The first 5 days...

So, it is now the fifth day being back at Red Land for the new school year. So far, things are still mighty hectic around here in regards to the various renovation projects being undertaken, but surprisingly, the students have been very resilient and have "rolled with the punches." I am teaching seniors once again and find that I enjoy teaching this grade level and course more and more. I hope that it is a course in which my boss will allow me to teach for many years to come. I seem to feel that I am improving each year, which is definitely good. I feel more at home here, now, it being my fourth full year on this staff. I have a little more Red Land pride, now. My new classroom is great, although there are a few minor set-backs. For one, there are no blinds on the windows (I know, not that big of a deal, but it makes trying to project something on the screen a lot tougher than you might think). Also, for whatever reason, none of my posters will stay up on my walls. I have now used duct tape on EVERYTHING to try and make it stick, and even some of that is not working. I hope to find a solution to this problem. Any suggestions??? All in all, things are not too bad, I must say. I am hopeful for a quick, but enjoyable school year.

Baby Washburn is on her/his way!!!!

Heart on Fire...

Bad bad heartburn today.... ooo....

Drum Corps in 2010....

It's amazing how so much changes when you are not involved in an activity for a few years... yet, so much remains the same. In this case, I'm talking about drum corps, an activity that while I am still a HUGE fan of, have not actively been a part of since 2006 and have not eagerly followed (on a day-to-day) basis since 2007. Jen and I went to DCI Eastern Classic (or Regional or whatever) in Allentown last night. It is amazing how things have changed. The use of samplers and synth has not necessarily taken over like some drum corps purest might think, but has actually improved and, in some cases, has been integrated near seamlessly into the shows (ie: just check out the 2010 Bluecoats!) The fan base seems to be more diverse (I saw a TON of young kids at their first ever show) and yet old faces return for more. Jen and I sat next to an elderly couple who claimed to be attending their first drum and bugle corps show since the late 1970s! Jen and I had to fill them in on the current status of now-defunct corps such as The Yankee Rebels and The Hawthorne Muchachos. Also, a short lecture on the difference between All-Age Corps (such as DCA) and DCI was needed as a refresher for these folks, as the gentlemen was wondering why the Hawthorne Caballeros weren't at the show. He remembered the Westshoremen of old, as well, and I explained that probably at a few of those shows in the late 70's he may have seen my parents perform.

In the bottom half we saw some of the corps that are fighting for the lower rankings and just hoping to be top 17 come quarterfinals in Indy. Corps like Jersey Surf, Teal Sound (which, surprisingly did an all Dream Theater music themed show), Mandarins, and Pacific Crest are all fairly recent additions to the World Class level and are still struggling to compete with the "big boys". But also in this grouping we have a couple corps that are familiar faces in the top 12 of old that have fallen a bit, such as the Crossmen (now from San Antonio) and even the Madison Scouts who were big and loud and exciting (and in some cases bad), but still have the loyalty of the fans. When scores were announced and it was seen that Madison Scouts actually dropped a placement from where they came into the show, the crowed booed and awed as if on cue. Somethings never change.

In the top half, the Blue Knights, performing an all classical show, had a great performance and elevated them past the strikingly opposite Madison Scouts. Then came the contenders. The Bosotn Crusaders, celebrating their 70th anniversary, performed a show theme that focused on a king or kingdom or something like that...but never really reached me. They were clean and safe and not all that exciting. Santa Clara Vanguard performed music by composer Bela Bartok infused with a frenzy of modernism and complex drill that was never quite clean. The Phantom Regiment, another fan favorite of folks in Allentown (apparently...they got a loud ovation), performed great musically, but left me wanting more...they were flat and not as exciting as the two corps to come. Now the big boys, these two corps are destined for the top 5. The Cadets performed their show about toy soldiers coming to life in a young boy's imagination. This show as by far the most theatrical and made use of a constant character present in the show and some vocal sampling in the pit. The drill was exciting, but it seemed that nothing especially popped out as a big WOW moment like in most Cadets' shows. The music was great, too, pulling from classical and band music as well as classic drum corps favorites (Russian Sailor's Dance!). The Bluecoats were last on to compete and they raised the bar. This is by far the greatest Bluecoats corps to ever take the field. As an alumni I was simultaneously proud and jealous. Haha. They performed a show entitled Metropolis that definitely borrowed some of its look and theme from the classic 1920's silent film of the same name (directed by Fritz Lang....check it out!) The show is modern and complex and showcases constant movement and music. The visual, which has been a lacking factor in Bluecoats' shows of the past, is vastly improved and effective. The drumline was INSANELY good. I could see this as the year the Bluecoats finally win a caption (maybe even more than one!) at finals.

MASH Drumline

Well, if it hasn't sunk in yet, it will today. Marching band season is upon me once again. Today starts Mechanicsburg's drumline mini-camp. I am pumped and I hope the students are, as well. I think things can go very well this year if all their heads are in the game. I am not sure what the status of the rest of the band is at this point, but the drumline seems promising. They need kick into high gear, though, this week and learn the music. I hope the weather cooperates.

Summer 2010....so far.

Been a long time since I wrote here...

Summer vacation is quickly approaching its finale for me. August already. In a matter of a couple weeks, I'll be back to the grind of being a teacher. As much as I hate the though of it all, it is honestly a good thing. I get lazy when I don't have a regimented structure to follow.

So, the summer so far has been pretty fantastic. Jenny and I spent 9 days on the road. Our road trip took us to many new places. We drove 3,826 miles in all, went through 16 different states, and 3 time zones. We had a blast, really! I never once got sick of all the driving and was really upset when the 9 day trip came to an end. Jen was more excited to be home than I was.

Tessie has grown, and now that we have had her for a year, it's amazing to think that last summer at this time I was loosing my mind while trying to train a hyper active puppy. She is much calmer now and has been a good pet. She's staring at me sort of cock-eyed as I type this... she must know that I am writing about her.

I am working on an online course right now through Teacher Education Institute and Carlow University. The class is about improving student literacy skills. I start a second course in a few days (Aug 10, to be exact) and the two will overlap. I hope to be finished with both of them by October-November.

I was fixated on the World Cup, while it was on, but now there is nothing of interest in the sports world to me. The Red Sox have been somewhat depressing this summer, and having the Yankees in first place just makes matters worse. Blah...

Well... my summer goes on, too quickly, but I suppose that's the way things go. I hope to have some big news in the future to post... something more interesting then all of this, haha. Stay tuned.
-Jared