Kilties weekend

Well we just finished our first full camp with the Kilties. I know it's already January and the big DCI corps probably have their drills set, but for a Senior corps the Kilts sounded darn good Sunday night! And that's only after one full camp. I'm looking forward to playing more and we're just waiting for the pieces to come in. They even made us do exercises! (That was scary for a bunch of old fogies) Got a different closer for tonight from the Kilts...

We Winnea Be Dauntit!

Rambo

I just finished reading an article about Sylvester Stallone and his new movie. Call me naive, me but I thought he just got buffed up with weights. It seems that he's been using human growth hormones (HGH) for quite a few years. He even endorses the drug, uh, medication. I wish Mr Stallone luck with his new movie; I've also heard he has a 'granite face' and great hair-I doubt if it stays in place, but OK...

Cheers!

Heath Ledger

I couldn't believe it when my husband told me Heath Ledger had died. "No, no, it's some publicity stunt." I then scoured the radio and turned on the TV for news. Sadly it was true. I then called my own son who is only a few months younger and asked him to drive carefully home and to take care, and oh by the way, had he heard about Heath Ledger? Yes. We were all fans, especially of A Knight's Tale. To be quite honest, I'd never seen Brokeback Mountain-but I'd heard Mr. Ledger was very good. I did see The Patriot and cried. I do that a lot at sad movies. That's why this is so hard, mostly because it's life and not a movie. Movies are just celluloid and do-overs. Life you can't get back...

My deepest condolences to the Ledger family in Australia, Michelle Williams and to his daughter Matilda Rose. May God comfort you.

Do Not Cry
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow; I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain; I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there; I did not die.

Giants & Packers

Raise your hands, who saw the Dallas, Green Bay game yesterday? That many, huh? Good game, huh? I was rooting for Da Bears. (I know the Bears weren't playing, duh)
Anyway, we all know how the Cowboys pulled it out with a final score of Dallas 23 and Green Bay 20. Oh, so close.

I actually shed a tear-really-over the loss, because Brett Favre said this was going to be his last season. He said that last year too, though. I still respect the man.

Cheers!

Guard Show

We went to a guard show and boy have things changed! It started out just just a dance, then good ol' flags. The kind I'm used to. After lunch break, they started in with pom-poms and short flags. My back was starting to break-bench seats always, I mean always bothered me, even in church, so we left early. Luckily we arrived in time to see South Elgin tall flags perform. Now what is the significance? You may ask, well, I just happen to have marched with the instructor, that's all!! And that's good enough for me. I went down & wished Betsi luck on her fledgling group and I knew they were up & coming. Nice idea! Pirates & Brits-who knew. They might even make a movie out of it someday. You know I'm being fasicious. Don't you??

Cheers!

ABOVE:NiseiAmabassadors Color Guard Circa: 1969

Spacecraft goes by Mercury

Did anyone see a fly-by spacecraft? Well, it belonged to NASA and you wouldn't have seen it anyway unless you had a huge telescope. Messenger sped within 124 miles of Mercury a little after 2pm on Monday-I assume that's Central time-from there it took 10 minutes to reach flight controllers at John Hopkins University. After 3 orbits Messenger should settle into an orbit by the year 2011. Pictures of the back side were expected today!

Cheers!

NFC Title Game

On Sunday, January 13th, the New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys to advance to the championship game against Green Bay. Something about a last the Giants turning back a last drive by the Cowboys in the last 9 seconds to hold on to their lead to clinch the game.

I wish them luck.

It really doesn't matter either way to me. Sorry. You see, I've lived near Chicago my whole life and wouldn't dream of being anything other than a Bears fan.

DA BEARS!!!

So, for those New York fans-Go Giants!! And for those Northerly people, hoorah for Brett Favre. (OK, he has my respect.)

Cheers!

The Bucket List

I've been watching the previews on The Bucket List with Morgan Freeman & Jack Nicholson and it's sounding interesting. The premise is about these two cancer patients who decide to do all the things they would like to do before they well, kick the bucket. I first heard that expression way back in 8th grade when the class clown mentioned his grandfather 'kicked the bucket' over the weekend. I don't think he was as upset seeing that he was only 13 at the time and trying to be cool.

