Hmmm. I think everyone should try to help Daddy V!
Sorry, band fans, but it looks like we're in for a long haul. I have at least 2 bets riding on us not being in school for the rest of the week and I think I'm gonna win both bets!
First, some business. This Friday was the deadline for the first PATRIOT GUARD CLINIC but considering the weather, the deadline will be extended to next Tuesday. Past that, we can accept enrollments but we probably can't get a t-shirt in time.
Secondly, in regards to my post on a band song, there seems to be some support for the idea, so let's do some brain-storming and come up with some ideas. It should be a song that could be sung before a contest, not something that we would play. When I was at Haworth, it was a requirement for all freshmen to memorize the song and when we sang it, we circled up with the seniors in the center, then juniors, sophomores and finally the freshmen.
Also, I had at least one vote for "FINIS CORONAT OPUS" as a band motto. This is Latin for "the end crowns the work" which is a good motto for anything we do. The final product should always be a reflection of our work - remember, the final product not the final result. We can control our final product but not always the competitive result!
Talk to me, I'm
Daddy "I Need a Band Song Idea" V
Proudly serving the Jay County community since 1975! 1995 and 2001 Indiana State Fair champions! Here you will find contest information, scores, and much more...
GLOBAL WARMING? GIVE ME A BREAK!
Or
Excuse my conservative (well, moderate conservative) bias, but after this past week or so, what's all the fuss about global warming? Let's all remember this past week when we step foot on the pavement to start summer band!
Excuse my conservative (well, moderate conservative) bias, but after this past week or so, what's all the fuss about global warming? Let's all remember this past week when we step foot on the pavement to start summer band!
PATRIOT BAND SONG - WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Do we need a Patriot Band "theme" song?
Over the years I have part and parcel to the use of "theme" songs for different organizations. I've often thought that the use of a band song was a great way to unite the group before a competition. When I taught at Haworth High School in Kokomo in the 80s we sang a verse of "You'll Never Walk Alone". The title is pretty well explains the song. I know several drum and bugle corps have similiar traditions with such songs as "Over the Rainbow", "Auld Lang Syne", etc. What do ya think, band members? Would this be something we should try? Give me some ideas. How about a band motto - you know, something Latin like "Finis Coronat Opus" (the end crowns the work).
Over the years I have part and parcel to the use of "theme" songs for different organizations. I've often thought that the use of a band song was a great way to unite the group before a competition. When I taught at Haworth High School in Kokomo in the 80s we sang a verse of "You'll Never Walk Alone". The title is pretty well explains the song. I know several drum and bugle corps have similiar traditions with such songs as "Over the Rainbow", "Auld Lang Syne", etc. What do ya think, band members? Would this be something we should try? Give me some ideas. How about a band motto - you know, something Latin like "Finis Coronat Opus" (the end crowns the work).
Age and Experience vs Youth and Enthusiasm
Imagine trying out for the boy's basketball team, making the squad, then proceding to tell the coach which plays he should use, what kind of offense or defense, and how to coach the players. Or joing the football team and deciding for yourself who should play offense, who should play defense, who should play special teams, etc. Most of us wouldn't dream of doing this. This is the coach's job and we (normally) trust the coach to make the right decision based on credentials and years of experience. Yet every year we have "Monday Morning Band Directors" who, just like their athletic counterparts, could have won "the big one" if they had decided what music to play! Let me tell you boys and girls, it ain't that easy! Let's ignore th actual teaching for now and take a look at just the show design itself. Contrary to poular opinion, we don't take a "dart board" approach to music choice. Before we even think about music choices, we normally develop a show theme. I've heard a lot of complaints about using a "patriotic" theme for 4 years now and I can't figure out where that came from. 2003 was "Esprit de Corps". OK, Marine Corps, etc. but certainly not overtly patriotic. 2004 "Amber Waves" - yes - oozed patriotism. 2005 - I Love NY - patriotic? - duh. 2006 - Western Sketches - patriotic? Not unless George Washington rode a Red Pony! There's a difference between patriotic music and what is called nationalistic music - music that is a reflection of one's country and, hello, we are the Patriots. Nationalistic and patriotic music is kind of a given. I'm sure the Anderson-Highland get tired of playing Celtic music, but when you're called the Marching Highlanders it's kind of hard to play Iron Maiden!
