Success can come in many shapes and forms. One person's success can be another person's failure. I guess to an extent success can be relative. I believe that I have been a really successful person over the last 4 years. I have taught 3 amazing drum corps. Going back to teach at the Blue Devils now (which still seems unbelievable!). Designing for a drum corps at the age of 25 (which also still seems unbelievable!!!!) I'm starting to get to a new level of success not only with what I already mentioned, but with helping others because of my own accomplishments.

I've been helping my cousin on his own project. I'm not going to mention anything about it because it's still pretty secretive. It's something so awesome though and I'm so proud of him. I'm happy that he is achieving his dreams and that I have a small piece of that with him. I can't wait for it to get rolling!

Mr. Chace Leblanc, someone I view not only as my friend and fraternity brother, but also like a real brother, just made the 14 time DCI World Champion Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. To some people this may not seem like a success. Afterall it is just marching band right? But to us from a small town like Erath, Louisiana this is something huge. Chace has wanted to be a part of this organization for the past 4 years. He is finally achieving his dream. How special is that? Nothing good comes easy, as my dad would say. I worked my butt off to get where I am today and I can't even explain how happy it makes me to see Chace get the same opportunity to be a part of the organization like I did. Even more special is I get to see him everyday with the corps as I'm on the vis staff there now.

I've now taught Chace in every competitive ensemble he has ever been in. Everything from the Erath High School band, to the Academy drum and bugle corps, the Madison Scouts, The Troopers, and now BD. I've literally seen him grow up from a stupid young kid (not an insult... we have ALL been there) to a fine young man. He has come a long way in the last 5 years and I'm so happy that I can have witnessed it firsthand.

I have no doubt that 2011 will be the best summer for us as a teacher - student relationship. I can't wait for the day when I can call him my colleague. August 13th, 2011 marks the last day that I'll be able to call Chace my student. It'll definitely be a bittersweet day for me. I remember vividly how much work he had to do in 2008, his first year marching drum corps, and how for he has come every summer since then. Chace Leblanc has definitely found success for himself and I couldn't be prouder of him.

Tim

  Yesterday was not the best day I've ever had. It also wasn't the worst but I guess for the last few months I've been spoiled to quite amazing days. It started when I was offered to be on the Blue Devil's visual staff. I can't even express in words how excited and honored I feel about this opportunity. It'll definitely feel great to be "back home" and be able to give back to the corps that has given me me so much. Then I received the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps drill writing job. Another way that I am just so blessed. I feel so honored to be a part of such another great organization. I have accomplished so much at such an early age. Most people in their 30's and 40's are still waiting got gigs like I already have. (As a side note that also makes me ask the question "why me?")

  But yesterday was not one of those days that I felt blessed. I saw something that I have been missing in my life. Something that I have been wanting for the last 7 years. As much as I love "my job" I'm pretty sure that if push came to shove I would give up everything for this one thing that's been missing in my life. But I guess I'm greedy and want my cake and eat it too. haha. Maybe it's time to just focus on me and stop waiting for certain things to happen? Do I move away again and go teach bands in Dallas? Do I stay at home and teach the Alma Mater? These are all things I need to think about and figure out. You know, I have always.... ALWAYS accomplished my goals. I have always done what I set out to do. It may have been years after I started but I did end up doing everything. There is just one thing that I feel slipping away from me. It's not a feeling that I'm used to.

  Just like the title of this blog says today is a new day. Everyday we ALL have the opportunity to reevaluate our lives and change whatever we want, where we are going, etc. Is today the day that I start to let go? Quite possibly. It's just always hard to let go of something you have wanted for 7 years. Well if you made it this far I certainly appreciate your listening to my venting. Sometimes it's better just to let it all out to the public and not hold back anything.

  Anyway, it's time to put away all those negative feelings and get going on a positive way of life again. That's going to start with a difficult "Insanity" workout. Then hopefully I'll land some more drill design jobs today and go from there. Have a good day!

Tim

Sorry that it has been a few days since I have posted. I have been BEYOND busy. I landed a few more design jobs so I've been doing a lot of work with that. I'm taking a few minutes to relax and write this blog and then back at work for another few hours. Tonight's agenda is to make a general outline of a show I'm designing containing: staging ideas, main effect points of the show, etc.

As I think about my life over the last few years I feel extremely blessed to have come so far in such a short amount of time. I'm really working hard to achieve my dreams and they are starting to come true! Now is the moment I have waited for. Now is the moment to work hard and push through and show what I can do. Now is the moment I have waited for. I wake up every single day loving life and loving the cards that I have been dealt. I intend to make the most of my situation because not everyone gets the opportunity to realize their dreams. I hope everyone has a great and safe weekend!!

Tim

So now that the website is nearly done, it's time to get started on some BD homework. Hopefully that doesn't take as long as the website did. A few hours of hard work on that then I'm going out to see Big Sam's Funky Nation tonight at Artmosphere in Lafayette, Louisiana. It should be a good time with good friends!

   Well the 2010 fall season has long been gone but I can't help but think about on all the good times... as well as the challenging times. It was my first year working with the Erath High School Band since 2006. Lots had changed. All the members were different and I felt like an outsider at my own alma mater. I think it's safe to say that members never had to work as hard as they did on a marching show than in 2010. The show was tough (180 beats a minute for a good part of the show, some 4 to 5 while playing). Not only was the show tough but the attention to detail I demanded out of them was higher than they ever thought was possible on the marching field. I'm so proud of this little band and how far they came in such a short time.

   Some accomplishments that stick out from the fall season are:

   - 6th place overall in Finals at Showcase (smallest band that made the top 10)

   - 3rd place overall at Sulphur with the best overall drum line, 2nd place overall guard

        (one judge gave us a perfect score in GE, perfect score in music, and a 98% in marching)

I also designed and did some clinics for the Thibodaux and NISH high school bands. Both were a treat to work with! The members work hard and both have highly motivated and knowledgable directors. Out of the 32 bands at the Louisiana Showcase of Marching Bands, Thibodaux was one of only TEN that made straight superiors!! Truly an outstanding accomplishment. The members at NISH were EXTREMEMLY hard working. I have no doubt that this little band will begin to "make some noise" (pun intended) in the near future.

Tim

Thanks to Jordan Lalama for the advice and help on the first version of the site!!

Thanks to Kellie Viola for the pointers last night and the good time at Bisbanos!!

I owe both of you some beverages at some point!!  

Hey everyone! This is my very first blog ever! First off, thank you very much for visiting my page. It is still a work in progress but I'm happy with the way it looks for now. I'll try and update my blog as often as possible. It'll be a way for you to follow up on the way things are going during the summer and I'll offer random quotes, jokes, etc. at different times.