[PrinceLightfoot]

5)  They spent half a year's pay to come to Southern California...and I'll tell you, every time I've ever visited any Midwestern city other than Chicago, I've thought to myself "Thank goodness I don't live here."  I'm sure Des Moines and all the other Iowa towns and cities are perfectly fine, but I'd rather live in Alviso than any one of them.  So when they visit our fair state, especially those here for the first time, they are a bit taken aback at how darned terrific it is.

Iowa:
I live in Des Moines and have for almost 10 years. With no previous midwest exposure or ties, I can say that I love it out here (except for Winter). The people are 10x more approachable than Californians and definitely nicer. While recognizing rural roots, there is enough here to entertain and satisfy the demands of an urbanite like myself. Do not knock it unless you have truly tried it.

Before The Rose Bowl:
Most of my friends (who are Hawkeye fans/alumni) were not looking forward to playing Stanford. Those who follow college football knew that our offense was too balanced and that would be a problem. On the other hand, they felt they would gash us rushing the ball. Of course, there were a few who brought up Northwestern comparisons as a point of hope. The all uniformly thought we wouldn't be able to handle a power offense for more than a half because we just do not face that in the PAC12 and our front seven was a weakness. We would lead at halftime, but they would make it a game by the 4th quarter. Most predicted a close game save for a couple of homers who still thought we were the PAC10.

All were very excited to be going to the Rose bowl. One of my best friends had been talking about it for years telling me that if Iowa ever went to the Rose bowl, he was definitely going to make the trip. The level of excitement was great to see. I wore Stanford gear the last day I worked and which raised eyebrows of those who didn't know me.

The LSJUMB
I am a former band member, so my bias says this was a tame performance at least compared to what we did in the 90s, but the script made sense contextually and was definitely not offensive. Several texted to me that the show was stupid or were bewildered having seen the LSJUMB for the first time; they just weren't used to seeing a scatter band and couldn't hear the narration. The perception definitely was that the band was making fun of Iowa for being a farm state.

The band's level of musicianship will not become better because that means excluding those who cannot play making the band so small it just isn't heard or not large enough to create meanigful formations. I was a professional trumpet player, but playing next to several below average trumpz created enough dissonance that it didn't matter. When it comes to creating "good" music within an ensemble, it only takes one playing out of tune to ruin what sounds "good". Raising the level of skill of less talented musicians requires an investment I am almost sure most are not willing to provide. Money will not solve that issue. During my time, the better musicians also happen to be the biggest fans and were part of the pep bands for basketball games and other events; a world of difference in the quality of that group versus the football productions. Beyond all of this, I wouldn't want to change the flavor of the band with requirements. It would be counter to its irreverent and let's-just-have-fun purpose.

Today is my first day back at work in a couple of weeks and most who went to the game took today off. Those who are in haven't said anything yet and I am not the type to rub it in; cannot stand gloating or jeering. So, we may not talk about the Rose bowl until later this week. I will post their perceptions once I have enough of them.

[PrinceLightfoot]

5)  They spent half a year's pay to come to Southern California...and I'll tell you, every time I've ever visited any Midwestern city other than Chicago, I've thought to myself "Thank goodness I don't live here."  I'm sure Des Moines and all the other Iowa towns and cities are perfectly fine, but I'd rather live in Alviso than any one of them.  So when they visit our fair state, especially those here for the first time, they are a bit taken aback at how darned terrific it is.

Iowa:
I live in Des Moines and have for almost 10 years. With no previous midwest exposure or ties, I can say that I love it out here (except for Winter). The people are 10x more approachable than Californians and definitely nicer. While recognizing rural roots, there is enough here to entertain and satisfy the demands of an urbanite like myself. Do not knock it unless you have truly tried it.

Before The Rose Bowl:
Most of my friends (who are Hawkeye fans/alumni) were not looking forward to playing Stanford. Those who follow college football knew that our offense was too balanced and that would be a problem. On the other hand, they felt they would gash us rushing the ball. Of course, there were a few who brought up Northwestern comparisons as a point of hope. The all uniformly thought we wouldn't be able to handle a power offense for more than a half because we just do not face that in the PAC12 and our front seven was a weakness. We would lead at halftime, but they would make it a game by the 4th quarter. Most predicted a close game save for a couple of homers who still thought we were the PAC10.

All were very excited to be going to the Rose bowl. One of my best friends had been talking about it for years telling me that if Iowa ever went to the Rose bowl, he was definitely going to make the trip. The level of excitement was great to see. I wore Stanford gear the last day I worked and which raised eyebrows of those who didn't know me.

The LSJUMB
I am a former band member, so my bias says this was a tame performance at least compared to what we did in the 90s, but the script made sense contextually and was definitely not offensive. Several texted to me that the show was stupid or were bewildered having seen the LSJUMB for the first time; they just weren't used to seeing a scatter band and couldn't hear the narration. The perception definitely was that the band was making fun of Iowa for being a farm state.

The band's level of musicianship will not become better because that means excluding those who cannot play making the band so small it just isn't heard or not large enough to create meanigful formations. I was a professional trumpet player, but playing next to several below average trumpz created enough dissonance that it didn't matter. When it comes to creating "good" music within an ensemble, it only takes one playing out of tune to ruin what sounds "good". Raising the level of skill of less talented musicians requires an investment I am almost sure most are not willing to provide. Money will not solve that issue. During my time, the better musicians also happen to be the biggest fans and were part of the pep bands for basketball games and other events; a world of difference in the quality of that group versus the football productions. Beyond all of this, I wouldn't want to change the flavor of the band with requirements. It would be counter to its irreverent and let's-just-have-fun purpose.

Today is my first day back at work in a couple of weeks and most who went to the game took today off. Those who are in haven't said anything yet and I am not the type to rub it in; cannot stand gloating or jeering. So, we may not talk about the Rose bowl until later this week. I will post their perceptions once I have enough of them.