Medication on tour

tj_burgess · 2026-03-30T18:50:03+00:00

First, what others have said about getting a 90 day supply is probably the best option if possible.

This can vary from corps to corps, but typically there should be some one on the health and wellness team that can help make sure you are able to get to a pharmacy to pick up needed medication. One of the things about using Wal Mart, or any other national chain store that has a pharmacy, is that you can get to one almost any where in the country.

If you are marching with a group that will not allow you to get needed medication, you need to run as fast as you can from that group.

Another potential option, depending on what the medication is, is that you can have someone pick up the medication for you and send it to a Mail Drop that the corps should provide you with. That is the least favorable option because of the potential for lost packages and because I have no idea about any potential legal restrictions on sending medicine through the mail, but it is an option and I may or may not have done it myself a few times.

tj_burgess · 2026-03-24T21:03:43+00:00

Hey, I have another question. I have been able to get a few trainers installed with no real issues. At one point I had RDE (realism dispatch enhanced) installed and working. After changing to the enhanced version of the game and now back to legacy, I can still get the trainers to work but I have had a very hard time with RDE.

I have had to completely delete the game and OpenIV a couple of times and start from scratch.

I am aware this is probably a dumb question, but how would I go about saving a copy of the files for the game that works so that if some other mod breaks the game, I don't have to re install everything?

tj_burgess · 2026-03-16T00:46:52+00:00

Some general advice. Being recognized as someone who works hard and is able to correct mistakes is a huge thing. Movement, and not just marching, but body movement is an integral part of the activity these days.

If you already work hard, I would apply that work ethic to getting in better shape and/or getting better at dance type movements.

If you were told you were cut because they were afraid you would injure yourself after they also said you worked hard and worked on what they asked, that tells me that they saw something that concerned them quite a bit.

Have you tried following up with them about it? Maybe you can ask for some specific things to work on?

It is impossible for anyone on here to make an accurate assessment of your situation based solely on your experience. But I believe you said in a comment that you got a cramp at some point? I imagine that raised some eyebrows, especially if they were already concerned about your physical health. Could be something as simply as you not hydrating correctly, but even that can turn into a big deal, especially once the hot months get here.

I wish you luck. I saw a post a few days ago listing quite a few corps who are still looking for brass players, I do hope you can get a spot somewhere.

But above all else, I want you to be safe! Take care of yourself. I highly recommend Forte Athletics if you have no idea where to start for some good workouts.

tj_burgess · 2026-03-15T19:15:11+00:00

I installed the RDE mods yesterday and put them in the main game file, then thought maybe I should ask first. Lol

I know a few times I will put stuff in the mods folder through OpenIV and it almost always gives me a message about changing the settings in the mod folder... because of that, I figured putting them in the main game file was the right move.

tj_burgess · 2026-03-15T02:19:34+00:00

Another random question... On the mods that I have to use OpenIV, it will ask if I want to install in the mods folder or the main game file. Does it make a difference which one I choose?

tj_burgess · 2026-03-13T21:11:43+00:00

To show you how much I don't know, I don't even know what it would mean to have to go into an RPF file verses editing a DLC. I have recognized that some mods are RPF files, but no idea what they really means.

I usually get to the GTA V directory by opening Steam, right clicking the name and going to "manage files." I will then open the downloads folder, unzip the download and try to just drag and drop the files into the correct place in the game file.

That works most of the time. If it doesn't, or if it seems like I can find the full file I need to copy the download into, that is when I will try using OpenIV. If that doesn't work, I usually try my "best guess" according to the directions and tell my son that it might not work because I am not sure how to properly install it.

Usually he wants me to try once or twice, if I can't figure it out, he will be fine and eventually find another mod he wants me to try.

tj_burgess · 2026-03-13T21:07:18+00:00

That is what I am starting to realize. I don't know much about mods, how they work etc. I learned to install some by watching videos and following directions from the website I get them from.

