Yes, that's the same music from the piracy commercial
Here's the first in a series of videos I wrote; it's promoting a homecoming-style dance in Nashville next weekend. Check it out at www.stuconash.com
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Here's the first in a series of videos I wrote; it's promoting a homecoming-style dance in Nashville next weekend. Check it out at www.stuconash.com
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Marching, frolicking, and football: The Remix
I'm not one to shy away from constructive criticism, so I have decided it only fair that I re-write this entry accounting for the new information the commenter brought to light and the experiences I have had since (For the original post and comment, click here):
My friend Claire works as a physical trainer at Sycamore High School in Pleasant View, about 30 minutes north of my house. As part of her job, she has to be on the sideline at all War Eagle football games, leaving her fall Friday nights completely booked. Kind of a sucky way to spend the greatest season of the year, right?
So, I've decided that I'm going to be a SHS super fan this year. Although I will not attend another game the rest of the season, I've gone to both home games so far, and it has been quite the experience getting back to high school athletics.
First and foremost: It was raining before the game and during the first quarter last night. I can not stress this enough.
Now I love watching football, and there have been some great plays made in those two games; but my favorite part, as with all amateur skirmishes, is all the extra little things that make a sporting event an event.
There's the fans, obviously, including the over-invested parents, students who are just there because there's nothing else to do in Pleasant View on a Friday night, and the people you're not sure why they're even there (like me). Each of these groups serve a distinct purpose in creating
the classic small town high school atmosphere.
Next are the cheerleaders. Over time I have become somewhat of a connoisseur of high school cheerleaders, and the War Eagle Cheer Team is actually quite effective in today's terms. They have energy, they can do a bit of tumbling and gymnastics, and they've got rhythm. That's all I ask for at this point, as my standards have become progressively lower as more and more of the best cheerleaders are choosing sports and dance instead. Not that that's a bad thing, just an observation.
And finally, my favorite piece of the puzzle: the marching band. Maybe it's because I had three sisters and dozens of friends who participated in the band and that I've watched dozens of high school half time shows, but I think the band can make or break the whole experience. Needless to say, the Sycamore band is something to behold.
They have performed the same disco medley at both half times, a fact that most likely speaks to the over-eager director's desire to make great entertainment more than great music. This could be remedied by cutting down to a song or two a week, less band choreography on the field, and the development of several signature tunes that are played early in the year while veteran members carry the load and the band can work on the new material. I have to give them credit for having the guts to go out there for how unprepared they appeared. I think my favorite part is when the color guard spins fake rifles while playing "Play That Funky Music". This week, the band was much better musically, but their color guard were probably the worst I have ever seen. They spun their wet rifles with vigor and failed to complete their attempted triples on numerous occasions, tried spins with their small, wet flags that were obviously beyond their level of expertise at the time, and stumbled around the mushy field to no apparent rhythm. To say the experience was magical would be like saying the Earth revolves around the moon.
This week's halftime show also featured the opposing team's band from Station Camp High School in Gallatin, TN. These guys were more of a frolicking band than a marching band, playing music that featured multiple solos and movements. Their presentation included some of the best flag spinning I have ever seen, switching between large, brightly colored banners and replica samurai sabers like pros. Their movements were simple and effective, and accented the musicality of the performance.
All in all, it was one of the starkest contrasts I've ever seen. And the other school went first. It was like the Beatles opening for Carrot Top. Definitely worth the drive out there, and definitely a fun enough experience to keep me coming back at some point next year maybe.
And it's finally looking like it's going to cool down in Tennessee, and you know what that means: sweatshirts and stocking caps. Yay! But, in all likelihood, it will be back in the 80s for the next several weeks and then abruptly drop into the 50s before I have the chance to have the gas turned on, resulting in a week of extra-chilly mornings.
But, then again, what would a retarded moron like I know? I'll remember that for the next time I "star bashing" people.
My friend Claire works as a physical trainer at Sycamore High School in Pleasant View, about 30 minutes north of my house. As part of her job, she has to be on the sideline at all War Eagle football games, leaving her fall Friday nights completely booked. Kind of a sucky way to spend the greatest season of the year, right?
