2012 ends, 2013 starts!

Hard to believe that 2012 is now at a close. It feels like just yesterday we were saying the same thing about 2011...but here we are, getting ready to reign in a New Year.

What happened this year that made it go by so fast for me? January was my annual recurrent training for work (which I will be going to next month. Man, I have to really study the new evacuation commands) I know it started with another awesome trip to Puerto Vallarta in March, followed by a visit back home in Virginia visiting family and friends, while enjoying the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in May.

June ended with beautiful weather for Minneapolis Pride, followed by outstanding performances by various Drum & Bugle Corps for the DCI Minnesota Drum & Bugle contest.  July-August I had a very bad cold which kept me from flying for nearly a month. In September, was able to enjoy the MN State Fair with friends, and for flying I was able to go to several new destinations which I really enjoyed working to in Brazil, but mostly my flying kept me in the confines of the Caribbean.

November was (in my opinion) a huge success in Politics. Thankfully President Obama was re-elected and the VOTE-NO on the marriage amendment (defining marriage between man and woman) here in Minnesota won. This, as well as three other states saying Who cares in who marries, as long as they are happy.

Over-all, I had some amazing crews I worked with, and on occasion, some pretty amazing passengers too. I did help in save a life to one of our passengers which just goes with the territory, but of course, it was soon over-shadowed by the craziness of the holiday travelers demanding to not have their over-sized bags checked at the door when it wouldn't fit in the bag sizer.

Sadly, I ended this year with a bout of flu, thankfully, I was able to spend the holiday with great friends who invited me to share their time with their families. I was able to enjoy a day with one of my siblings before having a lovely dinner with his family and friends.

I'm very amazed at how quickly this year has gone by. I just hope that at some point, I will be able to stop and smell the roses....well, maybe I'll have a chance to do that during my nieces wedding in May.

Until next time,

Happy New Year!
Sluggo

What's next in the Marching arena?

Summer is now over for Drum & Bugle Corps, and that means hundreds of talented members will be going back to High Schools, Colleges, or Universities. Some will be returning to their jobs, while others will be looking for jobs in and around their communities.

What can these talented youth do with what they learned over the summer? For some, they can be used as instructors to better marching bands around the Country. This can be anything from teaching basic marching techniques, teach proper posture, horn movements/placements, percussion instruction, and/or color guard instruction. High School Bands will compete in area competitions, while others will go on to compete in larger venues/competitions/festivals.

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Few of my favorite High School Marching Band competitions from Virginia (and surrounding areas) are (all held on Saturdays):
Martinsburg Band Spectacular, Martinsburg H.S., Martinsburg, WV. September 15, 2012
Millbrook Pre-Festival Showcase, Millbrook H.S., Winchester, VA.  September 22, 2012
Hermitage Classic Marching Band Festival, Hermitage H.S., Richmond, VA.  September 29, 2012
North Stafford Invitational, North Stafford H.S., Stafford, VA. September 29, 2012
Mountain State Forest Festival, Wilmer Stadium, Elkins, WV. October 7, 2012
Blue Ridge Showcase, James Wood H.S., Winchester, VA. October 13, 2012
Parade of Champions James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. October 20th, 2012.
Oakton Classic Invitational Oakton H.S., Vienna, VA. October 20th, 2012.

Now that I've been in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, I've learned the bands here are just as competitive as we were in Virginia in terms of competition. Here are some great festivals/competitions that I like to attend (if I'm not flying) here in the Twin Cities: (from MidwestMarching.com)
Prairie Colors Festival, Eden Prairie, MN. September 8, 2012
Eastview Marching Festival, Apple Valley, MN. September 8, 2012
Rosemount HS Marching Band Festival, Rosemount, MN. September 15, 2012
Irondale Music of the Knight, New Brighton, MN. September 29, 2012
Youth in Music Marching Band Competition, Minneapolis, MN. October 13, 2012
Youth in Music Preview Cup, Minneapolis, MN. October 20, 2012