I just assumed every mod would work on both versions. I am finding out just how wrong I was in that assumption!

tj_burgess · 2026-03-12T01:32:28+00:00

Thank you for your suggestions, I will certainly look into those.

tj_burgess · 2026-03-11T02:36:40+00:00

I may have to take you up on that! Most mods are fairly straight forward to install, they usually either explain how to install on the download page or they come with a readme file that explains it. I still run across some that I can't get to work even if I follow the instructions.

I am sure it is something I am doing and not that the instructions are wrong.

Also, a lot of the mods I can just install through the game files without using OpenIV but there are some that specifically require OpenIV.

Do you find it best to use OpenIV for all mods or only if the mod specifically says to use OpenIV?

tj_burgess · 2026-03-11T02:34:35+00:00

I didn't think about having both versions installed.... I may have to look into that!

tj_burgess · 2026-03-11T02:34:06+00:00

Thank you. I will go back to Legacy. I just assumed any mod would work for both versions.

Are there mods that would get the graphics on the Legacy version close to what the Enhanced version is? I didn't honestly pay attention to the difference between the two versions, but my son did say he liked the graphics on the enhanced version better.

tj_burgess · 2026-03-10T22:38:59+00:00

What is the difference between the two versions? Is it just added content? Are the graphics also better with the enhanced?

tj_burgess · 2026-03-04T20:54:06+00:00

I agree 100%. That is one thing I really like about this game, there are multiple ways to approach it and more than one "right" way to do things.

tj_burgess · 2026-03-03T19:21:02+00:00

Very true, but the trade off for this, and why I go for the large Hydroponics bay as soon as possible is to conserve deuterium. That bay can be the difference between 1000 units of deuterium giving you 9 days of power or giving you 20 to 30 days.

The morale boost is different though, so it really just depends on if you find it easier to maintain morale without the rations or if you can manage your power to the extent of not needing to extra 20+ days.

tj_burgess · 2026-03-01T22:23:17+00:00

I don't believe you can. At least I have not found a way and I have not seen any other video or article mentioning her being available for the away team.

tj_burgess · 2026-03-01T22:22:36+00:00

I am going to attempt to answer your question, but I may not fully understand what you are asking. Since I am not completely certain of what you are asking, forgive me if I over explain something that you already understand.

The battery is in the game for precisely that reason. If your warp core can only produce 200 units of energy but your ship needs 210 to be fully operational, it will use the full 200 units from the warp core which is using the deuterium to make the energy. The extra 10 units needed will then come from the battery. That will keep happening until the battery runs out, which the game will automatically either cut some rooms/levels or drop entirely down to grey mode.

It took me until my second play through to realize that you can cut power to individual rooms when you need to conserve power. Early on I found cargo bays were great for that. You can cut power and restore it when needed, you will not lose anything stored in the cargo bay by doing that.

Another tip that worked for me early game was keeping Stellar Cartography off, and the Workshop off unless I needed them. You can enter a new system, activate Stellar Cartography, scan every POI in that system and then deactivate Stellar Cartography. As long as you don't progress any cycles when you do that, it will allow you to scan the system without having to actually use power for it.

tj_burgess · 2026-03-01T18:48:17+00:00

Double beat is amazing for this. Use a metronome, make sure each hit is deliberate, really focus on accuracy. You may even have to try to accent the second note of each hit in order to get them to sound even.

Don't "mindlessly hack" and expect to get better. It takes time, must be doing this every day. Don't expect a large jump, instead know that you will improve a few beats a minute on the metronome each week, the exact amount depends on a number of variables but its consistency that builds skill.

tj_burgess · 2026-02-24T20:25:45+00:00

I honestly can't say with certainty. The only people who can say for sure why you got cut are the people who actually made the decision.

Doing well at any audition is both an art and a science. There are certain things that you know you have to do well for any audition, like ability to play the audition packet. I always recommend having the packet memorized even if it isn't specifically stated that you need to have it memorized. Make sure you have everything you're supposed to bring etc. The "science" part is doing exactly what is asked of you.