So, I've decided that I'm going to be a SHS super fan this year. Although I will not attend another game the rest of the season, I've gone to both home games so far, and it has been quite the experience getting back to high school athletics.
First and foremost: It was raining before the game and during the first quarter last night. I can not stress this enough.
Now I love watching football, and there have been some great plays made in those two games; but my favorite part, as with all amateur skirmishes, is all the extra little things that make a sporting event an event.
There's the fans, obviously, including the over-invested parents, students who are just there because there's nothing else to do in Pleasant View on a Friday night, and the people you're not sure why they're even there (like me). Each of these groups serve a distinct purpose in creating
the classic small town high school atmosphere.
Next are the cheerleaders. Over time I have become somewhat of a connoisseur of high school cheerleaders, and the War Eagle Cheer Team is actually quite effective in today's terms. They have energy, they can do a bit of tumbling and gymnastics, and they've got rhythm. That's all I ask for at this point, as my standards have become progressively lower as more and more of the best cheerleaders are choosing sports and dance instead. Not that that's a bad thing, just an observation.
And finally, my favorite piece of the puzzle: the marching band. Maybe it's because I had three sisters and dozens of friends who participated in the band and that I've watched dozens of high school half time shows, but I think the band can make or break the whole experience. Needless to say, the Sycamore band is something to behold.
They have performed the same disco medley at both half times, a fact that most likely speaks to the over-eager director's desire to make great entertainment more than great music. This could be remedied by cutting down to a song or two a week, less band choreography on the field, and the development of several signature tunes that are played early in the year while veteran members carry the load and the band can work on the new material. I have to give them credit for having the guts to go out there for how unprepared they appeared. I think my favorite part is when the color guard spins fake rifles while playing "Play That Funky Music". This week, the band was much better musically, but their color guard were probably the worst I have ever seen. They spun their wet rifles with vigor and failed to complete their attempted triples on numerous occasions, tried spins with their small, wet flags that were obviously beyond their level of expertise at the time, and stumbled around the mushy field to no apparent rhythm. To say the experience was magical would be like saying the Earth revolves around the moon.
This week's halftime show also featured the opposing team's band from Station Camp High School in Gallatin, TN. These guys were more of a frolicking band than a marching band, playing music that featured multiple solos and movements. Their presentation included some of the best flag spinning I have ever seen, switching between large, brightly colored banners and replica samurai sabers like pros. Their movements were simple and effective, and accented the musicality of the performance.
All in all, it was one of the starkest contrasts I've ever seen. And the other school went first. It was like the Beatles opening for Carrot Top. Definitely worth the drive out there, and definitely a fun enough experience to keep me coming back at some point next year maybe.
And it's finally looking like it's going to cool down in Tennessee, and you know what that means: sweatshirts and stocking caps. Yay! But, in all likelihood, it will be back in the 80s for the next several weeks and then abruptly drop into the 50s before I have the chance to have the gas turned on, resulting in a week of extra-chilly mornings.
But, then again, what would a retarded moron like I know? I'll remember that for the next time I "star bashing" people.
Above and beyond
OK, two things:
1. I saw Avenue Q last night at TPAC, and it was just that much better to see the whole story rather than just the songs. If you can make it to a showing, you should, but not before first reading up about it a bit to make sure you can handle it.
2. Check out the comment on this post from a couple months back; i'm not sure what it means for me but I got a huge kick out of it (and it is completely legit, in case you were wondering):
http://marktalks.blogspot.com/2008/09/marching-frolicking-and-football.html
1. I saw Avenue Q last night at TPAC, and it was just that much better to see the whole story rather than just the songs. If you can make it to a showing, you should, but not before first reading up about it a bit to make sure you can handle it.
2. Check out the comment on this post from a couple months back; i'm not sure what it means for me but I got a huge kick out of it (and it is completely legit, in case you were wondering):
http://marktalks.blogspot.com/2008/09/marching-frolicking-and-football.html
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