Left foot first..

I'm going to reveal something that I have been thinking about for the past few months.  It comes as a shock to me, but I'm getting that itch again..  I've had this bug for quite sometime now, really since 1991, and even though it might make some of the people cringe when I say it, I have to be true to who I am, and what makes me tick.  

[Inhale]          [Exhale]

I want to march Drum Corps again.

[Deep breath] 

Yes, I said it..  I want to march Drum Corps again!!

My plan right now is, march with a parade/alumni corps for a season while I get in shape to go back to competitive.

Now the reasons I've made this decision are really three fold..

1. I'm tired of sitting in the man-cave surfing the net and hoping things change.. 
2. I want to get back to my roots..  My grandfather marched until he was 65..  My dad marched. I used  to march..  I miss being with a group of people that love the activity.. Playing the music..
3. I miss this.. 

This is from 2008 DCI Finals in Bloomington, Indiana.  There were over 35,000 people at this show.  I can't begin to explain what performing does to me..  I get a lift.  Something that I can't explain happens whe you turn around and all you see is wall-to-wall people.  They aren't there for the hotdogs..  They aren't there for a pierogi race..  They are there to see one of the most exciting, artistic, musical and athletic forms of entertainment that only God himself could have created..  

I've come to realize that this is something that I have missed since 1994..  This is the gift that God has given me, and I need to share it..

I hope those of you who don't understand could, at some point, talk to me about this face-to-face. For those of you who do know.. I would like to stay local for the rest of the season, and all of next year..  (If you know of anyone who could use a Lead Bari.. Email me)

Oh, and BTW, this in no means belittles what I do with the WSO, or any of the other groups I play with, no..  It is something that has made me the player I am, and make me a better player in the future..  Because, I am not doing this for any other reason, but to improve myself and make my life as full as it can be..

Getting ready to blow louder and higher,

~R

P.S.--> Thanks to Ginny Montaenez (a.k.a. PittGirl) who gave me the inspiration to step out and               admit that I'm a Drum Corps nut..