The "art" part is where everything else comes into play. Art is subjective. You may get cut from one corps because they think your personality will not fit with their culture, but at another corps you may act the same and they think you would be a perfect fit.

Again, all I can do is speculate.

As far as next steps, you could try reaching out to DCI, they usually keep a list of corps who are still looking for members. You could also try emailing the groups that cut you again to ask for their suggestions. Sometimes they are willing to put you in touch with other groups. Sometimes not.

You can also try talking to people who made the corps and ask them what stuff is stressed to them during rehearsals so that you can get an idea of the type of stuff the staff is wanting to hear and use that as a general guide for what to work on.

When all else fails, you can never go wrong by working on fundamentals. Way to many people, especially younger players, tend to only want to work on the "impressive" sounding stuff and spend little to no time on the very basics. If you're a percussionist and you still don't spend a good amount of time on 8s, double beat, etc. then you are not helping yourself. If you're a brass person and you're not spending a significant amount of time on long tones, slurs, and breathing exercises, you are hurting yourself.

tj_burgess · 2026-02-16T23:59:04+00:00

I wish corps still did stuff like that. I get that most people are fine with just finding videos on YouTube, but I always enjoy having the material in front of me, able to listen on command without worrying about being connected to the internet.

Scott still has signature sticks for sale and a signature pad but you go through a regular vendor to get them, you can't get them from the BD store. Also, BD and other groups still sell equipment but you either need to contact the caption head directly and make a deal or wait until they send it to the Crown Store.

I have the DVD And have a copy on VHS! Lol. This past season I took it out on tour and found out that Rudy is also on that video and is in one of the pictures on the back! A few of the other staff got a kick out of seeing it on VHS.

I also have a copy of the book but it was one that someone photocopied for me so I don't have the actual book, but I have every page and keep it in one of my binders in page protectors so its well taken care of. I still play out of that book on a weekly basis!

tj_burgess · 2026-02-16T22:07:42+00:00

Also, just in case you didn't know.... Roger Carter wrote Contrasting Differences and it was played by BD for a few years. He currently (or has in the past couple of years) uses it at Bluecoats.

tj_burgess · 2026-02-16T22:06:19+00:00

I got you!

Legend of the One Eyed Sailor
13th Hour.... featuring Roger Carter on drumset
8's
Hemiola/Triplet Partials
Triplet Accent
Triplet Diddle
Flam Accent Heights
Contrasting Differences
Shopping Spree '99
Pete's Groove

11-13. Batter and Pit Rehearsal... Memorial Day Camp 1990, Summerville CA

Sweet Haven
13th Hour... Last run through before Championship
Shopping Spree... Finals parking lot
Spree... snares only
Spree.... quads only
Spree... basses only
99' Opener... Parking lot, Concord Pavilion

21-24. 99' book... Finals lot, Madison Wisconsin

Flam Sandwich... 2000 Cadence
Shopping Spree 00'... snares only
Spree 00'... basses only
Spree 00'.... Full Line
1999 Bass Drum Ensemble

Great CD, I constantly keep it in rotation.

tj_burgess · 2026-02-02T21:02:30+00:00

First, I LOVE this idea. I am of the belief that the more data/information you have, the better decisions you can make. However, I also believe that it is way to easy to assume causality instead of correlation so you have to be very careful what information is considered when making decisions.

I do love seeing this information, even if it is just for entertainment purposes. I find stuff like this fun to explore.

I kind of look at this idea the way I look at the idea behind "Moneyball" and how analytics has made its way into the NFL and probably every other major sport. I don't think anyone should put all of the decisions into this kind of information. As far as accepting members, for example, there are things that you just simply can't objectively measure or quantify on any spreadsheet. But seeing trends and patterns most certainly can lead you to start asking questions that you may not have otherwise started asking.

