Elegance Winterguard

Miscellaneous

This is where you will find the stuff that almost every guard page has. It should keep you entertained for awhile though. =) Hope you enjoy. If you have anything you would like to add to any of the following, feel free to e-mail us at [email protected]

SURVEY


1. Name:

2. Guard(s):

3. Equipment handled:

4. Years in guard:

5. Do you iron your flags?:

6. Have you mastered the art of putting on makeup on a bumpy bus ride?:

7. Do you walk around 24/7 with a "Hey, I'm happy to be here" cheesy grin?:

8. Can you make up a guard show to ANY random song that comes on the radio?:

9. Have you become immune to the pain of a rifle/sabre?:

10. Are the muscles in your wrists, arms, legs, and foreamrs bigger than Arnold Schwarzenneggars (or at least they seem that way, beacha he can't toss a 5 on rifle!)?:

11. Do write your own choreography in the middle of your dinning room with no music?:

12. When you run or jog do you find your self subconsiously jazz running?:

13. Are you accustomed to waking up everyday with sore muscles:

14. List ALL your guard realated injuries?:

15. Do you write your own choreography?:

16. Do you critique others choreography?:

17. Do you complain when your drill design is too easy?:

18. Do you have all of the stretches known to man/woman and can you perform them properly?:

19. Can you re-tape (or tape) a rifle or sabre or flag in under 5 min?:

20. How many brusies do you have at the moment from guard?:

21. Do you have the years averaged for how many more years you can audition for a guard/drum corp?:

22. Do you (Have you ever) designed yor own flags for no reason what-so-ever except personal satisfaction?:

23. Have you ever danced to a song an realized your moves have come from past choreography?:

24. Does your rifle/sabre/flag have a name?:

25. What is it?:

26. Do you get upset when someone picks up your equipment... and drops it!?:

27. Have you ever had a conversation with your equipment?:

28. Have you ever kissed your butt? (rifle butt that is):

29. Do you find yourself at practice just "playing" and realized you were doing past years work?:

31. The one song you WISH and PRAY you could do as a guard show?:

32.When you 'grow up' do you want to instruct colorguard/winterguards?:

33. When you graduate (if this applies) do you plan on going on to an independent guard?:

34. When you come home from practice with bruises do your parents ask you who beat you up (black eyes do apply):



IF IT WASN'T FOR GUARD


I wouldnt have all my aces and pains!
I wouldn't have gotten over my shyness.
I wouldn't be so tough.
I would still have no life.
I would have never met such good friends.
I wouldn't have had as much fun!
I wouldn't be able to toss a rifle/sabre.
I wouldn't be able to spin a Flag.
I would be normal.....whatever that is.
I wouldn't have permanent bruises.
I might have cleaned my room.



20 Commandments for Color Guard Stress Reduction


I know, I know there are only supposed to be 10 but... oh well....now there's 20

1. Thou shall not be perfect, or even try to be.
2. Thou shall not try to be all things to all people.
3. Thou shall not sometimes leave things undone.
4. Thou shall not spin thyself too thin.
5. Thou shall learn to say "no".
6. Thou shall schedule time for thyself guard isn't the world (altho it seems that way)
7. Thou shalt switch thyself off when anger over comes them, if someone gets on your nerves turn and walk way-toss a 6 and let in fall.
8. Thou shall not even feel guilty for doing it.
9.Thou shall not be boring, untidy, inelegant, and unaware at times.
10. Especially, thou shall be thy owns best friend, know what your doing and where you're going (what day is it anyway?) at all times
11. Thou shall not place other guards before your own.
12. Thou shall not make any grain image unto the guard or thy people
13. Though shall not take the name colorguard in vain
14. Remember the rehersal days and keel them holy by attending them.
15. Thou shall not kill the equipment out of frustration.
16. Thou shall not disrespect other guardies.
17. Thou shall not steal from fellow guardies
18 Thou shall not bear false witness against fellow gaurdies.
19. Thou shall not covet thy fellows equipment, water, or spot in the show.
20. Honor thy sport unto which you work at. Put all thy spirit and mind, and thou shall recieve a great reward!



Color Guard Laws


You've all heard the philosophy, if it can go wrong, it will. Here are some similar theories reworded in color guard fashion.


-If any toss can be dropped, it will.
-If any toss can't be dropped, it will.
-After things have gone from bad to worse, spin.
-When the going gets tough, spin.
-Complex drill spots have simple, easy-to-understand wrong ways to get there.
-When you have no idea what you're doing, do it with your head up and a smile on your face.
-Remember that whatever misfortune may come, it would only be worse if you weren't in guard.
-Spinning is not the answer. Spinning in the question. "Yes" is the answer.



QUIZ


Is Color Guard your life?....Wanna find out?
Get a pen and paper and write your answers down.


