I’m going for it.

This is a very exciting proposal put forward by Rhythm X’s director, Craig Dunn. I’ve been working very hard to build a grassroots campaign around the proposal. So far, the support has been overwhelming. The first round of voting takes place May 15th. If it passes, it will be brought to the Board of Directors for a final vote in July.

This has already been a very rewarding experience. Even if it fails to pass, the excitement generated within the community has been very inspiring. 

The following is the official proposal:

—

Proposal:

Proposal to Remove WGI’s Independent World Class Age Limit

Rationale:
Everyone involved in WGI shares a passion for the activity. Hard work and long hours make each season something very special, year after year. WGI Independent Percussion ensembles consistently innovate and push the activity, and all of its related art forms, at a growing rate. 

Yet despite all the activity does to foster growth and innovation in marching percussion, an age-out rule eliminates, every April without fail, one of the activity’s most valuable assets: experienced, passionate performers. (continued)

Eliminating the age rule has been proposed before. In fact, we are used to hearing several arguments supporting the current age-out rule. The most popular argument is the desire to preserve WGI as a youth activity. This is a matter of personal preference, as WGI’s own mission statement makes absolutely no mention of a desired or intended age-based culture. It reads “WGI Sport of the Arts exists to foster positive experiences for all who participate, by promoting education, creativity and freedom of expression through the unification of pageantry and the performing arts.” 

Simply put, WGI is about providing an experience through art regardless of age, race, gender, or any other orientation.

It is also important to consider the existing culture in Independent World class groups. Approximately 90% of members in the top six Independent World ensembles are at least 18 years of age, which means they are either enrolled in college or have entered the workforce. But even more importantly, it means they are legal adults. 

These post-high-school environments are not bound by any age restriction, nor can they be accurately described as exclusively youth oriented. Put another way, most members of Independent World ensembles have already transitioned away from youth cultures and are now living in an adult oriented environment. The argument that the culture of Independent World Lines is exclusively youth-oriented is inaccurate in 2009.

Another popular argument is that groups will be overrun by older members. International ensembles such as Aimachi testify that groups without age restrictions are not overrun by older members and do not dramatically stifle the current culture. In his eight months with Aimachi, Chris Leone (member 2007-2008) can only recall positive experiences and observations associated with having a diverse age group. Being able to not only instruct, but also perform with younger members fostered a very positive and effective educational environment. Also, despite the age diversity, the culture within the ensemble was not unlike anything he had personally experienced in American ensembles bound by an age limit. 

Another very important reality is the physical rigors demanded by the activity at the top level. If current productions already push performers to their limits, both musically and physically, there will not be many older members who can physically keep up. This alone will limit participation to those in their physical prime or close to it.

Some observe that professional percussion opportunities exist once a performer has aged out of WGI. While there is no denying this, it is important to recognize the indoor percussion art form as an activity that requires unique skills and performance abilities to produce a unique result. One would not throw away Monet’s brushes and paints and tell him to make do with Photoshop.
Another concern is there would be a shortage of instructors without an age out rule, implying instructing is the next logical step after aging out. However, an educator who is not passionate about teaching does not remain an educator for long. If someone wants to teach, they make the choice to do so, as should a member who’s heart lies in performing.

One last argument we often hear is that it’s time for members to “move on.” This implies that the marching activity is somehow a developmental hindrance. 

Because rehearsals take place only on weekends, WGI ensembles are able to provide a high quality recreational outlet to full-time professionals and educators who are still eager to perform in the indoor marching activity but are still focused on developing their careers. Other international groups, composed almost exclusively of full-time students and professionals, manage to lead career driven lifestyles while still committing to their ensembles.

Similarly, Wayne Gibson, section leader of Rhythm X’s pit in 2009, worked full time as an engineer at a nuclear power plant in southern Maryland and still managed to fulfill his responsibilities to the ensemble. International members and people like Wayne choose to march because they are passionate about participating in WGI.
Finding true happiness and passion in something we do is nothing short of a gift and it should never be forcefully taken away from anyone. Period.

Indoor percussion on the whole will benefit in many ways from an all-age class.

First, and most obvious, will be the overall increase in talent among groups. Members are only beginning to peak when they age out. By giving them the opportunity to return, we are welcoming back our activity’s most talented and experienced performers who can continue to set the example for younger, less-experienced members. As a result, overall participation will increase. Groups that struggle to fill membership will have access to a much larger talent pool, and new organizations will have a greater chance of success. Also, having more groups will open more doors for less experienced members looking for an opportunity to perform and learn.

Finally, a practical point: organizations run on money, not love. Financial obstacles are omnipresent. By opening the doors to older performers, who are more likely to be employed full time, organizations will have better financial prospects leading to more financially stable organizations. 

In any activity or organization that evolves remarkably from one year to the next, it is important that those in charge don’t suppress growth. WGI’s world-class performers are the best the marching percussion activity has to offer. They are ambassadors of the art. They push the activity year after year, they set the example, and they are mentors to younger members. That being said, groups will still have full discretion over the culture they choose to foster within their organization and who they choose to invite into it. With the elimination of the age rule, groups are simply provided the option to tap into a larger resource pool. 

