10. Everyone getting out to their buses on time (even a few mins. early) without
a hitch at 4:48am!
9. The traffic going to and from the Rose Parade.......NOT!!
8. Joselito (the #1 busdriver) and Jody (Colorguard director) keeping Bus 7
in stitches with their sense of humor!!
7. Talking to family and friends on phones that had already watched the kids
and hearing their enthusiasm on how awesome they were! We were around
the 5 mile spot, so it was a good hour and a half before we got to see them!!
6. Hearing that ABC will show the band twice tonight- since the network went
to commerical at the most unappropriate time!!
5. The two hour rest inbetween the parade and our visit to the...
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Yes, we were so proud of the band as they marched by our stands today but you should have seen them in their evening attire on the Queen Mary tonight! What a handsome group of young men and women. Cameras flashing, china clinking, dining in elegance (remember, start your silverware from the outside and work in!) and words of praise by JR, what could be a better end to the day?
There was just enough time for a quick stroll on the promenade deck to see the beautiful Long Beach skyline at night. Then a subdued bus ride back to the Hilton to pack up the instruments to FedEx back to Raleigh. Curfew at 9:45----if you can stay awake that long!
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We started the day at 4 a.m. Maybe we could have slept in later, but I doubt it.
Today was the reason for coming and we had better be on-time, if not severely early.
We were severely early -- arriving at 6 a.m. for an 8 a.m. parade start.
It was cold, the streets were lined with people burning wood in small backyard stoves, sleeping on air mattresses and selling their own coffee for $2 a cup.
It was a circus atmosphere. Someone from New Orleans said it reminded her of Mardi Gras. I expect that it's similar, but on a smaller scale.
Three hours later, the first sign of the parade arrived in the form of a team of motorcycle officers riding in formation and performing tricks.
Within 15 minutes, the purple and gold could be seen from atop our grandstand perch.
"There they are!" parents yelled. Everyone stood. Cameras snapped and videotape rolled.
As they approached, we all hollered for them and we were greeted by J.R., our band director,...
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To watch video from KTLA of the Broughton band marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade early today, visit http://ktla.trb.com/extras/ktla/roseparade2008/video2008.html, or click the link in box at right.
The band can be seen about 2 minutes into Part 2 of the video segments.
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My son just said "This is the best day ever". We just got finished watching the rerun of the Broughton Band marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade. You know, the one seen by 400 MILLION people around the world. Broughton proved the truth of their motto "Excellence is our standard, not our goal" with perfect lines, excellent sound, and extreme endurance. Not one member dropped out of the 6 mile march.
When the band marched by at our seats at the 5-mile point, they looked fresh and sounded great. The band could hear us cheering for them. JR wore the biggest smile we had ever seen.
They did it. Congratulations!
We are off to the Queen Mary to celebrate. Pictures and maybe a video to follow later.
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