1) If stranded on a desert island you would need:
a) a saber-to spin, and take out your aggression that you havn't been rescued yet
b) music-so you could dance
c) a cell phone so you could call someone and get rescued

2) If someone told you, you had to either quit colorguard or be shot you would
a) be shot-with out guard you migh as well be dead
b) try and fight them off
c) quit

3) Your best friends are:
a) in guard or band
b) some in guard or band some in other activities
c) not in guard at all

4) How many times have you hit yourself with a flag or sabre?
a) more times than I can count, but its worth it
c) More times that I care to remember-I hate it when that happens
c) I never hit myself

5) When Winter Guard season ends you:
a) cry
b) sleep
c) rejoice

6) If the world ended tomorrow you would want to be with:
a) your flag and the rest of the Guard
b) your family and friends
c) your family and dog

7) Your Idol is:
a) your guard instructor(s)
b) your big sister (who told you to be in guard)
c) I don't have an idol

8) This webpage shows:
a) dedication
b) having way to much free time
c) insane obsession


RESULTS!
If you picked mostly A's you are a true guard girl, spinning is your life and you are proud of it! If you picked mostly B's are you considering quitting? you like it but do you LOVE it? If you picked mostly C's OK, you are not in guard i don't know why you are pretending.



QUOTES


The be good is to practice till you can get it right, to be great is to practice till you can't get it wrong!

Not only am I perfect I'm in color guard too!

Do what I mean, not what I say.

Guard members are like family. (With a few exceptions, of course!)

Color guard takes a lot of strength and time and no one respects that.

Color guard...To those who know, no explanation is needed...To those who don't, no explanation is possible.

Practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect.

Sometimes we have to put up with the rain, before we can see a rainbow.

he next time you see some one at the top of a mountain...remember they didn't fall to get there.

Once a guardie, always a guardie.

To be on time is to be late and to be early is to be on time.

A guard that counts together stays together.

Is there life after practice?

If it wasn't going to be hard, everyone would do it.

No one said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it.

If you're gonna hit 'em, hit 'em hard, and if it's the percussion, hit 'em harder.

I'd rather be in a guard without a life, rather than in a life with no guard.

If you fall, ROLL OUT OF THE WAY!

Always remember to show your love for guard.

If it's gonna hurt, it better leave a mark!

Color guard is a halftime show with a band that won't sit still.

Color guard: Sweet little girls with big metal poles and guns!

Never hand a guard member a flag/rifle/sabre when they're mad! (And if you do, RUN!!!!!!)

I'm having a blonde moment...Please speak slowly and use small words.

Smile! It's good for ya!

You can never possibly catch a flag/rifle/sabre if you're thinking of ways to drop it.

True guardies know that "one more time" really means 50 more times.

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

I smile because I have no idea what's going on.

The drumline shares one brain.

There are two types of ppl in the world: those who spin, and those who wish they could.

Winning isn't everything...Winning and rubbing their faces in it is everything.

They're not "poles", they're FLAGS...they're not "swords", they're SABRES...they're not "guns", they're RIFLES...We don't "twirl" we SPIN... we don't "throw", we TOSS! Get it right or get out of my face!

The good things about hugs is that everytime you give one you get one back.

Shoot for the moon...Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.

I don't need your attitude...I've got my own!!

How exactly do you expect me to toss while I'm in between the bass drums?

If they're in the way--hit them--I guarentee there will be plenty of space after that.

You have 6 feet of pole and 48 inches of silk; you better catch SOMETHING!!!

Guard members make the announcement: "It's raining!" Guard instructor screams back: "I DON'T CARE IF DOROTHY AND TOTO FALL FROM THE SKY, KEEP SPINNING!!"

In school they taught us to count: 1,2,3,4,5...In color guard they messed us up with 1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and-5-and-...

Life is simple: Eat, sleep, spin.

I am your GUARDian Angel!

It's only when I'm spinning that I feel truly alive.

A diva is what I'm meant to be, so spinning just comes naturally.

Your achievements are determined by the desire you possess.

Practice as you perform and perform as you practice.

Early is on time, on time is late, and late is inexcusable



GUARD SURVIVAL KIT


A Toothpick...to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others.
A Rubberband...to remind you to be flexible; things might not always go the way you want
A Band Aid...to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's
An Eraser...to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's ok
A Penny...cuz you can always use a little luck
A Balloon...so you will always have a place to put your hot air
Chewing Gum...to remind you to stick with it! You can accomplish anything
A Ribbon...to tie everything together when it falls apart
Lastly, Hugs and Kisses...to remind you that there's always a friend there who cares



EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES


INSTRUCTORS BEWARE! Instead of just saying "I messed up" guardies have an excuse for everything and there is always something to whine about, especially during those long Saturday practices. Here are just a few examples.


