It was a very busy month of July: CT rehearsals, CT performances, school work, podcasts and blog posts, and normal work! Anyone want to take a few days in August and work/march/play for me? š
- I signed up for a program called ‘Code Louisville’: a free, 12-week program where you learn the basics of coding in different languages. It would take a few months for spots to open but when they did, you would get a sample piece of code to work on, and you’re off and running! Well, it’s been over a year since I signed up, with no response. I’m giving them another month or so before I completely give up and look elsewhere.
- Also last year I had a Heart Ablation. The Ablation was to correct an Atrial Flutter that sent my heart beat well into the 130-140 BPM range. A year later, that Flutter has not returned!
- I have finished watching the original “Fullmetal Alchemist”, including the movie that wrapped up the series. It was pretty good! The ending was a little unusual but the rest of the series had almost everything, including: intrigue; love; heartbreak; action; monsters; and humor. I’m currently at the beginning of Season 4 (of 5) of the 2009 version: “Brotherhood”. I’m liking this one much better! I’ll go into more details down the road but for right now, I like the overarching plot of “Brotherhood” more than the original!
- I’m slowly wrapping up my last On Demand class from the Spring semester. I had a mediocre Chapter 6 (of 10) but Chapter 7 seems to be going much better. Granted, I’m only reading the chapter, at the moment – haven’t started doing lab work, writing essays, or taking the quiz or exam. š
- Last week (July 26th-29th), Cincinnati Tradition went on a “mini tour”. We traveled to Sheffield, Pennsylvania (Friday, 7/26), Peckville, PA (Saturday, 7/27), and Centerville, Ohio (7/29 – my birthday!) for 3 total performances. Our general days were: travel in the mornings, rehearse in the afternoons, perform in the evenings, and travel/sleep in the nights.
Our first performance in Sheffield was a judged exhibition for a DCI open Class show: we got scores from judges but they didn’t count towards our DCA standings. The performance was … mediocre. There were some good moments but there were many mistakes, including the entire corps running out of gas in the 4th Movement. despite this, we still scored a 69.45, our 2nd highest DCI score ever. Our Staff challenged us to step up for the next next competition.
Peckville was an official DCA show and score. We definitely stepped up! The enery was high, the execution was high. We finished 6th, with a 74.55. The Brass line actually finished 4th! A much happier Staff and Corps at the end the night.
Centerville wrapped up the tour. We didn’t quite hit the level of Peckville but it was still a decent show. We got a 70.55 – the highest score ever at a DCI show. All in all, it was a wonderful 4-5 days on the road, marching and playing! Now, we gear up for the DCA World Championships in 3 1/2 weeks! - My feet have held together for most of the season. However, about 3 weeks ago, I started getting some serious pain in my right big toe joint. Shortly after, my right heel flared up. They both came to a head on Sunday, when I sat out the entire afternoon block because of the pain… and the fact that I couldn’t plant with my right foot, especially on direction changes from backwards to forwards. I am going to a Podiatrist in the new few days to see what’s going on. All I know is that my toe joint is red-purple, very sore to touch, and sore to move, while the heel is in similar shape (minus the discoloration).
- I hit a weight loss goal: I dropped under 205 pounds before Championship Weekend! As of Monday morning, I weighed 204.6 pounds; 2 weeks ago, I had dropped as low as 200.6 pounds. Spending nearly 20 hours in the sun, every weekend, marching and playing, will cause you to drop over 25 pounds in a season.
“Podicus Wrecks” is still rolling along – you should look us up and take a listen!; I just started an interesting book called “Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi, a random pickup and purchase from a Meijer department store – hopefully, I can finish this book by the end of the month; and college and pro football are about to start up for the 2019-2020 season – can’t wait!
The Nexus 