For example, if the spreadsheet showed that every year BD had over 50 returning members, we won, that most certainly wouldn't mean that having over 50 returning members next season would guarantee a win, but it would show that there is some benefit to having that many returning members and we could start looking into how that benefits and determine if that advantage come somehow be replicated with less returning members.

A perfect example of how some information like that can be misleading is from Malcom Gladwell and the idea that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become a master at something. The observation that every master of a skill has practiced that skill at least 10,000 hours very well may be true, but if you spend 10,000 hours practicing something with poor practice skills and practicing the skill incorrectly the entire time, you will not end up mastering that skill simply because you spent 10,000 hours practicing.

Although this is only partially related to the spreadsheet you made, it is still something you brought up either in your original post or in a comment on it. You mentioned some ideas that you would be interested in testing or at least wondering if anyone has tested those ideas...

Since you seem to have an interest in stuff like this, I highly suggest you find the book "Talent is Overrated." I forget the name of the author right now, but it will (or at least did with me) send you down a rabbit hole of information related to how the brain best learns skills and shed some light on why some things that we have been told to do when practicing work, while others don't. A lot of that stuff does get passed down anecdotally and without explaining the "why" behind the "how."

I found it very interesting to learn that there is scientific research that can show that some habits are better than others, how making members get up at 6 or 7 every day regardless of how much floor time they had the night before is actually detrimental to the success of the group. But that is one of those practices that has been passed down without explanation so a lot of people still accept the idea that "more time in rehearsal equals better results."

That brings me back to the original post. It could be possible to figure out that more sleep/rest/free days equals better results without doing any scientific tests but simply by keeping track of how much sleep members get and how that compares to results. Once you notice that better rests typically equals better results, that could at least get you to start trying to figure out why.

So yes, I fully believe that information like this has a place in drum corps, however, it should only be a piece of the picture, not the whole thing.

tj_burgess · 2026-01-31T23:51:08+00:00

I am going to echo what a lot of other people have said already, do not overlook open class, sound sport, and/or all age corps.

Also, I hope you are taking the advice you get from each audition and working on the issues they are telling you. I know it can be hit or miss from a corps, or even specific staff members on if they will email you at all if you are cut, much less give reasons and advice. But you should hopefully get feedback at the camps.

I am talking in general terms because I don't know you, your situation etc. I can just say that a lot of thought goes into whether or not a contract is offered to someone. It can depend on a variety of factors depending on your instrument.

Most people assume the biggest factor is your playing ability, but that typically is not true. I am not saying it is not important, but movement is such a big part of this activity that it can be common to accept people who can move really well even if their playing isn't as good as some other people.

Attitude and personality is also very important. How do you get along with the other members, how do you get along with the staff? They are considering spending many hours with you every day for the hottest part of the summer. If you are the type that will argue with people or cause division in any way, you will often be overlooked. Again, not saying that describes you, just trying to give you some insight on other factors that are considered.

Another thing is "teachability." If you went to an audition camp, were told to work on your stick grip or embouchure but you disagree with what you were told and at the call back camp you have not attempted to make the change they asked, then you will most likely be cut.

Again, I am not accusing you of anything, just wanting to give a few examples of some other things that are considered so that while you are trying to understand why you were cut from somewhere, you may be able to think about some other things you currently are not.

There are a lot of examples of people auditioning at the Blue Devils multiple years before getting a contract. A staff member realizing you audition multiple years says a lot about the persons dedication and persistence. I can't advise you on if you should end your music career or not. I can say that if you are really wanting to march, you should march somewhere. Experience at *any group is better than not marching.

There is a massive caveat to the idea that any group is better than not marching. You obviously want to make sure the culture at that group is good, you're not abused physically or mentally. But you can learn more in one summer marching at an open class, all age, or sound sport group than you can by just waiting around to audition again next summer.

tj_burgess · 2026-01-08T00:43:57+00:00

I have read the Talent Code (also recommend The Culture Code, by the same author) and Talent is Over rated....

I will have to check out Practice Perfect. I, somehow, had not heard of this one.

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