Every WGI performer is very fortunate to have found a passion that fuels a determination to be great. Without fail, the activity continues to bring out the best in people season after season in an environment so special and unique that it’s nearly impossible to duplicate. Giving everyone the option with the ability, talent and passion to continue performing would only be a positive step forward for everyone involved. 
It was the student’s passion that pushed them to work hard, practice incessantly, make sacrifices, and push themselves through walls to perform at such a high level. They have earned the right to choose, for themselves, when it is time to walk away from an activity they have come to love so well.

Financial Impact:
Organizations with members employed full time will have better financial prospects potentially leading to more financially stable organizations. 
Increasing eligibility could potentially lead to more competitive groups in the WGI circuit.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/29/swine.flu/index.html

I’m biking more and more these days. To this point I’ve only done trail (with the exception of whizzing through the city coming back/going to the trails). Since I got into biking (2003), I’ve wanted a good road bike both for the different riding experience and so I could do serious riding when trails are not an option. 

Thanks to a steady paycheck and a fever I could no longer suppress, here she is:

(that’s her sister in the background)

Some people have unique names and rank well without having to try. “Chris Leone,” however, brings back over 5 million results including IMDB and journalist listings. These are guys with powerful inbound links and lots of content. 

As I’ve mentioned before, I think ranking well for your name is a huge opportunity many people haven’t figured out. People complain about what they show up for (if at all) and don’t see an opportunity to market themselves, their skills, and their brand. 

I’m happy I achieved my goal but there’s still more work to be done. SEO is an ongoing process so I have to continue to work to maintain top position.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/opinion/16tue3.html?_r=1

My Christmas Tree!

Bargained the tree guy down from $15 to $10

I hung my first strand of outdoor lights last night. Hanging them outside my window was harder than I expected. Keeping safety in mind, I tied a line to a support column in my apartment and then through my belt loops just in case I slipped. I still have one more window to go. The look I was going for was “obnoxious/overly festive tenant.” How’d I do?

Finally, I wanted to decorate my front door. A couple of my neighbors had already done theirs…

…but I decided to go for something different. Something not so “mainstream.” Something….for the rest’v us!

Why this should succeed: This is very analogous to the SEO/PPC model in Google. If you want INSTANT visibility on the top page, you have to pay your way there (i.e. PPC, aka sponsored results). Organic listings, ESPECIALLY front page listings, take time to achieve. Anyone who wants their video seen now, whether it be a Fortune 500 company or a tiny garage band trying to get their music out there, can seize this opportunity for high visibility. Youtube previously existed solely on the organic model, but now users have options. If they want it now, they can get it - if the price is right
 

Here’s an example: If you’re a garage band with a 90’s grunge sound, you should bid on the terms “Nirvana,” “Smashing Pumpkins,” “Mudhoney,” “Sunny Day Real Estate,” etc. This way you can directly target your potential listening audience.

According to NASA, it will be ten years before the next moon mission. The current missions aren’t as glamorous so as a result, they don’t receive much press. They are, however, just as important and exciting.

NASA has found a way to engage both the science community and other more casual followers of the space program such as myself: they personified their Martian and galactic robot explorers with Twitter.

The concept is simple. An earthling tweets what the little robotic explorer is experiencing and doing - and does so in the ‘voice’ of the robot.

This is successful on two levels. First, it provides the quick and simple communication that is inherent with Twitter. I was more informed on this particular mission than any other mission in my lifetime. I didn’t have to read through boring press releases to get to the juicy stuff. The tweets were digestible and informative.

But even more importantly; beyond all the science jibba jabba was the personification of the Mars Lander itself.

I watched a Star Wars science documentary earlier tonight. It analyzed the technology of the Star Wars universe and how it is/could be applied in our world. In truth, several of the technologies seen in original trilogy were the inspiration for modern day scientists and engineers. Possibly one of the biggest breakthroughs was when Lucas gave R2-D2 and C-3PO distinct personalities.

He made them more than droids. He made them characters. Characters with traits and personalities. This critical element allows us to sympathize with them; empathize with them. The field of robotics is inspired by the human element Lucas gave R2 and C-3PO in 1977. In 2008, NASA applied this formula to @MarsPhoenix, @CassiniSaturn, @Marsrovers, and @Marssciencelab and went beyond the entertainment value. They have engaged a community and created a following in the name of science and exploration.

Unfortunately, the engaging human element became even more real when our good friend @MarsPhoenix sent his last tweet. The Martian winter finally caught up with him.

We all knew it was coming.

He prepared us with an explanation of what he was facing, what it would do to his circuits, and how it’s unlikely he’ll be able to wake up when the seasons turn warm again (approx 12 months from now, since Martian seasons are twice as long Earth’s).

He took enough time to say his farewells. He even held a user submitted epitaph contest. When he had more to say than the 140 character Twitter limit would allow, he guest blogged on Gizmodo. Knowing his ultimate fate, he wrote a final entry that was only to be posted after his time had come to an end. The article can be found below.

I’ll admit, it got me a little teary eyed. This was a little bot I felt like I had come to know. I sent him messages wishing him luck. But most importantly, I learned from him.

This is about connection. This is about engagement. And NASA just hit it out of the park.

Phoenix guest blogging on Giz:
Hello World, Phoenix Lander Here
This is What Landing On Mars Feels Like
Martian Ice Is Why I’m Alive and Why I’m Dying
This is My Farewell Transmission From Mars

Phoenix Epitaph Contest

NASA Explorers on Twitter

@MarsPhoenix
@CassiniSaturn
@Marsrovers
@Marssciencelab