Fall Festivals/Competitions:
Virginia State Marching Festivals, held at various schools and dates.
Cavalcade of Bands, held at various schools and dates.
Midwest Marching shows

Spring Festivals/Competitions:
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Music Festival (generally first weekend in May)
Performing Arts Consultants - Music Festivals
All American Music Festival, Orlando, FL
Fiesta-Val

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Grand National Championships

Music for All’s Bands of America Grand National Championships, presented by Yamaha, is the nation’s premier championship for high school marching bands.
2012 Grand National Championships
November 7-10, 2012
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
View the list of 2012 Grand Nationals Participating Bands.
More than 90 bands will compete in over three days of performances. The event kicks off Wednesday night with the Indianapolis Public Schools Marching Band Tournament. Preliminary performances continue Thursday and Friday. Bands advance to Semi-Finals Saturday, with the top 12 scoring bands advancing to Saturday night’s Championship Finals.
The level of excellence of the Grand National Championship bands is recognized worldwide. The Grand National Champion will be given an automatic invitation from the Tournament of Roses to perform in the 2014 Rose Parade®, as part of a three year agreement between Music for All and the Tournament of Roses®.
Check out this cool Lucas Oil Stadium FAQ Diagram (PDF)
Click here for information on what to do, where to stay, where to eat and more during your visit to Indianapolis.
Click here to learn more about ticket prices and how to purchase tickets.
View media coverage, articles, and the fan guide from the 2011 Grand National Championships to start planning your trip. (Note: 2011 items are available for planning and reference purposes. Some details may change for 2012.)

 Fifteen Bands of America Regional Championships are being held this fall across the nation. Bands of America Championships are recognized as the premiere high school marching band events in the United States.

The Regional Championships offer world-class band performances by many of the finest high school marching bands in America with expert evaluators.

2012 BOA Regional Schedule

September 22, 2012
Louisville, KY   University of Louisville	Monroeville, PA   Gateway H.S.
September 29, 2012
Kettering, OH   Kettering Fairmont H.S.	Denton, TX   University of North Texas - Apogee Stadium
October 6, 2012
Conroe, TX   Woodforest Bank Stadium	Pontiac, MI   Silverdome
October 13, 2012
Akron, OH   University of Akron	Jacksonville, AL   Jacksonville State University
October 19-20, 2012
Indianapolis, IN   (Super Regional)   Lucas Oil Stadium	St. Louis, MO   (Super Regional)   Edward Jones Dome
October 26-27, 2012	October 27, 2012
Atlanta, GA   (Super Regional)   Georgia Dome	Towson, MD   Towson University   (Site Tentative)
	Glendora, CA   Citrus College
November 2-3, 2012	November 3, 2012
San Antonio, TX   (Super Regional)   Alamodome	St. George, UT   Desert Hills H.S.

Along with Bands of America, there is another option. The Youth Education in Arts (YEA.org!) has their own set of competitions with USBands (formerly USSBA)

NFL Clears Way for 3 Days of USBands Championships at MetLife Stadium
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Giants, Jets road games on 11/11 allow wall-to-wall band action

The gods of NFL scheduling must be marching band fans afterall!

How else would you be able to explain the fact that the $1.6 billion dollar MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., home to the New York Jets and current Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, and the 2014 Super Bowl would be vacant on Nov. 10 and 11?

When the 2012 NFL schedule was released, the USBands staff cheered with high-fives around the room as the Giants and Jets were announced to play road games in Cincinnati and Seattle respectively on Sunday, Nov. 11, allowing the USBands Open Class National Championships move in for three days of competition.

USBands National Championship registrations are continuing at a very strong pace, with the number of Group III and IV bands leading the way in the number of registrations.  Rich Hammond, director of band relations, said, “We’re currently evaluating the possibility of a three-day championship which would allow 130 bands to participate in this remarkable event in this awesome facility.”

