Dear devoted reader - I'm sorry I have not written in a while. We've had two weeks in a row of in town, then out of town etc. Things are back to normal, if normal is a word you can use to describe my existence, so I will try to be more consistent. Now it's your turn - you need to make comments so I know this exercise in ego management called a blog is worth your time and mine. It's easy - just click on the button that says "comment" and type.

First: the drum corps show in Glendale was excellent. I was dissapointed in my seat and I resolve to buy tickets in advance next year. Also, the stadium is made out of concrete - great for acoustics, not so great to sit on after it's been baking in the June Phoenix sun all day. I'm pleased to report that Vanguard's drill is fantastic.  Blue Devils have a great horn sound as usual but I wasn't all that impressed with their visual program. I will say I was hugely dissapointed in Pacific Crest - what happened! The Academy is going to do very well. Their visual program is first rate but needed a lot of work. The horn book was very challenging and you can hear the volume difference between this season and last. It wasn't as clean in articulations either - but I can tell they've bitten off a tough chew with triple tonguing sequences in the trumpets and several very exposed low brass parts. If they can clean it up, technically, it's a winner - but I still think last season was more crowd pleasing.

I was able to hang around with Impulse before and during the show. The drum line is very tight but horns and guard need some bodies to fill out the drill. I'm very pleased to report that Ken White as corps director is a great choice. Morale seemed very high. The only thing missing in Impulse is members - they've got a great direction, a great look, a great hype and a great visual program. They just need 70 horns instead of 20.

Second: Future Quest. Well, I went. About 1,700 kids. I was able to speak at three workshops, standing room only and I sold 10 books (a record). Music was first rate but I sensed a different vibe this year. Last year there seemed to be a different seriousness in the kids - I wonder if the new sanctuary was a distraction or something like that. I traveled with my wife and younger two kids on an airplane for the first time. Nathan was ecstatic - we're flying - really a lot of fun. Sooooo much easier to get to San Diego with little ones on a plane versus driving 6 hours through the desert.

Josiah and Jimmy flew out for the first two days of future quest. Very good to see them. Josiah is so tall it's hard to relate to him - I've always been bigger but suddenly he's looking me straight in the eye. Very intimidating but I can still wrestle him to a decisive "dad wins". Both boys were very moved at Future Quest and I'm hopeful what they learned there will stay with them many years. I spoke with Jillian on the phone - she wasn't too pleased not to be coming but the cut off is kids going into 6th grade so maybe next year.

Dennis and Andrew drove down from BC to be part of the conference. I felt VERY guilty about that because I'd asked Dennis to come - but I thought he would have a nice leisurely 2.5 hour plane ride. I also originally asked him to come because I thought I'd have 10 or so teenagers but only ended up with 3 - my two boys and a young lady who was accompanied by her mother. So I didn't need an extra chaperon. Anyway, Dennis can't get a flight so he drives 26 hours straight through. I felt terrible, awful - you name the adjective. Anyway, it turned out great because he had a fabulous time, got very motivated and was glad he came. Still, I'm sorry he had to suffer that drive.

It's very, very hot. 110 - 115 every day, lows in the 90's at night. The monsoon season is ramping up and that will be a blessing. If you don't know, we get these killer thunderstorms called monsoons every year in July and August. The heat draws in the moisture from the gulf of california and gulf of Mexico. It'll be 115 in the day, a huge storm will drop the temp 20 degress and dump floods of rain on us at night, then heat up again the next day. Lots of lightning, very cool.

Anyway - I'm very much behind with all I've got to do just now so I'd better get at it. Be nice and write.

Pat