ARREST MADE IN CONNECTICUT ATTACK! MOTIVE REVEALED!
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF ARREST IN CONNECTICUT ATTACK
Officials from the FBI and the Indiana State Police held a joint press conference today announcing the arrest of Winny "The Poo" Ceegull as a suspect in the Connecticut poo attack of Taylor student, Emilie Boyes of Norwich, CT. Boyes was attacked by a seagull in late December while strolling on a Connecticut Beach with her boyfriend, Mark Garringer. PNA tests had revealed a mid-west connection after secret ingredients from an Indiana restaurant chain were found in the poo.
FBI surveillance picture of Whinny "The Poo" Ceegull
Officials from Scotty's Brewhouse helped police CSI units trace the source to their Muncie operation. FBI agent Hoo Phlung Poo related details of the arrest after receiving numerous tips from stool pigeons on the FBI's 1-800-POO-STOPPERS FREE phone line. Indiana State Police investigation team Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe helped cracked the case.
Could this be the future look for Mr. Smeltzer and Mr. Vogler?
For those of you who don't know, Daddy V has entered the age of technology by adding a cell phone and a lap tap computer to my personal possessions. I have always tried to keep "up-to-date" on the latest innovations but sometimes I have to be smacked in the face with them before I pay attention. It became brutally clear when Emilie Boyes showed me her Christmas present (from someone special) and I had no idea what it was! (an Ipod!) Last night, I took my Toshiba SuperXL-TurboCharged-LuxuryEdition laptop with me to bed and watched the ESPN Drum Corps International broadcast while my lovely wife peacefully snored the night away. Heaven - I'm in Heaven.
My wife and daughters have applauded loudly as I have entered this new era in my already challenging life, but the line must be drawn somewhere and I think, in reference to the above photo, the line has been drawn! The new style for next fall, gents, will be leggings - yes, you read that right, leggings for men! I have never been exactly a slave of fashion and I don't plan on starting now. I know very few women who look good in leggings let alone men. Made of microfibre cotton and wool blend they all have stirrups except for the ones, of course, that are cut above the knee. I wouldn't care if they were spun gold, I can't believe that any more than 10% of our population could look good in something like this - male and female.
Am I right or wrong! Talk to me...I'm
Daddy "Permanent Wedgy" V
INDIANA GOVERNOR APOLOGIZES FOR ATTACK....PROMISES SWIFT ACTION!
Indiana governor Mitch Daniels apologizes for Connecticut attack.
In an unprecendented move, Indiana governor Mitch Daniels used his State of the State address to apolgize to Emilie Boyes and her family for the vicious attack sustained by Boyes on a Connecticut beach. Daniels remarked "It saddens me to know that Miss Boyes was assaulted by a Hoosier seagull. I believe that this is just the tip of the iceburg. It all goes back to the drop in the state ISTEP scores and I believe that full-day kindergarten could have prevented such a cowardly attack." Daniels also invited Miss Boyes to return to the Hoosier state soon to finish her education.
Daniels remarked "Hoosier hospitality is my number one concern. If Miss Boyes can pick up the pieces of her shattered life, we will help her put them back together." Boyes had no comment on her immediate plans. Daniels went on to say that he will appoint a special Indiana State Police taskforce to further investigate the incident, look for possible mob links, and narrow down the list of suspects. So far, the only lead in the case is the PNA results which indicated that the poo contained special ingredients from menu items available in an Indiana restaurant chain. A Scotty's Brewhouse spokesman indicated "We are outraged by this crime and are working closely with authorities in their investigation."