The pole is wet and slippery!
I'm looking into a light (or the sun) and can't see the pole!
The fabric is too heavy.
My nerd is loose.
I have to re-tape my flag.
My wrist hurts.
My weights are uneven.
It's too windy.
(Insert name here) got too close and I would have had to hit them.
I lost count.
My hand slipped.
My hand missed the pole.
My thumb is jammed up.
The silk is coming loose.
I can't hear you counting.
I can't see the drum major.
I was distracted by the football players. (Ahem... Dasha.)
The person next to me was going too slow and it messed me up.
I'm too tired.
I'm really thirsty.
I don't do that work in the show so why practice that technique?
I pulled a muscle.
I thought we were doing something else.
It's that time of the month...
I just got hit in the head.
It's too hot out.
My hands are too cold.
I didn't stretch good enough.
We've been practicing all day!
The pit doesn't move, so why should we?
I'm hungry.
I left my gloves at home and it feels weird without them.
I forgot my equipment.
Sweat got in my eyes.
A bug flew in my eye!
My hair came loose and I had to put it back up.
What? I did it right, they're all doing it wrong!
I thought you changed the work.
I feel sick.
My shoe fell off.
The strap on my rifle is too loose.
The strap feels weird and makes the rifle spin weird.
The sabre hit my hand!
I tripped.
A rookie was asking me how to do something.
I have a blister on my foot.
My hand is bleeding.
I was listening to Daniel, Michael.
That's as far as my toe points.
Someone hit me with their pole.
Don't you remember you changed the work?
I need to use the bathroom again.
The flag got caught in my shirt.
I had a sail.
A bee was on my arm and almost stung me.
I can't do leg lifts. The doctor said I sprained my uterus.
The bottoms of my feet are bruised!
The floor is crooked.
This isn't my rifle! (Or flag. Or sabre.)
I'm at the front so I HAVE to be right.
My legs and arms are sore.
I tossed it, looked up, and all I saw was PURPLE!
My nerd flew off.
The wind blew my dress in my face so I couldn't see to pick up my flag!
The drummer (*glare*) got in my way.
I got lost in the toaster.
My flag is afraid of heights.
My rifle bit me.
All this glitter has made me partially blind.

FUNDRAISING EXCUSES

Maybe on the way out.
No, sorry I don't live around here.
I don't have any money.
I already gave a dollar to the other girl.
No, not today.
I only have a five.
No thanks.



POEMS


COLOR GUARD PRAYER:

When the music starts and we stand proud and true
Please oh Lord! Let the judges like what we do

May I stay in rhythm; let me not lose my count
for I dread they will see and point me out

I ask not for myself but for the whole
let us march in straight lines, and not on our toes

May my hands be true even though they're black and blue
It's the price we must pay for the tosses that get way

Protect me oh Lord! from you know who
They couldn't catch a cold you know this is true

When the show's almost over and the fans are on their feet
keep me smiling that same smile, even though I cannot breathe

By:unknown


BANDS AT FOOTBALL GAMES:

It seems that in the public mind today,
That bands and football are entwined to say.
My history is week, I can't recall,
How marching bands became entwined w/ football.
They're not alike, by no co-interest scaled,
All that they have in common is the feild.
I'll come right out and state right where I stand,
That of the two my favorite is the band,
I've watched football for thirty years or more,
And never really cared about the score,
It's half time which has drawn me to the stands,
It's then that I can watch and hear the bands,
Not hear them well, the crowd is loud throughout,
Just waiting for the second half no doubt,
They've had poor training, you always can tell,
When the bands march, you're not to yell.
And sad it is, when happens in this land,
Some fourth rate team backed by a first rate band.
That band applauds and cheers and plays, AHEM, That football team should be applauding them!
Mines not the veiw of most I understand, For me there's something special 'bout the band!!

Copyright 1994 by George Yenetchi


A JOB WELL DONE:

Dragging along wearily, feet scuffing the floor
So relieved to finnally enter home's door
Baggage is shed and forgotten for the night
Crawling up the stairs requires all your might

As you wash away all of the sweat and tears,
you know that this day will stand out among your years
The pains of an aching body and tired muscles fade
With Visions of crowds screaming your name
Bright lights and brilliant colors flash before your eyes
You're there amid the drums, the wails, and the cries
Of all those pushing and straining with you to win
An effort to avenge the losses that have been

And when the victory's won, and the screams subside
After the last embrace, once the tears of joy have been cried
You can finnaly rest, for the day has been won
Sinking against the pillows, a job well done

Copyright 1999 by Elizabeth Knight


COLOR GUARD

For many of you who do not know,
Us guardies put on one hell of a show.
Where would the band be without the guard,
Keeping the crowd on their feet would be so hard.

We twirl all our rifles, flags, and sabers with ease
We do our best since the crowd we must please.
We move to the music and twirl to the beat,
Anything and everything to get the crowd on their feet.

We will practice at any time,
Using any place we can find.
Twirling pool sticks at the pool hall,
Marching in step at the mall.

Your fellow guardies are your friends,
Your second family til the end.
They will always be there for you,
And help you though and through.

From bus trips and parades,
Special bonds are made.
Though there is no time to sleep,
There's always a schedule to keep.

In the end guard is great,
To be a member was no mistake.
Memories will always last,
Even though time will go by so very fast.

By: unknown



NICE THINGS TO DO FOR YOUR GUARD


Beads-Pick out a color to represent the past shows that each guard member has done and add them to a safety pin. Give them to all the members of the guard at the first performance of the season. You can wear them on your uniform everytime you perform for good luck.

Memos- Write a nice memo to encourage the rest of your members or rookies about a competition or performance.

Survival Kit-- Make a Guard survival kit and put them in a plastic bag or something of that sort. **see above for the survival kit.