighter my back is getting now (and it was bad) the muscles have stopped compensating and are back to doing what they normally would do. So, the further we get along in my treatment, the worse my shoulder is getting because now it has to work on its own and it can't.
The adrenal gland is supposed to help heal things like this by lubricating the joint and whatnot. Unfortunately, most of my glands and organs have been dealing with the onslaught of chemicals that I've been shoving down my food hole. So, I have compromised my body's ability to heal me and keep me well all because I like my bubbles and need a little jolt in the morning to get going. Stupid. I'm giving up long term wellness for a short term fix. I am flat out addicted to the stuff, and it has to stop.
As I sit here typing this now, I am 3 full days into my soda free life. I'm getting headaches and I feel terrible, but I'm totally buying into the concept that my body will do what it was designed to do if I stop killing it with all the crap I'm constantly eating and drinking. My shoulder feels like hell. Maybe I'll need a doctor to go in there and fix it...but I'd rather give my body a shot to do it on its own first. Just seems like common sense to me.
I'm going through a lot right now. There's a lot on my mind. I've made a lot of big decisions in the last few months and I'm starting to trust myself. I'm seeing things a bit clearer than I used to. I feel like I'm on the cusp of something...that something is going to break my way, and I want to make sure that I'm focused and clear-headed enough to recognize it when it does. I also want to be able to identify the things and people in my life that I really don't need. Like soda can keep my body from doing what it should by making it focus on getting rid of all the chemicals, I feel like I have some outside influences that are keeping me from really achieving my true potential. Also like soda, I am the one who chose to include it in my life. I am the one who is responsible for bringing these people and things into my life and allowing myself to get distracted. I can also decide to exclude them...just like soda.
I'm really trying to see the big picture and not get sucked into my own ego-centric universe. I'm trying to grow and make major changes in the way that I live, the way I deal with money, what I eat, what I want to do for a living. I'm trying to rediscover who I really am. How I currently act and think, I believe, is contrary in a lot of ways to who I really am. I'm working against myself. I'm my own worst enemy and always have been. I know I could do anything I wanted to do, as corny as that sounds. I've just become a slave to all of these external influences: soda, money, etc.
In the words of Joe Hood, "Man...I gotta get my shit together." I'm working on it, Joe. I'm working on it.
Long story short, I've been seeing a chiropractor for the last 3 weeks or so. He was originally a bio-chemist and worked as one for 10 years before going back to school to become a chiropractor. So, I learn a lot at every visit about how the body works; enzymes, glands, the central nervous system, and how it all works together to intelligently heal the body. Well, when you're pumping toxins and chemicals into your body, all of these systems are working to rid you of the chemicals instead of dealing with other issues that it normally would be dealing with.
I was the drum major of a drum and bugle corps for 10 years. I guess you could say that I was a "violent" conductor; very emotional, very passionate, and very rough on my body. Over time, I injured my left shoulder pretty bad, and the muscles in my back had to compensate for the fact that most of my shoulder muscles aren't doing anything...ANYTHING at all, because they're injured. Well, the straighter my back is getting now (and it was bad) the muscles have stopped compensating and are back to doing what they normally would do. So, the further we get along in my treatment, the worse my shoulder is getting because now it has to work on its own and it can't.
The adrenal gland is supposed to help heal things like this by lubricating the joint and whatnot. Unfortunately, most of my glands and organs have been dealing with the onslaught of chemicals that I've been shoving down my food hole. So, I have compromised my body's ability to heal me and keep me well all because I like my bubbles and need a little jolt in the morning to get going. Stupid. I'm giving up long term wellness for a short term fix. I am flat out addicted to the stuff, and it has to stop.
As I sit here typing this now, I am 3 full days into my soda free life. I'm getting headaches and I feel terrible, but I'm totally buying into the concept that my body will do what it was designed to do if I stop killing it with all the crap I'm constantly eating and drinking. My shoulder feels like hell. Maybe I'll need a doctor to go in there and fix it...but I'd rather give my body a shot to do it on its own first. Just seems like common sense to me.
I'm going through a lot right now. There's a lot on my mind. I've made a lot of big decisions in the last few months and I'm starting to trust myself. I'm seeing things a bit clearer than I used to. I feel like I'm on the cusp of something...that something is going to break my way, and I want to make sure that I'm focused and clear-headed enough to recognize it when it does. I also want to be able to identify the things and people in my life that I really don't need. Like soda can keep my body from doing what it should by making it focus on getting rid of all the chemicals, I feel like I have some outside influences that are keeping me from really achieving my true potential. Also like soda, I am the one who chose to include it in my life. I am the one who is responsible for bringing these people and things into my life and allowing myself to get distracted. I can also decide to exclude them...just like soda.