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT...
I've watched Neil Cavuto on PBS and Fox News for years and I have always respected his opinion and especially enjoyed his "Common Sense" segments. Below is one of these segments. It might not mean much to you now but it will in the future. As someone who face the "Big C" and survived my approach to daily life and money has certainly changed. READ AND REMEMBER
Daddy V
I don't think I ever met a saver like Al.
In the '80s when everyone was spending, Al wasn't.
When people with his money were buying big homes, Al was staying put in his very small home.
When others in his league bought BMWs and Mercedes, Al bought used Impalas — always Impalas.
When friends traveled the world, Al and family traveled to New York's Catskills.
He was rich by most standards, but frugal by any standard.
"Just in case," he'd tell me. "Just in case. I want to be ready."
And he was — for the downsizing that came and the adjustments that followed.
Al was ready. Al was liquid. Al was rich. Al... was prepared.
For every financial possibility, except the one thing he didn't see coming at all: cancer.
Stage four — non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Bad. Very bad. And fatal, very fatal.
Al is dying. Fast.
The man who feared he might out-live his money will now see his money comfortably out-live him.
All the trips he never took. All the things he never enjoyed. All the treats he never had.
A moot point. A moot life. And Al wonders.
"Maybe I should have splurged a little more." Then he adds, "at least the family's got something."
Which is more than Al can say.
Living testament to the fact it is good to save for a rainy day. It is also good to prepare for the possibility you might never see it.
Daddy V
Saving for a Rainy Day
By Neil CavutoI don't think I ever met a saver like Al.
In the '80s when everyone was spending, Al wasn't.
When people with his money were buying big homes, Al was staying put in his very small home.
When others in his league bought BMWs and Mercedes, Al bought used Impalas — always Impalas.
When friends traveled the world, Al and family traveled to New York's Catskills.
He was rich by most standards, but frugal by any standard.
"Just in case," he'd tell me. "Just in case. I want to be ready."
And he was — for the downsizing that came and the adjustments that followed.
Al was ready. Al was liquid. Al was rich. Al... was prepared.
For every financial possibility, except the one thing he didn't see coming at all: cancer.
Stage four — non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Bad. Very bad. And fatal, very fatal.
Al is dying. Fast.
The man who feared he might out-live his money will now see his money comfortably out-live him.
All the trips he never took. All the things he never enjoyed. All the treats he never had.
A moot point. A moot life. And Al wonders.
"Maybe I should have splurged a little more." Then he adds, "at least the family's got something."
Which is more than Al can say.
Living testament to the fact it is good to save for a rainy day. It is also good to prepare for the possibility you might never see it.
THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES......
Officials today released a police artist's sketch of the seagull believed to be behind the unprovoked attack on Emilie Boyes last month in Connecticut. In addition to the sketch, police have also released details of the PNA (Poo Neucleic Acid) analysis that was performed following the attack.
Following extensive testing, it was determined that the aviary fecal material included special ingredients known to come from a specialized food item called "Scooters" which are only available at a local Indiana restaurant chain called "Scottie's Brewhouse." This has helped police narrow the search area to the state of Indiana. The restaurant chain operates 4 eateries in the state. FBI agent Hoo Phlung Doo reported that his agency is now working to narrow down the exact Scottie's location which should also allow them to narrow the search area for the perpetrator(s). Officials have yet to come up with a motive for the brutal attack although speculation revolves around Boye's association with the color guard program of the Patriot Band in Portland, Indiana. Interim color guard director Pete "Daddy V" Vogler told reporters, "I will not tolerate any of our staff members being dumped on in this fashion. We need to wipe out this problem and get to the bottom of it as soon as possible!" He later added "it is kind of funny though."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LUCIA HART!
.jpg)
Lucia turns 1 on Sunday, January 14th and, after a scary start, it's nice to see that she continues to experience growth and good health. Obviously, she gets her good looks from her mommy!
Daddy V