Important Lessons for the Young Fellers

Happy Easter Weekend everyone.


I wanted to share some words of wisdom on this not so important day of March 28. Also Simpson has been hounding me to post a blog and I always want to make the big man happy.

March 28 last year I was in Vegas. For those who know me, I fit right in there. It was warm, sunny, and I think I was sitting on the patio at Margaritaville drinking a giant margarita. March 30th I was set to get married, take the plunge, etc.

I got a tremendous amount of advice from every where I looked, but with some of my guys getting older I thought I'd share the few things I've learned this past year through trial and error.

Things I learned in my first year of marriage:

 #1 Remember your anniversary (not difficult as I changed my NHL Game center password to our anniversary, also my phone password, email password, and pretty much everything else I could think of)

#2 Cooking is great, a man who can cook can win any woman's heart. However, learning to cook and clean up after yourself while cooking, is ten times more valuable as a delicious meal followed by 2 hours of dishes does not a happy wife make

#3 In a condensed NHL season skipping one game a week to watch Big Brother makes you super human and, being a Jets fan, they usually have one crappy game per week...

#4 When you have a bad band practice, she can tell, she might not understand but you should explain anyways, you'll feel better and she'll feel included

 #5 Being married to the most beautiful and caring woman you can find makes the first 4 very simple :)  So go find a woman who takes your breath away, and puts up with your crap, even if you think you're wonderful...

One year ago today I flew to Vegas (God I wish I was in Vegas) and two days later became one lucky SOB.

To my beautiful bride, 

We finally got through what we'll dub the craziest 3 years of our lives, and now this weekend we mark our 1 year anniversary. I know some days I day dream while we're in the car, I make a mess just as bad as Jacob and Bruce, and I bombard you with hair brained schemes. But I love you dearly, I have no clue what poor excuse for a man I would be if it wasn't for you. If I could marry you again on Saturday I would. 

Thank you for always being you.

Happy Anniversary honey, and Happy Easter everybody else.


Sean

An Inspirational Play

Happy Hump Day,


I had a really great time at band practice and I have been just craving some blog time. Of course, blogger was down for awhile this morning, I'm assuming purely because I wanted to log on...

No matter we're here now.

This morning I did something I don't usually do, I drove to work by myself. What does this result in? World's 2011 cranked at full volume screaming down the highway.

I usually skip to my favorite plays by the top bands, but today was different I was just listening to the whole thing. I came upon track 5 Oran Mor. Of course I didn't know it was Oran Mor. But my ear perked up.

I'd like to confess right now I've never paid much mind to this band. I watched their drum corp a few times and was impressed but it's not like they're giving the top three a run. But honestly, this could have been a top three performance. I sure will pay attention from now on, to every band.

Track 5 from Volume 2 of the 2011 World's, lists Oran Mor performing Lord Alexander Kennedy, Atholl Cummers, and Mrs. Macpherson of Inveran. Specifically I would recommend listening to Atholl Cummers. I feel like this performance exemplifies how Strathspeys are supposed to feel. At least from the piping, the drumming is a wee bit clipped for my taste and doesn't sit with the piping, in my honest opinion.

No this band didn't win any big deal awards, but on this particular day, on this particular recording, to this particular listener, this was a world class performance. I just love the way they lift this Spey to new heights.

Now here's the catch, I go on to track 6 and I hold the medley in great expectation. Most of it passes by without a thought but again, here are these brilliant speys with such life and lift.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I am all of a sudden a big fan of this band. Sure it's just their Speys but I believe accurately piping a spey feel with a large group of players is the hardest thing we do.

Good on you Oran Mor, whatever you did!

Don't shrug off the bands you aren't aware of, give everyone a listen, they didn't get to grade 1 for nothing.


Cheers

Sean

Back at 'Er

Happy Monday, for the sick few who enjoy this day of the week.


I had quite a journey last week and was torn away from my blog to tend to some work related issues. All work and no play as it were.

Glad to be back.

For anyone who hasn't traveled down around Windsor and southern Ontario, it is definitely worth the trip. I was there in a snow storm and it was gorgeous.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were full of meetings, and sales calls. However Thursday I was slotted for a 6 30 flight that became a 9 45 flight... Which led to a very fast run through Toronto Pearson Airport to find out Air Canada had bumped me as I was two minutes late for my connection. Next flight was Friday morning so I over-nighted in TO and hopped back on first thing in the morning.

Of course they lost my bag for several hours... cause they're Air Canada.

Bumped in to two good buddies on Friday night. Friend of the band George Hamilton was in attendance at the King's Head Pub and we had a good visit. I also enjoyed a great visit with my good friend Nate Mitchell. I always like catching up with good buddies.

All in all a quiet weekend. The PPBAM Indoor contest will go ahead on March 16th so I've been brushing my solo students up. With the two new students from Transcona I'm pressing our luck getting them on new scores for a new contest, but it's important I get them set up in my development system where I want them.

While I was hunkered down in this snow storm I also got some time to edit some scores. I'm trying to fight my way back to the style that got me a qualification at the world's and a 1st in drumming in the Maxville Medley. I also want to be able to play as cleanly and expressively as possible, so this requires opening some stuff up and letting the music breathe a bit.

Look forward to a little bit more structured Saspb drum corp in the future contests. I think I've got my finger on the pulse of what I'm trying to do. So hopefully things will work out.

Talk tomorrow,

Sean