Plan 1 would have Group I and II Open bands featured on their own evening competition on Friday, Nov. 9. With the Group IV and V Open bands on Saturday and Groups III and VI on Sunday.

Plan 2 would have Group II Open joining the Group IV and V bands on Saturday and Group I kicking off the Sunday events before the Group III and VI bands take to the field.

“It is still early in the process, and there is always some opportunity for Plan 3 or 4, but for now, Melissa, Jon and I are talking to as many Open Class bands as possible to see what their plans might be given this tremendous new opportunity,” said Hammond.

Registration for the USBands A Class National Championships are continuing for the event to be held on Saturday, Nov. 10 and Sunday, Nov. 11 at the Navy & Marine Corps Stadium at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

To register your band for either of these events, click here or contact Melissa Reese at MReese@YEA.org, Jon Swengler at Jonathan@YEA.org or Rich Hammond at Rich@YEA.org.

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Still don't see a competition/festival near you? Here are some more Band competitions around the Country as shown on Marching.com:

Bands of America Regional Championships
Various Sites
September/October/November, 2012
World-class band performances with expert evaluators.

Waseca Marching Classic
Waseca, Minnesota
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Event features parade, field, clinics and a fireworks finale.
Tri-State Band Festival
Luverne, Minnesota
Saturday, September 29, 2012
This long-running event features both parade and field.
Champlin Park Rebel Classic
Champlin, Minnesota
Saturday, October 6, 2012
This well-attended contest draws bands from several states.
Festival of Bands, USA
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Saturday, October 6, 2012
A large lineup for parade, field prelims and finals.
Quad State Marching Competition
Vermillion, South Dakota
Saturday, October 13, 2012
A major regional contest in a climate-controlled dome.
Bands of America Grand National Championships
Indianapolis, Indiana
November 7-10, 2012
Recognized as the nation's premier field marching event.
NYC Veterans Day Parade and Band of Pride Tribute
New York, New York
Saturday-Sunday, November 10-11, 2012
Largest veterans parade in USA plus mass band performance.
San Diego Veterans Day Parade and Band of Pride Tribute
San Diego, California
Sunday-Monday, November 11-12, 2012
Mass band rally plus parade with Grand Marshal Chuck Yeager.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade
Chicago, Illinois
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Lighted procession illuminates Michigan Avenue.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York, New York
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Televised spectacle kicks off the holiday season.
Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in America.
Thanksgiving Parade of Bands at the Walt Disney World® Resort
Orlando, Florida
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Bands experience Disney's magic at the holidays.
Waikiki Holiday Parade
Honolulu, Hawaii
Friday, November 23, 2012
Bands are warmly welcomed at this exciting destination.
West Chester Old Fashioned Christmas Parade
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Friday, November 30, 2012
Bands compete and welcome Santa on streets of historic town.
America's Children's Holiday Parade
Oakland, California
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Bands, balloons and characters join this televised event.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
Honolulu, Hawaii
Friday, December 7, 2012
Official parade commemorating the Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary.
Fiesta Bowl Parade and Fiesta Bowl Band Championship
Phoenix, Arizona
Saturday-Sunday, December 29-30, 2012
Prestigious parade and field contests with bands from across the nation.
Rome New Year's Parade
Rome, Italy
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Features bands from across Europe and the United States.

Busy with School and Flying, it's hard to keep updating my blog

It's hard to believe that once again, how lax in my posting abilities have been for my blog. I do apologize for that. I know it's hard to believe to some, even though I talk a lot in person, I was never good at maintaining daily diaries or even doing any type of journal. so, SORRY everyone!

Anyway, what's been going on with Sluggo? Well, I'll try to recap the best of my ability and see how well that goes.

I just completed my 2nd year, 4th semester with the University of Phoenix. So far, I've completed a total of 18 classes! The experience has truly been unbelievable. I've had many great semesters, a couple of interesting semesters, and then there was my math!