I'm really trying to see the big picture and not get sucked into my own ego-centric universe. I'm trying to grow and make major changes in the way that I live, the way I deal with money, what I eat, what I want to do for a living. I'm trying to rediscover who I really am. How I currently act and think, I believe, is contrary in a lot of ways to who I really am. I'm working against myself. I'm my own worst enemy and always have been. I know I could do anything I wanted to do, as corny as that sounds. I've just become a slave to all of these external influences: soda, money, etc.
In the words of Joe Hood, "Man...I gotta get my shit together." I'm working on it, Joe. I'm working on it.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
I'm excited for the coming weekend, but at the same time anxious. I, along with many others, have put a lot of time, energy, and other resources into this project we call Windsor Regiment. This weekend we begin our spring/summer season with our first drill rehearsal. We'll be welcoming new members as well. How many? We'll see.
I've been doing this a long time and over time I've deadened my passion and love for the activity. I've become jaded to a certain degree and I've consciously or subconsciously prevented myself from falling in love with it every year; opening my heart and giving in to the amazing connective nature of the activity. I admitted as much to the horn line last year at the other team, and by jumping in the line I was able to recapture some of it. I've been doing it all wrong since I stepped off the podium as a drum major.
The fact is, I can't conduct like that anymore. I'm receiving treatment for back and severe shoulder issues 3 times a week because of years of violent conducting. I wasn't exactly an orchestral conductor. Since high school, I allowed the music and the energy and the connection between the members all performing in unison to flow through me, and I tried to emulate through my conducting the passion and power that I was getting from them. It was a reciprocal relationship. It was exhausting and it took its toll physically, because there was no fear...no holding back when I was up there. Every rep, every show, 100% because that's what I expected of my members.
Since stepping down I've found it difficult to transition to the role of an instructor. Insecurity in my role and doubt that my message is reaching the membership is to blame...well, I'm to blame for listening to that crap.
In 2011 I find myself in a new situation, a new corps, a new way of doing things. I arranged the music for the show, which has allowed me to become emotionally invested in a way I haven't been able to be in years past. The creative element, for me, is crucial. I'm responsible for creating my own system and my own way of doing things, instead of being handed a proven program and having to run it that way. It really is a new animal, and I find myself excited to get started.
I'm anxious because I'm going to show up on Saturday morning and open my heart to this new experience. I've done it in bursts throughout the winter, but we've only rehearsed 4 times with large breaks in between. This is it. May 7th until Labor Day I'll be living this thing, fighting, working, sweating...doing everything I can to ensure that the things in my control are the best they possibly can be. I guess I'm anxious because I haven't felt this way in a while and I want it to work.
It's not anything I can control. I'm an emotional guy, and I wear my heart on my sleeve. There are a lot of things I hope for this season, and I'm determined to make it happen. I just hope that my message reaches the members and they're inspired to work as hard as they can for the same goals. If we do that together, it's going to be one hell of a season.
I've been doing this a long time and over time I've deadened my passion and love for the activity. I've become jaded to a certain degree and I've consciously or subconsciously prevented myself from falling in love with it every year; opening my heart and giving in to the amazing connective nature of the activity. I admitted as much to the horn line last year at the other team, and by jumping in the line I was able to recapture some of it. I've been doing it all wrong since I stepped off the podium as a drum major.
The fact is, I can't conduct like that anymore. I'm receiving treatment for back and severe shoulder issues 3 times a week because of years of violent conducting. I wasn't exactly an orchestral conductor. Since high school, I allowed the music and the energy and the connection between the members all performing in unison to flow through me, and I tried to emulate through my conducting the passion and power that I was getting from them. It was a reciprocal relationship. It was exhausting and it took its toll physically, because there was no fear...no holding back when I was up there. Every rep, every show, 100% because that's what I expected of my members.
Since stepping down I've found it difficult to transition to the role of an instructor. Insecurity in my role and doubt that my message is reaching the membership is to blame...well, I'm to blame for listening to that crap.
In 2011 I find myself in a new situation, a new corps, a new way of doing things. I arranged the music for the show, which has allowed me to become emotionally invested in a way I haven't been able to be in years past. The creative element, for me, is crucial. I'm responsible for creating my own system and my own way of doing things, instead of being handed a proven program and having to run it that way. It really is a new animal, and I find myself excited to get started.
I'm anxious because I'm going to show up on Saturday morning and open my heart to this new experience. I've done it in bursts throughout the winter, but we've only rehearsed 4 times with large breaks in between. This is it. May 7th until Labor Day I'll be living this thing, fighting, working, sweating...doing everything I can to ensure that the things in my control are the best they possibly can be. I guess I'm anxious because I haven't felt this way in a while and I want it to work.
It's not anything I can control. I'm an emotional guy, and I wear my heart on my sleeve. There are a lot of things I hope for this season, and I'm determined to make it happen. I just hope that my message reaches the members and they're inspired to work as hard as they can for the same goals. If we do that together, it's going to be one hell of a season.
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