Well, I wasn't walking.  It was more like driving in Memphis... and it wasn't necessarily driving it was more riding in the van trying to find wings.  Crown is staying at the Liberty Bowl... and I mean IN the Liberty Bowl.  The corps is staying in the suites on the vistor's side and the staff is staying in the VIP suite on the home side!  FUN.  I'll have to post pictures of my view.  I can watch rehearsal from the comfort of air conditioning with probably a better view then I'll have all summer.  It is AMAZING!!!

Two rehearsal days in a HUGE stadium is a big opportunity for us.  I can't wait to see how much better we get in the next two days.  It isn't nearly as hot here as it was in Mississippi; where, coincidentally, I got eaten alive by mosquitoes.  My legs are swollen that is how bad it is.  Well, I am allergic so I don't want you to think that I was attacked by a swarm... but it was pretty damn close. 

This week has been SO much fun.  I've hung out with the staff and just relaxed.  I've done my job of course, but I let loose and just allowed myself to have a little fun.  NOT TOO MUCH FUN.  I'm not like that any more so I've played it safe and had good clean fun.

Kelly, Keith, and I today were swatting at flies in the VIP suite today.  It was like Lord of the Flies in here.  Kelly and I had our flip flops out and we were banging on windows, while Keith had bug spray and was squirting it EVERYWHERE.  It was like a fly massacre.  We were laughing so hard we couldn't stand up straight half the time.  This was during visual rehearsal and we hoped that the kids didn't see us.  Of course they did and some of them asked what the hell we were doing.  But the fly population is down significantly because of our hard work and diligence.  I make is seem like a noble deed.  Not really now instead of pestering flying flies... we have a bunch of dead fly carcasses around here.  Pretty gross. 

All in all I've had a good day.  I was asleep most of it because I took some antihistamine for my bug bites.  I was in a coma.  It was amazing.   I'm enjoying myself and I'm having a good time.  I don't want tour to end... no, that's not true.  I miss my family, friends, dogs, my bed, and MY HIGH HEELS.  Saw a girl with some really cute shoes on the other day and got sappy because I miss my shoes.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I'm a girly girl.  I know it is hard to believe with how I am on tour.  I love high heels, make up, getting my nails done, and skirts.  I love lacey pretty things and what not.  I'm the GIRLIEST tomboy you've ever met. 

Anyway, that's about all I have to report...

OH HOLY CRAP!!!  I about forgot... I CAN NOT BELIEVE I ABOUT FORGOT THIS.

Last night in Hattesburg, MS we placed second to BD and before Phantom.  HERE IS THE KICKER... WE BEAT BD IN BRASS with an 18.2!!!  THAT IS HUGE.  As Eric would say, "Can we say Jim Ott?"  We have the best brass line in the country.  It is just a major accomplishment.  I'm so proud of this corps and all the hard work that they are doing.  I am proud to be a apart of an organization that is like family and that I can call home.  We are third in the country.  We are no longer a rinky dink corps that people mildly like.  WE ARE CAROLINA CROWN.  People know us... we are kind of a big deal. 

Okay... now I'm done! I think!

We placed third.  I didn't stutter people... we placed THIRD place in San Antonio.  OH MY GOODNESS!!!  I really didn't know where they were going to place us after the roller coaster ride of shows we have had in the past week.  We win Orlando and we beat Cadets again and then then beat us twice in a row after that.  Phew... it's enough to make you sick.  Or at least leave you a bit queasy and light headed.

I was lucky enough to be the one to check in with Ray and EVD tonight.  Jeanna and I switch off so I was SUPER excited when I got to check in.  This is a big regional.  I got to be important.  When I walked into that dome I thought I was going to pee myself.  I know it sounds really cheesey and infantile, but I was star struck.  I've competed in BOA and regionals in big domes and in college I did exhibitions, but this is something else.  I'm not marching and I wouldn't ever say that I could experience a DCI regional from the level the corps members do, but to know... that I was apart of something great.  Something big... makes all the other stuff seem so small.  When I was standing on the sidelines waiting for the scores and they starting announcing 8th and 7th place I was thinking, "Ugh, I wish they would hurry up and get to the important scores."  Then it dawned on me... I remember when we would get to those placements and I would just pray we would get close to that.  Now, we are sitting in the top.  We are really doing it and I get to be apart of that.  I've never marched... and that has always been the single biggest regret of my life.  I will never get to experience the way the corps members do, but it is something else to be apart of something great.  I may have never marched, but it is still something special.  I'm so excited and happy for the corps!  What an incredible year!

Tomorrow is our free day in San Antonio.  I'm so excited.  For YEARS I hear about the free day in San Antonio.  We are going to see the new Batman movie and walk the river walk.  FUN!  Then onto Louisiana, the crotch of America.

This summer has been something else and I can't believe that it is almost over.  I don't know what is around the bend for me, but I can't wait to find out.  There are a lot of plans in the works.  I know that my involvement with drum corps is only going to increase and I can't wait.  Who knew that when I was four years old in that old rickety stadium when I saw my first corps show that it would become such a huge part of my life.  Drum corps made me want to go into music.  It has been a big part of my life for over 21 years.  I'm excited. 

All I need now is someone who will share this ride with me.... one thing at a time I guess.