For those that actually know me, either via facebook, drum corps, or flying, you know how much I was dreading my math courses. I am proud to say that I passed both semesters of math, and hopefully do NOT have to think about math again! It's hard enough counting to 21....but I was able to manage!

Besides school, I've been focusing on my flying these last few months. I haven't been able to hold my usual trans-con flying due to AA reducing flight attendant staffing over on the International side. This meant that many of the junior International FAs were sent back to Domestic.  Majority of them were senior to me, so I wasn't able to hold the lines I generally fly.

I was able to pick up a few extra trips here and there, but mostly just flew my schedule. It does become a little interesting when you commute from Minneapolis (MSP) to NYC. With the merger of Northwest and Delta, Delta has started to reduce many of their flights between MSP and NYC. So, I have to start flying on us and connect through Chicago (ORD).

At the beginning of this month, I was able to go back to my hometown of Winchester, VA. I try to go at least every six months or so to visit family and friends. One of the great aspects of going home in May is the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. Winchester has celebrated the blooming of the Apple Trees for over 83yrs, and this year was no exception.

The festival has expanded from being only a weekend event to a full week. There is Wine tasting, sports luncheon, stag luncheon, apple pie baking contest, Music Festival, Firefighters Parade, Grand Feature Parade, 10K race, carnival, circus, arts and crafts, Coronation of the Queen, and of course, plenty of different food vendors from around the country.

The festival has had many notable celebrities over the years, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Joan Rivers, President Ford, and this year Val Kilmar. I was a little disappointed in seeing how much weight Val had put on, but it was fun to have him visit our little community for The Bloom.

Each year it has become more and more difficult for the festival to get a celebrity to commit to the weekend activities. Most actors and actresses have very full schedules, so many will only commit at the last minute, or as their time permits.

Friday morning, my mom and I went to the raising of the tent for the Cole Brother Circus. It had been many years since I had watched the tent being raised, but it was very interesting to see the changes. I remember how the hard workers use to pound the stakes into the ground, now they use a 4-wheel bobcat with a jack-hammer on the end of it. When it was time for the tent to be raised, Elephants were used, but now it's all hydraulics.

The fun part about being there so early, we were able to see the different animals. Of course the main attraction that we liked were the elephants, but there were tigers as well. It was fun to be so close to the animals. The Elephants were chained to the truck they came on, and of course, the tigers were in cages.

Before we knew it, the tent was being raised and work had started putting up the 3-Rings in the middle as well as the Bleachers.

As my mom mentioned, there wasn't much talking between the employee's of the circus. Once in a while, someone would whistle to get the attention of someone else, but everyone worked hard laying out the tent, and getting the large arena ready for their first performance later in the evening.

One of the events that I enjoy the most are the Parades. Friday night is the Fireman's Parade and Saturday is the Grand Feature Parade. Both parades follow the same route, which is roughly 2  miles long. If the weather is a little cooler, the parade route is pleasant for the bands to march, but if it's hot and humid, which it was (85-90 degrees) then it can be torture for the long 2 1/2 hour marching route by foot. Of course, the Music Judges stand is at the end of the route to judge the bands endurance of the long route.

Having marched this parade for many years, I can understand how difficult it can be for some of the bands that never performed in this parade, especially during extreme hot weather! The bands are judged on Marching, Auxiliary (guard/flags), Musicality, and the Drum Major.

When I was in school, the Festival was a large event for the bands. There use to be a Jazz Band Competition, Concert Band Competition, both Parades, and after the Grand Feature Parade, there was the Field Show Competition. However, by mid-90s, many music programs were starting to be cut, so the Field Show Competition was no longer.

Now, there is just Jazz, Concert, and the Parades. Many bands go to the larger venues which are part of Fiesta-Val where bands travel to New York City, Myrtle Beach, or even Orlando.  This way, as soon as the bands are done with part of their competition, they can allow the kids to do different activities at a large amusement park.

Anyway, it was a great visit to be home to visit family and friends.