Efforts of Magnanimity

5/14/2012
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Not to win.

4/7/2012
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The more and more I look at Ridiculously Photogenic Guy, the more and more I fall in love with everything that is right with the world.

4/3/2012
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A fleeting chance…

Academy 2012 Chord Progression: Medley

Arranged by: Carlos Martinez and Kyle Castro

Dedicated to Taude Vann Damme

4/2/2012
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Kindness

To all of those who may ever need my advice:

25. Give gifts. Even if they are just a smile or a simple compliment.

3/30/2012
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Skooners, Academy, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Are you busy?

I'm going to bed soon, why?

I was just trying to understand something about the purpose of skooners, as in how it relates to the academy.

I was talking to mitch last night/this morning

but if you don't have time, it could wait

What do you mean?

From what I understood from mitch the goal is to create a kind of Esprit de Corps in the academy?

It's very grassroots, but yes.

Ok, I just didn't realize that and wanted to clarify it.

I understand though

you/we're trying to break the Academy tradition of no tradition?

is that part of it?

Trying to apply a tangible plan to it is difficult.

First and foremost, it's a group of people who all share similar values, humor, and approach to work ethic and attitude.

The group is centered around the location of the Ghost House.

We are all friends.

That's what I thought it was

but mitch told me that we're trying to spread our ideals throughout the corps (basically speaking)

We are.

I don't necessarily want to say that's a plan though.

right

It's just what is coming organically through what we want to see happen to everyone.

it has to be naturally aspirated

exactly

I've talked to Springler about this actually.

interesting

Academy's tradition of no tradition comes from it's youth.

But moreover, it's naivety.

It's constantly trying to emulate someone "bigger and better".

Trying to play with the big boys.

And it has become our image.

It exudes through our performance.

We aren't trying to express ourselves.

Just what we think people want us to be.

It comes from the basics.

March like X corps from the videos.

Sound like Y corps on the CD.

Comments like that delve into the subconscious and stay there.

It becomes who we are.

Even the vets.

So...

To circle back.

I can confidently say that the majority of the actions of the Skooners tend to defy that way of thought.

We are extremely independent and want to be ourselve.s

People who like puns and biting sarcasm.

biting sarcasm, I like it

Not Phantom Regiment who encourages hitting children who try to cross their two's.

So like I was saying, skooners is trying to create Esprit de Corps, common spirit, a unique mind set for the academy?

It's not trying though.

It's a generational process.

right

but

we have to plant the seeds

and water them

from there nature takes it's course

Extremely metaphorically yet.

yes**

also

we need a corps song

that we can play

and sing

in public

I was planning on talking to Feagin about that.

We need something that is US.

Not something that some other corps did a while ago.

We also need to immortalize music from our past that is unique to us

I think you might have just said that

It's fine.

It's a crucial point.

Which is somewhat hard because that narrows a lot of things from early years and even previous years.

recent not previous.

However, we cannot get rid of Magnum.

Agreed

The fact that, that is something we can only hear is something ridiculously special when you hear about it.

SUTA

but

academy style

No.

I would have to disagree.

Because I do NOT want to be compared to them.

I say that in the sense that is something that only the members of PR understand

It's that mentality though.

As a performer, I want to generally be unique and original.

I rarely get to do that.

But I feel like this organization really can.

If we simply decide to.

Yes

To hark back to a previous topic, the skooners will be disbanded after the season.

The inner sect will be shattered and there will be too few of us to carry on the group.

Which I think is a good thing.

It's something that should happen for a even continuation of what we want to achieve.

I've told you before though, we have a lot more sway then we think we do. It's just that sway stems from not trying to actually influence anyone or try to enforce ourselves.

This isn't important, but I still think you misunderstood, what I said about PR, I am not trying to compare us to them. It is just that the whole Shove it Up Their *** is distinctly who PR is. We need to have something that is distinctly who academy is. It could be something like that, but I personally think it shouldn't be. It has to come completely from within. What I'm saying is that is PR's identity. We need an Identity like PR and BD and Madison and blah blah blah all have an identity. What I am NOT saying is ours should be at all like theirs, but if we are to grow as a drum corps we need to find one.

that is how I feel

White Doves.

or rather not find one

but grow one

And yes.

I understand.

Perhaps I was a bit harsh. Trying to prove a point.

I completely understand

you dont want to be compared to anyone

More importantly, I don't want us to compare ourselves to anyone.

right

and I see more and more now that we do have influence

and I know that the best thing we can do is be ourselves

but I didn't realize how young everyone in the hornline really is until recently

we (not really me casue I'm still a rookie vet) are the "old people" now

Maybe I'll have the rookie vs. vet talk with you sometime.

?

you mean like

there is two groups

rookies

and vets?

Just because you are a two year vet should not diminish your standing among others.

oh

No, I mean how ROOKIES CAN'T TALK, and I'VE BEEN HERE FOUR YEARS SO I DESERVE ALL OF YOUR OBEDIENCE are things.

Which is a different conversation all together.

yes

What about justin who has been here 19 years?

Stuff like that shouldn't be based off of time spent in the activity, but overall competence.

We don't have to fend for our basic needs for survival so I don't see why we need some sort of age-inherent oligarchy.

right a 3 year vet can still only be 17 years old and have a lot to learn about life, the universe, and everything

not saying that some 21 year old members still don't have a lot to learn.....

Yeah. And if a 15 year old rookie can come to me with a problem that they have noticed in a reasonable way, I should be completely willing to take their advice and mull over it.

Exactly.

but you get my drift

A seventeen year can certainly have a good head on their shoulders.

but years in the academy does not = divinity

Expand that to years in Drum Corps.

But yes.

well

yes

Which I can certainly forsee this season.

I know what you are talking about

even I can see that

I feel like if treated with respect and kindness, it should not be a problem.

One thing though

When I first came here in '10

I just thought the vets were the greatest thing ever

and I thought It was so cool that little me got to be in the presence of such great beings

I think there should still be a bit of that, just the vets should not think that they are supreme

and I guess

well

it is getting late

so the laws of physics dictate]\\

that I make less and less sense

That's not a bad way to think.

It just shouldn't be imposed, simply understood.

BOW TO ME!!!!!!

DON'T SPEAK UNLESS SPOKEN TO

WHERE IS MY BLOOD OFFERING???

Which has happened.

To an extreme extent.

Well, I have about 4 hours of homework to do

so I'll see you tomorrow if I don't fall asleep and die on the freeway

Don't die.

I am in a much better place than I have usually been in recently.

oh and we can still work you into the video if you can't attend, I'll just add in some shots of you that we can take at the camp

oh yes

Good.

you found your heart in strawberry I hear?

I did.

That is another topic.

Anyways...

I am going to put in a great effort to better the experience of others this weekend.

Since I am not having to worry about myself, I can focus on the enrichment of others.

Yes. that is good. sad kyle was kinda demoralizing, just sayin. Well, Auf Wiedersehen.

Good spirits.

3/29/2012
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Like a fox…

3/28/2012
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Dillon’s Watch

3/26/2012
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Promises, promises.

3/26/2012
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Fresh Start

She was willing to go 13 miles to the waterfall with me. And she beats me in Tekken. And she can help me with ear training. Oh my goodness…

To all of those who may ever need my advice:

24. Take your time healing. It is what you need to do. But if someone comes into your life and it seems to be more than just a coincidence, take the chance. There is a good chance it will be a very good thing.

3/23/2012
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savkra:

Lol just woke up from da party last night. Spring break 2k12 no regrets yolo ;D

I’m 12 years old. What is this? I don’t even.

(Source: boraborrra)