But I like Morgan Freeman & Jack Nicholson is worth a giggle so hopefully this will be worth a look see.

Cheers!

DCI Changes

Okay, we have proposed changes for DCI-again. I read most of these through thoroughly and some of the explanations were sound. The double judge panel was good. It's true, it's harder to argue with 15 judges than 8. But the use of water?? What are you going to do penalize the sky if it rains! Oh yeah, I guess just call off the show that how many people have planned for how long to see? Of course you knew age was going to get in somewhere and then there's electric drums. That's been coming for years.

Oh, whatever happened to the tick system, feet at a 45, the roll step, heels up to your knees when you marked time, walking in horse manure on the parade-oh yeah, they still do that, don't they????


Use of double panel of General Effect judges
Age requirements (for 2009 implementation)
Use of water in a corps' production (for 2009 implementation)
Show timing (for 2009 implementation)
Amplification for brass instruments (for 2009 implementation)
Use of electronic instruments (for 2009 implementation)
Elimination of Percussion 2 judge
Sound board operators (for 2009 implementation)
Use of narration in a corps' program (for 2009 implementation)
Use of electronic amplication in a corps' program (for 2009 implementation)

Babies, babies everywhere!

I'm constantly looking not only at my own family growing but in the celebrity world of new babies. I just saw a video with proud daddy Scott Baio and how he admitted that it's not all that easy. Hey, Scott, the kid's only 2 months old! But Mr. Baio only fell asleep during his wife's labor.
Anchorwomen Nancy Grace delivered twins at the age of 48 also in the beginning of November. She is very happy but does not recommend getting pregnant at her age to any women, she had serious health issues.
Finally, we have Elizabeth Hasselback who came to The View and showed off her new son. Everyone oohed and aahed until the little guy crinkled his face up at the bright lights. He was cute! I have nieces and nephews for now, no grandchildren for a while-I hope!
Cheers!

Weekend Movie race

If you've been to the movies lately you know that National Treasure-Book of Secrets, just pulled in another $20 million this past weekend. Although we had heard it was very good, we're looking forward to comparing to the first one. It's always hard to top a successor. Such was the case in all the Star Wars movies.
If National Treasure doesn't fit the bill for you, I Am Legend came in next with about $16.4 million, Juno, with $16.2 million and for the family film Alvin and the Chipmunks had a good round figure of $16 million. Not bad for a bunch of rodents who sing!
Personally, I have to enjoy the movies for themselves. We can't afford the popcorn anymore and I've learned that popcorn just doesn't like ME anymore! Oh well, the tragedies of growing old...
Cheers!

Going to the dogs...

I love dogs, I really do, but I just read where 3 dogs just inherited $800,000. That's $400,000 in cash and a mansion. Their caretaker says the dogs are just plain fun loving pooches and adore running around in the wide open spaces of their back yard. I'm sure it's as big as Central Park! He then went on to say that when the doggies pass on that he'll probably donate the remainder of the estate to animal rescue because that's what Ken Kemper, their former owner might have wanted. The best to Buckshot, Katie and Obu-jet. Three lucky dogs!

Cheers!

Writer's Strike

Alright, no one can deny what has been going on with the Writer's Strike unless you don't watch TV whatsoever. It's been on the news even for the last two months. So tonight David Lettermen welcomed back his own writers with a lovely beard and I was impressed. I always liked him better than Leno anyway and I was disappointed when he didn't take over the Tonight Show. But that's another story. For now, I'll just enjoy Dave and his guests and the mild and sometimes wacky humor that's gets thrown out. Of course, that's if I'm up to enjoy it!
Cheers!

Happy New Year!

We wish you a safe, healthy and productive New Year! May you find the path that makes you the happiest in 2008 and follow it, no matter where it will lead. It will always be good if it makes you happy and leaves you with fond memories.

When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind, and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.

Author: Phyllis Bottome