A Morning After Blog

Good morning everybody!


I hope everyone slept off whatever parties/festivities they took in last night after the Winnipeg Scottish Festival. I tried very hard to endure the day but my recent pains left me growing cranky as the evening began. Home I went and at some point I fell asleep in my chair with the Power Rangers blaring....


I usually use Sunday to reflect on the contest prior. I don't usually reflect via blog until a few days after to avoid either an over abundance of pride or a crippling amount of self-pity. Today I'm feeling a little more open and I thought I'd share.

First, the contest was run great. I can't say enough great things about the committee that has kept this games running. We all owe them, and all the volunteers that run all the games, a debt of gratitude.

Second to our kids. The Two Rivers Juvenile group. You should all be very proud of the hard work you put forward and the performance you gave. I know your instructors are proud, and certainly your parents.

I really enjoyed watching the games, but I've come to the conclusion I'm not ready to retire. As nice as it was to see it go by, I was quite pained watching the corps going in from the back. Cam Fidler took my place this weekend, and all the guys rallied around him and put in a good performance, but I missed playing.

We weren't nearly clean enough, this comes from being significantly behind the eight ball as it were. Music got chosen, written, and handed out late, and it's up to me to make sure we are better organized going forward. In the old days I could take my time, get things done cause I had time. Now, all of us boys in the corp have busy lives and we need lead time to prepare. Lesson learned.

I really enjoyed the City of Regina performances. I've always liked the tune selections and Rolly has a pretty rockin corp going, I'm really looking forward to some good contests in the next months and years coming.

Of course the big news in the emergence of the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band as a grade 3 competitive band. It was fantastic to see guys I played with many moons ago taking another run out there, their sound was fantastic and their music selection was clean and professional. Nate Mitchell has always been a good friend and I'm thrilled he got to lead the band in and give such polished performances.

I should speak to the obvious. I've often commented about pipe bands being families, and going into competition similar to battle. The bonds you make take years to dwindle. It was difficult to watch guys I am so close to compete with a different band. That's the honest truth. To know that from this point forward, we're us, and they're them.

While I find myself supportive, and pleased they found a place where they can make music and enjoy it, it still stings a bit. But that's life in the pipe band. It was only a matter of time before I experienced this side of it.

As I stated in a past blog post, I am adopting a supportive and community oriented approach to pipe bands. So sting or not, I am truly pleased for all the bands that played this weekend. This new approach has left me with a new fire, one that makes me want to compete and enjoy the spirit of musical competition against these great bands. It makes me want to go down and practice, write, and critique my corp so I can bring out the best in them.

It makes me want to be a better lead drummer.

Alas my injury will stem my drumming for a few weeks but I will do my homework and prepare. When the time is right, I will come back in better shape and rejuvenated. There is work to do, and I can't wait to get to it.

Congratulations everyone, enjoy the long weekend. Soak in your successes and lick your wounds. It won't be long before we do it again.



Cheers

Sean